Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, non-coding RNA are reversible, heritable alterations which are induced by environmental stimuli. Major risk factors of diabetes and diabetic complications including hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and advanced glycation end products, can lead to abnormal epigenetic modifications in retinal vascular endothelial cells and retinal pigment epithelium cells. Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of macular edema and neovascularization of diabetic retinopathy (DR), as well as diabetic metabolic memory. The heritable nature of epigenetic marks also playsakey role in familial diabetes mellitus. Further elucidation of epigenetic mechanisms in DR can open the way for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets to prevent DR progression.
OBJECTIVE: To isolate and characterize mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow of Banna minipig inbred line (BMI). METHODS: BMI-MSCs was isolated from bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation and cultured in DMEM (containing 15% bovine serum) at 37 degrees C with humidified 5% CO2. These cultured stem cells were characterized in clonal growth, expression of specific markers and capability of differentiation. RESULTS: Mesenchymal stem cells were proliferative and could be expanded rapidly in vitro. Clonal growth of these cells can be observed when small amount of cells was inoculated. These cells were SH2, SH3, SH4, SB10 and SB21 positive. And it was proved that these cells possess osteo-differentiation ability, up-regulated alkaline phosphatase expression and calcium secretion after osteosupplement was added into the media for several days. CONCLUSION: Mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow of BMI possess the general characters of stem cell.
Objective To evaluate a new alternative method for thereconstruction of vagina with deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) flap. Methods From January 2004 to May 2005, DIEP flaps were used for vaginal reconstruction in 5 patients(19 to 40 years), including 4 cases of congenital vaginal agenesis and 1 case of vaginal tumor. Before operation, the perforators were detected by theDoppler and the flaps based on the perforators ranged from 10 cm×9 cm to 12 cm×11 cm. DIEP flaps were elevated and then transferred to reconstruct the vagina. Results Deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps were used in 5 patients. Only 1 patient developed haematoma in the posterior aspect of thereconstructed vagina, but the flap was viable. The wounds healed secondarily after conservative therapy. All the flaps survived completely. No complication occurred at donor site of abdominal wall. Conclusion Despite technical difficulties in elevatingthe deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, the flap is a good choice for vaginal reconstruction.
ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of L-Phenylalanine on the efficiency of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell derivation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsH1 hESCs were routinely cultured with mTeSR medium and divided into control and experimental groups. When cells reached over-confluence, spontaneous differentiation was triggered using 10% KSR differentiation medium without bFGF. L-Phenylalanine (0.2 mmol/L) was supplemented in the experimental group from the 3rd week. The expression of RPE markers and Wnt signaling components in the two groups was detected by Real time-RCR, Western blot and Flow cytometry analyses. Purified hESC-RPE cells and PBS were injected into the subretinal space of sodium iodine-induced retinal degeneration rats separately. Retinal function was assessed by ERG 6 weeks after the transplantation. ResultsOn the 7th week, much more pigment cell clumps appeared in the experimental group compared to the control group. Within these areas there were monolayer hexagonal RPE cells full of pigment granules. The experimental group showed significantly higher expression of Pax6, MITF, Tyrosinase, RPE65, Wnt3a, Lef1 and Tcf7 genes than the control group (P < 0.01). Higher expression level of MITF and RPE65 proteins and higher percentage of RPE65 (+) cells (P < 0.01) were detected in the experimental group. 6 weeks after sub-retinal transplantation of hESC-RPE cells, the amplitudes of a-b wave in the transplanted eyes were significantly higher than those in the control eyes (P < 0.01) at the stimulus intensity of 3.0 cd·s/m2. ConclusionsL-Phenylalanine effectively promoted the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial cells, and its impacts on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may partially explain the underlying mechanisms. Subretinal transplantation of hESC-RPE remarkably improved the retinal functions of retinal degenerative animal models.
OBJECTIVE: To provide an ideal method for repairing the circular cicatricial contracture of thigh. METHODS: Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) island flaps was elevated based only on the deep inferior epigastric artery and vein and transferred to cover the thigh wound after scar had been resected. RESULTS: Four DIEP island flaps was applied clinically and all flaps survived. The size of the flaps ranged from (8 cm x 28 cm) to (11 cm x 32 cm). Venous return and edema had been obviously improved postoperatively. There was no abdominal weakness and hernia in the donor sites. CONCLUSION: DIEP flap not only retains the advantages of TRAM flap such as good blood supply and rich tissue volume, but also preserves the integrity of the rectus abdominis muscle. DIEP island flap is a good material for repair of the circular cicatricial contracture of the thigh.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the heart anatomic and histological structure of the Banna mini-pig inbred-lined and to provide the morphological data for heart xenotransplantation and breeding transgens pig. METHODS: Ten Banna mini-pigs (12-18 months old) were affused and fixed by common coratid artery. The heart were observed and measured by gross anatomy and histology. RESULTS: There were many similarities between the Banna pig heart and the human heart in anatomy and histology. However, the following differences were observed in the Banna pig heart: 1. Azygos vein directly drew into right atrium cordis. 2. The intercalated disk of cardiac muscle was less than that of human. 3. The Purkinje’s fibre was bigger than that of human. CONCLUSION: On the morphology and histology, the structure of Banna pig heart is similar to the heart of human being. It is possible that Banna minipig heart becomes organ donors for xenotransplantation.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the kidney anatomic structure of banna minipig inbred-lines, and to provide data for kidney xenotransplantation. METHODS: The fresh and infused kidneys of banna minipig (including the vessel and the ureter) were checked by anatomic microscope and vernier caliper in original location and away body. The tissue structure was observed by HE stain. RESULTS: The structure of kidney of banna minipig inbred-lines (including the vessel and the ureter) are similar to that of human being. The fascia propria of kidney is divided into three layers including capsula fibrosa, capsula adipose and fascia renalis. The thickness of cortex renalis is (20.0 +/- 2.4) mm. The average diameter of renal artery is 5.1 mm and is similar to that of human being. All the kidneys of banna minipig inbred-lines have a single branch renal artery. The diameters of left and right ureters are 5.1 mm and 4.7 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The kidney of banna minipig inbred-lines is an ideal replacement of human kidney for xenotransplantation.
Objective To provide the anatomical basis for the appl ication of the superficial inferior epigastric artery flap. Methods Ten cadavers which were immersed in formal in less than 6 months and were perfused by red latex were used in this study. There were 8 males and 2 females with an average age of 58 years (range, 35-78 years). The origin, course, branch,distribution, diameter, pedicle length, and neighbour of superficial inferior epigastric artery and vein were observed in the 2 sides of inguinal region. Results In these series of 10 cadaver (20 sides) dissections, the superficial inferior epigastric artery was identified in 18 sides, which average cal iber was 1.48 mm with a mean vascular pedicle length of 4.80 cm. In 11 sides, the superficial inferior epigastric artery arose aspart of a common trunk with one or more other vessels; in other 7, it originated from the femoral. There were 4 branch modes of superficial inperior epigastric artery: single trunks (5 sides), double ramification (3 sides), single lateral ramification (7 sides), and single medial ramification (3 sides). The superficial inferior epigastric vein was observed in 20 sides, which average cal iber was 2.33 mm with a mean sides pedicle length of 5.45 cm. In 8 sides, the venous drainage was as an individual vein; in 12 sides, both patterns were observed (a pair of venae comitantes and an individual vein). Conclusion The inferior epigastric artery flap can be appl ied to microsurgical flap transfer, potentially in breast reconstruction, phalloplasty, reconstruction of head, neck and four l imbs defects.
ObjectiveTo explore the surgical technique, effectiveness, and safety of muscle-sparing rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap vascularized with intercostal artery perforator and inferior epigastric artery perforator for breast reconstruction.MethodsBetween December 2016 and February 2019, 6 cases of early breast cancer received modified radical surgery, lower abdominal flap was applied for one- or two-staged breast reconstruction. The average age of the patients was 34.6 years (range, 29-56 years). The disease duration ranged from 2 to 16 months, with an average of 9.5 months. The tumor was located in the upper outer quadrant in 4 cases and the lower outer quadrant in 2 cases. Pathological examination showed that they were all invasive ductal carcinoma. Four cases of breast cancer were in stage Ⅰ and 2 cases was in stage Ⅱ. During operation, the inferior epigastric artery perforators were found to be close to the upper edge of the flap and/or near the umbilical cord in 4 cases, the inferior epigastric artery perforator vessels were relatively small (<0.3 mm) in 2 cases; and the breast was reconstructed with muscle-sparing rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap vascularized with intercostal artery perforator and inferior epigastric artery perforator. The length, width, and thickness of the flap were (28.9±0.2), (12.1±0.4), and (4.4±0.3) cm, respectively. The length of the vascular pedicle was (11.5±0.2) cm and the weight of the flap was (420.5±32.7) g.ResultsAll 6 muscle-sparing rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps were successful, and the breast incisions healed by first intention. There was no vascular crisis, donor site effusion, hematoma, or infection. All 6 patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 26.8 months). The reconstructed breast had a good shape, good elasticity, and no flap contracture or deformation; only linear scars left at the donor site of the flap, and the abdominal wall function was not affected. During follow-up, there was no breast cancer recurrence and metastasis.ConclusionWhen the inferior epigastric artery perforators are too close to the upper edge of the flap and/or near the umbilical cord, the vascularity of lower abdominal flap can be ruined, harvested in form of muscle-sparing rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap vascularized with intercostal artery perforator and inferior epigastric artery perforator can efficiently ensure blood supply safety.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical result of repairing degloving injury of hand with abdominal bipedicled subdermal vascular-network flap in emergence. METHODS: From 1994 to 1997, 19 cases with degloving injury of hand were treated with two flaps, one flaps with the inferior epigastric artery as pedicle, another with superficial epigastric artery. The two skin flaps were designed oppositely to cover the injured hands. RESULTS: All the flaps survived. Followed up for 1 to 3 years, the contour of hands were fine. Extension of fingers was normal and opponers of thumbs was good. Range of flexion of metacarpo-phalangeal joints was from 45 to 60 degrees, and the proximal interphalangeal joints was from 10 to 25 degrees. CONCLUSION: For the subdermal vascular network, the bipedicled flaps of abdomen in repair of degloving injury of hand have sufficient blood supply, b resistance to infection, high survival rate, and good contour.