scholarly journals Spontaneous Left Cardiac Isomerism in Chick Embryos: Case Report, Review of the Literature, and Possible Significance for the Understanding of Ventricular Non-Compaction Cardiomyopathy in the Setting of Human Heterotaxy Syndromes

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Jörg Männer
Keyword(s):  
Present Report ◽  
Bilateral Symmetry ◽  
Normal Organ ◽  
Left Isomerism ◽  
Inner Organs ◽  
Cardiovascular Defects ◽  
Right Isomerism ◽  
Heterotaxy Syndromes ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Made In

The outer shape of most vertebrates is normally characterized by bilateral symmetry. The inner organs, on the other hand, are normally arranged in bilaterally asymmetric patterns. Congenital deviations from the normal organ asymmetry can occur in the form of mirror imagery of the normal arrangement (situs inversus), or in the form of arrangements that have the tendency for the development of bilateral symmetry, either in a pattern of bilateral left-sidedness (left isomerism) or bilateral right-sidedness (right isomerism). The latter two forms of visceral situs anomalies are called “heterotaxy syndromes”. During the past 30 years, remarkable progress has been made in uncovering the genetic etiology of heterotaxy syndromes. However, the pathogenetic mechanisms causing the spectrum of cardiovascular defects found in these syndromes remain poorly understood. In the present report, a spontaneous case of left cardiac isomerism found in an HH-stage 23 chick embryo is described. The observations made in this case confirmed the existence of molecular isomerism in the ventricular chambers previously noted in mouse models. They, furthermore, suggest that hearts with left cardiac isomerism may have the tendency for the development of non-compaction cardiomyopathy caused by defective development of the proepicardium.

scholarly journals Spontaneous Left Cardiac Isomerism in Chick Embryos: Case Report, Review of the Literature, and Possible Significance for the Understanding of Ventricular Non-Compaction Cardiomyopathy in the Setting of Human Heterotaxy Syndromes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg Männer
Keyword(s):  
Present Report ◽  
Bilateral Symmetry ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Left Isomerism ◽  
Inner Organs ◽  
Cardiovascular Defects ◽  
Right Isomerism ◽  
Heterotaxy Syndromes ◽  
Made In

Except for a few species, the outer shape of vertebrates normally is characterized by bilateral symmetry. The inner organs, on the other hand, normally are arranged in bilaterally asymmetric patterns, which are of special importance for the normal function of the cardiovascular system of lung-breathing vertebrates. Deviations from the normal organ asymmetry can occur in the form of mirror imagery of the normal arrangement (situs inversus), or in the form of arrangements that have the tendency for development of bilateral symmetry, either in a pattern of bilateral left-sideness (left isomerism) or bilateral right-sidedness (right isomerism). The latter two forms of visceral situs anomalies are called “heterotaxy syndromes”. During the past 30 years, remarkable progress has been made in uncovering of the genetic etiology of heterotaxy syndromes. However, the pathogenetic mechanisms causing the spectrum of cardiovascular defects found in these syndromes remain poorly understood. In the present report, a spontaneous case of left cardiac isomerism found in a HH-stage 23 chick embryo is described. The observations made in this case suggest that hearts with left cardiac isomerism may have the tendency for development of a non-compaction cardiomyopathy caused by defective development of the proepicardium.

scholarly journals Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management of Liver Fibrosis by microRNA

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8139
Author(s):  
Tomoko Tadokoro ◽  
Asahiro Morishita ◽  
Tsutomu Masaki
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Primary Biliary Cholangitis ◽  
Medical Need ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Complications Of Cirrhosis ◽  
And Control ◽  
Functional Rnas ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Made In

Remarkable progress has been made in the treatment and control of hepatitis B and C viral infections. However, fundamental treatments for diseases in which liver fibrosis is a key factor, such as cirrhosis, alcoholic/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis, are still under development and remain an unmet medical need. To solve this problem, it is essential to elucidate the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in detail from a molecular and cellular perspective and to develop targeted therapeutic agents based on this information. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs), functional RNAs of 22 nucleotides, have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. In addition, extracellular vesicles called “exosomes” have been attracting attention, and research is being conducted to establish noninvasive and extremely sensitive biomarkers using miRNAs in exosomes. In this review, we summarize miRNAs directly involved in liver fibrosis, miRNAs associated with diseases leading to liver fibrosis, and miRNAs related to complications of cirrhosis. We will also discuss the efficacy of each miRNA as a biomarker of liver fibrosis and pathology, and its potential application as a therapeutic agent.

scholarly journals Implantable Thin Film Devices as Brain-Computer Interfaces: Recent Advances in Design and Fabrication Approaches

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
Yuhao Zhou ◽  
Bowen Ji ◽  
Minghao Wang ◽  
Kai Zhang ◽  
Shuaiqi Huangfu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Nano Fabrication ◽  
Computer Interfaces ◽  
Continuous Progress ◽  
Open Mesh ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Thin Film Devices ◽  
Made In

Remarkable progress has been made in the high resolution, biocompatibility, durability and stretchability for the implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) in the last decades. Due to the inevitable damage of brain tissue caused by traditional rigid devices, the thin film devices are developing rapidly and attracting considerable attention, with continuous progress in flexible materials and non-silicon micro/nano fabrication methods. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically summarize the recent development of implantable thin film devices for acquiring brain information. This brief review subdivides the flexible thin film devices into the following four categories: planar, open-mesh, probe, and micro-wire layouts. In addition, an overview of the fabrication approaches is also presented. Traditional lithography and state-of-the-art processing methods are discussed for the key issue of high-resolution. Special substrates and interconnects are also highlighted with varied materials and fabrication routines. In conclusion, a discussion of the remaining obstacles and directions for future research is provided.

Smooth Muscle Contraction: Recent Advances

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 1317-1319
Author(s):  
Newman L. Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Regulation Of Contraction ◽  
Muscle Biochemistry ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Made In

Research in smooth muscle contraction has shown remarkable progress over the last 5 years. Striking advances have been made in the areas of biochemical regulation of contraction, centering on myosin light chain kinase activity, and of biophysical delineation of the contractile process at the actomyosin level by use of the newly developed motility assay. The purpose of the symposium held at Minaki, Ont., was to obtain a comprehensive reporting of the recent advances made in the area of smooth muscle contraction. Specifically, advances in the areas of biophysics of contraction, energetics, and contractile and regulator proteins (including the interesting newcomers caldesmon and calponin) and the changes that occur in pathophysiological entities such as asthma, hypertension, anaphylactic shock, high-altitude hypoxia, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn were presented.Key words: smooth muscle biophysics, smooth muscle biochemistry, energetics of smooth muscle, pathophysiology of smooth muscle.

scholarly journals Paving the way for transgenic schistosomes

Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 651-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. BECKMANN ◽  
C. G. GREVELDING
Keyword(s):  
Rna Interference ◽  
Initial Phase ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Reporter Genes ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Gene Insertion ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Made In ◽  
Silence Gene

SUMMARYIn parasitological research, significant progress has been made with respect to genomics and transcriptomics but transgenic systems for functional gene analyses are mainly restricted to the protozoan field. Gene insertion and knockout strategies can be applied to parasitic protozoa as well as gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi). By contrast, research on parasitic helminthes still lags behind. Along with the major advances in genome and transcriptome analyses e.g. for schistosomes, methods for the functional characterization of genes of interest are still in their initial phase and have to be elaborated now, at the beginning of the post-genomic era. In this review we will summarize attempts made in the last decade regarding the establishment of protocols to transiently and stably transform or transfect schistosomes. Besides approaches using particle bombardment, electroporation or virus-based infection strateies to introduce DNA constructs into adult and larval schistosome stages to express reporter genes, first approaches have also been made in establishing protocols based on soaking, lipofection, and/or electroporation for RNA interference to silence gene activity. Although in these cases remarkable progress can be seen, the schistosome community eagerly awaits major breakthroughs especially with respect to stable transformation, but also for silencing or knock-down strategies for every schistosome gene of interest.

A SIMPLE RAPID METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF SMALL SAMPLES OF URINE

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1959 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 814-818
Author(s):  
Allen S. Goldman
Keyword(s):  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Mineral Oil ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Gradient System ◽  
Small Opening ◽  
Flotation Method ◽  
Made In

THE THERAPY of infants with disturbances in fluid balance is greatly assisted by knowledge of the specific gravity of the urine. Frequently only a few milliliters can be collected at any one time, while a minimum sample of 25 ml is necessary for use of the smallest urinometers currently available. The existing methods of determining specific gravity of one drop of urine are somewhat laborious, and require expensive equipment and the services of a relatively skilled technician. The present report describes a method which is rapid and simple and requires only a few drops of urine in its use. It is similar in principle to the determination of specific gravity of blood by the copper-sulfate method. For use with urine, mixtures are employed of two relatively nonvolatile liquids, immiscible with water, and with specific gravities nearly equally above and below the range in urine. The specific gravity of urine is determined by allowing one drop to fall into each of a series of tubes containing a mixture of the two liqquids made up to various specific gravities ranging from 1.005 to 1.030 (Fig. 1). That mixture in which the drop of urine comes most nearly to remaining still (neither rising nor falling after coming to rest) approximates the specific gravity of the urine. The total sample needed is only a few drops, which can be quite small if a dropper with a small opening (2 mm) is used. The determination takes a few minutes. A year's supply of the mixtures can be made in one afternoon and costs less than $6.00. MATERIALS The two solutions used were selected from the flotation method of Kirk, using a density gradient system. These are Liquid 1, dibutyl-n-phthalate (Eastman), specific gravity 1.04820°; and Liquid 2, kerosene, specific gravity 0.8220°. (Similar results were obtained by substituting California mineral oil, specific gravity 0.842-0.88420°, for kerosene.)

scholarly journals Application of Mass Spectrometry in Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Ge ◽  
Yalan Luo ◽  
Haiyang Chen ◽  
Jiayue Liu ◽  
Haoya Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Present Situation ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Comprehensive Diagnosis ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Made In

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive tract worldwide, with increased morbidity and mortality. In recent years, with the development of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, and the change of the medical thinking model, remarkable progress has been made in researching comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of PC. However, the present situation of diagnostic and treatment of PC is still unsatisfactory. There is an urgent need for academia to fully integrate the basic research and clinical data from PC to form a research model conducive to clinical translation and promote the proper treatment of PC. This paper summarized the translation progress of mass spectrometry (MS) in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and PC treatment to promote the basic research results of PC into clinical diagnosis and treatment.

scholarly journals Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis: Report of Two Cases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurabh Karmakar ◽  
Priya Sharma ◽  
Ameet Harishkumar ◽  
Deependra Kumar Rai
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Restrictive Lung Disease ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Remarkable Progress ◽  
Made In

COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has led to a pandemic situation worldwide. However, remarkable progress has been made in evolving policies, strengthening healthcare efforts, and pharmacotherapy. As more patients are recovering from COVID-19, clearer concepts about possible short- and long-term complications are emerging. Respiratory failure is the most common morbidity in hospitalised patients, and post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis is the most common respiratory complication after recovery. The authors report two cases of COVID-19 pneumonia with respiratory failure who were cured but developed pulmonary fibrosis with restrictive lung disease in the follow-up period.

scholarly journals Pre natal evaluation of heterotaxy syndrome by fetal echocardiography and correlating with autopsy

Ultrasound ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-121
Author(s):  
Madhavilatha Routhu ◽  
Imran Ali Mohammad
Keyword(s):  
Inferior Vena Cava ◽  
Inferior Vena ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Heterotaxy Syndrome ◽  
Fetal Autopsy ◽  
Cardiac Anomalies ◽  
Left Isomerism ◽  
Right Isomerism ◽  
Visceral Heterotaxy

Introduction Heterotaxy syndrome/ isomerism is characterized by an abnormal symmetry of the viscera that are normally dissimilar due to abnormal lateralization of thoracic and abdominal viscera and is frequently associated with complex cardiac anomalies. Isomerism may be of right or left. Materials and methods This article describes the morphological characteristics of heterotaxy and suggests an approach in evaluating the spectrum of abnormalities associated with this syndrome. This study is based on 12 cases diagnosed on antenatal ultrasound as heterotaxy syndrome. Results of the examinations were re-evaluated and compared by fetal autopsy. Result Based on the following echocardiographic criteria, a diagnosis of left isomerism was made if there was viscerocardiac heterotaxy associated with an interruption of inferior vena cava or with bilateral finger-like atrial appendages or if it was associated with heart block. If there was evidence of viscerocardiac heterotaxy with complex cardiac anomalies then it was diagnosed as right atrial isomerism or visceral heterotaxy syndrome. We diagnosed 6/12 as left isomerism and rest of the cases as right isomerism/visceral heterotaxy syndrome. In Autopsy we evaluated visceral situs and morphology of the lungs and the main bronchi, the state of the liver, spleen, bowel, and the precise anatomy of the heart and confirmed 4/12 as left isomerism 4/12 as right isomerism and two cases as visceral heterotaxy syndrome (VHS). Rest of the two cases were included in the study despite missing autopsy data, as the combination of abnormal situs with interrupted inferior vena cava, and cardiac malformation allowed a diagnosis of left isomerism with high probability. Conclusion In this study, we aimed to find common features of heterotaxy syndrome on prenatal ultrasound as well as on fetal autopsy. This syndrome should be accurately diagnosed in the prenatal period in order to allow appropriate counseling of parents.

Growth forms in the Alismatales. II. Two rhizomatous species: Sagittaria lancifolia and Butomus umbellatus

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (21) ◽  
pp. 2353-2373 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Lieu
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Study ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Bilateral Symmetry ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Axillary Bud ◽  
Growth Forms ◽  
Sagittaria Lancifolia ◽  
Adult Form ◽  
Lateral Bud ◽  
Made In

A comparative morphological study of Sagittaria lancifolia and Butomus umbellatus over their life cycles was undertaken. The two are very similar in adult form, characterized by apical bifurcation to form inflorescence and continuation growth as in other members of the Alismatidae.and also by rhizomatous growth with a subterminal apex. Embryo and seedling stages in S. lancifolia are comparable to other members of the Alismataceae previously studied. Rhizomatous form and bilateral symmetry are secondarily acquired during ontogeny. The inflorescence is leaf opposed and S. lancifolia is organizationally similar to other species of Alismataceae with upright vegetative axes. From this, a sympodial interpretation of the rhizome may be made. In contrast, the bilaterally symmetric growth form in Butomus is manifested from the start. The leaf-subtended inflorescence and other features of organization suggest that it cannot easily be compared with S. lancifolia or other members of Alismataceae. Here, a stronger case may be made for a monopodial construction. Axillary bud distributions support these conclusions. In addition, both species branch by a relatively precocious lateral bud associated topographically with the inflorescence.

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