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Background Aims: The adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is a heterogeneous population of mononuclear cells that includes approximately 1-10% mesenchymal stromal cells. These SVF cells can be freshly obtained from human lipo-aspirates and represent and ideal candidate for regenerative medicine applications. In the present study, we analyzed the SVF yield as a function of the patient's age., Methods: Adipose tissue samples from 52 informed subjects (all women) were processed by means of an innovative point-of-care technology for SVF isolation (GID platform). After enzymatic dissociation of adipose tissue and SVF pellet resuspension, we measured the concentration of mononucleated cells as well as other cell quality analyses on the cell suspension obtained. We then calculated the cell yield as total nucleated cells per milliliter of dry adipose processed., Results: The mean SVF yield obtained was 7.19 × 10(5) ± 2.11 × 10(5) total nucleated cells per milliliter of adipose tissue. Our results show that there is a clear statistically significant decline in SVF cell yield with increasing age., Conclusions: Because all samples were obtained from the same donor area and the isolation technique used was the same in all cases, we conclude that the SVF cell yield in women is affected by patient age. Specific age-related factors should be analyzed in the future to explain these results., (Copyright © 2014 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in adolescents in the Balearic Islands, in the western Mediterranean Sea., Methods and Results: A cross-sectional nutritional survey was carried out in the Balearic Islands (2007-2008). A random sample (n=362, 143 boys and 219 girls) of the adolescent population (12-17 years) was interviewed, anthropometrically measured, and provided a fasting blood sample. The MetS prevalence was determined by the ATP III criteria adapted for youths. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) was defined according to a score constructed considering the consumption of MD components: high monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)/saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio, moderate ethanol consumption, high legume, cereals and roots, fruit, vegetables, and fish consumption, and low meat and milk consumption. The overall MetS prevalence was 5.8% (boys 10.5%, girls 2.7%). MetS criteria were met by 10.0% of overweight, 45.5% of obese and in 1.8% of normal weight adolescents. Half of the adolescents (49.7%) had at least one MetS component. None of the adolescents had all five risk factors. High triglyceride level (90.5%), hypertension (85.7%), low HDL cholesterol level (78.9%) and central obesity (71.4%) were common among adolescents with MetS whereas hyperglycaemia (0.6%) was infrequent. Higher adherence to MD was associated with significantly lower odds ratio of having MetS, but half of the adolescents showed high adherence to MD., Conclusion: MetS prevalence was significant among adolescents in the Balearic Islands, especially among obese boys. A high adherence to MD in adolescents was associated with a low prevalence of the MetS criteria., (Copyright © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We describe a simple technique to facilitate the primary closure of skin defects. Skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia are undermined as a unit on both sides of the defect. Fascial releasing incisions are performed, creating two bipedicled fascial flaps attached to the overlying skin. The fascia is approximated, if possible, and the skin sutured. We believe this technique offers a number of advantages and results in a superior closure to that obtained with the conventional method of skin undermining. This approach has enabled the closure of 10 of 11 medium sized wounds.

A solid phase cellular ELISA was designed and evaluated for the detection of antibodies specific for cell surface determinants. It was hypothesized that certain fixation and freezing procedures would result in stabilization of cell structures for prevention of antigen diffusion and extraction during washing procedures. This would assure assay accuracy and convenient sample management. It was hypothesized that fixation with certain reagents prior to analysis would not alter antigenicity of antibody targeted epitopes. In order to improve the preservation of the cells following cell binding to the solid phase matrix while still retaining antigenicity and morphology, a series of fixatives and storage procedures were screened to determine which were best suited for CELISA. Methanol, washing buffer (WB), Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS), and 0.5% formalin in HBSS were examined by comparing their relative cell binding capacity and the subsequent cell morphology. In consideration of all variables, fixation in 0.5% formalin provided the best maintenance of cell antigenicity, morphology, binding, and was associated with consistent results. Cells used immediately after fixation and fixed cells used after storage at -80 degrees C for up to 12 months were compared to determine if long term storage affected antigenicity. Since frozen cells and fresh cells demonstrated statistically identical positive to negative ratios and consistency of antibody binding, it was determined that long term frozen storage of formalin-fixed cells did not adversely affect antibody binding capacity to cell surface determinants.