• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.255-266
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• 2007

The protective effect of the Synadenium carinatum latex lectin (ScLL), and the possibility of using it as an adjuvant in murine model of vaccination against American cutaneous leishmaniasis, were evaluated. BALB/c mice were immunized with the lectin ScLL (10, 50, 100$[\mu}g$/animal) separately or in association with the soluble Leishmania amazonensis antigen (SLA). After a challenge infection with $10^6$ promastigotes, the injury progression was monitored weekly by measuring the footpad swelling for 10 weeks. ScLL appeared to be capable of conferring partial protection to the animals, being most evident when ScLL was used in concentrations of 50 and 100${\mu}g$/animal. Also the parasite load in the interior of macrophages showed significant reduction (61.7%) when compared to the control group. With regard to the cellular response, ScLL 50 and 100 ${\mu}g$/animal stimulated the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction significantly (P < 0.05) higher than SLA or SLA plus ScLL 10 weeks after the challenge infection. The detection of high levels of IgG2a and the expression of mRNA cytokines, such as IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, and TNF-$\alpha$ (Th1 profiles), corroborated the protective role of this lectin against cutaneous leishmaniasis. This is the first report of the ScLL effect on leishmaniasis and shows a promising role for ScLL to be explored in other experimental models for treatment of leishmaniasis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.299-306
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• 2008

Sometimes, spinal cord injury (SCI) results in various chronic neuropathic pain syndromes that occur diffusely below the level of the injury. It has been reported that behavioral signs of neuropathic pain are expressed in the animal models of contusive SCI. However, the observation period is relatively short considering the natural course of pain in human SCI patients. Therefore, this study was undertaken to examine the time course of mechanical and cold allodynia in the hindpaw after a spinal cord contusion in rats for a long period of time (30 weeks). The hindpaw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation was applied to the plantar surface of the hindpaw, and the withdrawal frequency to the application of acetone was measured before and after a spinal contusion. The spinal cord contusion was produced by dropping a 10 g weight from a 6.25 and 12.5 mm height using a NYU impactor. After the injury, rats showed a decreased withdrawal threshold to von Frey stimulation, indicating the development of mechanical allodynia which persisted for 30 weeks. The withdrawal threshold between the two experimental groups was similar. The response frequencies to acetone increased after the SCI, but they were developed slowly. Cold allodynia persisted for 30 weeks in 12.5 mm group. The sham animals did not show any significant behavioral changes. These results provide behavioral evidence to indicate that the below-level pain was well developed and maintained in the contusion model for a long time, suggesting a model suitable for pain research, especially in the late stage of SCI or for long term effects of analgesic intervention.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.329-343
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• 1998

Early wound healing responses in the skin of the Korean fire bellied toad, Bombina orientalis, were examined using histochemical , scanning and transmission electron microscopical techniques. Cutaneous wounds were induced by sharp razor blade , and maintained in special cages for up to 3 days. By this treatment whole parts of epithelium and dermis were profoundly affected. After injury, retraction of damaged surface of the skin was observed. At 3 hours after injury, poly-band was form by mucous substance. The wound skin consisted of mucous gland secreted mucous substance which flows into wound cavity and the wound area was sealed by mucous substance which form thick layer at 6 hours. It appeared that natural disposition showed acid and neutral mucous substance by reaction of PAS and Alcian blue (pH 2.5) staining. After formation of the poly-band, epithelial cells were formed by migration of regenerating epithelial cells. These cells moved over the wound surface by migration at 12 hours after wounding. Poly-band was much increased in thickness and migrating cells were completely formed wound closure at 24 hours post-wounding. After 72 hours regenerated epithelial layer consists of four or five cell layers which are similar to clear, granular, and spinous layer.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2012

Purpose: Arterialized venous flap is useful for reconstruction of the traumatic soft tissue defect in fingers, but insufficient circulation of the traumatic fingers makes surgeons annoying to use the flap. We have grafted flaps in 7 fingers with insufficient vascular bed hoping to expanded the category of the flap. Materials and Methods: Arterialized venous flap have transplanted in 7 fingers from March 2008 through February 2010 and followed up for 4 to 16 months(average 7.2 months). They were all male with a mean age at the time of surgery was 33. The main injury was crushing in 4 degloving, contact burn and saw injury was I respectively. Time interval from injury to flap transplantation was average 3.1. weeks(3 days to 6 weeks). Designed flap size ranges from $8cm{\times}3.5cm$to $4cm{\times}3cm$. Vessel type of flap was one artery with two veins were 5 cases and one artey with one vein 2. Flap type was cutaneous in 3, tendocutaneous 2, neurotendocutaneous 1 and neurocutaneous 1. The circulation state of recipient site was avascular in 2 cases, insufficiency 3 and tip avascular 2. Results: Arterialized venous flap was complete survived in 2 cases, partial necrosis(less than 10%) 3 and failed in 2. Conclusion: An arterialized venous free flap could be a useful procedure for reconstruction in soft tissue or combined defect of the finger despite an avascular or insufficient vascular beds if the recipient beds were free from infection.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.488-496
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• 2004

Oral & Maxillofacial surgery can lead to complications that result in abnormal sensation or movement. Inferior alveolar nerve(IAN) injury can result in dysesthesia, paresthsia of the lower lip and chin, so patients presenting with IAN damage suffer from sensory loss. But diagnosis of the nerve injury is largely limited to the subjective statements made by the patient. Distribution of sympathetic nerves parallels the distribution of the somatosensory nerves. Loss of sensory tone causes a concomitant loss of sympathetic activity, resulting in vasodilation of the cutaneous blood vessels that demonstrates greater heat loss. Digital infrared thermographic imaging(DITI) detects infra-red radiation given off by body. DITI can detect minute difference in temperature from different parts of the body and translates the amount of heat into quantitative data. The area of different temperature correlated with pain or disease can be visualized by corresponding color. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of DITI in objectively assessing IAN injury. The 19 normal subjects and the 14 patients underwent DITI scan. The normal subjects received unilateral IAN block anesthesia with 2 ml of 2% lidocaine (IAN bolck group) to evaluate temporary alteration in nerve function. Patient group were patients with unilateral IAN damage (dysesthesia or paresthesia) after surgical treatment(Mn. 3rd molar Extraction, etc.). The surgical procedure performed within 6 months of test. The results were as follows. 1. No significant differences in temperature were found between left and right sides of the lower lip and chin in the control group. 2. Significant temperature differences were found between the anesthetized and non-anesthetized sides of the lower lip and chin in the IAN block group. 3. Significant temperature differences were found between the involved and uninvolved sides of the lower lip and chin areas of the experimental group. The results of the study show that DITI can be an useful and effective means of objectively assessing and visualizing IAN damage.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.87-90
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• 2015

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of ultrasound-guided lower extremity nerve block in trauma patients. Methods: From July 2013 to April 2014, 17 patients with multiple trauma had lower extremity nerve block for immediate management of open wound in the lower extremity. We evaluated the patient satisfaction of the anesthesia and any complications related to the block. Results: During the lower extremity nerve block, incomplete nerve block occurred in one patient. This is the second case, the reason for this was the lack of technique. There was no anesthetic complications. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided lower extremity nerve block in trauma patients is an effective anesthesia technique in the immediate management of open wound in lower extremities.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.275-284
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• 2002

Granular gland regeneration in the toad after dorsal skin wound histologically was examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. After cutaneous wounds were induced by excision, animals were maintained in special cages for up to 20 days. In transmission electron microscopy (TEM), newly formed granular gland, though poorly developed, was seen on 4 day after injury. Epithelial cells moved toward apical region of newly formed gland. The cells had smooth surface and were not connected to other cells by desmosomes. Mitochondria rich cell (MRC) possessing long cytoplasmic processes formed a gland cavity and hemidesmosomes were found under the cell processes. Basal cavity of newly formed gland consisted of MRC, pro-granular producing cells (pGPC), and granular producing cell (GPC). Moreover it was observed that xanthophores moved to the base of the epithelial tissue on 10 day after the injury. These cells contained numerous pterinosomes and carotenoid vesicles. Immature pterinosomes were large and carotenoid vesicles were moderately electron dense. On 13 day after the injury, xanthophores contained abundant carotinoid vesicles and lammelated pterinosomes. Iridophores were also observed adjacent the developing xanthophores on 16 day post-injury. These observations indicated that regeneration of granular gland from glandular precursor cells during wound healing and subsequent expansion of the glandular cells might be dependent on maturation and proliferation of these newly formed cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.277-290
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• 2008

The process of wound repair involves an ordered sequence of events such as overlapping biochemical and cellular events that, in the best of circumstances, result in the restoration of both the structural and functional integrity of the damaged tissue. An important event during wound healing is the contraction of newly formed connective tissues by fibroblasts. The polypeptide growth factors, like transforming growth factor-${\beta}$(TGF-${\beta}$, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF- I) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), play very important mediator roles in the process of wound contraction. Deer antlers, as models of mammalian regeneration, are cranial appendages that develop after birth as extensions of a permanent protuberance (pedicle) on the frontal bone. Antlers contain various growth factors which stimulate dermal fibroblast growth. They are involved in digestion and respiration and are necessary for normal wound healing and skin health. In order to investigate and evaluate the effects of red deer antlers on skin wound site, the speed of full-thickness skin wound healing and the expression of IGF-I, TGF-${\beta}$ and EGF in skin wounds, three groups of skin full-thickness rat models with a high concentration of antler ointment, a low concentration of antler ointment and without antler ointment were compared. At post-injury days 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 20, 32, 40 and 60, the skin wound area was measured, the expressions of IGF-I, TGF- ${\beta}$ and EGF mRNA were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and collagen formation by sirius red dye and the localization of IGF-I, TGF-${\beta}$ and EGF peptides were inspected by histological immunohistochemical techniques. Wound healing was significantly more rapid in antler treated skins. In addition, the wound treated with a high concentration antler ointment, a low concentration antler ointment, and the control closed completely at post-injury day 40, day 44 and day 60, respectively. Via RT-PCR, the expressions of IGF-I (day 8 and day 16), TGF-${\beta}$(day 8, day 16 and day 20) and EGF (day 4, day 8, day 16, and day 32) were obviously up-regulated in high concentration antler-treated skins compared to control skins. Similar results could be seen in the histological detection of collagen dye and immunohistochemical methods using the corresponding polyclone antibodies of IGF-I, TGF-${\beta}$ and EGF. These results illustrate that antlers stimulate and accelerate the repair of cutaneous wounds.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2002

Purpose : Plantar surfaces, calcaneal area, and region of Achilles insertion, which are extremely related with weight-bearing area and shoes application, must be reconstructed with glabrous and strong fibrous skin. Numerous methods of reconstructing defects of these regions have been advocated, but the transfer of similar local tissue as a cutaneous flap with preservation of sensory potential would best serve the functional needs of the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing surfaces of this region. Therefore it is recommended to use the limited skin of medial surface of foot that is similar to plantar region and non-weight-bearing area. In this paper we performed the medial plantar flap transfered as a fasciocutaneous island as one alterative for moderate-sized defects of the plantar forefoot, plantar heel, and area around the ankle in 25 cases and report the result, availability and problem of medial plantar flap. Materials and methods : We performed proximally based medial plantar flap in 22 cases and reverse flow island flap in 3 cases. Average age was $36.5(4{\sim}70)$ years and female was 3 cases. The causes of soft tissue defect were crushing injury on foot 4 cases, small bony exposure at lower leg 1 case, posterior heel defect with exposure of calcaneus 8 cases, severe sore at heel 2 cases, skin necrosis after trauma on posterior foot 4 cases, and defect on insertion area of Achilles tendon 6cases. Average follow up duration was 1.8(7 months-9.5 years) years. Results: Medial plantar flaps was successful in 22 patients. 18 patients preserved cutaneous branches of medial plantar nerve had sensation on transfered flap but diminished sensation or dysesthesia. At the follow up, we found there were no skin ulceration, recurrence of defect or skin breakdown in all 18 patients. But there was one case which occurred skin ulceration postoperatively among another 4 cases not contained medial plantar nerve. At the last follow up, all patients complained diminished sensation and paresthesia at medial plantar area distally to donor site, expecially with 4 patients having severe pain and discomfort during long-time walking. Conclusion : Medial plantar island flap based on medial plantar neurovascualr pedicle have low failure rate with strong fibrous skin and preserve sensibility of flap, so that it is useful method to reconstruct the skin and soft tissue defect of foot. But it should be emphasized that there are some complications such like pain and paresthesia by neuropraxia or injury of medial plantar nerve at more distal area than donor site. We may consider that medial plantar flap have limited flap size and small arc of rotation, and require skin graft closure of the donor defect and must chose this flap deliberately.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.71-86
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• 1997

The regeneration and differentiation of the cutaneous pigment system in the goldfish, Carassius auratus during the wound healing process were studied with high magnification electron microscope. The cutaneous pigment cells of the normal tissues were composed of three kinds of dermal chromatophores-xanthophores, leucoiphores and melanophores. While xanthophores contain two kinds of pigment granules-pterinosomes and carotenoid vesicles, leucophores and melanophores contain amorphous pigment granules (leucosomes) and oval shaped electron dense melanin pigment granules (melanosomes) respectively. After injury, primary wound healing responses being carried out by migration of epidermal cells and hemocytes spreading over the wound surface at the day of wounding. And at the time of primary wound closure, 5 to 7 days after wounding, rER rich cells-presumably common precursors of dermal chromatophores-immigrated into the wound area. First redifferentiated chromatophores appeared 3 weeks after wounding. Pigment granules of the chromatophores were emerged from the cytoplasmic Golgi complex via rough endoplasmic reticulum. Pinocytotic vesicles which associated with accumulation of pigment material, appeared only at the inner surface of the chromatophores adhering to the rER rich cells, characteristically. The differentiation of each chromatophore in addition to integumental wound repair were accomplished within 4 weeks after wounding at most cases, however the total numbers and densities of these repaired chromatophores still primitive state. Moreover, It has been revealed that complete repair of chromatophores at wounded tissues from burns requirs more than 3 months in normal environment.