Selenium has been long recognized as one of the essential trace elements. Although many selenoproteins have been identified in the last decade, the physiological roles of Se and selenoproteins remain to be elucidated. Since iodothyronine deiodinases (DIs), which regulate the tissue levels of thyroid hormone, are (likely to be) selenoproteins, Se might have specific roles for developing brain. I...

Synthetic amorphous silica is a nanostructured material, which is produced and used in a wide variety of technological applications and consumer products. No regulatory prenatal toxicity studies with this substance were reported yet. Therefore, synthetic amorphous silica was tested for prenatal toxicity, according to OECD guideline 414 in Wistar rats following oral (gavage) administration at th...

The aim of this study was the development of an alternative testing method based on human embryonic stem cells for prenatal developmental toxicity with particular emphasis on early neural development. To this purpose, we designed an in vitro protocol based on the generation of neural rosettes, representing the in vitro counterpart of the developing neural plate and neural tube, and we challenge...

Lead (Pb) exposure in the early stages of neurodevelopment results in long-lasting alterations that ultimately cognitive function and behaviour. The prime targets of lead toxicity are the multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs). The present review will discuss the basic molecular physiology involved in the toxicity mechanisms induced by lead and its resultant counter effects on nervous system and ...

background: the aim of this perspective study was to assess the frequency of hemoglobinopathy mutational genes among voluntary hemoglobinopathy carrier couples-to-be referred to thalassemia center, shafa hospital, affiliated to ahvaz jondidishapur university of medical sciences (ajuoms), during their first trimester of pregnancy for genetic screening and counseling for prenatal diagnosis (pnd)....

maternity child health is one of the important and essential aspects of health services that must be considered as a priority in administrative programs because mothers and their children more than other people in the community are affected by perilous environmental factors. they are very vulnerable that lead to disease, failure to thrive, inability and death. every year, poor hygiene leads to ...

OBJECTIVE To describe photosensitization after prenatal exposure to a toxic amount of methylene blue and to alert pediatricians that, in a review of the literature, photosensitization (which this dye is capable of) has not been reported as a complication of prenatal exposure. DESIGN AND PATIENTS A descriptive report of physical findings and significant laboratory tests in a very low birth wei...

background: the need to provide high quality prenatal care services, which take account of women's views and specifi­cally address their need for information, support and communication, has been advocated and group prenatal care, had been sug­gested as one of the ways to achieve this objective. the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of group versus in­dividual prenatal care on sati...

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been documented in pregnant women, but consequences for development are not yet widely studied in human populations. This review presents research on the consequences for offspring of BPA exposure during pregnancy. Extensive work in laboratory rodents has evaluated survival and growth of the conceptus, interference with embryonic programs of development, morpholog...