Folic acid and neural tube defects: are Jordanian pregnant women aware?

OBJECTIVES: To assess Jordanian pregnant women's awareness of folic acid and its contribution to neural tube defects (NTDs) prevention and to their folic acid intake. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand pregnant women were interviewed about their knowledge of folic acid for NTDs prevention and their folic acid intake using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 1,000 women surveyed, 93.4% reported hearing of folic acid and 30.3% of NTDs. Only 16.2% knew that folic acid can reduce NTDs risk; 42.0% of those aware of folic acid believed it should be taken periconceptionally but only 16.9% did so. The most common information sources on folic acid were physicians (82.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Whereas a large percentage of pregnant Jordanian women were aware of folic acid, only a small proportion are aware that it prevents NTDs and should be taken periconceptionally. Also, there was a gap between awareness, knowledge, and intake of folic acid. Awareness and knowledge of NTDs was less prevalent among Jordanian women. Despite the efforts that have been undertaken, further effort is required to educate Jordanian women about folic acid contribution to NTDs prevention.

Effects of hypophyseal or thymic allograft on thymus development in partially decerebrate chicken embryos: expression of PCNA and CD3 markers.

Changes in chicken embryo thymus after partial decerebration (including the hypophysis) and after hypophyseal or thymic allograft were investigated. Chicken embryos were partially decerebrated at 36-40 hr of incubation and on day 12 received a hypophysis or a thymus allograft from 18-day-old donor embryos. The thymuses of normal, sham-operated and partially decerebrate embryos were collected on day 12 and 18. The thymuses of the grafted embryos were collected on day 18. The samples were examined with histological method and tested for the anti-PCNA and anti-CD3 immune-reactions. After partial decerebration, the thymic cortical and medullary compartments diminished markedly in size. Anti-PCNA and anti-CD3 revealed a reduced immune-reaction, verified also by statistical analysis. In hypophyseal or grafted embryos, the thymic morphological compartments improved, the anti-PCNA and anti-CD3 immune-reactions recovered much better after the thymic graft, probably due to the thymic growth factors and also by an emigration of thymocytes from the same grafted thymus.

Four corner arthrodesis limited to the centre using a scaphoid one piece graft and a dorsal circular plate.

We present 20 patients, who had a four corner arthrodesis, from July 2006 to March 2008, using a dorsal circular plate, to treat scaphoid nonunion and scapholunate dissociation with advanced collapse (SNAC, SLAC). The surgical technique was a fusion restricted to the central area filled with one piece of cancellous bone graft taken from the excised scaphoid. Wrist motion, grip strength, and Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score improved after surgery at a mean follow-up of 20.2 months. Fusion occurred in 19/20 patients. Two patients (10%) had persistent pain. The rest had a good clinical result. We found that four-corner fusion using a dorsal circular plate using the specific technical modifications was successful.

Anomalous presentation of flexor carpi radialis brevis: a report of six cases.

An anomalous presentation of flexor carpi radialis brevis (FCRB) is reported in six patients. These findings occurred in a consecutive series of 172 distal radius fracture fixations using a volar approach between 2002 and 2007. This is the first report of this anomalous muscle from a clinical series.

Effects of partial decerebration and hypophyseal allograft in the thymus of chicken embryos: thymostimulin localization and enzymatic activities.

Changes in chicken embryo thymus after partial decerebration (including the hypophysis) and hypophyseal allograft were investigated. Chicken embryos were partially decerebrated at 36-40 hr of incubation and on day 12 received a hypophyseal allograft from 18-day-old donor embryos. The embryonic thymuses were collected on day 18 and examined with histological methods, tested for the anti-thymostimulin-like immune-reaction, and for histoenzymatic activities and compared with normal and sham-operated embryos at the same age. After partial decerebration, the thymic cortical and medullary compartments diminished markedly in size. Anti-thymostimulin, succinic dehydrogenase and ATPase enzymatic activities tested, yielded negative reactions. In partially decerebrated hypophyseal allografted embryos, the same thymic compartments improved and anti-thymostimulin-like immune-reaction and enzymatic activities partially recovered. These findings confirmed the key role of hypophysis in thymic ontogenic development and provided new information in metabolic enzymatic pathways and synthesis of a thymostimulin-like substance in the thymus.

Histochemical evaluation for the biological effect of menatetrenone on metaphyseal trabeculae of ovariectomized rats.

To evaluate the biological effects of vitamin K2 (menatetrenone, MK-4) on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss, we have examined histological alterations of femoral metaphyses of sham-operated (sham group), ovariectomized (OVX group), and MK-4 dietary-supplemented OVX (MK-4 group; 50 mg/kg per day) female Fischer rats 1, 2, 5, and 8 weeks after OVX. In the first week, rats of the OVX and MK-4 groups showed discontinuous trabeculae compared with sham-operated rats. At 2 weeks after OVX, the OVX rats revealed many large tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts, while osteoclasts in the MK-4-treated rats were similar in size to those of the sham group. At 5 weeks, the OVX and MK-4 groups revealed fragmented trabeculae in femoral metaphyses. The cartilage matrix was partially exposed due to stimulated bone resorption in the OVX group, but not in the MK-4 group. After 8 weeks, the OVX rats had little metaphyseal trabeculae, whereas the MK-4-treated rats had maintained short trabeculae. Despite the presence of intense alkaline phosphatase-positive osteoblasts on trabeculae in the MK-4 group, TRAP-positive osteoclasts were flattened without developing ruffled borders. Therefore, MK-4 appeared to lessen the increase in osteoclastic bone resorption induced by OVX, as well as to maintain the accelerated osteoblastic activity. It is of importance to identify the target cells for MK-4 in bone. Autoradiography localized [3H]-labeled MK-4 mainly in osteoblasts and adjacent bone matrices, but not in osteoclasts, indicating that MK-4 targets osteoblasts. Thus, MK-4 appears to target osteoblasts, consequently inhibiting bone loss induced by ovariectomy.

Identification of cells secreting a thymostimulin-like substance and examination of some histoenzymatic pathways in aging avian primary lymphatic organs: II. Bursa of Fabricius.

The Bursa of Fabricius of 15 day, 1-, 3-, and 6 month-old adult chickens (White Leghorn strain) were studied by histological and histochemical staining, histoenzymatic reactions (LDH, SDH, a-GPDH, NAD, NADPH, Ca++-dependent ATP-ase, pH 8.5) and by anti-thymostimulin immunoreaction. Positive reactions for mucopolysaccharides and enzymatic activities were located in the epithelia of the follicles, i.e. in follicle-associated-epithelium (FAE), inter-follicle-epithelium (IFE) and in different epithelial compartments of cortical and medullary zones. Positive reaction for thymostimulin-like (TS-like) substance was restricted to FAE cells and weakly to the basal lamina of IFE. In 6-month-old chickens, the FAE cells disappeared; the phenomenon of bursal regression was evident, although not all the follicles were involved. In the few still normal follicles, the good reactivity to the enzymes tested suggests that residual physiological activity is still present, even if reduced.

Proliferative activity and motoneurone recruitment persist at the spinal cord central canal during larval and some postlarval stages in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

We previously found a linear relationship between the cross sectional myotomal area and the motoneurone number in the growing trout during postlarval stages. These neurones increased in number until a fish length of 150 mm, which prompted us to examine how motor neurones are recruited afterwards to meet the growth of their target myotomal muscle. Young adult (260 mm in length), fingerlings (F, 120-170 mm), fry (Fr, 70 mm) and eleutherembryos (Es, 20-30 mm) of rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) were employed in this study. PCNA immunohistochemistry was used for monitoring the proliferative activity in the epithelium of the spinal cord central canal. This activity was quantified as the number of PCNA labelled cells for each spinal cord section. In Es and Fry, a mean value of 3-5 labelled cells for each section was found with a sharp decrease in young F (120 mm long). After this fish length, it was not possible to quantitatively evaluate the proliferative activity at the central canal. However, labelled cells were seldom found in the spinal cord sections until a fish length of 260 mm. From these data it is possible to conclude that motoneurone recruitment in the trout spinal cord is down-regulated at the F stage. Afterwards, we found that motoneurones increase in size to meet the growth of their target myotomal muscle.

A controlled clinical trial of home care management versus hospital care management for preterm labour.

Prenatal hospitalisation has not been shown to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality, yet it is still the treatment of choice for women who experience preterm labour. Home care management may be an alternative means of delivering safe, efficacious and care for these women. The objectives of this controlled clinical trial were to examine differences in neonate's gestational age and birthweight, and antenatal stress, social support satisfaction, and family functioning among pregnant women receiving home care and those receiving hospital care management. Pregnant women experiencing preterm labour (N=250) were randomly assigned to home care management (the experimental group [EG]) or hospital care management (the control group [CG]). A Perinatal Information Form was used to collect data on sociodemographic and pregnancy variables. The High-Risk Pregnancy Stress Scale, Brown's Social Behaviors Inventory, and the Family Assessment Measure III Dyadic Relationships Scale were administered to the women at randomisation (T1) and at 1-week (T2) and 2-weeks (T3) after randomisation. Gestational age and birthweight were similar in the two groups of neonates. Women in the EG reported that antenatal stress was significantly lower at T3 than at T1 and T2, while for those in the CG, antenatal stress was significantly lower at T3 than at T1, and significantly lower at T2 than at T1. Women in the EG were more satisfied with support from the male partner at T3 than women in the CG. There was no significant difference between the two groups in family functioning at T1, T2 and T3. These findings indicate that home care management is a safe and efficacious mode of health care delivery for women experiencing preterm labour.

Weathering the storm of perinatal bereavement via hardiness.

Hardiness is a personal resource that can potentially diminish negative effects of life stress. To increase understanding of the role that it can have on the health protection and promotion of bereaved parents following a perinatal loss, this article uses J. Wilson's (1969) method to present a concept analysis of hardiness. This analysis provides not only a fresh perspective for understanding the experience of perinatal loss but has also induced the development of a hardiness instrument. Knowledge development in this area is paramount for professionals interested in enabling bereaved parents to draw on and develop their hardiness, not only to transcend the experience but ultimately to gain a sense of personal growth following their loss.

The exact expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in trigeminal ganglion and dental pulp.

The expression in various cell types of peripheral tissues of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), first discovered as an intermediate filament specific for astrocytes, remains controversial owing to numerous reports of a wide distribution for GFAP-immunoreactivity in various cells. The present study employed immunohistochemistry to investigate the precise expression of GFAP in the dental pulp and trigeminal ganglion of adult rats and wild-type mice as well as GFAP-knockout mice. The exhibition of GFAP-immunoreactivity in the trigeminal ganglion was further examined by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique, and in situ hybridization histochemistry using a specific cRNA probe prepared by us. The immunoreaction for GFAP was recognizable in the axons, Schwann cells, and the fibroblasts in the dental pulp of rats and wild-type littermate mice. However, mice with null mutations in the GFAP gene remained immunoreactive for GFAP in all these locations. Intense GFAP-immunoreactivity was found in a small number of satellite cells in the trigeminal ganglion in all animals examined in this study. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated bands for the GFAP gene corresponding to the length expected from the primer design in the samples of trigeminal ganglion and dental pulp. In situ hybridization histochemistry also showed intense signals for GFAP mRNA in some satellite cells of the trigeminal ganglion, but never in the neurons. These data suggest that the GFAP-immunoreactive molecules in the pulpal axons and fibroblasts react non-specifically with the polyclonal antibody and are probably a closely related type of intermediate filament.

Dynamics of lymphocyte subpopulation changes in the cecal tonsils of chickens infected with Salmonella enteritidis.

Salmonella enteritidis (SE)-induced changes in various T and B lymphocyte subpopulations in the cecal tonsils of chickens were analyzed using flow cytometry. At 1 day post-SE inoculation, the percentages of CD3(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes were significantly decreased in the group inoculated with 1x10(9) SE colony-forming units (CFU) (SE high) and in the group inoculated with 1x10(6) SE CFU (SE low) compared with the uninfected control group. The percentage of CD4(+) T lymphocytes was significantly increased in the SE high group compared to the uninfected and the SE low groups at 4 days after SE inoculation. The percentage of IgG(+) B lymphocytes was also significantly increased in both SE high and low groups compared to the uninfected control at 6 days post-SE inoculation. In contrast, the SE low group showed significantly fewer IgM(+) B lymphocytes compared to the uninfected and SE high groups. These results show that SE infection induces significant changes in the cecal tonsil lymphocytes subpopulations shortly following SE inoculation.

Hyaluronate receptor CD44 is expressed by astrocytes in the adult chicken and in astrocyte cell precursors in early development of the chick spinal cord.

The role of the hyaluronate receptor, CD44, is well known in adult mammal astrocytes where it modulates neuron-glia interactions. However, no data exist regarding its expression in other vertebrates during their development. In order to detect the expression of CD44 in the chicken and its possible involvement in glial precursor migratory patterns during spinal cord development, a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) against the mammalian standard isoform, CD44-H, was used in immunohistochemical and immunoblot assays. With these methods, CD44 hyaluronate receptors were found on mature astrocyte membranes of adult chicken spinal cord. Astrocytes were identified using a MoAb against GFAP. During development, small clusters of CD44 labelled cells were seen lining the central canal starting from embryonic stage E10. These labelled cells were dispersed in the dorsal, lateral and ventral funiculi of the spinal cord in the subsequent stages. After stage E15, the CD44 labelled cells were identified as astrocytes because of their GFAP immunoreactivity. We conclude that CD44 receptors on immature astrocyte precursors should be considered as early astrocyte markers which have a possible role during cell migratory dispersal.

[Randomized trial of two health care deliveries during premature labor]. / Essai randomisé de deux modes de prestation des soins lors de travail prématuré.

The main target of this clinical trial was to determine if, for a diagnosis of premature labour, a home prenatal follow-up compared to a classical hospitalization influenced the outcome of pregnancy in terms of gestation age and weight at birth. The participants were recruited in the population of pregnant women in hospital for a threat of premature delivery. The data collection was carried out with the help of four instruments, i.e. the perinatal and personal information Guide, the Scale of antenatal stress, the Inventory of support behaviour and the Scale of the dyadic relations. The analyses carried out do not reveal any statistically significant differences between the two groups for the main variables. But staying at home presents a safe and human alternative to traditional hospitalization and offers some advantages for the pregnant women, specially those faced with socio-economic difficulties.

Influence of partial decerebration and hypophyseal allograft on differentiation of thymic epithelial cells in chick embryos: an ultrastructural study.

The thymus of 18-day-old normal-chick embryos, partially decerebrated chick embryos, and partially decerebrated embryos bearing hypophyseal allografts were analysed by light and transmission electron microscopy. The hypophyseal influence on the cytological differentiation of epithelial components has been studied. The thymus of partially decerebrated embryos showed a delayed differentiation of some types of epithelial cells and a marked decrease in number of lymphoid cells. Partially decerebrated embryos with hypophyseal implants showed a consistent recovery in the degree of differentiation of epithelial components. These findings indicate the influence of the hypophysis in establishing a correct environment for stromal cell differentiation.

Ultrastructural study on the plical epithelium of the bursa of Fabricius in chick embryos: influence of partial decerebration and hypophyseal allografts.

The bursa of Fabricius of 18 day normal and partially decerebrated chick embryos, and partially decerebrated embryos bearing a hypophyseal allograft was analysed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, focusing on the ultrastructural characterisation of the plical epithelium. The plicae of the normal bursa consist of interfollicular (IFE) and follicle associated epithelium (FAE). The FAE is composed of typical polygonal cells and is supported by a layer of epithelial cells which appears as a continuation of the corticomedullary epithelium. Bordering cells lie between the FAE and IFE. The IFE is composed of 4 cell types: (1) undifferentiated, (2) goblet, at various stages of maturity, (3) prismatic, and (4) globular light cells. Partially decerebrated embryos showed a gross impairment of plical epithelium development and the complex of FAE and IFE cells was largely undifferentiated. Partially decerebrated embryos with a hypophyseal allograft displayed the same cellular types as observed in controls, thus indicating a restored differentiation of plical epithelium. These findings suggest that the hypophysis affects the differentiation of plical epithelium during ontogenesis.

Identification of cells secreting a thymostimulin-like substance and examination of some histoenzymatic pathways in aging avian primary lymphatic organs: I. thymus.

Thymi of adult chickens (White Leghorn strain), ages of 6, 18, 45, days and 1, 3, 6, months, were studied by histological and histochemical stainings, histoenzymatic reactions (LDH, SDH, alpha-GPDH, NADH, NADPH, Ca++ dependent ATPase, pH 8.5) and by anti-thymostimulin immunoreaction. Positive reactions for thymostimulin-like substance, mucopolysaccharides and enzymatic activities were located in different epithelial compartments of the cortical and medullary zones. In 3 and 6 month-old chickens, there was a progressive reduction of the cortical area and of the number of cortical and medullary epithelial cells, and, in the thymi of the 6 month-old chickens, a partial decline in the immunological reactivity to anti-TS, but the intensity of the histochemical and enzymatic reactivities, in comparison with the thymi of the youngest chickens, was not decreased. This may suggest that the cortical and medullary epithelial cells still present in these thymi are capable of secreting and expressing activities and, thus, may maintain their functions.

[The effects of environmental thermal condition on transitional skin temperature of peripheral parts of human hands and feet during exercise].

The effects of environmental temperature on transitional skin temperatures of peripheral parts of human hands and feet were examined during exercise to obtain basic information on thermal characteristics of heat transfer from human body to the environment. Very thin and fat male adults served as subjects who were in contrast regarding fat content. Their skin temperatures were undertaken by thermocouples in a climate chamber. The exercise was made using an ergometer at three stages of the chamber temperatures. The skin temperature of a fat subject's trunk was observed to be lower than that of thin subject due to the insulation of fat in the body. In compensation for less heat transfer from the trunk, the temperatures of peripheral parts of fat subject's hands and feet were higher than that of the thin subject. Moreover, the response of the temperature to the thermal load due to exercise was observed to be quicker. These kinds of variation were considered as due to the increase in blood flow through arteriovenous anastomoses, AVA. It seemed that AVA blood of the thin subject did not increase during resting condition at the environmental temperatures of 10 and 20 degrees C but was accelerated by the thermal load due to exercise. In addition, the response of AVA on the foot seemed to be delayed compared with that on the hand.

A comparative enzyme histochemical study of glucose metabolism in the conduction system of mammalian hearts.

A histochemical study of some enzymes of glucose metabolism was performed on the heart conduction system of rat, dog, rabbit, pig, calf and lamb. Histochemical activities revealed a higher rate of anaerobic metabolism and a lower rate of aerobic metabolism in the conducting cells in comparison with the working myocardial fibres. An increase of the histochemical activities from the atrioventricular node to the distal portions of bundle branches was noted. The importance of the high glycogen content and the high phosphorylase activity in the heart conduction system was discussed.