The role of endometrial scratching prior to in vitro fertilization: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Research Question: To evaluate the role of endometrial scratching performed prior to an embryo transfer cycle on the probability of pregnancy compared to placebo/sham or no intervention.

Design: A computerized literature (using a specific search strategy) search was performed across the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE CENTRAL, SCOPUS and WEB OF SCIENCE up to June 2023 in order to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of endometrial scratching prior to an embryo transfer cycle on the probability of pregnancy, expressed either as live birth, ongoing pregnancy or clinical pregnancy (in order of significance) compared to placebo/sham or no intervention. Data were pooled using random-effects or fixed-effects model, depending on the presence or not of heterogeneity.

Third-trimester cervical length assessment for the prediction of spontaneous late preterm birth.

Background: The usefulness of cervical length (CL) measurement in asymptomatic pregnancies in the third trimester of pregnancy is not certain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the performance of CL measurement at 31-34 gestational weeks for the prediction of spontaneous late preterm birth (PTB).

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective study of women with a singleton pregnancy, who had their routine third-trimester scan at 31-34 weeks.

Evaluating the potential role of human papilloma virus infection in breast carcinogenesis via real-time polymerase chain reaction analyzes of breast fine needle aspiration samples from Greek patients.

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV), in addition to its known clinical contribution to cervical cancer is probably actively involved in the development of breast tumors in various populations worldwide. Predominant HPV types in breast cancer patients vary geographically. The present study further examines HPV incidence in Greece, based on molecular analysis of clinical cytological samples.

Human papillomavirus in breast cancer of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cervical cancer history. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Many cohort studies and meta-analyses support the oncogenic role of the human papilloma virus (HPV) on breast tissue. However, only a few studies examine the association between HPV-positive breast cancer and the prior history of high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical cancer. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether women with a history of high grade CIN or cervical cancer are at a higher risk of developing HPV-positive breast cancer.

Molecular evaluation of a multiplex methylation panel for epigenetic analysis of FNAB samples from Greek patients with suspicious breast lesions.

Purpose: Aberrant DNA methylation in promoter regions has been found in many cancers, including breast cancer (BC). A Methylation Specific PCR (MSP) was applied in breast Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) material, which has been rarely used in the literature, to estimate the methylation frequencies of CND2, APC, HIN1 & CDH13 and to assess whether this multiplex methylation panel can be possibly used as an indicator-biomarker for BC detection in a Greek population.

Methods: A total of 104 participants were subjected to FNAB and both cytological evaluation and epigenetic analysis were carried out.

DNA methylation patterns of RAR-β2 and RASSF1A gene promoters in FNAB samples from Greek population with benign or malignant breast lesions.

Background: Promoter hypermethylation is common in Breast Cancer (BC) with studies mainly in histological specimens showing frequent methylation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) compared with normal tissues. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of promoter methylation of RAR-β2 and RASSF1A genes in breast FNAB material aiming to evaluate the methylation status of these two genes as biomarker for detecting BC in Greek population.

Methods: FNAB material from 104 patients was collected for cytological evaluation and epigenetic analysis.

Is the probability of pregnancy after ovarian stimulation for IVF associated with serum estradiol levels on the day of triggering final oocyte maturation with hCG? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The objective of this systematic review and metaanalysis was to examine if the probability of pregnancy after ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization (IVF), using GnRH analogues and gonadotrophins is associated with serum estradiol level (Ε) on the day of triggering final oocyte maturation with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).

Methods: Twenty-one studies were eligible for this systematic review, including 19,598 IVF cycles, whereas three studies were eligible for metaanalysis, including 641 IVF cycles. The main outcome measure was achievement of ongoing pregnancy/live birth and, if not available, clinical pregnancy or biochemical pregnancy.

Gynecology healthcare professionals towards safety procedures in operation rooms aiming to enhanced quality of medical services in Greece.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the attitudes of healthcare professionals in Greece toward safety practices in gynecological Operation Rooms (ORs).

Design/methodology/approach: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed to surgical personnel asking for opinions on safety practices during vaginal deliveries (VDs) and gynecological operations (e.g.

Axillary web syndrome: Incidence, pathogenesis, and management.

Axillary web syndrome (AWS) refers to the development of fibrotic bands or "cords" in the axilla of patients who have undergone axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. We review the incidence, pathogenesis, risk factors, and management of AWS. AWS is a common complication in patients who undergo axillary lymph node dissection.

Greek gynecology healthcare professionals towards quality management systems.

Purpose: Today, quality management systems (QMS) are a promising candidate for the improvement of healthcare services. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the opinions/attitudes of gynecology healthcare professionals toward quality and quality management in healthcare facilities (HFs) in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed to healthcare professionals, asking for opinions on quality objectives associated with the everyday workflow in HFs (e.

Breast self-examination in Greek midwives and midwifery students.

The aim of this study is to assess breast self-examination (BSE) practice in a representative sample of Greek midwives and midwifery students. Breast self-examination (BSE) is infrequent in healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses. All midwives (n=245) and graduating midwifery students (n=165) who attended a congress of midwives were eligible to participate in the study, and a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was developed to assess BSE practice.

Serum humanin concentrations in women with pre-eclampsia compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Purpose: To compare serum humanin concentrations in pregnant women with and without pre-eclampsia (PE).

Materials And Methods: A case-control study where pregnant women (PE group, n = 37; control group, n = 34) studied through history parameters (gynecological, obstetrical, personal, and family), physical and sonographic examination parameters [body mass index (BMI), blood pressure obstetrical ultrasound], and biochemical/hormonal assays [creatinine, urea, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), uric acid, platelets, urinary protein, and humanin].

Results: There was no difference in basic characteristics between women with PE and control, except in parity and gravidity.

Transdermal testosterone pretreatment in poor responders undergoing ICSI: a randomized clinical trial.

Study Question: Does pretreatment with transdermal testosterone increase the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) retrieved by more than 1.5 in poor responders undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), using recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa)?

Summary Answer: Testosterone pretreatment failed to increase the number of COCs by more than 1.5 as compared with no pretreatment in poor responders undergoing ICSI (difference between medians: 0.

Infertility and uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are the most common tumors in women and their prevalence is higher in patients with infertility. At present, they are classified according to their anatomical location, as no classification system includes additional parameters such as their size or number. There is a general agreement that submucosal fibroids negatively affect fertility, when compared to women without fibroids.

Is the time interval between HCG administration and oocyte retrieval associated with oocyte retrieval rate?

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prolongation of the time interval between HCG administration and oocyte retrieval, from 36 h to 38 h, affects oocyte retrieval rate in women undergoing ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophins and GnRH antagonists for IVF. One hundred and fifty-six normo-ovulatory women were randomized to have oocyte retrieval performed 36 h (n = 78) or 38 h (n = 78) following HCG administration. Oocyte retrieval rate was defined as number of cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC) retrieved/follicle ≥ 11 mm present on day of HCG administration.

The involvement of uric acid in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a common disorder of human pregnancy and a major cause of worldwide pregnancy-related maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress, angiogenic imbalance, placental ischemia and an inflammatory response have been proposed to play role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Hyperuricemia is a key biochemical feature in preeclampsia with elevated levels of uric acid being diagnosed as early as the 10(th) week of gestation.

Corifollitropin alfa compared with follitropin beta in poor responders undergoing ICSI: a randomized controlled trial.

Study Question: Does substituting 150 µg corifollitropin alfa for 450 IU follitropin beta during the first 7 days of ovarian stimulation in proven poor responders, result in retrieval of a non-inferior number (<1.5 fewer) of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs)?

Summary Answer: A single s.c.

The use of androgens or androgen-modulating agents in poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the role of androgens or androgen-modulating agents on the probability of pregnancy achievement in poor responders undergoing IVF.

Methods: Medline, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched for the identification of randomized controlled trials evaluating the administration of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), aromatase inhibitors, recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) and recombinant human chorionic gonadotrophin (rhCG) before or during ovarian stimulation of poor responders.

Results: In two trials involving 163 patients, pretreatment with transdermal testosterone was associated with an increase in clinical pregnancy [risk difference (RD): +15%, 95% confidence interval (CI): +3 to +26%] and live birth rates (RD: +11%, 95% CI: +0.

A prospective randomized study for evaluation of wound retractors in the prevention of incision site infections after cesarean section.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) after cesarean section appear to be more common than generally believed. We prospectively evaluated 231 consecutive pregnant women who underwent elective or emergency cesarean section, and were assigned to have either the Alexis wound retractor (study group) or a conventional Doyen retractor (control group) during the operation. There was no evidence of SSI, defined as wound dehiscence, pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen, localized swelling, redness, heat or purulent discharge from the wound in any woman in the study group.

Does cessation of progesterone supplementation during early pregnancy in patients treated with recFSH/GnRH antagonist affect ongoing pregnancy rates? A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess whether the cessation of progesterone (P) supplementation during early pregnancy after GnRH antagonist cycles is not inferior to its continuation in terms of pregnancy rates beyond 12 weeks of gestation

Methods: There were 200 patients, with a positive β-hCG test (followed by a doubling in β-hCG levels 48 h later) after a fixed recombinant FSH (recFSH)/GnRH antagonist protocol for IVF/ICSI and a Day-3 fresh embryo transfer (ET), participated in this randomized controlled study. All patients received luteal support, with 200 mg vaginal P being administered three times daily for 14 days, beginning on the day of ET until the second β-hCG test, 16 days post-ET. In the control group (n = 100) the administration of P was continued until 7 weeks of gestation.

Level of knowledge about genital chlamydial infection among Greek midwives and midwifery students.

We aimed to evaluate the knowledge about chlamydial infection of Greek midwives and midwifery students. An appropriately designed, self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 107 midwives and 29 graduating midwifery students. Perceived awareness of chlamydial infection was similar in midwives and students (p=0.

Strangulation of the umbilical cord by an amnion band - a rare cause of intrauterine demise: a case report.

Introduction: The amniotic band syndrome has a scarce prevalence and intrauterine death as a result of amniotic bands formation is extremely rare.

Case Presentation: We present an illustrative case of intrauterine death of an embryo in the 24th gestational week in an 30-year old primigravida. The death was ascribed to the twisting of the umbilical cord around the left upper extremity, causing a strangulation of the umbilical cord in a very impressive way.

Placenta abruption in a woman with Wilson's disease: a case report.

Wilson's disease is a rare genetic disorder of copper metabolism that causes primary hepatic cirrhosis, secondary menstrual abnormalities and infertility. Following the appropriate therapy patients are asymptomatic and pregnancy may be achieved. We present a case of placental abruption in a pregnant woman with Wilson's disease and we review the management dilemmas and treatment options of pregnant women with Wilson's disease.

Virilizing ovarian hilus (Leydig) cell tumor with concurrent contralateral hilus cell hyperplasia: a rare diagnosis.

Ovarian hilus or Leydig cell tumor and ovarian hilus cell hyperplasia are rare clinical entities, causing virilization in both pre- and postmenopausal women. Differentiation between these two conditions is not always straightforward; the former is usually unilateral appearing as a single, grossly visible, circumscribed mass of hilus cells, while the latter is usually bilateral, appearing as diffuse microscopic aggregates of hilus cells. We report herein an extremely rare case of ovarian hilus or Leydig cell tumor, presenting concurrently with contralateral ovarian hilus cell hyperplasia in a postmenopausal woman with virilization.

ERBB2 (HER2) protein expression in uterine sarcomas.

Purpose: Multiple clinical trials in recent years have shown that breast cancer patients with primary tumors overexpressing ERBB2 can be effectively treated with specific forms of modern anti-ERBB2-targeted therapy. The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of the ERBB2 (HER2) protein in uterine sarcomas, in order to investigate the possibility of applying this treatment modality in uterine sarcomas.

Methods: The expression of ERBB2 has been analyzed immunohistochemically in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary uterine sarcomas (n = 11).