Background: Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels have been used as an invaluable tool in reproductive medicine for over a decade, especially in predicting ovarian reserve and follicular response during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Age-specific reference values of AMH levels have been derived from mostly Western and few Asian population groups but none from the Philippines. In this study, we attempted to determine the first age-specific AMH reference values from infertile Filipino women to be able to provide local infertility centers a guide in treating Filipinos and those with similar racial and lifestyle characteristics. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that was conducted at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Infertility at St. Luke's Medical Center Global City. Age, serum AMH levels, body mass index (BMI), and cause of infertility of Filipino women who underwent IVF from August 2015 to March 2020 were taken. AMH was assayed using the automated Access AMH Immunoassay (Beckman Coulter). Results: A total of 1463 women who underwent IVF and with valid AMH results were initially found but only 1233 were included in the study. Mean age was 36.67 + 4.35 years and mean BMI was 24.43 + 4.14 kg/m2. There was minimal effect of BMI on AMH levels and increasing age (R2 = 0.0068), but there were significant differences of mean AMH levels among the general causes of infertility. The mean and median AMH values decreased with advancing age (R2 = 0.1391) although the mean values were consistently higher than the median values. The mean level of the AMH was 2.32 ± 1.90 ng/mL with a 0.16 ng/ml (confidence interval: 0.14–0.19 ng/ml) level decrease per year of increase in age. By age category, the following were the derived AMH values (ng/ml) at the 25th to 75th percentiles: 25–29 = 1.52–4.92; 30–34 = 1.60–4.10; 35–39 = 0.95–3.13; 40–44 = 0.44–1.99; 45 = 0.47–1.08. The mean AMH in this study appears to be similar to several but lower than most other reported AMH nomograms from other population groups. Conclusion The first age-specific AMH reference values for infertile Filipino women are presented and may serve as a useful diagnostic marker in local infertility centers, especially those treating Filipino patients or others with similar characteristics.
Fertilization in Vitro ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone

Background: A rise in the number of immunocompromised patients has increased the risk of opportunistic fungal infections. Identifying novel sources of antifungal agents from commonly discarded materials (i.e. potato peelings) can provide a cheaper alternative for antifungal drugs.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the antifungal activity of crude glycoalkaloid extract from Solanum tuberosum L. (white potato) peelings against opportunistic fungi Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus flavus.

Methods: The glycoalkaloid content from dried potato peelings were extracted using ethanol and confirmed using colorimetric tests.The extract had a concentration 833.33 microgram/mL. Determination of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extract via two-fold broth dilution was performed for the five fungi with amphotericin B and fluconazole as the reference antifungal drugs.

Results: MICs of the crude extract for C. albicans, C. glabrata, A. fumigatus, and A. niger were not found within the concentration range of the studies and would thus need further experiments using a broader range of glycoalkaloid concentrations. The extract was found to have a MIC of 104.17microgram/mL for A. flavus, thereby verifying the antifungal effect of glycoalkaloid against A. flavus at said concentration.

Conclusion: Glycoalkaloids from Solanum tuberosum are a potential source of antifungals against certain opportunistic fungi.

Objective: To evaluate the association of educational level with anthropometric measurements at different adult stages and their long-term changes in adults who participated in the second re-survey of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB). Methods: The present study excluded participants who were aged >65 years, with incomplete or extreme measurement values, or with major chronic diseases at baseline survey or re-survey. The weight at age 25 years was self-reported. Body height, body weight and waist circumference at baseline survey (2004-2008) and re-survey (2013-2014) were analyzed. Results: The present study included 3 427 men and 6 320 women. Both body weight and waist circumference (WC) increased with age. From age 25 years to baseline survey (mean age 45.2±6.5), the mean weight change per 5-year was (1.70±2.63) kg for men and (1.27±2.10) kg for women. From baseline survey to re-survey (53.2±6.5), the mean changes per 5-year for body weight were (1.12±2.61) kg for men and (0.90±2.54) kg for women; and that for WC was (3.20±3.79) cm for men and (3.83±3.85) cm for women. Among women, low educational level was consistently associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and WC at age 25 years, baseline survey and re-survey. Among men, low educational level was associated with higher BMI at age 25 years. At baseline survey and re-survey, the educational level in men was not statistically associated with BMI; but men who completed junior or senior high school showed slight higher WC and increase of WC from baseline survey to re-survey than other male participants. Conclusions: Body weight and WC increased with age for both men and women. The associations of educational level with BMI and WC were different between men and women.
Adult ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; China/epidemiology* ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/ethnology* ; Risk Factors ; Sex Distribution ; Waist Circumference/ethnology*

Objective: This study aimed to understand the herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infection and related factors among female drug abusers in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center of Shandong province and to provide reference for the prevention and control of HSV-2 in these settings. Methods: We screened all of 451 female drug abusers in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation centers in of Shandong province and conducted a study using both questionnaire investigation and serological tests for HSV-2, HIV and syphilis. We also used EpiData 3.1 software to establish a database and SPSS 20.0 software to conduct the χ(2) test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 451 female drug abusers were under study. We noticed that the rates for HSV-2 infection, HIV infection and syphilis infection appeared as 72.1% (325/451), 2.2% (10/451) and 33.5% (151/451) respectively. Results from univariate analysis showed that factors as: awareness on AIDS, having temporary sex partner after using the drug, having multiple sex partners after using the drug, providing commercial services or having temporary sex practice before being detained, with syphilis infection etc., were associated with HSV-2 infection. Data from the multivariate analysis showed that the OR (95%CI) value of HSV-2 infection was 2.90 (1.19-7.06) for those who providing commercial service, when comparing to those who did not. Compared to those who did not suffer from syphilis infection, the OR (95%CI) value of HSV-2 infection for those with syphilis infection was 2.75 (1.63-4.63). Conclusions: The rate of HSV-2 infection was high in the women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center of Shandong province. We should enhance measures and promote condom use to prevent from HSV-2 and other sexually transmitted diseases among them.
Drug Users ; Female ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; Herpes Genitalis/epidemiology* ; Herpes Simplex/epidemiology* ; Herpesvirus 2, Human/isolation & purification* ; Humans ; Opiate Substitution Treatment ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Serologic Tests/methods* ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ; Substance-Related Disorders/rehabilitation* ; Syphilis/epidemiology*

Objective: To understand the overweight rate and obesity rate in middle-aged and elderly people in urban area of Beijing, and analyze the changes of body composition and resting metabolic rate with age. Methods: From November 2014 to December 2015, body composition measurement and resting metabolic rate detection were conducted among 858 people aged 51 to 99 years, including 760 men, 98 women, who received physical examination at Beijing Hospital. Results: The overweight rate was 51.4%, and the obesity rate was 16.9%. The overweight rate was 26.5% and the obesity rate was 14.3% in women, significantly lower than those in men (54.6% and 17.2%) (P<0.001). The distribution of skeletal muscle volume, muscle index, body fat percentage, visceral fat area and resting metabolic rate in different age groups were different (P<0.001). In the normal weight group, the skeletal muscle volume, muscle index and resting metabolic rate in age group ≥80 years decreased obviously (P<0.05). At the same time, the body fat percentage and visceral fat area increased obviously (P<0.05). However, the skeletal muscle volume, muscle index and resting metabolic rate of the overweight and obese groups began to decrease obviously in age group 70- years (P<0.05), and the decrease in age group ≥80 years was more obvious. At the same time, body fat percentage and visceral fat area increased significantly in age group 70- years (P<0.05). Conclusion: The overweight and obesity rates were high in the middle-aged and elderly people in the urban area of Beijing, and the rates were higher in men than in women. With the increase of age, the skeletal muscle volume, muscle index and resting metabolic rate gradually decreased, while the percentage of body fat and visceral fat area increased; Overweight and obese people had earlier changes in body composition and resting metabolic rate.
Adipose Tissue ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Basal Metabolism/physiology* ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/epidemiology* ; Overweight/epidemiology* ; Urban Population

Objective: To study the prevalence and characteristics of overweight and obesity among Chinese children aged 0-5 years, in 2010-2013. Methods: Data was from the'China Nutrition and Health Surveillance-0-5-Years-Old Children and Lactating Women'project in 2013. Stratified multistage cluster sampling method was used to select 55 districts/counties from 30 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) with the sample size of children as 32 862. Definition of overweight and obesity were according to both the WHO 2006 growth standard in children less than 5-year-old and the WHO 2007 growth reference in children of 5-years-old. Results: were calculated by complex weight based on national census from the National Bureau of Statistics in 2010. Results The overall prevalence of overweight was 8.4% among the 0-5-year-old in 2013, with 9.4% in boys and 7.2% in girls. Both of the rates from urban and rural areas were the same, as 8.4%. The prevalence rates of overweight in the 0-, 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48- and 60-71 months age groups appeared as 13.0%, 11.1%, 8.3%, 6.0%, 4.8%, 3.9% and 15.9%, respectively. The rates of overweight in low, medium and high income families were 8.0%, 8.8% and 8.9%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity was 3.1% among the 0-5-year-old, with 3.6% in boys and 2.5% in girls. There was no significant difference seen in urban (3.3%) and rural areas (2.9%). The prevalence rates for obesity in the 0-, 6-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 48- and 60-71 months age groups were 5.8%, 3.8%, 2.5%, 1.6%, 1.2%, 1.3% and 7.8%, respectively. The rates of obesity in low, medium and high income families were 2.8%, 3.3% and 3.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence rates of both overweight and obesity were increasing among the 0-5-year-olds in China, suggesting that it is necessary to timely conduct the surveillance and intervention programs on overweight and obesity in this target population.
Adolescent ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Income ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lactation ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity/ethnology* ; Overweight/ethnology* ; Prevalence

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of waist circumference and abdominal obesity among Chinese children and adolescents aged 6-17 years. Methods: Data was from the samples of aged 6-17 years in the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance program in 2010-2012. P(90) (the same age, the same sex) was used as the diagnostic value for abdominal obesity. Results: The overall waist circumference of children and adolescents in all the age groups appeared higher in males than that in females (P<0.000 1), higher in cities than that in the rural areas (P<0.05), and higher in children with high family income than those with middle or low family incomes (P=0.000 3). The rate of abdominal obesity in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years appeared as 11.2% on average and 10.7% and 11.8% for boys and girls, respectively but with no significant difference (P>0.05). Rates on abdominal obesity appeared as 13.2% and 8.5% for boys while as 12.3% and 11.2% for girls respectively, in urban or rural areas. As for the levels of family income, the abdominal obesity rates appeared as 15.8%, 11.5% and 8.8% respectively for boys while 13.5%, 11.9% and 11.6% respectively for girls, under high, middle and low levels of family income. Conclusion: The rate of abdominal obesity in boys seemed more responsive to the impact of income in urban or rural areas.
Adolescent ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Child ; China/epidemiology* ; Cities ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity, Abdominal/ethnology* ; Prevalence ; Waist Circumference

Objective: To analyze the relationship between family-related factors and the status of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in China. Methods: Data were collected from the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2010-2012 program. A sample of 6 343 subjects aged 6-17 years was selected, with matched weight, education levels, household income and other family related factors of their parents. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the relationship between family factors and overweight and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents. Results: After adjusted for age, gender and region, results from the multivariate logistic regression showed that both the overweight and obesity of children and adolescents were associated with maternal BMI (OR=1.83, 95%CI: 1.63-2.05), paternal BMI (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.57-1.94), mother's educational level (OR=1.24, 95%CI: 1.12-1.37) and household income (OR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.15-1.46). Conclusion: Factors as overweight or obesity status of the parents, mother's educational level and household income were positively correlated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Child ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Family/psychology* ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity/psychology* ; Overweight/psychology* ; Parent-Child Relations ; Parents ; Pediatric Obesity/ethnology* ; Prevalence ; Schools

Objective: To analyze the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents aged 6-17 years, and to provide scientific basis for the development of prevention strategies on obesity. Methods: Data was from children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance 2010-2012 program. In children aged 6 years, criteria of overweight and obesity were followed the WHO growth reference for school-aged children and adolescents. In children and adolescents aged 7-17 years, overweight and obesity were defined by sex and age specific BMI, recommended by Guidelines for prevention and control of overweight and obesity among school-age children and adolescents according to the Chinese guidelines. Results: The overall rates on overweight and obesity were 9.6% and 6.4% among the Chinese children and adolescents aged 6-17 years, with 11.0% (12.8% for boys and 9.0% for girls) in urban and 7.7% (boys 9.7%, girls 5.5%) in rural areas. The rates of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents were 8.4% (boys 9.3%, girls 7.4%) and 5.2% (boys 6.2%, girls 4.1%) in the rural areas. According to the levels of household income, the overweight rates of children in high, middle and low incomes were 12.3%, 10.7% and 8.2%, with obesity as 8.6%, 7.2% and 5.7% respectively. Conclusions: In 2012, the prevalence rates of overweight and obese were 9.6% and 6.4% among children and adolescents aged 6-17 years, respectively, higher in urban than in rural areas and higher boys than in girls. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity seemed to be related to the levels of household income.
Adolescent ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity/ethnology* ; Overweight/ethnology* ; Prevalence

Objective: To explore the effect of BMI and waist circumference on diabetes of adults. Methods: After excluding participants with heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes at baseline study, 53 916 people aged 30-79 in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) study from Tongxiang city of Zhejiang province were recruited. Cox regression model was used to estimate the hazards ratios (HR) for the associations of baseline BMI and waist circumference with incident diabetes. Results: Among 391 512 person-years of the follow-up program between 2004 and 2013 (median 7.26 years), a total of 944 men and 1 643 women were diagnosed as having diabetes. Compared to those with normal weight, after adjusting for known or potential factors, HR of both overweight and obesity in men for incident diabetes appeared as 2.72 (95%CI: 2.47-2.99) and 6.27 (95%CI: 5.33-7.36), respectively. The corresponding figures in women were 2.19 (95%CI: 2.04-2.36) and 3.78 (95%CI: 3.36-4.26). Compared to those with normal waist circumference, after adjusting for known or potential factors, HR of Ⅰgrade andⅡgrade in men for diabetes were 2.56 (95%CI: 2.22-2.95) and 4.66 (95%CI: 4.14-5.24), respectively. The corresponding figures in women were 1.99 (95%CI: 1.80-2.21) and 3.16 (95%CI: 2.90-3.44), respectively. Conclusions: Overweight, obesity and central obesity were all associated with the increased incident of diabetes. Strategies on diabetes prevention should include not only losing weight, but reducing waist circumference as well.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus/ethnology* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/epidemiology* ; Obesity, Abdominal/epidemiology* ; Overweight/epidemiology* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference