The Role of Urothelial Cancer-Associated 1 in Gynecological Cancers.

Gynecological cancers (GC) represent some of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies in women worldwide. Long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulatory RNAs increasingly being recognized for their role in tumor progression and metastasis in various cancers. Urothelial cancer-associated 1 (UCA1) is a lncRNA, first found deregulated in bladder cancer, and many studies have exposed its oncogenic effects in more tumors since. However, the role of UCA1 in gynecological malignancies is still unclear. This review aims to analyze and define the role of UCA1 in GC, in order to identify its potential use as a diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic biomarker of GC. By employing the search terms "UCA1", "breast cancer", "endometrial cancer", "ovarian cancer", "cervical cancer", "vaginal cancer", and "vulvar cancer" in the PubMed database for the literature review, we identified a total of sixty-three relevant research articles published between 2014 and 2024. Although there were some opposing results, UCA1 was predominantly found to be upregulated in most of the breast, endometrial, ovarian, cervical, and vulvar cancer cells, tissue samples, and mouse xenograft models. UCA1 overexpression mainly accounts for enhanced tumor proliferation and increased drug resistance, while also being associated with some clinicopathological features, such as a high histological grade or poor prognosis. Nonetheless, no reviews were identified about the involvement of UCA1 in vaginal carcinogenesis. Therefore, further clinical trials are required to explore the role of UCA1 in these malignancies and, additionally, examine its possible application as a target for upcoming treatments, or as a novel biomarker for GC diagnosis and prognosis.

Feasibility Study of a Variant Procedure of Radical Breast Ductectomy (Dolichectomy) with a Perinipple Incision.

Papillomatosis and recurrent duct ectasia could be treated with terminal lactiferous ducts excision. In this study we describe a modified miniinvasive procedure of terminal lactiferous ducts excision with a perinipple approach to the lower or upper half of the nipple. This technique avoids the much more extensive periareolar incision and has excellent aesthetic results.

[Ambulatory and Home Blood Pressure Measurement in Hypertensive Pregnant Women]. / Ambulante und häusliche Blutdruckmessung bei hypertensiven Schwangeren.

The prevalence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) is 6-8%. Blood pressure measurement (BPM) remains the cornerstone of diagnosis and should be performed in a standardised manner using automated devices. Office BPM represents only a spotty reading in an "artificial" environment failing to diagnose white coat hypertension (WCH). Ambulatory and home blood pressure measurement (ABPM/HBPM) are recommended for the diagnosis and differentiation of hypertension as well as for blood pressure and therapy control in women with HDP. Patient compliance is crucial for the use of both methods. ABPM is an appropriate method for the early identification of WCH and masked hypertension as well as for differentiating WCH from chronic hypertension < 20 week's gestation. HBPM has been shown to reduce the number of antenatal visits and hospital admissions compared to office blood pressure measurement without compromising maternal and fetal outcomes; it also avoids unnecessary antihypertensive medications and reduces the rate of labour inductions and false diagnosis of "preeclampsia". Problems associated with ABPM are its limited availability and inconvenience to patients due to sleep disturbances. Disadvantages of HBPM are the need for patient training, potential measurement errors, and the lack of evidence-based BP thresholds. The widespread use especially of HBPM may contribute to a reduction in workload of obstetric staff in the hospital and may save hospital expense.

Ductoscopy Coupled to Duct Lavage and Duct Brushing in Pathologic Nipple Discharge: Our Experience.

PURPOSE: to present our experience in the management of pathological nipple discharge using the procedure D.DL.DB: "ductoscopy" (D) coupled to "duct lavage" (DL) plus "duct brushing" (DB) for etiologic diagnosis. Also to compare the diagnosis obtained with D.DL.DB to the final histology. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eighty-five patients with organic unilateral nipple discharge were enrolled in two Breast Units. 82 of 85 patients were investigated successfully with D.DL.DB. Results:: The final histological results were: papilloma 46.3%, duct ectasia 36.5%, breast cancer 8.5%, precancer lesions 4.9%, and mixed benign lesions 3.8%. Pyramidectomy and radical ductectomy were performed in 76 and 6 cases respectively. In 80% of the cases, DLDB cytology results were identical to the final histology. (Kappa=0;69 CI=[0.56 -0.82]. The sensitivity of D.DL.DB versus pathology, for cancer or precancer lesions was 81.8% (CI=0.59 -1) and the specificity was 97.1% (CI=0.93 -1). Using Koch scale, the concordance between the two methods D.DL.DB and surgery was high and the sensitivity was in the upper range regarding the literature (58% to 90%). CONCLUSION: Our experience confirms the high value of D.DL.DB in the management of organic nipple discharge.

[Maternal Deaths Worldwide Falling - But Commonly Preventable]. / Müttersterbefälle weltweit rückläufig, aber häufig vermeidbar!

According to data from the WHO, maternal mortality ratio has dropped worldwide by 44% between 1990 and 2015, yet more than 300,000 mothers still die annually, about 99% of them in the developing countries. In some developed countries the incidence of maternal deaths has even increased during the past 2 decades. The leading causes of direct maternal deaths are haemorrhage (nearly 3-quarters from postpartum haemorrhage), pulmonary embolism including amniotic fluid embolism, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; the leading cause of indirect maternal deaths is cardiac disease of the mother. The most important step to prevent maternal deaths is the accurate evaluation of each death by a multidisciplinary committee of independent experts, followed by consensus-based agreement on the underlying cause of death, the quality of care, and whether or not the death was preventable. The UK Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity are internationally recognized as the 'gold standard' in maternal mortality surveillance. Considering the 11 studies from different developed countries, nearly 50% of direct maternal deaths (range: 26-75%) are potentially preventable, most often those due to postpartum haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and the fewest of all due to amniotic fluid embolisms. The crucial point is to learn from failures leading to maternal deaths: each obstetric unit should scrutinise if and where the need for improvement exists to prevent severe maternal morbidity and mortality.

A new risk malignancy index to predict ovarian cancer: a bicentric preliminary study.

PURPOSE: Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of gynecologic cancer death. Considering that diagnosis of ovarian cancer is done in advanced stage in most cases, the purpose of this study was to construct a "new risk malignancy index" (NRMI) to assess the risk of ovarian cancer in women with a pelvic mass. METHODS: The index includes the classical vaginal ultrasound and CA125 tumor marker along with risk and protective factors for ovarian malignancy. RESULTS: Compared to the original Risk Malignancy Index (RMI), NRMI found retrospectively a greater number of patients with ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS: NRMI seems to be a promising tool for the early and reliable detection of cases with ovarian malignancy in an effort to maximize surgical benefits.

[Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Risk Stratification of Venous Thromboembolism in Pregnancy and the Puerperium]. / Epidemiologie, Risikofaktoren und Risikostratifizierung venöser Thromboembolien (VTE) in Schwangerschaft und Wochenbett.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a leading cause of direct maternal deaths in the developed countries. The incidence of VTE has increased significantly during the past two decades. The absolute risk of VTE is estimated 0.6-2.2 per 1000 deliveries. Compared with age-matched non-pregnant women, the daily risk of VTE is increased 7- to 10-fold for antepartum VTE, but it is 15- to 35-fold for postpartum VTE. The incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) during the first 6 weeks postpartum is nearly 15-fold higher compared to the incidence in pregnancy, and remains significantly increased up to 12 weeks postpartum. The case fatality rate of PE ranges from 2.2 to 6.6%.The basis of VTE prevention is careful assessment of individual risk factors of VTE and proper risk stratification.It is necessary to differentiate preexisting maternal from transient pregnancy-specific risk factors. Women with previous VTE or hereditary high-risk thrombophilias or with the antiphospholipid syndrome have the highest risk for VTE in pregnancy and the puerperium.Other most important pregnancy-specific risk factors in the antenatal period are severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, hyperemesis, major surgery, severe comorbidities (e.g., systemic lupus erythematodes), hospitalization in women with a body mass index > 25 kg/m2, and inflammatory bowel diseases.Heart diseases, stillbirth, systemic infections, severe postpartum hemorrhage in combination with blood product replacement and/or surgery and emergency caesarean section are predominant risk factors in the postpartum period.Recommendations for risk stratification vary among current international guidelines. According to the SOGC (Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada) 2014, pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis is recommended if the estimated absolute risk of one or multiple risk factors is greater than 1%.The ACCP (American College of Chest Physicians) Guideline 2012 presents specific recommendations only for post-caesarean risk-factor-based prophylaxis.The recent RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) Guideline No. 37a 2015 recommends risk stratification for VTE prophylaxis on the basis of a special risk scoring system weighting individual risk factors between one point (low risk) to a maximum of 4 points (very high risk).A check list of important risk factors and a management plan for thromboprophylaxis based on current guidelines should be readily available in each obstetric unit.

Ovarian reserve after fibroid embolization in premenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for fibroids on ovarian pool of premenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case control study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-hundred and twenty premenopausal women, aged between 40 and 50 years, who underwent UAE for symptomatic uterine fibroids and the same number of women, aged between 40 and 50 years, with symptomatic uterine fibroids, who were not offered treatment were recruited for this study. Hormonal status and ovarian reserve were evaluated by means of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) pre-procedural, three months, six months and 12 months after UAE. RESULTS: No statistically significant decrease was noted in AMH values 12 months post procedure and no statistical significant alterations in AMH values between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the study results may not be able to confirm the preservation of ovarian reserve and normal menstruation after UAE in premenopausal women, it should be considered as a friendly to normal menstruation treatment option of symptomatic fibroids.

Preoperative assessment in endometrial cancer. Is triage for lymphadenectomy possible?

PURPOSE: We sought to examine whether a preoperative assessment with usual means, available in most hospitals (preoperative histology, pelvic MRI, serum CA-125) can confidently exclude from a full staging surgical procedure low-risk endometrial carcinoma (EC) patients according to ESMO-ESTRO-ESGO criteria (stage I endometrioid EC, grade 1 or 2, myometrial invasion <50% and negative lymphovascular space invasion). METHODS: We retrospectively identified all EC patients that underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TH-BSO) plus lymph node dissection (LND) as primary treatment for endometrioid tumors from January, 2000 to December, 2010. Extensive review was made through patients' medical records. Having set the final pathology report as the "gold standard", we applied the ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO criteria to classify patients into risk categories (low-risk and non-low risk). We also evaluated preoperative risk status using combined data from preoperative biopsy, pelvic MRI and serum CA-125. We classified patients according to the following criteria: grade 1 or 2 on preoperative histology, myometrial invasion on MRI <50% and serum CA-125 <35 IU/ml, in low risk group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted. The area under the ROC curve (AUC), quantifying the overall ability of the combined preoperative assessment to discriminate between patients at low and non-low risk, was the primary outcome of our study. False negative rate was the secondary outcome. RESULTS: Preoperative data on histology, MRI and CA-125 levels were available for 292 patients. The sensitivity and specificity of combined preoperative assessment to discriminate between low- and non-low risk EC patients according to ESMO-ESTRO-ESGO criteria were 96.1% and 73.6% respectively. AUC of the corresponding ROC curve was 0.849. False negative rate was 3.8% (9/235). Among the 9 patients falsely classified as low-risk, one patient had nodal metastasis (1/9, 11.1%) after full staging. CONCLUSION: A selective LND strategy for EC patients based on preoperative assessment is possible and would probably be cost-effective, while not jeopardizing patients' survival or patient quality of life (QoL).

Evaluation of the effect of natural and emotional stress of labor on lactation and breast-feeding.

BACKGROUND: The amount of stress experienced by both the mother and fetus during labor and delivery varies considerably and is likely to be different in primiparous and multiparous women as well as in those who receive analgesia during labor and those who do not receive. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we explored relations between stress during birth experience and lactogenesis of 100 women, who experienced vaginal delivery in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of University Hospital of Alexandroupolis. METHOD: Stress hormones (cortisol and glucose) were measured in serum (cord and maternal blood) immediately after delivery. Moreover, breast-feeding frequency on day 4, the time when the subjects first felt fullness in the breasts, milk volume on day 4 postpartum and duration of labor were recorded. Also, we recorded maternal exhaustion score during labor and positive and negative affects, posttraumatic stress score and mother-infant bonding rate, with the use of questionnaires. RESULTS: There were significant intercorrelations among the outcome variables. Mothers who experienced pain, exhaustion and negative feelings in a stressful and long labor had delayed onset of lactation. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that primiparity, long labor, stress to the mother and fetus during labor and delivery, negative affects and high score of posttraumatic stress are risk factors for delayed lactogenesis.

Contraceptive behaviour of Christian and Muslim teenagers at the time of abortion and post-abortion in Thrace, Greece.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to compare the contraceptive behaviour of Christian and Muslim adolescents who had an abortion in Thrace, Greece, and to examine whether extensive contraceptive counselling at the time of abortion modified their subsequent contraceptive practices. METHODS: Adolescents, aged 14-19 years, who had undergone an elective abortion in our department, were included in a prospective 12-year study. Extensive contraceptive counselling was offered before discharge from the hospital. Attitudes to contraception were assessed by means of a simple questionnaire at the time of abortion and at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The study population comprised of 95 Christian Orthodox adolescents (Group A) and 79 Muslim adolescents (Group B). At the time of abortion, contraceptive behaviour differed significantly between the two groups (p = .004). Contraceptive methods used in Group A in comparison with Group B were as follows: oral contraceptives (27.4% vs. 12.7%), condoms (22.1% vs. 38.0%), interrupted coitus (18.9% vs. 20.3%), periodic abstinence (16.8% vs. 25.3%) and emergency contraception (14.7% vs. 3.8%). The commonest source of information on contraception in Group A was the gynaecologist (17.9%) and family planning clinic (15.8%), whereas in Group B it was the individual's partner (25.3%) and parents (16.4%). Contraceptive behaviour was significantly modified in both groups at post-abortion follow-up (both p < .001). The original difference between the groups, however, persisted (p = .006). In Group A, oral contraceptives were the dominant method (48.4%), followed by condoms (30.5%), whereas in Group B, the order was still the reverse (24.1% and 46.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cultural differences significantly affect the contraceptive behaviour. Nevertheless, interventions that promote contraception can still be successful in different populations.

Paraaortic lymphadenectomy in intermediate to high risk uterine endometrioid cancer : a retrospective evaluation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact on survival of paraaortic lymph node dissection (PALND) added to pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in patients with intermediate to high-risk endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC ). Surgical parameters and perioperative morbidity have been explored as well. METHODS: We retrospectively identified all eligible patients that received LND as part of their primary treatment at a single institution from January 2000 to December 2010. Survival curves for overall (OS), disease-specific (DSS) and disease-free (DFS) survival were plotted by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression was used for multivariable analysis for OS and DSS. RESULTS: 93 patients underwent PLND plus PALND in their initial operation (PALND group) and 177 patients underwent PLND only (no-PALND group). Patients in the non-PALND group were older, more obese and had higher rates of comorbidities. The median number of PLN and PALN retrieved were 26 and 13 respectively. Isolated PALN metastasis was seen in 2 (2.1%) patients. PALND was associated with longer operative time, higher transfusion rate and longer hospital stay. PALND group had a benefit in OS (p=0.033), which did not persist in DSS or DFS. Furthermore, the type of LND did not significantly improve either OS or DSS according to the multivariate analysis results. CONCLUSION: PALND had no therapeutic value per se in women with intermediate to high risk endometrioid tumors and the improvement seen in OS should rather be attributed to the better medical status of women who received PALND.

Cervical cancer: screening, diagnosis and staging.

Purpose: Despite the widespread screening programs, cervical cancer remains the third most common cancer in developing countries. Based on the implementation of cervical screening programs with the referred adoption of improved screening methods in cervical cytology with the knowledge of the important role of the human papilloma virus (HPV) it's incidence is decreased in the developed world. Even if cervical HPV infection is incredibly common, cervical cancer is relatively rare. Depending on the rarity of invasive disease and the improvement of detection of pre-cancerous lesions due to the participation in screening programs, the goal of screening is to detect the cervical lesions early in order to be treated before cancer is developed. In populations with many preventive screening programs, a decrease in cervical cancer mortality of 50-75% is mentioned over the past 50 years. The preventive examination of vagina and cervix smear, Pap test, and the HPV DNA test are remarkable diagnostic tools according to the American Cancer Association guidelines, in the investigation of asymptomatic women and in the follow up of women after the treatment of pre-invasive cervical cancer. The treatment of cervical cancer is based on the FIGO 2009 cervical cancer staging.

IUD in first-trimester abortion: immediate intrauterine contraceptive devices insertion vs delayed insertion following the next menstruation bleeding.

PURPOSE: Approximately 21 days after an abortion, ovulation occurs in 50 % of women. Installation of an IUD directly after induced or spontaneous abortion offers immediate contraceptive protection. The purpose of the present study was to weigh up contraceptive safety and adverse reactions of IUD inserted directly after first-trimester abortion under general or paracervical anesthesia as against the fitting of IUD in the days of the next menstrual cycle without anesthesia. METHOD: During the period May 1987 to October 2010, 73 women (Group A) underwent an immediate post-abortion insertion IUD after a first-trimester spontaneous or induced abortion under general or local paracervical anesthesia and 69 participants (Group B) received IUD during the next menstrual cycle without anesthesia. Questionnaires were completed by all the women of the study with respect to the effects of IUD. The women were examined every 3 months for 1 year after the fitting of the IUD in the out-patient department of the University Obstetrics Gynecological Department of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics of the women of the two groups were similar. The age of the women ranged between 19 and 44 years, while 61.98 % were women with one or two children and 38.02 % were women with three or more children. During the first menstrual cycles, with the exception of vaginal hemorrhages (5 %) and adnexitis (1 %), no serious adverse reactions were noted. During the transvaginal ultrasonography checks in both groups, no observation was made of any dislocation of the IUD, except for two cases in the subgroup of those women with paracervical anesthesia and one case in the women of Group B. As concerns the questionnaire with regard to the women's subjective evaluation of IUD, satisfactory answers were given. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences between the two groups either with respect to the security of the supplied contraceptive methods or to the development of side effects.

ARID1 and BRG1 Expression in Endometrial Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the predominant malignancy among gynecologic cancers and ranks fourth among all types of cancer. Recently, researchers have focused on the development of new prognostic biomarkers. Subunits of the SWI/SNF protein complex, like the ARID1 and BRG1, have been associated with the development of endometrial cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the expression patterns of ARID1A and BRG1 in a collection of endometrioid adenocarcinomas of the uterus using immunohistochemistry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised a total of thirty-three individuals diagnosed with stage I endometrioid endometrial cancer, treated with radical hysterectomy. The histological material was then examined to assess the cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of the proteins. RESULTS: ARID1A exhibited expression in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of cancer cells, whereas BRG1 was mainly expressed in the nuclei. In addition, ARID1A exhibited a notable decrease in expression in grade 3 histology, with no significant correlation with the depth of myometrial invasion. The reduced expression was highly related to tumor expansion into the endocervix. The findings demonstrated a total absence of ARID1A expression in 27% of endometrioid carcinomas, with a significant reduction in expression in an additional 51% of cancer cells. These findings align with the most recent published data. In contrast, in the current study, BRG1 was rarely down-regulated and was extensively expressed in the majority of endometrioid carcinomas, preventing the possibility of statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: In summary, ARID1A expression loss can be used as a biomarker to guide post-operative therapy; however, further investigation is needed, especially for early-stage endometrial cancer.

A Systematic Review about Cervical Pregnancy and our Experience.

Background: Cervical ectopic pregnancy is a relatively rare type of ectopic pregnancy and has no standardized guidelines for management. Methods: This systematic review is based on the collection of case reports, published in PubMed/MEDLINE about the resolution of ectopic cervical pregnancies over the last decade and the presentation of a case managed in our healthcare unit. Studies involving cervical pregnancy in the first trimester with the presence of a viable embryo and ß-hCG in the serum below 100.000 mIU/mL were included, while heterotopic pregnancies were excluded. Results: Nineteen articles reporting twenty-three case reports are demonstrated explicitly emphasizing on the management techniques. There is no established approach for the management of this type of ectopic pregnancy. Conclusion: It is important to consider the conservative approaches as first-line treatment in all cases of cervical pregnancy preserving fertility. Minimally invasive methods are also described and preferred as second-line treatment, as reported in our literature review.

Diagnosis, Prevention, and Management of Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR).

Fetal growth restriction (FGR), or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), is still the second most common cause of perinatal mortality. The factors that contribute to fetal growth restriction can be categorized into three distinct groups: placental, fetal, and maternal. The prenatal application of various diagnostic methods can, in many cases, detect the deterioration of the fetal condition in time because the nature of the above disorder is thoroughly investigated by applying a combination of biophysical and biochemical methods, which determine the state of the embryo-placenta unit and assess the possible increased risk of perinatal failure outcome and potential for many later health problems. When considering the potential for therapeutic intervention, the key question is whether it can be utilized during pregnancy. Currently, there are no known treatment interventions that effectively enhance placental function and promote fetal weight development. Nevertheless, in cases with fetuses diagnosed with fetal growth restriction, immediate termination of pregnancy may have advantages not only in terms of minimizing perinatal mortality but primarily in terms of reducing long-term morbidity during childhood and maturity.

Analysis of Human Milk Microbiota in Northern Greece by Comparative 16S rRNA Sequencing vs. Local Dairy Animals.

Milk is a biological fluid with a dynamic composition of micronutrients and bioactive molecules that serves as a vital nutrient source for infants. Milk composition is affected by multiple factors, including genetics, geographical location, environmental conditions, lactation phase, and maternal nutrition, and plays a key role in dictating its microbiome. This study addresses a less-explored aspect, comparing the microbial communities in human breast milk with those in mature milk from species that are used for milk consumption. Since mature animal milk is used as a supplement for both the infant (formula) and the child/adolescent, our main aim was to identify shared microbial communities in colostrum and mature human milk. Using 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing, we focused on characterizing the milk microbiota in the Northern Greek population by identifying shared microbial communities across samples and comparing the relative abundance of prevalent genera. We analyzed ten human milk samples (from five mothers), with five collected three days postpartum (colostrum) and five collected thirty to forty days postpartum (mature milk) from corresponding mothers. To perform an interspecies comparison of human milk microbiota, we analyzed five goat and five bovine milk samples from a local dairy industry, collected fifty to seventy days after birth. Alpha diversity analysis indicated moderate diversity and stability in bovine milk, high richness in goat milk, and constrained diversity in breast milk. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant distinctions among mammalian species, emphasizing both presence/absence and abundance-based clustering. Despite noticeable differences, shared microbial components underscore fundamental aspects across all mammalian species, highlighting the presence of a core microbiota predominantly comprising the Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota phyla. At the genus level, Acinetobacter, Gemella, and Sphingobium exhibit significant higher abundance in human milk compared to bovine and goat milk, while Pseudomonas and Atopostipes are more prevalent in animal milk. Our comparative analysis revealed differences and commonalities in the microbial communities of various mammalian milks and unraveled the existence of a common fundamental milk core microbiome. We thus revealed both species-specific and conserved microbial communities in human, bovine, and goat milk. The existence of a common core microbiome with conserved differences between colostrum and mature human milk underscores fundamental similarities in the microbiota of milk across mammalian species, which could offer valuable implications for optimizing the nutritional quality and safety of dairy products as well as supplements for infant health.

The Impact of Periodontal Disease on Preterm Birth and Preeclampsia.

This review delves into the possible connection between periodontitis and negative pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia and preterm birth. It highlights the potential influence of an unidentified microbial factor on preeclampsia and the effects of inflammatory responses on the rate of preterm births. Furthermore, it underscores the prevalent occurrence of oral ailments within the populace and their significant repercussions on quality of life. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy may exacerbate oral conditions such as pregnancy gingivitis and periodontitis, necessitating bespoke therapeutic approaches that take into account potential fetal ramifications. Periodontal disease, characterized by microbial attack and inflammatory response, results in tissue destruction and tooth loss. The oral cavity's susceptibility to bacterial colonization, which is primarily due to its role as a site for food intake, is highlighted. Furthermore, research indicates a correlation between inflammatory responses and factors such as prostaglandin E2 and IL-1ß, and preterm birth. Therapeutic interventions are a focus of international research, with efforts being aimed at optimizing outcomes through larger studies involving pregnant women.

Labor management and neonatal outcomes in cardiotocography categories II and III (Review).

The safe care of both mothers and fetuses during labor is a primary goal of all health professionals. The assessment of fetal oxygenation and well-being is a key aspect of perinatal care provided. Fetal heart rate (FHR) auscultation became part of daily obstetric practice in a number of countries during the 20th century and remains a key method of fetal monitoring, particularly in low-risk pregnancies. Cardiotocography (CTG) is the continuous monitoring and recording of the FHR and uterine myometrial activity, making it possible to assess the fetal condition. It therefore plays a critical role in the detection of fetal hypoxia during labor, a condition directly related to short- and long-term complications in the newborn. Herein, particular reference is made to the management of CTG category II and III standards, as well as to the handling of childbirth. In addition, specific FHR patterns are associated with immediate neonatal outcomes based on updated studies conducted worldwide. Finally, the prognostic significance of CTG and its potential as a prospective avenue for further investigation are also highlighted herein. Given that the misinterpretation of CTG findings is the most common cause of medical-legal responsibility, this knowledge field requires more emphasis and attention. The aim of the present review was to further deepen the knowledge on issues that mainly concern the safety and monitoring of pregnant women and fetuses during childbirth.