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Topic Review
Pathogenesis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic diseases encountered in obstetrics, and it is often associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. GDM affects about 9–25% of pregnancies worldwide. The frequency of GDM increases with the age of a pregnant woman.
  • 951
  • 25 Sep 2023
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. 
  • 947
  • 28 Sep 2021
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.
  • 946
  • 08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
ERβ in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Despite the improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, breast cancer still remains one of the world’s leading causes of death among women. Particularly, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by aggressiveness, metastatic spreading, drug resistance and a very high percentage of death in patients. Nowadays, identification of new targets in TNBC appears very compelling. TNBC are considered negative for the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression. Nevertheless, they often express ERβ and its variants. As such, this TNBC subtype still responds to estrogens. While the ERβ1 variant seems to act as a tumor-suppressor, the two variants ERβ2 and 5 exhibit pro-oncogenic activities in TNBC. Thus, ERβ1 activation might be used to limit the growth and spreading as well as to increase the drug sensitivity of TNBC. In contrast, the pro-oncogenic properties of ERβ2 and ERβ5 suggest the possible development and clinical use of specific antagonists in TNBC treatment. Furthermore, the role of ERβ might be regarded in the context of the androgen receptor (AR) expression, which represents another key marker in TNBC. The relationship between AR and ERβ as well as the ability to modulate the receptor-mediated effects through agonists/antagonists represent a challenge to develop more appropriate therapies in clinical management of TNBC patients. 
  • 943
  • 08 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Imaging-Based Classification of Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a complex and poorly understood gynecological disease. Its diagnosis is carried out increasingly by imaging techniques, including transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the lack of a consensus on a classification system hampers relating imaging findings with disease severity or with the histopathological features of the disease, making it difficult to properly inform patients and clinicians regarding prognosis and appropriate management, as well as to compare different studies.
  • 939
  • 10 Jan 2023
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.
  • 936
  • 19 May 2023
Topic Review
Targeting Fatty Acid Metabolism in Gynaecological Cancers
Fatty acid (FA) metabolism plays a vital role in promoting the development and progression of gynaecological cancers. Therefore, enzymes involved in FA metabolism are attractive targets in treating these cancer types. Moreover, inhibiting these enzymes can synergistically augment the antitumour effects of chemotherapeutic agents targeting the oestradiol pathway (e.g., selective ER modulators (SERM) and aromatase inhibitors) or to overcome chemotherapeutic resistance against these agents in gynaecological cancers. In addition to the developing pharmacological inhibitors specifically targeting FA metabolism enzymes, interest is also growing in implementing diet-based intervention to supplement conventional chemotherapeutic regime.
  • 934
  • 12 May 2022
Topic Review
Influence of Maternal Microbiome in Preterm Birth
Preterm birth (PTB) is a global health issue and one of the most challenging problems affecting 12.9 million births worldwide. PTB is a multi-etiological disease and remains incompletely understood. 
  • 930
  • 29 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Tubal Endometriosis
Tubal endometriosis (EM) refers to the detection of ectopic endometrial implants on tubes. It may cause a significant defect of the tubes, translating into dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility.
  • 928
  • 08 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Probiotics on Benign Gynaecological Disorders
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer beneficial effects on human health when an adequate dose is administered. The use of probiotics has gained tremendous interest from the public due to its promising effects in the management of various reproductive diseases.
  • 925
  • 30 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Microbiome and Gynaecologic Cancer
 The term “human microbiota” is the set of symbiotic microorganisms that coexist with the human organism without damaging it. The term “microbiome” refers to the entire microbiota habitat, including microorganisms, their genomes, and the surrounding environment. The microbiome has been identified in the gut, oral cavity, vagina, respiratory tract, skin, and other mucosal surfaces. Despite significant advances in understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying gynaecological cancers, these cancers still remain widespread. Recent research points to a possible link between microbiota and cancer, and the most recent attention is focusing on the relationship between the microbiome, the immune system, and cancer. The microbiome diversity can affect carcinogenesis and the patient’s immune response, modulating the inflammatory cascade and the severity of adverse events.
  • 923
  • 21 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Clinical Maternal Hyperoxygenation Protocol
Fetal echocardiography is an excellent tool for accurately assessing the anatomy and physiology of most congenital heart defects (CHDs). Knowledge gathered from a thorough initial fetal echocardiogram and serial assessment assists with appropriate perinatal care planning, resulting in improved postnatal outcomes. However, fetal echocardiography alone provides limited information about the status of the pulmonary vasculature, which can be abnormal in certain complex CHDs with obstructed pulmonary venous flow (hypoplastic left heart syndrome with restrictive atrial septum) or excessive pulmonary artery flow (d-transposition of the great arteries, usually with a restrictive ductus arteriosus). Fetuses with these CHDs are at high risk of developing severe hemodynamic instability with the immediate transition from prenatal to postnatal circulatory physiology at the time of birth. Adjunctive use of acute maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) testing in such cases can help determine pulmonary vascular reactivity in prenatal life and better predict the likelihood of postnatal compromise and the need for emergent intervention.
  • 920
  • 22 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Animal Models and Endometrioma-Related Infertility
Endometrioma (OMA) is the most common subtype of endometriosis, in which the endometriotic lesions are implanted in the ovary. Women with OMA are usually associated with infertility, presenting with reduced ovarian reserve, low oocyte quantity and quality, and poor fertility outcomes. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms in OMA-related infertility are still unclear. Due to the limitations and ethical issues of human studies in reproduction, animal models that recapitulate OMA characteristics and its related infertility are critical for mechanistic studies and subsequent drug development, preclinical testing, and clinical trials. 
  • 911
  • 29 Jun 2022
Topic Review
The Role of Cluster C19MC in Pre-Eclampsia Development
Pre-eclampsia is a placenta-related complication occurring in 2–10% of all pregnancies. miRNAs are a group of non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression. There is evidence that C19MC miRNAs are involved in the development of the placenta. 
  • 909
  • 30 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Theories on the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic disease, defined by abnormal presence of non-neoplastic endometrial glands and endometrial stroma outside the uterine mucosa. It is notable both for its undesirable clinical and economical consequences. Since endometriosis was described, several pathogenetic pathways have been proposed, including retrograde menstruation, so-called benign metastasis, immune dysregulation, coelomic metaplasia, hormonal disbalance, involvement of stem cells and alterations in epigenetic regulation. These theories are highlighted in the given entry. 
  • 908
  • 04 May 2023
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy complications. It is related to several gestational and fetal adverse outcomes. Moreover, women with GDM and their infants have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. The pathogenesis of GDM is not completely understood; nevertheless, two factors that contribute to its development are oxidative stress and inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation are related; reactive oxygen species (ROS) production can activate inflammatory cells and enhance the production of inflammatory mediators. Inflammation, in turn, leads to an increased ROS release, causing a vicious circle to ensue. Inflammatory responses can be achieved via the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
  • 902
  • 18 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.
  • 902
  • 31 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Bile Acids in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common, reversible, and closely related to pregnancy condition characterized by elevated levels of bile acids (BAs) in blood serum and an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Due to the complex interactions between the mother and the fetus in metabolism and transplacental BAs transport, ICP is classified as a fetal-maternal disease. The disease is usually mild in pregnant women, but it can be fatal to the fetus, leading to numerous complications, including intrauterine death. The pathophysiology of the disease is based on inflammatory mechanisms caused by elevated BA levels.
  • 898
  • 25 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Physiopathology and Vitamin D Deficiency
Women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) are deficient in VD, particularly those with a higher weight. Hypovitaminosis is a risk factor for glucose intolerance, and reduced levels of VD is associated with insulin resistance and increased diabetes risk. Since women with PCOS and hirsutism seem to have lower levels of VD than women with PCOS without hirsutism, a correlation between VD deficiency and hyperandrogenism may be suggested. Interestingly, VD is crucial for many human physiological functions, including to counteract inflammation and oxidative stress. Some studies evaluated effects of VD supplementation on glucose homeostasis variables, hormonal status, lipid concentrations, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress among VD-deficient women. Moreover, VD has been shown to play a role in egg quality and fertility.
  • 896
  • 26 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Mechanisms of Growth Hormone in Ovarian Functions
Growth hormone (GH) has been used as a co-gonadotrophin in assisted reproduction, particularly in poor ovarian responders. The application of GH has been alleged to activate primordial follicles and improve oocyte quality, embryo quality, and steroidogenesis. However, the effects of GH on the live birth rate among women is controversial. Additionally, although the basic biological mechanisms that lead to the above clinical differences have been investigated, they are not yet well understood. The actions of GH are mediated by GH receptors (GHRs) or insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). GH regulates the vital signal transduction pathways that are involved in primordial follicular activation, steroidogenesis, and oocyte maturation.
  • 892
  • 29 Sep 2022
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