<abstract><sec> <title>Objectives</title> <p>Neuro-inflammation occurs as a sequence of brain injury and is associated with production of cytokines. Cytokines can modulate the function and survival of neurons, microglia and astrocytes. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of TNF on the neurons, microglia and astrocytes in normal brain and stab wound brain injury.</p> </sec><sec> <title>Methods</title> <p>Normal BALB/c male mice (N) without any injury were subdivided into NA and NB groups. Another set mouse was subjected to stab wound brain injury (I) and were subdivided into IA and IB. NA and IA groups received intraperitoneal injections of TNF (1 µg/kg body weight/day) for nine days, whereas NB and IB groups received intraperitoneal injections of PBS. Animals were killed on 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 7^th, and 9^th day. Frozen brain sections through the injury site in IA and IB or corresponding region in NA and NB groups were stained for neurodegeneration, immunostained for astrocytes, microglia and neurons. Western blotting for GFAP and ELISA for BDNF were done from the tissues collected from all groups.</p> </sec><sec> <title>Results</title> <p>The number of degenerating neurons significantly decreased in TNF treated groups. There was a significant increase in the number of astrocytes and microglia in TNF treated groups compared to PBS treated groups. In addition, it was found that TNF stimulated the expression of GFAP and BDNF in NA and IA groups.</p> </sec><sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>TNF induces astrogliosis and microgliosis in normal and injured brain and promotes the survival of cortical neurons in stab wound brain injury, may be by upregulating the BDNF level.</p> </sec></abstract>

account for these limitations. We believe that our technique could be a potential solution for areas where more costly machinery to harvest fat is unavailable.

Background Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a rapidly evolving technology with many applications in the medical field. It involves printing solid objects from a digital file. In this paper we describe our experience with the use of 3D printing in creating an areolar cookie cutter that is compatible with sterilization. Objective To explore accurate and cost-effective methods of producing patient-specific areola cookie cutters. Methods Auto-computer-aided design (CAD) 3D software was used to design a digital model that was subsequently converted to an STL file. The models were printed with the Formlabs Form 3+ SLA printer (Somerville, MA) using resin material. Washing and curing was then performed followed by autoclave sterilization of the models. Results A total of 3 areola cookie cutters were created, each with different sizes (33 mm, 38 mm, 42 mm) using resin material (Formlabs BioMed Clear Resin- Somerville, MA). All 3 models were able to withstand autoclave sterilization. Conclusions The use of 3D printing has proven to be a valuable tool in Plastic surgery. We describe our experience of designing and producing an areola cookie cutter using a 3D printer; our model is compatible with the process of sterilization. We emphasize the advantages of a quick production time and accuracy in design.

Summary: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a rapidly evolving field that has found its way into the medical field, providing unsurpassed contributions to the provision of patient-centered care. Its utilization lies in optimizing preoperative planning, the creation and customization of surgical guides and implants, and the designing of models that can be used to augment patient counseling and education. We integrate a simple yet effective method of scanning the forearm using an iPad device with Xkelet software to obtain a 3D printable stereolithography file, which is then incorporated to our suggested algorithmic model for designing a 3D cast, utilizing Rhinocerus design software and Grasshopper plugin. The algorithm implements a stepwise process of retopologizing the mesh, division of the cast model, creating the base surface, applying proper clearance and thickness to the mold, and creating a lightweight structure through the addition of ventilation holes to the surface with a joint connector between the two plates. In our experience, scanning and design of the patient-specific forearm cast using Xkelet and Rhinocerus, alongside implementing an algorithmic model through Grasshopper plugin has dramatically reduced the designing process from 2 to 3 hours to 4–10 minutes, further increasing the number of patient scans that can be sequenced in a short duration. In this article, we introduce a streamlined algorithmic process for the use of 3D scanning and processing software to create forearm casts that are tailored to the patients’ dimensions. We emphasize the implementation of computer-aided design software for a quicker and more accurate design process.

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