Evaluation of polygenic risk scores for hormones and receptors levels in patients with vestibulodynia: a case-control study.

Background: Vulvodynia is a multifactorial disease affecting 7%-16% of reproductive-aged women in general population; however, little is still known about the genetics underlying this complex disease.

Aim: To compare polygenic risk scores for hormones and receptors levels in a case-control study to investigate their role in vulvodynia and their correlation with clinical phenotypes.

Methods: Our case-control study included patients with vestibulodynia (VBD) and healthy women.

Clinical Evidence Regarding Spermidine-Hyaluronate Gel as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Vestibulodynia Management.

Vestibulodynia (VBD) represents a summation and overlapping of trigger factors (infections, hormonal disturbances, allergies, genetic aspects, psychological vulnerability, and others) with broad individual variability. As there are no standard treatment options for VBD, the disease is still in need of appropriate therapeutic tools. : A prospective observational trial was performed to confirm the efficacy of a topical gel containing a spermidine-hyaluronate complex (UBIGEL donna™) as either a stand-alone or companion treatment through a multicenter study on a large sample population.

Current therapeutic overview and future perspectives regarding the treatment of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting millions of people worldwide, characterized by rapid proliferation of keratinocytes, immune cell infiltration, and systemic inflammation. Over time, treatment strategies have evolved significantly from traditional topical therapies and phototherapy to advanced systemic options such as biologics and, more recently, oral small molecule drugs. This review aims to provide an in-depth examination of current psoriasis therapies, with a focus on biologics, oral small molecules, and new and emerging treatments.

Therapeutic Advances in Psoriasis: From Biologics to Emerging Oral Small Molecules.

Psoriasis is a persistent, inflammatory condition affecting millions globally, marked by excessive keratinocyte proliferation, immune cell infiltration, and widespread inflammation. Over the years, therapeutic approaches have developed significantly, shifting from conventional topical treatments and phototherapy to more sophisticated systemic interventions such as biologics and, recently, oral small-molecule drugs. This review seeks to present a comprehensive investigation of the existing psoriasis treatment options, focusing on biologic agents, oral small molecules, and emerging treatments.

Ospemifene and vulvovaginal atrophy: an update of the clinical profile for post-menopausal women.

Introduction: The demand for effective and safe treatments of genitourinary syndrome (GSM) in post-menopausal women (PMW) is growing. Published data on the efficacy and safety of ospemifene (OSP) prompt an updated literature review to enlighten possible improvements in the GSM treatment.

Area Covered: We searched articles published in English from 2010 to 2023 through Medline (PubMed) and Embase databases with Boolean terms: OSP, PMW, GSM, endometrium, breast cancer, cardiometabolic syndrome, bone metabolism, adherence to treatment, and patient satisfaction.

Effectiveness of Combination of Tibolone and Plus Lactoferrin in Postmenopausal Women with Vulvar Vestibular Pain: A Preliminary Report.

Background: Postmenopausal dyspareunia and vulvar pain are common complaints, affecting about 60% of women within a few years after hormone levels begin to decline (such as estrogen and androgen). Atrophic changes mainly located in the vulvar vestibule and vulnerability to vulvovaginal infections in postmenopause could be predisposing factors to the development of vulvar burning/pain and introital dyspareunia (vestibulodynia secondary to atrophy). Tibolone is the most effective and safe alternative for treating menopausal symptoms.

Treatment of Prepubertal Labial Adhesions with Topical Estriol + Testosterone: A Case Report.

Background: Labial adhesions, a frequent gynecological condition in prepubertal girls, occur when the labia minora adhere along the midline. The prevailing hypothesis about their etiology suggests that labial adhesion may occur when the delicate and non-estrogenized labia minora undergo an inflammatory response, triggered by exposure to an irritant environment. Therefore, conservative treatment involves the application of topical estrogen or betamethasone cream.

POLARIS: efficacy and safety of a vaginal medical device in recurrent bacterial vaginosis-a multicenter, open-label, non-controlled, study with 10 months of follow-up.

Objective: Recurrent bacterial vaginosis (RBV) after antibiotic treatment has relapse rates of 35% within 3 months and 60% within 12 months. A medical device containing polycarbophil, lauryl glucoside, and glycerides (PLGG) inhibits bacterial growth and has mucoadhesive properties. This study examined the efficacy of the device in women with RBV.

The Role of β1 Integrin/CD29 as a Potential Prognostic Factor for the Risk of Progression to Cervical Carcinoma in HPV-Associated Lesions.

: Available evidence reports the overexpression of β1 integrin in dysplastic rather than normal cervical tissue. We aimed to evaluate the involvement of β1 (CD29) integrin in the progressive pathogenesis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). : From January 2019 to December 2021, we prospectively enrolled women undergoing a colposcopy with a cervical biopsy for abnormal cervical cytology and/or undefined cytology with a positive HPV DNA test and women with relapsing cervical inflammatory disorders.

Spotlight on Compounded Bioidentical Hormones.

Background: The role of hormonal replacement therapy in menopause is under debate. The premature closure of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study in 2002 is still a source of concern among treating physicians.

Objectives: The interest in alternatives to conventional hormone therapy has significantly increased.

A novel de novo HCN2 loss-of-function variant causing developmental and epileptic encephalopathy treated with a ketogenic diet.

Missense variants of hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) ion channels cause variable phenotypes, ranging from mild generalized epilepsy to developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Although variants of HCN1 are an established cause of DEE, those of HCN2 have been reported in generalized epilepsies. Here we describe the first case of DEE caused by the novel de novo heterozygous missense variant c.

Effectiveness of Two Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Protocols in Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Vestibulodynia (VBD) is the most common form of vulvodynia. Because VBD is a pain disorder, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be used as treatment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of two-parameter combinations (frequency and pulse duration) of TENS in reducing pain intensity and dyspareunia in VBD.

Performance and Safety of a New Medical Device (Polybactum) for Reducing the Recurrence Rate of Bacterial Vaginosis: Protocol for a Multicenter, Open-Label, Noncontrolled International Clinical Trial (POLARIS Study).

Background: The medical literature has reported that recurrent bacterial vaginosis (RBV) has a relapse rate of 35% within 3 months and 60% within 12 months after antibiotic administration. Products that are able to provide a barrier effect against the biofilm produced by Gardnerella vaginalis could play a role in improving the results of bacterial vaginosis (BV) treatment.

Objective: This study aims to assess the performance and safety of a medical device (Polybactum) containing polycarbophil, lauryl glucoside, and glycerides (PLGG) for reducing the rate of recurrence of BV.

The impact of combined contraceptive vaginal ring on vaginal environment: an observational, longitudinal study.

Purpose: To assess the relationship between combined contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) and vaginal microbiome using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 20 women for 8 weeks in an open-label study using CVR (NuvaRing) that delivered 15 mcg ethinylestradiol and 120 mcg etonogestrel daily. The vaginal microbiome was assessed at baseline and after 2 months by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes amplified from the total genomic DNA isolated from the sample.

Long-term follow-up of nutritional status in children with GLUT1 Deficiency Syndrome treated with classic ketogenic diet: a 5-year prospective study.

Introduction: The classic ketogenic diet (cKD) is an isocaloric, high fat, low-carbohydrate diet that induces the production of ketone bodies. High consumption of dietary fatty acids, particularly long-chain saturated fatty acids, could impair nutritional status and increase cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of a 5-year cKD on body composition, resting energy expenditure, and biochemical parameters in children affected by Glucose Transporter 1 Deficiency Syndrome (GLUT1DS).

Vulvodynia: A practical guide in treatment strategies.

Vulvodynia is a debilitating condition characterized by chronic vulvar pain, with a detrimental impact on the patient's overall quality of life. Its etiology is multifactorial, but still in the process of being clearly outlined. Vulvodynia is not a single entity.

Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale to Evaluate the Functional Impairment of Patients With Subcortical Band Heterotopia: A Multicentric Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Subcortical band heterotopia (SBH) is a rare malformation of the cortical development characterized by a heterotopic band of gray matter between cortex and ventricles. The clinical presentation typically includes intellectual disability and epilepsy.

Purpose: To evaluate if the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale-pediatric version (EGOS-ped) is a feasible tool for evaluating the functional disability of patients with (SBH).

Validation of a clinical tool for vestibular trophism in postmenopausal women.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a clinical tool to assess vestibular trophism in women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the principal investigator's center and three external reviewers assessed the vestibular images of postmenopausal women using a multi-item tool defined as vestibular trophic health (VeTH), which assessed five criteria: petechiae, pallor, thinning, dryness and redness. Dryness, dyspareunia, vulvar pain and the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) were also evaluated.

Maternal Sepsis in Italy: A Prospective, Population-Based Cohort and Nested Case-Control Study.

Maternal sepsis represents a leading cause of mortality and severe morbidity worldwide. In Italy, it is the second cause of direct maternal mortality. Delay in recognition and treatment initiation are the drivers of sepsis-associated adverse outcomes.

Impact of Genetic Diagnosis on the Outcome of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders.

To evaluate the relationship between knowledge of genetic diagnosis before HSCT and outcome, we reviewed all HSCTs for primary immune deficiencies (PID) performed at UCSF from 2007 through 2018. SCID, a distinct entity identified since 2010 in California by newborn screening and treated early, was considered separately. The underlying genetic condition was known at the time of HSCT in 85% of cases.

The role of female intimate hygiene practices in the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis: A randomized, controlled open-label trial.

In this multicenter, observational, controlled open-label trial, researchers randomized 200 women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) to: Group 1, 6-days clotrimazole 2% vaginal cream once-daily plus 15-days concomitant acid pH thymol and zinc-containing cleansing wash (SaugellaActi3) twice-daily; Group 2, 6-days clotrimazole treatment alone. In both groups, pruritus and burning VAS scores improved from baseline at Days 6, 10 and 15. On Day 10 and Day 15, the pruritus score was significantly lower in Group 1 versus Group 2 ( <0.

A complex epileptic and dysmorphic phenotype associated with a novel frameshift KDM5B variant and deletion of SCN gene cluster.

The histone demethylase family plays a key role in chromatin structure and gene regulation during development. Mutations in the genes encoding the lysine demethylase 5 (KDM5) were reported in individuals with many diseases, including neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability. Recently, KDM5B has been identified as a gene regulator causative of recessive neurodevelopmental disorders.

Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation-Comorbidity Index Score Is Correlated with Treatment-Related Mortality and Overall Survival following Second Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Children.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) can lead to considerable complications and treatment-related mortality (TRM); therefore, a detailed assessment of risks is essential. The Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation-Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI) can predict both TRM and overall survival (OS). Although the HCT-CI has been validated as a useful tool for first HCT, its potential utility for second HCT has not yet been investigated.