| 1. |
- Al-Saqi, Shahla Hamza, et al.
(author)
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Oxytocin improves cytological and histological profiles of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women
- 2016
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In: Post Reproductive Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 2053-3691 .- 2053-3705. ; 22:1, s. 25-33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To investigate if topical oxytocin can reverse vaginal atrophy, as assessed by cytological and histological examination of the vaginal mucosal epithelium, in postmenopausal women after 12 weeks of treatment as compared to placebo.STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-eight postmenopausal women diagnosed with vaginal atrophy were randomized for this multicenter, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-three women received 600 IU vagitocin, an oxytocin containing gel, and 35 women received a placebo gel intravaginally. The dose was 600 IU daily for the first two weeks and thereafter 600 IU twice a week for 10 weeks. All participant women underwent four visits and a subgroup of 20 women had a further fifth visit. Vaginal smears for cytological evaluation were collected at all visits. Vaginal biopsies were taken in 20 women before and after 12 weeks of treatment for histological analysis. In these women a vaginal smear was also collected after 14 weeks.RESULTS: The increase in the percentage of superficial cells between 0 and 2 weeks was significantly greater after treatment with vagitocin in comparison with placebo (p = 0.04). The difference in the maturation value between 0 and 12 weeks was significantly higher in the vagitocin than in the placebo group (p = 0.01). The reduction in the scores of atrophy was according to the histological investigation significantly greater in the vagitocin group than in the placebo group at 12 weeks (p < 0.04).CONCLUSION: Daily intravaginal treatment with vagitocin 600 IU improves expressions of vaginal atrophy as recorded by cytological investigation of vaginal smears and histological analysis of vaginal biopsies. Treatment twice weekly seems to be less effective regarding the increase in superficial cells.
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| 2. |
- Bixo, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder with the GABA(A) receptor modulating steroid antagonist Sepranolone (UC1010)-A randomized controlled trial
- 2017
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In: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. - 0306-4530 .- 1873-3360. ; 80, s. 46-55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: Allopregnanolone is a metabolite from progesterone and a positive modulator of the GABA(A) receptor. This endogenous steroid may induce negative mood in sensitive women when present in serum levels comparable to the premenstrual phase. Its endogenous isomer, isoallopregnanolone, has been shown to antagonize allopregnanolone effects in experimental animal and human models.Objective: The objective was to test whether inhibition of allopregnanolone by treatment with the GABA(A) modulating steroid antagonist (GAMSA) Sepranolone (UC1010) during the premenstrual phase could reduce symptoms of the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The pharmacokinetic parameters of UC1010 when given as a subcutaneous injection were measured in healthy women prior to the study in women with PMDD.Design: This was an explorative randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Setting: Swedish multicentre study with 10 centers.Participants: Participants were 26 healthy women in a pharmacokinetic phase I study part, and 126 women with PMDD in a phase II study part. Diagnosis followed the criteria for PMDD in DSM-5 using Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) and Endicott's algorithm.Intervention: Subjects were randomized to treatment with UC1010 (10 or 16 mg) subcutaneously every second day during the luteal phase or placebo during one menstrual cycle.Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was the sum of all 21 items in DRSP (Total DRSP score). Secondary outcomes were Negative mood score i.e. the ratings of the 4 key symptoms in PMDD (anger/irritability, depression, anxiety and lability) and impairment (impact on daily life).Results: 26 healthy women completed the pharmacokinetic phase I study and the dosing in the following trial was adjusted according to the results. 106 of the 126 women completed the phase II study. Within this group, a significant treatment effect with UC1010 compared to placebo was obtained for the Total DRSP score (p = 0.041) and borderline significance (p = 0.051) for the sum of Negative mood score. Nineteen participants however showed symptoms during the follicular phase that might be signs of an underlying other conditions, and 27 participants had not received the medication as intended during the symptomatic phase. Hence, to secure that the significant result described above was not due to chance, a post hoc sub-group analysis was performed, including only women with pure PMDD who completed the trial as intended (n =60). In this group UC1010 reduced Total DRSP scores by 75% compared with 47% following placebo; the effect size 0.7 (p = 0.006), and for sum of Negative mood score (p=0.003) and impairment (p =0.010) with the effect size 0.6. No severe adverse events were reported during the treatment and safety parameters (vital signs and blood chemistry) remained normal during the study.Conclusions: This explorative study indicates promising results for UC1010 as a potential treatment for PMDD. The effect size was comparable to that of SSRIs and drospirenone containing oral contraceptives. UC1010 was well tolerated and deemed safe.
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| 3. |
- Ericsson, Olle, et al.
(author)
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Clinical validation of a novel automated cell-free DNA screening assay for trisomies 21, 13, and 18 in maternal plasma.
- 2019
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In: Prenatal diagnosis. - : Wiley. - 1097-0223 .- 0197-3851. ; 39:11, s. 1011-1015
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To evaluate clinical performance of a new automated cell-free (cf)DNA assay in maternal plasma screening for trisomies 21, 18, and 13, and to determine fetal sex.Maternal plasma samples from 1200 singleton pregnancies were analyzed with a new non-sequencing cfDNA method, which is based on imaging and counting specific chromosome targets. Reference outcomes were determined by either cytogenetic testing, of amniotic fluid or chorionic villi, or clinical examination of neonates.The samples examined included 158 fetal aneuploidies. Sensitivity was 100% (112/112) for trisomy 21, 89% (32/36) for trisomy 18, and 100% (10/10) for trisomy 13. The respective specificities were 100%, 99.5%, and 99.9%. There were five first pass failures (0.4%), all in unaffected pregnancies. Sex classification was performed on 979 of the samples and 99.6% (975/979) provided a concordant result.The new automated cfDNA assay has high sensitivity and specificity for trisomies 21, 18, and 13 and accurate classification of fetal sex, while maintaining a low failure rate. The study demonstrated that cfDNA testing can be simplified and automated to reduce cost and thereby enabling wider population-based screening.
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| 4. |
- Jonasson, Aino Fianu, et al.
(author)
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Safety and Efficacy of an Oxytocin Gel and an Equivalent Gel but Without Hormonal Ingredients (Vagivital® Gel) in Postmenopausal Women with Symptoms of Vulvovaginal Atrophy : A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study
- 2020
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In: Medical Devices. - : DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD. - 1179-1470. ; 13, s. 339-347
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: The primary objective was to compare the efficacy of 12 weeks of daily treatment with Aqueous Hypromellose-based vaginal (Vagivital®) gel versus Aqueous Hypromellose-based vaginal gel plus 400 IU oxytocin gel in reducing the severity of the most bothersome vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms (MBS: itching, dysuria, bleeding, and pain/discomfort during vaginal sexual activity) observed at baseline. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the other vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms, vaginal pH, superficial squamous cells, and the safety and tolerability of both gels.Patients and Methods: This double-blind, randomized study evaluated the safety and efficacy of subjects randomly assigned to 12 weeks of daily intravaginal oxytocin gel (n=79) or Aqueous Hypromellose-based vaginal gel (n=78). The efficacy evaluation was performed using data from all included subjects who fulfilled entry criteria.Results: Both treatments induced statistically significant reductions in the severity of the MBS from baseline until 4 weeks (Vagivital mean reduction 0.90, p=0.0000; Oxytocin mean reduction 0.82, p=0.0000) and 12 weeks post baseline (Vagivital mean reduction 1.28, p=0.0000; Oxytocin mean reduction 1.16, p=0.0000), but the reduction of MBS severity was not significantly different between the treatment groups at either time point. No serious adverse events were reported in the Aqueous Hypromellose-based vaginal gel group during the treatment period, but one (breast cancer) was reported in the oxytocin gel group (assessed as unlikely related to the study compound).Conclusion: Significant reductions in the severity of the MBS were seen in both the Aqueous Hypromellose-based vaginal gel and the oxytocin gel groups, but with no significant differences in severity reduction seen between the groups. Both gels were safe and well tolerated. Given the benefits of avoiding the use of hormones, Aqueous Hypromellose-based vaginal gel is an attractive first choice in the treatment of postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy symptoms.
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| 5. |
- Schimpf, Ulrike, 1977-, et al.
(author)
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Topical reinforcement of the cervical mucus barrier to sperm
- 2022
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In: Science Translational Medicine. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1946-6234 .- 1946-6242. ; 14:673
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Close to half of the world’s pregnancies are still unplanned, reflecting a clear unmet need in contraception. Ideally, a contraceptive would provide the high efficacy of hormonal treatments, without systemic side effects. Here, we studied topical reinforcement of the cervical mucus by chitosan mucoadhesive polymers as a form of female contraceptive. Chitosans larger than 7 kDa effectively cross-linked human ovulatory cervical mucus to prevent sperm penetration in vitro. We then demonstrated in vivo using the ewe as a model that vaginal gels containing chitosan could stop ram sperm at the entrance of the cervical canal and prevent them from reaching the uterus, whereas the same gels without chitosan did not substantially limit sperm migration. Chitosan did not affect sperm motility in vitro or in vivo, suggesting reinforcement of the mucus physical barrier as the primary mechanism of action. The chitosan formulations did not damage or irritate the ewe vaginal epithelium, in contrast to nonoxynol-9 spermicide. The demonstration that cervical mucus can be reinforced topically to create an effective barrier to sperm may therefore form the technological basis for muco-cervical barrier contraceptives with the potential to become an alternative to hormonal contraceptives.
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| 6. |
- Weidlich, Diana, et al.
(author)
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Annual direct and indirect costs attributable to nocturia in Germany, Sweden, and the UK
- 2017
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In: European Journal of Health Economics. - : SPRINGER. - 1618-7598 .- 1618-7601. ; 18:6, s. 761-771
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Our aim was to estimate the prevalence-based cost of illness imposed by nocturia (a 2 nocturnal voids per night) in Germany, Sweden, and the UK in an average year. Information obtained from a systematic review of published literature and clinicians was used to construct an algorithm depicting the management of nocturia in these three countries. This enabled an estimation of (1) annual levels of healthcare resource use, (2) annual cost of healthcare resource use, and (3) annual societal cost arising from presenteeism and absenteeism attributable to nocturia in each country. In an average year, there are an estimated 12.5, 1.2, and 8.6 million patients a 20 years of age with nocturia in Germany, Sweden, and the UK, respectively. In an average year in each country, respectively, these patients were estimated to have 13.8, 1.4, and 10.0 million visits to a family practitioner or specialist, similar to 91,000, 9000, and 63,000 hospital admissions attributable to nocturia and 216,000, 19,000, and 130,000 subjects were estimated to incur a fracture resulting from nocturia. The annual direct cost of healthcare resource use attributable to managing nocturia was estimated to be approximately a,notsign2.32 billion in Germany, 5.11 billion kr (a,notsign0.54 billion) in Sweden, and A 1.35 pound billion (a,notsign1.77 billion) in the UK. The annual indirect societal cost arising from both presenteeism and absenteeism was estimated to be approximately a,notsign20.76 billion in Germany and 19.65 billion kr (a,notsign2.10 billion) in Sweden. In addition, in the UK, the annual indirect cost due to absenteeism was an estimated A 4.32 pound billion (a,notsign5.64 billion). Nocturia appears to impose a substantial socioeconomic burden in all three countries. Clinical and economic benefits could accrue from an increased awareness of the impact that nocturia imposes on patients, health services, and society as a whole.
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| 7. |
- Ödmark, Inga-Stina, 1948-, et al.
(author)
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Conjugated estrogen/progestagen versus tibolone hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women : effects on carbohydrate metabolism and serum sex hormone-binding globulin
- 2006
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In: Maturitas. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-5122 .- 1873-4111. ; 53:1, s. 89-96
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To study the effects of different types of continuous hormone replacement therapy on carbohydrate metabolism. Method: Postmenopausal women were treated with conjugated estrogens, 0.625 mg/medroxyprogesterone acetate, 2.5 or 5mg (CEE/MPA) or tibolone 2.5 mg daily for 13 28-day cycles. Serum glucose and insulin were measured before and during a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline and after 3, 6 and 13 cycles and areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was measured as an additional marker of nutritional and insulin status. Results: Neither CEE/MPA2.5 mg nor tibolone had any effects on carbohydrate metabolism whileAUCinsulin, AUCglucose and also body mass index (BMI) increased after 13 cycles of treatment in the CEE/MPA 5 mg group. SHBG increased significantly during CEE/MPA treatment and decreased significantly during treatment with tibolone. The effects on SHBG were less pronounced in the CEE/MPA 5 mg group. Pretreatment SHBG showed significant negative correlations to BMI and to variables that may reflect a certain degree of insulin resistance, the most pronounced being fasting glucose. Changes in SHBG during treatment with tibolone were negatively correlated to pretreatment SHBG and positively to BMI, AUCinsulin and fasting insulin resistance index, while no such correlations were found in the CEE/MPA groups. There were no correlations between changes in AUCinsulin and AUCglucose on one hand and basal variables or treatment SHBG on the other in the CEE/MPA groups. Conclusion: The effects of tibolone and CEE/MPA on carbohydrate metabolism were considered to have clinical significance only for CEE/MPA 5 mg, indicating a less favourable role of the higher progestagen dose. The results further support the important role of metabolic and insulin status in the physiological regulation of SHBG and also indicate that the suppressive effect of tibolone on circulating SHBG is mainly depends on pretreatment SHBG levels. SHBG does not reflect changes in carbohydrate metabolism during CEE/MPA treatment.
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