Annals of plastic surgery
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Annals of plastic surgery · Mar 2012
ReviewGrowing trend of China's contribution to the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery: a 10-year study of the literature.
In the past decade, plastic and reconstructive surgery in China has achieved great advances. However, the scientific publications in plastic and reconstructive surgery in the major regions of China-Mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are unknown. We therefore intended to reveal the contribution of articles from Chinese authors to the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. ⋯ The number of articles published from Chinese authors increased markedly from 2000 to 2009, particularly from Mainland China, since 2004.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Mar 2012
Infrared fluorescence imaging of lymphatic regeneration in nonhuman primate facial vascularized composite allografts.
Clinical vascularized composite allografts (VCA), although performed with good success, have been characterized by rejection episodes and postoperative graft edema. We investigated lymphatic donor-recipient reconstitution and lymphatic regeneration in a nonhuman primate facial VCA model. ⋯ Donor-recipient lymphatic channel regeneration following VCA did not result in resolution of edema. Technical causes of graft edema may be overcome with alternative surgical techniques, allowing for direct investigation of the immunologic relationship between VCA graft edema and rejection responses. Mechanisms and timing of dynamic donor-recipient lymphatic channel relationships can be evaluated using fluorescent imaging systems to better define the immunologic role of lymphatic channels in VCA engraftment and rejection responses, which may have direct clinical implications.
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Annals of plastic surgery · Mar 2012
Immunological demyelination enhances nerve regeneration after acute transection injury in the adult rat sciatic nerve.
Our recent experiments demonstrate that demyelination enhances peripheral nerve regeneration after contusion injury in the adult rat sciatic nerve. The role of demyelination in peripheral nerve regeneration in a sciatic nerve transection model has yet to be elucidated. We hypothesize that (1) axon regeneration within a region of injury increases after experimental, immunologic demyelination, and (2) regenerated axons are partially derived from the proximal motor axons. ⋯ This study demonstrates enhanced histomorphologic nerve regeneration in the rat sciatic nerve after local delivery of experimental, immunologic demyelination following transection injury. It highlights the utility of demyelination in peripheral nerve regeneration. This therapy may be applicable for tissue-engineered constructs, cell-based systems, and nerve transfers to improve outcomes in peripheral nervous system injuries.