Distal Region Research Articles

Potential Molecular Markers Related to Lymph Node Metastasis and Stalk Resection Margins in Pedunculated T1 Colorectal Cancers Using Digital Spatial Profiling: A Pilot Study with a Small Case Series.

There is a debate regarding the prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in pedunculated T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study with four cases of pedunculated T1 CRCs, we aimed to investigate gene expression variations based on the distance from the Haggitt line (HL) and identify potential molecular risk factors for LNM. By leveraging the Cancer Transcriptome Atlas and digital spatial profiling technology, we meticulously analyzed discrete regions, including the head, HL, proximal stalk region (300-1000 μm from HL), and distal stalk region (1500-2000 μm from HL) to identify spatially sequential molecular changes. Our findings showed significant overall gene expression variations among the head, proximal stalk, and distal stalk regions of pedunculated T1 CRCs compared to the control adenoma. Compared to LNM-negative T1 CRCs, LNM-positive T1 CRC showed that the expression of genes involved in immune-related pathways such as B2M, HLA-B, and HLA-E were significantly downregulated in the distal stalk region compared to the proximal stalk region. In summary, our results may tentatively suggest considering endoscopic resection of the stalk with a minimum 2000 μm margin from the HL, taking into account the gene expression alterations related to immune-related pathways. However, we acknowledge the limitations of this pilot study, notably the small case series, which may restrict the depth of interpretation. Further validation is imperative to substantiate these findings.

The Last Molar - Entire Pad Preservation Technique (L-EPPT) as a Regenerative Surgical Approach for Combined Distal Intrabony Defects and Furcation Involvement: Case Reports.

Primary wound closure is the most important factor in successful periodontal tissue regeneration when using biomaterials. However, in the distal region of the last molar, there is concern that direct surgical access to an intraosseous defect may induce the leakage of biomaterials, impair the blood supply, and make healing difficult. This case series introduces the last molar-entire pad preservation technique (L-EPPT), which was designed to preserve the gingiva of the last molar centrum and secure the operative field of the furcation and distal bone defects, thereby providing an optimal environment for wound healing for regenerative therapy. This technique for preservation of the distal gingiva was applied in two cases involving the combination of a buccal class II furcation defect and a 2-3-wall intrabony defect in the last molar for the use of a combination of bone graft and enamel matrix derivatives in periodontal regeneration. Clinical outcomes were recorded at 18 months (case 1) and 8 months (case 2) after surgery. In both cases, the class II furcation defects were completely closed, and the probing pocket depth was improved to < 3 mm with no bleeding on probing. Further research is warranted to verify the efficacy of this technique.

Cyto-molecular characterization of rDNA and chromatin composition in the NOR-associated satellite in Chestnut (Castanea spp.)

The American chestnut (Castanea dentata, 2n = 2x = 24), once known as the “King of the Appalachian Forest”, was decimated by chestnut blight during the first half of the twentieth century by an invasive fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica). The Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima, 2n = 2x = 24), in contrast to American chestnut, is resistant to this blight. Efforts are being made to transfer this resistance to American chestnut through backcross breeding and genetic engineering. Both chestnut genomes have been genetically mapped and recently sequenced to facilitate gene discovery efforts aimed at assisting molecular breeding and genetic engineering. To complement and extend this genomic work, we analyzed the distribution and organization of their ribosomal DNAs (35S and 5S rDNA), and the chromatin composition of the nucleolus organizing region (NOR)-associated satellites. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), we have identified two 35S (one major and one minor) and one 5S rDNA sites. The major 35S rDNA sites are terminal and sub-terminal in American and Chinese chestnuts, respectively, originating at the end of the short arm of the chromosome, extending through the secondary constriction and into the satellites. An additional 5S locus was identified in certain Chinese chestnut accessions, and it was linked distally to the major 35S site. The NOR-associated satellite in Chinese chestnut was found to comprise a proximal region packed with 35S rDNA and a distinct distal heterochromatic region. In contrast, the American chestnut satellite was relatively small and devoid of the distal heterochromatic region.

Chromosome-Level Assemblies for the Pine Pitch Canker Pathogen Fusarium circinatum.

The pine pitch canker pathogen, Fusarium circinatum, is globally regarded as one of the most important threats to commercial pine-based forestry. Although genome sequences of this fungus are available, these remain highly fragmented or structurally ill-defined. Our overall goal was to provide high-quality assemblies for two notable strains of F. circinatum, and to characterize these in terms of coding content, repetitiveness and the position of telomeres and centromeres. For this purpose, we used Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION long-read sequences, as well as Illumina short sequence reads. By leveraging the genomic synteny inherent to F. circinatum and its close relatives, these sequence reads were assembled to chromosome level, where contiguous sequences mostly spanned from telomere to telomere. Comparative analyses unveiled remarkable variability in the twelfth and smallest chromosome, which is known to be dispensable. It presented a striking length polymorphism, with one strain lacking substantial portions from the chromosome's distal and proximal regions. These regions, characterized by a lower gene density, G+C content and an increased prevalence of repetitive elements, contrast starkly with the syntenic segments of the chromosome, as well as with the core chromosomes. We propose that these unusual regions might have arisen or expanded due to the presence of transposable elements. A comparison of the overall chromosome structure revealed that centromeric elements often underpin intrachromosomal differences between F. circinatum strains, especially at chromosomal breakpoints. This suggests a potential role for centromeres in shaping the chromosomal architecture of F. circinatum and its relatives. The publicly available genome data generated here, together with the detailed metadata provided, represent essential resources for future studies of this important plant pathogen.

Massively parallel profiling of RNA-targeting CRISPR-Cas13d

CRISPR-Cas13d cleaves RNA and is used in vivo and for diagnostics. However, a systematic understanding of its RNA binding and cleavage specificity is lacking. Here, we describe an RNA Chip-Hybridized Association-Mapping Platform (RNA-CHAMP) for measuring the binding affinity for > 10,000 RNAs containing structural perturbations and other alterations relative to the CRISPR RNA (crRNA). Deep profiling of Cas13d reveals that it does not require a protospacer flanking sequence but is exquisitely sensitive to secondary structure within the target RNA. Cas13d binding is penalized by mismatches in the distal crRNA-target RNA region, while alterations in the proximal region inhibit nuclease activity. A biophysical model built from these data reveals that target recognition initiates in the distal end of the target RNA. Using this model, we design crRNAs that can differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 variants by modulating nuclease activation. This work describes the key determinants of RNA targeting by a type VI CRISPR enzyme.

Morphology and spectral sensitivity of long visual fibers and lamina monopolar cells in the butterfly Papilio xuthus.

Extensive analysis of the flower-visiting behavior of a butterfly,Papilio xuthus, has indicated complex interaction between chromatic, achromatic, and motion cues. Their eyes are spectrally rich with six classes of photoreceptors, respectively sensitive in the ultraviolet, violet, blue, green, red, and broad-band wavelength regions. Here, we studied the anatomy and physiology of photoreceptors and second-order neurons ofP. xuthus, focusing on their spectral sensitivities and projection terminals to address where the early visual integration takes place. We thus found the ultraviolet, violet, and blue photoreceptors and all second-order neurons terminate in the distal region of the second optic ganglion, the medulla. We identified five types of second-order neurons based on the arborization in the first optic ganglion, the lamina, and the shape of the medulla terminals. Their spectral sensitivity is independent of the morphological types but reflects the combination of pre-synaptic photoreceptors. The results indicate that the distal medulla is the most plausible region for early visual integration.

Cisco brazier-induced Erythema Ab Igne

Erythema Ab Igne (EAI) is a skin condition manifested by net-like darkening due to continuous exposure to moderate temperatures generated by various heat sources which predominantly appear in the calf area and distal region of the lower extremities

Cover crop monocultures and mixtures enhance bacterial abundance and functionality in the maize root zone.

Cover cropping is an effective method to protect agricultural soils from erosion, promote nutrient and moisture retention, encourage beneficial microbial activity, and maintain soil structure. Re-utilization of winter cover crop root channels by maize roots during summer allows the cash crop to extract resources from distal regions in the soil horizon. In this study, we investigated how cover cropping during winter followed by maize (Zea mays L.) during summer affects the spatiotemporal composition and function of the bacterial communities in the maize rhizosphere and surrounding soil samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing, and metaproteomics. We found that the bacterial community differed significantly among cover crop species, soil depths, and maize growth stages. Bacterial abundance increased in reused root channels, and it continued to increase as cover crop diversity changed from monocultures to mixtures. Mixing Fabaceae with Brassicaceae or Poaceae enhanced the overall contributions of several steps of the bacterial carbon and nitrogen cycles, especially glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway. The deeper root channels of Fabaceae and Brassicaceae as compared to Poaceae corresponded to higher bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy numbers and improved community presence in the subsoil regimes, likely due to the increased availability of root exudates secreted by maize roots. In conclusion, root channel reuse improved the expression of metabolic pathways of the carbon and nitrogen cycles and the bacterial communities, which is beneficial to the soil and to the growing crops.

Dynamics of CRISPR-mediated virus-host interactions in the human gut microbiome.

Arms races between mobile genetic elements and prokaryotic hosts are major drivers of ecological and evolutionary change in microbial communities. Prokaryotic defense systems such as CRISPR-Cas have the potential to regulate microbiome composition by modifying the interactions among bacteria, plasmids, and phages. Here, we used longitudinal metagenomic data from 130 healthy and diseased individuals to study how the interplay of genetic parasites and CRISPR-Cas immunity reflects on the dynamics and composition of the human gut microbiome. Based on the coordinated study of 80 000 CRISPR-Cas loci and their targets, we show that CRISPR-Cas immunity effectively modulates bacteriophage abundances in the gut. Acquisition of CRISPR-Cas immunity typically leads to a decrease in the abundance of lytic phages but does not necessarily cause their complete disappearance. Much smaller effects are observed for lysogenic phages and plasmids. Conversely, phage-CRISPR interactions shape bacterial microdiversity by producing weak selective sweeps that benefit immune host lineages. We also show that distal (and chronologically older) regions of CRISPR arrays are enriched in spacers that are potentially functional and target crass-like phages and local prophages. This suggests that exposure to reactivated prophages and other endemic viruses is a major selective pressure in the gut microbiome that drives the maintenance of long-lasting immune memory.

Poliumoside protects against type 2 diabetes-related osteoporosis by suppressing ferroptosis via activation of the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway

BackgroundType 2 diabetes is often linked with osteoporosis (T2DOP), a condition that accelerates bone degeneration and increases the risk of fractures. Unlike conventional menopausal osteoporosis, the diabetic milieu exacerbates the likelihood of fractures and osteonecrosis. In particular poliumoside (Pol), derived from Callicarpa kwangtungensis Chun, has shown promising anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Yet, its influence on T2DOP remains to be elucidated. PurposeThe focus of this study was to elucidate the influence of Pol in HGHF-associated ferroptosis and its implications in T2DOP. Study DesignA murine model of T2DOP was established using a minimal dosage of streptozotocin (STZ) through intraperitoneal infusion combined with a diet high in fat and sugar. Concurrently, to mimic the diabetic condition in a lab environment, bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were maintained in a high-glucose and high-fat (HGHF) setting. MethodsThe impact of Pol on BMSCs in an HGHF setting was determined using methods, such as BODIPY-C11, FerroOrange staining, mitochondrial functionality evaluations, and Western blot methodologies, coupled with immunoblotting and immunofluorescence techniques. To understand the role of Pol in a murine T2DOP model, techniques including micro-CT, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, dual-labeling with calcein-alizarin red, and immunohistochemistry were employed for detailed imaging and histological insights. ResultsOur findings suggest that Pol acts against HGHF-induced bone degradation and ferroptosis, as evidenced by an elevation in glutathione (GSH) and a decline in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, Pol treatment led to increased bone density, enhanced GPX4 markers, and reduced ROS in the distal femur region. On investigating the underlying mechanism of action, it was observed that Pol triggers the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, and the introduction of lentivirus-Nrf2 negates the beneficial effects of Pol in HGHF-treated BMSCs. ConclusionPol is effective in treating T2DOP by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway to inhibit ferroptosis.

Ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the dromedary camel distal limbs

BackgroundLameness associated with the distal limb region in dromedary camels is quiet prevalent. The diagnosis of lameness relies on a comprehensive orthopedic examination conjugated with an appropriate imaging modality to achieve a decisive diagnosis. Using of modern imaging tools provoked a significant breakthrough in the diagnosis of lameness. Ultrasonography (US) is widely established in dromedaries, whereas computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are gaining popularity. CT provides a considerably higher bone detail than any other imaging modality. US and MRI continue to be the best options for soft tissue imaging. A truthful assessment of the clinical US, CT and MRI images dictates a comprehensive familiarity with the standard US, CT and MRI tissue deviations. Accordingly, our purposes were to present a full MRI protocol for investigating the dromedary camel distal limbs as well as comparing and illustrating the merits of using MRI, CT and US for evaluation of the front and hind distal limbs in 10 healthy lameness free dromedary camel cadavers. The limbs were scanned via a high-field 1.5 Tesla MRI magnet and a multi-detector CT scanner then subjected to a systematic US examination in both longitudinal and transverse planes. The obtained MRI, CT and US images were evaluated, correlated and compared.ResultsCT and MRI eliminated the structural superimposition in the dromedary camel distal limbs and afforded assessment of minute ligamentous and tendentious structures that were inaccessible by US including the axial collateral ligaments, ligaments supporting the proximal sesamoid bones and the palmar/plantar aspects of the inter-phalangeal joints. US and MRI were appreciated for the assessment of the articular cartilage that was not visible on the plain CT images.ConclusionsCT and MRI accurately identified and characterized bones and soft tissues constituting the dromedary camel distal limbs. US was appreciated for assessment of soft tissues, articular cartilage and bone contours. CT and MRI may be considered when US results are inconclusive or to evaluate the unreachable parts of the camel distal limbs. Images presented in this study could be used as a reference standard for evaluating dromedary camel distal limb diseases.

Individual trabecula segmentation validation in first- and second-generation high-resolution peripheral computed tomography compared to micro-computed tomography in the distal radius and tibia.

High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) has been used for in vivo 3D visualization of trabecular microstructure. Second-generation HR-pQCT (HR-pQCT II) has been shown to have good agreement with first generation HR-pQCT (HR-pQCT I). Advanced Individual Trabecula Segmentation (ITS) decomposes the trabecula network into individual plates and rods. ITS based on HR-pQCT I showed a strong correlation to ITS based on micro-computed tomography (μCT) and identified trabecular changes in metabolic bone diseases. ITS based on HR-pQCT II has new potential because of the enhanced resolution but has yet to be validated. The objective of this study was to assess the agreement between ITS based on HR-pQCT I, HR-pQCT II, and μCT to assess the capability of ITS on HR-pQCT images as a tool for studying bone structure. Freshly frozen tibia and radius bones were scanned in the distal region using HR-pQCT I at 82μm, HR-pQCT II at 60.7μm, and μCT at 37μm. Images were registered, binarized, and ITS analysis was performed. Bone volume fraction (pBV/TV, rBV/TV), number density (pTb.N, rTb.N), thickness (pTb.Th, rTb.Th), and plate-to-rod (PR) ratio (pBV/rBV) of trabecular plates and rods were obtained. Paired Student's t-tests with post hoc Bonferroni analysis were used to examine the differences. Linear regression was used to determine the correlation coefficient. The HR-pQCT I parameters were different from the μCT measurements. The HR-pQCT II parameters were different from the μCT measurements except for rTb.N, and the HR-pQCT I parameters were different from the HR-pQCT II measurements except for pTb.Th. The strong correlation between HR-pQCT II and μCT microstructural analysis (R2 = 0.55-0.94) suggests that HR-pQCT II can be used to assess changes in plate and rod microstructure and that values from HR-pQCT I can be corrected.

Unfavorable switching of skewed X chromosome inactivation leads to Menkes disease in a female infant

Menkes disease is an X-linked disorder of copper metabolism caused by mutations in the ATP7A gene, and female carriers are usually asymptomatic. We describe a 7-month-old female patient with severe intellectual disability, epilepsy, and low levels of serum copper and ceruloplasmin. While heterozygous deletion of exons 16 and 17 of the ATP7A gene was detected in the proband, her mother, and her grandmother, only the proband suffered from Menkes disease clinically. Intriguingly, X chromosome inactivation (XCI) analysis demonstrated that the grandmother and the mother showed skewing of XCI toward the allele with the ATP7A deletion and that the proband had extremely skewed XCI toward the normal allele, resulting in exclusive expression of the pathogenic ATP7A mRNA transcripts. Expression bias analysis and recombination mapping of the X chromosome by the combination of whole genome and RNA sequencing demonstrated that meiotic recombination occurred at Xp21-p22 and Xq26-q28. Assuming that a genetic factor on the X chromosome enhanced or suppressed XCI of its allele, the factor must be on either of the two distal regions derived from her grandfather. Although we were unable to fully uncover the molecular mechanism, we concluded that unfavorable switching of skewed XCI caused Menkes disease in the proband.

Whole-brain traumatic controlled cortical impact to the left frontal lobe: Magnetic resonance image-based texture analysis.

This research assesses the capability of texture analysis (TA) derived from high-resolution (HR) T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to identify primary sequelae following 1-5 hours of controlled cortical impact mild or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) to the left frontal cortex (focal impact) and secondary (diffuse) sequelae in the right frontal cortex, bilateral corpus callosum, and hippocampus in rats. The TA technique comprised first-order (histogram-based) and second-order statistics (including gray-level co-occurrence matrix, gray-level run length matrix, and neighborhood gray-level difference matrix). Edema in the left frontal impact region developed within 1 hour and continued throughout the 5-hour assessments. The TA features from HR images confirmed the focal injury. There was no significant difference among radiomics features between the left and right corpus callosum or hippocampus from 1 to 5 hours following a mild or severe impact. The adjacent corpus callosum region and the distal hippocampus region (s), showed no diffuse injury 1-5 hours after mild or severe TBI. These results suggest that combining HR images with TA may enhance detection of early primary and secondary sequelae following TBI.

The Spectrum of Deletion Pattern in the Dystrophin Gene in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients: A Cross-sectional Study from Northeast India

Introduction: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder characterised by progressive, irreversible muscle weakness. It is caused by a mutation in the dystrophin or DMD gene, leading to the absence of the essential muscle protein Dystrophin in DMD. Muscle strength continually diminishes, and death usually occurs from chronic respiratory insufficiency and/or cardiac failure. Due to the high mortality rate, early diagnosis is crucial to allow appropriate planning for patient care and treatment. In India, the traditional multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay is the most common method to detect Dystrophin gene deletion mutations. Aim: To describe the spectrum of deletion patterns in the dystrophin gene in muscular dystrophy patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Northeast India. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 53 suspected DMD patients attending the Department of Neurology and Department of Paediatrics at Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam, India from January 2016 to December 2022. Multiplex PCR was performed to study the deletion patterns for the 25 most common exons of the DMD gene for all patients at the Genetic lab, Department of Anatomy. Deletion mutations at different multiple exons were found, and the results were statistically analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to calculate the mean and standard deviation. The results were presented in tabular form as percentages. Results: Out of the 53 cases suspected to have DMD on the basis of clinical presentation and high serum Creatine Kinase (CK) levels, 34 patients (64.2%) showing deletion mutations in the 25 most common exons of the DMD gene were included in the study. Deletions were most common in 15 (44.1%) patients in the distal hotspot region of exons 44-55. The most common gene deleted was exon 50 in 11 (32.4%) patients. The age at which symptoms were noticed was 4.7±2.01 years. The mean age at diagnosis was 8.4±2.4 years. Conclusion: In the present study, most patients suspected of DMD based on clinical and laboratory findings had deletions in the DMD gene, with the most common region for deletion in the dystrophin gene being the distal hotspot region, and exon 50 being the most commonly deleted.

The Small Interactor of PKD2 protein promotes the assembly and ciliary entry of the Chlamydomonas PKD2-mastigoneme complexes.

In Chlamydomonas, the channel polycystin 2 (PKD2) is primarily present in the distal region of cilia, where it is attached to the axoneme and mastigonemes, extracellular polymers of MST1. In a smaller proximal ciliary region that lacks mastigonemes, PKD2 is more mobile. We show that the PKD2 regions are established early during ciliogenesis and increase proportionally in length as cilia elongate. In chimeric zygotes, tagged PKD2 rapidly entered the proximal region of PKD2-deficient cilia, whereas the assembly of the distal region was hindered, suggesting that axonemal binding of PKD2 requires de novo assembly of cilia. We identified the protein Small Interactor of PKD2 (SIP), a PKD2-related, single-pass transmembrane protein, as part of the PKD2-mastigoneme complex. In sip mutants, stability and proteolytic processing of PKD2 in the cell body were reduced and PKD2-mastigoneme complexes were absent from the cilia. Like the pkd2 and mst1 mutants, sip mutant cells swam with reduced velocity. Cilia of the pkd2 mutant beat with an increased frequency but were less efficient in moving the cells, suggesting a structural role for the PKD2-SIP-mastigoneme complex in increasing the effective surface of Chlamydomonas cilia.

The alteration of the structure and macroscopic mechanical response of porcine patellar tendon by elastase digestion.

Background: The treatment of patellar tendon injury has always been an unsolved problem, and mechanical characterization is very important for its repair and reconstruction. Elastin is a contributor to mechanics, but it is not clear how it affects the elasticity, viscoelastic properties, and structure of patellar tendon. Methods: The patellar tendons from six fresh adult experimental pigs were used in this study and they were made into 77 samples. The patellar tendon was specifically degraded by elastase, and the regional mechanical response and structural changes were investigated by: (1) Based on the previous study of elastase treatment conditions, the biochemical quantification of collagen, glycosaminoglycan and total protein was carried out; (2) The patellar tendon was divided into the proximal, central, and distal regions, and then the axial tensile test and stress relaxation test were performed before and after phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or elastase treatment; (3) The dynamic constitutive model was established by the obtained mechanical data; (4) The structural relationship between elastin and collagen fibers was analyzed by two-photon microscopy and histology. Results: There was no statistical difference in mechanics between patellar tendon regions. Compared with those before elastase treatment, the low tensile modulus decreased by 75%-80%, the high tensile modulus decreased by 38%-47%, and the transition strain was prolonged after treatment. For viscoelastic behavior, the stress relaxation increased, the initial slope increased by 55%, the saturation slope increased by 44%, and the transition time increased by 25% after enzyme treatment. Elastin degradation made the collagen fibers of patellar tendon become disordered and looser, and the fiber wavelength increased significantly. Conclusion: The results of this study show that elastin plays an important role in the mechanical properties and fiber structure stability of patellar tendon, which supplements the structure-function relationship information of patellar tendon. The established constitutive model is of great significance to the prediction, repair and replacement of patellar tendon injury. In addition, human patellar tendon has a higher elastin content, so the results of this study can provide supporting information on the natural properties of tendon elastin degradation and guide the development of artificial patellar tendon biomaterials.

DGARM/C10orf76/ARMH3 for Ceramide Transfer Zone at the Endoplasmic Reticulum-Distal Golgi Contacts.

Phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PtdIns(4)P) is one of the key membrane components which mark the membrane contact sites. In the mammalian Golgi complex, PtdIns(4)P is produced at various subregions via specific mechanisms for each site. Particularly, PtdIns(4)P pools generated at the distal Golgi regions are pivotal for the determination of membrane contacts between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi, at which inter-organelle lipid transport takes place. In this short review, we will focus on C10orf76 (or ARMH3), which we propose to rename as DGARM after a distal Golgi armadillo repeat protein, for its function in generating a PtdIns(4)P pool crucial for ER-to-distal Golgi ceramide transport. We further discuss from the viewpoint of the evolutionary conservation of DGARM.

Contribution of fracture healing in paediatric DMP zone fracture patients using the pry lever technique.

This study describes the efficacy of applying the prying lever technique to distal radial metaphyseal symphysis diaphysis joining region (DMP) fractures in children, and reports that the technique has an ameliorative effect on the phenomenon of delayed healing and non-union that occurs after surgery for fractures in the DMP region. The medical records of 72 children with fractures in the DMP region, treated between December 2017 and December 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were randomly assigned to either the cut-and-displace group (n = 36) or the pry-and-lever group (n = 36). Both groups were monitored for time to fracture healing, incidence of delayed or non-union, radiologic outcomes, complications, and functional assessments using the EQ-5D, DASH, and VAS scales. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 5 years, with a mean of 26.5 months. After 6 months of follow-up, the incidence of delayed/non-union of fractures was 2.7% and 16.6% in the study and control groups, respectively, and the incidence of delayed healing was significant (P < 0.05) in both groups. Additional manipulations or complications caused by delayed healing or non-union were also significantly less in the study group than in the control group. The EQ-5D scale was used to compare the level of surgical satisfaction between the two groups, and the study group had a higher level of satisfaction. Carpal function was significantly improved in both groups compared to the preoperative period, scored using the DASH scale (P > 0.05). Postoperative pain level was scored using VAS (P < 0.05). The prying lever technique has the advantages of low impact on periosteal blood supply, simple operation, and fast recovery, which makes it a worthwhile attempt of minimally invasive reduction of fractures in the DMP region in children.

Anthocyanin gene enrichment in the distal region of cotton chromosome A07: mechanisms of reproductive organ coloration.

The biosynthesis of secondary metabolites like anthocyanins is often governed by metabolic gene clusters (MGCs) in the plant ancestral genome. However, the existence of gene clusters specifically regulating anthocyanin accumulation in certain organs is not well understood. In this study, we identify MGCs linked to the coloration of cotton reproductive organs, such as petals, spots, and fibers. Through genetic analysis and map-based cloning, we pinpointed key genes on chromosome A07, such as PCC/GhTT19, which is involved in anthocyanin transport, and GbBM and GhTT2-3A, which are associated with the regulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis. Our results demonstrate the coordinated control of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin pathways, highlighting the evolutionary significance of MGCs in plant adaptation. The conservation of these clusters in cotton chromosome A07 across species underscores their importance in reproductive development and color variation. Our study sheds light on the complex biosynthesis and transport mechanisms for plant pigments, emphasizing the role of transcription factors and transport proteins in pigment accumulation. This research offers insights into the genetic basis of color variation in cotton reproductive organs and the potential of MGCs to enhance our comprehension of plant secondary metabolism.