False increase of serum cancer risk markers in a case of benign uterine bleeding

Co-infection by specific Chlamydia species and Human Papilloma Virus has been associated with genital carcinogenesis. Additionally, modern serum biomarkers and risk algorithms for diagnosis and prognosis have proven their efficacy in patients with ovarian cancer although data on endometrial or cervical malignancies are still sparse. We aim to present an unusual case of serum cancer biomarkers increase in a premenopausal female suffering from recurrent uterine bleeding and genital infection by several pathogens. We further discuss proper utilization of these diagnostic tools in such unusual cases

Osteoprotegerin, Soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor- κ

Aims. To evaluate carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and biomarkers of the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (OPG/RANKL) system in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) children and adolescents and controls. Subjects and Methods. Fifty six T1DM patients (mean ± SD age: 12.0 ± 2.7 years, diabetes duration: 5.42 ± 2.87 years and HbA1c: 8.0 ± 1.5%) and 28 healthy matched controls, were studied with anthropometric and laboratory measurements, including serum OPG, soluble RANKL (sRANKL) and cIMT. Results. Anthropometric, laboratory, and cIMT measurements were similar between T1DM youngsters and controls. However patients with longer diabetes duration (>/7.0 years) had indicatively higher cIMT (cIMT = 0.49 vs 0.44 mm, P 0.072) and triglyceride levels than the rest of the patients (93.7 vs 64.6 mg/dl, P 0.025). Both in the total study population (β 0.418, P 0.027) and among T1DM patients separately (β 0.604, P 0.013), BMI was the only factor associated with cIMT. BMI was further associated with OPG in both groups (β −0.335, P 0.003 and β −0.356, P 0.008 respectively), while sRANKL levels were not associated with any factor. Conclusions. BMI was the strongest independent predictor of cIMT among the whole population, and especially in diabetics, suggesting a possible synergistic effect of diabetes and adiposity on atherosclerotic burden. BMI was overall strongly associated with circulating OPG, but the causes of this association remain unclear

Pulsatile Interleukin-6 Leads CRH Secretion and Is Associated With Myometrial Contractility During the Active Phase of Term Human Labor

Objective: Our objective was to investigate IL-6 and CRH secretion during the active phase of human labor and to define their potential involvement in myometrial contractility. Study Design: Twenty-two primigravid women were studied for 90 minutes during the active phase of term labor by serial plasma sampling every 3 minutes for measurement of IL-6 and CRH concentrations. Uterine contractions, measured by cardiotocograph, were evaluated in Montevideo units. Basic, quantitative, pulsatility, and time cross-correlation statistical analyses were performed. Results: By linear regression analysis, a positive correlation was observed between IL-6 and CRH total mean area under the curve above 0 (r = 0.76184, P = .006). Mean number of pulses was 2.00 +/- 0.70 and 3.33 +/- 1.29 for IL-6 and CRH, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between IL-6 and CRH over time, peaking at the 12-minute interval, with IL-6 leading CRH. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between myometrial contractility expressed in Montevideo units and IL-6 concentrations over time, starting at +51 minutes and ending at +57 minutes with myometrial contractility leading IL-6. No significant correlation was found between myometrial contractility and CRH concentrations over time. Conclusion: IL-6 and CRH are both secreted in a pulsatile fashion during the active phase of human labor. The time-integrated concentrations of the two hormones are positively correlated, with IL-6 leading CRH secretion. It appears, thus, that proinflammatory mediators may be direct and/or indirect promoters of placental CRH release. Furthermore, the secretion of IL-6, which is a myokine, seems to be associated positively with uterine contractility. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the combined effect of inflammation, placental CRH release, and/or the receptors of the latter in parturition

Psychosomatic and vasomotor symptom changes during transition to menopause

Menopause is the condition in which the gradual decline in ovarian function finally leads to the permanent cessation of menstruation. Oestrogen deficiency may cause early symptoms during the menopausal transition and late symptoms after menopause. Menopause is a normal period of life. During this period, women need adaptation to new biological, social, and psychological parameters. Vasomotor symptoms are among the most common menopausal symptoms. Menopause per se is not correlated with specific psychiatric disorders, but data suggest that perimenopausal women are more likely to develop depressive disorders even without a previous history. Vasomotor symptoms are correlated with mood and sleep disturbances, neuroticism, anxiety, decreased cognitive function, and stress. Personality traits, social, and other factors are also important mediators of vasomotor symptoms during the menopausal transition phase. This is a review based on the existing evidence concerning the correlation between psychosomatic and vasomotor symptoms of menopause during the menopausal transition period. Healthcare providers should take these correlations into consideration when planning the treatment of vasomotor symptoms. Vasomotor symptoms during menopause are associated with significant social costs. There are numerous traditional hormone therapy, and complementary and alternative therapy including over-the-counter treatments and dietary supplements for managing menopause-related vasomotor symptoms. Additional costs include follow-up physician visits, laboratory testing, management of adverse events, and loss of productivity at work. Social support and planning may help women to deal with menopausal symptoms and may reduce overall social costs during this transitional phase

The role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer: a systematic review

Epigenetics seem to play a primary role in the current research on the pathogenesis of different types of endometrial cancer. Data so far indicate that microRNAs regulate different pathways that could lead to carcinogenesis when not functioning properly. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on microRNAs that have been associated with endometrial cancer development. From July 2014 to August 2014, we conducted a comprehensive research utilizing major online search engines (Pubmed, Crossref, Google Scholar). The main keywords used in our search were endometrial cancer/carcinoma; microRNA; epigenetics; novel biomarkers; pathogenesis. Overall, we identified 155 studies, although only 77 were eligible for this review. Different miRNAs were identified to contribute either promoting the carcinogenesis in the endometrium or inhibiting different steps of endometrial cancer development. Tumour growth, cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion metastasis have been identified as the main processes where miRNAs seem to be implicated. microRNAs are effective regulators of gene expression that has a significant role in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer. Research concerning possible therapeutic implications has been promising, although there is still a significant distance to be covered between research observations and clinical results. Extensive preclinical and translational research is still required to improve the efficacy and minimize unwanted effects of miRNAs-based therapy

Seroprevalence of HHV-6 and HHV-8 among blood donors in Greece

Background: Herpes viruses infection transmitted through healthy but infected blood donors pose a danger to herpes-naive immunocompromised recipients. The risk of transfusion-related HHV-8 transmission is different in endemic and not endemic areas. HHV-6 and HHV-8 seroprevalence and viral load among blood donors have been reported from different countries. The aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence of HHV-8 and HHV-6 in volunteer blood donors from Greece which is unknown. Findings: Serum samples from 179 healthy blood donors were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies against HHV-6 and HHV-8 with ELISA. None of the 179 donors of Greek origin tested was positive for HHV-8. HHV-6 seropositivity was assessed in 160 blood donors’ samples and was found to be 78.75% ( 126/160). The HHV-6 seroprevalence did not differ either between males and females or among different decade age groups. Conclusions: The fact, that no blood donor was positive for HHV-8 IgG antibodies indicates that the risk for transfusion related HHV-8 transmission in Greece, if any, is negligible and does not warrant broad testing for HHV-8. Definitely further studies are needed, in order to clarify the potential risk of HHV-6 transmission