Microfluidic Paper-Based Blood Plasma Separation Device as a Potential Tool for Timely Detection of Protein Biomarkers.

A current challenge regarding microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPAD) for blood plasma separation (BPS) and electrochemical immunodetection of protein biomarkers is how to achieve a µPAD that yields enough plasma to retain the biomarker for affinity biosensing in a functionalized electrode system. This paper describes the development of a BPS µPAD to detect and quantify the S100B biomarker from peripheral whole blood. The device uses NaCl functionalized VF2 filter paper as a sample collection pad, an MF1 filter paper for plasma retention, and an optimized microfluidic channel geometry.

[Acanthosis nigricans: metabolic interrelations inherent to the polycystic ovary syndrome].

Purpose: To establish the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) within the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its associations with obesity, insulin resistance, insulinemia, and metabolic syndrome (MS).

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on 100 patients with PCOS diagnosed according to the Rotterdam Consensus (2003). The skin test included, in addition to the detection of the presence of AN, the presence of hirsutism (score ≥ 8) and acne.

Sexual dysfunction in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical and hormonal correlations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the sexual function of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including the clinical and hormonal characteristics potentially related to sexual dysfunction, in an endocrinology and gynecology ambulatory.

Methodology: Women in ambulatory accompaniment for PCOS (N = 88) were sequentially evaluated by means of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and the application of structured diagnostic interview Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (version 4.4) for the identification of mood disorders.

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among women in ambulatory treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to correlate its clinical and demographic aspects with mental disorders.

Methodology: Seventy-two patients in ambulatory treatment at the Endocrinal and Gynaecological Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro were evaluated using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria by means of MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, version 4.4).

Comparison of two doses of metformin (2.5 and 1.5 g/day) for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and their effect on body mass index and waist circumference.

Fifty-six women with body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 were randomly divided into two groups receiving different doses of metformin (2.5 g and 1.5 g/day) for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome to assess its effects on BMI and waist circumference.