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EXCLI J 2019 2;18:1-7. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Department of Biotechnology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran.

Toxoplasmosis is considered as one of the most prevalent human parasitic infections that can be transmitted from mother to the fetus. The onset of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy has clinical complications including spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, stillbirth and fetal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis infection in pregnant women and their infants in Lorestan province, Western Iran. Read More

Blood Adv 2019 Apr;3(7):1118-1128

Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

When hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is necessary for children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), there remains debate about the best stem cell source. Post-HSCT relapse is a common cause of mortality, and complications such as chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) are debilitating and life-threatening. To compare post-HSCT outcomes of different donor sources, we retrospectively analyzed consecutive transplants performed in several international centers from 2005 to 2015. Read More

Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2019 Apr 5:1-2. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

a Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar , Cadiz , Spain.

Background: Umbilical cord haematomas may result in mortality or significant morbidity due to interference with vital fetal blood flow.

Case Report: We present a massive umbilical haematoma in a asymptomatic neonate without risk factors or hypoxic event.

Conclusion: Although massive umbilical haematomas may result in miscarriage and fetal hypoxia, in some cases there may be no complications. Read More

Adv Exp Med Biol 2019 ;1122:211-233

CReATe Fertility Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

The structural components of the umbilical cord, including two arteries and one vein, the stromal region/Wharton's jelly, and amniotic epithelial membrane, are well described at various time points of gestation. Over the last two decades, evidence has emerged that multipotent cells sharing properties of mesenchymal stromal cell and pericytes/mural cells can be isolated from multiple regions of the umbilical cord, including the perivascular region of the umbilical cord arteries and vein, Wharton's jelly, and subamnion. These cells have increasingly gained interest for their potential use in regenerative and immunomodulatory medicine. Read More

Oxid Med Cell Longev 2019 30;2019:8184656. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.

Diabetes is associated with vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress, promoting the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Several studies showed that a carotenoid-rich diet is associated to a reduced cardiovascular risk in healthy and diabetic subjects, although the mechanisms of action are still unknown. Here, the potential role of -carotene (BC) and lycopene (Lyc) in human endothelial cells isolated from human umbilical cord vein (HUVECs) of women with gestational diabetes (GD) and respective controls (C) has been investigated. Read More

Case Rep Obstet Gynecol 2019 20;2019:5952326. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, UT Health-School of Medicine at Houston, The Fetal Center, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.

Background: Fetal anemia results from several conditions; however intrauterine transfusion (IUT) remains the treatment for severe cases. The complications of this procedure are rare and yet can result in preterm delivery or fetal death.

Case: 31 y/o G3P2002 with Rh alloimmunization underwent IUT from 19 to 35 weeks. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Mar 25:1-6. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine , St. Louis , MO , USA.

Objectives: While percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling (PUBS) and intrauterine transfusion (IUT) are the standards of care for the management of significant fetal anemia, the neonatal complications resultant from these procedures remain poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to compare neonatal outcomes of the patients undergoing percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling (PUBS) for intrauterine transfusion (IUT) to gestational age- and sex-matched controls with no indication for and not undergoing PUBS.

Methods: This was a retrospective matched cohort study at a single institution from 2000 to 2017. Read More

Ultrasound Q 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI.

Routine second trimester ultrasound (US) examinations include an assessment of the umbilical cord given its vital role as a vascular conduit between the maternal placenta and fetus during fetal development. Placental cord insertion abnormalities can be identified during prenatal US screening and are increasingly recognized as independent risk factors for various complications during pregnancy and delivery. The purpose of this pictorial review is to illustrate examples of velamentous and marginal placental cord insertion with an emphasis on how to differentiate their morphology using color Doppler US. Read More

Biomol Concepts 2018 Dec 26;9(1):155-168. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Neuroscience Research center, Shariati avenue, Tahmasbabad Cross, Kerman, Iran.

Introduction Transient cerebral ischemia is a pandemic neurological disorder and the main aim of medical intervention is to reduce complications. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal cells (hUCMs) are capable of differentiating into neural-like cells (NLC) in vitro, therefore we investigated the neuroprotective potential of these cells in comparison to aspirin and in combination (NLC-Aspirin) on spatial memory and neural morphologic changes in male rats submitted to transient cerebral ischemia. Methods Ten days after the intervention, the improvement in learning and memory were assessed in the animals by Morris Water Maze. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(10):e14745

Treatment of back pain due to facet joint syndrome has been a challenge for physicians since its recognition ∼80 years ago. Intra-articular injections of steroids, local anesthetics, and phenol have been widely adopted despite their known shortcomings. Recently, intra-articular injection of amniotic membrane-umbilical cord (AMUC) has been utilized in various orthopedic indications, including those involving synovial joints, due to its reported anti-inflammatory properties. Read More

World J Stem Cells 2019 Feb;11(2):73-83

Immunology Department, Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine (IBTO), Tehran 14665-1157, Iran.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a valuable source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and potential alternative for bone marrow transplantation for patients who lack human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched donors. The main practical advantages of UCB over other HSC sources are the immediate availability, lower incidence of graft-versus-host disease, minimal risk to the donor, and lower requirement for HLA compatibility. However, the use of UCB is limited by delayed engraftment and poor immune reconstitution, leading to a high rate of infection-related mortality. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2019 Feb 22;6(2):ofz037. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor.

Background: Umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT) is used for patients who do not have a matched donor, but engraftment often takes longer than with a standard allogeneic transplant, likely increasing the risk for infection. We characterized specific infections and outcomes in adults undergoing UCBT at our 2 centers.

Methods: All adults who underwent UCBT between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015 were included. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Feb 27:1-8. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

f Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson , MS , USA.

An adequately sized placenta at a suitable site with appropriate depth and centripetal progression of implantation are the major factors for optimal fetal development. The cytotrophoblasts surround the blastocyst fuses at the site of the uterine attachment. This forms a second layer of multinucleated syncytiotrophoblasts that constitutes the inner epithelial boundary of the chorionic villous against the intervillous space. Read More

Crit Rev Biomed Eng 2018 ;46(5):399-412

School of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bangalore, India; Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Homeopathic Medical College and Research Centre, Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, Pune, India.

Stem cell therapy is one of the most promising and effective approaches for treating diabetes, due to stem cell nonimmunogenic and nonimmunosupressive properties. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human umbilical cord have been widely used in cell-based therapies for clinical applications. Among their various properties, immunomodulatory and proregenerative capacities broaden their scope for treating diabetes. Read More

Wiad Lek 2019;72(1):52-55

Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine.

Objective: Introduction: In order to evaluate the value of the Placenta Growth Factor (PlGF) in the developing the gestational complications during multiple pregnancies, a study of this indicator in serum of 320 pregnant women with multiple pregnancies in the first trimester, as well as 40 pregnant women with single pregnancy, constituted a control group. The aim: of the study is to investigate the effect of the placental growth factors on gestational process during multiple pregnancies.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: A prospective study of maternity pregnancy in 320 females with multiple pregnancies was conducted, which comprised the main group of the subjects and 40 healthy women with unipolar pregnancy. Read More

Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2019 Jan-Mar;41(1):1-6. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (HC UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Background: ABO blood group incompatibility between donor and recipient is associated with a number of immunohematological complications, but is not considered a major contraindication to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, available evidence from the literature seems to be conflicting as to the impact of incompatibility on overall survival, event-free survival, transplant-related mortality, graft-versus-host disease, and time to neutrophil and platelet engraftment.

Methods: This single-center, prospective, cohort study included patients with hematological malignancies who underwent a first allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between 2008 and 2014. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Feb 17. Epub 2019 Feb 17.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, TriHealth, Cincinnati, OH.

Background: It has been established that delayed umbilical cord clamping in preterm infants results in improvement in neonatal anemia, need for transfusion, incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, and intraventricular hemorrhage by increasing neonatal circulating blood volume. However, the effects of umbilical cord milking as an alternative to delayed clamping in preterm infants are unclear.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to compare the effect of delayed clamping vs milking of the umbilical cord on the initial hematocrit concentration in preterm births (23-34 weeks gestation). Read More

Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2019 Feb;51(1):159-164

Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University First Hospital,Beijing 100034, China.

Objective: To analyze the predictive value of umbilical arterial cord pH on complications of hospitalized neonates after cesarean section.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study and carried out in Peking University First Hospital from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017. Neonates who were delivered by cesarean section were enrolled. Read More

Mol Cell Biochem 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India.

Hyperglycaemia during pregnancy is the main reason for developing diabetes mediated vascular complications. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed due to non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids during hyperglycaemia. It has the potential to damage vasculature by modifying the substrate or by means of AGEs and receptor of AGE (RAGE) interaction. Read More

Front Immunol 2019 29;10:73. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin disease (D-BCG) in children with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) can be fatal, while its clinical characteristics remain unclear because both diseases are extremely rare. The patients with CGD receive BCG vaccination, because BCG vaccination is usually performed within 24 h after delivery in China. We prospectively followed-up Chinese patients with CGD who developed D-BCG to characterize their clinical and genetic characteristics. Read More

J Perinatol 2019 Apr 5;39(4):547-553. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Division of Neonatology, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.

Objective: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common complication in extremely preterm infants. We aimed to demonstrate that umbilical cord milking (UCM) would reduce the incidence of IVH in this at risk population.

Study Design: We compared the incidence of IVH in a prospective cohort of consecutively born preterm infants <32 weeks' gestation receiving UCM (n = 33) with a historical cohort that underwent immediate cord clamping (ICC) (n = 36). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Feb;98(5):e14331

Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University.

Background: Phenylephrine is the current "gold standard' vasopressor used to treat maternal hypotension in women undergoing cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. Since 2015, various studies have explored the use of norepinephrine to manage maternal hypotension. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy and safety of norepinephrine and phenylephrine for the prevention and treatment of maternal hypotension. Read More

Int J Hematol 2019 Apr 24;109(4):440-450. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Hematology and Oncology, Konan Kosei Hospital, 137, Omatsubara,Takaya-cho, Konan, 483-8704, Aichi, Japan.

The combination of methotrexate (MTX) and a calcineurin inhibitor is widely used for GVHD prophylaxis in umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). However, the optimal MTX dosage for GVHD prophylaxis in UCBT remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the impact of MTX dosage on clinical outcomes following UCBT in a single-center retrospective study. Read More

J Clin Ultrasound 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Obstetrics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany.

We report a case of a prenatally detected hemangioma of the umbilical cord as an early sign of diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis (DNH). The newborn was diagnosed with multiple hemangiomas in the liver, intestines, skin, and brain. Prenatal ultrasound findings, neonatal appearance of the hemangiomas, and the associated complications are illustrated. Read More

Anesth Essays Res 2018 Oct-Dec;12(4):769-773

Department of Anaesthesiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala, India.

Background: Labor analgesia has been shown to have few undesirable effects on the course and outcome of the labor as well as on the fetal well-being.

Aims: This study aims to assess neonatal outcome following lumbar epidural analgesia with intermittent boluses of 0.1% bupivacaine with fentanyl. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2019 Mar 17;299(3):719-724. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, Horizon Health Network, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5N5, Canada.

Background: Although delayed umbilical cord clamping has been shown to have significant benefits for both term and preterm infants, currently, data on its impact on blood gas analysis have been scant and conflicting.

Methods: In a retrospective review, we compared the demographic characteristics and blood gas parameters of 114 delayed cord clamping (DCC-births between 45 and 90 s in length; 109 being for 60 s) versus 407 early cord clamping births (ECC-immediately after delivery) collected over a 1-year period. Intrapartum care and timing of cord clamping for individual cases were performed at the discretion of obstetricians. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Feb 25;220(2):191.e1-191.e7. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel; Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. Electronic address:

Background: A low rate of primary cesarean delivery is expected to reduce some of the major complications that are associated with a repeat cesarean delivery, such as uterine rupture, adhesive placental disorders, hysterectomy, and even maternal death. Since 2014, and in alignment with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, we changed our approach to labor dystocia, defined as abnormal progression of labor, by allowing a longer duration of the second stage of labor.

Objective: To examine the effect of prolonging the second stage of labor on the rate of cesarean delivery, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Read More

Iran J Child Neurol 2019 ;13(1):45-55

Proteomics Research Center, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Objectives: Delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) increases blood transfer to newborns. Hence we investigated the effect of the timing of DCC on hemoglobin levels, neonatal outcomes and developmental status in infants at four months old.

Materials & Methods: This clinical trial examined infants born to 400 pregnant women immediately upon birth and at the age of four months in Isfahan, central Iran in 2016. Read More

J Foot Ankle Surg 2019 Jan;58(1):97-102

Surgeon, OrthoCarolina Foot & Ankle Institute, Charlotte, NC.

Relatively high rates of wound healing complications continue to be reported with a total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) anterior incision. The amniotic membrane-umbilical cord (AM-UC) allograft is a regenerative orthobiologic adjunct that modulates wound healing by down-regulating inflammation, enhancing local healing and antimicrobial factors, and reducing scar formation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether local application of a cryopreserved AM-UC allograft enhances soft tissue healing after TAA. Read More

Int J Womens Health 2018 28;10:783-795. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Institute of Human Genetics, The Medical School, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia.

Introduction: The VEGF family has been identified as abnormal in preeclampsia (PE). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are major contributors to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide; likewise, umbilical cord anatomical abnormalities (UCAA) are linked to poor neonatal outcomes. Based on the relationship described between PE and UCAA and the role of the VEGF family in PE, this study explored VEGF expression in placental and UC tissued from patients with PE and with UCAA. Read More

Rev Argent Microbiol 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Laboratorio de Bacteriología Clínica, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Córdoba, CABA, Argentina. Electronic address:

The etiology leading to neonatal damage is multifactorial, being genital infections one of the causes. The objective of the study was to identify microorganisms of the maternal genital tract that are associated with neonatal damage, in order to prevent future perinatal complications. Seven hundred and eleven pregnant patients attended their prenatal control during the period January 2010-July 2013. Read More

Pediatr Transplant 2019 02 9;23(1):e13325. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

BeiJing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of ACBT for acquired SAA in children.

Methods: Four patients including three girls and one boy were diagnosed with acquired SAA. Their ages were 5, 3, 1, and 3 years, respectively. Read More

Virus Res 2019 01 5;260:151-162. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5B4, Canada. Electronic address:

Although porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) readily crosses the maternal fetal interface (MFI) in third trimester, fetal resilience varies within litters. The aim of this study was to characterize PRRSV-2 concentration in MFI and fetuses at five time points after experimental inoculation of late gestation gilts and use this information to classify potentially resistant, resilient and susceptible fetuses. The secondary objective was to verify the relationship between PRRS viral load and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Read More

PLoS One 2018 3;13(12):e0207952. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

FutureNeuro Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNA that regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. MicroRNAs have been identified in various body fluids under normal conditions and their stability as well as their dysregulation in disease has led to ongoing interest in their diagnostic and prognostic potential. Circulating microRNAs may be valuable predictors of early-life complications such as birth asphyxia or neonatal seizures but there are relatively few data on microRNA content in plasma from healthy babies. Read More

Am J Clin Exp Immunol 2018 5;7(5):88-94. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng Clinical School, Taishan Medical University Liaocheng, PR China.

Multiple system atrophy is a sporadic progressive degenerative disease which is characterized by multiple central nervous systems involved. So far, there is no effective medicine to cure MSA. The main research direction of treatment includes immunization transplantation and cytotherapy. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(47):e13287

Department of Pediatrics, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.

Rationale: To explore the curative effect of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ucMSC) therapy for patients with liver cirrhosis complicated with immune thrombocytopenia and refractory Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP).

Patient Concerns: A 12-year-old boy presented to our hospital with an 11-month history of purpura on the skin of both lower limbs accompanied by thrombocytopenia. The patient had a history of repeated swelling and painful dorsum pedis, followed by skin redness. Read More

Open Neuroimag J 2018 17;12:55-65. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.

Background: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is brain injury caused by decreased perfusion and oxygen delivery that most commonly occurs in the context of delivery complications such as umbilical cord compression or placental abruption. Imaging is a key component for guiding treatment and prediction of prognosis, and the most sensitive clinical imaging modality for the brain injury patterns seen in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: The goal of this review is to compare magnetic resonance imaging findings demonstrated in the available animal models of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy to those found in preterm (≤ 36 weeks) and term (>36 weeks) human neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, with special attention to the strengths and weaknesses of each model. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(46):e11889

Cochrane China, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Background: Varied regimens of penicillin antibiotics were given to women for preventing infection after cesarean section, but there is no study compares the effectiveness and safety of them.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM Database, and contacted experts in the field and searched reference lists of retrieved studies. We included randomized controlled trials comparing different regimens of penicillin antibiotics given to women after cesarean section. Read More

Stem Cell Res Ther 2018 11 14;9(1):312. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, CN 210008, People's Republic of China.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of mesenchymal stem cell infusion in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Methods: A total of 404 patients with autoimmune diseases who received mesenchymal stem cell infusion between 2007 and 2016 were included in this study. Adverse events in these patients were collected, mainly including infections and malignancies. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018 Nov 14;18(1):443. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Sonography, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.

Background: Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies are at higher risk of adverse outcomes and complications, which are attributed to the influence of placental morphology in MCDA twins. Monitoring of placental function is an important index for clinical decisions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the placental blood flow estimated using three-dimensional power Doppler (3D-PD) ultrasound and the vascular indices distribution with gestational age (GA) in normal MCDA twin pregnancies. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018 Nov 14:1-12. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

b Biomedical Informatics Centre, Indian Council of Medical Research , National Institute of Pathology , New Delhi, India.

Introduction: Tobacco-smoking is one of the most important risk factor for preterm delivery, pregnancy loss, low birth weight, and fetal growth restriction. It is estimated that approximately 30% of growth-restricted neonates could be independently associated with maternal smoking.

Methods: In this study, gene expression profile, GSE11798, was chosen from GEO database with an aim to perceive change in gene expression signature in new born due to maternal smoking. Read More

Lab Chip 2018 12;18(24):3780-3789

School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Many neonates who are born premature suffer from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) for which mechanical ventilation and an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) device are used in treatment. However, the use of these invasive techniques results in higher risk of complications like bronchopulmonary dysplasia or requires surgery to gain vascular access. An alternative biomimetic approach is to use the umbilical cord as a vascular access and to connect a passive device to the baby that functions like a placenta. Read More

Int J Health Care Qual Assur 2018 Oct;31(8):1058-1069

Department of Management Science and Humanities, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, Pakistan.

Purpose: The rate of cesarean sections has been rapidly increased in the last few decades in all the developing as well as developed countries. The rate of cesarean sections determined by the World Health Organization has been crossed by many countries, like Brazil, India, China, USA, Australia, etc. Similarly, this rate has also increased in Pakistan. Read More

Semin Pediatr Surg 2018 Oct 5;27(5):289-299. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Gastroschisis is a congenital, ventral wall defect associated with bowel evisceration. The defect is usually to the right of the umbilical cord insertion and requires postnatal surgical correction. The fetus is at risk for complications such as intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and intrauterine fetal demise. Read More

Semin Pediatr Surg 2018 Oct 27;27(5):283-288. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Service de Chirurgie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Universitaire Necker Enfants Malades, APHP, Paris, France; Département d'Anatomie et Morphogenèse, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France. Electronic address:

The development of gastroschisis has long remained an area of interest and controversy. Successive theories about its pathogenesis are herein reviewed and discussed. Two historical assumptions, that omphalocele results from a persistent umbilical hernia, and that gastroschisis does not involve the umbilical cord, are dismissed. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 10 31;10:CD012794. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, UNIFESP - Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Borges Lagoa, 564 cj 124, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, Brazil, 04038000.

Background: Thromboangiitis obliterans, also known as Buerger's disease, is a non-atherosclerotic, segmental inflammatory pathology that most commonly affects the small- and medium-sized arteries, veins, and nerves in the upper and lower extremities. The etiology is unknown, but involves hereditary susceptibility, tobacco exposure, immune and coagulation responses. In many cases, there is no possibility of revascularization to improve the condition. Read More

APMIS 2018 Dec 30;126(12):899-906. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

CMV is the most common cause of congenital infection. During the past few decades, there has been a change in behaviour that possibly has affected the CMV infection rate of mother and child. We investigated 1350 randomly selected pregnant women from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study using an algorithm for detection of maternal and congenital CMV (cCMV) infection including both serology and nucleic acid amplification assay. Read More

Eur J Pediatr 2019 Feb 29;178(2):173-179. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Cohen Children's Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY, USA.

The primary objective was to study agreement between X-rays and point of care ultrasound (POC-US) in determining central venous line (CVL) tip position. The secondary objective was to examine malposition rates over time using POC-US. Fifty-six neonates were enrolled who had a CVL placed. Read More

Exp Clin Transplant 2019 04 19;17(2):251-258. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

From the Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.

Objectives: Liver transplantation is the well-known treatment for chronic liver diseases; however, postoperative complications and lack of donors continue to be limitations with this treatment. Investigating new modalities for treatment of chronic liver illness is a must. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the effects of an in vitro hepatocyte-differentiated human unrestricted somatic stem cell transplant as a new cell-based therapy in an experimental model of chronic liver failure. Read More

Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2019 Mar 18;25(3):577-586. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. Electronic address:

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients. Disruption of or weak reconstitution of virus-specific cellular immune function, such as with certain HCT approaches, poses significant risk for CMV-related complications. The incidence of and risk factors for CMV infection and the nature of CMV disease were evaluated retrospectively among 356 consecutive HCT recipients transplanted at the National Institutes of Health using all graft sources, including bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC), and umbilical cord blood (UCB), and a range of in vivo and ex vivo approaches for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Read More