Patient with a Starr-Edwards prosthesis in the aortic position for 40 years.

Herein is reported the case of a patient who presented initially with aortic insufficiency and a fistula between the sinus of Valsalva and right atrium when aged 31 years. Closure of the fistula and replacement of the aortic valve with a Starr-Edwards A-9 caged-ball prosthesis was performed in 1972, since when the valve has survived for 40 years without dysfunction. This is one of the longest follow ups of the Starr-Edwards prosthesis reported, and highlights the possibility of acceptable valve performance over long periods of time.

Trophoblast glycogen cells differentiate early in the mouse ectoplacental cone: putative role during placentation.

The role of differentiated trophoblast glycogen cells (GCs) in the ectoplacental cone (EPC) has not been elucidated yet. Recently, GC progenitors have been shown to be present from embryonic day 7.5 (E7.