Ethyl Pyruvate Decreases Collagen Synthesis and Upregulates MMP Activity in Keloid Fibroblasts and Keloid Spheroids.

Keloids, marked by abnormal cellular proliferation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, pose significant therapeutic challenges. Ethyl pyruvate (EP), an inhibitor of the high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and TGF-ß1 pathways, has emerged as a potential anti-fibrotic agent. Our research evaluated EP's effects on keloid fibroblast (KF) proliferation and ECM production, employing both in vitro cell cultures and ex vivo patient-derived keloid spheroids. We also analyzed the expression levels of ECM components in keloid tissue spheroids treated with EP through immunohistochemistry. Findings revealed that EP treatment impedes the nuclear translocation of HMGB1 and diminishes KF proliferation. Additionally, EP significantly lowered mRNA and protein levels of collagen I and III by attenuating TGF-ß1 and pSmad2/3 complex expression in both human dermal fibroblasts and KFs. Moreover, metalloproteinase I (MMP-1) and MMP-3 mRNA levels saw a notable increase following EP administration. In keloid spheroids, EP induced a dose-dependent reduction in ECM component expression. Immunohistochemical and western blot analyses confirmed significant declines in collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin, elastin, TGF-ß, AKT, and ERK 1/2 expression levels. These outcomes underscore EP's antifibrotic potential, suggesting its viability as a therapeutic approach for keloids.

"A Novel Method Using the Petal Pattern for Contouring a Domed Nipple in Tuberous Breasts".

SUMMARY: The main cause of domed nipples is increased pressure, which causes the breast tissue to herniate toward the nipple-areola complex. It appears as a characteristic of a tuberous breast rather than occurring alone, and the boundary between the nipple and areolar region is unclear. The authors present a method using petal patterns for the single-stage aesthetic correction of this deformity.

Personal Approach to Optimizing Inframammary Fold Incision for Asian Augmentation Mammoplasty.

BACKGROUND: The rates of aesthetic breast augmentation have risen substantially in Asia. Outcomes of various breast augmentation approaches in Asia have not been comprehensively studied. In the past, the inframammary approach to breast augmentation was not popular because of conspicuous scarring. In this article, the authors review academic articles related to the use of an inframammary incision for breast augmentation in Asian women and present our recommendations for the available techniques. METHODS: A literature search was performed for articles published after 2015 on Asian women with augmentation mammoplasty describing techniques, incision sites, outcomes, and complications. The search was performed using the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases. We also included our own technique to demonstrate the outcome of augmentation mammoplasty through inframammary incision. RESULTS: Eight articles satisfied our inclusion criteria. Evidence indicates that with proper preoperative design and surgical techniques, scarring resulting from the inframammary approach is not inferior to that resulting from the transaxillary approach in Asian patients. Long-term satisfaction with the inframammary approach to breast augmentation is high in Asian patients.Eight articles reported the outcomes of 1168 women receiving breast augmentation. Inframammary incisions were used in 45.29% of patients (529 patients). After the 2015 publication of Zelken's review paper on Asian breast augmentation, the rate of inframammary incisions increased from 3.1% to 45.29%. CONCLUSIONS: With precise design of the new inframammary fold, accurate wound suture fixation, and postoperative scar care, the inframammary approach to breast augmentation offers optimal operative visualization, reduced pain, fewer complications, and desirable esthetic outcomes even in Asian patients. This study demonstrates that the percentage of inframammary fold approach of Asian esthetic mammoplasty grows rapidly after 2015.

Proposal of a Classification System for the Assessment and Treatment of Prominent Ear Deformity.

BACKGROUND: Prominent ear is the most common external ear deformity. To comprehensively treat prominent ear deformity, adequate comprehension of its pathophysiology is crucial. In this article, we analyze cases of prominent ear and suggest a simple classification system and treatment algorithm according to pathophysiology. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a total of 205 Northeast Asian patients' clinical data who underwent an operation for prominent ear deformity. Follow-up assessments were conducted 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Prominent ear deformities were classified by diagnostic checkpoints. Class I (simple prominent ear) includes prominent ear that developed with the absence of the antihelix without conchal hypertrophy. Class II (mixed-type prominent ear) is defined as having not only a flat antihelix, but also conchal excess. Class III (conchal-type prominent ear) has an enlarged conchal bowl with a well-developed antihelix. RESULTS: Among the three types of prominent ear, class I was most frequent (162 patients, 81.6%). Class II was observed in 28 patients (13.6%) and class III in 10 patients (4.8%). We used the scaphomastoid suture method for correction of antihelical effacement, the anterior approach conchal resection for correction of conchal hypertrophy, and Bauer's squid incision for lobule prominence. The complication rate was 9.2% including early hematoma, hypersensitivity, and suture extrusion. Unfavorable results occurred in 4% including partial recurrence, overcorrection, and undercorrection. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce unfavorable results and avoid recurrence, we propose the use of a classification and treatment algorithm in preoperative evaluation of prominent ear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .