ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Trisomy 13 (T13) and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA) are the vital causes of congenital malformations. This study was performed to identify the T13 and SCA with screening tests in the first trimester of pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, first-trimester combined screening was conducted on 2100 pregnant women referred to Narges Genetics Laboratory, Ahvaz, Iran. Evaluating the first trimester screening tests, including nuchal translucency (NT), crown-rump length (CRL) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), and free beta of human chorionic gonadotropin (fßhCG) was performed. For a definitive diagnosis of T13 and SCA syndrome, fetal karyotype was evaluated. RESULTS: The average NT and CRL in high-risk group for T13 were 5.96 mm and 61.7 mm respectively and in high-risk groups for SCA were 3.7 mm and 75.9 mm, respectively. Significant correlation was observed among NT, CRL and T13, SCA (P<0.05). The average serum fßhCG and PAAP-A levels in high-risk group for T13 were 0.42 and 0.31, respectively. Significant correlation was observed between decrease fßhCG, PAPP-A and T13 levels and increase fßhCG levels and SCA levels (P<0.05). No Significant correlation was observed between PAPP-A levels and SCA levels (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Using special software and karyotype testing, the prenatal screening tests based on the maternal age and gestational age in the first trimester of pregnancy may determine the major risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE(S): Arsenic compounds are potent human carcinogen and produce a variety of stress responses in mammalian cells. Recently sodium arsenite has been recommended to be used as anti malignancy drug by American food and drug administration (FDA). In this study, we aimed to determine the apoptosis inducing effect of sodium arsenite on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells exposed in vitro. METHODOLOGY: Cell morphology was studied with the help of Hoechst and propidium iodide as well as with single cell gel electrophoresis(comet assay), TUNEL assay and caspase activity base on immunocytochemistry using commercial kit were considered to study the mechanism of cell death. RESULTS: Our result showed that the sodium arsenite with concentration of 0.1 µM in 36 hr induces caspase dependent apoptosis in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. This concentration is the lowest level of sodium arsenite to be reported with apoptosis induction ability in stem cells. CONCLUSION: Since sodium arsenite is used in therapy, more research should be carried out on the effect of this chemical on stem cells, especially MSCs.
