Ceramides during Pregnancy and Obstetrical Adverse Outcomes.

Ceramides are a group of sphingolipids located in the external plasma membrane layer and act as messengers in cellular pathways such as inflammatory processes and apoptosis. Plasma ceramides are biomarkers of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, various autoimmune conditions and cancer. During pregnancy, ceramides play an important role as stress mediators, especially during implantation, delivery and lactation.

Plasma Ceramide Concentrations in Full-Term Pregnancies Complicated with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study.

Ceramides, a sphingolipid group that acts as a messenger in cellular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and senescence, have been associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The evidence for an association between ceramides and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is scarce. This case-control study aimed to compare women with GDM with healthy, pregnant women in terms of plasma ceramide concentrations at the time of delivery.

Effect of Exercise on the Resting Metabolic Rate and Substrate Utilization in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Results of a Pilot Study.

Regular physical activity during pregnancy has a positive effect on the mother and fetus. However, there is scarce data regarding the effect of exercise in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of the present parallel, non-randomized, open-label, pilot, clinical study was to examine the effect of two exercise programs on the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and substrate utilization in pregnancies complicated by GDM, compared with usual care (advice for the performance of exercise).

Humanin and diabetes mellitus: A review of and studies.

Humanin (HN) is a 24-amino acid mitochondrial-derived polypeptide with cyto-protective and anti-apoptotic effects that regulates the mitochondrial functions under stress conditions. Accumulating evidence suggests the role of HN against age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. The decline in insulin action is a metabolic feature of aging and thus, type 2 diabetes mellitus is considered an age-related disease, as well.

Effect of oral phytoestrogens on endometrial thickness and breast density of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Phytoestrogens constitute an alternative, non-pharmacologic approach for the management of menopausal symptoms. However, few studies have focused on their safety, specifically in relation to endometrial thickness and breast density.

Aim: To systematically search for and quantitatively synthesize the evidence regarding the effect of phytoestrogens on endometrial thickness and breast density in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. The criteria required for the diagnosis identify various phenotypes, with different reproductive, metabolic, and cardiovascular (CV) risk characteristics. Emerging evidence links adipocyte-secreted hormones as candidates in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in PCOS, independently of additional risk factors.

Personal and parental acceptance of human papillomavirus vaccination prior to and during the economic crisis among women in Greece.

Purpose: To assess personal and parental human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination acceptance and how it is influenced by demographic factors prior to (2005-2010) and during (2011-2016) the economic crisis in Greece.

Methods: During 2005-2016, 6,401 women aged 18-65 years, living in different areas of Greece filled in a questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, knowledge of HPV infection's natural history and its consequences and assessing their intention to receive the HPV vaccine for themselves and their children.

Results: Women's intention to get vaccinated before the economic crisis was higher (86.

Regulation of basal metabolic rate in uncomplicated pregnancy and in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is one of the major components of total energy expenditure (TEE). It is affected by various factors, such as body weight, body composition, age, race/ethnicity, gender, biochemical parameters, physical activity, and health status. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder during pregnancy and it increases the risk for health complications, such as stillbirth, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease in later life.

Serum visfatin, vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Aim: To evaluate serum concentrations of visfatin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to investigate their possible role as early endothelial markers in PCOS.

Methods: Forty-two women with PCOS and 42 controls, matched for age and weight, were included in the study. Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, total testosterone (tT), Δ-androstenedione (ΔA), dehydroepinadrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S), 17-OH-progesterone, sex hormone-binding protein (SHBG), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT), visfatin, VEGF and MMP-9 were measured in all women; free androgen index (FAI) was calculated as well.

Serum humanin concentrations in women with pre-eclampsia compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Purpose: To compare serum humanin concentrations in pregnant women with and without pre-eclampsia (PE).

Materials And Methods: A case-control study where pregnant women (PE group, n = 37; control group, n = 34) studied through history parameters (gynecological, obstetrical, personal, and family), physical and sonographic examination parameters [body mass index (BMI), blood pressure obstetrical ultrasound], and biochemical/hormonal assays [creatinine, urea, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), uric acid, platelets, urinary protein, and humanin].

Results: There was no difference in basic characteristics between women with PE and control, except in parity and gravidity.

Thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies and early miscarriages in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis: a case-control study.

We have previously hypothesized that early miscarriage in women with Hashimoto thyroiditis might be the result of a cross-reactivity process, in which blocking autoantibodies against thyrotropin receptor (TSHr-Ab) antagonize hCG action on its receptor on the corpus luteum. To test this hypothesis from the clinical perspective, we investigated the presence of TSHr-Ab in Hashimoto thyroiditis patients with apparently unexplained, first-trimester recurrent miscarriages compared to that in Hashimoto thyroiditis patients with documented normal fertility. A total of 86 subjects (43 cases and 43 age-matched controls) were finally included in a case-control study.

Cyclosporine in the management of impetigo herpetiformis: a case report and review of the literature.

A 27-year-old female, gravida 1, para 0, in week 22 of pregnancy, presented with an eruption consisting of annular erythematosquamous plaques with an active polycyclic elevated border comprised of superficial micropustules. Clinical and histological features were typical of impetigo herpetiformis (IH). Systemic steroids resulted in an unstable condition, with no resolution of lesions.

A therapeutic approach for female, relapsing genital lichen sclerosus: a single-center study.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1% (MPA 0.1%) in female genital lichen sclerosus (GLS) and efficacy of MPA, tacrolimus or emollient for prevention of flares.

Hormone therapy and asymmetrical dimethylarginine in postmenopausal women.

Women present an estradiol-dependent cardiovascular risk profile. Based on various studies, it was considered that estrogen therapy (ET) in postmenopausal women could probably reduce the higher cardiovascular risk in this group. Assymetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous methylated arginine which inhibits nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by competing with the substrate of NO, L-arginine, leading to endothelial dysfunction and, consequently, to atherosclerosis.

Maternal physical activity before and during early pregnancy as a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to assess whether the levels of physical activity before and during early pregnancy are associated with the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The study group included 160 puerperas. Among them, 40 (25%) diagnosed as having GDM during their recent pregnancy, whereas the remaining 120 (75%) served as controls.

The impact on ovarian reserve after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy versus three-stage management in patients with endometriomas: a prospective randomized study.

Objective: To investigate the effect of two different laparoscopic methods on ovarian reserve in patients with ovarian endometriomas.

Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Endoscopy unit of a university hospital.

Complete uterine inversion during caesarean section: A case report.

Inversion of the uterus through the uterine lower segment incision during a caesarean section is an extremely rare obstetric incident. It consists, though, an emergency complication that is potentially life-threatening, especially in cases of prolonged inversion, because haemodynamic instability and shock may occur. Prompt diagnosis and immediate uterine reversion are the key actions in the management of this serious complication.

Tibolone therapy in breast cancer survivors: a retrospective study.

Aim: To investigate a possible relationship between tibolone therapy and recurrence or mortality in breast cancer survivors.

Methods: In a retrospective study, data from files of 247 patients who had been treated for breast cancer were analyzed. Twenty women were treated with tibolone because of menopausal symptoms (Group 1: mean duration of tibolone use 37.

Laparoscopic management of unicornuate uterus with non-communicating rudimentary horn (three cases).

This article describes the laparoscopic management of unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating rudimentary horn in three women who presented with lower abdominal pain and dysmenorrhoea. The patients were managed with laparoscopic removal of the rudimentary horn along with the ipsilateral salpinx. No complications were noted intraoperatively and the patients remain asymptomatic.

Fetal reduction in a nontuplet pregnancy: technical and ethical considerations.

A case of a nontuplet pregnancy that was successfully reduced to twins resulting in a good neonatal outcome is described. A 37-year-old woman achieved a nontuplet pregnancy after ovarian stimulation with GnRH-analogues and gonadotrophins in the short protocol and artificial insemination. Reduction of the nontuplet pregnancy to twins was successfully performed in three attempts and delivery by caesarian section was followed on the 32nd week of pregnancy.

Unilateral vulvar edema after operative laparoscopy: a case report and literature review.

Objective: To report a case of unilateral vulvar edema occurring after operative laparoscopy and to review the relevant literature.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University hospital.