Microfluidic Paper-Based Blood Plasma Separation Device as a Potential Tool for Timely Detection of Protein Biomarkers.

A current challenge regarding microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPAD) for blood plasma separation (BPS) and electrochemical immunodetection of protein biomarkers is how to achieve a µPAD that yields enough plasma to retain the biomarker for affinity biosensing in a functionalized electrode system. This paper describes the development of a BPS µPAD to detect and quantify the S100B biomarker from peripheral whole blood. The device uses NaCl functionalized VF2 filter paper as a sample collection pad, an MF1 filter paper for plasma retention, and an optimized microfluidic channel geometry. An inverted light microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and image processing software were used for visualizing BPS efficiency. A design of experiments (DOE) assessed the device's efficacy using an S100B ELISA Kit to measure clinically relevant S100B concentrations in plasma. The BPS device obtained 50 µL of plasma from 300 µL of whole blood after 3.5 min. The statistical correlation of S100B concentrations obtained using plasma from standard centrifugation and the BPS device was 0.98. The BPS device provides a simple manufacturing protocol, short fabrication time, and is capable of S100B detection using ELISA, making one step towards the integration of technologies aimed at low-cost POC testing of clinically relevant biomarkers.

[Acanthosis nigricans: metabolic interrelations inherent to the polycystic ovary syndrome]. / Acantose nigricante: inter-relações metabólicas inerentes à síndrome dos ovários policísticos.

PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) within the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its associations with obesity, insulin resistance, insulinemia, and metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted on 100 patients with PCOS diagnosed according to the Rotterdam Consensus (2003). The skin test included, in addition to the detection of the presence of AN, the presence of hirsutism (score ≥ 8) and acne. In addition to clinical and biochemical data, we investigated cardiovascular risk factors present in MS such as abdominal circumference, obesity, hypertension and HDL and triglyceride levels. Insulin resistance was determined by the HOMA-IR test. RESULTS: The prevalence of AN (53%) was significantly correlated with hirsutism (p = 0.02), body mass index (p < 0.01), basal insulinemia (p < 0.01), (HOMA-IR) (p < 0.01), and MS (p < 0.01). The prevalence of MS reached 36% and was significantly associated only with AN (p < 0.01). Although diabetes mellitus was absent, there was a significant association of altered HOMA-IR (p < 0.01) with MS (p < 5%) and AN (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: AN is part of the severe phenotypic profile of PCOS as an additional predictable sign of the risks of cardiovascular disease.

Sexual dysfunction in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical and hormonal correlations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the sexual function of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including the clinical and hormonal characteristics potentially related to sexual dysfunction, in an endocrinology and gynecology ambulatory. METHODOLOGY: Women in ambulatory accompaniment for PCOS (N = 88) were sequentially evaluated by means of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and the application of structured diagnostic interview Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (version 4.4) for the identification of mood disorders. The clinical and laboratorial parameters were examined using the patient's medical records. RESULTS: The incidence of sexual dysfunction was verified (13.3%), and it was observed that the average (SD) ASEX score of 14.4 (3.7) was comparable with that of the population with no medical problems. There is a negative correlation between the scores of ASEX and the levels of total testosterone (-0.360), luteinizing hormone (-0.397), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (-0.723). CONCLUSION: The main factors of preservation of the sexual function in our sample were identified as the low average age of the patients in treatment and the hyperandrogenism habitually found as a consequence of the physiopathology of PCOS.

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among women in ambulatory treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to correlate its clinical and demographic aspects with mental disorders. METHODOLOGY: Seventy-two patients in ambulatory treatment at the Endocrinal and Gynaecological Institute of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro were evaluated using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria by means of MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, version 4.4). Polycystic ovary syndrome was confirmed according to the ultrasonographic criteria of Adams and by clinical parameters. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (57%) presented at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Among them, the prevalence of mood disorder reached 78%. The most prevalent diagnostics were major depression (26.4%) and bipolar disorder (11.1%). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of mental disorders was observed, especially major depression and bipolar disorder. The data obtained regarding the relationship between PCOS and mood disorders in a Brazilian sample is in accordance with recent research findings in the same area.

Comparison of two doses of metformin (2.5 and 1.5 g/day) for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and their effect on body mass index and waist circumference.

Fifty-six women with body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 were randomly divided into two groups receiving different doses of metformin (2.5 g and 1.5 g/day) for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome to assess its effects on BMI and waist circumference. Although after 6 months of treatment both groups had a significant reduction in those indices, the intergroup variation proved the higher dose to be more efficient.