马来酸桂哌齐特与腹部带蒂皮瓣对上肢烧伤组织缺损的修复效果

目的：探讨马来酸桂哌齐特联合腹部带蒂皮瓣治疗手及前臂皮肤软组织烧伤缺损的临床效果。方法：选取我院2011 年2 月 -2013 年2 月收治的68 例手及前臂皮肤软组织烧伤缺损患者作为观察组,行马来酸桂哌齐特结合腹部带蒂皮瓣治疗,另选择同 期接受股前外侧皮瓣修复治疗的50 例患者为对照组。观察并比较两组患者皮瓣修复效果以及神经功能烧伤缺损评分。结果：观 察组患者皮瓣存活率高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组皮瓣感染率低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05); 观察组皮瓣断蒂时间及神经功能烧伤缺损评分均低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：马来酸桂哌齐特结合腹部带 蒂皮瓣治疗具有皮瓣存活率高、神经功能恢复良好,术后恢复快等特点,值得临床推广应用。     

Replication kinetics of coxsackievirus A16 in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells

Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), together with enterovirus type 71 (EV71), is responsible for most cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) worldwide. Recent findings suggest that the recombination between CVA16 and EV71, and the co-circulation of these two viruses may have contributed to the increase of HFMD cases in China over the past few years. It is therefore important to further understand the virology, epidemiology, virus-host interactions and host pathogenesis of CVA16. In this study, we describe the viral kinetics of CVA16 in human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells by analyzing the cytopathic effect (CPE), viral RNA replication, viral protein expression, viral RNA package and viral particle secretion in RD cells. We show that CVA16 appears to first attach, uncoat and enter into the host cell after adsorption for 1 h. Later on, CVA16 undergoes rapid replication from 3 to 6 h at MOI 1 and until 9 h at MOI 0.1. At MOI 0.1, CVA16 initiates a secondary infection as the virions were secreted before 9 h p.i. CPE was observed after 12 h p.i., and viral antigen was first detected at 6 h p.i. at MOI 1 and at 9 h p.i. at MOI 0.1. Thus, our study provides important information for further investigation of CVA16 in order to better understand and ultimately control infections with this virus.     

A Tlx2‐Cre mouse line uncovers essential roles for hand1 in extraembryonic and lateral mesoderm

Hand1 regulates development of numerous tissues within the embryo, extraembryonic mesoderm, and trophectoderm. Systemic loss of Hand1 results in early embryonic lethality but the cause has remained unknown. To determine if Hand1 expression in extraembryonic mesoderm is essential for embryonic survival, Hand1 was conditionally deleted using the HoxB6‐Cre mouse line that expresses Cre in extraembryonic and lateral mesoderm. Deletion of Hand1 using HoxB6‐Cre resulted in embryonic lethality identical to systemic knockout. To determine if lethality is due to Hand1 function in extraembryonic mesoderm or lateral mesoderm, we generated a Tlx2‐Cre mouse line expressing Cre in lateral mesoderm but not extraembryonic tissues. Deletion of Hand1 using the Tlx2‐Cre line results in embryonic survival with embryos exhibiting herniated gut and thin enteric smooth muscle. Our results show that Hand1 regulates development of lateral mesoderm derivatives and its loss in extraembryonic mesoderm is the primary cause of lethality in Hand1‐null embryos. genesis 48:479–484, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The capitate of Australopithecus afarensis and A. africanus

The capitates of Australopithecus afarensis (AL 288-lw and AL 333–40) and A. africanus (TM 1526) have the identical combination of modern pongid, modern hominid, and unique characteristics. These traits include the combination of a length that is proximodistally shortened (Homo sapiens-like), a facet for the second metacarpal that is distolaterally facing (unique), the reduced styloid process on the third metacarpal (pongidlike), a dorsally placed trapezoid facet (pongidlike), mediolaterally constricted metacarpal III facet (pongidlike), a prominent palmar beak (pongidlike), a single elongated facet for the second metacarpal (H. sapiens-like), a waisted neck (pongidlike), and a reduced amount of “cupping” in the third metacarpal facet (H. sapiens-like). In overall shape the bones are more like H. sapiens than other extant hominids, although they are uniquely different. The two A. afarensis capitates provide no evidence that there are two postcranial morphotypes at Hadar. Available evidence shows that A. afarensis and A. africanus are strikingly similar postcranially. The morphological differences between the capitate of Australopithecus and H. sapiens may relate to the retention of climbing ability and an absence of certain grip capabilities in these early hominids.     

A report of behavioral lateralization in an infant orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus)

The limb used to perform seven common activities was recorded during weekly observations of an infant orang-utan. For five of these behaviors, preferences were found that remained consistent in their direction, although there were week to week fluctuations in magnitude. Most notably, a right hand preference was found for nonfood reaching and a right hindlimb preference appeared for initiating locomotion. Although initially, food reaching was predominantly with the right hand, a shift toward preferential left hand use occurred during the final weeks of the study. Additionally, a left hand preference appeared when the infant touched either its body or head.     

Congenital limb malformations in the free-ranging macaques of Kowloon

This paper describes the instances of gross hand and limb malformations in the free-ranging macaques in the forested region of the Kowloon peninsula of Hong Kong. The incidence in this location is compared to that of other macaque groups, most notably the Japanese and rhesus macaques in free-ranging and captive conditions. Etiology is linked to what is known about suspected local teratogenic agents, particularly in pesticides and fuel emissions.     

Communalities for rates of diaphyseal elongation of short bones of the hand of children with Down syndrome

Communality indices for rates of elongation of diaphyses of short bones of the hand were computed from serial data for children with Down syndrome, 7 to 14 years of age. Communalities were larger for adjacent than for nonadjacent bones and also larger for bones grouped in rows rather than rays of the hand. This pattern is similar to that reported for normal children. Communality indices for rates of diaphyseal elongation for girls with Down syndrome were lower than those of boys with Down syndrome and normal children.     

Development of a dynamic index finger and thumb model to study impairment

Modeling of the human hand provides insight for explaining deficits and planning treatment following injury. Creation of a dynamic model, however, is complicated by the actions of multi-articular tendons and their complex interactions with other soft tissues in the hand. This study explores the creation of a musculoskeletal model, including the thumb and index finger, to explore the effects of muscle activation deficits. The OpenSim model utilizes physiological axes of rotation at all joints, passive joint torques, and appropriate moment arms. The model was validated through comparison with kinematic and kinetic experimental data. Simulated fingertip forces resulting from modeled musculotendon loading largely fell within one standard deviation of experimental ranges for most index finger and thumb muscles, although agreement in the sagittal plane was generally better than for the coronal plane. Input of experimentally obtained electromyography data produced the expected simulated finger and thumb motion. Use of the model to predict the effects of activation deficits on pinch force production revealed that the intrinsic muscles, especially first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and adductor pollicis (ADP), had a substantial impact on the resulting fingertip force. Reducing FDI activation, such as might occur following stroke, altered fingertip force direction by up to 83° for production of a dorsal fingertip force; reducing ADP activation reduced force production in the thumb by up to 62%. This validated model can provide a means for evaluating clinical interventions.     

Sub-millimetre accurate human hand kinematics: from surface to skeleton

A highly accurate human hand kinematics model and identification are proposed. The model includes the five digits and the palm arc based on mapping function between surface landmarks and estimated joint centres of rotation. Model identification was experimentally performed using a motion tracking system. The evaluation of the marker position estimation error, which is on sub-millimetre level across all digits, underlines model quality and accuracy. Noticeably, with the development of this model, we were able to improve various modelling assumptions from literature and found a basic linear relationship between surface and skeleton rotational angles.