The aim of this study was to establish a pressure ulcer model that visualizes the microcirculation, and to examine the participation of ischemia-reperfusion injury in the pathophysiology of pressure ulcers. An original system composed of a new skin fold chamber and compression device allowed loading quantitative vertical stress to the skin. An intravital microscopic technique enabled direct visualization of the microcirculation in the physiological condition and in response to pressure application. To estimate the effect of ischemia-reperfusion injury, animals were divided into two groups: the compression-release group (n = 8), in which the animals received four cycles of compression-release which consisted of 2 hours of compression followed by 1 hour of pressure release; and the compression alone group (n = 8) in which the animals underwent continuous compression for 8 hours. Functional capillary density was quantified before the compression procedure and on day 1 (35 hours) after the first evaluation. The cyclic compression-release procedure significantly decreased functional capillary density as compared to continuous compression, indicating that in our experimental setting repetition of ischemia-reperfusion cycle more severely damaged the microcirculation than single prolonged ischemic insult. This finding supports the significant contribution of ischemia-reperfusion injury to the pathophysiology of pressure ulcers at the level of dynamic in vivo microcirculation.

It is clear that the interruption of microcirculation is one of the significant factors to the pathophysiology of pressure ulcers. But the relation between them has not sufficiently elucidated yet. We aimed at developing the experimental animal model of pressure ulcers. Using the originally designed skinfold chamber and pressing systems, we visualized interruption, remodeling and angiogenesis of microcirculation dynamically. And such various microcirculatory responses also could be evaluated and recorded chronically. We compared ischemia‐induced injury to ischemia‐reperfusion‐induced injury with this model, and analyzed each reaction of microcirculation quantitatively by measuring the functional capillary density. This model can be useful from the viewpoint of microcirculation.

Aim: Chronic osteomyelitis with pus discharge is very difficult to treat. This time we experienced the case of lower leg osteomyelitis, which we have treated with Trafermin spray. The result was excellent and beyond our expectation, so we will report this case.Case: 63 years, male. He sustained the open fracture injury of his right foot by a fallen rocks and resulted in the osteomyelitis. Then he was introduced to our hospital. Operation was done under spinal anesthesia, the infected bone and covering skin were excised fully and the defect (4 · 3 · 3 cm) was left open. After 2 weeks of dressing change, we began to use the Trafermin spray.Result: At the first 3 weeks, evident change was not recognized, but good granulation formation started 4 weeks later. This tendency has continued for a while and the defect completely closed 5 months later. Discussion:We have experienced the case of lower leg osteomyelitis, which showed the dramatic improvement. Through this case, we have reconfirmed that rich blood supply around the defect is essential for the healing process when we use the Trafermin spray.Aim: Taking advantage of homogeneously marked cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice, we have previously demonstrated that bone marrow derived stromal cells (BSCs) differentiate into a variety of cell lineages both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we extend this approach to characterize adipose tissue derived stromal cells (ASCs), sometimes called processed lipoaspirate (PLA) cells.Methods: ASCs were isolated from inguinal fat pads of GFP mice. After the primary culture in control medium, the cells were incubated in osteogenic and chondrogenic medium for 2 to 4 weeks, respectively. Osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation were assessed by the special staining and RT-PCR.Results: ASCs incubated in osteogenic medium were stained positively for von Kossa and alkaline phosphatase staining. RT-PCR analysis showed the Expression of osteocyte related genes. Positive staining cells for alcian blue and the expression of chodrocyte related genes were found in ASCs incubated in chondrogenic medium.Conclusions: These findings suggest that ASCs derived from GFP transgenic mice have both osteochondrogenic potential in vitro. Since this cell population can be easily identified through fluorescence microscope, it may be an ideal source of ASCs for further experiments of stem cell biology and tissue engineering.Aim: In the present study, expression of members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family and early growth response gene 1 (Egr-1), known as a transcription factor, was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Methods: After the mouse fetal small intestine was divided into single cells with collagenase-disperse, the cells were cultured. After reorganized small intestine were resected with a knife, expression of mRNAs from FGF family and Egr-1 was analyzed by RT-PCR.Results: The wound surface was covered with epithelial cells by 24 hours after resection.Among members of ...