Impact of Chromosomal Structural Rearrangements on IVF Laboratory Outcomes in PGT-SR Cycles: A Propensity Score Matching-Based Study.

Chromosomal structural rearrangements (SR) can impair gametogenesis, increasing the risk of embryos carrying unbalanced chromosomal content (i.e., with a gain or loss of chromosomal material).

Immunological profile of pregnant women with preconception immunity with or without vertical transmission of human cytomegalovirus to the fetus: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Vertical transmission of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) to the fetus (congenital CMV infection) can occur in pregnant women with preconception immunity. Maternal immunological features associated with congenital CMV infection have been poorly investigated. We aimed to characterise the immunological features of pregnant women with preconception immunity in cases with and without vertical transmission of human CMV to the fetus.

Extracellular vesicles from different regions of the female reproductive tract promote spermatozoa motility and support capacitation.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been proven to have a crucial role in intercellular communication and have attracted significant attention in the physiology of reproduction because of their multiple functions in physiological processes essential for reproduction including gametogenesis, fertilization and embryo-endometrial cross-talk. Although EVs from the male reproductive tract have been extensively studied for their role in sperm maturation, research on female reproductive tract-derived EVs in humans is still emerging and supported by only a few studies to date. In vitro study was performed using spermatozoa from normozoospermic men and EVs isolated from follicular fluid (FF-EVs), cervicovaginal fluid collected 2 and 7 days after the LH surge (CVF-EVs LH + 2 and LH + 7, respectively) and spent medium of decidualized (dESCs-EVs) and non-decidualized (eESCs-EVs) endometrial stromal cells from healthy women of reproductive age.

Histologic findings from ablation of ovarian endometriomas using argon plasma coagulation (APC-ENDO): a pilot study.

Background: Although cystectomy remains the gold standard for ovarian endometrioma surgery, its potential harm to ovarian reserve due to inadvertent removal of ovarian parenchyma has raised concerns. Ablative techniques, like Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC), ensure precision with minimal thermal spread, preserving ovarian reserve. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the thermal damage induced by APC on the endometrioma pseudocapsule in women undergoing surgery for ovarian endometriomas.

Every minute counts: a network meta-analysis comparing the effect of prophylactic endovascular procedures in abnormal placentation.

Background: Preventing postpartum haemorrhage remains a high priority worldwide. We aimed to provide all available evidence comparing maternal and neonatal outcomes of different prophylactic endovascular procedures in patients with abnormal placentation.

Methods: Pubmed, Embase and ClinicalTrials.

A road map through the multi-faceted world of female genital cosmetic surgical techniques.

The demand for female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) has significantly increased in recent years for two reasons: the advancement of surgical operations and the increased attention to women's esthetic and sexual well-being. Three authors independently analyzed different databases up to April 1, 2024. They selected the relevant data according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Atypical mediastinal mass in the fetus: a review of the literature.

Objectives: Congenital thoracic masses (CTMs) are suspected in presence of solid or cystic thoracic lesions at ultrasound. The common typical fetal CTMs encompass: hyperechogenic lung lesions such as congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), broncopulmonary sequestration (PS) and congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS); less common solid thoracic masses are mediastinal/pericardial tumors as rhabdomyoma and teratoma. The aim of our study is to gather the available evidence on cases of atypical CTMs of difficult classification, for which the diagnosis remains often uncertain.

Female urinary incontinence in middle-aged women in four hospitals in Northern Italy: A multicentre prevalence study.

Urinary Incontinence (UI) has been identified as a health priority by the World Health Organization. Despite being a widely discussed topic, UI remains an underrecognized condition: affected individuals often refrain from reporting it due to its status as a socially sensitive topic and a source of embarrassment. UI exhibits a markedly higher prevalence in the female population compared to males and significantly diminishes the quality of life for those affected.

Long-Term Postoperative Recurrence Rates and Fertility Outcomes After Endometrioma CO-Laser Vaporization: A Five-Year Follow-Up Experience.

Study Objective: Although cystectomy remains the gold standard for the surgical treatments of endometriomas, concerns about the negative effect on ovarian reserve are rising. Laser-CO vaporization of endometriomas has shown encouraging data on ovarian reserve preservation, postoperative pregnancy rates, and recurrence. The aim of this study was to assess postoperative recurrence rate and pregnancy rate in patients with endometriomas managed by CO fiber laser vaporization after at least 5 years following surgery.

Thinking in context: Fibroids-to-uterine volume ratio in pre-surgical fertility evaluation for intramural fibroids.

Objective: To explore the utility of the total fibroids-to-uterine volume (FTUV) ratio as a simple, preoperative tool to assist in counseling patients seeking pregnancy who are undergoing myomectomy for intramural (IM) fibroids.

Study Design: This is an historical cohort study on reproductive-aged patients seeking pregnancy who underwent laparotomic myomectomy for intramural fibroids from January 2017 to December 2021. Only G3 to G5 fibroids, according to the 2011 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification, were included.

Illness experience and (unmet) needs of women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKH): a qualitative analysis of an online forum.

Objective: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) is a congenital condition characterized by the underdevelopment or complete absence of the uterus and the upper part of the vagina. Diagnosis is commonly made during adolescence, a sensitive period for psychophysical development, following the absence of menstruation. Having MRKH syndrome can have a profound and multifaceted psychosocial impact that characterizes these women's subjective experiences, although it continues to be qualitatively understudied.

Endometriosis and Adenomyosis: Modern Concepts of Their Clinical Outcomes, Treatment, and Management.

Endometriosis and adenomyosis are complex gynecological conditions characterized by diverse clinical presentations, including superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SPE), ovarian endometrioma (OMA), and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). The hallmark features of these pathologies involve the manifestation of pain symptoms and infertility, and approximately 30% of patients are asymptomatic. Despite ongoing research, definitive treatments for these conditions remain elusive, and clinical management primarily revolves around medical or surgical interventions.

Vaginal Hysterectomy: A Network Meta-Analysis Comparing Short-Term Outcomes of Surgical Techniques and Devices.

Objective: To provide available evidence comparing surgical outcomes of different vaginal hysterectomy (VH) techniques and devices.

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from inception to December 1, 2023, using relevant keywords.

The role of artificial intelligence in cosmetic and functional gynecology: Stepping into the third millennium.

Cosmetic and functional gynecology have gained popularity among patients, but the scientific literature in this field, particularly regarding the cosmetic aspect, is lacking. The use of evidence-based medicine is crucial to validate diagnostic tools and treatment protocols. However, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) offers a promising solution to address this issue.

Contemporary Diagnostic Work-Up for Male Infertility: Emphasizing Comprehensive Baseline Assessment.

Infertility is a prevalent issue affecting many couples during their reproductive years, with a significant number facing challenges in conceiving despite regular unprotected intercourse. Male factor infertility (MFI) contributes significantly to these cases, with a significant proportion of men lacking an identifiable etiology. As such, a thorough assessment of MFI has become increasingly vital for personalized management.

Protective defunctioning stoma in bowel segmental resection at the time of total hysterectomy for endometriosis: when less is more.

Purpose: To compare postoperative complications in women undergoing total hysterectomy with segmental resection (TH-SR) for intestinal endometriosis with or without protective defunctioning stoma (PDS) confection.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study conducted at the Gynecologic department of University Hospital of Lille (France) from January 2008 to January 2022 in patients undergone TH-SR for bowel endometriosis.

Results: 100 women were considered for the analysis.

Optimizing Performance of Transformer-based Models for Fetal Brain MR Image Segmentation.

Purpose To test the performance of a transformer-based model when manipulating pretraining weights, dataset size, and input size and comparing the best model with the reference standard and state-of-the-art models for a resting-state functional (rs-fMRI) fetal brain extraction task. Materials and Methods An internal retrospective dataset (172 fetuses, 519 images; collected 2018-2022) was used to investigate influence of dataset size, pretraining approaches, and image input size on Swin-U-Net transformer (UNETR) and UNETR models. The internal and external (131 fetuses, 561 images) datasets were used to cross-validate and to assess generalization capability of the best model versus state-of-the-art models on different scanner types and number of gestational weeks (GWs).

Preterm birth in singleton pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection: an overview of systematic reviews.

Background: The rate of preterm birth of singletons conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is increased, being as high as 15% to 16% across Europe and the United States. However, the underlying etiology, phenotype, and mechanisms initiating preterm birth (PTB) are poorly understood.

Objective: To quantify the PTB risk and examine supposed etiology in IVF/ICSI singleton pregnancies compared to naturally conceived.

Effect of type III female genital mutilation on obstetric outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Controversial evidence suggests a potential association between female genital mutilation (FGM/C) and adverse obstetric outcomes, with type III FGM/C (infibulation) carrying the greatest risk. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess current rate of adverse obstetric outcomes in women with type III female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C; infibulation) delivering across different settings worldwide.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.

The maternal-fetal neurodevelopmental groundings of preterm birth risk.

Background: Altered neurodevelopment is a major clinical sequela of Preterm Birth (PTB) being currently unexplored in-utero.

Aims: To study the link between fetal brain functional (FbF) connectivity and preterm birth, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

Study Design: Prospective single-centre cohort study.