Objective-To investigate the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an extract of green tea on cultured human leiomyoma cells (HuLM). Design-Laboratory study.Setting-University hospitals. Patients(s)-Not applicable. Interventions(s)-Not applicable.Main Outcome Measure(s)-HuLM cells were treated with various EGCG concentrations. Cell proliferation was assayed using Hoechst 33258 dye and apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Total RNA was isolated and gene expression profiling was performed on 84 key genes related to 18 different signal transduction pathways. The protein levels of PCNA, CDK4, BCL-2 and BAX were examined by Western blot analysis.Result(s)-HuLM cells treated with EGCG showed a dose-and time-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. TUNEL staining indicated a significant increase in apoptosis in HuLM cells treated with 100 µM of EGCG compared to untreated control (p<0.05). Gene expression profiling indicated that EGCG treatment upregulated representative genes from the TGF-β and stress pathways, while inhibiting the survival pathway and NFκB-dependent inflammatory pathway. Western blotting analysis confirmed that EGCG at ≥50µM significantly decreased the expression of PCNA, CDK4 and BCL-2 as well as increased the expression of the proapoptotic BAX in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Conclusion(s)-EGCG inhibits the proliferation of HuLM cells and induces apoptosis.These results suggest that EGCG may be a potential anti-uterine fibroid agent acting through multiple signal transduction pathways.

Objective-Investigate the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on rat leiomyoma (ELT3) cells in vitro and in nude mice model. Study Design-ELT3 cells were treated with various concentrations of EGCG. Cell proliferation, PCNA and Cdk4 protein levels were evaluated. ELT3 cells were inoculated subcutaneously in female athymic nude mice. Animals were fed 1.25mg EGCG (in drinking water)/mouse/day. Tumors were collected and evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks post-treatment.Results-Inhibitory effect of EGCG (200 μM) on ELT3 cells was observed after 24 h treatment (p<0.05). At ≥50μM, EGCG significantly decreased PCNA and Cdk4 protein levels (p<0.05). In vivo, EGCG treatment dramatically reduced the volume and weight of tumors at 4 and 8 weeks posttreatment (p<0.05). The PCNA and Cdk4 protein levels were significantly reduced in EGCG treated group (p<0.05).Conclusion-EGCG effectively inhibits the proliferation and induce apoptosis in rat ELT3 uterine leiomyoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Clinicians need to be well informed about the level of evidence available for the wide array of nonhormonal management options currently available to midlife women to help prevent underuse of effective therapies or use of inappropriate or ineffective therapies. Recommended: Cognitive-behavioral therapy and, to a lesser extent, clinical hypnosis have been shown to be effective in reducing VMS. Paroxetine salt is the only nonhormonal medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the management of VMS, although other selective serotonin reuptake/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, gabapentinoids, and clonidine show evidence of efficacy. Recommend with caution: Some therapies that may be beneficial for alleviating VMS are weight loss, mindfulness-based stress reduction, the S-equol derivatives of soy isoflavones, and stellate ganglion block, but additional studies of these therapies are warranted. Do not recommend at this time: There are negative, insufficient, or inconclusive data suggesting the following should not be recommended as proven therapies for managing VMS: cooling techniques, avoidance of triggers, exercise, yoga, paced respiration, relaxation, over-the-counter supplements and herbal therapies, acupuncture, calibration of neural oscillations, and chiropractic interventions. Incorporating the available evidence into clinical practice will help ensure that women receive evidence-based recommendations along with appropriate cautions for appropriate and timely management of VMS.

Objective To systematically review the reporting of race/ethnicity in SART Clinic Outcome Reporting System (CORS) publications. Design Systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology of literature published in PUBMED on race/ethnicity that includes data from SART CORS. Setting Systematic review was performed on behalf of the ASRM Health Disparities Special Interest Group. Population IVF cycles reported to SART Exposure Race/ethnicity Main Outcome Measure Any outcomes reported in SART CORS Results Seven publications were identified that assessed racial/ethnic disparities in IVF outcomes using SART data. All reported a racial/ethnic disparity. However, over 35% of cycles were excluded from analysis because of missing race/ethnicity data. Conclusions Review of current publications of SART data suggests significant racial/ethnic disparities in IVF outcomes. However, the potential for selection bias limits confidence in these findings given that fewer than 65% of SART reported cycles include race/ethnicity. Our understanding of how race/ethnicity influences ART outcome could be greatly improved if information on race/ethnicity was available for all reported cycles.

Hot flashes are the most common bothersome symptom of menopause. Your hot flashes may occur during the day or at night (also known as night sweats). Your hot flashes may be mild and tolerable, moderate and troublesome, or severe and debilitating. Hot flashes get better with time. Although most women have hot flashes for a few years, some women have them for decades. It is not known why some women have severe hot flashes for many years while others have no hot flashes or mild ones that resolve quickly. If your hot flashes are mild or moderate, you may find relief by changing your lifestyle. If you have severe hot flashes, you may still benefit from lifestyle changes, but also may choose to take a nonprescription remedy or a prescription medication, including hormones to help you manage your symptoms. This MenoNote, developed by the Consumer Education Committee of The North American Menopause Society, provides current general information but not specific medical advice. It is not intended to substitute for the judgment of an individual's healthcare provider. Additional information can be found at www.menopause.org.

No abstract

More than 4 million menopausal women are from ethnic minority groups. Over the past 25 years, recognition of the importance of social, emotional, and physical changes of midlife to women's long-term health and well-being has emerged. Multiple factors influence how a woman perceives menopausal changes and what she addresses as associated symptoms. Factors such as educational level to socioeconomic status, health-related factors, stress, and marital status influence these choices. Increasingly, researchers are reporting on the impact of race and ethnicity on menopausal symptoms. Understanding similarities and differences among women's perceptions, attitudes, and expectations surrounding menopause improves delivery of culturally appropriate care and promotes lifestyles that may decrease symptoms and increase quality of life. Historically, the majority of the research in this area has been conducted in Western countries with clinical samples of women predominantly from European backgrounds. Thus, this population has shaped the emerging clinical picture of the midlife menopausal transition. Recently, studies of non-European women, both in the United States and internationally, indicate significant variations in their experiences during this transition, but these cultural differences have not broadened the understanding of the meaning of this universal experience. To date, there are still large knowledge gaps in race, ethnic, and cultural differences in menopausal health. The content of this review summarizes the current body of knowledge on racial differences in the menopause experience.

A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess Arkansas parents’/guardians’ intentions to vaccinate their child against COVID-19. Parents/guardians whose oldest child was age 0–11 years (n = 171) or 12–17 years (n = 198) were recruited between 12 July and 30 July 2021 through random digit dialing. Among parents/guardians with an age-eligible child, age 12–17, 19% reported their child had been vaccinated, and 34% reported they would have their child vaccinated right away. Among parents/guardians with a child aged 0–11, 33% of parents/guardians reported they would have their child vaccinated right away. Twenty-eight percent (28%) of parents/guardians whose oldest child was 12–17 and 26% of parents/guardians whose oldest child was 0–11 reported they would only have their child vaccinated if their school required it; otherwise, they would definitely not vaccinate them. For both groups, parents’/guardians’ education, COVID-19 vaccination status, and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were significantly associated with intentions to vaccinate their child. More than a third of parents/guardians whose child was eligible for vaccination at the time of the survey reported they intended to have them vaccinated right away; however, they had not vaccinated their child more than two months after approval. This finding raises questions about the remaining barriers constraining some parents/guardians from vaccinating their child.