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Aims In overactive bladder (OAB) research, different biomarkers have been proposed as diagnostic tools and may be used to create individual patient profiles. Assessing the diagnostic performance of biomarkers would better outline their utility. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the diagnostic value of four urinary biomarkers: human brain derived neurotrophic factor (hBDNF), malondialdehyde (MDA), h nerve growth factor (hNGF) and h 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in women with OAB. These are neurotrophins/oxidative stress markers that have been linked to lower urinary tract symptoms. Methods A total of 105 women were included in the study and distributed in two groups: a group with OAB (n = 53) and a control group (n = 50). The levels of the biomarkers were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique and they were compared between the groups. If the Mann-Whitney test demonstrated a statistically significant difference, receiver operating curves (ROC) analysis was undertaken. Results When normalized to urinary creatinine, hBDNF, MDA, and hNGF showed significantly increased values in women with OAB as compared to controls, whereas 8-OHdG showed no significant difference. The diagnostic performance of these biomarkers was analyzed based on the area under the ROC curve (AUC). MDA had the highest AUC (0.75), followed by hNGF (0.69) and hBDNF (0.67). Conclusions Our findings suggest that MDA, a relatively novel biomarker in OAB research, has a fair performance as a diagnostic tool for OAB. Moreover, urinary neurotrophins (NGF and BDNF) as biomarkers may have a role in the diagnostic pathways of women with OAB symptoms.

The purpose of this study has been to identify and emphasise structural and ultrastructural modifications occurring in the vaginal epithelium in ovariectomised female rats, as well as their reactivity to the administration of injectable oestrogens. 30 female Wistar white rats have been used, with an average weight of 200 g, distributed as follows: group 1, control group, with no treatment or intervention whatsoever, group 2, menopausal, operated group, with no treatment, and groups 3, 4 and 5, operated, to which oestrogenic treatment was administered. 15 days after surgery, the hormone replacement therapy with injectable oestrogens was initiated (Estradiol, Estradurin, Sintofolin), with a dosage of 0.2 mg/rat/day, and after 14 days of treatment, all animals were sacrificed and biopsies were taken from vaginal epithelium, after which the samples were processed in accordance with optical microscopy techniques (the semi-thin section technique) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In group 2, the vaginal epithelium was congested and exhibited relatively numerous invaginations of the mucosa and irregularities of the surface of the epithelium, with a decrease in the number of cells forming every layer, including the ones in the basal layer, which could no longer ensure the regeneration of all cells lost at the level of the epithelium of the superficial layer. In groups 3, 4 and 5, compared to group 2, ovariectomised, the semi-thin sections obtained revealed hyperplasia of all cellular layers of the vaginal epithelium. Ultrastructural investigations confirm the results of the structural study based on semi-thin sections, as the injectable oestrogen treatment has protected and rebuilt the structure of the vaginal epithelium, the chorion and the muscular layers affected by ovariectomy. Our study has shown that experimentally induced menopause has caused significant modifications, expressed polymorphically with alterations to various degrees of ultrastructural visualisation at the level of the entire vaginal epithelium. In all groups treated with oestrogens, it has become apparent that the vaginal epithelium is hyperplased, with the vast majority of its cells having a normal or almost normal aspect, and an isolated presence of structures that have not been completely rebuilt.

Background: The association of obesity with endometrial cancer is supported by the presence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the adipocyte. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a marker for ER stress. This protein is a central regulator of ER stress due to its major anti-apoptotic role. It plays an important role in tumor development, progression and chemoresistance. Aim: To look for an association between android and gynoid obesity, plasma GRP78 levels and endometrial cancer. Material and methods: Forty four patients with endometrial cancer aged 72 ± 6 years and 44 healthy women aged 55 ± 9 years were studied. Android and gynoid fat distribution were determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry and plasma GRP78 levels were measured. Results: GRP78 plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with endometrial cancer as compared to the control group. Android fat distribution had a positive correlation with plasma GRP78 levels (p

Background: The association of obesity with endometrial cancer is supported by the presence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the adipocyte. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a marker for ER stress. This protein is a central regulator of ER stress due to its major anti-apoptotic role. It plays an important role in tumor development, progression and chemoresistance. Aim: To look for an association between android and gynoid obesity, plasma GRP78 levels and endometrial cancer. Material and methods: Forty four patients with endometrial cancer aged 72 ± 6 years and 44 healthy women aged 55 ± 9 years were studied. Android and gynoid fat distribution were determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry and plasma GRP78 levels were measured. Results: GRP78 plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with endometrial cancer as compared to the control group. Android fat distribution had a positive correlation with plasma GRP78 levels (p