Periodic somite segmentation is controlled by the cyclic gene Hes7, whose oscillatory expression depends upon negative feedback with a delayed timing. The mechanism that regulates the pace of segmentation remains to be determined, but mathematical modeling has predicted that negative feedback with shorter delays would give rise to dampened but more rapid oscillations. Here, we show that reducing the number of introns within the Hes7 gene shortens the delay and results in a more rapid tempo of both Hes7 oscillation and somite segmentation, increasing the number of somites and vertebrae in the cervical and upper thoracic region. These results suggest that the number of introns is important for the appropriate tempo of oscillatory expression and that Hes7 is a key regulator of the pace of the segmentation clock.

These results suggest the usefulness of the two-layered DM application system for the transdermal delivery of insulin.

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A successful delivery in a 26-year-old Japanese womanwith essential athrombia was reported. A diagnosis of essential athrombia was made by clinical and laboratory features including bleeding tendency, prolonged bleeding time, normal platelet count, normal clot retraction and impaired platelet aggregation induced by ADP.Since the presentation was a frank breech at the end of the 39th week of pregnancy, cesarean section delivery was performed under good hemostatic control with transfusion of 7.3 X 1011 platelets. No hemorrhagic complication was observed during the puerperium.