To investigate the prognostic role of concomitant histologic fetal inflammatory response with chorioamnionitis on neonatal outcomes through a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature. The primary search was conducted on October 17^th, 2021, and it was updated on May 26^th, 2023, across four separate databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, and SCOPUS) without using any filters. Observational studies reporting obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of infant-mother dyads with histological chorioamnionitis and histologic fetal inflammatory response in comparison to histological chorioamnionitis alone were eligible. We included studies that enrolled only preterm neonates, born before the 37^th gestational week, or very low birth weight neonates (birthweight < 1500 g). The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021283448). The records were selected by title, abstract, and full text, and disagreements were resolved by consensus. Random-effect model-based pooled odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated for dichotomous outcomes. In total of 50 studies were identified. Quantitative analysis of 14 outcomes was performed. We conducted subgroup analysis using mean gestational age of the studies, and we implemented the 28^th gestational week as a cut off line. Among neonates with lower gestational ages, early-onset sepsis (pooled odds ratio 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.76-2.84). and bronchopulmonary dysplasia was associated (pooled odds ratio 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.66) with the histologic fetal inflammatory response. Our analysis showed that preterm neonates with a concomitant histologic fetal inflammatory response are more likely to develop intraventricular hemorrhage (pooled odds ratio 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 2.02) and retinopathy of prematurity (pooled odds ratio 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.82). Among infant-mother dyads with histologic fetal inflammatory response, the odds of clinical chorioamnionitis were almost three-fold higher (pooled odds ratio 2.99; 95% CI, 1.96 to 4.55) than in the histological chorioamnionitis alone group. Investigating multiple neonatal outcomes, we found a statistically significant association in the case of four major morbidities: early-onset sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage and retinopathy of prematurity.

The limit of viability for premature newborns has changed in recent decades, but whether to initiate or withhold active care for periviable infants remains a subject of debate because the chances of survival and the extent of severe neurological impairment can be unclear. In our review, we analyzed large population-based studies of periviable infants from the past 2 decades. We compared survival rates and the incidence of early complications among survivors, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Moreover, we assessed the perinatal factors that may affect the survival of preterm infants. We analyzed 15 studies reporting data on preterm infants born between 22 and 28 gestational weeks. None of these studies reported survival of an infant born before 22 gestational weeks. Survival rates of infants born at 24 weeks’ gestation were above 50% in most studies. The incidence of each complication was also higher among infants born at ≤24 weeks. Of the analyzed perinatal factors, antenatal corticosteroid therapy, birth weight, female sex, cesarean delivery, singleton pregnancy, and birth in a tertiary-level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were found to be associated with improved survival in some studies. The different methodologies of the studies limited comparison of the results. Further investigations are needed to gain up-to-date information on the limit of viability, and standardized methods in future studies would enable more accurate comparisons of findings.

Background: Evidence supporting the benefits of delayed cord clamping is increasing; however, there is no clear recommendation on cord management during newborn resuscitation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of resuscitation initiated with an intact umbilical cord, hypothesizing it is a safe stabilization procedure that improves neonatal outcomes. Methods: Systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science from inception to March 1, 2024. Eligible articles compared neonatal outcomes in newborns receiving initial stabilization steps before and after cord clamping. Results: Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria, with six RCTs included in the quantitative analysis. No statistically significant differences were found in delivery room parameters, in-hospital mortality, or neonatal outcomes between the examined groups. However, intact cord resuscitation group showed higher SpO₂ at 5 min after birth compared to cord clamping prior to resuscitation group (MD 6.67%, 95% CI [−1.16%, 14.50%]). There were no significant differences in early complications of prematurity (NEC ≥ stage 2: RR 2.05, 95% CI [0.34, 12.30], IVH: RR 1.25, 95% CI [0.77, 2.00]). Conclusion: Intact cord management during resuscitation appears to be a safe intervention; its effect on early complications of prematurity remains unclear. Further high-quality RCTs with larger patient numbers are urgently needed. Impact: Initiating resuscitation with an intact umbilical cord appears to be a safe intervention for newborns. No statistically significant differences were found in delivery room parameters, in-hospital mortality, and neonatal outcomes between the examined groups. The utilization of specialized resuscitation trolleys appears to be promising to reduce the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants. Further high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes are urgently needed to refine recommendations.

Nowadays, whole-body vibration (WBV) has become increasingly popular as an additional therapy in the intervention of patients with cerebral palsy (CP). However, the impact of WBV remains a subject of debate. Consequently, a systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to evaluate the effects of WBV on the musculoskeletal system in children with CP. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were sought in the most frequent databases. The intervention studied was WBV combined with conventional physiotherapy (PT) compared with conventional PT as the control; the main outcomes were changes in the musculoskeletal system. Weighted mean differences with 95%CIs were calculated. A random-effects model was applied, and the publication bias was checked using funnel plots. On the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 articles, including 414 patients, were considered in the final analysis. The improvement in walking performance (speed and step length) was statistically significant (p < 0.05), and although there were no significant differences in the further outcomes, a clear positive tendency was visible in the case of improved muscle strength, decreased spasticity, enhanced gross motor functions, and overall stability. Based on the findings, a clear assessment of the usefulness of this intervention cannot be made; nonetheless, due to the promising results, it would be worthwhile to conduct additional RCTs to enhance the available evidence in this field. Due to the wide range of vibration configurations, including varying durations and intensities, it is suggested to establish guidelines and a strategy for the incorporation of this additional treatment.

Background There are limited data available on the survival and early complications of preterm infants with less than 500 g birthweight. To estimate the outcomes for these infants, it is important for caregivers to be aware of perinatal factors that may affect survival. Objectives We assessed the mortality and certain early complications of preterm infants born with less than 500 g in Hungary between 2006 and 2015. Methods We reviewed data of 486 infants from the database of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office and in parallel of 407 infants from the “NICU database.” The study period was divided into two epochs: 2006‐2010 and 2011‐2015. Results The survival was 27.1% in the first epoch and 39.1% in the second epoch, and the incidence of early complications was slightly higher in the second epoch. In the surviving group (first and second epoch combined), gestational age (25.1 vs 23.7 weeks), birthweight (458 vs 447 g) antenatal steroid treatment (66.3% vs 52.3%), surfactant therapy (95.1% vs 84.3%), median Apgar scores (6 vs 3 and 8 vs 5 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively) and proportion of caesarean delivery (89.3% versus 68.5%) were higher than in the non‐surviving group (first and second epoch combined). The proportion of multiple births was lower in the surviving group (15.7% vs 33.4%). Conclusions Survival of infants with less than 500 g improved between 2006‐2010 and 2011‐2015 in Hungary. The slightly higher occurrence of early complications might be associated with improving survival.

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process of cellular plasticity regulated by complex signaling networks. Under physiological conditions, it plays an important role in wound healing and organ repair. Its importance for human disease is given by its central role in chronic fibroproliferative diseases and cancer, which represent leading causes of death worldwide. In tumors, EMT is involved in primary tumor growth, metastasis and therapy resistance. It is therefore a major requisite to investigate and understand the role of EMT and the mechanisms leading to EMT in order to tackle these diseases therapeutically. Forward genetic screens link genome modifications to phenotypes, and have been successfully employed to identify oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and genes involved in metastasis or therapy resistance. In particular, transposon-based insertional mutagenesis screens and CRISPR-based screens are versatile and easy-to-use tools applied in recent years to discover and identify novel cancer-related mechanisms. Here, we review the contribution of forward genetic screens to our understanding of how EMT is regulated and how it is involved in various aspects of cancer. Based on the current literature, we propose these methods as additional tools to investigate EMT.