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Introduction: Fetal anemia from hemolytic disease treated by intrauterine transfusion (IUT) can be performed by intraperitoneal, intracardiac, and intravascular transfusion (IVT). Objective of our study was to compare different transfusion techniques. Methods: Retrospective review of IUT secondary to red cell alloimmunization was conducted at eight international centers from 2012 to 2020. Severe anemia suspected if middle cerebral artery peaks systolic velocity ≥1.5 multiples of the median. Demographic, delivery, and postnatal variables were analyzed. Results: Total of 344 procedures, 325 IVT and 19 other techniques (non-IVT) included. No difference in demographics, history of stillbirth (20.5 vs. 15.8%, p = 0.7), prior pregnancy IUT (25.6 vs. 31.6%, p = 0.5) or neonatal transfusion (36.1 vs. 43.8%, p = 0.5). At first IUT, non-IVT had higher hydrops (42.1% vs. 20.4%, p = 0.03), lower starting hematocrit (13.3% [±6] vs. 17.7% [±8.2], p = 0.04), and trend toward lower gestational age (24.6 [20.1–27] vs. 26.4 [23.2–29.6] weeks, p = 0.08). No difference in birthweight, neonatal phototherapy, exchange, or simple transfusion was observed. Conclusion: This is one of the largest studies comparing techniques to treat fetal anemia. IVT was most performed, other techniques were more likely performed in hydrops, and lower starting hematocrit was seen. Neither technique affected outcomes. This study may suggest that physician's experience may be the strongest contributor of outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuscuta species are obligate parasitic plants that infect the stems of a wide range of hosts including many crop and weed species causing severe agricultural problems. Using in vitro experiments to screen organic extracts prepared from fifteen autotrophic weed species found in agricultural fields infested with Cuscuta campestris, we have identified for the first time a strong phytotoxic activity in Conyza bonariensis extract against C. campestris. Additional pot experiments revealed that seven day-old Cuscuta seedlings had reduced capacity to coil and properly attach on Conyza plants, leading to reduced parasitic weed infection. Via activity-guided fractionation of Conyza extracts, we isolated and identified the acetylenic furanone (4Z)-lachnophyllum lactone as the major active component, with a concentration required to achieve reduction of 50% Cuscuta seedling growth (IC50) of 24.8 µg/mL. The discovery of (4Z)-lachnophyllum lactone bioactivity could aid the development of efficient and sustainable management strategies for C. campestris, whose control is limited or non-existent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical exome sequencing is a powerful approach to overcome the wide clinical and genetic heterogeneity of mucopolysaccharidosis. These data could be useful for prenatal diagnosis of MPS VII, genetic counseling, and preimplantation genetic testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & aim: Worldwide, measures are being implemented to eradicate hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses, which can be transmitted from the mother during childbirth. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV in pregnant women in Spain, focusing on country of origin, epidemiological factors and risk of vertical transmission (VT). Methodology: Multicentre open-cohort study performed during 2015. HBV prevalence was determined in 21870 pregnant women and HCV prevalence in 7659 pregnant women. Epidemiological and risk factors for VT were analysed in positive women and differences between HBV and HCV cases were studied. Results: HBV prevalence was 0.42% (91/21870) and HCV prevalence was 0.26% (20/7659). Of the women with HBV, 65.7% (44/67) were migrants. The HBV transmission route to the mother was unknown in 40.3% of cases (27/67) and VT in 31.3% (21/67). Among risk factors for VT, 67.7% (42/62) of the women had viraemia and 14.5% (9/62) tested HBeAg-positive. All of the neonates born to HBV-positive mothers received immunoprophylaxis, and none contracted infection by VT. In 80% (16/20) of the women with HCV, the transmission route was parenteral, and nine were intravenous drug users. Viraemia was present in 40% (8/20) of the women and 10% (2/20) were HIV-coinfected. No children were infected. Women with HCV were less likely than women with HBV to breastfeed their child (65% vs. 86%). Conclusions: The prevalences obtained in our study of pregnant women are lower than those previously documented for the general population. Among the women with HBV, the majority were migrants and had a maternal family history of infection, while among those with HCV, the most common factor was intravenous drug use. Despite the risk factors observed for VT, none of the children were infected. Proper immunoprophylaxis is essential to prevent VT in children born to HBV-positive women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To compare the effectiveness of postcesarean thromboprophylaxis with two different regimens of bemiparin. Material and Methods. The study included 646 women with cesarean delivery in our hospital within a 1-year period, randomly assigned to one of two groups for prophylaxis with 3500 IU bemiparin once daily for 5 days or 3500 IU bemiparin once daily for 10 days. Results. There was one case of pulmonary embolism (first day following cesarean). An additional risk factor was present in 98.52% of the women, most frequently emergency cesarean, anemia, or obesity. The only risk factors for thromboembolic disease significantly related to pulmonary thromboembolism were placental abruption and prematurity. There were no differences in thromboembolic events among the two thromboprophylaxis regimens. Conclusions. Cesarean-related thromboembolic events were reduced in our study population due to the thromboprophylactic measures taken. Thromboprophylaxis with 3500 IU bemiparin once daily for 5 days following cesarean was sufficient to avoid thromboembolic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]