The impact of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on the remodeling of acellular dermal matrices in staged, prosthetic breast reconstruction.

Background: An acellular dermal matrix will typically incorporate, in time, with the overlying mastectomy skin flap. This remodeling process may be adversely impacted in patients who require chemotherapy and radiation, which influence neovascularization and cellular proliferation.

Methods: Multiple biopsy specimens were procured from 86 women (n = 94 breasts) undergoing exchange of a tissue expander for a breast implant.

Role of gender and anatomical region on induction of osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) display multilineage plasticity and, under appropriate conditions, can mineralize their extracellular matrix and undergo osteogenesis. The aims of this study are to examine in vitro osteogenic differentiation properties of ASCs to assess the role of gender, fat depot, and optimal duration as variables for differentiation. Human ASCs were isolated from superficial and deep adipose layers of the abdominoplasty specimens obtained from patients undergoing elective surgeries.

Leporine-derived adipose precursor cells exhibit in vitro osteogenic potential.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) possess osteogenic potential and have been shown to undergo in vitro osteoblastic differentiation and promote bone regeneration in vivo. In this study, we describe the isolation and osteoblastic differentiation of rabbit ASCs and their behavior on a gelatin foam scaffold. These studies will form the basis of future in vivo studies of the osteogenic potential of rabbit ASCs for calvarial defect repair.

The Pittsburgh Fistula Classification System: a standardized scheme for the description of palatal fistulas.

Objective: Vague terminology is a problem in cleft palate research. No classification scheme for palatal fistulas has been proposed to date. Although a well-healed velum is a significant outcome of palatoplasty, it is nearly impossible to compare fistula-related palatoplasty results in the literature or in medical records without a standardized vocabulary.

Characterization of transplanted green fluorescent protein+ bone marrow cells into adipose tissue.

Following transplantation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled bone marrow (BM) into irradiated, wild-type Sprague-Dawley rats, propagated GFP(+) cells migrate to adipose tissue compartments. To determine the relationship between GFP(+) BM-derived cells and tissue-resident GFP(-) cells on the stem cell population of adipose tissue, we conducted detailed immunohistochemical analysis of chimeric whole fat compartments and subsequently isolated and characterized adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) from GFP(+) BM chimeras. In immunohistochemistry, a large fraction of GFP(+) cells in adipose tissue were strongly positive for CD45 and smooth muscle actin and were evenly scattered around the adipocytes and blood vessels, whereas all CD45(+) cells within the blood vessels were GFP(+).

Body image and quality of life in post massive weight loss body contouring patients.

Objective: Because post-bariatric surgery patients undergo massive weight loss, the resulting skin excess can lead to both functional problems and profound dissatisfaction with appearance. Correcting skin excess could improve all these corollaries, including body image. Presently, few data are available documenting body image and weight-related quality of life in this population.

The osteogenic potential of adipose-derived stem cells for the repair of rabbit calvarial defects.

Introduction: Bone replacement is often necessary during reconstruction of craniofacial anomalies or trauma. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) possess osteogenic potential and are a promising cell source for bone tissue engineering. The present study was designed to assess the osteogenic potential and utility of using ASCs to regenerate bone in a rabbit calvarial defect model.

Diagnosis and treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency: clinical utility of speech evaluation and videofluoroscopy.

Introduction: The workup of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) includes speech pathology evaluation and examination of velopharyngeal anatomy and physiology. This study sought to determine whether perceptual speech symptoms were predictive of velopharyngeal closure.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with VPI following primary palatoplasty was performed.

Conversion Furlow palatoplasty: salvage of speech after straight-line palatoplasty and "incomplete intravelar veloplasty".

Introduction: The straight-line palatoplasty with intravelar veloplasty (IVVP) is one option for cleft palate repair. However, not all IVVPs are performed uniformly. Many IVVPs only address the medialmost portion of the levator muscle, an "incomplete IVVP," failing to completely dissect and adequately transpose the entire levator muscle, "complete IVVP.