Morphological features of a case of retinoic acid embryopathy

A case of retinoic acid embryopathy which was retrospectively diagnosed after delivery is presented. The affected fetus was exposed to the drug during the first month of pregnancy and second-trimester sonographic examination showed hydrocephalus and cardiacmalformation. The diagnosis was made on the basis of autopsy findings and genetic enquiry.     

Prenatal diagnosis of familial tuberous sclerosis following detection of cardiac rhabdomyoma by ultrasound

The authors report a case of tuberous sclerosis (TS), diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound, which was suspected by the detection of intracardiac tumours and confirmed by the family investigation. Cardiac rhabdomyomata can be visualized early on echography and must suggest this diagnosis. The place of genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis in TS is examined.     

Fetal echocardiography using transvaginal and transabdominal probes during the first period of pregnancy: A comparative study

The authors compare the diagnostic possibilities of fetal transabdominal echocardiography versus transvaginal echocardiography. A larger diagnostic capacity is verified in different gestation ages with transvaginal probe between the 11th and 14th week of gestation. The results are emphasized by colour Doppler.     

Benzo[a]pyrene exposure influences the cardiac development and the expression of cardiovascular relative genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

It is reported that the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in weathered crude oils are cardiotoxic. However, the action mechanism of PAHs on vertebrate cardiovascular development and disease is unclear. In the present study, the cardiac morphology and functioning of zebrafish embryos exposed to benzo[a]pyrene [B(a)P], as a high-ring PAHs, for 72 h were observed and determined. The results showed that B(a)P exposure resulted in cardiac developmental defects in zebrafish embryos. Significant changes in expression level of multiple genes potentially critical for regulating the B(a)P-induced cardiovascular developmental defects were also found. A gene network regulating cardiac development perturbed by B(a)P exposure was identified and established by computational analysis and employment of some databases. The information from the network could provide a clue for further mechanistic studies explaining molecular events regulating B(a)P-mediated cardiovascular defects and consequences.     

Phenanthrene exposure produces cardiac defects during embryo development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) through activation of MMP-9

Phenanthrene (Phe) is one of the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the aquatic environment as a result of human activities. It is widely accepted that Phe has cardiotoxic effects. Even so, knowledge concerning the mechanism(s) of cardiac development toxicity is still limited. In this study, we exposed zebrafish embryos to environmentally relevant concentrations of Phe and then investigated its cardiotoxic effects and the mechanism(s) involved. Some cardiac morphogenetic defects, which was characterized by an abnormally looped and enlarged heart, dilated and thinner ventricular wall, and increased interstitial fibrosis, were observed in the Phe treated groups. The mRNA and protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), as well as the MMP-9 activity, were induced. Moreover, during co-treatment of the zebrafish embryos with MMP-9 inhibitor, the cardiac defects caused by Phe were attenuated. In addition, Phe exposure led to an up-regulation of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), which plays a crucial role in mediating cardiac fibrosis. Taken together, our data indicated that the exposure to Phe of zebrafish embryos disrupted normal cardiac development, and that the cardiac defects induced by Phe were mediated by the MMP-9, while TGF-β was also involved in these cardiac defects.     

大气PM2.5对大鼠心肌细胞的毒性作用

为评估大气PM_2.5及其不同组分对心肌细胞H9C2的毒性作用,探讨PM_2.5对心血管系统产生毒性作用的关键组分,将前期采集并制备的PM_2.5完全颗粒物、PM_2.5水溶性组分、PM_2.5脂溶性组分和PM_2.5单纯颗粒物以不同质量浓度对H9C2细胞染毒.用MTS法在染毒6、10、24、48、72 h后测定细胞活力;根据细胞活力测定结果,选用较低染毒浓度（10 μg/mL）,用相关试剂盒测定染毒24 h后胞内和上清液中LDH（乳酸脱氢酶）和SOD（超氧化物歧化酶）活力,ELISA及RT-qPCR法测定炎性因子IL-6和TNF-α表达量,AP位点计数法测定细胞DNA损伤情况.结果表明:颗粒物成分（PM_2.5完全颗粒物和PM_2.5单纯颗粒物）对H9C2细胞表现出强烈的生长抑制作用,50 μg/mL及以上染毒浓度组在染毒时间≥ 24 h时细胞可能已经全部死亡,而可溶性成分（PM_2.5水溶性组分和PM_2.5脂溶性组分）对H9C2细胞生长表现为极弱或无生长抑制作用,仅400 μg/mL的PM_2.5脂溶性组分始终对细胞生长表现出抑制作用;各组分样本都在一定程度上造成了H9C2细胞损伤,降低了胞内LDH和SOD活性;PM_2.5完全颗粒物和PM_2.5脂溶性组分在造成炎性损伤方面的作用较为明显.研究显示,颗粒物组分对H9C2细胞致死作用显著,相对而言,PM_2.5完全颗粒物表现出的毒性作用最强且最全面.      

Role of prenatal detection of cardiac tumours in the diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis—report of two cases

Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant disease with variable expression. Little is known about the intrauterine course of the disease and the fetal age at which specific abnormalities may be detected. The role of prenatal detection of cardiac tumours in the diagnosis of two fetuses at 28 and 32 weeks' gestation based on fetal echocardiography is discussed. The prenatal and postnatal course of the disease is described.