In this work, a new method for producing acellular dermis (ADM), a natural scaffold used for dermal replacement, from porcine skin was developed. Fresh porcine skin from local slaughterhouse was dehaired by sodium sulphide following by epidermis removal using glycerol. After fat removal by chloroform/methanol (2/1 v/v) solvent, cellular components were removed using enzymatic treatment incorporated with a periodic pressurized technique. The effects of enzyme type (trypsin and dispase II) and periodic pressurized conditions on the efficiency of cell removal were investigated. When periodic pressure was applied, enzymatic treatment time could be shorten since the enzyme solution was able to penetrate into tight dermis. As a result, cells could be easily removed from porcine skin as noticed quantitatively by DNA assay and qualitatively by H&E staining. When enzyme refreshment was introduced into the decellularized process, the percentage of cell removal was further enhanced. This ensured that no inhibitions effect from the removed cells on enzyme-substrate interaction. Moreover, short-time enzymatic treatment with periodic pressurized technique could prevent the disruption of dermal structure, as observed by SEM. Dispase II can be used to remove cell better than trypsin in the periodic pressurized technique. However, in vivo study indicated that numerous fibroblast from the host tissue infiltrated into ADM prepared using both enzymes. Neo-collagen and neo-capillaries were produced in both implanted ADMs. The result elucidated that the use of periodic pressurized technique with enzymatic treatment has a high potential to be a new method to produce ADM for skin tissue engineering.

purpose. To compare computed tomography (CT)-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) with incisional biopsy in diagnosing musculoskeletal lesions. Methods. 62 men and 50 women aged 12 to 83 (mean, 45) years who underwent a CT-guided CNB were compared with 31 men and 33 women aged 9 to 81 (mean, 53) years who underwent an incisional biopsy. All specimens had final pathology report to compare with. Comparisons were made in terms of (1) diagnostic rate, (2) accuracy in distinguishing benign from malignant lesions, (3) accuracy in distinguishing low-from high-grade sarcomas, (4) accuracy for histological diagnosis, and (5) p=1.00), the accuracy for specific diagnosis (75.9% vs. 85.2%, p=0.17), the repeated biopsy rate (6.3% vs. 4.7%, p=0.75), and the complication rate (0.9% vs. 4.7%, p=0.14). The accuracy for specific diagnosis was higher for bone than soft-tissue lesions for both CTguided CNB (87.0% vs. 59.5%, p=0.002) and incisional biopsy (87.0% vs. 77.3%, p=0.43). The accuracy of CT-guided CNB for specific diagnosis of benign softtissue tumours as well as infection and inflammation was relatively low. conclusion. CT-guided CNB is safe, easy to perform, efficient, and less invasive, and should be considered as a first-line biopsy for musculoskeletal lesions.

Purpose A prospective study was undertaken to investigate basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression in hypertrophic ligamentum flavum (LF) from patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS) and to determine whether there was a correlation of bFGF expression with LF thickness. Methods Twenty patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis were enrolled in this study. bFGF mRNA and protein expressions in LF were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The thickness of LF was measured by axial T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Results Expression of bFGF was substantially higher in the hypertrophic LF group than in the control group (P<0.001) as quantified by quantitative real-time PCR. In immunohistochemical study, bFGF was positively stained on the fibroblasts within hypertrophic LF compared to nonpathologic LF of controls. Subsequent ELISA analysis revealed that bFGF concentration in the hypertrophic LF group was remarkably higher than that in the control group (P=0.003). The thickness of LF in the hypertrophic LF was significantly greater than that in the control group (P<0.001). LSCS patients with greater severity of LF hypertrophy had significantly higher bFGF levels in the LF tissues (P<0.001). Furthermore, the bFGF concentration exhibited a positive correlation with the LF thickness (r=0.974, P<0.001). Conclusions These findings suggest that the increased expression of bFGF is associated with the hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum in patients with LSCS.

We report on a 58-year-old woman who underwent total sacrectomy and spinopelvic reconstruction for a low-grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour involving the sacrum. One week later, she developed deep wound infection, and the entire spinopelvic reconstruction was removed. At the 36-month followup, the patient had no pain and was able to walk with a walking frame. There was no sign of recurrence or metastasis.

Background: Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is extensively used in orthopedic, periodontal, and maxillofacial application and investigated as a material to induce new bone formation. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) derived from the submucosa layer of porcine intestine has widely utilized as biomaterial with minimum immune response. Objectives: Determine the osteoinductive potential of SIS, DBM, SIS/DBM composites in the in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal bioassays for bone tissue engineering. Materials and methods: Human periosteal (HPO) cells were treated in the absence or presence SIS, DBM, and SIS/DBM. Cell proliferation was examined by direct cell counting. Osteoblast differentiation of the HPO cells was analyzed with alkaline phosphatase activity assay. The Wistar rat muscle implant model was used to evaluate the osteoinductive potential of SIS, DBM, and SIS/DBM composites. Results: HPO cells could differentiate along osteogenic lineage when treated with either DBM or SIS/DBM. SIS/ DBM had a tendency to promote more cellular proliferation and osteoblast differentiation than the other treatments. In Wistar rat bioassay, SIS showed no new bone formation and the implants were surrounded by fibrous tissues. DBM demonstrated new bone formation along the edge of old DBM particles. SIS/DBM composite exhibited high osteoinductivity, and the residual SIS/DBM was surrounded by osteoid-like matrix and newly formed bone. Conclusion: DBM and SIS/DBM composites could retain their osteoinductive capability. SIS/DBM scaffolds may provide an alternative approach for bone tissue engineering.