Maternal periconceptional consumption of sprouted potato and risks of neural tube defects and orofacial clefts

Characteristics of Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Case Analysis and Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) stands as the most common congenital facial anomaly, stemming from multifactorial causes.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and characteristics of cleft palates, identify associated risk factors to inform prevention and prenatal detection for early intervention, and assess postoperative rehabilitation protocols for cleft palates.

DESIGN

This study employs a retrospective descriptive and clinical approach.

PATIENTS

The study includes 103 children with cleft palates treated at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery Clinic for Children and Young Adults, Department of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Warmia and Mazury.

METHODS

We conducted a thorough evaluation of records, considering variables such as sex, cleft type, maternal occupation, parental education, and family history of clefts. Data analysis was carried out using R software version GPL-3 and ordinal logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Notably, children born to mothers who experienced significant stress during pregnancy exhibited a 9.4-fold increase in the odds of having bilateral cleft palates. Conversely, no substantial evidence was found to support the influence of the child's sex, birth order, body mass, maternal exposure to workplace toxins, infections, or drug toxicity on the dependent variable.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that children with parents who have a history of clefts and those with less educated mothers are more likely to develop bilateral cleft palates. Additionally, children born to mothers experiencing stress during pregnancy face an increased risk of bilateral cleft palates. It is important to note that there is a paucity of literature on rehabilitation following various cleft palate surgical techniques in children.

The Therapeutic Value of Solanum Steroidal (Glyco)Alkaloids: A 10-Year Comprehensive Review

Steroidal (glycol)alkaloids S(G)As are secondary metabolites made of a nitrogen-containing steroidal skeleton linked to a (poly)saccharide, naturally occurring in the members of the Solanaceae and Liliaceae plant families. The genus Solanum is familiar to all of us as a food source (tomato, potato, eggplant), but a few populations have also made it part of their ethnobotany for their medicinal properties. The recent development of the isolation, purification and analysis techniques have shed light on the structural diversity among the SGAs family, thus attracting scientists to investigate their various pharmacological properties. This review aims to overview the recent literature (2012-2022) on the pharmacological benefits displayed by the SGAs family. Over 17 different potential therapeutic applications (antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, etc.) were reported over the past ten years, and this unique review analyzes each pharmacological effect independently without discrimination of either the SGA's chemical identity or their sources. A strong emphasis is placed on the discovery of their biological targets and the subsequent cellular mechanisms, discussing in vitro to in vivo biological data. The therapeutic value and the challenges of the solanum steroidal glycoalkaloid family is debated to provide new insights for future research towards clinical development.

Modifiable Risk Factors of Non-Syndromic Orofacial Clefts: A Systematic Review

OFCs (orofacial clefts) are among the most frequent congenital defects, but their etiology has yet to be clarified. OFCs affect different structures and functions with social, psychological and economic implications in children and their families. Identifying modifiable risk factors is mandatory to prevent the occurrence of non-syndromic OFCs (NSOFCs). PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from 1 January 2012 to 25 May 2022 and a total of 7668 publications were identified. Studies focusing on the risk factors of NSOFCs were selected, leading to 62 case-control and randomized clinical trials. Risk factors were categorized into non-modifiable and modifiable. The first group includes genetic polymorphisms, gender of the newborn, ethnicity, and familiarity. Within the second group, risk factors that can only be modified before conception (consanguinity, parental age at conception, socio-economical and educational level, area of residency and climate), and risk factors modifiable before and after conception (weight, nutritional state, acute and chronic diseases, psychophysical stress, licit and illicit drugs, alcohol, smoke, pollutants and contaminants) have been distinguished. This study provides a wide overview of the risk factors of NSOFCs, focusing on modifiable ones, to suggest new perspectives in education, prevention, medical interventions and clinical research.

Providing Biological Plausibility for Exposure–Health Relationships for the Mycotoxins Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Fumonisin B1 (FB1) in Humans Using the AOP Framework

Humans are chronically exposed to the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin B1 (FB1), as indicated by their widespread presence in foods and occasional exposure in the workplace. This exposure is confirmed by human biomonitoring (HBM) studies on (metabolites of) these mycotoxins in human matrices. We evaluated the exposure–health relationship of the mycotoxins in humans by reviewing the available literature. Since human studies did not allow the identification of unequivocal chronic health effects upon exposure to DON and FB1, the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework was used to structure additional mechanistic evidence from in vitro and animal studies on the identified adverse effects. In addition to a preliminary AOP for DON resulting in the adverse outcome (AO) ‘reduced body weight gain’, we developed a more elaborated AOP for FB1, from the molecular initiating event (MIE) ‘inhibition of ceramide synthases’ leading to the AO ‘neural tube defects’. The mechanistic evidence from AOPs can be used to support the limited evidence from human studies, to focus FB1- and DON-related research in humans to identify related early biomarkers of effect. In order to establish additional human exposure–health relationships in the future, recommendations are given to maximize the information that can be obtained from HBM.

Effect of Microwave-Assisted Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction of α-Solanine from S. retroflexum and Analysis on UHPLC-qTOF-MS

A new, fast and efficient method, hyphenated microwave-assisted aqueous two-phase extraction (MA-ATPE) was applied in the extraction of α-solanine from Solanum retroflexum. This environmentally friendly extraction method applied water and ethanol as extraction solvents. Central composite design (CCD) was performed which included numerical parameters such as time, mass of plant powder and microwave power. The categorical factors included the chaotrope — NaCl or the kosmotrope — Na2CO3. Fitting the central composite design response surface model to the data generated a quadratic model with a good fit (R2 = 0.920). The statistically significant (p < 0.05) parameters such as time and mass of plant powder were influential in the extraction of α-solanine. Quantification of α-solanine was achieved using a robust and sensitive feature of the ultra-high performance quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-qTOF-MS), multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The optimized condition for the extraction of α-solanine in the presence of NaCl and Na2CO3 was a period of 1 min at a mass of 1.2 g using a microwave power of 40%. Maximal extraction of α-solanine was 93.50 mg kg−1 and 72.16 mg kg−1 for Na2CO3 and NaCl, respectively. The synergistic effect of salting-out and microwave extraction was influential in extraction of α-solanine. Furthermore, the higher negative charge density of the kosmotrope (Na2CO3) was responsible for its greater extraction of α-solanine than chaotrope (NaCl). The shorter optimal extraction times of MA-ATPE make it a potential technique that could meet market demand as it is a quick, green and efficient method for removal of toxic metabolites in nutraceuticals.

Glycoalkaloids of Plants in the Family Solanaceae (Nightshade) as Potential Drugs

Worldwide interest in medicinal plants and related drugs is growing because of the increased spectrum of new synthetic drugs. In this context, secondary plant metabolites are most significant. This review analyzes data on the structures and biosyntheses of metabolites such as glycoalkaloids; methods for their extraction from plants of the family Solanaceae, particularly potato S. tuberosum; their qualitative and quantitative analysis; biological activity; and toxicity. This information could be useful in the selection of methods for sample preparation and extraction of glycoalkaloids during the search for new plant sources with prospects of creating effective and safe pharmacological agents.

Wnt/PCP signalling cascade disruption by JNK inhibition as a potential mechanism underlying the teratogenic effects of potato glycoalkaloids

It is hypothesised that the inhibition of the non-canonical Wnt/PCP intracellular signalling cascade by potato glycoalkaloids, [Formula: see text]-solanine and [Formula: see text]-chaconine, results in an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). One very prominent intracellular signalling pathway with substantial implications in the development and closure of the neural tube is the Wnt/PCP pathway. Experimental inhibition of this results in NTDs. A vital element of this signalling cascade is JNK, which controls the transcription of DNA, which controls cell polarity and directional cell migration. JNK inhibition also results in NTDs experimentally. Through their use in cancer research, [Formula: see text]-solanine and [Formula: see text]-chaconine were found to inhibit metastasis by inhibiting JNK, among other intracellular signalling molecules. Thus, this shows that potato glycoalkaloids increase the likelihood of causing NTDs by inhibiting the proper functioning of JNK in the Wnt/PCP pathway, resulting in defective neural tube closure.

Risk assessment of glycoalkaloids in feed and food, in particular in potatoes and potato-derived products

The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of glycoalkaloids (GAs) in feed and food. This risk assessment covers edible parts of potato plants and other food plants containing GAs, in particular, tomato and aubergine. In humans, acute toxic effects of potato GAs (α-solanine and α-chaconine) include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. For these effects, the CONTAM Panel identified a lowest-observed-adverse-effect level of 1 mg total potato GAs/kg body weight (bw) per day as a reference point for the risk characterisation following acute exposure. In humans, no evidence of health problems associated with repeated or long-term intake of GAs via potatoes has been identified. No reference point for chronic exposure could be identified from the experimental animal studies. Occurrence data were available only for α-solanine and α-chaconine, mostly for potatoes. The acute dietary exposure to potato GAs was estimated using a probabilistic approach and applying processing factors for food. Due to the limited data available, a margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied. The MOEs for the younger age groups indicate a health concern for the food consumption surveys with the highest mean exposure, as well as for the P95 exposure in all surveys. For adult age groups, the MOEs indicate a health concern only for the food consumption surveys with the highest P95 exposures. For tomato and aubergine GAs, the risk to human health could not be characterised due to the lack of occurrence data and the limited toxicity data. For horses, farm and companion animals, no risk characterisation for potato GAs could be performed due to insufficient data on occurrence in feed and on potential adverse effects of GAs in these species.

The etiopathogenic and morphological spectrum of anencephaly: a comprehensive review of literature

Anencephaly is a severe malformation of the central nervous system (CNS), being one of the most common types of neural tube defects. It is defined as total or partial absence of the calvarium, with absence of the brain. Anencephaly has an incidence of 1 to 5 in every 1000 births, and the mortality rate is 100% during intrauterine life or within hours or days after birth. The etiology of anencephaly remains unclear, but various maternal-related environmental and genetic risk factors have been reported, which include diabetes, obesity, exposure to different drugs or toxins, genetic polymorphisms and mutations, as well as positive family history for neural tube defects. One of the most important nutritional factors in the development of anencephaly is folate deficiency. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene codes the enzyme involved in the intracellular metabolism of folic acid; the 677C-T polymorphism of this gene causes the thermolability of the enzyme and decreased enzymatic activity, which is also dependent of folate plasmatic level. Etiopathogenesis of anencephaly includes several mutations in various other genes, such as: platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA), cadherin epidermal growth factor (EGF) laminin G (LAG) seven-pass G-type receptor 1 (CELSR1), Vang-like 1 (VANGL1) and Vang-like 2 (VANGL2), the last two being involved in the process of neurulation. Screening tests include maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level and ultrasound (US) examination. During the first trimester US screening, anencephaly is now detected in all cases, but in order to decrease the complication rate of pregnancy termination, the diagnosis should be established as soon as possible, during the pregnancy confirmation US. We conclude that given that anencephaly is a severe malformation of the CNS, morphological characterization could improve the screening by US that is mandatory in the first trimester in order to plan the best, safe and early management.