Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor as Potential Biomarkers of Mirabegron Efficacy in Patients with Overactive Bladder Syndrome.

Introduction: Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB) significantly impacts quality of life, necessitating improved diagnostic tools and treatment monitoring. This study explores the potential of neurotrophins, nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as urinary biomarkers in patients with OAB undergoing mirabegron therapy, a β3-adrenergic agonist. This investigation is aimed at providing insights into the potential of neurotrophins to enhance OAB diagnosis and assess treatment efficacy.

Hepatokine Profile in Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

The current guidelines suggest routine screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hepatokines seem to be promising surrogate endpoints for the diagnosis and severity of NAFLD. PCOS has its onset in adolescence and its metabolic sequalae begin during the same period.

Rare variant enrichment analysis supports as a contributory driver gene in the etiology of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is characterized by aplasia of the female reproductive tract; the syndrome can include renal anomalies, absence or dysgenesis, and skeletal anomalies. While functional models have elucidated several candidate genes, only (MIM: 603490) variants have been definitively associated with a subtype of MRKH with hyperandrogenism (MIM: 158330). DNA from 148 clinically diagnosed MRKH probands across 144 unrelated families and available family members from North America, Europe, and South America were exome sequenced (ES) and by family-based genomics analyzed for rare likely deleterious variants.

The Burden of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

The aim of this case-control study was to assess the burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its associations with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and other metabolic characteristics of the syndrome. A total of 87 Caucasian adolescent girls (47 with PCOS and 40 controls), aged 12.3-20.

Functional characteristics of a broad spectrum of TBX6 variants in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.

Purpose: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) is characterized by congenital absence of the uterus, cervix, and the upper part of the vagina in females. Whole-gene deletion and loss-of-function variants in TBX6 have been identified in association with MRKHS. We aimed to expand the spectrum of TBX6 variants in MRKHS and explore the biological effect of the variant alleles.

Liver Proteome Profile of Growth Restricted and Appropriately Grown Newborn Wistar Rats Associated With Maternal Undernutrition.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) has been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and epigenetic modifications that impact gene expression leading to permanent changes of fetal metabolic pathways and thereby influence development of disease in childhood and adult life. In this study, we investigated the result of maternal food restriction on liver protein expression in Wistar male newborn pups.

Materials & Methods: Ten (n = 10) timed pregnant Wistar rats on their 14th day of gestation were randomly assigned to either control (n = 4) or food restricted group (n = 6).

The Effect of Prenatal Food Restriction on Brain Proteome in Appropriately Grown and Growth Restricted Male Wistar Rats.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) has been associated with a higher risk of developing adverse perinatal outcomes and distinct neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of prenatal food restriction on the brain proteome in both FGR and appropriately grown rats and to identify potential pathways connecting maternal malnutrition with altered brain development.

Methods: Ten time-dated pregnant Wistar rats were housed individually at their 12th day of gestation.

Impact of Maternal Food Restriction on Heart Proteome in Appropriately Grown and Growth-Restricted Wistar-Rat Offspring.

Objective: Fetal growth restriction is associated with increased postnatal cardiovascular morbidity. The alterations in heart physiology and structure caused by in utero nutrient deprivation have not been extensively studied. We aim to investigate the impact of maternal food restriction on the cardiac proteome of newborn rats with normal (non-fetal growth-restricted (FGR)) and reduced (FGR) birth weight.

Perturbations of genes essential for Müllerian duct and Wölffian duct development in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) is associated with congenital absence of the uterus, cervix, and the upper part of the vagina; it is a sex-limited trait. Disrupted development of the Müllerian ducts (MD)/Wölffian ducts (WD) through multifactorial mechanisms has been proposed to underlie MRKHS. In this study, exome sequencing (ES) was performed on a Chinese discovery cohort (442 affected subjects and 941 female control subjects) and a replication MRKHS cohort (150 affected subjects of mixed ethnicity from North America, South America, and Europe).

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Insulin Physiology: An Observational Quantitative Serum Proteomics Study in Adolescent, Normal-Weight Females.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with insulin resistance, even in the absence of overweight/obesity. The aim of the present study is to examine the global serum proteomic profile of adolescent, normal-weight females with PCOS in order to gain novel insight in the association of this endocrine disorder with insulin physiology and to identify novel circulating markers that can guide intervention protocols.

Methods: Non-depleted serum from normal-weight (BMI: 18-23 kg m ), adolescent females (13-21 years old) with PCOS (n = 20) is compared to BMI- and age-matched healthy controls (n = 20) using our 3D quantitative proteomics methodology.

Evaluation of the Second Follicular Wave Phenomenon in Natural Cycle Assisted Reproduction: A Key Option for Poor Responders through Luteal Phase Oocyte Retrieval.

: Emergence of Luteal Phase Oocyte Retrieval (LuPOR) may revolutionize the practice regarding the time-sensitive nature of poor responders ascertaining a higher number of oocytes, in a shorter amount of time. This may be especially important in view of employing the approach of natural cycles for Poor Responders. We suggest the acronym LuPOR describing the clinical practice of luteal phase oocyte retrieval.

Altered Resistin Concentrations in Mid-trimester Amniotic Fluid of Fetuses With Trisomies 18 and 13: A Window onto the Pathophysiology of Trisomies 18 and 13.

Background/aim: The study aimed to examine whether resistin is present in second trimester amniotic fluid from pregnancies with trisomy 18 and 13 and evaluate its concentration in comparison with euploid pregnancies.

Patients And Methods: The study included 37 women who underwent amniocentesis. Eleven fetuses had trisomy 18, 3 had trisomy 13, while 23 had a normal karyotype.

Association between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Levels in 2 Trimester Amniotic Fluid and Fetal Development.

The development of the fetal nervous system mirrors general fetal development, comprising a combination of genetic resources and effects of the intrauterine environment. Our aim was to assess the 2 trimester amniotic fluid levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and to investigate its association with fetal growth. In accordance with our study design, samples of amniotic fluid were collected from women who had undergone amniocentesis early in the 2 trimester.

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment Enables Pregnancy for a Woman in Premature Menopause.

This report presents the case of a woman aged 40 who has experienced premature menopause from the age of 35. Having rejected oocyte donation, she opted for intraovarian injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma with the aim to rejuvenate the ovarian tissue and enable the employment of her own gametes through in-vitro fertilization. Six weeks following the autologous platelet-rich plasma treatment, a significant reduction in the patient's follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were noted.

Ovarian volume is associated with adiposity measures and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

Introduction: The present study aimed to assess the association between ovarian volume and demographic and anthropometric parameters, as well as sex hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.

Methods: 161 healthy postmenopausal women participated in this cross-sectional study. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained for biochemical/hormonal assessment.

Postponing Pregnancy Through Oocyte Cryopreservation for Social Reasons: Considerations Regarding Clinical Practice and the Socio-Psychological and Bioethical Issues Involved.

Oocyte freezing for 'social reasons' refers to women of reproductive age who are aiming to prolong, protect and secure their fertility. The term emerged to describe application of the highly promising technique, namely vitrification on oocytes retrieved through controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) from women intending to preserve their fertility for social reasons. These women opt to cryopreserve their oocytes at a point in their life when they need to postpone childbearing on the grounds of so called 'social' reasons.

Associations of maternal oestradiol, cortisol, and TGF-β1 plasma concentrations with thyroid autoantibodies during pregnancy and postpartum.

Background: Thyroid physiology and autoimmunity are altered in pregnancy. While oestradiol, cortisol, and TGF-β1 are implicated in these phenomena outside pregnancy, their associations with thyroid autoantibodies during pregnancy and postpartum are not thoroughly examined. This study aimed to unravel their eventual associations during pregnancy and postpartum in the same cohort of 93 pregnant women studied prospectively from 2015 to 2017.

Serum irisin concentrations in lean adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To explore differences in irisin concentrations between lean adolescents with PCOS and age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls and examine the associations of irisin with core features of the syndrome.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Patients: Lean females with PCOS, aged 13-21 years.

Serum kisspeptin concentrations are negatively correlated with body mass index in adolescents with anorexia nervosa and amenorrhea.

Objective: To measure, for the first time, serum kisspeptin concentrations in adolescent females with anorexia nervosa (AN) and associated amenorrhea, and investigate potential correlations of kisspeptin with anthropometric, bone and hormonal data.

Design: Setting: University Adolescent Medicine Center.

Participants: Females aged 12-20 years with typical or atypical AN (based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria) and controls.

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).

Genital HPV in Children and Adolescents: Does Sexual Activity Make a Difference?

Study Objective: To compare the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genital infection among prepubertal children, sexually active and not sexually active adolescents, and assess potential risk factors for transmission.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Outpatient adolescent health clinic.

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.

Variations in glomerular filtration rate are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy postmenopausal women.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the potential effects of renal function variations on vascular structure before the development of hypertension.

Methods: This pilot study included 141 postmenopausal women without evidence of renal dysfunction or hypertension. Markers of renal function and levels of glomerular filtration rate (GFR)--using standard calculations (GFR based on levels of creatinine [GFR(epi)]) and newer creatinine and/or cystatin calculations (GFR based on levels of creatinine and cystatin [GFR(cr cystatin)] and GFR based on levels of cystatin [GFR(cystatin)])--were associated with hemodynamic parameters and markers of vascular structure (intima-media thickness [IMT] and presence of atheromatous plaques in carotid and femoral arteries).

Experiencing sexuality in youth living in Greece: contraceptive practices, risk taking, and psychosocial status.

Study Objective: To assess initiation of sexual activity and contraception methods used among Greek adolescents. To determine the association of adolescents' emotional and behavioral status with their sexual activity.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted.