• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.339-347
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• 2023

Transforming growth factor-β is a key factor in regulating adhesion formation during tendon healing. We investigated the effectiveness of SMAD family members, SMAD7 and SMAD3, in the TGF-β/Smad signaling during flexor tendon repair. Mouse flexor toe deep tendon rupture anastomosis models were made. On days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, the expressions of smad7 and smad3 in flexor tendon tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. Furthermore, postoperative intraperitoneal injections of SMAD7 agonists or SMAD3 antagonists were given. The degree of tendon healing was evaluated by adhesion testing and biomechanical experiments. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expressions of collagen III, SMAD3, and SMAD7. The mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinases, Mmp2 and Mmp9, and scleraxis (SCX) in flexor tendon tissue were detected by RT-qPCR. Smad3 expression increased and Smad7 expression decreased in flexor tendon tissue after injury. In addition, the SMAD7 agonist blocked SMAD3 phosphorylation. SMAD7 agonist and SMAD3 antagonist both improved adhesion formation during flexor tendon healing, and decreased the expressions of collagen III, Mmp9, and SCX, while increasing Mmp2 expression. This study provides a possible theoretical basis for the SMAD7-SMAD3 signal cascade during flexor tendon adhesion healing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.751-754
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• 2008

Purpose: Delayed rupture of flexor pollicis longus as a sequelae of the plate inserted for distal radius fracture is a very rare. This is the first case reported and published in Korea. Methods: A 48 years old female patient visited hospital, complaining flexor disturbance of interphalangeal joint of left thumb, which suddenly occurred without any external wound. We found that she had received operation of fixing plate for fracture of left distal radius 10 years ago. As operational opinion, we have checked that flexor pollicis longus tendon has been ruptured with oblique ways being stimulated by extended plate to palmar side over long period. Results: Authors performed tenorrhaphy of flexor pollicis longus without tendon graft and presented a successful active flexion of the left thumb interphalangeal joint 1 year after the operation. Conclusion: If the extruded part of the end plate is observed during the operation or follow-up, it is considered to be necessary to get rid of the plate as early as possible after the fracture healing.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2023

The tendon is a dense connective tissue that connects muscle to bone and plays an essential role in joint motion. The injured tendon heals slowly owing to its low cellularity and vascularity. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of regenerative injection therapy (RIT), 20 % dextrose prolotherapy (DP), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that can promote tendon healing. Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were divided into the control, DP, and PRP treatment groups. The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of the right hindlimb of each rabbit was used. A round defect of 2 mm was induced. Approximately 0.2 mL of 20% dextrose and autologous PRP were injected into the proximal and distal ends of the SDFT mass. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination and cross-sectional area (CSA) calculations were performed pre-operatively and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The SDFT of both limbs was transected for biomechanical and histomorphometric evaluations. The SDFT of the left limb was transected for intact control. Semi-quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the histomorphometric properties. Additional analysis was performed using H&E, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining. The biomechanical evaluation showed that the treatment groups had higher tensile strength compared to the defect control group, while the PRP group had higher tensile strength than the DP group. On histological examination, the treatment groups appeared to be relatively closer to the remodeling phase of the healing process than the defect control group; the characteristics of the PRP group were closer to the remodeling phase than those of the DP group. The ultrasonographic examination showed different tendencies. Increased values in the CSA were observed during the early period in the treatment groups. This study suggests that PRP and DP can promote the healing of tendon injury, and these effects were superior with PRP than that with DP.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.543-547
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• 2009

Purpose: Adhesion is the most common and troublesome complication after repair of flexor tendon injury. Recently, use of sodium hyaluronate derivatives for adhesion prevention is increasing. A commercial product, Guardix$^{(R)}$, sodium hyaluronate(NaHe) combined with carboxymethylcellulose(CMC) has been newly developed as a preventive material for adhesion. We have investigated its effect in rabbits. Methods: Twenty seven male New Zealand white rabbits were operated under ketamine anesthesia. After tendon repair in zone II of the hind paw, Guardix$^{(R)}$(experimental group) or normal saline(control group) was administered. Biomechanical tests were performed to estimate adhesion formation at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the operation. Maximum tensile load to flex the distal interphalangeal joint 50 degree from its resting state(MTL50) was measured, depicting the amount of adhesion formed. Subsequently, breaking strength was assessed. Results: There were no postoperative complications such as infection, wound dehiscence, or hematoma. MTL50 was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group at 4, 8, 12 weeks (p<0.05). Mean value of MTL50 was 6.64N in the experimental group and 28.53N in the control group at 12 weeks after surgery. There were no significant differences in breaking strength. Conclusion: Our results indicate that Guardix$^{(R)}$ is helpful in reducing adhesion formation and does not interfere with normal healing processes of the tendon.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.162-171
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to examined whether high voltage pulsed current stimulation(HVPCS) enhances the migration and proliferation of fibroblasts from tendon biopsies to provides evidence that the cellular activities of fibroblast are enhanced by HVPCS. Flexor digitorum profundus tendon of chickens were excised, biopsied and cultured in M199 medium for a day. The biopsies through which a cathodal HVPC with 100 pps, 50 V for 30 minutes was passed in medium. A day after treatment, the biopsies embedded in fibrin clot were covered by the addition of 1ml of M199 medium to the well, and placed in the $CO_2$ incubator for the duration of the experiment. The migration distance of cells from tendon biopsies were measured at 6 days after treatment, and proliferation of cells from tendon biopsies were measured at 7 days after treatment. The migration distance of cells from tendon biopsies in the HVPCS group demonstrated significantly greater than the shame treated control group (t=-2.675, p<0.05). Also HVPCS had significantly increased optical density of fibroblasts from tendon biopsies (t=-2.136, p<0.05). These results indicate that the HVPCS with 100pps, 50V for 30minutes enhanced either the migration and proliferation of fibroblast from tendon biopsies. These results supposed that the HVPCS activates cellular responses in fibroblasts from tendon biopsies. This suggests that enhanced the migration and proliferation of fibroblast by HVPCS may be one of the mechanism involved in tendon healing.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2007

The radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap(RFFF) is a well-known flap for the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. It was first described by Yang et al. in 1981 and Soutar et al. developed it for the reconstruction of intraoral defect. RFFF provides a reliable, thin, and pliable soft tissue/skin paddle that is amenable to sensate reconstruction. It also has a long vascular pedicle that can be anastomosed to any vessel in either the ipsilateral or contralateral neck. However, split thickness skin graft(STSG) is most commonly used to cover the donor site, and a variety of donor site complications have been reported, including delayed healing, swelling of the hand, persistent wrist stiffness, reduced hand strength, and partial loss of the graft with exposure of the forearm flexor tendon. Various methods for donor site repair in addition to STSG have been developed and practiced to minimize both functional and esthetic morbidity, such as direct closure, V-Y closure, full thickness skin graft, tissue expansion, acellular dermal graft. We got a good result of using artificial dermis($Terudermis^{(R)}$) and secondary STSG for the repair of RFFF donor site defect esthetically and report with a review of literature.