Viral Infection of the Reproductive System in Times of COVID-19

Coronavirus (SARS-COV2) caused several deaths worldwide. This virus infects the target cell by binding to angiotensin-converting enzymes 2 (ACE2) receptor through its receptor-binding domain (RBD) and replicates. Thus, a high level of ACE2 expression is detected in the testicular cells so that the testis is believed to count as a potential target for direct damage by COVID-19. Moreover, the possibility of testicular damage may be caused by either direct viral invasion through interaction with ACE2 receptors or because of inflammatory response. Similarly, in women, literature reported the distribution and function of ACE2 in the female reproductive system, which is widely expressed in the ovary, uterus, vagina, and placenta. It regulates follicular development and ovulation, modulates luteal angiogenesis and degeneration, and influences regular changes in endometrial tissue and embryo development. Taking these functions into account, COVID-19 may disturb the female reproductive functions through regulating ACE2, resulting in infertility, menstrual disorder, and fetal distress.

Arab Women as Voiceless Entities in Arab Women Literature: A Study of Al-Shaykh’s The Story of Zahra

This paper aims to shed light on the miserableness, ill-being, and sufferings of the Arab women in the Arab man-dominated communities as represented in Al-Shaykh’s The Story of Zahra. It aims to expose the Arab men’s view of the Arab women who are perceived not as equal partners but as objects of physical pleasure created to fulfill their sexual desires. The main argument in this paper is meant to unveil the gruesome face of the Arab’s view about their women. It argues that for the Arab women to lead a normal life full of love, peace, respect, and tolerance like their counterparts all over the world, they have to get rid of their inner chains and some social man-made taboos have to be questioned and challenged. This is the basic assumption of this paper. For women be seen as independent and visible entities, their needs must be met and their voices must be heard and both women and men should collaborate to achieve a reformed nationalism free of male dominance. Instead of being viewed as passive victims of male-dominated societies, Arab women must be treated as unique persons with all of their complexities. Besides, the author criticizes the Arab society for the meaning and practice of social discrimination and inequality against women not only in the whole community but also within the same family (male and female).

Urban mobility of Indigenous women: literature review and possible research routes

Indigenous women in Mexico constitute one of the most vulnerable social groups in cities; however, gender and mobility studies have mainly been focused on sexual violence. Some Latin American documents suggest the importance of intersectionality, but they do not bring empirical diagnostics. Anglo-Saxon countries have some important articles with regard to race and ethnicity. What kinds of problems have these studies detected? An academic literature review will be conducted to understand the methodologies, objectives, and results of these studies found in databases and journals. The Australian studies do address the Indigenous or aboriginal variable, and lines of research are generated that are transferable to the reality of the population of Indigenous women including qualitative studies to understand the organization, obstacles, and travel patterns; studies on the relationship between transportation and social exclusion; and finally, the surveys that measure the trips made for the purposes of paid work and care work.

The benefits of vitamin D3 supplementation for menopausal women - literature review

Witamina D to potoczna nazwa cholekalcyferolu i ergokalcyferolu. Występuje w postaci nieaktywnej, ale w wyniku hydroksylacji w pozycji 1 lub 25 staje się witaminą aktywną. Cholekalcyferol paszy z nieaktywnej formy pod wydanie UV w ciało ciało, natomiast ergosterol jest dostarczany do organizmu z pożywienia roślinnego. Witamina D ma znaczący wpływ na zdrowie kobiet po menopauzie. Poziom estrogenu spada u kobiety w okresie menopauzy. Ma to konsekwencje m.in. ubytki wapnia. To jest powód, dla którego kobiety w tym wieku znajduje się w grupie ryzyka zachorowania na osteoporozę. Witamina D pomaga w przyswajaniu wapnia i fosforu. Te minerały pełnią wolę wolę w okresie menopauzy.Kobiety w tej grupie wiekowej przyjmować od 1000 do 1500 mg dziennie. Nie zaleca się nadmiernego spożycia, przekroczenie normy nie przynosi lepszych efektów. Mimo to wykrycie niedoboru witaminy D u kobiet po menopauzie i rozpoczęcie leczenia pozytywnie wpływ na ich stan zdrowia. [1]

Peculiarities of micronutrient metabolism in obese pregnant women (literature review)

Here we summarize uptodate data on the influence of the most significant micro, macroelements, and vitamins, such as magnesium, vitamin D, iron, and folic acid, on the course of pregnancy and childbirth in obese women. The paper considers both domestic and foreign recommendations for correcting nutritional deficiencies to prevent the development of complications from the pregravid stage to the end of lactation. Nowadays, the deficiency of micro-, macroelements and vitamins is an extremely urgent problem, especially in a group of special risk, i.e. overweight and obese women, whose number is steadily growing simultaneously with an increase of the number of pregnant women of 35+ years of age. It is important to consider a woman's body mass index to prescribe the minimum effective dose of the necessary drugs. Timely preventive personalized correction of the micronutrient state can reduce the risks of such major obstetric syndromes as preeclampsia, premature birth, fetal growth retardation, miscarriage, and placental dysfunction.

Characterization of polycystic ovary syndrome among Flo app users around the world

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and multi-faceted endocrine disorder that affects 5–20% of women. Literature is limited regarding potentially differing PCOS phenotypes among women around the world. Objective To use Flo app technology to understand the multifaceted characteristics of PCOS across several countries and identify contributing risk factors to the development of this condition. Study design Flo is a widely used female health and wellbeing app with period tracking functionality that provides a globally representative and medically unbiased perspective on PCOS symptomatology. A chatbot dialog on PCOS was subsequently administered on the Flo application (app) to users from 142 countries (with at least 100 respondents) who have the app running in English during September–October 2019. Results For analyses, we selected the five countries with the greatest number of respondents: US (n = 243,238), UK (n = 68,325), India (n = 40,092), Philippines (n = 35,131), and Australia (n = 29,926). Bloating was the most frequently reported symptom among PCOS-positive women and appeared to be the main predictor of PCOS in our model (odds ratio 3·76 [95% CI 3·60–3·94]; p < 0·0001). Additional top predictors of PCOS are high blood cholesterol and glucose levels. As BMI increased, the percentage of women who reported a physician-confirmed PCOS diagnosis also increased. However, women in India did not follow this trend. Conclusion Our findings are based on the largest known PCOS dataset and indicate that symptoms are more complex than previously understood. The most frequently reported symptoms (bloating, facial hirsutism, irregular cycles, hyperpigmentation, and baldness) are broader than those included in the Rotterdam criteria. Future work should reevaluate and refine the criteria utilized in PCOS diagnosis.

Impact of COVID-19 infection on pregnant women: literature review

SARS-CoV-2 infection in high-risk groups is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Pregnant females are considered one of these cases. More studies are needed to understand how the virus affects the complication rate in these cases and what is the best management plan. Hence, this study was conducted to stand on the real incidence and complications of COVID-19 in pregnancy. Databases like PubMed, Medline, Web of science, Embase, Google scholar, and Scopus were searched using the following search terms “severe acute respiratory syndrome of coronavirus-2” or “SARS-CoV-2” or “COVID-19” or “coronavirus” and “pregnant” or “neonate” or “pregnancy” transplacental transmission” or “placental transmission” or “vertical transmission” or intrauterine or perinatal. Pregnant women are not considered high-risk groups for COVID-19 infections as it was found that the risk of complication in COVID-19 patients was similar to non-infected patients. However, virulent strains of the virus had caused severe infections and complications. The study lacked a clear plan for the management of the virus in pregnant females.