Association of increased maternal ferritin levels with gestational diabetes and intra-uterine growth retardation.

Aim: The objectives of the present study were to determine whether or not increased serum ferritin in women with premature labour is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) and, if so, whether or not such increased levels reflect excess maternal iron stores, and have an effect on neonatal iron status and outcome.

Methods: This prospective, single-hospital, observational study involved 63 mothers and their 90 preterm neonates. Full blood counts as well as serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and erythropoietin concentrations were compared across the three study groups based on maternal ferritin levels at the time of delivery.

The influence of extrauterine life on the aEEG maturation in normal preterm infants.

Objective: To study, the maturational changes of the amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) in preterm infants without neurological disorders and especially the influence of the duration of extrauterine life, over this process.

Methods: 96 preterm infants, 25-34weeks' gestational age (GA) at birth, clinically stable and without ultrasonographic evidence of neurological abnormalities, were studied. The aEEG recordings were obtained within 72 h of life and then weekly until discharge.

Hydrothorax as a sole manifestation of congenital parvovirus B19 infection.

We present a case of congenital parvovirus B19 infection in a term neonate manifested with isolated massive hydrothorax and mild anemia. Parvovirus B19 DNA was detected in maternal and neonatal blood as well as in pleural fluid despite lack of suggestive serology.

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

An 8(1/2)-year-old-female child with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome developed sagittal sinus thrombosis while on pulse therapy with corticosteroids, presenting with recurrent vomiting, headache, and impaired consciousness. The diagnosis was established by cranial computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance angiography. She gradually recovered without neurologic sequelae while being treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (2 mg/kg/day).

Construction of high-density bacterial colony arrays and patterns by the ink-jet method.

We have developed a method for fabricating bacterial colony arrays and complex patterns using commercially available ink-jet printers. Bacterial colony arrays with a density of 100 colonies/cm(2) were obtained by directly ejecting Escherichia coli (E. coli) onto agar-coated substrates at a rapid arraying speed of 880 spots per second.