Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a prevalent health concern among the female population, with anatomical and physiological determinants such as a shorter urethra and its proximity to the rectum augmenting vulnerability. The presence of Escherichia coli and various other pathogens plays a significant role in the etiology of these infections, which can be aggravated by sexual intercourse and disturbances to the vaginal microbiome. The physiological alterations associated with pregnancy further elevate the likelihood of UTIs, with untreated cases potentially leading to severe complications such as pyelonephritis, preterm labor, and stillbirth. Furthermore, postmenopausal women encounter an augmented risk of UTIs attributable to estrogen deficiency and vaginal atrophy, as well as conditions including pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI), which hinder optimal bladder functionality. The aforementioned factors, in conjunction with the rising prevalence of cesarean deliveries and catheterization, complicate the management of UTIs. While precise diagnosis is paramount, it remains a formidable challenge, notwithstanding advancements in molecular diagnostic techniques. Management strategies encompass antibiotic-sparing therapies; however, the increasing incidence of multidrug resistance represents an alarming trend. Diverse guidelines from various medical specialties endeavor to standardize treatment approaches, yet significant inconsistencies continue to exist. This study systematically appraises the extant guidelines, evaluating the quality of evidence while identifying areas of agreement and discord to supply practitioners with effective strategies for UTI management.

Mentha asiatica Boriss., a species native to Central Asia, has garnered significant attention for its diverse phytochemical profile and antimicrobial potential. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the antimicrobial activities of M. asiatica, focusing on its essential oils and other bioactive constituents. The study contextualizes the importance of natural antimicrobials in the era of rising antibiotic resistance and highlights the plant’s traditional use in ethnomedicine. The main methodologies explored include gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) for phytochemical characterization and various in vitro assays to assess antimicrobial efficacy against bacterial and fungal pathogens. The essential oils of M. asiatica demonstrate a broad spectrum of activity, attributed to compounds such as menthol, menthone, and carvone. Other phytochemicals, including sesquiterpenes and terpenoids, also contribute to its bioactivity. The review underscores the potential of M. asiatica as a source of novel antimicrobial agents and calls for further research into its mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and safety profiles. The findings position M. asiatica as a promising candidate for developing plant-based antimicrobial formulations, addressing critical needs in healthcare and food preservation.

Background/Objectives: Since the first successful birth following assisted reproductive technologies (ART) several decades ago, the global population of ART-conceived children has surpassed 13 million, with over 40,000 born in Kazakhstan. Despite this growth, questions remain about their long-term neurological outcomes, with existing studies reporting inconsistent findings. This study aimed to assess psychomotor development and the prevalence of nervous system pathologies among ART-conceived children in Kazakhstan and to develop a prognostic model for identifying pathological neurodevelopmental conditions. Methods: We studied 252 children (120 conceived via ART and 132 controls) using clinical examination and medical history data. Brain immaturity predictors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: ART-conceived children exhibited a higher incidence of neurosonographic signs of brain structure immaturity. However, multivariate analysis indicated that ART itself was not an independent risk factor. Instead, perinatal complications—including prematurity, multiple pregnancy, low birth weight, asphyxia, and intrauterine infections—explained the observed differences. The prognostic model highlighted prematurity and preconceptional progesterone therapy as significant predictors. Overall neurological development did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of early identification of perinatal risk factors and targeted preventive interventions to mitigate adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in ART-conceived children.

Introduction: Reproductive technologies are used more widely today than ever before. This increase in the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is directly related to sociodemographic conditions that result in delayed childbirth among age groups with lower fertility. Infertility affects 17% of married couples, and in some countries 6% of children are born with in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this context, the aspect of the influence of reproductive technologies on hormonal indicators of offspring in relation to anthropometric data remains insufficiently examined. The purpose of this cohort study is to compare the hormonal panel and anthropometric data of ART-conceived children with the corresponding data of children conceived naturally. Methodology: Biochemical tests are used to determine the amount of free triiodothyronine (T3) and total thyroxine (T4), somatotropin, insulin, insulin-like growth factor, glucose, potassium, and sodium cations in blood samples from the experimental and control groups. Results: The results indicate that the use of assisted reproductive technologies neither altered the endocrine panel of the thyroid gland, nor affected other biochemical parameters. Variations in technologies – classical IVF, fresh or frozen embryo transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection – also did not affect the quantitative value of the above indicators. Artificial insemination also had no effect on puberty (in both boys and girls). Children born naturally had a greater body weight (3,453 vs 3,160 g, p < 0.001) and height (53 vs 51 cm, p = 0.002). ART children had significantly higher median free T3 levels (3.65 vs 3.48 mU/L, p = 0.002) and potassium levels (4.8 vs 4.7 mmol/L, p = 0.013), although within the reference ranges. Glucose levels were also higher in ART children (median 4.45 vs 4.29 mg/dl, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Several relationships between biochemical and anthropometric indicators were identified: the correlation between body weight and blood levels of insulin-like growth factor was statistically significant, positive, and weak. The T3 level in the experimental group was found to be statistically significant and directly proportional to body height, and insulin content was inversely proportional to body weight. The data obtained make it possible to verify the safety of using a different range of reproductive technologies.

Fallopia convolvulus (L.) Á. Löve, a widely distributed species of the Polygonaceae family, has long been valued in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic applications. This review investigates its phytochemical composition, traditional uses, and pharmacological potential, placing the plant in the broader context of natural product research. Bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, anthraquinones, steroids, and phenolic acids, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, are compiled and analyzed. Modern techniques have identified novel compounds like falloconvolin A and B, as well as compounds with estrogenic and neuroprotective properties. To support this analysis, information was sourced from ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical studies, utilizing databases like PubMed, Science Direct, and ResearchGate. This comprehensive analysis underscores the importance of further research to elucidate the mechanisms of action of its bioactive constituents and to explore its potential for pharmaceutical innovation. Fallopia convolvulus represents a promising, sustainable resource for developing novel therapeutic agents, bridging traditional medicine with modern science.

Non-specific aortoarteritis in children is considered a rare disease, which is one of the reasons for its delayed diagnosis and treatment, leading to early disability and life-threatening complications, including death. Despite the active development of new diagnostic technologies and the widespread introduction of vascular ultrasound, there is still a trend toward late diagnosis of this disease. This is due to the non-specific nature of the symptoms, the ambiguous clinical picture and the delayed development of the characteristic symptoms of pulse absence and hypertension from the onset of the first symptoms. The aim of the paper was to raise awareness among general practitioners and other non-rheumatologic specialists about the difficulties in detecting non-specific aortoarteritis in children and adolescents, its late diagnosis and consequent treatment failure, which significantly worsens the quality of life and prognosis of patients. A retrospective analysis was performed using the medical records of children and adolescents (n = 17) under 17 years of age with non-specific aortoarteritis (Takayasu arteritis) who were evaluated and treated at the Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 2010 to February 2024. The study included 4 (23.5%) boys and 13 (76.5%) girls in a 1:4 ratio. The incidence of non-specific aortoarteritis in boys was mainly observed in early childhood, preschool and primary school age, whereas more than half of the girls showed the peak incidence in adolescence. Most of the affected children lived in rural areas, 12 (70.6%), and 5 (29.4%) children lived in urban areas. In terms of ethnicity, 15 (88.2%) patients were Kazakh, 1 (5.9%) patient was Uyghur (a 3-year-old female patient), and 1 (5.9%) patient was Russian (a 5-month-old patient). The acute phase of non-specific aortoarteritis is characterized by nonspecific signs of systemic inflammation, leading to misdiagnosis such as acute respiratory viral infection or other infectious diseases, myocarditis, erythema nodosum, etc. When diagnosing non-specific aortoarteritis, general practitioners and non-rheumatologic specialists are guided by pulse absence in the radial arteries. However, in types III and IV of non-specific aortoarteritis, the subclavian arteries from the aortic arch are not affected. Pulses in the radial arteries are preserved. Non-specific aortoarteritis continues to be diagnosed late, leading to treatment failure, early childhood disability and poor prognosis.