Hypercoiling of the Umbilical Cord and Placental Maturation Defect: Associated Pathology?

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 293-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique W.M. de Laat ◽  
Jacqueline J.C. van der Meij ◽  
Gerard H.A. Visser ◽  
Arie Franx ◽  
Peter G.J. Nikkels

Our objective was to determine whether there is an association between hypercoiling of the umbilical cord and placental maturation defect. From a database comprising 1147 cases, containing data on all placentas examined at our institution during the study period we selected all cases with a gestational age of at least 37 weeks that exhibited hypercoiling of the umbilical cord (coiling density above the 90th percentile, n = 42); we also examined 2 matched controls for each case, one with hypocoiling and one with normocoiling. The mean number of syncytiocapillary membranes (SCM) per terminal villus was calculated. Presence of a placental maturation defect was defined as the mean number of SCM below the 10th percentile. Correlations were assessed using Spearman's rho. Relations between dichotomous variables were tested using logistic regression. Mean number of SCM per terminal villus (±standard deviation) was 1.25 ± 0.65. Difference in mean between hypo- and hypercoiled cords was 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07 to 0.67). The correlation coefficient between mean number of SCM and umbilical coiling index (UCI, coils/cm) was −0.28 ( P = 0.002). The odds ratio (OR) for placental maturation defect in presence of hypercoiling was 2.61 (95% CI, 0.75 to 9.12). The OR for fetal death was 132 (95% CI, 13.2 to 1315) in the presence of a placental maturation defect and 5.49 (95% CI, 1.02 to 29.6) in the presence of hypercoiling. The OR for indication of fetal hypoxia/ischemia was 12.3 (95% CI, 3.0 to 50.3) in the presence of a placental maturation defect and 3.2 (95% CI, 0.95 to 10.9) in the presence of hypercoiling. We found a trend toward placental maturation defect in the presence of hypercoiling and an inverse relationship between the mean number of SCM in the terminal villi and the UCI. We confirmed associations between fetal death and both a maturation defect and hypercoiling and found an association between histological indication of fetal hypoxia/ischemia and a placental maturation defect.

2006 ◽  
Vol preprint (2007) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Robert Bendon
Keyword(s):  

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Itzhak Abramovitz ◽  
Avraham Zini ◽  
Matan Atzmoni ◽  
Ron Kedem ◽  
Dorit Zur ◽  
...  

Relatively few studies have analyzed the association between cognitive performance and dental status. This study aimed to analyze the association between cognitive performance and dental caries. Included were data from the dental, oral, medical epidemiological (DOME) study; cross-sectional records-based research, which integrated large socio-demographic, medical, and dental databases of a nationally representative sample of young to middle-aged military personnel (N = 131,927, mean age: 21.8 ± 5.9 years, age range: 18–50). The cognitive function of draftees is routinely measured at age 17 years using a battery of psychometric tests termed general intelligence score (GIS). The mean number of decayed teeth exhibited a gradient trend from the lowest (3.14 ± 3.58) to the highest GIS category (1.45 ± 2.19) (odds ratio (OR) lowest versus highest = 5.36 (5.06–5.68), p < 0.001). A similar trend was noted for the other dental parameters. The associations between GIS and decayed teeth persisted even after adjusting for socio-demographic parameters and health-related habits. The adjustments attenuated the OR but did not eliminate it (OR lowest versus highest = 3.75 (3.38–4.16)). The study demonstrates an association between cognitive performance and caries, independent of the socio-demographic and health-related habits that were analyzed. Better allocation of resources is recommended, focusing on populations with impaired cognitive performance in need of dental care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Man Amanat ◽  
Anahita Majmaa ◽  
Morteza Zarrabi ◽  
Masoumeh Nouri ◽  
Masood Ghahvechi Akbari ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This study assessed the safety and efficacy of intrathecal injection of umbilical cord tissue mesenchymal stem cells (UCT-MSC) in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). The diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed to evaluate the alterations in white-matter integrity. Methods Participants (4–14 years old) with spastic CP were assigned in 1:1 ratio to receive either UCT-MSC or sham procedure. Single-dose (2 × 107) cells were administered in the experimental group. Small needle pricks to the lower back were performed in the sham-control arm. All individuals were sedated to prevent awareness. The primary endpoints were the mean changes in gross motor function measure (GMFM)-66 from baseline to 12 months after procedures. The mean changes in the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), pediatric evaluation of disability inventory (PEDI), and CP quality of life (CP-QoL) were also assessed. Secondary endpoints were the mean changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of corticospinal tract (CST) and posterior thalamic radiation (PTR). Results There were 36 participants in each group. The mean GMFM-66 scores after 12 months of intervention were significantly higher in the UCT-MSC group compared to baseline (10.65; 95%CI 5.39, 15.91) and control (β 8.07; 95%CI 1.62, 14.52; Cohen’s d 0.92). The increase was also seen in total PEDI scores (vs baseline 8.53; 95%CI 4.98, 12.08; vs control: β 6.87; 95%CI 1.52, 12.21; Cohen’s d 0.70). The mean change in MAS scores after 12 months of cell injection reduced compared to baseline (−1.0; 95%CI −1.31, −0.69) and control (β −0.72; 95%CI −1.18, −0.26; Cohen’s d 0.76). Regarding CP-QoL, mean changes in domains including friends and family, participation in activities, and communication were higher than the control group with a large effect size. The DTI analysis in the experimental group showed that mean FA increased (CST 0.032; 95%CI 0.02, 0.03. PTR 0.024; 95%CI 0.020, 0.028) and MD decreased (CST −0.035 × 10-3; 95%CI −0.04 × 10-3, −0.02 × 10-3. PTR −0.045 × 10-3; 95%CI −0.05 × 10-3, −0.03 × 10-3); compared to baseline. The mean changes were significantly higher than the control group. Conclusions The UCT-MSC transplantation was safe and may improve the clinical and imaging outcomes. Trial registration The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03795974).


Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Gacem ◽  
L Labboun ◽  
N Mansouri ◽  
M Gherbi ◽  
Z Zeroual ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (pSLE) is a chronic mutisystemic autoimmune disease with complex clinical manifestations whose diagnosis is not always easy and the course is generally severe and the treatment is not very well codified and often extrapolated from that of adults. This study aims to describe the clinical, immunological, therapeutic characteristics and short outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus in Algerian children. Methods This was a prospective, multicentre and descriptive study 36 months (January 2015 - December 2018) at the department of Pediatrics of University Hospital Nefissa Hamoud ex Parnet Algiers. Children less than16 years of age fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology SLE criteria were included. Disease activity estimated by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity index (SLEDAI) whose use has been validated in children and damage index based on Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) score were determined. Results Eighty-three (83) patients were studied. Female: male ratio was1:49. Mean ages at lupus onset and diagnosis were respectively: 10, 12 ± 3, 88 and 11, 3 ± 3, 62 years. All patients had skin involvement while constitutional signs including fever and asthenia were observed in (98.8%). Rheumatological, renal, neuropsychiatric, cardiac, hepato-digestive, pleuropulmonary and ocular disorders were observed respectively: 65, 1%, 44, 6%, 41%, 27, 7%, 41%, 19, 3% and 7, 2%. All patients were positive for antinuclear antibodies. Anti-double-stranded DNA (75%) was the most frequently observed autoantibody profile. Antiphospholipid antibody positivity was noted in 52% whereas hypocomplementemia in fractions C3, C4 was observed in 55% and 56% respectively. In our study, the severe forms were more frequent (83%) than the mild ones (17%) with a significant difference (P = &lt; 10–6). Overall, the mean SLEDAI at disease onset was 22.11 ± 11.87 with high activity ≥ 20 in 59% of cases. The mean damage score was 1.8 ± 2.045 (interquartile range 0–8). Among induction drugs, oral corticosteroids were the most frequently used (92%), and in a third of cases intravenously at high doses in combination with immunosuppressive therapy. In induction therapy, cyclophosphamide (CYC) was the most used drug (23%) compared with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (14%). Unlike the maintenance phase where MMF observed an increase (28%) vs (8%) CYC. The use of MMF was correlated with severe lupus nephritis with a significantly effective difference in the decrease in SLEDAI (P = 0.0001). The use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was observed in 81% in induction and 89% in maintenance treatment. The correlation of HCQ use with survival was significantly positive (P = 0.04). Indeed, adherence to treatments and essentially HCQ was a protective factor, its odds ratio is &lt; 1 with a significant p-value, [OR 0.016 95% CI (0.001–0.353)]. Mortality was estimated at 11%. Multivariable regression analysis showed that the neurological involvement (odds ratio = 6,093 95% confidence interval ((1,1 8 0 ∼ 31 446)) and macrophage activation syndrome were associated with a high risk of mortality. Conclusion we report a series of pSLE characterized by great clinical and biological heterogeneity. It follows a severe course of the disease with high disease activity at the diagnosis and therefore leads to high morbidity and mortality. However, these results must be confirmed by other pediatric studies which could form the basis of a diagnostic and therapeutic approach more adapted for children. Keywords Algeria, Child, Clinical features, Disease activity, lupus


Author(s):  
Vidyadhar B Bangal ◽  
Kunaal K Shinde ◽  
Satyajit P Gavhane ◽  
S K Borawake ◽  
Chandaliya R M

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Peter Koch ◽  
Zita Schillmöller ◽  
Albert Nienhaus

Background: Health literacy (HL) is a resource that can help individuals to achieve more control over their health and over factors that influence health. In the present follow-up study, we have investigated the extent to which HL in trainees changes over time and whether or to what extent HL influences health behaviour and health. Methods: In 2017, we performed a baseline survey (T0) of trainees from six different branches, who were contacted through vocational colleges in four northern federal states in Germany. The survey was repeated at the midpoint of their training in 2019 (T1). Demographic data were surveyed, together with information on HL (HLS-EU-Q16), health behaviour and on health status (psychological well-being, subjective health status). Multivariate regression analyses were performed in SPSS 26. Results: Three hundred and ninety-one (391) data sets were evaluated, with a follow-up rate of 27%; 79% of the trainees were female. The mean age was 21.2 years. Over all subjects, the mean HL increased over time ( (SD): 11.9 (2.9) to 12.2 (2.9), p = 0.070). This increase was only statistically significant for the health service trainees ( (SD): 12.1 (2.8) to 12.5 (2.9), p = 0.019). Relative to persons with adequate HL, the odds ratio over time for impaired psychological well-being was increased by 230% in persons with inadequate HL (OR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.70–6.32, p < 0.001). For persons with problematical HL, the corresponding increase in odds ratio was 110% (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.30–3.38, p = 0.002). Relative to persons with adequate HL, trainees with inadequate HL exhibited a significant increase in odds ratio of 2.8 over time for poor or less good subjective health status (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.23–6.33, p = 0.014). Conclusions: We observed a positive longitudinal association between HL and health. A significant increase in HL was observed in trainees in the health service. Thus the study shows that the concept of HL may provide a potential preventive approach for trainees.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 333
Author(s):  
Muhammad Saqib ◽  
Safeer A. Jamil ◽  
Usman Arif ◽  
Zubda Anwar ◽  
Sarosh Waheed ◽  
...  

Background: Birth asphyxia is a major contributor to neonatal mortality. Fetal hypoxia followed by asphyxia is common cause of brain injury in term infants. Hypoxia score has shown to be accurate enough to predict adverse outcome in asphyxiated neonates. But controversies exist regarding predictive accuracy of hypoxia score. So we conducted this study. Objective to assess the predictive accuracy of hypoxic scoring for prediction of adverse outcome in neonates born with asphyxia.Methods: 170 neonates were screed for hypoxia score. Neonates were labelled as positive or negative. Then all neonates were followed-up for 7 days. If neonate died within 7days, then case was confirmed as positive or negative. Data was analysed by using SPSS 20. 2x2 table was developed to calculate sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and predictive accuracy of hypoxia score.Results: The mean Apgar score at birth was 5.01±0.83. The sensitivity of hypoxia score was 87.8%, specificity was 90.9%, PPV was 90%, NPV was 88.9% while predictive accuracy was 89.4% taking actual adverse outcome as gold standard.Conclusions: The predictive accuracy of hypoxia score was high for prediction of adverse outcome in asphyxiated neonates.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo Kyozuka ◽  
Tuyoshi Murata ◽  
Toma Fukuda ◽  
Shun Yasuda ◽  
Aya Kanno ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Intrauterine inflammation affects short- and long-term neonatal outcomes. Histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis are acute inflammatory responses in the fetal membranes and umbilical cord, respectively. Although labor dystocia includes a potential risk of intrauterine inflammation, the risk of labor dystocia in histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis has not been evaluated yet. This study aimed to examine the association between labor dystocia and risk of histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the patients who underwent histopathological examinations of the placenta and umbilical cord at Fukushima Medical University Hospital, Japan, between 2015 and 2020, were included. From the dataset, the pathological findings of the patients with labor dystocia and spontaneous preterm birth were reviewed. Based on the location of leukocytes, the inflammation in the placenta (histological chorioamnionitis) and umbilical cord (funisitis) was graded as 0–3. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk of histological chorioamnionitis, histological chorioamnionitis stage ≥2, funisitis, and funisitis stage ≥2.Result: Of 317 women who met the study criteria, 83 and 144 women had labor dystocia and spontaneous preterm birth, respectively, and 90 women were included as controls. Labor dystocia was a risk factor for histological chorioamnionitis (adjusted odds ratio, 6.3; 95% confidential interval, 1.9-20.5), histological chorioamnionitis stage ≥2 (adjusted odds ratio, 6.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-21.8), funisitis (adjusted odds ratio, 9.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-48.2), and funisitis stage ≥2 (adjusted odds ratio, 23.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-23.8). Spontaneous preterm birth was also a risk factor for histological chorioamnionitis (adjusted odds ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-7.8), histological chorioamnionitis stage ≥2 (adjusted odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-7.9), and funisitis (adjusted odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-16.8). However, the adjusted odds ratio was smaller in spontaneous preterm births than in labor dystocia. Conclusion: Labor dystocia is a risk factor for severe histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis. Further studies are required to evaluate the effects of histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis on long-term neonatal outcomes.


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