Fetuses Of Different Gestational Ages Research Articles

Prostate Gland in Human Foetuses: A Study of its Histogenesis

Background: To study the histogenesis of the prostate gland in human foetuses. ‘Prostates’ is a Greek word which literally means “one who stands before”, protector, guardian. It is important from a clinical point of view as it undergoes benign enlargement from the fifth decade, hence attracting the attention of males around this age and simultaneously the clinicians. Materials and Methods: 100 foetuses of different gestational ages ranging from 14 weeks (85 mm) to 40 weeks (440 mm), products of terminated pregnancies under Medical Termination of Pregnancy, MTP Act of India, 1971 and stillbirths were collected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RIMS, (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences), Imphal, Manipur and utilised for the present study with permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Results and Discussion: The first sign of differentiation is recognised as increased cellularity and denser mesenchymal cells. Cytoarchitecture at specific age period at different age groups are described. Conclusion: Cytoarchitecturally, differentiation of all the three components of the prostate gland was noted as the age changes. It is inferred that of the three components of the adult tissues, the glandular component is differentiated from the epithelial lining of the urethra. This further induces the early mesenchymal tissues to differentiate into muscles and fibrous components. And at term, it has all the three components of the adult tissues although it is not as mature as in adult. KEY WORDS: Prostate gland, human foetuses, histogenesis and cytoarchitecture.

Expression of L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule (L1CAM) in extracellular vesicles in the human spinal cord during development.

L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is a glycoprotein characterized by three components: an extracellular region, a transmembrane segment, and a cytoplasmic tail. L1CAM is expressed in multiple human cells, including neurons. The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 has been implicated in a variety of neurologic processes, including neuritogenesis and cerebellar cell migration. The presence of L1CAM on the surface of nerve cells allows the adhesion of neurons among them. Furthermore, when it is bound to itself or to other proteins, L1-CAM induces signals inside the cell. The aim of this work was to study L1CAM expression in the human spinal cord during development, at different gestational ages, through immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical analysis for L1CAM was performed in five human spinal cord samples, including three embryos and two fetuses of different gestational ages, ranging from 8 to 12 weeks. L1CAM expression was detected in all 5 spinal cords examined in this study. The adhesion molecule was found in the vast majority of cells. The highest levels of immunoreactivity for L1CAM were detected at the periphery of the developing organs, in the spinal cord zones occupied by sensory and motor fibers. In the alar and basal columns, immunoreactivity for L1CAM was characterized by a reticular pattern, being mainly expressed in axons. Strong reactivity of L1CAM was also found in extracellular vesicles. This extracellular localization might indicate the ability of L1CAM to mediate the transduction of extracellular signals that support axon outgrowth. The high reactivity of L1cam in the axons of developing neurons in the fetal spinal cord confirms previous studies on the ability of L1CAM to promote axon sprouting and branching in the developing nervous system. In this work, a new actor is reported to have a role in the complex field of human spinal cord development: L1CAM, whose expression is highly found in the developing neuronal and glial precursors.

Major change in morphology of the talofibular ligaments during fetal development and growth.

Ankle sprain is often attributed to damage of theanterior and posterior talofibular ligaments (ATFL, PTFL). We compared the morphology of these ligaments in fetuses of different gestational ages (GAs) with the horizontal configuration in adults. Histological sections of unilateral ankles were examined in22 fetuses, 10 at GA of 9-12weeks and 12 at GA of 26-39weeks. At a GA of 9 to 10weeks,theATFL and PTFL consisted of horizontally running straight fibers. The initial ATFL appeared as a thickening of the capsule of the talocrural joint, although the initial PTFL was distant from this joint. Until a GA of 12weeks, the talus and fibula were separated by an expanding joint cavity. Thus, the initial horizontal ligaments were "pulled" in a distal direction. The distal parts of the ligaments consisted of thin collagenous fibers that had an irregular array, whereas the short proximal parts had thick fibers and a horizontal array. In near-term fetuses, the ligaments contained no horizontal fibers. The ATFL had a wavy course around the thick synovial fold, and was exposed to the joint cavity along the entire course; the distal part was thinner than the proximal part.The PTFLwas bulky and consisted of fibers with an irregular array. Therefore, the morphology in a near-term fetus was quite different from that in adults. The horizontal and straight composite ankle fibers in adults apparently result from postnatal reconstruction, depending on mechanical demand.

STUDY OF CORRELATION OF FOETAL BRAIN WEIGHT TO FOETAL TOTAL BODY WEIGHT TO ASSESS THE DEVELOPMENT OF BRAIN

Background: Owing to the present-day usage of advanced development of ultrasonographic technique with high resolution scanning, one is able to identify, analyse and report the congenital abnormalities of rd developing foetuses in their intrauterine life with great specicity. As the development of neural tube begins very early as 3 week of intrauterine period, a clinician is able to detect neural tube defects at a very early stage. The normal growth of the brain during the intrauterine period can be estimated by assessing the ratio of foetal brain weight to the total body weight of the foetus by measuring the various parameters of the foetuses. The weight of the foetal brain varies in various conditions like congenital heart defects, intrauterine growth retardation, microcephaly, neural tube defects associated with folic acid deciency and due to various teratogenic factors. So, studying the ratio of foetal brain to total body weight is useful tool to diagnose various conditions. Methodology: A total of about 100 foetuses of different gestational ages were collected from the Gynaecology and Obstetrics department in King George Hospital and Victoria General Hospital, Visakhapatnam. It was ensured that the foetuses are properly embalmed as soon as they are procured and foetal height, weight and other important parameters required for the study were taken. Results: The ratios were calculated for gestational ages from 13 to 40 weeks. The ratio for brain declined very slowly throughout the period examined. An observation of practical importance of the brain weight/bodyweight ratios was virtually constant after 30 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: In this study foetal body weight is compared with the brain weight to correlate the subsequent brain development according to the weight of the foetus. By this study we can understand the foetal brain growth and compare results attained with the readings of foetal brain vol / weights got by non-invasive techniques like ultrasound, MRI scanning and identify the affected brain development in various conditions like congenital heart defects, intrauterine growth retardation, syndromes with associated microcephaly, zika virus infections and genetic anomalies etc

Ultrastructural, Histochemical, Cytological Study of Retina of Aborted Fetus of Various Weeks of Gestation – an Anatomical Perspective with Implications on Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Aim: To study the ultrastructural, histochemical, cytological features of retina in aborted fetuses of different gestational age and its probable implication in the disease process of retinitis pigmentosa. Methodology: This is a prospective randomized cross sectional study that has been carried out in AIIMS Bhubaneswar from June 2017 to May 2019, jointly by the Department of Anatomy and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, India, after proper institutional approval. Three fetuses from each trimester were taken into the present study; their retina was collected and subsequently sent for cytological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural explorations. Detailed information from all explorations were collected and properly documented. Results:Fetuses whose retinas that have been shown to contain very few to no rod cells and short-sized cone cells might tend to develop retinitis pigmentosa after birth. Moreover, those cone cells have been shown to contain melanolysosome, phagosomes, autophagic vacuoles, and membranous whorls.

Study on Morphometry of Adrenal Glands in live fetuses by Ultrasonography

Introduction: Development of adrenal gland is always peculiar as it involves the complex process. It has an intriguing role in the harmonious development of fetus. Ultrasonographic Studies on fetal supra renal glands help in understanding the embryology of Suprarenal glands and are also useful in obstetrics, perinatology and fetopathology. Risk factors associated in the pregnancy like maternal diabetes and hypertension could impair the growth of adrenal glands. The nomograms of adrenal glands observed by ultrasonography are of clinical importance and help us in planning prevention and management of a fetus in high-risk pregnancies. This requires a feasible and repeatable screening test. Objective: To estimate various suprarenal gland measurements such as length, width, thickness, volume, surface area, circumference, thickness of cortex and medulla Materials and methods: Present study conducted with62 live normal human fetuses of different gestational ages ranging from 20 – 40 weeks, through ultrasonographic study using real time 4D and B mode Ge Voluson 730 pro ultra sound macine. Probes used were AB-2-7 Convex 2d abdominal Probe and RABA 4-8 Convex 4D abdominal probe. After obtaining the prior permission from the institutional ethics committee, consent from pregnant woman. Sex of the fetus was not revealed during ultrasonographic study. Fetal parameters of supra-renal gland were recorded and documented. Results: Suprarenal gland length, width, thickness, cortico-medullary thickness, surface area and circumference of both right and left side revealed significant difference (p<0.01). the detailed data analysis was presented in the subsequent headings. Conclusion: The data obtained from this study, may useful to understand the suprarenal morphometry in live fetuses thus the database useful in obstetrics, perinatology and fetopathology.

Динаміки вагових характеристик лімфатичних вузлів великої рогатої худоби в пренатальному періоді онтогенезу

In lymph nodes, as peripheral organs of the immune system, the patterns of their growth and development are unique in many ways, especially during the prenatal period of ontogenesis. The changes in the absolute and relative mass of lymph nodes in 66 bovine fetuses of different gestational ages (2–9 months) were studied. The weight of the fetuses and organs was determined with an accuracy of 0.001 g. According to the indicators of weight, body length, and the degree of development of the fetal skin derivatives, their age was established. It was found that in the first third of the fetal period of ontogenesis, the dynamics of the lymph nodes’ absolute mass was characterized by a moderate increase, which occurred simultaneously with an increase in the weight of the fetus itself. The relative weight at the beginning of the fetal period changed unevenly: it decreased in the superficial cervical and mandibular and increased in the popliteal and caudal mediastinal lymph nodes. In the second third of the fetal period, both the absolute and the relative weight of the examined organs increased dramatically (with the maximum at 7 months-old age). During the last third of the fetal period, a gradual increase in the absolute mass of all lymph nodes was found, and their relative mass, on the contrary, decreased moderately. In the second and last third of prenatal development, there was no direct relationship between the growth of the lymph nodes mass and the fetal total mass.

Morphogenesis of urinary bladder in human fetuses

Introduction: The urinary bladder is a temporary reservoir for urine brought from the kidneys by the ureters. It develops from the upper expanded part of urogenital sinus. There is paucity of literature regarding development of urinary bladder during various stages of fetal life. Hence, this study was done to observe the changes taking place in the development of normal urinary bladder during various stages of fetal life. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal for 2 years from 2011 to 2013 after taking approval from the ethical committee of the institute. Fifty fetuses of different gestational age ranging from 15 weeks to term which were products of medical termination of pregnancy were collected from Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RIMS. Results: Three shapes of bladder were visible during the fetal life, i.e., round, ellipsoid, and pyramidal. Round and ellipsoid shape were visible during the early fetal period, and bladder assumed more pyramidal shape during later fetal life. Conclusion: Urinary bladder assumed almost adult shape from 33 weeks onward with presence of four surfaces, i.e., one superior, two inferolateral, and one posterior surface or base.

D2-40 Immunoreactivity of Lymphatic Vessels Endothelium and Representation of Lymphatic Vessels in the Liver of Human Fetuses of Different Gestational Age

Summary In the reference literature, there are a few studies on the development of the lymphatic system in the liver, especially human. This study aims to establish the presence, time of appearance, distribution and representation of expression D2-40 molecule – a marker of lymph vessels endothelial cells during the fetal period of the human liver development. The livers obtained from 20 human fetuses (10 male and 12 female), aged 12-37 gestational weeks, constituted our study material. Paraffin sections, 4 µm thick, were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological analysis, and with LSAB2/HRP method for immunohistochemistry using the D2-40 monoclonal antibody to mark lymphatic endothelial cells. The presence of lymphatic vessels was determined by morphometry, calculating their numerical and volume density. The study showed that expression of D2-40 molecule was absent in the liver lymphatic vessels in the first trimester of development, while in the second trimester intensive D2-40 immunoreactivity was observed in the lymph vessels of the liver capsule, and low D2-40 immunopositivity of the lymph vessels in large portal spaces. In the third trimester, intensive D2-40 immunoreactivity was observed in the lymph vessels of the liver capsule and in the endothelium of numerous lymphatic vessels of various shape and size, located in the smaller and larger portal areas. Volume and numerical density of lymphatic vessels in the portal areas of the liver during fetal development increased from the second to the third trimester of pregnancy, which was proportional to the increase in volume density of the hepatic portal spaces. Based on the obtained results, a conclusion may be drawn that the lymph vessels in the liver can be identified in the first half of the second trimester, and their number was growing proportionally by the end of pregnancy.

Proteomic profiling of fetal esophageal epithelium, esophageal cancer, and tumor-adjacent esophageal epithelium and immunohistochemical characterization of a representative differential protein, PRX6.

AIMTo understand the molecular mechanism of esophageal cancer development and provide molecular markers for screening high-risk populations and early diagnosis.METHODSTwo-dimensional electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry were adopted to screen differentially expressed proteins in nine cases of fetal esophageal epithelium, eight cases of esophageal cancer, and eight cases of tumor-adjacent normal esophageal epithelium collected from fetuses of different gestational age, or esophageal cancer patients from a high-risk area of esophageal cancer in China. Immunohistochemistry (avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase complex method) was used to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin (PRX)6 in 91 cases of esophageal cancer, tumor-adjacent normal esophageal tissue, basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ, as well as 65 cases of esophageal epithelium from fetuses at a gestational age of 3-9 mo.RESULTSAfter peptide mass fingerprint analysis and search of protein databases, 21 differential proteins were identified; some of which represent a protein isoform. Varying degrees of expression of PRX6 protein, which was localized mainly in the cytoplasm, were detected in adult and fetal normal esophageal tissues, precancerous lesions, and esophageal cancer. With the progression of esophageal lesions, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend (P < 0.05). In fetal epithelium from fetuses at gestational age 3-6 mo, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend with age (P < 0.05). PRX6 protein expression was significantly higher in well-differentiated esophageal cancer tissues than in poorly differentiated esophageal cancer tissues (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONDevelopment and progression of esophageal cancer result from interactions of genetic changes (accumulation or superposition). PRX6 protein is associated with fetal esophageal development and cancer differentiation.

Position and Relations of Ovary in Developing Human Fetuses

Abstract Aim: The aim of the study is to relook into the gross development of human ovary and its relation to other pelvic organs. Materials and methods:The materials studied consisted of 52 normal human female fetuses of different gestational ages starting from 14th week to 40 weeks, collected from Dept, of Obstetrics and Gynecology, RIMS, Imphal with permission from the local ethical committee. Results: The ovaries are almond shaped and are located in false pelvis till term. The orientations of the ovaries were different at different age groups. Till 16 week the ovary was found to be placed vertically, at 18 weeks obliquely in 66.66% and vertically in 33.33% instances. Thereafter ovaries were placed obliquely in the false pelvis till 29th week. At 30th week they were found to be almost horizontal till 38th week of gestation and at 40th week they regained oblique orientation. Weight and all the dimensions of the ovary were found to increase with increasing gestational weeks. The weight and dimension of right ovary was slightly more than that of left ovary. During early weeks ovarian size is greater than that of uterus but as the age advances, size of uterus becomes bigger than ovary. Conclusion: Ovaries lie vertically in early weeks of gestation and become oblique in mid trimester. The ovary becomes temporarily horizontal at the end of third trimester only to become oblique at term. The detailed knowledge of developmental anatomy will help the clinician to deal with the diseases related to ovary.

Study of ‘C ‘Cells of Thyroid Gland, its Presence &amp; Position in Fetuses of Different Gestational Age

Study of ‘C ‘Cells of Thyroid Gland, its Presence &amp; Position in Fetuses of Different Gestational Age

Patterns of hypoglossal nucleus development in the prenatal period of human ontogenesis: a morphometric study

Better understanding the origin and differentiation of neurons in the medulla oblongata will promote comprehension of different neural systems functional importance, including the hypoglossal nucleus. There are a few studies addressing histostructure and morphometric parameters of hypoglossal nucleus in human embryos and fetuses in the scientific literature. Aim. To establish the structure, morphometric parameters of the hypoglossal nucleus and the nerve cells that go to form it in the embryos and human fetuses of different gestational age. Materials and Methods. A morphological and histological study of 230 human embryos and fetuses from 6–7 to 39–40 weeks of prenatal development was carried out. Results. In the prenatal development of the hypoglossal nucleus from 17–18 weeks of gestation neuroblasts are changed from spherical to oval shape, during the 20–21 weeks polygonal nerve cells are showing in nucleus composition, and polygonal nerve cells become dominated from the 37 week. The biggest area of the hypoglossal nucleus has been determined in human fetuses at gestational age of 39–40 weeks – 0.82±0.04 mm 2 . The mean values of the nerve cells area are the largest in the 33–34 weeks gestational–age human fetuses – 301,2±9,3 µm 2 , and the mean values of the nerve cells nuclei are the largest in the 39–40 weeks gestational–age human fetuses – 101,2±3,2 µm 2 . Conclusions. The most intensive increase in the area of the hypoglossal nucleus identified in human fetuses at gestational age of 10–11 weeks – by 66.7 %, 12–13 weeks – by 45.4 %, 20–21 weeks – 31.2 %, 22–23 weeks – 36 %, 37–38 weeks – by 45.1 %, 39–40 weeks – by 42.7 % (p<0.01). Intensive increase in the mean neuroblasts area was detected in human fetuses at gestational age of 10–11 weeks – by 40.1 %, 17–18 weeks – 48.4 %, and decrease – in human fetuses at gestational age of 37–38 weeks – by 29.9 % (p<0.01). The most intensive increase in the mean area of neuroblasts was detected in human fetuses at gestational age of 14–15 weeks – by 43.4 % and 39–40 weeks – by 19.8 % (p<0.01).

Developmental study on ovary of human foetuses

IntroductionThe primary gonadal blastema within the genital ridge is formed by two types of somatic cells; cells segregated from the mesonephros and cells of the proliferating coelomic epithelium. The main objectives of the study are to observe the sequential changes of the germ cells and other somatic cells at different gestational ages of the foetal ovary and to look for any variations in its histogenesis. Method52 numbers of human foetuses of different gestational ages were dissected and ovaries were removed. To study the cytoarchitecture, the specimens were fixed in neutral buffered formalin and were subjected to standard histological processing and routine haematoxylin and eosin staining as well as masson‘s trichrome stain. ResultsMaximum numbers of clusters of oogonium were found at 20th week of gestation, thereafter it gradually decreased in number till 40th week. Primordial follicles are formed as early as 14th week and it gradually increased as the age advanced. Primary follicle appeared at 24th week. Both antral and growing follicles were encountered from 38th week onwards. Interstitial cells were seen from 14th week, reaching peak at 22nd–24th week and very few of them were still seen at 40th week. Surface of the ovary is lined by simple cuboidal epithelium right from 14th week. Invaginating surface epithelial cells were also seen till 25th week. DiscussionThe detailed knowledge of the development of ovary may be helpful to the clinicians, particularly obstretrician and endocrinologist.

Morphology of caecum and ileocaecal orifice in human fetuses of different gestational ages

Isolation of chitin from shrimp shell waste using chemical process is a well-adopted industrial practice due to its short process time and efficiency in removing both minerals and proteins from the shell. This study aims to compare the physicochemical, functional, and structural characteristics of chitin obtained from Deep-sea mud shrimp shells using two chemical process sequences: (i) initial deproteinization followed by demineralization (DPM) and (ii) initial demineralization followed by deproteinization (DMP). Characteristics of the extracted chitin, namely degree of acetylation, whiteness index, purity, crystallinity index and surface morphology were evaluated and compared with those of commercial chitin. The high levels of deproteinization and demineralization observed for both DPM and DMP processes suggest the effectiveness of the processes. The Mw of 436.59 ± 1.00 kDa, DA of 81.56 ± 1.10% and WI of 71.39 ± 0.72 for chitin prepared by DMP were higher than those of chitin prepared by DPM, which had Mw of 429.34 ± 1.21 kDa, DA of 75.91 ± 0.99% and WI of 45.03 ± 1.39. The CrI values for DPM and DMP chitins were 68.7% and 72%, respectively. SEM analysis revealed a microfibrillar structure with porosity for the isolated chitin.

Histogenesis of thymus in human foetuses of different gestational ages - A Pilot Study

Thymus is a primary lymphoid organ playing an important role in the development of immune system by generation of T- cells. It is a bilobed and encapsulated organ consisting of two pyramidal lobes. Understanding age related changes in the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of the thymus is important in the evaluation of patients with diseases of thymus which are presented as a variety of immune system disorder and hence this study. The present work is the result of pilot study of 15 human foetal thymus obtained from the museum of department of Anatomy, GIMSR, Visakhapatnam. Age of the fetuses ranged from 19-40 weeks Visakhapatnam. The lobulation and cortico-medullary distinction was observed at 19 weeks gestation. Branching blood vessels at cotico-medullary junction and thicker capsule with wider inter lobular septae and Hassall's corpuscles were observed in thymic glands of 21 st weeks old fetuses. Hassall's corpuscles which are peculiar nest like bodies with a central mass consisting of more granular cells made their appearance in 26 th week of gestation. Cortex with dense populated lymphocytes is observed. Medulla possessed Hassall's corpuscles of increasing maturity with few lymphocytes in 26 th week of gestation. Similar findings were observed in 30 th weeks of gestation. The gland during 34 th week of gestation showed internal architecture of lobulation,

Absence of cystatin C involvement in ventricular remodelling and heart failure

Cystatin C (CysC) is a protease encoded by housekeeping genes. Although its prognostic value in heart failure (HF) is well known, it is debatable whether this value is due to the greater accuracy of CysC in calculating the glomerular filtration rate or to its involvement in pathological ventricular remodeling. The aim of this study was to determine whether CysC expression changes in the myocardium of fetuses of different ages and in the myocardium of adults with various cardiovascular diseases, as well as to analyze the correlation between its serum concentrations and cardiac structure and morphology in a patient group with HF. Patients and methodsWe analyzed the correlations (Pearson's r and Spearman's test) between the serum CysC levels and echocardiographic parameters of 351 patients with HF. We also performed immunohistochemical staining for CysC, metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and desmin in 9 cardiac tissue samples from autopsies of 4 fetuses of different gestational ages and 5 healthy adults or adults with cardiovascular disease. ResultsFor the patients with HF, there was no correlation between the CysC concentrations and the cardiac parameters measured by 2D echocardiography. The immunohistochemistry showed a weak background staining for CysC in all samples, regardless of age and the presence or absence of cardiovascular diseases. ConclusionsOur results suggest that CysC does not have a significant role in the pathological remodeling of the left ventricle in HF.

Morphometric Study of Subpubic Angle in Human Fetuses

The symphysis pubis is formed at the confluence of the pubic bones. Each pubic bone consists of a body and two rami; the superior ramus is joined with the ilium and the inferior ramus with the ischium. The two bones meet in the midline at the pubic symphysis. The two inferior rami at the lower border of pubic symphysis subtend the subpubic angle. In females the subpubic angle is more than 90° and in males it is less than 90°. Most of the previous studies on the subpubic angle have been in children or adults, therefore data on fetuses did merit. The aims of the present study were to measure the subpubic angle in developing human fetuses of different gestational age, whether it is sex dependent and to compare the results with that in the adults. A cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Anatomy JN Medical College, AMU Aligarh, over a period of two years. A total of 41 fetuses immersion fixed in 10% formalin were obtained from the museum department of anatomy. For the purpose of study fetuses were divided into five groups according to gestational age. Group I comprises fetuses of 14-18weeks, group II 19-22weeks, group III 23-26weeks, group IV 27-30weeks, groupV >30weeks of gestation. Pubic symphyses were dissected, cleaned and subjected to radiological examination in the anteroposterior plane. With the help of radiographs subpubic angle was measured. Readings obtained were analysed statistically. Subpubic angle ranged between 58°-64° throughout intrauterine life. Maximum angle (63°- 64°) was observed in group I and V and in the rest of the groups it was less than 60°, with highly significant (p-value<0.001) increase in the last group. Statistically significant sexual dimorphism was observed in group I and II fetuses (p-value <0.001). Subpubic angle was more in females during the first half and in the terminal part of gestation. Subpubic angle remained acute throughout the intrauterine life, with significant widening in fetuses more than 30 weeks of gestation. Marked sexual dimorphism was noticed only in fetuses of 14-18 weeks and 19-22 weeks of gestation fetuses, although the values were invariably less than 90° (acute) in both the sexes but in females towards the higher side as in adults. Assessment of symphysis and subpubic arch during antenatal ultrasonography of pregnant women can be done to diagnose congenital widening of the symphysis or absence of symphysis altogether.

Ausencia de implicación de la cistatina C en el remodelado ventricular y la insuficiencia cardiaca

Cystatin C (CysC) is a protease encoded by housekeeping genes. Although its prognostic value in heart failure (HF) is well known, it is debatable whether this value is due to the greater accuracy of CysC in calculating the glomerular filtration rate or to its involvement in pathological ventricular remodelling. The aim of this study was to determine whether CysC expression changes in the myocardium of foetuses of different ages and in the myocardium of adults with various cardiovascular diseases, as well as to analyse the correlation between its serum concentrations and cardiac structure and morphology in a patient group with HF. Patients and methodsWe analysed the correlations (Pearson's r and Spearman's test) between the serum CysC levels and echocardiographic parameters of 351 patients with HF. We also performed immunohistochemical staining for CysC, metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and desmin in 9 cardiac tissue samples from autopsies of 4 foetuses of different gestational ages and 5 healthy adults or adults with cardiovascular disease. ResultsFor the patients with HF, there was no correlation between the CysC concentrations and the cardiac parameters measured by 2D echocardiography. The immunohistochemistry showed a weak background staining for CysC in all samples, regardless of age and the presence or absence of cardiovascular diseases. ConclusionsOur results suggest that CysC does not have a significant role in the pathological remodelling of the left ventricle in HF.

Femoral Neck Anteversion and Neck Shaft Angles: Determination and their Clinical Implications in Fetuses of Different Gestational Ages.

Precise anatomical assessment of femoral neck anteversion (FNA) and the neck shaft angles (NSA) would be essential in diagnosing the pathological conditions involving hip joint and its ligaments. The present study was undertaken on 48 fetal femurs to calculate the NSA and FNA in fetuses digitally.End on images of upper end of the femurs were taken for the estimation of FNA and a photograph in a perpendicular plane was taken to calculate the NSA. Microsoft Paint software was used to mark the points and Image J software was used to calculate the angles digitally.The FNA ranged from 17.08º to 33.97 º on right and 17.32 º to 45.08 º on left. The NSA ranged from 139.33 º to 124.91 º on right and 143.98 º to 123.8 º on left. Unpaired t test showed the FNA and NSA of femur did not vary significantly during the third trimester.