Women's Health Commons^™

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Suppress Inflammatory Cytokines In Lipopolysaccharide Exposed Preterm And Term Human Pregnant Myometrial Cells, Arunmani Mani, John Hotra, Sean C Blackwell, Laura Goetzl, Jerrie S Refuerzo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective  The objective of this study was to determine the cytokine response in human pregnant preterm and term myometrial cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cocultured with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Study Design  Myometrium was obtained at cesarean delivery in term and preterm patients. Human myometrial cells were exposed to 5 μg/mL LPS for 4 hours followed by 1 μg/mL LPS for 24 hours and were cocultured with MSCs for 24 hours. Culture supernatants were collected at 24 hours and expression of cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and IL-10, was quantified …

Association Between Serum Vitamin D Status And Uterine Leiomyomas: A Case-Control Study, Chukwuemeka Chukwubuikem Okoro, Okechukwu Christian Ikpeze, George Uchenna Eleje, Gerald Okanandu Udigwe, Chukwuemeka Okwudili Ezeama, Joseph Odirichukwu Ugboaja, Chukwunonso Isaiah Enechukwu, Osita Samuel Umeononihu, Chukwudi Anthony Ogabido, Charlotte Blanche Oguejiofor, Tobechi Kingsley Njoku, Richard Obinwanne Egeonu, Chigozie Geoffrey Okafor, Hillary Ikechukwu Obiagwu, Chukwudubem Chinagorom Onyejiaka, Afam Ben Obidike, Christian Ejike Onah, Ifeanyi Uzukwu, Amarachukwu Doris Okoro, Evaristus Chino Ezema, Adaobi Maryann Ibekwe, Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: Uterine leiomyoma is a common gynecological condition that negatively affects women's quality of life. Vitamin D plays an important role in tumor development and progression. However, clinical studies comparing serum vitamin D levels between women with and without uterine leiomyomas are limited and inconclusive. This study aimed to compare serum vitamin D levels in women with and without uterine leiomyomas.

METHODS: This hospital-based case-control study included 150 women who visited a gynecological clinic. The cases included 75 women with uterine leiomyoma, whereas the controls included 75 age-and parity-matched participants without uterine leiomyoma. Serum vitamin D levels were measured in …

Canadian French Translation And Validation Of The Neck Dissection Impairment Index: A Quality Of Life Measure For The Surgical Oncology Population, Michel Khoury, William Guertin, Cameo Hao, Mikhail Saltychev, Tareck Ayad, Eric Bissada, Apostolos Christopoulos, Sami Moubayed, Marie-Jo Olivier, Douglas Chepeha, Stephen Y Lai, Anastasios Maniakas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Neck dissections (ND) are a routine procedure in head and neck oncology. Given the postoperative functional impact that some patients experience, it is imperative to identify and track quality of life (QoL) symptomatology to tailor each patient's therapeutic needs. To date, there is no validated French-Canadian questionnaire for this patient-population. We therefore sought to translate and validate the Neck Dissection Impairment Index (NDII) in Canadian French.

METHODS: A 3-phased approach was used. Phase 1: The NDII was translated from English to Canadian French using a "forward and backward" translational technique following international guidelines. Phase 2: A cognitive debriefing session …

Activation Of Piezo1 Increases The Sensitivity Of Breast Cancer To Hyperthermia Therapy, Shao-Kang Wang, Xiao-Ting Zhang, Xuan-Yao Jiang, Bi-Jiang Geng, Tao-Lin Qing, Lei Li, Yun Chen, Jin-Feng Li, Xiao-Fang Zhang, Shuo-Gui Xu, Jiang-Bo Zhu, Yu-Ping Zhu, Mei-Tang Wang, Ji-Kuai Chen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Photothermal therapy (PTT) of nanomaterials is an emerging novel therapeutic strategy for breast cancer. However, there exists an urgent need for appropriate strategies to enhance the antitumor efficacy of PTT and minimize damage to surrounding normal tissues. Piezo1 might be a promising novel photothermal therapeutic target for breast cancer. This study aims to explore the potential role of Piezo1 activation in the hyperthermia therapy of breast cancer cells and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that the specific agonist of Piezo1 ion channel (Yoda1) aggravated the cell death of breast cancer cells triggered by heat stress

Breast Multiparametric Mri For Prediction Of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response In Breast Cancer: The Bmmr2 Challenge, Wen Li, Savannah C Partridge, David C Newitt, Jon Steingrimsson, Helga S Marques, Patrick J Bolan, Michael Hirano, Benjamin Aaron Bearce, Jayashree Kalpathy-Cramer, Michael A Boss, Xinzhi Teng, Jiang Zhang, Jing Cai, Despina Kontos, Eric A Cohen, Walter C Mankowski, Michael Liu, Richard Ha, Oscar J Pellicer-Valero, Klaus Maier-Hein, Simona Rabinovici-Cohen, Tal Tlusty, Michal Ozery-Flato, Vishwa S Parekh, Michael A Jacobs, Ran Yan, Kyunghyun Sung, Anum S Kazerouni, Julie C Dicarlo, Thomas E Yankeelov, Thomas L Chenevert, Nola M Hylton

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose To describe the design, conduct, and results of the Breast Multiparametric MRI for prediction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy Response (BMMR2) challenge. Materials and Methods The BMMR2 computational challenge opened on May 28, 2021, and closed on December 21, 2021. The goal of the challenge was to identify image-based markers derived from multiparametric breast MRI, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, along with clinical data for predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant treatment. Data included 573 breast MRI studies from 191 women (mean age [±SD], 48.9 years ± 10.56) in the I-SPY 2/American College of Radiology Imaging …

Plasma Per-And Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (Pfas) Mixtures And Maternal Cardiometabolic Health, Yuting Wang

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Food is a common exposure pathway to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) but dietary factors related to PFAS concentrations in pregnant people have not been adequately evaluated. PFAS have been linked to the increased risk of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and adiposity. However, less is known regarding the effect of PFAS mixtures on blood pressure (BP) trajectories in normotensive pregnancies or weight retention postpartum. We used data from the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS) to examine dietary intake and PFAS concentrations and associations of PFAS with BP trajectories and postpartum weight retention. PFAS concentrations were measured in plasma collected at …

Gambian Mothers Lack Obstetric Danger Sign Knowledge, But Educational Intervention Shows Promise, Kara Shannon, Jocelyn Burridge, Brodus Franklin, Sheena Bhushan, Susan Hilsenbeck, Elena V Petrova, James N'Dow, Ibezimako Iwuh, Sharmila Anandasabapathy, Jeffrey P Wilkinson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: The Gambia has the 12th highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 80% of deaths resulting from avoidable causes. Unawareness of pregnancy danger signs (DS) has been shown to be a barrier to seeking obstetric care, while app-based education intervention has shown promise.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to assess patient awareness of DS, identify barriers to awareness, and evaluate potential for implementing smartphone-based technologies for education.

METHODS: A cross-sectional semi-structured survey was administered to Gambian women (n = 100) across five hospitals/health centers. Data and informed consent were collected via an online survey portal. Analysis included bivariate analysis and …

"The Most Important Thing In Ipv Right Now": The Intersection Of Intimate Partner Violence And Brain Injury, Halina (Lin) Haag

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and brain injury (BI) has been almost entirely overlooked in research, practice, and policy, despite the known risks associated with the two conditions. Individually, IPV and BI are associated with elevated rates of unemployment, poverty, and homelessness, as well as increased mental health challenges. These social determinants of health, employment status, and income impact women’s wellbeing through access to safe accommodations, food security, and (dis)ability supports. These determinants are also related to an increased likelihood of experiencing addictions, mental health challenges, and physical danger, potentially leaving women vulnerable to ongoing violence. This qualitative …

Fitness Consequences Of Depressive Symptoms Vary Between Generations: Evidence From A Large Cohort Of Women Across The 20th Century, Christopher I Gurguis, Renée A Duckworth, Nicole M Bucaro, Consuelo Walss-Bass

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Depression has strong negative impacts on how individuals function, leading to the assumption that there is strong negative selection on this trait that should deplete genetic variation and decrease its prevalence in human populations. Yet, depressive symptoms remain common. While there has been a large body of work trying to resolve this paradox by mapping genetic variation of this complex trait, there have been few direct empirical tests of the core assumption that there is consistent negative selection on depression in human populations. Here, we use a unique long-term dataset from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that spans …

Factors Associated With Reproductive Health Knowledge Among Vocational School Students In Padang, Wilda Tri Yuliza, Meti Yanti, Alkafi Alkafi, Gusni Rahma

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia in 2022 reported that 35.3 persen of women and 31.2 persen of men aged 15-19 have limited or no awareness of reproductive health. The rise of vocational students who are often caught in raids with several cases including sexual deviations is a fatal impact of the lack of reproductive health knowledge on adolescence. The purpose of this study is to find out the factors associated with reproductive health knowledge among vocational students in Padang City. A cross-sectional quantitative research was conducted in July-September 2023 among 538 students at SMK in Padang, …

Bivariate Spatial Pattern Based On The Characteristics Of Women Smokers In Indonesia, Diana Rohmandani Putri, Rudi Safarudin, Ammad Khokar, Konain Tayab, Muhammad Taaha Kashif, Erni Astutik

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

The increasing prevalence of smoking among women globally has become a critical public health issue. World Health Organization (WHO) data shows 20 percent of women use tobacco. Women smokers face an increased risk of various diseases. Spatial studies need to be conducted as a basis for planning and providing targeted interventions to reduce the spread of diseases caused by smoking. The study aimed to determine the spatial description of smoking among women in Indonesia. This study analyzed the 2017 IDHS data and used an ecological study design with a descriptive approach and a spatial analysis model. The results are Papua …

Genetic Loss Of Mir-205 Causes Increased Mammary Gland Development, Alessandra Cataldo, Douglas G Cheung, John P Hagan, Matteo Fassan, Sukhinder Sandhu-Deol, Carlo M Croce, Gianpiero Di Leva, Marilena V Iorio

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

MiRNAs play crucial roles in a broad spectrum of biological processes, both physiological and pathological. Different reports implicate miR-205 in the control of breast stem cell properties. Differential miR-205 expression has been observed in different stages of mammary gland development and maturation. However, a functional role in this process has not been clearly demonstrated. We generated an miR-205 knockout in the FVB/N mouse strain, which is viable and characterized by enhanced mammary gland development. Indeed, mammary glands of miR-205

Age, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity And Quality Of Life In Turkish Pregnant Woman With And Without A Diagnosis Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Comparative Study, Yaren Nur Tayyar, Hatice Kahyaoglu Sut

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to examine and compare the age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and quality of life (QOL) of third-trimester Turkish pregnant women with and without a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A comparative study was conducted in the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital in Turkey, and it included 210 women (GDM women = 105 and non-GDM women = 105). Personal Information Form, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ), and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Short Form-Turkish (WHOQOL-Bref-TR) were used.

Results: The age and BMI of GDM women were higher …

Genital Tract Infections, The Vaginal Microbiome And Gestational Age At Birth Among Pregnant Women In South Africa: A Cohort Study Protocol, Ranjana M.S. Gigi, Mandisa M. Mdingi, Hyunsul Jung, Shantelle Claassen-Weitz, Lukas Bütikofer, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Christina A. Muzny, Christopher M. Taylor, Janneke H.H.M. Van De Wijgert, Remco P.H. Peters, Nicola Low

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction Preterm birth complications are the most common cause of death in children under 5 years. The presence of multiple microorganisms and genital tract inflammation could be the common mechanism driving early onset of labour. South Africa has high levels of preterm birth, genital tract infections and HIV infection among pregnant women. We plan to investigate associations between the presence of multiple lower genital tract microorganisms in pregnancy and gestational age at birth. Methods and analysis This cohort study enrols around 600 pregnant women at one public healthcare facility in East London, South Africa. Eligible women are ≥18 years and …

Determinants Of Immunization In Polio Super High-Risk Union Councils Of Pakistan, Ahmad Khan, Imtiaz Hussain, Dale A. Rhoda, Muhammad Umer, Uzair Ansari, Imran Ahmed, Caitlin Clary, Rana Muhammad Safdar, Sajid Bashir Soofi

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: The current polio epidemiology in Pakistan poses a unique challenge for global eradication as the country is affected by ongoing endemic poliovirus transmission. Across the country, 40 union councils (UCs) which serve as core reservoirs for poliovirus with continuous incidences of polio cases are categorized as super-high-risk union councils (SHRUCs).
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 39 SHRUCs using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. 6,976 children aged 12-23 months were covered. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using STATA version 17.
Results: Based on both vaccination records and recall, 48.3% of children …

Navigating Transitions: Cranialsacral Therapy, Occupational Therapy And Neuroregulation Strategies For Adjusting To A New Home, Carol J. Reshan

Journal of Transformative Touch

Report of working with a hyper-vigilant 9-year-old male with difficulty handling a transition to a new home. CST and sensory processing enhancement were utilized to help develop neuroregulation, enabling self-awareness, self-regulation, and personally directed life skills for maintaining a safe and alert state.

Comparing The Effectiveness Of Mother-Focused Interventions To That Of Mother-Child Focused Interventions In Improving Maternal Postpartum Depression Outcomes: A Systematic Review, Divya Kumar, Waqas Hameed, Bilal Iqbal Avan

Community Health Sciences

Background: Most empirically researched interventions for postpartum depression (PPD) tend to target mothers' depression alone. Harmful effects of PPD on physical and mental health of both mother and child has led researchers to investigate the impact of interventions on PPD and child outcomes together. So far, the evidence is limited regarding how these interventions compare with those focusing only on mothers' depression. This review compares the effectiveness of PPD-improving interventions focusing only on mothers with those focusing on mother and child together.
Methods: Nine electronic databases were searched. Thirty-seven studies evaluating mother-focused (n = 30) and mother-child focused interventions (n …

Effects Of Episodic Food Insecurity On Psychological And Physiological Responses In African American Women With Obesity (Responses): Protocol For A Longitudinal Observational Cohort Study, Candice A. Myers, Robbie A. Beyl, Daniel S. Hsia, Melissa N. Harris, Isabella J. Reed, Danielle D. Eliser, Lauren Bagneris, John W. Apolzan

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background; Food insecurity is a risk factor for multiple chronic diseases, including obesity. Importantly, both food insecurity and obesity are more prevalent in African American women than in other groups. Furthermore, food insecurity is considered a cyclic phenomenon, with episodes of food adequacy (ie, enough food to eat) and food shortage (ie, not enough food to eat). More research is needed to better understand why food insecurity is linked to obesity, including acknowledging the episodic nature of food insecurity as a stressor and identifying underlying mechanisms. Objective; The objective of this study is to investigate the episodic nature of food …

Biomarkers Of Affective Dysregulation Associated With In Utero Exposure To Etoh, Nune Darbinian, Nana Merabova, Gabriel Tatevosian, Mary Morrison, Armine Darbinyan, Huaqing Zhao, Laura Goetzl, Michael Edgar Selzer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) exhibit behavioral and affective dysregulation, including hyperactivity and depression. The mechanisms are not known, but they could conceivably be due to postnatal social or environmental factors. However, we postulate that, more likely, the affective dysregulation is associated with the effects of EtOH exposure on the development of fetal serotonergic (5-HT) and/or dopaminergic (DA) pathways, i.e., pathways that in postnatal life are believed to regulate mood. Many women who use alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) during pregnancy suffer from depression and take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which might influence these monoaminergic pathways in the …

Improving Intimate Partner Violence Screening In A Women’S Health Practice Through Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Screening Tool, Jasmine Weber

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement intimate partner violence screening in an outpatient women’s health clinic with no prior screening process in place. Current recommendations are to screen all reproductive age women for intimate partner violence 6 . During a three-month period 170 patients out of 260 eligible patients were screened using the HARK screening tool, 7 of those patients screened positive and were offered referrals to social work. While universal IPV screening was not achieved, a screening rate of 64% is a remarkable improvement from an apparent absence of screening prior to project implementation.