Autopsy findings of a child with left atrial isomerism associated with pulmonary agenesis / Achados de autópsia de uma criança com isomerismo atrial esquerdo associado à agenesia pulmonar

ABSTRACT Isomerism is a rare laterality defect. Our aim was to describe the autopsy findings of a child with left atrial isomerism (LAI) and pulmonary agenesis (PA), an association still not described in the literature. Fetal ultrasound revealed right renal agenesis, single umbilical artery and polyhydramnios. Echocardiography revealed a complex heart defect with LAI. The child died minutes after birth. Autopsy confirmed the prenatal findings and revealed the presence of unilateral PA, complex vascular abnormalities and polysplenia. Despite its rarity, health professionals should be aware for the possibility of such an association.

RESUMO O isomerismo é um defeito de lateralidade raro. Nosso objetivo foi descrever os achados da autópsia de uma criança com isomerismo atrial esquerdo (IAE) e agenesia pulmonar (AP), uma associação ainda não descrita na literatura. A ultrassonografia fetal revelou agenesia renal direita, artéria umbilical única e polidrâmnio; a ecocardiografia apresentou defeito cardíaco complexo com IAE. A criança morreu minutos após o nascimento. A autópsia confirmou os achados pré-natais e revelou a presença de agenesia pulmonar unilateral, anormalidades vasculares complexas e polisplenia. Apesar de sua raridade, profissionais da saúde devem estar cientes da possibilidade dessa associação.

Uncommon disturbance of root development after tooth replantation: five-year follow-up period case report / Trastorno del desarrollo radicular poco frecuente posterior a reimplante dentario: reporte de caso con 5 años de seguimiento

To present an uncommon disturbance of root development with ingrowth of bone and periodontal tissue into the pulp space in a delayed replanted immature permanent incisor at five years of follow-up. Severe arrest of root formation with uncommon healing of an immature permanent maxillary incisor after delayed replantation is reported. Continued development of a tooth root separate from the body of the tooth was not observed. A 6-year-old girl sustained an avulsion injury to her upper left central permanent incisor. The tooth was replanted and splinted 2 hours after the accident. Patient has been monitored clinically and with radiography for 5 years. The periodontal tissues presented good healing without replacement resorption. However, severe arrest of root formation with development of hard-like tissue and internal periodontal ligament inside the pulp canal have been observed. Despite being a delayed tooth replantation, the patient has been asymptomatic, and has maintained alveolar bone volume. Clinicians must be vigilant and monitor traumatized immature teeth closely.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue presentar una alteración poco frecuente del desarrollo de la raíz con el crecimiento del tejido óseo y periodontal en el espacio pulpar en un incisivo permanente inmaduro reimplantado de manera tardía, a los cinco años de seguimiento.Se observó una suspensión severa de la formación de raíces con cicatrización poco común, de un incisivo maxilar permanente inmaduro después de una reimplantación tardía. No se observó el desarrollo continuo de la raíz dentaria separada del diente. Una niña de 6 años de edad sufrió una lesión por avulsión en su incisivo central superior izquierdo. El diente fue replantado dos horas después del accidente. La paciente ha sido monitoreada clínicamente y con exámenes radiológicos durante 5 años. Los tejidos periodontales presentaron buena cicatrización sin reabsorción de reemplazo. Sin embargo, se ha observado una detención severa de la formación de las raíces, con desarrollo de tejido duro y ligamento periodontal interno dentro del canal pulpar. A pesar de ser una reimplantación tardía del diente, la paciente presenta asintomática, y ha mantenido el volumen del hueso alveolar. Los médicos deben estar atentos y mantener en observación los dientes inmaduros traumatizados.

β-defensins and the epididymis: Contrasting influences of prenatal, postnatal, and adult scenarios / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

β-defensins are components of host defense, with antimicrobial and pleiotropic immuno-modulatory properties. Research over the last 15 years has demonstrated abundant expression of a variety of β-defensins in the postnatal epididymis of different species. A gradient of region- and cell-specific expression of these proteins is observed in the epithelium of the postnatal epididymis. Their secretion into the luminal fluid and binding to spermatozoa as they travel along the epididymis has suggested their involvement in reproduction-specific tasks. Therefore, continuous attention has been given to various β-defensins for their role in sperm function and fertility. Although β-defensins are largely dependent on androgens, the underlying mechanisms regulating their expression and function in the epididymis are not well understood. Recent investigation has pointed out to a new and interesting scenario where β-defensins emerge with a different expression pattern in the Wolffian duct, the embryonic precursor of the epididymis, as opposed to the adult epididymis, thereby redefining the concept concerning the multifunctional roles of β-defensins in the developing epididymis. In this review, we summarize some current views of β-defensins in the epididymis highlighting our most recent data and speculations on their role in the developing epididymis during the prenatal-to-postnatal transition, bringing attention to the many unanswered questions in this research area that may contribute to a better understanding of epididymal biology and male fertility.