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INTRODUCTION Barbed sutures are used in cesarean delivery with the intended benefits of better tissue approximation, hemostasis, and strength, as well as reduced operative time. A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to assess the safety and efficacy of the use of barbed suture compared with conventional sutures in cesarean delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and three clinical trial registries, were searched from inception to December 2019, without restriction by language or publication year. Randomized controlled trials comparing the use of barbed suture with conventional sutures in closure of any layer (uterine/fascial/skin) during cesarean delivery were included. The safety outcomes included estimated blood loss, pain, mortality, and other morbidity including infection, re-operation or re-admission. Effectiveness outcomes included closure time, need for additional suture and scar integrity. Study selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias, and quality assessment were independently performed by two authors. Primary analysis compared outcomes for all layers of surgical closure, whereas subgroup analysis was performed by individual layer. Pooled mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RR) with 95% CI were calculated using a random effects model. Level of evidence was assessed using GRADE criteria. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020168859. RESULTS The review included four trials (three comparing uterine closure and one comparing skin closure), at high risk of bias, representing 460 participants. Primary analysis showed no morbidity differences between two groups. The use of barbed suture for uterine closure was associated with shorter incision closure time (MD 110.58 seconds, 95% CI 93.79-127.36 seconds), shorter total surgical time (MD 1.92 minutes, 95% CI 0.03-3.80 minutes), and a reduced need for additional hemostatic sutures (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.28-0.54), with no difference in estimated blood loss (MD 46.17 mL, 95% CI 13.55 to -105.89 mL) or postoperative morbidity (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.46-2.01). The level of evidence was deemed to be low to very low, based on inconsistency and imprecision of results. CONCLUSIONS Barbed sutures may be a suitable alternative to conventional sutures for uterine closure because they reduce uterine repair time, total surgical time, and the need for additional hemostatic sutures, without an increase in blood loss or maternal morbidity.

INTRODUCTION Antiretroviral therapy-naive pregnant women living with HIV are at an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. It remains controversial whether this risk persists with antiretroviral therapy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether pregnant women living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy antenatally, are at an increased risk of adverse outcomes compared with HIV-negative controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, EBM Reviews, PubMed (non-MEDLINE records), EBSCO CINAHL Complete, Clarivate Web of Science, African Index Medicus, LILACS and Google Scholar for all observational studies comparing pregnant women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy with HIV-negative controls from 1 January 1994 to 10 August 2021 with no language or geographic restrictions. Perinatal outcomes included preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight, small-for-gestational age and preeclampsia. Using a random-effects model we pooled raw data to generate odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each outcome. Sub-analyses for high and low resource countries and time of antiretroviral therapy initiation were performed. This systematic review and meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42020182722. RESULTS Of the 7900 citations identified, 27 were eligible for analysis (12 636 pregnant women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy and 7 812 115 HIV-negative controls). ORs (95% CI) of PTB (1.88 [1.63-2.17]), small-for-gestational age (1.60 [1.18-2.17]) and low birthweight (2.15 [1.58-2.92]) were significantly higher in pregnant women living with HIV than in HIV-negative women, while the risk of preeclampsia (0.86 [0.57-1.30]) was comparable. The risk of PTB and low birthweight was higher in both high resource and low resource countries, while the risk of small-for-gestational age was higher only in the former. Preconceptional antiretroviral therapy was associated with a higher risk of PTB compared with antenatal initiation. CONCLUSIONS Pregnant women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy have an increased risk of PTB, low birthweight and small-for-gestational age in high resource countries, as well as PTB and low birthweight in low income countries compared with HIV-negative controls.

INTRODUCTION To evaluate the effect of antibiotic regimens for chorioamnionitis on maternal and neonatal outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a systematic review, wherein we searched six bibliographic databases until June 2020 and included randomized clinical trials describing antibiotic regimens for treating chorioamnionitis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool V2.0. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed and results were presented as risk ratio (RR) and mean differences (MD) with 95% CI. RESULTS Fourteen trials at low-to-high risk of bias were included. Three trials (n = 244), comparing different intrapartum antibiotic regimens, showed no difference in outcomes except for lower composite maternal morbidity (endometritis, pneumonia, sepsis, blood transfusion, and ileus) with ampicillin/sulbactam vs ampicillin/gentamicin in one study (0/43 vs 6/49, P = .03). Three trials (n = 295) comparing different doses of intrapartum antibiotics showed no differences in maternal and neonatal outcomes, although one study showed a shorter duration of antibiotic treatment in the experimental arm (4 mg/kg gentamicin q24h + 1200 mg clindamycin q12h) vs conventional arm (1.33 mg/kg gentamicin + 800 mg clindamycin q8h) (48.0 ± 36 hours vs 55.2 ± 48 hours, P = .04). Four trials (n = 484) comparing postpartum antibiotics vs no antibiotics showed no difference in outcomes except for a shorter hospital stay (two studies, MD -7.90 hours, 95% CI -13.52 to -2.27 hours). Three trials (n = 447) comparing single vs multiple doses of postpartum antibiotics showed shorter hospital stay [MD -19.14 hours, 95% CI -29.88 to -8.41 hours), but no differences in treatment failure (RR 1.73, 95% CI 0.69-4.30) or total antibiotic dose (MD -9.24, 95% CI -19.49 to 1.01). One trial (n = 48) comparing intrapartum vs postpartum initiation of treatment found benefits to intrapartum (vs postpartum) initiation of antibiotics, in terms of postpartum maternal hospital stay (MD -24 hours, 95% CI -45.56 to -1.44 hours), neonatal hospital stay (MD -45.6 hours, -93.84 to -11.76 hours), and neonatal pneumonia or sepsis (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.00-0.95). CONCLUSIONS Upon diagnosis of chorioamnionitis, there is limited evidence to recommend the prompt initiation of intrapartum antibiotics, and to consider a single dose of postpartum antibiotics over multiple doses or no treatment. Well-designed trials using standard definitions of chorioamnionitis, outcome measures, and newer antibiotics are required to inform clinical practice with regard to the preferred antibiotic regimen, dose, and duration to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Background Airway guidelines recommend an emergency surgical airway as a potential life-saving treatment in a “Can’t Intubate, Can’t Oxygenate” (CICO) situation. Surgical airways can be achieved either through a cricothyroidotomy or tracheostomy. The current literature has limited data regarding complications of cricothyroidotomy and tracheostomy in an emergency situation. The objective of this systematic review is to analyze complications following cricothyroidotomy and tracheostomy in airway emergencies. Methods This synthesis of literature was exempt from ethics approval. Eight databases were searched from inception to October 2018, using a comprehensive search strategy. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials or observational studies reporting complications following emergency surgical airway. Complications were classified as minor (evolving to spontaneous remission or not requiring intervention or not persisting chronically), major (requiring intervention or persisting chronically), early (from the start of the procedure up to 7 days) and late (beyond 7 days of the procedure). Results We retrieved 2659 references from our search criteria. Following the removal of duplicates, title and abstract review, 33 articles were selected for full-text reading. Twenty-one articles were finally included in the systematic review. We found no differences in minor, major or early complications between the two techniques. However, late complications were significantly more frequent in the tracheostomy group [OR (95% CI) 0.21 (0.20–0.22), p Conclusions Our results demonstrate that cricothyroidotomies performed in emergent situations resulted in fewer late complications than tracheostomies. This finding supports the recommendations from the latest Difficult Airway Society (DAS) guidelines regarding using cricothyroidotomy as the technique of choice for emergency surgical airway. However, emergency cricothyroidotomies should be converted to tracheostomies in a timely fashion as there is insufficient evidence to suggest that emergency cricothyrotomies are long term airways.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease which can affect reproductive-aged women and impact pregnancy outcomes. Objectives: To systematically review pregnancy outcomes for patients with MG. Search Strategy: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed (Non-Medline records), Web of Science, and LILACS databases were systematically searched for pregnancies complicated by MG. Selection Criteria: Human studies of five or more subjects reporting outcomes of MG in pregnancy published in any language. Data Collection and Analysis: Following identification and review of relevant studies, data on study characteristics, MG subtypes, treatment, disease and pregnancy outcomes were extracted. Assessment of bias was performed using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Case Series. In addition, cases of MG in pregnancy managed at our centre were identified and outcomes included in the analysis. Main Results: In total, 32 publications met inclusion criteria for systematic review, for a total of 33 unique data sets including 48 cases at our institution. In total, outcome data was available for 824 pregnancies complicated by MG. Overall risk of MG exacerbation was 33.8% with a 6.4% risk of myasthenic crisis in pregnancy and 8.2% postpartum. Spontaneous vaginal delivery occurred in 56.3% of pregnancies. The risk of transient neonatal myasthenia gravis (TNMG) was 13.0%. Conclusions: One third of pregnant MG patients will experience an exacerbation with 6.4% and 8.2% experiencing myasthenic crisis in pregnancy and postpartum respectively. More than half of MG patients had a spontaneous vaginal birth. The risk of TNMG is 13%

To describe the postnatal outcome of fetal meconium peritonitis and identify prenatal predictors of neonatal surgery. We retrospectively reviewed all fetuses with ultrasound findings suspicious for meconium peritonitis at a single center over a 10-year period. A systematic review and meta-analysis were then performed pooling our results with previous studies assessing prenatally diagnosed meconium peritonitis and postnatal outcome. Prenatal sonographic findings were analyzed to identify predictors for postnatal surgery. 34 cases suggestive of meconium peritonitis were diagnosed at our center. These were pooled with cases from 14 other studies yielding a total of 244 cases. Postnatal abdominal surgery was required in two thirds of case (66.5 %). The strongest predictor of neonatal surgery was meconium pseudocyst (OR [95 % CI] 6.75 [2.53-18.01]), followed by bowel dilation (OR [95 % CI] 4.17 [1.93-9.05]) and ascites (OR [95 % CI] 2.57 [1.07-5.24]). The most common cause of intestinal perforation and meconium peritonitis, found in 52.2 % of the cases, was small bowel atresia. Cystic fibrosis was diagnosed in 9.8 % of cases. Short-term neonatal outcomes were favorable, with a post-operative mortality rate of 8.1 % and a survival rate of 100 % in neonates not requiring surgery. Meconium pseudocysts, bowel dilation, and ascites are prenatal predictors of neonatal surgery in cases of meconium peritonitis. Fetuses with these findings should be delivered in centers with pediatric surgery services. Though the prognosis is favorable, cystic fibrosis complicates postnatal outcomes.ZIEL: Beschreibung des postnatalen Outcomes der fetalen Mekoniumperitonitis und Identifizierung pränataler Prädiktoren für die neonatale Chirurgie. Wir untersuchten an einem einzigen Zentrum über 10 Jahre hinweg retrospektiv alle Föten mit Ultraschallbefunden, bei denen der Verdacht einer Mekoniumperitonitis bestand. Eine systematische Übersicht und eine Metaanalyse wurden daraufhin durchgeführt, um unsere Ergebnisse mit früheren Studien zur Beurteilung der pränatalen Mekoniumperitonitis und des postnatalen Outcomes zusammenzufassen. Die pränatalen sonografischen Befunde wurden analysiert, um Prädiktoren für die postnatale Chirurgie zu identifizieren. In unserem Zentrum gab es 34 Fälle mit Verdachtsdiagnose Mekoniumperitonitis. Diese wurden mit Fällen aus 14 anderen Studien zusammengefasst, sodass sich insgesamt 244 Fälle ergaben. In 2 Drittel der Fälle (66,5 %) war eine postnatale abdominale Operation erforderlich. Der stärkste Prädiktor für die neonatale Chirurgie war eine Mekonium-Pseudozyste (OR 6,75; 95 %-KI 2,53–18,01), gefolgt von Darmdilatation (OR 4,17; 95 %-KI 1,93–9,05) und Aszites (OR 2,57; 95 %-KI 1,07–5,24). Die häufigste Ursache für Darmperforation und Mekoniumperitonitis, die in 52,2 % der Fälle gefunden wurde, war die Dünndarmatresie. Mukoviszidose wurde in 9,8 % der Fälle diagnostiziert. Das Kurzzeit-Outcome bei Neugeborenen war günstig, mit einer postoperativen Mortalitätsrate von 8,1 % und einer Überlebensrate von 100 % bei Neugeborenen, die nicht operiert werden mussten. Mekonium-Pseudozysten, Darmdilatation und Aszites sind pränatale Prädiktoren für eine neonatale Chirurgie bei Mekoniumperitonitis. Bei Föten mit diesen Befunden sollte die Entbindung in Zentren mit dem Schwerpunkt Neugeborenenchirurgie erfolgen. Obwohl die Prognose günstig ist, erschwert Mukoviszidose das postnatale Outcome.

Importance Treatment with noninvasive oxygenation strategies such as noninvasive ventilation and high-flow nasal oxygen may be more effective than standard oxygen therapy alone in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Objective To compare the association of noninvasive oxygenation strategies with mortality and endotracheal intubation in adults with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Data Sources The following bibliographic databases were searched from inception until April 2020: MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Web of Science, and LILACS. No limits were applied to language, publication year, sex, or race. Study Selection Randomized clinical trials enrolling adult participants with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure comparing high-flow nasal oxygen, face mask noninvasive ventilation, helmet noninvasive ventilation, or standard oxygen therapy. Data Extraction and Synthesis Two reviewers independently extracted individual study data and evaluated studies for risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Network meta-analyses using a bayesian framework to derive risk ratios (RRs) and risk differences along with 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were conducted. GRADE methodology was used to rate the certainty in findings. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was all-cause mortality up to 90 days. A secondary outcome was endotracheal intubation up to 30 days. Results Twenty-five randomized clinical trials (3804 participants) were included. Compared with standard oxygen, treatment with helmet noninvasive ventilation (RR, 0.40 [95% CrI, 0.24-0.63]; absolute risk difference, -0.19 [95% CrI, -0.37 to -0.09]; low certainty) and face mask noninvasive ventilation (RR, 0.83 [95% CrI, 0.68-0.99]; absolute risk difference, -0.06 [95% CrI, -0.15 to -0.01]; moderate certainty) were associated with a lower risk of mortality (21 studies [3370 patients]). Helmet noninvasive ventilation (RR, 0.26 [95% CrI, 0.14-0.46]; absolute risk difference, -0.32 [95% CrI, -0.60 to -0.16]; low certainty), face mask noninvasive ventilation (RR, 0.76 [95% CrI, 0.62-0.90]; absolute risk difference, -0.12 [95% CrI, -0.25 to -0.05]; moderate certainty) and high-flow nasal oxygen (RR, 0.76 [95% CrI, 0.55-0.99]; absolute risk difference, -0.11 [95% CrI, -0.27 to -0.01]; moderate certainty) were associated with lower risk of endotracheal intubation (25 studies [3804 patients]). The risk of bias due to lack of blinding for intubation was deemed high. Conclusions and Relevance In this network meta-analysis of trials of adult patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, treatment with noninvasive oxygenation strategies compared with standard oxygen therapy was associated with lower risk of death. Further research is needed to better understand the relative benefits of each strategy.

Study Objective To determine whether dienogest therapy after endometriosis surgery reduces the risk of endometriosis recurrence compared with expectant management. Data Sources Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, LILACS, clinicaltrials.gov, and International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registry were searched from inception to March 2019 for observational and randomized controlled trials. Methods of Study Selection The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Medical Subject Heading terms and keywords such as “dienogest,” “endometriosis,” and “recurrence” were used to identify relevant studies. Tabulation, Integration, and Results The search yielded 328 studies, 10 of which were eligible for inclusion, representing 1184 patients treated with dienogest and 846 expectantly managed controls. Among these studies, 9 looked exclusively at endometrioma recurrence, whereas 1 used reappearance of symptoms as evidence of disease recurrence. Data on both incidence of and time to recurrence of endometriosis were extracted. The incidence rate of endometriosis recurrence in patients treated with dienogest was 2 per 100 women over a mean follow-up of 29 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43–3.11) versus 29 per 100 women managed expectantly over a mean follow-up of 36 months (95% CI, 25.66–31.74). The likelihood of recurrence was significantly reduced with postoperative dienogest (log odds −1.96, CI, −2.53 to −1.38, p Conclusion Patients receiving dienogest after conservative surgery for endometriosis had significantly lower risk of postoperative disease recurrence than those who were expectantly managed.

Background Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is one of the leading causes of intensive care unit admission and is associated with high mortality. Noninvasive oxygenation strategies such as high-flow nasal cannula, standard oxygen therapy, and noninvasive ventilation (delivered by either face mask or helmet interface) are widely available interventions applied in these patients. It remains unclear which of these interventions are more effective in decreasing rates of invasive mechanical ventilation and mortality. The primary objective of this network meta-analysis is to summarize the evidence and compare the effect of noninvasive oxygenation strategies on mortality and need for invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Methods We will search key databases for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of noninvasive oxygenation strategies in adult patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. We will exclude studies in which the primary focus is either acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cardiogenic pulmonary edema. The primary outcome will be all-cause mortality (longest available up to 90 days). The secondary outcomes will be receipt of invasive mechanical ventilation (longest available up to 30 days). We will assess the risk of bias for each of the outcomes using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Bayesian network meta-analyses will be conducted to obtain pooled estimates of head-to-head comparisons. We will report pairwise and network meta-analysis treatment effect estimates as risk ratios and 95% credible intervals. Subgroup analyses will be conducted examining key populations including immunocompromised hosts. Sensitivity analyses will be conducted by excluding those studies with high risk of bias and different etiologies of acute respiratory failure. We will assess certainty in effect estimates using GRADE methodology. Discussion This study will help to guide clinical decision-making when caring for adult patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure and improve our understanding of the limitations of the available literature assessing noninvasive oxygenation strategies in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42019121755

Objectives To determine the impact of postoperative dienogest on recurrence of endometriosis following conservative surgery. Methods The following databases were searched from inception to March 2019: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed (Non-Medline records only), EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, LILACS, clinicaltrials.gov and International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry. Observational and randomized controlled studies with pre-menopausal women undergoing conservative surgery for endometriosis followed by post-operative dienogest treatment for at least 6 months were included. Primary outcome was the rate of endometriosis/endometrioma recurrence. For studies with a comparator group, we compared post-operative suppression with dienogest to no treatment. Results After screening 328 studies, 10 met inclusion criteria (9 retrospective, 1 prospective) representing 2031 patients (1184 treated, 846 controls). Among patients treated with dienogest, there were 2.11 recurrences per 100 women (95% CI: 1.43 to 3.11, 10 studies, 1184 patients, I2 = 0% fixed effects model). Comparatively, those managed expectantly had a significantly higher incidence of disease recurrence (28.61 events/100 women; 95% CI: 25.66 to 31.74, 6 studies, 846 patients, I2 = 83% fixed effects model). The odds of recurrence were significantly lower in women treated with dienogest compared to those without postoperative medical treatment (log odds -1.96, 95% CI -2.53 to -1.38, p Conclusions Women treated with dienogest following conservative endometriosis surgery have a significantly lower rate of disease recurrence compared to those not receiving post-operative hormonal suppression.

Objectives The administration of multiple repeat courses of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) in pregnant patients who remain undelivered after initial ACS administration has not been shown to have clear benefit, and may have associated harms. This study aims to review the literature on the impact of a single “rescue” course or dose of ACS in patients who remain undelivered >7 days following administration of an initial course. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases, clinical trial registries, and reference lists of relevant publications. RCTs and observational studies published from 1972 that assessed neonatal outcomes after administration of a rescue course or dose of ACS compared to a single course were included. Two reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion and assessed risk of bias. Data was extracted by one reviewer. Results were synthesized narratively. Results A total of 1978 references were screened; three RCTs and four observational studies met inclusion criteria. These differed in gestational age ranges included, time elapsed between initial and rescue ACS, and inclusion of multiple pregnancies. Four studies investigated a rescue course and two studied a rescue dose; one study combined those groups. One study showed a significant decrease in mortality with rescue ACS, and two found decreased respiratory distress syndrome with a rescue course. None showed a significant difference in birthweight with rescue ACS. Conclusions While these results suggest that rescue ACS may be beneficial and not harmful compared to a single course, the results are limited due to the heterogeneity of the literature. Further well-designed studies are needed.

Study Objective To determine the impact of postoperative hormonal suppression with dienogest on recurrence of endometriosis following conservative endometriosis surgery. Design We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of observational (retrospective and prospective) studies and randomized controlled trials. Setting The following databases were search from inception to March 2019: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed (Non-Medline records only), EBM Reviews - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, LILACS, clinicaltrials.gov and International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry. Patients or Participants We included studies of pre-menopausal women undergoing conservative surgery for endometriosis followed by post-operative dienogest suppression for at least 6 months. Interventions Post-operative suppression with dienogest for at least 6 months duration. Measurements and Main Results Primary outcome was the rate of endometriosis/endometrioma recurrence on imaging. For studies with a comparator group, we compared post-operative suppression with dienogest to no treatment. We screened 361 studies and 11 met inclusion criteria (10 retrospective and 1 prospective cohort studies). These studies included 2243 patients (1314 treated with dienogest and 929 controls). Treatment duration ranged from 6 months to 79 months post-operatively. The mean follow-up period ranged from 6 months for 1 study to 60 months for another, with the remaining 9 studies reporting follow-up periods ranging from 12 months to 43 months. For patients treated with dienogest there were 3 recurrences per 100 women (2.92 events/100 women, 95% CI 2.08, 4.10; 11 studies, 1314 patients, I2=21%, fixed effects model). The odds of recurrence were significantly lower in women treated with dienogest compared to no post-operative hormonal suppression (Log odds -2.09, 95%CI -2.59, -1.59, p Conclusion Post-operative hormonal suppression with dienogest following endometriosis surgery is associated with a low overall recurrence rate, and is superior to no post-operative suppression.

Women commonly report increased cravings for foods high in sugar, fat, and/or salt premenstrually relative to other times during the menstrual cycle. To determine if elevated cravings for foods high in salt and/or fat were related to alterations in food preferences across the menstrual cycle, preference and sensory ratings for air-popped popcorn with varying levels of salt (0.0, 1.5, and 4.0 g) and butter (3.3, 10, and 30 g) added to 30 g of popcorn were assessed in 34 normal-weight, college-aged women for 4 consecutive weeks. Additionally, using the Profile of Mood Scale (POMS), mood states were determined across the menstrual cycle. Dietary restraint, disinhibition, and hunger were assessed using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). Neither preference ratings nor ratings of the saltiness or fatness of the popcorn samples varied as a function of the menstrual cycle. Moreover, no differences in mood states were observed across the menstrual cycle. However, preference ratings for the popcorn samples were significantly greater for restrained than unrestrained eaters. Restrained eaters also rated the samples as significantly more salty, and had significantly higher scores on the tension-anxiety and depression-dejection subscale of the POMS than unrestrained eaters. Additionally, preference ratings of women who reported exercising more than 3 h a week were significantly greater than those of women who reported exercising less than 3 h a week. It is hypothesized that the variations in preference ratings observed as a function of dietary restraint and exercise are the result of differences in cognitive beliefs about food, rather than differences in physiological factors.

Although hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a well-known risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Here we show that induction of HHcy in apoE-null mice by a diet enriched in methionine but depleted in folate and vitamins B6 and B12 increased atherosclerotic lesion area and complexity, and enhanced expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), VCAM-1, tissue factor, and MMP-9 in the vasculature. These homocysteine-mediated (HC-mediated) effects were significantly suppressed, in parallel with decreased levels of plasma HC, upon dietary supplementation with folate and vitamins B6/B12. These findings implicate HHcy in atherosclerotic plaque progression and stability, and they suggest that dietary enrichment in vitamins essential for the metabolism of HC may impart protective effects in the vasculature.