Pathoembryogenesis of terminal myelocystocele: terminal balloon in secondary neurulation of the chick embryo.

PURPOSE: Terminal myelocystocele (TMC) is thought to be caused by a misstep during secondary neurulation. However, due to the paucity of data on secondary neurulation and the rarity of TMC, proofs of this pathogenetic mechanism are unavailable. Based on a previous observation that TMC resembles a step of secondary neurulation in chick, a closer look was taken at secondary neurulation of chick embryos focusing on the cerebrospinal fluid-filled distal neural tube (terminal balloon). METHODS: Chick embryos at Hamburger and Hamilton (H-H) stages of 28, 30, 33, 35, 37, and 40 were harvested. Hematoxying-eosin staining, additional immunohistochemistry (laminin, cytokeratin, nestin), and scanning electron microscopy were performed. RESULTS: In H-H stages 28 to 30, after merging of the lumina of the primary and secondary neural tubes, the caudal end of the confluent tube dilates into a balloon-like structure (terminal balloon). As the proximal tube progressively becomes narrower, the terminal balloon dilates even further, and its wall fuses with the surface ectoderm (H-H stage 33). Later in H-H stages 35 to 40, the terminal balloon shrinks and becomes detached from the surface ectoderm and ultimately disappears, as the proximal lumen of the secondary neural tube continues to collapse. CONCLUSION: A dilated balloon doubtlessly exists in the terminal secondary neural tube in chick embryos, and its subsequent disappearance occurs in a variable time course and sequence. Arrest of apoptosis resulting in failure of detachment of the terminal balloon from the surface ectoderm may well be the basis for human TMC.

Solid-State Surface Patterning on Polymer Using the Microcellular Foaming Process.

This study proposes a novel process that integrates the molding and patterning of solid-state polymers with the force generated from the volume expansion of the microcellular-foaming process (MCP) and the softening of solid-state polymers due to gas adsorption. The batch-foaming process, which is one of the MCPs, is a useful process that can cause thermal, acoustic, and electrical characteristic changes in polymer materials. However, its development is limited due to low productivity. A pattern was imprinted on the surface using a polymer gas mixture with a 3D-printed polymer mold. The process was controlled with changing weight gain by controlling saturation time. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to obtain the results. The maximum depth could be formed in the same manner as the mold geometry (sample depth: 208.7 µm; mold depth: 200 µm). Furthermore, the same pattern could be imprinted as a layer thickness of 3D printing (sample pattern gap and mold layer gap: 0.4 mm), and surface roughness was increased according to increase in the foaming ratio. This process can be used as a novel method to expand the limited applications of the batch-foaming process considering that MCPs can impart various high-value-added characteristics to polymers.

Warpage Reduction of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic Using Microcellular Foaming Process Applied Injection Molding.

This study analyzes the fundamental principles and characteristics of the microcellular foaming process (MCP) to minimize warpage in glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), which is typically worse than that of a solid polymer. In order to confirm the tendency for warpage and the improvement of this phenomenon according to the glass fiber content (GFC), two factors associated with the reduction of the shrinkage difference and the non-directionalized fiber orientation were set as variables. The shrinkage was measured in the flow direction and transverse direction, and it was confirmed that the shrinkage difference between these two directions is the cause of warpage of GFRP specimens. In addition, by applying the MCP to injection molding, it was confirmed that warpage was improved by reducing the shrinkage difference. To further confirm these results, the effects of cell formation on shrinkage and fiber orientation were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, micro-CT observation, and cell morphology analysis. The micro-CT observations revealed that the fiber orientation was non-directional for the MCP. Moreover, it was determined that the mechanical and thermal properties were improved, based on measurements of the impact strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and deflection temperature for the MCP.

Effects of Gas Adsorption on the Mechanical Properties of Amorphous Polymer.

This study investigates the properties of a polymer-gas mixture formed through diffusion, based on the changes in the partial pressure and observed changes in the impact and tensile strengths owing to the gas dissolution. The high-pressure gas dissolves into a solid-state polymer through diffusion based on the difference in the partial pressure. This dissolved gas is present in the amorphous region within the polymeric material temporarily, which results in the polymer exhibiting different mechanical properties, while the gas remains dissolved in the polymer. In this study, the mechanical properties of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) specimens prepared by dissolving CO2 using a high-pressure vessel were investigated, and the resulting impact and tensile strengths were measured. These experiments showed that the increase in sorption rate of CO2 caused an increase in the impact strength. At 2.9% CO2 absorption, the impact strength of APET increased 956% compared to that of the reference specimen. Furthermore, the tensile strength decreased by up to 71.7% at 5.48% CO2 sorption; the stress-strain curves varied with the gas sorption rate. This phenomenon can be associated with the change in the volume caused by CO2 dissolution. When the APET absorbed more than 2.0% CO2 gas, sample volume increased. A decrease in the network density can occur when the volume is increased while maintaining constant mass. The CO2 gas in the polymer acted as a cushion in impact tests which have sorption rates above 2%. In addition to the reduction in the network density in the polymer chain, Van Der Waals forces are decreased causing a decrease in tensile strength only while CO2 is present in the APET. These observations only occur prior to CO2 desorption from the polymer.

A rat model of chronic syringomyelia induced by epidural compression of the lumbar spinal cord.

OBJECTIVE There has been no established animal model of syringomyelia associated with lumbosacral spinal lipoma. The research on the pathophysiology of syringomyelia has been focused on Chiari malformation, trauma, and inflammation. To understand the pathophysiology of syringomyelia associated with occult spinal dysraphism, a novel animal model of syringomyelia induced by chronic mechanical compression of the lumbar spinal cord was created. METHODS The model was made by epidural injection of highly concentrated paste-like kaolin solution through windows created by partial laminectomy of L-1 and L-5 vertebrae. Behavioral outcome in terms of motor (Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score) and urinary function was assessed serially for 12 weeks. Magnetic resonance images were obtained in some animals to confirm the formation of a syrinx and to monitor changes in its size. Immunohistochemical studies, including analysis for glial fibrillary acidic protein, NeuN, CC1, ED-1, and caspase-3, were done. RESULTS By 12 weeks after the epidural compression procedure, syringomyelia formation was confirmed in 85% of the rats (34 of 40) on histology and/or MRI. The syrinx cavities were found rostral to the epidural compression. Motor deficit of varying degrees was seen immediately after the procedure in 28% of the rats (11 of 40). In 13 rats (33%), lower urinary tract dysfunction was seen. Motor deficit improved by 5 weeks after the procedure, whereas urinary dysfunction mostly improved by 2 weeks. Five rats (13%, 5 of 40) died 1 month postoperatively or later, and 3 of the 5 had developed urinary tract infection. At 12 weeks after the operation, IHC showed no inflammatory process, demyelination, or accelerated apoptosis in the spinal cords surrounding the syrinx cavities, similar to sham-operated animals. CONCLUSIONS A novel experimental model for syringomyelia by epidural compression of the lumbar spinal cord has been created. The authors hope that it will serve as an important research tool to elucidate the pathogenesis of this type of syringomyelia, as well as the CSF hydrodynamics of the lumbar spinal cord.

Generation of osteogenic construct using periosteal-derived osteoblasts and polydioxanone/pluronic F127 scaffold with periosteal-derived CD146 positive endothelial-like cells.

The purpose of this study was to generate tissue-engineered bone using human periosteal-derived osteoblasts (PO) and polydioxanone/pluronic F127 (PDO/pluronic F127) scaffold with preseeded human periosteal-derived CD146 positive endothelial-like cells (PE). PE were purified from the periosteal cell population by cell sorting. One of the important factors to consider in generating tissue-engineered bone using osteoprecursor and endothelial cells and a specific scaffold is whether the function of osteoprecursor and endothelial cells can be maintained in originally different culture medium conditions. After human PE were preseeded into PDO/pluronic F127 scaffold and cultured in endothelial cell basal medium-2 for 7 days, human PO were seeded into the PDO/pluronic F127 scaffold with PE, and then, this cell-scaffold construct was cultured in endothelial cell basal medium-2 with osteogenic induction factors, including ascorbic acid, dexamethasone, and ß-glycerophosphate, for a further 7 days. Then, this 2-week cultured construct was grafted into the mandibular defect of miniature pig. Twelve weeks after implantation, the animal was sacrificed. Clinical examination revealed that newly formed bone was seen more clearly in the defect with human PO and PDO/pluronic F127 scaffold with preseeded human PE. The experimental results suggest that tissue-engineered bone formation using human PO and PDO/pluronic F127 scaffold with preseeded human PE can be used to restore skeletal integrity to various bony defects when used in clinics.