Embryonic stem cell extracts improve wound healing in diabetic mice.

Aims/hypothesis: Impaired wound healing significantly impacts morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients, necessitating the development of novel treatments to improve the wound healing process. We here investigated the topical use of acellular embryonic stem cell extracts (EXTs) in wound healing in diabetic db/db mice.

Methods: Wounds were induced in diabetic db/db mice, which were subsequently treated with EXTs, with 3T3 fibroblast cell line protein extracts (3T3XTs) or with saline as a control.

The Greater Occipital Nerve and Obliquus Capitis Inferior Muscle: Anatomical Interactions and Implications for Occipital Pain Syndromes.

Background: The compression/injury of the greater occipital nerve has been identified as a trigger of occipital headaches. Several compression points have been described, but the morphology of the myofascial unit between the greater occipital nerve and the obliquus capitis inferior muscle has not been studied yet.

Methods: Twenty fresh cadaveric heads were dissected, and the greater occipital nerve was tracked from its emergence to its passage around the obliquus capitis inferior.

Double Triangular Cartilage Excision Otoplasty.

Background: Prominent ears have a negative impact on patients' psychosocial well-being. There are numerous surgical correction techniques described, but the majority have high complication and recurrence rates. In this article, the authors present a stitchless technique that takes advantage of different approaches to minimize complications and recurrences.

Minimal Undermining Suspension Technique (MUST): Combined Eyebrow and Mid-face Lift via Temporal Access.

Background: Less downtime following esthetic interventions leads to the popularity of injectable solutions for facial rejuvenation treatments. Surgical interventions for esthetic purposes are usually associated with higher complication rates and longer recovery times when compared to less invasive treatments. Here we present for the first time a minimally invasive surgical technique for a simultaneous mid-face and eyebrow lift using one small temporal incision.

Novel micropatterns mechanically control fibrotic reactions at the surface of silicone implants.

Over the past decade, various implantable devices have been developed to treat diseases that were previously difficult to manage such diabetes, chronic pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, translation of these novel technologies into clinical practice is often difficult because fibrotic encapsulation and/or rejection impairs device function after body implantation. Ideally, cells of the host tissue should perceive the surface of the implant being similar to the normal extracellular matrix.

Poly-N-acetyl glucosamine fibers induce angiogenesis in ADP inhibitor-treated diabetic mice.

Background: It has been previously demonstrated that short-fiber poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine (sNAG) nanofibers specifically interact with platelets, are hemostatic, and stimulate diabetic wound healing by activating angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and reepithelialization. Platelets play a significant physiologic role in wound healing. The influence of altered platelet function by treatment with the ADP inhibitor Clopidogrel (CL) on wound healing and the ability of sNAG to repair wounds in diabetic mice treated with CL were studied.

Waveform modulation of negative-pressure wound therapy in the murine model.

Background: Negative-pressure wound therapy applied with a porous foam interface has been shown to accelerate granulation-tissue formation when a cyclic application mode of suction is applied, but the optimal waveform has not been determined. The authors hypothesized that changes in the suction waveform applied to wounds would modulate the biological response of granulation tissue formation.

Methods: A vacuum-assisted closure device (Kinetic Concepts, Inc.

Combination of stromal cell-derived factor-1 and collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold delays contraction and accelerates reepithelialization of dermal wounds in wild-type mice.

While dermal substitutes can mitigate scarring and wound contraction, a significant drawback of current dermal replacement technologies is the apparent delay in vascular ingrowth compared with conventional skin grafts. Herein, we examined the effect of the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) on the performance of a porous collagen-glycosaminoglycan dermal analog in excisional wounds in mice. C57BL/6 mice with 1 cm × 1 cm dorsal full-thickness wounds were covered with a collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold, followed by four daily topical applications of 1 μg SDF-1 or phosphate-buffered saline vehicle.

The mobilization and effect of endogenous bone marrow progenitor cells in diabetic wound healing.

Diabetic patients suffer from impaired wound healing, characterized by only modest angiogenesis and cell proliferation. Stem cells may stimulate healing, but little is known about the kinetics of mobilization and function of bone marrow progenitor cells (BM-PCs) during diabetic wound repair. The objective of this study was to investigate the kinetics of BM-PC mobilization and their role during early diabetic wound repair in diabetic db/db mice.

Poly-N-acetyl glucosamine nanofibers: a new bioactive material to enhance diabetic wound healing by cell migration and angiogenesis.

Introduction: In several fields of surgery, the treatment of complicated tissue defects is an unsolved clinical problem. In particular, the use of tissue scaffolds has been limited by poor revascularization and integration. In this study, we developed a polymer, poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine (sNAG), with bioactive properties that may be useful to overcome these limitations.

In vivo acceleration of skin growth using a servo-controlled stretching device.

Tension is a principal force experienced by skin and serves a critical role in growth and development. Optimal tension application regimens may be an important component for skin tissue engineering and dermatogenesis. In this study, we designed and tested a novel servo-controlled skin-stretching device to apply predetermined tension and waveforms in mice.

Quiescent platelets stimulate angiogenesis and diabetic wound repair.

Introduction: Platelets partake in hemostasis, wound healing, and tumor growth. Although platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) has been used in surgery for several years, its mechanism of action and application methods are still poorly characterized.

Materials And Methods: A single unit of human platelets obtained by plateletpheresis was diluted in plasma and divided into three equal volumes.

Tumors stimulate platelet delivery of angiogenic factors in vivo: an unexpected benefit.

The interaction between platelets and the tumor microenvironment results in the modulation of angiogenesis, although the mechanisms governing this regulation remain unclear. This study explores the differences in the communication between wounded tissues and healthy, tumor-conditioned, and frozen platelets. Platelet-rich plasma obtained from healthy (PRP) or tumor-bearing (TPRP) mice was applied to dorsal, full-thickness wounds on diabetic mice.

Effects of poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (pGlcNAc) patch on wound healing in db/db mouse.

Background: Poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (pGlcNAc) nanofiber-based materials, produced by a marine microalga, have been characterized as effective hemostatic agents. In this study, we hypothesized that a pGlcNAc fiber patch may enhance wound healing in the db/db mouse.

Methods: pGlcNAc patches were applied on 1-cm, full-thickness, skin wounds in the db/db mouse model.

Healing modulation induced by freeze-dried platelet-rich plasma and micronized allogenic dermis in a diabetic wound model.

The incidence and prevalence of chronic and diabetic wounds are increasing and clinical treatments to tackle these epidemics are still insufficient. In this study, we tested the ability of freeze-dried platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and an allogenic micronized acellular dermal matrix alone and in combination to modulate diabetic wound healing. Therapeutic materials were applied to 1.

Tensile forces stimulate vascular remodeling and epidermal cell proliferation in living skin.

Objectives: To quantify tissue remodeling induced by static and cyclical application of tensional forces in a living perfused tissue.

Background: Cells are able to respond to mechanical cues from the environment and can switch between proliferation and quiescence. However, the effects of different regimens of tension on living, perfused skin have not been characterized.