Deep analysis of methylation profile in congenital microtia and verification of the differential genes / 中华整形外科杂志

Objectives@#To explore the differences in signal pathway and gene expression related to the pathogenesis of congenital microtia by the in-depth analysis of DNA methylation profiling of auricular chondrocytes from congenital microtia patients.@*Methods@#Genome wide methylation profile of congenital microtia was obtained by MeDIP chip technology, and analyzed by Gene ontology (GO) and Pathway analysis. The gene expression levels of Wnt1 and Wnt11 were evaluated by Real-time PCR in the auricular cartilage from the healthy side and affected side of the congenital microtia patients , and healthy controls.@*Results@#The GO and Pathway assay showed that Wnt signal pathway was enriched in differential methylated levels. The Wnt1 and Wnt11 genes were with higher methylation in the promoter region and CpG islands in healthy control group than that in microtia group, in addition the methylation level in the affected side auricular cartilage was lower than that in the healthy side. There was no difference in Wnt1 and Wnt11 gene expression in microtia patients and healthy controls. The higher Wnt11 gene expression was detected in the affected side residual cartilage tissues than in the healthy side cartilage tissues of the same congenital microtia patient.@*Conclusions@#The over expression of Wnt11 during embryonic development might be associated with the pathogenesis of congenital microtia. The mechanism of the difference in methylation levles of Wnt11 affecting pathogenesis of congenital microtia needs further research.

Experimental research in volume retention of different fat-processing techniques / 中华整形外科杂志

Objective@#To perform a comparative study of different fat-processing techniques to explore which technique could obtain higher fat content.@*Methods@#Lipoaspirates was purified with three groups of fat-processing techniques (sedimentation, centrifugation, and cotton pad filtering). Isometric purified fat tissue was centrifuged at 5 000 g for 5 minutes to quantify the oil, aqueous, and fat content from them. HE staining was applied to evaluate the effect of different fat-processing techniques on the integrity of adipocyte.@*Results@#The fat content, aqueous content, and oil content of three groups was respectively 86.0%, 9.6% and 4.4% for the cotton pad filtering group; 74.4%, 14.8% and 10.8% for the centrifugation group; 62.0%, 28.4% and 9.6% for the sedimentation group. In the HE histologic findings, no significant difference was observed in the integrity of adipocyte of three groups (P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#In comparison with the sedimentation group and the centrifugation group, more fat content, less oil content and aqueous content was observed in the cotton pad filtering group. The cotton pad filtering technique was helpful in postoperative volume retention.

Effect of vacuum drainage on the blood circulation of expanded flap in ear reconstruction / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of vacuum drainage on blood circulation of expanded skin flap, so as to confirm suitable negative pressure for ear reconstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>21 patients (Auricular Reconstructive Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital, PUMC) were randomly divided into A, B, C 3 groups to receive vacuum drainage of: -20, -40 and -60 kPa, respectively. The length and width of reconstructed ears,which represented the swelling degree, were measured instantly and 5, 10 days postoperatively. The changes were calculated and reflected venous drainage of flaps. The temperature of proximal (concha) and distal (helix) part of the expanded flaps, which represented the arterial blood supply of flaps, was detected by infrared thermography after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five days after operation [(1.48 +/- 0.47) mm, (0.36 +/- 0.06) mm] and immediately [(1.67 +/- 0.69) mm, (0.40 +/- 0.16) mm)] , the changes of the length and width of reconstructed ear in group B was significantly low, while there was no statistically difference between group A and C (P > 0.05). The data between 10 days and 5 days after operation showed the same result. Along with the increase of the negative pressure, the swelling degree of reconstructed ears decreased firstly and then increased reversely ( P < 0.01 ). The flap temperature of reconstructed ears increased (P < 0.01), especially in proximal (concha) part (P < 0.01) , when the negative pressure increased (0 to -60 kPa).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Vacuum drainage has effect on both the venous drainage and blood supply. Negative pressure of -40 kPa can improve both the blood supply and venous drainage. It should be as reference for clinical application.</p>