Comparative analysis of different collagen-based biomaterials as scaffolds for long-term culture of human fibroblasts.

Biodegradable scaffolds, along with cells, are important components of most tissue-engineered constructs. In the study, there is a comparison of the behaviour of human fibroblasts cultured for up to six weeks in four different collagen-based three-dimensional matrices, in the form of sponges composed of pure native type I collagen (control), of collagen-GAG-chitosan (CGC) and of collagen cross-linked by two concentrations of diphenylphosphorylazide (DPPA-2 and DPPA-3). Variations in size and weight of the sponges, as well as fibroblast growth and migration, and total protein and collagen synthesis, are determined with time in culture.

Primary myenteric plexus alterations as a cause of megacolon in Von Recklinghausen's disease.

This is a case report of a megacolon in a 26 years old male patient having typical von Recklinghausen's disease. Exploratory laparotomy shows no neurofibroma on digestive tract. Myenteric plexus study of colic resection specimen following B.

[Traumatic intestinal infarction (author's transl)].

A study of 25 cases of traumatic intestinal infarction, often old cases, did not show any characteristic clinical picture or course but showed the following points: --abdominal contusion, even mild, may induce intestinal infarction, without any other intra- or retroperitoneal lesion. The frequency of infarction is low, but the notion of trauma is often neglected; --the ileum and ascending colon are most commonly involved, and infarction usually follows a thrombosis of the mesenteric veins. When there is an arterial infarction, this is usually due to mobilisation of an atheromatous plaque; --the clinical course usually includes an interval between the trauma and the infarction, due to a prodromic phase corresponding to the constitution then the extension of the thrombosis.