Insertion Patterns Research Articles

Remarks on the pattern of septal insertion in rugose corals

Wang, G., Percival, I.G. & Li, R., 25.2.2015. Remarks on the pattern of septal insertion in rugose corals. Alcheringa 39, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518Well-preserved specimens of the Hirnantian (latest Ordovician) rugose coral Lambeophyllum? corniculum He from the Yangtze Platform of South China, clearly show how catasepta (minor septa) are inserted, confirming the model proposed by Weyer in the 1970s. Our observations indicate the insertion of counter lateral septa and their neighbouring catasepta on the counter side takes place in exactly the same manner as that of the subsequent metasepta and catasepta. We propose abandoning the use of the term counter lateral septa. Therefore, exclusion of the pair of counter lateral septa reduces the number of protosepta from six to four.Guangxu Wang [gxwang@nigpas.ac.cn], State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, PR China; Ian G. Percival [ian.percival@trade.nsw.gov.au], Geological Survey of New South Wales, 947–953 Londonderry Road, Londonderry, NSW 2753, Australia; Rongyu Li [lir@brandonu.ca], Department of Geology, Brandon University, Manitoba R7A 6A9, Canada.

A new species of Deutonura (Collembola: Neanuridae: Neanurinae) from north-eastern Algeria, and characterisation of two intraspecific lineages by their barcodes.

A new species of Deutonura, D. zana sp. nov., is described from north-eastern Algeria. It is morphologically similar in most characters to D. deficiens meridionalis and to D. luberonensis, both members of the D. phlegraea group, differing from the former by the absence of chaeta O on head, and from the later by the separation of tubercles Di and De on Th. I. The muscular insertion pattern of the new species is figured, and suggested as a potential new character for the taxonomy of Neanurinae. Deutonura zana sp. nov. is well characterised by its barcode sequence. Within the new species as morphologically defined, two groups of COI haplotypes, in individuals indistinguishable morphologically, are reported from two distinct mountain ranges. The need of a morphological assessment of demes diverging at significant infra-specific level in their barcodes is stressed.

Microstructural disparity between basal micrabaciids and other Scleractinia: new evidence from Neogene Stephanophyllia

Recent molecular analyses based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers place the Micrabaciidae in the basal clade of scleractinian corals. The molecular distinctiveness of micrabaciids is supported by a set of unique morphological characters, among which the microstructure of thickening deposits is the most characteristic one. In all extant and well-preserved Mesozoic micrabaciids (extinct Micrabacia, and still living Letepsammia, Rhombopsammia, Stephanophyllia, Leptopenus), thickening deposits consist of irregular meshwork of small chip-like bundles of fibres. Here, we document Neogene (Miocene and Pliocene) forms identified as Stephanophyllia whose thickening deposits consist of long and thin parallel fibres that, instead of bundles (like in majority of Scleractinia), form layers of thatch-like structures that thicken the septa. This microstructural pattern distinguishes Neogene Stephanophyllia from all examined so far micrabaciids and suggests that mechanisms of biologically controlled mineralization within this clade were more diverse. Nonetheless, the group as a whole is still clearly separated microstructurally from other scleractinians. Despite their basal position in scleractinian phylogeny, the fossil record of Micrabaciidae starts only in the Lower Cretaceous. No Palaeozoic, Triassic or Jurassic forms that could be considered ancestral to micrabaciids and would share some microstructural or morphological (e.g. septal insertion pattern) characters have yet been found. Possible explanations of such morphological disparity of micrabaciids from other scleractinians are either sudden emergence by skeletonization of long evolved, soft-bodied group of basal hexacorallians or migration of their skeletonized, deep-water ancestors to shallow-waters.

MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS OF MUSCLE PLANTARIS: ANATOMICAL AND CLINICAL INSIGHT

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Mohini M. Joshi, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Rural Medical College, Pravra Institute of Medical Sciences Loni, Dist. Ahmadnagar Maharashtra, India. Mobile No: +919762601050. E-Mail: atharvamohini@gmail.com Access this Article online Quick Response code Web site: *1 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Rural Medical College, Pravra Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, Dist.Ahmadnagar Maharashtra, India. 2 Dean, Arbindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, India. 3 Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Arbindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, India. Background: Plantaris is the largest muscle in mammals other than primates. Plantaris muscle has been a subject of much confusion and Evolutionists have speculated on its phylogenetic significance, as a vestigial organ, while surgeons have removed it ‘useless vestige’ to employ its tendon as a spare part for the surgical repair. In humans it is reduced greatly in size, power, and function and may even be absent. Aim: With this background the aim of the present work is to study morphology, describe the observed variations of the Plantaris muscle, and to discuss the functional significance of Plantaris muscle. Methodology: For the present work 84 limbs available in the department of Anatomy were dissected. The posterior aspect of the knee was dissected using standard surgical equipment and dissection techniques. The Plantaris muscle was isolated and length of fleshy belly and tendon were measured. Any variations in origin, insertion and size were recorded. Result: Variation in insertion of the Plantaris has observed like insertion along medial margin of tendocalcaneus on to calcaneus, in front of tendocalcaneus on to calcaneus, fused to tendocalcaneus and insertion of the Plantaris on deep fascia of leg at the level of ankle. Other variations noted were two bellies of the Plantaris one from lateral supracondylar ridge and other from deep surface of Gastrocnemius, two heads of Plantaris: Both bellies were fused in the lower part producing bipennate arrangement, thin & thick belly of the Plantaris muscle. Variations also observed in relation to origin that the muscle is originating from deep surface of lateral head of Gastrocnemius & in other case origin from capsule. Bicipital Plantaris was seen where one head was originating from capsule of knee joint and other from lateral condyle. Conclusion: In order to avoid any inadvertent injury during surgical operations, variation of the Plantaris must be borne in mind. Awareness of the insertion pattern of the Plantaris tendon is also important for clinicians in the diagnosis of muscle tears and for surgeons performing reconstructive procedures. Considering the above facts, the existence and importance of the Plantaris muscle cannot be undermined.

Practice patterns of post-radical prostatectomy incontinence surgery in Ontario.

We assess the practice patterns of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and urethral sling insertion after radical prostatectomy (RP) from a large population-based cohort. We examined 25 346 men in Ontario, Canada who underwent RP between 1993 and 2006. Using hospital and cancer registry data, we identified patients who subsequently underwent an incontinence procedure. We characterized the practice patterns of post-prostatectomy incontinence procedures across Ontario during the study interval. A total of 703 (2.8%) men underwent subsequent insertion of an AUS and 282 (1.1%) underwent a urethral sling procedure (985 total incontinence procedures, 3.9%) over the study period. During the study period, 121 hospitals performed RP. Among them, 32 (26%) hospitals performed both RP and AUS/sling procedures, and 89 (74%) performed RP only. Four hospitals performed AUS/sling procedures but not RP. Of the 36 institutions that performed AUS/sling procedures, the median annual case volume was 0.29 (interquartile range: 0.083-0.75). Of all incontinence procedures, 56% were performed at 3 academic institutions. When examining observed rates of AUS/sling procedures compared with expected rates from the overall cohort, 15 of 32 hospitals (47%) performed significantly fewer incontinence procedures than expected given their RP case volume (p range: <0.0001-0.0390) and 5 (16%) performed significantly more (p range: <0.0001-0.038). A small number of academic institutions provide most of the surgical care for men with incontinence following RP in Ontario. Many centres that perform RP refer out to other centres to surgically manage their patients' incontinence.

P.1.a.016 Emotionally painful stress causes changes in L1 insertion pattern in the hippocampus in rats with different nervous system excitability

Stress can induce structural changes in the brain and contribute to a variety of chronic diseases from post-traumatic stress disorder to depression. The hippocampus is a highly plastic brain region particularly susceptible to the effects of environmental stress. A genomic stress response partly consists in changes in insertion activity of transposable elements. Retrotransposons account for ~45% of the mammalian genome. Mechanisms of action of stress and the formation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in human are associated with retrotransposons (LINE1, L1) activity in various tissues. Endogenous retrotransposition of L1 elements has been proposed as one potential mechanism generating neuronal genome diversity. They are capable of inserting into new genomic locations, which can result in deleterious outcomes. The greatest interest is the study of these processes in the brain due to individual variability of neural processes to effective pharmacotherapy path finding. The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of stress on the LINE1 insertion pattern in the hippocampus. We used the model of emotional stress for the PTSD-like state formation in two lines of rats with genetically determined differences in the level of excitability of the nervous system (low and high) to study of emotionally painful stress (3 types: short-term, long-term and massive stress) effect on LINE1 retrotransposon insertion polymorphism in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. L1 insertions in the promoter of gene GRIN1 [glutamate receptor ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype, subunit 1] examined by two-step PCR (general and directed). Glutamate NMDA receptors play a key role in synaptic plasticity, synaptogenesis, excitotoxicity, memory acquisition and learning. These receptors mediate neuronal functions in glutamate neurotransmission. NMDAR-mediated neurotransmission in the hippocampus is implicated in cognitive and emotional disturbances during stressrelated disorders. NMDA receptor subunit 1 is a core molecule in the NMDA receptor complex. GRIN1 expression is associated with neurotransmission efficiency and state of the nervous system. We suppose that L1 retrotransposon insertions to promoter of GRIN1 gene will alter GRIN1 expression. It was shown that L1 insertion pattern depends on the level of excitability of the nervous system, intensity and duration of stress exposure. The most variable spectrum of L1 transposable elements activity (L1 insertion pattern) is detected under the influence of massive stress in the rats with low excitability of the nervous system. We assume that L1 retrotransposon insertions take part in the regulation of expression of candidate genes associated with the stress response and the formation of psychopathology. P.1.a.017 Genetic variants in kinesin family member 13A (KIF13A) affect susceptibility to schizophrenia in Korean population

Genome-scale metabolic network validation of Shewanella oneidensis using transposon insertion frequency analysis.

Transposon mutagenesis, in combination with parallel sequencing, is becoming a powerful tool for en-masse mutant analysis. A probability generating function was used to explain observed miniHimar transposon insertion patterns, and gene essentiality calls were made by transposon insertion frequency analysis (TIFA). TIFA incorporated the observed genome and sequence motif bias of the miniHimar transposon. The gene essentiality calls were compared to: 1) previous genome-wide direct gene-essentiality assignments; and, 2) flux balance analysis (FBA) predictions from an existing genome-scale metabolic model of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. A three-way comparison between FBA, TIFA, and the direct essentiality calls was made to validate the TIFA approach. The refinement in the interpretation of observed transposon insertions demonstrated that genes without insertions are not necessarily essential, and that genes that contain insertions are not always nonessential. The TIFA calls were in reasonable agreement with direct essentiality calls for S. oneidensis, but agreed more closely with E. coli essentiality calls for orthologs. The TIFA gene essentiality calls were in good agreement with the MR-1 FBA essentiality predictions, and the agreement between TIFA and FBA predictions was substantially better than between the FBA and the direct gene essentiality predictions.

Identification of species-specific nuclear insertions of mitochondrial DNA (numts) in gorillas and their potential as population genetic markers

The first hyper-variable region (HV1) of the mitochondrial control region (MCR) has been widely used as a molecular tool in population genetics, but inadvertent amplification of nuclear translocated copies of mitochondrial DNA (numts) in gorillas has compromised the use of mitochondrial DNA in population genetic studies. At least three putative classes (I, II, III) of gorilla-specific HV1 MCR numts have been uncovered over the past decade. However, the number, size and location of numt loci in gorillas and other apes are completely unknown. Furthermore, little work to date has assessed the utility of numts as candidate population genetic markers. In the present study, we screened Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) genomic libraries in the chimpanzee and gorilla to compare patterns of mitochondrial-wide insertion in both taxa. We conducted an intensive BLAST search for numts in the gorilla genome and compared the prevalence of numt loci originating from the MCR with other great ape taxa. Additional gorilla-specific MCR numts were retrieved either through BAC library screens or using an anchored-PCR (A-PCR) amplification using genomic DNA from five unrelated gorillas. Locus-specific primers were designed to identify numt insertional polymorphisms and evaluate their potential as population genetic markers. Mitochondrial-wide surveys of chimpanzee and gorilla BACs showed that the number of numts does not differ between these two taxa. However, MCR numts are more abundant in chimpanzees than in other great apes. We identified and mapped 67 putative gorilla-specific numts, including two that contain the entire HV1 domain, cluster with sequences from two numt classes (I, IIb) and will likely co-amplify with mitochondrial sequences using most published HV1 primers. However, phylogenetic analysis coupled with post-hoc analysis of mitochondrial variation can successfully differentiate nuclear sequences. Insertional polymorphisms were evident in three out of five numts examined, indicating their potential utility as molecular markers. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the potentially powerful insight that numts could make in uncovering population history in gorillas and other mammals.

La participación del trabajo en el ingreso nacional: el regreso a un tema olvidado

This paper intends to revisit the functional distribution of income in Mexico. It aims at reviewing the evolution of the labor share of national income in the last 30 years. It compares its behavior with that of other countries and with recent global trends. In trying to reach this objective, an examination of the trajectory of the Mexican economy in terms of growth, job creation and wage developments is essential. The country’s pattern of insertion into the new global environment, technological change and labor institutions also play a significant role. These are all central elements in trying to understand the evolution of aggregate factor income distribution and some of the issues affecting inequality and growth potential.

Clinical anatomic considerations of the zygomaticus minor muscle based on the morphology and insertion pattern.

The zygomaticus minor muscle (Zmi) is involved in the expression of many different facial emotions. However, the details of its insertion pattern and morphology are not well described. The aim of this study was to clarify the morphology and insertion pattern of the Zmi, and to provide clinical anatomic information that will help elucidate its roles in animation. Fifty-four embalmed adult hemifaces (18 men and 12 women; mean age, 67.4 years) from 30 cadavers were used in this study. The dissection was performed with the aid of a surgical microscope. This muscle could be classified into 3 types (A-C). Type A, in which the Zmi attached only to the upper lip, was observed in 63.0% of cases (34/54) and could be subdivided into 2 types: straight (A-1; 31.5%, 17 cases) and curved (A-2; 31.5%, 17 cases). Type B, in which the Zmi was attached to both the upper lip and the lateral alar region, occurred in 27.8% of cases (15/54). In Type C (9.2% of cases, 5/54), there was either no or only undeveloped Zmi fibers. The present finding of Zmi fibers being attached to the alar region in many cases (27.8%) suggests that this muscle is involved in elevation of both the nose ala and upper lip during various facial animations.

The Drosophila mojavensis Bari3 transposon: distribution and functional characterization.

BackgroundBari-like transposons belong to the Tc1-mariner superfamily, and they have been identified in several genomes of the Drosophila genus. This transposon’s family has been used as paradigm to investigate the complex dynamics underlying the persistence and structural evolution of transposable elements (TEs) within a genome. Three structural Bari variants have been identified so far and can be distinguished based on the organization of their terminal inverted repeats. Bari3 is the last discovered member of this family identified in Drosophila mojavensis, a recently emerged species of the Repleta group of the genus Drosophila.ResultsWe studied the insertion pattern of Bari3 in different D. mojavensis populations and found evidence of recent transposition activity. Analysis of the transposase domains unveiled the presence of a functional nuclear localization signal, as well as a functional binding domain. Using luciferase-based assays, we investigated the promoter activity of Bari3 as well as the interaction of its transposase with its left terminus. The results suggest that Bari3 is transposition-competent. Finally we demonstrated transposase transcript processing when the transposase gene is overexpressed in vivo and in vitro.ConclusionsBari3 displays very similar structural and functional features with its close relative, Bari1. Our results strongly suggest that Bari3 is an independent element that has generated genomic diversity in D. mojavensis. It can autonomously transcribe its transposase gene, which in turn can localize in the nucleus and bind the terminal inverted repeats of the transposon. Nevertheless, the identification of an unpredicted spliced form of the Bari3 transposase transcript allows us to hypothesize a control mechanism of its mobility based on mRNA processing. These results will aid the studies on the Bari family of transposons, which is intriguing for its widespread diffusion in Drosophilids coupled with a structural diversity generated during the evolution of Bari-like elements in their host genomes.

English

Palamaris Longus is a superficial flexor of forearm which springs from the median epicondyle of humerus and is inserted into the palmar aponeurosis. It is often used in tendon grafts for replacement of long flexors of the fingers due to its length and diameter. Hence removal of palmaris longus tendon may not produce functional deformities. In recent times the palmaris longus tendon has gained importance in reconstructive surgeries thus it is essential to know its variations. A case of a variant pattern of insertion of palmaris longus tendon was observed during routine dissection classes for under graduate students in Department of Anatomy. It was noted that the tendon merged with thenar muscles and few fibres of the tendon were seen attached to palmar aponeurosis. Knowledge of variations of the palmaris longus tendon could be of great importance to surgeons, especially to those operating on the hand.

Anterior intermeniscal ligament: an anatomic study of its insertion pattern in Ghanaians

The purpose of this study was to identify the various patterns of attachment of the anterior intermeniscal ligament that is predominate in the Ghanaian as there is no known publication on this subject.The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy of the School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast and involved 42 paired cadaveric knees, from 16 males and 5 females. The incidence of the AIML was 40.5%. The mean length of the AIML was 28.95mm; the mean width was 1.94mm, while the mean distance from mid-portion of the AIML to the insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament was 4.32mm. Type I pattern of attachment was the most common pattern of insertion observed (64.7%), followed by type II (29.4%) and then type III (5.9%). The incidence of the AIML may be lower in the Ghanaian populace than most reported studies.

Has Bolivia׳s 2006–12 gas policy been useful to combat the resource curse?

The resource curse is a phenomenon regularly evoked in the economic literature on under-development. Given Bolivia׳s low level of GDP per capita and its international insertion based on primary commodity exports, this country is a good candidate for the resource curse. The goal of this paper is to investigate the changes to Bolivia׳s gas policy since 2006 and the evolution of its industry via three aspects: production and inversion, exports, and gas industrialization. In this way we can assess the extent to which policy changes and institutional performance in Bolivia are managing to attenuate some aspects of the resource curse (or not), especially patterns of international insertion. The main conclusion is that the current government has not developed a strategy against the resource curse: instruments to overcome the country׳s productive specialization or primary-export-led international insertion have not been established, and productive linkages have not been encouraged. Instead, the priority of the policy has been to increase State participation in the control (but not the generation) of oil revenues, and significant production changes have not yet been achieved. Ultimately, some aspects of the resource curse have not been attenuated.

Cytogenetic characterization of Agrobacterium rhizogenes transformed root lines of Rauvolfia serpentina

Genetically transformed root cultures of Rauvolfia serpentina, have been developed following transformation with agropine strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Characterization of Ri transformed root lines on the basis of morphology, karyotype analysis, T-DNA gene integration pattern and ajmalicine content in R. serpentina has been described in the present study. The transformed root lines were morphologically similar and exhibited typical hairy root phenotype. The somatic metaphase plates of the transformed root lines showed 2n = 22 chromosomes which is the diploid chromosome number of the species. The karyotype of both non-transformed and transformed roots showed 20 chromosomes with median to nearly median primary constriction and one pair of chromosomes had two constrictions, one at the median region and the other at the sub terminal region. Based on the pattern of TL and TR gene insertion the Ri transformed root lines can be divided into six types. Complete integration of TL-DNA was noted in 11 root lines induced with strain A. rhizogenes LBA 9402 belonging to Type I and II it is noteworthy that none of the root lines showed presence of aux1 and aux2, which are part of TR-DNA. Variable integration of TL-DNA was characteristic of several R. serpentina root lines. The Ri transformed root lines showed significant variability (p ≤ 0.05) in ajmalicine content (0.004 ± 0.001 to 0.229 ± 0.014 mg g−1 DW) after 4 weeks of culture on solid modified MS medium. Thus, we can conclude that the Ri transformed root lines of R. serpentina are morphologically and cytologically stable however variable pattern of TL and TR-DNA genes integration as well as ajmalicine content was noted among the different root lines. Thus, genetically variant transformed root lines of R. serpentina with high ajmalicine content can be selected for scale up studies.

Mechanical behavior of a glass fiber-reinforced polymer sandwich panel with through-thickness fiber insertions

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) sandwich panels have been commonly used in aerospace, marine and transportation applications. Their lightweight, high strength and superior durable characteristics make them a strong candidate for the construction industry. In specific applications, the core material between the FRP skins of the sandwich panels provides insulating properties that are beneficial for building applications. The panels used in this study are composed of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) skin layers, glass fiber insertions and a foam core. This paper presents the results of a computational and experimental study on the mechanical behavior of a 3-dimensional GFRP sandwich panel with through thickness fiber insertions. Samples of the GFRP skin and glass fiber insertions were cut out from larger panels and are tested to determine basic material properties of the components of the sandwich panels. The experimental results on the components were used to create a nonlinear finite element model that can predict the large-scale mechanical deformation of the sandwich panels. The model can predict force–displacement behavior of the panel accurately under a variety of experimental conditions. The finite element model was used to determine the bending capacity of sandwich panels of various span lengths to create load tables for design engineers. This model is further used to predict the mechanical performance and failure load of sandwich panels for specific load conditions. A parametric study was also performed to determine the correlation between the density and pattern of fiber insertions on panel behavior. The results show that increasing the density of fiber insertions makes the panel stiffer. An alternating pattern for the insertions also increased the overall panel stiffness. Varying the overall panel thickness between a minimum and a maximum thickness indicted that an optimal overall thickness could be established. The results of the parametric study agreed with the results in the literature.

Anterior intermeniscal ligament: an anatomic study of its insertion pattern in Ghanaians

Anterior intermeniscal ligament: an anatomic study of its insertion pattern in Ghanaians

Inferior vena cava filter insertion and retrieval patterns in a tertiary referral centre in Ireland.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are widely used in clinical practice to prevent large, clinically significant pulmonary emboli. Modern filters are designed to be retrievable within a specific time window; however, many become lost to follow-up. To examine the insertion and retrieval patterns of IVC filters in a tertiary referral teaching hospital in Ireland. A retrospective review of all IVC filter insertions and retrievals was performed in a tertiary referral university teaching hospital which incorporates the national referral centre for pelvic and acetabular trauma, over a 22-month period. Fifty-seven patients underwent IVC filter insertion with 100% technical success. The most common indication was prophylaxis in patients at high risk of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary emboli (64.9%), followed by patients with contra-indication to anticoagulation (24.6%) and breakthrough thromboembolic events despite anticoagulation (10.5%). IVC filter retrievals were attempted in 48.9% of patients with a success rate of 86.9%. The mean dwell time for retrieved IVC filters was 159.4 days. Inferior vena cava filter insertion and retrieval patterns in our centre were comparable to trends reported internationally with scope for improvement in terms of filter retrieval rates and minimising filter dwell time. Particular vigilance is required in younger patients where the indication for filter insertion was prophylactic.

The extensor hallucis capsularis tendon--a prospective study of its occurrence and function.

There is inhomogeneous data about the hallucal extensor apparatus and the occurrence of accessory tendon slips and their function. We performed this study to clarify its anatomical features and make conclusions about its function. Investigations were performed prospectively during operative correction of severe hallux valgus and interphalangeus in 60 consecutive cases. The occurrence, topographic location and size of accessory extensor tendons as well as the insertion patterns were recorded. After dissection traction of the accessory tendon was carried out to gain information about its function. In contradiction to previous studies reporting numerous variations in the distal attachments of the hallucal extensor apparatus with different accessory tendons described, our investigations showed constant anatomical features. In all but one case (98.3%) there was an accessory medial extensor hallucis longus tendon adjacent to the main tendon, always inserting on the dorsomedial aspect of the metatarsophalangeal joint capsule. We therefore chose the terminology extensor hallucis capsularis (EHC) used in previous studies. The intraoperative testing of the tendon showed it to exert a pretension of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint capsule. Our study showed consistent anatomical features with an occurrence of the EHC tendon in 98.3%. We determined that its function is to pretension the MTP joint capsule, therefore avoiding capsular impingement during hallucal extension. The high incidence of the EHC tendon in our study may also postulate a correlation with MTP joint deformities and further cadaveric studies will be necessary to evaluate a possible predisposition for hallux valgus genesis.

TMPRSS2:ETS fusions and clinicopathologic characteristics of prostate cancer patients from Eastern China.

TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusions in prostate cancer have a dominant prevalence of approximately 50.0%, but infomration is limited on differences among ethnic and geographical groups. Some studies focusing on Japanese and Korean patients reported a lower incidence. Investigations concerning Chinese revealed controversial results. We evaluated TMPRSS2:ERG, TMPRSS2:ETV1 and TMPRSS2:ETV4 fusions in more than 100 Eastern Chinese prostate cancer patients. Paraffin blocks of needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy were collected from 91 and 18 patients respectively. All patients' clinicopathologic factors were gathered. TMPRSS2:ERG, TMPRSS2:ETV1 and TMPRSS2:ETV4 fusions were tested by multi-probe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay. TMPRSS2:ERG fusions was present in 14.3% biopsy specimens and 11.1% radical prostatectomy patients. Neither TMPRSS2:ETV1 nor TMPRSS2:ETV4 fusion was found in any case. Altogether, 13 (86.7%) TMPRSS2:ERG fusion positive cases possessed deletion pattern and 7 (46.6%) and insertion pattern. Some 5 cases had both deletion and insertion patterns. While 38.5% (5/13) patients with deletion pattern had distant metastasis, except for one metastatic case harboring both deletion and insertion, there were no patients with insertion pattern accompanied with metastasis. There were no differences between fusion positive and negative cases in the distribution of age, PSA, Gleason score and TNM stage. Eastern Chinese prostate cancer patients have a significantly low incidence of TMPRSS2:ERG fusion. They also lack TMPRSS2:ETV1 and TMPRSS2:ETV4 fusion. There are more deletion pattern than insertion pattern in TMPRSS2:ERG positive cases. Fusion positive and negative patients have no clinicopathologic factor differences.