Association of serum copeptin and urinary uromodulin with kidney function, blood pressure and albuminuria at 6 weeks post-partum in pre-eclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with subsequent higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease. Serum copeptin, as a proxy for vasopressin, and urinary uromodulin, were associated with PE physiopathology and kidney functional mass respectively. We describe concentrations of these proteins in the post-partum period and characterize their association with persistent hypertension (HTN) or albuminuria.

Influence of Timing of Maternal Pertussis Immunization on the Avidity of Transferred Antibodies in Term and Preterm Neonates.

The timing of maternal pertussis vaccination influences the titers of cord-blood anti-pertussis antibodies. Whether it affects their avidity is unknown. We demonstrate in 298 term and 72 preterm neonates that antibody avidity is independent of the timing of maternal vaccination, whether comparing second with third trimester or intervals before birth.

Prediction of spontaneous onset of labor at term (PREDICT study): Research protocol.

Background: Recent studies have shown that elective induction of labor versus expectant management after 39 weeks of pregnancy result in lower incidence of perinatal complications, while the proportion of cesarean deliveries remains stable, or even decreases. Still, evidence regarding collateral consequences of the potential increase of induction of labor procedures is still lacking. Also, the results of these studies must be carefully interpreted and thoroughly counter-balanced with women's thoughts and opinions regarding the active management of the last weeks of pregnancy.

Bio-Engineering of Pre-Vascularized Islet Organoids for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes.

Lack of rapid revascularization and inflammatory attacks at the site of transplantation contribute to impaired islet engraftment and suboptimal metabolic control after clinical islet transplantation. In order to overcome these limitations and enhance engraftment and revascularization, we have generated and transplanted pre-vascularized insulin-secreting organoids composed of rat islet cells, human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our study demonstrates that pre-vascularized islet organoids exhibit enhanced function compared to native islets, and, most importantly, better engraftment and improved vascularization in a murine model.