Using Auricular Cartilage-fascia Composite Tissue Free Grafting Technique to Improve Cartilage Survival Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Auricular cartilage graft has a wide range of applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, there is still a risk of absorption of the grafts over time. Intrinsic postauricular fascia (IPF) with a rich vascular network may play an important role in the nutrition and repair of auricular cartilage. This study aimed to investigate the effect of IPF on the survival viability of free auricular cartilage grafts. METHODS: 24 auricular cartilages were obtained from 6 New Zealand white rabbits which were divided into the cartilage-fascia composite graft group (FC group, n=12) and the cartilage without fascia group (C group, n=12). Two groups of cartilage were implanted into each side of the subcutaneous pocket of the rabbit's dorsum. The rabbits were sacrificed after 3 months and all cartilage grafts were obtained. Macroscopic observation, histopathological staining, and biomechanical testing were performed on all specimens. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the 2 groups regarding proliferating chondrocytes, apoptotic chondrocytes, vascularization, and matrix collagen. Compared to the auricular cartilage grafts without fascia, the auricular cartilage-fascia composite grafts had more neovascularization, proliferative chondrocytes, and type II collagen, with a homogeneous cartilage matrix and no obvious areas of heterogeneous staining. Young's modulus and ultimate tensile strength of cartilage were reduced in both groups compared to pretransplantation, but the composite graft group was superior to the fascia-free group. CONCLUSIONS: Auricular cartilage-fascial composite tissue free graft could improve cartilage survival outcomes with higher viability and mechanical properties.

Impact of LPL gene rs283 polymorphism on exercise-induced changes in metabolism of obese adolescents and the regulatory mechanisms behind it.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? We investigated whether the LPL gene rs283 polymorphism affects exercise-induced changes in body composition and lipid and glucose metabolism in obese adolescents and whether it is functional. What is the main finding and its importance? Chinese obese adolescents of Han nationality with the GG genotype of the rs283 polymorphism were more sensitive to exercise-induced reduction of the body fat percentage, insulin resistance and plasma triglyceride levels. The G allele can significantly increase reporter gene expression level, which may be the molecular reason for the difference in exercise-induced parameter changes among obese adolescents. The aim of this investigation was to explore the association between the rs283 polymorphism located in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene and exercise-induced changes in body composition and lipid and glucose metabolism in obese adolescents and to probe into the molecular regulatory mechanisms. Fifty-five obese adolescents of Han nationality underwent aerobic training for 4 weeks. Body composition and lipid and glucose metabolic parameters were tested before and after the training. The rs283 polymorphism was genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and association analysis with the weight-reducing effect was performed. The regulatory mechanisms of the rs283 polymorphism were explored through the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Exercise-induced change rates were as follows: the change in body fat percentage of GG genotype groups was 3.37 ± 1.60, significantly higher than that of GA genotype groups (2.09 ± 1.53, P < 0.01); the change in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was 0.52 ± 0.13, obviously higher than that of GA genotype groups (0.44 ± 0.10, P < 0.05); and the change in triglyceride was 51.91 ± 6.56, much higher than that of GA genotype groups (47.06 ± 5.36, P < 0.01). The relative luciferase activity of the reporter gene in recombinant vector carrying the G allele was 2.67 ± 0.22, markedly higher than that in recombinant vector carrying the A allele (1.63 ± 0.03, P < 0.01). Chinese obese adolescents of Han nationality with GG genotype of the rs283 polymorphism were more sensitive to exercise-induced parameter changes. The G allele can improve reporter gene expression level, indicating the effects of rs283 on gene expression.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Chrysomya nigripes (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Chrysomya nigripes (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a blow fly species of forensic importance. Here we demonstrated the complete mitochondrial genome of this species for the first time. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that entire mitochondrial genome sequences can provide more useful information for distinguishing C. nigripes from the other species.