Cartilage structure-inspired nanofiber-hydrogel composite with robust proliferation and stable chondral lineage-specific differentiation function to orchestrate cartilage regeneration for artificial tracheal construction.

Tissue engineering strategies hold promise for constructing biomimetic tracheal substitutes to repair circumferential tracheal defects. However, current strategies for constructing off-the-shelf cartilage analogs for artificial trachea grafts face challenges of chondrocyte scarcity and inadequate culture strategies, which require extensive cell expansion and prolonged culture to generate robust neo-cartilage. To address these issues, we developed a nanofiber-hydrogel composite with superior mechanical performance by incorporating fragment oxidized bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers into a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel network.

Quercetin prevents the loss of chondrogenic capacity in expansion cultured human auricular chondrocytes by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective: To explore the characteristics of cellular senescence in human auricular chondrocytes during long-term in vitro culture and to evaluate the effects of anti-senescence treatments on enhancing their chondrogenic function.

Methods: Auricular chondrocytes exhibited senescence-related characteristics after prolonged expansion in culture. To identify senescence inducers, transcriptome sequencing was performed, with findings corroborated by transmission electron microscopy analyses.

The ideal range of laser hair removal for microtia patients undergoing two-stage ear reconstruction.

Although the technologies for auricular reconstruction in microtia have improved, issues such as low hairlines or excessive hair growth can still pose aesthetic problems for the reconstructed ear. Laser depilation has been reported as a solution for hair problems. However, few studies have discussed the appropriate region for hair removal.

LGR5 Modulates Differentiated Phenotypes of Chondrocytes Through PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

Background: Tissue engineering is increasingly viewed as a promising avenue for functional cartilage reconstruction. However, chondrocyte dedifferentiation during in vitro culture remains an obstacle for clinical translation of tissue engineered cartilage. Re-differentiated induction have been employed to induce dedifferentiated chondrocytes back to their original phenotype.

Atypical mandibulofacial dysostosis with microcephaly diagnosed through the identification of a novel pathogenic mutation in EFTUD2.

Background: Mandibulofacial dysostosis with microcephaly (MFDM, OMIM# 610536) is a rare monogenic disease that is caused by a mutation in the elongation factor Tu GTP binding domain containing 2 gene (EFTUD2, OMIM* 603892). It is characterized by mandibulofacial dysplasia, microcephaly, malformed ears, cleft palate, growth and intellectual disability. MFDM can be easily misdiagnosed due to its phenotypic overlap with other craniofacial dysostosis syndromes.

Profiling of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Auricular Cartilage of Patients with Isolated Microtia.

Microtia is the second most common maxillofacial birth defect worldwide. However, the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in isolated microtia is not well understood. This study aimed at identifying lncRNAs that regulate the expression of genes associated with isolated microtia.

The circular RNA expression profile of human auricle cartilage and the role of circCOL1A2 in isolated microtia.

Microtia is one of the most common craniofacial birth defects worldwide, and its primary clinical manifestation is auricle deformity. Epigenetic factors are known to contribute to the etiology of microtia, yet the involvement of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in human auricle development and their association with microtia remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to analyze differentially expressed circRNAs and explore their functional implications in isolated microtia.

Quantitative Framework Fabrication with Autogenous Costal Cartilage in Microtia Reconstruction.

Hearing improvement is another basic requirement for microtia patients in addition to aesthetic needs. This quantitative framework fabrication method can reduce the learning curve, obtain satisfactory aesthetic results with few complications, and reserve a certain space for future canalplasty. Laryngoscope, 134:148-153, 2024.

Long-Term Effectiveness of Ear Molding and Factors Affecting Outcomes.

Background: The EarWell System offers a correction opportunity for infants born with ear anomalies. However, the long-term effectiveness of ear molding remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the long-term effectiveness of this novel technique and to determine the risk factors for recurrence.

The Effect of Fixation Materials on the Long-Term Stability of Cartilage Framework for Microtia Reconstruction.

To observe the effect of fixation materials on the long-term stability of the cartilage framework in auricular reconstruction. Consecutive patients who underwent the first stage of auricular reconstruction by the same surgical team from September 2018 to March 2021 were included. Those with braided absorbable suture, polypropylene suture, and titanium wire were defined as Groups A, B, and C, respectively.

Using ear molding to correct auricular helix adhesion deformity.

Objectives: This study examined the effectiveness of Byrd's EarWell system for the treatment of auricular helix adhesion.

Methods: The newborns with helix adhesion were treated with ear molding. The photos of pinna were taken before, during, and after the treatment.

Changes of Age-related Auricular Cartilage Plasticity and Biomechanical Property in a Rabbit Model.

Objectives: Ear molding is an emerging technique that can correct auricular deformities. Treatment initiation time is the most important prognostic determinant of ear molding. Here, we aimed to examine why auricular cartilage plasticity appeared to diminish with age.

Isolation, culture, and identification of ceruminous gland cells.

External auditory canal (EAC) stenosis or atresia usually requires a skin graft to repair, but due to the lack of a graft containing functional glands, postoperative complications such as infection and eczema are common. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize seed cells for the construction of tissue engineered EAC skin containing ceruminous gland by isolating and cultivating cells of ceruminous gland. In this study, EAC skin samples were harvested from adult goats for ceruminous gland cell isolation.

Modified Maximal Levator Palpebrae Superioris Shortening in Correcting Congenital Severe Ptosis in Children.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of modified maximal levator palpebrae superioris shortening method for severe congenital ptosis.

Methods: A retrospective case series was performed including 66 eyes from 62 patients who underwent modified maximal levator palpebrae superioris shortening surgery to treat severe congenital ptosis between February 2015 and November 2018. Preoperative and postoperative margin reflex distance 1 and levator muscle function were recorded.

Mini-Incision Eyelidplasty in Single Eye to Correct Congenital Upper Eyelid Crease Asymmetry.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of mini-incision double eyelidplasty in single eye for correcting congenital upper eyelid crease asymmetry.

Methods: Mini-incision double eyelidplasty was performed on 24 patients in single eye to treat congenital upper eyelid crease asymmetry between May 2016 and September 2018. The postoperative surgical results were classified as "excellent," "fair," and "poor.

Comparative study of the external auditory canal in humans and large mammals.

Given the limited source of human external auditory canal (EAC) skin, animal experiments remain an important approach for studying functional EAC reconstruction. However, differences between humans and animals in terms of the general EAC structure, histological characteristics of EAC skin, and cell markers of its specific glands in cartilaginous EAC skin remain unknown. We compared the characteristics of the EAC between humans and large animals, as a basis for appropriate animal model selection.

Skin redraping for correction of lower eyelid epiblepharon combined with medial epicanthal fold: a retrospective analysis of 286 Asian children.

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the clinical effect of skin redraping on lower eyelid epiblepharon accompanied by a medial epicanthal fold.

Methods: This retrospective case series involved 572 eyes of 286 patients who underwent skin redraping surgery to treat lower eyelid epiblepharon accompanied by a medial epicanthal fold from January 2015 to May 2019. The postoperative surgical results were classified as "good", "fair" and "poor".

Phenotypic redifferentiation of dedifferentiated microtia chondrocytes through a three-dimensional chondrogenic culture system.

Chondrocytes from microtia patients are a valuable cell source for the tissue-engineering of auricles. However, dedifferentiation of microtia chondrocytes remains an obstacle for clinical translation. Strategies, such as three-dimensional (3D) culture systems, and the use of chondrogenic growth factors, have successfully induced redifferentiation of dedifferentiated chondrocytes from healthy individuals.

Long non-coding RNA SCARNA2 induces cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression via modulating miR-342-3p expression.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the progression of tumors. However, the function and expression of SCARNA2 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is still unreported.

Methods: A quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied to study the expression of SCARNA2 and miR-342-3p.

Dietary Calcium Intake and HPV Infection Status Among American Women: A Secondary Analysis from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Data Set of 2003 - 2016.

BACKGROUND The evidence on the link of dietary calcium (DCa) to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is limited. Thus, this research was conducted to explore whether DCa is independently associated with HPV infection status in American women with age of 18 to 59 years old. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a secondary analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data set including 7 cycles from 2003 to 2016.

A moldable thermosensitive hydroxypropyl chitin hydrogel for 3D cartilage regeneration in vitro and in vivo.

Because of poor self-repair capacity, the repair of cartilage defect is always a great challenge in clinical treatment. In vitro cartilage regeneration provides a potential strategy for functional reconstruction of cartilage defect. Hydrogel has been known as an ideal cartilage regeneration scaffold.

Regeneration of trachea graft with cartilage support, vascularization, and epithelization.

The repair and functional reconstruction of long-segment tracheal defects is always a great challenge in the clinic. Finding an ideal substitute for tracheal transplantation is the only way to solve this problem. The current study proposed a series of novel strategies for constructing a bionic living trachea substitute.