Metabolomics-Driven Insights into Biomarkers for Poor Ovarian Response: A Narrative Review.

Poor ovarian response (POR) remains a significant challenge in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), as the quantity and quality of oocytes retrieved directly influence embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates. Metabolomics has become a valuable tool for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and POR. This review aims to synthesize findings from metabolomic studies examining metabolite expression patterns in serum and follicular fluid samples from women with POR.

The Effect of Bisphenol and Its Cytotoxicity on Female Infertility and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Narrative Review.

Bisphenols, particularly bisphenol A (BPA), are among the most thoroughly investigated endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). BPA was the first synthetic estrogen to be identified, exerting its estrogenic effects through interaction with human estrogen receptors (ERs). The aim of the present narrative review is to summarize the most recent literature regarding the adverse effects of bisphenols on female fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

LINE-1-Induced Retrotransposition Affects Early Preimplantation Embryo DNA Integrity and Pluripotency.

Retrotransposable elements are implicated in genome rearrangements and gene expression alterations that result in various human disorders. In the current study, we sought to investigate the potential effects of long interspersed elements-1 (LINE-1) overexpression on the integrity and methylation of DNA and on the expression of three major pluripotency factors (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG) during the preimplantation stages of human embryo development. Human MI oocytes were matured in vitro to MII and transfected through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) either with an EGFP vector carrying a cloned active human LINE-1 retroelement or with the same EGFP vector without insert as control.

Association of the miR-143 Gene rs353292 Polymorphism with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in Caucasian Women: A Novel Finding in a Multifactorial Devastating Problem.

The purpose of this prospective case-control study is to investigate the correlation of the miR-143 gene rs353292 polymorphism in Caucasian women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) compared to a matched control group with at least one live birth and without pregnancy losses. In total, 110 women with recurrent pregnancy losses and 95 control women were recruited. Peripheral blood was collected from all women, and the isolation of DNA was performed with Monarch Genomic DNA Purification.

Investigating the Imperative Role of microRNAs Expression in Human Embryo Implantation: A Narrative Review Based on Recent Evidence.

Background/objectives: Embryo implantation is a highly complex process that requires the precise regulation of numerous molecules to be orchestrated successfully. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and play a crucial role in the regulation of embryo implantation. This article aims to summarize the key findings of the literature regarding the role of miRNAs in human embryo implantation, emphasizing their involvement in critical stages such as decidualization, endometrial receptivity and trophoblast adhesion.

Bridging the Gap between Galectin-3 Expression and Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders: A Narrative Review.

Galectin-3 belongs to a family of soluble glycan-binding proteins, which are increasingly recognized as modulators of pregnancy-associated processes, including proper placental development. Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are significant complications of pregnancy, affecting millions of women annually. Despite their prevalence, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood.

The Expression of microRNAs and Their Involvement in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

Recurrent pregnancy loss refers to the spontaneous demise of two or more pregnancies before the 24 weeks of gestation. In almost half of the cases of recurrent miscarriages, the causes remain unknown since there is no reliable way of prognosis, early diagnosis, or treatment. Recent research has detected differential expression of certain miRNAs in reproductive system pathologies.

Oocyte Maturation and miRNAs: Studying a Complicate Interaction to Reveal Possible Biomarkers for Female Infertility.

Cellular metabolism, apoptosis, fertilization, and proliferation of granulosa cells belong to a battery of processes where microRNAs can be detected and associated with infertility. The aim of the present review is to focus on mammalian oocyte maturation events and the association between oocyte growth and miRNA expression. PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar and Scopus databases were searched, and 33 studies were included.

The Contribution of Proteomics in Understanding Endometrial Protein Expression in Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure.

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) poses a significant challenge in assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. The endometrium plays a crucial role in embryo implantation, and its protein expression profile is integral in determining receptivity. Proteomics has emerged as a valuable tool in unraveling the molecular intricacies underlying endometrial receptivity and RIF.

Investigating the Association of Assisted Reproduction Techniques and Adverse Perinatal Outcomes.

Background: Infertility affects about 80 million individuals worldwide and 10-15% of couples at reproductive age will seek medical assistance. There is increasing evidence that pregnancies after Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) are associated with pre-term birth, low birthweight, congenital defects, and increased mortality rates. The aim of this review is to assess all the published literature and provide an updated review on the effect of assisted conception and perinatal and neonatal outcomes.

The Effectiveness of Metabolic Bariatric Surgery in Preventing Gynecologic Cancer - from Pathophysiology to Clinical Outcomes.

Obesity and cancer represent two pandemics of current civilization, the progression of which has followed parallel trajectories. To time, thirteen types of malignancies have been recognized as obesity-related cancers, including breast (in postmenopausal women), endometrial, and ovarian cancer. Pathophysiologic mechanisms that connect the two entities include insulin resistance, adipokine imbalance, increased peripheral aromatization and estrogen levels, tissue hypoxia, and disrupted immunity in the cellular milieu.

Association between COVID-19 Infection and Miscarriages, What We Really Know?

Background: COVID-19 is a modern worldwide pandemic that affected and continues to affect millions of people around the world. Since the discovery that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the binding site for COVID-19 to achieve cell entry, there has been a continuous debate about the effect of COVID-19 infection in first and second trimester abortions. The aim of this review is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on the incidence of miscarriage.

Detection of -null Genotype in Women Undergoing IVF Treatment.

Background: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 belongs to a family of detoxification enzymes and deficiency in enzyme activity is due to a homozygous deletion of the gene. Several studies reveal a possible correlation between female infertility and polymorphisms. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the -null polymorphism in female infertility as well as in IVF parameters.

Eco-Friendly and COVID-19 Friendly? Decreasing the Carbon Footprint of the Operating Room in the COVID-19 Era.

Surgery is one of the most energy-intensive branches of healthcare. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced surgical volumes, infection control protocols have increased the ecological footprint of surgery owing to the extensive use of personal protective equipment, sanitation, testing and isolation resources. The burden of environmental diseases requiring surgical care, the international commitment towards environmental sustainability and the global efforts to return to the pre-pandemic surgical workflow call for action towards climate-friendly surgery.

Association of Polymorphism and Redox Potential with Idiopathic Male Infertility.

Background: The aim of this case-control study is to investigate possible associations between polymorphism and redox potential with sperm parameters.

Methods: The study group consisted of sperm samples from 51 infertile men according to the WHO guidelines. The control group included 39 samples from men with normal seminal parameters.

Inguinal Lymph Node Metastasis as Sole Manifestation of Ovarian / Fallopian Tube Cancer: a Review of the Literature.

Ovarian/fallopian tube cancer is the deadliest gynecological malignancy. Most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, typically after the cancer has spread to the peritoneal cavity, or via lymphatic drainage. The presence of distant lymph node metastasis in the inguinal region is a rare manifestation of lymphatic metastasis.

rs4977574 Gene Polymorphism in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

Background: rs4977574 gene polymorphism has been associated with arterial thrombosis and cardiovascular disease development. rs4977574 gene polymorphism could also be associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) since there is increasing evidence in favor of a potential shared pathophysiological mechanism with cardiovascular disease, potentially through arterial thrombosis. This study's goal is to investigate the differences in rs4977574 gene polymorphism between women with and without RPL, if any, as well as a potential association with the number of pregnancy losses.

Detection of zeb1 Gene in Granulosa Cells in Women Undergoing IVF Treatment.

Background: ZEB1 plays a role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and acts as a repressor of E-cadherin, TGF-β, and Wnt/β-catenin. Since ZEB1 protein is expressed in estrogen-responsive tissues, and expression of the gene in the normal ovary and endometrium is positively correlated with high estrogen levels, we performed a direct analysis of granulosa cell samples to determine whether there are any significant changes in zeb1 expression during folliculogenesis.

Methods: ZEB1 expression levels were measured in the granulosa cells of 56 infertile women undergoing IVF treatment.

Effects of endocrine disrupting compounds on female fertility.

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds or Chemicals (EDCs) constitute an extensive and varied group of mostly non-natural chemicals that have the ability to imitate any aspect of hormone action, perturbing many physiological functions in humans and animals. As for female fertility, several EDCs are associated with adverse effects in the regulation of steroidogenesis, higher miscarriage rates as well as lower fertilization and embryo implantation rates and some of them are considered to decrease the number of high-quality embryos in assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancy. The most common EDCs are pesticides, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and especially phthalates and bisphenols which are used in thousands of products as plasticizers.

Combined radiation strategies for novel and enhanced cancer treatment.

Numerous studies focus on cancer therapy worldwide, and although many advances have been recorded, the complexity of the disease dictates thinking out of the box to confront it. This study reviews some of the currently available ionizing (IR) and non-ionizing radiation (NIR)-based treatment methods and explores their possible combinations that lead to synergistic, multimodal approaches with promising therapeutic outcomes. Traditional techniques, like radiotherapy (RT) show decent results, although they cannot spare 100% the healthy tissues neighboring with the cancer ones.

Non-ionizing, laser radiation in Theranostics: The need for dosimetry and the role of Medical Physics.

The discovery of coherent laser light in 1960 shifted and expanded the biomedical applications of radiation to the non-ionizing part of the electromagnetic spectrum. As in the case of ionizing radiation, but considering the laser specific features, the effective, safe and ethically acceptable use of biomedical laser technology requires interdisciplinary collaboration between physicists, engineers and physicians. This should extend at the research, preclinical and clinical level, inspiring at this time the dynamic discipline of Medical Physics in new areas.

A Pharmacogenetic Study of Psoriasis Risk Variants in a Greek Population and Prediction of Responses to Anti-TNF-α and Anti-IL-12/23 Agents.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a highly divergent disease with many disease phenotypes, but there are currently no established biomarkers to predict the therapeutic outcomes of systemic treatments. With the introduction of biologic therapies during the last decade and with new treatments constantly emerging, there is a great need to validate biomarkers that have been reported to be associated with treatment response, and to introduce new biomarkers of possible clinical value.

Methods: In the current study, we aimed to investigate the association of psoriasis-related polymorphisms that have previously been reported to effect the anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) therapies (etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab) and anti-interleukin-12/23 (anti-IL-12/23) biologic therapy (ustekinumab) in a Greek cohort of psoriasis patients.

Laser-induced fluorescence made simple: implications for the diagnosis and follow-up monitoring of basal cell carcinoma.

Noninvasive treatments are increasingly being used for the management of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the predominant type of nonmelanoma skin cancer, making the development of noninvasive diagnostic technologies highly relevant for clinical practice. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy emerges as an attractive diagnostic technique for the diagnosis and demarcation of BCC due to its noninvasiveness, high sensitivity, real-time measurements, and user-friendly methodology. LIF relies on the principle of differential fluorescence emission between abnormal and normal skin tissues (ex vivo and in vivo) in response to excitation by a specific wavelength of light.