Article Reviews Research Articles

Healthier information ecosystems: A definition and agenda

AbstractAs digitally enabled information systems play an increasingly central role in culture and economics, their negative consequences have become apparent. This guest editorial addresses the urgent need for information scientists to take a more deliberate stance in designing and guiding the evolution of these systems. We propose a framework for conceptualizing “healthier information ecosystems” by drawing on theories from complex systems and ecological research, grounded in a value‐oriented approach. The article reviews key concepts from systems science, complex systems, and ecology, with a focus on ecosystem and adaptation research. These perspectives offer analytical approaches for decomposing information ecosystems and provide a foundation for understanding “health” in the context of evolving, open systems. Unlike natural ecosystems, information ecosystems must be evaluated according to human values; thus, we articulate a set of values as a starting point for defining health in this context. By introducing insights from beyond the field of information systems, we aim to instigate scholarly dialog, connect prior work in new ways, and reveal new opportunities for research and intervention. This connective and argumentative contribution is intended to guide future research and identify solutions to the proliferating problems in our current information ecosystems.

Investigation of the Effect of Mobile and Immobile Regions on Fat Graft Viability: An Experimental Study in a New Model.

Fat grafts are widely used in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Their unpredictable resorption is their main disadvantage. A review of the literature shows that there is a lack of research on the effect of mobile and immobile regions on fat graft survival in fat graft applications. Our aim was to investigate the relationship of fat graft survival with mobile and immobile region in a new experimental model. Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=12). Fat grafts were harvested from the right inguinal region of the rat. In Group 1, the fat graft was placed in the subcutaneous pouch formed in the scalp region of the rat. In Group 2, fat grafts were placed in the pouch formed in the posterior cervical region of the rat. At the end of 6weeks, the weights and histopathology of the fat grafts were evaluated. Histopathological examinations were performed in a blinded fashion. The weights of the fat grafts were found to be higher in Group 1. At the same time, histopathological examinations showed that vascular density was higher in Group 1. There was no statistically significant difference in other histopathological examinations. The mobile and immobile areas may have different effects on the survival of transplanted fat grafts. Sliding movement between muscle and skin in the mobile zone puts stress on the fat graft. In our study, the mobile site was shown to have a negative effect on the vascularity of the fat graft. It was observed that the vascular density was higher in the fat graft placed in the immobilised area. Further studies on the increase in vascularity can be carried out using the new experimental model we have created. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Omics Science and Social Aspects in Detecting Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Risk Prediction, and Outcomes of Carotid Stenosis.

Carotid stenosis is characterized by the progressive narrowing of the carotid arteries due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque, which can lead to stroke and death as major complications. Numerous biomarkers allow for its study and characterization, particularly those related to "omics" sciences. Through the most common research databases, we report representative studies about carotid stenosis biomarkers based on genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in a narrative review. To establish a priority among studies based on their internal validity, we used a quality assessment tool, the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). Genes, transcriptomes, proteins, and metabolites can diagnose the disease, define plaque connotations, predict consequences after revascularization interventions, and associate carotid stenosis with other patient comorbidities. It also emerged that many aspects determining the patient's psychological and social sphere are implicated in carotid disease. In conclusion, when taking the multidisciplinary approach that combines human sciences with biological sciences, it is possible to comprehensively define a patient's health and thus improve their clinical management through precision medicine.

Acute Hyperglycemia and Its Impact on Mortality of Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review.

Acute hyperglycemia or stress hyperglycemia is a frequent finding in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Several studies have demonstrated the association between acute hyperglycemia with short- and long-term mortality in ACS patients.But the evidence is not concrete. We gathered 1056 articles from three databases, i.e., PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct using different search strategies and filters. We then removed duplicates and 919 articles were screened with title abstract and full text. After a full-text screening of 169 articles, we removed 116 articles. We then applied eligibility criteria and did a quality assessment of articles and finally, we included 21 articles in our study. The 21 articles spanned years 2014 to 2024. Of them, 16 articles were observational studies, two were systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and three were review articles. Six articles used stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) alone, seven articles used admission blood glucose (ABG) alone, two used fasting plasma glucose (FPG) alone and one used SHR, ABG, and FPG together as a parameter to measure acute hyperglycemia. Short-term poor outcomes (in-hospital, <30 days) were studied in 12 studies, and long-term poor outcomes (>30 days-1 year, >1 year) were studied in six studies. A positive correlation between acute hyperglycemia and short- and long-termmortality was found in our 21 included studies. The three parameters which are used to quantify acute or stress hyperglycemia in our study, i.e., SHR, ABG, andFPG predict both short- and long-term mortality in ACS patients. Further study is needed to determine the accurate cutoff level of hyperglycemia to be called acute hyperglycemia in diabetics.We tried to review the recent literature on this topic to deepen our understanding of this topic and to provide a base for future research.

Kajian Scientometric pada Penelitian Meta-Analisis Tema Ayam Broiler (Scientometric Study on Meta-Analysis Research in the Field of Broiler)

Scientometrics is the quantitative study of scientific literature aimed at measuring and analyzing publication patterns, research collaboration, and development trends in specific fields. This research a scientometric method with five work stages: recovery, migration, analysis, visualization, and interpretation. The publication data source is derived from the Scopus database, using the search keywords "meta-analysis and broiler," resulting in 228 publication documents spanning the years 2001-2023. Data analysis and visualization are conducted using R-Studio, Bibliometrix, and VOSviewer. The use of meta-analysis in broiler chicken research began in 2001 and has significantly increased since 2019, with 155 articles or 67.9% of total publications produced in the last five years. The majority of publications are journal articles (157 documents) and review articles (59 documents). Poultry Science journal is the most chosen publication source with 36 publications, H-Index of 18, and 884 citations. Jayanegara A is the author with the highest number of publications from Indonesia, affiliated with IPB University, while the most cited author is Newell DG from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Addlestone, United Kingdom, with the article titled "Biosecurity-Based Interventions and Strategies to Reduce Campylobacter spp. on Poultry Farms." Brazil is the country with the highest number of publications, whereas authors with the most collaborations are from the USA. Research trend analysis using keyword analysis shows that themes like animal food, animal feed dietary, salmonella, and veterinary medicine are more popular. The future research landscape, as suggested by the thematic map analysis, recommends researchers to focus on themes such as heat stress, antioxidants, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety.

"Genetic tumor syndromes of the head and neck: Update in the genomic era".

Genetic tumor syndromes are due to inherited genetic mutations, which have recently come to the attention of clinicians due to the widespread adoption of DNA sequencing, ultimately leading to imaging for surveillance. As a result, radiologists must be familiar with the clinical, genetic, and radiologic features of these syndromes. This article reviews genetic tumor syndromes of the head and neck according to the recently updated WHO's 5th edition.

Art and science of dental photography: suggested photographic protocol with cellular device

Photography is characterized as the science and art of producing and creating images. With the evolution of technology, photography has permeated medical sciences, becoming an effective tool for different areas, such as Dentistry. For this reason, the aim of this study was to understand and discuss the importance of photography in the dental field, through a narrative literature review, and to produce a suggestion for a basic photographic protocol using a mobile phone, equipment available to a large portion of dental students and dentists. This article reviews dental photography through an advanced search in the PubMed and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases. In addition, produce basic technical content, through a protocol, aimed at Dentistry students about the use of photography with cell phones. It has been found that photographic production depends on numerous factors: knowledge of basic photographic concepts, understanding of light manipulation techniques, and the use of equipment suitable for each case. From 1840 to the present day, photography has deeply permeated the dental context. However, there are different photographic protocols with distinct settings for intraoral and extraoral photographs. The protocol suggested in this study aimed to facilitate and standardize photographic documentation performed in the office, using a mobile phone, making the process simple and feasible for dental students and dentists. Photography plays a central role in contemporary Dentistry, being useful in different areas and facilitating the storage of patient data and treatment predictability. However, there is a necessity to promote the teaching of dental photography.

Central Nervous System Involvement in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases-Diagnosis and Treatment.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in autoimmune rheumatic diseases represents a significant challenge for clinicians across all specialties. While most reviews on the subject focus on neurological manifestations within a specific rheumatic disease, few descriptions shift from neurological clinical syndromes to achieve rheumatological diagnoses. This narrative review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the diagnosis and management of CNS manifestations occurring in the most prevalent rheumatic conditions in adults. We searched the MEDLINE database using the terms "central nervous system", "rheumatic diseases", "systemic lupus erythematosus", "rheumatoid arthritis", "Sjögren syndrome", and "vasculitis". The search strategy included review articles from 2019 to 2024, published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. We explored the pathophysiological mechanisms linking autoimmunity to CNS pathology, emphasizing the role of syndromic reasoning, autoantibody profiles, and imaging modalities as tools for diagnosis and determination of inflammatory activity. The review also discusses differential diagnoses through a stepwise approach to neurological syndromes, summarized in diagnostic flowcharts, and presents updated treatment options. Although our approach is primarily semiology-based, the complexity of the subject invites future endeavors involving new technologies, such as functional MRI, MR spectroscopy, and nuclear medicine.

The Anticancer Activity of Monosaccharides: Perspectives and Outlooks.

A major hallmark of cancer is the reprogramming of cellular metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to glycolysis, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. To sustain high rates of glycolysis, cancer cells overexpress GLUT transporters and glycolytic enzymes, allowing for the enhanced uptake and consumption of glucose. The Warburg effect may be exploited in the treatment of cancer; certain epimers and derivatives of glucose can enter cancer cells and inhibit glycolytic enzymes, stunting metabolism and causing cell death. These include common dietary monosaccharides (ᴅ-mannose, ᴅ-galactose, ᴅ-glucosamine, ʟ-fucose), as well as some rare monosaccharides (xylitol, ᴅ-allose, ʟ-sorbose, ʟ-rhamnose). This article reviews the literature on these sugars in in vitro and in vivo models of cancer, discussing their mechanisms of cytotoxicity. In addition to this, the anticancer potential of some synthetically modified monosaccharides, such as 2-deoxy-ᴅ-glucose and its acetylated and halogenated derivatives, is reviewed. Further, this article reviews how certain monosaccharides can be used in combination with anticancer drugs to potentiate conventional chemotherapies and to help overcome chemoresistance. Finally, the limitations of administering two separate agents, a sugar and a chemotherapeutic drug, are discussed. The potential of the glycoconjugation of classical or repurposed chemotherapy drugs as a solution to these limitations is reviewed.

Teaching critical reading in higher education: A literature review and pedagogical framework proposal

The article reviews different interventions to teach critical reading and proposes a tested two-stage critical reading model, starting from identifying the author's purposes to responding to the text. In the stage of identifying the author's purposes, students need to analyse the text and connect the text to its context. In the stage of responding to the text, students need to evaluate the author's message. After a teaching experiment carried out with undergraduate students (n = 39), a vast majority of the participants (94.87%) believed that the model helped them to practise fundamental reading skills, such as predicting, identifying the main idea, arguments and evidence, to construct their critical thinking by reflecting, understanding different perspectives and building their own arguments. From students’ suggestions, the model is revised to make it more interactive and dynamic by applying the double-entry note technique and repetitive reading in groups with discussion to exchange viewpoints and interpretation.

Comparison of Mango (Mangifera indica) Dehydration Technologies: A Systematic Review

The convective hot-air drying technology can cause physicochemical, nutritional, and organoleptic losses in the mango (Mangifera indica). The present Systematic Review was carried out with the objective of comparing mango dehydration technologies to identify the effects on the physicochemical, nutritional, and organoleptic properties of the fruit. Through a review of published scientific and conference papers in the Scopus database, adjusted to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, a total of 134 documents dated between 2000 and December 6 of 2022 were obtained; 76 of these documents were finally included in the bibliographic and theoretical analysis. Selection parameters emphasizing the relationship between the articles and the research topic, evidenced by including at least one of three dehydration technologies and the fruit of interest with an experimental or theoretical approach to the dehydration subject; review articles and surveys were excluded. Correlation graphs of bibliographic variables were made using the data mining software VantagePoint (version 15.1) , which was graphically restructured in Microsoft Excel with the support of statistical analysis. Of the resulting articles, it was found that the countries with authors who participated most in scientific production like India, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, and Thailand, were those related to mango production or importation. Furthermore, the freeze-drying technology allows operating at lower temperatures than convective hot-air drying, contributing to the preservation of ascorbic acid, among other compounds. The refractance window has the shortest operation time to obtain moisture values between 10 and 20%. The dehydrated samples using the refractance window are smooth, homogeneous, non-porous, and comparable to the color obtained with freeze-drying, which is acceptable for industrial applications.

Venomous Aquarium Fish Stings

Despite the rarity of venomous aquarium fish stings, physicians sometimes encounter them. Therefore, it is essential to be familiar with these stings’ clinical effects and know how to approach and treat them. I searched through PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar and found only a few case reports on this subject. To the best of my knowledge, no published articles review or present case series about all venomous aquarium fish, explaining their stings’ clinical manifestations and management. As you know, some aquarium fish, such as piranhas and snakeheads, are not venomous, but they may bite the finger or hand

Vaccine development based on RNA technology platforms

mRNA vaccine technology has made significant progress in recent years, especially with the large-scale application driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines have become central tools in the global fight against the virus, demonstrating the potential of the mRNA platform for rapid design, production, and strong immune responses. These vaccines showcase the unique advantages of rapid response and effective protection. At the same time, mRNA technology still faces challenges, such as stability and targeted delivery. Future research will focus on improving the stability and safety of mRNA vaccine and expanding its application to more infectious diseases and cancer treatments. This article reviews platforms of mRNA vaccine, vaccine design, development of delivery system, and the application of mRNA vaccines, in order to enhance the understanding of professionals and accelerate the layout of this technology in vaccine research and application in China.

Life cycle of macrophages in atherosclerotic inflammation progression and resolution: mediators and interventions (narrative review)

Abstract As one of the pathological causes of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis poses a major threat to human health. Macrophages play an important role in regulating atherosclerotic disease progression. Specifically, atherosclerotic inflammation is initiated when low-density lipoproteins infiltrate the subcutaneous area and are phagocytosed by macrophages, leading to foam cell formation. The subsequent inflammation progression or resolution depends on the delicate balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. In cases where proinflammatory factors dominate, macrophages tend to activate the pyroptosis and necrosis pathways, resulting in the release of intracellular damage-associated molecular patterns and promoting necrotic core formation and plaque progression. Conversely, when anti-inflammatory factors prevail, macrophages engage in autophagy-mediated intracellular lipid metabolism while inhibiting inflammation progression through the efferocytosis of apoptotic cells. The regulatory function of macrophages in atherosclerosis can also be understood from the perspective of their life cycles. Lipid retention within the arterial intima and its subsequent uptake by macrophages are the characteristic pathological hallmarks of atherosclerosis. As pivotal effector cells in this process, macrophages with their distinctive performances decisively determine the progression and resolution of atherosclerotic inflammation. The complete life cycle of macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques encompasses chemotaxis, infiltration, polarization, uptake of lipoproteins for metabolic efflux, foam cell formation, lipid overload, and various forms of programmed necrosis, including autophagy, pyroptosis, apoptosis, necrosis, and efferocytosis, to facilitate the removal of apoptotic macrophages and limit inflammation progression. The behavior of macrophages in atherosclerosis has rarely been comprehensively addressed in previous review articles. This article provides an extensive overview of the entire life cycle of macrophages following their response to atherosclerotic inflammation and the impact of regulatory factors on inflammation progression and resolution. Considering that macrophages play a pivotal role in the inflammatory response associated with atherosclerosis, targeting the regulation of their life cycle holds promise for therapeutic interventions against atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases.

Dual and triple gene combinations of KRT5, KRT17, and S100A2 identify basal-like subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and correlate with survival outcome.

There is a significant difference in prognosis and response to chemotherapy between basal and classical subtypes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Further biomarkers are required to identify subtypes of PDAC. We selected candidate biomarkers via review articles. Correlations between these candidate markers and the PDAC molecular subtype gene sets were analyzed using bioinformatics, confirming the biomarkers for identifying classical and basal subtypes. Subsequently, 298 PDAC patients were included, and their tumor tissues were immunohistochemically stratified using these biomarkers. Survival data underwent analysis, including Cox proportional hazards modeling. Our results indicate that the pairwise and triple combinations of KRT5/KRT17/S100A2 exhibit a higher correlation coefficient with the basal-like subtype gene set, whereas the corresponding combinations of GATA6/HNF4A/TFF1 show a higher correlation with the classical subtype gene set. Whether analyzing unmatched or propensity-matched data, the overall survival time was significantly shorter for the basal subtype compared with the classical subtype (p < .001), with basal subtype patients also facing a higher risk of mortality (HR = 4.017, 95% CI 2.675-6.032, p < .001). In conclusion, the combined expression of KRT5, KRT17, and S100A2, in both pairwise and triple combinations, independently predicts shorter overall survival in PDAC patients and likely identifies the basal subtype. Similarly, the combined expression of GATA6, HNF4A, and TFF1, in the same manner, may indicate the classical subtype. In our study, the combined application of established biomarkers offers valuable insights for the prognostic evaluation of PDAC patients.

Yoga as a Potential Tool for Filling Implementation Gap in Promoting Better Mental Health in Geriatric Age Group at Global Level: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aims to review the effectiveness of yoga as a complementary intervention for improving mental health outcomes in the geriatric population globally. Yoga is practiced by millions worldwide. Since practitioners of yoga claim to have calmer minds and better psychological and physical health, this topic needs to be reviewed at length. There is a considerable treatment gap worldwide in treating mental disorders, especially in old age, and there is a shortage of low-cost, feasible, and acceptable preventive or treatment options available to tackle mental ailments for the senior population at large. Yoga can potentially act as a low-cost intervention for promoting better mental health. The article reviews yoga as an implementation strategy for meeting this global challenge. Information related to “Yoga and Mental Health” and “Yoga and old age” was searched in two databases, i.e., PubMed and Google Scholar, using a standard search strategy and search strings. Only the articles published in the English language were selected. A standard data extraction form was used to extract and tabulate the data. A comprehensive search strategy (annexed) yielded only two papers as the work on implementation research on mental health is dismal. Both were excluded as the papers did not belong to implementation research. However, for the sake of narrative review, a common search strategy in PubMed included key terms such as “yoga and aging and mental health” and yielded 54 results out of which 7 were included for this scoping review. Comprehensive advanced search from Google Scholar revealed 4850 articles. Screening found 1 implementation research abstract only and two clinical trials. None was included as they did not belong to implementation research. Considering the potential that yoga has as a preventive and therapeutic option, scientific work on implementation research involving mental health and yoga is required. Considering the bludgeoning amount of work done on the subject, there is a possibility of including the same in mainstream medicine as a low-cost preventive or therapeutic option to address the implementation gap in mental health, especially for the senior age group.

A need for emotionally intelligent leaders in educational institutions: A review of the effects of leadership style on burnout teachers

For the three pillars of education: teacher, student, and curriculum to function properly, leadership plays an intrinsic role. Academic leadership aims to provide the right working environment for proper teaching and learning to take place. Thus, leadership style has a paramount effect on teachers who consequently affect students and ensure proper instruction to all aspects of curriculum. This article review aims to unfold the dynamics of this relationship. In particular the researchers will attempt to explore the role of transformational leadership which also displays qualities of emotional intelligence on reducing the occurrence of the syndrome of burn out among teachers. Sample of empirical, experimental and case studies that examined the correlation between symptoms and causes of job burnout among teachers and the style of leadership practiced will be presented. Seven of which were examined to verify the impact of leadership in a school setting and three others to examine the same impact but in a university context. As a result, researchers assert that in traditional leadership where qualities of empathy, social awareness, and management of relationships are missing, job burnout cases among teachers increase. Finally, a recommendation to introduce emotional intelligence skills into academic leaders' training programs was made. The findings of this study shall serve leaders and policymakers in the teaching and learning sector in a way that would benefit them and assist their subordinates in avoiding burnout and achieve greater heights.

Anti-tumor effect and hepatotoxicity mechanisms of psoralen.

In recent years, natural products have gradually become an important source for new drug development due to their advantages of multi-components, multi-targets, and good safety profiles. Psoralen, a furanocoumarin compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine psoralea corylifolia, is widely distributed among various plants. It has attracted widespread attention in the research community due to its pharmacological activities, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. Studies have shown that psoralen has broad spectrum anti-tumor activities, offering resistance to malignant tumors such as breast cancer, liver cancer, glioma, and osteosarcoma, making it a natural, novel potential antitumor drug. Psoralen mainly exerts its antitumor effects by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting tumor cell migration, and reversing multidrug resistance, presenting a wide application prospect in the field of antitumor therapy. With the deepening research on psoralea corylifolia, its safety has attracted attention, and reports on the hepatotoxicity of psoralen have gradually increased. Therefore, this article reviews recent studies on the mechanism of antitumor effects of psoralen and focuses on the molecular mechanisms of its hepatotoxicity, providing insights for the clinical development of low-toxicity, high-efficiency antitumor drugs and the safety of clinical medication.

Association of glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations with structural and functional brain changes in the normoglycemic population: A systematic review.

Optimal glucose control is crucial for maintaining brain health and preventing metabolic and cognitive disorders in the general population. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) serves as a key marker for assessing glucose intolerance and its impact on brain structure and function in healthy individuals. However, existing literature presents conflicting findings, necessitating a systematic review to consolidate current knowledge in this domain. This systematic review examines 26 English-language studies involving participants aged 15 years and above, investigating the relationship between HbA1c levels and brain health. Studies focusing on normal/general populations and utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the imaging modality were included. Exclusion criteria encompassed review articles, abstracts, letters, animal studies, and research involving neuropsychiatric or metabolic diseases. Data were gathered from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to November 2023. Analysis reveals significant associations between HbA1c levels and various brain metrics, including volume, cortical thickness, fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, activity, and connectivity. However, findings exhibit inconsistency, likely attributed to disparities in sample characteristics and study sizes. Notably, hippocampal volume, white matter hyperintensity, and ventral attention network connectivity emerge as frequently affected structures and functions, mirroring trends observed in diabetic populations. Despite inconclusive evidence, glucose intolerance appears to exert considerable influence on select brain structures and functions in individuals without diagnosed metabolic disorders. Understanding these associations is critical for mitigating the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in healthy populations. Future investigations should aim to elucidate the intricate relationship between HbA1c concentrations and brain health parameters in normoglycemic individuals.

Pregnancy as a challenge for a patient with schizophrenia

Introduction: Schizophrenia affects as many as 24 million people worldwide. Similar to the general population of women, it is estimated that every second woman with schizophrenia becomes a mother. The purpose of the article is to present the difficulties that pregnancy brings for women with schizophrenia in terms of physical and mental health and the course of the disease. Material and methods: The available literature in English and Polish languages was reviewed by searching the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Articles published from 2009 to 2023 were selected using the following words: schizophrenia, pregnancy, hormones, treatment and outcomes. The analysis encompassed original studies, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and review articles. Results: One of the most significant problems related to motherhood among patients with schizophrenia is the lack of access to knowledge about family planning, sexuality and parenting. Women with schizophrenia are more likely to engage in risky sexual contact, and usually their pregnancies are unplanned. The influence of schizophrenia on the course of pregnancy is still not clear. Studies show that changes in hormone levels during pregnancy, especially estrogen levels, play a protective role in the occurrence of schizophrenic episodes. Nonetheless, pregnant women with schizophrenia have higher risk of miscarriage, infant deaths, obesity, gestational diabetes, hypertension and other obstetric complications. Conclusions: Due to the fact that nowadays more women with schizophrenia may become mothers, it is crucial to provide patients with adequate knowledge about sexual and reproductive life and to ensure them professional, interdisciplinary medical and psychological care during pregnancy. Keywords: schizophrenia, pregnancy, hormones, treatment, outcomes