16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals the correlation between the gut microbiota and the susceptibility to pathological scars.

The gut microbiome profile in patients with pathological scars remains rarely known, especially those patients who are susceptible to pathological scars. Previous studies demonstrated that gut microbial dysbiosis can promote the development of a series of diseases via the interaction between gut microbiota and host. The current study aimed to explore the gut microbiota of patients who are prone to suffer from pathological scars. 35 patients with pathological scars (PS group) and 40 patients with normal scars (NS group) were recruited for collection of fecal samples to sequence the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) V3-V4 region of gut microbiota. Alpha diversity of gut microbiota showed a significant difference between NS group and PS group, and beta diversity indicated that the composition of gut microbiota in NS and PS participants was different, which implied that dysbiosis exhibits in patients who are susceptible to pathological scars. Based on phylum, genus, species levels, we demonstrated that the changing in some gut microbiota (Firmicutes; Bacteroides; Escherichia coli, etc.) may contribute to the occurrence or development of pathological scars. Moreover, the interaction network of gut microbiota in NS and PS group clearly revealed the different interaction model of each group. Our study has preliminary confirmed that dysbiosis exhibits in patients who are susceptible to pathological scars, and provide a new insight regarding the role of the gut microbiome in PS development and progression.

The pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF): an important potential therapeutic agent for infantile hemangioma.

In previous studies, the expression and the role of proangiogenic factors in infantile hemangiomas have been well studied. However, the role of angiogenic inhibitors has been revealed rarely. The expression of PEDF, as the strongest and safe endogenous inhibitor, is still unrecognized until the current study. In order to investigate the expression and significance of the pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in the proliferating and regressing phases of infantile hemangiomas, the expression of PEDF, VEGF, Ki-67, and CD34 protein in hemangioma tissues was examined with immunohistochemical polymer HRP method in 42 cases during the proliferative phase, 40 cases during the regressing phase, and 11 cases of non-involuting congenital hemangiomas (NICHs). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of these factors was detected with quantitative realtime RT-PCR. We found the protein and mRNA expression of PEDF in regressing phase was significantly higher than those in proliferative phase and NICHs (P < 0.001), while the protein and mRNA expression of VEGF were much lower (P < 0.001). The microvessel density (MVD), Ki-67 changes, and the expression of PEDF and VEGF were found significantly correlated. These results indicated that the reduction of VEGF and increase in PEDF are causative to the evolution of infantile hemangioma. PEDF may play a key role in the spontaneous regression of infantile hemangioma and may become an important potential therapeutic agent for infantile hemangioma.

[Combining eyebrow and inferior palpebral margin incision for the facial rejuvenation in the upper eyelid and midface region].

Objective: To investigate a simple, minimally invasive and effective operative method for the facial rejuvenation in the upper eyelid and midface region. Methods: Blepharoplasty was combined with suspending orbicularis oculi muscle flap and fixing it on the periosteum underneath the eyebrow through eyebrow incision. Meanwhile, for midface rejuvenation, inferior palpebral margin incision was performed and prezygomatic interspace was separated completely under the orbicularis oculi muscle. The under-eye puffiness and tear trough deformity were corrected through releasing orbital fat, reposition and fastening orbital septum, and transposition of orbicularis oculi muscle flap. And the deep sulci nasolabialis and cheek anetoderma were relieved by dual lifting of malar fat pad and orbicularis oculi muscle flap. Follow-up was taken at the 1 week,3 months,6 months,1 year,2years and 3 years after operation. Each case was evaluated with postoperative effect, reprocessing time and postoperative complications and underwent photography. Results: From Feb.2010 to Oct.2014,190 patients (9 male,181 female, an average age of 49.03 ± 5.67 years) underwent this operation. Obvious improvement on the upper eyelid and midface region was achieved in all the patients after operation without serious or irreversible complication Conclusions: Combining eyebrow and inferior palpebral margin incision, through suspending the malar fat pad and orbicularis oculi muscle flap at the same time, as a simple, minimally invasive and reliable method, can strengthen the effect of the facial rejuvenation in the upper eyelid and midface region markedly.

[Prospective and comparative study of the double eyelid blepharoplasty with central minimal incision and with three minimal incisions].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect of the double eyelid blepharoplasty with central minimal incision and with three minimal incisions. Methods: From Jul. 2010 to May 2012, 268 cases (Group A) received double eyelid blepharoplasty with central minimal incision, while 102 cases (Group B) underwent double eyelid blepharoplasty with three minimal incisions. Photos were taken immediately, and 1,2, 4, 8,12 weeks after operation. Operation time, recovery time and postoperative complications were evaluated and recorded. The operation time and recovery time were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test. The postoperative complications were analyzed by chi square test. The satisfactory degree was analyzed by t test. RESULTS: The operation time in Group A was (25.63 ± 3.74) min, compared with that (29.90 ± 4.13) min in Group B (Z = -8.011, P <0.01). Meanwhile, the recovery time in Group A was shorter than that in Group B (Z = -15.887, P <0.01). The occurrence rate of postoperative complications,including hematoma,recurrence and scar hyperplasia in Group A was also lower than that in Group B. At the same time, the satisfactory degree in Group A was(97.302 ± 1.764), which was higher than that(88.628 10.880) in Group B (t = 12.650, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The double eyelid blepharoplasty with central minimal incision, which is suitable for all cases except those who has serious blepharochalsais, has more advantages than double eyelid blepharoplasty with three minimal incisions.

[Transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscle flap over the orbital rim for correction of lower eyelid pouches complicated with lacrimal groove deformity].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the experience in the treatment of lower eyelid pouches orbital rim. METHODS: An incision was made along the margin of lower eyelid and dissection was performed under the orbicularis muscle to expose the orbital septum and periosteum of lower orbital rim. The fat released from orbital septum was transposed just below the lower orbital rim and fixed on the periosteum. If lacrimal groove deformity was not corrected completely, the musculocutaneous flap, which may be excised beside the incision, was kept to correct the deformities further with only the muscle portion. RESULTS: 72 cases with lower eyelid pouches complicated with lacrimal groove deformities were treated with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps. Satisfactory results were achieved in all the patients after a follow-up period of 3-6 months. CONCLUSION: It is an effective and feasible technique to correct lacrimal groove deformities with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps.

[Preliminary clinical study on the treatment of severe infantile hemangioma with high-dose propranolol in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical results of the treatment of severe infantile hemangioma with high-dose propranolol in Chinese. METHODS: 56 cases with severe infantile hemangioma were treated with propranolol. Clinical evaluation, electrocardiography, and experimental examination of liver function and heart function were performed before treatment. The daily dose of propranolol was increased from 1 mg/kg at the first day to 1.5 mg/kg at the second day, and to 2 mg/kg at the third day. The propranolol was given twice a day. The treatment was lasted for six months. The patients were visited every month. RESULTS: The lesion color was changed after 2-4 days of treatment in all the cases. All the lesions were dramatically improved after one month of treatment. The ulceration were healed, except one case. Until now, complete regression was achieved in 10 cases and marked improvement in 46 cases. Side effects were happened in 3 cases, including one case of abnormal liver function, one case of CK-MB increase and one case of continuous increase of CK-MB, LDH, ALT, GGT. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose Propranolol is very effective in the treatment of infantile hemangioma with minor side effects and short disease period. It might he used as the first-line treatment for infantile hemangioma.

[Estrogen on stimulating the angiogenesis of children's hemangioma in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that estrogen stimulates the angiogenesis of children' s hemangioma. METHODS: A piece of hemangioma biopsy was embedded in fibrin gel, and a model in vitro of angiogenesis of human hemangioma was then established. The angiogenesis of hemangioma in each group was interfered by the estrogen and tamoxifen. There were four groups divided into the followings: the group with estrogen, the group with tamoxifen, the group with estrogen + tamoxifen and the control. The dimension of newborn tubule area in the 3rd, 6th, 9th day after the culture was calculated to compare statistically differences among the groups. RESULTS: In the model of angiogenesis of hemangioma, microvessels grew out from the tissue sample in 2 to 3 days after the culture, and in 8 to 9 days a complex network of microvessels had been shown, the tending to inactivity. On the 3rd,6th and 9th day after the culture the dimension of newborn tubule area of the group of estrogen [(2.84 +/- 0.20) mm2 (12.93 +/- 0.85) mm2 (22.47 +/- 1.40) mm2] were larger than those of the control [(1.98 +/- 0.17) mm2, (7.51 +/- 0.48) mm2, (11.26 +/- 0.73) mm2]. Those of the group of estrogen + tamoxifen [(1.08 +/- 0.11) mm2, (3.54 +/- 0.31) mm2, (5.72 +/- 0.40 mm2] and the group of tamoxifen [(1.13 +/- 0.14) mm2 (4.26 +/- 0.29) mm2, (6.08 +/- 0.42) mm2] were smaller than those of the groups of the estrogen and the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The estrogen may stimulate the angiogenesis of children's hemangioma, and the tamoxifen may reverse the process.

[A three-dimension in vitro model for angiogenesis of hemangioma].

OBJECTIVE: To create a three dimension (3D) in vitro model for angiogenesis of hemangioma. METHOD: The fragment of hemangioma specimen was embedded in fibrin gel to set up the three-dimension (3D) in vitro model for angiogenesis of hemangioma. RESULT: In the model, microvessels grew out from the tissue fragments at the 2nd to 3rd day after culture, and at the 8th to 9th day a compact network of microvessels come into being, then tending to be stationary. The compact network around the tissue fragment was confirmed to be blood vessels by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. CONCLUSION: This model helps to study the mechanism of hemangioma angiogenesis and investigate the drugs of anti-angiogenesis.