Platelet Glycoprotein Receptor Ia-C807T and IIIa-PlA1/PlA2 Genetic Polymorphisms Are Associated With Enhanced Platelet Function in Women With Recurrent Miscarriages.

Introduction: Thrombophilic genetic polymorphisms of the platelet glycoproteins Ia (GpIa) and IIIa (GpIIIa) have been associated with an increased risk of recurrent miscarriages. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms GpIa-C807T and GpIIIa-T1565C-PlA1/PlA2 with platelet function in women with unexplained spontaneous recurrent miscarriages.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 196 unrelated nulliparous Greek women with a history of unexplained recurrent miscarriages.

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.

Gestational Diabetes and T-cell (Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg) Immune Profile.

Background/aim: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication, characterized by insulin resistance and low-grade systemic inflammation with a pro-inflammatory immune system response. Our objective was to study the peripheral Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg response in GDM compared to normal pregnancy.

Materials And Methods: Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg subsets was determined by flow cytometry based on staining for specific intracellular cytokines, as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) and total IgE circulating levels.

Maternity blues: risk factors in Greek population and validity of the Greek version of Kennerley and Gath's blues questionnaire.

To validate the Greek version of Kennerley and Gath's Blues Questionnaire (BQ) and gather further knowledge on maternity blues (MB) associations with certain clinical and sociodemographic factors in Greek population. 116 postpartum women, who met the inclusion criteria, completed the Blues Questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale on the third day after delivery. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected.

Assessment of bone metabolism and biomechanical properties of the femur, following treatment with anastrozole and letrozole in an experimental model of menopause.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of anastrozole and letrozole supplementation following surgically induced menopause on bone metabolism and biomechanical properties. A total of 45 Wistar rats underwent ovariectomy and were then randomly allocated to receive no treatment, anastrozole or letrozole. At 2 and 4 months following the initiation of the present study, the serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) were determined, and the animals were sacrificed at the end of the 4-month period to assess the biomechanical properties of the femoral bones.

Polymorphisms of Platelet Glycoprotein Receptors and Cell Adhesion Molecules in Fetuses with Fetal Growth Restriction and Their Mothers As Detected with Pyrosequencing.

Background: Vascular thrombotic tendency may lead to fetal growth restriction (FGR). Altered platelet function and genetic heterogeneity may play a role in this procedure. We investigated whether maternal or fetal genotypic frequencies of genes polymorphisms for certain platelet receptor and cell adhesion molecules are altered in FGR.

mTOR downstream effectors, 4EBP1 and eIF4E, are overexpressed and associated with HPV status in precancerous lesions and carcinomas of the uterine cervix.

The present study aims to investigate the expression levels of two critical mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) downstream effectors, 4E binding protein 1 (4EBP1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) proteins, in precancerous squamous intraepithelial lesions and cancer of the uterine cervix, and their association with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection status. Uterine cervical biopsies from 73 patients were obtained, including 40 fresh-frozen samples and 42 archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. Whole protein extracts were analyzed for the expression of 4EBP1 and eIF4E proteins using western blotting.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection and Vγ9Vδ2 Τ cells in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Problem: Vγ9Vδ2 T cells (γ9δ2) are involved in antibacterial immune responses. The aim of this study was to look for associations between peripheral blood (PB) γ9δ2 T cells and cervix/vaginal Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA).

Method Of Study: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 201 RSA women within 10 days after they experienced a new miscarriage.

Focus on BMI and subclinical hypothyroidism in adolescent girls first examined for amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea. The emerging role of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Primary amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea are diagnosed commonly during adolescence. Weight aberrations are associated with menstrual disorders. Autoimmune thyroiditis is frequent during adolescence.

The impact of Anastrazole and Letrozole on the metabolic profile in an experimental animal model.

Anastrazole and Letrozole are used as endocrine therapy for breast cancer patients. Previous studies suggested a possible association with metabolic and liver adverse effects. Their results are conflicting.

Diabetes mellitus and gynecologic cancer: molecular mechanisms, epidemiological, clinical and prognostic perspectives.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus, the prevalence of which has increased dramatically worldwide, may put patients at a higher risk of cancer. The aim of our study is the clarification of the possible mechanisms linking diabetes mellitus and gynecological cancer and their epidemiological relationship.

Materials And Methods: This is a narrative review of the current literature, following a search on MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library, from their inception until January 2012.

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.

Dehydroepiandrosterone administration before IVF in poor responders: a prospective cohort study.

The use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may improve ovarian stimulation outcomes in women of advanced reproductive age and could reduce embryo aneuploidy. In this prospective study, 48 women diagnosed with poor ovarian response received DHEA supplementation for at least 12 weeks. These women were compared with a group of poor responders (n = 113) who did not receive supplementation.

Oocyte and embryo vitrification in the IVF laboratory: a comprehensive review.

Vitrification is an excellent tool in the IVF laboratory, enabling options and offering flexibility in assisted reproduction. The technology of cryopreservation has been underway since the early 20th century. The advent of vitrification has advanced the expectations in routine clinical practice in the IVF laboratory presenting impressive results both in post-thaw survival, and in clinical pregnancy rates, as well as significantly enhancing clinical results on preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

Neonatal birth waist is positively predicted by second trimester maternal active ghrelin, a pro-appetite hormone, and negatively associated with third trimester maternal leptin, a pro-satiety hormone.

Introduction: In pregnancy physiological mechanisms activated by maternal appetite contribute to adequate energy intake for the mother and for the fetus. The role of maternal appetite-related peptides and their possible association with neonatal energy stores and glucose metabolism have not been investigated as yet. The aim was to investigate, during pregnancy, the association of fasting maternal appetite-related hormones levels [ghrelin (active), GLP1 (active), total PYY and leptin] with neonatal waist, percent total body fat and insulin levels at birth.

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.

Effect of a low dose combined oral contraceptive pill on the hormonal profile and cycle outcome following COS with a GnRH antagonist protocol in women over 35 years old.

This prospective study examines if pre-treatment with two different doses of an oral contraceptive pill (OCP) modifies significantly the hormonal profile and/or the IVF/ICSI outcome following COS with a GnRH antagonist protocol. Infertile patients were allocated to receive either OCP containing 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol and 3 mg of drospirenone, or OCP containing 0.

The effect of hormone therapy on biochemical and ultrasound parameters associated with atherosclerosis in 46,XY DSD individuals with female phenotype.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hormone therapy (HT) in the endothelial function of 46,XY disorders of sexual development (DSD) patients with female phenotype. Biochemical and ultrasound measurements were performed in 20 patients at initiation of oral 2 mg 17β-estradiol/1 mg norethisterone acetate, and after 6 months of therapy. Lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), LDL, HDL, triglycerides (TG) and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), as well as levels of VE-Cadherin, E-Selectin, Thrombomodulin and vWf were determined.

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.

Gynecological care in young women: a high-risk period of life.

Adolescence has been described as period of life when emotions are heightened and regulatory controls are reduced, and this can result in an escalation in risk-taking. Importantly for younger females, risk behaviors associated with the onset of sexual activity, and alcohol and substance abuse may coincide with pathologies such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and abnormal uterine bleeding, an iron-deficient diet (vegetarian or vegan) and a negative body image leading to eating disorders. Girls transitioning through adolescence face a number of specific emotional and physical issues related to the onset of menarche and regular menstrual cycles.

First trimester maternal BMI is a positive predictor of cord blood c-peptide levels while maternal visfatin levels is a negative predictor of birth weight.

Objective: The role of first trimester maternal body mass index (BMI) and adipocytokines in cord blood c-peptide and birth weight in pregnancy was investigated.

Design: Seventy non-diabetic pregnant Caucasian women were recruited. Anthropometry and measurements of fasting adipocytokines (visfatin, leptin, adiponectin), insulin and glucose were performed in each of the three trimesters.

Role of coagulation factor XII in unexplained recurrent abortions in the Greek population.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of congenital factor XII (FXII) deficiency in the South-European Caucasian (Greek) population in a cohort of women with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSAs).

Study Design: One hundred women with a history of > or =2 RSAs of unexplained nature were compared to 100 age-matched, healthy controls with no history of thrombotic disease or adverse pregnancy outcomes, regarding FXII activity. Women were included in the RSA group if they had normal coagulation parameters and no congenital or acquired thrombophilia.