Aberrant overexpression of the autoantigen protein vimentin promotes Th17 cell differentiation and autoimmune arthritis via activation of STAT3 signaling.

Vimentin contributes to the positioning and function of organelles, cell migration, adhesion, and division. However, secreted vimentin accumulates on the cell surface (Mor-Vaknin et al., 2003; Ramos et al.

Transverse division of the rectus abdominis muscle in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap elevation: A rescue technique to include more than one perforator.

Background: It is important to include as many perforators as possible in order to enhance the vascularity of a deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. However, the rectus muscle must be transected transversely, which prevents suturing and can cause a defect along the same line as the muscle-sparing procedure. When harvesting the DIEP flap, no specific method was suggested to solve these muscle defects.

Comparison of a coupling system and the suture method in end-to-side microvascular anastomosis in head and neck reconstruction.

Background: Use of coupling devices in microvascular anastomosis continues to increase, but it is not yet actively used in end-to-side (ETS) anastomosis because there is no standard method. Therefore, we propose an easy and time-saving ETS micro-anastomosis method using coupling devices in head and neck reconstruction and compare it with the conventional suture method.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 consecutive cases (43 anastomoses) of ETS anastomosis in head and neck reconstruction from 2018 to 2022.

Anterolateral Thigh Chimeric Flap: An Alternative Reconstructive Option to Free Flaps for Large Soft Tissue Defects.

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) skin flap provides abundant, thin, pliable skin coverage with adequate pedicle length and calibre, and tolerable donor site morbidity. However, coverage of relatively large defects using the ALT flap alone is limited. We present our experience of using the ALT flap coupled with the vastus lateralis (VL) flap supplied by the same pedicle for large defect reconstruction.

The cover of an ear thermometer probe as a split-thickness skin graft mold in external auditory canal reconstruction.

Maintaining the patency of the external auditory canal (EAC) during reconstruction is important because of its physiological role in hearing and immunological protective functions. The curved shape of the EAC presents a challenge when performing a skin graft. One of the key points for a successful skin graft is to ensure compression on the wound bed, and many novel methods, including prefabricated ear molds, have been reported for this purpose.

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein promotes inflammatory cytokine activation and aggravates rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induces inflammation, autoantibody production, and thrombosis, which are common symptoms of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the effect of COVID-19 on autoimmune disease is not yet fully understood.

Methods: This study was performed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on the development and progression of RA using a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animal model.

Vessel-Derived Decellularized Extracellular Matrices (VdECM): Novel Bio-Engineered Materials for the Wound Healing.

Background: Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is a non-cellular scaffold with various functions in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Elastin is related to tissue elasticity and scarless wound healing, abundantly found in lung and blood vessel tissues. We studied the characteristics of blood vessel-derived dECM (VdECM) and its effect in wound healing.

Two-team-approached free flap reconstruction for plantar malignant melanoma: An observational (STROBE-compliant) trial.

Reconstructive treatments of heel defects usually involve regional flap techniques such as medial plantar flap procedures due to the limited availability of adjacent soft tissues. Although free flaps have advantages in terms of function and aesthetics, they remain challenging due to the longer operation time required than for regional flaps. Thus, we introduce an appropriate 2-team surgical protocol to reconstruct plantar defects after wide excision of malignant melanoma using free flap coverage.

IL-17 Induces Autophagy Dysfunction to Promote Inflammatory Cell Death and Fibrosis in Keloid Fibroblasts the STAT3 and HIF-1α Dependent Signaling Pathways.

Keloid is an abnormal fibrotic disease after cutaneous injury characterized by exaggerated scar tissue formation, which often extends beyond the boundaries of the original wound. Although chronic inflammation is known to be associated with the excessive inflammation in keloid tissue, there are few studies on the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of keloid. In this study, we evaluated the pattern of autophagy in keloid fibroblasts (KF) and normal fibroblasts (NF).

Expanded IL-22 Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells and Role of Oxidized LDL-C in the Pathogenesis of Axial Spondyloarthritis with Dyslipidaemia.

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3), which express IL-22 and IL-17A, has been introduced as one of pathologic cells in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Dyslipidaemia should be managed in axSpA patients to reduce cardiovascular disease, and dyslipidaemia promotes inflammation. This study aimed to reveal the role of circulating ILC3 in axSpA and the impact of dyslipidaemia on axSpA pathogenesis.

A novel cytokine consisting of the p40 and EBI3 subunits suppresses experimental autoimmune arthritis via reciprocal regulation of Th17 and Treg cells.

Objective: The interleukin (IL)-12 cytokine family is closely related to the development of T helper cells, which are responsible for autoimmune disease enhancement or suppression. IL-12 family members are generally heterodimers and share three α-subunits (p35, p19, and p28) and two β-subunits (p40 and EBI3). However, a β-sheet p40 homodimer has been shown to exist and antagonize IL-12 and IL-23 signaling .

The Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines' (LRCUG) recommendations: How are Canadian cannabis users complying?

Canada, alongside other jurisdictions, implemented non-medical cannabis legalization in 2018, partly towards improving public health. Evidence-based 'Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines' (LRCUG), including recommendations for cannabis users on how to decrease risk-behaviors for harms, have been developed and widely disseminated in Canada since 2017. However, knowledge on users' compliance with the LRCUG is limited.

Correction of Temporal Hollowing With the Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator Free Flap.

Temporal hollowing is most frequently an acquired deformity and can be caused by volume defects of bone, soft tissue, or both. Recently, surgical reconstruction with autogenous fat or allografts has been introduced, but these materials can be resorbed over time and may also lead to infection. Herein, the authors present 2 cases demonstrating the treatment of temporal hollowing with a superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) free flap.

Optimal Condition of Isolation from an Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction for the Development of Automated Systems.

Background: The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) isolated from adipose tissue, which contains stem cells as well as other cell types, has been applied in various research fields. Although different enzymatic concentrations and treatment durations have been applied to isolate the SVF, optimal conditions have not been established. Thus, we aimed to establish the optimal conditions for isolation of the SVF from adipose tissue by automated systems.

Microscale droplets covered by amphiphilic gold nanoparticles with various ligand ratios and concentrations.

We describe a simple and reliable route for forming microscale droplets covered with amphiphilic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with mixed hydrophilic and hydrophobic ligands on the AuNP surface. When an aqueous solution of amphiphilic AuNPs was mixed with hexane, the hexane (or water) droplets covered with amphiphilic AuNPs in the water (or hexane) phase were created, in which amphiphilic AuNPs in water phase migrated to the hexane-water interface. The extent of AuNP migration to the interface could be tuned by the ratio of the hydrophobic to hydrophilic ligands on the AuNP surface and the overall concentration of AuNPs.

Three cases of complications after high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment in unmarried women.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been regarded as a non-surgical, minimally invasive therapeutic option for patients who prioritize uterus-conservation. Although many studies have shown that HIFU therapy is a safe and effective treatment of uterine fibroid, not all fibroids are suitable for HIFU due to risks of serious complications. We experienced three cases of complications after the HIFU ablation for huge uterine fibroids, including two cases of rapid myoma enlargement and one case of heavy vaginal bleeding.