Shedding Light on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Placental Expression of Cell Biomarkers in Negative, Vaccinated, and Positive Pregnant Women.

Background: We investigated the expression of inflammation, placental development, and function markers, including cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), osteopontin (OPN), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), to shed light on the controversy regarding the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on fetal development and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: We immunohistochemically analyzed placental tissue from 170 patients (65 COVID-positive and unvaccinated women; 35 Pfeizer-vaccinated and COVID-negative women; and 70 COVID-negative and unvaccinated women, without any other associated pathology) for particularities in the expression of these three molecules. Results: CD44 expression was highest in COVID-negative and unvaccinated women, moderate in COVID-positive cases, and lowest in vaccinated and COVID-negative women. OPN expression was highest in COVID-negative and Pfeizer-vaccinated cases, moderate in COVID-negative and unvaccinated cases, and lowest in COVID-positive cases. COX-2 expression was increased in COVID-negative and unvaccinated women, modestly elevated in COVID-positive and unvaccinated cases, and lowest in vaccinated cases. Conclusions: These findings reflected an alteration in the placental structure and consequent function due to altered expression of the three studied molecules.

Transvaginal Ultrasound as a First-Line Approach in Deep Endometriosis: A Pictorial Essay.

Endometriosis (EMS) is a benign condition characterized by a systemic inflammation that affects fertile women at reproductive age. Ultrasound became, in recent years, the method of choice for both effective diagnostic and preoperative planning. Therefore, accurate characterization and mapping of endometriotic lesions is imperative in such circumstances to enable optimal approach of treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical based on the severity of the findings. This pictorial essay outlines a practical approach to evaluating patients with deep endometriosis by means of transvaginal ultrasound. The technical aspects are in conjunction with both consensus of the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) group and the hands-on experience acquired through daily clinical practice.

Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: Two Case Reports and Literature Review.

Background and objectives: Abdominal wall endometriosis, also known as scar endometriosis, is a rare condition that is becoming increasingly common. The recent rise in incidence is attributed primarily to the surge of cesarean births, figures that could be influenced in a positive manner considering the improvements brought towards the ultrasound diagnostic methods that have been made in recent years. Materials and Methods: Here we report the cases of two Caucasian women of 38- (G2P2) and 36-years old (G1P1), both subjected to an ultrasound examination due to a specific symptomatic panel reported during anamnesis. Independently of the current status, in the first patient, there were no reported symptom-specific associations with endometriosis, but she had a known history of mild hereditary thrombophilia; the second woman suffered from two conditions positively associated with endometriosis. Results: In both cases, abnormal structures were revealed, with the diagnostic(s) of endometriosis being histologically confirmed based on a set of features observed during the investigation. Conclusions: This paper aims to highlight the importance of reducing cesarean births and to consider the diagnosis of scar endometriosis in women with a history of obstetric or gynaecological surgeries who present with cyclic, recurrent abdominal pain.