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Objectives We aimed to evaluate the association between circulating androgens and the presence of psychological symptoms in a sample of healthy middle-aged women. Methods Psychological and depressive symptoms were evaluated in a total of 207 postmenopausal women, using the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90R) and the Zung Depression Scale, respectively. We investigated the associations between the SCL-90R and Zung Scale scores, and anthropometric, lifestyle parameters, as well as serum levels of androgens. Results The free androgen index was positively associated with scores of depression (b-coefficient ± standard error (SE) = 0.2 ± 0.2, p = 0.040), anxiety (b-coefficient ± SE = 0.2 ± 0.2, p = 0.028), anger/aggressiveness (b-coefficient ± SE = 0.3 ± 0.2, p = 0.026), psychotism (b-coefficient ± SE = 0.3 ± 0.1, p = 0.013) as well as with the global index of the SCL-90R scale (b-coefficient ± SE = 0.2 ± 0.1, p = 0.036), while sex hormone binding globulin was negatively associated with depression (b-coefficient ± SE = -0.2 ± 0.0, p = 0.046) and psychotism (b-coefficient ± SE = -0.2 ± 0.0, p = 0.047). These associations were independent of vasomotor symptomatology, smoking and hormone therapy intake and were more pronounced in younger (≤ 5.5 years) compared to older postmenopausal women. Levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were positively associated with interpersonal sensitivity (b-coefficient ± SE = 0.3 ± 0.3, p = 0.042), psychotism (b-coefficient ± SE = 0.4 ± 0.2, p = 0.007) and the global index (b-coefficient ± SE = 0.3 ± 0.2, p = 0.040) in women < 5.5 years postmenopausal. No significant associations were observed between the Zung or Greene Scale scores and levels of androgens. Conclusion Higher androgenicity was positively associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression in postmenopausal women. These associations were stronger in women closer to the menopausal transition, a finding which may suggest that menopause rather than aging may mediate the association of androgens with mood disorders. © 2015 International Menopause Society.

Background context The prevalence of skeletal fractures shows a marked geographic variability; however, data regarding the Greek population remain limited. Purpose To evaluate the frequency of asymptomatic vertebral fractures (VFs), and potential risk factors, in a large sample of Greek postmenopausal women. Study design A cross-sectional study at the University Menopause Clinic. Patient sample Four hundred fifty-four postmenopausal women aged 35 to 80 years, with an average menopausal age of 9.2±7.1 years. Outcome measures They included medical history, anthropometric and biochemical parameters, bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN), and LS lateral radiographs. Methods Lumbar spine lateral radiographs were evaluated according to quantitative procedures, aiming to identify VFs. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters and values of BMD were compared according to the presence of VFs. Results A total of 37 (8.15%) women had at least one VF. Lumbar spine and FN-osteoporosis was identified in up to 23.1% and 40.9% subjects with prevalent VFs, respectively. The prevalence of VFs was largely associated with age, with women aged 60 years or more presenting an up to fourfold risk compared with younger women. Moreover, the presence of VFs was associated with higher menopausal age, advanced age at menarche, a history of early menopause, and prolonged lactation. Lower LS-BMD and, especially, FN-BMD were negatively associated with VF prevalence (prevalent VF vs. no VF: LS-BMD, 0.89±0.16 g/cm2 vs. 0.98±0.16 g/cm2, p=.010; FN-BMD, 0.72±0.10 g/cm2 vs. 0.81±0.12 g/cm2, p=.008). Conclusions Asymptomatic VFs are common among Greek healthy middle-aged postmenopausal women. More than 50% subjects with prevalent VFs present with normal BMD or osteopenia. Age and bone density classification at the FN presented the strongest association with the prevalence of VFs. © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of climacteric symptoms and their association with demographic, life-style and hormonal parameters in Greek peri-and recently postmenopausal women. Methods: 1025 Greek women who were either perimenopausal or within their first 5 postmenopausal years participated in this cross-sectional observational study. Menopausal symptoms were assessed by the Greene Climacteric Scale and were tested for associations with demographic, anthropometric, life-style and hormonal parameters. Results: 29.8% Of the women reported moderate to severe menopausal symptoms. More specifically, 39.2% reported vasomotor, 21.3% psychological, 6.3% psychosomatic and 34.5% sexual symptoms. Years since menopause (r = 0.13, p < 0.01), waist circumference (r = 0.11, p < 0.05) as well as serum FSH, LH and estradiol (r = 0.15, r = 0.118, r =-0.157; p < 0.01) correlated with the intensity of menopausal symptoms. In the multivariate analysis years since menopause and serum estradiol were the only significant predictors of menopausal symptoms (b =-0.158 and b =-0.198, p < 0.001, respectively), explaining though only 4.8% of the variance. Conclusion: One out of three Greek women has moderate to severe climacteric symptoms during the menopause transition or the first postmenopausal years. This frequency is comparable to other White populations. Menopausal age and endogenous estrogens are significant predictors of climacteric symptoms. © 2013 Informa UK, Ltd.

Although increasing evidence supports an association between endogenous sex hormones and cardiovascular disease, the results still remain controversial. This study aims to examine the association between endogenous sex hormones and indices of vascular function and structure. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and Δ4-androstenedione were measured in 120 healthy postmenopausal women aged 41 to 60 years. Possible associations with surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness, and endothelial function were investigated. Indices of arterial structure included carotid and femoral intima-media thickness and atheromatous plaques presence. Indices of arterial function included flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), and augmentation index. Total testosterone and free androgen index (FAI) were the most important predictors of common carotid artery intima-media thickness (β = 0.376 and β = 0.236, P

Contradictory results have been reported regarding a relationship between serum lipid levels and bone mineral density. The purpose of this study was to further investigate a possible relationship between those parameters in Greek postmenopausal women. A total of 591 patients followed at a tertiary hospital were examined for seven different lipid factors in relation to dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry measurements at the lumbar spine. Lipoprotein-a was the only lipid measurement that univariately showed an almost significant trend of association with bone mass category (analysis of variance [ANOVA] p value 0.062 for Ln(Lipoprotein-a)). In multiple regression, it was noted that a non-significant negative trend of association of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and Apolipoprotein AI with lumbar T-score (p value 0.058 and 0.075, respectively). In age subgroup analysis, Lipoprotein-a and Ln(Lipoprotein-a) presented a negative correlation with lumbar T-score for women with age ≥ 53 years (p value 0.043 and 0.070, respectively), while a negative correlation of HDL and Apolipoprotein AI levels with lumbar T-score remained in women with age < 53 years (p value 0.039 and 0.052, respectively). The findings do not support a strong relationship between lipid levels and bone mass measurements. © 2012 Informa UK, Ltd.

We prove sharp Lp → Lq estimates for averaging operators along general polynomial curves in two and three dimensions. These operators are translation-invariant, given by convolution with the so-called affine arclength measure of the curve and we obtain universal bounds over the class of curves given by polynomials\ud of bounded degree. Our method relies on a geometric inequality for general vector polynomials together with a combinatorial argument due to M. Christ. Almost sharp Lorentz space estimates are obtained as well.

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of structural uterine anomalies (SUAs) in women with habitual abortion (HA) as diagnosed by means of hysteroscopy and to study hysteroscopy's therapeutic potential with regard to that pathology. Methods: Forty-eight women with more than three consecutive pregnancy losses which occurred prior to the 20th week were included and hysteroscopy was performed on all of them. Results: Twenty-five women (52%) had a normal hysteroscopy. The remaining 23 women (48%) presented SUAs: nine patients (19%) had intrauterine adhesions, four (8%) had submucous myomas, two (4%) had polyps and eight (17%) had congenital structural uterine anomalies (five cases of septate uterus and three of bicornuate uterus). Patients with abnormal hysteroscopy underwent appropriate therapy, when applicable. In the SUA group, 18 patients (78%) achieved a successful pregnancy, and five patients (22%) had another miscarriage. In the normal hysteroscopy group, eight patients (32%) achieved a successful pregnancy without additional treatment, 15 patients (60%) had recurrent miscarriages, and two patients (8%) had persistent secondary infertility. Conclusions: SUAs were detected in nearly half of the patients with HA. After appropriate treatment when applicable, 78% of patients with SUAs achieved a successful ongoing pregnancy. Hysteroscopy has much to offer in the diagnosis and treatment of SUAs. © 2008 European Society of Contraception.

We prove a Fourier restriction theorem on curves parametrised\ud by the mapping P(t) = (P1(t),..., Pn(t)), where each of the P1,..., Pn is a real-valued polynomial and t belongs to an interval on which each of the P1,..., Pn "resembles" a monomial.

HLA-G antigens are highly expressed in maternal peripheral blood during early pregnancy in transgenic mice. In this study, we determined the levels of HLA-G in white blood cells during early pregnancy and after interruption of pregnancy in triple transgenic mice (H-2K(b)/HLA-G, h beta 2m, and hCD2/hCD8-TRI). The pregnancies were interrupted on day 7 using the anti-progesterone agent millepristone (RU486). Blood samples of 20 pregnant TRI mice were taken and the HLA-G levels were determined on days 2, 4 and 6 of pregnancy and on days 9, 11 and 13 after fertilization. The monoclonal antibody W6.32, specific for monomorphic determinant HLA class I molecules, was used in combination with an immunolocalization method Using it photonic microscope, The HLA-G levels increased gradually on days 2, 4. and 6 of pregnancy, and the interruption of pregnancy on day 7 was followed by it decrease of FILA-G levels. The data indicate that pregnancy is characterized by the early), presence of HLA-G in maternal peripheral blood in TRI transgenic mice and suggest that HLA-G may serve as it useful indicator for pregnancy maintenance and well-being. (c) 2005 International Federation for Cell Biology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the type of pregnancy loss (PL) in women with recurrent miscarriages. Materials and methods: The study population included 411 women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) attending the Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic of the 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens (tertiary referral center). Subjects were divided in groups according to their underlying pathology and in some of them appropriate treatment was applied. Results: The study of the 323 pregnancies achieved after referral, revealed that the PL after ultrasonographic detection of fetal heart (FH) is overall increased, is more common in women with anatomical uterine anomalies and unexplained RPL, and treatment reduces its rate in women with anatomical uterine anomalies and an inadequate luteal phase. The PL before the detection of FH is reduced after treatment in women with thrombotic tendency and an inadequate luteal phase. © Springer-Verlag 2004.

This randomized double-blind study was conducted to investigate the effects of 17beta-estradiol plus norethisterone acetate, and raloxifene, on nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin (PGI(2)) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) serum levels in postmenopausal women. Treatment was initiated after a 28-50 day placebo period. Fourteen women were treated daily with 17beta-estradiol 2 mg plus norethisterone acetate 1 mg (E-2 + NETA), and 14 with raloxifene HCl 60 mg for a period of 6 months. Serum NO, PGI(2) and ET-1 levels were estimated at baseline, after placebo, and at months 3 and 6. E-2 + NETA decreased NO levels significantly, while raloxifene did not cause any appreciable change. Both regimens decreased PGI(2) levels and ET-1 levels significantly. Finally, E-2 + NETA and raloxifene increased the NO/ET-1 ratio by 61.4% and 81.1 %, respectively. In conclusion, both regimens may exert a cardio-protective effect by decreasing ET-1 levels and increasing the NO/ET-1 ratio. In contrast, both regimens had a negative influence on PGI(2) levels.

Problem: It is generally accepted that the immune system and cellular immunity in particular are involved in the mechanisms affecting the outcome of gestation. In order to evaluate a putative role of lymphocytes in the immunological mechanisms of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (URSA), we studied peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in 244 women with URSA and 44 controls. Method of study: Direct immunofluorescence in whole blood with the appropriate combinations of monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry was used. Results: The study showed: a) a statistically significant increase of the mean CD4/CD8 ratio (2.12 ± 0.84 vs 1.85 ± 0.63, P = 0,039); b) a statistically significant decrease of the mean value of the percentage of CD5 + CD19 + lymphocytes (0.4 ± 0.6 vs 1.4 ± 0.78, P < 0.0001); and c) a statistically significant increase of the percentage of T lymphocytes expresing TCRγδ (4.68 ± 3.19 vs 2.61 ± 1.14, P < 0.0001). It should be noted that a statistically significant high number of women with URSA (72/195, 36.9%) showed an increased percentage of TCRγδ T cells (> 5%, where 5 equals the mean value + 2 standard deviations (SD) of the mean value of controls), whereas such a high percentage was not found in any control subject. Conclusions: It seems that women who experienced URSA comprise a heterogeneous population, as far as immunological parameters are concerned. At least in a subgroup of them, TCRγδ+ T cells could be considered to play a role in the immune pathogenesis of fetal loss.

Recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM) is a multifactorial problem. Auto- and alloimmune parameters have been implicated. Antithyroid antibodies (ATA) were tested in a group of women with RSM. The presence of antipaternal antibodies (APCA) was evaluated as an index of alloimmune contribution. Thirty euthyroid women with RSM (three or more consecutive miscarriages) aged 25-37 years were compared with 15 matched controls. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin antibodies were tested with a chemiluminescence immunoassay and APCA were tested with a cross-match reaction. Results were compared using the chi-squared test. There was a higher frequency of ATA in women with RSM compared to controls (37% versus 13%, p < 0.05). Twenty of the women (67%) with RSM were tested negative for APCA, indicating an alloimmune contribution to their infertility. In this subgroup of women, the frequency of ATA continued to be higher than controls (40% versus 13%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, women with RSM, independent of APCA status, have a higher frequency of ATA. This may represent an additional marker for impaired regulation of the maternal immune system.

Objective: To evaluate the relation of oocyte morphology with embryo quality and pregnancy rates (PRs) after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Design: Retrospective study of patients undergoing ICSI. Setting: University Hospital IVF Center. Patient(s): Sixty-eight patients who underwent ICSI and had transfer of good-quality embryos (grade 3), 60 patients with transfer of both good- and poor-quality embryos (grade 3 and grade 2), and 18 patients with transfer of poor-quality embryos (grade 2). Intervention(s): Comparison of the outcome of ICSI in the three groups of patients and the relation of oocyte morphology to embryo quality. Main Outcome Measure(s): Oocyte morphology and embryo quality (grade). Fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy rates. Serum E-2 on the day of hCG administration. Result(s): Oocytes with poor morphology (dark cytoplasm; many vacuoles or fragments in cytoplasm) led to poor-quality embryos and consequently to lower PRs (5.5% versus 29.4%). Serum E-2 on the day of hCG administration was significantly higher in the group with good-quality embryos compared with that with poor-quality embryos (2,047 +/- 135.7 versus 1,651 +/- 164.8 pg/mL, respectively). Conclusion(s): Serum E-2 on the day of hCG administration is a marker of embryo quality. Oocyte morphology correlates well with embryo quality and PRs after ICSI. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.