In vivo animal model systems, and in particular mouse models, have evolved into powerful and versatile scientific tools indispensable to basic and translational research in the field of transplantation medicine. A vast array of reagents is available exclusively in this setting, including mono- and polyclonal antibodies for both diagnostic and interventional applications. In addition, a vast num...

Background Vascularized composite tissue allotransplantation (VCA) from a cadaveric donor has now become a clinical reality and the treatment modality of choice for patients with devastating injuries, deformities, and complex tissue defects. However, many VCA patients experience severe toxicities due to the strong immunosuppression required secondary to high antigenicity of the grafts. To impro...

U pper extremity loss represents a life-changing, often devastating event, affecting nearly every activity of daily living and subsequently leaving a patient with substantial disability. The potential immediate dependency and despair resulting from the loss of one or both hands cannot be overstated. Promising technological advances in upper extremity prostheses include improved neural-control i...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Limbal allotransplantation is increasingly being used for ocular surface repair in patients with limbal stem cell dysfunction. However, it is uncertain whether donor cells survive long term on the ocular surface and whether patients maintain the early benefits of the procedure. The aims of this study were to investigate the long term outcome of clinical limbal allografts and to ...

ABSTRACT Chronic rejection remains a potential long-term consequence of hand composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA). Scleroderma has already been proposed as a model for chronic facial allograft rejection based on potential parallels of observed progression of disease and pathophysiology course. This study proposes a similar model for how chronic rejection may manifest itself in the context...

Qualitative and quantitative standards have been recently proposed for islet isolation asaeument in humans and large animals ( 1). The ultimate test of viability is functional activity after transplantation into a diabetic recipient. Morphologic identification of insulin-containing transplanted islets could provide important correlative data and eventually confmn the functional results. Recentl...

Background: Central facial soft tissue defect poses a unique challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. The three-dimensional properties of aesthetic subunit and its related function are goals reconstruction. Considering prominent social role face, procedure to achieve good quality life patients may cost more than single surgery. This single-center study presents an algorithm treatment central i...