In many countries, preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation, is the primary cause of infant death and morbidity. An increasing body of research suggests that inflammation (both clinical and subclinical) plays a significant role in inducing preterm labor or developing pregnancy problems that lead to premature birth. Consequently, the purpose of this research was to determine the predictive value of the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), derived Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (dNLR), Monocytes-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR), Platelets-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), for premature delivery. A retrospective study analyzed a total of 243 eligible pregnancies that resulted in a preterm birth during 2020 and 2021. A control group without a history of preterm birth was matched by age and trimester of laboratory analysis at a 1:1 ratio. Although the number of comorbidities was similar among study groups, the body-mass index estimated for the week of gestation was significantly higher among the patients from the prematurity group, as well as the prevalence of urinary tract infections and smoking. Laboratory data showed that patients with a preterm birth had significantly higher white blood cell count and monocytes, but significantly lower lymphocytes, platelets, and hemoglobin. The NLR, dNLR, PLR, and MLR scores showed to be significantly higher among patients from the prematurity group, but SII and SIRI were not significantly different between the study groups. It was observed that the AUC values of NLR, dNLR, PLR, and MLR were higher than 0.600, respectively NLR had the highest value among the tested scores (AUC = 0.694) and the highest sensitivity in this study (71%). The highest sensibility was achieved by dNLR, with 70%, and an AUC value of 0.655 (p-value = 0.022). PLR had the second-highest AUC value (0.682) and the best score in terms of sensitivity (70%) and sensibility (69%) (p-value = 0.015). Lastly, MLR had the lowest significant AUC score (0.607) and lowest sensitivity/sensibility. The significant cut-off values for the inflammatory scores were 9.0 for NLR, 9.8 for dNLR, 250 for PLR, and 4.07 for MLR. After evaluating the importance of these inflammatory scores, further clinical applications should be conducted to confirm the results and improve therapy and care to reduce the burden of premature deliveries.

Prenatal Vitamin D has been suggested to be critical for dental health in children, affecting outcomes including the prevalence of enamel defects and tooth erosion. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the potential impact of prenatal Vitamin D levels on these dental health outcomes. A total of seven studies, involving 6978 participants, were included after a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from 2013 to June 2023. The average age of mothers varied across studies, with Vitamin D levels or supplementation practices displaying significant variation among the study populations. The age of children at examination ranged from 3.6 to 6.6 years. The analysis demonstrated a diverse association between Vitamin D levels and dental outcomes, with enamel defects reported in 21.1% to 64% of the children and opacities ranging from 36% to 79.5% across studies. Maternal Vitamin D insufficiency was identified as a significant risk factor for enamel defects in one study (OR: 3.55), whereas high prenatal Vitamin D levels indicated a protective effect against Hypomineralized Second Primary Molars (OR: 0.84) and Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (OR: 0.95) in another. Conversely, low Vitamin D levels increased the risk of enamel hypoplasia (OR: 1.29) and dental decay. The maternal and child demographics varied greatly across the studies, and the assessment and prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were heterogenous. This review illuminates the potential influence of prenatal Vitamin D on dental health in children, underscoring the importance of adequate Vitamin D levels during pregnancy. However, more robust research is required to establish the optimal Vitamin D intake during pregnancy to ensure healthy dental outcomes in children.

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity worldwide, and refining prognostic tools is essential for individualized patient management. Recent evidence suggests that the systemic immune–inflammation index (SII), derived from routine blood tests, may offer valuable prognostic insights. This study aimed to evaluate whether SII can reliably predict clinical outcomes for patients undergoing curative resection. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer who underwent surgical intervention at a single tertiary center. Preoperative complete blood counts were used to calculate SII. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, we identified an optimal SII cutoff. Using statistical tests, including t-tests and ANOVA, we examined differences in clinicopathological factors between low- and high-SII groups. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we explored associations between SII and variables such as tumor stage and hormone receptor status. Results: Patients with elevated SII levels showed significant associations with more advanced tumor stage and systemic inflammatory profiles. The identified SII cutoff separated patients into distinct risk groups, and high SII values correlated with poorer prognostic features. Multivariate models indicated that SII provided additional predictive value beyond standard markers. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that SII may provide prognostic insights into breast cancer, particularly in stratifying patients based on inflammatory profiles. However, the current study does not support the use of SII as a clinical tool for tailoring treatment strategies. Further preclinical and randomized controlled trials are required to determine its predictive utility and to assess its potential integration into personalized management approaches.

Background: Anemia and preeclampsia are common and independently associated with adverse neonatal outcomes. Their combined effect, however, remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to evaluate the impact of second-trimester maternal anemia on neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, and to assess its predictive value for preterm birth and NICU admission. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 3517 singleton births from a Romanian tertiary maternity hospital between October 2023 and December 2024. A total of 295 preeclamptic pregnancies were stratified by anemia severity (none, mild, moderate-to-severe) and compared with 428 matched non-preeclamptic anemic pregnancies matched by closest-neighbor selection. Neonatal outcomes included birthweight, gestational age, anthropometric parameters, Apgar score, preterm birth, and NICU admission. Logistic regression and ROC curve analysis were performed using anemia severity as a predictor. Results: Moderate-to-severe anemia in preeclamptic pregnancies was associated with significantly lower birthweight (2618 ± 461 g), shorter gestational age (36.6 ± 2.0 weeks), and higher preterm birth (41.1%) and NICU admission rates (40.0%) were compared to non-anemic counterparts. Each increase in anemia severity conferred 84% higher odds of preterm delivery (OR = 1.84; AUC = 0.63) and a 49% increase in NICU admission (OR = 1.49; AUC = 0.58). Youden’s indices were 0.25 and 0.14, respectively. Conclusions: Maternal anemia is associated with increased neonatal morbidity in preeclamptic pregnancies, with moderate predictive value for preterm birth. These findings support the integration of early anemia screening and risk stratification into hypertensive pregnancy protocols to improve perinatal outcomes.

Background: The use of vasoconstrictors in dental anesthesia during pregnancy raises clinical concerns due to their potential effects on uteroplacental blood flow and fetal well-being. Despite widespread use, the safety profiles of agents such as epinephrine, levonordefrin, and felypressin remain insufficiently reviewed, particularly in isolation from local anesthetics. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed (MEDLINE) for studies published between January 2000 and May 2025, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Included studies assessed the use, pharmacokinetics, or outcomes of vasoconstrictor agents used in dental procedures during pregnancy. Articles were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria and synthesized narratively. Results: Out of 95 screened records, only six narrative reviews and three clinical guidelines met eligibility criteria. Epinephrine was the most frequently described agent, generally regarded as safe at low dental doses (1:100,000–1:200,000) when properly administered. Levonordefrin showed insufficient safety data and was associated with potential uterine vasoconstriction. Felypressin was contraindicated due to its oxytocic properties and high risk of inducing uterine contractions. Conclusions: Among vasoconstrictors, epinephrine remains the only agent with an acceptable safety profile in pregnancy when used correctly. Levonordefrin lacks adequate evidence, and felypressin poses clear risks. Until further clinical trials are available, individualized risk assessment and adherence to obstetric and dental guidelines are critical for ensuring maternal and fetal safety.

Background and Objectives: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on education, this study delves into the behavioral, mental health, and sexual education characteristics of high school students during 2020–2021 and 2022–2023. Materials and Methods: We evaluated a variety of factors, including substance use, academic performance, sexual activities, mental health support, pandemic-related anxiety levels, and quality of life indicators using standardized instruments such as the SF-36, GAD-7, and WHOQOL-BREF. Furthermore, we addressed specific questions concerning contraception and sexual education during this period. Results: The questionnaires were filled in by 44 students in 2020–2021 and 41 students in 2022–2023. Significant findings included a noteworthy increase in COVID-19 vaccination rates, from 18.2% in 2020–2021 to 39.0% in 2022–2023 (p = 0.033), enhanced perceptions of mental health support during remote learning, from 7.1% to 20.0% (p = 0.044), and a rise in students partaking in reproductive health discussions from 10.7% to 25.0% (p = 0.046). Additionally, there was a marked decline in anxiety regarding the transition back to in-person learning (p = 0.048). Health surveys, such as the SF-36, signaled improvements in both physical and mental health over the years (p = 0.046 and p = 0.019, respectively), while the GAD-7 scores depicted a considerable reduction in anxiety symptoms (p = 0.038). The WHOQOL-BREF results also highlighted a significant uptick in students’ mental well-being in 2022–2023 (p = 0.039). Conclusions: As the COVID-19 pandemic ended, high school students exhibited shifts in behavior, health, and education over four academic years, particularly in areas of contraceptive knowledge and mental health outcomes. The pronounced enhancements in vaccination rates, perceptions of mental health support, participation in health conversations, and overall mental wellness emphasize the adaptability and resilience of students in these tumultuous periods, and a general increase in contraceptive knowledge and quality of life during the end of the pandemic.