Carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism: from mouse to human

Mammalian carboxylesterases hydrolyze a wide range of xenobiotic and endogenous compounds, including lipid esters. Physiological functions of carboxylesterases in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in vivo have been demonstrated by genetic manipulations and chemical inhibition in mice, and in vitro through (over)expression, knockdown of expression, and chemical inhibition in a variety of cells. Recent research advances have revealed the relevance of carboxylesterases to metabolic diseases such as obesity and fatty liver disease, suggesting these enzymes might be potential targets for treatment of metabolic disorders. In order to translate pre-clinical studies in cellular and mouse models to humans, differences and similarities of carboxylesterases between mice and human need to be elucidated. This review presents and discusses the research progress in structure and function of mouse and human carboxylesterases, and the role of these enzymes in lipid metabolism and metabolic disorders.

Applied distally based peroneus brevis muscle flaps for coverage of the soft tissue defects over the lower one-third of the leg, ankle and foot / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate a simple, valuable new method for coverage of the soft tissue defect over the lower one-third of the leg, ankle and the foot. Methods The distally based peroneus brevis muscle flaps were applied for coverage of the soft tissue defects over the lower one-third of the leg, the ankle and the foot. The muscle flaps were covered with split-thickness skin grafts. Results The distally based peroneus brevis muscle flaps were applied for coverage of the soft tissue defects over the lower one-third of the leg, the ankle and the foot in 16 cases. The largest area of the soft tissue defect was 5 cm?7 cm. The smallest was 3 cm?4 cm. Primary healing occured in 14 cases undergoing muscle flap construction, second-stage healing occured in 2 cases, no total flap necrosis occured in any cases. Conclusion This technigue is a simple and complications are lesser. The successful rates are higher. This muscle flap is suitable to the mudium or small soft tissue defect especially.