From Pleasure to Pathology: Understanding the Neural Basis of Food Addiction in the Context of Obesity.

As rates of severe obesity continue to rise globally, intense efforts are required both from the scientific community, physicians and health policy makers to better understand the mechanisms, prevent and treat obesity in order to stop the upcoming pandemic. Obesity is known to significantly reduce life expectancy and overall quality of life, thus becoming a leading cause of preventable deaths. This article focuses on the relationship between obesity and food addiction, the main neural mechanisms, brain regions, genes, hormones and neurotransmitters involved and on the similarities between food addiction and substance abuse. The definition of obesity is based on the body mass index (BMI). A BMI of 30 or higher is classified as obese. Obesity is not solely a result of overeating, but has multifactorial causes, thus, prevention being extremely difficult. The concept of food addiction implies extreme cravings, lack of self-control, and overeating, especially involving tasty foods. The addiction concept is supported both by clinicalbehavioural research and neurobiological research. These studies demonstrate similarities between binge eating and drug addiction, including cravings, loss of control, excessive intake, tolerance, withdrawal, and distress/dysfunction. Although generally food addiction is thought to be distinct from obesity, most studies identify that a significant percentage of individuals with food addiction are obese. Our aim was to emphasize the need to better understand the neurological basis of obesity and addiction, and its implications for research, treatment, and public health initiatives. Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying food addiction can inform future healthcare policies and interventions aimed at addressing the global obesity epidemic.

New approaches in ovarian cancer based on genetics and carcinogenesis hypotheses (Review).

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological malignancies and its incidence is rising in the last decades especially in developed countries. High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) represents 70% of ovarian cancers. Oral contraceptive use and salpingo-oophorectomy or salpingectomy are well known protective factors against development of ovarian cancer. Identification of specific mutations associated with a high risk of developing ovarian cancer, especially BRCA1/2 mutation and TP53 mutations, has paved the way for implementation of new strategies for early diagnosis and therapy. Hereditary forms of ovarian cancer account for 5-10% and have BRCA1/2 gene mutations or TP53 mutations. BRCA1/2 gene mutations appear in 22% of HGSOC and are associated with the defective homologous repair (HR)/DNA repair pathway. Genetic testing in ovarian cancer is important for risk assessment and therapeutic options. Although 'universal genetic testing' is not recommended yet, the procedure remains highly recommended in women with high risk. Genes involved in the development of ovarian cancer as TP53 may be targeted by gene therapy. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors may enhance the cytotoxic effect of DNA-damaging chemotherapy, and induce synthetic lethality in cases with BRCA1/2 mutations. Other strategies are designed to target pathways driven by various gene mutations, including the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC), or the use of drugs, which target growth factors, or epigenetic events including methylation, and acetylation of genes. The tubal involvement in ovarian carcinogenesis provides an important tool for the clinician to implement risk-reducing strategies including salpingo-oophorectomy or salpingectomy in high-risk cases at appropriate ages.

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene polymorphisms of ovarian reserve markers in Romanian population.

Association between phenotype and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor and FSH beta chain genotype was evaluated in women with ovarian dysfunction. FSH receptor gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed by restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Three groups were analyzed: two groups formed of poor responders (women with ovarian dysfunctions caused by endometriosis and patients who underwent ovarian stimulation protocols) and a third good responders group (normal-ovulatory women who gave birth to naturally conceived children). A higher average level of basal FSH values were found in mutants in the A919G/Ala307Thr/rs6165 or A2039G/Asn680Ser/rs6166 tests (7.16±1.09; P=0.659). Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) below 1.2 ng/ml was associated with a higher frequency of mutations: 33.3% A919G/Ala307Thr and A2039G/Asn680Ser (P=0.137) and also in 66.6% FSH receptor less frequent polymorphism (c.-29G>A) rs 1394205 (P=0.522). The age, day 3 FSH, and AMH levels are widely used to investigate female infertility. However, we have not yet found the ideal biomarker to determine the best outcome and treatment plan for our patients. We cconsider that genetic markers will become the future in the personalization of controlled ovarian stimulation treatment in the upcoming period.

Rare retroperitoneal conditions that mimic uterine myoma.

The most frequent tumoral condition of the uterus is represented by uterine myoma. The diagnosis, in most cases, is established by clinical examination and ultrasound scan. Nevertheless, there are rare cases, in which the surgical findings reveal a retroperitoneal tumor instead of a uterine myoma. These could be represented by schwannomas or Castleman disease. The schwannomas are rarely malignant and arise from the Schwann cells of nerve fibers. These tumors are frequently found at the level of the head, neck and mediastinum and rarely in the pelvis. Generally, schwannomas localized at retroperitoneal level are asymptomatic and with a very slow growth rate. The treatment consists in complete surgical resection. The recurrence rate is low and, generally, the prognosis is good. The Castleman disease is considered a rare entity, but it should be always taken into consideration when it comes to a differential diagnosis in a young patient who presents a retroperitoneal mass at imagery exams. The condition affects the lymphatic system and is characterized by a hyperplasia of the lymph nodes, sometimes associated with herpes virus infection. The clinical picture is often non-specific; the pain may be the only symptom. The imaging methods are not always conclusive for the final positive diagnosis and the histopathological examination is always necessary. Pelvic Castleman disease can be misdiagnosed as myoma or an adnexal tumor. In this article, we review the present knowledge regarding the pathogenesis, pathology and management of these rare retroperitoneal tumors. Both conditions, when located in pelvis must be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of uterine myomas, especially in the pedunculated form.

Abdominal wall endometriosis versus desmoid tumor - a challenging differential diagnosis.

AIM: Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) in young women, with previous gynecological abdominal surgery, is the first condition considered by many practitioners when a tumor in the region of the scar appears. AWE seems to be caused by an iatrogenic transfer of endometrial cells at the level of the scar. The onset of the disease may be late in many cases. Despite the fact that the disease could be totally asymptomatic, there are certain risk factors that can be identified during the anamnesis, such as: heredity, menarche at the age of >14 years, menstrual cycle <27 days, delayed menopause, excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption. Suggestive signs include cyclic or continuous abdominal pain caused by a palpable abdominal wall mass with a maximum tenderness in the region of the surgical scar. The differential diagnosis is complex and rare entities like desmoid tumors (DTs) must be taken into consideration. Desmoid tumor, or the so-called aggressive fibromatosis (AF), is a rare fibroblastic proliferation. This tumor can develop in any muscular aponeurotic structure of the body and is considered benign but with a high recurrence rate. DTs can cause local infiltration, subsequently producing certain levels of deformity and potential obstruction of vital structures and organs. The differential diagnosis is challenging in this situations, the imagery exams are useful, especially in detecting the precise location of the tumor. The histological examination of the tumor can state the final and precise diagnosis.