Pluripotent stem cells isolated from umbilical cord form embryonic like bodies in a mesenchymal layer culture.

Recently the matrix of umbilical cord began to use as an alternative source of stem cells additionally to the blood of umbilical cord. Umbilical cord has been used mainly for mesenchymal stem cell banking. The immunological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells in combination with their ability to avoid rejection make them an attractive biological material for transplantations.

Reproductive risk of the silent carrier of Robertsonian translocation.

Aim: The aim of this study was the evaluation of risk among the couples various types of Robertsonian translocations.

Methods: Cytogenetic diagnosis has been carried out according to the Moorhead and Seabright method.

Results: Cytogenetics diagnosis was performed in 17 couples having Robertsonian translocations.

Evaluation of risk factors and effect of physical activity in caesarean section in nulliparous women.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for caesarean section (CS) in nulliparous women and to determine the effect of physical activity on ease of labour.

Methods: A prospective observational study, including 282 nulliparous women at 37-41 gestational weeks was conducted. Maternal demographic characteristics, obstetric history and Modified Grimby scale for evaluation of physical activity were noted.

Isolation of mesenchymal stem cells using the total length of umbilical cord for transplantation purposes.

Background: Umbilical cord (UC) mesenchymal cells have the ability to differentiate into various cell types, which make them an easily obtainable source for therapeutic uses. Different approaches have been used to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSC).

Aim: Here, we report a detailed enzymatic method where large number of cells can be efficiently isolated from the cord matrix and cryopreserved on the same day of arrival at the laboratory.

Placenta perfusion has hematopoietic and mesenchymal progenitor stem cell potential.

Background: Placenta is a valuable source of stem cells for cell therapy and future application in the field of regenerative medicine. This is due to the plasticity and the immunomodulatory effects of the stem cells that it contains. In this study we present a totally closed method for hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic stem cell isolation from human term placenta.

Diagnostic approach for precancerous and early invasive cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix.

Invasive cervical cancer is second most common female cancer worldwide with about 493,000 new cases per year. About 273,000 women die from cervical cancer each year, 85% of which take place in developing countries. Cervical cancer has a slow progress, from pre-invasive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to invasive phases, meaning that the disease can be diagnosed while in the phase of pre-invasive lesion, and treated successfully thanks to the regular screening of asymptomatic women (the Pap smear).

Addition of adipose-derived stem cells in cord blood cultures stimulates their pluripotent differentiation.

Introduction: Adipose tissue is recognized as an important source of postnatal mesenchymal stem cells for generative medicine applications. Moreover, cord blood stem cells have been shown to contain pluripotent stem cells called unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs). However, this population is rare and cannot be generated from every cord blood sample.

An open-label, multicentre trial to evaluate the vaginal bleeding pattern of the combined contraceptive vaginal ring NuvaRing.

Objective: The objective of this multicentre, non-controlled, open-label study is the evaluation of the bleeding patterns during the use of a vaginal combined contraceptive, its safety in relation to occurrence of adverse effects, its efficacy as a contraceptive method and user compliance.

Study Design: Healthy female volunteers (N=165), asking for contraception, were enrolled to participate in the study. Each subject was given seven vaginal rings, releasing an average amount of 120microg etonogestrel (ENG) and 15microg ethinylestradiol (EE) per day.

Should diagnostic hysteroscopy be a routine procedure during diagnostic laparoscopy in infertile women?

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of simultaneous combined diagnostic approach using laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in the evaluation of female infertility. In a retrospective study, 360 infertile women underwent complete fertility evaluation. All the patients were examined by simultaneous combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy as a part of the routine infertility evaluation.

Cell recovery sufficient for adult transplantation by additional cord blood collection from placenta.

The amount of newborn blood that can be collected from a single cord donor is limited, but a significant amount remains in the placenta. We used a simplified perfusion method to collect this additional blood. Umbilical cord blood from 15 newborns was collected before placental delivery by umbilical vein puncture.

Choriocarcinoma--postdisease ultrasonographic findings.

This is a case report of consequences that malignant gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) can cause on reproductive health protruding into uterine wall and damaging uterine tissue. Transvaginal Doppler ultrasound examination can be of great value in detecting molar tissue, protrusion of malignant trophoblast in uterine wall, and neovasularization in malignant tissue. It is expected to measure a low resistance index in a field of neovascularization, because neovascularization in malignancy is not rare and those vessels do not have muscular stratum.

The role of transvaginal colour Doppler sonography in evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Introduction: Treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding understands a prompt diagnostic procedure, for the sake of defining the etiological factor of disease. The abnormal uterine bleeding is more common in the perimenopausal than in the postmenopausal women, and it is more frequent sign of an endometrial proliferative or hyperplastic changes. Fewer percentages of women with unexpected and/or acyclic and prolonged bleeding have endometrial cancer.

Inhibition of puerperal lactation with 2-mercaptopropionyl-glycine.

Objectives: Thiols (sulfydryl compounds) have a prolactin-lowering effect in animals. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effects of orally administered N-2-mercaptopropionyl-glycine (tiopronin) on suppression of lactation and plasma prolactin (PRL) levels in a group of women in the puerperium.

Methods: One hundred women aged 17-37 years were studied.

Acrosome reaction: methods for detection and clinical significance.

The present article reviews the methods for detection and the clinical significance of the acrosome reaction. The best method for the detection of the acrosome reaction is electron microscopy, but it is expensive and labour-intensive and therefore cannot be used routinely. The most widely used methods utilize optical microscopy where spermatozoa are stained for the visualization of their acrosomal status.

Obstetrical implications in multiple pregnancies.

In the present study 90 multiple pregnancies were examined. These were subdivided on the basis of the number of embryos involved (74 twins, 10 triplets, 6 quintuplets) and on whether they were followed at our clinic for the entire pregnancy or not. In each group we analysed certain variables, calculating the respective mean values and standard deviations.