Publications by authors named "Rina Hemi"

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.

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  • The study aimed to explore the relationship between chemicals in follicular fluid (FF) and levels of reproductive hormones, particularly in the context of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.
  • It involved 72 women averaging 30.9 years old, analyzing various hormone levels and 24 chemicals (mostly phthalates and phenols) found in FF samples collected from leading follicles.
  • Findings indicated that higher concentrations of certain phthalate metabolites were linked to increased estradiol (E2) levels, highlighting the need for further research on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their effects on female fertility.*
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study examined the impact of high physical activity on ovarian reserve in women aged 20-35 who have regular menstrual cycles.
  • The researchers compared 31 professional female athletes to 31 non-active women, measuring various ovarian reserve indicators such as follicular stimulating hormone and antral follicle count.
  • Results indicated that athletes tended to have a higher total antral follicle count and lower Inhibin B levels, suggesting that their ovarian reserves are comparable or possibly better than those of more sedentary women.
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  • Scientists found that men and women react differently to sunlight when it comes to wanting food!
  • In both humans and mice, sunlight increases hunger in males, but not in females!
  • The study shows that a substance called ghrelin, which makes us feel hungry, is affected by the sunlight and other body chemicals differently in men and women!
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Objective: Opposite-sex twins have shown behavioural and reproductive differences between females and males. These differences may be determined by higher intrauterine levels of androgens among females that were exposed to a male co-twin. The aim of this study was to compare cord blood androgen levels in females from same-sex and opposite-sex twins.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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Context: Klotho is an aging-modulating protein expressed mainly in the kidneys, which can be cleaved and shed to act as a circulating hormone. Several lines of evidence suggest a tight interaction between klotho and the GH-IGF-I axis. We showed previously that klotho levels are decreased in pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

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Background: Cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) is associated with a decrease in pulmonary function and nutritional status. We investigated the clinical significance of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

Methods: Fifty-five CF patients (aged 22.

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