No abstract

Data obtained in the study would be useful for clinicians by presenting an objective scale related to the prenatal period as well as being helpful in assessing the development of this region, identifying the anomalies and pathologies, and assisting treatment.

Curcumin is a pigment found in Indian saffron spices, also known as turmeric. The aim of this study is to investigate the antioxidant effect of curcumin, a phytochemical, on the blood tissue of rats. In the study, 24 Wistar rats were 8 weeks old, randomly divided into 2 groups which were the control group and the experimental group was fed with curcumin supplement. Curcumin supplemented group was fed at 300mg/kg/day curcumin dissolved in corn oil by oral gavage for 12 days. 24 hours after the last feeding, TAC (Total Antioxidant Capacity) and TOC (Total Oxidant Capacity) were analyzed in blood samples. When the TAC and TOC levels of curcumin-supplemented feeding group were examined, the level was higher than the control group (P <0.05). Results of the study show that curcumin strengthens the antioxidant defense system.

Objective : The aim of the present study was to compare the morphometrics of the craniofacial and alveolar arch structures of anencephalic fetuses with those of normal human fetuses without anencephaly or any other anomaly. Design : Original article. Methods : Standard lateral and posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs of 23 anencephalic and 33 normal human fetuses aged between 21 and 40 weeks of gestation were compared. These fetuses were divided into three periods based on gestational age, and vertical, sagittal, transverse, and angular measurements were taken in the cranial base and facial regions. Moreover, intraoral measurements from the maxillary and mandibular arches were also made to determine the width and depth. Results : N-S and S-Ba lengths and the N-S-Ba angle, measured on lateral cephalometric radiographs, were statistically smaller in anencephalic fetuses (p < .05). The S-N-ANS, S-N-Pg, and ANS-N-Pg angles and the Go-Me length were significantly greater in anencephalic fetuses (p < .05). Maxillary length, ramus length, and anterior facial heights were similar in both groups. On posteroanterior radiographs, all parameters except bigonial distance were found to be smaller in the anencephalic fetuses (p < .05). Maxillary alveolar width was small among anencephalic fetuses in all three periods; whereas, the mandibular alveolar width was narrow only in the third period. Conclusion : Cranial and facial structures were affected morphometrically to various degrees in anencephalic cases. The most significant alterations in anencephalic cases were related to measurements in the transverse direction. This indicated that cephalic tissue influenced not only the cranial base but also all facial structures.

To investigate the effects of mint (Mentha spicata L.) tea consumed during pregnancy on prenatal maternal weight, length of pregnancy and morphometric development of pups in postnatal period. Twelve female (7 in mint tea group and 5 controls) and 6 male (used for mating) Wistar albino rats weighing 190-210 g were used in the study. Throughout the pregnancy, the mint tea group was given 4 ml of mint (Mentha spicata L.) tea at the same time every day and the control group was given 4 ml of commercial drinking water by gavage. Weights of pregnant rats in both groups were measured three times a week throughout the pregnancy. After the pups were born, morphometric growth parameters pertaining to the body, cranium, thorax and limbs were measured during newborn and lactation periods and adulthood. Pregnant rats in the MT group gained less weight during gestation than the control rats. Morphometric parameters were measured on a total of 66 pups born to rats in both groups (46 pups in the MT group; 20 pups in the control group and measurements of pups born to rats in the MT group were smaller than the control group (p<0.05). Morphometric parameters measured after six weeks showed a significant difference between females in the MT and control groups, with the females in the MT group having smaller measurements (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in morphometric parameters between males in the MT and control groups. Mint tea consumption during pregnancy has a negative effect on maternal weight gain and certain postnatal morphometric parameters, more prominently in female progenies. Therefore mint (Mentha spicata L.) tea consumption during pregnancy calls for caution.