Changes in the Prevalence of Embryologic Remnants in Umbilical Cord With Gestational Age.

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of embryologic remnants in umbilical cords of different gestational ages. Sections from 392 umbilical cords were examined using light microscopy. Of these, 52% contained at least 1 remnant, most commonly of the allantoic duct type.

Dermatan sulfate epimerase 1 deficient mice as a model for human abdominal wall defects.

Background: Dermatan sulfate (DS) is a highly sulfated polysaccharide with a variety of biological functions in extracellular matrix organization and processes such as tumorigenesis and wound healing. A distinct feature of DS is the presence of iduronic acid, produced by the two enzymes, DS-epimerase 1 and 2, which are encoded by Dse and Dsel, respectively.

Methods: We have previously shown that Dse knockout (KO) mice in a mixed C57BL/6-129/SvJ background have an altered collagen matrix structure in skin.