Analysis of the transcriptional pathways associated with the induction of quiescent embryonic arrest in the calanoid copepod <i>Acartia tonsa</i>

The copepod species Acartia tonsa (Dana)(Crustacea) have the unique ability to induce quiescent embryonic dormancy if adverse environmental conditions occur; a characteristic shared by 41 other species belonging to the superfamily Centropagoida in the Calanoida order. However, the transcriptional changes characterizing this process are not known. Here, we compare the transcriptome of embryos in arrested quiescence with the normal development to identify pathways and differentially regulated transcripts involved in quiescent embryogenesis. Quiescence was induced by incubating eggs at 4 °C with anoxia for 26 h(hr), while eggs undergoing normal immediate development were incubated at 16.9 °C in normoxia for 7 h (where gastrulation occurs) or 14 h (where organogenesis occurs) before collecting for RNA extraction and analysis by RNA-sequencing. Results indicate that the expression profile of the quiescent embryo is not as different from the normal embryonic gastrulation as initially expected: None of the mapped transcripts is uniquely expressed in quiescence. Moreover, in quiescence a large proportion of the annotated transcripts display expression values halfway in-between the normal, immediate developmental stages of gastrulation and organogenesis. In depth comparison between the organogenesis stage and quiescent samples, reveal a high degree of divergence, confirming that a developmental arrest has been induced through quiescence. Specifically: Stress response transcripts are prominent in the quiescent phase with a transcript like the mammalian autophagy gene Sequestosome-1/p62 (SQSTM) being upregulated. The present analysis provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms characterizing the quiescent embryonic state of A. tonsa.</p

Macroscopic Hematuria and a Bladder Mass: Eosinophilic Cystitis in a 7-Year-Old Boy

We report a case of eosinophilic cystitis in a 7-year-old boy with a history of atopic symptoms, with focus on the radiological findings. He presented with hematuria and dysuria and ultrasonography (US) showed irregular bladder wall thickening resembling a bladder mass. CT urography did not characterize the lesion any further and showed no local or distant spread. Biopsies revealed eosinophilic cystitis, a benign inflammatory condition. We found that US characterized the lesion at least as well as CT and should be the first choice of imaging. When staging is considered before biopsy, MRI should be preferred to CT. There are no specific radiological signs of eosinophilic cystitis. On follow-up, US was a safe, cost-effective imaging modality, but findings should be interpreted in a clinical context. In a child with hematuria and a bladder mass, eosinophilic cystitis is a relevant but rare differential diagnosis, especially when there is a known atopic history

Role of fetal MRI in antenatally detected renal anomalies

Anniversary ESPN Meeting (50th. 2017. Glasgow