5FU/Oxaliplatin-Induced Jagged1 Cleavage Counteracts Apoptosis Induction in Colorectal Cancer: A Novel Mechanism of Intrinsic Drug Resistance.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by early metastasis, resistance to anti-cancer therapy, and high mortality rate. Despite considerable progress in the development of new treatment options that improved survival benefits in patients with early-stage or advanced CRC, many patients relapse due to the activation of intrinsic or acquired chemoresistance mechanisms. Recently, we reported novel findings about the role of Jagged1 in CRC tumors with Kras signatures.

Neonatal Life-Threatening Nonoliguric Hyperkalemia Under Therapeutic Hypothermia.

To illustrate our experience with two cases of neonatal life-threatening hyperkalemia during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) despite a normal acid-base status, urine output, and preserved renal function. Clinical cases are presented from Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission to the onset of the hyperkalemia, with related complications and after resolution. Similar cases were not retrieved from a critical review of pertinent literature.

Autoimmune Congenital Heart Block: A Review of Biomarkers and Management of Pregnancy.

Autoimmune Congenital Heart Block (CHB) is an immune-mediated disease due to transplacental passage of circulating anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB autoantibodies. It occurs in 2% of anti-Ro/SSA-exposed pregnancies, and recurrence rate is nine times higher in subsequent pregnancies. Aim of this review is to identify biomarkers of CHB and treatment strategies.

Plasmatic Profile of Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein (PAG) during Gestation and Postpartum in Sarda and Lacaune Sheep Determined with Two Radioimmunoassay Systems.

This study was carried out to determine ovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (oPAG) levels in the plasma of Sarda and Lacaune ewes throughout gestation and in the first month postpartum, using two heterologous radioimmunoassays (RIA-706 and RIA-srPool) and to study the correlations between PAG levels and fetal gender and number. On Day 18 of pregnancy, PAG concentrations were detected in 90.1% and 80.

Postnatal Health in Children Born to Women After Bariatric Surgery.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate short- and long-term consequences in children born to women after different bariatric surgery (BS) procedures.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was given to the mothers referred from 1994 to 2019 to our center for pregnancy and delivery management after BS procedures: (a) malabsorptive surgery, (b) restrictive procedures, and (c) combined restrictive-malabsorptive procedures.

Results: Data from 74 children born after BS, aged 0 month to 12 years, were analyzed.

Impact of chorioamnionitis on maternal and fetal levels of proinflammatory S100A12.

Histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) may lead to the fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate S100A12, a marker of innate immune activation, in mothers with or without HCA and in their infants. Concentrations of S100A12, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated in maternal, cord, and neonatal blood of very preterm infants.

Persistence of right umbilical vein: a singular case.

Background: Persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV) is one of the most common prenatally detected venous anomaly. In the intrahepatic variant (I-PRUV) the right umbilical vein fuses with right portal vein and through the ductus venous drains into inferior vena cava, while in the uncommon extrahepatic variant (E-PRUV), the vein bypasses the liver completely. E-PRUV has a worse prognosis compared to I-PRUV, due either to severe hemodynamic effects or to the frequent association with other severe fetal malformations.

Delivery room interventions to improve the stabilization of extremely-low-birth-weight infants.

Objective: To retrospectively verify whether the positioning of the umbilical venous catheter (UVC) in the delivery room (DR) and the early start of the preheated infusion of 10% glucose solution conditioned temperature and glycemia values of ELBW neonates in the first hours of life.

Methods: Neonates ( = 137) were divided into two groups on the basis of timing of positioning of the UVC. In Group I the UVC was placed in DR, while in Group II after Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission.

Fabrication and characterization of biomimetic hydroxyapatite thin films for bone implants by direct ablation of a biogenic source.

Biomimetic bone apatite coatings were realized for the first time by the novel Ionized Jet Deposition technique. Bone coatings were deposited on titanium alloy substrates by pulsed electron ablation of deproteinized bovine bone shafts in order to resemble bone apatite as closely as possible. The composition, morphology and mechanical properties of the coatings were characterized by GI-XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDS, AFM, contact angle measurements, micro-scratch and screw-insertion tests.

Outcome of Neonates with Vein of Galen Malformation Presenting with Severe Heart Failure: A Case Series.

Background: Neonatal presentation of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs) complicated by cardiac failure and pulmonary hypertension is frequently associated with a poor prognosis. Interventional neuroradiology with embolization can offer a chance for survival, although neurological damage can represent a limitation.

Objective: This article determines if aggressive intensive care and drug management of cardiac failure before urgent embolization can influence morbidity and mortality.

Influence of Biliopancreatic Diversion on Pregnancy Outcomes in Comparison to Other Bariatric Surgery Procedures.

Background: Pregnancy after bariatric surgery (BS) has an increased risk for small-for-gestational-age infants (SGA), shorter length of gestation, and probably perinatal mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate if biliopancreatic diversion could impair pregnancy outcomes in comparison to other bariatric surgery procedures.

Methods: We conducted a cohort retrospective single-center study in 65 women before and after BS.

Neonatal neurological examination during the first 6h after birth.

Background: Few neurological assessments are easily performed during the first 6h after birth.

Aims: To assess a cohort of low risk term born newborns within the first 6h and at 48h after birth using the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination.

Study Design And Subjects: A population of low risk term born newborns was examined within 3h from birth or between 3 and 6h.

The transition from intra to extra-uterine life in late preterm infant: a single-center study.

Background: Infants born at 34 to 36 weeks of gestation (late preterm) are at greater risk for adverse outcomes than those born at 37 weeks of gestation or later. Aim of this paper is to examine risk factors for late preterm births and to investigate the complications of the transition period in late preterm infants (LPIs).

Methods: All consecutive late preterm deliveries, excluded stillbirths, were included.

Perinatal outcome in pregnant women with cancer: are there any effects of chemotherapy?

Cancer is the leading cause of death in women of reproductive age. During the last decades and especially in developed countries, the incidence of cancer is increasing dramatically, with an incidence of 1 in 1,000 pregnancies. This is mostly related to delay of pregnancy into the late reproductive years.

T-cell polarization: Potential serological markers in preterm and term infants.

Background: The immaturity of immune system characterizes newborn infants. Possible serological markers of Th1 and Th2 immune response are the lymphocyte activation gene-3 (CD223) and soluble CD30, respectively (sCD30).

Aims: The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between Th1 and Th2 immune response and gestational age (GA), comparing data in preterm and term neonates.

Fetal hypoxia secondary to severe maternal anemia as a causative link between blueberry muffin baby and erythroblastosis: a case report.

Background: Neonatal blueberry muffin lesions are rare cutaneous eruptions, presenting as transient, non-blanching, red-violaceous papules, mostly localized in the trunk, head and neck, attributable to a marked dermal hematopoietic activity. Congenital infections of the TORCH complex (toxoplasmosis, other, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes) and hematological disorders have been classically associated with this neonatal dermatological manifestation. We report for the first time an unusual presentation of blueberry muffin lesions in a neonate born from a mother affected by severe anemia during pregnancy.

Is there any role for the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in refractory obstetrical antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) treatment?

The best therapy regimen for refractory obstetrical antiphospholipid syndrome remains to be determined. Additional treatments with steroids, plasma exchanges and immunoglobulins failed to show any beneficial effect. We present a case of a woman who had a better pregnancy outcome after the administration of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as additional treatment.

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in neonatal antiphospholipid syndrome: a new entity?

Neonatal antiphospholipid syndrome (neonatal APS) seems to be exceedingly rare, as the antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) related thrombosis in the neonatal period. The pathogenesis of perinatal aPL related thrombosis may be explained both by the transplacental passage of the maternal antibodies and by the production of de novo antibodies by the neonate. However, few cases of neonatal APS are reported in the literature, especially regarding arterial thrombotic events.

Individualized follow up programme and early discharge in term neonates.

Background: Early discharge of mother/neonate dyad has become a common practice, and its effects are measured by readmission rates. We evaluated the safety of early discharge followed by an individualized Follow-up programme and the efficacy in promoting breastfeeding initiation and duration.

Methods: During a nine-month period early discharge followed by an early targeted Follow-up was carried out in term neonates in the absence of weight loss <10% or hyperbilirubinaemia at risk of treatment.

Correlation analysis between echocardiographic flow pattern and N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide for early targeted treatment of patent ductus arteriosus.

Objective: Echocardiographic flow patterns of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are useful to predict the development of hemodynamically significant ductus in premature infants. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations seem to be useful to detect PDA. We investigated how NT-proBNP levels change on the basis of different flow patterns during the first day of life, and whether NT-proBNP might represent a reliable decision tool in PDA management.

The impact of primary Sjogren's syndrome on pregnancy outcome: our series and review of the literature.

Objective: Firstly, to investigate the pregnancy outcome of women with primary Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS) in a case-control study; secondly, to perform a review of the literature in order to clarify if the pregnancy outcome is affected by pSS and influenced by the disease clinical onset.

Method Of Study: Thirty-four pregnancies with pSS and 136 controls were retrospectively collected.

Results: Six pregnancies occurred before the pSS diagnosis and 28 after the pSS diagnosis.