Free transfers of the distal parts of the second toe for reconstruction of distal phalangeal losses of the fingers were successfully carried out. This method is believed to be the best for functional and cosmetic reasons, but major postoperative vascular problems exist. To overcome these problems, multiple vascular anastomoses were employed at operation. The indications for this method are limited in Japanese patients, and its use depends on the patient's age, sex, religious beliefs and the shape of the second toe.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Trimmed second toetip transfer for reconstruction of claw nail deformity of the fingers.

Claw nail deformities of the fingers have been repaired by many methods, but the results have been cosmetically unsatisfactory because of loss of the distal phalangeal bone and the short nail bed. We have employed a trimmed second toetip including the distal phalangeal bone and excluding the germinal matrix as a vascularised composite flap for two patients with claw nail deformity of the fingers. The advantages of this method are that the repaired nail regrows to normal size and has bilateral nail folds. We believe that, in comparison with other conventional local or island flaps, this composite flap is functionally and cosmetically ideal for the repair of claw nail deformities.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Beneficial effects of aged garlic extract on learning and memory impairment in the senescence-accelerated mouse.

We first investigated the effect of aged garlic extract (AGE) on the longevity and learning performance in the Senescence-Accelerated Mouse (SAM). A solid diet containing AGE was fed after two months of age. An AGE treatment increased the survival ratio of the SAMP8. Moreover, the preparation ameliorated the memory acquisition deficit and the memory retention impairment of the SAMP8 at 10 months old. The learning improvement was also confirmed in a spatial cognition test. We next studied the effect of AGE on another strain of the SAM, SAMP10. Although the life span prolongation was not observed in the AGE-treated SAMP10, the preparation improved the grading score, an index of aging. A surprising result was obtained by measuring the brain size. The degree of shrinkage in the frontal cerebrum was 2-9% in the SAMP10. Chronic ingestion of AGE prevented this atrophy and kept the brain size at the control level. These results suggest that AGE has an antiaging effect on the SAM.

Aging↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Synthesis of N-labeled peptidyl AMP.

This paper deals with the synthesis of a new type of N-labeled peptidyl AMP, which would be used as a good substrate for analysis of the peptidyl transfer reaction on ribosome and for co-crystallization with ribosome. 4-(Dimethylamino)azobenzene-4'-sulfonyl (Dabsyl) was selected as the labeling group. (N-Dabsylglycyl)-L-leucyl AMP was synthesized from glycyl-L-leucine via a three-step procedure.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Anti-ageing effect of aged garlic extract in the inbred brain atrophy mouse model.

1. The effects of chronically administered aged garlic extract (AGE) on the age-related changes in a novel strain of senescence accelerated mouse (SAM) characterized by age-related brain atrophy (SAMP10) were investigated. 2. A solid diet containing 2% (w/w) AGE was given to SAM from 2 months of age. 3. The grading score of senescence in SAMP10 at 10 months of age was significantly higher than that of SAMR1, a reference strain for SAMP10. 4. Administration of AGE prevented the increase in the grading score of SAMP10 and SAMR1. 5. In behavioural evaluation, AGE improved learning and memory deficits of SAMP10 in both the passive and conditioned avoidance tests as well as the spatial memory test. 6. Treatment with AGE in SAMP10 prevented the decrease in brain weight and the atrophic changes in frontal brain at 12 months of age. 7. These results raise the possibility that AGE prevents physiological ageing and may be beneficial for age-related cognitive disorders in humans.

Aging↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Alterations in brain function after loss of docosahexaenoate due to dietary restriction of n-3 fatty acids.

The concentration of the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in brain, docosahexaenoate, may be markedly reduced by two or more generations of dietary restriction of sources of n-3 fatty acids in the diet. Such a deficiency was induced through the feeding of safflower oil as the principal source of essential fatty acids. The reference point for this diet was an n-3 adequate diet to which alpha-linoleate and docosahexaenoate were added through the addition of a small quantity of flax seed or algael oils, respectively. The loss of brain DHA was associated with poorer performance in spatial tasks and an olfactory-cued reversal learning task. No difference could be observed in the hippocampal gross morphology. This study demonstrates the importance of providing a source of n-3 fatty acids during mammalian growth and development.

Animals↗