Deficient Signaling via Alk2 (Acvr1) Leads to Bicuspid Aortic Valve Development

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiac anomaly in humans. Despite recent advances, the molecular basis of BAV development is poorly understood. Previously it has been shown that mutations in the Notch1 gene lead to BAV and valve calcification both in human and mice, and mice deficient in Gata5 or its downstream target Nos3 have been shown to display BAVs. Here we show that tissue-specific deletion of the gene encoding Activin Receptor Type I (Alk2 or Acvr1) in the cushion mesenchyme results in formation of aortic valve defects including BAV. These defects are largely due to a failure of normal development of the embryonic aortic valve leaflet precursor cushions in the outflow tract resulting in either a fused right- and non-coronary leaflet, or the presence of only a very small, rudimentary non-coronary leaflet. The surviving adult mutant mice display aortic stenosis with high frequency and occasional aortic valve insufficiency. The thickened aortic valve leaflets in such animals do not show changes in Bmp signaling activity, while Map kinase pathways are activated. Although dysfunction correlated with some pro-osteogenic differences in gene expression, neither calcification nor inflammation were detected in aortic valves of Alk2 mutants with stenosis. We conclude that signaling via Alk2 is required for appropriate aortic valve development in utero, and that defects in this process lead to indirect secondary complications later in life

CAJA 219 - LEGAJO VII - SIGNATURA 13

Nota de agradecimiento, remitida por la Económica a D. Pedro Colvee, por el envío del folleto por él escrito y relativo a los insectos coccidos.Colvee, P. (1881). Nota de agradecimiento, remitida por la Económica a D. Pedro Colvee, por el envío del folleto por él escrito y relativo a los insectos coccidos. Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País de Valencia. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/24552Importación Masiv

Origin and course of the coronary arteries in normal mice and in iv/iv mice

This paper reports on the origin and distribution of the coronary arteries in normal mice and in mice of the iv/iv strain, which show situs inversus and heterotaxia. The coronary arteries were studied by direct observation of the aortic sinuses with the scanning electron microscope, and by examination of vascular corrosion casts. In the normal mouse, the left and right coronaries (LC, RC) arise from the respective Valsalva sinus and course along the ventricular borders to reach the heart apex. Along this course the coronary arteries give off small branches at perpendicular or acute angles to supply the ventricles. The ventricular septum is supplied by the septal artery, which arises as a main branch from the right coronary. Conus arteries arise from the main coronary trunks, from the septal artery and/or directly from the Valsalva sinus. The vascular casts demonstrate the presence of intercoronary anastomoses. The origin of the coronary arteries was found to be abnormal in 84% of the iv/iv mice. These anomalies included double origin, high take-off, slit-like openings and the presence of a single coronary orifice. These anomalies occurred singly or in any combination, and were independent of heart situs. The septal artery originated from RC in most cases of situs solitus but originated predominantly from LC in situs inversus hearts. Except for this anomalous origin no statistical correlation was found between the coronary anomalies and heart situs or a particular mode of heterotaxia. The coronary anomalies observed in the iv/iv mice are similar to those found in human hearts. Most coronary anomalies appear to be due to defective connections between the aortic root and the developing coronaries. iv/iv mice may therefore constitute a good model to study the development of similar anomalies in the human heart

CAJA 220 - LEGAJO I - SIGNATURA 09

Circular remitida por la Sociedad Económica a la Comisión de Estudio de la Vid, notificándole la elección de los Sres. D. José Arévalo y D. Pablo Colvé, como integrantes de dicha Comisión.Colvee, P.; Arévalo Y Baco, J. (1882). Circular remitida por la Sociedad Económica a la Comisión de Estudio de la Vid, notificándole la elección de los Sres. D. José Arévalo y D. Pablo Colvé, como integrantes de dicha Comisión. Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País de Valencia. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/24595Importación Masiv

The anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract of the African lungfish, Protopterus annectens

10.1002/ar.21154Anatomical Record29371146-115

The spleen of the African lungfish Protopterus annectens: Freshwater and aestivation

10.1007/s00441-012-1462-0Cell and Tissue Research3501143-156CTSR

Relationship between perception of smile esthetics and orthodontic treatment in Spanish patients.

One of the main objectives of orthodontic treatment is to achieve an esthetic smile. This study set out to analyze differences in the perception of smile esthetics among patients before and after receiving orthodontic treatment. 250 Spanish patients analyzed a single photograph in which, by means of computer software, midline diastema, black triangle, gingival margin of the left central incisor, and gingival ("gummy") smile were altered. Each patient analyzed these images before and after undergoing orthodontic treatment. Patients scored the photographs on a scale from 1 to 10. Statistical analyses of each group's level of perception were carried out, identifying significant differences in evaluations before and after treatment, and in relation to subjects' gender and age. Patients presented significant differences in the esthetic perception of midline diastema and gummy smile anomalies after they had completed orthodontic treatment. Gender influenced the perception of smile esthetics, whereby women were significantly more critical of midline diastema, black triangle and gingival margin of the upper central incisor than men. The age variable also showed significant differences in the perception of midline diastema and black triangle anomalies. The perception of smile esthetics of some dental anomalies changes as a result of orthodontic treatment. Gender influences the perception of some of the dental anomalies studied

Lympho-granulocytic tissue associated with the wall of the spiral valve in the African lungfish Protopterus annectens

10.1007/s00441-013-1746-zCell and Tissue Research3552397-407CTSR