Exploring Anti-Fibrotic Effects of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Transcriptome Analysis upon Fibrotic, Inflammatory, and Hypoxic Conditioning.

Autologous fat transfers show promise in treating fibrotic skin diseases, reversing scarring and stiffness, and improving quality of life. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) within these grafts are believed to be crucial for this effect, particularly their secreted factors, though the specific mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates transcriptomic changes in ADSCs after in vitro fibrotic, inflammatory, and hypoxic conditioning.

Post traumatic distress symptoms following spinal cord injury: a comparative review of European samples.

Objective: To highlight any cross-cultural differences in the prevalence of post traumatic distress (PTD), and the type of coping strategies implemented following spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire.

Setting: A spinal cord rehabilitation unit in the UK, and six Swiss and German (CH/DE) spinal injury centres.

Immediate breast reconstruction and psychological adjustment in women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer: a preliminary study.

Current debate exists regarding the timing of reconstructive surgery following mastectomy for breast cancer, with research pointing in favour of immediate reconstruction. This cross-sectional study sought to compare the psychological outcome of breast cancer treatment in women who had either received mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using autogenous tissue (n = 30), or mastectomy alone (n = 34), and also determine adjustment factors in this population as a whole. Participants completed measures of depression, anxiety, body image, self-esteem, coping and perceived social support at a time point 3 - 15 months after initial surgery.

Coping effectiveness training reduces depression and anxiety following traumatic spinal cord injuries.

Objective: To extend the findings of a pilot study that evaluated a brief group-based psychological intervention aimed at improving psychological adjustment, self-perception and enhancing adaptive coping following spinal cord injury. The theoretical underpinnings of the Coping Effectiveness Training (CET) Programme are Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) cognitive theory of stress and coping, and cognitive behavioural therapy techniques.

Design: A controlled trial comparing patients that received the CET intervention with matched controls on measures of psychological adjustment and coping.