BACKGROUND The WASP/SCAR family of adaptor proteins coordinates actin reorganization by coupling different signaling molecules, including Rho-family GTPases, to the activation of the Arp2/3 complex. WASP binds directly to Cdc42 through its GTPase binding domain (GBD), but SCAR does not contain a GBD, and no direct binding has been found. However, SCAR has recently been found to copurify with fo...

BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scar following a burn is caused by the excessive deposit of collagen resulting in an exaggerated wound healing response. The burn patient complains of pain and itching over the scar, which can give rise to cosmetic and functional problems. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and histological correlation of a hypertrophic burn scar for itchin...

BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scar is one of the most common complications and often causes the disfigurement or deformity in burn or trauma patients. Therapeutic methods on hypertrophic scar treatment have limitations due to the poor understanding of mechanisms of hypertrophic scar formation. To throw light on the molecular mechanism of hypertrophic scar formation will definitely improve the outcome...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Assess long-term patient satisfaction with conventional thyroidectomy scars and the impact of thyroidectomy scars on patient quality of life. STUDY DESIGN Validated survey administration and retrospective review of clinical and demographic data. METHODS Patients who underwent conventional thyroidectomy through years 2000 to 2010 were identified and administered the val...

OBJECTIVES To compare the scar outcome of video-assisted parathyroidectomy (VAP) with traditional bilateral cervical exploration (BCE) using previously validated scar assessment scales, and to examine the feasibility of introducing VAP into a general otolaryngology-head and neck practice. DESIGN A retrospective review of medical records from a prospectively obtained database of patients and l...