Comparison of bacterial inoculation and transcutaneous oxygen tension in the rabbit S1 perforator and latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps.

Muscle and musculocutaneous flaps have been used reliably in reconstruction of soft-tissue defects for many years. Previous experimental studies have shown musculocutaneous flaps to be superior to the random pattern and fasciocutaneous flaps in the management of infected wounds. Over the past decade, perforator flaps have gained acceptance as alternative methods of reconstruction in the clinical setting that can decrease donor-site morbidity and hospital stay, and increase patient satisfaction.

The role of topically administered FK506 (tacrolimus) at the time of facial nerve repair using entubulation neurorrhaphy in a rabbit model.

Peripheral facial nerve palsy is a common sequela of traumatic craniofacial injury, often resulting in dramatic and sometimes permanent functional deficits. Exogenous agents and methods of repair that accelerate axonal regeneration would be of great benefit to the multitude of patients with facial nerve injuries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of FK506 at the time of facial nerve repair using entubulation neurorrhaphy, and to compare entubulation neurorrhaphy versus interposition autograft in critical facial nerve gap defects.

Efficacy of CD40 ligand gene therapy in malignant mesothelioma.

Gene delivery of CD40 Ligand (CD40L) has shown promise in murine models of melanoma and adenocarcinoma; however, its potential for thoracic malignancies such as malignant mesothelioma remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that CD40L gene therapy would be effective in local and distant tumor suppression in mesothelioma using an immunocompetent murine model. Using a recombinant adenovirus encoding murine CD40L (AdCD40L), we demonstrated no suppression of in vitro cell growth for the AC29 (mesothelioma) cell line.