OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of different methods of fetal spinal cord(FSC) tissue transplanted on reversing the axotomy-induced neurons atrophy of adult rats injured spinal cord. METHODS: One hundred and twenty adult rats received lumbar spinal cord hemisection. Experimental rats were divided into five groups, the control group(Group A); spinal cord hemisection only(Group B); spinal cord hemisection plus FSC transplant (Group C); spinal cord hemisection plus FSC transplant plus pedicled paraspinal muscle(Group D); spinal cord hemisection plus FSC transplant plus pedicled omentum (Group E). Combined behavioral scores(CBS), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), motor evoked potentials(MEP) were examined to evaluate the recovery of neurological function after operation. Rats were sacrificed after 1, 4 and 12 weeks. Nissl stained section was used for neurons quantitative image analysis. The positive cells were quantitative analysis by computer image analysis system. RESULTS: The different methods of FSC tissue transplantation could prevent the neurons atrophy secondary to axon injury of spinal cord in adult rats. The size of neurons were observed in five groups, they were group E gt; group D gt; group C gt; group B gt; group A (P lt; 0.05). Those increases in size of neurons were paralleled with a significant improvement in neurological function recovery. CONCLUSION: It indicates that the different methods of FSC tissue transplantation can maintain the neurons morphology and improve the neurological function of rats.
ObjectiveFertility preservation (FP) technology has gradually been concerned by scholars all over the world due to the increasing survival rate of cancer patients. To review the recent progress of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in female FP. MethodsThe recent original literature about MSCs in female FP was extensively reviewed. ResultsMSCs have the advantages of rich source, easy isolation and amplification, and capacities for multipotential differentiation and migration so that they can be used to avoid the ethical and legal controversy which have great potential of FP for the damage of ovarian tissue and reproductive endocrine disorders. In addition, MSCs can be induced to differentiate into a specific condition, which is expected to be the resource in oocyte-like cells that can be used as a steady cell source for the future experiments and clinical application. ConclusionMSCs have great potential to provide new research ideas for future FP technology.
ObjectiveTo generalize the application and prospect of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap transfer for breast reconstruction.MethodsThe related literature using CTA for DIEP flap reconstruction of breast in recent years was reviewed and analyzed.ResultsPreoperative CTA can accurately assess the vascular anatomy of the chest and abdomen wall, precisely locating the perforator in the abdominal donor site, and identifying the dominant perforator; guide the selection of intercostal space to explore internal mammary artery and internal mammary artery perforator in the chest recipient vessels. It can also reconstruct the volume of the abdominal flap with reference to the size of the contralateral breast and pre-shape the abdominal flap, which are crucial to formulate the surgical plan and improve the reliability of flap.ConclusionPreoperative CTA has enormous application potential and prospects in locating donor area perforator, in selecting recipient vessels, and in evaluating breast volume for autologous breast reconstruction with DIEP flap.
ObjectiveTo review the advances in methods for reconstructing nipple projection based on tissue graft support. MethodsThe literature related to nipple projection reconstruction based on tissue graft support was reviewed and summarized in terms of the advantages and disadvantages of various tissue grafts and the improved nipple projection results. Results Loss of nipple projection is a common cause of decreased patient’s satisfaction. Reconstructing nipple projection based on tissue graft support is a more common clinical method and can be done with autologous and allogeneic tissues. Autologous tissue grafts include dermis, adipose tissue with dermis, adipose tissue, ear cartilage, rib cartilage, and contralateral nipple tissue. Autologous tissue grafts are easy to obtain and have no immune rejection, but may lead to donor area damage and prolong the surgical time for tissue collection. Allogeneic tissue grafts include acellular dermal matrix, lyophilized rib cartilage, and extracellular matrix collagen, and decellularized nipple tissue. Allogeneic tissue grafts do not cause additional donor area damage, are highly malleable, and can be designed to be utilized according to the recipient area, but the high cost often limits the development of this technique. Conclusion There is no gold standard regarding tissue graft-assisted nipple projection reconstruction techniques, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both autologous and allogeneic tissue grafts. Surgeons should choose the appropriate graft based on the actual condition of the patient.