Evolution of nubbin function in hemimetabolous and holometabolous insect appendages

Insects display a whole spectrum of morphological diversity, which is especially noticeable in the organization of their appendages. A recent study in a hemipteran, Oncopeltus fasciatus (milkweed bug), showed that nubbin (nub) affects antenna morphogenesis, labial patterning, the length of the femoral segment in legs, and the formation of a limbless abdomen. To further determine the role of this gene in the evolution of insect morphology, we analyzed its functions in two additional hemimetabolous species, Acheta domesticus (house cricket) and Periplaneta americana (cockroach), and re-examined its role in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly). While both Acheta and Periplaneta nub-RNAi first nymphs develop crooked antennae, no visible changes are observed in the morphologies of their mouthparts and abdomen. Instead, the main effect is seen in legs. The joint between the tibia and first tarsomere (Ta-1) is lost in Acheta, which in turn, causes a fusion of these two segments and creates a chimeric nub-RNAi tibia–tarsus that retains a tibial identity in its proximal half and acquires a Ta-1 identity in its distal half. Similarly, our re-analysis of nub function in Drosophila reveals that legs lack all true joints and the fly tibia also exhibits a fused tibia and tarsus. Finally, we observe a similar phenotype in Periplaneta except that it encompasses different joints (coxa–trochanter and femur–tibia), and in this species we also show that nub expression in the legs is regulated by Notch signaling, as had previously been reported in flies and spiders. Overall, we propose that nub acts downstream of Notch on the distal part of insect leg segments to promote their development and growth, which in turn is required for joint formation. Our data represent the first functional evidence defining a role for nub in leg segmentation and highlight the varying degrees of its involvement in this process across insects.     

The impact of increased femoral antetorsion on gait deviations in healthy adolescents

Increased femoral antetorsion leads to several gait deviations, and amongst others, an increased knee flexion was reported in mid and terminal stance. Therefore, the purpose of this retrospective study was to identify gait deviations caused by increased femoral antetorsion and to perform subgroup analyses based on sagittal knee kinematics. Patients with isolated, CT confirmed increased femoral antetorsion (n = 42) and age-matched typically developing children (TDC, n = 17) were included in this study. Patients were referred to gait analysis because of gait abnormalities going along with an increased femoral antetorsion ≥30°. Kinematic and kinetic data were recorded during 3D gait analysis and three valid gait cycles were analyzed. Principal component (PC) analysis was used to achieve data transformation. A linear mixed model was used to estimate the group effect of PC-scores of retained PCs explaining 90% of the cumulative variance. Group effects of PC-scores revealed that patients walked with more flexed hips and greater anterior pelvic tilt throughout the gait cycle. Knee flexion was increased in patients during mid and terminal stance. Increased frontal plane knee and hip joint moments were found for patients compared to TDC. Furthermore, dividing patients into two subgroups based on their sagittal knee kinematics showed that kinematic gait deviations were more pronounced in patients with higher femoral antetorsion, while deviations in joint moments were more pronounced in patients with lower femoral antetorsion. Increased femoral antetorsion showed alterations in all lower limb joints and may be not only a cosmetic problem. Therefore, 3D gait analysis should be used for clinical management and operative treatment should be considered depending on severity of gait deviations.     

一个Schmid型干骺端软骨发育不良症家族

本文报道了在安徽省宿县地区发现的一个Schmid型干骺端软骨发育不良症家族。调查涉及五代,患者10人(6男,4女),现存活6例(4男,2女),经家谱分析,符合常染色体显性遗传。患者智力、外貌、头颅、脊椎均正常,但四肢短小,指(趾)粗短,弓形腿,髋内翻,步态摇摆。男性患者的腕、踩等关节有明显畸型;而在这些部位,女性患者无明显畸型,其它症状也较男性患者为轻,说明男女患者的表现度明显不同。     

The basicoxal gland, a new exocrine structure in poneromorph ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

The tegumental epithelium of the outer dorsolateral region in the proximal part of the coxae in the mid‐ and hindlegs of both workers and queens of the ants Odontomachus rixosus and O. simillimus is differentiated into a conspicuous and hitherto unknown exocrine gland. The glandular cells display a clear microvillar differentiation of their apical cell membrane, and are lined with the tegumental cuticle, which in this part contains crack‐like channels perpendicular to its surface, that carry the glandular secretions to the outside. Apical microvilli support the transport of substances, and contain an extension of tubular smooth endoplasmic reticulum in their centre. The function of the gland may be that of providing lubricant substances to the articulation region of the generally heavily sclerotized ponerine ant species. The gland is also found in several other ponerine and amblyoponine species, but not in the ectatommine species studied. The foreleg coxae lack a basicoxal gland in all species examined, which may be explained by the more limited articulation between the thorax and the coxae in the forelegs compared to the mid‐ and hindlegs.     

全脑血管造影术中顺路行腹主动脉造影81例临床分析

目的评估在全脑血管造影术中顺路行腹主动脉造影的可行性、安全性及其临床意义。方法总结81例在全脑血管造影术中顺路行腹主动脉造影患者的临床资料,分析其肾动脉及髂动脉狭窄检出率及其相关因素,并测定术前术后血清肌酐变化,以评估该检查的安全性。结果全脑血管造影术中顺路行腹主动脉造影简单易行、安全,造影前后血清肌酐无明显变化[术前(76±11)μmol/L,术后(79±9)μmol/L](P0.05);肾动脉狭窄检出率为26%,髂动脉狭窄检出率为20%,肾动脉及髂动脉狭窄总体检出率为33%;有3个及3个以上危险因素的患者其肾动脉及髂动脉狭窄总体检出率明显增高(56%)。结论在全脑血管造影中顺路行腹主动脉造影是安全、简单、可行的,对发现肾动脉、髂动脉狭窄有重要意义。