The Reproductive Lifespan of Ovarian Follicle.

The functional unit within mammalian ovaries is the ovarian follicle. The development of the ovarian follicle is a lengthy process beginning from the time of embryogenesis, passing through multiple different stages of maturation. The purpose of this review is to describe the most basic events in the journey of ovarian follicle development, discussing the importance of ovarian reserve and highlighting the role of several factors that affect oocyte quality and quantity during aging including hormonal, genetic and epigenetic factors. Novel, promising anti-aging strategies are also discussed.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A New Treatment in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Recent data highlight similarities between neurodegenerative diseases, including PD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), suggesting a crucial interplay between the gut-brain axis. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, known for their use in T2DM treatment, are currently extensively studied as novel PD modifying agents. For this narrative review article, we searched PubMed and Scopus databases for peer-reviewed research, review articles and clinical trials regarding GLP-1R agonists and PD published in the English language with no time restrictions. We also screened the references of the selected articles for possible additional articles in order to include most of the key recent evidence. Many data on animal models and preclinical studies show that GLP1-R agonists can restore dopamine levels, inhibit dopaminergic loss, attenuate neuronal degeneration and alleviate motor and non-motor features of PD. Evidence from clinical studies is also very promising, enhancing the possibility of adding GLP1-R agonists to the current armamentarium of drugs available for PD treatment.

Syndromic and Monogenic Obesity: New Opportunities Due to Genetic-Based Pharmacological Treatment.

Obesity is a significant health problem with a continuously increasing prevalence among children and adolescents that has become a modern pandemic during the last decades. Nowadays, the genetic contribution to obesity is well-established. For this narrative review article, we searched PubMed and Scopus databases for peer-reviewed research, review articles, and meta-analyses regarding the genetics of obesity and current pharmacological treatment, published in the English language with no time restrictions. We also screened the references of the selected articles for possible additional articles in order to include most of the key recent evidence. Our research was conducted between December 2022 and December 2023. We used the terms "obesity", "genetics", "monogenic", "syndromic", "drugs", "autosomal dominant", "autosomal recessive", "leptin-melanocortin pathway", and "children" in different combinations. Recognizing the genetic background in obesity can enhance the effectiveness of treatment. During the last years, intense research in the field of obesity treatment has increased the number of available drugs. This review analyzes the main categories of syndromic and monogenic obesity discussing current data on genetic-based pharmacological treatment of genetic obesity and highlighting the necessity that cases of genetic obesity should follow specific, pharmacological treatment based on their genetic background.

The Genetic Landscape of Sleep Disorders in Parkinson's Disease.

Parknson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting 1% of people aged over 60. PD is characterized by a wide range of motor symptoms, however the clinical spectrum of PD covers a wide range of non-motor symptoms, as well. Sleep disorders are among the most common non-motor symptoms of PD, can occur at any stage of the disease and significantly affect quality of life. These include rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), restless legs syndrome (RLS), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and circadian rhythm disturbances. One of the main challenges in PD research is identifying individuals during the prodromal phase of the disease. Combining genetic and prodromal data may aid the early identification of individuals susceptible to PD. This review highlights current data regarding the genetic component of sleep disorders in PD patients, focusing on genes that have currently been associated with this PD co-morbidity.

Current genetic data on depression and anxiety in Parkinson's disease patients.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting about 1 % of the population over the age of 60 years. PD is characterized by a wide spectrum of symptomatology including not only motor symptoms but non-motor symptoms, as well. Depression is one of the most common non-motor manifestations, and the most frequent neuropsychiatric comorbidity in PD. Neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety may precede the appearance of motor features, highlighting their importance in the early detection of the disease and its strategic management. This review discusses the possible genetic background of the development of these neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD patients analyzing current genetic data associated with this clinical entity.

Association of microRNA Polymorphisms with Toxicities Induced by Methotrexate in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Methotrexate (MTX), a structurally related substance to folic acid, is an important chemotherapeutic agent used for decades in the treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and other types of cancer as non-Hodgkin lymphomas and osteosarcomas. Despite the successful outcomes observed, the primary drawback is the variability in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics between patients. The main adverse events related to its use are nephrotoxicity, mucositis, and myelosuppression, especially when used in high doses. The potential adverse reactions and toxicities associated with MTX are a cause for concern and may lead to dose reduction or treatment interruption. Genetic variants in MTX transport genes have been linked to toxicity. Pharmacogenetic studies conducted in the past focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding and 5'-regulatory regions of genes. Recent studies have demonstrated a significant role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the transport and metabolism of drugs and in the regulation of target genes. In the last few years, the number of annotated miRNAs has continually risen, in addition to the studies of miRNA polymorphisms and MTX toxicity. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to investigate the role of miRNA variants related to MTX adverse effects.

Antioxidant Potential of Spray- and Freeze-Dried Extract from Oregano Processing Wastes, Using an Optimized Ultrasound-Assisted Method.

Origanum vulgare is recognized worldwide for its numerous applications, in the food industry and beyond. However, the extraction of its essential oils generates a significant amount of waste. The aim of this research was to achieve the valorization of solid waste from oregano hydro-distillation, by (i) optimizing the ultrasound extraction of antioxidants, (ii) evaluating the effect of spray and freeze drying on the extract's physicochemical properties, and (iii) characterizing the obtained powder by its antioxidant capacity. A central composite design of experiments was used to optimize the sample/solvent ratio, ethanol/water ratio, and extraction time. The extract was analyzed for its antioxidant potential by determining the percentage of DPPH inhibition, FRAP, and total phenolic content (TPC). The GAB model best fit the data for the moisture sorption isotherm of the resulting powder. The antioxidant activity of the powders was tested in a ground-beef food system. The TPC was maximized at times longer than 58 min, a sample/solvent ratio between 0.058 and 0.078, and a ratio of ethanol/water around 1. Neither drying method significantly affected the antioxidant properties of the extract, even though the resulting powders from each showed a different morphology (determined using SEM). Encapsulation with maltodextrin protected the spray-dried extract during a 6-month storage period. Powders from both drying methods equally retarded lipid oxidation, and were comparable to the synthetic antioxidant BHT. It is concluded that oregano processing waste is a potent source of antioxidants, and that its dried extract, via an ultrasound-assisted process, can potentially be used as a natural alternative to synthetic antioxidants.

Εlectrosurgery: understanding of basic principles, safe practices and applications in gynecologic surgery.

Electrosurgery is a continuously evolving field that has nowadays become a necessity in operating theatres. The expanding use of electrosurgery has been associated with a high number of thermal injuries, thus the fundamental understanding of how each of the energy devices work and their effect on biological tissues is very important and continuing education regarding electrosurgical technology is paramount for avoiding patient complications. This review describes the basic principles and modalities of electrosurgery, their biological effects on tissues and variables that can affect them, the evolution in the field of electrosurgery, its wide use in gynecological procedures, as well as the risk and complications that are commonly seen in electrosurgery.

CSF Biomarkers in the Early Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a rapidly growing disease that affects millions of people worldwide, therefore there is an urgent need for its early diagnosis and treatment. A huge amount of research studies are performed on possible accurate and reliable diagnostic biomarkers of AD. Due to its direct contact with extracellular space of the brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the most useful biological fluid reflecting molecular events in the brain. Proteins and molecules that reflect the pathogenesis of the disease, e.g., neurodegeneration, accumulation of Abeta, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and apoptosis may be used as biomarkers. The aim of the current manuscript is to present the most commonly used CSF biomarkers for AD as well as novel biomarkers. Three CSF biomarkers, namely total tau, phospho-tau and Abeta42, are believed to have the highest diagnostic accuracy for early AD diagnosis and the ability to predict AD development in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. Moreover, other biomarkers such as soluble amyloid precursor protein (APP), apoptotic proteins, secretases and inflammatory and oxidation markers are believed to have increased future prospects.

Alzheimer's Disease as Type 3 Diabetes: Common Pathophysiological Mechanisms between Alzheimer's Disease and Type 2 Diabetes.

Globally, the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) epidemics is increasing rapidly and has huge financial and emotional costs. The purpose of the current review article is to discuss the shared pathophysiological connections between AD and T2DM. Research findings are presented to underline the vital role that insulin plays in the brain's neurotransmitters, homeostasis of energy, as well as memory capacity. The findings of this review indicate the existence of a mechanistic interplay between AD pathogenesis with T2DM and, especially, disrupted insulin signaling. AD and T2DM are interlinked with insulin resistance, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs), mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic syndrome. Beta-amyloid, tau protein and amylin can accumulate in T2DM and AD brains. Given that the T2DM patients are not routinely evaluated in terms of their cognitive status, they are rarely treated for cognitive impairment. Similarly, AD patients are not routinely evaluated for high levels of insulin or for T2DM. Studies suggesting AD as a metabolic disease caused by insulin resistance in the brain also offer strong support for the hypothesis that AD is a type 3 diabetes.

When Should We Freeze Embryos? Current Data for Fresh and Frozen Embryo Replacement IVF Cycles.

Recent years have seen a dramatic rise in the number of frozen-thawed embryo replacement (FER) cycles. Along with the advances in embryo cryopreservation techniques, the optimization of endometrial receptivity has resulted in outcomes for FER that are similar to fresh embryo transfer. However, the question of whether the Freeze all strategy is for all is nowadays a hot topic. This review addresses this issue and describes current evidence based on randomized controlled trials and observational studies. To date, it is reasonable to perform FER in cases with a clear indication for the benefits of such strategy including impending ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) or preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A); however, this strategy does not fit for all. This review analyses the pros and cons of the freeze all strategy highlighting the need to follow a personalized plan in embryo transfer, avoiding a freeze all methodology for all patients in an unselected manner.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of corifollitropin alfa combined with GnRH agonist triggering in oocyte donation cycles. A prospective longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: In order to help make the dream of parenthood come true for oocyte acceptors, it is essential that the procedure is not dangerous or unpleasant for oocyte donors. The aim of this study was to identify differences in safety, efficacy and patient acceptability between a traditional stimulation antagonist protocol with recombinant-FSH (rFSH) with hCG-triggering, compared with an innovative antagonist protocol with corifollitropin alfa (Elonva®) plus GnRH agonist triggering in oocyte donors. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted at an in vitro fertilization center in Greece. The same eighty donors underwent two consecutive antagonist stimulation schemes. Primary outcomes were patient satisfaction (scored by a questionnaire) and delivery rate per donor. Secondary outcomes were mean number of cumulus-oocyte-complexes, metaphase II (MII) oocytes and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate. RESULTS: Donors reported better adherence and less discomfort with the corifollitropin alpha + GnRH agonist-triggering protocol (p<0.001). No significant differences were identified in the clinical pregnancy rate per donor (p=0.13), the delivery rates, the number of oocytes (p=0.35), the number of MII oocytes (p=0.50) and the number of transferred embryos, between the two protocols. However, the luteal phase duration was significantly shorter (p<0.001) in the corifollitropin alpha + GnRH agonist-triggering protocol. Moreover, three cases of moderate OHSS (3.75%) were identified after hCG triggering, whereas no case of OHSS occurred after GnRH agonist ovulation induction (p=0.25). CONCLUSION: The use of corifollitropin alpha combined with a GnRH agonist for triggering is a safe, effective and acceptable protocol for oocyte donors.

Highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary approach: A rare case of primary periurethral poorly differentiated carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Tumors in the periurethral area can be a rare clinical entity with many difficulties not only in the diagnosis, as well as in the treatment plan. Skene's gland adenocarcinoma accounts for less than 0.003% of all female urethral malignant neoplasms. CASE REPORT: This report describes an extremely rare case of woman with a poorly differentiated carcinoma arising from the periurethral glands. CONCLUSIONS: Reporting of such rare cases enhance the understanding of the biological behavior of such tumors and the best treatment plan as well. This case report highlights the need for multidisciplinary approach of such rare cases, the lack of experience for such cases and the fact that the optimal treatment plan is very critical for the best prognosis of these patients.

Pharmacogenomics in IVF: A New Era in the Concept of Personalized Medicine.

Pharmacogenomics is a promising approach in the field of individualized medicine in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment that aims to develop optimized pharmacotherapy depending on the genetic background of each infertile woman, thus to ensure maximum effectiveness of the medication used, with minimal side effects. The unique genetic information of each infertile woman, in combination with already known, as well as new predictors of ovarian response and the progress of pharmacoepigenomics, is anticipated to greatly benefit the process of controlled ovarian stimulation. This review analyses current data on IVF pharmacogenomics, a new approach that is gradually moving to the frontline of modern IVF treatment.

Pharmacogenetics and levodopa induced motor complications.

AIM: L-dopa remains the most effective symptomatic therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) but unfortunately, its chronic use is often associated with motor complications. This review highlights the importance of pharmacogenetics in an individualised PD therapeutic approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: review of the literature was done. RESULTS: PD patients show remarkable heterogeneity in their response to L-dopa and this profound interindividual heterogeneity suggests that there is a genetic predisposition. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the genetic makeup of every individual on PD treatment appears to be of great importance in order to achieve not only the optimum therapeutic effect, but also with minimal side effects.

Recurrent complete hydatidiform mole: where we are, is there a safe gestational horizon? Opinion and mini-review.

Benign hydatidiform mole, complete or partial, is the most common type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) characterised by excessive trophoblastic proliferation and abnormal embryonic development. Although most complete hydatidiform moles (CHMs) are diploid androgenetic, a few cases of CHMs are biparental, characterised by recurrence and familial clustering. In these rare cases, mutations in NLRP7 or KHDC3L genes, associated with maternal imprinting defects, have been implicated. Current data regarding future pregnancy options in hydatidiform moles are discussed and our opinion is presented based on an incidence that took place in our hospital with a woman with consecutive molar pregnancies. In recurrent hydatidiform moles, DNA testing should be performed and when NLRP7 or KHDC3L mutation are detected, oocyte donation should be proposed as an option to maximise woman's chances of having a normal pregnancy.

Urinary tract infection during pregnancy: current concepts on a common multifaceted problem.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infection in pregnancy, increasing the risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Urinary tract infections may present as asymptomatic bacteriuria, acute cystitis or pyelonephritis. Escherichia coli is the most common pathogen associated with both symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria. If asymptomatic bacteriuria is untreated, up to 30% of mothers develop acute pyelonephritis, with an increased risk of multiple maternal and neonatal complications, such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight. Urinary tract infection is a common, but preventable cause of pregnancy complications, thus urinary tests, such as urine culture or new technologies such as high-throughput DNA sequence-based analyses, should be used in order to improve antenatal screening of pregnant women.

D620N mutation in the VPS35 gene and R1205H mutation in the EIF4G1 gene are uncommon in the Greek population.

Recently, vacuolar protein sorting 35 (VPS35) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma 1 (EIF4G1) have been identified as new causal Parkinson's disease (PD) genes, with the VPS35 D620N and EIF4G1 R1205H mutations being identified in both autosomal dominant late-onset familial and sporadic PD patients. However, the frequencies of these two mutations among different ethnic groups vary. We studied the VPS35 D620N and EIF4G1 R1205H mutations in a total of 333 individuals, 202 Greek patients with sporadic PD and 131 control subjects, using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. None of our studied individuals carried these two mutations. Our data support that the VPS35 D620N and EIF4G1 R1205H mutations are not a common cause of PD in the Greek population.

Association Between rs2200733 Polymorphism on Chromosome 4q25 and Atrial Fibrillation in a Greek Population.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia with evidence of genetic susceptibility. The rs2200733 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a non-coding region on chromosome 4q25 has been associated with AF. The purpose of this case-control study was to examine the possible association of the rs2200733 polymorphism with AF in the Greek population. METHODS: A total of 295 individuals, 167 AF patients and 128 controls, were genotyped for the presence of the rs2200733 polymorphism using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLPs) method. RESULTS: The T/T genotype and the T allele were detected more frequently in patients with AF compared to controls (13.2% vs. 2.3%, p=0.001, and 29.6% vs. 17.9%, p=0.001), suggesting that the rs2200733 polymorphism increases susceptibility to AF in the Greek population. In a multivariate stepwise analysis that included many conventional precipitating factors for AF, T/T genotype and left atrium (LA) diameter were the only independent predictors of AF (OR 1.74, 95% CI: 1.40-2.98, p=0.005, and OR 2.88, 95% CI: 1.835.62, p<0.001, respectively). A trend of association was observed between the T/T genotype and lone AF (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that SNP rs2200733 confers a significant risk of AF in the Greek population, providing further support to the previously reported association between AF and rs2200733 polymorphism on chromosome 4q25.