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Background: It is essential to better characterize the energetic profile of individuals during very low-intensity physical activity. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether the saver profile from sit-to-stand persists during light physical activity and characterize patterns in substrate utilization from sit-to-stand and during very low-intensity physical activity in healthy men and women. Methods: Sixty-two healthy adults (38 women) performed an experimental sequence that corresponded to 15-minute sitting (SIT1), followed by 15-minute standing (STAND), 15-minute sitting again (SIT2), and finally 15 minutes of light cycling. Continuous indirect calorimetry was allowed to calculate energy expenditure (EE) and respiratory quotient through the entire sequence. Savers and nonsavers (<5% and ≥ 5% increase in EE from sitting to standing, respectively) were determined. Results: There was an interaction effect in EE between savers and nonsavers through the whole sequence (P =.008). Only nonsavers (71%) exhibited a significant increase in EE from SIT1 to STAND (P <.001). Nonsavers and savers significantly increased EE during 15 minutes of light cycling relative to sitting or standing (P <.001), without any difference between groups. The percentage of change in respiratory quotient from SIT1 to STAND was significantly different between the 2 groups, with increased values in savers and decreased values in nonsavers (P =.03). Significantly lower values in respiratory quotient and EE were found during 15 minutes of light cycling in women compared with men (P <.001). Conclusions: It is essential to determine individuals' energetic phenotype to determine those who may benefit more from strategies such as standing or light physical activity. The sexual dimorphism in terms of substrate use during such exercise should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alanis Morissette has come to signify a particular kind of ageing Generation X female celebrity since her initial rise to fame almost three decades ago. This project traces her career and maturation in the glare of transnational media that often fail to accept evolutions in her music and identities as she ages. Exploring scholarship on intergenerational feminism, I seek to establish how Morissette is iconic of discourses that situate women within a specific generational context. Though she explores femininity and ageing in her creative works, media coverage of this musician often confines her to established social narratives that prescribe ideal life cycles of women. A tension between celebrity industry manufacturing of consistency and promotion of reinvention exists in even greater discordance with the representation and self-representation of ageing and self-development that celebrities undertake in their creative works and star images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the South African Higher Education environment, engaging with men in leadership and their views on areas that have been identified as challenging in women's lived experiences and the advancement of women towards leadership. Men still dominate positions of leadership and as such, hold positional power and influence in transformation towards a more equitable and diverse leadership profile. Research in this area focuses predominantly on the voices of women, yet there is recognition that men should also exercise agency in this regard. Set within a framework of social justice, critical and social realism, the research considers whether men understand women's lived experiences and challenges of institutional culture, often described in gendered terms. It considers their perceptions of women as leaders, inclusive of their notions of leadership. It is an attempt to grapple with women's perpetual challenges in the Higher Education milieu and the globally persistent underlying barriers to women's advancement. A qualitative approach was adopted and six men in leadership positions were interviewed. Responses to open-ended questions, based on areas highlighted in the literature, were analysed using critical discourse analysis. The findings revealed that though men in leadership appeared to understand the challenges experienced by women, the deeper embedded (real) levels of patriarchy and institutional culture and the impact on women's lived experiences were not fully appreciated. The paper concludes that men's advocacy and agency, though not conclusively so, can be major game-changers in institutional culture and patriarchal practices. The appearance of a perpetual cycle of cultural and structural barriers, and a predominance of research on women's experiences of this cycle, led the researcher to engage with men in leadership to ascertain whether they recognise and comprehend this cycle and whether they exercise agency and advocacy in challenging the status quo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To find a useful tool for estimating the minimum number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes needed to obtain at least one euploid blastocyst according to female age. Retrospective analysis of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment cycles with preimplantational genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) performed over 5 years in IVIRMA Valencia (Spain), January 2017–March 2022. Approval from the Institutional Review Board of IVI Valencia (2204-VLC-040-CR). Private infertility clinic in Spain. Eligible patients were undergoing their first IVF-PGT-A treatment cycle, in which at least one MII oocyte was obtained, regardless of oocyte and semen origin. Oocyte donation cycles were included in the donor group (≤34 years old). Treatment cycles from women with their own oocytes were selected only when the oocytes were aged ≥35 years (patient group). Only trophoectoderm biopsies performed on days 5 or 6 of development and analyzed using next-generation sequencing were included. Preimplantational genetic testing for aneuploidy cycles because of a known abnormal karyotype were excluded. Not applicable. Number of MII oocytes needed to obtain one euploid blastocyst according to female age. A total of 2,660 IVF-PGT-A treatment cycles were performed in the study period in the eligible population (patients group = 2,462; donors group =198). The mean number of MII oocytes needed to obtain one euploid blastocyst increased with age, as did the number of treatment cycles that did not get at least one euploid blastocyst. An adjusted multivariate binary regression model was designed using 80% of the patient group sample (n = 2,462; training set). A calculator for the probability of obtaining at least one euploid blastocyst was created using this model. The validation of this model in the remaining 20% of the patient group sample (n = 493; validation set) showed that it could estimate the event of having at least one euploid blastocyst with an accuracy of 72.0%. Our results show a preliminary model capable of predicting the number of MII oocytes needed to obtain at least one euploid blastocyst according to female age, calculated with the largest database of IVF-PGT-A treatment cycles ever used for this purpose, including only treatment cycles using next-generation sequencing on trophoectoderm biopsies. Once this model has been properly validated, it could help with decision-making for both clinicians and patients coming to an infertility clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the relationships between age and race performance in women's road cycling. Therefore, we consider public data from ProCyclingStats (PCS) on race results of 558 female riders present in the top 500 of one of the yearly rankings between 1993 and 2021. We apply a data-driven approach consisting of three subsequent steps. First, we train decision tree classifiers to distinguish between race profiles. Second, we cluster the riders based on the fraction of PCS points obtained in different race types and uniquely identified the speciality of a rider as Sprinter, All Rounder or One Day. Third, we use polynomial regression to determine relationships between age and a rider's yearly race performance, defined as the average number of points per race entered in a single year, for each cluster. We obtain that the yearly performance is independent of age for one-day specialists. For sprinters and all-rounders, we found that the race performance increases until it reaches a maximum at 28.7 (sprinters) and 27.0 (all-rounders) years and then decreases again. Our findings can be used as a benchmarking tool for monitoring the development of women's road cyclists, talent identification or constructing long-term training programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research question: Social media in sport management contexts is increasingly used to highlight social issues in sport and to advocate for change, such as expanding the opportunities for women to participate. The purpose of this study is to examine how and why people strategically used various Twitter conventions to advocate for women's cycling during the 2013 (men's) Tour de France. We draw on Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis to frame our exploration and analysis of the issue. Research methods: We analyzed the text of approximately 6000 tweets to examine the use of Twitter conventions, as discursive practices, in digital activism efforts to advance the women's cycling agenda. Findings and discussion: People used links, retweets, hashtags, direct mentions, and influencers' posts as individual discursive practices and for their collective potential to draw attention to, and advocate for, women's pro-cycling in the context of the 100th iteration of the men's Tour de France. We discuss why this was an important process in the context of women's cycling, and some of the impacts, ten years later, of this Twitter activity. Implications: Twitter conventions can be a useful digital activism tool for feminist agendas in sport. We are cautious of overstating this case as each cause will have different contexts, and the ability of trolls and other users to derail activism is ever present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PrEP cycling among women is thought to be safe when there are distinct "seasons of risk." However, cyclical PrEP use over short periods may be associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition. We aimed to characterize key social ecological factors contributing toward PrEP cycling among female sex workers (FSW) in the context of high HIV risk. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 36 FSW at risk for HIV acquisition and 12 key informant (KI) service providers in eThekwini (Durban), South Africa from January-October 2020. FSW identified key factors driving temporary discontinuation of PrEP including relocation, lack of information on or difficulty coping with side effects, and delays in accessing PrEP. In many cases, FSW were motivated to restart PrEP once barriers were overcome. In contrast, KIs emphasized the importance of individual adherence to PrEP and reliance on personal risk assessments when counselling FSW on cycling decisions. FSW and KI perspectives highlight a disconnect between providers' recommendations on the potential for cyclical use of PrEP during periods of minimal risk and actual drivers among FSW causing temporary PrEP discontinuation. Further interventions supporting safe PrEP cycling are needed to ensure decisions around cycling are deliberate and guided by changes in HIV risk rather than external factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: ART in women with endometriosis is associated with poor quality of the retrieved oocytes and lower fertilization and pregnancy rates, reflecting that endometriosis may influence fertility by altering the quality of both the oocyte and embryo quality and also by impairing the endometrial receptivity. On comparing endometriosis-affected patients to healthy counterparts, many differences were demonstrated at the endometrial level. Thus, choosing the appropriate method of embryo transfer is of utmost importance, particularly for patients with advanced endometriosis. Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the reproductive outcomes between fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles in women with advanced endometriosis. Material and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the period from January 2018 until December 2021 for patients recruited from two IVF centers, Alexandria, Egypt. Careful review of paper and electronic medical records of infertile women (primary, relative, or secondary infertility) aged 18–37 years who were diagnosed with advanced endometriosis by means of laparoscopy and were scheduled for ICSI followed by either fresh embryo transfer (group I) or freeze-all embryos and deferred embryo transfer (group II) of day 5 embryo(s) was included in the study. Results: Two-hundred and eleven women were eligible and included in the study. Women in each study group were matched regarding baseline characteristics. Clinical pregnancy, implantation, and ongoing pregnancy rates were statistically significantly higher in the group of frozen embryo transfer (p < 0.001). Miscarriage rate was found to be higher in the group of fresh transfer compared to FET group but without a statistical significance (20.9% vs 9.2%, p = 0.072). Conclusion: In women with advanced endometriosis, freeze-all policy seems to be associated with better implantation, ongoing pregnancy rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in Western countries, thus representing a global health concern. CVDs show different patterns in terms of the prevalence and presentation in men and women. The role of sex hormones has been extensively implicated in these sex-specific differences, due to the presence of the menstrual cycle and menopause in women. Moreover, the gut microbiota (GM) has been implicated in cardiovascular health, considering the growing evidence that it is involved in determining the development of specific diseases. In particular, gut-derived metabolites have been linked to CVDs and kidney disorders, which can in turn promote the progression of CVDs. Considering the differences in the composition of GM between men and women, it is possible that gut microbiota act as a mediator in regard to the sex disparities in CVDs. This narrative review aims to comprehensively review the interplay between sex, GM, and CVDs, discussing potential mechanisms and therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although men's attraction to women's body odour has been suggested to vary over the ovulatory cycle, peaking around the fertile window, we still lack methodologically robust evidence corroborating this effect. Further, the chemical underpinnings of male preference for the odour of ovulating women remain unknown. Here, we combined perceptual and chemical analyses to investigate the axillary odour of naturally cycling women over 10 days, covering the gradual change in fertility across the ovulatory cycle with a focus on fertile days. The fertile state was confirmed by urinary ovulation tests as well as salivary oestradiol and progesterone levels. Men rated the scent of unfamiliar women, resembling a first encounter. We used multivariate analyses to relate variation in both odour ratings and chemical composition to female conception probability, temporal distance to ovulation and ovarian hormone levels. Our results provide no evidence that males prefer the odour of fertile women. Furthermore, the volatile analysis indicated no link between axillary odour composition and current fertility status. Together, our results showed no convincing support for a chemical fertility cue in women's axillary odour, questioning the presence of olfactory fertility information that is recognizable during first encounters in modern humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether endometrial thickness (EMT) differs between i) clomiphene citrate (CC) and gonadotropin (Gn) utilizing patients as their own controls, and ii) patients who conceived with CC and those who did not. Furthermore, to investigate the association between late-follicular EMT and pregnancy outcomes, in CC and Gn cycles. Methods: Retrospective study. Three sets of analyses were conducted separately for the purpose of this study. In analysis 1, we included all cycles from women who initially underwent CC/IUI (CC1, n=1252), followed by Gn/IUI (Gn1, n=1307), to compare EMT differences between CC/IUI and Gn/IUI, utilizing women as their own controls. In analysis 2, we included all CC/IUI cycles (CC2, n=686) from women who eventually conceived with CC during the same study period, to evaluate EMT differences between patients who conceived with CC (CC2) and those who did not (CC1). In analysis 3, pregnancy outcomes among different EMT quartiles were evaluated in CC/IUI and Gn/IUI cycles, separately, to investigate the potential association between EMT and pregnancy outcomes. Results: In analysis 1, when CC1 was compared to Gn1 cycles, EMT was noted to be significantly thinner [Median (IQR): 6.8 (5.5-8.0) vs. 8.3 (7.0-10.0) mm, p<0.001]. Within-patient, CC1 compared to Gn1 EMT was on average 1.7mm thinner. Generalized linear mixed models, adjusted for confounders, revealed similar results (coefficient: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.52-1.85, CC1 as ref.). In analysis 2, CC1 was compared to CC2 EMT, the former being thinner both before [Median (IQR): 6.8 (5.5-8.0) vs. 7.2 (6.0-8.9) mm, p<0.001] and after adjustment (coefficient: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.34-0.85, CC1 as ref.). In analysis 3, clinical pregnancy rates (CPRs) and ongoing pregnancy rates (OPRs) improved as EMT quartiles increased (Q1 to Q4) among CC cycles (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively), while no such trend was observed among Gn cycles (p=0.94, p=0.68, respectively). Generalized estimating equations models, adjusted for confounders, suggested that EMT was positively associated with CPR and OPR in CC cycles, but not in Gn cycles. Conclusions: Within-patient, CC generally resulted in thinner EMT compared to Gn. Thinner endometrium was associated with decreased OPR in CC cycles, while no such association was detected in Gn cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the menstrual cycle on fine motor skills is unclear. This study determined whether the menstrual cycle affected fine motor skills and related neural activities. Nineteen women with regular menstrual cycles were tested for fine motor skills using two types of tasks: grooved pegboard task (GPT), which evaluates motor control with high freedom of movements, and force modulation task (FMT), which evaluates more complex and fine motor control with low freedom of movements. We also assessed primary motor cortex intracortical circuits and sensorimotor integration using paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation to reveal why the menstrual cycle affects fine motor skills. The present study indicated that fine motor skills assessed by FMT varied throughout the menstrual cycle while those measured by GPT did not. These results suggest that fine motor skills requiring more complex and fine control may be affected by the menstrual cycle. Additionally, changes in fine motor skills throughout the menstrual cycle may be associated with the severity of menstruation-related symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hormone changes across women's menstrual cycles may lead to changes in their perceptions of chemical signals and their hormonal responses to these cues. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of menstrual cycle phase in the response to extracts of male axillary secretions (EMAS) in women. We tested healthy reproductive age and premenopausal women (n = 29). An EMAS/control solution was applied once every two hours during either the follicular or luteal phase, at which point saliva samples for luteinizing hormone (LH) and cortisol monitoring were collected. LH and cortisol concentrations were analyzed using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) scores were used to assess the participants' moods. For the first time, we showed that EMAS may produce opposite effects on LH secretion depending on the menstrual cycle phase of the recipient. We observed a significant increase in the number of LH peaks (p = 0.0447) and their amplitudes (p = 0.0469) when EMAS was applied during the follicular phase, while the same application in the luteal phase lowered the amplitudes of LH peaks (p = 0.0382). For the first time, we showed that EMAS application increased salivary cortisol levels in reproductive age women relative to premenopausal women (p = 0.0032). PANAS scores revealed changes in positive and negative affect after EMAS application. Our data indicate the significance of the menstrual cycle phase for EMAS' effects on LH secretion and mood, but not on cortisol secretion in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective was to present detailed menstrual cramps information in normally ovulatory versus anovulatory cycles from a single-cycle cohort study during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. Secondly, we reviewed the literature for cohort studies documenting both menstrual cramps and ovulation. Participants and Methods: The Menstruation and Ovulation Study 2 recruited 108 women ages 19– 35 years to a prospective, observational single-cycle study, recording cramps daily (0– 4 scale) in the Menstrual Cycle Diary© and assessing normal ovulation (luteal length ≥ 10 days) by the validated Quantitative Basal Temperature© (Mean Temperature Method). We searched databases for « primary dysmenorrhea » / » menstrual cramps »; « menstrual cycles »; « anovulation », finding four valid publications. Results: In 75 women/cycles during the Pandemic, mean age was 28.5, body mass index 23.5, and higher education (16 years); 40 normally ovulatory and 35 anovulatory cycles had similar lengths (29.5– 30.0 days), respectively (P= 0.571). However, anovulatory cycles recorded significantly worse menstrual cramps versus normally ovulatory cycles; anovulatory median intensity was 1.9 versus 1.6, and Cramp Score was 8 versus 6 in normally ovulatory cycles (P=0.017). Four publications in 273 women (991 cycles) showed cramps in both anovulatory and ovulatory cycles; three were in adolescent/young adult women, one of which documented a significantly greater percentage of cramps in ovulatory cycles. The 694 cycles in premenopausal women (20– 41 years) showed similar percentages of symptomatic cramps in cycles of both ovulatory types. Meta-analysis documented significantly higher cramp prevalence in ovulatory cycles (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.31, 3.37; P=0.002). Conclusion: This is the first documentation of more intense and frequent cramps in anovulatory cycles. However, meta-analysis showing the presence of symptomatic cramps in both ovulatory and anovulatory cycles documented they were twice as prevalent in ovulatory menstrual cycles. Plain Language Summary: "Worse Menstrual Cramps in Anovulatory Cycles". Medicine has long believed that menstrual cramps only occur in ovulatory menstrual cycles that release an egg and have high progesterone levels that decrease before the next period. The notion was that dropping progesterone levels triggered release of prostaglandins that cause the pain and uterus muscle contractions of menstrual cramps. This research studied 75 community women aged 19– 35 years for a single cycle during COVID-19. Forty women had normally ovulatory cycles and 35 had anovulatory cycles with a similar mean cycle length of 29.7 days. Women in both groups were similar in age, weight, education and other reproductive characteristics. Women recorded Menstrual Cycle Diary© daily experiences for cramp presence and intensity (scored 0– 4). Ovulation was documented by daily first morning temperatures analyzed by the valid Quantitative Basal Temperature© method. Results showed menstrual cramps occurred in both normally ovulatory and anovulatory cycles. Surprisingly, anovulatory compared with ovulatory cycles had cramps that lasted longer (4 rather than 3 days), were more intense (1.9 versus 1.6) and with significantly higher Cramp Scores (of 8 versus 6). We also found four other published studies showing cramps occurred in both anovulatory and ovulatory cycles. A meta-analysis of these, however, showed that cramps were twice as frequent in ovulatory cycles. These results matter because they stimulate the search for more accurate understandings of why menstrual cramps occur. They will likely stimulate more effective therapies for the rare, intense menstrual cramps that currently are not effectively treated by anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Pfizer-BioNTech Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccination on the menstrual cycle. Method: This cross-sectional survey study investigated whether Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination affected the menstrual cycle of women who had regular cycles. Results: One hundred and sixty two of 327 (49.5%) patients who had regular cycles expressed that their menstrual cycle had been affected after vaccination. Univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between age, body mass index (BMI), parity, smoking, pads per day, intrauterin device (IUD) and the incidence of menstrual change after vaccination. The factors identified by multivariate analysis as being independently related with the menstrual disorders following vaccination were BMI [odds ratio (OR) 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.17, p=0.023], smoking (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.28-3.78, p=0.005), pads per day (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.14-1.75, p=0.005) and IUD (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.99- 13.0, p=0.001). Conclusion: Approximately half of the participants declared menstrual disorder after vaccination. BMI, smoking, number of pads per day, and IUD were found to be independent risk factors for menstrual changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As outlined by the dual control model (DCM), individual differences in the regulation of sexual arousal following sexual stimulation depend on two distinct neurophysiological processes: sexual excitation (SE) and sexual inhibition (SI). Although associations with sexual function, behavior, and cue processing have been demonstrated in previous research, underlying neural correlates remain insufficiently explored. Moreover, interactive effects of SE/SI as proposed by the DCM, as well as factors impacting SE/SI properties, such as the use of oral contraceptives (OCs), have not received adequate attention in existing research. Methods: 90 healthy, sexually active women (n = 51 using OCs, n = 39 naturally cycling) completed an Emotional-Picture-Stroop-Paradigm (EPSP) while a 64-channel EEG was recorded. LPP amplitudes toward erotic and neutral stimuli were consecutively computed as a marker of motivational salience and approach motivation. Additionally, women provided self-reports of SE/SI and sexual function. Moderation analyses were performed to assess interactive effects of SE/SI in predicting LPP amplitudes and sexual function. Results: Sexual function was negatively associated with SI levels but unrelated to SE. Higher SI was associated with reduced LPP amplitudes in response to erotic stimuli. This negative association was, however, attenuated for women high in SE, suggesting interactive effects of SE/SI. Furthermore, women using OCs reported lower SE compared to naturally cycling women. Conclusion: The observed findings provide additional psychophysiological evidence supporting the DCM and underscore the relevance of interactive SE/SI effects in stimulus processing and approach motivation. They also highlight the possible impact of OCs on psychosexual variables that warrants further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature has extensively investigated potential factors influencing women’s performance, including the menstrual cycle and the circadian rhythm. However, review articles exploring the combined influence of both factors remain lacking in the literature. The study aimed to systematically review the literature on the relationship between the circadian rhythm and menstrual cycle on physical performance in women. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines. The search was performed on the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar databases. Of the 1205 records identified, four articles met the inclusion criteria. From four articles, two studies found a significant interaction between the time of day and phase of the menstrual cycle with physical performance. The isometric strength increased in the afternoon in the mid-luteal phase (versus the morning in the midluteal phase, p < 0.05), and the maximum cycling power was higher in the afternoon in the mid-follicular phase (versus the morning in the mid-follicular phase, p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that the time of day and the menstrual cycle phase affect physical performance, with the daytime potentially having a more significant influence. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited studies and diverse methodologies used to monitor the menstrual cycle phase. This review reinforces the need for further investigation to understand better the combined effects of the circadian rhythm and menstrual cycle on women’s physical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobility plays a crucial role in constructing gender. This study provides empirical evidence of this by focusing on both the embodied and situational agencies of women to explore gendered mobilities in cycling tourism. Interviews and observations were used to collect data in Hainan, China. This study found that the bodily practice of cycling allows women to exercise agency by permitting them to express and improve their skills, which further enables them to reconsider gender identities and challenge traditional gender dualism. However, this agency also depended on context. The widely accepted ideas related to cycling and rural public spaces were maintained in cycling tourism. This study contributes to understanding the intersection of cycling mobility and gender through embodied and situational agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menstruation is part of women's normal life, which requires basic hygienic practices. Managing hygiene can be affected by several factors and situations such as natural disasters. Focusing on 'super flooding' in Pakistan's Sindh Province, we pay attention to how this 'natural disaster' has affected hygienic practices of menstrual cycle of women. The study meticulously examines the dynamics of menstrual hygiene management, encompassing the nuanced encounters with feelings of shame and embarrassment among girls and women situated in flood camps, schools, and community shelters. It also intends to highlight women's challenge and embarrassment to participate in the distribution process of essential resources such as pads. The insights garnered from this study hold potential relevance for various stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and researchers, offering a nuanced comprehension of the intersection of menstrual hygiene, climate change, and well-being of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) down-regulation prior to hormone replacement treatment (HRT) to prepare the endometrium in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles in women of different ages. Methods: This was a retrospective study, and after excluding patients with adenomyosis, endometriosis, severe endometrial adhesions, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and repeated embryo implantation failures, a total of 4,091 HRT cycles were collected. Patients were divided into group A (<35 years old) and group B (≥35 years old), and each group was further divided into HRT and GnRHa-HRT groups. The clinical outcomes were compared between groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in clinical outcomes between the HRT and GnRHa-HRT groups among women aged <35 years. In women of advanced age, higher rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth were seen in the GnRHa-HRT group. Logistic regression analysis showed that female age and number of embryos transferred influenced the live birth rate in FET cycles, and in women aged ≥ 35 years, the use of GnRH-a down-regulation prior to HRT improved pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions: In elderly woman without adenomyosis, endometriosis, PCOS, severe uterine adhesions, and RIF, hormone replacement treatment with GnRH agonist for pituitary suppression can improve the live birth rate of FET cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In two studies we examined the relation between oral contraceptive (OC) use and self-reported levels of self-control in undergraduate women using OCs (Study 1: OC group N = 399, Study 2: OC group N = 288) and naturally cycling women not using any form of hormonal contraceptives (Study 1: Non-OC group N = 964, Study 2: Non-OC group N = 997). We assessed the self-overriding aspect of self-control using the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) and strategies for self-regulation using the Regulatory Mode Scale (RMS), which separately measures the tendency to assess one's progress towards a goal (assessment), and the tendency to engage in activities that move one towards an end goal (locomotion). In Study 1, we found no significant differences between OC and non-OC groups in their levels of self-overriding or self-regulatory assessment. However, we found that those in the OC group reported significantly greater levels of self-regulatory locomotion compared to those in the non-OC group, even after controlling for depression symptoms and the semester of data collection. The findings from Study 2 replicated the findings from Study 1 in a different sample of participants, with the exception that OC use was also related to higher levels of assessment in Study 2. These results indicate that OC use is related to increases in self-regulatory actions in service of goal pursuit and perhaps the tendency to evaluate progress towards goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ovarian cycle has a well-established circa-monthly rhythm, but the mechanisms involved in its regularity are unknown. Is the rhythmicity driven by an endogenous clock-like timer or by other internal or external processes? Here, using two large epidemiological datasets (26,912 cycles from 2303 European women and 4786 cycles from 721 North American women), analyzed with time series and circular statistics, we find evidence that the rhythmic characteristics of the menstrual cycle are more likely to be explained by an endogenous clock-like driving mechanism than by any other internal or external process. We also show that the menstrual cycle is weakly but significantly influenced by the 29.5-day lunar cycle and that the phase alignment between the two cycles differs between the European and the North American populations. Given the need to find efficient treatments of subfertility in women, our results should be confirmed in larger populations, and chronobiological approaches to optimize the ovulatory cycle should be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agri: Journal of the Turkish Society of Algology / Türk Algoloji (Ağrı) Derneği'nin Yayın Organıdır is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Prediction of the effect of the hormone progesterone on pregnancy results that measured on the day of transfer of fresh and frozen embryos. Methods: This research at reproductive centres in Baghdad from May 2022 to April 2023 examined how serum progesterone levels affect embryo transfers in ICSI procedures in 100 fresh or frozen cycle women. The study examined clinical data and endometrial preparation techniques to determine if progesterone levels affect pregnancy rates. Data were analysed using SPSS to determine how pre-transfer hormonal levels affected implantation and pregnancy outcomes. Participants were selected according on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study shows that progesterone is essential for IVF embryo transfers. Results: Compared to frozen cycles in females, fresh cycles had greater mean age and progesterone levels but lower COC number and 2PN levels, with no changes in BMI, MII, or injectable MII. Frozen cycles produced more good-grade embryos, whereas fresh cycles produced more fair-grade embryos. There were no differences in the number of “C” embryos. Fresh cycle groups had greater pregnancy rates (59.1%) than frozen cycle groups (38.9%), but progesterone levels did not change between cycle types. Conclusion: The study found that fresh cycles include older participants, greater progesterone but lower COC and 2PN levels, and higher pregnancy rates than frozen cycles. BMI, MII levels, embryo count, poor grade “C” embryos, and progesterone levels associated to pregnancy outcomes did not differ across groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in both genders; however, young women fare the worst, likely reflecting the more complex spectrum of IHD in women when compared to men. Substantial sex-based differences exist in the underlying risk factors, risk enhancers, presentation, diagnosis, and pathophysiology of IHD that are mainly attributed to the influence of female sex hormones. This article reviews the spectrum of IHD including obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary artery disease, ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, coronary microvascular dysfunction, vasospastic angina, and coronary thrombosis/embolism that occur in women throughout various stages of their life cycle. We aim to update clinicians on the diagnosis and management of these various types of IHD and highlight where further randomized controlled studies are needed to determine optimal treatment and inform guideline-directed medical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality in women, necessitating innovative primary prevention strategies. Contemporary guidelines on primary prevention of CVD highlight the increasing prevalence of CVD risk factors and emphasize the significance of female-specific risk enhancers that substantially augment the future risk of CVD. These risk factors occur throughout a woman's life cycle, such as hormonal contraception, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and menopause, all of which confer an added layer of risk in women beyond the conventional risk factors. Despite this, current methods may not fully capture the nuanced vulnerabilities in women that increase their risk of CVD. In this review, we highlight gender-specific risk enhancers and subsequent prevention as well as strategies to improve primary prevention of CVD in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Live birth rates in the letrozole group were significantly higher than in the artificial group. • Miscarriage rate was significantly lower in the letrozole group. • Perinatal and neonatal outcomes did not differ between letrozole group and artificial group. Different endometrial preparation protocols are used prior to frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). It is not clear whether letrozole-stimulated cycles are beneficial for anovulatory women compared to artificial cycles (AC) in anovulatory women. Our objective was to investigate whether clinical outcomes following frozen-thawed embryo transfer in letrozole-stimulated cycles differ from artificial cycles in anovulatory women. Study design: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted in a public fertility center in China comparing letrozole-stimulated and artificial cycles during FET. A total of 5,322 anovulatory women undergoing the first cycle of FET between January 2020 and December 2021. The primary outcome was the live birth rate. The secondary outcomes included biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy. The live birth rates were significantly higher in the letrozole compared with AC (49.57 % vs. 45.22 %) both in the crude (odds ratio [OR] 1.19, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.40) and adjusted analysis (aOR 1.27, 95 %CI 1.08–1.50). After controlling for potential covariates, the adjusted probability of biochemical pregnancy (65.71 % vs. 63.25 %, aOR 1.20, 95 %CI: 1.01–1.43), clinical pregnancy (61.53 % vs. 58.79 %, aOR 1.20, 95 %CI: 1.02–1.43), and ongoing pregnancy (50.14 % vs. 45.66 %, aOR 1.28, 95 %CI: 1.08–1.51) were higher among those using letrozole-stimulated cycles than among those undergoing artificial cycles. The miscarriage rate was lower following letrozole compared with artificial cycles (aOR 0.59, 95 %CI: 0.43–0.80). The ectopic pregnancy in the letrozole group was similar to that in the artificial cycles. Letrozole-stimulated FET was significantly associated with higher rates of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth, and with a lower rate of miscarriage, compared with artificial cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considered a part of the behavioral immune system, disgust functions as a protective mechanism against potential pathogen threat. There is evidence that disgust sensitivity varies depending on immunological and hormonal changes, including those occurring during the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. Although some studies indicate that disgust is elevated in early pregnancy, no study has yet compared disgust sensitivity in pregnant and non-pregnant women. This study aimed to examine differences in disgust sensitivity in pregnant versus non-pregnant women, while investigating whether disgust sensitivity differs depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle in non-pregnant women. The sample included 172 women (aged 21–40) in the first trimester of pregnancy and 354 non-pregnant, naturally cycling women (aged 20–40), out of whom 218 (61.6%) were in the luteal phase. All women filled out the Disgust Scale-Revised and the Three Domains of Disgust Scale. Non-pregnant women also completed the Culpepper Disgust Image Set. We observed that pregnant women had significantly higher pathogen-related and sexual disgust sensitivity than their non-pregnant counterparts (in both the follicular and luteal cycle phases). In non-pregnant women, there was no difference in disgust sensitivity between women in the follicular and luteal phases. When comparing pregnant women, women in the follicular phase, and those in the luteal phase, pathogen-related disgust sensitivity was lowest in the follicular, then in the luteal phase, and the highest in early pregnancy, although the difference between women in the follicular and luteal phase was not significant. Our results provide further evidence for the hypothesis that disgust is elevated when there is a need for increased protection, such as in the critical period of organogenesis in the first trimester of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 10% of fertile women, leading to great health and economic burden. PCOS is a heterogenous illness that can cause infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, acne, and hirsutism, among other symptoms. The clinical diagnosis is primarily a diagnosis of exclusion if one or more of the three primary symptoms, namely, oligo- or anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology, are present. Obesity and PCOS are often coexisting disorders that may be bidirectionally causally related. Phenotypic heterogeneity throughout the reproductive lifespan, such as the overlap of PCOS symptoms with regular fluctuations in a woman's menstrual cycle and metabolism during the menarche and menopausal transition, further complicates diagnosis. PCOS etiology is mostly unknown and complex, likely due to the fact that it is a group of disorders with overlapping metabolic and reproductive problems. Evidence-based, common, standardized guidelines for PCOS diagnosis and treatment are urgently needed. Genomics and clinical data from populations across diverse ages and ethnicities are urgently needed to build efficient machine learning models for the stratification of PCOS. PCOS subtype-specific strategies for early screening, an accurate diagnosis, and management throughout life will optimize healthcare resources and reduce unnecessary testing. This will pave the way for women to be able to take the best possible care of their own health using the latest clinical expertise combined with their unique needs and preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Back ground: Menstruation is one of the most important physiological changes during adolescent years. Regular rhythmic menstrual periods are physiological phenomenon for any woman from menarche to menopause. Adolescent girls do suffer frequently from menstrual disorders as they are closely compelling with the process involved in the pubertal development. Regular menstrual cycle reflects women's endocrine function and reproductive health. Many factors influence the regularity and flow of a girl's menstrual cycles which include hormonal changes, BMI, serious medical disorders, and genetics. The purpose of this study is to determine the relation between BMI and menstrual characteristics in adolescent. Materials and methodology: This study is undertaken in a tertiary care hospital, Kurnool, in the department of obstetrics and gynecology for a period of 1year after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethical committee. This is a prospective observational study and the study participants were the girls attending the gynecology OPD. Results: 49.5% of the girls had menstrual irregularities of which6 (3%) had frequent cycles <24 days, and 93 (46.5%) had infrequent cycles (cycle length >38 days). 42 (21%) of the girls had heavy menstrual bleeding with duration of flow >9days. 43(21.5%) had premenstrual symptoms. Statistically significant association was found between menstrual irregularities, thyroid disorders, hyperandrogenism and BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The study examines the determinants of security perception for female cyclists in Tehran. • A total of 208 women in Tehran participated in a laboratory-like experiment with a two-degree-of-freedom VR-based bicycle simulator. • Informal surveillance and evidence of incivility are the most important factors in increasing perceived security. • The type of built environment is also a noteworthy factor in increasing perceived security. • The study proposes practical solutions for increasing the perception of security for female cyclists, especially for new projects. Security perception significantly affects women's intention to use bikes. This area is under-researched in a context where female cyclists face harassment in a setting of low- or middle-Income countries. This study aims to contribute to understanding the determinants of security perception as a latent construct by establishing the relationship between perceived security, individual attributes, and built environment features. (i) Participants : a total of 208 women in Tehran participated in a laboratory-like experiment (age ranging from 18 to 42 years [M = 28.8 ± 14.15], 63 % with a household having at least one bike, 75 % never use a bike for daily trips, and 67 % are without any experience of harassment and insecurity). (ii) Apparatus : a two-degree-of-freedom VR-based bicycle simulator comprising sixteen scenarios that combine various states of built environment factors is employed. (iii) Procedure : the test consists of several stages. The experiment for each participant took an average of 26 min. The experiments were conducted over 50 days. (iv) Modeling : a structural equation model (SEM) was developed and estimated using the partial least squares technique. Informal surveillance (i.e., people's presence) is the most important determinant of perceived security. The second most important factor is evidence of incivility (trash in the streets, abandoned cars, damaged urban furniture, graffiti, etc.). The third noteworthy factor is the type of built environment, such as obstacles, vegetation, and underpasses. Contrary to expectations and paradoxically, official surveillance by police forces has a minor impact on women's perceived security. It is a phenomenon in theocratic societies, where the government enforces severe legal constraints against women. The least influencing but still statistically significant factor is lighting conditions. Several solutions for increasing the perception of security for female cyclists, especially for new projects, are proposed. We also offered and partially presented the development of a spatiotemporal performance dashboard based on the time-varying perceived security index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common cause of oligo-ovulation and anovulation among women of reproductive age, contributing to infertility. This study aimed to compare the effects of green tea tablets and metformin on ovulation, menstrual cycle regularity, and antioxidant biomarkers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this clinical trial study, 94 women with PCOS were randomly assigned to three groups: green tea (n = 33), metformin (n = 29), and control (n = 32). Menstrual status and oxidative stress parameters, including total antioxidant capacity, thiol, and lipid peroxidation, were compared before and 3 months after the intervention among all three groups. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 22 and employing the analysis of variance and paired t-tests. Following the intervention, the mean menstrual cycle duration in the green tea, metformin, and control groups was 32.22 ± 12.78, 48.72 ± 37.06, and 48.53 ± 31.04 days, respectively (P = 0.040). There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of biochemical, hormonal, and antioxidant indices before and after the intervention (P > 0.05). The intake of green tea tablets was associated with better outcomes in regulating the menstrual cycle in women with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cytokines are released as part of an inflammatory reaction in response to strength exercise to initiate muscle repair and morphological adaptations. Whether hormonal fluctuations induced by the menstrual cycle or oral contraceptives affect inflammatory responses to strength exercise remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to compare the response of cytokines after acute strength exercise in naturally menstruating women and oral contraceptive users. Methods: Naturally menstruating women (MC, n = 13, 24 ± 4 years, weekly strength training: 4.3 ± 1.7 h) and women using a monophasic combined pill (> 9 months) (OC, n = 8, 22 ± 3 years, weekly strength training: 4.5 ± 1.9 h) were recruited. A one-repetition-maximum (1RM) test and strength exercise in the squat (4 × 10 repetitions, 70%1RM) was performed in the early follicular phase or pill free interval. Concentrations of oestradiol, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were assessed before (pre), directly after (post) and 24 h after (post24) strength exercise. Results: IL-1ra increased from pre to post (+ 51.1 ± 59.4%, p = 0.189) and statistically decreased from post to post24 (– 20.5 ± 13.5%, p = 0.011) only in OC. Additionally, IL-1β statistically decreased from post to post24 (– 39.6 ± 23.0%, p = 0.044) only in OC. There was an interaction effect for IL-1β (p = 0.038) and concentrations were statistically decreased at post24 in OC compared to MC (p = 0.05). IL-8 increased across both groups from post to post24 (+ 66.6 ± 96.3%, p = 0.004). Conclusion: We showed a differential regulation of IL-1β and IL-1ra between OC users in the pill-free interval and naturally cycling women 24 h after strength exercise, while there was no effect on other cytokines. Whether this is associated with previously shown compromised morphological adaptations remains to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We investigated how hormonal contraceptive (HC) use affects acute stress reactivity. • HC users had greater subjective stress responses to an acute social stressor (TSST) • Cortisol increases in HC users were accompanied by increased TNF-α levels. • Cortisol increases in naturally cycling women were accompanied by increased IL-6. • These HC-associated differences in stress reactivity may affect women's health. Women using hormonal contraceptives (HCs) exhibit numerous signs of chronic inflammation, including elevated C-reactive protein levels and greater risk of developing mood and autoimmune disorders. However, users and non-users of HCs often have similar circulating proinflammatory cytokine levels, making the mechanism of association unclear. One possible explanation for this paradox is that HC users exhibit differences in their inflammatory responses to psychosocial stress that, over time, could contribute to chronic inflammation and its pathologies. Here, we tested this possibility by examining women's glucocorticoid, inflammatory, and psychological responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in 67 naturally cycling (NC) and 60 oral HC-using women (M age = 19.31, SD age = 1.95). As hypothesized, HC users and NC women exhibited different glucocorticoid and proinflammatory cytokine responses to the TSST. For NC women, TSST-induced increases in glucocorticoids were uncommon, and increases in glucocorticoids were accompanied by elevations in IL-6. In contrast, for women using HCs, increases in glucocorticoids in response to the TSST were common, and increases in glucocorticoids were accompanied by increases in TNF-α. HC users and NC women also differed in their psychological responses to the TSST, with HC users reporting elevated stress levels compared to NC women. Together, these results suggest that HC use impacts women's glucocorticoid, inflammatory, and psychological responses to psychosocial stress, potentially contributing to observed differences in these women's mental and physical health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the research was to provide a performance management model for the development of women's cycling with an interpretative structural approach.Research method: This research is practical in terms of purpose, and the research data was collected in the field and in a mixed way (qualitative and quantitative). The statistical population in the qualitative section was 18 experts and in the quantitative section, there were 74 people in the women's section. Due to the limited number of members, the population was equal to the sample. The research tool in the first part was a researcher-made questionnaire, and in the second part, a structured self-interaction questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by 10 sports management professors and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha test (α = 0.88). Interpretive structural modeling technique was used to structure the components.Findings: The findings showed that the performance management of the federation in the development of women's cycling has 9 components and 35 indicators, and the components were structured in six levels. The components of financial resources and the growth-creating and motivational system were placed at the infrastructure level and executive processes at the first level of the model.Conclusion: It can be said that incentive mechanisms, development of learning and marketing capacities, income generation and attraction of financial sponsors, creation or strengthening of other management components of cycling federation's performance in the development of this sport among women will facilitate and develop This sport will help.

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Person-related variation has been identified in many socio-cognitive domains, and there is evidence for links between certain personality traits and individual emotion recognition. Some studies, utilizing the menstrual cycle as a hormonal model, attempted to demonstrate that hormonal fluctuations could predict variations in emotion recognition, but with merely inconsistent findings. Remarkably, the interplay between hormone fluctuations and other person-related factors that could potentially influence emotion recognition remains understudied. In the current study, we examined if the interactions of emotion-related personality traits, namely openness, extraversion, and neuroticism, and the ovulatory cycle predict individual variation in facial emotion recognition in healthy naturally cycling women. We collected salivary ovarian hormones measures from N = 129 (n = 72 validated via LH test) women across their late follicular and mid-luteal phases of the ovulatory cycle. The results revealed a negative association between neuroticism scores and emotion recognition when progesterone levels (within-subject) were elevated. However, the results did not indicate a significant moderating influence of neuroticism, openness, and extraversion on emotion recognition across phases (late follicular vs. mid-luteal) of the menstrual cycle. Additionally, there was no significant interaction between openness or extraversion and ovarian hormone levels in predicting facial emotion recognition. The current study suggests future lines of research to compare these findings in a clinical setting, as both neuroticism and ovarian hormone dysregulation are associated with some psychiatric disorders such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: to evaluate menstruation characteristics, perceptions, and health-seeking behaviours in women. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study with 394 women between February 2021 and October 2021. according to the self-perception of women, menstruation characteristics were divided into two groups, including 'normal' and 'abnormal'. the data were collected using the Personal information Form, assessment Form of the Menstrual cycle characteristics, and health-seeking Behaviour scale. Results: among all women, 49.7% perceived their menstruation characteristics as 'normal', and 50.3% perceived them as 'abnormal'. the menstruation characteristics negatively affected the daily life of 57.6% of women in the normal group and 68.7% of women in the abnormal group. Online health-seeking behaviour was the most common behaviour of seeking remedy; however, professional health-seeking behaviour was inadequate. among women who perceived their menstruation characteristics as 'normal', excessive menstrual bleeding, extreme pain, and adverse effects on daily life increased health-seeking behaviour. among women who perceived their menstruation characteristics as 'abnormal', irregular cycles, frequent bleeding, low levels of bleeding, the use of too many pads, extreme pain, and adverse effects on daily life increased health-seeking behaviour. Conclusion: the participants in this study exhibited insufficient health-seeking behaviour for abnormal menstruation characteristics. Women should be directed by health professionals to reliable online sources to seek help, and they should be encouraged to display professional health-seeking behaviour. Short condensation: the knowledge and perception of menstruation characteristics among women is inadequate. the results of this study suggested that many gynecological symptoms that can affect women in their later stages of life may be unintentionally ignored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, there have been several efforts in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to increase the opportunities and improve the experiences of women cyclists in recreational and racing contexts. However, cycling in Victoria and Australia more broadly continues to be a male dominated sport. This study incorporates a digital ethnography of two Melbourne-based women's cycling Facebook groups including 11 interviews with stakeholders over the period of 2017–2018 to analyse how women and girls are harnessing social media to create counter sports spaces to enhance women's cycling. The paper explores the emergence of the "virtual clubhouse" which operates as a digitally networked counterpublic, providing a space for women and gender diverse cyclists to connect, coproduce and engage in knowledge sharing practices, and build a more inclusive culture for cycling that challenges dominant, mainstream narratives of women's sport. The "virtual clubhouse" addresses a gap in the physical bicycle landscape in which cycling and cycling knowledge (including bicycle maintenance) is largely mediated by men and cycling clubs are configured as masculine spaces within Australia. This research adds further depth into a specific localised network of women cyclists to consider how physical and online sports cultures and communities are intertwined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pacing during cycling and running in an IRONMAN triathlon has been investigated in only one study with elite IRONMAN triathletes. We have, however, no knowledge of how professional triathletes pace during an IRONMAN World Championship. To investigate the split-by-split speed, pacing strategies and pacing variability in professional female and male IRONMAN World Championship participants in the fastest IRONMAN World Championship ever in IRONMAN Hawaii 2022. For both cycling and running, 25 specific split times were recorded in each discipline. The best 30 men and 30 women overall were chosen from the official IRONMAN website database for further analysis. They were divided into three performance groups: Top 10, 11–20th place, and 21st–30th place. Mean speed, individual linear regressions with the corresponding correlation coefficients, and coefficient of variation were calculated to assess split-by-split speed, pacing strategies, and pacing variability, respectively. In both men's and women's cycling and running segments, the top ten participants exhibited faster split times compared to the slower performance groups. Notably, no discernible differences existed between the 11–20th and 21st–30th place in men's cycling and women's running times. Conversely, in men's running and women's cycling segments, those in the 11–20th place displayed quicker times than those in the 21st–30th place. In the cycling segment across all groups, men demonstrated a more negative pacing pattern (indicating an increase in speed), whereas women exhibited more consistent pacing. In the running segment, the top 10 men and all women's groups showcased relatively similar slightly positive pacing profiles. However, men ranking 11–20th and 21st–30th displayed more pronounced positive pacing strategies, implying a more significant decline in speed over time. In terms of cycling, the variability in pacing remained relatively consistent across the three performance groups. Conversely, during the running segment, the top ten male triathletes and those in the 11–20th place displayed lower pacing variability than their counterparts in the 21st–30th position place and all women's groups. In summary, performance and pacing were examined in professional male and female IRONMAN World Championship participants during IRONMAN Hawaii 2022. Top performers showed faster cycling and running split times, with differences in pacing strategies between sexes. The pacing was more consistent in cycling, while running pacing varied more, particularly among male triathletes in different performance groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The general perception is that menstrual cycle is a factor related to body weight and body composition fluctuations in women. The lack of a standardized methodology of the so far conducted studies has led to controversial results. The aim of the current study is to identify if there are any changes in body weight and body composition during the menstrual cycle. Methods: In the current study measurements of body weight, circumferences, skinfolds and body composition with bioelectrical impedance analysis were conducted twice per week in 42 women during their menstrual cycle. Results: Body weight was found to be statistically significantly higher during menstruation compared to the first week of the menstrual cycle by 0.450 kg, which could be attributed to a statistically significant increase of 0.474 kg observed in extracellular water. No other statistically significant changes were observed regarding body composition. Conclusions: An increase of approximately 0.5 kg was observed during women's menstrual cycle, mostly due to extracellular fluid retention at menstruation days. These findings could be taken into account to interpret body weight and composition periodic fluctuations in women of reproductive age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)'s impact on work loss remains poorly described. We evaluated associations between the duration of CINV episodes, CINV-related work loss (CINV-WL), and CINV-related activity impairment (CINV-AI) in patients with breast cancer receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective CINV prophylaxis trial of netupitant/palonestron and dexamethasone for patients receiving an anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) for breast cancer (NCT0340371). Over the observed CINV duration (0–5 days), we analyzed patient-reported CINV-WL and CINV-AI for the first two chemotherapy cycles. We categorized patients as having either extended (≥ 3 days) or short (1–2 days) CINV duration and quantified its impact on work using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI). Results: Overall, we captured data for 792 cycles in 402 women, including 136 (33.8%) employed patients with 35.3% reporting CINV. Of those with CINV, patients reported CINV-WL in 26 cycles and CINV-AI in 142 cycles. Of those with CINV, 55.3% of extended CINV cycles experienced CINV-WL compared to 16.7% of short CINV cycles (p < 0.001). The relative risk of CINV-WL between extended and short CINV was 3.32 (p < 0.01) for employed patients. The mean difference in CINV-AI scores (higher = worse) between extended and short duration CINV was 5.0 vs. 3.0 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Extended (≥ 3 days) CINV was associated with more than triple the risk of CINV-WL and higher CINV-AI compared with short CINV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than men. Recent research suggests an impact of oral contraceptive (OC) intake on PTSD and intrusive memories, a hallmark symptom of PTSD. Although a majority of women use OCs at some point in their lives, the effects on PTSD pathogenesis are only poorly understood. Objective: In the current paper, we aimed to investigate the impact of OC intake on the acquisition and consolidation of intrusive memories in healthy women after watching a trauma film paradigm. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a pooled dataset (N = 437) of two previously conducted and published studies investigating the effect of oxytocin on the development of intrusive memories. Results: Women taking OCs showed an attenuated decline of intrusive memories over time after having watched the trauma film compared to naturally cycling women (F(2.75, 1167) = 3.79, p =.03, $\eta _p^2$ η p 2 =.01). Conclusion: These findings indicate that the intake of OCs is associated with the development of intrusive memories after a trauma film paradigm. This indication emphasizes the need to further investigate the complex impact of OCs and gonadal hormones on fear learning processes and PTSD. The objective of the current study was to analyze the effect of oral contraceptives on the development of intrusive memories after a trauma film paradigm by conducting a secondary analysis of previously published data. Women taking oral contraceptives show an attenuated decline of intrusive memories after watching a trauma film paradigm compared to naturally cycling women in the luteal phase. Women using oral contraceptives show higher basal saliva cortisol levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The Marquette Method (MM) has been used for many years to track the postpartum return of fertility using the ClearBlue Fertility Monitor (CBFM). A new quantitative urine hormone monitor (the Mira Analyzer) was compared to the CBFM in one previous study, and using this pilot data, several women have started to use the Mira Analyzer in the postpartum transition to fertility. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational case series that analyzed hormone data on the Mira Analyzer during the postpartum period. Participants were invited to share their postpartum cycle and hormone observations. Quantitative hormones in the urine included estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G), luteinizing hormone (LH), and pregnanediol glucuronide (PDG). Data were collected using an electronic survey and an online portal for hormone data. Data collected included participant demographics, menstrual cycle characteristics, and reproductive health history. Hormone range values were calculated, and thresholds were identified that would best predict the first ovulation that led to the first postpartum menstrual period, as well as in transition cycles. Hormone patterns were identified in the context of previous studies. Results: Twenty participants contributed data for the analysis. Triggering ovulation before the first period postpartum (Cycle 0) usually required higher LH thresholds than for regularly cycling women. Three different patterns were observed in the return of fertility postpartum: minimal ovarian activity, follicular activity without ovulation, and the early return of fertility. Abstinence rates for avoiding pregnancy with experimental thresholds were calculated. Conclusions: Higher LH thresholds in Cycle 0 suggest a decreased responsiveness of the ovaries to LH stimulation from the pituitary. This study replicates postpartum hormone patterns from a previous study. Larger studies are planned to evaluate the effectiveness for avoiding pregnancy using the Mira Analyzer in the postpartum return of fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To disaggregate the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System (SART CORS) age category of " > 42" and compare age-stratified cumulative live birth rates (CLBR) > 42 years old. Design: Retrospective cohort study of autologous linked ART cycles. Setting: United States (US) National ART Database. Patient(s): Women > 42 years old without a history of prior ART cycles who underwent ART between 2014–2020 as reported to the SART CORS database. Intervention(s): Disaggregate the SART CORS age category of " > 42" into age-stratified cumulative live birth rates (CLBR). Main Outcome Measure(s): Age-stratified cumulative live birth rates (CLBR) for women ≥ 43 years old. Results: Between 2014–2020, 24,650 women > 42 years old without history of prior ART underwent 58,132 cycles, resulting in 1,982 live births. Women ages 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, ≥ 50 achieved maximal CLBR of 9.7%, 8.6%, 5.0%, 3.6%, 2.5%, 1.5%, 2.7%, 1.3%, respectively. CLBR for women between 43–45 were significantly higher compared to those 46 and older (p < 0.05). Among women 46 and older, CLBR were not significantly different. Women ages 43 and 44 did not exhibit a significant increase in CLBR beyond the 5th cycle. Age 45 and 46 reached CLBR plateau by the 3rd cycle. Age ≥ 47 CLBR plateaued after the first cycle. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, BMI, nulliparity, etiology of infertility, number of oocytes retrieved, embryos transferred, blastocyst transfer, use of ICSI, PGT, and ART treatment cycle number, there was no association between markers of ovarian reserve (day 3 FSH and random AMH levels) and live birth for women > 42. Conclusions: While CLBR of autologous cycles from women 42 or younger generally plateau by cycle number 5, age-stratified cycles from women > 42 plateau after fewer cycles to maximize CLBR. Patient and physician expectations for maximum CLBR beyond 42 may be practically based on fewer planned cycles before reaching an age-specific CLBR plateau than may have been previously expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of COVID-19 virus on menstrual cycles in unvaccinated women is limited. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of changes to menstrual cycle characteristics, hormonal symptoms and lifestyle changes prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective online cross-sectional survey completed by social media users between July 2020 to October 2020. Participants were living in the United Kingdom (UK), premenopausal status and, or over 18 years of age. Main outcome(s) and measures(s): The primary outcome was to assess changes to menstrual cycle characteristics during the pandemic following the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES). Secondary outcomes included assessment of hormonal and lifestyle changes. Results: 15,611 social media users completed the survey. Of which, 75% of participants experienced a change in their menstrual cycle, with significantly greater proportions reporting irregular menstrual cycles (P<0·001), bleeding duration more than seven days (P<0·001), longer mean cycle length (P<0·001) and overall bleeding duration (P<0·001). Over half the participants reported worsening of premenstrual symptoms including low mood/depression, anxiety and irritability. When stratified according to COVID-19 infection, there was no significant difference in menstrual cycle changes. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in considerable variation in menstrual cycle characteristics and hormonal symptoms. This appears to be related to societal and lifestyle changes resulting from the pandemic, rather than to the virus itself. We believe this may have an impact on the individual, as well as national economy, healthcare, and population levels, and therefore suggest this should be taken into consideration by governments, healthcare providers and employers when developing pandemic recovery plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]