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Topic Review
Vitamin Effects in Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea is considered to be one of the most common gynecological complaints, affecting women’s daily activities and social life. The severity of dysmenorrhea varies among women, and its management is of high importance for them. Most of them supported the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic properties of vitamins. 
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Immunogenic Proteins of Group B Streptococcus
Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is an opportunistic pathogen, which asymptomatically colonizes the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract of up to one third of healthy adults. Nevertheless, GBS carriage in pregnant women may lead to several health issues in newborns causing life threatening infection, such as sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis. Recommended GBS screening in pregnant women significantly reduced morbidity and mortality in infants. Nevertheless, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, recommended following the detection of carriage or in case of lack of a carriage test result for pregnant women who demonstrate certain risk factors, led to the expansion of the adverse phenomenon of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Pathophysiological Implications of Interstitial Cajal-like Cells in Uterus
The main function of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) is to regulate gastrointestinal peristalsis by acting as a “pacemaker” cell by generating spontaneous slow electrical waves. In 2005, electron microscopy revealed a cell type similar to ICCs (ICC-like) outside the gastrointestinal tract, with contractile activity and c-Kit+ immunohistochemistry shared with ICCs. Among the locations where ICC-like cells have been observed, it is in the uterus where they have a significant functional and pathophysiological role. These cells are involved in obstetric phenomena of contractile action, such as ascending sperm transport, embryo implantation, pregnancy, delivery, and the expulsion of menstrual debris. 
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Oncofertility in Patients with Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy occurring in young women.  Improving the prognosis of breast cancer patients is of utmost importance in terms of increasing survival rates. Modern medicine has therefore prioritized better quality of life for patients, even after the disease, through a better management of the potential long-term side effects induced by anticancer treatments. Fertility preservation and family planning are therefore crucial issues to be addressed in all cancer patients of reproductive age. Along those lines, a new branch of medicine with distinct multidisciplinary characteristics has developed over the years: oncofertility.
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Ovarian Drilling in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. Many pharmacological strategies have been applied for the induction of ovulation with a non-negligible rate of severe complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancies. Ovarian drilling (OD) is adopted as a second-line treatment, to be performed in case of medical therapy. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD), the contemporary version of ovarian wedge resection, is considered effective for gonadotropins in terms of live birth rates, but without the risks of iatrogenic complications in gonadotropin therapy. Its endocrinal effects are longer lasting and, after the accomplishment of this procedure, ovarian responsiveness to successive ovulation induction agents is enhanced. Traditional LOD, however, is burdened by the potential risks of iatrogenic adhesions and decreased ovarian reserve and, therefore, should only be considered in selected cases. To overcome these limits, novel tailored and mini-invasive approaches, which are still waiting for wide acceptance, have been introduced.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Diagnosis and Management of Dysgerminomas
Dysgerminoma represents a rare malignant tumor composed of germ cells, originally from the embryonic gonads. Dysgerminoma occurs at a fertile age. The preferred treatment is the surgical removal of the tumor succeeded by the preservation of fertility.
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Dec 2022
Topic Review
High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal tumor of the female genital tract. Despite extensive studies and the identification of some precursor lesions like serous tubal intraepithelial cancer (STIC) or the deviated mutational status of the patients (BRCA germinal mutation), the pathophysiology of HGSOC and the existence of particular risk factors is still a puzzle. Moreover, a lack of screening programs results in delayed diagnosis, which is accompanied by a secondary chemo-resistance of the tumor and usually results in a high recurrence rate after the primary therapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify the substantial risk factors for both predisposed and low-risk populations of women, as well as to create an economically and clinically justified screening program. 
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Pain Management Methods in NICU Infants
Neonates do experience pain and its management is necessary in order to prevent long-term, as well as, short-term effects. The most common source of pain in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is caused by medically invasive procedures. Non-pharmacological interventions, particularly breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking as primary strategies for pain management in neonates are useful strategies to consider. 
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Group B Streptococcus-Related Clinical Diseases
Group B Streptococcus (GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae) is a Gram-positive bacterium that is commonly found in the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. Since the emergence of GBS as a predominant pathogen causing sepsis or meningitis in newborns in the US and worldwide, it has been investigated widely, especially in relation to invasive GBS disease in neonates.
  • 1.1K
  • 12 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia is one the most common causes of pain during sexual intercourse in premenopausal women. The burden of vulvodynia in a woman’s life can be devastating due to its consequences in the couple’s sexuality and intimacy, in activities of daily living, and psychological well-being.
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Hypoparathyroidism in Pregnancy and Lactation
 Hypoparathyroidism is an uncommon endocrine disorder. During pregnancy, multiple changes occur in the calcium-regulating hormones, which may affect the requirements of calcium and active vitamin D during pregnancy in patients with hypoparathyroidism. Close monitoring of serum calcium during pregnancy and lactation is ideal in order to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes. During pregnancy, rises in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-(OH)2-D3) and PTH-related peptide result in suppression of PTH and enhanced calcium absorption from the bowel. In individuals with hypoparathyroidism, the requirements for calcium and active vitamin D may decrease. Close monitoring of serum calcium is advised in women with hypoparathyroidism with adjustment of the doses of calcium and active vitamin D to ensure that serum calcium is maintained in the low-normal to mid-normal reference range. Hyper- and hypocalcemia should be avoided in order to reduce the maternal and fetal complications of hypoparathyroidism during pregnancy and lactation. Standard of care therapy consisting of elemental calcium, active vitamin D, and vitamin D is safe during pregnancy.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 May 2021
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Chronic Systemic Inflammation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is increasingly being characterized as an evolutionary mismatch disorder that presents with a complex mixture of metabolic and endocrine symptoms. The Evolutionary Model proposes that PCOS arises from a collection of inherited polymorphisms that have been consistently demonstrated in a variety of ethnic groups and races. In utero developmental programming of susceptible genomic variants are thought to predispose the offspring to develop PCOS. Postnatal exposure to lifestyle and environmental risk factors results in epigenetic activation of developmentally programmed genes and disturbance of the hallmarks of health. The resulting pathophysiological changes represent the consequences of poor-quality diet, sedentary behaviour, endocrine disrupting chemicals, stress, circadian disruption, and other lifestyle factors. Emerging evidence suggests that lifestyle-induced gastrointestinal dysbiosis plays a central role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Lifestyle and environmental exposures initiate changes that result in disturbance of the gastrointestinal microbiome (dysbiosis), immune dysregulation (chronic inflammation), altered metabolism (insulin resistance), endocrine and reproductive imbalance (hyperandrogenism), and central nervous system dysfunction (neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous system). PCOS can be a progressive metabolic condition that leads to obesity, gestational diabetes, type two diabetes, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
  • 1.1K
  • 05 May 2023
Topic Review
Primary Hemostasis Disorders in Women of Reproductive Age
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common clinical condition affecting adolescent and adult women and compromising their quality of life. Primary hemostasis disorders, affecting platelet plug formation, can be the underlying cause of HMB. They comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases with Von Willebrand disease (VWD) being the most commonly diagnosed; other disorders in this group that have been linked to HMB include (a) Glanzmann thrombasthenia, (b) Bernard–Soulier syndrome, (c) Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome, (d) immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and (e) Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). Diagnosing these diseases can be challenging, as the basic laboratory investigations can be within the normal range.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. It affects mostly women of reproductive age and approximately 30–50% of women with endometriosis may present infertility.
  • 1.1K
  • 03 Mar 2023
Topic Review
The Potential of Mitochondrial Antioxidants in Treating Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy hypertensive disorder that leads to fetal growth restriction, morbidity, and mortality of both the mother and fetus. Oxidative stress has been identified as one of the crucial players in pathogenesis of PE. While antioxidants have shown therapeutic benefit in preclinical models of PE, the clinical trials evaluating antioxidants (vitamin E and vitamin C) were found to be disappointing. Although the idea behind contribution of mitochondrial oxidative stress in PE is not new, recent years have seen an enormous interest in exploring mitochondrial oxidative stress as an important pathological mediator in PE. 
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Role of Menstrual-Blood-Derived Stem Cells in Endometriosis
The human endometrium has a complex cellular composition that is capable of promoting cyclic regeneration, where endometrial stem cells play a critical role. Menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSC) were first discovered in 2007 and described as exhibiting mesenchymal stem cell properties, setting them in the spotlight for endometriosis research. The stem cell theory for endometriosis pathogenesis, supported by the consensual mechanism of retrograde menstruation, highlights the recognized importance that MenSC have gained by potentially being directly related to the genesis, development and maintenance of ectopic endometriotic lesions.
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Estrogen Deficiency-Related Osteoporosis (EDOP)
Estrogen receptors (ERs) are highly expressed in osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes, offering protective effects in bone. Osteoporosis is a serious health issue among aging postmenopausal women. The majority of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis have bone loss related to estrogen deficiency. The rapid bone loss results from an increase in bone turnover with an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. Osteoporosis can also result from excessive glucocorticoid usage, which induces bone demineralization with significant changes of spatial heterogeneities of bone at microscale, indicating potential risk of fracture. 
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Omental Bursa in Ovarian Cancer
The omental bursa (OB), also referred to as the lesser peritoneal sac, is a natural space situated between the stomach and the pancreas.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Placental Dysfunction in Assisted Reproductive Pregnancies
Obstetric and newborn outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancies are associated with significative prevalence of maternal and neonatal adverse health conditions, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. These data are interpreted as anomalies in placentation involving a dysregulation of several molecular factors and pathways. It is not clear which extent of the observed placental alterations are the result of ART and which originate from infertility itself. These two aspects probably act synergically for the final obstetric risk. Data show that mechanisms of inappropriate trophoblast invasion and consequent altered vascular remodeling sustain several clinical conditions, leading to obstetric and perinatal risks often found in ART pregnancies, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and placenta previa or accreta. 
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) defines gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as diabetes diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy that was not clearly overt diabetes prior to gestation[5].
  • 1.0K
  • 30 Dec 2020
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