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The use of cannabis during pregnancy has emerged as a mounting cause for concern due to its potential adverse consequences on both the mother and her offspring. This review will focus on the dangers associated with prenatal exposure to cannabis, particularly those related to neurodevelopment. It will also discuss the features of maternal and placental functioning that are likely to have long-term effects on the offspring's development. The most pertinent and up-to-date materials can be found through a literature search. The literature emphasizes the substantial hazards associated with prenatal exposure to cannabis. These include impairments in cognitive function and difficulties in behavior in this particular instance. Structural and functional alterations in the brain can be noticed in offspring. The use of cannabis has been associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing pregnancy-related complications, such as giving birth prematurely and having a baby with a low birth weight. Additionally, it has been connected to potential negative effects on mental and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that when a pregnant woman is exposed to cannabis, it can negatively impact the functioning of the placenta and the growth of the fetus. This might potentially contribute to the development of placental insufficiency and restricted growth in the womb. Longitudinal studies reveal that children who were exposed to cannabis in the womb experience additional long-term developmental challenges, such as decreased cognitive abilities, reduced academic performance, and behavioral issues. In order to address the problem of cannabis usage during pregnancy, it is essential to adopt a comprehensive and coordinated strategy. This method should integrate and synchronize public health policy, education, and research initiatives. By implementing these targeted strategies, it is possible to mitigate potential health and welfare concerns for both present and future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male factors may be present in up to 50–70% of infertile couples and the prevalence of male infertility accounts for 20–30% of infertility cases. Understanding the mechanisms and causes behind male infertility remains a challenge, but new diagnostic tools such as DNA fragmentation might aid in cases where the routine semen analysis is insufficient. DNA fragmentation, which refers to damages or breaks of the genetic material of the spermatozoa, is considered one of the main causes of male infertility due to impaired functional capability of sperm. The aim of the present narrative review is to investigate and enlighten the potential correlation between DNA fragmentation and male infertility parameters such as the seminal profile and the reproductive outcomes. Comprehensive research in PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases was conducted and 28 studies were included in the present review. Fourteen studies provided data regarding the impact of DNA fragmentation and seminal parameters and showed a correlation of significantly lower sperm count, lower concentration, motility, and abnormal morphology with an increased DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Similarly, 15 studies provided data regarding the impact of DFI on reproductive outcomes. Two studies showed higher aneuploidy rates with higher DFI values, and seven studies showed significantly lower pregnancy rates and live birth rates with higher DFI values. Ultimately, the studies included in this review highlight, collectively, the importance of measuring sperm DFI in the assessment of male infertility. Further studies are needed to explore the effectiveness of interventions aiming to reduce DFI levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Infertility constitutes a significant challenge for couples around the world. Ovarian dysfunction, a major cause of infertility, can manifest with anovulatory cycles, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone levels, and diminished ovarian reserve markers such as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels or the Antral Follicle Count (AFC). Blood-derived therapies including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been used in fertility treatments in women with low ovarian reserve or premature ovarian insufficiency. This prospective clinical cohort study aims to assess the effects of intraovarian PRP therapy on ovarian function in women diagnosed with anovulatory cycles. Methods: The preliminary findings of this prospective cohort study are based on the first 32 patients enrolled. In this study, patients over 40 years old with anovulatory infertility were included. Venous blood samples were collected from each participant for the preparation of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Each participant received two courses of intraovarian PRP injections using a transvaginal ultrasound-guided approach. Serum levels of reproductive hormones before and after PRP intervention were measured. Results: This study's results demonstrate a significant improvement in ovarian physiology following transvaginal ultrasound-guided PRP infusion. A 75% increase in Antral Follicle Count (AFC) was observed, which was statistically significant. Furthermore, statistically significant reductions in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin levels were observed. Serum Vitamin D 1–25 levels were substantially increased after the injection. Conclusions: These findings highlight the beneficial impact of intraovarian PRP injection in optimizing ovarian function and other metabolic parameters. However, the published literature on this subject is limited and further clinical studies should be conducted to confirm the role of intraovarian PRP in fertility treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are significantly associated with multiple adverse reproductive outcomes such as miscarriages. Pregnant women are more susceptible to an HPV infection and its prevalence increases as pregnancy progresses. In this present review, we summarize the existing evidence indicating the potential impact of an HPV infection on the occurrence of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Comprehensive research of the literature was performed in the Medline/PubMed and Scopus databases. A total of 185 articles were identified and 40 full-text articles were assessed. Four studies were eligible to be included in this literature review. To our knowledge, this is the first review aiming to summarize the current state of evidence regarding the possible association of HPV infections and RPL. Recurrent pregnancy loss constitutes a distressing reproductive event and scientific research has made significant efforts to determine the causes and mechanisms that could lead to RPL. It is still unclear whether the papillomavirus infection is associated with an increased risk for recurrent miscarriages. Research in the field revealed conflicting results and their deductions are limited by methodological limitations. Given the high prevalence of HPV infections and their potential role in the occurrence of adverse outcomes during pregnancy, further research is required to clarify the possibility of an HPV infection being a potential risk factor for recurrent miscarriages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant risks to pregnant women and those recently pregnant, leading to heightened mortality and morbidity rates. Vaccination has emerged as a pivotal strategy in reducing COVID-19-related deaths and illnesses worldwide. However, the initial exclusion of pregnant individuals from most clinical trials raised concerns about vaccine safety in this population, contributing to vaccine hesitancy. This review aims to consolidate the existing literature to assess the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant populations and neonatal outcomes. Diverse studies were included evaluating various aspects of safety for women and their newborns, encompassing mild to severe symptoms across different vaccines. The findings indicate the overall safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination, with minimal adverse outcomes observed, including mild side effects like pain and fever. Although most studies reported the absence of severe adverse outcomes, isolated case reports have raised concerns about potential associations between maternal COVID-19 vaccination and conditions such as fetal supraventricular tachycardia and immune-mediated diseases. Our review underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and monitoring to ensure vaccine safety in pregnant women. Overall, COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy remains a safe and effective strategy, emphasizing the need for continued research and vigilance to safeguard maternal and fetal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galectin-3 belongs to a family of soluble glycan-binding proteins, which are increasingly recognized as modulators of pregnancy-associated processes, including proper placental development. Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are significant complications of pregnancy, affecting millions of women annually. Despite their prevalence, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Several theories have been proposed, including inflammation, placental insufficiency, disturbed placental invasion, and angiogenesis. The Scopus and PubMed/MEDLINE databases were utilized until the end of May 2024. In total, 11 articles with 1011 patients, with 558 in the control group and 453 in the preeclampsia group, were included. Seven articles investigated the expression of galectin-3 (Gal-3) in placental tissue samples, eight studies calculated the serum levels of Gal-3 in maternal blood samples, while one study referred to the possible correlation of galectin-3 levels in umbilical cord blood. The results were inconsistent in both the placental tissue and maternal serum; Gal-3 placental expression was found to be statistically increased in five studies compared to that in women without gestational hypertensive disorders, while two studies either mentioned decreased expression or no difference. Similarly, the Gal-3 maternal serum levels, compared to those in women without gestational hypertensive disorders, were found to be statistically increased in five studies, while three studies did not find any statistical difference. Gal-3 can play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and its expression is influenced by gestational age and placental insufficiency. A further investigation ought to be conducted to enlighten the correlation of Gal-3 with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study aims to create a strong binary classifier and evaluate the performance of pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to effectively distinguish between benign and malignant ovarian tumors from still ultrasound images. Methods: The dataset consisted of 3510 ultrasound images from 585 women with ovarian tumors, 390 benign and 195 malignant, that were classified by experts and verified by histopathology. A 20% to80% split for training and validation was applied within a k-fold cross-validation framework, ensuring comprehensive utilization of the dataset. The final classifier was an aggregate of three pre-trained CNNs (VGG16, ResNet50, and InceptionNet), with experimentation focusing on the aggregation weights and decision threshold probability for the classification of each mass. Results: The aggregate model outperformed all individual models, achieving an average sensitivity of 96.5% and specificity of 88.1% compared to the subjective assessment's (SA) 95.9% sensitivity and 93.9% specificity. All the above results were calculated at a decision threshold probability of 0.2. Notably, misclassifications made by the model were similar to those made by SA. Conclusions: CNNs and AI-assisted image analysis can enhance the diagnosis and aid ultrasonographers with less experience by minimizing errors. Further research is needed to fine-tune CNNs and validate their performance in diverse clinical settings, potentially leading to even higher sensitivity and overall accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Uveal melanomas represent approximately 5% of all human melanomas. Omental metastases are often diagnosed as secondary metastatic sites and only a few cases have been described as the first single manifestation of distant metastasis. In this case image, we illustrate the interesting appearance of the metastatic localization of metastatic uveal melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerobic vaginitis (AV) is a distinct clinical entity characterized by inflammation and abnormal vaginal microflora. Often mistaken for bacterial vaginosis, AV remains relatively unknown and underdiagnosed. AV's understanding is evolving, with some experts suggesting it may primarily be an immunological disorder, the prevalence of which has a range of 7–13% in non-pregnant women and 4.1–8.3% during pregnancy. Pregnancy can affect susceptibility to vaginal infections, leading to adverse outcomes for the woman and the newborn. This review summarizes the correlation between AV and adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly preterm birth, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. An improved understanding of AV's impact on pregnancy outcomes can lead to early recognition, proper management, and effective interventions. While some studies support an association between AV and preterm labor, the existing knowledge of this relationship remains limited. The evidence suggests that AV may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, mainly preterm birth, but further research is needed to establish a definitive link. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and clarify AV's role in premature labor. A comprehensive understanding of AV's impact on pregnancy outcomes is crucial for early recognition, appropriate management, and effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]