The risk of sexual dysfunction in Chinese women with recurrent pregnancy loss and the associated factors: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a severe traumatic event for women of childbearing age. However, the association between RPL and female sexual dysfunction was unknown. Aim: The study sought to investigate the association between RPL and sexual dysfunction, and to explore the risk factors of sexual dysfunction for RPL patients. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study involving both RPL patients and healthy women was performed in 3 different hospitals in West China from May 2021 to January 2023. Baseline information including sociodemographic data and disease histories were collected. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess the sexual function of participants. Outcomes: The main outcome was the proportion of women at increased risk of sexual dysfunction (total FSFI scores <26.55), and the secondary outcome was risk factors of sexual dysfunction in RPL patients. Results: A total of 233 RPL patients and 185 healthy women were included in this study. RPL patients had significantly lower total FSFI scores (median 31.7 [interquartile range, 26.6-33.5] vs 33.0 [interquartile range, 31.2-34.1]; P < .001) and a significantly higher risk of sexual dysfunction than healthy women (24.9% vs 8.6%; P < .001). Body mass index >24 kg/m2 (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.132; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.902-8.976, P < .001), working >8 h/d (adjusted OR, 2.111; 95% CI, 1.020-4.369, P = .044), and unexplained RPL (adjusted OR, 3.785; 95% CI, 1.967-7.280, P < .001) were independent risk factors of sexual dysfunction for RPL patients. Clinical Implications: RPL patients, especially those patients with the previously mentioned risk factors, should be focused on the risk of sexual dysfunction, and appropriate preventions could be applied. Strength and Limitations: We explored the association between RPL and sexual dysfunction and explored the risk factors of sexual dysfunction among RPL patients for the first time, and the multicenter data increased the generalizability of results. However, the cross-sectional design did not provide an exact causal relationship between RPL and sexual dysfunction, and potential risk factors related to mental health were not investigated. Conclusion: RPL patients were at an increased risk of sexual dysfunction. Overweight, fatigue caused by work, and unexplained RPL were risk factors of sexual dysfunction for RPL patients.

Relationship between Body Mass Index and Bone Turnover Markers in Girls with Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effect of body mass index (BMI) on bone turnover markers in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) according to weight status at diagnosis. Methods: Two hundred and eleven girls with ICPP were divided according to their weight status at diagnosis into three groups: normal weight, overweight, and obese. The serum levels of total procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin, ß-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen, and some biochemical indicators were measured. Associations between variables were evaluated by multiple regression analysis. Results: Serum P1NP concentrations were significantly different among groups (p < 0.001). No other significant differences were noted in N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin and ß-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen. BMI was associated with estradiol (r = 0.155, p < 0.05) and inversely associated with P1NP (r = -0.251, p < 0.01), luteinizing hormone peak (r = -0.334, p < 0.01), follicle-stimulating hormone peak (r = -0.215, p < 0.01), and luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone peak (r = -0.284, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis of factors associated with BMI showed that it was correlated with P1NP, follicle-stimulating hormone base, and luteinizing hormone peak in the overweight group and the obese group. Conclusions: Our findings showed that BMI was associated with P1NP, revealing the reduction of bone formation in overweight and obese girls with ICPP. During the diagnosis and treatment of girls with ICPP, attention should be paid to body weight and bone metabolism.

Novel serological biomarker models composed of bone turnover markers, vitamin D, and estradiol and their auxiliary diagnostic value in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty.

OBJECTIVE: To establish serological biomarker models composed of bone turnover markers (BTMs), vitamin D (Vit D), and estradiol (E2) and to explore their auxiliary diagnostic value in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). METHODS: Ninety-three girls with ICPP and 93 healthy girls were included in the ICPP group and the control group, respectively. The serum levels of total procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin (N-MID), ß-C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (ß-CTX), Vit D, E2, and other biochemical parameters were detected in all participants. Serological biomarker models for assistance with ICPP diagnosis were established by logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Serum P1NP, ß-CTX, Vit D, and E2 levels differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.05). Three models were established. Model 1 consisted of P1NP and ß-CTX, and had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.764, sensitivity of 74.19%, and specificity of 72.04%. Model 2 consisted of P1NP, ß-CTX, and Vit D, and had an AUC of 0.840, sensitivity of 83.87%, and specificity of 72.04%. Model 3 consisted of P1NP, ß-CTX, Vit D, and E2, and had an AUC of 0.917, sensitivity of 82.80%, and specificity of 86.02%. CONCLUSIONS: Serum P1NP, ß-CTX, Vit D, and E2 levels may be effective indicators for auxiliary diagnosis of ICPP. Serological biomarker models composed of P1NP, ß-CTX, Vit D, and E2 (models 1, 2, and 3) may have auxiliary diagnostic value for ICPP.

Molecular cloning and potential function prediction of homologous SOC1 genes in tree peony.

KEY MESSAGE: The central flower integrator PsSOC1 was isolated and its expression profiles were analyzed; then the potential function of PsSOC1 in tree peony was postulated. The six flowering genes PrSOC1, PdSOC1, PsSOC1, PsSOC1-1, PsSOC1-2, and PsSOC1-3 were isolated from Paeonia rockii, Paeonia delavayi, and Paeonia suffruticosa, respectively. Sequence comparison analysis showed that the six genes were highly conserved and shared 99.41% nucleotide identity. Further investigation suggested PsSOC1 was highly homologous to the floral integrators, SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1), from Arabidopsis. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the SOC1 protein clustering has family specificity and PsSOC1 has a close relationship with homologous SOC1 from Asteraceae species. The studies of PsSOC1's expression patterns in different buds and flower buds, and vegetative organs indicated that PsSOC1 could express in both vegetative and reproductive organs. While the expression of PsSOC1 in different developmental stages of buds was different; high expression levels of PsSOC1 occurred in the bud at the bud sprouting stage and the type I aborted the flower bud. PsSOC1 expression was also shown to be affected by gibberellins (GA), low temperature, and photoperiod. One of the pathways that regulates tree peony flowering may be the GA-inductive pathway. Ectopic expression of PsSOC1 in tobacco demonstrated that greater PsSOC1 expression in the transgenic tobacco plants not only promoted plant growth, but also advanced the flowering time. Finally, the potential function of PsSOC1 in tree peony was postulated.

[Study on iodine nutritional status of target population due to different iodine concentrations in drinking water after stopped iodized salt].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the iodine nutritional status of key population living areas with iodine excess in drinking water before and after stopped iodized salt supply to provide strategies of control excessive iodine. METHODS: The levels of iodine in drinking water, edible salt of household and urine of school-age children and child-beard age women were investigated at four villages A, B, C and D which iodine concentrations of 50-100, 100-150, 150-300 and more than 300microg/L. The results of iodine in water, edible salt, urine and thyroid goiter were observed before stopping iodized salt. The levels of urinary iodine in four groups were tested after stopped iodized salt one or two month later. RESULTS: The medians of iodine concentration in inhabitants from four groups A, B, C and D were 93.20, 143.23, 194. 10 and 805.85microg/L of drinking water, in edible salt 25.38, 28.21, 30.01 and 32.87mg/kg. Goiter rate was 15.9%, 5.9%, 12.7% and 24.0%, respectively. The median of urinary iodine (MUI) was 384.60, 374.85, 439.90 and 1260.10microg/L. The proportion of urinary iodine level of 100-300microg/L was 32.3%, 28.3%, 13.6% and 1.0%, of more than 300microg/L was 67.7%, 70.8%, 86.4% and 99.0% with iodized salt supply. MUI of all groups with non-iodized salt decreased significantly after two month, especially in group A and B. The proportion of urinary iodine levels of 100-300microg/L was obviously more than before, but group more than 300microg/L was less than before. The similar changes of MUI were in children and women, but degree of change was obviously in group A. Their MUI were in normal after two month. There were significant difference in MUI of denizens including children and women before and after intervene. There was no difference of MUI in group C and D at the same time. There were significant correlations between urinary iodine and water iodine concentration (P < 0.001). MUI in group C, D was more than 300microg/L, but evident differences were found among 4 groups under different levels of water iodine (P < 0.001). The nutritious status of iodine was markedly excessive in group B, C and D of objects. CONCLUSION: Iodine nutritional status in inhabitants drinking water iodine concentration about 90microg/L was in normal, iodized salt supply could be safely stopped at the regions. Regardless iodized or non-iodized salt supply, there was inefficient in those areas with water iodine much more than 100microg/L. It is suggested that iodized salt must be stopped for controlling excessive iodine in the areas.