User:Z3217345

From Embryology

Lab 4 Online Assessment

  1. The allantois, identified in the placental cord, is continuous with what anatomical structure?
  2. Identify the 3 vascular shunts, and their location, in the embryonic circulation.
  3. Identify the Group project sub-section that you will be researching. (Add to project page and your individual assessment page)



Lab Attendance

--z3217345 11:55, 28 July 2011 (EST)

--z3217345 12:52, 4 August 2011 (EST)

--z3217345 11:43, 11 August 2011 (EST)

--z3217345 11:03, 25 August 2011 (EST)

--z3217345 11:08, 15 September 2011 (EST)

--z3217345 11:17, 22 September 2011 (EST)

--z3217345 11:07, 29 September 2011 (EST)

--z3217345 12:52, 13 October 2011 (EST)

--z3217345 11:18, 20 October 2011 (EST)

Individual Assessment

Lab 1

1. Identify the origin of In Vitro Fertilization and the 2010 nobel prize winner associated with this technique.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), is a type of Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART). It stems from the Latin word "vitro" meaning "glass" and refers to the process of fertilization undertaken in a test tube/laboratory environment. In 1978 IVF was first conducted by Robert G. Edwards et al. in the UK producing the first IVF baby, Louise Brown.[1] The 2010 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Robert G. Edwards for this advancement.[2]


2. Identify a recent paper on fertilization and describe its key findings.

Correlation of body mass index with outcome of in vitro fertilization in a developing country.

The paper looked at individuals in a developing country, examining the relationship between their BMI and their experience of in vitro fertilization.

This research paper had a number of key findings:

-Oocytes retrieved from all four groups (low, normal, overweight, obese weight based on BMI) were of a similar number

-Fertilization and cleavage rate of oocytes decreased with an increasing BMI

-Oocyte quality decreseas with an increasing BMI

-Clinical pregnancy rate decreased with the decreasing oocyte quality

-Low BMI had no substantial affect on oocyte quality and clinical pregnancy rate


3. Identify 2 congenital anomalies.

Congenital anomalies are abnormal structural formations of a newborn baby. Two malformations are Myelomeningocele and Tetralogy of Fallot. Myelomeningocele, commonly known as Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect where the spinal canal does not completely fuse with the backbone prior to birth.[3] Tetralogy of Fallot is a heart defect which is characterised by: ventricular septal defect; thickened muscular wall of right ventricle; aorta stems from both left and right ventricle; decrease in size of the artery and valve connecting the lungs and heart. This results in cyanosis. [4]


Lab 2

1. Identify the ZP protein that spermatozoa binds and how is this changed (altered) after fertilisation.

The zona pellucida sperm-binding protein, ZP3, is a receptor glycoprotein that spermatozoa use to recognise and bind to the zona pellucida of the egg. This initiates the acrosome reaction, where acrosomal contents are exocytosed. When the sperm fuses with the egg plasma membrane, the intracellular Ca2+ levels increase causing a cortical reaction, where cortical granules are exocytosed from the egg. These granules modify the zona pellucida by removing a carbohydrate from ZP3 which makes it unable to bind to sperm and secondly, cleaving ZP2 which hardens the zona pellucida.


2. Identify a review and a research article related to your group topic. (Paste on both group discussion page with signature and on your own page)

Research Articles:

Turner syndrome and metabolic derangements: Another example of fetal programming.

Turner syndrome and sexual differentiation of the brain: implications for understanding male-biased neurodevelopmental disorders.

Estrogen requirements in girls with Turner syndrome; how low is enough for initiating puberty and uterine development?

Review Articles:

Optimising management in Turner syndrome: from infancy to adult transfer.

We have now changed our subject topic to Thalassemia:

Research Articles:

How I treat thalassemia

Pulmonary function in thalassaemia major and its correlation with body iron stores

Review Articles:

Beta-thalassemia


Lab 3

1. What is the maternal dietary requirement for late neural development?

For late neural development, folate is essential. Folate, a vitamin B, assists in reducing the probability of neural tube defects such as meningomyelocele (spina bifida), when the neural tube does not close properly on the caudal end, or anencephaly, when the neural tube does not close properly on the cranial end. The recommended dietary intake of folic acid by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Centre is 600µg/day throughout pregnancy and an additional 400µg/day from a supplement or supplemented foods between one month before conception till three months after conception.

Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Including Recommended Dietary Intakes

Healthy Pregnant Women


2. Upload a picture relating to you group project. Add to both the Group discussion and your online assessment page. Image must be renamed appropriately, citation on "Summary" window with link to original paper and copyright information. As outlined in the Practical class tutorial.


Thromboembolic Events In Thalassemia Intermedia (TI) VS Thalassemia Major (TM)


Lab 4

1. The allantois, identified in the placental cord, is continuous with what anatomical structure?

The allantois is continuous with the superior end of the bladder. Its main function is gas, nutrition and waste exchange.

2. Identify the 3 vascular shunts, and their location, in the embryonic circulation.

The three vascular shunts are foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus and ductus venosus. They function to assist with embryonic circulation, transporting oxygenated blood from the lungs, liver and kidneys. Their location in embryonic circulation is as follows:

Foramen ovale: the foramen ovale is located between the right atrium and left atrium. It allows the blood from the right atrium (oxygenated from inferior vena cava and desaturated blood from lower limbs and abdominal organs)to pass into the left atrium of the heart.

Ductus arteriosus: the ductus arteriosus is located between the pulmonary artery and the aorta.

Ductus venosus: the ductus venosus is located between the umbilical vein and inferior vena cava. It allows for most of the oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein to pass into the inferior vena cava.

3. Identify the Group project sub-section that you will be researching. (Add to project page and your individual assessment page)

The two sub-sections that I will be researching for the group project are diagnostic procedures and current/future research possibilities.


Lab 5

1. Which side (L/R) is most common for diaphragmatic hernia and why?

The most common form of congenital diaphragmatic hernias are Bochdalek hernias, which more frequently occur on the left side of the diaphragm.


Lab 6

1. What week of development do the palatal shelves fuse?

The palatal shelves fuse in week 9 of embryonic development.

2. What animal model helped elucidate the neural crest origin and migration of cells?

The origin of the neural crest and migration of cells has been assisted by using the chicken model.

3. What abnormality results from neural crest not migrating into the cardiac outflow tract?

Tetralogy of Fallot is a heart defect which results from the neural crest not properly migrating into the cardiac outflow tract. [5]


Lab 7

1. Are satellite cells (a) necessary for muscle hypertrophy and (b) generally involved in hypertrophy?

Satellite cells are not necessary for muscle hypertrophy, however they are generally involved in the process.

2. Why does chronic low frequency stimulation cause a fast to slow fibre type shift?

Chronic low frequency stimulation of muscle cells can cause a fast to slow fibre type shift. When fast muscle fibres receive chronic low frequency stimulation, a shift in their contractile traits is promoted to become more like slow muscle fibres in order to continue to function in response to this lower frequency.

Peer Assessment: Trisomy 21

  • The uncommon words linked straight to the glossary, for example nondisjunction, make the article more accessible and easier to read for the general population.
  • The sentence explaining aneuploidy in the introduction is unnecessary and/or wrongly placed. Either the definition should be given in the first sentence that you use aneuploidy, in the section on aneuploidy or the uncommon word linked to glossary formatting should be used again.
  • The word screening is probably common enough that you do not need to link it to the glossary.
  • The last two sentences of the introduction do not flow very well - the first sentence regarding recent literature would probably be better used as an introductory sentence in the some recent findings section.
  • The some recent findings section might be better placed towards the end of the page with the meiosis I and II and growth chart sections. Instead background information could be placed at the beginning.
  • The articles in the some recent findings section are informative and well referenced. They could be summarised in your own words.
  • There is a lack of referencing for some of the information in sections: associated congenital abnormalities, heart defects, detection using tandem single nucleotide polymorphisms and aneuploidy.
  • Citation number 6 and 9 are not properly referenced. More information should be given - see the UNSW referencing webpage.
  • It is good that a number of sections include external links where more information can be found.
  • There is a good amount of images, however some of them could be placed more appropriately. For example the photograph of John Down could be placed adjacent to the introduction section as he is mentioned there.
  • For all images and figures copyright information should be given on the image file page - this has not been completed for the first image and a number of other ones.


Lab 8

Group Assessment Criteria

1. The key points relating to the topic that your group allocated are clearly describ ed.

2. The choice of content, headings and sub-headings, diagrams, tables, graphs show a good understanding of the topic area.

3. Content is correctly cited and referenced.

4. The wiki has an element of teaching at a peer level using the student's own innovative diagrams, tables or figures and/or using interesting examples or explanations.

5. Evidence of significant research relating to basic and applied sciences that goes beyond the formal teaching activities.

6. Relates the topic and content of the Wiki entry to learning aims of embryology.

7. Clearly reflects on editing/feedback from group peers and articulates how the Wiki could be improved (or not) based on peer comments/feedback. Demonstrates an ability to review own work when criticised in an open edited wiki format. Reflects on what was learned from the process of editing a peer's wiki.

8. Evaluates own performance and that of group peers to give a rounded summary of this wiki process in terms of group effort and achievement.

9. The content of the wiki should demonstrate to the reader that your group has researched adequately on this topic and covered the key areas necessary to inform your peers in their learning.

10. Develops and edits the wiki entries in accordance with the above guidelines.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 2

  • The information in the introduction is good, however you may want to introduce the syndrome in the first sentence and then explain what congenital abnormalities are.
  • The timeline is clearly set out, maybe decide whether you want to put a colon or not after the date to keep consistency.
  • The diagnostic tests section has a good balance between being informative through pictures and text. It would be good to place an image for amniocentesis and also replace the link on BACS technology to either have an image and use the paper as an extra link or to replace the heading of 'image' to 'additional information' or some such title.
  • Maybe an image could be inserted in the section on etiology or epidemiology. An graph to accompany some of the statistics might make the information more accessible.
  • Under the information of the images you have uploaded, you need put {{Template:2011 Student Image}}.
  • In the glossary writing "A" above the group of A words and so on and so forth for the rest of it, would make it easier for the reader to quickly find the desired word.
  • Some of the references should have more information in them (references 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 46, 47, 48, 49 and others).
  • The references should not be duplicated and can instead be linked together using the 'multiple instances on a page' editing guidelines: http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=References#Multiple_Instances_on_Page.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 3

  • The introduction is informative, however I think that the small paragraphs at the end detract from the section as a whole. It would be better to integrate these more so that they flow on from the previous text.
  • The history section provides both detailed information and a timeline, which makes the historical stages easy to comprehend and refer back to.
  • Is the image in the section on aetiology drawn by a student? If not, then copyright information and referencing needs to be included.
  • In the section on diagnostic procedures, the image could be placed on the right for ease of reading.
  • The figure in the signs and symptoms section and the figures in the epidemiology section are too small.
  • Using colour borders in the signs and symptoms table would make it a bit clearer.
  • The links to animations and a movie are great uses of additional material.
  • Under the information in some of the images you have uploaded, you still need to add {{Template:2011 Student Image}}.
  • The references should not be duplicated and can instead be linked together using the 'multiple instances on a page' editing guidelines: http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=References#Multiple_Instances_on_Page.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 4

  • The introduction and history sections are concise and well formatted.
  • A few of the points in the timeline would be improved by containing a bit more information such as 'Mendel's work' and 'The Venezuala project'
  • The tables used in the epidemiology section are clear and highly informative.
  • The abbreviation HTT is used throughout the epidemiology section before it is stated what it means in the genetics section. This should be changed.
  • The picture related to transcription factors needs to be fixed so that it can be displayed.
  • The section entitled 'Video of Huntington's disease patient' should have a more appropriate heading to encompass the rest of the written information in that section.
  • Under the information in some of the images you have uploaded, you still need to add {{Template:2011 Student Image}}.
  • Some of the references are duplicated. They can instead be linked together using the 'multiple instances on a page' editing guidelines: http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=References#Multiple_Instances_on_Page.
  • Overall the project is highly informative, well written and formatted.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 5

  • The introduction has no references.
  • More pictures in the sections on development, signs and symptoms and diagnosis would help to make the written work easier to follow. Examples of pictures that could be added are images of neural crest development put in the development section or images of diagnostic techniques in the section on diagnosis.
  • The section on treatment is clear and informative.
  • The different diagnostic procedures could be explained more, such as how they are each conducted.
  • Instead of having the uncommon words highlighted in bold, maybe you could link the words to their definition down in the glossary section.
  • Some of the references are duplicated. They can instead be linked together using the 'multiple instances on a page' editing guidelines: http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=References#Multiple_Instances_on_Page.
  • In conclusion, this project is both accessible to people who have no great scientific knowledge, but also delves into quite specific knowledge. A good balance.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 6

  • The introduction and the section on pathophysiology and abnormalities have no references. This needs to be rectified.
  • The introduction and some of the history section have short paragraphs that are only one sentence long and would be improved, both for formatting and information purposes, by incorporating them into the rest of the information.
  • Inserting a small timeline in the history section would make the sequence of events more accessible to the reader.
  • Some sentences are too long such as, 'Children with TOF don’t grow at the rate of normal children as whilst breastfeeding in infancy, the babies would get tired quicker and during the growth of the infant, normal functionability of the heart and oxygen saturated blood is needed for proper growth'. This sentence could be broken up and also improved by a greater explanation of why the process of growth is abnormal in TOF.
  • Maybe explain more about what 'clubbing' is.
  • In the diagnostic tests section the images need to be inserted and needs to be properly referenced. The information is good but as noted one section is totally void of text.
  • The section on prognoses needs proper referencing.
  • The section on future directions is well written, however the referencing needs to be adapted to the wiki format.
  • Under the information in some of the images you have uploaded such as in the portait of A. Fallot, you still need to add {{Template:2011 Student Image}}.
  • The project is informative, however formatting and referencing are issues that need to be addressed.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 7

  • The history section is interesting and accessible but has very little referencing which detracts from its reliability.
  • In the epidemiology section, a small table could be inserted for the demographic to make it easier to read.
  • The aetiology section is clear and well balanced.
  • The section on pathogenesis is really detailed and well written.
  • Maybe you could include more information on how the different diagnostic techniques are conducted.
  • The picture in the diagnosis section needs to be fixed so that it is displayed properly. Also the information with the pictures you uploaded in the diagnosis section need to include {{Template:2011 Student Image}}.
  • In the glossary writing "A" above the group of A words and so on and so forth for the rest of it, would make it easier for the reader to quickly find the desired word.
  • Some of the references are duplicated. They can instead be linked together using the 'multiple instances on a page' editing guidelines: http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=References#Multiple_Instances_on_Page.
  • Overall this group project is very thorough, giving good detail and adding appropriate additional sections which add to the clarity of the page and assist the reader in understanding more e.g. the external links, related diseases and complications.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 8

  • The contents would be improved by being placed on the left hand side of the page.
  • Introduction and history are clear and concise.
  • The information on etiology could be put in a table to increase the viewer's ease of reading.
  • The sections on aetiology, neuropathology, clinical presentations and diagnosis are well written, formatted and have a good balance between images and text.
  • The hand drawn images are clear and add to the text.
  • In current research more of a summary of the papers and their findings would make the section more informative, as it is unknown what some of the papers are even about: "New advances in the treatment of Friedreich ataxia: promisses and pitfalls." What are these 'promises' and 'pitfalls'?
  • The glossary and external links sections could be moved higher up, prior to the references as the references denote the end of the page.
  • Overall this project provides a large amount of knowledge for the reader on Friedreich ataxia. It is obviously well researched and thoughtfully formatted.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 9

  • The introduction and history of the disease are informative and it is good to have both the detailed historical information in addition to the timeline.
  • It might be good to have an image at the beginning of the page to break up the text, such as of someone prominently involved with the disease findings (John C.P. Williams or Alois J Beuren).
  • The diagnostic section only has one reference which detracts from the reliability of the section and makes the reader wonder where the information was sourced from. It is also good to place it in as if the reader desires to know more about the subject, they are able to look at where certain parts came from.
  • The phenotype section is really clear and well formatted, however there are no references in this section.
  • In general there needs to be more images/figures/graphs to help the ease of reading. For example in sections: Genitourinary Conditions, Other Associated Medical Conditions and Cognitive, Behavioural and Neurological Phenotype.
  • The section on specialised facilities and supportive associations is an additional section that really adds to the page.
  • There needs to be a picture drawn by a student.
  • Some of the definitions of words in the glossary need to be completed.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 10

  • I think the section heading of introduction accompanied by the question what is muscular dystrophy, works really well.
  • It might be good to include an image in the history section to break up the text, such as of someone prominently involved with the disease findings.
  • The information in clinical manifestations and complications is well written. There needs to be some fix to the formatting under the smooth muscle heading where some '&'s have been repeated.
  • The current and future prospects section is great. You have summarised what
  • Some of the definitions of words in the glossary need to be completed e.g. atrophy and protease.
  • Under the information in some of the images such as the fisrt one, you still need to add {{Template:2011 Student Image}}.
  • Some of the references are duplicated. They can instead be linked together using the 'multiple instances on a page' editing guidelines: http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=References#Multiple_Instances_on_Page.
  • An additional section of external links might provide information for those wanting to know more.


Peer Assessment: Group Project 11

  • The introduction could definitely be expanded upon. Maybe include a short description of what cleft palate is.
  • The timeline is great - clear and informative.
  • The treatment, problems with cleft palate and genetic configuration sections are good. It might be good to move the picture in the treatment section to the right so it doesn't disturb the flow of the text. Also these sections need to have referencing added, for reliability purposes and such as if the reader wanted to know more about the findings that 'a number of drugs might be participating in creating this birth defect'.
  • Syndromes and Anomalies associated with cleft section is great and as noted there needs to be some additional text added.
  • The current and future research section could be expanded. Maybe find relevant articles, summarise their findings and see what direction is necessary to head in.
  • In the glossary writing "C" above the group of C words and so on and so forth for the rest of it, would make it easier for the reader to quickly find the desired word.
  • Under the information on all the images you have uploaded, you need to add {{Template:2011 Student Image}}.
  • Some of the references are duplicated. They can instead be linked together using the 'multiple instances on a page' editing guidelines: http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=References#Multiple_Instances_on_Page.
  • Overall the project has a large amount of information and is put together reasonably well.


Lab 10

1. Besides fetal alcohol syndrome, identify another environmental teratogen that can lead to hearing loss.

An environmental teratogen that can lead to hearing loss, is contraction of rubella (German measles) by the mother.


2. Identify 3 factors that contribute to poor neonatal drainage of the middle ear.

Three factors that contribute to poor neonatal drainage of the middle ear are:

  • Narrow
  • Almost horizontal
  • Opened by a single muscle, the tensor palatini/palati muscle


3. Identify 1 genetic abnormality that affects hearing development and link to the OMIM record. (Your individual abnormality should be different from all other students)

USHER SYNDROME, TYPE I; USH1


Lab 11

1. Name the components that give rise to the interatrial septum and the passages that connect the right and left atria.

The components that give rise to the interatrial septum are the two muscular septa, the primum and secondum. This prevents blood from passing between the atria. However some blood is able to flow from the right atrium through the foramen ovale and then the foramen secondum to enter the left atrium.


2. Identify the cardiac defects that arise through abnormal development of the outflow tract.

Cardiac defects which occur when there is abnormal development of the outflow tract are:

  • Patent ductus arteriosus = an abnormality, where there is no or incomplete closure of the ductus arteriosus
  • Coarctation of the aorta = an abnormality where the aorta is constricted in the area of the ductus arteriosus, and this is usually coupled with patent ductus arteriosus. This can be caused by genetic and/or environmental factors.
  • There are also a number of abnormalities where patent ductus arteriosus is an associated and/or common abnormality to have as well:
    • Transposition of the great vessels
    • Interrupted aortic arch


Lab 12

1. Give examples of 3 systems that continue to develop postnatally.

Three body systems that continue their development postnatally are:

  • Neural development
  • Respiratory development
  • Genital development


2. Identify the abnormalities detected by the Guthrie Test and link to one abnormality listed in OMIM.

The Guthrie Test may be used to screen the baby for the following abnormalities[6]:

  • Lysosomal Storage Disease
  • Phenylketonuria
  • Galactosaemia
  • Congenital Hypothyroidism
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Biotinidase Deficiency
  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
  • Congenital Toxoplasmosis
  • Homocystinuria
  • Maple Syrup Urine Disease
  • Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency
  • Toxoplasma gondii IgM antibodies

Further information about these abnormalities can be found on the OMIM website. The OMIM entry for Phenylketonuria explains the diagnosis, the features of the abnormality, pathogenesis, history and treatment. OMIM - Phenylketonuria