Sex steroids and markers of micro- and macrovascular damage among women and men from the general population.

AIMS: The contribution of sex hormones to micro- and macrovascular damage might differ among women and men. In particular, little is known about the association between sex hormones and small vessel disease. Therefore, we examined the association of total oestradiol, total testosterone, free-androgen index (FAI), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and androstenedione levels with micro- and macrovascular diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included 2950 women and 2495 men from the population-based Rotterdam Study. As proxy of microvascular damage, we measured diameters of retinal arterioles and venules. Markers of macrovascular damage included carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaque, coronary artery calcification (CAC), and peripheral artery disease. Linear and logistic regression models were used and adjusted for age, cardiovascular risk factors, and years since menopause. Associations with microvasculature: In women, total testosterone [mean difference per 1-unit increase in natural-log transformed total testosterone (95% confidence interval, CI): 2.59 (0.08-5.09)] and androstenedione [4.88 (1.82-7.95)] and in men DHEAS [2.80 (0.23-5.37)] and androstenedione [5.83 (2.19-9.46)] were associated with larger venular caliber. Associations with markers of large vessel disease: In women, higher total testosterone [-0.29 (-0.56 to -0.03)], FAI [-0.33 (-0.56 to -0.10)], and androstenedione levels [-0.33 (-0.64 to -0.02)] were associated with lower CAC burden and FAI [odds ratio (95% CI): 0.82 (0.71-0.94)] was associated with lower prevalence of plaque. CONCLUSION: A more androgenic profile was associated with more microvascular damage in both women and men. Among women, however, higher androgen levels were also associated with less macrovascular damage. Our findings suggest that androgens might have distinct effects on the vasculature, depending on the vascular bed and stages of the atherosclerosis process.

Early-life antibiotic exposure increases the risk of developing allergic symptoms later in life: A meta-analysis.

This study systematically reviewed and quantified the relationship between exposure to antibiotics during the first 2 years of life and the risk of allergies/atopies including hay fever, eczema, food allergy, positive skin prick testing (SPT), or elevated allergen-specific serum/plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels later in life. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for observational studies published from January 1966 through November 11, 2015. Overall pooled estimates of the odds ratios (ORs) were obtained using fixed or random-effects models. Early-life exposure to antibiotics appears to be related to an increased risk of allergic symptoms of hay fever, eczema, and food allergy later in life. The summary OR for the risk of hay fever (22 studies) was 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.13-1.34; I2 : 77.0%. The summary OR for the risk of eczema (22 studies) was 1.26, 95% CI: 1.15-1.37; I2 : 74.2%, and the summary OR for food allergy (3 studies) was 1.42, 95% CI: 1.08-1.87; I2 : 80.8%. However, no association was found for antibiotics exposure early in life and objective atopy measurements including positive SPT or elevated allergen-specific serum/plasma IgE levels.

Nutritional assessment of cancer patients in Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Weight loss and malnutrition are common among cancer patients, these two factors greatly affecting survival and quality of life during treatment. Since cancer is becoming increasingly common in the world and in order to provide better treatment measures, it is important to identify and prevent side effects. The present study has been conducted in 2010 on a sample of cancer patients in the oncology center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences to determine the prevalence rates of malnutrition and the factors affecting it. METHODS: The PG-SGA standard questionnaire was administered to 416 cancer patients to evaluate their nutrition status and determine the frequency of each malnutrition stage. Correlations and ANOVA tests were used to analyze the relationship between factors and weight loss and how they might affect the development of malnutrition. RESULTS: The prevalence of malnutrition among the patients was 53.1% out of which 29.1% had moderate and 24% had severe malnutrition. The most common factors inducing nutritional symptoms were depression and anorexia. Some 35 % of the patients had over 5% weight loss in the last mouth. The average PG-SGA score was 10.1 with 49 being the highest. 46.1 percent of the patients scored over 9 (requiring critical nutrient intervention). Malnutrition has a high correlation with weight loss, activity limitations, nutritional symptoms, and cancer stage, but low correlation with treatment and pathologic type. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition has a high prevalence in Iranian cancer patients and has a close relationship with mortality, morbidity and treatment-related problems and also quality of life. Therefore, periodical assessment by PG-SGA to detect malnutrition in patients should be made so that appropriate nutritional interventions can be provided.