Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review
Spontaneous Heterotopic Pregnancy
Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy (SHP) is a rare condition represented by the synchronous coexistence of an intrauterine and an ectopic pregnancy. It rarely occurs with natural conception and is usually a consequence of assisted reproductive techniques. Diagnosis of SHP can be a challenge for the clinician. The evolution of the intrauterine pregnancy is dependent on many factors, such as the location of the heterotopic pregnancy, gestational age at the time of diagnosis, the surgical procedure, the presence of other risk factors, early or delayed management. 
  • 1.0K
  • 14 Feb 2021
Topic Review
The EPH/Ephrin System in Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancies and the fifth most common cause of tumor-related deaths in women in the United States. For 2021, the American Cancer Society estimates the incidence of OC at 21,410 cases and the OC-related deaths at 13,770 in the US. OC includes several histological types. Epithelial carcinomas comprise the vast majority of OCs, with high-grade serous OC representing the most common morphological subtype. Lack of specific symptoms of the disease at its early stages is a significant factor contributing to the typical advanced stage of the tumor at diagnosis, after metastasis has already occurred. Consequently, the 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with invasive epithelial OC in a distant Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) stage amounts to 31%. In spite of the substantial research efforts, the molecular mechanisms of OC’s origin, initiation and progression still remain largely unclear. Given the lack of effective diagnostic tools and treatment strategies, it is hence of utmost importance to identify new molecular markers involved in the pathogenesis of OC with a view to offering novel, targeted, biological therapeutic approaches.
  • 1.0K
  • 06 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Dialysis on Pregnancy
Pregnancy rates in women on dialysis have increased in the last decades, thus making it a topic of growing interest. The rarity of this event is predominantly due to fertility problems and to the high rates of pregnancy failure including stillbirth, fetal, and neonatal deaths.
  • 1.0K
  • 18 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Cervical Length and Preterm Birth
Preterm birth is considered one of the main etiologies of neonatal death, as well as short- and long-term disability worldwide.
  • 1.0K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Animal Models of Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a disorder associated with pregnancy and entails a high risk of maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity. In vivo studies on the pathology of gestation, including preeclampsia, often use small mammals such as rabbits or rodents, i.e., mice, rats, hamsters, and guinea pigs. The key advantage of these animals is their short reproductive cycle; in addition, similar to humans, they also develop a haemochorial placenta and present a similar transformation of maternal spiral arteries.
  • 1.0K
  • 27 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Potential Benefit of Hydroxychloroquine in Chronic Placental Inflammation
Chronic placental inflammatory (CPI) lesions include chronic villitis of unknow etiology (CVUE), chronic intervillositis of unknown etiology, CIUE (also described as chronic histiocytic intervillositis, CHI), and chronic deciduits. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been prescribed with good results during pregnancy to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes in maternal autoimmune conditions. Its success has paved the way to its use in CPI as CIUE/CHI.
  • 1.0K
  • 25 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Therapeutic Approaches to Endometriosis
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological and systemic diseases, with a remarkable immune background. Patients suffer from pain and fertility reduction. Due to the distinct immune component, an immunotherapeutic approach may gain importance in the future. In endometriosis, shifts in the cell fractions of the immune system are well known. Moreover, hypoxia concomitant with inflammation causes a disturbed immune response. The removal of endometriosis has a therapeutic effect, normalizes the immune disorders, and remains the most effective causative treatment in terms of pain and infertility.
  • 1.0K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Cancer Treatment and Immunotherapy during Pregnancy
According to McCormik and Peterson (2018), the most common cancers of reproductive age in women are melanoma, breast cancer (the most common gestational cancer and reaches 20% of cases), thyroid cancer, cervical cancer, and lymphomas (most commonly Hodgkin’s lymphoma). A pregnancy that coexists with cancer is not an ordinary pregnancy and consists of a complex medical condition. In the majority of these cases, various therapeutic and ethical dilemmas arise.
  • 1.0K
  • 21 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Evolution of Fetal Cardiac Imaging
The evaluation of a variety of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound with different software, such as Cristal Vue, Realistic Vue, LumiFlow, and Spatiotemporal Image Correlation (STIC), with HDlive and HDlive Flow Silhouette modes. These technologies provide realistic images of the fetal heart and cardiac vessels using a fixed virtual light source that allows the operator to freely select a better light source position to enhance the cardiovascular anatomical details. In addition, Fetal Intelligent Navigation Echocardiography (FINE) technology, also known as “5D Heart” or “5D”, is a technology that enables the automatic reconstruction of the nine standard fetal echocardiographic views and can alert non-specialists to suspected CHD. Through the use of artificial intelligence, an ultrasound machine is able to perform automatic anatomical and functional measurements. In addition, these technologies enable the reconstruction of fetal cardiac structures in realistic images, improving the depth perception and resolution of anatomic cardiac details and blood vessels compared to those of standard two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound.
  • 1.0K
  • 08 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Nutrients and Additives in Feed of Pregnant Sows
According to the National Research Council (NRC), during gestation, sows have higher nutritional requirements to meet their needs and those of their fetuses. Therefore, an optimal feeding strategy is essential.
  • 1.0K
  • 31 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Angiogenic Factors in Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most frequent gynecological malignancy in developed countries and requires a relatively invasive diagnostic evaluation and operative therapy as the primary therapeutic approach. Angiogenesis is one of the main processes needed for cancer growth and spread. The production of angiogenic factors (AFs) appears early in the process of carcinogenesis. The detection of AFs in plasma and tissue and a better understanding of the angiogenic properties of EC may contribute not only to earlier but also more specific diagnosis and consequently tailored and individual therapeutic approaches. AFs and their receptors also have high potential as binding sites for targeted cancer therapy.
  • 1.0K
  • 02 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Classifying Adenomyosis
Many challenges remain towards realizing a satisfactory classification of adenomyosis. A major issue is the disagreement on the definition of adenomyosis when using histology as a gold standard. A uniformly agreed reporting system may be the first step towards a classification that takes symptoms into account. 
  • 1.0K
  • 07 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Placenta Accreta
Placenta accreta occurs when all or part of the placenta attaches abnormally to the myometrium (the muscular layer of the uterine wall). Three grades of abnormal placental attachment are defined according to the depth of attachment and invasion into the muscular layers of the uterus: Because of abnormal attachment to the myometrium, placenta accreta is associated with an increased risk of heavy bleeding at the time of attempted vaginal delivery. The need for transfusion of blood products is frequent, and surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) is sometimes required to control life-threatening bleeding. Rates of placenta accreta are increasing. As of 2016, placenta accreta affects an estimated 1 in 272 pregnancies.
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Undernutrition/Hormones in Lung Development
Maternal and perinatal undernutrition affects the lung development of litters and it may produce long-lasting alterations in respiratory health. This can be demonstrated using animal models and epidemiological studies. During pregnancy, maternal diet controls lung development by direct and indirect mechanisms. For sure, food intake and caloric restriction directly influence the whole body maturation and the lung. In addition, the maternal food intake during pregnancy controls mother, placenta, and fetal endocrine systems that regulate nutrient uptake and distribution to the fetus and pulmonary tissue development. There are several hormones involved in metabolic regulations, which may play an essential role in lung development during pregnancy. 
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) encompass a variety of symptoms that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and impair daily life activities and relationships. Depending on the type and severity of physical, emotional or behavioral symptoms, women of reproductive age followed for at least two prospective menstrual cycles may receive one of the two diagnoses. PMDD is the most severe form of PMS, predominantly characterized by emotional and behavioral symptoms not due to another psychiatric disorder. PMS and PMDD are common neuro-hormonal gynecological disorders with a multifaceted etiology. Gonadal steroid hormones and their metabolites influence a plethora of biological systems involved in the occurrence of specific symptoms, but there is no doubt that PMS/PMDD are centrally based disorders. A more sensitive neuroendocrine threshold to cyclical variations of estrogens and progesterone under physiological and hormonal therapies is present. Moreover, altered brain sensitivity to allopregnanolone, a metabolite of progesterone produced after ovulation potentiating GABA activity, along with an impairment of opioid and serotoninergic systems, may justify the occurrence of emotional and behavioral symptoms. Even neuro-inflammation expressed via the GABAergic system is under investigation as an etiological factor of PMS/PMDD.
  • 1.0K
  • 02 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is defined as an invasion of the endometrium into the uterine myometrium, which results in an enlargement of the uterus, formation of adenomyotic tumours, profuse menstrual and inter-menstrual bleeding and recurrent pain. Microscopically ectopic nonneoplastic, endometrial glands and stroma surrounded by the hypertrophic and hyperplastic myometrium are noted. It is estrogens' dependent disease so that the hormonal treatment is the first line treatment in adenomyotic patients.
  • 997
  • 16 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Mesothelin Expression in Serous Ovarian Carcinoma
Mesothelin (MSLN) is a glycoprotein located in the mesothelial lining of the body’s cavities and in many neoplasms. It is anchored to the cell membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkage. The mesothelin gene was first cloned by Chang and Pastan, and it encodes a precursor protein that is processed to yield a 40 kDa mesothelin protein and a 31 kDa soluble fragment. The human soluble fragment, named the megakaryocyte-potentiating factor (MPF), has been reported to have megakaryocyte-potentiating activity in mouse bone marrow. In normal tissue, the physiological and biological functions of MSLN are still uncertain. Molecular biology studies demonstrated that a lack of MSLN in an MSLN knockout mouse model did not affect development, growth, or reproduction. Conversely, MSLN is considered to be involved in several mechanisms of cancer pathogenesis. In ovarian carcinomas, it has been demonstrated that the binding of MSLN with its partner MUC16 (CA125) may play a role in cell adhesion, facilitating intra-peritoneal ovarian cancer metastasis.
  • 994
  • 13 May 2022
Topic Review
Contribution of Lactobacillus-Derived Hydrogen Peroxide to Vaginal Health
In the vaginal micro-ecosystem, the primary impact of hydrogen peroxide on living organisms at the cellular level is believed to be predominantly antimicrobial. The control of the growth of specific microbial populations could contribute to the physiological composition of the vaginal microbiota and ensure the dominance of H2O2-producing lactobacilli. There are mainly two types of studies investigating the effects of vaginal H2O2. Epidemiological studies focused on the presence and ratio of H2O2-producing lactobacilli and its possible association with vaginal dysbiosis and/or infection. Experimental studies were of the microbiological type, investigating characteristics and requirements of bacterial H2O2 synthesis in the culture of vagina-derived Lactobacillus species and its effect on other microbial populations. While epidemiological investigations rather support the protective role of hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli in vaginal health, many in vitro studies failed to demonstrate a significant role of H2O2 in maintaining physiological vaginal microbiota composition.
  • 993
  • 19 May 2023
Topic Review
Molecular Testing for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis
Available clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) suggest using classical microscopic methods, such as vaginal smear screening (as a part of the Amsel criteria) or Gram staining of smears (as a part of the Nugent criteria). Molecular testing techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and multiplex next-generation sequencing (NGS) are gaining increasing use in clinical practice as they allow quantitative detection and accurate identification of bacteria, including those associated with BV.
  • 986
  • 08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Nutrition during Pregnancy and Lactation
A woman’s nutritional status during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not only critical for her health, but also for that of future generations. Nutritional requirements during pregnancy differ considerably from those of non-pregnant women. Thus, a personalized approach to nutritional advice is recommended. Currently, some countries recommend routine supplementation for all pregnant women, while others recommend supplements only when necessary. Maternal physiological adaptations, as well as nutritional requirements during pregnancy and lactation, will be reviewed in the literature examining the impacts of dietary changes. All of these data have been studied deeply to facilitate a discussion on dietary supplement use and the recommended doses of nutrients during pregnancy and lactation. 
  • 984
  • 09 Mar 2021
  • Page
  • of
  • 17
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Reprints

>>
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Medieval Royal Iconography
Academic Video Service
Feedback

Quick Survey

Encyclopedia MDPI is conducting a targeted survey to identify the specific barriers hindering efficient research. We invite you to spend 3 minutes defining the priorities for our next generation of structured knowledge tools.
Take Survey