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Background and Objectives: The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a crucial biomarker in regulating ovarian follicle development and female fertility. AMH levels predict ovarian responses in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, helping clinicians tailor treatment strategies. This study aims to determine whether thyroid autoimmunity, age, body mass index (BMI), sexual hormone levels, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels influence serum AMH in non-polycystic-ovary-syndrome (PCOS) euthyroid women. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study examined 52 female patients at Zygota Fertility Clinic between 2018 and 2022. Women aged 20–45 years with regular menstrual cycles were included, while conditions such as abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, PCOS, and systemic autoimmune diseases were excluded. A number of parameters were measured in the study, including the subjects' age, BMI, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum free thyroxine (fT4), TSH, various antibodies, and a range of reproductive hormones. An analysis of the relationships between AMH and other variables was conducted using Spearman's correlation coefficient, and an assessment of the impact of confounding factors on AMH levels was conducted using a multivariable linear regression model. Results: The results revealed significant negative correlations between AMH levels and age (rho: −0.484, p < 0.001) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (rho: −0.550, p < 0.001), while positive correlations existed between AMH and estradiol (rho: 0.352, p = 0.011) and total testosterone (rho: 0.542, p < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between AMH levels and BMI, LH, or 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Conclusions: In this study, ovarian reserve was influenced by age, estradiol, and total testosterone in non-PCOS euthyroid women undergoing IVF. Conversely, BMI and vitamin D status did not significantly impact AMH levels. In order to better understand and possibly manage ovarian reserve, a holistic approach is absolutely essential, taking into account age, weight, hormonal balance, nutrition, and thyroid health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia have a devastating effect on the community and healthcare system, as neurodegenerative diseases are causing disability and dependency in older population. Pharmacological treatment options are limited to symptomatic alleviation of cholinergic deficit and accelerated clearance of β-amyloid aggregates, but accessible disease-modifying interventions are needed especially in the early phase of AD. Melatonin was previously demonstrated to improve cognitive function in clinical setting and experimental studies also. Methods: In this study, the influence of melatonin supplementation was studied on behavioral parameters and morphological aspects of the hippocampus and amygdala of rats. Streptozotocin (STZ) was injected intracerebroventricularly to induce AD-like symptoms in male adult Wistar rats (n = 18) which were compared to age-matched, sham-operated animals (n = 16). Melatonin was administered once daily in a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight by oral route. Behavioral analysis included open-field, novel object recognition, and radial-arm maze tests. TNF-α and MMP-9 levels were determined from blood samples to assess the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of melatonin. Immunohistological staining of brain sections was performed using anti-NeuN, anti-IBA-1, and anti-GFAP primary antibodies to evaluate the cellular reorganization of hippocampus. Results and Discussion: The results show that after 40 days of treatment, melatonin improved the cognitive performance of STZ-induced rats and reduced the activation of microglia in both CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. STZ-injected animals had higher levels of GFAP-labeled astrocytes in the CA1 region, but melatonin treatment reduced this to that of the control group. In conclusion, melatonin may be a potential therapeutic option for treating AD-like cognitive decline and neuroinflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumors in women. It is also the second most common malignant tumor in terms of tumor-associated death rate. The average risk of mortality is 2.6% (1/39 chance), which gradually decreases in developed countries. Thyroid cancer, compared to other adulthood tumors, is discovered at younger ages. It is three times more common in women, and its incidence has shown a rapid increase in recent years, which has not been followed by a parallel rise in mortality. Some studies point to a closer association between the two diseases. Objective: Our retrospective study examines the cooccurrence of thyroid and breast cancers among patients who underwent fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and reviews the related literature. Material and methods: Our study is based on 3765 thyroid FNACs performed between 2012-2023, corresponding to 3615 patients. Results : In the examined material, we identified 51 patients with documented breast lesions, 3 of which were benign and 48 malignant lesions. In 8 of these patients, the FNAC test indicated thyroid cancer (Bethesda category either 5 or 6). Surgical follow-up was available in 5 cases. Literature review: According to literature data, thyroid cancer (as a second primary tumor) appears in significantly higher numbers in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. In contrast, in patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer, the risk of developing breast cancer (as a second primary tumor) only increased moderately. Conclusions: Moreover, thyroid follicular cancer is more common in patients with breast cancer, and thyroid nodules are more common in general; in addition to benign breast diseases, the incidence of thyroid cancer is similarly increased. Light has also been shed on some clinical features: breast cancer following thyroid cancer is more often hormonereceptor- positive, presenting at a younger age. Thyroid cancers following breast cancer are smaller, more aggressive, and more common if the breast cancer is HER2 positive. In men, the association is more pronounced (bidirectional), and in both types of malignant tumors, the risk of appearance of the other is greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), a condition that manifests in various clinical forms, is a significant health concern. Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT) is characterized by normal calcemia despite elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to the clinical spectrum and complexity of NPHPT. Low vitamin D levels can elevate PTH, making it difficult to distinguish between NPHPT and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Additionally, it might mask hypercalcemia, leading to an underestimation of the disease severity. Our study aims to shed light on these complexities by investigating normocalcemic and hypercalcemic PHPT patient's clinical, hormonal, and biochemical patterns, including their vitamin D status.    Materials: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 60 PHPT patients with autonomous parathyroid function confirmed using a combination of ultrasonography, radionuclide scan, and parathyroid function index calculation. We evaluated the albumin-corrected calcemia, calciuria, PTH, 25(OH)D level, serum phosphate, bone mineral density, and major clinical symptoms (fracture, nephrolithiasis). A comparative analysis and a correlation study were performed between normo- and hypercalcemic and vitamin D-deficient and vitamin D-non-deficient groups., Results:  The median age was 62 years, 51.66% (31/60) being normocalcemic and 46.66% (29/60) presenting a deficient 25(OH)D level. In the group with 25(OH)D below 20 ng/mL, we observed a reduced level of albumin-corrected calcemia, without a significant increase of PTH compared to the adequate 25(OH)D level group. The frequency of the NPHPT and the risk of fracture were significantly higher in the deficient 25(OH)D group (20/60, 33.33% and 8/60, 13.33%) than in the adequate one (11/60, 18.33% and 1/60, 1.66%) with OR=4.7 (p<0.004) and OR=9.7 (p<0.027), respectively. We also found a positive correlation between PTH and adenoma size, the parathyroid function index and adenoma size, as well as PTH and phosphate levels. However, the correlation between 25(OH)D and phosphate levels was negative and moderate (rho=-0.504, p<0.001), adding a new layer of complexity to our understanding of these relationships., Conclusion: Our study provided significant insight into the link between vitamin D status and normocalcemic PHPT. We found that vitamin D-deficient patients with normocalcemic PHPT have an increased fracture risk, which requires meticulous monitoring and possible supplementation with vitamin D. This should be done carefully to avoid exacerbating hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria. Further research is needed to refine these management strategies and deepen our understanding of the complex relationships between the analyzed parameters., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Committee of the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mures issued approval 747/18.02.2020. This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and was performed according to ethics committee approval. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Kolcsar et al.)