Breef overview of gestational diabetes mellitus

As obesity increases worldwide, so do the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the related perinatal complications. Pancreatic β-cell secretion is altered by hormonal changes during pregnancy. It appears, however, that patients who develop gestational diabetes have pre-existing insulin resistance. However, there are other risk factors to be considered, such as obesity, age, ethnicity, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Screening for gestational diabetes is very important to avoid maternal and fetal complications. For most pregnant women, glycemic control is achieved through dietary and lifestyle changes, although a small percentage requires pharmacological treatment

Pregnancy in the context of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune neurodegenerative disorder which affects brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. During last years the perception over the disease changed dramatically, now being considered a handleable disease. The particularity of this subject is that Multiple Sclerosis is a disease which affects mostly young women, many of them not having any children at the moment of diagnosis. This article highlights the fact that women diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis are allowed to get pregnant, and, moreover, they are encouraged to live a normal life. In most cases, disease activity freezes during pregnancy, only a small percentage of women will continue to have clinically and radiologically active disease. For those women, IFN-β and Glatiramer Acetate are the first-choice therapies that should be given. In cases when the disease is not responding to common medication, refractory to treatment forms may be successfully treated with Natalizuab, during the first and the second trimester. Breastfeeding is also encouraged, as it has a protective effect on disease progression. The main purpose of this article is to make a literature review in which to summarize the updates regarding pregnancy and postpartum management, relapses management and, also, the impact of pregnancy on Multiple Sclerosis course. The analysis was limited to articles written in English and published between August 2019 - October 2022 on PubMed, NCBI and Medical Journals

Oligohydramnios: A review of etiology and management options

Oligohydramnios is both a consequence of fetal malformations and of uteroplacental insufficiency. Its existence is associated with a high rate of both antepartum and intrapartum complications. It is vital that its occurrence is detected as early as possible so that we can manage it correctly. The main causes of its occurrence are identified and described in this review. The management of oligohydramnios is most often expectant, the timing of delivery also being determined by Doppler examination and changes in parameters measuring fetal growth and development

Managing intrauterine growth restriction

The fetal growth normally depends on sufficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients mainly via the placenta. Inadequate fetal nutrition may result in poor development and adaptation that permanently alter the fetus' metabolism and physiology. Intrauterine Growth Restriction is defined as a deviation on the fetal growth pattern. An estimated fetal weight (EFW) that is below the 10th percentile for gestational age is commonly used to describe fetal growth restriction. Usually obtained sonographically, there is evidence that ultrasound imaging of the uterine artery, middle cerebral artery, and fetal umbilical artery during the late third-trimester (approximately 35-37 weeks) significantly improves the detection and diagnosis of IUGR. In obstetrics, an increased risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity is associated with the diagnosis of IUGR

Recurrent Abortion and the Involvement of Killer-Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) Genes, Activated T Cells, NK Abnormalities, and Cytokine Profiles

Immune tolerance at the feto-maternal interface is crucial for the growth of the semi-allograft fetus in the womb. The outcome of pregnancy is dependent on a fine balance between various immunological forces. For a long time, the potential role of the immune system in pregnancy disorders has remained enigmatic. Current evidence has revealed that natural killer (NK) cells are the predominant immune cell population in the uterine decidua. NK cells cooperate with T-cells to provide an optimal microenvironment for the growth of the developing fetus by producing cytokines, chemokines, and angiogenic factors. These factors support trophoblast migration and angiogenesis which regulates the process of placentation. NK cells differentiate between “self” and “non-self” through their surface receptors known as killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). They induce immune tolerance through communication via their KIR and fetal human leucocyte antigens (HLA). KIRs are surface receptors of NKs that comprise both activating and inhibiting receptors. Due to the wide diversity manifested by its genes, the KIR repertoire is different in each individual. Significant evidence has implicated KIRs in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA); however, maternal KIR gene diversity in RSA is still unclear. Research has shown that immunological aberrancies including activating KIRs, NK abnormalities, and T cell downregulation are risk factors for RSA. In this review, we discuss relevant data from experimental studies on NK cell abnormalities, KIR, and T-cells in the incidence of recurrent spontaneous abortion

Recurrent Abortion and the Involvement of Killer-Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) Genes, Activated T Cells, NK Abnormalities, and Cytokine Profiles

Immune tolerance at the feto-maternal interface is crucial for the growth of the semi-allograft fetus in the womb. The outcome of pregnancy is dependent on a fine balance between various immunological forces. For a long time, the potential role of the immune system in pregnancy disorders has remained enigmatic. Current evidence has revealed that natural killer (NK) cells are the predominant immune cell population in the uterine decidua. NK cells cooperate with T-cells to provide an optimal microenvironment for the growth of the developing fetus by producing cytokines, chemokines, and angiogenic factors. These factors support trophoblast migration and angiogenesis which regulates the process of placentation. NK cells differentiate between “self” and “non-self” through their surface receptors known as killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs). They induce immune tolerance through communication via their KIR and fetal human leucocyte antigens (HLA). KIRs are surface receptors of NKs that comprise both activating and inhibiting receptors. Due to the wide diversity manifested by its genes, the KIR repertoire is different in each individual. Significant evidence has implicated KIRs in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA); however, maternal KIR gene diversity in RSA is still unclear. Research has shown that immunological aberrancies including activating KIRs, NK abnormalities, and T cell downregulation are risk factors for RSA. In this review, we discuss relevant data from experimental studies on NK cell abnormalities, KIR, and T-cells in the incidence of recurrent spontaneous abortion

Comprehensive Overview of Sleep Disorders in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

The impact of sleep disorders (SDs) on patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) is tremendous. SDs are frequently encountered among these patients and interfere with their quality of life. This review aims to present the data available so far about the prevalence, phenotypes, and proposed pathophysiological mechanisms of SDs in CLD. Moreover, we proposed to search the literature regarding the most reliable methods to assess SDs and the possible therapeutic options in patients with CLD. The main results of this review show that when it comes to prevalence, the percentages reported vary widely between studies performed among populations from the USA or Europe and those coming from Asian countries. Furthermore, it has been proven that SDs may also be present in the absence of neurocognitive disorders attributable to hepatic encephalopathy (HE), which contradicts traditional suppositions where SDs were considered part of the clinical scenario of HE. Currently, there are no specific recommendations or protocols to assess SDs in CLD patients and data about the therapeutic management are limited. Taking into consideration their impact, a protocol for diagnosing and managing SDs should be developed and included in the daily practice of hepatologists

Updates in Diagnosis and Endoscopic Management of Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an adenocarcinoma originating from the epithelial cells of the bile ducts/hepatocytes or peribiliary glands. There are three types of cholangiocarcinoma: intrahepatic, perihilar and distal. CCA represents approximately 3% of the gastrointestinal malignancies. The incidence of CCA is higher in regions of the Eastern world compared to the Western countries. There are multiple risk factors associated with cholangiocarcinoma such as liver fluke, primary sclerosing cholangitis, chronic hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Endoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of cholangiocarcinoma. The main endoscopic methods used for diagnosis, biliary drainage and delivering intrabiliary local therapies are endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound. The purpose of this review is to analyze the current data found in literature about cholangiocarcinoma, with a focus on the actual diagnostic tools and endoscopic management options

Assessment of Sleep among Patients with Chronic Liver Disease: Association with Quality of Life

The present study aims to assess the sleep characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs), as well as the relationship between them. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study, over a period of eight months, on patients with CLDs. Sleep was assessed by subjective tools (self-reported validated questionnaires), semi-objective methods (actigraphy), and HRQOL by using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ). The results indicated that 48.21% of patients with CLDs had a mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score higher than five, suggestive of poor sleep; 39.29% of patients had a mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score ≥11, indicative of daytime sleepiness. Actigraphy monitoring showed that patients with cirrhosis had significantly more delayed bedtime hours and get-up hours, more awakenings, and more reduced sleep efficacy when compared to pre-cirrhotics. The CLDQ and SF-36 questionnaire scores were significantly lower in cirrhotics compared to pre-cirrhotics within each domain. Moreover, we identified significant correlations between the variables from each questionnaire, referring to HRQOL and sleep parameters. In conclusion, sleep disturbances are commonly encountered among patients with CLDs and are associated with impaired HRQOL. This is the first study in Romania that assesses sleep by actigraphy in a cohort of patients with different stages of CLD

Berberine—A Promising Therapeutic Approach to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Infertile/Pregnant Women

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder with an unknown etiology that features a wide range of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities that hamper fertility. PCOS women experience difficulties getting pregnant, and if pregnant, they are prone to miscarriage, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, high fetal morbidity, and perinatal mortality. Insulin, the pancreatic hormone best known for its important role in glucose metabolism, has an underrated position in reproduction. PCOS women who have associated insulin resistance (with consequent hyperinsulinemia) have fertility issues and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Lowering the endogen insulin levels and insulin resistance appears to be a target to improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes in those women. Berberine is an alkaloid with a high concentration in various medicinal herbs that exhibits a hypoglycaemic effect alongside a broad range of other therapeutic activities. Its medical benefits may stand up for treating different conditions, including diabetes mellitus. So far, a small number of pharmacological/clinical trials available in the English language draw attention towards the good results of berberine’s use in PCOS women with insulin resistance for improving fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Our study aims to uncover how berberine can counteract the negative effect of insulin resistance in PCOS women and improve fertility and pregnancy outcomes