Determinants and seasonality of major structural birth defects among newborns delivered at primary and referral hospital of East and West Gojjam zones, Northwest Ethiopia 2017-2018: case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Although infant mortality because of birth defect has increased in both developed and developing countries, had not got attention like other health issues at national, regional, or local levels. Documenting the risk factors that influence the occurrence of birth defects and its seasonality will help to inform the community and to develop preventive strategies for the country. RESULTS: Factors associated with higher likelihood of a major structural birth defects included maternal age; neonates born from women living in urban; and in Dega; history of fever during pregnancy; intake of herbal medicine; and drinking alcohol. Counselling for pregnancy preparation and folic acid supplementation was found protective for the likelihood of birth defect.

Video-based kinetic analysis of calcification in live osteogenic human embryonic stem cell cultures reveals the developmentally toxic effect of Snus tobacco extract.

Epidemiological studies suggest tobacco consumption as a probable environmental factor for a variety of congenital anomalies, including low bone mass and increased fracture risk. Despite intensive public health initiatives to publicize the detrimental effects of tobacco use during pregnancy, approximately 10-20% of women in the United States still consume tobacco during pregnancy, some opting for so-called harm-reduction tobacco. These include Snus, a type of orally-consumed yet spit-free chewing tobacco, which is purported to expose users to fewer harmful chemicals. Concerns remain from a developmental health perspective since Snus has not reduced overall health risk to consumers and virtually nothing is known about whether skeletal problems from intrauterine exposure arise in the embryo. Utilizing a newly developed video-based calcification assay we determined that extracts from Snus tobacco hindered calcification of osteoblasts derived from pluripotent stem cells early on in their differentiation. Nicotine, a major component of tobacco products, had no measurable effect in the tested concentration range. However, through the extraction of video data, we determined that the tobacco-specific nitrosamine N'-nitrosonornicotine caused a reduction in calcification with similar kinetics as the complete Snus extract. From measurements of actual nitrosamine concentrations in Snus tobacco extract we furthermore conclude that N'-nitrosonornicotine has the potential to be a major trigger of developmental osteotoxicity caused by Snus tobacco.

The effect of limitation in ankle dorsiflexion on knee joint function. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: A restriction in ankle dorsiflexion is a common complication of ankle fractures. This kind of dysfunction, if severe, can significantly influence gait. A restriction in ankle dorsiflexion (forward movement of the shin relative to the foot) can cause, among others, hyperextension of the knee during the stance phase. The length of leading leg step is shortened and alternant walk downstairs is very difficult. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between the range of dorsiflexion in the ankle joint and the range of extension (hyperextension) in the knee joint. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 17 patients after ankle joint fractures treated conservatively or surgically. The extension ranges of motion in the ankle and knee joints were assessed by goniometry to compare these values in injured vs. healthy limbs. Non-parametric methods (the Wilcoxon signed-rank test) were used for the analysis. RESULTS: The results showed limitation in ankle dorsiflexion in the fractured limb, which amounted to 4.40 vs. 16.00 in healthy limbs in all patients. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). There was also a significantly (p<0.001) greater range of knee hyperextension on the side of injury (5.00 vs. 1.90 in healthy limbs). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Post-traumatic restriction of ankle dorsiflexion can cause knee joint overload. 2. Examinations of knee function during walking should be carried out in patients with trauma-related dysfunctions of the ankle joint in order to prevent secondary musculoskeletal abnormalities.

Nitric oxide rescues thalidomide mediated teratogenicity.

Thalidomide, a sedative drug given to pregnant women, unfortunately caused limb deformities in thousands of babies. Recently the drug was revived because of its therapeutic potential; however the search is still ongoing for an antidote against thalidomide induced limb deformities. In the current study we found that nitric oxide (NO) rescues thalidomide affected chick (Gallus gallus) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. This study confirms that NO reduced the number of thalidomide mediated limb deformities by 94% and 80% in chick and zebrafish embryos respectively. NO prevents limb deformities by promoting angiogenesis, reducing oxidative stress and inactivating caspase-3 dependent apoptosis. We conclude that NO secures angiogenesis in the thalidomide treated embryos to protect them from deformities.

Physical therapy management of Pompe disease.

Pompe disease (Glycogen storage disease type II, GSDII, or acid maltase deficiency) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by deficiency of acid alpha-glucosidase resulting in intra-lysosomal accumulation of glycogen and leading to progressive muscle dysfunction. The natural history of infantile-onset Pompe disease is characterized by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and profound generalized weakness presenting in the first few months of life, with rapid progression and death usually occurring by one year of age. Late-onset Pompe disease is characterized by onset of symptoms after one year of age, less severe or absence of cardiac involvement and slower progression, with symptoms primarily related to progressive dysfunction of skeletal muscles and respiratory muscle involvement. Recent clinical trials of enzyme replacement therapy have begun to allow greater opportunity for potential improvement in motor status, function, and survival than ever before, with hopes of moving toward maximizing physical function for individuals with Pompe disease. Children are living longer with some achieving independent sitting, creeping, and walking-milestones typically never achieved in the untreated natural history of the disorder. With increased survival, clinical management based on an understanding of the pathology and pathokinesiology of motor function gains importance. This article reviews current knowledge regarding the motor system in Pompe disease and provides an overview of physical therapy management of Pompe disease, including management strategies for individuals on enzyme replacement therapy.

[Study of the radioprotective effects of TMG on teratogenic malformations in irradiated mice].

ICR mice fetuses in the organogenesis stage were used to clarify experimentally the mechanism of the protective effect of vitamin E derivant (TMG: 2-(alpha-D-Glucopyranosyl) methyl-2, -5, -7, -8-Teramethylchorman-6-working woman) on the effects of radiation. The authors paid careful attention to radiation, and the radioprotective effects of TMG on the induction of malformations was examined. Radiation is an important consideration because of its widespread use in the areas of medicine, nuclear energy, and industry. Malformations induced by radiation at the organogenesis stage, skeletal malformations, and the effects at the cellular level of embryos were examined in this research. Further, the mechanism of the protection effect of TMG against radiation-induced malformations was analyzed and observed experimentally. Thus, this study was done to provide fundamental data on the radioprotective agent TMG. It was clear that TMG exerted radioprotective effects against embryonic death and the rate of teratogenesis when administered before exposure. Such effects were also exerted against skeletal malformations and fetal body weight. In summary, radioprotective effects were observed at the whole-body level as well as at the cellular level.