Fetal Research Articles

Innervation of the heart: Anatomical study with application to better understanding pathologies of the cardiac autonomics.

Current advances in management of the cardiac neuroaxis in different cardiovascular diseases require a deeper knowledge of cardiac neuroanatomy. The aim of the study was to increase knowledge of the human fetal extrinsic cardiac nervous system. We achieved this by systematizing the origin and formation of the cardiac nerves, branches, and ganglia and their sympathetic/parasympathetic connections. Thirty human fetuses (60 sides) were subjected to detailed sub-macroscopic dissection of the cervical and thoracic regions. Cardiac accessory ganglia lying on a cardiac nerve or in conjunction with two or more (up to four) nerves before entering the mediastinal cardiac plexus were observed in 13 sides. Except for the superior cardiac nerve, the sympathetic cardiac nerves were individually variable and inconstant. In contrast, the cardiac branches of the vagus nerve appeared grossly more constant and invariable, although the individual cardiac branches varied in number and position of origin. Each cervical cardiac nerve or cardiac branch of the vagus nerve could be singular or multiple (up to six) and originated from the sympathetic trunk or the vagus nerve by one, two, or three roots. Sympathetic nerves arose from the cervical-thoracic ganglia or the interganglionic segment of the sympathetic trunk. Connections were found outside the cardiac plexus. Some cardiac nerves were connected to non-cardiac nerves, while others were connected to each other. Common sympathetic/parasympathetic cardiac nerve trunks were more frequent on right (70%) versus left sides (20%). The origin, frequency, and connections of the cardiac nerves and branches are highly variable in the fetus. Detailed knowledge of the normal neuroanatomy of the heart could be useful during cardiac neuromodulation procedures and in better understanding nervous pathologies of the heart.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease: A roadmap to clinical relevance.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) drops sharply during early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), via unknown mechanisms, and correlates with cognitive status in AD patients. Understanding AHN regulation in AD could provide a framework for innovative pharmacological interventions. We here combine molecular, behavioral, and clinical data and critically discuss the multicellular complexity of the AHN niche in relation to AD pathophysiology. We further present a roadmap toward a better understanding of the role of AHN in AD by probing the promises and caveats of the latest technological advancements in the field and addressing the conceptual and methodological challenges ahead.

Morphometric parameters of head and neck great vessels’ main components in the embryonic and early fetal periods

Relevance. The high prevalence of haemangiomas among children requires a detailed study of the pathology formation time. Great vessels are known to be laid, form and develop during the first trimester of pregnancy, including the head and neck area. Negative agents of various types can affect the developing embryo through a pregnant woman's body.Purpose. Our research aimed to study and evaluate head and neck main vessels' morphometric parameters during embryonic development Material and methods. The study assessed the head and neck vessels of 25 human embryos and fetuses at the 3rd to the 12th week, obtained during a routine autopsy of abortive material within 48 hours after death. Histology samples included 110 fragments. Morphometry measured the obtained histology sample vascular wall thickness.Results. Formation of the neurovascular bundle of the neck, which includes the carotid arteries, internal jugular vein and vagus nerve, appeared to begin at week 3-4 of intrauterine life. The morphometric investigation established that the blood vessel wall has a fuzzy differentiated structure at 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. However, vascular wall differentiation is complete, and vessels appear in the adventitia by the 11-12th week.Conclusion. The period from 6 to 7 weeks is critical for the arterial inner lining, and the period from 8 to 9 weeks is for veins. Gestational age between 4 and 7 weeks may be crucial for media and adventitia.

Assessment of fetal left atrial volume and function using anovel left atrial volume tracking method.

Several fetal cardiovascular structural defects may alter the hemodynamics of the cardiac chambers resulting in changes in chamber sizes. Quantitative measurements of the sizes of cardiac chambers can augment the diagnostic power of fetal echocardiography. Using a new left atrial volume tracking (LAVT) method, time-left atrial volume curves (TLAVCs) can be automatically obtained. The goal of this study was to examine whether this method can be used to evaluate left atrial volume (LAV) and provide reference values for LAV and indices of left atrial function in normal human fetuses. Two hundred and four normal human fetuses were enrolled. Using LAVT, the maximal left atrial volume (LAVmax) and minimal left atrial volume (LAVmin) were measured from TLAVCs. Left atrial ejection fraction (EF) was calculated. The maximal left atrial area (LAAmax) and minimal left atrial area (LAAmin) were measured using manual method tracing. Between 21 and 40 weeks, mean LAVmax increased from 0.27 ml to 4.15 ml, and mean LAVmin increased from 0.13 ml to 2.26 ml, respectively, while the EF remained stable at around 0.43. From 21 to 40 weeks, mean LAAmax increased from 0.61 cm2 to 2.64 cm2, and mean LAAmin increased from 0.34 cm2 to 1.53 cm2. This study establishes reference values for fetal LAV during the second half of gestation. The LAVT method appears to be feasible in estimating fetal LAV and shows potential for assessing left atrial function.

Questioning the fetal microbiome illustrates pitfalls of low-biomass microbial studies.

Whether the human fetus and the prenatal intrauterine environment (amniotic fluid and placenta) are stably colonized by microbial communities in a healthy pregnancy remains a subject of debate. Here we evaluate recent studies that characterized microbial populations in human fetuses from the perspectives of reproductive biology, microbial ecology, bioinformatics, immunology, clinical microbiology and gnotobiology, and assess possible mechanisms by which the fetus might interact with microorganisms. Our analysis indicates that the detected microbial signals are likely the result of contamination during the clinical procedures to obtain fetal samples or during DNA extraction and DNA sequencing. Furthermore, the existence of live and replicating microbial populations in healthy fetal tissues is not compatible with fundamental concepts of immunology, clinical microbiology and the derivation of germ-free mammals. These conclusions are important to our understanding of human immune development and illustrate common pitfalls in the microbial analyses of many other low-biomass environments. The pursuit of a fetal microbiome serves as a cautionary example of the challenges of sequence-based microbiome studies when biomass is low or absent, and emphasizes the need for a trans-disciplinary approach that goes beyond contamination controls by also incorporating biological, ecological and mechanistic concepts.

Developmental programming of the neuroendocrine axis by steroid hormones: Insights from the sheep model of PCOS.

The reproductive neuroendocrine system is a key target for the developmental programming effects of steroid hormones during early life. While gonadal steroids play an important role in controlling the physiological development of the neuroendocrine axis, human fetuses are susceptible to adverse programming due to exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals with steroidal activity, inadvertent use of contraceptive pills during pregnancy, as well as from disease states that result in abnormal steroid production. Animal models provide an unparalleled resource to understand the effects of steroid hormones on the development of the neuroendocrine axis and their role on the developmental origins of health and disease. In female sheep, exposure to testosterone (T) excess during fetal development results in an array of reproductive disorders that recapitulate those seen in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including disrupted neuroendocrine feedback mechanisms, increased pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH) hypersecretion, functional hyperandrogenism, multifollicular ovarian morphology, and premature reproductive failure. Similar to a large proportion of women with PCOS, these prenatally T-treated sheep also manifest insulin resistance and cardiovascular alterations, including hypertension. This review article focuses on the effects of prenatal androgens on the developmental programming of hypothalamic and pituitary alterations in the sheep model of PCOS phenotype, centering specifically on key neurons, neuropeptides, and regulatory pathways controlling GnRH and LH secretion. Insights obtained from the sheep model as well as other animal models of perinatal androgen excess can have important translational relevance to treat and prevent neuroendocrine dysfunction in women with PCOS and other fertility disorders.

Development and growth of the calcaneal tendon sheath with special reference to its topographical relationship with the tendon of the plantaris muscle: a histological study of human fetuses.

The calcaneal tendon sheath has several vascular routes and is a common site of inflammation. In adults, it is associated with the plantaris muscle tendon, but there are individual variations in the architecture and insertion site. We describe changes of the tendon sheath during fetal development. Histological sections of the unilateral ankles of 20 fetuses were examined, ten at 8-12weeks gestational age (GA) and twelve at 26-39weeks GA. At 8-12weeks GA, the tendon sheath simply consisted of a multilaminar layer that involved the plantaris tendon. At 26-39weeks, each calcaneal tendon had a multilaminar sheath that could be roughly divided into three layers. The innermost layer was attached to the tendon and sometimes contained the plantaris tendon; the multilaminar intermediate layer contained vessels and often contained the plantaris tendon; and the outermost layer was thick and joined other fascial structures, such as a tibial nerve sheath and subcutaneous plantar fascia. The intermediate layer merged with the outermost layer near the insertion to the calcaneus. In spite of significant variations among adults, the fetal plantar tendon was always contained in an innermost or intermediate layer of the calcaneal tendon sheath in near-term fetuses. After birth, mechanical stresses such as walking might lead to fusion or separation of the multilaminar sheath in various manners. When reconstruction occurs postnatally, there may be individual variations in blood supply routes and morphology of the distal end of the plantaris tendon.

Changing the topographical anatomy among the maxilla, palatine bone, and greater palatine nerve: a histological study using human fetuses.

The palatine bone (PAL) rides over the maxilla (MX) without an end-to-end suture in the bony palate of fetuses. However, changes in the topographical relationship among bones was unknown at and along the pterygopalatomaxillary suture, including the palatine canals. Using sagittal, frontal, and horizontal histological sections of the head from 15 midterm fetuses to 12 near-term fetuses, we depicted the changes in the topographical anatomy of the MX, PAL, and greater palatine nerve (GPN). In the bony greater palatine canal of these fetuses, the medial and posterior walls facing the GPN were consistently made up of the PAL. At midterm, the entire course of the GPN was embedded in the PAL (six fetuses), or the MX contributed to the lateral wall of the nerve canal (nine). At near-term, the anterior and lateral walls showed individual variations: an MX in the anterior and lateral walls (three fetuses), an anterior MX and a lateral PAL (five), an anterior PAL and a lateral MX (two), and a PAL surrounding the GPN (four). These increasing variations suggested that the pterygopalatomaxillary suture was actually growing and that the PAL transiently expanded anteriorly and/or laterally to push the MX in fetuses. The "usual" morphology in which the GPN is sandwiched by the MX and PAL is likely established after birth, possibly during adolescence. The driving force of this change may not be produced by the masticatory apparatus. Rather, it might be triggered by the growing maxillary sinus.

Anatomical variations of the flexor carpi ulnaris in the fetal period

Introduction: The Flexor Carpi Ulnaris (FCU) is a part of the palmar the forearm muscle group and one of the most important muscles for upper limb functioning - is responsible for flexion and adduc­tion of the hand at the radio-carpal joint. There are clinically significant but rare anatomical variations of FCU. The variability of the FCU has not been described up to now, and no typology of the muscle based on its more variable terminal attachment has been created. Aim of the study: Determination of FCU muscle typology based on available fetal material. Material and methods: A total of 114 human fetuses (53 female, 61 male) between 117 and 197 days of fetal life were eligible for the study. Preparations were carried out using classical anatomical techniques based on a previously published procedure. Thanks to that significant anthropometric landmarks were vis­ible for the gathering of metric measurements. Metric measurements were taken and statistically analysed using R-Project software. Results: A new typology was created based on variable muscle insertions. Additionally, the presence of an atypically located, additional, separated muscle belly was described. A comparison of measurements of the left upper limb in relation to the right upper limb showed significant differences for forearm length to the anthropometric point of the stylion radiale, limb length, total FCU length and FCU length which means that the left limb is longer than the right limb. A comparison of FCU insertion types between left and right upper limb showed there’s no significant difference between counts of each type. Conclusion: The FCU is a muscle that is easy to palpate and may therefore act as a topographical marker for healthcare professionals. Knowledge of its variability is not only of theoretical importance but also has clinical sig­nificance. The current publication demonstrates presence of variability in FCU terminal attachment. Certainly, this topic requires further research and continued work on a detailed understanding of forearm anatomy in the fetal period.

Full Title: Microanatomic evaluation of the axon number and the parenchyma/stroma ratio of the sciatic and tibial nerves during human fetal anatomical development. Running Title: Microanatomic development of sciatic & tibial nerves

Objective: Determination of the axon numbers of nerve fibers and evaluation of the parenchyma/stroma ratios to indicate the density of the periaxonal tissue (myelin sheath and periaxonal connective tissue) were aimed by using stereological methods on the histological sections obtained from the sciatic and tibial nerves of the human fetuses. Materials and Methods: This histomorphometric study was carried out on 20 aborted human fetuses (14 males, 6 females, between 12 and 38 gestational weeks) with no external anomalies or malformation. Peripheral nervous tissue specimens harvested from the three levels [proximal (sciatic nerve), middle (first part of the tibial nerve), and distal (distal part of the tibial nerve) levels] through the lower extremities, by anatomical dissection, on either side. Histological sections were prepared. Digital images of the sections were used for the stereological study. Results: The results showed (i) the axon number of peripheral nerves increases as the fetal period progresses; (ii) the axon number of peripheral nerves do not change from proximal to the distal specimen levels; (iii) the axon number of peripheral nerves increases at the same rate throughout the nerve; (iv) the parenchyma/stroma ratio of peripheral nerves does not change along with the nerve, during the fetal period; (v) the parenchyma/stroma ratio of the peripheral nerves does not vary between specimen levels. Conclusion: Our results may contribute to the experimental and clinical research primarily related to sciatic and tibial nerves and the histological interpretation of fetal autopsy materials in fields such as fetopathology and forensic medicine.

Morphometry and Histology of Thyroid Gland in Developing Human Foetuses: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The thyroid gland regulates the basal metabolic rate, somatic growth, and physical growth. The thyroid gland plays a major role in the normal growth of a foetus during the prenatal period. There are few literatures on foetal thyroid gland. Aim: To study the various morphometric and histological changes during intrauterine life in both gender of human foetuses. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. Sushila Tiwari Hospital Government Medical College, Haldwani (UK) and Saraswati Medical College, Unnao in the period of August 2015-2022. Government Medical College, Haldwani for duration of three years on medically terminated 70 foetus of both sexes of known gestational age ranging from 10 to 40 weeks. These foetuses were divided among three groups as group 1 (10-20 weeks), group 2 (21-30 weeks), group 3 (31- 40 week). Midline dissection of neck was done to expose the thyroid gland. Morphometric parameters like length, width, and thickness of each lobe and the isthmus were measured by digital Vernier caliper, weight was also taken by digital weighing machine, then tissue processing was done and paraffin blocks were prepared. All sections were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain (H&E) and studied under the microscope aided camera. By using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and Independent sample test (t-test) comparison among different age groups and gender has been done. Results: There was a significant increase in foetal thyroid weight, length and widths of the right and left lobes, and length of the isthmus with increase in gestational age, while no significant relation was found between male and female foetuses of measured morphometric parameter. The histological features revealed that development of thyroid gland starts earlier and thin capsule was seen at 12 week and it became thicker and more vascular till 35 weeks. Follicles started to form at 14 week and matured follicle were seen at the age of 24 weeks, at 25th week, the lining epithelium of follicles was low columnar to cuboidal, colloid material was seen almost in every follicle. C cells were found at 22 weeks. At the 36 weeks, the follicles were seen spherical and reached to maturity level. Conclusion: As the gestational age increases, the morphometric parameters must increase, if not so, it means the growth of gland is hampered. The knowledge of the growth and differentiation of foetal thyroid will be helpful for clinicians, to judge the thyroid structure prenatally.

Alterations in the spatiotemporal expression pattern of geminin during human epidermal morphogenesis

Geminin, a (25 kDa) protein, was originally identified as a key regulator of DNA replication licensing in the cell cycle and of cell fate during embryonic nervous system formation. Although geminin is involved in mechanisms underlying the regulation of transcription and patterning in embryonic development, its expression and possible significance in human epidermal morphogenesis remains unknown. Forty-one skin biopsy specimens obtained from human fetuses (10th to 23rd week of estimated gestational age) were processed for immunohistochemistry using a primary rabbit polyclonal antibody against geminin. Distinct and statistically significant qualitative and quantitative alterations in the spatiotemporal expression pattern of geminin were observed in the developing human epidermis. The highly ordered expression of geminin in different layers of fetal human epidermis reported here for the first time suggests that this protein may play a significant role in epidermal morphogenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying the alterations of the geminin expression pattern during fetal development at the molecular level remain to be elucidated. Further studies are now warranted to address whether the expression pattern of geminin in the developing human epidermis is disturbed in fetuses with genodermatoses and whether these disturbances might be important for prenatal diagnosis of genodermatoses.

Development of the Submucosa and Musculature in the Human Fetal Stomach

Background: Development of the human fetal stomach starts at the 4th week of intrauterine life. The knowledge of histogenesis of the musculature of the stomach is important for understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of gastric adenomyoma, congenital anomalies like congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, and abnormalities in the development of the enteric nervous system. The aim of this study was to find out the histogenesis of the submucosa (SM), muscularis mucosa (MM), and muscularis externa (ME) in the human fetal stomach. Methodology: Sixty-three freshly aborted fetuses which were free from any gross abnormality were collected from the obstetrics and gynecology department and studied for 2 years. The fetuses were dissected, the stomach was removed, and the tissue was processed for a histological study. Staining was done by hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Van Gieson's stain. Slides were studied under Zeiss branded light microscope using ×10 and ×40 objectives. Results: MM was discontinuous initially and became well defined by 21 weeks in the fundus and body and by the 23rd week in the pyloric region. The density of collagen fibers increased gradually in SM and was seen in bundles from the 23rd week onward. The thickness of SM was more than ME till 22 weeks, and after 27 weeks, it was less than that of ME. In the fundus and body of the stomach, till 18 weeks, ME consisted of two layers, with the inner oblique layer being thicker than the circular layer. The circular layer thickened gradually, and the longitudinal layer appeared by the 25th week. In the pyloric region, initially, there was only a circular layer. The oblique and longitudinal muscle layers appeared at 17–18 weeks and 25th week, respectively. The thickness of the circular layer was found to be more than that of the body from the 21st week onward and became much thicker at around the 27th week. The histological feature of MM, ME, and SM of the stomach resembled an adult pattern by the 28th week of gestational age. Conclusion: The findings of the present study about the time of appearance and further development of MM and ME and the thickness and formation of SM of the human fetal stomach are quite comprehensive. These findings are expected to aid in the knowledge of histogenesis of the stomach in the human fetuses and help in the diagnosis and treatment of various congenital anomalies and clinical conditions involving gastric connective tissue and musculature.

Уголовно-правовое обеспечение демографической безопасности России

National security is primarily determined by the state of demographic security, which is understood as the state of protection of the population from extinction, ensuring the growth of the country's citizens by the state, which is especially important for the vast territory of the Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts. The purpose of the article is to identify the main threats to demographic security in the fields of medicine and healthcare. The methodology of the article is based on the use of the dialectical method of cognition, induction, deduction, logical, comparative legal and predictive methods. Results. The main threats to the demographic security of Russia are artificial termination of pregnancy and the so-called fetal therapy closely related to it. Conclusion. The authors formulate three conclusions: supplement the disposition of Part one of Article 123 of the Criminal Code with the words “illegal”; to include in the Federal Law “On Biomedical Cell Products” a direct ban on the use for the development, production and use of biomedical cell products of biological material obtained by interrupting the process of human embryo or fetus development or disruption of such a process; consider establishing criminal liability for violation of such a prohibition.

FEATURES OF PRENATAL MORPHOGENESIS AND PECULARITIES OF THE UTRICULUS PROSTATICUS FETAL ANATOMY

Aim: To determine the peculiarities of the structural organization of the utriculus prostaticus (UP) in pre-fetuses and fetuses. Materials and methods: The study of macroscopic features and microscopic peculiarities of the prostate gland and the prostatic part of the urethra was carried out on 46 sections of human pre-fetuses and fetuses aged from 9 weeks to birth (31,0-375,0 mm PCL). The work uses the method of microscopic study of serial histological and topographic-anatomical specimens of the prostate gland, as well as the method of the thin preparation of the prostate part of the urethra in fetuses of different ages and morphometry. Results: In 58,0-66,0 mm PCL fetuses the paramesonephric ducts are reduced, except of their connected caudal part, which is a morphological substrate for the development of the UP. At 72,0-79,0 mm PCL fetuses, cavity is replaced by cellular mass. At the 85,0-120,0 mm PCL fetuses, the UP connects with the lumen of the urethra. The cavity of the UP intensivelly proliferates with cells. In fetuses of 125,0-135,0 mm PCL is presente dense arrangement of glandular elements, which are surrounded by fibrous-muscular membrane. In fetuses of 150,0-160,0 mm PCL, in the caudal direction, the cavity of the UP gradually narrows, it forms invaginations, especially in the middle and lower parts, or is divided into separate, interconnected chambers. In fetuses of 170,0-185,0 mm PCL, UP has elongated-oval or rounded-oval shape. In the caudal direction, the UP is directed ventral to the colliculus seminalis and is located slightly anterior and superior to the ejaculatory ducts. In 8-month-old fetuses, the lumen of the UP is lined with a pseudostratified cubical epithelium, outside of which there is a tunica muscularis. Ejaculatory ducts lined with a two-layer cuboidal epithelium are placed on both sides of the UP. A 270,0 mm PCL fetus has no UP at the apex of the colliculus seminalis. In fetuses 315,0-335,0 mm PCL, the process of cavity formation spreads to new areas of glandular formations of the prostate gland and their final branches. Most of the glandular formations open into the prostatic part of the urethra directly below the UP and the distal parts of the ejaculatory ducts. Microscopic examination of frontal sections of the prostate gland of a fetus with a 360,0 mm PCL revealed a septum in the UP which divides the cavity of the UP into the right and left halves of a round-oval shape. Conclusions: The formation of utriculus prostaticus occurs from the paramesonephric ducts in the 11th week of fetal development. At the beginning of the 4th month of intrauterine development, it gradually decreases in size. From the middle of the 5th month of prenatal development, the utriculus prostaticus lengthens, and starting from the fetus of 7 months, both its length and width increase. At the end of the fetal period, the utriculus prostaticus acquires a round-oval shape, its length increases from 0,5 to 4,3 mm during prenatal ontogeny.

A Histomorphometric Analysis of Interganglionic Distance in the Myenteric Plexus of the Entire Large Intestine of Aborted Human Foetuses: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) contributes to the innervation of the gut and is considered the second brain in the gut. It is a part of the peripheral nervous system and the ganglionated plexus (GP) of enteric neurons, present in the layers of the digestive tract, is more complex than any other structure of the peripheral nervous system. The establishment of a valid standard method for quantitative analysis of the myenteric plexus has been a topic of debate among enteric neuropathologists and is essential for better characterisation of patients with gut dysmotility. Aim: To determine the histomorphometric analysis of the interganglion distance of the myenteric plexus in the entire large intestine of aborted human foetuses. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy at Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, India. The study duration was eight years and seven months, from October 2014 to May 2022. A total of 50 aborted human foetus samples were collected from Rajiv Gandhi Government Women and Children’s Hospital, Puducherry, India, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The age of the aborted human foetuses was determined based on Biparietal Diameter (BPD) and Crown Rump Length (CRL) and correlated with clinical history. The aborted human foetuses were assigned to two groups: group A (n=29), ≤20 Weeks of Gestation (WG), and group B (n=21), ≥20 WG. Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase histochemistry, an enzyme histochemistry technique, was used to study the tissue preparations. Statistical significance was determined using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0, International Business Machines (IBM) corporation. The independent sample t-test was conducted for parametric analysis. Results: The interganglion distance was measured from the caecum (A1 segment) to the anal canal (A7 segment) in aborted foetuses of less than 20 WG. The mean values ranged from 78.86±38.09 μm to 126.94±23.87 μm in foetuses of less than 20 WG. The mean values ranged from 66.41±8.05 μm to 107.67±30.17 μm in aborted human foetuses of more than 20 WG. Conclusion: The anal canal showed a long interganglion distance. The average reference values were found to be helpful as a diagnostic tool for identifying disorders related to gut innervation and motility.

Asiatic acid in Centella asiatica extract towards morphological development in an intermittent hypoxia intrauterine embryo model and molecular prediction pathway of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor signalling.

Hypoxia during pregnancy generates oxidative stress that alters the growth and development of the human fetus. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors are essential for normal fetal growth. Asiatic acid in Centella asiatica (CA) has antioxidant properties to prevent growth impairment in hypoxia. This study aimed to investigate the effect of asiatic acid on the morphological development of an intermittent hypoxia (IH) zebrafish embryo model and analyze molecular docking prediction in IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling. Embryos of zebrafish at 2 hours postfertilization (hpf) were assigned to control negative (C), IH, and combination IH and CA extract groups consisting of 1.25 (IHCA1), 2.5 (IHCA2), and 5 (IHCA3) µg/ml. Hypoxia treatment (conducted 4 hours/day) and CA extract were administered for 3 days (2-72 hpf). The parameters of body length and head length were evaluated at 3, 6, and 9 days postfertilization (dpf). The data were analyzed by a two-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Molecular docking was performed to explore the binding affinity of asiatic acid to IGF-1R by Molegro Virtual Docker ver.5 software. The body length and head length of embryos in the IH and treatment groups (IHCA) were shorter than those in the control group at 3 dpf (p < 0.05). However, the body length was more prolonged in the IHCA1 group, but the head length was longer in the IHCA2 group than in the IH group at 6 and 9 dpf. Molecular docking showed the reliable interaction of asiatic acid with IGF-1R signaling in an IH animal model. The administration of CA extract benefits IH through the development and growth of zebrafish embryos at a dose of 2.5-5 µg/ml. Asiatic acid has a binding affinity for IGF-1R signaling.

FEATURES OF MORPHOGENESIS OF THE BONES OF THE HUMAN ORBIT.

The aim: To find out the sources of origin, the chronology of ossification, the peculiarities of age-related topographical and anatomical changes in the bones of the human orbit. Materials and methods: The research was carried out on the specimens of 18 human embryos and prefetuses aged from 4th to 12th weeks of intrauterine development and 12 human fetuses aged from 4th to 9th months which were studied by microscopic examination and 3D reconstruction. Results: The first signs of osteogenesis around the main nervous and visceral contents of the orbit rudiment are observed in 6-week-old embryos in the form of seven cartilaginous bone models. The first signs of ossification in the region of the orbit are found in the maxilla. During the 6th month of intrauterine development, intensive processes of ossification of the frontal, sphenoidal, ethmoidal bones and maxilla are noticeable. From the beginning of the fetal pe¬riod of human ontogenesis, the ossification of bone rudiments that form the walls of the orbit continues. The processes of ossification of the structures of the sphenoidal bone continue, which leads to morphological transformations of the orbit in 5-month-old fetuses - it is separated from the sphenopalatine and infratemporal fossae by a bone layer, the optic canal is formed, and in 6-month-old fetuses, processes of ossification of the frontal, sphenoidal and ethmoidal bones and maxilla occur, Müller's muscle changes its structure to a fibrous one. Conclusions: Critical periods of the orbit development are the 6th month of prenatal ontogenesis and the 8th month.

A Study on type of Branching Pattern of Internal Iliac Artery in the Spontaneously Aborted Human Foetus Specimens

A Study on type of Branching Pattern of Internal Iliac Artery in the Spontaneously Aborted Human Foetus Specimens

A Comparative Morphometric and Histological Study of Human Fetus and Fetal Pancreas in Hyperglycemic and Normoglycemic Mothers.

A significant percentage of pregnancies with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been found to result in the delivery of macrosomic babies. The current study intends to highlight the correlation between maternal diabetes and fetal parameters as well as the histogenesis of the fetal pancreas in humans. The study included thirty aborted fetuses, categorized into seven groups according to their gestational age. Morphometric analysis of fetal parameters and fetal pancreas was done, and the values were compared within different gestational age groups. Pancreatic tissue was processed, stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin, and examined. A comparison was then made between fetuses with and without gestational diabetes. Results: All the fetal biometrics as well as pancreatic parameters showed greater numeric values in mothers with GDM as compared to the controls of the same gestational age groups. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Histogenesis in such fetuses revealed GDM-related hyperplasia of islets of Langerhans. A timely diagnosis of GDM is thus of paramount significance due to its potential implications so that appropriate interventions can be done on time, to improve the overall outcome.