Expression of SHH and IHH during the formation of intervertebral discs in mouse embryo / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is expressed in mouse Notochordal cells, and India Hedgehog (Ihh) is mainly expressed in chondrocyte-like cells and end plates of mouse embryonic vertebral bodies. However, the expression of Shh and Ihh during the formation of intervertebral discs in mouse embryo is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Shh and Ihh during the formation of intervertebral discs in mouse embryo. METHODS: Male Shh-CreERT2, R26-mTmG/+ mice mated with female R26-mTmG/+ mice to obtain pregnant rats at different periods of pregnancy (E8.5, E11.5, E12.5, E14.5, E16.5, E18.5), followed by injection of 10 g/L tamoxifen at a dose of 10 μL/g. Intervertebral disc tissues were isolated from the mouse embryo at P0, followed by genotype identification. At the same time, male C57BL/6 mice mated with female C57BL/6 mice to obtain pregnant rats at different periods of pregnancy (E11.5, E12.5, E14.5, E16.5, E18.5), and the intervertebral disc tissues of mouse embryo were taken and analyzed. The expression of Shh and Ihh during the formation of intervertebral discs in mouse embryo was detected using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Implementation of animal experiments was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Soochow University. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Shh-CreERT2; R26-mTmG/+ mouse embryos were identified by PCR amplification. The results of immunofluorescent staining showed a gradual decrease in the expression of Shh in nucleus pulposus cells during the formation of intervertebral discs in mouse embryo. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed a gradual increase in expression of Ihh in nucleus pulposus cells during the formation of intervertebral discs in mouse embryo. In summary, Shh and Ihh are dynamically expressed during the formation of intervertebral discs in mouse embryo, and provide a basis for further research on the molecular mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Metastatic poorly differentiated chordoma: the eyes do not see what the mind does not know

Chordoma is a rare tumor. It has unique clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Accurate diagnosis is essential as the tumor shows an aggressive clinical course and requires a multimodal therapeutic approach. A case with wide spread distant metastatic disease that was initially thought to represent metastatic thyroid carcinoma is presented. Appropriate clincopathologic correlation and the histologic findings raised the possibility of poorly differentiated chordoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry for INI-1 and Brachyury. The approach to the diagnosis emphasizing the clinical and pathologic findings of this case is discussed and reviewed in the context of the published literature.

Chordomas: Histopathological Study in View of Anatomical Location

BACKGROUND: Chordomas are aggressive bone tumors that have a predilection for the axial skeleton including the skull base and spinal/sacral bones. However, the histopathological and clinical differences between skull base chordoma (SBC) and sacral/spinal chordoma (SC) are unclear as previous studies have been focused on patient prognosis and treatment outcome. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of chordoma according to its location. METHODS: Patients with chordomas were enrolled, and the histopathologic features were compared according to the tumor location. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were enrolled. SBCs had more abundant chondroid matrix and diffuse growth pattern, while SCs had non-chondroid, myxoid matrix and a lobulating pattern, typical of chordoma. Old age and residual tumors were risk factors for shorter overall survival in SBCs. The chondroid matrix was an independent risk factor for shorter disease-free survival in the overall population. CONCLUSION: Chordomas have different histopathologic features depending on the anatomical location.

Ontogenetic development of tetra Astyanax lacustris (Characiformes: Characidae)

Ontogenetic development of the tetra Astyanax lacustris was studied under laboratory conditions. Larvae obtained by induced reproduction were maintained individually in tissue-culture plates, at 25°C. Daily observations and morphometric measurements were performed. Larvae hatched with a total length (TL) of 3.02 ± 0.34 mm (average ± standard deviation) without pigmentation and 0.06 ± 0.02 mm³ of yolk reserves. The yolk-sac larval period lasted 26 h post-hatching (hph). During this period, eye pigmentation started, the digestive tract emerged, the anus opened, and the animals began to show steady movements. Inflation of the swimming bladder initiates the preflexion stage, which extended until 230 hph. During this stage, the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding was observed, with the yolk reserve being completely absorbed after 74 hph (TL: 4.17 ± 0.36 mm). Up to 86 hph it was possible to observe the first food ingested within the digestive tract. This period was followed by the flexion stage, with the folding of the notochord tip and development of the caudal fin (11-13 days post-hatching). Finally, during the last larval developmental stage (postflexion), the segmentation of the fin rays was completed, and the emergence of scales was observed (TL: 5.97 ± 0.65 mm). The larval ontogenetic development of A. lacustris was completed after 22 post-hatching days (dph).(AU)

O desenvolvimento ontogenético do lambari Astyanax lacustris (Pisces, Characidae) foi estudado em condições ambientais controladas. Larvas obtidas através de reprodução induzida, foram mantidas individualmente em placas de cultivo celular, a 25°C. Diariamente foram realizadas observações e medições morfométricas. As larvas eclodiram com 3,02 ± 0,34 mm (média ± desvio padrão) de comprimento total (CT); sem pigmentação e com 0,06 ± 0,02 mm³ de reserva vitelínica. O período larval vitelino estendeu-se durante as primeiras 26 horas pós-eclosão (hpe) e durante este período teve início o processo de pigmentação dos olhos, o surgimento do tubo digestório, abertura anal e os animais passaram a apresentar movimentação constante. Com o inflamento da bexiga natatória tem início o estágio de pré-flexão, que se estendeu por até 230 hpe. Durante este estágio, foi observada a transição entre a alimentação endógena e a exógena, sendo a reserva vitelínica totalmente absorvida após 74 hpe (com os animais atingindo 4,17 ± 0,36 mm de CT) e em até 86 hpe foi possível observar a primeira alimentação no trato digestório. Após esse período, teve início o estágio de flexão da parte final da notocorda e da estruturação da nadadeira caudal (11 e 13 dias após a eclosão). Por fim, no último estágio de desenvolvimento larval (pós-flexão), foi observada a segmentação completa dos raios das nadadeiras e o início do aparecimento das escamas (CT: 5,97 ± 0,65 mm). O desenvolvimento ontogenético larval de A. lacustris foi concluído após 22 dias pós-eclosão (dpe).(AU)

Un caso raro de malformación del tubo neural: síndrome de hendidura notocordal / A rare case of neural tube defect: split notochord syndrome

Se trata de una embarazada de 33 años de edad, II gesta, I para, con 27 semanas de gestación, referida con el diagnóstico de ascitis fetal. Al estudio ecosonográfico se encuentra polihidramnios, abdomen fetal distendido ocupado por una gran masa líquida que inicialmente impresiona como ascitis fetal, además se encuentra intestino ecogénico compatible con peritonitis meconial y polimicrogiria. En una posterior evaluación ultrasonográfico se observa defecto en columna vertebral a nivel del sacro de donde emerge una imagen anecogénica equivalente a la conocida "espina bífida anterior" corroborándose restos de hallazgos ecográficos anteriores. A las 33 semanas de gestación se realiza cesárea extrayéndose recién nacido vivo, masculino, 2820 g y 45 cm de talla, con puntuación de Apgar de 6 y 7 al 1 y 5 minuto de vida respectivamente. Presentó síndrome de distrés respiratorio transitorio y sintomatología de obstrucción intestinal, la cual fue resuelta quirúrgicamente. Atresia intestinal y se confirma el síndrome de hendidura notocordal. El recién nacido falleció por sepsis. No se realizó autopsia. Los hallazgos ultrasonográficos dependen del tipo de lesión, pero frecuentemente se reportan como quistes abdomino-torácicos, mielo-meningocele y espina bífida. El pronóstico generalmente es ominoso, pero dependerá de la extensión de las lesiones y anomalías asociadas

A 33 years old woman, gravida II, para I, was referred at 27 weeks gestation with the diagnosis of fetal ascites. Ultrasound report showed, polyhydramnios, fetal abdomen distended occupied by a large liquid mass initially impressed as fetal ascites, echogenic bowel is also consistent with meconium peritonitis and polymicrogiria. In a subsequent ultrasonography was observed column defect on the sacrum where emerges a cystic mass equivalent to the known "anterior spina bifida", others previous ultrasound findings were confirmed. Cesarean section was performed at 33 weeks gestation, obtaining male live newborn, 2820 g and 45 cm in length, with Apgar score of 6 y 7 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. The newborn presented transient distress respiratory syndrome and symptoms of intestinal obstruction which was resolved surgically. Intestinal atresia, and confirming the split notochord syndrome. The newborn died of sepsis. No autopsy was performed. The ultrasound findings depend on the form of the lesion, but often are abdomino-thoracic cysts, myelomeningocele and spina bifida. The prognosis is usually ominous, but depends on the extent of the lesions and associated anomalies

Giant Vertebral Notochordal Rest: Magnetic Resonance and Diffusion Weighted Imaging Findings

A giant vertebral notochordal rest is a newly described, benign entity that is easily confused with a vertebral chordoma. As microscopic notochordal rests are rarely found in adult autopsies, the finding of a macroscopic vertebral lesion is a new entity with only seven previously presented cases. We report here radiological findings, including diffusion weighted images, of a patient with a giant notochordal remnant confined to the L5 vertebra, with an emphasis on its distinction from a chordoma.