Adverse cardiovascular, obstetric and perinatal events during pregnancy and puerperium in patients with heart disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: cardiovascular changes during pregnancy carry greater risk in heart disease. We analyze cardiovascular, obstetric and perinatal adverse effects associated with congenital and acquired heart disease during pregnancy and postpartum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and retrospective study, which included the 2017-2023 registry of pregnant or postpartum patients hospitalised with diagnosis of congenital or acquired heart disease. Adverse events (heart failure, stroke, acute pulmonary edema, maternal death, obstetric haemorrhage, prematurity and perinatal death) were compared with the clinical variables and the implemented treatment. RESULTS: 112 patients with a median age of 28 years (range 15-44) were included. Short circuits predominated 28 (25%). Thirty-six patients (32%) were classified in class IV of the modified WHO scale for maternal cardiovascular risk. Heart failure occurred in 39 (34.8%), acute lung edema 12 (10.7%), stroke 2 (1.8%), maternal death 5 (4.5%), obstetric haemorrhage 4 (3.6%), prematurity 50 (44.5%) and perinatal death 6 (5.4%). Shunts were associated with prematurity (adjusted odds ratio 4; 95% CI: 1.5-10, p = 0.006). Peripartum cardiomyopathy represented higher risk of pulmonary edema (adjusted OR 34; 95% CI: 6-194, p = 0.001) and heart failure (adjusted OR 16; 95% CI: 3-84, p = 0.001). An increased risk of obstetric haemorrhage was observed in patients with prosthetic valves (adjusted OR 30; 95% CI: 1.5-616, p = 0.025) and with the use of acetylsalicylic acid (adjusted OR 14; 95% CI: 1.2-16, p = 0.030). Furthermore, the latter was associated with perinatal death (adjusted OR 9; 95% CI: 1.4-68, p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: severe complications were found during pregnancy and postpartum in patients with heart disease, which is why preconception evaluation and close surveillance are vital.

Formaldehyde induces DNA strand breaks on spermatozoa and lymphocytes of Wistar rats.

Formaldehyde (FA) interacts with biological molecules such as DNA and it induces DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs), oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS), methylation, chromosomal damage, fragmentation, and adducts of DNA, which are considered the most important genotoxic effects caused by exposure to FA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the percentage of DNA fragmentation on lymphocytes and spermatozoa from Wistar rats exposed to different doses of FA. The results about the percentage of fragmentation of DNA in lymphocytes and spermatozoa, were statistical different from controlled group versus treated groups respectively to (p < 0.05). Pathological changes were observed in the seminiferous tubules, especially in rats exposed to 30 mg/kg of FA. This study provided additional evidence supporting that FA induces DNA strand breaks in both cells and therefore genotoxic damage in Wistar rats.

Sperm chromatin dispersion by formaldehyde in Wistar rats.

Formaldehyde (FA) is an environmental xenobiotic, which is genotoxic and carcinogenic to humans and animals; it induces DNA damage, mutations, and clastogenicity during critical cytogenetic events. FA-mediated oxidative stress is an important mechanism that has been associated with the induction of cytotoxic and genotoxic damage. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the dispersion of sperm chromatin and reproductive parameters induced by exposure to different concentrations of FA in Wistar rats. Compared to the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA in the control group (18.10 ± 8.62%), the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA increased following exposure to 5, 10, and 30 mg FA/kg body weight (29.60 ± 8.44, 85.20 ± 20.94 and 96.0 ± 7.87, respectively; P = 0.0001). Histopathological alterations were evident, especially in the seminiferous tubules. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence concerning the genotoxicity of FA, with particular reference to the decreased sperm concentration and motility and increased dispersion of DNA chromatin in rats.

Genotoxicity in oral epithelial cells in children caused by nickel in metal crowns.

The micronucleus (MN) assay evaluates the effects of low doses of genotoxic carcinogens and can detect structural lesions that survive mitotic cycles. The objective of this study was to determine both the genotoxicity of nickel (Ni) in buccal epithelial cells and the urinary excretion of Ni in children with metal crowns. This was a prospective longitudinal study based on 37 patients selected at the Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila. MN assays were performed using buccal cells from the 37 patients, and Ni levels were determined from urine samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at 1 (basal value), 15, and 45 days following the placement of crowns in each patient. Ni urinary excretion levels increased from 2.12 ± 1.23 to 3.86 ± 2.96 mg Ni/g creatinine (P < 0.05) and the frequency of exposed micronuclei increased from 4.67 ± 0.15 to 6.78 ± 0.167/1000 cells (P < 0.05) between 1 and 45 days post-crown placement. These results suggest that odontological exposure to metal crowns results in genotoxic damage at the cellular level of the oral mucosa and an increase in the urinary excretion of Ni within 45 days of exposure.

Antimicrobial activity of Hedeoma drummondii against opportunistic pathogens.

Hedeoma drummondii is a medicinal plant with diverse properties; however, validations of its medicinal uses are scarce. To evaluate its antimicrobial properties H. drummondii, was tested against opportunistic pathogens of medical importance. Antimicrobial tests were performed by the microdilution method in order to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for each extract. Extracts of this plant showed relevant antimicrobial activity, results revealed that the hexanic extract has stronger activity and broader spectrum compared to acetone and methanol extracts. The activity of hexanic extract may be attributed mainly to the presence of the monoterpenes pulegone and menthol. In conclusion, the hexanic extract possess relevant antibacterial properties which suggests that H. drummondii have bioactive principles; these new data provide scientific support for the use of this plant in traditional medicine, particularly for gastrointestinal diseases.