Selective peripheral tissue response to high testosterone levels in an infertile woman without virilization signs.

Summary: Total testosterone, which is peripherally converted to its biologically active form dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is the first-line hormone investigation in hyperandrogenic states and infertility in premenopausal women. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common cause of hyperandrogenism and infertility in young women, is often associated with mild elevations of total testosterone. Whereas very high levels of total testosterone (>2-3 SD of normal reference), are most often associated with hyperandrogenic signs, menstrual irregularity, rapid onset of virilization, and demand a prompt investigation.

The relationship between neonatal hypoglycaemia and cord blood C-peptide levels in neonates of birthing individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Introduction: Neonates of individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia. It is hypothesised that this is a result of birthing-individual hyperglycaemia and subsequent foetal hyperinsulinemia.

Aims: To test for association between clinically significant neonatal hypoglycaemia (requiring intravenous glucose treatment) and cord-blood c-peptide (CBCP) concentrations in birthing-individuals with T1D.

Seasonal AMH variability implies a positive effect of UV exposure on the deterioration of ovarian follicles.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced exclusively by granulosa cells of ovarian follicles and is an indicator of ovarian reserve which declines with age. Seasonality in AMH levels have been reported to be correlated with variations in Vitamin D levels, which is dependent on sunlight exposure. However, the effects of age and its association with solar radiation intensity with respect to AMH was never studied before.

Adipose tissue-derived FABP4 mediates glucagon-stimulated hepatic glucose production in gestational diabetes.

Aims: One of the most common complications of pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which may result in significant health threats of the mother, fetus and the newborn. Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is an adipokine that regulates glucose homeostasis by promoting glucose production and liver insulin resistance in mouse models. FABP4 levels are increased in GDM and correlates with maternal indices of insulin resistance, with a rapid decline post-partum.

Parathyroid fine-needle aspiration with parathyroid hormone washout as a preoperative localisation of parathyroid adenoma-A retrospective study.

Objective: The use of parathyroid lesion aspiration in preoperative adenoma localisation is controversial. Concerns have been raised regarding both immediate safety (hematoma, infection, alterations on a subsequent histologic preparate) and long-term safety (seeding). We aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term safety, and the efficacy, of parathyroid fine-needle aspiration with parathyroid hormone washout as a localisation modality of parathyroid adenoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

The effects of Covid-19 mRNA vaccine on adolescence gynecological well-being.

Key Message: Menstruation of adolescent girls might be influenced by Covid-19 mRNA vaccine, however, the ovarian reserve estimated by AMH is not compromised.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccine causes menstrual abnormalities which led to concerns regarding its influence on the reproductive system. This study aims to investigate the influence of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine on gynecologic well-being and future fertility of adolescent girls.

The Predictive Value of Serum ACE2 and TMPRSS2 Concentrations in Patients with COVID-19-A Prospective Pilot Study.

One of the major challenges for healthcare systems during the Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was the inability to successfully predict which patients would require mechanical ventilation (MV). Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) and TransMembrane Protease Serine S1 member 2 (TMPRSS2) are enzymes that play crucial roles in SARS-CoV-2 entry into human host cells. However, their predictive value as biomarkers for risk stratification for respiratory deterioration requiring MV has not yet been evaluated.

The effect of Covid-19 mRNA vaccine on serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels.

Study Question: Does the administration of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccine have an association with ovarian reserve as expressed by circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels?

Summary Answer: Ovarian reserve as assessed by serum AMH levels is not altered at 3 months following mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

What Is Known Already: A possible impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination through an interaction between the oocyte and the somatic cells could not be ruled out, however, data are limited.

Study Design, Size, Duration: This is a prospective study conducted at a university affiliated tertiary medical center between February and March 2021.

Fatty acid-binding protein 4: a key regulator of ketoacidosis in new-onset type 1 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is an adipokine with a key regulatory role in glucose and lipid metabolism. We prospectively evaluated the role of FABP4 in the pathophysiology of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in new-onset type 1 diabetes.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory data were prospectively collected from consecutive children presenting with new-onset type 1 diabetes.

The adipokine FABP4 is a key regulator of neonatal glucose homeostasis.

During pregnancy, fetal glucose production is suppressed, with rapid activation immediately postpartum. Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) was recently demonstrated as a regulator of hepatic glucose production and systemic metabolism in animal models. Here, we studied the role of FABP4 in regulating neonatal glucose hemostasis.

Skin exposure to UVB light induces a skin-brain-gonad axis and sexual behavior.

Ultraviolet (UV) light affects endocrinological and behavioral aspects of sexuality via an unknown mechanism. Here we discover that ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure enhances the levels of sex-steroid hormones and sexual behavior, which are mediated by the skin. In female mice, UVB exposure increases hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis hormone levels, resulting in larger ovaries; extends estrus days; and increases anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) expression.

Protective effect of soluble Klotho in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass support-A pilot study.

Objective: The Klotho protein family plays important roles in several metabolic pathways. Soluble Klotho has been recently put forward as an antiaging protein, demonstrating renal and cardiovascular protective traits. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) support during cardiac surgery has been implicated in several adverse outcomes in pediatric and adult patients.

A Phase I clinical trial of dose-escalated metabolic therapy combined with concomitant radiation therapy in high-grade glioma.

Background: Animal brain-tumor models have demonstrated a synergistic interaction between radiation therapy and a ketogenic diet (KD). Metformin has in-vitro anti-cancer activity, through AMPK activation and mTOR inhibition. We hypothesized that the metabolic stress induced by a KD combined with metformin would enhance radiation's efficacy.

NKX2-2 Mutation Causes Congenital Diabetes and Infantile Obesity With Paradoxical Glucose-Induced Ghrelin Secretion.

Context: NKX2-2 is a crucial transcription factor that enables specific β-cell gene expression. Nkx2-2(-/-) mice manifest with severe neonatal diabetes and changes in β-cell progenitor fate into ghrelin-producing cells. In humans, recessive NKX2-2 gene mutations have been recently reported as a novel etiology for neonatal diabetes, with only 3 cases known worldwide.

Effect of Adjunctive Estradiol on Schizophrenia Among Women of Childbearing Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Several lines of evidence suggest that estradiol influences the course of schizophrenia, and a previous randomized controlled trial demonstrated that transdermal estradiol improved symptoms in female patients of childbearing age. However, many initial positive findings in schizophrenia research are not later replicated.

Objective: To independently replicate the results of the effect of estradiol on schizophrenia in women of childbearing age.

The Impact of Preterm Infants' Continuous Exposure to Breast Milk Odor on Stress Parameters: A Pilot Study.

Objective: This pilot study aimed to assess the effect of continuous exposure to the odor of own mothers' breast milk (BM) on the stress parameters of preterm infants.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen healthy preterm infants were included. Mean heart rate and salivary cortisol were measured over three consecutive time periods, each lasting 2 days: (1) preintervention (odor free); (2) intervention, during which a cotton pad soaked with 1.

Neurological deficit is predicted by S100B in children after cardiac surgery.

Introduction: Children undergoing cardiac surgery may suffer from brain injuries after surgery and develop neurological deficit. Early diagnosis of brain injury after surgery would enable early therapeutic interventions. The aim of the study is to test whether S100B can serve as a biomarker for brain injury after cardiac surgery.

Disparity in fetal growth between twin and singleton gestation: the role of adipokines.

Objective: Twin pregnancies are characterized by unique pattern of attenuated fetal weight gain during late gestation compared with singleton gestation. The mechanism(s) responsible for regulating twin growth has not yet elucidated. Leptin and adiponectin are two adipocytokines implicated in metabolism and energy balance of fetuses, newborns and adults.

The metabolic syndrome and its components in pediatric survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a known complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) that contributes to long-term morbidity. We assessed the prevalence of components of the MetS in pediatric survivors of allogeneic HSCT and identified associated risk factors. Thirty-eight patients, median age at HSCT, 8.

Using the failure mode and effects analysis model to improve parathyroid hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone testing.

Background: Risk management in health care systems applies to all hospital employees and directors as they deal with human life and emergency routines. There is a constant need to decrease risk and increase patient safety in the hospital environment. The purpose of this article is to review the laboratory testing procedures for parathyroid hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (which are characterized by short half-lives) and to track failure modes and risks, and offer solutions to prevent them.

Epilepsy and behavioral changes, type 1 diabetes mellitus and a high titer of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies.

Autoantibodies to the 65 kDa isoform of glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD65Ab) are associated with a range of clinical disorders, including type 1 diabetes (T1D) and stiff-person syndrome (SPS). In this article we describe a young girl who was diagnosed with T1D at the end of her first year of life and developed drug-resistant epilepsy 18 months later, followed by behavioral disturbances. She was admitted to our center at the age of 5 yr, at which time high GAD65Ab titers were detected in the patient's serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).