Impact of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy and neonates: A case control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women who were infected by COVID-19 during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: A Case control retrospective study was conducted in an Obstetrical Department of a west Parisian area during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between a group of women infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus during pregnancy (March 2020- February 2021) and a control group of women delivering before pandemic. They were matched according to age and parity. Subgroups of SARS-CoV-2 infection occurring before vs after 37 weeks of gestations and symptomatic vs asymptomatic patients were analyzed. The rate of preterm birth, preeclampsia, placental abruption and stillbirth were compared between the year of pandemic and the year before for all deliveries. RESULTS: Maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar. Among the 86 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection, five were admitted to Hospital (5.8%). One was transferred in intensive care unit for respiratory distress (1.2%). All patients had favorable outcomes. Patients with symptoms had more associated comorbidities (34.5%, n = 20/58, with symptoms, vs 9,1%, n = 2/22, without symptoms, p = 0.023). No differences in preeclampsia, placenta abruption and stillbirth, but less preterm births (4.9%, n = 160/3383 vs 6.2%, n = 209/3235, p = 0.04) were observed between the year of pandemic and the year before. CONCLUSION: There were few complications associated with COVID-19 infection among pregnant patients and their neonates. A low rate of associated comorbidities, a good access to healthcare services in this area and the small sample size of patients could explain these results.

Involving Animal Models in Uterine Transplantation.

Background: Absolute uterine factor infertility affects 0. 2% women of childbearing age around the world. Uterine transplantation (UTx) is a promising solution for many of them since the first birth from UTx was described by the Swedish team in 2014. The success of Utx in humans has become possible after a systematic and meticulous approach involving years of research on animal models. To date, more than 80 UTx procedures have been performed worldwide and 30 children were born. Material and Method: This review summarizes the research preparation conducted in animals before beginning UTx in humans. It focuses on the advantages and limits of each animal model, their place in surgical training, and current contribution in research to improve UTx successes in humans. The different steps in the process of UTx have been analyzed, such as imaging, surgery, ischemia-reperfusion effects, rejection markers, immunosuppressive treatment, and pregnancy. Conclusion: Animal models have played an essential role in the implementation of UTx, which is a highly complex procedure. While respecting the 3R requirements (replacement, refinement, and reduction), the surgical training using large animal models, such as notably ewes remain irreplaceable for teams wishing to initiate a UTx program. Furthermore, animal models are still mandatory in current research to improve the success rates of UTx in humans as well as to reduce the morbidity associated with this experimental infertility treatment.

Jumping improves lower limbs bone mass and lean mass in elite jumpers.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to examine the influence of extreme impact loading induced by jump training on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in high level jumpers. METHODS: Forty boys volunteered for the study aged 20 to 21 years. They were 22 high level jumpers and 18 controls. Bone mass and body composition measurements were performed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, in the total body and at different sites. RESULTS: The results showed that BMC, BMD, bone area, and lean mass (P<0.0001) were significantly higher in the jumpers compared to the controls. A strong positive correlation was found between lean mass and bone parameters (BMC at the right femur, r=0.80; P<0.01). The values of the same correlation were weak in the control group. In addition, the effects of the regular practice of jumping on the BMD, BMC, and bone area were more pronounced in the lower limbs (P<0.01). These adaptations were site-specific, with increased bone mass at the lower limbs (P<0.01), especially at the legs, right and left leg (LRL) (P<0.05). It appears that the time dedicated to this activity may be account for the difference between jumpers and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of high level jump starting at pubertal age generates an increase and an acquisition of the bone mass in males. This adaptation is further enhanced by the times dedicated for this activity. Therefore, it would be interesting to program jumping activities daily to conserve bone mineral and to prevent osteopenia.

Soft-tissue tumor of the perineum: an exceptional case of bilateral perineal myoma.

Perineal myomas in female are exceptional. We report the second case in literature of perineal myomas. It is a case of bilateral perineal myomas lifting the skin occurring in a female patient of 49 years old. She was operated by perineal incisions. Histopathology confirmed the fibromatous nature without signs of malignancy.