[Reconstruction of the thumb for an epithelioid sarcoma using a kite flap. A case report]

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare lesion usually involving extremities. We report the case of a patient presenting with an epithelioid sarcoma of the dorsal aspect of the thumb. Surgical treatment consisted in a wide resection, arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and skin coverage with a kite flap. This case report illustrates a rare diagnosis potentially encountered by hand surgeons and the possible use of a kite flap in a non-traumatic context.

SIRT7 an emerging sirtuin: deciphering newer roles

Sirtuin7 (SIRT7) is a NAD(+)-dependent protein deacetylase which belongs to sirtuin family. Although sirtuin proteins have attracted a great deal of attention, little is known about SIRT7. SIRT7 participates in rDNA transcription in the nucleolus. However, recent reports show that SIRT7 has additional novel functions. This review summarizes all findings about SIRT7, and highlights its critical roles in cellular functions.

An open-label, rater-blinded, 8-week trial of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release in patients with major depressive disorder with atypical features

The present study aimed at investigating the effectiveness and tolerability of -bupropion hydrochloride extended release (XL) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with atypical features (AF).51 patients were prescribed bupropion XL for 8 weeks (6 visits: screening, baseline, weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8). The primary efficacy measure was a change of the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-Seasonal Affective Disorder Version (SIGH-SAD) from baseline to endpoint. Secondary efficacy measures included the SIGH-SAD atypical symptoms subscale, Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and Epworth Sleepiness Questionnaire (ESQ). Response or remission was defined as ≥50% reduction or ≤7 in SIGH-SAD total scores, respectively, at end of treatment.The HAM-D-29 total score reduced by 55.3% from baseline (27.3±6.5) to end of treatment (12.2±6.3) (p<0.001). Atypical symptom subscale scores also reduced by 54.5% from baseline (9.2±3.0) to end of treatment (4.2±2.8) (p<0.001). At the end of treatment, 24.4% (n=10) and 51.2% (n=21) subjects were classified as remitters and responders, respectively. The most frequently reported AEs were headache (13.7%), dry mouth (11.8%), dizziness (9.8%), and dyspepsia (9.8%).Our preliminary study indicates that bupropion XL may be beneficial in the treatment of MDD with atypical features. Adequately powered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are necessary to determine our results.

Hard two-body photodisintegration of 3He

We have measured cross sections for the γ(3)He → pd reaction at photon energies of 0.4-1.4 GeV and a center-of-mass angle of 90°. We observe dimensional scaling above 0.7 GeV at this center-of-mass angle. This is the first observation of dimensional scaling in the photodisintegration of a nucleus heavier than the deuteron.

Fabrication of a Nanosize Pattern Embedded Plastic Chip via an Injection Molding Method for Application to an Optical Biosensor

We demonstrate a commercialized injection molding method for nano patterning of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for the purpose of mass production of a label-free optical biosensor chip. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images clearly show uniform nanopattern transfer on the plastic chip fabricated by an injection molding method. A uniformly deposited silicon nitride layer having a high refractive index by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique is also observed. A unique characterization method is described wherein optical resonance reflection is used accurately and quickly to characterize the geometrical sensor structure. The authors anticipate that this robust method will provide an excellent means of producing an optical resonance reflection biosensor (ORRB).

Reduced antibody formation after influenza vaccination in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder treated with rituximab

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Vaccination against infection becomes important in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) because they are at an increased risk of infection due to long-term immunosuppressive therapy. However, it is unclear whether NMOSD patients under immunosuppression therapy show proper antibody formation after vaccination. Thus the antibody formation after influenza A (H1N1) vaccination in patients with NMOSD receiving rituximab was evaluated.

METHODS

The study enrolled 26 patients with NMOSD, nine with multiple sclerosis and eight healthy controls. The enrolled patients had been treated with rituximab (n = 16), mycophenolate mofetil (n = 5), azathioprine (n = 6) and interferon-β (IFN-β) (n = 8). Antibodies against the H1N1 influenza virus were measured in the serum drawn just before (T0) and between 3 and 5 weeks after (T1) vaccination. The immunization states for hepatitis B virus surface antigen, measles and tetanus during the treatment period were also tested.

RESULTS

The rituximab group showed significantly lower geometric mean titer, seroprotection rate and mean fold increase than the azathioprine group, IFN-β group and healthy controls, and a lower seroconversion rate than the IFN-β group. This decrease in vaccination efficacy was also shown in patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil. The immunization state for hepatitis B virus surface antigen, measles and tetanus remained the same during the treatment period with each drug, suggesting that these treatments do not affect previously formed immunity.

CONCLUSION

This study shows a severely hampered humoral immune response to H1N1 influenza vaccine in patients with NMOSD treated with rituximab, although the vaccination itself is safe in these patients.

Evolution of Hypervariable Regions, V4 and V7, of Insect 18S rRNA and Their Phylogenetic Implications

We compared primary and secondary structures of V4 (helices E23-2 to E23-5) and V7 (helix 43) regions of 18S rRNAs in insects and the other three major arthropod groups (crustaceans, myriapods, and chelicerates) known so far. We found that the lengths of primary sequences and the shapes of secondary structures of these two hypervariable regions of insect 18S rRNA even at infraclass levels are phylogenetically informative and reflect major steps in insect evolution. The long sequence insertion and bifurcated shape of helices E23-2 to E23-5 in the V4 region are unique synapomorphic characters for winged insects (Pterygota). The long sequence insertion and expanded stem length of helix 43 in the V7 region are synapomorphic characters for holometabolous insects which conduct complete metamorphosis. The strongly conserved secondary structures suggest the possibility that these hypervariable regions may be related with certain important cellular functions unknown thus far. The comparison with insect fossil records revealed that the pterygote synapomorphy (V4) and the holometabolous synapomorphy (V7) were established prior to the acquisition of insect wings (flight system) and prior to the development of complete metamorphosis, respectively. These synapomorphies have been also relatively stable over at least 300 Myr and 280 Myr, respectively as well. It implies that the expansion events of the V4 and V7 regions have not occurred simultaneously but independently at different periods during the insect evolution. Then this suggests that V4 and V7 regions are not functionally correlated as recently suggested by Crease and Coulbourn.

Measurement of exclusive π(0) electroproduction structure functions and their relationship to transverse generalized parton distributions

Exclusive π(0) electroproduction at a beam energy of 5.75 GeV has been measured with the Jefferson Lab CLAS spectrometer. Differential cross sections were measured at more than 1800 kinematic values in Q(2), x(B), t, and ϕ(π), in the Q(2) range from 1.0 to 4.6  GeV(2), -t up to 2  GeV(2), and x(B) from 0.1 to 0.58. Structure functions σ(T)+ϵσ(L), σ(TT), and σ(LT) were extracted as functions of t for each of 17 combinations of Q(2) and x(B). The data were compared directly with two handbag-based calculations including both longitudinal and transversity generalized parton distributions (GPDs). Inclusion of only longitudinal GPDs very strongly underestimates σ(T)+ϵσ(L) and fails to account for σ(TT) and σ(LT), while inclusion of transversity GPDs brings the calculations into substantially better agreement with the data. There is very strong sensitivity to the relative contributions of nucleon helicity-flip and helicity nonflip processes. The results confirm that exclusive π(0) electroproduction offers direct experimental access to the transversity GPDs.