Women's reproductive span: a systematic scoping review.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the scope of literature regarding women's reproductive span in terms of definitions, trends and determinants? SUMMARY ANSWER: The scoping review found a wide variation in definitions, trends and determinants of biological, social and effective women's reproductive span. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: A woman's reproductive span refers to her childbearing years. Its span influences a woman's reproductive decisions. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: A systematic scoping review was conducted. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, JSTOR, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus electronic databases from inception to January 2021 without imposing language or date restrictions. We searched unpublished sources including the Global Burden of Disease, Demographic and Health Surveys, and National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The list of relevant references was searched by hand. Sixty-seven reports on women's reproductive span were included in this review. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: This scoping systematic review followed an established framework. The reporting of this scoping review followed the reporting requirements provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, Extension for Scoping Reviews. Identified records were independently screened and data were extracted. We performed conceptual synthesis by grouping the studies by available concepts of reproductive span and then summarized definitions, measures used, temporal trends, determinants, and broad findings of implications on population demographics and assisted reproduction. Structured tabulation and graphical synthesis were used to show patterns in the data and convey detailed information efficiently, along with a narrative commentary. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: A total of 67 relevant reports on women's reproductive span were published between 1980 and 2020 from 74 countries. Most reports (42/67) were cross-sectional in design. Literature on reproductive span was conceptually grouped as biological (the interval between age at menarche and age at menopause), effective (when a woman is both fertile and engaging in sexual activity) and social (period of exposure to sexual activity). We summarized the working definitions, trends and determinants of each concept. Few articles addressed implications on demographics and assisted reproduction. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: A formal assessment of methodological quality of the included studies was not performed because the aim of this review was to provide an overview of the existing evidence base regardless of quality. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The review produced a comprehensive set of possible definitions of women's reproductive span, trends, and potential determinants. Further advancement of these findings will involve collaboration with relevant stakeholders to rate the importance of each definition in relation to demography and fertility care, outline a set of core definitions, identify implications for policy, practice or research and define future research opportunities to explore linkages between reproductive spans, their determinants, and the need for assisted reproduction. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This work received funding from the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a cosponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The authors had no competing interests. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Chemical composition of the essential oils of two Citrus species and their biological activities.

Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the fruit rinds of Citrus jambhiri Lush. (Rough lemon) and C. pyriformis Hassk (Ponderosa lemon) were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GLC/FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC/MS). A total of 94 compounds were unambiguously identified from the oils and the (hexane/ether) extracts of the rind and juices representing 98.55% and 97.98% of the total oil composition. The main component of both oils was D-limonene (92.48% and 75.56% respectively). The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitrypanosomal, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the essential oils were evaluated. Whereas Citrus jambhiri and C. pyriformis have antioxidant activity with IC50 +/- SD 37.69 +/- 0.21 mg/ml and 28.91 +/- 0.09 mg/ml, respectively. Ascorbic acid a known potential inhibitor for DPPH free radical an commonly used antioxidant showed an antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 16.32 +/- 0.161 g/mI. Both oils inhibited the activity of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) with an IC50 of 40 +/- 1.63 and 38 +/- 0.82 microg/ml, respectively, and could be considered as interesting candidates for antiinflammatory agents. The essential oils of both species showed substantial antimicrobial activity against all tested Gram positive bacteria and yeasts. The essential oil of C. pyriformis showed higher cytotoxic activity against tested cell lines than that of C. jambhiri. The IC50 values were 374.36 +/- 43.95 microg/ml and 588.06 +/- 27.12 microg/ml in case of HepG2 cells and 213.87 +/- 18.50 microg/ml and 512.45 +/- 61.46 microg/ml in case of MIA-PaCa-2 cells, respectively.

Q fever following bone marrow transplantation.

We describe a patient who developed an acute febrile illness 85 days after receiving an allogeneic bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukaemia. Serological investigation indicated the cause to be Q fever. The patient was receiving concurrent immunosuppressive therapy for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Coxiella burnetii should be added to the list of organisms which may complicate bone marrow transplantation. This case also provides further evidence to support an association between immunocompromised conditions and the development of Q fever.

Animal-assisted activity and infection control implications in a healthcare setting.

Animal-assisted activity/therapy (AAA/T) is an emerging science using animals to solve human problems. It is an interdisciplinary approach using animals as an adjunct to other conventional therapies. The benefits include improved physical, social, emotional or cognitive functioning. Studies in the past have shown lowering of blood pressure and increased survival in those who own a pet. This may not be effective for all individuals, however, it is essential that a complete assessment be made before implementation of AAA/T. The goals of such a therapy must be defined. Animal bites, allergies and zoonoses are the major animal-associated health hazards. The type of AAA/T and needs of the patients are important issues to be considered. Specific guidelines including suitability of patients, animals and infection control policies need to be formulated before initiation of AAA/T. Such an intervention would also require additional resources and there may be legal implications.

Pyomyositis--an under-reported disease in temperate climates.

Two cases of pyomyositis were seen over a period of 2 weeks. Both patients were young local residents in whom large amounts of pus were found deep within skeletal muscles. The first case had an unusual presentation involving more than one muscle. The causative organism in the first case was Staphylococcus aureus. In the second case it was Streptococcus pyogenes.

Diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: immunofluorescence staining, simple PCR or nPCR.

OBJECTIVES: to compare immunofluorescence (IF) test, routinely used in the department for the detection of Pnemocystis carinni with simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR (nPCR) METHODS: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and induced sputum (IS) specimens from HIV-positive (39), lung transplant ssart transplant (2), and one each from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, drug addict and a premature baby were screened by IF test, simple PCR and nPCR for the presence of P.carinii. RESULTS: of the 46 specimens tested, two (4.3%) were positive by IF, 11 (23.9%) by simple PCR and 21 (45.6%) by nPCR. Both simple and nPCR amplified those found positive by IF test. Analysis of the clinical data revealed both IF positive, 10 of the simple PCR and 15 of the nPCR group were strongly suspected of P. carinii pneumonia (PCP). Two specimens, one from a patient where chest X-ray was suggestive of PCP and the other where post-mortem histology revealed the presence of PCP, were negative by IF test. CONCLUSION: simple PCR detection may be considered for patients where PCP is suggestive clinically and the specimen is negative by IF test.

Constituents and biological activity of Bidens pilosa L. grown in Egypt.

Column chromotography and preparative TLC of the light petroleum-diethyl ether extract from Bidens pilosa L. afforded tridecapentyn-1-ene, trideca-2,12-diene-4,6,8,10-tetrayne-1-ol, trideca-3,11-diene-5,7,9-triyne-1,2-diol and trideca-5-ene-7,9,11-triyne-3-ol. The compounds were identified on the bases of UV, 1H-NMR spectra and comparison with reported data. The chloroform extract was chromatographed to yield B-amyrin, phytosterin-B, esculetin and B-sitosterol glucoside. The petroleum ether extract afforded long chain ester, saturated hydrocarbon, long chain alcohol, B-amyrin, phytosterin-B, lupeol and lupeol acetate. GLC analysis of the fatty acids indicated the presence of 5 acids. The antimicrobial test was carried out to indicate an evident activity. The antidiabetic activity showed non significant decrease of blood glucose.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis endocarditis.

A case of Staphylococcus lugdunensis endocarditis is presented with low back pain suggesting a secondary bone focus of infection. An umbilical skin lesion may have been an additional embolic phenomenon. The case highlights the aggressive nature of S lugdenensis endocarditis compared with other coagulase negative staphylococci and its association with native heart valves. In addition the importance of full identification of coagulase negative staphylococci isolated from patient samples in a case of suspected S lugdenensis infection is emphasised. Antibiotic treatment may be insufficient alone in the treatment of S lugdenensis endocarditis and early recourse to surgical intervention and valve replacement should therefore be considered.

Diphenylamine, an antihyperglycemic agent from onion and tea.

Diphenylamine has been isolated as one of the active antihyperglycemic agents of onion. It was identified by ir, uv, cmr, pmr, and mass spectra. It attained the highest percentage in mature onion bulbs; other onion organs contained diphenylamine in lower percentages. Green and black teas were found to contain relatively high percentages of diphenylamine, being higher in the former. Cooking was found to decrease the diphenylamine content.

Solasodine glycosides of Solanum unguiculatum (A.) Rich.

Besides solasonine, three new glycosides, namely, 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-solasodine, 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta -D- galactopyranosyl solasodine, and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl solasodine, were isolated from Solanum unguiculatum (A.) Rich. Their structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectral methods.