The Effects of Timing of Postoperative Radiotherapy on Hypertrophic Scar in a Rabbit Model.

BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scar is associated with excessive proliferation of fibroblasts, the accumulation of collagen fibers, and angiogenesis associated with chronic inflammation. Scar resection, combined with radiotherapy, is widely used in clinical practice, but timing remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between the timing of postoperative radiotherapy and the effects on hypertrophic scar in a rabbit model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty New Zealand white rabbits, 8-12 months old, weighing 1.8-2.3 kg were used in the model of hypertrophic scar and underwent surgical resection with or without postoperative radiotherapy. The study groups included: Group 1, the non-resection group; Group 2, the resection and non-radiotherapy group; Group 3, the immediate postoperative radiotherapy group; Group 4, the 12-hour postoperative radiotherapy group; Group 5, the 24-hour postoperative radiotherapy group; Group 6, the 48-hour postoperative radiotherapy group; Group 7, the 72-hour postoperative radiotherapy group; and Group 8, the 120-hour postoperative radiotherapy group. The rabbit ear skin was observed after treatment, and the hypertrophic scar index (HI), fibroblast numerical area density (NA), and collagen fiber area density (AA) were determined. RESULTS The HI, NA, and AA were significantly lower after 48 hours of postoperative radiotherapy (P<0.05), with the effects occurring mainly within 24 hours. There was no difference in HI, NA, and AA between the radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy groups within 24 hours after surgery. CONCLUSIONS In a rabbit model of hypertrophic scar, surgical resection combined with radiotherapy resulted in an optimal effect within 24 hours after surgery.

Anthropometric labial analysis of Han Chinese young adults.

BACKGROUND: Facial features vary in size and proportions between different races. This study aimed to measure the anthropometric variables of the labial region in Han Chinese young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 900 college students (475 male and 425 female) of Chinese Han ethnicity from the northern China were included. Measurements of the labial region included 14 linear items and seven proportions. RESULTS: All the linear measurements of the males were significantly higher than those of the females (all P < 0.001). Significant gender differences were found in the philtrum morphology, philtrum width, upper vermilion-cutaneous lip, lower vermilion-cutaneous lip, and vermilion. There are significant differences in the anthropometric variables of the labial region between male and female Han Chinese young adults. CONCLUSIONS: These data may be used as a reference standard for labial reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

Cross-talk between TGF-ß/Smad pathway and Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in pathological scar formation.

TGF-ß1 is a key factor in the process of wound healing, which is regulated by TGF-ß/Smad pathway. We previously demonstrated that TGF-ß1 contributed to pathological scar formation. And previous studies also suggested Wnt/ß-catenin pathway might be involved in wound healing. However, their role and relation in pathological scar formation remains not very clear. For evaluating TGF-ß1 and ß-catenin, key factors of the two signal pathways, immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and RT-PCR were used. Simultaneously, immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate Smad2, Smad3 and Wnt-1, which were also the important factors. We found that they all significantly accumulated in pathological scars compared with normal skins (P<0.05), that implied the two signal pathways both contributed to pathological scar formation. Meanwhile, ß-catenin expression showed a tendency to increase first and then decrease under the influence of different concentrations of TGF-ß1 (P<0.01). It is possible that there is a complicated interaction between the two signal pathways in pathological scar formation (both synergy and antagonism).

Anthropometric nasal analysis of Han Chinese young adults.

BACKGROUND: There are varying degrees of racial differences in the size, shape, proportions of the facial structures. METHODS: A total of 900 Han Chinese young adults (501 females and 399 males) were included in the analysis. Measurements taken of the soft tissue of the external nose included 12 items of linear distance and 5 angles. Six proportion indices of the soft tissue of the external nose were determined. RESULTS: In the 12 parameters of linear measurement, females were found to have significantly smaller nasal base width, nasal ala length, nasal ala thickness, columella height, columella width, and nasal tip width in comparison to males (all, P < 0.01). In the five angular measurements, females were found to have a smaller nasal tip angle and nasolabial angle (both, P < 0.05) and a larger nostril tilt angle, nasofrontal angle, and nasal tip angle (all, P < 0.001). Nasal depth-nasal width and columella height-nasal depth were both significantly less in males than females (53.25 ± 8.2 vs. 54.56 ± 9.7 and 51.61 ± 11.92 vs. 53.37 ± 12.56, respectively); whereas nasal ala length-nasal height was significantly less in females than in males (29.41 ± 8.95 vs. 30.9 ± 7.02). CONCLUSION: Significant differences are present in nasal indices of males and females of Han Chinese ancestry. These data may serve as a reference standard for nasal reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.