Background: Human papilloma virus infection and tobacco smoking are the major risk factors for cervical cancer. There are limited studies searching other risk factors for cervical cancer and the results are not consistent. This study investigated the relations between cervical cancer and possible risk factors, including secondhand cigarette smoke exposure, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and work schedule. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 29,557 women completed a cervical cancer questionnaire and were selected using 2010–2018 data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Details in secondhand smoke exposure, diabetes, BMI, and work schedule were assessed with participants’ health interviews and health-related surveys. Results: Two hundred sixty-two women (0.89%) in the sample were diagnosed with cervical cancer. Domestic secondhand smoke exposure, diabetes, and high BMI significantly increased cervical cancer risk. Respective odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were: 1.547 (1.042–2.297), 2.156 (1.535–3.027), and 1.036 (1.006–1.067). Weekly work hours, and work schedule were not significantly related to cervical cancer incidence. Conclusion: Among Korean women, passive exposure to cigarette smoke at home, diabetes, and high BMI increase risk for cervical cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of uterine artery embolization (UAE) to treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and determine the factors associated with clinic...

Han YS, et al. J Menopausal Med. 2017 Apr;23(1):25-31. https://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.2017.23.1.25

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a benign gynecological disease in which the pelvic organ descends into the vagina and causes voiding, and defecatory dysfunction, mainly occurs in older women. This study aimed to investigate the vaginal microbiome of POP and associated changes after anatomical restorative pessary or reconstructive pelvic operation. We analyzed the vaginal microbiome using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and compared the results among patient groups with POP, pessary, and postoperation. We also measured 10 inflammation-related cytokines in vaginal swab samples using multiplex immunoassay. In pelvic organ prolapse, vaginal community status type IV was the most prevalent, which showed a low abundance of Lactobacillus with increased diversity and abundance of anaerobic species. The alpha diversity of species richness was highest in the POP group. The beta diversity distance differed significantly between the three groups (p = 0.001). While human intestinal taxa-associated bacteria were reduced after pessary or operation, vaginitis-associated bacterial composition was altered but vaginal microbiome homeostasis was not improved. IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-1β, IL-4 and TNF-α levels increased in the pessary group. Therefore, in addition to anatomical restorative treatment, supplementary treatment focusing on the recovery of the vaginal microbiome may be needed to maintain the health of gynecological organs in old age.

Recent studies demonstrated a significant role of several microRNAs (miRs) in the development of leiomyoma. Here, we investigated miR expression profiles using microarray and found a significantly higher expression of miRs in leiomyoma than in adjacent myometrium. We also confirmed the upregulation of five selected miRs including miR-181a-5p, 127-3p, 28-3p, 30b-5p and let-7c-5p in cellular proliferation, extracellular matrix turnover, and angiogenesis by RT-qPCR. Interestingly, the miRs showed a higher expression in cases of large leiomyoma or in patients with a history of transfusion due to anemia. We then analyzed the expression of the miR target molecules including Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 2 (TGFBR2) and Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 mRNA Binding Protein 1 (IGF2BP1) via immunohistochemistry. TGFBR2 and IGF2BP1 were positively stained in 81% and 62.5% of leiomyoma tissues but not in adjacent myometrium. Both were more frequently positive in patients with ≥ 6 cm leiomyoma and mass effect. The mean expression levels of miR-181a-5p, 127-3p, 28-3p, 30b-5p and let-7c-5p were higher in cases with TGFBR2 and IGF2BP1 positive leiomyoma. We observed several miRs were overexpressed in leiomyoma tissues, and these results provide insight into the role of miRs in the development and progression of leiomyoma and underscore the need to validate their utility as diagnostic or therapeutic targets.

Background: There is no standard method of measuring the nipple-areola complex or defining the normal range and the changes seen in this complex. Numerous factors are involved in the anthropometric characteristics of the nipple-areola complex. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric characteristics of the nipple-areola complex related to age, parity, and breastfeeding in 234 premenopausal Korean women (468 breasts). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2011 to June 2012. Five parameters of both nipple-areola complexes were measured in volunteers who were placed in a supine position. The diameters of the nipple-areola complex and the nipple projection were measured using micrometer calipers. Results: The size of the nipple-areola complex increased according to age (P < .05). The measurements of the right nipple and the vertical diameter of the right areola were larger than those of the left sides in all age groups. There were no differences in the horizontal areola diameter and nipple projection between the 2 sides. The left horizontal areola diameter in breastfeeding parous women was larger than that in the nonbreastfeeding parous women group (P = .011). The nipple projection was associated with the duration of breastfeeding (especially more than 12 months). The percentage of women with retracted nipples was 11.2%. Conclusion: Our study may be helpful in understanding nipple-areola complex changes related to age, parity, and breastfeeding. These results should be evaluated with larger study cohorts and more longitudinal studies to better understand factors related to changes of the nipple-areola complex.