Time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) for total IgG and HPV16-specific antibody detection in first-void urine and serum: A comparative study.

Recent studies demonstrated that human papillomavirus (HPV) specific immunoglobulins (IgG) are present and detectable in non-invasively collected first-void urine (FVU) samples. As IgG levels in urine are low, we evaluated the potential of a highly sensitive HPV16-specific assay based on time-resolved fluorescence, DELFIA, and compared it with three immunoassays, GST-L1-MIA, M4ELISA, and M9ELISA. A total of 225 paired serum and FVU samples from two cohorts of healthy female volunteers were analyzed.

Stability, enrichment, and quantification of total and HPV16-specific IgG present in first-void urine.

First-void urine (FVU) samples, containing human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific IgG from female genital tract secretions, provide a non-invasive option for disease monitoring and vaccine impact assessment. This study explores the utility of FVU for IgG quantification, exploring stability and compatibility with DNA preservation methods, alongside various IgG enrichment methods. Healthy female volunteers provided FVU and serum samples.

Concentration strategies for spiked and naturally present biomarkers in non-invasively collected first-void urine.

Background: First-void urine (FVU) provides a non-invasive method for collecting a wide range of biomarkers found in genital tract secretions. To optimize biomarker collection in FVU, this study investigated the impact of naturally present and supplemented precipitating agents: uromodulin (UMOD) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), on the concentration of human papillomavirus (HPV) pseudovirions (PsV), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and cellular genomic DNA (gDNA) through centrifugation.

Methods: FVU samples from ten healthy female volunteers, along with a control sample, were spiked with seal herpesvirus 1 (PhHV-1) DNA, HPV16 plasmid DNA, and HPV16 PsV with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter.

Lipophilic Statins Eliminate Senescent Endothelial Cells by inducing Anoikis-Related Cell Death.

Pre-clinical studies from the recent past have indicated that senescent cells can negatively affect health and contribute to premature aging. Targeted eradication of these cells has been shown to improve the health of aged experimental animals, leading to a clinical interest in finding compounds that selectively eliminate senescent cells while sparing non-senescent ones. In our study, we identified a senolytic capacity of statins, which are lipid-lowering drugs prescribed to patients at high risk of cardiovascular events.

Multislice computerized tomography coronary angiography can be a comparable tool to intravascular ultrasound in evaluating "true" coronary artery bifurcations.

Aim: Coronary bifurcation atherosclerosis depends on its angles, flow, and extensive branching. We investigate the ability of CT coronary angiography (CTCA) to determine atherosclerotic plaque characteristics of "true" bifurcation compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and the influence on side branch (SB) fate after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods And Results: The study included 70 patients with 72 "true" bifurcations.

Current status and future perspectives of fractional flow reserve derived from invasive coronary angiography.

Assessment of the functional significance of coronary artery stenosis using invasive measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) or non-hyperemic indices has been shown to be safe and effective in making clinical decisions on whether to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite strong evidence from clinical trials, utilization of these techniques is still relatively low worldwide. This may be to some extent attributed to factors that are inherent to invasive measurements like prolongation of the procedure, side effects of drugs that induce hyperemia, additional steps that the operator should perform, the possibility to damage the vessel with the wire, and additional costs.

The effect of micronutrient supplementation on serum anti-Mullerian hormone levels: a retrospective pilot study.

Background: The anti-Müllerian-hormone (AMH) is secreted by the granulosa cells of the oocytes and can be used as a marker of the ovarian reserve; helpful to estimate female fertility or the menopause onset. Although various factors may influence AMH levels, the correlation with nutritional factors needs more research.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a micronutrient supplementation on female AMH levels.

Mothers' Support Preferences With Their Chronically Ill Child's Health Care Team.

Children living with medical complexities are a growing population in the United States. Supportive pediatric health care team members are arguably the single most important factor in helping mothers manage their child's multifaceted condition. To better understand what constitutes helpful support from health care team members, we interviewed 17 mothers affiliated with a pediatric palliative care program at a large Midwestern U.

The effect of micronutrient supplementation on spermatozoa DNA integrity in subfertile men and subsequent pregnancy rate.

Background: Male infertility has been related to an increased sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Nutritional factors may improve sperm nuclear DNA integrity and thus pregnancy rates. Objective: To evaluate the effect of micronutrient supplementation on sperm DNA integrity in subfertile men and subsequent pregnancy rates.

[Case Report: Heterotopic Retransplantation of Cryopreserved Ovarian Tissue after Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Cervix].

Introduction: Retransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue has become an established method of restoring autologous hormone production and fertility after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for underlying oncological disease in women of reproductive age and has so far led to more than 170 births worldwide.

Case Presentation And Course: In 2013, the 31-year-old patient developed adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix, pT1b1V0L0. In January 2014, an extended hysterectomy with lymph node dissection and bilateral adnexectomy were performed.

Fractal characterization of retinal microvascular network morphology during diabetic retinopathy progression.

Objective: The study aimed to characterize morphological changes of the retinal microvascular network during the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: Publicly available retinal images captured by a digital fundus camera from DIARETDB1 and STARE databases were used. The retinal microvessels were segmented using the automatic method, and vascular network morphology was analyzed by fractal parametrization such as box-counting dimension, lacunarity, and multifractals.

Premature senescence of endothelial cells upon chronic exposure to TNFα can be prevented by N-acetyl cysteine and plumericin.

Cellular senescence is characterized by a permanent cell-cycle arrest and a pro-inflammatory secretory phenotype, and can be induced by a variety of stimuli, including ionizing radiation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In endothelial cells, this phenomenon might contribute to vascular disease. Plasma levels of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) are increased in age-related and chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease.

Comparison of the effect of a combination of eight micronutrients versus a standard mono preparation on sperm parameters.

Background: There are reports showing that l-carnitine alone or in combination with other micronutrients improve sperm parameters. However, comparative studies are still lacking. This study was carried out to compare the short term effects of a combination of eight micronutrients including l-carnitine vs.

Red clover isoflavone metabolite bioavailability is decreased after fructooligosaccharide supplementation.

Background: Red clover is an important source of isoflavones; which has been made commercially available as dietary supplements for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Bioavailability and metabolism of these red clover isoflavones (RCI) have not been studied in detail. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) stimulate the growth of intestinal bacteria and play an important role in the formation of certain isoflavone metabolites, such as equol and O-desmethylangolensin.

Effect of Red Clover Isoflavones over Skin, Appendages, and Mucosal Status in Postmenopausal Women.

Objective. Evaluate in postmenopausal women the effect of red clover extract (RCE) isoflavones over subjective status of skin, appendages, and several mucosal sites. Method.

The effect of red clover isoflavone supplementation over vasomotor and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of red clover isoflavone supplementation over vasomotor and overall menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Methods: One hundred and nine postmenopausal women aged 40 or more were assigned to randomly receive either two daily capsules of the active compound (80 mg red clover isoflavones, Group A) or placebo of equal appearance (Group B) for a 90-day period. After a washout period of 7 days, medication was crossed over and taken for 90 days more.

Laparoscopic ovarian tissue harvesting for cryopreservation: an effective and safe procedure for fertility preservation.

Objective: To critically review our experience with the method of laparoscopic ovarian tissue harvesting for ovarian cryopreservation.

Study Design: In a retrospective cohort study 85 patients undergoing surgery for cryopreservation of ovarian tissue were included. One random ovarian cortical slice was histologically examined in order to determine the presence of primordial follicles and to detect possible malignant cells.

Improvement of postmenopausal depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment with isoflavones derived from red clover extracts.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of isoflavones derived from red clover extracts (MF11RCE) over anxiety and depressive symptoms among postmenopausal women.

Methods: One hundred and nine postmenopausal women aged 40 or more were randomly assigned to receive two daily capsules of MF11RCE (80mg red clover isoflavones, Group A) or placebo of equal appearance (Group B) for a 90-day period. After a washout period of 7 days, medication was crossed over and taken for 90 days more.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation for non-malignant indications.

Background: Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is not restricted to patients suffering from malignancies. Benign haematopoietic diseases such as autoimmune diseases and others have been mentioned to be feasible indications. The aim of our study was to demonstrate that surgery for OTC is a safe procedure for fertility preservation in patients with non-malignant diseases.

Prevention of recurrent bacterial urinary tract infections by intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of vesical instillation of hyaluronic acid against recurrent urinary tract infections.

Methods: Twenty women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections each received 9 intravesical instillations of hyaluronic acid over 6 months. Their status was assessed prospectively over 47.

Immunological and ultrastructural characterization of endothelial cell cultures differentiated from human cord blood derived endothelial progenitor cells.

The replacement of endothelium by endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for therapeutic use in order to ameliorate the vascular status of ischemic organs is now in the focus of vascular research. The aim of our studies was to investigate whether EPCs derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs-derived EPCs) or EPCs propagated from CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs-derived EPCs), both isolated from human cord blood, are able to differentiate into early mature endothelial cells (ECs) under certain in vitro conditions. We characterized both cell populations by flow cytometry, phase contrast microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as ultrastructurally using transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

Orthotopic microvascular reanastomosis of whole cryopreserved ovine ovaries resulting in pregnancy and live birth.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of contralateral autotransplantation of cryopreserved whole ovaries with microanastomosis of the ovarian vascular pedicle.

Design: Animal study.

Setting: Department of Biomedical Sciences, General Hospital of Vienna, Austria.

Effects of a red clover extract (MF11RCE) on endometrium and sex hormones in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a non-prescription red clover extract (MF11 RCE, Melbrosin International, Vienna, Austria) on selected sex hormones and endometrium in postmenopausal women.

Patients And Methods: One-hundred and nine postmenopausal women with an age > or =40 years were randomly assigned to one of two groups either two capsules of MF11RCE (80mg isoflavone) per day for a 90 day period, or placebo of equal design. After a 7 day washout period, medication was crossed-over for another 90 days.

Propolis solution for the treatment of chronic vaginitis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 5% propolis solution in recurrent vaginitis.

Method: Fifty-four patients with recurrent vaginal infections having undergone at least one cycle of antibiotic treatment were instructed to apply a 5% aqueous propolis solution as a vaginal douche for seven days. Vaginal smears and specific symptoms were evaluated at baseline and 14 days after treatment.