Leila Musavi

Trends, Frequency, and Nature of Surgeon-Reported Conflicts of Interest in Plastic Surgery

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify types and trends in industry sponsorship of plastic surgery research since the establishment of conflict-of-interest reporting policies in plastic surgery. Methods: The authors analyzed the frequency and types of self-reported conflicts of interest in the plastic surgery literature since the adoption of reporting policies in 2007. All original articles that met the authors’ inclusion criteria and were published in the following three journals from 2008 to 2013 were included: Annals of Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine what study-specific variables were associated with conflict-of-interest disclosures. Results: A total of 3722 articles were analyzed. The incidence of conflicts of interest increased from 14 percent in 2008 to 24 percent in 2009. However, thereafter, the incidence of conflicts of interest decreased steadily from 21 percent in 2010 to 9 percent in 2013. Furthermore, the authors’ analysis revealed that from 2008 to 2013, industry decreased direct research support but steadily increased the rate of consultantships (p < 0.001). A multivariate regression analysis revealed that, after adjusting for potential confounders, self-reported conflicts of interest have decreased since 2008 (p = 0.03) and the prevalence of conflicts of interest differs by plastic surgery subspecialty (p < 0.0001), country of origin (p < 0.0001), and journal of publication (p = 0.05). Conclusions: If self-reporting of conflicts of interest is assumed to be accurate, the number of surgeon-reported conflicts of interest in plastic surgery declined overall. Although the absolute number of consultantships did not change, the rate of consultantships rather than direct research support increased over this period.

Muscle-derived stem cells: important players in peripheral nerve repair

ABSTRACT Introduction: Stem cell therapy for peripheral nerve repair is a rapidly evolving field in regenerative medicine. Although most studies to date have investigated stem cells originating from bone marrow or adipose, skeletal muscle has recently been recognized as an abundant and easily accessible source of stem cells. Muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) are a diverse population of multipotent cells with pronounced antioxidant and regenerative capacity. Areas covered: The current literature on the various roles MDSCs serve within the micro- and macro-environment of nerve injury. Furthermore, the exciting new research that is establishing MDSC-cellular therapy as an important therapeutic modality to improve peripheral nerve regeneration. Expert opinion: MDSCs are a promising therapeutic agent for the repair of peripheral nerves; MDSCs not only undergo gliogenesis and angiogenesis, but they also orchestrate larger pro-regenerative host responses. However, the isolation, transformation, and in-vivo behavior of MDSCs require further evaluation prior to clinical application.

Abstract P11. Craniosynostosis Surgery: A Painless Procedure? A Single Institution’s Experience in Post-operative Pain Management

RESULTS: A total of 46,617 patients with orofacial clefts were identified, 14.6% with isolated cleft lip (CL), 51.7% with cleft lip and palate (CLP), and 33.7% with isolated cleft palate (CP). The incidence of patients requiring EFA increased from 2000 (3.7%) to 2012 (5.8%) (p<0.001). After controlling for comorbidities, the incidence was again found to increase throughout the study period (3.3% to 5.0%, p<0.001). Patients with comorbidities were noted to have higher rates of EFA that increase significantly between 2000 and 2012 (12.8% to 18.6%, p=0.019). Treatment in an urban teaching hospital was an independent risk factor for EFA (OR 4.65). Race and income were not independent risk factors.

Abstract 49: A Modified Approach to Induce Differentiation of Muscle-Derived Stem Cells into Schwann Cell-Like Cells

PURPOSE: Muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) are a distinct population of cells with pronounce pluripotent potential. Previous findings from our laboratory have demonstrated that MDSCs have special osteogenic, vascular, and endothelial potential. However, no study has explored the schwann-cell differentiation potential of MDSCs in-vitro. The purpose of this study was to characterize the transformation potential of MDSCs to transform into cells with Schwann Cell-like phenotypes.