Sex and Gender Differences in Ischemic Heart Disease: Endocrine Vascular Disease Approach (EVA) Study Design.

Improvements in ischemic heart disease (IHD) management have been unbalanced between sexes, with coronary microvascular dysfunction considered the likely underlying reason. The Endocrine Vascular disease Approach (EVA) is an observational study (Clinicaltrial.gov NCT02737982) aiming to assess sex and gender interactions between coronary circulation, sexual hormones, and platelet function.

Incidence of Y chromosome microdeletions in patients with Klinefelter syndrome.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to study the incidence of Y chromosome microdeletions in a Caucasian population of Klinefelter syndrome (KS) patients and to investigate the possible association between Y chromosome microdeletions and KS.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 118 KS patients, 429 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), and 155 normozoospermic men. Eight of the 118 KS patients had undergone testicular sperm extraction (TESE).

Cadmium exposure alters steroid receptors and proinflammatory cytokine levels in endothelial cells in vitro: a potential mechanism of endocrine disruptor atherogenic effect.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental pollutant that causes alterations in human health acting as endocrine disruptor. Recent data suggest that cardiovascular system might be a contamination target tissue, since Cd is found in atheromatic plaques. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the consequence of Cd exposure of endothelial cells in vitro to evaluate detrimental effect in vascular system by a potential sex-steroid hormone receptor-dependent mechanism(s).

The phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil decreases the proinflammatory chemokine IL-8 in diabetic cardiomyopathy: in vivo and in vitro evidence.

Purpose: Interleukin (IL)-8 is a proinflammatory C-X-C chemokine involved in inflammation underling cardiac diseases, primary or in comorbid condition, such diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). The phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor sildenafil can ameliorate cardiac conditions by counteracting inflammation. The study aim is to evaluate the effect of sildenafil on serum IL-8 in DCM subjects vs.

Gender difference and correlation between sexuality, thyroid hormones, cognitive, and physical functions in elderly fit.

Purpose: Sexuality in the elderly is related to psycho-physical well-being. Aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between sexual health, thyroid hormones, cognitive functions, and physical fitness in elderly population.

Methods: Fifty-one fit adults were recruited (age: 71.

Fatherhood and Sperm DNA Damage in Testicular Cancer Patients.

Testicular cancer (TC) is one of the most treatable of all malignancies and the management of the quality of life of these patients is increasingly important, especially with regard to their sexuality and fertility. Survivors must overcome anxiety and fears about reduced fertility and possible pregnancy-related risks as well as health effects in offspring. There is thus a growing awareness of the need for reproductive counseling of cancer survivors.

Are the therapeutic strategies in anorexia of ageing effective on nutritional status? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Anorexia of ageing (AA) may be considered as a risk factor for frailty and has an important impact on quality of life, morbidity and mortality.

Methods: A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed to summarise the results from several trials on the effectiveness of treatments in AA, as associated with depression, sensory impairment of taste and smell, decreased appetite or early satiety, and disability. Eligible studies were required to report baseline and follow-up values, the mean change (∆-change) from baseline, and/or the mean difference among intervention groups versus control group, concerning food intake (kcal/daily) and/or nutritional outcomes, such as body weight, body mass index, albumin and Mini Nutritional Assessment.

Serum Homocysteine Levels in Men with and without Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Elevated levels of serum homocysteine (Hcy) have been associated with cardiovascular diseases and endothelial dysfunction, conditions closely associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). This meta-analysis was aimed to assess serum Hcy levels in subjects with ED compared to controls in order to clarify the role of Hcy in the pathogenesis of ED.

Methods: Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for publications investigating the possible association between ED and Hcy.

Sclerostin is expressed in the atherosclerotic plaques of patients who undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Sclerostin (SC) is a monomeric glycoprotein expressed by osteocytes that affects bone formation. Recent studies have suggested a potential role for this protein in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate SC expression in atherosclerotic plaques of patients affected by severe atherosclerotic disease who underwent carotid endarterectomy.

Impaired bone matrix glycoprotein pattern is associated with increased cardio-metabolic risk profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: Osteopontin (OPN), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteocalcin (OC) are matrix glycoproteins which mediate bone mineralization; moreover, their effects on glucose/insulin homeostasis have recently been demonstrated. Higher circulating OPN and OPG levels have been associated with the presence of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. No data are available on contextual changes of these markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Inverse Association of Circulating SIRT1 and Adiposity: A Study on Underweight, Normal Weight, and Obese Patients.

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are NAD+-dependent deacetylases, cellular sensors to detect energy availability, and modulate metabolic processes. SIRT1, the most studied family member, influences a number of tissues including adipose tissue. Expression and activity of SIRT1 reduce with weight gain and increase in conditions of starvation.

Evidence of diabetes-specific autoimmunity in obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance.

Background: Recently, significant attention has been paid to the possible activation of an autoimmune response in the presence of obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the frequencies of autoantibodies typical of autoimmune diabetes in obese patients with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and controls. We also evaluated the presence of immunoreactivity to Hashimoto's thyroiditis and autoimmune gastritis.

Chromogranin A: From Laboratory to Clinical Aspects of Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors.

. Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are characterized by having behavior and prognosis that depend upon tumor histology, primary site, staging, and proliferative index. The symptoms associated with carcinoid syndrome and vasoactive intestinal peptide tumors are treated with octreotide acetate.

Effects of body weight loss program on parameters of muscle performance in female obese adults.

Background: Body weight loss program may lead to a decrease in lean body mass affecting negatively muscle performance in obese subjects. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of weight loss on muscle performance in female obese subjects.

Methods: Eighty obese female adults were enrolled for a 2-month unsupervised aerobic training (UAT) plus nutritional program.

Redundant modulatory effects of proinflammatory cytokines in human osteoblastic cells in vitro.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate possible interaction of IL-17, TRAIL, and TNF-α in the modulation of osteoblast homeostasis in vitro, using human differentiated osteoblastic Saos-2 cells as in vitro model.

Methods: The effects of these cytokines on osteoblastic cell viability were assessed, by MTT assay, alone or in combination, at different times and concentrations. The effects of IL-17 and TNF-α on the regulatory system of osteoclast activity RANK/RANKL/ OPG were evaluated by Western blot and ELISA techniques in cell culture media.

Quantification of the Leydig cell compartment in testicular biopsies and association with biochemical Leydig cell dysfunction in testicular cancer survivors.

A simple histological method to evaluate the Leydig cell compartment is lacking. We aimed to establish such a method and to investigate if Leydig cell hyperplasia of the biopsy contralateral to the tumour-bearing testicle in patients with testicular germ cell cancer is associated with biochemical signs of Leydig cell dysfunction after long-term follow-up. A case group of 50 long-term testicular germ cell cancer survivors without human chorionic gonadotropin elevation, 10 testicular germ cell cancer patients with elevated human chorionic gonadotropin and 10 controls without testicular malignancy were included.

Evidence of increased humoral endocrine organ-specific autoimmunity in severe and classic X-chromosome aneuploidies in comparison with 46,XY control subjects.

Objective: In literature, the importance of X-linked gene dosage as a contributing factor for autoimmune diseases is generally assumed. However, little information is available on the frequency of humoral endocrine organ-specific autoimmunity in X-chromosome aneuploidies. In our preliminary study, we investigated the endocrine organ-specific humoral autoimmunity relative to four different organ-specific autoimmune diseases in a group of adult 47,XXY KS patients and in adults 46,XY control males (type 1 diabetes, T1DM; Addison's disease, AD; Hashimoto thyroiditis, HT; autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis, AG).

High serum osteopontin levels are associated with prevalent fractures and worse lipid profile in post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes.

Purpose: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have increased fracture risk. Osteopontin (OPN) is a protein involved in bone remodeling and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of OPN with fracture prevalence and with metabolic parameters in post-menopausal women with T2DM.

The CATCH checklist to investigate adult-onset hypogonadism.

Adult-onset hypogonadism is a syndrome often underdiagnosed, undertreated, or incompletely explored. There are various reasons for this: firstly, undefined age range of men in whom testosterone levels should be investigated and then no definitive serum cutoff point for the diagnosis of hypogonadism; and finally, variable and non-specific signs and symptoms; men and physicians do not pay adequate attention to sexual health. All these factors make the diagnostic criteria for hypogonadism controversial.

The Short Synacthen (Corticotropin) Test Can Be Used to Predict Recovery of Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Function.

Context: The 250-μg short Synacthen (corticotropin) test (SST) is the most commonly used tool to assess hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. There are many potentially reversible causes of adrenal insufficiency (AI), but no data to guide clinicians as to the frequency of repeat testing or likelihood of HPA axis recovery.

Objective: To use the SST results to predict adrenal recovery.

Circadian Rhythm of Glucocorticoid Administration Entrains Clock Genes in Immune Cells: A DREAM Trial Ancillary Study.

Context: Adrenal insufficiency (AI) requires lifelong glucocorticoid (GC) replacement. Conventional therapies do not mimic the endogenous cortisol circadian rhythm. Clock genes are essential components of the machinery controlling circadian functions and are influenced by GCs.

Chronic phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition has beneficial effects on subcutaneous adipose tissue plasticity in type 2 diabetic mice.

Different adipose tissue (AT) depots are associated with multiple metabolic risks. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) is involved in adipocyte physiology and PDE5 inhibition may affect adipogenesis and ameliorate white AT quality. The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of AT and the composition of the stroma-vascular fraction (SVF) of subcutaneous AT (SAT) in type 2 diabetic mice after prolonged treatment with a PDE5 inhibitor, Sildenafil.