Maternal hyperthyroidism after intrauterine insemination due to hypertrophic action of human chorionic gonadotropin: a case report.

Purpose Of Investigation: To report a rare case of maternal hyperthyroidism after intrauterine insemination due to hypertrophic action of hCG.

Materials And Methods: A 36-year-old woman after successful intrauterine insemination and triplet pregnancy, developed hyperthyroidism with resistance to medical treatment.

Results: All signs of hyperthyroidism resolved and the results of thyroid function tests returned to normal without any medication after embryo meiosis.

Thyroid function and autoimmunity are associated with the risk of vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women.

Overt or subclinical thyroid dysfunction may affect the risk of fragility fractures. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of thyroid function and autoimmunity with vertebral fractures (VF) in a large sample of Greek postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study recruited 335 euthyroid postmenopausal women, aged 35-79 years.

Secondary hypoparathyroidism during pregnancy--a case report and review of the literature.

Secondary hypoparathyroidism is seldom seen during pregnancy. Usually, it presents with hypocalcemia. Even if there is no established therapeutic treatment, vitamin D or its analogues are required.

Association of sex hormones and glucose metabolism with the severity of multiple sclerosis.

Purpose/aim Of The Study: We evaluated possible associations between the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) and levels of sex hormones as well as biochemical parameters in a sample of ambulatory patients.

Material And Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 133 adults (52 men, 66 premenopausal and 15 postmenopausal women), with relapsing-remitting MS. Fasting venous blood samples were drawn for biochemical and hormonal evaluation.

Stress urinary incontinence and endogenous sex steroids in postmenopausal women.

Aims: Urinary incontinence in general is a major cause of quality of life impairment, morbidity and hospitalization. Its onset is strongly linked to the menopause. Our study aimed to elucidate the possible relationship between endogenous circulating estrogens and the onset and development of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Can anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) predict the outcome of intrauterine insemination with controlled ovarian stimulation?

Objective: To assess whether the levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) are related to outcome of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in patients treated with gonadotropins.

Intervention(s): A total of 195 patients underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) (50-150 IU/d). All patients were submitted upto three cycles of IUI.

A case of postmenopausal androgen excess.

Ovarian steroid cell tumors are very rare but potentially life-threatening neoplasms. They represent less than 0.1% of all ovarian tumors, typically present in premenopausal women and frequently manifest with virilization.

Indices of adiposity and thyroid hormones in euthyroid postmenopausal women.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between thyroid hormones and indices of obesity in a sample of euthyroid postmenopausal women.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Serum levels of TSH, free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) as well as BMI and waist:hip ratio (WHR) were evaluated in 194 healthy euthyroid postmenopausal women.

Expression of gonadal steroid receptors in the ovaries of post-menopausal women with malignant or benign endometrial pathology: a pilot study.

This pilot study aimed to investigate the expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), as well as their subtypes [alpha (ERα), beta (ERβ)], in the ovaries of postmenopausal women with benign or malignant endometrial pathology. Twenty postmenopausal women (age 66.2 ± 7.

Circulating androgens are associated with mood disturbances in young postmenopausal women.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the association between circulating androgens and the presence of psychological symptoms in a sample of healthy middle-aged women.

Methods: Psychological and depressive symptoms were evaluated in a total of 207 postmenopausal women, using the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90R) and the Zung Depression Scale, respectively. We investigated the associations between the SCL-90R and Zung Scale scores, and anthropometric, lifestyle parameters, as well as serum levels of androgens.

Bsm1 vitamin D receptor polymorphism and calcium homeostasis following bariatric surgery.

Purpose/aim: To evaluate the association between the Bsm1 vitamin D receptor polymorphism and the calcium-vitamin D-parathormone axis following bariatric surgery.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study included 86 morbidly obese patients, who underwent either gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, with a mean follow-up of four years. Calcium metabolism indices and bone turnover markers were assessed according to the presence of secondary hyperparathyroidism and the Bsm1 vitamin D receptor genotypes.

Vertebral fracture prevalence among Greek healthy middle-aged postmenopausal women: association with demographics, anthropometric parameters, and bone mineral density.

Background Context: The prevalence of skeletal fractures shows a marked geographic variability; however, data regarding the Greek population remain limited.

Purpose: To evaluate the frequency of asymptomatic vertebral fractures (VFs), and potential risk factors, in a large sample of Greek postmenopausal women.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study at the University Menopause Clinic.

Application of Creatsas vaginoplasty after radical surgical treatment of sarcoma botryoides.

Background: Sarcoma botryoides of the female genital tract is a rare malignancy. For many years, treatment consisted of radical procedures involving removal of the vagina, cervix, and uterus. Reconstructive surgery is essential for these patients, in order to achieve vaginal penetrative sexual intercourse.

Psychological but not vasomotor symptoms are associated with temperament and character traits.

Objective: Recent evidence suggests that climacteric symptoms may be intensified by specific temperament and personality traits in postmenopausal women. In this study we investigate Cloninger's model of personality in relation to menopausal symptoms.

Methods: One-hundred and seventy peri- and postmenopausal women consecutively recruited from a menopause clinic of an academic hospital completed the Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-140) which measures four dimensions of temperament: Harm avoidance, Novelty seeking, Reward dependence and Persistence, as well as three dimensions of character: Self-directedness, Cooperativeness, and Self-transcendence.

Osteoprotegerin, Soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor- κ B Ligand, and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Aims. To evaluate carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and biomarkers of the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor- κ B ligand (OPG/RANKL) system in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) children and adolescents and controls. Subjects and Methods.

Hemizona assay and sperm penetration assay in the prediction of IVF outcome: a systematic review.

The limited predictive value of semen analysis in achieving natural conception or in IVF outcome confirms the need for sperm function tests to determine optimal management. We reviewed HZA and SPA predictive power in IVF outcome, with statistical significance of diagnostic power of the assays. HZA was readily efficient in predicting IVF outcome, while evident inconsistency among the studies analysed framed the SPA's role in male fertility evaluation.

Hofbauer cells morphology and density in placentas from normal and pathological gestations.

Purpose: In placentas from uncomplicated pregnancies, Hofbauer cells either disappear or become scanty after the fourth to fifth month of gestation. Immunohistochemistry though, reveals that a high percentage of stromal cells belong to Hofbauer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in morphology and density of Hofbauer cells in placentas from normal and pathological pregnancies.

Arterial stiffness is increased in asymptomatic nondiabetic postmenopausal women with a polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype.

Objective: The metabolic dysfunction accompanying the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although menopause per se may be an additional risk factor of CVD, the association between PCOS in postmenopausal women and cardiovascular risk has not been adequately investigated. We aimed to evaluate the effect of PCOS on markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in nondiabetic postmenopausal women.

In vitro maturation in subfertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome undergoing assisted reproduction.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) occurs in 4% to 7% of all women of reproductive age and 50% of women presenting with subfertility. Subfertility affects 15% to 20% of couples trying to conceive. A significant proportion of these women ultimately need assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Reactive oxygen species in the follicular fluid of subfertile women undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: a short narrative review.

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are produced as a normal product of aerobic metabolism. Naturally, there is an array of protective mechanisms that neutralize ROS, while any potential imbalance between ROS and antioxidants results in oxidative stress. In an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) setting, existing literature suggests a favorable outcome in terms of oocyte quality/maturation and fertilization rate with increased ROS levels, while other study groups have presented significant data on the detrimental effect of increased ROS concentration in the quality of embryos exposed and their potential to advance.

Tension-free vaginal tape obturator versus Ajust adjustable single incision sling procedure in women with urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and complications of inside-out transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) in comparison with a single incision sling procedure (Ajust) for the treatment of urodynamic stress urinary incontinence.

Study Design: Prospective closely matched controlled study. In total, 171 patients were included in the study: 86 women underwent the TVT-O procedure, while in other 85 cases the Ajust procedure was performed.

Addition of prednisolone and heparin in patients with failed IVF/ICSI cycles: a preliminary report of a clinical trial.

Through a non-randomized clinical trial, we examined the theoretical benefit of the coadministration of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and prednisolone on pregnancy outcomes in women with previously failed IVF/ICSI cycles. Fifteen women constituted the study group, and were compared with 19 women receiving LMWH alone and another 18 women with no drugs. Our finding that the combination of the two drugs produced positive differences in terms of embryo quality, pregnancy and live birth rates points to the necessity for adequately powered randomized trials.

Efficacy and safety of DT56a compared to hormone therapy in Greek post-menopausal women.

Background: Hormone therapy (HT) is the treatment of choice for the alleviation of menopausal symptoms; concerns, however, about its concomitant long-term health risks have limited its use. DT56a is a unique enzymatic isolate of soybeans. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DT56a, compared to HT, in symptomatic post-menopausal women.

Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor supplementation in culture media for subfertile women undergoing assisted reproduction technologies: a systematic review.

Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine/growth factor produced by epithelial cells that exerts embryotrophic effects during the early stages of embryo development. We performed a systematic review, and six studies that were performed in humans undergoing assisted reproduction technologies (ART) were located. We wanted to evaluate if embryo culture media supplementation with GM-CSF could improve success rates.

MTHFR C677T polymorphism modifies the effect of HRT on metabolic parameters in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To assess the interaction of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism with changes in lipid and glucose metabolism effected by oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women.

Methods: In this open-label, prospective, interventional study, parameters of lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as homocysteine, were assessed in 97 postmenopausal women at baseline and 1 year after the initiation of HRT. Participants were stratified into three subgroups, according to the MTHFR C677T polymorphism (wild-type: CC genotype; heterozygous: CT genotype; homozygous for the mutant variable: TT genotype).