Virological and clinical features of acute respiratory failure associated with COVID-19 in pregnancy: a case-control study.

Pregnancy is a risk factor for acute respiratory failure (ARF) following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We hypothesised that SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the respiratory tract might be higher in pregnant intensive care unit (ICU) patients with ARF than in non-pregnant ICU patients with ARF as a consequence of immunological adaptation during pregnancy. Single-centre, retrospective observational case-control study.

Effect of dietary protein on plasma insulin-like growth factor-1, growth, and body composition in healthy term infants: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial (Early Protein and Obesity in Childhood (EPOCH) study).

The effect of protein intake on growth velocity in infancy may be mediated by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This study aimed to determine the effects of formulae containing 1·8 (F1·8) or 2·7 g (F2·7) protein/418·4 kJ (100 kcal) on IGF-1 concentrations and growth. Healthy term infants were randomly assigned to receive F1·8 (n 74) or F2·7 (n 80) exclusively for the first 4 months of life.

In situ simulation training for neonatal resuscitation: an RCT.

Objectives: High-fidelity simulation is an effective tool in teaching neonatal resuscitation skills to professionals. We aimed to determine whether in situ simulation training (for ∼80% of the delivery room staff) improved neonatal resuscitation performed by the staff at maternities.

Methods: A baseline evaluation of 12 maternities was performed: a random sample of 10 professionals in each unit was presented with 2 standardized scenarios played on a neonatal high-fidelity simulator.

Assessment of the safety, tolerance, and protective effect against diarrhea of infant formulas containing mixtures of probiotics or probiotics and prebiotics in a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Probiotics and prebiotics are considered to be beneficial to the gastrointestinal health of infants.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate infant formulas containing probiotics and synbiotics (combinations of probiotics and prebiotics) for safety and tolerance.

Design: In a prospective, controlled, double-blind, randomized trial, healthy full-term infants were exclusively fed a control formula or study formulas containing Bifidobacterium longum BL999 (BL999) + Lactobacillus rhamnosus LPR (LPR), BL999 + LPR + 4 g/L of 90% galactooligosaccharide/10% short-chain fructooligosaccharide (GOS/SCFOS), or BL999 + Lactobacillus paracasei ST11 (ST11) + 4 g/L GOS/SCFOS from < or = 2 to 16 wk of age (treatment period).

Effect of betamethasone on the expression of dopamine D1 receptor mRNA in the developing rabbit adrenal gland.

Background: Antenatal corticotherapy is widely used to enhance pulmonary fetal maturation in cases in which premature birth is likely. The adrenal gland, which has a key role in controlling fetal and neonatal adaptation, appears to be a target organ of glucocorticoids.

Objectives: The aim of this study was first to determine the ontogenic profile of dopamine D1 receptor (DA D1-R) messenger RNA (mRNA) in the rabbit.

Age-related modulation of dopamine d1 receptor mRNA level by hypoxia in rabbit adrenal gland.

In the perinatal period, the fetus and the neonate may be exposed to hypoxic conditions. The adrenal gland responds to systemic hypoxia by releasing catecholamines. Dopamine and dopamine D1 receptor are present in the adrenal medulla and are liable to be affected by exposure to hypoxia.

McKusik-Kaufman syndrome: prenatal diagnosis, genetics and follow up.

McKusick-Kaufman syndrome (MKKS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease with classical hexadactyly and hydrocolpos in females and sometimes cardiac abnormality. We report such a case diagnosed just before birth with a favourable outcome. From this case we describe and discuss all the prenatal sonographic signs which are not always present.

Antenatal treatment with corticosteroids affects mRNA expression of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the striatum of developing rabbit.

The expression levels of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor mRNA have been investigated using Northern blot analysis in developing rabbit striatum after antenatal exposure to betamethasone. Pregnant rabbits were given either 0.1 mg/kg betamethasone or 0.