No abstract

Both HA gel and autologous fat provide augmentation of NLFs. The magnitude and duration of NLF correction appear to be similarly effective and safe within a period.

BackgroundInsulin replenishment is critical for patients with type 1 diabetes; however, current treatments such as pancreatic islet transplantation and insulin injection are not ideal. In addition to stem cell or gene therapy alone, stem cell combined with gene therapy may provide a new route for insulin replenishment, which could avoid an autoimmune reaction against differentiated β cells or systematic viral vector injection.MethodsIn this study, human adipocyte-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were transducted with lentiviral vectors expressing a furin-cleavable insulin gene. The expression levels of insulin were measured before and after adipogenic differentiation in the presence or absence of an adipocyte-specific promoter AP2. In vitro proliferation and in vivo survival of cells were examined on cytodex and cytopore microcarriers. The effect of ADSC-based gene therapy upon adipogenic differentiation on microcarriers was evaluated in the streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mouse model.ResultsWe found that differentiation of ADSCs into adipocytes increased insulin expression under the EF1 promoter, while adipocyte-specific AP2 promoter further increased insulin expression upon differentiation. The microcarriers supported cell attachment and proliferation during in vitro culture and facilitate cell survival after transplantation. Functional cells on the cytopore 1 microcarrier formed tissue-like structures and alleviated hyperglycemia in the type 1 diabetic mice after subcutaneous injection.ConclusionsOur results indicated that differentiation of ADSC and tissue-specific promotors may enhance the expression of therapeutic genes. The use of microcarriers may facilitate cell survival after transplantation and hold potential for long-term cell therapy.

The application of expanded flaps in the neck is proved to be an effective way of repairing facial defects on the mid and lower face. The technique is remarkably reliable in resurfacing the peripheral facial esthetic units.

I t is commonly accepted that double-eyelid surgery results in largerappearing eyes, a soft and womanly appearance, clear-cut features and a refreshed appearance to the face (1). Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in Asia because nearly one-half of the Asian population lacks a supratarsal fold (2). The first cutaneous suture technique was devised by Mikamo (reported by Lam [3]). Various methods have been described, broadly including the incisional, nonincisional and mini-incisional methods (4). The present article introduces a modified mini-incisional technique. METHODSA total of 372 patients (325 women and 47 men) were involved in the study between July 2008 and August 2014. Their age ranged from 16 to 34 years (mean 24 years of age), and all underwent the modified mini-incisional upper blepharoplasty. Bilateral surgeries were performed in 341 patients and unilateral procedures in 31 patients. The follow-up period was three to 12 months (mean nine months) to evaluate the effect. Patient satisfaction was evaluated three months postoperatively. Satisfactory results indicated no multiple eyelids, no shifting or disappearance of the fold, and symmetrical heights of the fold when the difference between the bilateral heights was <1 mm. Complications were recorded. Preoperative evaluationThe desires of the patients were understood during consultation and they were taken into consideration before the operative design. With the patient sitting, the height and shape of the desired double-eyelid line were simulated. A probe was used to push the upper eyelid upward to form a crease in front of a mirror. The crease position was confirmed when the patient was satisfied with the simulated crease, which was usually approximately 7 mm to 10 mm above the ciliary margin. The symmetry of the line on the bilateral upper eyelid was verified. The proposed double-eyelid line was marked using a marker pen. All patients were photographed pre-and postoperatively. Surgical procedureThe operation was performed under local anesthesia. 1% lidocaine (5 mL) containing 1:100,000 of epinephrine was injected into each eyelid. Four 2 mm incisions were made along the double-eyelid line. BACkGROUND: Double-eyelid blepharoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in Asia. OBjECTIVE: To introduce a modified mini-incisional technique to form a double eyelid. METHODS: A total of 372 patients (325 women, 47 men) were involved in the study between July 2008 and August 2014. Their age ranged from 16 to 34 years, with a mean age of 24 years. All patients underwent the modified mini-incisional upper blepharoplasty. In the technique, four 2 mm incisions were made along the designed fold. The orbicularis muscle overlying the levator aponeurosis was removed. The removal of the lateral fat pad was completed accordingly. The medial fat pad was also removed if necessary. Suture was used to fix the skin to pretarsal fascia along the double-eyelid line. The double-eyelid crease was formed after the operation. RESULTS...