Effects of Religious Fasting on Markers of Oxidative Status in Vitamin D-Deficient and Overweight Orthodox Nuns versus Implementation of Time-Restricted Eating in Lay Women from Central and Northern Greece.

: The Mediterranean diet has been widely suggested to exert significant beneficial effects on endothelial oxidative status and cardiometabolic health. Greek Orthodox monasteries, due to their specific nutritional and sartorial habits, comprise a population thatstrictly adheres to nutritional patterns with restricted eating and a plant-based subset of the Mediterranean diet, often accompanied by profound hypovitaminosis D. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is also adopted bya large part of the general lay Greek population for health-promoting reasons, without restrictions on animal product consumption, as imposed by Orthodox religious fasting.

Results of the Dutch scalp cooling registry in 7424 patients: analysis of determinants for scalp cooling efficacy.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is a common consequence of cancer treatment with a high psychological impact on patients and can be prevented by scalp cooling (SC). With this multi-center patient series, we examined the results for multiple currently used chemotherapy regimens to offer an audit into the real-world determinants of SC efficacy.

Materials And Methods: The Dutch Scalp Cooling Registry collected data on 7424 scalp-cooled patients in 68 Dutch hospitals.

A novel method for the establishment of autologous skin cell suspensions: characterisation of cellular sub-populations, epidermal stem cell content and wound response-enhancing biological properties.

Autologous cell suspension (ACS)-based therapy represents a highly promising approach for burns and chronic wounds. However, existing technologies have not achieved the desired clinical success due to several limitations. To overcome practical and cost-associated obstacles of existing ACS methods, we have established a novel methodology for rapid, enzymatic disaggregation of human skin cells and their isolation using a procedure that requires no specialist laboratory instrumentation and is performed at room temperature.

The effect of GnRH-a on the angiogenesis of endometriosis.

Purpose: Neoangiogenesis is necessary for adhesion and invasiveness of endometriotic lesions in women affected by endometriosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the main components of angiogenesis and is part of the major pathway tissue factor (TF)-protease activated receptor-2 (PAR-2)-VEGF that leads to neoangiogenesis. Specificity protein 1 (SP1) is a transcriptional factor that has recently been studied for its crucial role in angiogenesis via a specific pathway.

Placental mRNA Expression of Neurokinin B Is Increased in PCOS Pregnancies with Female Offspring.

Current research suggests that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) might originate in utero and implicates the placenta in its pathogenesis. Kisspeptin (KISS1) and neurokinin B (NKB) are produced by the placenta in high amounts, and they have been implicated in several pregnancy complications associated with placental dysfunction. However, their placental expression has not been studied in PCOS.

Poseidon and Caeneus: a case of pubertal gender inversion in Greek mythology.

Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are very frequently encountered in ancient Greek mythology. One of the most striking types of DSD described in many myths is gender transformation wherein a female becomes a male or vice versa. Herein, we present via the marvelous myth of Poseidon and Caeneus a case of pubertal gender inversion.

Anti-Müllerian hormone: a novel biomarker for aggressive prostate cancer? Emerging evidence from a prospective study of radical prostatectomies.

Purpose: Prostate cancer patients are a heterogeneous group as regards the aggressiveness of the disease. The relationship of steroid hormones with the aggressiveness of prostate cancer is unclear. It is known that the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) inhibits prostate cancer cell lines in vitro.

Sexual function scores are associated with arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women.

Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has been suggested to be correlated with the burden of cardiovascular risk factors.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the possible association between functional indices of vascular function and FSD scores in apparently healthy postmenopausal women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 116 postmenopausal women who underwent assessment of endothelial function with measurement of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the branchial artery and arterial stiffness estimation with measurement of the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV).

Diabetes Remission After LRYGBP With and Without Fundus Resection: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Glycemic control, after metabolic surgery, is achieved in two stages, initially with neuroendocrine alterations and in the long-term with sustainable weight loss. The resection of the gastric fundus, as the major site of ghrelin production, is probably related with optimized glucose regulation. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the modification of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) with fundus resection offers superior glycemic control, compared to typical LRYGBP.

Metformin: A Promising Radiosensitizer in Neoadjuvant Rectal Cancer Treatment.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) decreases the risk of local recurrence after surgery in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) and metformin is constantly gaining scientific interest due to its potentially radiosensitizing effect.

Objective: This review article aims to better clarify the role of metformin as a radiosensitizer in patients with LARC undergoing neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: We used the PubMed database to retrieve journal articles and the inclusion criteria were all human studies that illustrated the effective role of metformin in the neoadjuvant setting of locally advanced rectal cancer.

Climacteric symptoms, age, and sense of coherence are associated with sexual function scores in women after menopause.

Background: Postmenopausal sexual function presupposes the integration of hormonal, neural, and vascular interactions and is subject to optimal crosstalk among psychological, interpersonal, cultural, and environmental factors. Sense of coherence (SOC) reflects a person's ability to cope with stressors and may influence the occurrence of menopausal symptoms and sexual dysfunction.

Aim: To investigate the association of severity of climacteric symptoms, cardiometabolic risk factors, and SOC with sexual function in postmenopausal women.

Shifting gears: Study of immune system parameters of male habitual marathon runners.

Aim: Marathon is a running event in which athletes must cover a distance of 42.195 km. In addition to participating in marathons, marathoners have incorporated extensive running into their lifestyle.

The role of the gastric fundus in glycemic control.

Purpose: Ghrelin, one of the most studied gut hormones, is mainly produced by the gastric fundus. Abundant evidence exists from preclinical and clinical studies underlining its contribution to glucose regulation. In the following narrative review, the role of the gastric fundus in glucose regulation is summarized and we investigate whether its resection enhances glycemic control.

Heterozygous mutations in SOX2 may cause idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism via dominant-negative mechanisms.

Pathogenic SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) variants typically cause severe ocular defects within a SOX2 disorder spectrum that includes hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. We examined exome-sequencing data from a large, well-phenotyped cohort of patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) for pathogenic SOX2 variants to investigate the underlying pathogenic SOX2 spectrum and its associated phenotypes. We identified 8 IHH individuals harboring heterozygous pathogenic SOX2 variants with variable ocular phenotypes.

TRAF3/p38-JNK Signalling Crosstalk with Intracellular-TRAIL/Caspase-10-Induced Apoptosis Accelerates ROS-Driven Cancer Cell-Specific Death by CD40.

The capacity to induce tumour-cell specific apoptosis represents the most unique feature of the TNF receptor (TNFR) family member CD40. Recent studies on the signalling events triggered by its membrane-presented ligand CD40L (mCD40L) in normal and malignant epithelial cells have started to unravel an exquisite context and cell type specificity for the functional effects of CD40. Here, we demonstrate that, in comparison to other carcinomas, mCD40L triggered strikingly more rapid apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells, underpinned by its ability to entrain two concurrently operating signalling axes.

Ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, and peptide YY secretion in patients with and without weight regain during long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Weight loss after bariatric surgery is attributed, at least in part, to the altered gastrointestinal (GI) hormone secretion, which is thought to be responsible for a number of beneficial metabolic effects.

Material And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study. Twelve patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and 20 patients who underwent a variant of biliopancreatic diversion with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and long limbs (BPD/RYGB-LL) were evaluated ≥ 7 years postoperatively.

The p190 RhoGAPs, ARHGAP35, and ARHGAP5 are implicated in GnRH neuronal development: Evidence from patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, zebrafish, and in vitro GAP activity assay.

Purpose: The study aimed to identify novel genes for idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH).

Methods: A cohort of 1387 probands with IHH underwent exome sequencing and de novo, familial, and cohort-wide investigations. Functional studies were performed on 2 p190 Rho GTPase-activating proteins (p190 RhoGAP), ARHGAP35 and ARHGAP5, which involved in vivo modeling in larval zebrafish and an in vitro p190A-GAP activity assay.

Endocrine disruptors in ancient times and Greek mythology: the spring of Salmacis and the curse of Hermaphroditus.

According to Greek mythology, the spring waters of Salmacis (or Salmakis) feminized the god Hermaphroditus (or Hermaphroditos) and transformed his nature from male to half-male and half-female. The mythical properties of these waters are described in the writings of authors and philosophers of the Hellenistic period. It is evident that the spring of Salmacis and lake actually existed (located in Halicarnassus, today Bodrum, Turkey) and are not the product of poetic imagination.

ACTH vs steroids for the treatment of acute gout in hospitalized patients: a randomized, open label, comparative study.

The management of acute gout in the hospital setting may be challenging since most patients are elderly with multiple unstable comorbidities. However, there are no prospective clinical trials for hospitalized patients with gout to guide optimal management. Evidence indicates that steroids or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) may be effective and safe therapeutic options for these patients.

Expression stability of ACTB, 18S, and GAPDH in human placental tissues from subjects with PCOS and controls: GAPDH expression is increased in PCOS.

Purpose: The aim was to assess the expression stability of three commonly used reference genes, namely, β-actin (ACTB), 18S ribosomal RNA (18S), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), in placental tissue obtained from pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy controls.

Methods: mRNA was isolated after delivery from the placentae of 10 PCOS and 10 control women with term, uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies. The expression of ACTB, 18S, and GAPDH was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Wnt4, Wnt6 and β-catenin expression in human placental tissue - is there a link with first trimester miscarriage? Results from a pilot study.

Background: Demystifying the events around early pregnancy is challenging. A wide network of mediators and signaling cascades orchestrate the processes of implantation and trophoblast proliferation. Dysregulation of these pathways could be implicated in early pregnancy loss.

Differences in thyroid function tests after administration of a single supraphysiological dose of ACTH or a high dose of a synthetic steroid.

Objective: Although the suppressive action of synthetic steroids on the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is established, little is known regarding the effect of the administration of synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Design: In the context of a randomized, open label, comparative study assessing the efficacy and safety of ACTH and betamethasone in the treatment of hospitalized patients with acute gout, we compared the effects of these agents on thyroid function tests.

Methods: Serum TSH, total T4 and T3 and cortisol were measured before and at 24 and 48 h after a single intramuscular dose of synthetic ACTH (1 mg) or betamethasone (6 mg), in 38 hospitalized patients with acute gout and normal thyroid function.

Teenage pregnancies in Western Greece: experience from a university hospital setting.

Purpose: Teenage pregnancies have consistently been associated with preterm labor in a wide range of studies. Evidence regarding the incidence and potential complications of teenage pregnancies in Greece is at present scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perinatal outcomes as well as the risk of perinatal and obstetric complications of teenage pregnancies.