Current Women's Health Reviews - Online First

Visfatin is a 52-kDa protein produced mainly by adipose tissue. It is one of the cytokines known as adipokines. There is a correlation between visfatin and female reproductive health, pregnancy complications, and gynecological cancers. This mini-review summarizes the existing knowledge of the role of visfatin in female reproduction and in various types of gynecological cancers.

We performed a literature search in the PubMed database up to December 2023. We reviewed the identified articles and included those that were relevant to our objective.

Visfatin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome, while alterations in visfatin levels have been correlated with pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes mellitus, acute pyelonephritis, preeclampsia, and reduced fetal growth. First trimester maternal visfatin levels are associated with infant weight. The role of visfatin has also been investigated in relation to steroidogenesis as well as breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. In those types of gynecological cancers, high visfatin levels were observed. Visfatin has also been detected in the follicular fluid, and it has been correlated with the number of retrieved oocytes in in vitro fertilization.

The results from published studies are contradictory because visfatin levels vary across conditions due to its complex mode of action. Visfatin could potentially serve as a prognostic biomarker in various reproductive conditions and as a therapeutic target in various types of gynecological cancers. Additional studies are needed to clarify visfatin’s role in female reproduction because its effects can vary depending on the tissue in which it is present.

Quercetin (QT) is an effective plant compound in treating various diseases, including certain types of cancer. Therefore, this systematic review study was conducted to investigate the positive effects of quercetin (QT) on different breast cancer cell lines under in vitro conditions.

The purpose of this study was to explore the beneficial effects of quercetin (QT) on various breast cancer cell lines in an in vitro setting.

Using various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, we searched for publications from 2018 to May 2024 based on relevant terms and keywords for this systematic review. Inclusion criteria focused on English, open access, and original studies that exclusively examined the effects of QT on breast cancer cell types in vitro.

From the initial search, 1308 publications were identified. However, only 46 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review.

In summary, quercetin (QT) shows anti-tumor effects on different breast cancer cell lines by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, IGF1/IGF1R, MAPK, Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ), and JAK/STAT1 pathways. Nonetheless, further extensive animal and clinical studies are essential to draw definitive conclusions.

Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare obstetric condition that can lead to maternal and perinatal complications.

This study aimed to study the pregnancy outcome in Acute fatty liver of Pregnancy (AFLP). In particular, this study aimed to study the clinical features of the condition and its effect on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

A retrospective analysis of seven cases diagnosed with AFLP over a span of three years was performed. The clinical records of these women were reviewed for clinical features, laboratory investigations, and maternal and perinatal outcomes.

The incidence of AFLP was 4/10,000 births. A total of 6(85.7%) women presented during the third trimester of pregnancy. A total of 4(57%) of them presented after 36 weeks of gestation. A total of 6(85.7%) women presented with jaundice, and all presented with sudden onset nonspecific symptoms, including abdominal pain and vomiting. Pregnancy was terminated by cesarean section in 6 cases. Maternal mortality was noted in 6(85.7%) of women. All six women were diagnosed with Acute kidney injury and coagulopathy. One woman had developed encephalopathy and altered sensorium. Further, 2(28.5%) women had intrauterine fetal demise at the time of presentation, and 1(14.3%) had an early neonatal death.

AFLP is a rare clinical syndrome with rapid and dramatic progression, beginning initially with non-specific symptoms and evolving into coagulopathy, acute kidney injury, and death, resulting in alarming maternal and perinatal mortality. Early diagnosis is challenging due to the non-specificity of symptoms, but crucial and prompt termination of pregnancy is the need of the hour. Nonetheless, supportive treatment and a multidisciplinary approach may significantly improve prognosis.

Considering the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions among Iranian women and the effects of sexual self-concepts on sexual performance, further studies on the effects of sex counseling on the sexual self-concepts of brides-to-be seem necessary.

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of EX-PLISSIT sex counseling on the sexual self-concepts of brides-to-be.

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 64 women visiting the premarital counseling centers of Tabriz, Iran, in 2022. The 15-plus-year-old brides-to-be were selected as participants and were then assigned to intervention and control groups with a randomized block design. Participants in the intervention group attended four 60–90-minute individual counseling sessions with an interval of one week in accordance with the EX-PLISSIT model, whereas those in the control group received routine premarital counseling. The researcher interviewed all participants before and four weeks after the intervention and then completed the Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire and the Sexual Dysfunctional Belief Questionnaire.

Results showed no significant differences between the intervention and control groups in terms of demographics and the baseline scores of sexual self-concept and sexual dysfunction beliefs. The post-intervention mean score of negative sexual self-concept was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (mean difference=-5.8, 95% confidence interval: -3.3 to -8.2, p<0.001), and the post-intervention mean score of situational self-concept was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (mean difference=3.0, 95% confidence interval: 0.9 to 5.1, p=0.004). However, results indicated no significant differences between the two groups in the post-intervention mean score of positive sexual self-concept (mean difference=-0.5, 95% confidence interval: -5.1 to 4.0, p=0.815). In addition, the post-intervention mean score of sexual dysfunction beliefs was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (mean difference=-15.3, 95% confidence interval: -20.1 to -10.5, p<0.001).

The findings indicated the positive effects of EX-PLISSIT sex counseling on negative and situational sexual self-concept and sexual dysfunction beliefs in brides-to-be. Hence, this model is recommended to be used in combination with other sex counseling methods in order to improve the sexual health of brides-to-be.

The coronavirus has become a significant danger to human health. Health literacy is a major factor influencing health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess health literacy and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAPs) toward COVID-19 among elderly women.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on elderly women living in Jahrom City in 2022. Participants responded to questions regarding sociodemographics, the Health Literacy Scale, and a researcher-developed knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, independent sample T-test, Tukey post hoc test, and multiple linear regression were employed to analyze the data.

The study participants had a mean age of 69.73 ± 7.17 years, with 38.53% aged over 70 years. Notably, 83.3% of participants expressed trust in information from friends and relatives. The average health literacy score among the women was 75.79 ± 20.36, and 40.7% had high health literacy, 25.3% had adequate health literacy, 18% had somewhat insufficient health literacy, and 16% had inadequate health literacy. The majority, 96%, had good awareness, 94.7% had a positive attitude, and 87.4% had good performance regarding the prevention of COVID-19. The results revealed that an increase of one unit in knowledge and practice scores corresponded to a respective increase of 0.485 (p<0.001) and 0.274 (p=0.001) in the average health literacy score. Furthermore, age (<0.001), education (<0.001), and occupation (<0.001) of participants were significantly associated with knowledge and practice related to COVID-19.

The study findings underscored the positive correlation between high health literacy and individuals' awareness, practices, age of women, education, occupation, source of information, and marital status. Enhancing people's awareness emerges as a key strategy to bolster health literacy levels in the population.