Intact fetal ovarian cord formation promotes mouse oocyte survival and development

Background  

Female reproductive potential, or the ability to propagate life, is limited in mammals with the majority of oocytes lost before birth. In mice, surviving perinatal oocytes are enclosed in ovarian follicles for subsequent oocyte development and function in the adult. Before birth, fetal germ cells of both sexes develop in clusters, or germline cysts, in the undifferentiated gonad. Upon sex determination of the fetal gonad, germ cell cysts become organized into testicular or ovarian cord-like structures and begin to interact with gonadal somatic cells. Although germline cysts and testicular cords are required for spermatogenesis, the role of cyst and ovarian cord formation in mammalian oocyte development and female fertility has not been determined.     

Diverse modes of reproduction in the marine free-living ciliate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glauconema trihymene</Emphasis>

Background  

Most free-living ciliates reproduce by equal fission or budding during vegetative growth. In certain ciliates, reproduction occurs inside the cyst wall, viz. reproductive cysts, but more complex reproductive strategies have generally been thought to be confined to parasitic or symbiotic species, e.g. Radiophrya spp.     

A comparison of the Giardia lamblia trophozoite and cyst transcriptome using microarrays

Background  

Compared with many protists, Giardia lamblia has a simple life cycle alternating between cyst and trophozoite. Most research on the molecular biology of Giardia parasites has focused on trophozoites and the processes of excystation and encystation, whereas cysts have attracted less interest. The striking morphological differences between the dormant cyst and the rapidly dividing and motile trophozoite implies profound changes in the metabolism as the parasite encysts in the host's intestine and excysts upon ingestion by a new host.     

Differentiation of mucinous from non-mucinous pancreatic cyst fluid using dual-stained, 1 dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Background

Pancreatic cysts are being increasingly identified in patients. Mucinous cysts have malignant potential whereas non-mucinous cysts do not. Distinguishing potentially malignant cysts from harmless ones by the characterization of cyst fluid contents remains a difficult problem. This study was undertaken to determine whether cyst fluid mucin glycoprotein analysis could differentiate mucinous from non-mucinous pancreatic cysts.

Methods

Cyst fluid from 28 patients who underwent resection of a pancreatic cyst was used for the study. In each case the type of cyst was histologically identified. One dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D-SDS PAGE) was performed on cyst fluid samples. For the detection of the separated proteins, we employed a novel dual staining technique. The gel was first stained with periodic acid Schiff (PAS), a mucin histochemical stain followed by a secondary protein staining with Simply Blue Safestain (Invitrogen).

Results

Visual scoring (based on the presence of mucins) gave a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 88% for prediction of mucinous histology.

Conclusions

One dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of pancreatic cyst fluid, followed by mucin (PAS) and protein (Simply Blue Safestain) staining, provides a means of concentrating and visualizing mucins, which allows the accurate differentiation of mucinous from non-mucinous histology in pancreatic cysts.     

Les kystes intraprostatiques: à propos de trois observations

Introduction

Intraprostatic cysts are considered to be rare. Some forms may be responsible for male infertility. The authors study the various clinical aspects, with the aim of defining guidelines for the exploration and treatment of different types of intraprostatic cysts.

Materials and methods

Between 2002 and 2007, we studied 3 cases of intraprostatic cyst in 3 men aged between 32 and 39 years.

Results

The clinical presentation was primary infertility (2 cases) and pelvic pain (2 cases). Digital rectal exam revealed prostate mass in 2 cases. Spermogram results were abnormal in 2 cases. The diagnosis was confirmed by prostate ultrasound. Trans-rectal ultrasound guided needle aspiration was performed in one case with secondary recurrence. Two patients had urethroscopy showing an absence of communication between the cyst and urethral channel. Transurethral incision of the cyst was made with resection of the protruding dome. Progress was favourable in all cases with improvement of semen and dissipation of symptoms without recurrence.

Conclusion

Intraprostatic cysts are benign lesions, often of congenital origin. Imaging is an essential component of diagnosis and can sometimes guide therapeutic procedures. The treatment is not yet codified, but symptomatic and/or complicated cysts can be treated by effective and minimally invasive endoscopic methods.     

Bilious pericardial effusion at initial presentation in a patient with lung cancer

Background  

Cardiac tamponade as the initial manifestation of metastatic cancer is a rare clinical entity. Furthermore, a thoraco-biliary fistula is another rare complication of echinococcosis due to rupture of hydatid cysts located at the upper surface of the liver to the pleural or pericardial cavity. We report a case of non-small cell lung cancer with a coexisting hepatic hydatid cyst presenting as a bilious pericardial effusion.     

Proteomic analysis of the cyst stage of Entamoeba histolytica

Background

The category B agent of bioterrorism, Entamoeba histolytica has a two-stage life cycle: an infective cyst stage, and an invasive trophozoite stage. Due to our inability to effectively induce encystation in vitro, our knowledge about the cyst form remains limited. This also hampers our ability to develop cyst-specific diagnostic tools.

Aims

Three main aims were (i) to identify E. histolytica proteins in cyst samples, (ii) to enrich our knowledge about the cyst stage, and (iii) to identify candidate proteins to develop cyst-specific diagnostic tools.

Methods

Cysts were purified from the stool of infected individuals using Percoll (gradient) purification. A highly sensitive LC-MS/MS mass spectrometer (Orbitrap) was used to identify cyst proteins.

Results

A total of 417 non-redundant E. histolytica proteins were identified including 195 proteins that were never detected in trophozoite-derived proteomes or expressed sequence tag (EST) datasets, consistent with cyst specificity. Cyst-wall specific glycoproteins Jacob, Jessie and chitinase were positively identified. Antibodies produced against Jacob identified cysts in fecal specimens and have potential utility as a diagnostic reagent. Several protein kinases, small GTPase signaling molecules, DNA repair proteins, epigenetic regulators, and surface associated proteins were also identified. Proteins we identified are likely to be among the most abundant in excreted cysts, and therefore show promise as diagnostic targets.

Major Conclusions

The proteome data generated here are a first for naturally-occurring E. histolytica cysts, and they provide important insights into the infectious cyst form. Additionally, numerous unique candidate proteins were identified which will aid the development of new diagnostic tools for identification of E. histolytica cysts.     

Perioperative Challenges and Surgical Treatment of Large Simple,and Infectious Liver Cyst - A 12-Year Experience

Background

Cystic lesions of the liver consist of a heterogeneous group of disorders that can present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Methods

A retrospective review of all medical records of adult patients diagnosed with large (>7 cm) cystic lesions of the liver between January 2000 and December 2011, at Kurume University Hospital. Cases with polycystic disease were excluded.

Results

Twenty three patients were identified. The mean size was 13.9 cm (range, 7-22cm). The majority of simple cysts were found in women (females: males, 2: 21). In 19 patients, the cyst was removed surgically by wide deroofing (laparoscopically in 16 cases, combined with ethanol sclerotherapy in 13 cases). Infection of the liver cyst occurred in one patient, who later underwent central bi-segmentectomy.

Conclusion

Simple large cysts of the liver can be successfully treated by laparoscopic deroofing and alcohol sclerotherapy. Large hepatic cyst considered to need drainage should be removed surgically to avoid possible infection.     

Renin and ovarian vascularization in cows with follicular cysts after epidural administration of a GnRH analogue

The ovarian renin–angiotensin system may play an important role in follicular growth and maturation, as well as in the process of ovulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of a GnRH analogue to cows with ovarian follicular cysts on plasma renin concentrations and ovarian vascularization. This study was performed with 60 Friesian cows, which were diagnosed with follicular cysts, and randomly allocated into two groups: group A (treatment; n = 30) received 2 ml of lecirelin (Dalmarelin^® – Fatro), per head via sacro-coccygeal epidural, and group B (control; n = 30) received 2 ml saline solution (0.9% NaCl) per head by the same route. Blood samples were immediately collected prior to administration (T0) and then 24 h (T1), 48 h (T2) and 8 days (T3) after administration of the treatment, for both groups. Ovarian vascularization was evaluated utilizing Power Doppler on these same days in 10 animals from each group. The number of pixels detected by Power Doppler was used as an indicator of the degree of vascularization. Plasma renin concentrations remained relatively constant for the control (group B) animals, but increased as the sampling period progressed (NS) for the treated cows (group A). Similarly, there were no changes in ovarian vascularization (number of pixels) for the control cows, but vascularization increased throughout the sampling period in the treated animals. The number of pixels associated with cysts was significantly higher for treated compared to control cows at 24 h after treatment (P < 0.001). The epidural administration of a GnRH analogue was determined to be a highly effective therapy for follicular cysts (regression occurred in 82% of treated cows within 8 ± 2 days after treatment, but in none of the control cows), which also enhanced ovarian vascularization.     

Giardia muris: Correlation between oral dosage,course of infection,and trophozoite distribution in the mouse small intestine

Oral inoculations of Giardia muris cysts to CD-1 Swiss mice resulted in a reproducible pattern of infection measured by cyst excretion and the number of trophozoites in the small intestine. Housing of animals together or individually did not alter the pattern of cyst release for the first 30 days of infection. Administration of 10 to 10⁵ cysts/mouse resulted in a similar rate of cyst excretion from Day 10 to the end of the infection period. There was a direct correlation between the size of inoculum and the length of the latent period. Mice which received larger doses (10³, 10⁴, 10⁵) had significantly higher numbers of cysts in feces during the first week of infection, compared to those which received lower doses (10 or 100). The extent of trophozoite colonization and their distribution in the small intestine was not related to the size of inoculum. The location of trophozoites in the small intestine varied during the infection. In the first 3 to 8 days of infection the trophozoites were situated in the upper 25% of the small intestine, but moved posteriorly (upper 40%) during the period of peak cyst output. The number of trophozoites in the small intestine and cyst excretion were found to be proportional at all stages of infection.     

Elderly onset intramedullary epidermoid cyst in the conus medullaris: a case report

Introduction

Epidermoid cysts are known as embryonic or acquired ectopic aberrations of the ectoderm. To the best of our knowledge, there are only a few reports of elderly onset intramedullary epidermoid cysts. We report a case of elderly onset intramedullary epidermoid cyst at the conus medullaris.

Case presentation

A 63-year-old Japanese woman working as a farmer presented with slowly progressive gait disturbance and voiding dysfunction. A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed an intramedullary mass lesion at L1 to L3. We diagnosed the lesion as an intramedullary spinal cord tumor. A laminectomy was performed at the level of Th12 to L3. Upon spinal cord dissection, a yellowish milky exudation erupted from the cystic lesion. We resected white cartilage-like pieces from the cystic cavity. Because the wall of the cystic lesion tightly adhered to the spinal cord parenchyma, we abandoned complete resection of the cyst wall. The pathological diagnosis was an epidermoid cyst.

Conclusions

We propose that evacuation of the cyst contents is preferable, especially in cases with elderly onset and congenital origin.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1752-1947-9-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

An epidermal cyst of the penis after distal hypospadias surgery: a case report

Background

Epidermoid cyst is a benign tumor that can occur anywhere in the body but is rarely seen in the penis. Congenital and previous penile surgeries have been reported to be involved in the etiology of the disease, which is usually asymptomatic. Here we describe a case of a patient with a penile epidermoid cyst, which occurred in the circumcision line on the left side of his penis, and urethral dehiscence following hypospadias surgery.

Case summary

A 3-year-old white boy who underwent primary distal hypospadias surgery 1.5?years ago presented with a slowly growing mass in the left ventrolateral portion of the penile circumcision line and urethral dehiscence. The histology of the excised mass revealed an epidermal inclusion cyst. Since then, he has remained healthy.

Conclusions

Epidermal inclusion cyst as a complication of hypospadias surgery is a very rare situation. The diagnosis is made histologically and surgical excision is sufficient for treatment.

     

Popliteal cysts and subgastrocnemius bursitis are associated with knee symptoms and structural abnormalities in older adults: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

The role of popliteal cysts and subgastrocnemius bursitis in knee joint homeostasis is uncertain. The aim of this study is to describe cross-sectional associations between popliteal cysts, subgastrocnemius bursitis, knee symptoms and structural abnormalities in older adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional sample of 900 randomly-selected subjects (mean age 63 years, 48% female) were studied. Knee pain, stiffness and dysfunction were assessed by self-administered Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. Radiographic knee osteophyte and joint space narrowing (JSN) were recorded. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized to assess popliteal cysts, subgastrocnemius bursitis, cartilage defects and bone marrow lesions (BMLs).

Results

Popliteal cysts were present in 11.7% and subgastrocnemius bursitis in 12.7% of subjects. Subgastrocnemius bursitis was more common in those with popliteal cyst (36.2% versus 9.7%, P <0.01). In multivariable analyses, popliteal cysts were significantly associated with increased osteophytes in both medial and lateral tibiofemoral compartments while subgastrocnemius bursitis was associated with increased osteophytes and JSN in the medial tibiofemoral compartment. Both were significantly associated with cartilage defects in all compartments, and with BMLs in the medial tibiofemoral compartment. Furthermore, both popliteal cysts and subgastrocnemius bursitis were significantly associated with increased weight-bearing knee pain but these associations became non-significant after adjustment for cartilage defects and BMLs.

Conclusions

Popliteal cysts and subgastrocnemius bursitis are associated with increased symptoms as well as radiographic and MRI-detected joint structural abnormalities. Longitudinal data will help resolve if they are a consequence or a cause of knee joint abnormalities.     

Expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in the endometrium of cyclic,pregnant and in a model of pseudopregnant rats and their regulation by sex steroids

Background  

Cyclooxygenases (COXs) are the rate limiting enzymes in the process of prostaglandins (PGs) synthesis, which are critical regulators of a number of reproductive processes, including ovulation, implantation, decidualization and parturition. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and regulation of COX-1 and COX-2 and levels of prostaglandins during rat pregnancy, in a model of pseudopregnancy and estrous cycle.     

Extracellular matrix peptides of Artemia cyst shell participate in protecting encysted embryos from extreme environments

Background

Many species of the brine shrimp Artemia are found in various severe environments in many parts of the world where extreme salinity, high UV radiation levels, high pH, anoxia, large temperature fluctuations, and intermittent dry conditions are often recorded. To withstand adverse environments, Artemia undergoes an oviparous developmental pathway to release cysts whereas, under favorable conditions, swimming nauplius larvae are formed directly via an ovoviviparous pathway. In the former case these cysts have an extraordinary ability to keep the embryos protected from the harsh environment for long periods. This is achieved through the protection by a complex out-wrapping cyst shell. However, the formation and function of the cyst shell is complex; the details remain largely unclear.

Principal Finding

A shell gland-specific gene (SGEG2) was cloned and identified from a suppression subtractive hybridization library. Western blot analysis showed that SGEG2 presumably requires post-translational proteolysis in order to be processed into two mature peptides (SGEG2a and 2b). The three matrix peptides (SGEG1 reported previously, 2a, and 2b) were found to distribute throughout the cyst shell. The results of gene knockdown by RNAi and subsequent resistance to environmental stresses assays indicated that these matrix peptides are required for cyst shell formation and are involved in protecting the encysted embryos from environmental stress.

Conclusions/Significance

This study revealed that extracellular matrix peptides participate in protecting embryos from extreme salinity, UV radiation, large temperature fluctuations and dry environments, thereby facilitating their survival. The cyst shell provides an excellent opportunity to link the ecological setting of an organism to the underlying physiological and biochemical processes enabling its survival. The cyst shell material has also a high potential to become an excellent new biomaterial with a high number of prospective uses due, specifically, to such biological characteristics.     

Gastric duplication cyst in an adult with autoimmune hemolytic anemia: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Gastric duplication cysts are uncommon congenital anomalies found primarily in children and rarely seen in the adult population. Accurate diagnosis of cysts before resection is difficult even using the most advanced imaging techniques.

Case presentation

In this report, we describe a 28-year-old Moroccan patient with a history of autoimmune hemolytic anemia who presented with an asymptomatic abdominal cystic mass detected during abdominal computed tomography performed before splenectomy. Magnetic resonance imaging performed for accurate characterization showed a high-signal-intensity cystic mass on T2-weighted images, located between the patient’s stomach and spleen. The patient underwent a complete cyst resection during exploratory laparotomy. The histological examination showed a cyst lined by three different epithelia with bundles of smooth muscle, which suggested a gastric duplication cyst.

Conclusions

We report a case of gastric cyst duplication in an adult with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and we discuss this rare association, radiological findings, and the unique histological findings of this case.

     

Zinner’s syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature

Background

Congenital malformations of the seminal vesicle are uncommon, and most of them are cystic malformations. If an insult occurs between the 4th and the 13 h gestational week, the embryogenesis of the kidney, ureter, seminal vesicle, and vas deferens could be altered. Cysts of the seminal vesicle may appear with a mass effect, dysuria, epididymitis, or obstruction of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Approximately two thirds of them are associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis, because both the ureteral buds and seminal vesicles originate from the mesonephric (Wolffian) duct. They were first described by Zinner in 1914, and 200 cases of seminal vesicle cysts associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis have been reported in the literature. Most patients with this anomaly are asymptomatic until the third or fourth decade of life. Some cases have nonspecific symptoms such as prostatism, urinary urgency, dysuria, painful ejaculation, and perineal discomfort. Transrectal ultrasonography provides good visualization of the pelvic structures and allows guidance for aspiration of the cysts.

Case presentation

We present two cases of seminal vesicle cyst. The first patient had dysuria, increased frequency of urination, and haematuria. He was operated and benefited from a removal of the cyst with right ureterectomy and left ureteral reimplantation. The second patient had disorder of the digestive transit and he benefited from a laparoscopic removal of the cyst.

Conclusions

Seminal vesicle cysts combined with ipsilateral renal agenesis are rare urological anomalies. Usual symptoms that are caused by the seminal vesicle cysts are bladder irritation and obstruction as well as pain in the perineum and scrotum. Epididymitis is frequently found. Treatment consists to removing the seminal vesicle cyst.

     

Expression of Nek1 during kidney development and cyst formation in multiple nephron segments in the Nek1-deficient kat2J mouse model of polycystic kidney disease

Background

Neks, mammalian orthologs of the fungal protein kinase never-in-mitosis A, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of polycystic kidney disease. Among them, Nek1 is the primary protein inactivated in kat2J mouse models of PKD.

Result

We report the expression pattern of Nek1 and characterize the renal cysts that develop in kat2J mice. Nek1 is detectable in all murine tissues but its expression in wild type and kat2J heterozygous kidneys decrease as the kidneys mature, especially in tubular epithelial cells. In the embryonic kidney, Nek1 expression is most prominent in cells that will become podocytes and proximal tubules. Kidney development in kat2J homozygous mice is aberrant early, before the appearance of gross cysts: developing cortical zones are thin, populated by immature glomeruli, and characterized by excessive apoptosis of several cell types. Cysts in kat2J homozygous mice form postnatally in Bowman’s space as well as different tubular subtypes. Late in life, kat2J heterozygous mice form renal cysts and the cells lining these cysts lack staining for Nek1. The primary cilia of cells lining cysts in kat2J homozygous mice are morphologically diverse: in some cells they are unusually long and in others there are multiple cilia of varying lengths.

Conclusion

Our studies indicate that Nek1 deficiency leads to disordered kidney maturation, and cysts throughout the nephron.