Follicular Fluid and Blood Monitorization of Infertility Biomarkers in Women with Endometriosis.

Infertility is recognized globally as a social disease and a growing medical condition, posing a significant challenge to modern reproductive health. Endometriosis, the third-most frequent gynecologic disorder, is one of the most common and intricate conditions that can lead to female infertility. Despite extensive research, the etiology, malignant transformation, and biological therapy of endometriosis remain unknown. Blood and follicular fluid are two matrices that have been carefully studied and can provide insights into women's health. These matrices are clinically significant because they contain metabolites closely associated with women's illness stage and reproductive outcomes. Nowadays, the application of metabolomic analysis in biological matrices may be able to predict the outcome of assisted reproductive technologies with greater precision. From a molecular viewpoint on reproductive health, we evaluate and compare the utilization of human follicular fluid and blood as matrices in analysis for diagnostic and assisted reproductive technology (ART) predictors of success for endometriosis patients. In the follicular fluid (FF), plasma, and serum of endometriosis-affected women, researchers identified dysregulations of oxidative stress, upregulation of several immune factors, and aberrations in energy metabolic pathways. The altered signatures negatively correlate with the overall oocyte and embryo quality and fertilization rate.

Circulating miRNA-21 is an innovative biomarker for cardiovascular events in erectile dysfunction patients.

Introduction: It is well-known that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) play a relevant role in many kinds of diseases by regulating the expression of genes involved in various pathophysiologic processes, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Purpose: This study aimed to identify the miRNA-21 profile in the blood samples of patients with ED, CVD, and the combination of both pathologies to elucidate the potential function of miRNA-21. Methods: A total of 45 patients with CVD and/or who underwent the erectile function test were included and divided into the following categories: CVD with ED (cases, n = 29) and controls (n = 16) with either ED or CVD. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis verified the results. miRNA-21 expression was quantified, and informatics analysis was applied to predict the functions of this differentially expressed miRNA-21. Results: A total of 64% of cases (63 ± 9 years, 66% with severe ED, 56% with CV ejection fraction) first presented ED as the sentinel clinical manifestation. Serum miRNA-21 levels in the control ED were significant, up to 10-fold higher than in the CVD controls and cases. A significant inverse (p = 0.0368, ß = -2.046) correlation was found between erectile function and miRNA-21 levels. Conclusions: Our study provides comprehensive insights into the functional interaction between miRNA-21 and ED in CVD patients. Its relevance lies in the potential of miRNA as a biomarker to be applied in the cardiovascular predictive medicine field.

Sensors in the Detection of Abused Substances in Forensic Contexts: A Comprehensive Review.

Forensic toxicology plays a pivotal role in elucidating the presence of drugs of abuse in both biological and solid samples, thereby aiding criminal investigations and public health initiatives. This review article explores the significance of sensor technologies in this field, focusing on diverse applications and their impact on the determination of drug abuse markers. This manuscript intends to review the transformative role of portable sensor technologies in detecting drugs of abuse in various samples. They offer precise, efficient, and real-time detection capabilities in both biological samples and solid substances. These sensors have become indispensable tools, with particular applications in various scenarios, including traffic stops, crime scenes, and workplace drug testing. The integration of portable sensor technologies in forensic toxicology is a remarkable advancement in the field. It has not only improved the speed and accuracy of drug abuse detection but has also extended the reach of forensic toxicology, making it more accessible and versatile. These advancements continue to shape forensic toxicology, ensuring swift, precise, and reliable results in criminal investigations and public health endeavours.

The Therapeutic Potential of Amphetamine-like Psychostimulants.

This review delves into the therapeutic applications of amphetamine-type stimulants such as lisdexamphetamine dimesylate, mixed amphetamine salts, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), dextroamphetamine, and phentermine. These compounds have been investigated for their potential in treating a range of psychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), drug dependence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obesity. Lisdexamphetamine dimesylate has shown promise in effectively treating ADHD symptoms in both children and adults. Additionally, it has been explored as a potential treatment for drug dependency and withdrawal, demonstrating encouraging results. Mixed amphetamine salts have also exhibited efficacy in reducing ADHD symptoms in adults. Future research should explore their potential use in treating bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence, considering the associated risks and benefits. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has emerged as an innovative approach to treating PTSD, leading to sustained reductions in symptoms and even promoting post-traumatic growth. Furthermore, it has shown promise in managing anxiety related to life-threatening illnesses. Dextroamphetamine and phentermine have demonstrated efficacy in treating cocaine and opioid dependence, ADHD, and obesity. However, careful consideration and monitoring by medical professionals are essential due to the potential risks and benefits associated with them. In conclusion, amphetamine-type stimulants present a promising avenue for therapeutic interventions in various psychiatric conditions. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to comprehensively understand their mechanisms of action, dosage requirements, and long-term effects in different patient populations.

Volatilomics as an Emerging Strategy to Determine Potential Biomarkers of Female Infertility: A Pilot Study.

Due to its high prevalence, infertility has become a prominent public health issue, posing a significant challenge to modern reproductive medicine. Some clinical conditions that lead to female infertility include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and premature ovarian failure (POF). Follicular fluid (FF) is the biological matrix that has the most contact with the oocyte and can, therefore, be used as a predictor of its quality. Volatilomics has emerged as a non-invasive, straightforward, affordable, and simple method for characterizing various diseases and determining the effectiveness of their current therapies. In order to find potential biomarkers of infertility, this study set out to determine the volatomic pattern of the follicular fluid from patients with PCOS, endometriosis, and POF. The chromatographic data integration was performed through solid-phase microextraction (SPME), followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The findings pointed to specific metabolite patterns as potential biomarkers for the studied diseases. These open the door for further research into the relevant metabolomic pathways to enhance infertility knowledge and diagnostic tools. An extended investigation may, however, produce a new mechanistic understanding of the pathophysiology of the diseases.

Follicular Fluid: A Powerful Tool for the Understanding and Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents one of the leading causes of anovulatory infertility and affects 5% to 20% of women worldwide. Until today, both the subsequent etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS remain unclear, and patients with PCOS that undergo assisted reproductive techniques (ART) might present a poor to exaggerated response, low oocyte quality, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, as well as changes in the follicular fluid metabolites pattern. These abnormalities originate a decrease of Metaphase II (MII) oocytes and decreased rates for fertilization, cleavage, implantation, blastocyst conversion, poor egg to follicle ratio, and increased miscarriages. Focus on obtaining high-quality embryos has been taken into more consideration over the years. Nowadays, the use of metabolomic analysis in the quantification of proteins and peptides in biological matrices might predict, with more accuracy, the success in assisted reproductive technology. In this article, we review the use of human follicular fluid as the matrix in metabolomic analysis for diagnostic and ART predictor of success for PCOS patients.

An Update on the Implications of New Psychoactive Substances in Public Health.

The emergence of new psychoactive substances has earned a great deal of attention, and several reports of acute poisoning and deaths have been issued involving, for instance, synthetic opiates. In recent years, there have been profound alterations in the legislation concerning consumption, marketing, and synthesis of these compounds; rapid alert systems have also been subject to changes, and new substances and new markets, mainly through the internet, have appeared. Their effects and how they originate in consumers are still mostly unknown, primarily in what concerns chronic toxicity. This review intends to provide a detailed description of these substances from the point of view of consumption, toxicokinetics, and health consequences, including case reports on intoxications in order to help researchers and public health agents working daily in this area.