Background: During viral outbreaks, pregnancy poses an increased risk of infection for women. Methods: In a prospective study, all patients admitted for delivery at term to Elena Doamna Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital in Iasi, Romania, between 1 April 2020 and 31 December 2020 were included. There were 457 patients, divided into two groups: group 1, SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (n = 46) and group 2, SARS-CoV-2-negative patients (n = 411). Among other tests, complete blood count was determined upon admittance, and the following values were studied: white blood cell count, lymphocytes, neutrophils, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, red blood cell distribution width, hematocrit, platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit, and platelet large cell ratio. Results: in pregnant SARS-CoV-2-infected patients at term, there was a significant decrease in white blood cell, neutrophil, and lymphocyte count, and an increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, compared to healthy pregnant women at term, although all still within normal limits. None of the other components of the complete blood count or fetal outcomes studied was significantly influenced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant patients at term.

Background and objectives: Kisspeptin, also named metastin, showed important roles in initiating the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and is an essential factor in the development of polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS). Several research studies noticed associations between kisspeptin levels and patients with anovulatory cycles due to PCOS with an increased LH/FSH ratio. The aim of our study was to bring scientific evidence regarding the correlation between high kisspeptin and luteinizing hormone values in subfertile women due to PCOS. Materials and Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted in “Elena Doamna” Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology between 4 January 2021 and 1 March 2022. All patients agreed to participate in our study, had ages between 18 and 45 years old, and had a body mass index between 18.5 and 30 kg/m². The study group consisted of subfertile patients with PCOS and menstrual disturbances, including amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea. The control group consisted of healthy patients with ovulatory cycles and no other reproductive or endocrinology pathologies. During the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle, patients had blood samples taken with the dosage of kisspeptin, LH, FSH, estradiol, insulin, glycemic levels, testosterone, and prolactin. Pelvic ultrasounds and clinical examinations were performed as well. Results: Significant differences were observed in kisspeptin, LH, FSH, and estradiol levels between patients with PCOS and the control group. After the univariate analysis, PCOS was significantly associated with increased kisspeptin, increased LH, and decreased FSH. There was no significant association between PCOS, estradiol, prolactin, and insulin. Conclusions: kisspeptin serum values are higher in subfertile PCOS patients, supporting the hypothesis that an over-stimulation of the KISS1 system might cause the hyper-stimulation of the HPG-axis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration within the central nervous system (CNS). While the inflammatory components of MS have been extensively studied, the progressive neurodegenerative aspect remains a critical factor contributing to long-term disability. Therefore, the identification and validation of biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative processes are essential for improved diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. This review explores cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood-based biomarkers, including neurofilaments, lipid markers, kynurenines, and other molecular indicators that provide insights into neurodegeneration in MS.

(1) Background: Fetal growth restriction is a relatively common disorder in pregnant patients with thrombophilia. New artificial intelligence algorithms are a promising option for the prediction of adverse obstetrical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive performance of a Feed-Forward Back Propagation Network (FFBPN) for the prediction of small for gestational age (SGA) newborns in a cohort of pregnant patients with thrombophilia. (2) Methods: This observational retrospective study included all pregnancies in women with thrombophilia who attended two tertiary maternity hospitals in Romania between January 2013 and December 2020. Bivariate associations of SGA and each predictor variable were evaluated. Clinical and paraclinical predictors were further included in a FFBPN, and its predictive performance was assessed. (3) Results: The model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95, with a true positive rate of 86.7%, and a false discovery rate of 10.5%. The overall accuracy of our model was 90%. (4) Conclusion: This is the first study in the literature that evaluated the performance of a FFBPN for the prediction of pregnant patients with thrombophilia at a high risk of giving birth to SGA newborns, and its promising results could lead to a tailored prenatal management.

Zilebesiran represents an innovative antihypertensive therapy employing small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit hepatic angiotensinogen, a key regulator of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. By directly targeting the source of angiotensin II production, zilebesiran offers a novel mechanism distinct from conventional antihypertensive treatments. In the clinical studies KARDIA-1 and KARDIA-2, zilebesiran demonstrated clinically significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, with effects lasting up to 24 weeks after a single subcutaneous injection. In KARDIA-1, doses of 300 mg and 600 mg administered every 6 months resulted in reductions of over 15 mmHg in systolic blood pressure at 3 months compared with placebo. KARDIA-2 further showed an additional reduction of up to 12.1 mmHg at 3 months when zilebesiran was used as an adjunct to standard antihypertensive therapy. KARDIA-3 is currently evaluating the therapy in a larger global population to assess its impact on major cardiovascular outcomes. Zilebesiran has demonstrated a favorable safety profile with minimal adverse events, offering potential advantages for patients with resistant or uncontrolled hypertension and those at high cardiovascular risk, especially where adherence to daily oral medications is challenging. Beyond blood pressure reduction, zilebesiran may protect target organs, including the heart, kidneys, and retina. In conclusion, zilebesiran represents a promising siRNA-based therapy that may redefine the management of difficult-to-control hypertension, offering durable, targeted, and patient-friendly treatment with broad cardiovascular benefits. Future studies will clarify its long-term safety, efficacy across diverse populations, and integration into personalized hypertension management strategies.

Background: Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) or Asherman syndrome (AS) represent pathological conditions that affect the endometrium and significantly influence female fertility through a variety of mechanisms. This study aims to identify risk factors, explore pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and assess how medical background influence the development of these conditions. It also seeks to associate the severity of conditions with clinical outcomes, such as fertility, miscarriages, and menstrual cycle disorders, using American Fertility Society (AFS) scoring system. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study included 134 patients aged 18 to 45, who followed hysteroscopy between 2016 and 2024 at two hospitals in Iasi, focusing on those diagnosed with IUAs (102 patients) and AS (32 patients), based on hysteroscopic approach. The exclusions were based of factors like acute uterine bleeding, intrauterine device, obesity and other severe conditions. Results and discussions: Women over 35 years are more likely to develop these conditions due to prior gynaecological procedures which are often associated with fertility issues. Hysteroscopy is established as the gold standard for both diagnosis and treatment, intraoperative diagnosis representing 45.6 % of cases. Amenorrhea is a primary indicator in AS patients (OR = 26.19) and dysmenorrhea as a potential marker for IUAs (OR = 2.67). Patients with IUAs and primary infertility (82.9%) typically have an AFS score 1, corresponding to improved conception rates. Those with AS and primary infertility often present an AFS score 2 (54.5%); patients with AS and secondary infertility were linked to AFS score 3 (58.8%; p = 0.137). Although the incidence of miscarriages is comparable between the two groups, the timing differs: IUAs are predominantly associated with first trimester losses (64.9%), whereas AS is more commonly linked to second trimester miscarriages (45.5%; p = 0.001). Conclusions: The study highlights the necessity of a personalized approach in diagnosing and treating IUAs and AS, considering factors such as age, fertility index, and disease severity. The integration of hysteroscopic techniques with individualized treatment plans based on the patient’s unique medical profile is crucial for adequate management of IUAs and AS.