Rudimentary Structures Research Articles

Sectoral Ciliary Body Agenesis Complicated with Cataract Formation Diagnosed by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

We aimed to present a novel case of sectoral ciliary body agenesis and complicated cataract as an embryogenic defect of eye development diagnosed by ultrasound biomicroscopy. A 20-year-old male patient presented with a complaint of visual impairment in his left eye since childhood. Slit-lamp examination of the left eye revealed pigment precipitation and focal lens opacities extending from the temporal quadrant through the posterior lens capsule, blocking the central optical axis. On ultrasound biomicroscopy examination, there was a hyperechoic reflection belonging to the rudimentary ciliary body structures between 2-5 o’clock in the temporal quadrant. The zonules could not be visualized in the same location. At all other quadrants of the anterior chamber angle, the ciliary body and zonules were normal. This is a very rare case of sectoral ciliary body agenesis complicated by cataract. Ultrasound biomicroscopy may be useful for detecting rare congenital anomalies of the anterior segment, anterior chamber angle, and ciliary body.

The pineal gland of the shrew (Blarina brevicauda and Blarina carolinensis): a light and electron microscopic study of pinealocytes

The pineal gland structure and ultrastructure in the Northern (Blarina brevicauda) and Southern short-tailed shrew (Blarina carolinensis) are described by light and electron microscopy. Results observed were similar to other mammals of Insectivora described previously, specifically, the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and the Old World mole (Talpa europea). Two different types of pinealocytes were noticed by electron microscopy, in addition to relatively few glial cells. Granular vesicles were not noticed in abundance. The granular endoplasmic reticulum was observed and studded with vesicles. The golgi apparatus was well developed and appeared often. Synaptic ribbons were observed in several different formations consisting of ribbons and/or rods. The ciliary derivative, the rudimentary photoreceptor structures found in the pinealocytes of population I, was noticed in a 9 + 0 tubular pattern. Within these semifossorial shrews, the relationship between specific intracellular organelles and their function was discussed.

Disparity in floral traits and breeding systems in the iconic columnar cactus Pachycereus pringlei (Cactaceae)

Studies on breeding systems and flower morphology are valuable to infer how environmental factors impose evolutionary change in plants. This study focused on the characterization of floral morphs and reproductive systems in Pachycereus pringlei and how this iconic columnar cactus might be a useful genus to understand the evolution of these highly variable structures. We determined breeding systems, characterized floral morphs in five genetic populations, and used pollen:ovule ratios and stamen-stigma distance to verify the sexual system in bisexual flowers. Our inquiries provide insights into the factors driving intra-specific disparity in flower attributes and the reproductive versatility in P. pringlei. Foremost, the lability of breeding systems is expressed primarily as gynodioecy in the North, trioecy in the South, mainly dioecy in CBS, and hermaphroditic in Catalana and Cerralvo Islands. A latitudinal trend in ovule production, dimensions in gynoecium, androecium, and floral display characters is consistent with a northward increase in vegetative traits suggesting physiological responses to the environmental variation characterizing the Baja California Peninsula (BCP). Also, nectary size decreases northwards in staminate flower, but these flowers are larger in the CBS and South populations suggesting sex-specific selection, e.g., pollinator-driven, acting in different magnitudes on sexual attributes of floral morphs and populations. The presence of rudimentary structures of the dysfunctional sex support the hypothesis of the evolution of unisexuality from an early bisexual ancestor. In conclusion, this investigation provides insights into the factors driving intra-specific disparity in flower attributes and the reproductive versatility in P. pringlei to replace ancestral conditions, specifically the substitution of the hermaphrodite phase with dioecious, gynodioecious, and trioecious breeding systems throughout mainland BCP and Sonora. We posit that the biogeographic patterns of breeding systems and floral traits of this emblematic cactus resulted from the interaction of past factors (northwards range expansion) and contemporary biotic and abiotic factors.

The Intertextual Potential of the “Humpty Dumpty” Reference Text as Implemented in English Texts of Various Functional Styles

The article focuses on the construction and intertextual functioning of the “Humpty Dumpty” reference text which is an important constituent of the linguistic and cultural competence of a native speaker of English. The “Humpty Dumpty” reference text is formed on the basis of a range of multi-modal sources. Its basic aspect of reference is the eponymous reference character, which is verbalized during the intertextual interaction construed as a specific case of blending. The “Humpty Dumpty” reference text is quoted in recipient texts of various functional styles and subject matters due to the fact that it can implement one of the basic orientational metaphors of Western civilization: “DOWN is SICKNESS, DEATH, DEPRAVITY.” During the intertextual integration of the “Humpty Dumpty” reference text into the recipient texts of various types, its rudimentary verbal structures undergo lexical, grammatical, stylistic and pragmatic transformations. Lexical-grammatical transformations partially depend on the relevant structures of the recipient text which accommodates the intertextual reference. Such transformations can include compression (omission), substitution of specific lexical units, inversion, alterations of tense, aspect and voice forms of the quoted lexical-grammatical structures. Such transformations directly depend on pragmatic transformations of the reference text, with travesty being the most common one. It is implemented when an intertext is integrated into a recipient text of a marginal status.

Cumulative effects of body size and social experience on aggressive behaviour in a subsocial bee

Dominance hierarchies represent some of nature’s most rudimentary social structures, and aggression is key to their establishment in many animal species. Previous studies have focused on the relative influences of prior experience and physiological traits of individuals in determining social rank through aggression. Here we examine the behavioural potential for dominance hierarchy formation in the subsocial small carpenter bee, Ceratina calcarata. Both physiological traits and social experience were found to play partial roles in predicting future interactive behaviour in this species. Our results suggest that individual size is associated with dominance in initial encounters, while prior experience plays a larger role in predicting dominance in subsequent encounters. Social systems in the early stages of social evolution may well have followed these same predictive factors and these factors are key targets for future studies of social evolution and the behavioural origins of dominance hierarchies.

Acardiac Acephalus Twin and Associated Anomalies: A Case Report

A. Acardius anephus: Most common type. There is absence of the head and upper torso and limbs in the acardiac twin with preservation of the lower limbs, genitalia and abdominal viscera. B. Acardius anceps. Most developed type. Rudimentary cranial structures present with otherwise persistent trunk, limbs and organs however lacks even a rudimentary heart. C. Acardius Amorphus: Least differentiated type, comprises of an amorphous mass of bone, muscle, fat and connective tissue if rudimentary nerve tissue is present, it is then called acardius myelantencephalus. D. Acardius Acormus: Rarest type. The only developed structure is the fetal head [3, 4].

Antracologia de fogueiras paleoíndias do Brasil central: considerações tecnológicas e paleoetnobotânicas sobre o uso de recursos florestais no abrigo rupestre Lapa do Santo, Minas Gerais, Brasil

This study identified the species of wood in charcoal recovered from Paleo-Indian bonfires in the Lapa do Santo archaeological site, Minas Gerais / Brazil, dated 4140 ± 40-8900 ± 40 AP. Eight different species of wood were identified, mainly species occurring in cerrado environments and gallery forests. The different types of wood analyzed presented characteristics that would have favored their use in rudimentary structures for combustion, indicating foraging strategies for the selective collection of forest resources for fuel wood possessing physical and chemical properties known to facilitate burning.

Three‐dimensional analysis of the early development of the dentition

Tooth development has attracted the attention of researchers since the 19th century. It became obvious even then that morphogenesis could not fully be appreciated from two-dimensional histological sections. Therefore, methods of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions were employed to visualize the surface morphology of developing structures and to help appreciate the complexity of early tooth morphogenesis. The present review surveys the data provided by computer-aided 3D analyses to update classical knowledge of early odontogenesis in the laboratory mouse and in humans. 3D reconstructions have demonstrated that odontogenesis in the early stages is a complex process which also includes the development of rudimentary odontogenic structures with different fates. Their developmental, evolutionary, and pathological aspects are discussed. The combination of in situ hybridization and 3D reconstruction have demonstrated the temporo-spatial dynamics of the signalling centres that reflect transient existence of rudimentary tooth primordia at loci where teeth were present in ancestors. The rudiments can rescue their suppressed development and revitalize, and then their subsequent autonomous development can give rise to oral pathologies. This shows that tooth-forming potential in mammals can be greater than that observed from their functional dentitions. From this perspective, the mouse rudimentary tooth primordia represent a natural model to test possibilities of tooth regeneration.

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor associated with odontoma: a case report and critical review of the literature

We describe a case of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) associated with odontoma occurring in the posterior mandible of a 32-year-old man. Although calcifications are commonly found in the AOT, the presence of rudimentary dental structures is a very rare phenomenon. Cases with similar aspects have been described as ameloblastic dentinoma, ameloblastic odontoma, adenoameloblastic odontoma and AOT associated with odontoma. After a careful analysis of the literature we describe the clinical aspects of this tumor. Further case reports and surveys of odontogenic tumors are necessary to define whether AOT associated with odontoma is a variant of AOT or a distinct clinicopathologic condition.

All quiet on the western front? Royal politics in Galicia from c.800 to c.950

For complex reasons pertaining to the course of Spanish historiography throughout the twentieth century, the region of Galicia has been seen as politically peripheral to the initial stages of the Reconquista. In this article I argue that Galicia was a key marcher region in the ninth and tenth centuries, and that its magnate class, far from being marginal, was closely implicated in the rudimentary political structures of the kingdom. I propose that documents which seem to disclose little more than idealized abstractions of the political relationships between Astur‐Leonese kings and Galician magnates reveal aspects of elite political practice in action.

Effect of deforolimus and VEGF on angiogenesis in endometrial stromal cells following three-dimensional culture

The presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity is named endometriosis and is the most common gynecologic disorder in women. Determining the inhibitory effect of a Deforolimus on angiogenesis in a three-dimensional (3-D) culture of human endometrial stromal cells (hEnCs) in vitro. The important mechanism in the pathogenesis of endometriosis is angiogenesis, and deforolimus has been shown to have anti-angiogenic activity. This was an in vitro study of human endometrial stromal cells in 3-D culture of fibrin matrix. Endometrial stromal cells isolated and placed in a 3-D fibrin matrix culture system for angiogenesis with VEGF and inhibit angiogenesis by deforolimus. Finally these cells analyzed by CD31 antibodies. After 3 weeks, in cells treated with VEGF, endothelial cell branching was observed and rudimentary capillary-like structures formed. In the presence of 5μM of deforolimus, angiogenesis was reduced. The deforolimus were shown to be effective in inhibiting the mechanisms of angiogenesis.

Stem cells of the mammary epithelium and their role in breast cancer

Breast carcinogenesis is a multistage process in which genetic mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes cooperate with epigenetic alterations. Mammary tumor tissue is composed of normal and tumor cells. The tumor cells themselves seem to be clonal in origin, but heterogeneous in appearance. This suggests the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). They can originate from transformed tissue stem cells or progenitor cells with acquired self-renewal capacity and are able to escape from conventional therapy. Normal mammary stem cells (MaSCs) are required for the generation and maintenance of the mammary epithelium during the cyclical developmental stages of the mammary gland. They can reconstitute a functional gland upon transplantation into a mammary fat pad cleared from endogenous epithelium. CSCs share features with their normal counterparts; they are able to initiate tumor growth upon transplantation and express stem cell associated surface proteins, which can be utilized for their enrichment. Oncogenic transformation of MaSCs and their orthotopic transplantation in mice provides a promising strategy to model the early stages of mammary tumors and to follow the progression and drug responsiveness of these tumors in vivo. Oncogenic pathways e.g. estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PR), and signal transducers and activators of transcription (Stat) 3 and 5 signaling play important roles in normal development and malignant transformation of mammary cells. We are investigating the crosstalk between Stat5, Stat3 and ER signaling in the initiation of luminal tumors in mouse tumor models and their roles in tumor progression, metastasis formation and drug responsiveness. 1. Mammary stem cells in normal development and tumor formation The mammary gland is a unique organ, distinguished by its largely postnatal development. The mouse mammary gland shares many structural and functional features with the human breast and represents a valuable model for the study of organogenesis and tumorigenesis. During puberty, under control of the ovarian hormones, small rudimentary ductal structures invade into stromal fat pad. The mammary ducts grow at the terminal end buds (TEBs) and branch under the influence of steroid hormones during pregnancy. They are composed of an inner layer of luminal epithelial and an outer layer of myoepithelial located on the basement membrane. The expression of surface markers like EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule), CD24 (heat stable antigen,

New Parties in Government: Party Organisation and the Costs of Public Office

Previous studies suggest, and common wisdom holds, that government participation is detrimental for new parties. This paper argues that the opposite is true. Drawing on a large-N analysis (111 parties in 16 countries) in combination with two case studies, it demonstrates that new parties generally benefit organisationally from supporting or entering a government coalition. Compared to established parties, new parties have the advantage that their leadership is more able to allocate effectively the spoils of office, and can change still malleable rudimentary party structures so as to respond to intra-organisational demands, as well as the functional demands of holding office. The authors conclude by setting their finding in wider perspective and elaborate on its implications for contemporary West European politics.

Human Reward Pursuit

Human reward pursuit is often found to be governed by conscious assessments of expected value and required effort. Yet research has also indicated that rewards are initially valuated and processed outside of awareness by rudimentary brain structures. Building on both of these findings, we propose a new framework for understanding human performance in the service of reward pursuit. We suggest that people initially process rewards unconsciously, which can boost effort and facilitate performance. Subsequently, people may process rewards more fully, which allows them to make strategic decisions on the basis of task conditions and to consciously reflect on the rewards. Intriguingly, these specific processes associated with full reward processing can cause its effects on performance to diverge from those of initial reward processing. In this article, we review recent research that supports this framework. Finally, we discuss how our framework may lead to a refined yet broadly applicable understanding of the human pursuit of rewards.

The fate of the oculomotor system in clinical bilateral anophthalmia

The interdependence of the development of the eye and oculomotor system during embryogenesis is currently unclear. The occurrence of clinical anophthalmia, where the globe fails to develop, permits us to study the effects this has on the development of the complex neuromuscular system controlling eye movements. In this study, we use very high-resolution T2-weighted imaging in five anophthalmic subjects to visualize the extraocular muscles and the cranial nerves that innervate them. The subjects differed in the presence or absence of the optic nerve, the abducens nerve, and the extraocular muscles, reflecting differences in the underlying disruption to the eye's morphogenetic pathway. The oculomotor nerve was present in all anophthalmic subjects and only slightly reduced in size compared to measurements in sighted controls. As might be expected, the presence of rudimentary eye-like structures in the socket appeared to correlate with development and persistence of the extraocular muscles in some cases. Our study supports in part the concept of an initial independence of muscle development, with its maintenance subject to the presence of these eye-like structures.

Blood-Derived Human iPS Cells Generate Optic Vesicle–Like Structures with the Capacity to Form Retinal Laminae and Develop Synapses

We sought to determine if human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from blood could produce optic vesicle-like structures (OVs) with the capacity to stratify and express markers of intercellular communication. Activated T-lymphocytes from a routine peripheral blood sample were reprogrammed by retroviral transduction to iPSCs. The T-lymphocyte-derived iPSCs (TiPSCs) were characterized for pluripotency and differentiated to OVs using our previously published protocol. TiPSC-OVs were then manually isolated, pooled, and cultured en masse to more mature stages of retinogenesis. Throughout this stepwise differentiation process, changes in anterior neural, retinal, and synaptic marker expression were monitored by PCR, immunocytochemistry, and/or flow cytometry. TiPSCs generated abundant OVs, which contained a near homogeneous population of proliferating neuroretinal progenitor cells (NRPCs). These NRPCs differentiated into multiple neuroretinal cell types, similar to OV cultures from human embryonic stem cells and fibroblast-derived iPSCs. In addition, portions of some TiPSC-OVs maintained their distinctive neuroepithelial appearance and spontaneously formed primitive laminae, reminiscent of the developing retina. Retinal progeny from TiPSC-OV cultures expressed numerous genes and proteins critical for synaptogenesis and gap junction formation, concomitant with the emergence of glia and the upregulation of thrombospondins in culture. We demonstrate for the first time that human blood-derived iPSCs can generate retinal cell types, providing a highly convenient donor cell source for iPSC-based retinal studies. We also show that cultured TiPSC-OVs have the capacity to self-assemble into rudimentary neuroretinal structures and express markers indicative of chemical and electrical synapses.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Skin Resembling Carcinosarcoma: Report of a Case and Literature Review

Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMSs) are soft tissue sarcomas with skeletal muscle differentiation. Cutaneous RMSs are exceedingly rare, and in most cases, they represent metastatic disease or the dermal involvement by a tumor arising in the underlying soft tissues. We herein report the case of a 41-year-old man who developed a cutaneous swelling of the right nasal orbital angle. An initial incisional biopsy showed cytokeratin-positive atypical spindle cells forming long and intersecting fascicles, thus the case was diagnosed as carcinosarcoma. In the subsequent excisional biopsy, the skeletal myogenic differentiation of the tumor cells infiltrating the dermis and subcutis was demonstrated by morphology (presence of rhabdomyoblasts), immunohistochemistry (positivity for desmin, myogenin, myoglobin, and actins), and electron microscopy (evidence of rudimentary sarcomeric structures). A final diagnosis of primary cutaneous RMS was made. The patient was subjected to postoperative radiation and chemotherapy, but after 4 months, the patient developed a tumor recurrence followed by distant metastases and death. Review of the literature reveals that RMSs of the skin are often underrecognized and display peculiar clinical features in comparison with their more common soft tissue counterpart.

Akomodasyon Kaybıyla Seyreden Konjenital Midriyazis

A 14-year-old patient presented to our hospital with dilated pupils and decreased near vision. Complete ocular examination was done and pupil responses to pharmacological agents were evaluated. The patient had bilateral congenital mydriasis. The pupils were mydriatic. At pupil margins there were pigmented rudimentary nipple-like structures and remnants of persistent pupillary membrane. Pupils did not respond to pharmaceutics. The patient was not able to accommodate. Ultrasound biomicroscopy demonstrated hypoplasia of ciliary processes. Congenital mydriasis may be associated with absence of accommodation. Patients with that condition may need near vision correction first.

Role of IL-15 in the Stimulation of Human CD8+ CMV-Reactive Human T Cells in a Hu-PBL Mouse Model Preconditioned with Self-Differentiated Human Dendritic Cells Programmed with Lentiviral Vectors

Abstract 2966IL-15 is known to be a key factor in the homeostatic stimulation of T cells and maintenance of central memory lymphocytes involved in long-lasting immune responses. In addition, IL-15 may enhance NK cell function to protect against infection and relapse after allo-HCT. Thus, IL-15 ectopic overexpression provided by dendritic cell (DC) immunotherapy after bone marrow transplantation or donor lymphocyte infusion may direct prompt and durable immune responses against leukemia relapse or viral reactivation.Here, we show that overnight transduction of monocytes with tricistronic lentiviral vectors (LV) co-expressing GM-CSF/IL-4/IL-15 induced their differentiation into highly viable DC that expressed the major DC markers CD209 (75%), CD86 (95%), HLA-DR (90%) for up to 21 days in culture. These so-called SmartDC/IL-15 maintained stable secretion of several inflammatory and Th1 cytokines (TNF α, MCP-1, IL-1 β, IL-8). A single in vitro priming of T cells obtained from CMV seropositive donors with autologous SmartDC/IL-15 loaded with CMV-pp65 peptides led to expansion of higher frequencies pp65 tetramer-positive CTLs as compared with SmartDC that were not engineered to express IL-15 (26.5% vs. 16.5% respectively). Importantly, IL-15 expression in Smart-DCs led to the enrichment of T cells with effector memory (80% vs. 65%) and central memory (8% vs. 6%) as compared with SmartDC controls. SmartDCs/IL-15 presented high viability in vivo (>6 weeks) in immune deficient NOD.Rag1—/—.IL2r γ—/— (NRG) mice. We further evaluated the effects of SmartDCs/IL-15 on lymphatic and anti-CMV immune reconstitution in a humanized peripheral blood lymphocyte (Hu-PBL) mouse model. NRG mice preconditioned with unloaded or pp65-loaded SmartDCs/IL-15 were infused 7 days later with autologous luciferase-labeled T cells for optical imaging analysis. At day 21 after fLUC-T cells infusion, mice injected with pp65-loaded SmartDCs/IL-15 showed higher bioluminescence signal from expanded T cells in spleens (3-fold) and injection site (2-fold) as compared with control SmartDCs. Human T cells recovered from spleens of SmartDC-IL15 showed enhanced frequencies of effector memory (58% vs. 30%) and central memory (5.6% vs. 4%) phenotype as compared with SmartDC controls.Remarkably, bioluminescent T cells co-localized with the site of SmartDC/IL-15 injection in a pp65-dependent manner and enhanced the bio-distribution of human T cells towards other rudimentary lymphatic structures found in NRG mice. Anti-pp65 reactivity in vivo was confirmed by flow cytometry analyses by tetramer staining in peripheral blood. Thus, SmartDCs/IL-15 induced accelerated anti-CMV immune responses and triggered lymphatic regeneration and repopulation in vivo, which may be explored clinically to enhance homeostatic and antigen-dependent immune reconstitution after transplantation. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

A new interpretation of stomatogenesis in a peritrich ciliate: Using Campanella umbellaria as a model system

The process of stomatogenesis in peritrich ciliates is still incompletely understood. Previous studies on the stomatogenesis of four species of peritrichs, Telotrochidium sp., Carchesium polypinum, Opercularia coarctata, and Astylozoon pyriforme conflict with one another in some cases and omit details of events in others. We described the entire process of stomatogenesis in the peritrich ciliate Campanella umbellaria (C. umbellaria) using an improved method of staining with protargol. Our results disagree with some previous studies with regard to the formation of some rudimentary structures, reorganization of the parental haplokinety, formation of new germinal rows, and separation of daughter oral complexes. The pattern of stomatogenesis characteristic of peritrichs is compared to the stomatogenetic patterns of three other oligohymenophorean subclasses and a hypothesis about the evolution of stomatogenesis in the class Oligohymenophorea is offered. Details of stomatogenesis need to be described and verified in a greater variety of peritrichs to clarify possible differences between taxa and make it possible to relate stomatogenesis to evolution within the subclass Peritrichia. Ultrastructural studies are the next step in description of morphogenetic processes in peritrichs, and characteristics of C. umbellaria make it a useful model for this work.