The possible role of zinc in the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

Aim of the study was to evaluate the possible involvement of zinc in the complex pathogenic process behind the onset and perpetuation of endometriotic lesions. To study the level of zinc serum between a group of patients affected by endometriosis and a group of healthy patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 86 women: 42 patients whose histodiagnosis had revealed pelvic endometriosis and 44 healthy patients. The authors measured the serum zinc concentration for all patients.

RESULTS

The group of patients with endometriosis presented serum zinc concentration of 1010 +/- 59.24 microg/l. The observation group presented a serum zinc concentration of 1294 +/- 62.22 microg/l.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that serum zinc levels in women with endometriosis are decreased and this seems to actually confirm that this microelement can possibly affect the multifactorial pathogenesis of the disease. As a matter of fact, zinc interferes with many biological processes, among which inflammation and immunity, which seem to be the base of the development of the lesions. Therefore, the authors believe that this hypothesis requires more attention and further investigation to determine its reasonableness. If the results are confirmed, this study opens up future prospects as for the treatment of endometriosis, taking into account also the role of zinc in the onset of male sterility and the development of testicles. Zinc could in fact be used as marker to detect women at high risk of endometriosis and for the elaboration of a new treatment for sterility, from which these women often suffer.

Risk of pelvic floor dysfunctions in young athletes

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

Numerous epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between sport and the development of pelvic floor dysfunction. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of urinary incontinence in female young athletes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The epidemiological study was conducted on 105 female volleyball players, who were given a questionnaire, self-compiled, consisting of four main domains (personal data and medical history, urinary incontinence, urinary disorders, and judgment on the questionnaire).

RESULTS

In a total of 105 athletes, the present authors observed that 65.7% had reported at least one symptom of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and/or urgency, during sport or in daily life situations. In particular, the 49.52% reported urge urinary incontinence, 20% urine loss for urgency, and 29.52% SUI. In addition, the present authors observed that nocturia was reported in 70.48% of cases, incomplete bladder emptying in 55.24%, urinary hesitancy in the 36.19%, and pelvic pain in 52.38%. In all cases, the symptoms were occasional and low. In relation to the coexistence of symptoms, the present authors observed that 22.85% of athletes had only symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, 6.66% mixed incontinence, and 6.66% symptoms of urge urinary incontinence associated to urine loss for SUI.

CONCLUSION

The present authors observed a relationship between the sport and the pelvic floor dysfunction, in particular urinary incontinence.

Pregnancy management in Behçet's disease treated with uninterrupted infliximab. Report of a case with fetal growth restriction and mini-review of the literature

BACKGROUND

The mutual impact of Behçet's disease (BD) and pregnancy is variable and still unclear. Among the safe drugs administered, the newer infliximab (IFX) was rarely experienced in pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester.

CASE

The authors report a pregnancy with fetal growth restriction at 36 weeks in a 31-year-old primigravida with symptomatic BD, treated with uninterrupted monthly IFX and daily enoxaparin. The patient was induced at 38 weeks and had an uneventful vaginal delivery of a healthy baby. The postpartum period and following six months were uneventful for mother in terms of BD exacerbation, and newborn in terms of potential risks of neonatal BD and/or infections due to late immunosuppressive IFX administration.

CONCLUSION

Because of the inconstant mutual impact, BD pregnancies should be precautionary considered at "potential high-risk" and need a careful and close monitoring by a multidisciplinary team with specific expertise.

Nonhormonal management of postmenopausal women: effects of a red clover based isoflavones supplementation on climacteric syndrome and cardiovascular risk serum profile

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate a red clover based isoflavones supplementation in the treatment of climacteric syndrome and its effects on cardiovascular risk serum profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 150 healthy postmenopausal women that were randomly assigned to receive phytoestrogens tablets, amounting in a total daily intake of 60.8 mg red clover isoflavones plus 19.2 mg soy isoflavones (n = 75), or placebo (n = 75). The authors evaluated teh following: daily number of hot flushes and Kupperman Index at baseline and after one and three months; serum total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrinogen, and antithrombin III (ATIII) at baseline and after three and six months.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-eight patients completed the study: 67 in the active group and 61 in the placebo group. The treatment led to a progressive significant reduction (p < 0.05) of the number of hot flushes in the active group compared to placebo already after one month, while Kupperman Index was statistically reduced after three months. No significant variation in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, PT, PTT, fibrinogen, and ATIII were found.

CONCLUSION

The present findings suggest that a red clover based isoflavones supplementation in healthy postmenopausal women is promptly effective on climacteric syndrome, improves neurovegetative symptoms, safe on cardiovascular risk serum profile, and does not modify lipids and coagulation.

[Abdominal pain in childhood: multidisciplinary approach. A clinical case]

The Authors describe a case of mature cystic teratoma found in a little girl 9 + 8/12 years old and removed in laparoscopic way. Various specialists' contribution shows up for the resolution of the case.

[Hydatidiform mole with coexistent fetus. Cytogenetic features, diagnosis, and management]

Hydatidiform mole with coexistent fetus is an unusual entity caused by two distinct types of pregnancy: the first one is a partial hydatidiform mole, while the second is a twin pregnancy in which a mole coexists with a normal fetus. In these two separate genetic entities, the counseling and the mother-fetus prognosis are different. Two cases of mole with coexistent fetus are reported: a partial hydatidiform mole typically tripliod and a partial mole with unusual diploid karyotype. Prenatal diagnosis is remarkable for the evaluation of fetus development related with his karyotype. Triplody excludes all hope of a non-malformed surviving child and termination of pregnancy is desirable, while normal karyotype the possibility of a continuation of pregnancy may be considered.

[Maternal-fetal transmission of HCV. Role of HIV as a risk factor]

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to determine the rate of vertical transmission of hepatitis C and to analyse the concomitant infection by HIV as a risk factor.

METHODS

We have studied the perinatal transmission of HCV in 22 pregnancies: 14 in women HCV+/HIV-, 8 in women HCV+/HIV+. We have performed the following tests on sera: test RIBA II to search for Ab anti-HCV, alanine transaminase (ALT) evaluation and HCV-RNA research by PCR. These tests were performed on sera from infants at birth and, then, during one year every three months.

RESULTS

Within one year Ab anti-HCV disappeared in 20 of 22 pregnancies: two infants positive by Ab anti-HCV were born to HIV+ mothers and they were the only two who showed abnormal ALT values and detectable levels of HCV-RNA. Finally 10 of 14 infants born to HCV+/HIV- mothers were breast-fed and none was infected.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that HCV mother-to-child transmission is an uncommon event, breast-milking is safety, and the concomitant infection by HIV could represent a risk factor for vertical transmission of hepatitis C.