Meningeal cysts complicated with tethered cord syndrome diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography:a case report / 中华围产医学杂志

We reported a case diagnosed with meningeal cysts complicated with tethered cord syndrome based on prenatal ultrasound images at 37+5 gestational weeks, which also showed horseshoe kidney and intrahepatic vascular abnormalities (arteriovenous fistula) in the fetus. The gravida had a precipitate delivery at 39+4 gestational weeks. The anus of this newborn was about 1 cm in front of the normal position. Intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula and horseshoe kidney were detected by neonatal ultrasound and CT scan, and spinal cystic occupying lesion was found by lumbar-sacrum MRI. Intraspinal tumors were removed through spinal canal exploration and spinal cord tumor resection and were confirmed as ependymal cysts by pathological analysis, which was consistent with the prenatal diagnosis. Postoperative changes of lumbar spine was reported by CT scan after the operation. The baby received successful anoplasty when five months old and no abnormal growth or development were found when followed up to one year and eight months old. Raising awareness of tethered cord syndrome can help reduce missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

Expression of transient receptor potential channels in the ependymal cells of the developing rat brain / 대한해부학회지

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an important role in providing brain tissue with a stable internal environment as well as in absorbing mechanical and thermal stresses. From its initial composition, derived from the amniotic fluid trapped by the closure of neuropores, CSF is modified by developing and differentiating ependymal cells lining the ventricular surface or forming the choroid plexus. Its osmolarity and ionic composition brings about a change through the action of many channels expressed on the ependymal cells. Some newly discovered transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are known to be expressed in the choroid plexus ependyma. To detect additional TRP channel expression, immunohistochemical screening was performed at the choroid plexus of 13-, 15-, 17-, and 19-day embryos, using antibodies against TRPV1, TRPV3, and TRPA1, and the expression was compared with those in the adult TRP channels. The level of TRP channel expression was higher in the choroid plexus which suggests more active functioning of TRP channels in the developing choroid plexus than the ventricular lining ependyma in the 15- and 17-day embryos. All the expression of TRP channels decreased at the 19th day of gestation. TRPA1 was expressed at a higher level than TRPV1 and TRPV3 in almost all stages in both the choroid plexus and ventricular lining epithelium. The highest level of TRPV1 and TRPV3 expression was observed in association with the glycogen deposits in the cytoplasm of the choroid plexus ependymal cells of the 15- and 17-day embryos.

Influence of morphine on expression of nestin in ependymal epithelia, central gray and hippocampal formations of mice / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To study the influence of morphine on the expression of nestin in the ependymal epithelia, central gray and hippocampal formations in mice. Methods: Twenty health mice were evenly randomized into control group and experiment group. Mice in the control group were injected with normal saline (0.1 ml daily) and those in the experimental group were injected with morphine (0.1 ml, 1 mg daily). Thirty days later, the mice brain samples were harvested and made into paraffin sections. Immumohistochemical ABC technique was used to observe the expression of nestin under light microscope. The images were analyzed with the image analytical system. Results: In the control group, the ependymal epithelia, the central gray, the periventricular gray substances and the hippocampal formations had weak expression of the nestin, with a mean gray scale of 150.98±13.31; there were 5 kinds of nestin-positive cells: (1) the basal cells of ependymal epithelium, (2) cells distributed in the periventricular gray substance and the deep lamella of central gray, (3) cells distributed in the superficial lamella of central gray, the subiculum, the parahippocampal gyrus and the cortex in II, III layers of the entorhinal area, (4) cells frequently seen in the tectum of rnidbrain and the subiculum, and (5) cells distributed in the tectum of midbrain, the hippocampus, gyrus dentatus, parahippocampal gyrus and the cortex in V layer of the entorhinal area; the density of nestin in the subiculum and entorlimal area was (7.20 ± 1.23) mm2. In the experiment group, the ependymal epithelia, the central gray, the periventricular gray substances and the hippocampal formations had positive expression of the nestin, with the mean gray scale being 133.03 ± 22.28; the density of the above-mentioned 5 kinds of cells increased; the density of nestin in the subiculum and entorhinal area was (10.50±1.43) mm2. The mean value of gray scale and nestin-positive neurons were significantly different between the 2 groups (P<0.05). The cellular proliferation was seen in the ependymal epithelia. The second kind of cells appeared in the superficial lamella of central gray, parahippocampal gyrus and the cortex in I, II and III layers of the entorhinal area. The third kind of cells increased in the hippocampal pyrarnidal layer and the fourth kind of cells increased in the tectum of midbrain and the subiculum. Conclusion: Morphine can promote nestin expression in the ependymocyte, the central gray, the periventricular gray substance and the hippocampal formation; it can also promote the proliferation, differentiation and migration of the ependymocytes and neurocytes.

EXPERIMENT ON CULTURE, IDENTIFICATION OF NEURAL STEM CELL FROM SD RATS / 解放军医学杂志

To explore the feasibility of culture and identification of neural stem cells (NSCs) from ependyma, subventricular zone and cotex of fetal and adult rat respectively, and to make the basis for treatment of degenerative diseases with NSCs transplantation, all the seed cells derived from ependyma, subventricular zone and cotex were isolated from both fetal and adult SD rat, respectively. They were then cultured, induced to differentiation and subcultured continuously in a "CYTOKINE NSCs culture medium". Identification was carried out using Nestin, NSE and GFAP antibodies for differentiated NSCs, neuron and neuroglials, respectively. The seed cells from these four locations proliferated rapidly under some corresponding conditions, and formed "neurologic spheres", which consisted of many cells and expressed Nestin antigen. After continuous culture and subculture, NSCs might divide and proliferate further. Some NSCs buds developed processes and formed nerve fibers further, while the soma enlarged into the cells with "long processes", which connected or crisscrossed with each other, and were confirmed as neurons and neuroglias by immunocytochemistry. Seed cells from fetal rats might generate more NSCs than those from adult rats, and those from ependyma and subventricular zone produced more NSCs than those from cortex. There was no special morphological difference between ependyma NSCs and cortex NSCs. It is suggested that NSCs existed not only in ependyma and cotex of fetal SD rat, but also in the subventricular zone and cotex of adult SD rat. Fetal rat nerve tissue possesses much more NSCs than adult one.

Influence of morphine on expression of nestin in ependymal epithelia,central gray and hippocampal formations of mice / 第二军医大学学报

Objective:To study the influence of morphine on the expression of nestin in the ependymal epithelia,central gray and hippocampal formations in mice.Methods:Twenty health mice were evenly randomized into control group and experiment group.Mice in the control group were injected with normal saline(0.1 ml daily)and those in the experimental group were injected with morphine (0.1 ml,1 mg daily).Thirty days later,the mice brain samples were harvested and made into paraffin sections.Immumohistochemical ABC technique was used to observe the expression of nestin under light microscope.The images were analyzed with the image analytical system.Results:In the control group,the ependymal epithelia,the central gray,the periventricular gray substances and the hippocampal formations had weak expression of the nestin,with a mean gray scale of 150.98?13.31;there were 5 kinds of nestin-positive cells:(1) the basal cells of ependymal epithelium,(2)cells distributed in the periventricular gray substance and the deep lamella of central gray, (3)cells distributed in the superficial lamella of central gray,the subiculum,the parahippocampal gyrus and the cortex inⅡ,Ⅲlayers of the entorhinal area,(4)cells frequently seen in the rectum of midbrain and the subiculum,and(5)cells distributed in the tectum of midhrain,the hippocampus,gyrus dentatus,parahippocampal gyrus and the cortex in V layer of the entorhinal area;the density of nestin in the subiculum and entorhinal area was(7.20?1.23)mm~2.In the experiment group,the ependymal epithelia,the central gray,the periventricular gray substances and the hippocampal formations had positive expression of the nestin,with the mean gray scale being 133.03?22.28;the density of the above-mentioned 5 kinds of cells increased;the density of nestin in the subiculum and entorhinal area was(10.50?1.43)mm~2.The mean value of gray scale and nestin-positive neurons were significantly different between the 2 groups (P

Ultrastructural Changes of Ventricular Wall in Hydrocephalic Rats

Morphological changes in the ependymal lining of the hydrocephalic brain included stretching and tearing of the ependyma, thickening and gliosis of the subependymal layer, progressive loss of cilia and microvilli from the ependymal surface, and widening of the extracellular space. In the CT scan of the brain, periventricular low density was one of the common findings in hydrocephalus. The present experiment was performed to investigate not only the ultrastructural changes of the ventricular walls in hydrocephalus but also the morphological basis of periventricular lucency detected in the brain CT scan of the hydrocephalic patients. Hydrocephalus was induced in rats by intracisternal injection of thick kaolin suspension after surgical exposure of atlanto-occipital membrane. Lateral wall of the lateral ventricle was examined with transmission electron microscope in 3 different groups(6 rats at 1 week after the hydrocephalus, 8 at 2 weeks, and 4 at 8 weeks). The results were as follows: 1) Ultrastructural changes of the ependymal lining in hydrocephalic rat were flattening of ependymal cell and its nucleus, loss of cilia and microvilli from the ependymal surface, widening of the junctional complex, vacuoles and enlargement of cisternal space of rough endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasm, and thicking and gliosis of subependymal layer. 2) These changes became more severe with longer duration of hydrocephalus. 3) Widening of junctional complex was considered to be the morphological basis for migration of ventricular cerebrospinal fluid into the periventricular white matter with resultant periventricular low density in the CT scan of the brain.

Glroependymal Cyst;A Case Reoprt

An unusual case of glroependymal cyst involving the lateral ventricle, 3rd ventricle, cerebellopontine angle cistern and prepontine cistern, simultaneously, is reported. The glroependymal cyst is benign developmental cyst that mainly occurs in the cerebrospinal axis in relation to ventricle, but occasionally occurs in relation to extraventricular system, such as subarachnoid space, brain stem and cerebral parenchyme. The histological characteristics of ependymal cyst wall are ependyma-like epithelium and neuroglial tissue.

An Experimental Study about the Effect of Urokinase Injected into the Ventricle on Intraventricular Hemorrhage

For the reduction of morbidity, such as an acute hydrocephalus, following intraventricular hemorrhage, we attempted to produce a lysis of the experimental intraventricular hemorrhage by a direct intraventricular injection of fibrinolytic agent. Urokinase was used as the fibrinolytic activator. Sixty-four adult rabbits were used in this study. The animals were divided into 5 groups to investigate the effect of urokinase in different time interval of urokinase injection. Intraventricular hemorrhage was made by an injection of 0.3cc of autogenous venous blood. Group I was the control group in which intraventricular injection of blood or urokinase was only done. In Group II and III urokinase was injected into the ventricule 30 minutes and 2 hours after the blood injection. In Group IV urokinase was injected into the ventricle at the same time of the blood injection. In Group V urokinase was injected into the ventricle at the same time of the blood injection, and then the urokinase injection was repeated 24 hours later. The animals of each group were sacrificed on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th day successively after the experimental procedures. The brains were examined to observe the outcome of intraventricular hematoma with urokinase injection and the consequent changes of the ventricular system grossly and microscopically. The results were as follows : The duration of the remaining hematoma in the ventricles and basal cisterns was 7 days in both the control and the urokinase injection groups equally. In the group of repeated urokinase injection the duration of remaining hematoma in the ventricular system was shortened to 5 days after the blood injection. Upon the ventricular dilatation, the blood injection control group showed moderate dilatation persistently for 1 week ; from minimal to moderate dilatations were found in the urokinase injection groups. In the microscopic examination there were no definite abnormal changes on the ventricular walls and leptomeninges throughout 1 week in the urokinase injection control group. The group of repeated urokinase injection revealed mild flattening and denudation of the ependyma of the ventricular system than the group of single urokinase injection.

Change of the Ventricular System Following Intraventricular Injection of the Blood

The authors attempted to make experimental intraventricular hemorrhage by injection of autogenous whole blood into the lateral ventricle through a small burr hole and to observe the outcome of the intraventricular hematoma and the consequent change of the ventricular system in the rabbits. 1) The maximum duration of remaining hematoma was 4 days in the ventricular system and 28 days in the subarachnoid space. 2) In the ventricular hemorrhage group, the ventricular began to dilate after 1 day of hemorrhage. 3) The degree of the ventricular dilatation related to the amount of the injected blood into the lateral ventricle. 4) In the microscopic findings of the ventricular dilatation, flattening of the periventricular white matter fiber were more prominent in acute phase and subsided thereafter. Hemosiderin or siderophage observed before 1 week at the ventricular wall and after 1 week at the leptomeninges. The meningeal fibrosis or thickening was almost constantly presented throughout the 4 weeks. 5) The gross and microscopic changes were milder in the steroid therapy group than the others.