Identification of an S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) dependent arsenic methyltransferase in Danio rerio.

Arsenic methylation is an important cellular metabolic process that modulates arsenic toxicity and carcinogenicity. Biomethylation of arsenic produces a series of mono-, di- and tri-methylated arsenic metabolites that can be detected in tissues and excretions. Here we report that zebrafish exposed to arsenite (As(III)) produces organic arsenicals, including MMA(III), MMA(V) and DMA(V) with characteristic tissue ratios, demonstrating that an arsenic methylation pathway exists in zebrafish.

Arsenic transport by zebrafish aquaglyceroporins.

Background: Arsenic is one of the most ubiquitous toxins and endangers the health of tens of millions of humans worldwide. It is a mainly a water-borne contaminant. Inorganic trivalent arsenic (AsIII) is one of the major species that exists environmentally.

Pregnancy outcome in patients with previous uterine rupture.

Background: To review the outcome of subsequent pregnancies in conservatively managed cases of uterine rupture.

Methods: Charts of patients with full thickness uterine rupture in the past 25 years were reviewed and information on subsequent pregnancies was extracted from maternal and neonatal charts.

Results: Thirty-seven patients with uterine rupture were identified; the uterus was scarred in 62.