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Proceedings of the National Academy of... Apr 2024The axial columns of the earliest limbed vertebrates show distinct patterns of regionalization as compared to early tetrapodomorphs. Included among their novel features...
The axial columns of the earliest limbed vertebrates show distinct patterns of regionalization as compared to early tetrapodomorphs. Included among their novel features are sacral ribs, which provide linkage between the vertebral column and pelvis, contributing to body support and propulsion by the hindlimb. Data on the axial skeletons of the closest relatives of limbed vertebrates are sparce, with key features of specimens potentially covered by matrix. Therefore, it is unclear in what sequence and under what functional context specializations in the axial skeletons of tetrapods arose. Here, we describe the axial skeleton of the elpistostegalian and show that transformations to the axial column for head mobility, body support, and pelvic fin buttressing evolved in finned vertebrates prior to the origin of limbs. No atlas-axis complex is observed; however, an independent basioccipital-exoccipital complex suggests increased mobility at the occipital vertebral junction. While the construction of vertebrae in is similar to early tetrapodomorphs, its ribs possess a specialized sacral domain. Sacral ribs are expanded and ventrally curved, indicating likely attachment to the expanded iliac blade of the pelvis by ligamentous connection. Thus, the origin of novel rib types preceded major alterations to trunk vertebrae, and linkage between pelvic fins and axial column preceded the origin of limbs. These data reveal an unexpected combination of post-cranial skeletal characters, informing hypotheses of body posture and movement in the closest relatives of limbed vertebrates.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Fossils; Vertebrates; Bone and Bones; Lower Extremity
PubMed: 38564638
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316106121 -
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research :... Mar 2021Zebrafish are teleosts (bony fish) that share with mammals a common ancestor belonging to the phylum Osteichthyes, from which their endoskeletal systems have been... (Review)
Review
Zebrafish are teleosts (bony fish) that share with mammals a common ancestor belonging to the phylum Osteichthyes, from which their endoskeletal systems have been inherited. Indeed, teleosts and mammals have numerous genetically conserved features in terms of skeletal elements, ossification mechanisms, and bone matrix components in common. Yet differences related to bone morphology and function need to be considered when investigating zebrafish in skeletal research. In this review, we focus on zebrafish skeletal architecture with emphasis on the morphology of the vertebral column and associated anatomical structures. We provide an overview of the different ossification types and osseous cells in zebrafish and describe bone matrix composition at the microscopic tissue level with a focus on assessing mineralization. Processes of bone formation also strongly depend on loading in zebrafish, as we elaborate here. Furthermore, we illustrate the high regenerative capacity of zebrafish bones and present some of the technological advantages of using zebrafish as a model. We highlight zebrafish axial and fin skeleton patterning mechanisms, metabolic bone disease such as after immunosuppressive glucocorticoid treatment, as well as osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and osteopetrosis research in zebrafish. We conclude with a view of why larval zebrafish xenografts are a powerful tool to study bone metastasis. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Topics: Animals; Biology; Bone and Bones; Osteogenesis; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Zebrafish; Zebrafish Proteins
PubMed: 33484578
DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4256 -
PeerJ 2023is an abelisaurid theropod from the Anacleto Formation (lower Campanian, Upper Cretaceous) of Patagonia, Argentina. The holotype of includes cranial material, axial...
is an abelisaurid theropod from the Anacleto Formation (lower Campanian, Upper Cretaceous) of Patagonia, Argentina. The holotype of includes cranial material, axial elements, and almost complete fore- and hind limbs. Here we present a detailed description of the axial skeleton of this taxon, along with some paleobiological and phylogenetic inferences. The presacral elements are somewhat fragmentary, although these show features shared with other abelisaurids. The caudal series, to date the most complete among brachyrostran abelisaurids, shows several autapomorphic features including the presence of pneumatic recesses on the dorsal surface of the anterior caudal neural arches, a tubercle lateral to the prezygapophysis of mid caudal vertebrae, a marked protuberance on the lateral rim of the transverse process of the caudal vertebrae, and the presence of a small ligamentous scar near the anterior edge of the dorsal surface in the anteriormost caudal transverse process. The detailed study of the axial skeleton of has also allowed us to identify characters that could be useful for future studies attempting to resolve the internal phylogenetic relationships of Abelisauridae. Computed tomography scans of some caudal vertebrae show pneumatic traits in neural arches and centra, and thus the first reported case for an abelisaurid taxon. Moreover, some osteological correlates of soft tissues present in and other abelisaurids, especially derived brachyrostrans, underscore a previously proposed increase in axial rigidity within Abelisauridae.
Topics: Animals; Phylogeny; Osteology; Dinosaurs; Skull; Tooth
PubMed: 38025666
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16236 -
Current Problems in Cancer Aug 2021Chordoma is a rare tumor that occurs along the axial spine in pediatrics and adults, with an incidence of approximately 350 cases per year in the United States. While... (Review)
Review
Chordoma is a rare tumor that occurs along the axial spine in pediatrics and adults, with an incidence of approximately 350 cases per year in the United States. While typically described as slow-growing, many patients will eventually develop loco-regional relapse or metastatic disease with few treatment options. Despite numerous efforts over the last 10+ years, effective treatments for patients are lacking. As subtypes of chordoma are identified and described in more detail, further knowledge regarding the natural history of each type, tumor location, age differences, genomic variability, and an overall better understanding of chordoma may be the key to developing meaningful clinical trials and effective therapies for patients with chordoma.
Topics: Chordoma; Humans; Skeleton; Spinal Neoplasms
PubMed: 34266694
DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2021.100771 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) are complex disorders characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints and related skeletal structures. The most common forms of... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) are complex disorders characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints and related skeletal structures. The most common forms of IRD are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA), including axial SpA (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Obesity is a frequent comorbidity in RA and PsA, and to a lesser extend in axial SpA. The association between obesity and IRD may be explained by the release from fat tissue of several bioactive proteins, namely adipokines. Adipokines are involved in the regulation of various processes such as lipid or glucose metabolism, but also inflammation. Adipokines are interrelated with the immune system, with both innate and adaptive immune cell connections. Several adipokines with pro-inflammatory effects have been identified such as leptin, visfatin or resistin. Conversely, adiponectin and more specifically its low molecular weight isoform, is considered to have antiinflammatory properties. In this review, we discuss the contribution of adipokines to the joint inflammation of IRD, the relation they have with immune pathways of these diseases, their links with the structural impact on peripheral joints and/or axial skeleton, and also the influence they may have on the cardiometabolic risk of IRD.
Topics: Adipokines; Animals; Arthritis; Humans; Inflammation; Joints; Rheumatic Diseases
PubMed: 33424772
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.606560 -
Journal of Morphology Jun 2022The avian pelvis plays a critical role in the hindlimb function of birds, connecting the hindlimb and axial skeleton and serving as the major attachment site for...
The avian pelvis plays a critical role in the hindlimb function of birds, connecting the hindlimb and axial skeleton and serving as the major attachment site for proximal hindlimb musculature. To assess how diversification of locomotor modes in birds has impacted the evolution of avian pelvic morphology, we conducted a two-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis of bird pelves in dorsal and lateral views from 163 species (n = 261) across Aves. We investigated the relationships among pelvic shape and ecology, phylogeny, and allometry, and conducted disparity analyses to understand how pelvic morphospace has been explored through the diversification of Aves. We found that while phylogeny was correlated with shape, locomotor categories were significantly discriminated in morphospace in phylogenetically corrected analyses, as was pelvic size. Major shape trends across Aves distinguishing locomotor categories included the relative area of the preacetabular versus postacetabular ilium, how squat or narrow the pelvis is, and the extent of the caudal pelvic border. Birds adapted for hind limb-propelled swimming had particularly distinctive pelves, with narrow, elongated ilia likely useful for holding the hindlimbs close to the body midline and reducing drag. However, ecology and allometry only account for a small proportion of morphological variation, and in general locomotor groups overlapped substantially in morphospace. These results, alongside disparity through time analyses showing widespread convergence in pelvic morphology throughout the Cenozoic, suggest that avian lineages and ecotypes have extensively explored pelvic morphospace, perhaps aided by a loosening of evolutionary constraints following the evolution of forelimb-powered flight.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Birds; Bone and Bones; Hindlimb; Pelvis; Phylogeny
PubMed: 35531925
DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21479 -
Acta Orthopaedica Belgica Dec 2022Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory granulomatous disease that can develop in almost any organ system. Rheumatologists may encounter sarcoidosis in different...
Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory granulomatous disease that can develop in almost any organ system. Rheumatologists may encounter sarcoidosis in different situations varying from arthralgia to bone involvement. While the peripheral skeleton was a frequent location, data regarding axial involvement is scarce. Most patients with vertebral involvement have a known diagnosis of intrathoracic sarcoidosis. They tend to report mechanical pain or tenderness over the involved area. Imaging modalities, particularly Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), are a mainstay of axial screening. It helps exclude differential diagnoses and delineate the extent of bone involvement. Histological confirmation combined with the ap- propriate clinical and radiological presentation is the key of diagnosis. Corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of treatment. In refractory cases, methotrexate is the steroid- sparing agent of choice. Biologic therapies may be used, although the evidence base for their efficacy is bone sarcoidosis controversial.
Topics: Humans; Sarcoidosis; Spine; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Diagnosis, Differential; Radiopharmaceuticals
PubMed: 36800647
DOI: 10.52628/88.4.10839 -
Research in Veterinary Science Oct 2022Knowledge of the micromechanical characteristics of the menisci is required to better understand their role within the stifle joint, improve early diagnosis of meniscal...
AIMS
Knowledge of the micromechanical characteristics of the menisci is required to better understand their role within the stifle joint, improve early diagnosis of meniscal lesions, and develop new treatment and/or replacement strategies. The aim of the study was to determine the mechanical properties of the healthy medial canine meniscus and to evaluate the effect of regional (caudal, central, and cranial) and circumference (axial and abaxial) locations on these properties.
METHODS
To study the micromechanical properties of the medial menisci in healthy (Beagle) dogs, the influence of regional (caudal, central, and cranial) and circumference (axial and abaxial) locations were evaluated. Nanoindentation-relaxation tests were performed to characterize the local stiffness and the viscoelastic properties at each region and specific circumference. Linear interpolation onto the indentation points was performed to establish a map of the micromechanical property heterogeneities.
RESULTS
The results indicate that the cranial region was significantly stiffer and less viscous than the central and caudal regions. Within the central region the inner part (axial) was significantly stiffer than the periphery (abaxial). Within the caudal region the inner part was significantly less viscous than the periphery.
CONCLUSION
Significant regional and radial variations were observed for both the stiffness and the viscoelastic properties. Moreover, a viscous behavior of the entire medial meniscus was observed (elastic fraction <0.5). These results deter the use of average elastic modulus to study the regional mechanical properties of healthy meniscus.
Topics: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Dogs; Menisci, Tibial; Stifle; Viscosity
PubMed: 35405630
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.03.018 -
Clinical Rheumatology Feb 2020Axial and extra-axial deceleration in function and progressive joint pain with subsequent development of antalgic gait associated with swellings, and stiffness of the...
BACKGROUND
Axial and extra-axial deceleration in function and progressive joint pain with subsequent development of antalgic gait associated with swellings, and stiffness of the joints with loss of the physiological spine biomechanics were the natural history in this group of patients. Clinical and radiological phenotypes have been analysed carefully to further understand the aetiology behind.
METHODS
Seven patients (three children around the age of 9-11 and one child of 17 years old). Three adults aging 25, 30, 33 and 40 years old were seen and examined. The paediatric group of patients were initially diagnosed with myopathy followed later by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in other institutions. Clinical and imaging documentation were collected in our departments, followed by mutation screening, was carried out by bidirectional sequencing of the WISP3 gene.
RESULTS
Clinical and radiological phenotypic studies confirmed the diagnosis of progressive pseudorheumatoid chondrodysplasia. A constellation of abnormalities such as early senile hyperostosis of the spine (Forestier disease), osteoarthritis of the hips showed progressive diminution and irregularities of the hip joint spaces associated with progressive capital femoral epiphyseal dysplasia and coxa vara have been encountered. Loss-of-function homozygous mutations (c.667T>G, p.Cys223Gly) and (c.170C>A, p.Ser57*) in the WISP3 gene were identified in our patients.
CONCLUSION
The definite diagnosis was not defined via vigorous myopathic and rheumatologic investigations. Detailed clinical examination and skeletal survey, followed by genotypic confirmation, were our fundamental pointers to rule out the false diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid polyarthritis in the adult group of patients. We wish to stress that the clinical/radiological phenotype is the baseline tool to establish a definite diagnosis and to guide the geneticist toward proper genotype.Key Points•Joint pain and difficulties in walking/climbing the stairs are characteristic features encountered in early childhood. False diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can be made at this point.•False positive-like muscular wasting resembling myopathy results in ensuing vigorous troublesome investigations.•Flattened vertebral bodies associated with defective ossification of the anterior end plates are characteristic features of progressive pseudorheumatoid chondrodysplasia.•Joint expansions, which are usually accompanied by narrowing of the articular ends of the appendicular skeletal system, show a clear radiological phenotype of pseudorheumatoid chondrodysplasia.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins; Child; Humans; Joint Diseases; Phenotype; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Skeleton; Wnt Signaling Pathway
PubMed: 31628567
DOI: 10.1007/s10067-019-04783-z -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jun 2020Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an inflammatory arthritis mainly affecting the axial skeleton and large peripheral joints. Age of onset is typically 20-35 years. However,... (Review)
Review
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an inflammatory arthritis mainly affecting the axial skeleton and large peripheral joints. Age of onset is typically 20-35 years. However, symptoms of SpA is often overlooked or interpreted as common low back pain, postponing an effective treatment. In this review, symptoms of SpA with emphasis on inflammatory pain and clinical findings are summed-up. Furthermore, diagnostic challenges, and treatments are covered.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Low Back Pain; Spine; Spondylarthritis; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 32594991
DOI: No ID Found