Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), one of the most common endocrine pathologies during pregnancy, is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first discovery in the perinatal period. Physiological changes that occur in pregnant women can lead to inflammation, which promotes insulin resistance. In the general context of worldwide increasing obesity in young females of reproductive age, GDM follows the same ascending trend. Changes in the intestinal microbiome play a decisive role in obesity and the development of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). To date, various studies have also associated intestinal dysbiosis with metabolic changes in women with GDM. Although host metabolism in women with GDM has not been fully elucidated, it is of particular importance to analyze the available data and to discuss the actual knowledge regarding microbiome changes with potential impact on the health of pregnant women and newborns. We analyzed peer-reviewed journal articles available in online databases in order to summarize the most recent findings regarding how variations in diet and metabolic status of GDM patients can contribute to alteration of the gut microbiome, in the same way that changes of the gut microbiota can lead to GDM. The most frequently observed alteration in the microbiome of patients with GDM was either an increase of the Firmicutes phylum, respectively, or a decrease of the Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria phyla. Gut dysbiosis was still present postpartum and can impact the development of the newborn, as shown in several studies. In the evolution of GDM, probiotic supplementation and regular physical activity have the strongest evidence of proper blood glucose control, favoring fetal development and a healthy outcome for the postpartum period. The current review aims to summarize and discuss the most recent findings regarding the correlation between GDM and dysbiosis, and current and future methods for prevention and treatment (lifestyle changes, pre- and probiotics administration). To conclude, by highlighting the role of the gut microbiota, one can change perspectives about the development and progression of GDM and open up new avenues for the development of innovative therapeutic targets in this disease.

Predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in solid tumors such as melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal cancer (CRC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), endometrial carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), or urothelial carcinoma (UC) include programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), defective deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mismatch repair (dMMR), microsatellite instability (MSI), and the tumor microenvironment (TME). Over the past decade, several types of ICIs, including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibodies, anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies, and anti-lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) antibodies have been studied and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with ongoing research on others. Recent studies highlight the critical role of the gut microbiome in influencing a positive therapeutic response to ICIs, emphasizing the importance of modeling factors that can maintain a healthy microbiome. However, resistance mechanisms can emerge, such as increased expression of alternative immune checkpoints, T-cell immunoglobulin (Ig), mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3), LAG-3, impaired antigen presentation, and alterations in the TME. This review aims to synthesize the data regarding the interactions between microbiota and immunotherapy (IT). Understanding these mechanisms is essential for optimizing ICI therapy and developing effective combination strategies.

The gut microbiota represents a community of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses, and protozoa) that colonize the gut and are responsible for gut mucosal structural integrity and immune and metabolic homeostasis. The relationship between the gut microbiome and human health has been intensively researched in the past years. It is now widely recognized that gut microbial composition is highly responsible for the general health of the host. Among the diseases that have been linked to an altered gut microbial population are diarrheal illnesses and functional constipation. The capacity of probiotics to modulate the gut microbiome population, strengthen the intestinal barrier, and modulate the immune system together with their antioxidant properties have encouraged the research of probiotic therapy in many gastrointestinal afflictions. Dietary and lifestyle changes and the use of probiotics seem to play an important role in easing constipation and effectively alleviating diarrhea by suppressing the germs involved. This review aims to describe how probiotic bacteria and the use of specific strains could interfere and bring benefits as an associated treatment for diarrhea and constipation.

Abdominal hernias are common issues in the clinical setting, burdening millions of patients worldwide. Associated with pain, decreased quality of life, and severe potential complications, abdominal wall hernias should be treated as soon as possible. Whether an open repair or laparoscopic surgical approach is tackled, mesh reinforcement is generally required to ensure a durable hernia repair. Over the years, numerous mesh products have been made available on the market and in clinical settings, yet each of the currently used meshes presents certain limitations that reflect on treatment outcomes. Thus, mesh development is still ongoing, and emerging solutions have reached various testing stages. In this regard, this paper aims to establish an up-to-date framework on abdominal meshes, briefly overviewing currently available solutions for hernia repair and discussing in detail the most recent advances in the field. Particularly, there are presented the developments in lightweight materials, meshes with improved attachment, antimicrobial fabrics, composite and hybrid textiles, and performant mesh designs, followed by a systematic review of recently completed clinical trials.

Ovarian cancer is considered one of the most aggressive and deadliest gynecological malignancies worldwide. Unfortunately, the therapeutic methods that are considered the gold standard at this moment are associated with frequent recurrences. Survival in ovarian cancer is associated with the presence of a high number of intra tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Therefore, immunomodulation is considered to have an important role in cancer treatment, and immune checkpoint inhibitors may be useful for restoring T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. However, the data presented in the literature until now are not sufficient to allow for the identification and selection of patients who really respond to immunotherapy among those with ovarian cancer. Although there are some studies with favorable results, more prospective trials are needed in this sense. This review focuses on the current and future perspectives of PD-1/L1 blockade in ovarian cancer and analyzes the most important immune checkpoint inhibitors used, with the aim of achieving optimal clinical outcomes. Future studies and trials are needed to maximize the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in ovarian cancer, as well as in all cancers, in general.

Obesity, a global public health problem, is constantly increasing, so the concerns in preventing and combating it are increasingly focused on the intestinal microbiota. It was found that the microbiota is different in lean people compared to obese individuals, but the exact mechanisms by which energy homeostasis is influenced are still incompletely known. Numerous studies show the involvement of certain bacterial species in promoting obesity and associated diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, etc. Our aim is to summarize the main findings regarding the influence of several factors such as lifestyle changes, including diet and bariatric surgery, on the diversity of the gut microbiota in obese individuals. The second purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential effect of various microbiota modulation techniques on ameliorating obesity and its comorbidities. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database, identifying articles published between 2019 and 2024. Most studies identified suggest that obesity is generally associated with alterations of the gut microbiome such as decreased microbial diversity, an increased Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, and increased SCFAs levels. Our findings also indicate that gut microbiota modulation techniques could represent a novel strategy in treating obesity and related metabolic diseases. Although some mechanisms (e.g., inflammation or hormonal regulation) are already considered a powerful connection between gut microbiota and obesity development, further research is needed to enhance the knowledge on this particular topic.