Comparative study of adipose-derived stem cells and bone marrow-derived stem cells in similar microenvironmental conditions

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which were first isolated from the bone marrow, are now being extracted from various other tissues in the body, including the adipose tissue. The current study presents systematic evidence of how the adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Bm-MSCs) behave when cultured in specific pro-adipogenic microenvironments. The cells were first characterized and identified as MSCs in terms of their morphology, phenotypic expression, self-renewal capabilities and multi-lineage potential. Subsequently, the proliferation and gene expression profiles of the cell populations cultured on two-dimensional (2D) adipose tissue extracellular matrix (ECM)-coated tissue culture plastic (TCP) and in three-dimensional (3D) AlgiMatrix® microenvironments were analyzed. Overall, it was found that adipogenesis was triggered in both cell populations due to the presence of adipose tissue ECM. However, in 3D microenvironments, ASCs and Bm-MSCs were predisposed to the adipogenic and osteogenic lineages respectively. Overall, findings from this study will contribute to ongoing efforts in adipose tissue engineering as well as provide new insights into the role of the ECM and cues provided by the immediate microenvironment for stem cell differentiation.

Does the absence of the palmaris longus affect grip and pinch strength?

The palmaris longus tendon is the most frequently harvested tendon for reconstructive plastic and hand surgical procedures. A question patients often ask is whether loss of the palmaris longus will result in any functional deficit. In order to answer this question, the presence or absence of the palmaris longus muscle was clinically determined in 418 normal Asian subjects. All subjects also had their grip and pinch strengths measured. No statistically significant difference was seen in the grip or pinch strength measurements between subjects who had a palmaris longus tendon and those who did not. This study demonstrates that absence of the palmaris longus is not associated with a decrease of grip or pinch strength.

A case of ductal carcinoma in situ of breast with Poland syndrome

INTRODUCTION

A 51-year-old woman was diagnosed with a rare case of multi-focal ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast associated with Poland syndrome.

CLINICAL PICTURE

Physical examination showed mild hypoplasia of the left breast with microcalcifications on mammogram. Intraoperatively, there was complete absence of the pectoralis major, which precluded the insertion of a breast implant.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

She underwent a skin-sparing mastectomy and autologous microsurgical free flap reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. Postoperative recovery was uneventful with no evidence of recurrence at 6 months.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported case of DCIS of the breast with Poland syndrome. We performed a skin-sparing mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap recontruction. Patient recovered well postoperatively with no evidence of recurrence at 6 months.