Development of a Virtual Robot Rehabilitation Training System for Children with Cerebral Palsy: An Observational Study.

This paper presents the development of a robotic system for the rehabilitation and quality of life improvement of children with cerebral palsy (CP). The system consists of four modules and is based on a virtual humanoid robot that is meant to motivate and encourage children in their rehabilitation programs. The efficiency of the developed system was tested on two children with CP.

Impact of suspected preterm labour in foetal cardiovascular and metabolic programming: a prospective cohort study protocol.

Introduction: Suspected preterm labour (SPL) is an obstetric complication that occurs in 9% of all pregnancies and is the leading cause of antenatal hospital admissions. More than half of women with SPL deliver a premature baby which is a known risk factor for developing cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in childhood and later in adult life. On the other hand, the other half of these women will deliver at term, labelled as 'false preterm labour'.

Methodology Used in Studies Aimed at Measuring Fetal Soft Tissues by 2D Ultrasound for the Screening of Large for Gestational Age Fetuses: A Systematic Review.

Management of suspected large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses remains unclear because ultrasound-estimated fetal weight (EFW) is not accurate. This was a systematic review of observational studies on fetal soft tissues measurements used alone or in combination to create a new EFW formula, to improve the screening for LGA fetuses. Studies were scored using a predefined set of independently agreed methodological criteria and an overall quality score was assigned for study design, statistical analysis, and reporting methods.

TREATMENT OF EARLY-ONSET FETAL GROWTH RESTRICTION WITH LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HEPARIN DOES NOT PROLONG GESTATION: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.

Background: Although there is a biological basis for it, there is scarce evidence on the effect of heparin in ameliorating placental insufficiency and maximizing gestational age at delivery among fetal growth restriction (FGR) pregnancies.

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of treatment using low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) at a prophylactic dose started at the time of diagnosis in prolonging gestation in pregnancies with early-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR).

Study Design: This was a phase III, multicenter, triple-blind, parallel-arm randomized clinical trial conducted in two university hospitals in Spain.

Current Viewpoint on Female Urogenital Microbiome-The Cause or the Consequence?

An increasing amount of evidence implies that native microbiota is a constituent part of a healthy urinary tract (UT), making it an ecosystem on its own. What is still not clear is whether the origin of the urinary microbial community is the indirect consequence of the more abundant gut microbiota or a more distinct separation exists between these two systems. Another area of uncertainty is the existence of a link between the shifts in UT microbial composition and both the onset and persistence of cystitis symptoms.

Different Brain Phenotypes in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Healthy Children after Prenatal Insults.

In this study, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the different brain phenotypes within apparently healthy children and to evaluate whether these phenotypes had different prenatal characteristics. We included 65 healthy children (mean age, 10 years old) with normal neurological examinations and without structural abnormalities. We performed cluster analyses to identify the different brain phenotypes in the brain MRI images.

Application of Causality Modelling for Prediction of Molecular Properties for Textile Dyes Degradation by LPMO.

The textile industry is one of the largest water-polluting industries in the world. Due to an increased application of chromophores and a more frequent presence in wastewaters, the need for an ecologically favorable dye degradation process emerged. To predict the decolorization rate of textile dyes with Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO), we developed, validated, and utilized the molecular descriptor structural causality model (SCM) based on the decision tree algorithm (DTM).

First-Trimester Sequential Screening for Preeclampsia Using Angiogenic Factors: Study Protocol for a Prospective, Multicenter, Real Clinical Setting Study.

Introduction: The incidence of preeclampsia (PE) is about 2-8%, making it one of the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and maternal mortality in the world. Early prophylactic low dose administration (150 mg) of acetylsalicylic acid is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of early-onset PE, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and neonatal mean stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Universal implementation of a first-trimester screening system including angiogenic and antiangiogenic markers [the Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) and/or soluble fms-like Tyrosine Kinase-1 (sFlt-1)] has shown a prediction rate of 90% for early-onset PE but entails a high financial cost.

Anthropomorphic Robotic Eyes: Structural Design and Non-Verbal Communication Effectiveness.

This paper shows the structure of a mechanical system with 9 DOFs for driving robot eyes, as well as the system's ability to produce facial expressions. It consists of three subsystems which enable the motion of the eyeballs, eyelids, and eyebrows independently to the rest of the face. Due to its structure, the mechanical system of the eyeballs is able to reproduce all of the motions human eyes are capable of, which is an important condition for the realization of binocular function of the artificial robot eyes, as well as stereovision.

Effects of prenatal exposure to maternal COVID-19 and perinatal care on neonatal outcome: results from the INTERCOVID Multinational Cohort Study.

Background: The effect of COVID-19 in pregnancy on maternal outcomes and its association with preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus have been reported; however, a detailed understanding of the effects of maternal positivity, delivery mode, and perinatal practices on fetal and neonatal outcomes is urgently needed.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on fetal and neonatal outcomes and the role of mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and early neonatal care practices on the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

Study Design: In this cohort study that took place from March 2020 to March 2021, involving 43 institutions in 18 countries, 2 unmatched, consecutive, unexposed women were concomitantly enrolled immediately after each infected woman was identified, at any stage of pregnancy or delivery, and at the same level of care to minimize bias.

Diabetes mellitus, maternal adiposity, and insulin-dependent gestational diabetes are associated with COVID-19 in pregnancy: the INTERCOVID study.

Background: Among nonpregnant individuals, diabetes mellitus and high body mass index increase the risk of COVID-19 and its severity.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether diabetes mellitus and high body mass index are risk factors for COVID-19 in pregnancy and whether gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with COVID-19 diagnosis.

Study Design: INTERCOVID was a multinational study conducted between March 2020 and February 2021 in 43 institutions from 18 countries, enrolling 2184 pregnant women aged ≥18 years; a total of 2071 women were included in the analyses.

Frequent Placental SARS-CoV-2 in Patients with COVID-19-Associated Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

Introduction: Studies described an increased frequency of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) after a COVID-19 episode. There is limited evidence about SARS-CoV-2 viral load in placenta. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the placenta and clinical development of HDP after COVID-19 throughout different periods of gestation.

Clinical phenotypes for risk stratification in small-for-gestational-age fetuses.

Objective: To evaluate whether clinical phenotypes of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses can be identified and used for adverse perinatal outcome risk stratification to facilitate clinical decision-making.

Methods: This was a multicenter observational cohort study conducted in two tertiary care university hospitals. SGA fetuses were classified according to maternal, fetal and placental conditions using a two-step cluster algorithm, in which fetuses with more than one condition were assigned to the cluster associated with the highest mortality risk.

Preeclampsia and COVID-19: results from the INTERCOVID prospective longitudinal study.

Background: It is unclear whether the suggested link between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia is an independent association or if these are caused by common risk factors.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify any independent association between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia and to determine the effect of these variables on maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Study Design: This was a large, longitudinal, prospective, unmatched diagnosed and not-diagnosed observational study assessing the effect of COVID-19 during pregnancy on mothers and neonates.

Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality Among Pregnant Women With and Without COVID-19 Infection: The INTERCOVID Multinational Cohort Study.

Importance: Detailed information about the association of COVID-19 with outcomes in pregnant individuals compared with not-infected pregnant individuals is much needed.

Objective: To evaluate the risks associated with COVID-19 in pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes compared with not-infected, concomitant pregnant individuals.

Design, Setting, And Participants: In this cohort study that took place from March to October 2020, involving 43 institutions in 18 countries, 2 unmatched, consecutive, not-infected women were concomitantly enrolled immediately after each infected woman was identified, at any stage of pregnancy or delivery, and at the same level of care to minimize bias.

Modeling of Urinary Microbiota Associated With Cystitis.

A decade ago, when the Human Microbiome Project was starting, urinary tract (UT) was not included because the bladder and urine were considered to be sterile. Today, we are presented with evidence that healthy UT possesses native microbiota and any major event disrupting its "equilibrium" can impact the host also. This dysbiosis often leads to cystitis symptoms, which is the most frequent lower UT complaint, especially among women.

SARS-CoV-2 immunochromatographic IgM/IgG rapid test in pregnancy: A false friend?

Background: An increasing body of evidence has revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women could increase the risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Careful monitoring of pregnancies with COVID-19 and measures to prevent neonatal infection are warranted. Therefore, rapid antibody tests have been suggested as an efficient screening tool during pregnancy.

Altered DNA methylation in human placenta after (suspected) preterm labor.

The aim of this study was to determine if alterations in DNA methylation in the human placenta would support suspected preterm labor as a pathologic insult associated with diminished placental health. We evaluated placental DNA methylation at seven differentially methylated in placental pathologies using targeted bisulfite sequencing, in placentas associated with preterm labor (term birth after suspected preterm labor [n = 15] and preterm birth [n = 15]), and controls (n = 15). DNA methylation levels at the and in placentas associated with preterm labor did differ significantly (p < 0.

Identification of pathogens from native urine samples by MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry.

Background: Reliable high-throughput microbial pathogen identification in human urine samples is crucial for patients with cystitis symptoms. Currently employed methods are time-consuming and could lead to unnecessary or inadequate antibiotic treatment. Purpose of this study was to assess the potential of mass spectrometry for uropathogen identification from a native urine sample.

Microreactor Production by PolyJet Matrix 3D-Printing Technology: Hydrodynamic Characterization.

This work investigates the methodology of producing a 3D-printed microreactor from the acrylic resin by PolyJet Matrix process. The PolyJet Matrix technology employs different materials or their combinations to generate 3D-printed structures, from small ones to complex geometries, with different material properties. Experimental and numerical methods served for the evaluation of the geometry and production of the microreactor and its hydrodynamic characterization.