---

  Background & Objectives: Stem cells are fundamental supporter of multicellular tissue. They allow blood, bone, gametes, epithelia, nervous system, muscle, and other tissues to be replaced by fresh cells throughout life. In recent years human Wharton’s jelly stem cells (WJSCs) have gained attention. They express a number of surface markers characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, human Wharton’s jelly stem cells were isolated using explant method. To show the stemness property of these cells, three CD markers including CD105, CD44 and CD34 were tested.

  Methods: The umbilical cord samples were collected by Caesarian section at Arta Hospital in Ardabil. Cords were transferred in sterile conditions and stem cells were isolated using explant method. After log phase, cells were passaged then growth characteristics and CD105, CD44 and CD34 markers investigated by RT-PCR.

  Results: Separation of human Wharton’s jelly stem cells were started after 7 days. WJSCs in culture revealed two distinct cell population named Type 1 and Type 2. RT-PCR results showed that WJSCs were CD105⁺, CD44⁺ and CD34^-.

  Conclusion: Human umbilical cord stem cells could be an alternative source instead bone marrow stem cells for cell therapy and tissue engineering. These cells have a fibroblastic appearance. Following the lag phase and into log phase respectively, cells grow easily in culture and retain stemness properties in higher passages.

---

Background & objectives: Staphylococci are considered as one of the most important etiological agents of omphalitis. Due to the importance of early diagnosis of omphalitis in newborns, this infection can be diagnosed by novel techniques such as multiplex PCR which is rapid, cost- effective and more accurate than microbial culture. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and S.hominis species in umbilical cord infection in newborns.
Methods: In the present study, 45 umbilical cord samples were collected from Shahid Afzali pour hospital in Kerman, Iran. Followed by DNA extraction, Multiplex PCR reactions were performed using specific 16srDNA primers for S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S.hominis. Finally, PCR products were analyzed using electrophoresis and sequencing. Also, microbiological and biochemical differentiation tests were performed for the diagnosis of Staphylococci on all specimens.
Results: Amplification of 16srRNA genes for S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. hominis using Multiplex PCR demonstrated that the frequency of S. epidermidis ,S. aureus and S.hominis were 4.4%, 6.6% and 2.2% in the studied samples, respectively. The prevalence of staphylococcal isolates using differential tests was shown to be 33.3%.
Conclusion: This study indicated that, Multiplex PCR is a proper method for simultaneous identification of S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S.hominis species. Also, Staphylococci can be considered as a significant cause of umbilical cord infection in newborns. However, further studies urgently are needed to confirm this finding.