Cervical microbial communities serve a crucial role in the persistence and development of oncogenic human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. In the present study, the authors hypothesised that disturbed heterogeneity of microbial flora was associated with HPV-induced carcinogenesis. Swabs of the cervical microbiota were collected from 250 women and the 16S ribosomal DNA was sequenced using a high throughput assay. The swabs of cervical microbiota were grouped according to the community state types (CSTs) as follows: Healthy cervical swabs; swabs taken from low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions (LSIL) and swabs taken from high-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions (HSIL). Analysis of the bacterial classes revealed that the CST cervical swabs of the volunteers were characterised by Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus iners and Lactobacillus taiwanensis, however, Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus acidophilus were absent. In the CST of patients with LSIL the predominant type of bacteria was Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus iners, however Lactobacillus crispatus was not detected. Swabs from CST women diagnosed with HSIL exhibited abundant Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus acidophilus, however, lacked Lactobacillus taiwanensis, Lactobacillus iners a nd L actobacillus crispatus. T he abunda nce of Lactobacillus acidophilus in swabs from the healthy women was compared with the swabs from the women with LSIL. The results of the present study indicated that the development of HPV-induced cancer is associated with a high diversity of vaginal microbiota, which is involved in the control of viral persistence, and is therefore indicative of disease prognosis.

The HPV 16/18 infection rate does not seem be higher in cases of spontaneous abortions. Nevertheless, further study of the consequences of HPV infection in pregnancy is still needed.

Abstract. human papillomavirus (hpV) plays a crucial role in cervical cancer etiology. however, not all hpV-infected women develop cancer, indicating that additional cellular factors facilitate carcinogenesis. the aim of this study was to analyze the expression profile of insulin-like growth factor 1 (iGF1) isoforms in the context of FOx2, Sp1 and iGF1 receptor (iGF1r) expression during hpV-dependent cervical carcinogenesis. One hundred and nine epithelial tissue samples from women with pre-cancerous and cancer lesions of the cervix were analyzed. HPV DNA was identified by pcr, and real-time pcr was used to quantify the expression levels of the analyzed genes. all IGF1 mrna splicing isoforms were up-regulated in pre-cancerous cells, and a shift in the balance towards mitogenic iGF1Eb was observed in the cancer samples. IGF1 expression was controlled mainly by the p1 promoter, and an increase in p2 usage was observed in the cancer. correlations between IGF1 mrna splicing isoforms and the FOx2 splicing factor, as well as p1/p2 activity and Sp1 transcription factor expression levels were detected. no correlation was observed between the expression of iGF1 and its receptor iGF1r. Our results suggest that iGF1, in particular its splicing profile, may be an additional prognostic factor in cervical carcinogenesis.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder during pregnancy [1]. About one-third of women with epilepsy are of childbearing age. Statistically, between 0.3% and 0.5% of births occur in women with epilepsy [2]. Every year in Poland epilepsy poses a threat to the health of some 1800 pregnant women and their fetuses. According to British studies, the risk of death in pregnant women with epilepsy increases tenfold compared to pregnant women without epilepsy, mainly due to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) [3]. Diagnostic and therapeutic advances in the field of epilepsy have contributed to better seizure control. As a result, more and more women with epilepsy become pregnant and more than 90% give birth to healthy children [4,5]. In order to avoid irregularities in the management of women suffering from epilepsy, it is very important to create standards for the management of women treated for epilepsy, both for those who are already pregnant and those who plan pregnancy. Thus the first edition of guidelines regarding management and care in women with epilepsy during preconception period and also during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum were prepared by the experts of Polish Society of Epileptology and Polish Gynecological Society. The diagnosis, seizures classification and therapy of epilepsy were not included into the guidelines.The neurologists, gynecologists and family doctors should inform that the women with epilepsy could benefit from planning pregnancies to reduce the risk of fetal congenital malformations. Due to increased awareness and knowledge concerning epilepsy, the number of planned pregnancies is increasing, but 40% are still unplanned. The risk of major congenital malformations in the fetus increases in women with epilepsy taking antiepileptic drugs [6]. Fears of women with epilepsy in relation to the adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs on infants can lead to arbitrary withdrawal or dose reduction of antiepileptic drugs, and thus increase the risk of seizures and even SUDEP [4]. Therefore, women of reproductive age (15-44 years) treated for epilepsy should receive care from specialist epilepsy and gynecology clinics. DIAGNOSIS OF EPILEPSYEpilepsy is a heterogeneous group of diseases of the brain, the common symptoms of which are clinical seizures. After diagnosis of epilepsy, a neurologist determines the type of epileptic seizure and suggests appropriate treatment for epilepsy. Based on the course of the disease, neurologist can assess the degree of risk of neurological complications in pregnancy. Women who have not experienced seizures for at least 10 years (including five years without antiepileptic drugs) and those who were diagnosed with childhood epileptic syndrome, but have not experienced seizures in

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