Obesity is an escalating problem in all age groups and it is observed to be more common in females than males. About 25% of women meet the criteria of obesity and one-third of them are in the reproductive age. Because morbid obesity requiring surgical treatment is observed with increasing frequency, surgeons and gynecologists are undergoing new challenges. It is not only a matter of women’s health and their quality of life but also proper development of the fetus, which should be a concern during bariatric treatment. Therefore complex perinatal care has to be provided for morbid obesity patients. The paper reviews pregnancy and fertility issues in bariatric surgery patients.
Endometrial cancer (EC) is a complex gynecologic malignancy that requires a deeper understanding of its molecular basis to improve therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the role of fatty acid (FA) reprogramming in the progression of EC. We analyzed FA profiles to identify the stage-specific changes and gene expression profiles of key enzymes involved in FA synthesis, desaturation, elongation, transport, and oxidation at different stages of EC. Our results show that EC tissues have lower levels of saturated FA and branched-chain FA, higher levels of very long-chain FA, n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), and monounsaturated FA, with the exception of myristoleic acid. The differences in n-6 PUFA were inconsistent. Gene expression analysis revealed the upregulation of key enzymes controlling de novo FA synthesis, including ACACA, FASN, SCD1, and ELOVL1. In contrast, the expression of genes related to FA transport in the cell and β-oxidation was downregulated. The expression of some genes related to PUFA metabolism was upregulated, while others were downregulated. These results demonstrate a reprogramming of lipid metabolism in EC tissues and suggest potential targets for novel therapeutic interventions in EC.
To present current guidelines regarding treatment of mastocytosis in pregnancy on the example of observed patients. Case control national study. Polish Center of the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis (ECNM). 23 singleton spontaneous pregnancies in 17 women diagnosed with mastocytosis in years 1999–2014, before becoming pregnant. Prospective analysis outcomes of pregnancies and deliveries. Survey developed in cooperation with the Spanish Instituto de Estudios de Mastocitosis de Castilla-La Mancha (CLMast), Hospital Virgen del Valle, Toledo, Red Espańola de Mastocitosis (REMA), Spain. All 23 pregnancies resulted from natural conception. Obstetrical complications recorded in the first trimester included spontaneous miscarriage (5 pregnancies). Four patients delivered preterm, including one delivery due to preeclampsia at 26 weeks which resulted with neonate death due to extreme prematurity. Five women delivered via cesarean: four due to obstetrical indications and one due to mastocytosis, during which no anesthesia related complications were recorded. Of patients delivering vaginally, two received extradural anesthesia, three required oxytocin infusion due to uterine hypotonia. No labor complications were recorded. In one woman with pregnancy-induced hypertension, early puerperium was complicated by the presence of persistent arterial hypertension. One neonate was born with the signs of cutaneous mastocytosis. Another neonate was diagnosed with Patau syndrome. Four women were treated for mastocytosis prior to conception and continued therapy after becoming pregnant. One patient was put on medications in the first trimester due to worsening of her symptoms. Pregnancy exerted only a slight effect on the intensity and frequency of mastocytosis-related symptoms observed. Worsening of the disease-related symptoms was documented in only four patients (23%). None of the patients showed the signs of anaphylaxis, either before becoming pregnant, or during pregnancy and puerperium. There is no contraindication to pregnancy when mastocystosis-related pathologies are under appropriate medical control.
The greater omentum, often described as a “plaster” of the abdominal cavity, exhibits remarkable regenerative and immunological properties. Its unique morphology—rich vasculature and a diverse cellular composition comprising adipocytes, endothelial cells, and leukocyte aggregates known as milky spots (MS)—facilitates immune surveillance, fluid uptake, and the secretion of neurotransmitters. Additionally, MS contribute to peritoneal immunity by capturing pathogens, promoting lymphocyte proliferation, and releasing cytokines and chemokines that recruit effector immune cells while limiting local inflammation. Structurally, this peritoneal extension shields visceral organs, prevents adhesions, and absorbs tumor secretions, yet paradoxically also provides a niche for metastatic spread. Moreover, the greater omentum is susceptible to various pathologies—vascular steal can deprive organs of blood, torsion and herniation threaten tissue viability, and ossification can transform the greater omentum into a rigid structure lacking protective properties. Notably, omentectomy has been associated with weakened antibacterial defense, underscoring its protective role. This review aims to explore the multifaceted nature of the greater omentum, emphasizing both its physiological benefits and the potential disadvantages associated with its alteration or removal.
Introduction: Preeclampsia is responsible for more than 70 000 and 500 000 maternal and fetal deaths, respectively each year. Incomplete remodelling of the spiral arteries in placenta is the most accepted theory of preeclampsia pathogenesis. However, the process is complexed with immunological background, as pregnancy resembles allograft transplantation. Fetus expresses human leukocyte antigens (HLA) inherited from both parents, thus is semiallogeneic to the maternal immune system. Therefore, induction of fetal tolerance is crucial for physiological outcome of pregnancy. Noteworthy, the immunogenicity of discordant HLA antigens is determined by functional epitopes called eplets, which are continuous and discontinuous short sequences of amino acids. This way various HLA molecules may express the same eplet and some HLA incompatibilities can be more immunogenic due to different eplet combination. Therefore, we hypothesized that maternal- fetal HLA incompatibility may be involved in the pathogenesis of gestational hypertension and its progression to preeclampsia. We also aimed to test if particular maternal-fetal eplet mismatches are more prone for induction of anti- fetal HLA antibodies in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.Methods: High resolution next-generation sequencing of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQB1 and -DRB1 antigens was performed in mothers and children from physiological pregnancies (12 pairs) and from pregnancies complicated with gestational hypertension (22 pairs) and preeclampsia (27 pairs). In the next step HLA eplet identification and analysis of HLA eplet incompatibilities was performed with in silico approach HLAMatchmaker algorithm. Simultaneously maternal sera were screened for anti-fetal HLA class I, class II and anti-MICA antibodies with Luminex, and data were analyzed with HLA-Fusion software.Results: We observed that high HLA-C, -B, and DQB1 maternal-fetal eplet compatibility was associated with severe preeclampsia (PE) manifestation. Both quantity and quality of HLA epletmismatches affected the severity of PE. Mismatches in HLA-B eplets: 65QIA+76ESN, 70IAO, 180E, HLA-C eplets: 193PL3, 267QE, and HLA-DRB1 eplet: 16Y were associated with a mild outcome of preeclampsia if the complication occurred.Conclusions: High HLA-C, HLA-DQB1 and HLA-B eplet compatibility between mother and child is associated with severe manifestation of preeclampsia. Both quantity and quality of maternal-fetal HLA eplet mismatches affects severity of preeclampsia.