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Bioactive, functional scaffolds are required to improve the regenerative potential of stem cells for tissue reconstruction and functional recovery of damaged tissues. Here, we report a paper-based bioactive scaffold platform for stem cell culture and transplantation for bone reconstruction. The paper scaffolds are surface-engineered by an initiated chemical vapor deposition process for serial coating of a water-repellent and cell-adhesive polymer film, which ensures the long-term stability in cell culture medium and induces efficient cell attachment. The prepared paper scaffolds are compatible with general stem cell culture and manipulation techniques. An optimal paper type is found to provide structural, physical, and mechanical cues to enhance the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). A bioactive paper scaffold significantly enhances in vivo bone regeneration of hADSCs in a critical-sized calvarial bone defect. Stacking the paper scaffolds with osteogenically differentiated hADSCs and human endothelial cells resulted in vascularized bone formation in vivo. Our study suggests that paper possesses great potential as a bioactive, functional, and cost-effective scaffold platform for stem cell-mediated bone tissue engineering. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the feasibility of a paper material for stem cell application to repair tissue defects.

Our aim was to summarise current published evidence about the prognosis of various techniques of craniofacial distraction osteogenesis, particularly its indications, protocols, and complications. Published papers were acquired from online sources using the keywords "distraction osteogenesis", "Le Fort III", "monobloc", and "syndromic craniosynostosis" in combination with other keywords, such as "craniofacial deformity" and "midface". The search was confined to publications in English, and we followed the guidelines of the PRISMA statement. We found that deformity of the skull resulted mainly from Crouzon syndrome. Recently craniofacial distraction has been achieved by monobloc distraction osteogenesis using an external distraction device during childhood, while Le Fort III distraction osteogenesis was used in maturity. Craniofacial distraction was indicated primarily to correct increased intracranial pressure, exorbitism, and obstructive sleep apnoea in childhood, while midface hypoplasia was the main indication in maturity. Overall the most commonly reported complications were minor inflammatory reactions around the pins, and anticlockwise rotation when using external distraction systems. The mean amount of bony advancement was 12.3mm for an external device, 18.6mm for an internal device and 18.7mm when both external and internal devices were used. Treatment by craniofacial distraction must be validated by long-term studies as there adequate data are lacking, particularly about structural relapse and the assessment of function.

Penetrating head trauma (PHT) includes any traumatic injury where an object pierces the skull and breaches the dural membrane surrounding the brain. PHTs are less prevalent than blunt head injuries. However, they often have more complex damage, worse prognosis, and higher rates of morbidity and mortality. An 83-year-old man fell at his home and hit his head on the right side toward a shoji (a Japanese-style paper sliding door). He reported to the emergency room the following day with his family. He had a small wound before the right ear, which was sutured in the emergency room. A CT scan demonstrated tiny pieces of bone fragments inside the brain, as well as right temporal subcortical hemorrhage and pneumocephalus. He was admitted to the hospital and received intensive prophylaxis with antibiotics. He developed life-threatening skin disease and subsequent acute kidney disease requiring hemodialysis. He fully recovered from his life-threatening condition. Here, we report an unprecedented case of a penetrating head injury of an older adult caused by a shoji.

M. Elbroch 2006. Animal Skulls. A Guide to North American Species. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 727 pp. ISBN 978-0-8117-3309-0, price (paper), $44.95. This book, authored by the intrepid natural historian and master wildlife tracker, Mark Elbroch, is a celebration of the vertebrate skull. As emphasized in the Introduction to this attractive and well-crafted book, the human mind—encased in its own protective skull—is endlessly fascinated by the skulls of fellow vertebrates. Although we may not understand why, the allure of animal skulls is very real, and this book feeds the human desire to know more about them. Animal Skulls is a unique reference and identification guide to skulls of 275 vertebrate species of North America. The book is extremely well illustrated with 1,434 black-and-white drawings and 123 color photographs. Some of the photographs are especially creative, including the cougar ( Puma concolor ) photo on page 42 superimposed with a semitransparent image of its skull. Topics in Animal Skulls are presented in a logical order. The Introduction includes a section entitled Importance of Collections , which is a powerful statement on the vital role of collections as repositories for biodiversity. The Bones of the Skull (Chapter 1) provides skull vocabulary, reference diagrams of skulls, and defines standard measurements used by scientists to describe the skull. The beautifully illustrated skulls and careful use of color to identify particular bones make this chapter especially useful to the lay naturalist. Chapter 2 focuses sequentially on teeth, jaws, the senses (as interpreted from cranial morphology), skull variation, and ways to determine age and sex of the skull's owner. Chapter 3 ( Tracking Across the Surface of Animal Skulls ) provides an unusual …