Females have stronger neurogenic response than males after non-specific nasal challenge in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Epidemiological studies show female predominance in the prevalence of non- allergic rhinitis (NAR) and local allergic rhinitis (LAR). Experimental studies show female patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) demonstrate higher levels of sensitivity to irritants and airway hyperresponsiveness than males. Bronchial asthma shows female predominance in post-puberty patients, and gender interaction with severe asthma endotypes. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine and chronic cough, syndromes, which are commonly related to neurokinin substance P (SP) in the literature, also show strong female predominance. Studies have demonstrated that sex hormones, primarily oestrogens, affect mast cell activation. Mast cell proteases can amplify neurogenic inflammatory responses including the release of SP. Based on human epidemiological data and animal experimental data we hypothesized that female patients have different interaction between mast cell activation and neurogenic inflammation, i.e. substance P release, resulting in a different nasal symptom profile. To test the hypothesis we performed allergen and non-specific nasal challenges in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) out of season and looked for gender differences in subjective and objective responses. The interaction between subjective and objective reactivity was evaluated through the comparison of subjective symptom scores, concentrations of neurokinin substance P (SP) and cellular markers in nasal lavages after low doses of nasal allergen challenges. Female allergic subjects tended to have higher substance P (SP) concentrations both before and after non-specific challenges. The difference between post-allergen and post - hypertonic saline (HTS) challenge was highly significant in female patients (p = 0.001), while insignificant in male subjects (p = 0.14). Female patients had significantly stronger burning sensation after HTS challenge than male. These data indicate difference in the interaction between inflammatory cells and the neurogenic response, which is gender- related, and which may affect symptom profiles after challenges. Different regulation of neurogenic inflammation in females may have impact on symptoms and endotyping in respiratory disorders, not only in allergic rhinitis, but also asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis and irritant -induced cough.

Advanced Age, High ß-CTX Levels, and Impaired Renal Function are Independent Risk Factors for All-Cause One-Year Mortality in Hip Fracture Patients.

Risk factors for increased mortality in hip fracture patients include older age, male sex, fracture type, bone mineral density, and pre-existing co-morbidities. The role of biochemical and other anthropometric parameters on hip fracture mortality remains unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for one-year mortality in patients with hip fractures. A total of 236 consecutive patients (59 males) with hip fractures were followed over a one-year period. Patient age, gender, type of fracture, type of treatment, time from admission to surgery, type of anesthesia, body mass index, and electrocardiograms were recorded. Complete blood counts, serum electrolytes, urea, creatinine, d-dimers, calcium, phosphate, osteocalcin, and beta-isomerised C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (ß-CTX) were measured at admission and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze the association of these parameters with survival. One-year mortality rate was 28.4%. Age was independently associated with mortality (HR 1.117, 95% CI 1.062-1.174, P < 0.001). In a multivariable model, mortality was increased in patients with higher ß-CTX (HR 4.63 95% CI 1.87-11.45, P = 0.001) and lower eGFR (HR 0.972, 95% CI 0.956-0.987, P < 0.001). Patients younger than 84 years, with eGFR < 55.4 ml/min had ten times higher mortality rates (3.2 vs. 24.5%, HR 9.73, 95% CI 2.06-45.93) as well as those with ß-CTX > 0.276 g/L (3.5 vs. 25.7%, HR 9.5, 95% CI 2.11-42.76). Advanced age, high ß-CTX levels, and impaired renal function are independent risk factors of mortality in patients with hip fractures.

Reference intervals for reproductive hormones in prepubertal children on the automated Roche cobas e 411 analyzer.

OBJECTIVES: To establish reference intervals for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), total and free testosterone (T) and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in prepubertal children and to assess age- and gender-related differences. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 948 subjects, 480 girls and 468 boys, between 1 and 11 years of age, were included in this study. All assays were performed on a Roche cobas e 411 immunoassay analyzer. Reference intervals have been evaluated according to the most recent CLSI guidelines. RESULTS: Median values of LH, FSH and T were significantly higher in subgroups ranging from ≥ 8 to < 11 years, for both genders. In girls of that age, reference values of E2 were significantly higher than in younger ones, and in boys of the corresponding age. CONCLUSION: Established reference intervals are applicable to other laboratories that use the same instrumentation.