bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
President's Opening Address: Twin Study Today
Authors: Gedda L. 
Published: July 2016

I wish to thank Professor Paolo Durand, Director of the International Centre of Paediatric Genetics at the Mendel Institute, for his kind words and I particularly thank him for having proposed this celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute.Somewhat audaciously, I borrow a metaphor when I say that the real foundation stone of the Mendel Institute is the book, “The Study of Twins” here on the bookrest [Fig. 1]. This rather large volume carries works I had collected and developed in Rome over the previous years. In the main, it relates to clinical research work which for me began in an orphanage, not too far away from here on via Nomentana, where I encountered a pair of identical twin brothers, Romolo and Remo [Fig. 2]. The boys were so alike physically that I constantly confused the two and it was this experience that drew my attention to the twinning phenomenon. The book also contains a bibliographic list of over 7,900 studies carried out on the subject of twins. One of the first, of course, is that of Darwin's cousin, Francis Galton and another example from a later period is that of Chiarugi, the Florentine anatomist.Published in 1951, “The Study of Twins” provoked such overwhelming interest in the medical world that it led me to vigorously promote two initiatives which began to take shape the following year. In 1952 the first issue of the journal “Acta Geneticae Medicae et Gemellologiae” was published and the construction of the Gregor Mendel Institute of Medical Genetics and Gemellology got under way to be finally inaugurated on 6 September 1953. One of the earliest and certainly most important figures in establishing the Institute is here with us today, Dr. Ildo Avetta, the Roman architect who designed the building. Let me take this opportunity to thank him once again for his brilliant work which has drawn the attention and admiration of many over the years.Here, before you, is the complete 40-volume series of Acta Geneticae Medicae et Gemellologiae from its birth to date. [Fig. 1].
The Epidemiology of Multiple Pregnancies
Authors: Parazzini F. , Villa A. , Moroni S. , Tozzi L. , Restelli S. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractOver the last decades the frequency of multiple births has been on the decline in most developed countries. This trend, however, has been restricted to dizygotic twins, while monozygotic rates have remained stable or risen slowly. In more recent years, however, the fall in multiple dizygotic birth rates has ceased and a slight increase is observed. This trend and the increased frequency of triplets or higher-order births, registered from the early 1980s onwards, are essentially related to treatments for infertility. No single risk factor, such as maternal age, parity, oral contraceptive use, or declining fertility rates can explain the overall declining trends. In this paper we review the descriptive epidemiology and the main risk factors for multiple pregnancies.
Paediatric Care of Twins
Authors: Bryan E.M. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractFor many parents, the joy of having twins and triplets is reduced by the unexpected emotional as well as physical and financial stresses which they experience with children who may suffer from prematurity and low birthweight, and who have a higher risk of language delay and disability. Paediatric care should start from the time of ultrasound diagnosis. The Multiple Births Foundation holds regular meetings for expectant parents. Twins Clinics are held in three centres in the UK as well as three special clinics (Growth, Supertwins and Bereavement), where families may discuss problems relating to the twinship as well as sharing their experiences with parent volunteers.
Idrope Fetale non Immunologia e Gravidanze Gemellari
Authors: Noia G. , Santis M. De , Neri L. , Serraino A. , Storti S. , Gozzo M.L. , Maniccia E. , Caruso A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPresso il Centro di Diagnosi Prenatale all'Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Roma, sono state osservate 95 pazienti con gravidanza complicata da idrope fetale non immunologica. Nove pazienti presentavano una gravidanza gemellare. La sopravvivenza dei 95 feti osservati è stata del 27.7%. Nessun feto gemellare idropico è sopravvissuto. Nei 9 casi di gravidanza gemellare è stato possibile diagnosticare ecograficamente una placenta monocoriale in 6 casi e monoamniotica in 3 casi. La causa dell'idrope fetale è stata riferita in 3 casi a trasfusione feto-fetale; in 2 casi a cardiopatia fetale ed 1 caso a malformazione genito-urinaria e 3 casi di n.d.d. La morte del feto idropico è avvenuta tra la 21a e la 35a settimana di gravidanza. Dei feti gemellari non idropici la sopravvivenza è stata del 57.1% (4 su 7).Otto delle gravidanze gemellari sono state osservate prima del 1988, epoca in cui nella nostra Istituzione, non era possibile un approccio diagnostico e terapeutico intrava-scolare mediante cordocentesi. Tale possibilità diagnostica e terapeutica può con molta probabilità migliorare la sopravvivenza dei feti idropici nelle gravidanze gemellari come avvenuta nelle gravidanze singole, dove è passata dal 25% (1980-88) al 36.8% (1988-93).
Emodinamica Intracardiaca ed Extracardiaca nei Gemelli con Crescita Discordante
Authors: Capponi A. , Rizzo G. , Cacciatore C. , Romanini E. , Arduini D. , Romanini C. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractLa presenza di crescita discordante di un gemello si associa con una aumentata mortalità e morbilità perinatale. Le cause della scarsa crescita di un gemello possono essere multiple. I risultati apparsi in letteratura sulla velocimetria Doppler in questi casi sono discordanti.Obiettivi: valutare l'emodinamica fetale mediante velocimetria Doppler in gravidanze gemellari complicate da crescita discordante di un gemello secondarie a due differenti eziologie a) insufficienza uteroplacentare b) twin-to-twin transfusione syndrome (TTTs).Disegno dello studio: sono state selezionate retrospettivamente 12 gravidanze gemellari biamniotiche bicoriali complicate da ritardo di crescita di un gemello che ha sviluppato nel corso della gravidanza decelerazioni tardive (gruppo da insufficienza uteroplacentare) e 10 gravidanze gemellari monocoriali e biamniotiche con conferma postnatale di TTTs. Si sono eseguite misurazioni seriate a livello dei vasi periferici arteriosi fetali, a livello intracardiaco e dei vasi venosi fetali. La differenza tra i valori assoluti tra i due gemelli (delta) è stata quindi calcolata.Risultati: nelle gravidanze gemellari con insufficienza uteroplacentare si è assistito ad un aumento progressivo del valore delta in tutti i distretti vascolari indagati che raggiunge valori massimi in prossimità dell'insorgenza delle decelerazioni tardive. Nelle gravidanze gemellari complicate da TTTs il valore delta non dimostra variazioni significative nei vasi periferici arteriosi. A livello intracardiaco e venoso modificazioni si sono evidenziate solo al momento dell'ultima registrazione precedente al parto.Conclusioni: la velocimetria Doppler permette di identificare i gemelli con crescita discordante secondaria ad insufficienza uteroplacentare. In questi feti è possibile eseguire un monitoraggio longitudinale delle loro condizioni emodinamiche. In caso di TTTs il significato della velocimetria Doppler appare limitato.
Le Cardiopatie Congenite nei Gemelli
Authors: Digilio M.C. , Giannotti A. , Marino B. , Dallapiccola B. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractLe cardiopatie congenite (CC) isolate sono patologie malformative a prevalente eziologia multifattoriale. Studi epidemiologici su coppie di gemelli mono e dizigoti hanno contribuito a chiarire l'importanza relativa delle componenti genetica e ambientale nella patogenesi delle CC. Nel periodo gennaio 1992-dicembre 1993, sono state valutate presso il nostro centro 24 coppie di gemelli con almeno un componente affetto da CC. In 15 casi si trattava di gemelli dizigoti, in 9 di monozigoti. Sono stati esclusi pazienti con CC inclusa in sindrome cromosomica o mendeliana. Entrambi i componenti delle coppie sono stati sottoposti ad accertamenti cardiologici (valutazione clinica, elettrocardiogramma, ecocardiografia). Le CC osservate sono rappresentate da Tetralogia di Fallot, stenosi polmonare con difetto interatriale, difetto interventricolare, canale atrioventricolare, stenosi aortica, coartazione aortica, trasposizione delle grandi arterie, ritorno venoso anomalo polmonare. L'analisi dei risultati ha mostrato presenza di CC in entrambi i componenti della coppia in 1/15 (7%) dei gemelli dizigoti e in 3/9 (33%) dei gemelli monozigoti. Nel caso della coppia dizigote un gemello è affetto da Tetralogia di Fallot, l'altro da ventricolo unico con atresia della polmonare. Nelle coppie monozigoti con entrambi i componenti affetti da CC, la lesione è concordante in tutti i casi (Tetralogia di Fallot in due casi e stenosi polmonare con difetto interatriale in un caso). La maggiore percentuale di concordanza per presenza di CC nelle coppie di gemelli monozigoti rispetto a quelli dizigoti dimostra l'importanza dei fattori genetici nell'eziologia delle CC. La componente genetica non è però esclusiva ed una signrficativa interazione genetico-ambientale giustifica il riscontro di concordanza per CC solo nel 30% dei gemelli monozigoti.
Echocardiography, Angio-TC and Angiography in Assessing the Feasibility of Separation of Thoracopagus Twins
Authors: Gugliantini P. , Santoro G. , Formigari R. , Marino B. 
Published: July 2016

Thoraco-abdominal fusion of twins is a rare malformation (1/50.000 live births) known as “Thoracopagus sternopagus tetrabrachius”. Most of the therapeutic problems encountered concern the degree of cardiac and hepatic fusion involved and this may be assessed by performing echocardiography, angio-TC and angiocardiography together with the conventional radiology techniques.Case report. Two month-old ‘conjoined twins’ (Alphonsine Al, and Stephany St) with thoraco-abdominal fusion were admitted to our hospital. Gastrointestinal tract contrastography failed to show any comunication between the twins. Echocardiography showed cardiac fusion at atrial and ventricular level. Al showed a well-formed heart with a small atrial septal defect and mild aortic stenosis, while St showed a common atrium, fused with the left atrium of Al, connected by a common atrioventricular valve with a discordant single ventricle of left type (ventricular L-loop). No evidence of pulmonary trunk was found. Computed tomography and angio-TC confirmed cardiac and hepatic fusion showing a common arterial hepatic circulation. Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography of Al confirmed a mild aortic stenosis and showed a severe aortic coarctation with the lower part of the body served by artero-arterial anastomoses of St, whose ventriculography showed pulmonary atresia and pulmonary hypovascularity. Arterial oxygenation of both circulations was provided by Al via atrial and ventricular fusion, while peripheral perfusion was mainly due to the systemic circulation of St. In conclusion, echocardiography, angio-TC, and angiography integrate the conventional radiographic techniques and are useful diagnostic tools to clarify the anatomy and/or physiology of thoracopagus twins, and to evaluate the feasibility of their surgical separation.
Limb Body Wall Complex and Sirenomelia in Twins
Authors: Russo R. , Vecchione R. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe coexistence of Limb body wall complex (LBWC) and Sirenomelia sequence (SS) is present in only two studies in the literature on the topic. Tang et al (1991) and Martinez-Frias et al (1992) examined single fetuses and pointed out that the association of these two phenomena is extremely rare. The present study further contributes to the investigation and description of this particular association in a pair of twins. Both twins presented abdominal defects, urogenital anomalies and persistence of the primitive cloaca, but did not show craniofacial (CF) defects or amniotic band related defects. One twin had one leg only. In a previous study on LBWC we identified two morphologically and pathogenetically different phenotypes which, among other characteristics, are identifiable by the presence or absence of CF defects. (Russo et al. 1993; Russo et al. in press). Our twin pair belongs to the LBWC group without CF defects. This group, like SS cases, is usually characterized by the presence of lower limb anomalies. Aside from this, they also share a similar pattern of anomalies involving the urogenital tract and the cloaca. Analysis of the anomalies present in the twin pair leads us to suggest that the Sirenomelia pattern might be at the extreme end in a spectrum of lower limb defects within the LBWC group that does not present CF defects. In brief, we suggest that the coexistence of this LBWC type and SS is not related to the occurrence of two different defects but is the consequence of a common maldevelopmental process occurring during blastogenesis.
The Incidence of Superfecundation and of Double Paternity in the General Population
Authors: James W. H. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIt is estimated that at least one dizygotic (DZ) twin maternity in twelve is preceded by superfecundation (the fertilization of two ova by sperm from different coitions). Presumably this parameter varies from population to population eg. with coital rates and rates of double ovulation. Sometimes superfecundation occurs by two different men. The frequency with which this occurs must depend on rates of infidelity (promiscuity). It is suggested that among DZ twins born to married white women in the U.S., about one pair in 400 is bipaternal. The incidence may be substantially higher in small selected groups of dizygotic twin maternities, eg. those of women engaged in prostitution.
Latent Menstrual Cycle in Pre-Menarcheal Monozygotic Twins
Authors: Nakamura I. , Harada C. , Miura T. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe distribution of menarcheal interval-length between cotwins in 67 pairs of female identical twins in Tokyo was found to cluster at fairly constant intervals. When delayed in one twin, the menarche occurred in the second twin at intervals of approximately 28 days after that of the earlier twin. This finding suggests the existence of a latent lunar or menstrual cycle in pre-menarcheal girls, evidence for which was detected by recording the menarcheal intervals between MZ cotwins in days.
Ethnicity and Sex Ratio in Twin Births
Authors: Picard R. , Fraser D. , Picard E. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe patterns of sex ratio in Israeli twins by maternal age and parity are described in two ethnic subpopulation. Jews and Bedouins differ one from the other in genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and reproductive factors. In the Jewish subpopulation, the proportion of males was significantly lower in twin than in singleton births; parity increased the odds of male twin births while maternal age had the inverse effect. In the Bedouin subpopulation, the sex ratio did not differ significantly from that of singletons, and no consistent patterns were found by maternal age and parity. The data suggest that several factors may influence the sex ratio in twin births. In Jewish twin births, the findings are consistent with the literature and can be largely explained in terms of high level of maternal gonadotropins. In the Bedouin subpopulation, paternal influence which could be related to lifestyle may be present, and as yet undefined genetic factors may also be involved. It would be of great interest, therefore, to continue monitoring of the effects of changes in lifestyle on the Bedouin population in order to tease out the relative importance of the varying factors on the sex ratio of twin births.
Acid-Base Differences in Preterm and Term Twin Pregnancy
Authors: Ordorica S.A. , Hoskins I.A. , Young B.K. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractA prospective study was undertaken which examined 179 sets of twins, 68 premature (less than 36 weeks of gestation) and 111 term. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the acid-base status between twins related to gestational age, birth order and the time interval between twin births. Although the twin blood-gas data is within the range considered normal, statistically significant differences favoring the first-born were noted for both preterm and term twins. These differences do not depend on gestational age, route of delivery or presentation, and become evident when the interval between twin births exceeds one minute. We postulate that after delivery of the first twin, the reduced uterine size causes a decrease in the intervillous blood flow and consequently a reduction in the respiratory exchange between the second fetus, still in utero, and its placenta.
Maternal Plasma Concentrations of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) and Human Placental Lactogen (hPL) in Twin Pregnancies
Authors: Kazer R.R. , Cheng E.R. , Unterman T.G. , Glick R.P. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMaternal plasma IGF-I and hPL concentrations were examined in 10 singleton pregnancies and in 11 twin gestations near term. hPL concentrations were higher in the twin pregnancies (14.4 ± 2.4 μg/1 vs 6.9 ± 0.9 μg/1, P < 0.02). In contrast, plasma IGF-I concentrations were similar in the singleton and twin pregnancies (533 ± 45 μg/1 vs 572 ± 60 μg/1, respectively). IGF-I concentrations failed to correlate with hPL concentrations in either group separately or when all subjects were considered together. These data do not support the hypothesis that maternal IGF-I secretion is an hPL-dependent process.
Variable Number of Tandem Repeats in Zygosity Diagnosis in Twins
Authors: Porrini S. Costanzi , Sciarra A. , Sulli N. , Piane M. , Gualtieri R. , Porto G. Del 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe use of DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) to analyze variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) sequences dispersed in the human genome, has become a powerful tool for the study of population genetics due to the very substantial polymorphism involved. Because the markers usually employed for twin zygosity determination (such as sex combination, placentation, HLA typing, blood group antigens, etc) may not be uniformly informative, we propose the use of synthetic olygonucleotides, representing VNTR “core” sequences, for the determination of zygosity in twins.
The Northwestern University Twin Study. VII: The Mode of Delivery in Twin Pregnancy - North American Considerations
Authors: Depp R. , Keith L.G. , Sciarra J.J. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractNo consensus exists for the optimal mode of delivery for twin fetuses. Opinions vary by type of institution (university medical center vs community hospital), country or continent (North America vs Western Europe) and personal preference of individual physicians. This article lists clinical considerations in arriving at the decision and presents them in the form of a decision tree.
Fetal Growth in Twin Pregnancies
Authors: Neilson J.P. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn 65 consecutive twin pregnancies, 722 measurement of fetal abdominal circumference have been obtained with ultrasound. Zygosity was established after delivery in 85% of the pregnancies. There was no difference in mean abdominal circumference measurements between monozygotic and dizygotic pregnancies. In both groups, the pattern of growth was linear throughout pregnancy in contrast to that predicted by birth-weight for gestational age charts. It is suggested that increasing trunk flexion, in later twin pregnancy, may distort accurate abdominal circumference measurement.
The Northwestern University Triplet Study. I: Overview of the International Literature
Authors: Keith L.G. , Ameli S. , Keith D.M. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe international literature on triplet births is surveyed. No definitive work on triplet gestations exists. The relatively few articles on this subject are divided into three categories: 1) national data; 2) local, regional or hospital series; 3) case reports. Clinical concerns, such as prematurity, low birth weight, bed rest, and tocolysis, are discussed with specific reference to literature citations.
Early Developmental Progress of Preterm Twins Discordant for Birthweight and Risk
Authors: Stauffer A. , Burns W.J. , Burns K.A. , Melamed J. , Herman C.E. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractStudies of developmental progress in high-risk twins have disparate findings. In this study, we report the outcome of 45 twin pairs born between 26 and 37 weeks gestation, and whose birthweights ranged from 840 to 2000 g. No significant differences were found for weight, risk and birth order. However, earlier preterm infants were found to have significantly lower mental scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 24 months, and lower IQ scores on the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale at 36 months. These findings imply that gestational age is a powerful variable in determining developmental outcome.
Speech and Language Development in Preschool Twins
Authors: Hay D.A. , Prior M. , Collett S. , Williams M. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWhile language, articulation and reading problems have been well documented in young twins, it is not clear how extensive such problems can be or how early in childhood they become evident. At the age of 30 months, twin boys in the La Trobe Twin Study were 8 months behind matched singletons and twin girls on expressive language and 6 months behind on verbal comprehension. They were also 5 months behind on symbolic play and this delay was closely related to language. “Secret” language characterised most of the twin boys but not the girls and the relation of this to articulation delays is discussed. To examine if exposure to other children helps the twin boys, 38-53 month old twins and singletons were matched on the Columbia Mental Maturity Scale at the time of starting preschool. The twin boys had more articulation problems and all twins scored much lower on a Sociability questionnaire completed by the teacher. After 8 months at preschool, all children had advanced in Sociability, but the twins remained just as far behind with poor Sociability relating to poor articulation. The role of intervention programs is discussed.
The Expectation and Parentage of Twins A Study on the Language Development of Twin Infants
Authors: Alin-Åkerman Britta 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis is a follow-up study aiming to describe personality development of twins and possible differences at different ages. The investigation was conducted at the Mother Clinic in the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm. This report describes the language development of 35 twin pairs at 9 months of age. The development values show that no greater differences exist for girls between twins and singletons. The language result is however lower. The boys, on the other hand, have considerably lower results both on total development scale and on the language scale.
Dominance and Submissiveness Between Twins. I. Perinatal and Developmental Aspects
Authors: Moilanen Irma 
Published: July 2016

AbstractFactors predicting dominance and submissiveness between twins were analyzed in a longitudinal study of 234 twin pairs. Boys were found to be physically dominating, while the girls more often were psychically dominating and in the role of the spokesman. Low birth weight, to be second born, or low Apgar score tended to predict submissiveness, but not significantly. The same was true concerning perinatal asphyxia and hypoglycemia, which also showed some potential cumulative effect when occurring simultaneously. Those having developed faster or with higher intelligence were more often the leaders of the twin pair. Probably good neonatal care in modern hospitals tends to prevent perinatal damage, and therefore the previous findings of second born or small birth weight twins being most submissive was not fully established.