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Biomedical subjects

Rei Ogawa

Publications and source records attributed to Rei Ogawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Central axis flap methods.

Extensively burned patients often lack ample healthy skin for autotransplantation. Scar contractures are then frequent. Here, we reconstructed contractures using flaps of remaining healthy skin around the recipient sites. In this report, we present four original scar contracture repair methods using subcutaneous pedicled flaps: (1) Propeller flap, (2) multilobed propeller flap, (3) scar-band rotation flap and (4) pin-wheel flap. The subcutaneous pedicle under the center of these various types of flaps allows these methods to be characterized as "central axis flap methods." We have employed these flaps to treat mild scar contractures in the axilla and cubital fossa. These methods are easily manipulated to restore function and improve aesthetics of scar contractures.

Adolescent↗

Management of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst identified using prenatal sonography.

We present a rare case of suprasellar arachnoid cyst discovered incidentally on routine fetal sonographic examination. Serial sonographic and MRI scanning led to a prenatal diagnosis and appropriate endoscopic treatment at 5 months of age. The patient is currently developing normally at 3 years of age. Careful screening of fetal intracranial abnormalities is important in routine prenatal sonographic examination for early intervention, which will prevent irreversible complications such as endocrine disorders and visual impairment.

Adult↗

Clinical and anatomical study of superficial cervical artery flaps: retrospective study of reconstructions with 41 flaps and the feasibility of harvesting them as perforator flaps.

BACKGROUND: The superficial cervical artery musculocutaneous flap was first reported by Nakajima and Fujino in 1984; the present authors developed it for use as a skin flap in 1990, and in 1993, they succeeded in harvesting it as a free flap. Since 1986, they have harvested 41 superficial cervical artery flaps of various types from 32 patients to reconstruct head and neck scar contractures and intractable ulcers. METHODS: In a retrospective clinical study, the authors classified these 41 flaps into three types according to their pedicles: musculocutaneous pedicled flaps (n = 5); muscle pedicled flaps (n = 14), and vascular pedicled flaps (n = 22). In an anatomical study, they harvested 10 flaps from five preserved cadavers and took microangiograms of the trapezius muscle and dorsal skin to identify the distribution of the superficial cervical artery. RESULTS: Thirty-six flaps survived completely, and both the aesthetic and functional results were good. Among the other five flaps, partial necrosis was observed in four and complete necrosis was seen in one. Among the 36 surviving flaps, 23 were more than 30 cm long. CONCLUSIONS: The authors fully confirmed from their clinical and anatomical studies that the superficial cervical artery flap is useful for reconstruction of the head and neck regions. In each flap, the superficial cervical artery was found to be a "transverse cervical perforator" or "trapezius perforator" and was large enough to be used as a vascular pedicled flap, suggesting that it can be elevated as a "perforator flap."

Adolescent↗

Clinical imaging diagnosis of implant materials for breast augmentation.

BACKGROUND: The ingredients of substances implanted for breast augmentation sometimes remain unknown due to lack of information from patients. Significant clinical problems sometimes necessitate removal and reconstruction. Thus, preoperative diagnostic imaging to identify the ingredients of implants may improve the treatment decision-making process. In this report, we created a clinical imaging index. PURPOSE: Here, we summarize computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging of implant materials to predict the ingredients of implant substances preoperatively. METHODS: A total of 104 patients with late complications after receiving breast augmentations between 1971 and 2002 were examined using CT and MRI. In addition, further examinations were conducted, including postoperative chemical analysis using Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and MRI imaging of various implanted substances using an experimental magnetic resonance system. RESULTS: We identified the ingredients of implant materials used for breast augmentation by imaging diagnostics as follows: silicone: radiopaque-low/high (CT-MRI T1/T2); hydrogel: radiolucent-low approximately iso/high; hydrocarbon: radiolucent-high approximately iso/low approximately iso; saline: radiolucent-low/high. CONCLUSION: We have identified by imaging diagnosis the ingredients of implant materials.

Adult↗

Adipose tissues differentiated by adipose-derived stem cells harvested from transgenic mice.

OBJECTIVE: To induce adipocyte differentiation in vitro by adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) harvested from transgenic mice with green fluorescent protein (GFP)and assess the possibility of constructing adipose tissues via attachment of ASCs to type I collagen scaffolds. METHODS: Inguinal fat pads from GFP transgenic mice were digested by enzymes for isolation of ASCs (primary culture). After expansion to three passages of ASCs, the cells were incubated in an adipogenic medium for two weeks, and the adipocyte differentiation by ASCs in vitro was assessed by morphological observation and Oil Red O staining. Then they were attached to collagen scaffolds and co-cultured for 12 hours, followed by hypodermic implantation to the dorsal skin of nude mice for 2 months. The newly-formed tissues were detected by HE staining. RESULTS: The cultured primary stem cells were fibroblast-like and showed active proliferation. After being incubated in an adipocyte differentiation medium, the lipid droplets in the cytoplasm accumulated gradually and finally developed into mature adipocytes, which showed positive in Oil Red O staining. A 0.5-cm3 new tissue clot was found under the dorsal skin of the nude mice and it was confirmed as mature adipose tissues by fluorescent observation and HE staining. CONCLUSIONS: ASCs can successfully differentiate adipose tissues into mature adipocytes, which exhibit an adipocyte-like morphology and express as intracytoplasmic lipid droplets. It is an efficient model of adipose tissues engineered with ASCs and type I collagen scaffolds.

Adipogenesis↗

Neural differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells isolated from GFP transgenic mice.

Taking advantage of homogeneously marked cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice, we have recently reported that adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) could differentiate into mesenchymal lineages in vitro. In this study, we performed neural induction using ASCs from GFP transgenic mice and were able to induce these ASCs into neuronal and glial cell lineages. Most of the neurally induced cells showed bipolar or multipolar appearance morphologically and expressed neuronal markers. Electron microscopy revealed their neuronal morphology. Some cells also showed glial phenotypes, as shown immunocytochemically. The present study clearly shows that ASCs derived from GFP transgenic mice differentiate into neural lineages in vitro, suggesting that these cells might provide an ideal source for further neural stem cell research with possible therapeutic application for neurological disorders.

Adipocytes↗

The role of bone marrow-derived cells in bone fracture repair in a green fluorescent protein chimeric mouse model.

We investigated the role of bone marrow cells in bone fracture repair using green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimeric model mice. First, the chimeric model mice were created: bone marrow cells from GFP-transgenic C57BL/6 mice were injected into the tail veins of recipient wild-type C57BL/6 mice that had been irradiated with a lethal dose of 10Gy from a cesium source. Next, bone fracture models were created from these mice: closed transverse fractures of the left femur were produced using a specially designed device. One, three, and five weeks later, fracture lesions were extirpated for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. In the specimens collected 3 and 5 weeks after operation, we confirmed calluses showing intramembranous ossification peripheral to the fracture site. The calluses consisted of GFP- and osteocalcin-positive cells at the same site, although the femur consisted of only osteocalcin-positive cells. We suggest that bone marrow cells migrated outside of the bone marrow and differentiated into osteoblasts to make up the calluses.

Animals↗

An anatomical study and clinical cases of 'super-thin flaps' with transverse cervical perforator.

We present a microangiogram study and clinical cases of super-thin flaps based on a transverse cervical perforator. This flap is the first to use the perforator of the superficial branch of the transverse cervical artery. This flap is more useful for providing colour and texture matches than a skin graft, and it is easier to harvest the flap than a free flap because it is a kind of skin flap.

Adult↗

The scar band rotation flap.

This study presents cases in which postburn scar contractures of finger joints and interdigital spaces have been reconstructed using a scar band rotation flap. The scar band rotation flap is a subcutaneous pedicled skin island flap consisting of a contracture-causing scar band, the graft surface and normal skin. After flap rotation, the normal skin in the flap divides the scar band, thus releasing the scar contracture. In the past 10 years, we have used this reconstruction method to treat seven patients (three males and four females) ranging in age from 4 to 72 years. In all patients, the cause of the scar contractures was marginal scarring of a life-saving skin graft that was used to treat extensive burns. We reconstructed four finger joints and eight interdigital space contractures and obtained favorable results with no flap loss. We have found this method to be useful for the reconstruction of small scar contractures in locations such as finger joints and interdigital spaces after skin grafting to treat extensive burns.

Adult↗

Temporalis muscle-galea pedicled flap for reconstruction of longstanding facial paralysis.

Reanimation of longstanding facial paralysis is a difficult clinical problem commonly tackled with the method of pedicled muscle flap transfer. The temporalis muscle has been the most popular. In the past, one common problem was that the flap was not long enough to reach parts of the face distant from the affected area. To overcome this disadvantage, we have devised a flap consisting of the pedicled temporalis muscle, temporal fascia and galea together and have achieved good static results in paralyzed faces. From June, 1996 to May, 2003, we used this procedure with 38 longstanding facial paralysis patients (16 male and 22 female); 23 had right-sided and 15 had left-sided facial paralysis. The patients were followed-up over three years. Our results were recorded as "Excellent", "Good", "Fair" or "Poor". Excellent or good results were obtained in 33 patients (87%). In these patients, the static results are very good. The oral commissure on the affected side maintained a favorable position and almost complete symmetry of expression was attained. We have achieved dynamic reconstruction by using a temporalis muscle-galea pedicled flap in 38 longstanding facial paralysis patients. Our results show that this is a good option in treating such patients.

Adult↗

Adipogenic differentiation by adipose-derived stem cells harvested from GFP transgenic mice-including relationship of sex differences.

We have previously demonstrated that adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) as well as bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BSCs) differentiate into a variety of cell lineages both in vitro and in vivo. Both types are considered to include mesenchymal stem cells. Taking advantage of homogeneously marked cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice, we have also previously reported the plasticity of BSCs and ASCs. In this study, we focused on adipogenic differentiation in vitro by ASCs harvested from GFP transgenic mice. Moreover, preadipocytes and mature adipocytes were harvested at the same time, and the cells were cultured to compare them with ASCs. Inguinal fat pads from GFP transgenic mice were used for the isolation of ASCs, preadipocytes, and mature adipocytes. After expansion to three passages of ASCs, the cells were incubated in an adipogenic medium for two weeks. Adipogenic differentiation of ASCs was assessed by Oil Red O staining and the expression of the adipocyte specific peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma2 (PPAR-gamma2) gene. These ASCs stained positively, and expression of PPAR-gamma2 was detected. Moreover, we also tried to characterize the influence of sex differences on the adipogenic differentiation of ASCs harvested from both male and female mice. This was assessed by the expression levels of the PPAR-gamma2 gene using real-time PCR. The results showed that the expression levels of ASCs harvested from female mice were a maximum of 2.89 times greater than those harvested from male mice. This suggests that the adipogenic differentiation of ASCs is closely related to sex differences.

Adipose Tissue↗

Osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation by adipose-derived stem cells harvested from GFP transgenic mice.

Recent studies suggest that human adipose tissue contains pluripotent stem cells similar to bone marrow-derived stem cells. Taking advantage of homogeneously marked cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice, we have previously demonstrated that bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BSCs) differentiate into a variety of cell lineages both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we extend this approach to characterize adipose tissue-derived stromal cells, sometimes called processed lipoaspirate (PLA) cells. Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) were isolated from inguinal fat pads of GFP transgenic mice after extensive washing with phosphate-buffered saline and treatment with collagenase. After primary culture in a control medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium+10% fetal bovine serum) and expansion to two passages, the cells were incubated in either an osteogenic medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium+10% fetal bovine serum+dexamethasone+ascorbate-2-phosphate+beta-glycerophosphate) or a chondrogenic medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium+1% fetal bovine serum+insulin+ascorbate-2-phosphate+transforming growth factor-beta1) for 2-4 weeks to induce osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, respectively. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by von Kossa and alkaline phosphatase staining, while chondrogenic differentiation was assessed by Alcian blue staining. Expression of osteocyte specific osteopontin, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase, and chondrocyte specific aggrecan and type II/X collagen was confirmed by RT-PCR. ASCs incubated in the osteogenic medium were stained positively for von Kossa and alkaline phosphatase staining. Expression of osteocyte specific genes, except osteocalcin, was also detected. Incubation with chondrogenic medium induced Alcian blue positive cells and expression of aggrecan and type II/X collagen genes. No osteochondrogenic differentiation was observed in cells incubated in the control medium. ASCs from GFP transgenic mice have both osteogenic and chondrogenic potential in vitro. Since this cell population can be easily identified through fluorescence microscopy, it may be an ideal source of ASCs for further experiments on stem cell biology and tissue engineering.

Adipose Tissue↗