Challenges with Adjuvant Radiation for Intracranial Chondrosarcoma in Pregnancy

Background: Managing a brain tumor during pregnancy is a highly confusing and challenging situation, complicated by several technical, medical, ethical, and sociocultural concerns. The interests of the mother and child are often pitted against each other, for which legal opinion may occasionally be needed. Case Report?We present the report of a young lady with intracranial well-differentiated chondrosarcoma who was determined to be pregnant in the immediate postoperative period. We discuss the management of challenges and dilemmas in devising optimum therapy, and the modifications and care required at each step to help safeguard maternal and fetal health. Risks with therapeutic radiation and measures to assess and pre-empt fetal doses that may assist decision-making are also discussed. Conclusion?Radiation therapy during pregnancy is challenging and requires multidisciplinary involvement and psychosocial support for the patient and family.

Turner syndrome with Madelung deformity, complex brachydactyly and ankylosing spondylitis: A case report / 中华骨科杂志

Turner syndrome (TS) complicated with Madelung deformity and complex brachydactyly are rare clinically, and it is even rarer to combine with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This article reports a case of a 36 year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital with "ankylosing spondylitis" due to repeated back, hip and knee pain for 11 years and aggravated for 1 month. After admission, the karyotype showed "46, X, i (Xq)" due to short stature, dysplasia of secondary sexual characteristics, limb deformity etc, thus confirming TS. Further examination revealed bilateral Madelung deformity and complex brachydactyly characterized by shortening of the fourth metacarpal, multiple missing and shortened middle phalanxes. By reviewing the relevant literature, we believe that autoimmune diseases such as AS should be excluded in TS patients. TS aggravates the inflammatory response of AS, but the combination of TS and AS is more likely to be an accidental event. Patients with Madelung deformity should be careful to exclude TS. Madelung deformity and shortening of the fourth metacarpal are mainly associated with haploinsufficiency of SHOX gene. Brachydactyly characterized by multiple loss and shortening of the middle phalanx may be a new clinical manifestation of TS, especially the karyotype of 46, X, i (Xq). It is possible that there are some genes on the short arm of X chromosome, which regulate the number, growth and development of fingers. Early estrogen replacement therapy can greatly benefit patients.

Malformaciones esqueléticas y alteraciones del crecimiento en fetos de ratas con diabetes moderada / Skeletal malformations and growth disturbances in fetuses of mild diabetic rats

Resumen Introducción. En la actualidad, la diabetes mellitus representa una de las condiciones médicas que complica el embarazo con mayor frecuencia, lo que afecta el crecimiento y el desarrollo fetal. Objetivo. Determinar las malformaciones esqueléticas y alteraciones en el crecimiento en fetos de ratas Wistar diabéticas. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó un modelo de diabetes moderada inducida neonatalmente con estreptozotocina (STZ 100 mg/kg de peso corporal, por vía subcutánea) en ratas Wistar. En la adultez, las ratas sanas y diabéticas se aparearon con machos sanos de la misma edad y cepa. El día 20 de gestación se practicó la cesárea bajo anestesia. Se extrajeron los fetos, se pesaron y clasificaron como pequeños (PAG), adecuados (AEG) o grandes (GEG) para la edad gestacional. Los fetos seleccionados se procesaron para el análisis de anomalías esqueléticas y sitios de osificación. Resultados. En la descendencia de las ratas diabéticas, hubo un mayor porcentaje de fetos clasificados como pequeños o grandes y un menor porcentaje de fetos con peso adecuado; el promedio de peso fetal fue menor y había menos sitios de osificación. Se observaron alteraciones en la osificación de cráneo, esternón, columna vertebral, costillas y extremidades anteriores y posteriores; y también, hubo una correlación directa entre el peso y el grado de osificación fetal. Hubo malformaciones congénitas asociadas con la fusión y bifurcación de las costillas, así como cambios indicativos de hidrocefalia, como la forma de domo del cráneo, una amplia distancia entre los parietales y la anchura de las fontanelas anterior y posterior. Conclusión. La diabetes moderada durante la gestación altera el crecimiento y el desarrollo fetal, que se ve afectado tanto por macrosomía y la restricción del crecimiento intrauterino como por malformaciones esqueléticas.

Abstract Introduction: Currently, diabetes mellitus represents one of the medical conditions that more frequently complicates pregnancy affecting the fetus's growth and development. Objective: To determine the skeletal malformations and growth alterations in fetuses of diabetic Wistar rats. Materials and methods: We used a neonatally streptozotocin-induced mild diabetes model (STZ 100 mg/kg body weight - subcutaneously) in Wistar rats. In adulthood, healthy and diabetic rats were mated with healthy males of the same age and strain. On day 20 of gestation, a cesarean was performed under anesthesia. Fetuses were removed, weighed, and classified as small (SPA), adequate (APA), and large (LPA) for the gestational age. Selected fetuses were processed for skeletal anomaly and ossification sites analysis. Results: In the offspring of diabetic rats, there was a higher percentage of fetuses classified as small or large and a lower percentage of fetuses with adequate weight; the fetal weight mean was lower and there were fewer sites of ossification. Alterations were observed in the ossification of the skull, sternum, spine, ribs and fore and hind limbs; and also, there was a direct correlation between fetal weight and ossification degree There were congenital malformations associated with fusion and bifurcation of the ribs, as well as changes indicative of hydrocephaly, such as the dome shape of the skull, a wide distance between parietals, and the width of the anterior and posterior fontanels. Conclusion: Moderate diabetes during pregnancy alters fetal growth and development with macrosomia and intrauterine growth restriction, as well as skeletal malformations.

Reporte de consumo de plantas medicinales en gestantes del Centro de Salud Viña Alta, La Molina. Lima, Perú

El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la frecuencia y la manera en que las plantas medicinales son empleadas por las gestantes del Centro de Salud Viña Alta del distrito de La Molina. En el estudio participaron veintiuna gestantes, quienes respondieron una encuesta, validada por expertos, sobre el uso de plantas medicinales. Se demostró que el 86,00 % de las gestantes utilizaron plantas medicinales, y que 67,00 % no consultó con un médico sobre su empleo. La manera más frecuente de consumo de las plantas medicinales fue la vía oral, en forma de infusiones. Las plantas medicinales más utilizadas fueron manzanilla, perejil, eucalipto, boldo, aloe, menta y ruda; y algunas de ellas mostraron efecto teratogénico, estimulante uterino, abortivo, entre otros. Es necesario conocer la cantidad real y la manera más frecuente en que las gestantes consumen las plantas medicinales, con la finalidad de clasificar estos productos de acuerdo al nivel de seguridad que ofrecen y promover el uso racional de la medicina tradicional para contribuir en la salud pública.

This research aimed to find out the frequency and ways of using medicinal plants by pregnant women treated at the Centro de Salud Viña Alta, located in La Molina district. Twenty-one (21) pregnant women voluntarily participated in the study, where they were administered an expert-validated survey regarding the use of medicinal plants. The results showed that 86 % of the pregnant women used medicinal plants and 67 % did not ask their doctor before using them. The most frequent way of using the medicinal plants was by oral intake as herbal teas. The most widely used medicinal plants were chamomile, parsley, eucalyptus, boldo, aloe, mint and rue, some of which produced a teratogenic effect, uterine stimulant action, abortifacient effect, among others. It is necessary to know the actual quantity and most frequent way of using medicinal plants by pregnant women to classify these products as for its safety level and promote the rational use of traditional medicine to contribute to public health.

Teratogenic effects of aqueous extract of Ficus glomerata leaf during embryonic development in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Over the past few decades, many reports were published in scientific journals describing medicinal properties of Ficusglomerata (FG). However, its effects on embryonic development and its safety characteristics have not been studied.The purpose of this investigation was to determine lethal concentration 50 (LC50) and study the effect of aqueousextract of FG leaf (AEFG) on developmental abnormalities in zebrafish embryos. LC50 value of AEFG was calculatedby using probit analysis. Effect on percentage hatchability, heartbeat rate, total body length, and developmentalmorphological abnormalities, i.e., delayed growth, abnormal movement, tail detachment, abnormal head-trunkangle, scoliosis/flexure, and yolk sac edema were recorded. AEFG revealed LC50 of 239.88 ppm. The result showeda significant reduction in percent hatchability (p < 0.05), heartbeat rate (p < 0.001), total body length (p < 0.001),and developmental morphological abnormalities in the embryos treated with AEFG. This research can be used inconsidering the safety of an AEFG extract for their use during pre-conception or early pregnancy period.

Advances in reproductive toxicity of uranium and its mechanism / 局解手术学杂志

Objective Uranium, as a heavy metal material, has been used in civil and military activities in China, but it has also caused environmental pollution and human injury.In order to understand and mitigate this injury, scholars studied the damage effect of uranium through building animal models, and found that when uranium enters the animal body, it will accumulate in the body and cause damage to the body, among which the main accumulation organs are kidneys, bones, reproductive organs and so on.Sensitive organs of the role of reproductive organs is uranium, which attracted the attention of the experts, and expand the uranium exposed reproductive toxicity research.They found that the degree of toxicity of uranium is related to the time, dose and mode of uranium exposure, under certain exposure conditions, by changing the sex hormone levels in vivo, the expression of genes or proteins related to the reproductive disorders and excessive produce the mechanism, such as oxidative stress on the toxicity effect, decrease of childbirth pregnant, related to germ cell pathological histology change, and produce genetic reproductive toxicity to the offspring etc., which affect the reproductive system function, damage the health of the body.

Molecular aspects of the teratogenesis of rubella virus

Rubella or German measles is an infection caused by rubella virus (RV). Infection of children and adults is usually characterized by a mild exanthematous febrile illness. However, RV is a major cause of birth defects and fetal death following infection in pregnant women. RV is a teratogen and is a major cause of public health concern as there are more than 100,000 cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) estimated to occur every year. Several lines of evidence in the field of molecular biology of RV have provided deeper insights into the teratogenesis process. The damage to the growing fetus in infected mothers is multifactorial, arising from a combination of cellular damage, as well as its effect on the dividing cells. This review focuses on the findings in the molecular biology of RV, with special emphasis on the mitochondrial, cytoskeleton and the gene expression changes. Further, the review addresses in detail, the role of apoptosis in the teratogenesis process.

Embriopatía por isotretinoína: Una entidad que puede evitarse / Isotretinoin embryopathy: An entity that can be avoided

La isotretinoína es el medicamento más efectivo en el tratamiento del acné noduloquístico recalcitrante grave. Sin embargo, el tratamiento con este fármaco se encuentra asociado con efectos adversos, y el más grave es la teratogénesis. Se ha estimado que 40% de los embarazos expuestos a isotretinoína presenta un aborto espontáneo y 35% desarrolla embriopatía. Se presenta el caso de un recién nacido con antecedente de exposición prenatal a isotretinoína, una entidad clínica que puede evitarse, con graves defectos congénitos en el sistema nervioso central e importantes dismorfias faciales, con evolución clínica desfavorable.

Isotretinoin is the most effective drug in the treatment of severe recalcitrant nodulocystic acne. However, treatment with this drug is associated with adverse effects, the most severe being teratogenesis. It has been estimated that 40% of pregnancies exposed to isotretinoin present spontaneous abortion and 35% develop embryopathy. We present the case of a newborn with a history of prenatal exposure to isotretinoin, a clinical entity that can be avoided, with severe congenital defects in the central nervous system and important facial dysmorphisms, with unfavorable clinical course.

Malformações em pequenos ruminantes no semiárido da Bahia: aspectos epidemiológicos, clínico-patológicos e radiológicos / Malformations in small ruminants in the semi-arid region of Bahia: epidemiological, clinical-pathological and radiological aspects

O objetivo do presente trabalho é descrever os principais aspectos epidemiológicos, clínico-patológicos e radiológicos de malformações em pequenos ruminantes no semiárido do estado da Bahia. Foram realizadas visitas técnicas em 41 propriedades rurais no município de Uauá, Bahia, e em cada uma delas foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico. Adicionalmente, quando se observavam casos de malformações, os animais eram avaliados vivos ou mortos. Foram necropsiados oito animais (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 e 8), e dois (7 e 8) foram submetidos a exame radiográfico. Sobre a alimentação do rebanho, 40 (97,56%) produtores rurais relataram o livre acesso de seus animais à vegetação nativa. Em relação à presença de Mimosa tenuiflora, 5 (12,2%) informaram que os animais tinham acesso à planta, 15 (36,6 %) disseram que tinham pouco contato, enquanto que 21 (51,2 %) relataram que não havia nenhum contato com a planta, pois essa espécie não estava presente em número relevante na região. Vinte e cinco dos 41 proprietários (60,98%) relataram o consumo de Poincianella pyramidalis. Foi constatado ainda que na maioria das propriedades havia muitas áreas invadidas por P. pyramidalis (80-90% da vegetação). As principais anormalidades relatadas pelos entrevistados em 36 propriedades foram artrogripose (87,80%), agnatia [22 (53,66%)], desvio lateral da mandíbula [11 (26,82%)], escoliose [6 (14,63%)], micrognatia [6 (14,63%)], fenda palatina [4 (9,75%)], crânio aumentado de tamanho [4 (9,75%)], microftalmia [2 (4,88%)], braquignatismo [1 (2,43%)], exoftalmia [1 (2,43%)] e deformidades múltiplas no crânio [1 (2,43%)]. No exame clínico de 13 animais com malformações, as principais alterações foram artrogripose bilateral dos membros torácicos (6/13); queilosquise (2/13); micrognatia (1/13) e má oclusão dentária (1/13). Considerando que algumas dessas malformações foram reproduzidas experimentalmente em caprinos pode-se sugerir P. pyramidalis como mais uma planta teratogênica para ruminantes no Nordeste do Brasil.(AU)

The aim of this paper is to describe the epidemiological, clinical-pathological and radiological aspects of malformations in small ruminants in the semi-arid state of Bahia. Technical visits were carried out in 41 rural properties in the city of Uauá, Bahia, and in each of them, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied. In addition, when malformations were observed, the animals were evaluated alive or dead. Eight animals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) were necropsied, and two (7 and 8) were submitted to radiographic examination. Regarding the feeding of the herd, 40 (97.56%) farmers reported the free access of their animals to the native vegetation. Regarding the presence of Mimosa tenuiflora, 5 (12.2%) said that the animals had access to the plant, 15 (36.6%) was informed they had little contact, while 21 (51.2%) reported that there was no contact with the plant, because this species were not present in a relevant number in the region. Twenty five out of 41 owners (60.98%) reported the consumption of Poincianella pyramidalis. It was also verified that in the majority of the properties there were many areas invaded by P. pyramidalis (80-90% of the vegetation). The main abnormalities reported by the interviewees on 36 properties were arthrogryposis (87.80%), agnatia [22 (53.66%)], lateral deviation of the mandible [11 (26.82%)], scoliosis [6 (14.63%)], micrognathia [6 (14.63%)], cleft palate [4 (9.75%)], skull enlarged in size [4 (9.75%)], microphthalmia [2 (4.88%)], braquignatism [1 (2.43%)], exophthalmia [1 (2.43%)] and, multiple deformities in the skull [1 (2.43%)]. In the clinical examination of 13 animals with malformations, the main alterations were bilateral arthrogryposis of the thoracic limbs (6/13); cleft lip (2/13); micrognathia (1/13) and dental malocclusion (1/13). Considering that some of these malformations were reproduced experimentally in goats, it is possible to suggest P. pyramidalis as another teratogenic plant for ruminants in Northeast Brazil.(AU)

Successful pregnancy and delivery in a patient with Niemaoh-Pick disease after liver transplantation: report of one case and literature review / 器官移植

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of patient diagnosed with Niemaoh-Pick disease being pregnant after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of one case of type B Niemaoh-Pick disease being pregnant after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Results The patient successfully underwent liver transplantation combined with splenic artery ligation on July 8, 2011. She was well recovered postoperatively. After surgery, she received conventional anti-rejection treatment, and gradually switched to use of tacrolimus at a dosage of 2.5 mg/d. The serum drug concentration was maintained at 2 ng/mL. In September 2015, she was successfully pregnant. On June 2, 2016, she delivered a male infant through cesarean section. She could breastfeed the infant in a low quantity early after delivery. Both the mother and infant were followed up until submission date. The mother was physically stable and the infant grew normally. Conclusions Patients diagnosed with Niemaoh-Pick disease can obtain favorable clinical outcomes of pregnancy and delivery after liver transplantation.

Lateral closing wedge osteotomy and modified cross pinning with external tension band fixation in the treatment of cubitus varus deformity in childrenLateral closing wedge osteotomy and modified cross pinning with external tension band fixation in the treatment of cubitus varus deformity in children / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effects of distal humeral lateral closing wedge osteotomy followed by modified pinning combined with external tension band fixation in the treatment of cubitus varus deformity in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total 26 adult patients with cubitus varus deformity were treated by operation from March 2011 to June 2015, 15 patients were boys and the other 11 patients were girls, ranging in age from 4 to 13 years, with an average of 7.8 years. The cubitus varus angel ranged from 11 degrees to 24 degrees, with a mean(17.50±6.73) degrees, 3 patients complicated more than 10 degrees constriction of flexion. Lateral closing wedge osteotomy retaining the medial 3 to 4 mm intact cortex by lateral elbow approach was applied in these 26 patients. The wedge defect were closed and fixed by crossing pinning. The lateral column compression was achieved with external tension band(the crossing pins were bended laterally and the pin ends were hooked mutually). The pre-operative, post-oparetive and contralateral carrying angles were compared and Laupattarakasem criteria was used to evaluate the results at follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients got bony union 2 months after operation and there was no infection or nerve palsy. The average follow-up period was 18.8 months (ranged, 13 to 29 months). The carrying angle was restored to(11.50±3.17) degrees(ranged, 8 to 14 degrees). According to the Laupattarakasem evaluation criteria, 14 patients got an excellent result, 13 good and 1 fair.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Normal carrying angle and elbow flexion could be restored by lateral closing wedge osteotomy, and stable fixation could be achieved with crossing pinning and external tension band, which is available for early mobilization.</p>

Teratogenicity of Antiepileptic Drugs

OBJECTIVE: Antiepileptic drugs (AED) have chronic teratogenic effects, the most common of which are congenital heart disease, cleft lip/palate, urogenital and neural tube defects. The aim of our study is to examine teratogenic effects of AED and the correlation between these malformations and AED in single or multiple pregnancies. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of malformations in children born to mothers currently followed up by our outpatient clinics who used or discontinued AED during their pregnancy. Their children were then investigated using echocardiography, urinary ultrasound, cranial magnetic resonance image, and examined by geneticists and pediatric dentists. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen children were included in the study. Ninety one of these children were exposed to AED during pregnancy. The most commonly used AED were valproic acid and carbamazepine in monotherapy. The percentage of major anomaly was 6.8% in all children. Dysmorphic features and dental anomalies were observed more in children exposed especially to valproic acid. There were 26 mothers with two and four mothers with three pregnancies from the same fathers. No correlation was found between the distribution of malformations in recurring pregnancies and AED usage. CONCLUSION: Our study has the highest number of dysmorphism examined in literature, found in all the children exposed to valproic acid, which may account for the higher rate of facial dysmorphism and dental anomalies. On lower doses of valproic acid, major malformations are not seen, although the risk increases with polytherapy. Our data also indicate possible effects of genetic and environmental factors on malformations.

Caudal regression syndrome (sirenomelia) and its pathogenesis correlation: a case report.

Congenital anomaly characterized by an abnormal development of caudal region of the body with different degrees of fusion of lower extremities, bears resemblance of Sirenomelia or mermaid of Greek Mythology. This type of deformity is also known as Symmelia, Symposia, Sympus, Uromelia and Monopodia. It is associated with the single umbilical artery. It is associated with severe malformations of urogenital i.e. renal agenesis and absence of both internal and external genitalia. The aim of this study is to present, a rare congenital malformation Sirenomelia. In this context, we report a case of Sirenomelia illustrating the prenatal sonographic and pathological features. In our study 25 years old primigravida gave birth to still born full term baby, sex could not be identified. The specimen was collected from private nursing home at Ongole, no relevant history of consanguineous marriage or tobacco smoking or drugs taking etc. Fetal USG, X-ray & CT were taken after birth. Fetal autopsy was done; the gonad, thymus and umbilical cord were sent to histopathological examination. The etiopathogenesis and characteristic features of Sirenomelia were discussed with the findings and review of the literature.

Exposure of pregnant rats to shortwave electromagnetic athermal radiation does not adversely affect their fetuses / Exposição de ratas prenhes a ondas curtas de radiação eletromagnética atérmica não afeta adversamente os seus fetos

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether shortwave electromagnetic radiation in pulsed mode with a frequency of 45 Hz, promotes teratogenic changes, stillbirths and changes in organ weight at birth in the fetuses of pregnant rats exposed to this radiation. METHOD: Ten black Macole pregnant female rats were studied, 5 in a test group, subjected to electromagnetic radiation with an average power of 4.5 W for 15 minutes, on a daily basis, during the entire period of pregnancy and 5 in a control group that was not exposed to radiation. At day 21, the animals were euthanized for analysis of fetuses. To assess the thermal effect of the radiation the abdominal temperature was measured before and after application, together with prevailing ambient temperature. The fetuses were evaluated through the Galant reflex to assess the existence of stillbirths. The fetuses were removed and weighed; through a midline laparotomy their hearts, stomachs, kidneys and livers were excised and weighed, wet and dry. Twenty-nine fetuses were harvested in the control group and 59 in the test group, with no cases of stillbirth, teratogenesis or malformation of internal organs. RESULTS: The analysis found no differences in birthweight and weight of dehydrated organs when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The results in our findings suggest that exposure to shortwave therapy without significant heat buildup, does not lead to teratogenic changes and did not affect the mass and weight of dehydrated internal organs.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se a radiação eletromagnética de ondas curtas em modo pulsado com uma frequência de 45 Hz, promove mudanças teratogênicos, natimortos, mudanças no peso do órgão ao nascimento em fetos de ratas grávidas expostas a essa radiação. METODO: Foram estudados dez ratas grávidas da raça Marcole, cinco num grupo teste, submetidas a radiação eletromagnética com uma potência média de 4,5W, durante 15 minutos, diariamente, durante todo o período da gravideze cinco num grupo controle, não expostas a radiação. No 21º dia, os animais foram sacrificados para análise dos fetos. Para avaliar o efeito da radiação térmica, a temperatura abdominal foi medida antes e depois da aplicação, em conjunto com a temperatura ambiente prevalente. Os fetos foram submetidos ao reflexo de Galant para avaliara existênciade natimortos. Os fetos foram removidos e pesados; através de uma laparotomia mediana seus corações, estômagos, rins e fígados foram extirpados e pesados, frescose secos. RESULTADOS: Vinte e nove fetos foram colhidos no grupo controle e 59 no grupo de teste, sem casos de natimortos, teratogênese ou malformação dos órgãos internos. A análise não encontrou diferenças no peso ao nascer e peso de órgãos desidratados quando comparados com o grupo controle. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem que a exposição a terapia de ondas curtas, sem o acúmulo significativo de calor, não levou a alterações teratogênicos e não afetou o peso dos fetos ou o peso dos órgãos internos desidratados.

Comparison of teratogenecity induced by nano- and micro-sized particles of zinc oxide in cultured mouse embryos / 대한수의학회지

The increasing uses of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) in industrial and personal care products raise possible danger of using nZnO in human. To determine whether ZnO induces size-dependent anomalies during embryonic organogenesis, mouse embryos on embryonic day 8.5 were cultured for 2 days under 50, 100, and 150 microg of nZnO (< 100 nm) or micro-sized ZnO (mZnO; 80 +/- 25 microm), after which the morphological changes, cumulative quantity of Zn particles, and expressions of antioxidant and apoptotic genes were investigated. Although embryos exposed to 50 microg of ZnO exhibited no defects on organogenesis, embryos exposed to over 100 microg of ZnO showed increasing anomalies. Embryos treated with 150 microg of nZnO revealed significant changes in Zn absorption level and morphological parameters including yolk sac diameter, head length, flexion, hindbrain, forebrain, branchial bars, maxillary process, mandibular process, forelimb, and total score compared to the same dose of mZnO-treated embryos. Furthermore, CuZn-superoxide dismutase, cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and phospholipid hydroperoxidase GPx mRNA levels were significantly decreased, but caspase-3 mRNA level was greatly increased in nZnO-treated embryos as compared to normal control embryos. These findings indicate that nZnO has severer teratogenic effects than mZnO in developing embryos.

Etanol e isopropanol: genotoxicidad y teratogénesis evaluada aplicando el modelo de Drosophila melanogaster / Ethanol and isopropanol: genotoxicity and teratogenicity evaluated using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system

El etanol y el isopropanol son, de los alcoholes alifáticos de cadena corta, los más frecuentemente asociados a la actividad humana tanto a nivel industrial como en el entorno doméstico. En este trabajo se presentan los principales hallazgos reportados en la literatura para ensayos de genotoxicidad y teratogénesis en modelos experimentales de distinto nivel de complejidad, con especial énfasis en Drosophila melanogaster. El metabolismo de estos alcoholes es semejante en Drosophila y en humanos por lo cual la mosca es un buen modelo in vivo para la evaluación de sus potenciales efectos tóxicos, genotóxicos y teratogénicos.

Ethanol and isopropanol are two of the short chain aliphatic alcohols more frequently associated to the human environment, both in the industrial and domestic conditions. The aim of this work was to present the main findings reported in the literature about their genotoxicity and teratogenicity in experimental models of different level of complexity, with special emphasis in Drosophila melanogaster. Taking into account that the metabolism of both alcohols in Drosophila and humans is similar, the fly is a good model for the evaluation of their potentially toxic, genotoxic and teratogenic effects.

Efeitos teratogênicos de Prosopis juliflora em ratos e análise da toxicidade das vagens / Teratogenic effects of Prosopis juliflora in rats and analysis of the toxicity of the pods

Objetivou-se com este estudo determinar os possíveis efeitos teratogênicos de Prosopis juliflora, verificar se existe perda da toxicidade entre vagens armazenadas e recém-coletadas e determinar se existe diferença de toxicidade entre as vagens coletadas em diferentes localidades. Trinta ratas prenhes da linhagem Wistar foram separadas, aleatoriamente, em cinco grupos: um controle (G1) e quatro experimentais (G2, G3, G4 e G5). Os animais dos grupos G2 e G3 foram alimentados com ração contendo 70% de vagens de P. juliflora recém-coletadas em dois municípios diferentes. Os grupos G4 e G5 foram alimentados com ração preparada com vagens das mesmas procedências, porém armazenadas por um período de 6 meses. O grupo controle recebeu ração sem vagens de P. juliflora. No grupo controle o número de malformações por ninhada (1,16 ± 0,98) foi significativamente menor do que os dos grupos experimentais (14,00 ± 2,96, 6,16 ± 2,22, 7,66 ± 2,94 e 4,66 ± 1,63 para os grupos G2, G3, G4 e G5, respectivamente) indicando que a planta é teratogênica. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na frequência de malformações e no número de fetos nascidos entre os grupos que receberam vagens de diferentes localidades. No entanto, o número de malformações nos grupos que receberam as vagens recém-colhidas (65,80 ± 21,20 a, 67,59 ± 18,10 a), foi significativamente maior que o observado nas ratas que receberam as vagens após o armazenamento (35,74±10,10b, 21,85±5,13c) sugerindo que o efeito teratogênico da planta diminui durante o armazenamento. Conclui-se que as vagens de P. juliflora são teratogênicas para ratas Wistar e que a fetoxicidade das mesmas diminui com o armazenamento.(AU)

The objective of this study was to determine the possible teratogenic effects of Prosopis juliflora, check if there is a loss in toxicity between pods stored and newly collected and determine whether there are differences in toxicity between the pods collected in different localities. Thirty pregnant female Wistar rats were randomly separated into five groups: a control (G1) and four experimental (G2, G3, G4 and G5), each with six animals. The animals in groups G2 and G3 were fed diets containing 70% of pods of P. juliflora newly collected in two different municipalities. The groups G4 and G5 were fed beans prepared with the same origins, but stored for a period of 6 months. The control group received the same diet without pods of P. juliflora. In the control group the number of defects per litter (1.16 ± 0.98) was significantly lower than the experimental groups (14.00 ± 2.96, 6.16 ± 2.22, 7.66 ± 2.94 and 4.66 ± 1.63 for G2, G3, G4 and G5, respectively) indicating that the plant is teratogenic. No significant differences were observed in the frequency of malformations and number of fetuses born between groups receiving pods from different locations. However, the number of defects in the groups who received the freshly harvested pods was significantly different from the number observed in rats that received the beans after storage, suggesting that the teratogenic effect of the plant decreases during storage. We conclude that the pods of P. juliflora are teratogenic for Wistar rats and that the teratogenicity decreases with storage.(AU)

Effect of feeding graded doses of Citrinin on clinical and teratology in female Wistar rats.

Citrinin is the one of the well-known mycotoxins, which is possibly spread all over the world. The graded doses of citrinin (1, 3 and 5 ppm CIT in feed) in female Wistar rats 10 weeks prior to mating, during mating and during organogenesis resulted in resorptions and post implantation losses, decreased fetal body weights and crown-rump lengths in fetuses of all groups. Various developmental anomalies recorded in fetuses of treated rats included gross (wrist drop, curled tail, stretched forelimb, subcutaneous haematoma), skeletal (incomplete ossification of skull bones, incomplete fusion of vertebral bodies, complete and partial agenesis of sternaebrae, metacarpals, metatarsals and phalanges, fused ribs and swing out ribs) and visceral (internal and external hydrocephalus, cerebellar hypoplasia, microphthalmia, roundening of heart, contracted kidneys, dilated renal pelvis and cryptorchid testes). The results suggest that CIT has adverse effects on fetal development which may be due to the longer bioavailability of citrinin in the animals.

Síndrome de Moebius, comunicación interventricular asociado a exposición prenatal a misoprostol / Moebius Syndrome, ventricular septal defect due to prenatal exposure to misoprostol

Introducción: El síndrome o secuencia de Moebius se caracteriza por la afectación del nervio facial y nervio abducens y puede estar asociado a defectos congênitos orofaciales y de las extremidades. Adicionalmente en las dos últimas décadas se han reortada una posible asociación con exposición prenatal a misoprostol. Objetivo: Presentar un caso de síndrome de Moebius con cardiopatía compleja (comunicación interventricular y pseudocoartación de aorta) asociado a exposición prenatal a misoprostol. Caso clínico: Paciente de 5 años quien consulta por antecedente de retardo en el desarrollo psicomotor, anomalías craneofaciales, cardiacas y de las extremidades, con antecedente de exposición prenatal a misoprostol, a quien se le diagnóstica síndrome de Moebius. Conclusiones: Aunque la etiología de este síndrome no es clara, un mecanismo fisiopatológico involucrado es el de la hipoxia que puede ser secundario a la exposición prenatal a misoprostol.

Introduction: Moebius syndrome/sequence is characterized by facial and abducens nerve damage and may be associated with congenital orofacial and limb defects. Additionally, in the last two decades, a possible association with prenatal exposure to misoprostol has been reported. Objective: To present a case of Moebius Syndrome with complex heart disease (ventricular septal defect and pseudocoarctation of the aorta) associated with prenatal exposure to misoprostol. Case report: A 5 year old patient diagnosed with Moebius Syndrome who consulted specialists due to psychomotor retardation, craniofacial, heart and limb defects, and with a history of prenatal exposure to misoprostol is presented. Conclusions: Although the etiology of this syndrome is not clear, hypoxia is a pathophysiological mechanism involved, which can be secondary to prenatal exposure to misoprostol.

Chlorophyllin in the intra-uterine development of mice exposed or not to cyclophosphamide / Clorofilina no desenvolvimento intra-uterino de camundongos expostos ou não à ciclofosfamida

Chlorophyllin, a sodium-copper salt synthesized from chlorophyll, has already proved to have anticlastogenic, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity, however few are the studies in the teratogenicity area. The present study evaluated the effects of chlorophyllin in intra- uterine development of mice exposed or not to cyclophosphamide. Pregnant females were divided into 8 groups of 15 animals each, G01 - PBS (0.1 mL 10.0-1 g) orally; G02 ­ cyclophosphamide (20.0 mg kg-1) i.p.; G03, G04 and G05 - chlorophyllin at concentrations of (5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg kg-1) orally; G06, G07 and G08 (5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg kg -1) orally, of chlorophyllin, respectively, and (20.0 mg kg-1) i.p. of cyclophosphamide. In the 18th day the females were submitted to laparotomy and females and fetuses analyzed. The results showed that the chlorophyllin was not effective in protecting the reproductive parameters as well as teratogenicity. Finally, it was observed that the presence of chlorophyllin increased the frequency of some malformations when combined with cyclophosphamide. However, it was not teratogenic and not embryo lethal in this experimental design.

Clorofilina é um sal de cobre e sódio sintetizado a partir da clorofila. Provou-se ter atividade anticlastogênica, antimutagênica e anticarcinogênica. No entanto, poucos são os estudos sobre esta substância na área de teratologia. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho avaliou os efeitos da clorofilina no desenvolvimento intrauterino de camundongos expostos ou não à ciclofosfamida. Para tal, fêmeas prenhez foram divididas em oito grupos experimentais contendo 15 animais cada: G01 - PBS (0,1 mL 10.0-1 g) via oral; G02 - ciclofosfamida (20,0 mg kg-1), intraperitoneal; G03, G04 e G05 - clorofilina em concentrações de (5,0; 10,0 e 15,0 mg kg-1) via oral; G06, G07 e G08 (5,0, 10,0 e 15,0 mg kg-1) via oral, de clorofilina, respectivamente, e 20,0 mg kg-1, via intraperitoneal, de ciclofosfamida. No 18º dia de gestação, os animais foram submetidos à laparotomia e os fetos, analisados para parâmetros teratogênicos. Os resultados mostraram que a clorofilina não foi eficaz para proteger os parâmetros reprodutivos, bem como a teratogenicidade. Finalmente, foi observado que a clorofilina quando combinada com a ciclofosfamida aumentou a frequência de algumas malformações. No entanto, a clorofilina não se apresentou teratogênica e nem letal para este desenho experimental.