Prenatal screening for neural tube defects: from maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein to ultrasonography.

The two main screening tests during pregnancy are those for chromosomal abnormalities and neural tube defects (NTDs). In particular, for NTDs, measurement of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels early in the second trimester (15-18 weeks of gestation) has been considered the gold standard screening test for the past 4 decades. However, with remarkable technological advancements and the widespread use of ultrasound during those periods, mid-trimester ultrasonography has gradually replaced the role of measuring MSAFP levels as a screening method for NTDs.

Assessment of acute and chronic toxicity of cyantraniliprole and sulfoxaflor on honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae.

Background: Recently, cyantraniliprole (CYA) and sulfoxaflor (SUL) have been considered as alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides. In this study, we evaluated the acute and chronic toxicities of CYA and SUL on honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) larvae reared in vitro.

Developmental Toxic Effects of Thiram on Developing Zebrafish () Embryos.

Thiram, an oxidized dimer of dithiocarbamate, has fungicidal and ectoparasiticidal roles. This study aimed to determine the effects of thiram on the development of zebrafish (ZF) embryos. The developmental toxicity test was performed in accordance with the OECD 236 test guidelines, and ZF embryos were subjected to several thiram concentrations and a DMSO (0.

Transcriptome-Based Identification of Genes Responding to the Organophosphate Pesticide Phosmet in .

Organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) are one of the most widely used insecticides. OPPs exert their neurotoxic effects by inhibiting acetylcholine esterase (AChE). Most of the gross developmental abnormalities observed in OPP-treated fish, on the other hand, may not be explained solely by AChE inhibition.

Horizontal Honey-Bee Larvae Rearing Plates Can Increase the Deformation Rate of Newly Emerged Adult Honey Bees.

Rearing honey bee larvae in vitro is an ideal method to study honey bee larval diseases or the toxicity of pesticides on honey bee larvae under standardized conditions. However, recent studies reported that a horizontal position may cause the deformation of emerged bees. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the emergence and deformation rates of honey bee () larvae reared in horizontal and vertical positions.

Nitrogen Stimulates -Dominated Blooms More than Phosphorus in River Conditions That Favor Non-Nitrogen-Fixing Genera.

Despite the implementation of intensive phosphorus reduction measures, periodic outbreaks of cyanobacterial blooms in large rivers remain a problem in Korea, raising the need for more effective solutions to reduce their occurrence. This study sought to evaluate whether phosphorus or nitrogen limitation is an effective approach to control cyanobacterial () blooms in river conditions that favor this non-nitrogen-fixing genus. These conditions include nutrient enrichment, high water temperature, and thermal stratification during summer.

Determination of C-Terminal δ-Catenin Responsible for Inducing Dendritic Morphogenesis.

δ-Catenin induces dendritic morphogenesis in several cells and it was reported that deletion of C-terminal 207 amino acid of δ-catenin completely abolished the dendritic morphogenesis. However, exact domain responsible for inducing dendritic morphogenesis in C-terminus of δ-catenin was not mapped. Here, we report that expression of ΔC47 (lacking 47 amino acid of C-terminus: 1-1200), ΔC77 (lacking 77 amino acid of C-terminus: 1-1170) deletion mutants of δ-catenin induced the dendritic morphogenesis of HEK293T and NIH3T3 cells as full-length δ-catenin did.