Mussel-inspired copolymer-coated polypropylene mesh with anti-adhesion efficiency for abdominal wall defect repair.

Polypropylene (PP) meshes are one of the most commonly used prosthesis materials in repairing abdominal wall defects. However, their application is usually limited due to possible serious abdominal adhesions between the mesh and the viscera. Instilling PP meshes with excellent anti-adhesion characteristics is still a formidable challenge. In this work, in order to prevent intestinal adhesion to the PP mesh, an effective method was developed to prepare anti-adhesive PP meshes, which was inspired by mussel adhesive proteins. A functional monomer, namely, dopamine methacrylamide, was first synthesized. Then, it was copolymerized with poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate on the surface of O2-plasma-treated PP (OPP) meshes to form comb-like copolymer poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate-co-dopamine methacrylamide] (PEDMA), which was simultaneously grafted in situ on the OPP mesh surface through the catechol group of PEDMA, subsequently yielding an anti-adhesive PP mesh (OPP-g-PEDMA). The properties of PEDMA and OPP-g-PEDMA meshes were characterized by NMR, GPC, TGA, FTIR, XPS, SEM, and water contact angle measurements. NIH-3T3 cells were employed to assess the cytocompatibility of OPP-g-PEDMA in vitro. Furthermore, the rat abdominal wall defect model was used to evaluate the efficacy of adhesion prevention. The results show that OPP-g-PEDMA not only possesses fantastic biocompatibility but also satisfactory anti-adhesion property involving minimal chronic inflammation, as well as lower adhesion formation rate and adhesion tenacity scores (less than 1.0). This type of OPP-g-PEDMA mesh is a promising candidate in effectively preventing peritoneal adhesion during abdominal wall defect repair.

Development of the ventral body wall in the human embryo.

Migratory failure of somitic cells is the commonest explanation for ventral body wall defects. However, the embryo increases ~ 25-fold in volume in the period that the ventral body wall forms, so that differential growth may, instead, account for the observed changes in topography. Human embryos between 4 and 10 weeks of development were studied, using amira reconstruction and cinema 4D remodeling software for visualization. Initially, vertebrae and ribs had formed medially, and primordia of sternum and hypaxial flank muscle primordium laterally in the body wall at Carnegie Stage (CS)15 (5.5 weeks). The next week, ribs and muscle primordium expanded in ventrolateral direction only. At CS18 (6.5 weeks), separate intercostal and abdominal wall muscles differentiated, and ribs, sterna, and muscles began to expand ventromedially and caudally, with the bilateral sternal bars fusing in the midline after CS20 (7 weeks) and the rectus muscles reaching the umbilicus at CS23 (8 weeks). The near-constant absolute distance between both rectus muscles and approximately fivefold decline of this distance relative to body circumference between 6 and 10 weeks identified dorsoventral growth in the dorsal body wall as determinant of the 'closure' of the ventral body wall. Concomitant with the straightening of the embryonic body axis after the 6th week, the abdominal muscles expanded ventrally and caudally to form the infraumbilical body wall. Our data, therefore, show that the ventral body wall is formed by differential dorsoventral growth in the dorsal part of the body.

Blood vessel matrix seeded with cells: a better alternative for abdominal wall reconstruction-a long-term study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to present abdominal wall reconstruction using a porcine vascular graft seeded with MSC (mesenchymal stem cells) on rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Abdominal wall defect was prepared in 21 Wistar rats. Acellular porcine-vascular grafts taken from aorta and prepared with Triton X were used. 14 aortic grafts were implanted in place, of which 7 grafts were seeded with rat MSC cells (Group I), and 7 were acellular grafts (Group II). As a control, 7 standard polypropylene meshes were used for defect augmentation (Group III). The assessment method was performed by HE and CD31 staining after 6 months. The mechanical properties have been investigated by Zwick&Roell Z0.5. RESULTS: The strongest angiogenesis and lowest inflammatory response were observed in Group I. Average capillaries density was 2.75, 0.75, and 1.53 and inflammatory effect was 0.29, 1.39, and 2.72 for Groups I, II, and III, respectively. The means of mechanical properties were 12.74 ± 1.48, 7.27 ± 1.56, and 14.4 ± 3.7 N/cm in Groups I and II and control, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cell-seeded grafts have better mechanical properties than acellular grafts but worse than polypropylene mesh. Cells improved mechanical and physiological properties of decellularized natural scaffolds.

Aumento mamário por meio da incisão da abdominoplastia: estudo prospectivo de 100 casos / Breast augmentation via the abdominoplasty incision approach: a prospective study of 100 cases

INTRODUÇÃO: A gravidez e a obesidade causam distensão da parede abdominal e também produzem mudanças na forma e no tamanho das mamas. Assim, não é incomum a necessidade de melhoria estética da área abdominal, coincidindo com o desejo de aumento de mama. A mamoplastia utilizando a mesma incisão da abdominoplastia foi descrita pela primeira vez em 1976. Em decorrência da falta de estudos prospectivos empregando essa abordagem, os autores realizaram uma série de dermolipectomias usando a incisão abdominal para inserir o par de implantes mamários de silicone gel. MÉTODO: Cem pacientes consecutivas foram selecionadas, com média de idade de 33 ± 2 anos. A abdominoplastia clássica foi realizada e, em seguida, confeccionados 2 túneis sobre os hipocôndrios direito e esquerdo. Após colocação dos implantes, foi realizada reconstrução do sulco mamário com pontos simples usando fios absorvíveis, fixando o subcutâneo à aponeurose. RESULTADOS: Não houve nenhuma das seguintes complicações: trombose venosa profunda, complicações cardiorrespiratórias ou anestésicas, necrose de pele, sangramento visível, e hematoma ou infecção detectáveis clinicamente. O volume dos implantes variou de 280 ml a 450 ml (mediana de 350 ml). O tempo médio de operação foi de 116 minutos. Em nenhum caso foi necessária reoperação. O período de acompanhamento mínimo foi de 9 meses e máximo, de 84 meses (média de 36 meses). CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de aumento mamário por meio da incisão da abdominoplastia se mostrou confiável e simples, constituindo uma nova opção para a cirurgia mamária sem cicatriz nas mamas.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy and obesity cause distension of the abdominal wall and produce changes in the shape and size of the breasts. Thus, the need of aesthetic improvement of the abdominal area is not uncommon, coinciding with the desire for breast augmentation. Performing mammoplasty via the abdominoplasty incision approach was first described in 1976. Because of the lack of prospective studies using this approach, we performed a series of dermolipectomy procedures using the abdominal incision to insert a pair of silicone gel breast implants. METHODS: In total, 100 consecutive patients were selected, with a mean age of 33 ± 2 years. Classic abdominoplasty was performed, and 2 tunnels were then made in the right and left hypochondria. After implant placement, the mammary fold was reconstructed using simple sutures with absorbable threads to attach the subcutaneous tissue to the aponeurosis. RESULTS: None of the following complications were observed: deep-vein thrombosis, cardiorespiratory or anesthetic complications, skin necrosis, visible bleeding, hematoma, or clinically detectable infection. The volume of the implants ranged from 280 to 450 mL (median, 350 mL). The mean operation time was 116 minutes. Reoperation was not necessary in any of the cases. The monitoring period ranged from 9 to 84 months (mean, 36 months). CONCLUSIONS: Breast augmentation via the abdominoplasty incision approach was demonstrated to be a reliable and simple technique, providing a new, scar-free alternative to mammary surgical procedures.

Influence of betaine and conjugated linoleic acid on development of carcass cuts of Iberian pigs growing from 20 to 50 kg body weight.

Twenty Iberian gilts (20 kg body weight, BW) were fed diets containing no betaine or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (Control), 0.5% betaine, 1% CLA, or 0.5% betaine+1% CLA. Additionally, 5 pigs were killed at 20 kg BW for the initial points of the allometric equations. At 50 kg BW, left semicarcasses were cut into primal cuts, hams and shoulders trimmed and dissected. CLA alone did not affect any analyzed parameter. Betaine increased (23 and 21%, respectively) the yield of shoulder butt and spine and decreased allometric growth coefficient of belly and backfat, compared to Control diet. Tenderloins and trimmed hams of pigs fed CLA+betaine diet developed later and were heavier (22 and 5%, respectively) than Control pigs. Also, leaf fat developed earlier and had lighter weight (32%). Furthermore, pigs fed CLA+betaine diet had heavier lean (5%) and fat free lean (6%) of shoulders compared to Control pigs.

Conditional mutation of fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 and 2 results in an omphalocele in mice associated with disruptions in ventral body wall muscle formation.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: We observed that fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (Fgfr1, Fgfr2) are expressed during abdominal wall development in mice and hypothesized that conditional mutation of these genes would result in abdominal wall defects. METHODS: Section in situ hybridizations were performed for Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 on wild-type embryos at embryonic day (E) 11.5 and E13.5. Conditional mutation of Fgfr1and Fgfr2 was achieved with a tamoxifen inducible Cre at E8.5. Litters were harvested at E17.5, whole mount photographs were taken, and paraffin sections were generated and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. RESULTS: Fgfr1 was expressed in ectoderm, lateral plate mesoderm, and myoblasts, whereas Fgfr2 was expressed almost exclusively in the early dermis and ectoderm of the abdominal wall. Conditional mutation of both Fgfr2 alleles and one Fgfr1 allele resulted in omphalocele in 38.7% of mutants. Histologic examination in mutants demonstrated disruptions in dermal and muscle development. CONCLUSIONS: Mutant embryos with omphalocele arising from mutation in Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 exhibit disruptions in the development of the secondary abdominal wall structures. These findings are consistent with a model of ventral abdominal wall development in which organization of the muscles and connective tissue (secondary abdominal wall structures) is influenced by positional information emanating from the primary abdominal wall.