Cytomegalovirus infection in the pregnant mother, fetus, and newborn infant

Two types of eukaryotic nuclear introns are known: the common U2-dependent class with /GU and AG/ terminal intron dinucleotides, and the rare U12-dependent class with /AU and AC/ termini. Here we show that the U12-dependent splicing system can splice introns with /GU and AG/ termini and that such introns occur naturally. Further, U2-dependent introns with /AU and AC/termini also occur naturally and are evolutionarily conserved. Thus, the sequence of the terminal dinucleotides does not determine which spliceosomal system removes an intron. Rather, the four classes of introns described here can be sorted into two mechanistic classes (U2- or U12-dependent) by inspection of the complete set of conserved splice site sequences.     

Risks of subsequent pregnancies on mother and newborn in female heart transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Female heart transplant recipients are able to carry pregnancies successfully. This study evaluates the effect of subsequent pregnancies on newborn and maternal outcomes and graft survival. METHODS: Subjects were identified through a previously reported multicenter study, case reports from literature review, and recipients entered in the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry. A retrospective analysis was completed of 35 heart transplant recipients with first pregnancies (FP) and 12 who had one or two additional pregnancies (P>1). Newborns were assessed for gestational age, neonatal birth weight, and complications. Maternal data included pregnancy outcome, peripartum complications, including infection and rejection, current graft function, and recipient survival. RESULTS: Forty-seven pregnancies (35 FP and 12 P>1) from 35 heart transplant recipients were studied. FP outcomes included 26 live births (one set of twins), four miscarriages, and six therapeutic abortions, whereas P>1 outcomes included 11 live births (one set of twins), and two miscarriages. There was no significant difference between mean birth weights (2353+/-986 gm vs 2588+/-521 g, P>1 vs FP; mean+/-SD; p=NS) or prematurity incidence (<37 weeks; 50% vs 40%; p=NS) for the live-born infants. Compared with the FP group, there was a trend toward increased neonatal complications in P>1 (40% vs 12%; p=NS). Complications were significantly more common in premature newborns compared with full-term newborns (33% vs 5%; p < 0.05). No structural malformations were identified in the live-born infants. Maternal complication rates were the same in both groups (40%). Of 28 recipients available for follow-up, the maternal survival rate was 75% for the FP group and 89% for the P> group. Mean rejection rate per year was slightly increased after pregnancy in the P>1 group. Surviving recipients had similar graft function by echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Post-heart transplantation pregnancies often have successful outcomes, but there is a high incidence of prematurity and low birth weight. Subsequent pregnancies do not seem to significantly increase the incidence of complications in either the newborn or mother or increase graft rejection or failure. Larger studies of posttransplantation pregnancies may provide more definitive information.     

Vitamin E-dependent anemia in a premature infant

Reported is a case of a premature infant who developed a well documented hemolytic anemia which responded to vitamin E therapy. The infant developed the syndrome while receiving an artificial formula containing iron and vitamin E, plus iron supplementation. The infant had a feeding problem which may have complicated absorption of vitamin E. It is suggested that premature infants who are formula fed should not receive iron supplement until they have doubled their birth weight or have a hemoglobin concentration of less than 10 mg%. Premature infants should receive supplemental vitamin E if they are not breast fed.     

Long chain W3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and lipid pattern in the mother and the newborn infant

The ratio of oxygen to carbon monoxide binding to the three fully saturated human embryonic hemoglobins has been determined. The embryonic hemoglobins exhibit significantly lower values of carbon monoxide binding than any previously reported mammalian fetal or adult hemoglobins. The possible protective role of this with regards to carbon monoxide intoxication is discussed. These data are combined with previous parameters yielding a significant correlation between oxygen affinity and carbon monoxide binding. A possible molecular origin of this correlation is discussed.     

Maternal tactual contact of the newborn after various postpartum conditions of mother–infant contact.

The effect of early and/or extended mother-infant contact in the postpartum period on 54 German middle-class mothers (mean age 25 yrs) was examined with respect to their tactual contact of their newborns. The control group had neither early nor extended contact, a 2nd group had early contact starting with the 1st hr after birth, a 3rd group had extended contact (i.e., 5 hrs of rooming-in each day), and a 4th group had early and extended contact with their infants. All Ss stayed for 8-20 days in the hospital, as is customary in Germany. Each S-infant pair was videotaped on 3 different days for a 20-min feeding period. For the 1st 5 days of hospitalization, early but not extended contact had a significant positive effect on the Ss' caressing behavior but not on their caretaking skin touches. Also, as determined by interview, whether this was a planned pregnancy or not had a significant effect on the S's tender touch behavior. The main effect of early contact was associated only with the amount of tender touch of Ss with planned pregnancies, who showed significantly more tender touch behavior. Ss with early contact also cuddled more than Ss without early contact. Ss without early contact, however, touched their children as often as Ss with early contact after 8-20 days. This may indicate a remedial effect after mild S-child separation. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

State variations in the newborn and mother–infant interaction during breast feeding: Some sex differences.

30 male and 33 female newborns were observed being breast-fed in the maternity ward. The conditional probabilities of various maternal and infant behaviors were studied when the infant was in 1 of 4 states: asleep, drowsy, fussy, and crying. Although male dyads showed more interactive activity on the asleep end of the scale, female dyads showed more interactive activity on the awake end of the scale. These interaction episodes were characterized by greater physical proximity in male dyads and more social interaction in female dyads. Although male neonates spent less time than females in the fussy state, when they were in this state, they seemed to be more agitated than the females. A relatively high proportion of simultaneous vocalization was observed in dyads of both sexes during the fussy state. Results are qualified by the great individual differences observed among the neonates in the amount of time spent in each of the states. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dysentery in the newborn infant

DNA replication in eukaryotic cells is closely associated with protein synthesis. When protein synthesis is specifically inhibited, DNA synthesis stops quickly too. No precise knowledge has been so far available concerning the reasons of this coupling. The data presented confirm an earlier established for Chlorella fact that the inhibition of DNA synthesis in L-cells, due to a several hours treatment with hidroxyurea, results in a consequent stability of DNA synthesis in these cells to a protein synthesis inhibitor--cyclohexamide.