A Fat Body-Derived IGF-like Peptide Regulates Postfeeding Growth in Drosophila

SummaryMembers of the insulin family of peptides have conserved roles in the regulation of growth and metabolism in a wide variety of metazoans. Here we show that Drosophila insulin-like peptide 6 (DILP6), which is structurally similar to vertebrate insulin-like growth factor (IGF), is predominantly expressed in the fat body, a functional equivalent of the vertebrate liver and adipocytes. This expression occurs during the postfeeding stage under the direct regulation of ecdysteroid. We further reveal that dilp6 mutants show growth defects during the postfeeding stage, which results in reduced adult body size through a decrease in cell number. This phenotype is rescued by fat body-specific expression of dilp6. These data indicate that DILP6 is a functional, as well as a structural, counterpart of vertebrate IGFs. Our data provide in vivo evidence for a role of ILPs in determining adult body size through the regulation of postfeeding growth

The Effects of Font Type on Reading Accuracy and Fluency in Japanese Children with Developmental Dyslexia

We administered rapid reading tasks in Japanese children (32 with typical development and 24 with developmental dyslexia), and investigated the effects of two different font types: Rounded-Gothic and Mincho style font. In the experiment, we used four kinds of stimuli: two scripts (paragraphs and random kana character non-words) in two font types (Rounded-Gothic and Mincho style font). In this experiment, the duration time, the number of errors and the number of self-corrections were measured during reading. Participants were asked which font type was easier to read. There was no significant difference in the duration time, the number of errors and the number of self-corrections between two types of fonts among the 56 participants. On the other hand, regarding subjective readability, the developmental dyslexia group reported that the Rounded-Gothic font was easier to read. There was a difference between objective and subjective readability. In this study, there was no difference in reading performance of Rounded-Gothic and Mincho style fonts in Japanese children with developmental dyslexia

Use of the duplication range concept for understanding morphology and predicting prognosis in thumb polydactyly

This study systematically and comprehensively analysed 129 thumb polydactylies in 122 patients using a duplicating range concept based on the level of skin and skeletal bifurcation. Numerical levels were defined along the longitudinal axis of the ulnar thumb duplicate from distal to proximal: level 0 (thumb tip) to level 6 (carpometacarpal joint). The relationships between duplication range and morphological parameters were evaluated. Nail asymmetry was associated with skin bifurcation levels 0 to 2. Proximal phalangeal asymmetry and interphalangeal joint deviation, associated with skin bifurcation levels were assigned scores of 1 to 2.5 and 1 to 2, respectively. Metacarpophalangeal joint deviation had a bimodal distribution, at levels 1.5 and 4 of the longitudinal axes. Morphological similarity was found in patients with the same duplication range. The duplication range concept could potentially improve our understanding of morphology variation and predicting prognoses in thumb polydactyly

Nitric oxide released from zwitterionic polyamine/NO adducts inhibits Cu2+-induced low density lipoprotein oxidation

AbstractThe effects of nitrix oxide (NO) released from zwitterionic polyamine/NO adducts on Cu2+-induced low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation were studied. When each of the two kinds of NO releasing zwitterionic polyamine/NO adducts (NOC5 and NOC7) was incubated at 5 μM with isolated human LDL (0.25 mg/ml) and Cu2+, the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was inhibited. The duration of inhibition by NOC7 (20 min) and NOC5 (100 min) corresponded to the NO generation lives of respective zwitterionic polyamine/NO adducts. The duration of inhibition was dependent on the amount of NOC5 added (2.5–20 μM). Repeated additions of 5 μM NOC5 at 100 min intervals worked as inhibitor in the same manner. NOC5 broke to inhibit at any process of the Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation reaction. Fragmentation of apolipoprotein B derived from Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation was also prevented by the addition of NOC5. These results clearly indicate that NO inhibits the oxidative modification of LDL induced by Cu2+. NO releasing zwitterionic polyamine/NO adducts are good reagents for NO studies

Fingerstall-type tissue oximetry reduced anxiety of nurses in postoperative nursing monitoring of free flaps

Background: Postoperative free flap monitoring is essential for immediately detecting obstruction of anastomosed vessels with successive recovery surgery for salvaging flaps. We performed postoperative nursing monitoring using handheld Doppler sonography, but nurses reported feeling anxious with this approach and demanded a clear-cut evaluation method. Therefore, we implemented monitoring with the fingerstall-type tissue oximeter Toccare, a noninvasive device that enables easy flap checking by simply touching the flap with a probe. Method: Handheld Doppler was used for nursing monitoring from April to October 2020, with anxiety associated with its use reported. We collected information via an anonymous questionnaire to determine the reason for the anxiety. Toccare was subsequently applied for postoperative free flap monitoring by nurses. The protocol involved measuring tissue oxygen saturation by touching the flap with a Toccare probe every 4 hours from 24 to 100 hours postoperatively. Seven months later, a second anonymous questionnaire was conducted, and results were compared. Result: Free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps and anterolateral thigh flaps (n = 5 each) were included. The average tissue oxygen saturation values in the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator and anterolateral thigh flaps were 52.0% and 52.4%, respectively. According to the second questionnaire about Toccare, 7% felt anxious, 62% felt slightly anxious, and 31% did not feel anxious. Toccare was preferred by 89% of nurses who had used both methods. Conclusions: Flap monitoring using Toccare reduced nurses’ anxiety. A numerical evaluation method with easy handling and clear doctor call criteria is essential for low-anxiety nursing monitoring

A Case of Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus Treated with Combination Therapy of Autologous Mesh-skin Grafts and Cultured Epithelial Autografts

Surgical excision of a giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN) results in a full-thickness skin defect that is usually difficult to reconstruct even with tissue expansion or skin grafting. Here, we report the first case of GCMN treated with a combination of cultured epithelial autografts (CEAs) and mesh-skin grafts to reconstruct a large skin defect after surgical excision. A 14-month-old girl had a GCMN occupying 20% of the total body surface area of her neck and back. A 5-stage, full-thickness excision was performed between the age of 14 and 25 months. In each intervention, the wound after excision was covered with 1:6 mesh-skin grafts and CEAs, except for the neck, where patch skin grafts and CEAs were used. The skin grafts and CEAs were engrafted without shedding and epithelialization was completed within 3-4 weeks. Eighteen months after the last surgery, a mesh-like scar remained, with no recurrence or severe contracture observed. The cosmetic appearances of the donor sites (the scalp and lower abdomen) were acceptable. The application of CEAs with mesh-skin grafts has been established for the treatment of severe burns. This combined method also provides a possible option for the treatment of GCMNs

Central Mandibular Reconstruction by Semiopen Wedge Osteotomy Double-barrel Fibula Flap for a Slim Aesthetic Appearance

Mandibular reconstruction involving the central segment after malignant tumor resection requires the achievement of both functional and aesthetic quality. Three-dimensional reproduction based on the concept of a double arc composed of a marginal arc and an occlusal arc is important. Most reports of fibula flaps applied three-segmented closed wedge fibula osteotomy (bilateral and central segments); however, the aesthetic outcome sometimes became too stout for female patients because of the large central segment. We performed four-segmented fibula osteotomy for a 78-year-old woman using a semiopen wedge technique characterized by a half-open wedge and half-closed wedge. This procedure obtained a slim mandibular contour and made double-barrel reconstruction easier to apply. We used titanium plates that were prebent according to the shape of a three-dimensional model constructed from CT data. Small bone cortex fragments made from a surplus fibula segment were inserted in a half-opened area. The build-up preparation for central mandibular reconstruction was all performed at the lower leg area before cutting the peroneal pedicle. This prefabricated double-barrel fibula free flap was transferred to the mandibular defect with arterial and venous anastomosis to the right superior thyroid artery, right external jugular vein, and right common facial vein. Although the patient was nearly 80 years of age, the bone segments, including free cortex tips, were fused with smooth remodeling. Semiopen wedge osteotomy can be a key to reproducing an aesthetically slim feminine chin with a functional height of mandibular bone maintained for stability of the dental prosthesis

Effects of the anti-RANKL antibody denosumab on joint structural damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DESIRABLE study): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of denosumab in suppressing joint destruction when added to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (csDMARD) therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsThis was a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled phase 3 study in Japan. Patients with RA aged ≥20 years receiving csDMARDs were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to denosumab 60 mg every 3 months (Q3M), denosumab 60 mg every 6 months (Q6M) or placebo. The change in the modified total Sharp score (mTSS) and effect on bone mineral density (BMD) at 12 months was evaluated.ResultsIn total, 654 patients received the trial drugs. Denosumab groups showed significantly less progression of joint destruction. The mean changes in the mTSS at 12 months were 1.49 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.99) in the placebo group, 0.99 (95% CI 0.49 to 1.49) in the Q6M group (p=0.0235) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.41 to 1.03) in the Q3M group (p=0.0055). The mean changes in bone erosion score were 0.98 (95% CI 0.65 to 1.31) in the placebo group, 0.51 (95% CI 0.22 to 0.80) in the Q6M group (p=0.0104) and 0.22 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.34) in the Q3M group (p=0.0001). No significant between-group difference was observed in the joint space narrowing score. The per cent change in lumbar spine (L1-L4) BMD in the placebo, Q6M and Q3M groups were -1.03%, 3.99% (p<0.0001) and 4.88% (p<0.0001). No major differences were observed among safety profiles.ConclusionsDenosumab inhibits the progression of joint destruction, increases BMD and is well tolerated in patients with RA taking csDMARD