Endometrial biopsies of 44 broodmares were histologically examined on days 3, 6, and 9 postpartum. The mares were subdivided into three groups according to the course of the puerperal period. In 29 mares, parturition and expulsion of the placenta was normal, six mares showed dystocia, and in nine mares, the placenta was retained for > 2 hours. Tissue samples were evaluated histologically, and the average numbers of granulocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages, siderophages, and mast cells was determined. Protease content of mast cells was examined with a double-enzyme immunohistochemical staining technique, using a histochemical reaction for chloroacetate esterase and fast blue to detect chymase activity and an immunohistochemical staining method with a polyclonal antibody and fast red for the detection of tryptase. Analyzing the cell numbers using the statistical software Statistica, a marked inflammatory reaction was observed in the endometrium postpartum. Although the number of granulocytes decreased during the first 9 days postpartum, the number of lymphocytes, macrophages, and siderophages increased. No significant difference in the number of any of these cell types could be demonstrated in the three different courses of the puerperal period, although the numbers of these cells seemed to be lower in mares with dystocia. In contrast with other cells, no change in the number of endometrial mast cells was observed during the puerperal period, but a significantly lower number were found in the endometrium of mares with retained placenta. The enzyme immunohistochemical double-labeling technique could demonstrate only tryptase-positive mast cells; no chymase activity was detectable in any endometrial mast cells. The number of mast cells detected with the metachromatic staining technique was significantly higher than that detected with double labeling. These results support the hypothesis that a sufficient number of mast cells may be necessary for a normal postnatal period and suggest a mast cell subtype in the equine endometrium that is tryptase and chymase negative.
Back pain (BP), a prominent problem for competitive athletes, is a primary reason for limitations in athletic performance and daily life restrictions. As studies on the relationship between psychological variables and BP in athletes are scarce, the aim of this study was to investigate stress and depression in competitive athletes with BP. In a cross-sectional design, data of 154 competitive athletes (51% female; M= 18.81 years, SD= 5.05 years) were collected, assessing Performance stress, Socio-emotional stress, Risk for depression and Psychological well-being and the two BP parameters BP Intensity and Disability. Two multiple linear regressions were conducted to predict (1) BP Intensity and (2) Disability from Performance stress, Socio-emotional stress, Risk for depression and Psychological well-being. Multiple linear regressions demonstrated that Performance stress (β = .21, p = .01) was the only significant predictor of BP Intensity (F= 6.68, p = .01, R = .05), whilst Risk for depression (β = .24, p = .01) was the only significant predictor of Disability (F= 8.46, p = .01, R = .06). Neither gender nor age explained a significant amount of variance in the models. Study results showed that, as in the general population, the variables stress and depression are related to BP in competitive athletes. In particular, BP intensity was found to be associated with stress and BP-related disability was associated with depression, whereas age and gender showed no association with the BP parameters. A longitudinal investigation is warranted to determine the direction of the observed relationships.
The findings indicate an association between detrimental recovery-stress patterns and LBP. Examining the role of recovery has innovative practical relevance for LBP prevention and rehabilitation through the implementation of approaches to enhance recovery in relevant programmes.
Context: Low back pain (LBP) is a serious health problem, both in the general population as well as in athletes. Research has shown that psychosocial aspects, such as dysfunctional pain responses, play a significant role in the chronification of LBP. Recent research supports the relevance of the multidisciplinary concept of body image in the interpretation of LBP. Objective: To examine the differences in 2 psychosocial aspects, body image and pain responses, between athletes and nonathletes with LBP. Design: Cross-sectional design. Setting: The questionnaires were distributed in the course of LBP treatment. Participants: Data from 163 athletes (mean age = 28.69 [9.6] y) and 75 nonathletes (mean age = 39.34 [12.63] y) were collected. Interventions: Data were collected by questionnaires assessing body image, pain behavior, training activity, and LBP. Main Outcome Measures: To examine group differences between athletes and nonathletes regarding body image and pain behavior, the authors performed 2-way analyses of variance with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: The results showed (1) a significant main effect regarding pain responses and body image, showing that participants with eustress endurance or adaptive pain behavior revealed a more positive body image in both groups compared with participants with distress endurance or fear-avoidance behavior, and (2) a significant main effect for the factor group in the body image dimension of physical efficacy, indicating a more positive body image for athletes. Conclusion: These results suggest that considering multiple risk factors for LBP, such as body image and dysfunctional pain behavior, as well as subgrouping, might be valuable for research and for broadening therapy options.
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