Apaf-1: regulation and function in cell death

Publication date: Available online 9 February 2017
Source:Biochimie
Author(s): Raheleh Shakeri, Asma Kheirollahi, Jamshid Davoodi
Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is responsible for eliminating damaged or unnecessary cells in multicellular organisms. Various types of intracellular stress trigger apoptosis by induction of cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytosol. Apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) is a key molecule in the intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, which oligomerizes in response to cytochrome c release and forms a large complex known as apoptosome. Procaspase-9, an initiator caspase in the mitochondrial pathway, is recruited and activated by the apoptosome leading to downstream caspase-3 processing. Various cellular proteins and small molecules can modulate apoptosome formation and function directly or indirectly. Despite recent progress in understanding the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, numerous questions such as the molecular mechanism of Apaf-1 oligomerization and caspase-9 activation remain poorly understood. In addition, reports have emerged showing non-apoptotic functions for Apaf-1. The current review summarizes the latest findings regarding structure-function relationship of Apaf-1 as well as its modifiers.



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Inside front cover-EDB

Publication date: March 2017
Source:Biochimie, Volume 134





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Official launch of ArabSafe campaign goes ahead

DUBAI - The first ArabSafe committee meeting was held during the Total Radiology...

Read more on AuntMinnieEurope.com

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Intraoperative Assessment of Facial Nerve Trunk Width in Early Childhood With Cervicofacial Lymphatic Malformation

Background: Facial nerve damage during head and neck surgery has long been an important issue. However, few publications on the gross anatomy of the facial nerve are available in the young population. The aim of this study was to provide in vivo measurements of the facial nerve trunk during lymphatic malformation (LM) resection and to determine the association between the trunk width and patient- and disease-related variables. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive pediatric patients (11 facial nerve trunks) who underwent cervicofacial LM resection. The facial nerve of the affected side was dissected, and its trunk width at bifurcation was measured using calipers under a microscope during the operation. Results: Eleven patients younger than 6 years were enrolled. The median width of the facial nerve in patients younger than 1 year was 1.15 mm; it was 2.5 mm in those older than 1 year. Trunk width was significantly greater in patients older than 1 year than those younger than 1 year, whereas no statistical significance was found when comparing other age groups. Patient weight was positively correlated with trunk width, whereas LM grade and diameter showed no significant correlation. Conclusions: The significantly greater width of the facial nerve trunk in LM patients older than 1 year than those younger than 1 year suggests that the age of 1 may be a threshold for facial nerve hypertrophy and growth acceleration. This study provides informative in vivo data to help understand facial nerve characteristics in young patients.

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Treatment of Advanced Kienböck Disease With a Vascularized Radial Bone Flap Wrapped in the Pronator Quadratus

Purpose: In the present study, we aimed to assess the radiologic and clinical outcomes after excision of the lunate, insertion of a vascularized radial bone flap wrapped in the pronator quadratus, and distraction with an external fixator of the joint, for the treatment of avascular necrosis of the lunate with carpal height collapse, fragmentation, and perilunar osteoarthritic changes. Materials and Methods: From May 2006 to July 2014, a total of 25 patients (13 men and 12 women; mean age, 38.7 years; age range, 28–52 years) with advanced Kienböck disease were treated with excision of the lunate and insertion of a vascularized radial bone flap wrapped in the pronator quadratus, followed by distraction with an external fixator of the joint; all these patients met our inclusion criteria, including symptomatic avascular necrosis of the lunate with carpal collapse and osteoarthritis of the wrist. We evaluated the scaphocapitate angle for radiologic assessment. Moreover, the overall clinical results were graded by using the wrist range of motion, modified Mayo wrist score, and disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand score. Results: All the patients exhibited improved symptoms, and subsequently returned to their work and recreational activities. The mean scaphocapitate angles and carpal height ratio improved from 33.7 degrees (range, 32.1–35.7 degrees) and 0.46 degrees (range, 0.42–0.51 degrees) preoperatively to 56.3 degrees (range, 54.7–59.8 degrees) and 0.50 degrees (range, 0.46–0.56 degrees) at the follow-up, respectively. The final average range of motion was as follows: wrist flexion, 73 degrees (range, 62–81 degrees); and extension, 76 degrees (range, 69–88 degrees). The average postoperative modified Mayo wrist score and disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand score were 91 points (range, 80–100 points) and 11 points (range, 2–24 points), respectively. Conclusion: We suggest that the excision of the lunate and insertion of a vascularized radial bone flap wrapped in the pronator quadratus, followed by distraction with an external fixator of the joint, is a reliable method for the treatment of Kienböck disease with collapse or fragmentation of the lunate, and achieves high functional scores, increased range of movement, and relief of pain, without any complications.

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The Dawn of Transparency: Insights from the Physician Payment Sunshine Act in Plastic Surgery

Background: The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (PSSA) is a government initiative that requires all biomedical companies to publicly disclose payments to physicians through the Open Payments Program (OPP). The goal of this study was to use the OPP database and evaluate all nonresearch-related financial transactions between plastic surgeons and biomedical companies. Methods: Using the first wave of OPP data published on September 30, 2014, we studied the national distribution of industry payments made to plastic surgeons during a 5-month period. We explored whether a plastic surgeon's scientific productivity (as determined by their h-index), practice setting (private versus academic), geographic location, and subspecialty were associated with payment amount. Results: Plastic surgeons (N = 4195) received a total of US $5,278,613. The median (IQR) payment to a plastic surgeon was US $115 (US $35–298); mean, US $158. The largest payment to an individual was US $341,384. The largest payment category was non-CEP speaker fees (US $1,709,930) followed by consulting fees (US $1,403,770). Plastic surgeons in private practice received higher payments per surgeon compared with surgeons in academic practice (median [IQR], US $165 [US $81–$441] vs median [IQR], US $112 [US $33–$291], rank-sum P

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Ectropion in Facial Tissue Expansion in the Pediatric Population: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options

Background: Despite advances in the field of tissue expansion, the face is especially difficult to reconstruct using this technique due to its dynamic nature and high incidence of distortional scarring. This article aimed to review complications seen in pediatric facial tissue expansion, specifically ectropion, as well as its restorative treatment. Methods: A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients treated by tissue expansion for congenital facial lesions, trauma, or burns at Children's Hospital Los Angeles from January 2000 to present was performed. Patients were analyzed for preoperative diagnosis, reconstruction area, tissue expander location, number and fill volume of expanders, incidence of complications, including ectropion, and type of revision surgery. Results: A total of 88 patients with 150 expander reconstructions were examined. The total complication rate was 43.1% with an 11.3% rate of ectropion. Of the 10 cases of ectropion, 9 were treated with canthoplasty, whereas 1 was managed conservatively. In addition to canthoplasty, full-thickness skin graft was preformed in 1 patient, Z-plasty in 1, and lid switch in 2. Discussion: Tissue expansion is a safe and effective method of reconstruction for facial defects in the pediatric population despite complication rates being higher than other areas of the body. Specifically, ectropion can be a devastating complication, often requiring surgical correction. As such, careful planning should go into orientation and design of the reconstruction, and staged procedures should be strongly considered. Additionally, and possibly the most important, is setting patient and parental expectation about the possibility of ectropion and the necessity often for multiple corrective surgeries.

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