User:Z3418488

From Embryology

Welcome to the 2014 Embryology Course!

Links: Timetable | How to work online | One page Wiki Reference Card | Moodle
  • Each week the individual assessment questions will be displayed in the practical class pages and also added here.
  • Copy the assessment items to your own page and provide your answer.
  • Note - Some guest assessments may require completion of a worksheet that will be handed in in class with your student name and ID.
Individual Lab Assessment
  1. Lab 1 Assessment - Fertilization References
  2. Lab 2 Assessment - Uploading a Research Image
  3. Lab 3 Assessment - Researching your Project Sub-Heading
  4. Lab 4 Assessment - Cord Stem Cells
  5. Lab 5 Assessment - Abnormalities
  6. Lab 6 Assessment - Group Work (As announced in the lecture, No individual assessment item for this Lab, but I do expect you to have added content to your Group project by tomorrow's Lab.)
  7. Lab 7 Assessment - Endocrine+Teeth
  8. Lab 8 - Genital
  9. Lab 9 - Peer Assessment
  10. Lab 10 - Sensory Development
  11. Lab 11 - Stem Cells
  12. Lab 12 - Stem Cells Presentation (see preparation information)
Lab 12 - Stem Cell Presentation Assessment More Info
Group Comment Mark (10)
1/8
  • Lots of effort to place article in larger context
  • Slide lay out could be improved: lots of empty space, use larger images and talk through them
  • Results presentation a bit convoluted. Try to finish discussion of each experiment with a clear conclusion.
  • Repetition of information towards the end
  • One presenter had an unprofessional style of presentation
7
2
  • Good well-structured presentation
  • Good introduction
  • Methods discussed separately. Try to avoid this, and incorporate in discussion of experiments. Not sure if technology was understood very well.
7.5
3
  • Good well-structured presentation
  • Do not discuss methods as a separate section
  • Discussion of results not always very clear, comprehension?
7.5
4
  • Good well-structured presentation
  • Lots of text on slides, improve talking through images, blow up images
  • Good discussion
8.5
5
  • Good well-structured presentation, amount of text on slides relatively good.
  • Figures too small, discussion bit convoluted
  • Slightly over time
8.5
6
  • Good comprehension and well-structured presentation.
  • Too much text on slides
  • Experiments discussed in a lot of detail. Try to be more concise and discuss aim of experiment, approach, summarize results, conclude.
  • No talking through figures
8.5
7
  • Good well-structured presentation, great introduction, inclusion of images in presentation done relatively well.
  • Methods discussed separately. Incorporate methods in discussion of the experiments in the results section.
  • Try not to depend too much on text on your slides
  • Talking through results images was not very clear, comprehension?
7.5
More Useful Links
Student Projects
Group 1 Respiratory User:Z3330991 User:Z3332339 User:Z3333429 User:Z3372817
Group 2 Renal User:Z3463310 User:Z3465141 User:Z3465654 User:Z5030311
Group 3 Gastrointestinal User:Z3414515 User:Z3375627 User:Z3415141 User:Z3415242
Group 4 Genital User:Z3415716 User:Z3416697 User:Z3417458 User:Z3417753
Group 5 Integumentary User:Z3417796 User:Z3417843 User:Z3418340 User:Z3418488
Group 6 Endocrine User:Z3418702 User:Z3418837 User:Z3418698 User:Z3414648
Group 7 Neural User:Z3418981 User:Z3419587 User:Z3422484 User:Z3374116
Group 8 Musculoskeletal User:Z3418779 User:Z3418718 User:Z3418989
Student Projects Fetal Development of a specific System.
2014 Course: Week 2 Lecture 1 Lecture 2 Lab 1 | Week 3 Lecture 3 Lecture 4 Lab 2 | Week 4 Lecture 5 Lecture 6 Lab 3 | Week 5 Lecture 7 Lecture 8 Lab 4 | Week 6 Lecture 9 Lecture 10 Lab 5 | Week 7 Lecture 11 Lecture 12 Lab 6 | Week 8 Lecture 13 Lecture 14 Lab 7 | Week 9 Lecture 15 Lecture 16 Lab 8 | Week 10 Lecture 17 Lecture 18 Lab 9 | Week 11 Lecture 19 Lecture 20 Lab 10 | Week 12 Lecture 21 Lecture 22 Lab 11 | Week 13 Lecture 23 Lecture 24 Lab 12
Student Projects - Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 | Group 5 | Group 6 | Group 7 | Group 8 | Moodle

Lab Attendence

Week 2: --Z3418488 (talk) 12:45, 6 August 2014 (EST)
Week 3: --Z3418698 (talk) 11:16, 13 August 2014 (EST)
Week 4: --Z3418488 (talk) 12:05, 20 August 2014 (EST)
Week 5: --Z3418488 (talk) 12:46, 27 August 2014 (EST)
Week 6: --Z3418488 (talk) 11:48, 3 September 2014 (EST)
Week 7: --Z3418488 (talk) 11:24, 10 September 2014 (EST)
Week 8: [Did GAMSAT]
Week 9: --Z3418488 (talk) 11:07, 24 September 2014 (EST)

Individual Lab Assessments

Lab Assessment 1

The objective of the study was to investigate whether using culture at 36 degrees celsisus would improve blastulation and pregnancy rates compared to the traditional core temperature of 37 degrees celsisus in human IVF trials. Seventy couples volunteered and were considered for participation in the study.
Obtained from a single source of oocytes, mature oocytes were randomly assorted into 2 categories at a time- one cultured in a 37 degree celsisus environment and the other cultured in a 36 degrees celsisus environment. A random number assortment determined which group of oocytes would be cultured in each environment. The mature oocytes were classified into each group in equal numbers, based on morphology (as determined by the subjective assessment of the embryologist). All oocytes immediately underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). On day 5 of IVF, DNA fingerprinting was used to determine the outcome of each embryo. This process was repeated using single sources of oocytes from the differing respective participants (all selected and based on a predetermined criteria).
Throughout the study, the procedure was performed as planned. The incubators were constantly ensured to have an equivalent stability at both temperature- the variations at each trial having no statistical significance. In this investigation a total of 805 mature oocytes were cultured- including 399 from the 36°C cultured environment and the remaining 406 from the 37°C environment. However, paired analysis demonstrated a slightly higher usable rate of blastocyst per zygote at the 37°C environment (48.4%), compared to that at the 36°C culture (41.2%). This result was deemed statistically significant and noticeable. However, the rates of fertilisation, sustained implementation and aneuploidy was deemed equivalent.
It was thus concluded from this investigation that IVF culturing at 36°C does not show any clinical improvements or advantages to embryo development than the traditional 37°C environment typically used- as other previous studies based on animal IVF have implied.

[1]

  1. <pubmed>25044079</pubmed>


Antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is used in the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The effects of PrEP on pregnancy outcomes and incidences was studied in this recent investigation.
Methodology- 1785 heterosexual and HIV uninfected couples from 9 sites in Kenya and Uganda participated in a randomised trial, conducted between July 2008 and June 2013. Participants were initially given on a daily basis either TDF, FTC + TDF or a placebo until July 2011. PrEP was given for the remaining testing period. Testing for pregnancy was conducted monthly- with the study medication discontinued with a positive pregnancy result.
Results- For every 100 persons, approximately 10 became pregnant belonging to the placebo group, 11.9 for those in the TDF group and 8.8. amongst those assigned in the FTC+ TDF combination group. The loss of pregnancy before July 2011 was approximately 42.5% for the FTC + TDF group, 32.3% for the placebo group and 27.7% for the TDF group. The occurrence of birth defects, anomalies and growth through the first year of life had not statistical significance during the first year of life.
Among the heterosexual, HIV-negative African couples studied, differences in the incidence of pregnancy, birth outcomes or growth were not statistically significant between the differing test groups. However, since all study medication (including that of PrEP) was discontinued at the instant result of a positive result- definitive statements about the safety of prEP in the preconception period can not be established.

[1]

  1. <pubmed>1889140</pubmed>

Lab Assessment 2

Copyright: Copyright © 2012, HSR Proceedings in Intensive Care and Cardiovascular Anesthesia This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial License 3.0, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non commercial and is otherwise in compliance with the license. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ and http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode.

Congenitally bicuspid aortic valve in the ascending aorta of a fetus.jpg


DIC Congenitally bicuspid aortic valve in the ascending aorta of a fetus[1]


  1. <pubmed>PMC3484928</pubmed>| [1]

Lab Assessment 3

Current Research [1] [2] [3]

  1. <pubmed>25015802</pubmed>
  2. <pubmed>24910745</pubmed>
  3. <pubmed>24520485</pubmed>

Lab Assessment 4

Spinal cord injury (SCI) may be improved through cellular transplantation and treatments on the cellular level- including macrophage activation, schwann cell and olfactory ensheathing manipulation. Advances in stem cell research, has made it possible to stimulate the differentiation of neurons in SCI cases, in the attempt to improve functional recovery.

It is known that macrophages are involved in the repairing of the central nervous system, particular with the spinal cord. Using rat models, the hind limbs of CSI cases has been able to undergo recovery through macrophage activation- using proinflammatory agent injections. Conversely, the removal or depletion of macrophages, has lead to abnormal white matter being scattered the spinal chord (indicating abnormalities in the repairing process). Phrase II trials of macrophage activations is still undergoing testing.

Similarly, schwaan cells have been transplanted into rat models who have SCI. Results for trials have been mixed and varied- with some trials resulting in hindlimb recovery, while others not so. Human trials for Schwaan cell transplantation has not been conducted yet.

In conclusion, through advances in stem cell research and therapies, SCI may under go functional recovery through further research and testing on the clinical level- including macrophage activation and schwaan cell transplantation. These concepts, however, are still undergoing further clinical testing.

[1]

  1. Mao-cheng Wu, Hu Yuan, Kang-jie Li, De-Lai Qiu, Cellular Transplantation-Based Evolving Treatment Options in Spinal Cord Injury, Springer, 2014, Cell Biochemistry and Cell Biophysics, 1559-0283, http://download.springer.com.wwwproxy0.library.unsw.edu.au/static/pdf/426/art%253A10.1007%252Fs12013-014-0174-3.pdf?auth66=1410443896_be7d031ab3aae016bd41a33430561c40&ext=.pdf

Lab Assessment 5

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPR) is the enlargement of the muscles surrounding the pyloric sphincter of the stomach. There is hence a lack of sphincter relaxation and a consequent obstruction for entrance into the stomach. The exact causes of HPR is still unknown and is not well defined in current literature- a unifying etiology for HPR has not been identified. It is known, however, that HPR is related to other genetic abnormalities.

Studies have, however, demonstrated links between HPR and genetic factors. For instance, maternal factors seem to have a higher contribution to the development of HPR as opposed to paternal factors.

It was also previously believed that the NOS1 gene and its lack of expression had genetic contributions to the development of HPR. One group found a link between the condition and NOS1a on chromosome 12q, yet later studies and coding of the gene have revealed no statistical difference from the norm.

Similarly, mutations in the genes MYH11 and GRIN2A were also thought to previously be involved in the development of HPR- for these genes are responsible for the relaxation of smooth muscles. However, like the SLC7A5 related to NO activity; mutations in these genes have not be verified by other sectional studies.

However, in a specific condition of HPS, a strong association between the abnormality and mutations in genes responsible for the transcriptional process have been made (MBNL1, NKX2, NKX3, NKX4, NKX5).

More future research is required to underpin the etiology of HPR.

[1]

  1. Giovanni Sarnelli, Alessandra D’Alessandro, Marcella Pesce, Ilaria Palumbo, Rosario Cuomo, Genetic contribution to motility disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract, World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Nov 15, 2013; 4(4): 65–73, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.wwwproxy0.library.unsw.edu.au/pmc/articles/PMC3829454/

Lab Assessment 7

Thyroid development begins as an outgrowth from the pharyngeal floor. The growth of the thyroid has been classified into 3 distinct categories, namely: pre-colloid, colloid and follicular[1]. The pre-colloid stage begins in weeks 7-9 and is characterised by the presence of Thyroid Follicular cell (TFC) precursors, arranged in compact strands. Week 10-11, sees the beginning of the colloid stage where TFC precursors are polarised. At about week 12 of development, the follicular stage of growth ensues- the appearance of small thyroid follicles can be observed. Thyroid hormone synthesis and iodine accumulation become active.

In a recent study, the frequency of thyroid abnormalities, including anti-thyroid auto-antibody abnormalities was evaluated against alopecia areata patients [2] . The study took place between 2007-2011, with 28 patients included- 46 men and 32 woman. All patients were recently diagnosed with alopecia areata- and underwent standardized medical history checks, physical screenings and laboratory testings. These laboratory testing included tests for anti-thryoid auto-antibodies thyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and thyroid functional tests (serum levels of thyroxine and TSH)[2].

In this study, 24% of patients were found to have abnormal thyroid function and anthyroid auto-antibodies. Of this, 15% were diagnosed with hypothyroidism and 5% with euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Hypothyroidism. The study revealed and highlights the importance of thyroid function screening test for alopecia areata patients, due to this statistically significant association.

References:

  1. <pubmed>24648121</pubmed>
  2. 2.0 2.1 <pubmed>25303421</pubmed>

Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2014) Embryology Endocrine - Thyroid Development. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from https://php.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=Endocrine_-_Thyroid_Development

Lab Assessment 8

It is important to note that the gonads are structurally identical in the male and female until week seven. However, by week 10 the ovaries start to become distinct from the male testes.

Three sources are the embryonic origin of human female ovary. These include the mesothelium, the mesenchyme and the primary undifferentiated germ cells. Primary oocytes, the simple squamous cells and connective tissue stroma of the ovary are derived from the mesothelium.

Development: On the medial side of the mesonephros, mesothelium (and the underlying mesenchyme) develops and proliferates to form the gonadal ridge. Primary sex cords develop from the gonaldal ridge and incorporate primordial germ cells, which are XX in genotype, in these cortical cords. At approximately week 16 of development, these cords become primordial follicles- breaking up to form isolated cell clusters. These primordial follicles have a oogonium that is derived from a primordial germ cell. Further development and mitosis of the oogonia occurs to produce primary oocytes (surrounded by a layer of simple squamous cells) and approximately 2 million in number. This reserve correspondingly depletes with increasing age. The image below depicts a section of an ovary, of a newly born child- development after the stages described above.

Section of the Ovary of a Newly Born Child

References:

Dudek, R.W, Lambert, H.W, Embryology- 5th Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011

Moore: The Developing Human, 9th ed. Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2014) Embryology ANAT2341 Lab 8 - Early Embryo. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from https://php.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php?title=ANAT2341_Lab_8_-_Early_Embryo