Developmental Irregularities Research Articles

A Study of Clinical Profile of Congenital Anomalies of Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT) in a Tertiary Care Center.

Background Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) encompass a diverse array of disorders arising from developmental irregularities in the renal parenchymal development, disrupted embryonic migration of the kidneys, and the urinary collecting system. This study aimed to investigate the clinical presentations, patterns of obstructive and non-obstructive CAKUT, and associated extrarenal manifestations in affected children. Methods This observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Wardha. Ethical clearance was obtained, and the study included 105 diagnosed CAKUT patients aged from birth to 18 years. Data collection spanned from June 2022 to May 2024. Clinical features, antenatal findings, associated anomalies, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and serum creatinine levels were recorded. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using Stata software. Results Among the 105 participants, 81 (77.14%) were males, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.37:1. The mean age was 42.49 months. Forty-two individuals (40%) were asymptomatic, while the most common symptomatic presentation was the ventral opening of the urethra (24.76%). Extrarenal malformations were present in 35 subjects (33.33%), with undescended testis (25.71%) and congenital heart disease (CHD) (20%) being the most common. The antenatal diagnosis was made in 63.8% of cases. Obstructive uropathy was present in 42.86% of subjects, with a significant association between antenatal diagnosis and bilateral hydronephrosis. Medical management was provided to 41.9% of subjects, while 58.1% underwent surgical interventions. Conclusion The study highlights the clinical variability and diverse presentations of CAKUT in children, with a substantial proportion being asymptomatic. Early detection through antenatal screening and prompt intervention can potentially prevent or delay the progression to ESRD. The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive evaluation and targeted management strategies to address both renal and extrarenal manifestations of CAKUT.

Analysis of the effect of dance therapy intervention in inpatient schizophreni

The high predominance of non-drug consistency among those with schizophrenia and the many symptoms of solution antipsychotics support the utilization of dance/development treatment in the treatment of individuals with schizophrenia. This assessment of the writing centers on the utilization of dance/practice treatment to decrease the symptoms of antipsychotics and increment prescription adherence. We took a gander at the shame, the scope of side effects that might show, diminished knowledge, and developmental irregularities, among the different difficulties people with schizophrenia face. Moreover examined were the inconvenient consequences for close to home, conduct, and mental working. The writing on body mindfulness, the connection between the psyche and body, active work, self-articulation, and an assortment of other dance/development treatment methods were likewise inspected after a survey of the exploration on the utilization of dance/development treatment with individuals who have been determined to have schizophrenia. By showing the patient the conceivable results of their meds and decreasing their incapacitating impacts on mental, social, and close-to-home working, dance/development treatment has the ability to work on substantial mindfulness.

RNA Interference-Based Silencing of the Chitin Synthase 1 Gene for Reproductive and Developmental Disruptions in Panonychus citri.

Simple SummaryThe Chitin Synthase 1 gene, when suppressed with RNAi, imparts differences in the structural development, physiology, and synthesis of epidermal chitin, which ultimately leads to the mortality of the target pest. The results presented here will help to illuminate the molecular mechanism and function of the PcCHS1 gene, which regulates the egg-laying potential in adult citrus red mites. Using the leaf dip method, we found that dsRNA was potent and effective, and significantly reduced the egg-laying potential and hatching of citrus red mite eggs. These results show the potential utility of the PcCHS1 gene in the development of novel RNA interference strategies for controlling the citrus red mite.Chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) is an essential gene regulating chitin during different developmental stages of arthropods. In the current study, we explored for the first time the role of CHS1 gene regulation in the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae), by silencing its expression using (RNA interference) RNAi-based strategies. The results reveal that P. citri tested in different developmental stages, including larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs, and adults fed on sweet orange leaves dipped in various concentrations (200, 400, 600, and 800 ng/μL) of dsRNA-PcCHS1, resulted in a continuous reduction in their gene expression, and the extent of transcript knockdown was positively correlated with the concentration of dsRNA. Concentration–mortality response assays revealed a mortality of more than 50% among all the studied developmental stages, except for adulthood. Furthermore, the target gene dsRNA-PcCHS1 treatment of larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs, and females at a treatment rate of 800 ng/mL of dsRNA significantly decreased the egg-laying rates by 48.50%, 43.79%, 54%, and 39%, respectively, and the hatching rates were also considerably reduced by 64.70%, 70%, 64%, and 52.90%, respectively. Moreover, using the leaf dip method, we found that the RNA interference effectively reduced the PcCHS1 transcript levels by 42.50% and 42.06% in the eggs and adults, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that the RNAi of PcCHS1 can dramatically reduce the survival and fecundity of P. citri, but the dsRNA concentrations and developmental stages can significantly influence the RNAi effects. These findings indicate the potential utility of the PcCHS1 gene in causing developmental irregularities, which could aid in the development of effective and novel RNAi-based strategies for controlling P. citri.

The Benefits of Baby Gym on Development of Baby Age 6 Months

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that around 30% of infants experience mild developmental delays. Babies aged 0-12 months are a golden period as well as a critical period, because it lasts very short. Developmental problems start from gross motoric, subtle, speech and language skills and socialization and independence. Babies need proper nutrition and stimulation. Baby gym or baby gymnastics is one of the effective stimulations, as well as observing early detection of indications of developmental irregularities. Objective: To determine the effect of baby gym on the development of 6-month-old infants in the Pegandan health center in Semarang. Research Methods: The type of research used in this study was quasi experimental by using one group pre test - post test design. The sample used in this study amounted to 16 babies, sampling technique with accidental sampling, 3 time week until 4 weeks within 10 minuts. Results: The results of the study before the baby gym were median of 8.00, while after the baby gym the median value was 10.00. This study used the Wilcoxon statistical test with the results of p-value = 0,000 (<0.05). Conclusion: There is a baby gym influence on the development of 6-month-old babies.

Pengembangan Media Video Untuk Meningkatkan Pengetahuan dan Sikap Ibu Tentang Tumbuh Kembang Anak di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Jagoi babang Kalimantan Barat

Background : Child growth is a process that occurs in the child's life, so it requires special attention. In Indonesia there is a 7.51% prevalence of developmental irregularities.
 Research purposes : Knowing the influence of video media to increase the knowledge and attitudes of mothers about child development in the working area health center of the Jagoi Babang.
 Research Methods : This research is a Quasi Experiment research with pre-post-test group design. The study was conducted in the working area health center of the Babang Jagoi on July 24, 2019. The study sample was 53 people from each video, leaflet and PPT media group. Sampling technique using simple random sampling. The independent variable is video media, the dependent variable is knowledge and attitude. The research instrument used a questionnaire. Analysis of influence using manova and different tests using anova.
 Results : Counseling using video media, leaflets and power points affect knowledge and attitudes with a p-value of 0.00 <0.05. Counseling using video significantly affects an increase in knowledge of 88%. Counseling using video significantly affects an increase in attitude by 76%.
 Conclusion : There is an effect of counseling using the media on the knowledge and attitudes of mothers about child development and growth with a p-value of 0.00 <0.05. Midwives can provide counseling about child growth and development using video media so that mothers' knowledge and attitudes are increasingly optimal.

Novel and Bizarre Abnormalities of the Tooth Row in Side-Blotched Lizards (Uta) and Rock Lizards (Petrosaurus).

Multiple tooth rows along the dentary or maxilla are present in many bony and cartilaginous fishes but occur infrequently in amniotes. Although two partially overlapping rows of teeth or a few doubled tooth positions were both previously reported in extant and extinct lizards, multiple rows of teeth across the entire dental or maxillary shelf were not previously documented in any lizard taxon. Here, we report one specimen of the side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana and two specimens of the rock lizard Petrosaurus mearnsi that have two or more marginal tooth rows that overlap for most of the dental shelf. We also describe several other phrynosomatid lizard specimens with one or two doubled tooth positions per marginal tooth-bearing skeletal element. We examined 520 total specimens of pleurodont iguanian lizards and verified that aberrant tooth row and tooth position morphologies were almost exclusively present in phrynosomatid lizards. We hypothesize that developmental irregularities in the number of odontogenic bands or in the function of zones of inhibition may have resulted in the observed tooth row abnormalities. The expression of multiple tooth rows or doubled tooth positions may be phylogenetically informative morphologies of phrynosomatid lizards. This bears further investigation from developmental, genetic, ecological, and phylogenetic perspectives. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy Anat Rec, 303:2014-2025, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy.

Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adolescents with Complex Clinical Presentations: A Montreal Case Series

Background: Despite increased attention and recognition of autism spectrum disorders, many patients suffering from these disorders remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed late due to their subtle clinical presentation. The challenge for clinicians working in the field of mental health is not in screening and diagnosing young children showing typical signs of autism spectrum disorders, but rather in identifying patients at the high-functioning end of the spectrum whose intellectual abilities mask their social deficits. Objective: Because therapeutic interventions differ radically once the diagnosis of ASD has been made, it is important to understand the trajectory of those adolescents and identify clues that could help raise the diagnosis of ASD earlier. Methods: Records of eight adolescents with a late diagnosis of ASD were retrospectively reviewed to identify relevant clinical features that were overlooked in childhood and early adolescence. Results: The patients were previously misdiagnosed with multiple mental health disorders. These cases showed striking similarities in terms of developmental history, reasons for misdiagnosis, and the clinical picture at the time of ASD recognition. The cases were characterized by complex and fluctuating symptomatology, including depression, anxiety, behavioural problems, self-injurious behaviour and suicidal thoughts. Their Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) went previously undiagnosed due to the individual’s intelligence and learning abilities, which masked their social deficits and developmental irregularities. Signs of ASD were continuously present since childhood in all the eight cases. Once the developmental histories and the psychiatric evaluation of these adolescents were done by psychiatrists with appropriate knowledge of autism, the diagnosis of ASD was made. Conclusion: The ASD hypothesis should be raised in the presence of confusing symptoms that do not respond to usual treatment and are accompanied by an irregular developmental background. It is indeed a difficult diagnosis to make; however, the focused clinician can note subtle signs of ASD despite the intellectual learning of social codes. Family history, developmental irregularities, rigidity, difficulty in spontaneously understanding emotions, discomfort in groups and the need to be alone are significant indicators to recognize. Once the diagnosis has been considered, it must be confirmed or rejected by an experienced multidisciplinary team. The challenge for clinicians working in the field of mental health is not in screening and diagnosing young children showing typical signs of ASD, but rather in identifying patients who are at high-functioning end of the spectrum whose intellectual abilities mask their social deficits.

Is blood cortisol or vateritic otolith composition associated with natal dispersal or reproductive performance on the spawning grounds of straying and homing hatchery-produced chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in Southeast Alaska?

ABSTRACTHoming with high fidelity to natal spawning grounds for reproduction is a hallmark of anadromous Pacific salmon biology, although low rates of dispersal (‘straying’) also occurs. Currently little is known about the proximate factors influencing straying, which limits our understanding of this fundamental biological phenomenon and impedes options for reducing straying-mediated interactions between wild and hatchery-produced individuals. We explored the potential role of stress experienced in captivity prior to intentional release to manifest in developmental irregularities and potentially influence rates of straying by adults. We compared two proxies for stress between groups of hatchery-produced individuals that had homed back to the hatchery or strayed to non-natal streams compared to wild individuals that were presumed to have homed to a wild spawning stream. Blood plasma cortisol was used to assess stress at the terminus of their migration, and percent frequency of vateritic otolith development within groups as a measure of stresses incurred during development. We found no evidence that either proxy for stress was associated with straying. No differences in cortisol concentrations were found between wild and hatchery-produced chum salmon that had homed or strayed, either in males (wild=95.9±175.7 ng/ml; stray=113.4±99.7 ng/ml; home=124.7±113.8 ng/ml) or females (wild=307.6±83.4 ng/ml; stray= 329.0±208.9 ng/ml; home=294.1±134.8 ng/ml); however, significant differences between males and females occurred in each group. The percent frequency of vaterite occurrence in otoliths of hatchery-produced chum salmon that either strayed (40% vaterite) or homed (45% vaterite) did not differ significantly, though rates of vaterite occurred less frequently in wild chum salmon (24%), which is consistent with other studies. Mass thermal marking of juvenile fish in hatcheries is unlikely to increase vateritic development as neither intensity (number of temperature changes) or complexity (number of temperature change sequences) of the mark was associated with frequency of vaterite occurrence. Though not associated with straying, cortisol concentrations were associated with shorter instream lifespan of both hatchery and wild individuals but did not appear to influence rates of egg retention in spawning females, suggesting an equivocal role in reproductive ecology. Our results are suggestive that stress induced during the early stages of rearing in a hatchery environment from marking or other causes may not increase straying later in life, though the higher rates of vaterite observed in hatchery-produced fish may come at a cost of increased marine mortality, due to the otoliths' role in navigation and hearing.

Establishment of Apomixis in Diploid F2 Hybrids and Inheritance of Apospory From F1 to F2 Hybrids of the Ranunculus auricomus Complex.

Hybridization and polyploidization play important roles in plant evolution but it is still not fully clarified how these evolutionary forces contribute to the establishment of apomicts. Apomixis, the asexual reproduction via seed formation, comprises several essential alterations in development compared to the sexual pathway. Furthermore, most natural apomicts were found to be polyploids and/or hybrids. The Ranunculus auricomus complex comprises diploid sexual and polyploid apomictic species and represents an excellent model system to gain knowledge on origin and evolution of apomixis in natural plant populations. In this study, the second generation of synthetically produced homoploid (2x) and heteroploid (3x) hybrids derived from sexual R. auricomus species was analyzed for aposporous initial cell formation by DIC microscopy. Complete manifestation of apomixis was determined by measuring single mature seeds by flow cytometric seed screen. Microscopic analysis of the female gametophyte formation indicated spontaneous occurrence of aposporous initial cells and several developmental irregularities. The frequency of apospory was found to depend on dosage effects since a significant increase in apospory was observed, when both F1 parents, rather than just one, were aposporous. Other than in the F1 generation, diploid Ranunculus F2 hybrids formed BIII seeds and fully apomictic seeds. The results indicate that hybridization rather than polyploidization seems to be the functional activator of apomictic reproduction in the synthetic Ranunculus hybrids. In turn, at least two hybrid generations are required to establish apomictic seed formation.

Early physical and motor development of mouse offspring exposed to valproic acid throughout intrauterine development

Clinical research has identified developmental delay and physical malformations in children prenatally exposed to the antiepileptic drug (AED) valproic acid (VPA). However, the early signs of neurodevelopmental deficits, their evolution during postnatal development and growth, and the dose effects of VPA are not well understood. The present study aimed to examine the influence of maternal exposure to a wide dose range (50, 100, 200 and 400mg/kg/day) of VPA during breeding and gestation on early physical and neuromotor development in mice offspring. Body weight gain, eye opening, the surface righting reflex (SRR) and tail suspension test (TST) were examined in the offspring at postnatal days 5, 10 and 15. We observed that: (1) all tested doses of VPA reduced the body weight of the offspring and the timing of eye opening; (2) offspring exposed to VPA displayed immature forms of righting and required more time to complete the SRR; (3) latency for the first immobilization in the TST is shorter in offspring exposed to higher doses of VPA; however, mice in all groups exposed to VPA exhibited atypical changes in this parameter during the examined period of maturation; (4) irregularities in swinging and curling activities were observed in animals exposed to higher doses of VPA. This study points to delayed somatic development and postponed maturation of the motor system in all of the offspring prenatally exposed to VPA, with stronger effects observed at higher doses. The results implicate that the strategy of continuous monitoring of general health and achievements in motor milestones during the early postnatal development in prenatally VPA-exposed offspring, irrespectively of the dose applied, could help to recognize early developmental irregularities.

Developmental Origins for Kidney Disease Due to Shroom3 Deficiency.

CKD is a significant health concern with an underlying genetic component. Multiple genome-wide association studies (GWASs) strongly associated CKD with the shroom family member 3 (SHROOM3) gene, which encodes an actin-associated protein important in epithelial morphogenesis. However, the role of SHROOM3 in kidney development and function is virtually unknown. Studies in zebrafish and rat showed that alterations in Shroom3 can result in glomerular dysfunction. Furthermore, human SHROOM3 variants can induce impaired kidney function in animal models. Here, we examined the temporal and spatial expression of Shroom3 in the mammalian kidney. We detected Shroom3 expression in the condensing mesenchyme, Bowman's capsule, and developing and mature podocytes in mice. Shroom3 null (Shroom3Gt/Gt) mice showed marked glomerular abnormalities, including cystic and collapsing/degenerating glomeruli, and marked disruptions in podocyte arrangement and morphology. These podocyte-specific abnormalities are associated with altered Rho-kinase/myosin II signaling and loss of apically distributed actin. Additionally, Shroom3 heterozygous (Shroom3Gt/+) mice showed developmental irregularities that manifested as adult-onset glomerulosclerosis and proteinuria. Taken together, our results establish the significance of Shroom3 in mammalian kidney development and progression of kidney disease. Specifically, Shroom3 maintains normal podocyte architecture in mice via modulation of the actomyosin network, which is essential for podocyte function. Furthermore, our findings strongly support the GWASs that suggest a role for SHROOM3 in human kidney disease.

Exogenous folic acid is not able to inhibit the effects of methotrexate on the folate pathway in zebrafish embryos

Abstract. Methotrexate (Mtx) is a teratogen that causes severe abnormalities on developing fetuses. Mtx is also used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and leukemia. Folic acid (FA), a B vitamin that is present in prenatal vitamins, and Mtx use the same cellular pathway to cause their effects on organisms. It is of great interest to determine whether FA can overcome the effects of Mtx on a developing embryo. Since Mtx is a competitive inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase, the enzyme used to make FA; it is hypothesized that an increase in FA will overcome the inhibitory effects of Mtx. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were treated with Mtx and/or FA and then analyzed for developmental irregularities. These data demonstrate that FA cannot rescue the embryos from the teratogenicity of Mtx. Combined treatment enhanced the developmental abnormalities seen, indicating that exogenous FA cannot be used as a mechanism to overcome the teratogenic effects of Mtx.

Irregularities below the Enamel-Dentin Junction May Predispose for Fissure Caries

This study investigated the structure of the fissure fundus on occlusal surfaces with respect to the detection of possible irregularities below the enamel-dentin junction (EDJ). Occlusal surfaces were examined by micro-computed tomography (µCT). In total, 203 third molars with clinically sound occlusal fissures or non-cavitated lesions were selected. All specimens were scanned with µCT. Subsequently, each tooth was sectioned, and each slice was investigated by stereomicroscopy. In 7 of 203 molars (3.4%), demarcated radiolucencies below the EDJ were detected by µCT. These defects were obviously of non-carious origin, because the µCT images revealed no gradient of demineralization in the dentin. In all cases, a direct pathway between the oral cavity and the dentin was evident. The comparison of the µCT sites with conventional histological images also revealed defects in the dentin. These results demonstrate that demarcated radiolucencies below the EDJ may not necessarily be caries lesions according to µCT images and may be classified as possible developmental irregularities. To avoid misinterpreting µCT data, dental researchers should carefully consider this condition when analyzing µCT images. The clinical significance of this finding is that these defects may predispose molar teeth to early-onset caries in occlusal pits and fissures.

Floral Structure ofGarcinia brasiliensisin Relation to Flower Biology and Evolution

Garcinia brasiliensis Mart., a species from the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests, is cryptic dioecious because the morphologically perfect flowers are in fact pistillate given the absence of pollen. The flowers present diurnal anthesis, have a sweet and mild scent, and are pollinated by bees in search of the nectar secreted by evident nectaries. The flowers of Clusiaceae bear nectaries of staminodial origin. In Garcinia, the nectaries have been interpreted as being of receptacular origin or as sterile reproductive organs. Our aim in this study was to analyze the nature of the indefinite perianth, the differential development of the androecium in relation to the sexual system, and the origin of the nectaries from the perspective of floral biology and evolution. Floral anatomy and ontogeny were analyzed using both LM and SEM. The species has bracteoles that surround the flower buds. The perianth consists of tepals that are very similar to the bracteoles and that show a centripetal and gradual decrease of mesophyll and cuticle thickness. Developmental irregularities in the anthers lead to a reduction of pollen production in staminate flowers and complete male sterility in pistillate flowers because of peri- and postmeiotic cell degeneration. Both floral forms have nectaries, the origin of which we discuss, leading to hypotheses about their nature.

Anomalias dentárias associadas: o ortodontista decodificando a genética que rege os distúrbios de desenvolvimento dentário

O presente trabalho versa sobre o diagnóstico e a abordagem ortodôntica das anomalias dentárias, enfatizando os aspectos etiológicos que definem tais irregularidades de desenvolvimento. Parece existir uma inter-relação genética na determinação de algumas dessas anomalias, considerando-se a alta frequência de associações. Um mesmo defeito genético pode originar diferentes manifestações fenotípicas, incluindo agenesias, microdontias, ectopias e atraso no desenvolvimento dentário. As implicações clínicas das anomalias dentárias associadas são muito relevantes, uma vez que o diagnóstico precoce de uma determinada anomalia dentária pode alertar o clínico sobre a possibilidade de desenvolvimento de outras anomalias associadas no mesmo paciente ou em outros membros da família, permitindo a intervenção ortodôntica em época oportuna.

Event-related potential features of suprasegmental speech cues processing in infancy

Event Abstract Back to Event Event-related potential features of suprasegmental speech cues processing in infancy Anett Rago1*, Ferenc Honbolygó1, V. Csépe1, Zs Róna2 and A. Beke2 1 Research Institute for Psychology of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary 2 Department of Obsterics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Hungary During the process of language perception, infants have different tasks to solve. Phoneme perception studies revealed that normalization and categorical perception are essential features of speech comprehension. From behavioral and ERP studies we know that from the beginning of their life, young infants without special training or instruction have access to phonemic representation. Along with these local speech cues however there exist the so called suprasegmental speech cues that may also contribute to the transformation of input to the prelexical intermediate representation. One of these psycho-acoustic features is the word stress. We know from earlier studies that from 5 months of age infants are sensitive to the rhythmic properties of language inputs that are characteristic of their mother language. The stress though is a complex phenomenon. Different languages use different characteristics (pitch, length of syllables) to sign stress. In Hungarian, we use long vowels without stress on them; nevertheless the case is simple in that way that as a rule the stress is always on the first syllable. In this study, our aim was to investigate the difference between processing phonemic and rhythmic speech cues before the first year of life. In addition to this, we inquired into the developmental patterns characteristic of at risk infant groups (preterm infants) because of the need of early detection and correction of potential developmental irregularities. 33 6- and 10-month old, full-term and pre-term infants were participated in the experiment.We used a passive oddball paradigm with a standard Hungarian word ‘banán’ (‘banana’ in English) and two deviants: a voiceless phoneme deviant (‘panán’, which is meaningless in Hungarian), and a stress deviant where the stress was on the second syllable, instead of the first (‘ban:án’). Our results show that at the early ages (6 months of age) there were significant differences between the preterm and full-term infant groups in the two experimental conditions. At six months of age, special response-patterns were revealed in the full-term control group; there were huge responses for the standard and for both of the deviant stimuli. The normal ten months olds' response was quite the opposite. The pre-term responses were always between the two normal control groups'. The additional analyses revealed that for ten months of age even at-risk infants tend to show the normal response patterns but still in a rudimentary form. The response patterns from the different electrodes suggest great brain maturation differences. Conference: MMN 09 Fifth Conference on Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and its Clinical and Scientific Applications, Budapest, Hungary, 4 Apr - 7 Apr, 2009. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Poster Presentations Citation: Rago A, Honbolygó F, Csépe V, Róna Z and Beke A (2009). Event-related potential features of suprasegmental speech cues processing in infancy. Conference Abstract: MMN 09 Fifth Conference on Mismatch Negativity (MMN) and its Clinical and Scientific Applications. doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.09.2009.05.139 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 26 Mar 2009; Published Online: 26 Mar 2009. * Correspondence: Anett Rago, Research Institute for Psychology of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary, rago@cogpsyphy.hu Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Anett Rago Ferenc Honbolygó V. Csépe Zs Róna A. Beke Google Anett Rago Ferenc Honbolygó V. Csépe Zs Róna A. Beke Google Scholar Anett Rago Ferenc Honbolygó V. Csépe Zs Róna A. Beke PubMed Anett Rago Ferenc Honbolygó V. Csépe Zs Róna A. Beke Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

264. Proteomic approaches to the study of conceptus fluids from first trimester bovine pregnancies

Advanced reproductive technologies using in vitro production systems in cattle and other livestock species offer significant opportunities for improving the reproductive performance of the female. Impeding the development is the overall inefficiency and significant costs surrounding the high incidence of embryo wastage, particularly during early pregnancy and the occurrence of foetal developmental abnormalities, placentation irregularities and late term losses. Effective molecular interchange and communication between the conceptus and its mother is of utmost importance for the development, growth and continued viability of the foetus. We are using a proteomics approach to determine the protein profile (proteome) of the conceptus fluids (amniotic and allantoic) during the first trimester of normal, IVF and NT pregnancies. Proteomic analysis and comparison of the proteins present in these fluids may lead to the discovery of novel biomarkers which can be used to determine foetal viability status. Collections of foetal fluids from abattoir collections of Day 35 to Day 100 pregnancies were characterised with respect to volume and total protein estimates and subjected to various fractionation procedures. Protein fingerprints of conceptus fluid fractions have been generated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and the identity of proteins determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry and database searches. Enrichment of the low-abundance and low molecular weight proteins has been achieved by ultrafiltration under denaturing and reducing conditions. We were able to establish the identity of the majority of high-abundance proteins and a significant proportion of low-abundance proteins in both amniotic and allantoic fluids using this method. Searching of MSDB or NCBInr mammalian protein sequence databases coupled with the putative protein database deduced from the first draft assembly of the bovine genome sequence, was achieved using Mascot software.

A Polarized Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of Human Fissure and Lingual Enamel of Unerupted Mandibular Third Molars

Using histological and ultrastructural techniques the aims of this study were to investigate whether the mineralization pattern and surface microanatomy of the caries–susceptible fissure enamel were different from those on the caries–inactive lingual surface. The material consisted of 31 unerupted third mandibular molars. The specimens were initially grouped into four categories: (1) without, (2) with initial, (3) with almost completed and (4) with completed root formation. One ground section with fissure–like morphology was selected from each tooth. Using water as a medium the observed birefringence was negative along the lingual and fissure transverses in specimens with almost completed and with completed root formation, while the observed birefringence was positive at different distances in the enamel in sections representing less maturation stages. Qualitative imbibition studies revealed hypomineralized enamel in the lower part of the fissures in specimens representing almost and completed root formation. Imbibed in quinoline, parts of the hypomineralized enamel behaved like a molecular sieve due to the presence of micropores, indicating that the structural arrangement is different from that in the enamel adjacent to this areas. After division of the sections into a lingual and a buccal part, SEM features were described from lower and upper parts of the buccal fissure wall and on lingual enamel in the area corresponding to the bottom part of the fissure. The surface microanatomy varied greatly. Negative developmental irregularities such as fissures and holes were associated with the immature enamel, while matured enamel – particularly fissures – housed many positive developmental irregularities such as enamel caps and protrusions. The crystal size in the mature specimens appeared smaller and more uniform than the crystals from the immature specimens. Apart from the occurrence of hypomineralized enamel in fissures and numerous positive developmental irregularities on the fissure surface, no major differences between fissure and lingual enamel were noticed, neither with respect to mineralization pattern during final stages of tooth development nor to the degree of surface porosity prior to tooth emergence.

Developmental Assessment of Sexual Reproduction inButomus umbellatus(Butomaceae): Female Reproductive Component

Flowering plants often produce ovules that do not develop into seeds. Lack of pollination, insufficient resources, environmental constraints and incompatibility reactions are often considered to be causal factors. Pre-pollination and post-fertilization developmental irregularities (DI) are less commonly implicated as causal factors, usually because information on them is limited. The results of a detailed developmental assessment of sexual reproduction inB. umbellatususing self- and cross-pollinated glasshouse and open-pollinated field-grown plants, reveal a high degree of pre-pollination and post-fertilization DI. Pre-pollination DI account for a large fraction of the species' low reproductive potential. Post-fertilization DI represent another crucial reduction in the species' reproductive output. Seed set inB. umbellatusis less than 1%. In the female reproductive component, these DI include embryo sacs with hypertrophied or highly vacuolate eggs, collapsed synergids, collapsed egg apparati and embryo sacs that are empty, uninucleate or with disorganized mass of nuclei; there are also ovules with no embryo sacs. Post-fertilization DI include zygotes that are hypertrophied, highly vacuolate and collapsed, and malformed embryos. The lack of an obvious adaptive significance to the array of DI inB. umbellatussuggests that these are unlikely to be due to self-incompatibility reactions, and physiological or environmental constraints. SinceB. umbellatusis a long-lived species, it is highly possible that disadvantageous mutations have accumulated in its clonal lineages causing a considerable load in terms of faulty meiosis resulting in defective meiotic products, a series of DI, and therefore, limited sexual reproduction.

Developmental Assessment of Sexual Reproduction inButomus umbellatus(Butomaceae): Male Reproductive Component

This report deals with the male reproductive component ofButomus umbellatusand examines pollen development, presentation, viability and germinability, as well as pollen tube growth and penetration into the micropyle. Our developmental assessment presents a comprehensive description of the male reproductive processes inB. umbellatus, describes a variety of developmental irregularities starting with meiosis, and discriminates pre- and post-pollination developmental factors causing reduced male reproductive potential. Developmental irregularities that occur inB. umbellatusinclude meiotic aberrations, pollen abortion, differences in pollen tube diameter, variations in sizes and frequency of callose plugs, excessive winding of pollen tubes and pollen tube branching. These are apparent underin vitro, glasshouse and field conditions, suggesting that such irregularities are innate and unlikely to be due to environmental or nutritional constraints. The lack of difference between self- and cross-pollinations indicates that the developmental peculiarities observed are not due to self-incompatibility reactions. The low numbers of viable pollen grains or grains with a normal appearance are attributed to meiotic aberrations that most likely affected successful division of uninucleate into binucleate pollen grains and subsequent pollen tube growth patterns. In spite of the differences in pollen tube growth patterns, inconsistent pollen tube penetration and pollen tube branching, many of these tubes end up in the micropyle. Therefore, reduced male reproductive potential inB. umbellatusis largely due to pre-pollination developmental events.