BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by metabolic, endocrine, and reproductive disturbances including insulin resistance, abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, and hyperandrogenism, and is associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The etiology of PCOS is unclear and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in everyday products may play a role by disrupting hormonal pathways. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between exposure to EDC-containing products, sociodemographic factors, and PCOS diagnosis among nonpregnant reproductive-aged women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey assessed the frequency of EDC exposure in homes and workplaces. The Rotterdam Criteria were used for the diagnosis of PCO features with clinical history and ultrasound. The association between PCOS and EDC exposure was determined using Chi-square and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study identified significant sociodemographic factors associated with PCOS (P < 0.001) including age, civil status, and household income. Increased likelihood of PCOS was linked to frequent use of scented candles (odds ratio [OR] = 2.07), cleaning sprays (OR = 2.28), and floor polish (OR = 2.07), exposure to new upholstered furniture (OR = 4.00), thermal receipts (OR = 2.16), and consumption of microwaved and processed foods (OR = 2.60), as well as water sourced from wells (OR = 7.69). Additional associations were found with access to public markets (OR = 0.26) and the use of paper food wrappers (OR = 1.72). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that frequent exposure to EDC-containing products and certain sociodemographic factors may contribute to the development of PCOS among women of reproductive age. Results underscore the importance of reducing exposure to EDCs to prevent or mitigate the development of PCOS and other reproductive consequences.
Female

This paper will focus only on the recommendations or guidelines on the evaluation for female infertility. Most of the recommendations were based on the Fertility Assessment and Treatment for People with Fertility Problems Guideline by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
Human ; Female ; INFERTILITY, FEMALE

No abstract available.
Female ; Female* ; Genitalia, Female* ; Humans ; Incidence*

An appreciation of the radiation changes in the brain adjacent to radiated glioma is of considerable importance from both clinical and pathological standpoint because the alteration in the brain parenchyma may result in a picture that mimics recurrence of the neoplasm. A 35 years old woman was admitted because of deterioration of consciousness which has started about 20 days ago. Past history revealed removal of left frontal brain tumor 4 years earlier and the diagnosis was grade II astroma. Postoperative radiation was done at that time. Sine then, she has been doing well. Computerized tomogram showed an ill defined huge low density mass at right frontal and left posterior parietal areas, which was irregularly enhanced in postcontrast study. Unlikely to the usual brain tumors, there was no mass effect on adjacent structures. Histologically acellular necrotic zone was alternating with hypercellular zone and most striking changes were vascular and glial reaction. Most of the vessels showed acellular hyliane thickening of their wall and some vessels were almost completely occluded. There was marked glial proliferation with considerable cellular and nuclear irregularities. Gemistocytic astrocytes were frequently seen and some were multinucleated.
Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Female ; Mammaplasty*

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia pneumoniae is one of common causes in upper and lower respiratory infections. Isolating C. pneumoniae from clinical specimens is very difficult due to the characteristics of the organism. Recently, we succeeded in isolating C. pneumoniae from a Korean patient, who suffered from acute pharyngitis. This is the first isolate from a clinical specimen in Korea. METHOD: We attained a nasopharyngeal swab from a 22-year-old female patient, and inoculated it on a monolayer of the Hep-2 cell line. After 8 passages, we found the inclusion bodies of C. pneumoniae by an immunofluorescence(IF) test. The species-specific monoclonal antibody IF staining and species-specific PCR were done to confirm the species of the isolate, and electron microscopy was used to characterize the morphology. RESULT: The isolate was confirmed to be C. pneumoniae by species-specific IF and PCR, and the strain was named LKK-1. The shape of the elementary body was round and with a narrow periplasmic space, as shown by electron microscopy, which is similar to the Japanese strain, but not the Western strain. CONCLUSION: We succeeded in isolating C. pneumoniae from a 22-year-old patient with acute pharyngitis, which is the first isolate in Korea. In the future, this Korean strain will be useful to the study of C. pneumoniae.
Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans

This report describes a very rare case of primary undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium with small cell and trophoblastic differentiation. The patient was 54-year-old woman with complaints of vaginal bleeding and palpable lower abdominal mass. The light microscopic findings revealed predominantly small cells with round nuclei, spindle cells, and large cells with hyperchromatic bizarre nuclei. Foci of syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells are scattered, especially in the hemorrhagic areas. Immunohistochemical stainging for neuron specific enolase and beta-hCG showed positive reactions to small cells and syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells, respectively. Argentaffin and argyrophil stains, however, showed negative reactions to small cells. The histogenesis of small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium remains unclear; however, it may arise from epithelial precursors instead of neuroendocrine cells, and syncytiotrophoblastic cells may be differentiated or dedifferentiated from the undifferentiated carcinoma cells.
Female ; Humans

A case of left parietal pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma that occurred in a 58-year-old woman is reported clinicopathologically. Histopathologic diagnosis of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma was made because of the unique pleomorphic histologic features, positive glial fibrillary acidic protein in immunohistochemical staining. The flow cytometric analysis reveals DNA aneuploidy and relatively high S-phase fraction. The pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma is considered as a special subgroup of glioma on the basis of superficial cortical location, GFAP expression, marked cellular atypia, xanthomatous cells, and relatively favorable prognosis.
Female ; Humans

Crescentic glomerulonephritis in rheumatoid arthritis is described recently with increasing frequency. It can occur directly as a manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis or may be a reaction to drugs such as D-penicillamine and bucillamine. We report a case of crescentic glomerulonephritis in a 46-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years who had been treated intermittently with herb medicine or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Light microscopic examination showed severe focal segmental and global necrotizing glomerulonephritis with crescent formation in 50% of the glomeruli. Immunofluorescent study revealed scanty amount of mesangial granular deposits of IgA, IgM, C3 and fibrinogen in a diffuse pattern.
Female ; Humans