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The consequences of armed conflict on the health of women and newborn and sexual reproductive health - A position statement by the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG). Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022; 274:80-82. [PMID: 35609350 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Armed conflict brings about significant health-related consequences to the non-combatant population especially the elderly, women, and children. The consequences for women extend further than battle-related deaths. One important consequence of conflict is the population displacement resulting from individuals and families seeking safety in non-conflict zones. This forced migration places women at risk of gender-based violence during their journey and for this reason the host countries should ensure that the migrants are given access to reproductive health services, including providing emergency contraception and abortion. In the conflict zone, the collapse of all social support, including healthcare services, contribute towards a marked deterioration in the level of care provided to ensure reproductive health and safe motherhood. In addition, the community living the conflict zone is at an increased risk of community infectious disease and poor management of chronic illness. Women and children are almost always innocent victims of war. The international community must act effectively to primarily avoid conflict by sound diplomatic intervention and, when diplomacy fails, reduce the consequences of conflict.
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Fares MY, Salhab HA, Khachfe HH, Khachfe HM. Breast Cancer Epidemiology among Lebanese Women: An 11-Year Analysis. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2019; 55:E463. [PMID: 31405167 PMCID: PMC6723716 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55080463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide. Lebanon is a developing country in the Middle East with a prominent breast cancer incidence. The aim of our study was to explore the incidence rates of breast cancer in Lebanon from 2005 to 2015, and compare them to the rates of other countries. Materials and Methods: Breast cancer data for the years 2005-2015 was collected from the National Cancer Registry of Lebanon and stratified by gender and age group. Age-specific and age-standardized incidence rates were calculated and analyzed using joinpoint regression. Age-standardized incidence rates in the world population (ASR(w)) were obtained for other countries, from two online databases. Results: Breast cancer was found to be the most prevalent cancer in Lebanon, accounting for 20% of all cancer cases. The average ASR(w) was 96.5 per 100,000. Over the studied period, breast cancer ASR(w) in Lebanon showed a significantly increasing trend with an annual percent change (APC) of +4.6. Moreover, the APC of breast cancer age-specific rates significantly increased for the age groups 45-49 (p = 0.013), 50-54 (p < 0.001), 55-59 (p = 0.001), 60-64 (p = 0.002), 65-69 (p = 0.003), 70-74 (p < 0.001), and 75+ years (p < 0.001). Lebanon had the highest breast cancer ASR(w), when compared to other regional countries, and trailed only behind Denmark, when compared to selected countries from different parts of the world. Conclusions: Breast cancer incidence in Lebanon is among the highest in the world. Future studies should focus on exploring the genetic profile of the Lebanese population in an aim to extrapolate proper prevention guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Y Fares
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1102, Lebanon.
| | - Hamza A Salhab
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1102, Lebanon
| | - Hussein H Khachfe
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107, Lebanon
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut 1102, Lebanon
| | - Hassan M Khachfe
- School of Arts and Sciences, and the Lebanese Institute for Biomedical Research and Application (LIBRA), Lebanese International University (LIU), Beirut 1105, Lebanon
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Goossen RP, Summers KM, Ryan GL, Mengeling MA, Booth BM, Torner JC, Syrop CH, Sadler AG. Ethnic Minority Status and Experiences of Infertility in Female Veterans. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2018; 28:63-68. [PMID: 30481107 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2017.6731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the general population, infertility is increasingly prevalent in ethnic minority women; these women suffer longer and are less likely to access care. There is a paucity of data regarding the issue of race and infertility in the growing female military veteran population. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional observational study involved computer-assisted telephone interviews of 1,004 Veterans Administration (VA)-enrolled women aged ≤52 years. RESULTS Racial minority veterans were more likely than white veterans to self-report infertility (24% vs. 18%), equally likely to report infertility evaluation (52% vs. 52%), and less likely to report receiving infertility treatment (31% vs. 63%). Differences in self-reported infertility (odds ratios [OR]: 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-2.22) and infertility treatment (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13-0.81) were retained after controlling for age, income, marital status, education, insurance, history of pelvic inflammatory disease, and lifetime sexual assault. While racial minority veterans were equally as likely as white veterans to be evaluated for infertility, white and racial minority groups reported different reasons for not seeking evaluation. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with civilian studies, our data suggest that racial minority VA-enrolled female veterans are more likely to self-report infertility and less likely to receive infertility treatment. Future research should investigate whether these findings are consistent nationwide and regardless of VA enrollment, and if minority veterans have unique barriers to care. A better understanding of how the VA might improve awareness of infertility evaluation and treatment options, especially for racial minority veterans, is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel P Goossen
- 1 Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Karen M Summers
- 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Ginny L Ryan
- 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa.,3 Center for Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE), Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Michelle A Mengeling
- 3 Center for Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE), Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa.,4 VA Office of Rural Health (ORH), Veterans Rural Health Resource Center, Iowa City, Iowa.,5 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine Iowa City, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Brenda M Booth
- 6 Center for Mental Healthcare Outcomes and Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Alaska.,7 Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Alaska
| | - James C Torner
- 8 Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa.,9 Department of Neurosurgery and Surgery, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Craig H Syrop
- 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Anne G Sadler
- 3 Center for Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE), Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa.,10 Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
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Castro Torres AF, Urdinola BP. Armed Conflict and Fertility in Colombia, 2000–2010. POPULATION RESEARCH AND POLICY REVIEW 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11113-018-9489-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Uguz C, Varisli O, Agca C, Evans T, Agca Y. In vitro effects of nonylphenol on motility, mitochondrial, acrosomal and chromatin integrity of ram and boar spermatozoa. Andrologia 2014; 47:910-9. [PMID: 25280247 DOI: 10.1111/and.12346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of nonylphenol (NP) on viability of ram and boar sperm in vitro. Ram or boar spermatozoa were exposed to 1, 10, 100, 250 and 500 μg NP ml(-1) for 1, 2, 3 or 4 h. Computer-assisted sperm motility analysis (CASA) system was used to evaluate sperm motility characteristics. Flow cytometry was used to determine mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and chromatin integrity, while epifluorescent microscopy was used to determine sperm acrosomal status. Exposure of both species spermatozoa to 250 and 500 μg NP ml(-1) was detrimental to progressive motility (P < 0.05), and its adverse effect was significant at lower (100 μg NP ml(-1) ) concentration (P < 0.05). The percentages of ram and boar spermatozoa with high MMP declined drastically after exposures to ≥250 μg ml(-1) NP (P < 0.05). Unlike chromatin integrity, which did not appear to be altered by NP exposure, there were dose-dependent NP effects (P < 0.05) on acrosomal integrity of both species at as low as 1 μg ml(-1) NP for boar spermatozoa and 10 μg ml(-1) NP for ram spermatozoa. These data show adverse effects of NP on ram and boar spermatozoa and thus its potential harmful effects on male reproduction as NP is found in fruits, vegetables, human milk, fish and livestock products.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Uguz
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - O Varisli
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - C Agca
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - T Evans
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Y Agca
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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Ghasemi H, Owlia P, Jalali-Nadoushan MR, Pourfarzam S, Azimi G, Yarmohammadi ME, Shams J, Fallahi F, Moaiedmohseni S, Moin A, Yaraee R, Vaez-Mahdavi MR, Faghihzadeh S, Mohammad Hassan Z, Soroush MR, Naghizadeh MM, Ardestani SK, Ghazanfari T. A clinicopathological approach to sulfur mustard-induced organ complications: a major review. Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2013; 32:304-24. [PMID: 23590683 DOI: 10.3109/15569527.2013.781615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Sulfur mustard (SM), with an old manufacturing history still remains as potential threat due to easy production and extensive effects. OBJECTIVES Increasing studies on SM indicates the interest of researchers to this subject. Almost all human body organs are at risk for complications of SM. This study offers organ-by-organ information on the effects of SM in animals and humans. METHODS The data sources were literature reviews since 1919 as well as our studies during the Iraq-Iran war. The search items were SM and its all other nomenclatures in relation to, in vivo, in vitro, humans, animals, eye, ocular, ophthalmic, lungs, pulmonary, skin, cutaneous, organs and systemic. Amongst more than 1890 SM-related articles, 257 more relevant clinicopathologic papers were selected for this review. RESULTS SM induces a vast range of damages in nearly all organs. Acute SM intoxication warrants immediate approach. Among chronic lesions, delayed keratitis and blindness, bronchiolitis obliterans and respiratory distress, skin pruritus, dryness and cancers are the most commonly observed clinical sequelae. CONCLUSION Ocular involvements in a number of patients progress toward a severe, rapid onset form of keratitis. Progressive deterioration of respiratory tract leads to "mustard lung". Skin problems continue as chronic frustrating pruritus on old scars with susceptibility to skin cancers. Due to the multiple acute and chronic morbidities created by SM exposure, uses of multiple drugs by several routes of administrations are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Ghasemi
- Immunoregulation Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
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Bibliography. Current world literature. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2009; 21:296-300. [PMID: 19458522 DOI: 10.1097/gco.0b013e32832c972c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This bibliography is compiled by clinicians from the journals listed at the end of this publication. It is based on literature entered into our database between 1 February 2008 and 31 January 2009 (articles are generally added to the database about two and a half months after publication). In addition, the bibliography contains every paper annotated by reviewers; these references were obtained from a variety of bibliographic databases and published between the beginning of the review period and the time of going to press. The bibliography has been grouped into topics that relate to the reviews in this issue.
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