Ethnical variations in the incidence of congenital heart defects in Gorgan, northern Iran: a single-center study

Congenital heart disease [CHD] is the most common congenital anomaly in newborns. This study was performed to determine the live birth incidence of CHD by ethnicity and sex in Gorgan, Northern Iran. In this longitudinal, hospital-based study, 18162 live births in Dezyani Hospital in Gorgan, North of Iran, were screened for CHD, from 2007 through 2009. Clinical examination, echocardiography, color Doppler, and cardio catheterization were used as diagnostic tools. Sex, ethnicity, and type of CHD for each case were recorded in a pre-designed questionnaire. The incidence rates of CHD in the native Fars, Sistani, and Turkmen subjects were 5.73 [95%CI: 4.53-7.15], 12.27 [95%CI: 8.74-16.73], and 15.93 [95%CI: 10.00-24.02] per 1000 live births, respectively. The Turkmen to native Fars and Sistani to native Fars relative risk for congenital CHD malformations was 2.77 [95%CI: 1.73-4.44; p value < 0.001] and 1.29 [95%CI: 0.77-2.18; p value < 0.323], respectively. While atrial septal defect was the most common lesion in the native Fars subjects [2.14 per 1000 [95%CI: 1.42-3.06]] and in the Sistani subjects [2.84 per 1000 [95%CI: 1.29-5.36]], in the Turkmen subjects, ventricular septal defect [4.36 per 1000 [95%CI: 1.59-9.43]], followed by atrial septal defect, was the most frequent lesion. This study showed that the incidence and pattern of CHD among live births in Gorgan, North of Iran, varied according to ethnicity. The risk of CHD was higher in the Turkmen and Sistani groups than in the Fars population

Incidence of cleft lip and palate in gorgan - northern Iran: an epidemiological study

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate is the most common orofacial congenital anomaly among live births. This study was carried out to determine the incidence rate of oral clefting in Gorgan, North of Iran during 2004-2009. This descriptive hospital-based study was performed on 35,009 live newborns in Dezyani Hospital in Gorgan, Northern Iran during 2004-2009. All newborns were screened for oral clefts. Data including birth date, gender, type of oral clefts, parents' consanguinity, parental ethnicity and presence of other congenital anomalies were recorded for analysis. The overall incidence rate of oral clefts during this 6-year period was 1.05 per 1000, or 1 per 946 live births. The incidence of cleft lip and isolated cleft palate was 0.08 and 0.37 per 1,000 live births, respectively. The ratio for different cleft types was 1:7:4 [CL: CLP: CP]. The incidence of oral clefting was 1.2 per 1,000 male births and 0.86 per 1,000 female births [RR=1.40, 95%, CI: 0.73-2.71]. According to parental ethnicity, the incidence of oral clefting was 0.7, 1.7 and 1.26 per 1,000 in Native Fars, Turkman and Sistani, respectively. The relative risk for oral clefting in Turkman to native Fars group was 2.56 [p<0.02]. In this study, 56.7% of clefts were CL+P, 8.1% were CL and 35.1% of cases were CP. CP was more common among girls [54%] than for boys [46%] but CL was more common among boys. The results showed that the incidence of oral clefts in the study population as being at 1.05 per 1,000 live births, which nas increased from 0.97 per 1,000 live births reported in an earlier study in this area

Purkinje cells loss in off spring due to maternal morphine sulfate exposure: a morphometric study / 대한해부학회지

The toxic effects of morphine sulfate in the adult cerebral cortex and one-day neonatal cerebellum have been studied. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of maternal morphine exposure during gestational and lactation period on the Purkinje cells and cerebellar cortical layer in 18- and 32-day-old mice offspring. Thirty female mice were randomly allocated into cases and controls. In cases, animals received morphine sulfate (10 mg/kg/body weight intraperitoneally) during the 7 days before mating, gestational day (GD 0-21) 18 or 32. The controls received an equivalent volume of saline. The cerebellum of six infants for each group was removed and each was stained with cresyl violet. Quantitative computer-assisted morphometric study was done on cerebellar cortex. The linear Purkinje cell density in both experimental groups (postnatal day [P]18, 23.40+/-0.5; P32, 23.45+/-1.4) were significantly reduced in comparison with the control groups (P18, 28.70+/-0.9; P32, 28.95+/-0.4) (P<0.05). Purkinje cell area, perimeter and diameter at apex and depth of simple lobules in the experimental groups were significantly reduced compared to the controls (P<0.05). The thickness of the Purkinje layer of the cerebellar cortex was significantly reduced in morphine treated groups (P<0.05). This study reveals that morphine administration before pregnancy, during pregnancy and during the lactation period causes Purkinje cells loss and Purkinje cell size reduction in 18- and 32-day-old infant mice.

In vitro maturation of germinal vesicle oocytes in stimulated intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles

This study evaluated in vitro maturation [IVM] of oocytes in the germinal vesicle [GV] stage in stimulated intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] cycles. A total of 26 women, aged 18-37 years, who were candidates for ICSI at the Fatemeh Zahra Infertility and Health Reproductive Research Center in 2007 were recruited for this study. We used the standard long protocol for ovarian stimulation. Follicles>11 mm were punctured 36-38 hours after administration of 10000 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin [hCG]. Immature oocytes were cultured for 24-30 hours. Oocytes that liberated polar bodies were injected by sperm prepared within the previous day. IVM fertilized oocytes were cultured an additional 24-30 hours for cleavage. The rates of maturation, fertilization and cleavage in IVM oocytes were recorded and statistically compared to in vivo matured sibling oocytes. There were 279 collected oocytes [mean +/- SD: 10.73 +/- 6.2], of which 4.08 +/- 2.79 were subjected to IVM. An average of 2.73 +/- 2.15 GV oocytes [70%] developed to metaphase II [MII]. Although the maturation rate significantly differed between the IVM and in vivo MII sibling oocyte groups [p=0.027], the numbers of fertilized oocytes [p=0.795] and cleaved embryos [p=0.529] were not significantly high in the in vivo group. Transfer of IVM embryos occurred in only three cases with one pregnancy that resulted in the delivery of a healthy baby. This study shows that culturing GV oocytes can produce acceptable numbers of four-cell embryos on the transfer day. The developmental competence of oocytes is not significantly different between early stage IVM and in vivo sibling embryos

Preventive effect of vitamin B6 on developmental toxicity of carbamazepine in mice

Carbamazepine [CBZ] is an antiepileptic drug that is used widely for the treatment of epileptic seizures. Neural tube defects [NTDs], growth retardation, and nail hypoplasia are the most common features of teratogenic effects of this drug. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of vitamin B6 on the developmental toxicity of CBZ on mice. Sixty BALB/c pregnant mice were divided into four experimental and two control groups. Two experimental groups received daily intraperitoneal [IP] of 30 mg/kg [I] or 60 mg/kg [II] of CBZ on gestational days [GD] 6 to 15. Two other experimental groups received daily IP injection of 30 mg/kg [III] or 60 mg/kg [IV] of CBZ with 10 mg/kg/day vitamin B6 by gavage 10 days prior to gestation and on GD 6 to 15. Two control groups received normal saline or Tween 20. Dams underwent Cesarean section on GD 18 and embryos were harvested. External/ macroscopic observation of fetuses was done by stereomicroscope and external examination for malformations was recorded. Data analyzed by ANOVA and X[2] test using SPSS software. The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both CBZ-treated experimental groups were significantly reduced compared with those of the control groups. Various malformations were detected such as brachygnathia, eye malformations, NTDs, vertebral deformity, brachydactyly and growth retardation. Vitamin B6 treatment significantly reduced various CBZ-induced malformations. This study showed that vitamin B6 has a preventive effect on the developmental toxicity of CBZ in mice that can be pursued further for clinical research

Prevalence and pattern of congenital heart disease among neonates in gorgan, Northern Iran [2007-2008]

Congenital heart disease [CHD] is the most common congenital anomaly in newborns. The aim of this longitudinal, hospital-based study was to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of CHD among Iranian newborns in Gorgan, Northern Iran. 11739 live births in Dezyani hospital in Gorgan were screened for CHD, 2007 through 2008. Clinical examination, echocardiography, color Doppler and cardio catheterization were used as diagnostic tools. Clinical and demographic factors, namely sex, type of CHD and associated anomalies of diagnosed cases were recorded in a pre-designed questionnaire for analysis. The overall prevalence rate of CHD was 8.6 per 1000 live births. This was 9.96 per 1000 male births and 7.34 per 1000 female births. It was 4.5 and 13.19 per 1000 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. ASD was the commonest lesion [2.64 per 1000], followed by VSD+ASD [1.28 per 1000] and PDA [1.28 per 1000]. The rate of ASD in male and female was 3.02 and 2.26 per 1000 respectively. Parents of 40 [39.6%] babies were related. 39 [38.6%] couples were first cousins. This study showed that the prevalence of CHD among live births in Gorgan is lower than reported in the studies for Middle East and European countries

Protective effect of urtica dioica L. [urticaeeae] on morphometric and morphologic alterations of seminiferous tubules in STZ diabetic rats

Urtica dioica L. has been known as a medicinal plant in the world. This study was conducted to determine the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Urtica dioica leaves on seminiferous tubules of diabetic rats. Animals were allocated to control, diabetic and protective groups. Treated animals received extract of U. dioica [100 mg/ kg/ day] IP for the first 5 days and STZ injection on the 6th day. After 5 weeks, testes removed and stained with H and E technique. Tubular cell disintegration, sertoli and spermatogonia cell vacuolization, and decrease in sperm concentration observed in diabetic in comparison with control and protective groups. External seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelial height significantly reduced [P< 0.05] in diabetic compared with controls, and these parameters increased [P< 0.05] in the treated compared with diabetics. Hydroalcoholic extract of U. dioica, before induction of diabetes; has protective role on seminiferous tubules alterations

Maternal folate and vitamin biz status and neural tube defects in northern Iran: a case control study

This study was conducted to determine the serum level in neural tube defects pregnancies [NTD] and healthy controls in Northern Iran. This case-control study was performed on women with neural tube defects pregnancies and controls with unaffected pregnancies in Northern Iran during 2006. Twenty three pregnant women whose pregnancies were diagnosed as NTD by a second-trimester ultrasonographic examination were recruited as cases. The control group [n=23] consisted of women who were selected among socio-economic status [SES] matched women who had a normal targeted ultrasound during the second trimester with documented normal fet al outcome. Fetal NTD was suspected with targeted second-trimester ultrasound during the 16[th] week of gestation and confirmed with high maternal serum a-fetoprotein levels. Folate, vitamin 812, homocysteine and alpha fetoprotein were evaluated after target ultrasonography. Serum alpha fetoprotein level [mean +/- SD] in cases and controls was 120.2 +/- 64.1 and[tm]50 +/- 33.5 iu /ml, respectively [P<0.05]. The mean +/- SD folate in cases and controls was 8.4 +/- 4.2 versus 9.3 +/- 4.2 ng/ml, respectively. This difference was not significant. Folate deficiency was found in 30.4% of the cases and 13% of the controls [OR = 2.9, 95%: 0.54-19.8]. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 13% of cases and 17.7% of the controls [OR=0.7, 95%: 0.1-4.9]. This study showed that the probability of having a newborn with NTDs in maternal folate deficiency is three times higher than with normal folate in Northern Iran

Serum copper concentration in newborns with neural tube defects in northern Iran; a case control study

This study was conducted to determine the eventual association between copper deficiency in newborns with neural tube defects [NTD] in Northern Iran. A high prevalence of neural tube defects has been reported from this region. This hospital based case control study was carried out on 13 newborns having neural tube defects and 35 healthy controls in Northern Iran during 2005-2006. Serum copper was measured by spectrophotometery. Serum copper level in newborns with NTD and healthy normal newborns was 16.5 [ +/- 7.2] micro mol/l and 16.7 [ +/- 6.6] micro mol/l, respectively. In case group 38.5% of newborns and in control group 28.6% had copper deficiency. Logistic regression analysis showed no association between the presence of NTD and copper deficiency [OR:1.6, 95% CI=0.3-7.1, P=0.5]. This study showed no association between NTD and copper deficiency in newborns

[ prevalence of TORCH antibodies among newborns with congenital malformations and their mothers in Gorgan, Iran]

Primary TORCH [Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus] and Treponema palidum infections in the mothers can lead to severe fetal anomalies. This study was done to explore the prevalance of TORCH antibodies in newborns with congenital malformations and their mothers in Gorgan-Iran. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was done on newborns with major congential malformations, during 20 months [2003-04] in Dezyani hospital- a referal gynecology center in Gorgan, in north of Iran. The blood sample of 64 newborns with congenital malformations and their mothers collected. Serologic testes were done on newborns and mothers' sera to determine IgM and IgG levels against rubella, toxoplasma gondeie, Cytomegalo virus, Herpes simplex type II with ELISA test. For Terponema palidum PRP test was used. Four of 64 infants [6%] had positive IgM antibody titers for Toxoplasma, Rubella, and Cytomegalovirus. Nine of mothers with affected newborns [14%] had positive IgM antibody titers for Toxoplasma, Rubella, and Cytomegalovirus. This study showed that the prevalance of TORCH antibodies are observed in 6% of birth defects, in this region

Effect of achiliea santolina on mice spermatogenesis

Achillea santolina, a common variety of Achillea in Golestan province of Iran has been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties. The effect of hydroalcoholic extract [300 mg/kg/day Intraperitoneally, for 20 days] of Achillea santolina on the spermatogenesis of mice was studied by the evaluation of morphologic characteristics by light microscope. The alterations observed were disorganized germ epithelium, exfoliation of immature germ cells, germ cell necrosis and increased number of metaphasfis in germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules. We concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Achillea santolina 300mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 20 days as a different variety of Achillea has antispermatogenic effect similar to Achillea millefolium on mice