BackgroundIncreased prevalence of depression has been observed among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and correlated with the elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and the overall deregulation of monoaminergic neurotransmitters that these patients exhibit. Antidepressants have proved effective not only in treating depression comorbid to MS, but also in alleviating numerous MS symptoms and even minimizing stress-related relapses. Therefore, these agents could prospectively prove beneficial as a complementary MS therapy.ObjectiveThis review aims at illustrating the underlying mechanisms involved in the beneficial clinical effects of antidepressants observed in MS patients.MethodsThrough a literature search we screened and comparatively assessed papers on the effects of antidepressant use both in vitro and in vivo MS models, taking into account a number of inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsIn vitro studies indicated that antidepressants promote neural and glial cell viability and differentiation, reduce proinflammatory cytokines and exert neuroprotective activity by eliminating axonal loss. In vivo studies confirmed that antidepressants delayed disease onset and alleviated symptoms in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), the most prevalent animal model of MS. Further, antidepressant agents suppressed inflammation and restrained demyelination by decreasing immune cell infiltration of the CNS.ConclusionAntidepressants were efficient in tackling numerous aspects of disease pathophysiology both in vitro and in vivo models. Given that several antidepressants have already proved effective in clinical trials on MS patients, the inclusion of such agents in the therapeutic arsenal of MS should be seriously considered, following an individualized approach to minimize the adverse events of antidepressants in MS patients.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by silent progression and late-stage diagnosis. It is critical to detect and accurately diagnose the disease early to improve survival rates. Tumor markers have emerged as valuable tools in the diagnosis and management of OC, offering non-invasive and cost-effective options for screening, monitoring, and prognosis. Purpose: This paper explores the diagnostic importance of various tumor markers including CA-125, CA15-3, CA 19-9, HE4,hCG, inhibin, AFP, and LDH, and their impact on disease monitoring and treatment response assessment. Methods: Article searches were performed on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Keywords used for the searching process were “Ovarian cancer”, “Cancer biomarkers”, “Early detection”, “Cancer diagnosis”, “CA-125”,“CA 15-3”,“CA 19-9”, “HE4”,“hCG”, “inhibin”, “AFP”, “LDH”, and others. Results: HE4, when combined with CA-125, shows improved sensitivity and specificity, particularly in early-stage detection. Additionally, hCG holds promise as a prognostic marker, aiding treatment response prediction and outcome assessment. Novel markers like microRNAs, DNA methylation patterns, and circulating tumor cells offer potential for enhanced diagnostic accuracy and personalized management. Integrating these markers into a comprehensive panel may improve sensitivity and specificity in ovarian cancer diagnosis. However, careful interpretation of tumor marker results is necessary, considering factors such as age, menopausal status, and comorbidities. Further research is needed to validate and refine diagnostic algorithms, optimizing the clinical significance of tumor markers in ovarian cancer management. In conclusion, tumor markers such as CA-125, CA15-3, CA 19-9, HE4, and hCG provide valuable insights into ovarian cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis, with the potential to enhance early detection.

Cancer during childhood and adolescence remains a major public health issue, affecting a significant portion of this age group. Although newer anti-cancer treatments have improved survival rates, this comes at a cost in terms of gonadotoxic effects. As a result, the preservation of fertility is important. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation, one of the newest methods, has some advantages, especially for prepubertal patients: no need for ovarian stimulation, thus, no further risk for estrogen-sensitive cancer types, and preservation of more and better-quality primordial follicles of the ovarian cortex. The most frequent indications include treatment with alkylating agents, ovarian-focused radiotherapy, leukemias, lymphomas, brain and neurological tumors, as well as Turner syndrome and benign hemoglobinopathies. An expected survival exceeding 5 years, the absence of systematic disease and an overall risk of premature ovarian insufficiency over 50% are among the criteria that need to be fulfilled in order for a patient to undertake this method. Orthotopic transplantation is more frequently used, since it can allow both live birth and the recovery of endocrine function. Reimplantation of malignant cells is always a major risk and should always be taken into consideration. Histological analysis, as well as immunohistochemical and molecular methods, are needed in order to improve the search for malignant cells before transplantation. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation appears to be a method with specific benefits, indications and risks which can be an important tool in terms of preserving fertility in younger women.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is considered to be one of the most common gynecological complaints, affecting women’s daily activities and social life. The severity of dysmenorrhea varies among women, and its management is of high importance for them. Given that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the established treatment for dysmenorrhea, are associated with many adverse events, alternative therapeutic options are under evaluation. Emerging evidence correlates management of dysmenorrhea with micronutrients, especially vitamins. Purpose: The aim of this narrative review is to highlight and provide evidence of the potential benefits of vitamins for the management of dysmenorrhea. Methods: The articles were searched on PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. The searching process was based on keywords, such as “primary dysmenorrhea”, “vitamins”, “supplementation”, “vitamin D”, “vitamin E” and others. Our search focused on data derived from clinical trials, published only during the last decade (older articles were excluded). Results: In this review, 13 clinical trials were investigated. Most of them supported the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic properties of vitamins. Particularly, vitamins D and E revealed a desirable effect on dysmenorrhea relief Conclusion: Despite the scarcity and heterogeneity of related research, the studies indicate a role of vitamins for the management of primary dysmenorrhea, proposing that they should be considered as alternative therapeutic candidates for clinical use. Nevertheless, this correlation warrants further research.

<p><strong>Objective</strong>. The aim of this review was to present the vascular pattern of the STA, as well as anatomical variations, and to accentuate the areas which should be taken into consideration during manipulations along the course of the artery.</p><p><strong>Background</strong>. The STA may be encountered during several aesthetic procedures on the face, and iatrogenic trauma could be an incriminating factor of diverse sequelae. The constant increase in demand for facial aesthetic procedures has rendered it imperative to maximize safety and patient satisfaction.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>. We conducted a narrative literature review using the electronic databases of PubMed and Google Scholar, retrieving studies concerning the anatomy and variations of the STA. Moreover, we identified registered clinical cases presenting complications which involved the artery.</p><p><strong>Discussion</strong>. The anatomic morphology of the STA is described and classification systems summarized, on the basis of the studies retrieved. In addition, the STA is related to defined landmarks, and specific danger zones are emphasized. Finally, the clinical significance of the artery is reflected in registered cases of adverse events following specific aesthetic surgeries.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>. Thorough knowledge of the anatomical variability of the STA, and awareness of the danger zones involved in aesthetic procedures, combined with intraoperative vigilance could increase safety and minimize the advent of relevant sequelae.</p>