Livingstonryan3990

The practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) is a deeply-rooted tradition that affects predominantly regions of Africa and Asia. Because of migration flows, FGM is an issue of increasing concern worldwide. FGM is now carried out in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, and more specifically among immigrant communities from countries where it is common. This study aims to assess the experience, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to FGM of migrant women and men from FGM-affected countries residing in Spain and the United Kingdom. A phenomenological qualitative approach was used. Participants (n=23) were recruited by using the snowball sampling technique until data saturation was reached. Data were collected through 18 open-ended interviews and a focus group. Of the 23 participants, 20 women had undergone FGM. The following five themes were generated from interviews (a) FGM practice development, (b) knowledge about the practice, (c) reasons for performing FGM, (d) attitudes toward continuing or abandoning the practice, and (e) criminalization of FGM. The study here presented identifies a lack of information, memory, and knowledge about the practice of FGM and typology among women with FGM. The justification of the practice seems to be based on a multifactorial model, where sociocultural and economic factors, sexual factors, hygienic-esthetic factors, and religious-spiritual factors take on a greater role in the analysis of the interviews carried out. The participants practically unanimously agree to advocate the abandonment and eradication of this harmful traditional practice. The knowledge displayed in this study may provide a basis for improving awareness and healthcare in such collectives, aiming the eradication of this harmful traditional practice.

A systematic review was performed to identify the types of physical activities effective as interventions in preventing metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women.

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL) served as the data sources. Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 was applied to assess the risk of bias of the randomized controlled trials. Meta-analyses were performed on selected studies using Review Manager 5.3. Thirty-one trials enrolling 2,202 participants were included.

Compared to controls, the effects of physical activity were indicated by pooled mean differences, which were -0.57 kg for body weight, -0.43 kg/m

for body mass index, -1.63 cm for waist circumference, -4.89 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (BP), and -2.71 mmHg for diastolic BP. The effects were greater on the measurements of waist circumference and BP than on body weight and BMI. The types of physical activities were further analyzed according to sub-groups. Only aerobic exercise did not affect body weight and resistance exercise did not significantly change any results. Contrarily, combined exercises significantly reduced measurements of waist circumference and BP.

This review can provide valuable information for research and implementation of measures to prevent metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women.

This review can provide valuable information for research and implementation of measures to prevent metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women.[Figure see text].[Figure see text].[Figure see text].Significance Diabetic heart disease (DHD) is the primary cause of mortality in people with diabetes. A significant contributor to the development of DHD is the disruption of redox balance due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction resulting from sustained high glucose levels. Therapies specifically focusing on suppression of ROS will hugely benefit patients with DHD. Recent Advances In addition to the gold standard pharmacological therapies, the recent development of gene therapy provides an exciting avenue for developing new therapeutics to treat ROS mediated DHD. In particular, microRNAs (miRNAs) are gaining interest due to their crucial role in several physiological and pathological processes, including DHD. Critical Issues miRNAs have many targets and differential function depending on the environment. Therefore, a proper understanding of the function of miRNAs in specific cell types and cell states is required for the successful application of this technology. In the present review, we will first provide an overview of the role of ROS in contributing to DHD and the currently available treatments. We will then discuss the newer gene therapies with a specific focus on the role of miRNAs as the causative factors and therapeutic targets to combat ROS mediated DHD. Future Directions The future of miRNA therapeutics in tackling ROS mediated DHD is dependent on a complete understanding of how miRNAs behave in different cells and environments. Future research should also aim to develop conditional miRNA therapeutic platforms capable of switching on and off in response to disruptions in the redox state.

Several papers already reported better outcomes of tricuspid valve repair with ring annuloplasty compared to suture techniques. However, the follow-up is usually limited to 10 years. selleckchem With this study, we aim to analyze the results of tricuspid valve repair according to the technique employed when the follow-up is extended to more than 15 years.

A retrospective review of our institutional database was carried on to find all patients who underwent tricuspid valve repair between January 1998 and December 2004. Kaplan-Meier method was employed to estimate survival and log-rank test was used to make intergroup comparison. Cox regression was employed to identify risk factor for mortality. Cumulative incidence function using death as competitive outcome was used to estimate cardiac death. To describe the time course of tricuspid regurgitation, a longitudinal analysis using generalized estimating equations with random intercept for correlated data was performed.

One hundred forty-six patients were identified 89 in the suture group and 57 in the ring group. No difference in term of long-term survival and cardiac death was evident between the two groups. A significant higher rate of tricuspid regurgitation ≥2+ and ≥3+ recurrence was evident in the suture group during the whole follow-up (p < 0.001).

Our results corroborate the better results of tricuspid valve repair by means of ring implantation compared to suture techniques also when the follow-up is extended up to 18 years. Ring annuloplasty should be considered the first option for tricuspid valve repair due to a better durability.

Our results corroborate the better results of tricuspid valve repair by means of ring implantation compared to suture techniques also when the follow-up is extended up to 18 years. Ring annuloplasty should be considered the first option for tricuspid valve repair due to a better durability.