bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-Dose Captopril Scintigraphy in the Neonate with Renovascular Hypertension: Prediction of Renal Failure, a Side Effect of Captopril Therapy
Authors: Sfakianakis G.N. , Sfakianaki E. , Paredes A. , Abitbol C. , Zilleruelo G. , Goldberg R.N. , Strauss J.
Published: September 2009

Baseline and single-dose captopril scintigraphy with 1 mCi of 99mTc-diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid (or 99mTc-glucoheptonate) was performed in 5 neonates with renovascular hypertension. Unilateral renal artery thrombosis and/or renal infarction was associated with severe impairment or lack of function on both studies (3 patients). Renal ischemia due to aortic thrombus manifested itself as lack of function only following captopril (2 patients). This approach predicted renal failure as a side effect of captopril therapy in 2 patients, 1 with unilateral (contralateral kidney infarcted) and the other with bilateral renal ischemia from aortic thrombus. Single-dose captopril scintigraphy may be a useful tool to predict tolerance to captopril therapy.
Maternal-Fetal Transfer of Fluoride in Pregnant Women
Authors: Caldera R. , Chavinie J. , Fermanian J. , Tortrat D. , Laurent A.M.
Published: September 2009

Gas chromatography was used to measure the maternal and fetal plasma inorganic fluoride values at term in 91 women. They were assigned to one of four groups: group A were untreated controls; group B received a single daily dose of 1.5 mg of fluoride (as calcium fluoride) during the final trimester of pregnancy; group C was given a single dose of 1.5 mg of fluoride (as sodium fluoride) and group D was given 2 daily doses of fluoride (as sodium fluoride) totaling 1.5 mg. There was a significant difference between the cord plasma fluoride levels of the newborns in the untreated group (mean: 27.8 μg/l) and that of the combined supplemented groups B, C and D (mean: 58.3 μg/l). There was no difference between the average fluoride levels in the three supplemented groups. There was no significant effect of maternal age, infant birth weight, gestation or diet during pregnancy on the cord plasma fluoride level. These results indicate that fluoride supplementation during the final trimester of pregnancy will significantly elevate cord plasma fluoride concentrations.
Sialic Acid Content and Sialyltransferase Activity in Lymphocytes from Neonates
Authors: Komlos L. , Levinsky H. , Goldman J. , Peleg D. , Halbrecht I. , Allalouf D.
Published: September 2009

Venous blood from 24 healthy volunteers, 20–40 years old, and umbilical cord blood from 28 healthy full-term neonates, immediately after delivery, was used for the determination of lymphocyte sialic acid content and sialytransferase activity. A significantly increased content of lymphocyte sialic acid and an increased sialyltransferase activity were observed in neonates as compared to adults. It is suggested that the increased sialic acid content of fetal lymphocytes may contribute to a possible masking effect of antigenic sites on fetal immunocompetent cells.
Phenylalanine Uptake in Neonatal and Infant Rat Brain
Authors: McChesney Ruth , Habermann Joann , Greengard Olga
Published: September 2009

At the same severe elevations in blood phenylalaline (Phe) levels maintained for 4 h, much higher cerebral Phe concentrations were found in 4-day-old than in 16- or 70-day-old rats. In order to compare this developmental change with 14C-Phe influx mediated by the L transport system, the rapid intracarotid injection method was adapted for use in neonatal rats. The brain uptake index (BUI) thus determined for the first time through the suckling period was significantly higher on the 4th day of age than on the 7th or 24th day, while no significant change occurred during subsequent life. This early period of change in influx across the blood-brain barrier overlapped with the age period of decrease of the hyperphenylalaninemia-associated accumulation of Phe in the brain. The results indicate that by the time when intermittent feeding begins, the brain has developed a considerable ability (a) to protect itself against physiological (e.g. postprandial) fluctuations in circulating Phe levels, and (b) to restrict the cerebral accumulation of Phe from pathologically elevated blood concentrations such as those in phenylketonuria.
Effect of Premature Delivery on Rat Lung Retinol (Vitamin A) and Retinyl Ester Stores
Authors: Zachman Richard D. , Valceschini Greg
Published: September 2009

Low plasma retinol (vitamin A) in premature infants has been associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Also, retinol (vitamin A) deñciency is characterized by loss of cilia and squamous metaplasia of the respiratory tract, similar to the histological lesions of bronchopulmonary dysplasia of the premature infant. Recent work showed that the fetal rat lung retinyl palmitate stores were high preterm, but fell abruptly between 21 days of gestation and postpartum. This report extends this observation by showing that lung retinyl palmitate also decreases after cesarean section delivery preterm. Lung retinol and retinyl palmitate in the lungs of 21 -day gestation fetuses delivered by cesarean section and stimulated to breath were compared to their in utero littermates. In utero lungs contained 2.2 ± 0.14 μg/g dry weight retinol and 14.9 ± 0.8 μg/g dry weight retinyl palmitate. Lungs from littermates that had been removed from the uterus and breathed on their own for 4 h had lower retinol (1.6 ± 0.08 μg/g) and retinyl palmitate (11.3 ± 0.4 μg/g; p < 0.01). Fetal lung contains retinyl palmitate stores that are readily mobilized with delivery at term or preterm.
Patterns of Serum Glucose and Galactose Concentrations in Term Newborn Infants after Milk Feeding
Authors: Siegel Carol D. , Sparks John W. , Battaglia Frederick C.
Published: September 2009

Galactose and glucose concentrations were measured in peripheral blood in relation to ad libitum milk feeding in 11 healthy near-term infants. Galactose and glucose concentrations before feeding averaged 1.06 ± 0.21 and 60.3 ± 3.2 mg/dl, respectively. After feedings containing 0.76–2.68 g lactose/kg body weight, both galactose and glucose rose by approximately 35%. Galactose concentrations rose by 0.72 ± 0.10 mg/dl at 30 min after feeding, while glucose concentration rose by 23.3 ± 2.5 mg/dl at 30 min after feeding. The 25-fold greater absolute increase in the concentration of glucose than galactose is consistent with efficient first-pass clearance of galactose by the neonatal liver.
Head Position in Low-Risk Premature Infants
Authors: Vles J.S.H. , van Oostenbrugge R. , Kingma H. , Caberg H. , Casaer P.
Published: September 2009

Head position preference in 15 low-risk pre-term infants studied in relation to conceptional age and nursing routines. A head position preference to the right is evident with respect to the head position imposed by the nurse. The observed spontaneous head position preference might be ascribed to the influence of the foregoing imposed head position, the influence of which diminishes with increasing observation time. After several spontaneous head turnings the low-risk pre-term infants show no head position preference anymore.
Transcutaneous Bilirubinometry
Authors: Yamauchi Yoshitada , Yamanouchi Itsuro
Published: September 2009

We studied the relation between irradiation and the percent decrease of skin and serum bilirubin during phototherapy. There was a significant positive correlation between the percent decrease of transcutaneous bilirubinometry readings at the sites exposed directly to light (chest) and irradiation (r = 0.593, p < 0.001, n = 32). A significant positive correlation was also found between the percent decrease of serum bilirubin concentration and irradiation (r = 0.587, p < 0.001, n = 32), and the percent decrease of skin bilirubin at exposed sites (chest) and the percent decrease of serum bilirubin concentration (r = 0.481, p < 0.001, n = 32). Thus, light energy quantitatively affects skin and serum bilirubin. In order to determine the optimal effective wavelength and irradiation energy for phototherapy, it is necessary to examine skin bilirubin kinetics in detail during phototherapy.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Rats: Conditions for Improvement of Ethanol Effects on Fetal Cerebral Development with Supplementary Agents
Authors: Tanaka Harumi , Iwasaki Setsuo , Nakazawa Kazuharu , Inomata Kenichirou
Published: September 2009

As a possible preventative measure for brain dysfunction in the fetal alcohol syndrome, the effect of zinc or vitamin E supplementation together with ethanol on the fetal cerebrum was investigated in rats. Contrary to our previously published data showing the good effect of 0.01% zinc with 30% ethanol on fetuses, the administration of 0.01% zinc with 20% ethanol, 0.03% vitamin E with 20% ethanol or 0.02% vitamin E with 10% ethanol during pregnancy did not result in a good effect on the body and cerebral weights of fetuses on gestational day 21. The development of dendritic branches on frontal cerebral neurons in fetuses was decreased in the order of the control, zinc with ethanol and ethanol groups. The concentration and content of α-tocopherol were increased, but those of zinc were not, in the fetal cerebrum with the maternal administration of vitamin E or zinc together with ethanol, respectively. These results suggest that the improvement of the brain function might depend on the deficient agent induced by maternal ethanol ingestion.
Perinatal Health in Belgium: An Introduction
Authors: Buekens P. , Derom R. , De Wals P.
Published: September 2009

The objectives of this special issue are reviewed. The principle aim is to discuss the relatively high perinatal mortality rate observed in Belgium. Belgian perinatal mortality is higher than that of Japan and very close to that of the USA, even though Belgium has fewer low-birthweight newborns and teenage pregnancies than the USA. This introduction also briefly describes the general organization of the Belgian health care system.
Perinatal Morbidity in Belgium
Authors: Lagasse R. , Devlieger H. , De Wals P. , Casaer P. , Eggermont E. , Lechat M.F.
Published: September 2009

This paper reviews the results of published and unpublished epidemiological studies on perinatal morbidity in Belgium. The most frequently studied variables are birth-weight and gestational age, which are not only morbidity indicators but also morbidity and mortality predictors. Congenital anomalies are studied in Belgium through the results gathered by two regional birth defects registries, which have been operating since 1979. Major results of these registries are presented and discussed with relation to their implications on prevention policy. Subjective and reported health indicators are less commonly available for epidemiological studies, although some were collected in an interview survey conducted in 1981 in three districts of Wallonia. The results show important social inequalities and geographical disparities. Finally, the long-term consequences of perinatal problems are presented and discussed. A prospective study conducted at Leuven University Hospital on infants born between 1981 and 1986 suggests that improving survival of low-birthweight infants with appropriate perinatal care will not increase the number of handicapped children.
Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in Belgium
Authors: MacGillivray I. , Spitz B. , De Wel M. , Van Assche A.
Published: September 2009

The Belgian maternal mortality rate was 8.6/100,000 births in 1984 but it is probable that underreporting occurred. Data on morbidity from one Belgian hospital are presented. Gestational hypertension occurred in 9 % of the women who delivered between 1982 and 1987. Gestational diabetes was observed in 2% of the cases during the same period. Data on antepartum haemorrhage are also discussed.
Perinatal Geography of Belgium
Authors: Vandenbussche P. , Dujardin B. , Wollast E.
Published: September 2009

The use of routinely collected perinatal data allows calculation of health indicators at regional levels. It helps the health managers in making decisions and provides etiological clues for epidemiology. The information is more easily assimilated with the use of maps. In Belgium, the rates of perinatal mortality, low-birthweight and preterm births vary widely between the districts. Southern districts maintain the highest rates of low-birthweight and preterm births. Even though these two factors account for most perinatal mortality cases, within 20 years, a disproportion of perinatal mortality rates between the north and the south of the country was progressively inversed to the disadvantage of the north. Advances in perinatalogy of some major services of the southern part may explain a good deal of this change. Discrepancies between low-birthweight and preterm rates in some districts may be explained by biomedical characteristics of ethnic groups concentrated in these areas.
Is Dietary Epidermal Growth Factor Absorbed by Premature Human Infants?
Authors: Gale Susan M. , Read Leanna C. , George-Nascimento Carlos , Wallace John C. , Ballard John
Published: September 2009

Urinary epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels from infants receiving breast milk, a rich source of the growth factor, were compared with the levels excreted by infants receiving bovine milk based formulae or total parenteral nutrition that contains very little EGF. Although at 5–10 days after birth there was no significant difference in the urinary EGF output by the three groups of infants, by 13–17 days the urinary EGF output by breastfed infants was higher than by infants fed the two EGF-poor diets. These latter results are consistent with the hypothesis that EGF crosses the gastrointestinal wall to enter the general circulation in the suckling infant.
Effect of the Beta-Agonist Cimaterol on Growth and Composition of Neonatal Rats Selected for Large and Small Body Size
Authors: Chromiak J.A. , Mulvaney D.R. , Strength D.R.
Published: September 2009

The effect of subcutaneous injection of the β-agonist cimaterol on growth and body composition of neonatal rats differing in growth potential was examined. Rats that represented substrain populations of Charles River CD rats selected for either large or small body size were used. Cimaterol administration resulted in a greater reduction in body weight gain in the Large strain rats. Body growth rate declined linearly with increasing doses of cimaterol in both strains. Percent carcass fat and protein were unchanged with cimaterol treatment. Administration of cimaterol inhibited skeletal muscle growth but caused cardiac hypertrophy. These results suggest that the effectiveness of β-agonists is influenced by animal genotype.
Mode of Bilirubin Deposition in the Cerebellum of Developing Jaundiced Gunn Rats
Authors: Aono S. , Semba R. , Sato H. , Kashiwamata S.
Published: September 2009

Bucolome is known as a potent displacer of bilirubin from the blood into tissues. The effects of the drug on newborn rats with congenital jaundice (Gunn rats) were examined on postnatal days 7, 11, 15 and 21. A single subcutaneous injection of bucolome resulted in a rapid fall of the total plasma bilirubin concentration and the lowered level persisted as long as 23 h. Concomitantly with the drop, the cerebellar bilirubin level increased within 1 h. Although cerebellar bilirubin returned to the initial level after 24 h in rats treated with bucolome on days 7 and 21, it remained almost constant or rather increased during the period of 1–24 h in rats treated on days 11 or 15. In 15-day-old rats, localized yellow staining in the cerebellum 24 h after treatment was most apparent in the granule cell layer of the ventral part of the pyramis and the dorsal part of the uvula under the dissecting microscope. These observations suggest that the period most susceptible to bilirubin deposition lies around day 15 in the cerebellum of jaundiced Gunn rats.
Bile Secretory Apparatus in the Newborn Dog: Relationship between Structural and Functional Immaturities
Authors: Tavoloni Nicola , Schaffner Fenton
Published: September 2009

In the dog, bile secretion is not fully mature at birth and develops during postnatal life. To try to establish morphologic correlates to the physiologic deficiencies, we examined the ultrastructure of hepatic parenchyma and biliary epithelium in a newborn puppy and in 3 puppies of 1, 3, and 7 days of age. At birth, the hepatocytes contain much glycogen and fat droplets, a small smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, rare autophagic vacuoles, and numerous lysosomes. The sinusoidal microvilli are short, and sub-membrane vesicles are few and small. The bile canaliculus is not dilated, but few and short microvilli and no pericanalicular vesicles are seen. The biliary epithelial cells are normal in size, but the luminal surface of the bile ductule has no microvilli and numerous blebs. These morphologic features change with maturation and, by the first week of life, the fine structure of the hepatocytes, bile ductular cells, and biliary passages resemble that observed in the adult liver. These findings provide morphologic support for the concept that, in the dog, the bile secretory apparatus is immature at birth and develops during postnatal life.
Extracellular Volume of the Human Placenta in vitro
Authors: Lear G.H. , Barker G. , Sibley C.P. , Boyd R.D.H.
Published: September 2009

The extracellular volume of fresh and perfused human placenta has been measured in two sets of experiments. In the first set fragments of placenta which had been dually perfused for either 45 or 110 min as well as fragments from unperfused areas of the same placenta were incubated for 4 h in Earle’s bicarbonate buffer containing 51Cr-EDTA as an extracellular marker. The 51Cr-EDTA space, as a proportion of wet weight, was 76.5 ± (SE) 1.4 (n = 11) and 79.4 ± 1.8% (n = 6) for the short and long perfusions, respectively; these did not significantly differ from each other or from the values for the equivalent unperfused placenta: 75.2 ± 1.0 (n = 11) and 77.7 ± 0.9% (n = 6). In the second set of experiments 51Cr-EDTA and 14C-inulin were perfused through the maternal and fetal circulations of the placental lobules for 1 2, or 4 h, and simultaneously unperfused fragments from the same placenta were incubated with the markers for 1 2, or 4 h. The 51Cr-EDTA space was found to be significantly higher than the 14C-inulin space in both perfusion and incubation determinations. Irrespective of the marker, the incubation spaces were unaltered with time and were significantly higher than the perfusion spaces at all three time points. However, the difference decreased with the length of perfusion, so that by 4 h it was less than 10%. (At 4 h incubation the 51Cr-EDTA space was 76.2 ± 0.9% and the perfusion space 67.4 ± 1.1 %, n = 6; the 14C-inulin incubation space was 60.9 ± 2.2% and the perfusion space 52.5 ± 2.6%, n = 5.) As there was no evidence of increasing placental permeability with time, as judged by clearance of creatinine, it was concluded that the placental extracellular volume is large irrespective of the method of measurement.
Fc and Complement Receptor (CR1 and CR3) Expression on Neonatal Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
Authors: Fleit Howard B.
Published: September 2009

Fcγ receptor III (FcγRIII) and complement receptors (CRl and CR3) were examined on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from neonatal cord blood and adult blood using monoclonal antibodies directed against these receptors. Receptor expression was determined by flow cytometry. FcγRIII, CRl and CR3 expression was examined in whole blood at 4°C, at 37 °C with or without stimulation with the chemotactic peptide f-met-leu-phe, and on PMN isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation and dextran sedimentation. There was no significant difference between adult and cord PMN in the percent of cells which expressed FcγRIII, CRl and CR3 when examined in whole blood at 4 or 37 °C, or following stimulation with f-met-leu-phe. The percentage of PMN expressing CRl and CR3 was lower on cord PMN compared to adult PMN when these cells were examined following Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation and dextran sedimentation. The mean peak fluorescence of PMN which stained positively for CRl and CR3 increased following f-met-leu-phe treatment of whole blood from adults and neonates. Since neonatal cord PMN were capable of upregulating complement receptors in response to chemotactic factors these results do not explain the increased susceptibility to infection exhibited by neonates.
Presence of a Diurnal Rhythm in Fetal Prolactin Secretion and Influence of Maternal Nutrition
Authors: Bassett Nicole S. , Bennet Laura , Ball Karen T. , Gluckman Peter D.
Published: September 2009

The possible effect of altered maternal nutrition on fetal prolactin (PRL) secretion and the possible presence of a diurnal rhythm in fetal PRL secretion has been investigated in 11 fetuses aged between 132 and 140 days of gestation. Fetal PRL levels in 4 of 5 ewes fed once a day were high (> 40 ng/ml) and exhibited a distinct diurnal rhythm in PRL secretion. Fetal PRL levels in those fetuses where ewes fed 4-hourly (n = 6) were all low (< 10 ng/ml) and did not exhibit a diurnal rhythm. This study suggests that frequent maternal feeding results in low fetal PRL concentrations and that maternal undernutrition results in high fetal PRL levels that exhibit a distinct diurnal rhythm.
Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Enzymes during Early Postnatal Development in the Rat
Authors: Carroll James E. , McGuire Byron S. , Chancey Valerie F. , Harrison Katherine B.
Published: September 2009

Fatty acid oxidation rates tend to increase with age in most developing tissues. In skeletal muscle, heart, and liver of developing rats, we measured activities of three acyl-CoA dehydrogenase enzymes, which constitute the first step in the mitochondrial β-oxidation sequence. In skeletal muscle, activities of all three enzymes increased with age. In heart muscle, palmityl-CoA dehydrogenase increased, while the other two enzymes changed only minimally. In liver, palmityl-CoA dehydrogenase activity steadily increased with age. Decanoyl- and butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase also increased with age, but much more irregularly. We also examined the electrophoretic characteristics of these enzyme proteins in the three tissues. There were no changes in their electrophoretic patterns during development.
Effect of Light and Hyperoxia on Ocular Blood Flow in the Newborn Piglet
Authors: Stiris Tom , Hansen Thor Willy Ruud , Odden Jan-Petter , Mørkrid Lars , Bratlid Dag
Published: September 2009

Ocular blood flow was studied in newborn piglets during light exposure and light combined with hyperoxia. Light caused a significant increase in ocular blood flow which returned to values not significantly different from baseline levels during superimposed hyperoxia. None of these experimental conditions changed total cerebral blood flow or cardiac output. The findings indicate that light might be a regulator of ocular blood flow. This influence of light on ocular blood flow may be of importance in the pathophysiology of retinopathy of prematurity.
Cholinergic Responsiveness of Goblet Cells during Intestinal Maturation
Authors: Phillips Thomas E. , Phillips Teresa L. , Neutra Marian R.
Published: September 2009

In adult rat intestine, cholinergic stimulation accelerates discharge of mucus from crypt, but not villus, goblet cells. It was not known whether goblet cells in fetal or suckling rats are cholinergically sensitive. Rat pups (20 days of gestation to 30 postnatal days) were given subcutaneous injections of carbachol and the intestines were fixed 5 min later. Accelerated mucus secretion was assessed by light microscopy of semithin plastic sections. Goblet cells in ileal and colonic crypts did not show an adult-like response until 20–25 days after birth. Ileal and colonic mucosal explants in vitro showed age-dependent responses identical to those observed in vivo. The onset of cholinergic sensitivity occurred well after the formation of crypts and was always limited to crypt goblet cells.
Trace Elements in Meconium from Preterm and Full-Term Infants
Authors: Friel James K. , Matthew Derek , Andrews Wayne L. , Skinner Craig T.
Published: September 2009

Meconium samples from 23 preterm infants (birth weight = 1,097 ± 359 g; gestational age 29 ± 3 weeks, mean ± SD) and 27 full-term infants (3,453 ± 476 g; 39.5 ± 1 weeks) were analyzed for zinc, copper, manganese, chromium and iron by atomic absorption spectrometry. Compared to meconium from preterm infants, full-term infants had an elevated (p < 0.05) total excretion (μg) of zinc (957 ± 545 vs. 503 ± 506), copper (245 ± 256 vs. 128 ± 94) and manganese (62 ± 55 vs. 29 ± 29), but not iron (190 ± 147 vs. 332 ± 532) or chromium (0.4 ± 0.19 vs. 0.75 ± 1.0). Two preterm infants had high losses (1.5 and 2 mg) of iron in their meconium. Zinc, copper and manganese losses into meconium appear to increase with gestation, whereas iron and chromium losses occur early in gestation and may be reabsorbed by term.
Congenital Hypothyroidism: Decreased Growth Velocity in the First Weeks of Life
Authors: Leger J. , Czernichow P.
Published: September 2009

The growth velocity of 46 infants with congenital hypothyroidism, classified into three groups: athyreosis (n = 12), ectopic (n = 25) and eutopic gland (n = 9), was analyzed. Height, expressed as the standard deviation score (SDS), was measured at birth, at diagnosis and 2, 4, and 8 weeks after initiation of therapy. Bone age was retarded at birth and at diagnosis, epiphyseal surfaces of the knee were correlated with serum T4 values. By contrast, height (mean ± SD) at birth was normal (0.3 ± 0.8 SDS) with identical distribution among the three subgroups. Growth velocity was decreased during the first weeks of life: height at diagnosis was -0.1 ± 0.6 SDS, a value significantly different from size at birth (p < 0.02). After therapy was started, a continuous decline in rowth velocity was observed, reaching-0.2 ± 0.7 and -0.2 ± 0.6 SDS, respectively, at 2 and 4 weeks of therapy (p < 0.01 vs. size at birth). Growth retardation was correlated with the degree of thyroid deficiency. Mean height after 2 weeks of therapy was at -0.6, -0.1 0.1 SDS in patients with athyreosis, ectopic and eutopic gland, respectively. Catch-up growth occurred thereafter, and the mean height reached 0.3 SDS at 12 weeks for the entire group. A correlation between the decrease in growth velocity and T4 levels at diagnosis was found (p < 0.05). The normal size at birth and the decreased growth rate observed at diagnosis seem to indicate that growth becomes thyroid hormone dependent immediately after birth.
Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism in Fasting Neonatal Piglets
Authors: Flecknell P.A. , Wootton W.
Published: September 2009

Cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism were studied in 8 fasting neonatal piglets. Cerebral blood flow was not significantly different (p > 0.1) at 24 h (75.0 ± 30.7 ml/min/100 g) and 48 h (74.2 ± 32.3 ml/min/100 g) of age. Blood glucose concentration was lower in 48-hour-old fasted piglets (1.27 ± 0.60 mmol/l) in comparison with 24-hour-old fasted animals (2.90 ± 0.52 mmol/l), and cerebral glucose utilisation rate was also reduced in the 48-hour-old piglets (17.6 ± 6.0 μmol/min/100 g at 48 h, 34.2 ± 12.2 μmol/min/100 g at 24 h). Blood lactate concentration and cerebral lactate utilisation rate were not significantly different at 24 and 48 h of age. Brain lactate utilisation accounted for approximately 10% of cerebral oxygen utilisation at 48 h in fasted piglets. Cerebral glucose and lactate utilisation at 48 h accounted for approximately 66% of cerebral oxygen uptake, indicating that other substrates make a major contribution to cerebral metabolic requirements in fasting neonatal piglets.
An Update of Fetal and Placental Metabolism: Carbohydrate and Amino Acids
Authors: Battaglia Frederick C.
Published: September 2009

This paper presents a review of fetal and placental metabolism, particularly as it relates to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. The strengths of simultaneous application of the Fick principle methodology for the determination of net substrate fluxes with tracer methodology for estimating rates of fetal and placental utilization of compounds is discussed and illustrated. The interconversion of nutrients, both within the fetus and in the placenta, is reviewed with particular emphasis on potential cycling of nutrients between the placenta and fetal liver. Recent work defining the changes in fetal and placental metabolism at mid gestation is also discussed. This work is used as an example illustrating the importance of defining a wide gestational age window for study of ontogenetic changes in fetal metabolism. Finally, recent clinical studies utilizing cordocentesis or periumbilical blood sampling for evaluating the biochemical environment of the human fetus at mid gestation are reviewed and compared to data obtained under chronic steady-state conditions in fetal sheep.
Thyroid Hormones and Nervous System Development
Authors: Timiras Paola S. , Nzekwe Emmanuel U.
Published: September 2009

Regulation by hormones of nervous system development is well recognized in humans, laboratory animals and cultured nerve cells. Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), the major thyroid hormones, act on brain development and maturation by binding to T3 nuclear receptors. T3 responsive genes have been identified with the T3 receptor as a superfamily of genes including cortisol and estrogens, necessary for adaptation and survival. Less defined are T3 and T4 actions on the peripheral nervous system. In chromaffin cells explanted from the adrenal of immature rats, T3 induces the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, involved in catecholamine synthesis. This action is similar but, so far, apparently independent from Nerve Growth Factor promotion of sympathetic and chromaffin cell growth. Mechanisms based on nuclear binding depend on multiple receptors functionally diversified; their selectivity of action over a wide range of early and late developmental patterns is an attractive hypothesis to be further explored.
Trypsin Uptake and Trypsin-Inhibitor Complexes
Authors: Levine Jeremiah J. , Udall John N. , Pettei Michael J. , Davidson Murray
Published: September 2009

Previous studies have suggested that both newborn animals and humans absorb intact proteases from the intestine in greater amounts than do adults. Absorbed proteases are rapidly complexed in plasma by several inhibitors which inactivate free proteases. In order to confirm increased intestinal uptake in newborns, we evaluated the plasma trypsin activity in both 2-week-old and adult rats following a trypsin feed. In addition, we studied the interaction between absorbed trypsin and rat trypsin inhibitors (α-macroglobulin, α1-inhibitor 3, and α1-protease inhibitor) by determining the concentration of α-macroglobulin complexes both in vivo and in vitro following trypsin feeding and by evaluating the amount of trypsin activity complexed with the different inhibitors. In vivo experiments demonstrated that trypsin uptake was significantly increased in newborns compared to adult rats and that 50–70% of plasma trypsin activity was associated with αi-inhibitor 3. Increased uptake was not accompanied by increased α-macroglobulin complexes. In vitro trypsin incubation did not lead to increased α-macroglobulin complexes until the other inhibitors were removed. These findings suggest that newborns have increased trypsin uptake, and the trypsin initially binds to α1-inhibitor 3 before being transferred to α-macroglobulin for clearance. Further studies are needed in order to understand the interaction between intestinal uptake and plasma inhibition of absorbed proteases.
Validity of N-Acetyl-Beta-D-Glucosaminidase (NAG) Determination in Assessing Netilmicin Nephrotoxicity in Preterm Babies
Authors: Langhendries J.P. , Mattot M. , François A. , Deprez D. , Battisti O. , Bertrand J.M. , Schoos S.
Published: September 2009

The supposed nephrotoxicity of netilmicin has been assessed in preterm neonates using the urinary excretion of a lysosomal enzyme as marker: N-acetyl-beta-D-glucos-aminidase (NAG). 17 male preterm neonates with birth weight appropriate for gestational age were enrolled in a study where 9 received netilmicin therapy since the first day of life and 8 served as control group. We observed a significant increase in urinary NAG/creatinine ratio during the postnatal days in the netilmicin group babies followed by a regular decrease during the days after the end of therapy. If this increase in lysosomal enzymuria such as NAG could reflect netilmicin nephrotoxicity on the proximal tubular cell, many questions remain unanswered about the exact significance of this finding. In particular, its relation with tubular cell dysfunction remains to be established.
Placental Alcohol Metabolism in Chronic Alcohol Abuse
Authors: Andersson Sture , Halmesmäki Erja , Koivusalo Martti , Lapatto Risto , Ylikorkala Olavi
Published: September 2009

The activities of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH; EC 1.2.1.3) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH; EC 1.1.1.1) were measured in term placentas of 13 alcoholic women and 16 matched controls. With acetaldehyde 8 mmol/l as substrate, the ALDH activity was 29.1 ± 12.2 and 34.4 ± 15.3 mU/g of wet weight (mean ± SD; p > 0.4) for alcoholics and controls, respectively. With 50 μmol of acetaldehyde, ALDH activity was undetectable in both groups. No ADH activity could be detected in the placentas. The weights of placentas and newborns were significantly lower in the alcoholic group (placentas: 526 ± 116 vs. 653 ± 77 g, p < 0.005; newborns 2,878 ± 417 vs. 3,595 ± 346 g, p < 0.001). The results suggest that in chronic alcohol abuse, the placenta plays a negligible role in the metabolism of ethanol and acetaldehyde.
Effects of Ritodrine and Fetal Oxygenation after in utero Fetal Surgery in Sheep
Authors: Block Barry S. , Parer Julian T. , Llanos Anibal J. , Court Denys J.
Published: September 2009

Surgical procedures which involve the pregnant uterus are associated with preterm labor contractions in the postoperative period. Because uterine contractions decrease fetal oxygen tension, we investigated the effect of maternal ritodrine infusion on fetal oxygen consumption in catheterized fetal sheep 5 h postoperatively. During ritodrine infusion, uterine activity promptly abated, but the oxygen tension in the umbilical vein and descending aorta decreased. The arterial-venous oxygen content difference, the umbilical blood flow, and consequently, fetal oxygen consumption did not change significantly. We conclude that fetal oxygenation is not improved by eliminating uterine activity with maternal ritodrine infusion in the postoperative period.
Noninvasive Assessment of Cranial Blood Circulation in the Fetus
Authors: Lingman G. , Maršál K.
Published: September 2009

The blood velocity in the common carotid artery, umbilical artery and descending aorta of 15 term fetuses with birth weights appropriate for gestational age and 20 fetuses, ultrasonically suspected of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), was recorded by means of a technique combining real-time linear-array ultrasonography and 2-MHz pulsed Doppler ultrasound. The waveform of the maximum blood velocity was characterized by a pulsatility index (PI) indicating peripheral vascular resistance. In the normal fetuses, the mean PI was 1.89 ( ± 0.07 SEM) in the common carotid artery, 0.93 ( ± 0.04) in the umbilical artery and 2.19 ( ± 0.06) in the descending aorta. In the IUGR fetuses, the PI was higher than in the normal fetuses in the umbilical artery (1.19 ± 0.04; p < 0.05) and lower in the carotid artery (1.48 ± 0.03; p < 0.05). The changes of the PI were even more pronounced in 10 IUGR fetuses in whom cardiotocographic signs (late decelerations) of imminent asphyxia were present. The results indicate an increase in the peripheral vascular resistance in the placental circulation and the lower body, and a decrease in the cranial vascular resistance in the growth-retarded fetuses. Furthermore, these findings suggest that in chronic and acute fetal distress, there is a redistribution of the fetal circulation favoring the brain.
Clinical Value of a Pathological Examination in a Case of First Trimester Trisomy 18
Authors: Moscoso G. , Rosevear S. , Nandra C. , Nicolaides K.H.
Published: September 2009

An unexpected case of trisomy 18 was diagnosed after a chorionic villous biopsy at 9 weeks gestation, obtained to exclude a probable case of sickle cell disease. Difficulties in confirming the original diagnosis after fetal tissue culture are examined. The value of pathological examination of the termination specimen is emphasized.
Taurine in Developing Brain, Liver and Muscle in Infants
Authors: Ghisolfi J. , Nguyen V.B. , Thouvenot J.P. , Rolland M. , Putet G. , Lapalu-Traon C.
Published: September 2009

In order to evaluate tissue taurine storage during pregnancy, we determined the taurine concentration of a skeletal muscle (abdominal wall), the brain (left parietal lobe), and the liver (right lobe) in 41 children aged 1–10 days, born after 24–41 weeks gestation. Samples were obtained during autopsy. Taurine dosage was carried out by gas chromatography. Muscle and liver taurine concentrations decreased with the duration of gestation. For a given duration of pregnancy, there was no correlation between birth weight and these three tissue concentrations. From these results, we estimate that the fetus accumulates 35–40 μmol/24 h of taurine during the last 3 months of gestation.
Perinatal Activity of Hepatic Gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase in Rats from Large and Small Litters
Authors: Glöckner R. , Kretzschmar M.
Published: September 2009

In rat pups, the activity of hepatic gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) is not influenced by the process of labor. Maximum activities are observed prenatally occurring at the 21st day of gestation in fetuses from normal, large litters, but at the 20th day of gestation in fetuses from experimentally reduced litters (2 fetuses per litter). This different developmental pattern may depend on processes of fetal maturation rather than on processes of luteolysis.
Maturational Changes and Origin of Urinary Human Epidermal Growth Factor in the Neonatal Period
Authors: Watanabe Kazuo , Ono Atsushi , Hirata Yukio , Fukuda Yuka , Kojima Takatsugu , Kobayashi Yohonosuke
Published: September 2009

In order to clarify the characteristics of urinary human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) excretion in the newborn period, we examined hEGF in the 41 newborn infants; 12 healthy preterm infants (group A), 10 healthy full-term infants (group B), 12 full-term infants with neonatal asphyxia (group C), 7 full-term infants treated with tobramycin (group D) during the first week of life. Renal function tests, i.e. creatinine clearance (Ccr), and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) as a parameter of renal tubular damage, were examined in 29 full-term infants. Urinary hEGF excretion showed a linear increase with gestational age. During the first week of life, urinary hEGF excretion in group B increased with age. However, urinary hEGF excretion in group A remained at the constant level through the study period. Ccr in group C was significantly decreased through the study period when compared with that in group B. NAG indices in group C during the first week of life and those in group D on days 5–7 of life were more elevated than those in group B. Urinary hEGF excretion in group C on days 4–7 of life and that in group D on day 7 of life were significantly decreased when compared with that in group B. These results suggest that urinary hEGF excretion is related to the maturation and that the source of urinary hEGF may be renal tubular cells.
Immunoreactive Human Epidermal Growth Factor Concentrations in Amniotic Fluid, Umbilical Artery and Vein Serum, and Placenta in Full-Term and Preterm Infants
Authors: Scott Susan M. , Buenaflor Gertrudis G. , Orth David N.
Published: September 2009

Immunoreactive human epidermal growth factor (IR-hEGF) was measured in samples taken from 27 full-term and 14 preterm infants. The samples included amniotic fluid, amniotic membranes, fetal and maternal sides of the placenta, and matched umbilical artery and umbilical vein serum. Our results demonstrated the presence of IR-hEGF in the human placenta, amniotic fluid and cord blood during the second half of gestation. The increase in placental tissue, amniotic fluid, and cord blood concentrations with progressive gestation suggests a possible functional role for EGF during perinatal development.
Growth Hormone Release in Response to Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone in Term and Preterm Neonates
Authors: Lanes Roberto , Nieto Carlos , Bruguera Carlos , Moncada Gustavo , Moret Luis A. , Lifshitz Fima
Published: September 2009

The growth hormone response to a single intravenous dose of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) was examined in 23 healthy neonates (12 term and 11 preterm) aged 2–4 days. There were no significant increases in growth hormone concentrations at any point in time studied following GHRH administration in either group of new-borns. The mean basal growth hormone levels of term neonates were significantly higher than those of the premature newborns (39.6 ± 5.3 vs. 23.2 ± 3.3 ng/ml; p < 0.01) and this difference in growth hormone remained significant 15 and 30 min after GHRH injection. Gestational age correlated positively with both basal and peak growth hormone concentrations in our patients. In conclusion, first, neonates studied in their first days of life have high basal levels of growth hormone and fail to further secrete any significant amount of growth hormone following a single dose of GHRH, and, second, premature newborns secrete significantly less growth hormone than do term neonates.
Transcutaneous Bilirubinometry: Serum Bilirubin Measurement using Transcutaneous Bilirubinometer (TcB)
Authors: Yamauchi Yoshitada , Yamanouchi Itsuro
Published: September 2009

While the transcutaneous bilirubinometer (TcB) was originally developed for use as a jaundice meter, we have shown that it can also be used as a bedside instrument for direct measurement of serum bilirubin. An analysis of 130 samples indicates that total serum bilirubin measurement using the TcB is simple and accurate. A comparison with the AO bilirubinometer showed a highly significant coefficient of correlation (r = 0.99) for total serum bilirubin concentration. The addition of hemolysates caused no effect on TcB reading obtained by the TcB instrument, even at levels above those usually encountered in sera of newborn infants. The AO cuvette is very suitable for use in this measurement, since this method requires less than 15 μl of serum. One of the disadvantages of this method may be that it yields somewhat lower (5%) than actual serum bilirubin concentrations in the range above 20 mg/dl, and somewhat higher (20%) than actual serum bilirubin concentrations in the range below 10 mg/dl. Our study demonstrated the TcB instrument to be a useful device for bedside determination of serum bilirubin in the screening of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. However, though useful as a screening test, it does not provide such an accurate determination of serum bilirubin concentration as the AO bilirubinometer.
Oral Feeding Containers and Their Influence on Intake and Ventilation in Preterm Infants
Authors: Duara Shahnaz
Published: September 2009

In order to determine whether changes in feeding container properties could expedite oral feeding without compromising ventilation, the rate of feeding and respiration were studied in 10 healthy preterm infants while using a collapsible feeding container, and the findings were compared to those obtained with the standard rigid bottle. Equal volumes of formula were offered from both containers. With the collapsible container, the total duration of feeding was significantly shorter, and the rate of ingestion of formula was significantly faster (p < 0.01), while minute ventilation remained equally reduced from control levels during both feeds (p < 0.05). The fall in ventilation was secondary to a reduction in tidal volume (p < 0.001). Breathing frequency and transcutaneous oxygen tension did not change significantly with either trial. During feeding activity in both trials, airflow interruption occurred in both phases of the breathing cycle, but the total duration of interrupted airflow was greater with the collapsible container feed (p < 0.001). Similar amounts of intra-oral negative pressure changes developed with sucking during both feeds. Results show that decreasing the rigidity of the feeding container shortened feeding time significantly without significantly affecting ventilation. Despite the greater duration of airflow interruption with the collapsible container, minute ventilation was sufficiently maintained to prevent compromised oxygenation.
Effects of Suckling and the Postsuckling Fast on Weights of the Body and Internal Organs of Harp and Hooded Seal Pups
Authors: Oftedal Olav T. , Bowen Don , Widdowson Elsie M. , Boness Daryl J.
Published: September 2009

The weights of harp seal pups quadruple during 13 days of suckling while hooded seal pups double in weight in a lactation period of just 4 days. Pups of both species then fast for a month or longer. As a first measure of tissue responses to this ‘feast and famine’ pattern, we weighed the body, sculp (blubber and attached skin), core (carcass including viscera) and major internal organs of seal pups at birth, at the end of suckling, and at the end of the fast. When expressed as a percentage of body weight, the weights of the internal organs of newborn harp and hooded seals were within the range reported for newborn land mammals. During suckling, harp and hooded seals gained 2.3 and 6.5 kg/day body weight, respectively, but a large part (64–73 %) of this gain was blubber and skin rather than core. Even though pups were ingesting great quantities of fat, their digestive organs (stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas) were neither particularly large at birth nor did these organs gain in weight or length unusually rapidly. Most organs increased in weight in proportion to the increase in core weight, but the liver and spleen increased proportionately more than the core, and the stomach, heart and kidneys increased proportionately less. At the end of suckling, sculp accounted for more than half of the body weight in both species. The subsequent 4-week fast resulted in weight loss from both the sculp and core, and the liver and spleen decreased in weight by about 70%. The net effect of sequential suckling and fasting was particularly striking in the hooded seal pup, which had a lighter core, heart, liver and spleen at 1 month postpartum than at birth. These data illustrate a remarkable cycle of nutrient deposition and depletion which is undoubtedly central to the survival of young seals in the harsh pack-ice environment.
Food Allergy in Preterm Infants Fed Human Milk
Authors: de Martino M. , Donzelli G.P. , Galli L. , Scarano E. , de Marco A. , Rapisardi G. , Vecchi C. , Vierucci A.
Published: September 2009

In 80 preterms aged 9–24 months (mean age: 15.9) and in 80 sex- and age-matched full-terms the frequency of atopic diseases and of positive skin tests to 8 food and 6 inhalant allergens was determined. The two groups did not differ as to overall percentages of cutipositive subjects and patients with atopic diseases. In particular, frequencies of positive skin tests to foods and of atopic dermatitis (the peak prevalence of which occurs early in infancy) were similar in preterm (16.2 and 7.5%, respectively) and full-term (13.7 and 5.0%, respectively) infants. We suggest that preterm infants fed human milk are not at increased risk of developing food allergy and related diseases and that the absorption of antigens through the immature intestine does not seem to favor the development of an IgE sensitization to foods.