The Yellow Mouse Obesity Syndrome and Mechanisms of Agouti-Induced Obesity

The yellow mouse obesity syndrome is due to dominant mutations at the Agouti locus, which is characterized by obesity, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperleptinemia, increased linear growth, and yellow coat color. This syndrome is caused by ectopic expression of Agouti in multiple tissues. Mechanisms of Agouti action in obesity seem to involve, at least in part, competitive melanocortin antagonism. Both central and peripheral effects have been implicated in Agouti-induced obesity. An Agouti-Related Protein (AGRP) has been described recently. It has been shown to be expressed in mice hypothalamus and to act similarly to agouti as a potent antagonist to central melanocortin receptor MC4-R, suggesting that AGRP is an endogenous MC4-R ligand. Mice lacking MC4-R become hyperphagic and develop obesity, implying that agouti may lead to obesity by interfering with MC4-R signaling in the brain and consequently regulating food intake. Furthermore, food intake is inhibited by intracerebro-ventricular injection of a potent melanocortin agonist and was reversed by administration of an MC4-R antagonist. The direct cellular actions of Agouti include stimulation of fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis via a Ca²⁺-dependent mechanism. Agouti and insulin act in an additive manner to increase lipogenesis. This additive effect of agouti and insulin is demonstrated by the necessity of insulin in eliciting weight gain in transgenic mice expressing agouti specifically in adipose tissue. This suggests that agouti expression in adipose tissue combined with hyperinsulinemia may lead to increased adiposity. The roles of melanocortin receptors or agouti-specific receptor(s) in agouti regulation of adipocyte metabolism and other peripheral effects remain to be determined. In conclusion, both central and peripheral actions of agouti contribute to the yellow mouse obesity syndrome and this action is mediated at least in part by antagonism with melanocortin receptors and/or regulation of intracellular calcium.     

Autosomal Dominant Postaxial Polydactyly, Nail Dystrophy, and Dental Abnormalities Map to Chromosome 4p16, in the Region Containing the Ellis–van Creveld Syndrome Locus

We have studied a four-generation family with features of Weyers acrofacial dysostosis, in which the proband has a more severe phenotype, resembling Ellis-van Creveld syndrome. Weyers acrofacial dysostosis is an autosomal dominant condition with dental anomalies, nail dystrophy, postaxial polydactyly, and mild short stature. Ellis-van Creveld syndrome is a similar condition, with autosomal recessive inheritance and the additional features of disproportionate dwarfism, thoracic dysplasia, and congenital heart disease. Linkage and haplotype analysis determined that the disease locus in this pedigree resides on chromosome 4p16, distal to the genetic marker D4S3007 and within a 17-cM region flanking the genetic locus D4S2366. This region includes the Ellis-van Creveld syndrome locus, which previously was reported to map within a 3-cM region between genetic markers D4S2957 and D4S827. Either the genes for the condition in our family and for Ellis-van Creveld syndrome are near one another or these two conditions are allelic with mutations in the same gene. These data also raise the possibility that Weyers acrofacial dysostosis is the heterozygous expression of a mutation that, in homozygous form, causes the autosomal recessive disorder Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.     

A Novel Apremilast Nail Lacquer Formulation for the Treatment of Nail Psoriasis

The objective was to prepare a novel nail lacquer formulation to improve the ungual and trans-ungual delivery of apremilast for the potential treatment of nail psoriasis. Nail lacquer formulation was prepared using Eudragit® S 100 as a film-forming polymer and the mixture of ethanol, ethyl acetate, and water as a solvent system. As a result of high-throughput screening studies, dexpanthenol and salicylic acid were found to be the potential penetration enhancers. After 7 days of in vitro studies, the cumulative amount of apremilast delivered by the nail lacquer formulation across the nail plate was found to be ~3-fold (0.52 ± 0.07 μg/cm²) more compared to control (nail lacquer formulation without enhancers) (0.19 ± 0.02 μg/cm²). The cumulative amount of apremilast retained in the nail plate in the case of nail lacquer formulation was 1.26 ± 0.18 μg/mg which was found to be ~2-fold more compared to control (0.57 ± 0.07 μg/mg). Human subject studies were performed on the nails of thumb and index finger of six volunteers for 15 days. As a result, the cumulative amount of apremilast retained in the free distal edge of the nail plate in the case of nail lacquer was found to be ~2-fold (0.93 ± 0.14 μg/mg) more related to control (0.41 ± 0.04 μg/mg). As a conclusion, nail lacquer formulation was found to be capable of delivering a substantial amount of apremilast into the nail apparatus; thus, it can be a potential option for the treatment of nail psoriasis.     

鼻内镜再手术对复发性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的疗效探讨

目的:探讨鼻窦炎、鼻息肉复发的相关性因素及鼻内镜再手术的疗效。方法:将我院近年来住院治疗的78例复发性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉患者随机分为两组,对照组根据患者要求予以保守治疗共21例,观察组57例,给予正性鼻内镜手术治疗,术前行鼻窦CT及鼻内镜检查,术后随访1-4年。结果:观察组较对照组患者在疗效、总有效率好,且GM-CSF、IL-5的阳性表达率低,两组之间存在显著性差异(P<0.05),术后出现的相关并发症较对照组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:鼻肉镜再次手术对复发性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉复发的疗效好,结合全面的围手术期处理,掌握熟练的鼻内镜手术操作技巧可以显著改善患者的预后。     

Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) versus Reconstruction Plate Repair of Midshaft Clavicular Fractures: A Finite Element Study

BackgroundThe biomechanical characteristics of midshaft clavicular fractures treated with titanium elastic nail (TEN) is unclear. This study aimed to present a biomechanical finite element analysis of biomechanical characteristics involved in TEN fixation and reconstruction plate fixation for midshaft clavicular fractures.MethodsFinite element models of the intact clavicle and of midshaft clavicular fractures fixed with TEN and with a reconstruction plate were built. The distal clavicle displacement, peak stress, and stress distribution on the 3 finite element models were calculated under the axial compression and cantilever bending.ResultsIn both loading configurations, TEN generated the highest displacement of the distal clavicle, followed by the intact clavicle and the reconstruction plate. TEN showed higher peak bone and implant stresses, and is more likely to fail in both loading configurations compared with the reconstruction plate. TEN led to a stress distribution similar to that of the intact clavicle in both loading configurations, whereas the stress distribution with the reconstruction plate was nonphysiological in cantilever bending.ConclusionsTEN is generally preferable for treating simple displaced fractures of the midshaft clavicle, because it showed a stress distribution similar to the intact clavicle. However, TEN provides less stability, and excessive exercise of and weight bearing on the ipsilateral shoulder should be avoided in the early postoperative period. Fixation with a reconstruction plate was more stable but showed obvious stress shielding. Therefore, for patients with a demand for early return to activity, reconstruction plate fixation may be preferred.     

顺行髓内钉、逆行髓内钉及锁定加压钢板内固定治疗股骨远端骨折的对比研究

摘要目的：探讨顺行髓内钉、逆行髓内钉及锁定加压钢板内固定3种方法治疗股骨远端骨折患者的疗效。方法：对2011年1月至2012年12月间我院收治的101例股骨远端骨折进行临床随机分组手术,分别在手术中使用顺行髓内钉、逆行髓内钉以及锁定加压钢板内固定。对三组患者手术时间、术中出血量以及切口长度等一般情况进行比较分析,同时采用Harris评分系统对三组患者术后恢复情况进行分析比较。结果：经过手术治疗后,逆行髓内钉组Harris评分显著高于其他两组（P〈0．05）。另外,逆行髓内钉组手术过程短、出血量少、手术切口小,上述指标与其他两组比较均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：股骨远端骨折行逆行髓内钉治疗的疗效优于顺行髓内钉以及锁定加压钢板内固定,具有手术时间短、术中出血少、切口小等优点,能够有效提高术后膝关节功能的恢复,值得临床推广使用。     

Nail lengthening and fingertip amputations

Fingertip injuries can be treated in different ways, including shortening with primary closure, skin grafts, and local or distant flaps. Nail bed involvement complicates fingertip reconstruction and may influence the choice of treatment. Local flaps can usually replace the pulp and provide a satisfactory functional and aesthetic result, whereas reconstruction of the fingernail apparatus is more difficult. In the period between 1998 and 2001, 12 fingertip injuries with nail bed involvement were treated with a combination of local flaps (Tranquilli-Leali and Venkataswami flaps) and the eponychial flap. The eponychial flap described by Bakhach is a backward cutaneous translation flap that lengthens the nail plate and restores a good appearance of the nail apparatus. This technique is simple to use and can be used with different flaps for pulp reconstruction.     

锁定型gamma钉与普通型gamma钉、动力髋螺钉治疗不稳定性股骨粗隆间骨折的 临床疗效比较

目的:比较锁定型γ钉(Locking Gamma Nail,LGN)、普通型γ钉(Traditional Gamma Nail,TGN)和动力髋螺钉(Dynamic Hip Screw,DHS)治疗不稳定性股骨粗隆间骨折的临床疗效和安全性。方法:选择2009年1月至2011年1月在我院分别接受锁定型γ钉(A组)、普通型γ钉(B组)和动力髋(C组)内固定治疗的随访资料完整的患者共92例。记录和比较三组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、骨折愈合时间及末次髋关节功能评分等相关数据。结果:A组、B组和C组的手术时间、术中出血比较有统计学差异(均P<0.01),但A、B组之间无明显统计学差异;A组和B组、C组的骨折愈合时间、髋关节功能评分比较差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.01),B、C组之间无明显统计学意义。结论:LGN的固定效果和生物力学性能良好,操作简便,固定牢固,整体治疗效果优于TGN和DHS,可作为临床治疗不稳定性股骨粗隆间骨折的首选。     

Red, Yellow, and Super-White Sclera

The sclera, the eye’s tough outer layer, is, among primates, white only in humans, providing the ground necessary for the display of colors that vary in health and disease. The current study evaluates scleral color as a cue of socially significant information about health, attractiveness, and age by contrasting the perception of eyes with normal whites with copies of those eyes whose whites were reddened, yellowed, or further whitened by digital editing. Individuals with red and yellow sclera were rated to be less healthy, less attractive, and older than individuals with untinted control sclera. Individuals with whitened, “super-white” sclera were rated as younger, although not more healthy or attractive, than controls. In humans, clear, white sclera may join such traits as smooth skin and long, lustrous hair as signs of health, beauty, and reproductive fitness. The evolution of a white sclera may have contributed to the emergence of humans as a social species.     

鼻内镜手术治疗鼻窦炎、鼻息肉临床分析

目的:分析鼻内镜治疗慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的临床效果.方法:回顾性分析本院采用鼻内镜手术治疗鼻窦炎、鼻息肉110例患者资料,对比不同分型患者的手术疗效.结果:Ⅰ型的治愈率和总有效率明显高于Ⅱ型和Ⅲ型,具有统计学明显差异性(P＜0.05);Ⅱ型的治愈率和总有效率明显高于Ⅲ型,具有统计学明显差异性(P＜0.05).结论:慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉采用鼻内镜手术治疗具有创伤小、术中及术后痛苦小等优点,其微创有效的优势在该术式中更值得推广.     

Onychomycosis Due to Neoscytalidium Treated with Oral Terbinafine, Ciclopirox Nail Lacquer and Nail Abrasion: A Pilot Study of 25 Patients

Background

Onychomycosis by Neoscytalidium constitutes chronic infection of the nails, and its frequency has increased in recent decades. Currently, no effective standard treatment exists and literature data remain scarce. This work aimed to conduct a pilot project of combined treatment for this infection.

Methods

Thirty patients were divided into three treatment groups: oral terbinafine plus ciclopirox nail lacquer twice a week; ciclopirox nail lacquer twice a week; and ciclopirox nail lacquer 5 days a week, all associated with nail abrasion when required, for 12 months, with 6 months posttreatment follow-up. Clinical and mycological criteria were used for evaluation.

Results

Twenty-five patients completed the study. Significant clinical lesion reduction in disease occurred in all three treatment groups: 21 patients (84 %) entered the study with more than 50 % of diseased nail plate, at the end of treatment, and at 6-month follow-up, 84 and 96 %, respectively, presented less than 25 % nail lesion. Negative microscopy was observed in 36 % of the patients at the end of treatment and in 24 % of the patients at 6-month follow-up. At treatment completion (12 months), culture was negative in 21 patients (84 %) and in 18 (72 %) at follow-up. It was not possible to establish any clinical or mycological statistical differences between groups (p > 0.05). Global medical evaluation upon treatment completion revealed that one patient (4 %) presented complete cure, 8 (32 %) presented partial cure, 16 (64 %) presented therapeutic failure. At the end of follow-up period, 6 patients (24 %) were considered to have recurrence/reinfection.

Conclusions

The results obtained at the 6-month period of follow-up showed marked improvement (96 % of clinical improvement and 72 % of negative culture) of the patients treated for onychomycosis caused by Neoscytalidium in the three tested groups with no statistical differences between them. Multicentric studies with greater number of patients enrolled are necessary to confirm these results.     

股骨近端抗旋髓内钉与第三代Gamma钉治疗股骨转子间骨折的效果对比

目的:探讨股骨近端抗旋转髓内钉与第三代Gamma钉治疗股骨转子间骨折的临床疗效,为骨科手术提供可借鉴的资料。方法:2009年4月-2013年3月期间在我院接受治疗的40例股骨转子间骨折患者,随机分为两组。其中,PFNA组20例患者采用股骨近端抗旋转髓内钉质量,而Gamma 3组20例患者采用第三代Gamma钉治疗。观察并比较两组患者的手术时间、影像增强剂时间和失血量,术后评价复位质量和内置物位置,在随访中,记录术后并发症,包括股骨干骨折、切出、再次手术、肺炎、尿路感染、脑梗塞、心肌梗塞和褥疮性溃疡等。另外,用Parker-Palmer活动评分系统评价行走能力。结果:PFNA和Gamma 3组在手术时间、影响增强剂时间和失血量上没有差异(P0.05);Gamma 3组病例复位质量要好于PFNA组,差异显著且具有统计学意义(P0.05);两组在内置物位置、行走能力和术后并发症上没有显著差异(P0.05)。结论:PFNA与Gamma 3治疗股骨转子间骨折具有很好的安全性和有效性,但Gamma3可获得更好的复位质量,应进一步在临床推广。