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Personality is associated with variation in all kinds of mental faculties, including affective, social, executive, and memory functioning. The intrinsic dynamics of neural networks underlying these mental functions are reflected in their functional connectivity at rest (RSFC). We, therefore, aimed to probe whether connectivity in functional networks allows predicting individual scores of the five-factor personality model and potential gender differences thereof. We assessed nine meta-analytically derived functional networks, representing social, affective, executive, and mnemonic systems. RSFC of all networks was computed in a sample of 210 males and 210 well-matched females and in a replication sample of 155 males and 155 females. Personality scores were predicted using relevance vector machine in both samples. Cross-validation prediction accuracy was defined as the correlation between true and predicted scores. RSFC within networks representing social, affective, mnemonic, and executive systems significantly predicted self-reported levels of Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, and Openness. RSFC patterns of most networks, however, predicted personality traits only either in males or in females. Personality traits can be predicted by patterns of RSFC in specific functional brain networks, providing new insights into the neurobiology of personality. However, as most associations were gender-specific, RSFC–personality relations should not be considered independently of gender.

Background Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, with early diagnosis and risk factor identification crucial for improving outcomes. Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements have emerged as promising tools in breast cancer diagnostics. However, the influence of hormonal status on these measurements remains unclear. Objective This scoping review aims to synthesize current evidence on how hormonal changes in pre- and post-menopausal women influence ADC values of benign, malignant, and fibroglandular breast tissues. Method Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework, we conducted a comprehensive search of Scopus, Embase, and PubMed databases for relevant studies published between January 2000 and 2021. Inclusion criteria encompassed 1.5 Tesla MRI studies reporting ADC values in female subjects, considering menopausal status. Results Six studies meeting the inclusion criteria, involving 612 patients, were analyzed. Findings suggest that menopausal status may influence ADC values, with postmenopausal women generally showing lower ADC values in both normal fibroglandular tissue and breast lesions. The impact of menstrual cycle phases on ADC values was less consistent across studies. Conclusions This review highlights the potential influence of hormonal status on ADC values in breast tissues. While DWI with ADC mapping shows promise as a reliable diagnostic tool across different hormonal states, further research is needed to fully understand and account for hormonal influences on ADC measurements. Future studies should focus on longitudinal designs, standardization of DWI protocols, and integration of hormonal status information into breast cancer risk assessment models.

Introduction: Pain perception and management differ by sex, with women frequently experiencing more acute and chronic pain and greater disability than men. Yet, anesthesiology and pain control often overlook the physiological, hormonal, and psychological factors shaping women’s pain. Methods: This narrative review explores essential considerations from current literature to optimize pain management in women. We examine evidence about the impact of hormonal changes, reproductive transitions, and psychosocial factors on pain perception and responses to analgesics. By highlighting key insights and practical strategies, we aim to support the development of personalized pain management approaches tailored to women’s unique needs. Results: Hormonal changes, including variations in estrogen and progesterone levels, significantly influence pain thresholds and the effectiveness of analgesics and anesthetics. The menstrual cycle, menopausal transitions, and pregnancy each alter pain responses, necessitating personalized approaches to pain management. Postmenopausal women are particularly vulnerable to chronic pain conditions, such as those associated with osteoporosis, which require adjustments in long-term treatment strategies. Furthermore, psychosocial factors like anxiety and emotional distress can intensify pain, highlighting the need for holistic, integrative care. Conclusions: The existing gaps in women’s pain management across the lifespan highlight the need to revise both anesthesia and pain management protocols to better account for sex-specific biological and psychosocial factors. Addressing the unique biological and psychosocial factors that influence pain in women can enhance both the effectiveness and equity of care. By tailoring treatment strategies in women, clinicians can not only enhance pain management but also greatly improve their overall quality of life.

The study aimed to examine the impact of combined oral contraceptive pill (OC) use on patellar tendon (PT) adaptation to resistance training in young women. Fifteen users of OC (28 ± 3 years) (OC group) and 17 eumenorrheic non-users (32 ± 5 years) (NOC group) performed heavy resistance training of the knee extensors over a period equivalent to three menstrual or pill cycles. Maximal isometric strength of the knee extensor muscles, PT cross-sectional area (CSA), tensile stiffness, and shear wave velocity (SWV) were measured before and after the intervention using combined ultrasonography and dynamometry. The training period increased maximal isometric strength in both groups (≈11%,  < 0.001) with no significant interaction with OC use (  = 0.965). Likewise, a small yet significant increase in proximal tendon CSA was observed (1.5 ± 1.6% for both groups, main training effect  < 0.001) without any significant interaction with OC use (  = 0.267). Tendon tensile stiffness also increased significantly (18.9 ± 26.3% in the OC group and 28.2 ± 35.1% in the NOC group, main effect:  < 0.001) but was not significantly affected by OC use (interaction effect:  = 0.428). Tendon SWV measurements yielded similar results, indicating a main effect of training (+12% on average,  = 0.024) but no significant interaction with OC use. These findings suggest that OC use does not affect the increase in PT CSA and mechanical properties following short-term resistance training in young untrained females.

Background While the urogenital microbiota has recently been characterized in healthy male and female dogs, the influence of sex hormones on the urogenital microbiome of bitches is still unknown. A deeper understanding of the cyclic changes in urinary and vaginal microbiota would allow us to compare the bacterial populations in healthy dogs and assess the impact of the microbiome on various urogenital diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize and compare the urogenital microbiota during different phases of the estrous cycle in healthy female dogs. DNA extraction, 16 S rDNA library preparation, sequencing and informatic analysis were performed to determine the vaginal and urinary microbiota in 10 healthy beagle dogs at each phase of the estrous cycle. Results There were no significant differences in alpha and beta diversity of the urinary microbiota across the different cycle phases. Similarly, alpha diversity, richness and evenness of vaginal bacterial populations were not significantly different across the cycle phases. However, there were significant differences in vaginal beta diversity between the different cycle phases, except for between anestrus and diestrus. Conclusion This study strongly suggests that estrogen influences the abundance of the vaginal microbiota in healthy female dogs, but does not appear to affect the urinary microbiome. Furthermore, our data facilitate a deeper understanding of the native urinary and vaginal microbiota in healthy female dogs.

Background Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, with early diagnosis and risk factor identification crucial for improving outcomes. Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements have emerged as promising tools in breast cancer diagnostics. However, the influence of hormonal status on these measurements remains unclear. Objective This scoping review aims to synthesize current evidence on how hormonal changes in pre- and post-menopausal women influence ADC values of benign, malignant, and fibroglandular breast tissues. Method Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework, we conducted a comprehensive search of Scopus, Embase, and PubMed databases for relevant studies published between January 2000 and 2021. Inclusion criteria encompassed 1.5 Tesla MRI studies reporting ADC values in female subjects, considering menopausal status. Results Six studies meeting the inclusion criteria, involving 612 patients, were analyzed. Findings suggest that menopausal status may influence ADC values, with postmenopausal women generally showing lower ADC values in both normal fibroglandular tissue and breast lesions. The impact of menstrual cycle phases on ADC values was less consistent across studies. Conclusions This review highlights the potential influence of hormonal status on ADC values in breast tissues. While DWI with ADC mapping shows promise as a reliable diagnostic tool across different hormonal states, further research is needed to fully understand and account for hormonal influences on ADC measurements. Future studies should focus on longitudinal designs, standardization of DWI protocols, and integration of hormonal status information into breast cancer risk assessment models.

Objective We hypothesized that variations in oestradiol and progesterone concentrations are significantly correlated with intraocular pressure (IOP) in female dogs and that this association is influenced by systemic physiological parameters such as age, body weight and blood pressure (BP). Animal studied This study was performed on 37 female dogs, aged between 1 and 7 years (median: 2.5 years, range: 1–7 years), with a mean weight of 23.15 ± 9.72 kg. Procedures The relationships between right intraocular pressure (RIOP) and left (LIOP) with systolic and diastolic BP, serum oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels were assessed. Additional factors, such as age, pulse and body temperature, were also analysed for their correlations with IOP and hormonal levels. Results Weak and insignificant positive correlations were noted between E2 and RIOP (r = 0.112, p = 0.255) and P4 and RIOP (r = 0.098, p = 0.283). No significant relationships were identified between E2, P4 and LIOP (E2: r = 0.242, p = 0.112; P4: r = 0.020, p = 0.460). A moderate positive association was identified between systolic BP and LIOP (r = 0.437, p = 0.003), whereas a slight positive correlation was noted between systolic BP and RIOP (r = 0.282, p = 0.045). Substantial negative associations were identified between P4 and systolic BP (r = −0.445, p = 0.010) as well as diastolic BP (r = −0.489, p = 0.005). A strong correlation was found between body weight and RIOP (r = 0.591, p < 0.001) as well as LIOP (r = 0.408, p = 0.006). Conclusion This preliminary study highlights that reproductive hormones like E2 and P4, along with factors such as age and body weight, significantly impact physiological parameters, including heart and ocular health in female dogs. Thus, variations in reproductive hormones and factors like age and body weight should be considered when evaluating ocular health in female dogs. • Serum oestradiol and progesterone levels were evaluated in relation to intraocular pressure in female dogs. • Systemic physiological parameters, particularly body weight and systolic blood pressure, showed positive associations with intraocular pressure. • Progesterone levels were negatively correlated with blood pressure. • These findings indicate that intraocular pressure in female dogs is more strongly influenced by systemic physiological factors than by reproductive hormone variations.

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) is a benign breast lesion frequently discovered incidentally during imaging or biopsy for other conditions. We present two cases of PASH associated with fibroadenomas in premenopausal women, both presenting as palpable, symptomatic breast masses. In the first case, a 26-year-old woman exhibited a 5.2 cm hypoechoic lesion, initially diagnosed as PASH on core biopsy, later confirmed as fibroadenoma with PASH components post-excision. The second case involved a 37-year-old woman with a painful 5.6 cm mass, diagnosed similarly via biopsy, and later confirmed as fibroadenoma fully colonized by PASH after surgical removal. Both cases highlight the diagnostic challenge in distinguishing PASH from fibroadenomas, given overlapping clinical and imaging features. Hormonal factors, particularly contraceptive use, may contribute to PASH development. Management remains controversial, with surgery indicated for symptomatic lesions, while conservative approaches may suffice for smaller, asymptomatic cases. Based on our findings and current literature, we propose a management algorithm to guide clinicians in differentiating cases warranting surgical intervention from those suitable for monitoring. Further studies are needed to validate this approach.

Background: Salivary pH plays a critical role in oral health by influencing enamel demineralization, buffering capacity, and the ecology of oral microbiota. Essential oils such as Origanum vulgare (oregano) possess well-documented antimicrobial properties that may reduce acidogenic bacterial activity. However, the effects of edible delivery systems like jellies on salivary pH modulation and their potential interactions with hormonal states remain poorly understood. Methods: This study evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of an oregano-oil-based jelly formulation against standard bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Escherichia coli) and fungal (Candida albicans) strains using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Additionally, a human trial (n = 91) measured salivary pH before and after administration of the oregano-oil jelly. Participants were characterized by age, smoking status, menopausal status, and presence of menstruation. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of final salivary pH. Results: The oregano-oil jelly demonstrated strong in vitro antimicrobial activity, with inhibition zones up to 8 mm for E. coli and C. albicans. In vivo, mean unstimulated salivary pH increased from 6.94 to 7.07 overall, indicating a mild alkalinizing effect. However, menstruating participants showed a significant decrease in final pH (from 7.03 to 6.78). Multiple regression identified menstruation as a significant negative predictor (β = −0.377, p < 0.001) and initial pH as a positive predictor (β = +0.275, p = 0.002). Menopausal status was not a significant predictor, likely due to the small sample size. Conclusions: Oregano-oil jellies may represent a promising natural approach to support oral health by increasing salivary pH and providing strong antimicrobial activity. However, physiological states such as menstruation can significantly modulate this response, underscoring the importance of personalized or phase-aware oral care strategies. Further studies with larger, diverse cohorts and controlled hormonal assessments are needed to validate these findings and optimize product formulations.

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) affects a significant minority of people in the intensive care unit after severe traumatic brain injury. Systematic research has yet to elucidate or quantify the extent of the role of the catecholamines or adrenocortical and thyroid axis hormonal influences in the condition. Data were prospectively collected on 80 consecutive patients, 18 of whom developed clinical signs of PSH (22.5%). Catecholamine and hormonal data were collected sequentially at 4-h intervals or during and between episodes of PSH. Evaluated variables showed 200–300% increases in catecholamines and, to a lesser extent, adrenocortical hormones during paroxysms. The majority of PSH episodes (72%) were noted to be in response to an observable triggering event. These changes were not observed in subjects without PSH. These data go some way to explain why PSH produces adverse consequences in survivors of TBI with the condition.