Acne Scars

Cell Transplant. 2009 Apr 6; Fujimoto KL, Miki T, Liu LJ, Hashizume R, Strom SC, Wagner WR, Keller BB, Tobita KStem cells contained in the amniotic membrane may be useful for cellular repair of the damaged heart. Previously, we showed that amnion-derived cells (ADCs) express embryonic stem cell surface markers and pluripotent stem cell specific transcription factor genes. These ADCs also possess the potential for mesoderm (cardiac) lineage differentiation. In the present study we investigated whether untreated naive ADC transplantation into the injured left ventricular (LV) myocardium is beneficial as a cell-based cardiac repair strategy in a rat model. ADCs were isolated from Lewis rat embryonic day 14 amniotic membranes. FACS analysis revealed that freshly isolated ADCs contained stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1), Oct-4 positive cells, and mesenchymal stromal cells, while hematopoietic stem cell marker positive cells were absent. Reverse transcription-PCR revealed that naive ADCs expressed cardiac and vascular specific genes. We injected freshly isolated ADCs (2 x 10(6) cells suspended in PBS, ADC group) into acutely infarcted LV myocardium produced by proximal left coronary ligation. PBS was injected in post-infarction controls (PBS group). Cardiac function was assessed at 2 and 6 weeks after injection. ADC treatment attenuated LV dilatation and sustained LV contractile function at 2 and 6 weeks in comparison to PBS controls (P

Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2009 May; 223(4): 449-57Angadji A, Royle M, Collins SN, Shelton JCThere are a number of factors that determine the overall outcome of total hip replacement (THR) surgery, some of which appear to be related to the surgical procedure. In particular, the inclination angle at which the acetabular component is placed has been reported to influence the long-term successful performance of THR. The present study assessed the influence of cup orientation on the wear of 40 mm diameter metal-on-metal (MoM) hip bearings tested in a hip simulator. The bearings had a mean radial clearance of 150 microm; the cups oriented at 35 degrees, 50 degrees, and 60 degrees to the horizontal were loaded for up to 6 x 10(6) cycles. In each test the wear rates during the run-in phase were higher than in the steady state phase; the wear rates during the run-in phase were not significantly different for each cup orientation. However, at cup angles of 50 degrees and 60 degrees, the steady state wear rates were 0.69 mm3/ 10(6) cycles and 1.7 mm3/10(6) cycles respectively, significantly higher than at 35 degrees (0.24 mm3/10(6) cycles). The results indicated that larger cup inclination angles not only move the position of the wear scar but also, more significantly in MoM bearings, increase the wear rates and total wear volume generated.

Burns. 2009 Jun 3; Mill J, Cuttle L, Harkin DG, Kravchuk O, Kimble RMOBJECTIVE: Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) was compared to wound outcomes in children's burns, to determine if the technology could be used to predict these outcomes. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with a total of 85 burns were included in the study. Patient median age was 4 years 10 months and scans were taken 0-186h post-burn using the fast, low-resolution setting on the Moor LDI2 laser Doppler imager. Wounds were managed by standard practice, without taking into account the scan results. Time until complete re-epithelialisation and whether or not grafting and scar management were required were recorded for each wound. If wounds were treated with Silvazine or Acticoat prior to the scan, this was also recorded. RESULTS: The predominant colour of the scan was found to be significantly related to the re-epithelialisation, grafting and scar management outcomes and could be used to predict those outcomes. The prior use of Acticoat did not affect the scan relationship to outcomes, however, the use of Silvazine did complicate the relationship for light blue and green scanned partial thickness wounds. Scans taken within the 24-h window after-burn also appeared to be accurate predictors of wound outcome. CONCLUSION: Laser Doppler imaging is accurate and effective in a paediatric population with a low-resolution fast-scan.

Cell Transplant. 2009 Apr 6; Seidel M, Borczyńnska A, Rozwadowska N, Kurpisz MSatellite cells are committed precursor cells residing in the skeletal muscle. These cells provide an almost unlimited regeneration potential to the muscle, contrary to the heart which, although proved to contain cardiac stem cells, possesses a very limited ability for self renewal. The idea that myoblasts (satellite cell progenies) may repopulate postinfarction scar occurred around mid-1990s. Encouraging results of preclinical studies triggered extensive research which led to the onset of clinical trials. These trials have shown that autologous skeletal myoblast transplantation to cure heart failure is feasible and relatively safe (observed incidences of arrhythmia). Since most of the initial studies on myoblast application into post-ischemic heart have been carried out as an adjunct to routine surgical procedures, the true clinical outcome of such therapy in regard to cell implantation is blurred and requires to be elucidated. The mechanism by which implantation of skeletal myoblast may improve heart function is not clear, especially in the light of inability of these cells to couple electromechanically with a host myocardium. Successful myoblast therapy depends on a number of factors including: delivery to the target tissue, long term survival, efficacious engraftment, differentiation into cardiomyocytes and integration into the new, unique micro-environment. All these steps constitute a potential goal for cell manipulation aiming to improve the overall outcome of such therapy. Precise understanding of the mechanism by which cells improve cardiac function is essential in giving the sensible direction of further research.

Ophthalmologe. 2009 Jun 6; Schnaidt AG, Schröder AC, Gatzioufas Z, Löw U, Lang HM, Seitz BEye injuries caused by foreign bodies are a common diagnosis in many patients with an ocular emergency. A high percentage of foreign bodies are located in the cornea and are easily removed, but an intralenticular foreign body after eye injury is very rare. A 28-year-old man referred to our department with increasing loss of vision in the right eye 1 month after an accident with a hammer and chisel. At the time of admission the patient complained of a significant loss of vision and a traumatic cataract was diagnosed. The examination showed a deep stromal corneal scar and an anterior subcapsular cataract with posterior contusional rosette. Slit-lamp examination in mydriasis aroused the suspicion of an intralenticular foreign body. An X-ray examination of the right orbit was performed, but apart from a shadow, which was interpreted by the radiologists as a "pixel artefact", it revealed no presence of a foreign body. A computed tomography examination was also undertaken and confirmed the suspicion of an intralenticular foreign body, which was confirmed by an ultrasound scan. The intralenticular foreign body was removed during cataract surgery and an IOL was successfully implanted in the intact capsular bay. The day after the surgical intervention BCVA was 1.0. Every ocular trauma with a foreign body should be examined in mydriasis in order to exclude an intralenticular foreign body. Conventional X-ray images may not always be efficient enough to detect a foreign body. If an intraocular foreign body is suspected a thin-slice computed tomography examination of the orbit should be performed.