[Synergistic effects of vitamin A and extremely low frequency electromagnetic field [50HZ] on limb bud development in balb/c mouse]

Vitamin A is involved in vertebrate morphogenesis, growth, cellular differentiation, and tissue homeostasis. Vitamin A and its metabolites are essential for adequate embryo development. Electromagnetic fields [EMFs] have been used effectively to treat some diseases, such as certain musculoskeletal and chondrogenic disorders. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of EMFs and Vitamin A on limb bud development in Balb/C mice in vivo. The Balb/C mice were used as experimental model. After mating, the pregnant mice were divided randomly into 3 groups as control, sham and experimental groups. Control and experimental groups received a single dose injection of Vitamin A [15000IU/Kg] on 10.5[th] gestational day, interaperitonealy. In addition, animals in experimental group were exposed to EMFs [50 Hz /100 gauss, for 4[th] during three days]. The animals were killed on the 15.5[th] day of gestation and were submitted to caesarian section. The obtained fetuses were examined externally with an analyzed under a stereoscopic microscope and were photographed. Data were analyzed statistically by t-test and ANOVA and Ktuskal-Wallis. Morphological and histological examinations showed significant changes in limb buds as compared with sham exposed and control groups. In both fore and hind limb buds significant decrease obtained in proximo-distal [P-D] and anterior posterior [A-P] axes [P<0.05]. Chondrocytes counts revealed a significant delay in the development of chondrocytes in experimental groups as compared with sham exposed and control groups [P<0.05]. Synergistic effects of vitamin A and extremely low frequency electromagnetic field [50Hz] cause delay in development

Curcumin inhibits cellular condensation and alters microfilament organization during chondrogenic differentiation of limb bud mesenchymal cells

Curcumin is a well known natural polyphenol product isolated from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa, anti-inflammatory agent for arthritis by inhibiting synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins. However, the mechanisms by which curcumin regulates the functions of chondroprogenitor, such as proliferation, precartilage condensation, cytoskeletal organization or overall chondrogenic behavior, are largely unknown. In the present report, we investigated the effects and signaling mechanism of curcumin on the regulation of chondrogenesis. Treating chick limb bud mesenchymal cells with curcumin suppressed chondrogenesis by stimulating apoptotic cell death. It also inhibited reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton into a cortical pattern concomitant with rounding of chondrogenic competent cells and down-regulation of integrin beta1 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation. Curcumin suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt leading to Akt inactivation. Activation of Akt by introducing a myristoylated, constitutively active form of Akt reversed the inhibitory actions of curcumin during chondrogenesis. In summary, for the first time, we describe biological properties of curcumin during chondrogenic differentiation of chick limb bud mesenchymal cells. Curcumin suppressed chondrogenesis by stimulating apoptotic cell death and down-regulating integrin-mediated reorganization of actin cytoskeleton via modulation of Akt signaling.

Brote de tosferina, municipio de sincelejo departamento de sucre, Colombia, 2008 / Whooping cough outbreak in the town in sincelejo, Colombia, 2008

Antecedentes: la tosferina es una enfermedad respiratoria aguda de una alta transmisibilidad sobre todo en ámbitos intrafamiliares o intradomiciliarios.En febrero de 2008, fue informado un brote de tosferina con casos confirmados por nexo epidemiológico, algunos de los cuales no presentaban vacunación certificada y se carecía de claridad sobre sus características clínico-epidemiológicas para determinar el comportamiento de la enfermedad.Materiales y Métodos:estudio descriptivo de corte transversal.Se estableció la definición de caso confirmado por laboratorio y confirmado por nexo epidemiológico; además, se realizó búsqueda activa comunitaria e institucional, barrido de vacunación y monitoreo rápido de coberturas de vacunación y establecimiento de medidas quimio-profilácticas.Resultados:se confirmó un caso por laboratorio y 4 por nexo epidemiológico.Período de incubación =16,2 días; tasa de ataque total para las dos viviendas implicadas 33 por ciento (5/15).De las 52 casas visitadas, 42 fueron efectivas, no se presentó ausentismo de niños en las instituciones visitadas y se evidenció 100 por ciento de cobertura para DPT.De 24170 registros revisados, 3227 tenían diagnóstico compatible, 17 fueron clasificados como probables de tosferina, 7 investigados.Conclusiones:existen dificultades en la captación de casos de tosferina, subnotificación al SIVIGILA y dificultades en el diagnóstico por laboratorio para el aislamiento de la bacteria; se hace necesario reforzar la vigilancia del evento por parte de todas instituciones de salud y fortalecer la capacidad del laboratorio de salud pública...

Prenatal Diagnosis of A Case of Fetus in Fetu in the Fetal Retroperitoneum / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Fetus in fetu is a very rare congenital abnormality in which one vertebrate fetus is enclosed within the abdomen of another fetus. With advancing ultrasound imaging technique, a few case of prenatal diagnosis is reported recently. A case of fetus in fetu with 6 X 6 X 4 cm sized cystic mass in the fetal retroperitoneum was diagnosed prenatally using ultrasound and confirmed by ultrasound and computer tomogram after delivery. This mass was removed completely from delivered baby and finally confirmed fetus in fetu by pathologic examination. Solid portion in this mass was composed of vertebral organization with limb bud, well-developed organ system.

A study on chondrogenic potential in mandibular and limb bud mesenchymal cells of human embryos : A possible role of protein kinase C / 대한치과교정학회지

We have examined the in vitro stage-related chondrogenic potential of human mandibular and limb bud mesenchyme cells using micromass culture, Our results indicate that limb bud mesenchyme cells as early as stage 16 by Carnegie system (37 days), well before the initiation of in vivo chondrogenesis, have chondrogenic potential which is expressed in micromass culture, These results are correlated with stage-related chondrogenic potential of human limb bud in vivo as a result of Alcian blue staining. The proliferation of chondrogenic cells increased in the first 3 days after culture and then decreased. These results were correlated with the cell cycle analysis of which the number of G degrees/G1 phase increased markedly after 3 days of culture, while the percentage of cells in S phase was decreased, On the other hand, it was rarely differentiated in the mandible. We examined the effects of two PKC modulators such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent activator of PKC, and staurosporine (STSN), an inhibitor of PKC. PMA inhibited the chondrogenesis, whereas STSN promoted the chondrogenesis in a dose dependent manner. In addition, PMA exerted no inhibitory effect when the cells were pretreated for 24 h with STSN, implying that the chondrogenic events might be settled at an early step in vitro and PKC may act as a negative modulator, Collectively, these results demonstrate, for the first time, the stage-related chondrogenic potential of human mandibular and limb bud mesenchyme cells and the role of PKC during chondrogenesis in vitro & in vivo.

Human Embryos of Carnegie Stage 13 / 체질인류학회지

Three cases of human embryo of Carnegie stage 13 were described. The CR length of these embryos were 3.0-5.3mm. The authors made a reconstruction model using photograph, photocopy and computer. These embryos were characterized externally by 4 limb buds and 4 pairs of branchial arches, and internally closed otic pits, appearance of venous valves, septum primum and foramen primum in the heart, beginning of the right and left lung buds, appearance of lens disk.