Publications by authors named "Maria A Castaldi"

Article Synopsis
  • This study focuses on placenta accreta (PA), a condition where the placenta abnormally attaches to the uterus, potentially leading to complications for both the mother and baby.
  • It investigated the effectiveness of early diagnosis using ultrasound and MRI, finding that these imaging methods are highly accurate in assessing the severity of PA and could inform better clinical decisions.
  • The results showed that MRI had a high success rate in confirming the diagnosis, and identifying risk factors like maternal age and previous CT scans, which can help in planning safer delivery methods to reduce complications.
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Liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool for identification of tumor-related mutations in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA). The aim of this study was to investigate feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) for identification of chromosomal abnormalities in cfDNA from a total of 77 consecutive patients with non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), or plasma cell dyscrasia. In this case series, half of patients had at least one alteration, more frequently in chromosome 6 (23.

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Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are a class of stem cells with high differentiative potential, an immuno-privileged status and easy access for collection, which raise no legal or ethical issues. WJ-MSCs exhibit several features of embryonic stem cells, both in the phenotypic and genetic aspects, with only a few differences, such as a shorter doubling time and a more extensive ex vivo expansion capacity. WJ-MSCs have immunomodulatory properties, involving both innate and adaptive immune responses.

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Endometrial cancer is the most frequently diagnosed gynecologic malignant disease. Although several genetic alterations have been associated with the increased risk of endometrial cancer, to date, the diagnosis and prognosis still rely on morphological features of the tumor, such as histological type, grading and invasiveness. As molecular‑based classification is desirable for optimal treatment and prognosis of these cancers, we explored the potential of lncRNAs as molecular biomarkers.

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In 1963 George Mathé announced to the world that he had cured a patient of leukaemia by means of a bone-marrow transplant. Since than much progress has been made and nowadays Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is considered the most effective treatment of numerous severe haematological diseases. Gynaecological complications in HSCT women represent a serious concern for these patients, but often underestimated by clinicians in the view of Overall Survival.

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Beta-thalassemia (BTM) major is the most common haemoglobin disorder in the world, with high prevalence in people of Mediterranean, Arab or Asian origin. It has been estimated that about 1.5% of the global population (80-90 million people) are carriers of BTM.

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In recent years, impaired fertility and endometrium related diseases are increased. Many evidences suggest that environmental pollution might be considered a risk factor for endometrial physiopathology. Among environmental pollutants, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) act on endocrine system, causing hormonal imbalance which, in turn, leads to female and male reproductive dysfunctions.

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Background: During the woman's fertile period, the non-pregnant uterus is subject to constant cyclic changes. The complex mechanisms that control the balance among proliferation, differentiation, cell death and the structural remodeling of the extracellular matrix can contribute to the benign or malignant endometrial pathological state. The small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are important components of cell surface and extracellular matrices.

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Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are ubiquitous contaminants identified as endocrine disruptors. Phthalates are worldwide used as plasticizers, in particular to improve the mechanical properties of polymers such as polyvinyl chloride. Because they are not chemically bound to the polymer, they tend to leach out with time and use.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a clinical tool, the HFI (Hysteroscopy Failure Index), which gives criteria to predict hysteroscopic examination failure.

Study Design: This was a retrospective diagnostic test study, aimed to validate the HFI, set at the Department of Gynaecology, Obstetric and Reproductive Science of the Second University of Naples, Italy. The HFI was applied to our database of 995 consecutive women, who underwent office based to assess abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), infertility, cervical polyps, and abnormal sonographic patterns (postmenopausal endometrial thickness of more than 5mm, endometrial hyperechogenic spots, irregular endometrial line, suspect of uterine septa).

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The aim of the current prospective study was to evaluate the biomechanical stability of barbed suture vs. conventional suture. Biomechanical stability of a 14x14-cm PDO/polydioxanone, with a half circle and 36-mm needle, bidirectional barbed 0-Quill suture (Angiotech, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) vs.

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Objective: To compare bidirectional knotless barbed suture versus standard sutures, with either extracorporeal or intracorporeal knots, and to assess the feasibility, safety, and rapidity in repairing a uterine wall defect after laparoscopic myomectomy.

Subjects And Methods: This was a randomized clinical study having a Canadian Task Force Classification of I. In tertiary-care university-based teaching hospitals, 117 women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy were enrolled.

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Objective: We propose a mini-invasive technical variant for laparoscopic myomectomy, which is currently less invasive and more feasible.

Study Design: This was a prospective, controlled, randomized trial, involving 170 patients, who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group A (n=98) underwent standard laparoscopic myomectomy, and Group B (n=72) underwent the mini-invasive technique.

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Objective: This randomized clinical study compared the feasibility and safety of the shortest suture for bidirectional knotless barbed versus standard sutures, with either extracorporeal or intracorporeal knots, for vaginal cuff closure following total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and lymph node dissection for early endometrial cancer.

Subjects And Methods: The study design was Canadian Task Force Classification I. In tertiary-care university-based teaching hospitals, 61 women underwent TLH and lymph node dissection.

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Objective: To evaluate treatment efficacy and patient acceptability of the new Radiographic Tubal Assessment Set (RTAS) (Cook Ireland Ltd., Limerick, Ireland) for selective salpingography (SSG).

Study Design: 33 women, between 23 and 38 years old, referred to the Fertility Centre of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Second University of Naples, for sterility problems, underwent an office operative SSG with the RTAS.

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Introduction: Uterine leiomyomas are seen in 1.6% to 4% of pregnancies. With the increasing age of obstetric patients, more cases are being encountered during pregnancy.

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Objective: Aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the association between N-Palmitoylethanolamine and transpolydatin in the management of chronic pelvic pain related to EMS.

Study Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 61 subjects, submitted to a first line laparoscopic conservative surgery, who were randomized into 3 groups receiving: group A (n=21) the association N-Palmitoylethanolamine-transpolydatin 400 mg + 40 mg twice a day for 3 months; group B (n=20) the placebo for 3 months; group C (n=20) a single course of Celecoxib 200mg twice a day for 7 consecutive days. Assessments of the severity of pelvic endometriosis (pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia) were recorded before and after treatment on a questionnaire and a 10-point VAS.

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Study Objective: To investigate whether diabetes, hypertension (HTN), and obesity can be considered risk factors for endometrial polyps (EPs) independently of age and menopausal status.

Design: Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification III).

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Foggia, Italy.

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We report on 2 cases of successful hysteroscopic removal of uterovaginal packing, inserted during cesarean sections after uterine hemorrhage resistant to medical therapy. The packing, in both cases, could not be removed vaginally with sponge forceps because the packing had been sutured to the uterine cavity. A hysteroscopic approach enabled identification and cutting with 5F scissors of the stitches fixing the packing to the uterine walls, allowing straightforward removal in an outpatient setting and avoiding a repeated laparotomy.

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