Early application of enalapril following dermal injury reduces formation of hypertrophic scars, probably because of its down-regulatory effects on type III collagen production.

No abstract

Neural-based flaps are an interesting clinical choice particularly in difficult cases that may not be reconstructed with known techniques. Their popularity is gradually increasing because these flaps offer the advantage of preservation of major extremity arteries and avoidance of microsurgical techniques. Our aim was to explore the feasibility of prefabrication of an osteocutaneous neural island flap model in this study. A peripheral nerve of the rat was implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of a skin flap that was connected to a segment of bone by a soft-tissue bridge, to prefabricate an osteocutaneous flap that was supplied only by the intrinsic vasculature of that nerve after a preliminary delay period. At the end of this study, based on direct observation, microangiographic findings, and additionally, a detailed histologic analysis consisting of both qualitative and quantitative assessments, we have proved that it was possible to prefabricate an osteocutaneous composite flap based on the vascularity of a peripheral nerve after a 2-step delay period. We believe that the clinical application of this new flap will gradually develop based on further experimental studies.

No abstract

Objectives To evaluate umbilical cord immune cells in pregnancies with autoimmune disorders (AID) and/or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms. Methods Umbilical cords were obtained from seven AID women without MTHFR polymorphisms, eight with AID and MTHFR polymorphisms, nine with MTHFR polymorphisms, and eight with neither. Umbilical cords were assessed immunohistologcally by anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-CD14, anti-CD19, anti-CD21, and anti-CD56 antibodies in six umbilical cord zones: 1) arterial wall 2) periarterial zone 3) venous wall 4) perivenous zone 5) intervascular zone, and 6) subamniotic zone. Results AIDs and MTHFR polymorphisms had an effect on the number and composition of CD4+ cells in the venous wall. The presence of a MTHFR polymorphism may affect the number and morphology of CD4+ cells in the subamniotic zone. CD8+ cell distribution is substantially influenced by the presence of maternal risk factors. The co-existence of AID with MTHFR polymorphism has a prominent effect on the number and morphology of CD14+ cells, especially in the arterial wall. CD19+ cells were only observed in the control group in the venous wall, perivenous zone, and intervascular zone. CD21+ cells were only observed in the arterial wall of the control group and the intervascular zone of the AID group with different morphologic features. The number and morphology of CD56+ cells is prominently affected by the presence of maternal risk factors. Conclusions Umbilical cord stem cell and immune cell composition may be affected by the presence of risk factors like MTHFR polymorphisms and/or AID.

Background. Cell culture increases both diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and the most important reason to use cell culture for definitive diagnosis in PCD is to exclude secondary ciliary defects. Here we aimed to evaluate the cilia functions and cilia ultrastructural abnormalities after ciliogenesis of cell culture in patients with definitive diagnosis of PCD. We also aimed to compare high speed videomicroscopy (HSVM) results of patients before and after ciliogenesis and to compare them with electron microscopy, genetic and immunofluorescence results in patients with positive diagnosis of PCD. Methods. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study in patients with PCD. HSVM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunofluorescence staining results of the nasal biopsy samples taken from patients with the definitive diagnosis of PCD were evaluated and HSVM findings before and after cell culture were described. Results. Ciliogenesis and regrowth in the cell culture occurred in the nasal biopsy sample of eight patients with PCD. The mean age of the patients was 15.5±4.2 years (8.5-18 years). Mean beat frequency was found to be 7.54±1.01 hz (6.53-9.45 hz) before cell culture, and 7.36±0.86 hz (6.02-7.99 hz) after cell culture in the nasal biopsy of patients. There was no significant difference in the beat frequency of PCD patients before and after cell culture. Ciliary function analysis showed the similar beating pattern before and after cell culture in patients with PCD. Conclusions. This study showed us that there was no difference between cilia beat frequency and beat pattern before and after cell culture in patients with definitive diagnosis of PCD and repeated HSVM would be a useful diagnostic approach in patients who have no possibility to reach other diagnostic methods.

No abstract

Aim: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a major complication associated with liver transplantation and surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytoprotective effects of nitrite on hepatic IR injury. Methods: Groups were arranged as follows: control, sham, IR protocol (45 minutes ischemia, 5 hours reperfusion) and study groups administered with 4 different concentrations of sodium nitrite given 12 and 24 hours prior to protocol. After IR protocol, serum transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activities were determined as quantitative indices of liver damage. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were determined in liver tissues of all study groups. Additionally inflammatory and tissue remodeling processes were investigated. Histological evaluations were also performed. Results: Serum transaminase and LDH activities were found to be increased in IR group compared to control group. Glutathione content and ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione were found to be significantly decreased; oxidized glutathione and MDA content significantly increased in the IR group. All antioxidant enzyme activities were found to be lowered in IR group. TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were significantly increased in IR group compared to control group. In all nitrite administered groups, all parameters which were found to be changed with IR protocol were decreased to control levels depending on the concentration of nitrite. Total histological damage score at light microscope level was significantly higher in IR group. Nitrite improved histological damage scores by receiving similar scores with the control group. Conclusion: Based on findings, nitrite administration was found to have cytoprotective effects on hepatic IR injury.