Best practices for including sex as a variable in appetite research.

Despite increasing recognition that sex is a critical variable in appetite research, many studies fail to include participants of both sexes, fail to consider reproductive physiology in participant selection, or include both sexes but fail to test for sex differences in outcomes. To help remedy this situation, this article seeks to engender enthusiasm for including sex as a variable in appetite research. We first illustrate some sex differences in healthy and disordered eating, including both male-female differences and differences across the menstrual cycle.

Chronic Endometritis and Endometriosis: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Both chronic endometritis and endometriosis are common entities in infertile patients. The association and the co-existence of these two entities are poorly evaluated. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the association between chronic endometritis and endometriosis and to find the prevalence of chronic endometritis in women with endometriosis.

Association between endometriosis and congenital uterine malformations: A single-center retrospective study.

Study Objective: The association between endometriosis and congenital uterine anomalies (CUAs) has been discussed for decades, but existing evidence about this association is scarce. The aim of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of CUAs in women with endometriosis and to identify specific characteristics in women with both CUAs and endometriosis in a large cohort of patients.

Design: This is a retrospective single-center observational study conducted between January 2006 and June 2021.

Adenomyosis Localized in Both the Anterior and Posterior Myometrium Is Associated with Deep Rectal Endometriosis: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Endometriosis and adenomyosis are two closely related, estrogen-dependent, benign gynecological diseases. The available evidence on their common pathogenesis and association is limited and often does not address the heterogeneity of both entities. The aim of our study is to investigate the association between different types and localizations of adenomyosis and endometriosis phenotypes, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and laparoscopic findings.

17β-Estradiol Abrogates TNF-α-Induced Human Brain Vascular Pericyte Migration by Downregulating miR-638 via ER-β.

Pericytes (PCs) contribute to brain capillary/BBB integrity and PC migration is a hallmark for brain capillary leakage following pro-inflammatory insults. Estradiol promotes endothelial barrier integrity by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced PC migration. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Vulvodynia, Genital Eczema and Lichen Sclerosus: What are the Successful Treatments from a Patient's Perspective?

Background: Genital pain treatment regimens range from local or systemic pharmacological to non-pharmacological, manual and psychosexual therapies with poor to moderate evidence for their efficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective therapeutic response (genital pain relief) of different treatment modalities for vulvodynia and the most prevalent other vulvar pathologies, chronic vulvar eczema and lichen sclerosus by means of a cross-sectional survey.

Material And Methods: A questionnaire-based cohort study that included 128 vulvodynia, 116 eczema and 79 lichen sclerosus patients was used.

2-Methoxyestradiol, an Endogenous 17β-Estradiol Metabolite, Induces Antimitogenic and Apoptotic Actions in Oligodendroglial Precursor Cells and Triggers Endoreduplication via the p53 Pathway.

The abnormal growth of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) significantly contributes to the progression of glioblastoma tumors. Hence, molecules that block OPC growth may be of therapeutic importance in treating gliomas. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME), an endogenous tubulin-interacting metabolite of estradiol, is effective against multiple proliferative disorders.

Dihydrotestosterone Augments the Angiogenic and Migratory Potential of Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells by an Androgen Receptor-Dependent Mechanism.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in cardiovascular regeneration. Enhancement of their native properties would be highly beneficial to ensuring the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. As androgens have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, we hypothesized that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could also influence EPC-mediated repair processes.

The Association between Abstinence Period and Semen Parameters in Humans: Results in Normal Samples and Different Sperm Pathology.

Background: The impact of sexual abstinence on sperm quality, particularly in pathological cases, is a subject of debate. We investigated the link between abstinence duration and semen quality in both normal and pathological samples.

Methods: We analyzed semen samples from 4423 men undergoing fertility evaluation, comprising 1256 samples from healthy individuals and 3167 from those with conditions such as oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, or a combination of these factors, namely oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT).

Can Wrist-Worn Medical Devices Correctly Identify Ovulation?

(1) Background: Hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle lead to multiple changes in physiological parameters such as body temperature, cardiovascular function, respiratory rate and perfusion. Electronic wearables analyzing those parameters might present a convenient alternative to urinary ovulation tests for predicting the fertile window. (2) Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study including women aged 18-45 years without current hormonal therapy who used a wrist-worn medical device and urinary ovulation tests for a minimum of three cycles.

Transcriptomic signature of luteinized cumulus cells of oocytes developing to live birth after women received intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Objective: To compare the transcriptome of human cumulus cells (CCs) from oocytes with different outcomes (pregnancy yes/no, live birth [LB] yes/no), to identify noninvasive biomarkers for oocyte selection as well as new therapeutic targets to increase LB rates from assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Settings: This study was conducted at a University Hospital in Switzerland.

Double vitrification and warming does not compromise the chance of live birth after single unbiopsied blastocyst transfer.

Study Question: Does double vitrification and thawing of an embryo compromise the chance of live birth after a single blastocyst transfer?

Summary Answer: The live birth rate (LBR) obtained after double vitrification was comparable to that obtained after single vitrification.

What Is Known Already: Double vitrification-warming (DVW) is commonly practiced to accommodate surplus viable embryos suitable for transfer, to allow retesting of inconclusively diagnosed blastocysts in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), and to circumvent limitations associated with national policies on embryo culture in certain countries. Despite its popularity, the evidence concerning the impact of DVW practice on ART outcomes is limited and lacking credibility.

Dysmenorrhea in adolescents requires careful investigation of endometriosis-an analysis of early menstrual experiences in a large case-control study.

Introduction: Recent evidence shows that endometriosis, a significant cause of infertility, may already present in adolescents. Dysmenorrhea, often leading to school absences, is a key symptom of the maturing menstrual cycle but also of endometriosis. However, it is often perceived as "normal" and left untreated.

Physical Activity in Women with Endometriosis: Less or More Compared with a Healthy Control?

Background: Endometriosis, i.e., endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting physical functioning.

Changes in Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, Breathing Rate, and Skin Temperature throughout Pregnancy and the Impact of Emotions-A Longitudinal Evaluation Using a Sensor Bracelet.

(1) Background: Basic vital signs change during normal pregnancy as they reflect the adaptation of maternal physiology. Electronic wearables like fitness bracelets have the potential to provide vital signs continuously in the home environment of pregnant women. (2) Methods: We performed a prospective observational study from November 2019 to November 2020 including healthy pregnant women, who recorded their wrist skin temperature, heart rate, heart rate variability, and breathing rate using an electronic wearable.

Comparison of male and female perspective in couples involved in sexual relationships and facing endometriosis.

Background: While the sexuality of patients with endometriosis is an established topic in research, the possible effect of endometriosis on partnership sexuality has come to the fore only recently. To improve counseling, more information is needed on how both partners experience sexuality in the context of endometriosis.

Aim: Previous research regarding endometriosis and sexuality normally focused on one partner to explore couples' intimate relations, whereas this study provides a comparison on both partners' perspectives on their common sexuality.

Higher miscarriage rate in subfertile women with endometriosis receiving unbiopsied frozen-warmed single blastocyst transfers.

Assisted reproductive technology treatment is recommended to overcome endometriosis-associated infertility but current evidence is controversial. Endometriosis is associated with lower antral follicle count (AFC) and oocyte yield but similar clinical outcomes compared to controls. Unaffected ovarian stimulation response and embryological outcomes but lower clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and higher miscarriage rates have been reported, implying direct impact on endometrial receptivity.

Sleep Disturbances Across a Woman's Lifespan: What Is the Role of Reproductive Hormones?

Fluctuations of reproductive hormones are associated with various forms of sleep disturbances and specific sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep-disordered breathing, across different stages of reproductive aging. During the menstrual cycle, sleep is particularly disrupted during the late luteal phase, as demonstrated by both objective and subjective measurements of sleep. Progesterone and its metabolites generally have sleep-promoting effects.

Sexual attraction to visual sexual stimuli in association with steroid hormones across menstrual cycles and fertility treatment.

Background: Steroid hormones (i.e., estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) are considered to play a crucial role in the regulation of women's sexual desire and sexual attraction to sexual stimuli throughout the menstrual cycle.

Transcriptomic and Functional Evidence That miRNA193a-3p Inhibits Lymphatic Endothelial Cell (LEC) and LEC + MCF-7 Spheroid Growth Directly and by Altering MCF-7 Secretome.

MicroRNA 193a-3p (miR193a-3p) is a short non-coding RNA with tumor suppressor properties. Breast cancer (BC) progression is governed by active interaction between breast cancer cells, vascular (V)/lymphatic (L) endothelial cells (ECs), and BC secretome. We have recently shown that miR193a-3p, a tumor suppressor miRNA, inhibits MCF-7 BC cell-driven growth of VECs via direct antimitogenic actions and alters MCF-7 secretome.

The impact of zygote vitrification timing on pregnancy rate in frozen-thawed IVF/ICSI cycles.

: Cryopreservation of bipronuclear (2PN) stage zygotes is an integral part of IVF laboratory practice in countries with strict embryo culture legislation. Vitrification of zygotes is compatible with several strategies in infertility treatments holding a freeze-all indication and allows for effective workload management in settings with limited resources. Although it yields high survival rates and clinical outcomes, the ideal timing to commence vitrification of zygotes is elusive while it is empirically practiced in the window between 17 and 21 h post-insemination (hpi).

Effects of vitamin D supplementation in endometriosis: a systematic review.

Background: There is a growing body of human, animal and in vitro studies on vitamin D (vit D) substitution in endometriosis. The aim of this systematic review is to critically appraise and qualitatively synthesize the results of the available studies that examine the supplementation of vit D for endometriosis treatment.

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted in four electronic databases (Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, Embase) and grey literature for original research articles on humans, animals and in vitro models published in any language.

Did the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic impact the cesarean delivery rate? A retrospective cohort study at a primary care center in Switzerland.

Objectives: During the first 3 months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, our hospital's quality management team determined a decline in the rate of cesarean deliveries (CD). Thus, in this study we examined both the factors associated with this decrease as well as neonatal outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational cohort study comparing deliveries (n=597) between March and May 2020 (first nationwide "lockdown" in Switzerland) with those during the same period in 2018 and 2019 (n=1,063).