COVID-19 in perinatal period: questions and consequences

Background. The effect of COVID-19 infection on newborn babies is not yet clear. Babies born to pregnant women with suspected or proven COVID-19 or babies who had contact with infected people are considered to be at risk. In this review, intrauterine problems that may be caused by COVID-19 infection, delivery room approach, postnatal follow-up, precautions and controversies regarding breastfeeding and vaccination are discussed

Cord Blood Cardiac Troponin T and Nonprotein-Bound Iron Levels in Newborns of Mild Pre-Eclamptic Mothers

Background: In hypoxic newborns, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) was shown to be an indicator of cardiac damage and increased levels of nonprotein-bound iron (NPBI), an indicator of increased free radical production and perinatal brain damage. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine cord blood cTnT and NPBI levels in neonates of mild pre-eclamptic mothers. Methods: The study included 50 babies of mild pre-eclamptic mothers and 50 babies of healthy mothers. cTnT and NPBI levels were measured in cord blood. Results: The mean gestational age in the pre-eclamptic and healthy groups were 36.1 +/- 3.5 and 38.1 +/- 1.9 weeks, mean birth weights were 2,456 +/- 945 and 3,059 +/- 493 g. Cord blood median cTnT level was significantly higher in the pre-eclamptic group (0.024 vs. 0.015 ng/ml). Serum cTnT in the 95th percentile was 0.047 ng/ml in the healthy group. cTnT levels of preterm babies in the pre-eclamptic group was found to be significantly higher compared to term babies in the control group (0.038 vs. 0.013 ng/ml). It could not be demonstrated whether there is a statistically significant relation between cTnT levels and respiratory distress, gestation, type of delivery, sex and birth weight. The median NPBI level was higher in the control group (3.26 vs. 1.86 mu mol/l). Conclusions: Increased levels of cTnT may be a biochemical marker of cardiac involvement in babies of mild pre-eclamptic mothers. In this study, no correlation was found between cTnT levels and NPBI levels. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation: Prenatal diagnosis and early endovascular management

A prenatally diagnosed patient was referred to our hospital at 35 weeks of gestation. Antenatal ultrasonography demonstrated cardiomegaly and aneurysm of the vein of Galen. A 3,290 g male baby was delivered by elective cesarean section at 37 weeks of gestation. Physical examination was remarkable for tachypnea, hyperdynamic precordium with a continuous murmur, cranial bruit and bounding carotid pulses. Magnetic resonance angiography confirmed vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation and demonstrated the vessels feeding the aneurysm. Postnatal management included aggressive medical treatment of cardiac failure and transarterial embolization of the vessels feeding the aneurysm at 3 days of age. Posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus developed after embolization, and a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was placed at 29 days of age. Presently, the patient is 4 years of age and has no neurological abnormality at follow-up. Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations can cause severe morbidity and mortality in neonates. However, careful obstetric follow-up and early postnatal endovascular treatment of these malformations may lead to a favorable outcome

Biopiracy of natural products and good bioprospecting practice

Background: Biopiracy mainly focuses on the use of biological resources and/or knowledge of indigenous tribes or communities without allowing them to share the revenues generated out of economic exploitation or other non-monetary incentives associated with the resource/knowledge. Methods: Based on collaborations of scientists from five continents, we have created a communication platform to discuss not only scientific topics, but also more general issues with social relevance. This platform was termed ‘PhytCancer -Phytotherapy to Fight Cancer’ (www.phyt-cancer.uni-mainz.de). As a starting point, we have chosen the topic “biopiracy”, since we feel this is of pragmatic significance for scientists working with medicinal plants. Results: It was argued that the patenting of herbs or natural products by pharmaceutical corporations disregarded the ownership of the knowledge possessed by the indigenous communities on how these substances worked. Despite numerous court decisions in U.S.A. and Europe, several international treaties, (e.g. from United Nations, World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, the African Unity and others), sharing of a rational set of benefits amongst producers (mainly pharmaceutical companies) and indigenous communities is yet a distant reality. In this paper, we present an overview of the legal frameworks, discuss some exemplary cases of biopiracy and bioprospecting as excellent forms of utilization of natural resources. Conclusions: We suggest certain perspectives, by which we as scientists, may contribute towards prevention of biopiracy and also to foster the fair utilization of natural resources. We discuss ways, in which the interests of indigenous people especially from developing countries can be securedDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/[GRK2015/1]//AlemaniaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET