Critique Paper

In
Advanced Developmental Biology

Written by:

Name: Michelle Anne V. Imbong

Date: May 30, 2022
Course/Program: MAEd TB

Submitted to:

Professor Sylvester T. Cortes

 Genetic Regulation of Embryological Limb Development with Relation to Congenital Limb
Deformity in Humans

Introduction

With all the advancements and research in genetic engineering, it is discovered that a lot
of factors are responsible for initiating and assisting in the development of the limb in animals
and humans. With the aid of these factors and processes, orthopedic surgeons can understand
how limb deformity in humans come about and how it is related to signaling errors.

Summary

The experimental research using a mice as a test subject was done to identify the factors
and precursors which would initiate limb outgrowth. Different HOX gene families play an
important role in the developing limb. One example is the Fibroblasts growth factor. An
experiment was also done in chicks and it was observed that a misexpression of this gene would
lead to failure of formation of elements of the forelimb or hindlimb.
Retinoic acid, a Vitamin A derivative, also plays an important role in initiating limb bud
development. RA levels must be carefully monitored for high and low levels of retinoic acid may
lead to different abnormalities in the limb.

Conclusion

The science behind limb development is very complex. Hence, the studies and
experimental research done are very crucial and a necessity to better understand the biological
processes occurring in organisms.
This article could greatly help surgeons specifically, orthopedic surgeons in
understanding the principles of limb deformity and in discovering ways on how to prevent
different congenital anomalies and deformities in humans.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2656784/?
fbclid=IwAR0ApyBknNSr3wTH_bOaJp6A05HN2w69dQ8kvvIqBuXGaUmCjNofSQxM5kM

The Human Y chromosome: The biological role of a “functional wasteland”

Introduction
The human Y chromosome is intriguing not only because it harbours the master-switch
gene that determines gender but also because of its unusual evolutionary history. The Y
chromosome evolved from an autosome, and its evolution has been characterized by massive
gene decay. Recent whole-genome and transcriptome analyses of Y chromosomes in humans and
other primates, in Drosophila species and in plants have shed light on the current gene content of
the Y chromosome, its origins and its long-term fate. Furthermore, comparative analysis of
young and old Y chromosomes has given further insights into the evolutionary and molecular
forces triggering Y-chromosome degeneration and into the evolutionary destiny of the Y
chromosome. The presence or absence of the Y chromosome is critical because it contains the
genes necessary to override the biological default - female development - and cause the
development of the male reproductive system.

Summary

Although the Y chromosome's role in sex determination is clear, research has shown that
it is undergoing rapid evolutionary deterioration. Many generations ago the Y chromosome was
large, and contained as many genes as the X chromosome. Now it is a fraction of its past size and
contains fewer than 80 functional genes. This has led to debates and concerns over the years
regarding the Y chromosome's eventual destiny.  Many speculate that the Y chromosome has
become superfluous and could completely decay within the next 10 million years. While studies
of the Y chromosome have been challenging, genomic advances have provided some unexpected
insights.
 
This installment of the Genome Advance of the Month highlights two studies, issue
of Nature that explore the evolutionary path of the Y chromosome in various mammals.
Together, these studies demonstrate the stability of the Y chromosome over the past 25 million
years. They further reveal some critical functions of the Y chromosome that suggest it may be
here to stay.

Conclusion
These findings have considerable implications for our understanding of differences in
biology, health and disease between men and women. Because genes on the X and Y
chromosomes have a history of selection independent of each other, subtle functional differences
may exist that are a direct consequence of genetic differences on the two chromosomes. While
these differences have not yet been explored in great detail, more studies on the conserved Y
chromosome genes can help us to understand differences in the basic biology and susceptibility
to diseases in men and women and better guide health management.

References

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrg3366

Roseanne F. Zhao, Ph.D.

NIH M.D./Ph.D. Partnership Training Program Scholar

Ana Luísa Teixeira and Rui Medeiros

Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto
R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida
https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/508564]]0

Factors Associated With Neural Tube Defects Among Newborns Delivered

at Debre Berhan Specialized Hospital, North Eastern Ethiopia, 2021. Case-
Control Study

Introduction
Neural tube defects are the most common severe central nervous system anomalies, second only
to cardiovascular abnormalities in causing congenital morbidity and mortality. Neural tube defects are
severe congenital malformations affecting around one in every 1000 pregnancies. An innovation
in clinical management has come from the finding that closure of open spina bifida lesions in
utero can diminish neurological dysfunction in children.
Summary
The study was conducted among 381 newborns at North Eastern Ethiopia and includes
the mothers who delivered in Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and the results
show that neural tube defects among children are primarily caused by unhealthy lifestyle and
practices of the mother. The mother’s nutrition for one takes a huge role in the health of the child
in her womb. Primary prevention with folic acid against neural tube defects has been enhanced
through introduction of mandatory food fortification in some countries, although not yet in the
UK. 

Conclusion
Mothers who took medication during pregnancy, mothers who did not take balanced diets
during pregnancy, and mothers who did not take folic acid during pregnancy were the significant
factors of neural tube defects. Health care professionals should focus on maternal safe drug
prescription, maternal folate intake, and a balanced diet before and during pregnancy. A health
care team is also vital in detecting neural tube defect in newborns and requires a collaborative
effort in sharing patient information openly to effectively manage and achieve optimal outcomes
for both the mother and fetus.

References
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2021.795637/full
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1474442213701108
https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/25764?
fbclid=IwAR39qGVp1srOuRZwUwCNa5QL4mlUQ_ddKK7nqHiEQ4PP5M1icC70oiWP8PI

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/ntds/conditioninfo