Efficient animal-serum free 3D cultivation method for adult human neural crest-derived stem cell therapeutics.

Due to their broad differentiation potential and their persistence into adulthood, human neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) harbour great potential for autologous cellular therapies, which include the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and replacement of complex tissues containing various cell types, as in the case of musculoskeletal injuries. The use of serum-free approaches often results in insufficient proliferation of stem cells and foetal calf serum implicates the use of xenogenic medium components. Thus, there is much need for alternative cultivation strategies.

Isolation of novel multipotent neural crest-derived stem cells from adult human inferior turbinate.

Adult human neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) are of extraordinary high plasticity and promising candidates for the use in regenerative medicine. Here we describe for the first time a novel neural crest-derived stem cell population within the respiratory epithelium of human adult inferior turbinate. In contrast to superior and middle turbinates, high amounts of source material could be isolated from human inferior turbinates.

Evidence for a causal association for HPV in head and neck cancers.

Current data have now attributed a viral etiology and causality of Human papillomavirus (HPV). Epidemiological analysis of the last decade demonstrates a rapid increase of HPV-associated HNSCC. Genomic detection of HPV DNA in the nuclei of certain oro-pharyngeal cancer cells gives strong evidence of a viral etiology in HNSCC.

Management of split-thickness donor sites with synthetic wound dressings: results of a comparative clinical study.

This prospective, randomized, single-blinded, clinical study aimed at evaluating 3 different synthetic wound dressings for treating split-thickness skin graft donor sites. Seventy-seven patients were randomly assigned to 3 study groups: Suprathel, Biatain-Ibu, Mepitel. Wounds were inspected daily until complete reepithelization.

Free-style local perforator flaps: concept and classification system.

Background: Defect reconstruction according to the free-style concept applied to perforator flaps allows flap harvesting in any anatomical region where an audible Doppler signal of a perforator is detected. We report the results of a study in which local perforator flaps were selected for reconstruction in different anatomical areas and were harvested using the free-style concept.

Methods: During a 2-year period, defect coverage was carried out in 21 patients (n=21) in the following anatomical areas: cervical (n=3), sternal/parasternal (n=4), axillary (n=2), tibial (n=5), trochanteric (n=2) and sacral/gluteal (n=5).

Closed-open rhinoplasty with extended lip dissection: a new concept and classification of rhinoplasty.

Background: Open rhinoplasty represents a surgical technique that has increased in popularity during the past several decades. However, to achieve full access to the entire nasal framework, a transcolumellar incision is required. In this study, the authors present the results of a rhinoplasty technique avoiding the transcolumellar incision while offering full access to the entire osteocartilaginous framework.

Suprathel, a new skin substitute, in the management of partial-thickness burn wounds: results of a clinical study.

Objective: A prospective, randomized, bicentric, nonblinded, clinical study was conducted to evaluate the impact on wound healing of Suprathel in partial-thickness burn injuries. Suprathel represents an absorbable, synthetic wound dressing with properties of natural epithelium.

Methods: Thirty patients suffering from second-degree burn injuries were included in the study, with a mean of age 40.

Controlling nasal length with extended spreader grafts: a reliable technique in primary rhinoplasty.

Background: The short nose characterized by a reduced distance from the nasal radix to the tip represents a challenging deformity in facial plastic surgery. Several techniques have been described in the literature for augmentation of the short nose, but none emphasizes the surgical maneuvers necessary to preserve nasal length in primary rhinoplasty and to avoid the development of a short nose deformity.

Methods: The authors present a surgical technique for avoiding postoperative nasal shortness and for controlling nasal length in primary rhinoplasty.

A safe and simple technique using the distal pedicled reversed upper arm flap to cover large elbow defects.

The reconstruction of large soft-tissue defects at the elbow is hard to achieve by conventional techniques and is complicated by the difficulty of transferring sufficient tissue with adequate elasticity and sensate skin. Surgical treatment should permit early mobilisation to avoid permanent functional impairment. Clinical experience with the distal pedicled reversed upper arm flap in 10 patients suffering from large elbow defects is presented (seven male, three female; age 40-70 years).

Clinical and morphological conditions in capsular contracture formed around silicone breast implants.

Background: A study was performed to investigate histological changes in capsules formed around silicone breast implants and their correlation with the clinical classification of capsular contracture defined by the Baker score. For histological classification, the authors used the classification introduced by Wilflingseder, which identifies four grades of contracture.

Methods: The study included 24 female patients (average age, 40 +/- 12 years) with capsular contracture after bilateral cosmetic breast augmentation with smooth silicone gel implants (Mentor, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Suprathel, a new skin substitute, in the management of donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts: results of a clinical study.

Objective: A prospective, randomized, two center clinical study was conducted to evaluate the impact on wound healing of Suprathel in donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts. Suprathel represents an absorbable, synthetic wound dressing with properties of natural epithelium.

Methods: 22 burn patients who were treated with split-thickness skin grafts, and with a mean age of 39.

Modification of the second stage of auricular elevation in Nagata's technique for treating microtia.

The ultimate goal in treating congenital microtia is the reconstruction of an auricle with a natural appearance as close as possible to the healthy one in terms of shape, contour, size, texture, position, and projection. Here we present another option to the second stage of raising the ear in Nagata's technique for treating microtia. The first step includes implantation of a cartilaginous framework and transposition of the ear lobe.

The effect of topical tretinoin on tissue strength and skin components in a murine incisional wound model.

Background: Vitamin A derivatives modulate the inflammatory phase in wound healing. Retinoic acid can restore decreased tensile strength and collagen content in steroid- or diabetes-impaired wounds. It is hypothesized that retinoic acid can lead to accelerated healing with improved breaking strength in unimpaired incisional wounds.

Exercise induces early and late myocardial preconditioning in dogs.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that exercise induces myocardial preconditioning in dogs.

Methods: We instrumented dogs with a snare on the anterior descending coronary artery and catheters in the root of the aorta, left ventricular cavity and coronary sinus. After recovering from surgery the dogs were trained to stay in the laboratory and run on a treadmill.

Analysis of the long-term behavior of solute transport with nonlinear equilibrium sorption using breakthrough curves and temporal moments.

We analyzed the long-term behavior of breakthrough curves (BTCs) and temporal moments of a solute subjected to Freundlich equilibrium sorption (s = kc(n)). For one-dimensional transport in a homogeneous porous medium, we derived a power-law relation between travel time, tau, and solute displacement, chi, with the exponent being equal to the Freundlich n exponent. The mean solute velocity, derived from the first time moment, was found to change as tau(n-1).

Widespread cutaneous carcinomas associated with human papillomaviruses 5, 14 and 20 after introduction of methotrexate in two long-term PUVA-treated patients.

Background: PUVA treatment for patients with severe psoriasis has been demonstrated to be highly effective. However, an increased risk of nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers has been reported. It is generally accepted that the risk of squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) is significantly increased in patients with long-term PUVA therapy.

Mitochondrial ATP dependent potassium channels mediate non-ischemic preconditioning by tachycardia in dogs.

Brief episodes of tachycardia without myocardial ischemia prior to a coronary occlusion decrease myocardial infarct size in dogs. This non-ischemic preconditioning is mediated by adenosine. Because ischemic preconditioning is mediated through ATP dependent potassium channels, particularly the mitochondrial ones, we studied whether non-ischemic preconditioning is also mediated through these channels.

Fixed solar urticaria to visible light successfully treated with fexofenadine.

Fixed solar urticaria (FSU) represents an uncommon form of urticaria related mostly to radiation from the ultraviolet (UVB, UVA) and visible spectrum. The exact pathomechanism has so far remained unknown. A 52-year-old woman with a 3-year history of urticated eruptions limited to certain skin areas is presented.

Prolonged photosensitivity following contact photoallergy to ketoprofen.

We report the third case of prolonged photosensitivity secondary to contact photoallergy to topical ketoprofen, a 2-arylpropionic acid derivative. The patient suffered from persistent photosensitivity for more than 1 year after the withdrawal of ketoprofen with recurrent eruptions on sun-exposed skin areas. This photosensitivity was associated with a persistent decrease in polychromatic and UVA minimal erythemal doses.

Delayed-hypersensitivity granulomatous reaction induced by blepharopigmentation with aluminum-silicate.

Blepharopigmentation has been introduced during the last decade as a technique for creating a permanent line along the eyelid margin, thus simulating a cosmetic eyeliner. Complications related to this procedure are mostly reported in the opthalmologic literature describing infectious, allergic, or technical problems. We report a case of a woman who underwent blepharopigmentation with aluminum-silicate and in whom a delayed hypersensitivity granulomatous reaction developed.