Neostigmine-induced contraction and nitric oxide-induced relaxation of isolated ileum from STZ diabetic guinea pigs.

Both delayed gastrointestinal transit and autonomic neuropathy have been documented in patients with diabetes mellitus. The mechanism of neostigmine, an agent that mimics release of acetylcholine from autonomic neurons by prokinetic agents, to contract smooth muscle, despite dysfunctional enteric neural pathways, was determined using isolated ilea from STZ-treated and control guinea pigs. Both bethanechol- and neostigmine-induced contractions were stronger in diabetic ileum.

Measuring menstrual discomfort: a comparison of interview and diary data.

Background: Menstrual discomfort is common among women of reproductive age and can be debilitating. The accuracy of self-report of menstrual discomfort is unknown.

Methods: At enrollment into the DES Reproductive Health Study in 1990, premenopausal women classified their frequency of any menstrual discomfort as "always," "often," "sometimes," and "never.

Lifestyle and reproductive factors associated with follicular phase length.

Purpose: Variability in menstrual cycle length, largely determined by variation in follicular phase length, is related to several health outcomes, yet the causes of this variability are incompletely understood. We sought to identify characteristics associated with follicular phase length.

Methods: We used the North Carolina Early Pregnancy Study to describe factors correlated with timing of ovulation (follicular phase length).

Accuracy of reporting of menstrual cycle length.

There are many studies based on self-reported menstrual cycle length, yet little is known about the validity of this measure. The authors used data collected in 1990 from 352 women born in Chicago, Illinois, aged 37-39 years. Women reported their usual cycle length and behavioral and reproductive characteristics at study enrollment and then completed daily menstrual diaries for up to 6 months.