Multiple Spicules Research Articles

Tumor ósseo multilobular sinonasal em uma égua jovem - relato de caso

ABSTRACT A two-year old mare was referred to the veterinary hospital because of an increase in the volume of the head on the frontal and left side as well as dyspnoea. Radiographic examination showed an osseous radiopaque spherical mass, with a granular aspect, affecting the left frontal, maxillary, and nasal bones. A frontal sinusotomy was performed, and the frontal sinus was found to be totally obliterated by a granular, yellowish, and hard mass containing multiple spicules. Histologically, it was a multilobulated osseous neoplasia diagnosed as a multilobular osseous tumour. Because of poor prognosis, the animal was euthanized. Necropsy showed that the left nasal cavity was totally effaced as were the nasal sinuses and that the nasal turbinate disappeared because of the hard, yellowish, and granular mass measuring 20 × 14 × 14 cm that surrounded the molar teeth and extended to the cribriform plate. This tumour, which was described only once in horses, is more frequently observed in older dogs’ skulls, and must be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses with sinonasal diseases.

IRIS Mg ii Observations and Non-LTE Modeling of Off-limb Spicules in a Solar Polar Coronal Hole

Abstract We investigated the off-limb spicules observed in the Mg ii h and k lines by IRIS in a solar polar coronal hole. We analyzed the large data set of obtained spectra to extract quantitative information about the line intensities, shifts, and widths. The observed Mg ii line profiles are broad and double peaked at lower altitudes, broad but flat topped at middle altitudes, and narrow and single peaked with the largest Doppler shifts at higher altitudes. We use one-dimensional non-LTE vertical slab models (i.e., models that consider departures from local thermodynamic equilibrium) in single-slab and multi-slab configurations to interpret the observations and to investigate how a superposition of spicules along the line of sight (LOS) affects the synthetic Mg ii line profiles. The used multi-slab models either are static, i.e., without any LOS velocities, or assume randomly assigned LOS velocities of individual slabs, representing the spicule dynamics. We conducted such single-slab and multi-slab modeling for a broad set of model input parameters and showed the dependence of the Mg ii line profiles on these parameters. We demonstrated that the observed line widths of the h and k line profiles are strongly affected by the presence of multiple spicules along the LOS. We later showed that the profiles obtained at higher altitudes can be reproduced by single-slab models representing individual spicules. We found that the multi-slab model with a random distribution of the LOS velocities ranging from −25 to 25 km s−1 can well reproduce the width and the shape of Mg ii profiles observed at middle altitudes.

Jackstone Calculus

A 75-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of poor urinary flow, recent hematuria, and urgency. He had been taking α-blockers for more than 10 years for lower urinary tract symptoms. He was a nonsmoker. Computed tomography revealed normal kidneys and ureters but a large intravesical extension of the prostate gland and calculi with a spiculated pattern (Figure 1A and B), characteristic of jackstone calculi. Cystoscopic examination revealed calculi with multiple spicules and characteristic dark bands (Figure 2). He underwent cystoscopy-guided laser lithotripsy, with complete fragmentation via holmium laser. He also had concurrent transurethral resection of the prostate gland. Postoperatively, he voided with a good stream.Figure 2Cystoscopic image showing jackstone calculi in the bladder.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) Jackstone calculi are bladder calculi composed of calcium oxalate dihydrate, which gives them their irregular shape.1Singh K.J. Tiwari A. Goyal A. Jackstone: a rare entity of vesical calculus.Indian J Urol. 2011; 27: 543-544Google Scholar They get their name from their resemblance to toy “jacks” with multiple spicules. Bladder calculi are an important consideration in the differential diagnosis in older patients with hematuria and are often secondary to prostatic obstruction.2Douenias R. Rich M. Badlani G. Mazor D. Smith A. Predisposing factors in bladder calculi: review of 100 cases.Urology. 1991; 37: 240-243Google Scholar Primary care physicians should be aware of their characteristic appearance on plain radiography. It is imperative, however, to perform contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis and a thorough cystoscopic examination to rule out malignancy as cause of the hematuria.

Detection of Echinocyte during Perfusion with Oxygenator Based on Continuous Blood Viscosity Monitoring.

We applied our proposed continuous blood viscosity monitoring system for cardiopulmonary bypass to an experimental model that introduced echinocytes, and we confirm the viscosity change detection due to red blood cell (RBC) deformability decline. For the in vitro experiment, a test circuit including an oxygenator and a controlled bovine blood sample with excessive alkalemia to induce the echinocyte were prepared, and a perfusion experiment was performed. During the experiment, the anticoagulated bovine blood sample maintained a hematocrit of approximately 22%, temperature of 37°C, and more than 800 s of the activated clotting time. The estimated viscosity obtained from the proposed system was 2.10 mPas at the beginning of the experiment and 3.58 mPas at the end of the experiment, and it increased 1.48 mPas during the experiment. According to the scanning electron micrographs of blood samples, the echinocytes with multiple spicules at the beginning of the experiment and distorted spherical RBCs including the echinocytes with multiple spicules at the end of experiment were observed. We conclude that the system may be helpful for clinical perfusion management, because it detected the presence of echinocytes as the blood viscosity in an oxygenator flow pass increased.

Technical Note: Silica stable isotopes and silicification in a carnivorous sponge <i>Asbestopluma</i> sp.

Abstract. The stable isotope composition of benthic sponge spicule silica is a potential source of palaeoceanographic information about past deep seawater chemistry. The silicon isotope composition of spicules has been shown to relate to the silicic acid concentration of ambient water, although existing calibrations do exhibit a degree of scatter in the relationship. Less is known about how the oxygen isotope composition of sponge spicule silica relates to environmental conditions during growth. Here, we investigate the vital effects on silica, silicon and oxygen isotope composition in a carnivorous sponge, Asbestopluma sp., from the Southern Ocean. We find significant variations in silicon and oxygen isotopic composition within the specimen that are related to unusual spicule silicification. The largest variation in both isotope systems was associated with the differential distribution of an unconventional, hypersilicified spicule type (desma) along the sponge body. The absence an internal canal in the desmas suggests an unconventional silicification pattern leading to an unusually heavy isotope signature. Additional internal variability derives from a systematic offset between the peripheral skeleton of the body having systematically a higher isotopic composition than the internal skeleton. A simplified silicon isotope fractionation model, in which desmas were excluded, suggests that the lack of a system for seawater pumping in carnivorous sponges favours a low replenishment of dissolved silicon within the internal tissues, causing kinetic fractionation during silicification that impacts the isotope signature of the internal skeleton. Analysis of multiple spicules should be carried out to "average out" any artefacts in order to produce more robust downcore measurements.

ACIDENTE PROVOCADO POR ESPÍCULAS DE OURIÇO-DO-MAR PRETO (ECHINOMETRA LUCUNTER) NOS PÉS E MÃOS

Acidentes por ouriço-do-mar são responsáveis pela metade dos atendimentos relacionados a animais aquáticos nos prontos socorros do litoral brasileiro. Clinicamente caracteriza-se por dor de leve a moderada, à compressão, e pela presença de múltiplos fragmentos de espículas, que geralmente são de difícil remoção. Os autores apresentam o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 17 anos, com várias espículas de um ouriço-do-mar preto nos pés e mãos após queda sobre colônias de ouriços-do-mar em encosta rochosa submersa.

Sensory responses to injection and punctate application of capsaicin and histamine to the skin

A punctate, cutaneous application of capsaicin or histamine by means of a cowhage spicule elicits itch accompanied by pricking/stinging, burning, and typically, one or more areas of dysesthesia (alloknesis, hyperalgesia, hyperknesis). When applied over a wider and deeper area of skin by means of intradermal injection, histamine evokes the same sensory effects, but capsaicin evokes pain and hyperalgesia with allodynia instead of alloknesis. To examine the sensory effects of the spatial spread, depth, and amount of capsaicin and histamine, we applied different amounts of capsaicin or histamine by intradermal injection or by single vs multiple spicules within a circular cutaneous region of ∼5 mm. Subjects rated the perceived intensity of itch, pricking/stinging, and burning for 20 minutes. Histamine injections or multiple spicules of capsaicin or histamine that resulted in a greater area of flare than a single spicule of each chemical evoked no greater magnitudes of sensation or areas of dysesthesia. Capsaicin injections elicited a dose-dependent increase in the magnitude of nociceptive sensations, areas of dysesthesia, and flare. However, there was little or no itch; and allodynia replaced alloknesis. Yet, hyperalgesia was typically accompanied by hyperknesis. We conclude that the pruritic sensory responses produced by capsaicin/histamine spicules and histamine injections may be due to activation of common nerve fibers, possibly different from those mediating the flare, and that capsaicin injections may activate additional fibers whose effects mask the sensory effects of fibers mediating itch and alloknesis but not hyperknesis.

Osseous metaplasia in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma of the kidney

A 57-year-old female with a history of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) presented with a renal mass. Microscopic analysis of the nephrectomy specimen revealed DLBCL, confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis (CD45, CD20, CD3, pan-keratin) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Multiple spicules of metaplastic bone were identified within the tumor mass, but not within the uninvolved kidney parenchyma. No evidence of bone or dystrophic calcification was detected on the pre-nephrectomy computerized tomography (CT) scan. To our knowledge, this is the first incidence of osseous metaplasia occurring within DLBCL. The pathogenesis of osseous metaplasia is briefly discussed.

An ECM-Bound, PDGF-like Growth Factor and a TGF-α-like Growth Factor Are Required for Gastrulation and Spiculogenesis in theLytechinusEmbryo

Growth factors and the extracellular matrix have been shown to fulfill vital developmental roles in many embryonic systems. Our hypothesis is that a developmental role played by the extracellular matrix in sea urchins may be the binding of a PDGF-like growth factor to promote signaling activity. We report here that anti-human PDGF-B antibodies and anti-human TGF-α antibodies immunoprecipitated specific proteins isolated fromLytechinusembryos. Addition of these antibodies toLytechinusembryos inhibited gastrulation and spiculogenesis. The embryos are sensitive to the antibodies from the four-cell through the hatching blastula stages, which suggests that the TGF-α-like and PDGF-like ligands are required for the early differentiation of the gut and spicules. We present evidence that the PDGF-like growth factor depends on the extracellular matrix for signaling activity. Synthetic peptides representing the heparan sulfate proteoglycan binding sequence on human PDGF-B were added toLytechinusembryo cultures to compete for binding sites with the endogenous PDGF-like growth factor. The experimental peptide inhibited gastrulation and caused radially arranged multiple spicules to form. Development was unaffected by a control peptide. These studies support our hypothesis and suggest that TGF-α-like and PDGF-like growth factors induce signaling events required for sea urchin gastrulation and spiculogenesis and suggest that an extracellular matrix-associated PDGF-like growth factor is involved in differentiation along the oral–aboral axis.

High-Resolution Observation of Disk Spicules. I. Evolution and Kinematics of Spicules in the Enhanced Network

We present measurements of a 75 minute sequence of CCD spicule observations at Hα -0.65 Å, line center, and +0.65 Å. The observations were made in a region of enhanced network near disk center, where most spicules are longer and tilted further from the vertical than those in truly quiet Sun. Images were reregistered with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.9. We identify the spicules as those elongated jets that radiate from elements of the magnetic network and are the main chromospheric features seen in the wing of Hα. Doppler images produced by red-blue subtraction show an upward radial velocity during the extension phase and a downward velocity during contraction for most spicules. Therefore, the spicules are truly moving up and down. There were a few plagelike cells filled with weak Hα emission, weak magnetic fields, and no spicules. We also found many multiple spicules. The data are presented with commentary on the accompanying videotape. <P />We analyzed the data to understand the spicule lifetimes and trajectories. We found that the entire set of wavelengths and Dopplergrams was required to separate overlapping spicules. Seventy-six of the 96 spicules studied appear in complete upward and downward trajectories The evidence on motions is not conclusive. Some proper motions are well represented by ballistic trajectories with initial injection velocity about 40 km s<SUP>-1</SUP> for highly inclined spicules. The small decelerations would require the spicules to be tilted typically 60°-70° from the line of sight. Since limb observations favor tilts around 30°, our observations must favor spicules tilted greatly from the radial, as one finds in these enhanced field regions. The positive correlation of lifetimes with projected lengths supports this model. However, the Dopplergrams show that the entire spicule rises and falls as a whole, which favors a fountain jet or some acceleration in the flux tube. The downward trajectory may be slightly offset toward the network center from the upward path. <P />Bright points often appear at the bases of spicules at Hα -0.65 Å, but during the peak extension or receding phase of the spicule rather than the beginning; therefore, the spicule is not a surgelike phenomenon (surges are usually initiated by Hα brightening or a subflare, invariably in a bipolar feature). Further, the magnetic elements, which match the Hα bright points exactly, show no change associated with the brightening. The geometry creates a problem for coronal heating models, as the spicule tops are at least 10" displaced from the bright-point bases, but no such offset appears in the K line, for example. There is some evidence that the spicule is generated several hundred kilometers above the photosphere.

Myxoma of the mandible with unusual radiographic appearance

Myxoma of the jaws is a fairly frequent bone tumor classified as a benign odontogenic neoplasm. The radiographic picture varies according to its evolution and, it many cases, diagnosis is not easy. A new case with an unusual radiographic appearance is reported. On occlusal radiographic examination the tumor showed multiple spicules of bone with a classic “sun-ray” effect. Only two similar cases were found in the literature. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be aware of this unusual presentation so that a misdiagnosis of malignant bone tumor is not made.