Endometrial cancer is the most frequently diagnosed gynecological cancer. The aim of this study was to summarize and compare the most recent guidelines regarding its management. A comparative review of guidelines from the European Society of Gynecological Oncology, the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology, the European Society of Pathology, the European Society for Medical Oncology, the Cancer Council of Australia, the British Gynecological Cancer Society, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists was carried out. The comparison of guidelines highlighted common recommendations and key differences regarding the most basic aspects of endometrial cancer management. Certain differences were identified in the options of surgical procedures based on endometrial biopsy and lymph node infiltration. Minor differences were identified in the management of recurrent disease, while the more pronounced differences were found in the follow-up procedure. The development of consistent international protocols in similar resource settings may lead to a more consistent classification, as well as to common lines regarding surgical approaches, risk stratification and the way patients should be monitored following the remission of endometrial cancer.

Preterm delivery (PTD) is a notable pregnancy complication, affecting one out of every ten births. This study set out to investigate whether analyzing the metabolic composition of amniotic fluid (AF) collected from pregnant women during the second trimester of pregnancy could offer valuable insights into prematurity. The research employed ¹H–NMR metabolomics to examine AF samples obtained from 17 women who gave birth prematurely (between 29⁺⁰ and 36⁺⁵ weeks of gestation) and 43 women who delivered at full term. The application of multivariate analysis revealed metabolites (dimethylglycine, glucose, myo-inositol, and succinate) that can serve as possible biomarkers for the prognosis and early diagnosis of preterm delivery. Additionally, pathway analysis unveiled the most critical metabolic pathways relevant to our research hypothesis. In summary, these findings suggest that the metabolic composition of AF in the second trimester can be a potential indicator for identifying biomarkers associated with the risk of PTD.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant risks to pregnant women and those recently pregnant, leading to heightened mortality and morbidity rates. Vaccination has emerged as a pivotal strategy in reducing COVID-19-related deaths and illnesses worldwide. However, the initial exclusion of pregnant individuals from most clinical trials raised concerns about vaccine safety in this population, contributing to vaccine hesitancy. This review aims to consolidate the existing literature to assess the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant populations and neonatal outcomes. Diverse studies were included evaluating various aspects of safety for women and their newborns, encompassing mild to severe symptoms across different vaccines. The findings indicate the overall safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination, with minimal adverse outcomes observed, including mild side effects like pain and fever. Although most studies reported the absence of severe adverse outcomes, isolated case reports have raised concerns about potential associations between maternal COVID-19 vaccination and conditions such as fetal supraventricular tachycardia and immune-mediated diseases. Our review underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and monitoring to ensure vaccine safety in pregnant women. Overall, COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy remains a safe and effective strategy, emphasizing the need for continued research and vigilance to safeguard maternal and fetal health.

Background and Objectives: Accurate diagnosis of labor progress is crucial for making well-informed decisions regarding timely and appropriate interventions to optimize outcomes for both the mother and the fetus. The aim of this study was to assess the progress of the second stage of labor using intrapartum ultrasound. Material and methods: This was a prospective study (December 2022–December 2023) conducted at the Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Maternal–fetal and labor characteristics were recorded, and two ultrasound parameters were measured: the angle of progression (AoP) and the head–perineum distance (HPD). The correlation between the two ultrasonographic values and the maternal–fetal characteristics was investigated. Multinomial regression analysis was also conducted to investigate any potential predictors of the mode of delivery. Results: A total of 82 women at the second stage of labor were clinically and sonographically assessed. The mean duration of the second stage of labor differed between vaginal and cesarean deliveries (65.3 vs. 160 min; p-value < 0.001) and between cesarean and operative vaginal deliveries (160 vs. 88.6 min; p-value = 0.015). The occiput anterior position was associated with an increased likelihood of vaginal delivery (OR: 24.167; 95% CI: 3.8–152.5; p-value < 0.001). No significant differences were identified in the AoP among the three different modes of delivery (vaginal: 145.7° vs. operative vaginal: 139.9° vs. cesarean: 132.1°; p-value = 0.289). The mean HPD differed significantly between vaginal and cesarean deliveries (28.6 vs. 41.4 mm; p-value < 0.001) and between cesarean and operative vaginal deliveries (41.4 vs. 26.9 mm; p-value = 0.002); it was correlated significantly with maternal BMI (r = 0.268; p-value = 0.024) and the duration of the second stage of labor (r = 0.256; p-value = 0.031). Low parity (OR: 12.024; 95% CI: 6.320–22.876; p-value < 0.001) and high HPD (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.05–1.43; p-value = 0.007) were found to be significant predictors of cesarean delivery. Conclusions: The use of intrapartum ultrasound as an adjunctive technique to the standard clinical evaluation may enhance the diagnostic approach to an abnormal labor progress and predict the need for operative vaginal or cesarean delivery.

This study focused on investigating the effects of dietary counseling on antioxidant intakes and how diet can influence reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and consequently oxidative stress (OS) during pregnancy. At the end of the first trimester of pregnancy (12–13 week of pregnancy), 80 women were randomized into a control group and to an intervention group to receive individual dietary counseling. In the intervention group (n = 60), the dietary counseling about the Mediterranean diet (MD) was carried out during six online meetings every 15 days and focused on antioxidant nutrients and their intake. They were encouraged to follow the antioxidant-rich diet for 12 weeks, including increased consumption of antioxidant-rich foods such as ≥5 servings/day of vegetables, ≥2 servings/day of fruit, ≥8.5 servings/day of wholegrains and 3–4 servings/week of lean meat. In the control group (n = 20) dietary counseling included generic, standard of care guidance about nutrition in pregnancy and was only discussed during a single session. OS biomarkers, particularly (ROS) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) levels, were analyzed before and after the study duration in women’s serum. The results of the study showed lower ROS and higher TAC levels after intervention compared to the levels before intervention, as well as compared to the levels of the control group. In conclusion, dietary counseling improved the intake of antioxidant nutrients from food during pregnancy, as depicted by oxidative stress biomarkers’ levels, and may influence the observed impacts of these dietary patterns on pregnancy outcomes.

Pregnancy represents a period of heightened oxidative demand in which maternal metabolic adaptations are tightly regulated by redox-sensitive molecular pathways. Imbalances in these systems have been associated with gestational complications, impaired placental function, and long-term effects on offspring health. This review examines the molecular mechanisms through which adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) influences oxidative balance during pregnancy. We summarize evidence on how MD-derived bioactives regulate oxidative stress pathways and affect oxidative stress biomarkers, as well as the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. At the same time, certain MD foods containing environmental contaminants may potentially attenuate its protective effects. In addition, the review explores molecular insights into how the MD may counteract oxidative stress induced by environmental pollutants through modulation of redox signaling and detoxification pathways. By integrating biochemical, molecular, and environmental perspectives, this review highlights the MD as a potential nutrigenomic intervention to optimize oxidative balance, support healthy pregnancy outcomes linked to environmental pollution.