Cell patterns in open wound healing are studied by both light and electron microscopic examinations in regards to time sequence, metamorphosis, and functional aspects. Process of the open wound healing clearly exhibited not only time sequence of cllular appearance but also zonation of cells. In the initial stage, until the 3rd day, the neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes were predominant and particularly concentrated in the scab region. The mononuclear cells were active cells during the 1st to 7th day and were mainly concentrated in the subscab region. The fibroblastic activities started from the 3rd day and became very active during the 5th to the 10th day, and they were concentrated at granulation tissue region. During the process of wound healing, the cellular elements underwent metamorphosis; The neutrophils from normal to swollen and finally degenerating; the mononuclear to macrophages; the fibroblasts from immature to mature actively protein synthesizing cells. The functions of each cellular element can not be determined with certainty. However, the main function of neutrophils in wound healing is likely the formation of front line defense as a part of the scab formation on the surface. And the major function of mononuclear cells is to debride exudates and damaged tissue debris especially at the subscab area and that of the fibroblasts to replace the tissue defect by proliferation and production of fibrous proteins.
Animal ; Epithelium/ultrastructure ; Fibroblasts/ultrastructure ; Leukocytes/ultrastructure ; Rats ; Skin/injuries* ; Skin/pathology ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds, Penetrating/pathology*

OBJECTIVETo observe the ultrastrual changes of the skin between the continuous tissue expansion and the conventional tissue expansion.

METHODSTwelve white piglets were used for this study on an animal model of tissue expansion with the continuous tissue expansion group and the conventional tissue expansion group. The tissue samples in each group were harvested and prepared for the transmission electron microscope observation.

RESULTSThe interspace among basal cells and spinose cells was increasing and the numbers of cell conjunctures were decreasing in the both groups. However, these changes in the continuous tissue expansion group were more obvious than in the conventional tissue expansion group. In the dermal layer of the skin, the ultrastructure of collagen fibers were basically normal. But, the fibroblasts and capillary endothelia cells were more activated in the continuous tissue expansion group, compared with the conventional tissue expansion group. The fibroblast apoptosis and collagenolysis spots were observed in both of the groups, while the red blood cells were also found in the tissue leaked outsides from the blood vascular cavities.

CONCLUSIONTissue expansion may result in tissue growth and tissue degeneration in the same time.

Animals ; Microscopy, Electron ; Skin ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Swine ; Tissue Expansion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze clinical information and efficacy of 602 cases of nevus of Ota, and investigate the histopathology and ultrastructure on the melanocytes before and after Q-switched Alexandrite laser irradiation.

METHODSClinical information of 602 cases of nevus of Ota were collected by applying clinical records, checking photos, and inquiry to patients by letters and telephones. Ten cases of biopsies were observed by light microscopy and 6 cases by electron microscopy before and after laser irradiation.

RESULTSNevus of Ota included congenital and acquired cases. Skin lesions mainly occurred in adolescence for the acquired cases. The main colours of lesions were brown and blue. The most local lesions were zygomata, temporal regions, and lower eyelids. According to multiple regression, the more treatment times, the better results. The effective rate was 85.20% and 100% after 6 and 9 treatment times, respectively, while the cure rate was 55.72% and 98.46%, respectively. The eyelids involved and Tanino types influenced the treatment times by COX models analysis. Electron microscopy showed many melanosomes in the dermal melanocytes. After laser irradiation, the outlines of the dermal melanocytes were observed, the melanosomes were broken to dense and tiny granules.

CONCLUSIONSQ-switched Alexandrite laser is safe and effective for the treatment of nevus of Ota. The results of treatment are correlated with the area and size of the lesion. The dermal melanocytes in nevus of Ota can be selectively destroyed by Q-switched Alexandrite laser with less injury around tissues.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Melanocytes ; ultrastructure ; Melanosomes ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Nevus of Ota ; radiotherapy ; ultrastructure ; Skin ; ultrastructure ; Skin Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo observe mid- and long-term changes in the histopathology and electron microscopic characteristics of the acellular dermal matrix engrafted with thin split-thickness skin autograft.

METHODSTwenty-three biopsy samples were collected from 17 patients undergoing extremity scar resection, who received subsequent grafting using allogenic dermal matrix dressed with thin split-thickness skin autografts. Six months to 2 years after the grafting, the grafts were sampled for histopathological and electron microscopic observations of the layer of the epidermis, thickness of the basal membrane, structural components of the dermis, and infiltration of fibroblasts and revascularization. The data were compared with those of the normal skin samples from the patients.

RESULTSOnly the number of epidermal layers showed statistically significant difference between the skin grafts and the normal skin (16.33-/+5.89 vs 26.57-/+3.46, P=0.007). The thickness of the basal membrane of the skin grafts was similar to that of normal skin, and no significant difference was found in the number of fibroblasts and newly generated capillaries between them.

CONCLUSIONThe mid- and long-term histopathology and ultrastructures of the composite skin graft in the extremities are similar to those of normal skin, suggesting satisfactory effect of the skin grafts.

Adolescent ; Burns ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Dermis ; transplantation ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Male ; Skin ; ultrastructure ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Skin, Artificial ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate the long-term changes of expanded skin after transplantation.

METHODSThe expanded skin in dogs at 0 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after transplantation was observed through areas, histomorphological, electron microscopic, collagen content, biomechanical, and immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTSThe expanded skin was close to the control groups in all observations.

CONCLUSIONThe biological changes after expansion remain in 3 months. The expanded skin will gradually recover to normal in 3-6 months. It is similar to a wound repair process.

Animals ; Collagen ; analysis ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Skin ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Skin Transplantation ; Tissue Expansion

OBJECTIVETo observe the injury on micro-skin induced by a self designed micro-skin machine.

METHODSMicro-skin was produced either with the machine or by hand. Cells at the edge of micro-skin were observed by transmission electron microscope. succinic dehydrogenase activity in supernatant of cultivated cells was analyzed, and the cell proliferation of micro-skin was assessed by (3)H-TdR. Twenty patients were enrolled in the study for the observation of the wound healing time between the two groups of micro-skin after being grafted.

RESULTSTransmission electron microscope examination revealed that the cellular injury at the edge of the micro-skin in machine-made group was mild compared with that in man-made group. (3)H-TdR rate was elevated but the activity of succinic dehydrogenase in the supernatant of cultured cells decreased in supernatant of cultured cells of machine produced micro-skin. Wound healing time was shortened in machine made group. (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cellular injury at the edge of micro-skin in the machine made group was mild when compared with that in the man-made group with cell proliferation accelerated and wound healing time shortened.

Burns ; surgery ; Cell Division ; Epithelium ; pathology ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Skin ; ultrastructure ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Wound Healing

We report a case of infantile myofibromatosis in a male infant with involvement of the lungs and subcutaneous tissue. We studied our case by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The results reveal that this entity is of a myofibroblastic nature. We reviewed 165 cases including our case. We believe this is the first report in Korea of infantile myofibromatosis with pulmonary involvement.
Case Report ; Human ; Infant, Newborn ; Leiomyoma/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Lung Neoplasms/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron/methods ; Prognosis ; Skin Neoplasms/*pathology/ultrastructure

We report a case of infantile myofibromatosis in a male infant with involvement of the lungs and subcutaneous tissue. We studied our case by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The results reveal that this entity is of a myofibroblastic nature. We reviewed 165 cases including our case. We believe this is the first report in Korea of infantile myofibromatosis with pulmonary involvement.
Case Report ; Human ; Infant, Newborn ; Leiomyoma/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Lung Neoplasms/*pathology/ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron/methods ; Prognosis ; Skin Neoplasms/*pathology/ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cutaneous histological and ultrastructural changes of dogs following hair removal by Alexandrite laser.

METHODSSeven healthy dogs with dark hair were treated for hair removal with the Alexandrite laser and skin biopsies were taken after 0.5 h, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 30 days. Specimens were examined with light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTLaser-treated specimens showed widespread coagulation and charring subcutaneous hair shafts. These obviously damaged follicles were randomly dispersed among intact follicles within the same treatment sites. Microscopic changes were also seen in the basal epidermis where melanin was concentrated. A low level of inflammatory response was seen up to 10 days followed laser treatment. The efficiency in higher fluence test area was better than the lower one; the degree of damaged follicles with double pulse was similar to that with single pulse.

CONCLUSIONAlexandrite laser irradiation results in selective damage to follicles and microscopic changes in the basal epidermis. Alexandrite laser hair removal does not lead to scar formation; the efficiency of laser hair removal is fluence-depent; the degree of damaged follicles with double pulse is not different with single one; the cooled hand piece can minimize epidermal injury.

Animals ; Dogs ; Hair Removal ; methods ; Laser Therapy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Skin ; pathology ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo probe the mechanism of acupuncture in anti-skin aging.

METHODSA blank control group, an operation control group, an 8-month young group and an 18-month aged group were set up. Soluble and total hydroxyproline contents of the abdominal skin were compared, and appearance of fibroblast and arrangement of collagenous fibers were observed with transmission electron microscope, effects of surrounding needling on contents of collagenous fibers and ultrastructures of the dermis of the aged rats were observed, and the results were compared with results reported.

RESULTSAfter surrounding needling, soluble hydroxyproline content of the skin significantly increased and the total hydroxyproline content did not change in the rats as compared with the aged control group; and cellular organs in dermis fibroblast decreased and cellular structures retrograded, and the space between collagenous fibers widened, and aging frame-bridge increased in the aged rats, but after surrounding needling fibroblast activity strengthened.

CONCLUSIONSurrounding needling can change aging state of skin possibly by strengthening the activity of fibroblast in skin and increasing the content of soluble collagen.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Animals ; Collagen ; analysis ; Female ; Hydroxyproline ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Skin Aging