Use of Retroauricular Flaps to Reconstruct Defects of the Helical Rim and Adjuvant Intralesional Corticosteroids after Resection of Large Keloids.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for large helical rim keloids remains unclear. AIMS: The authors evaluated patient outcomes when retro auricular flaps were used to reconstruct helical rim defects and adjuvant intralesional corticosteroids were prescribed after resection of large keloids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors evaluated 7 females with 12 large keloids of the helical rim (5 patients had lesions in both ears). All patients were aged 18 to 33 years. The authors used retro auricular flaps to reconstruct the helical rim defects and prescribed adjuvant intralesional corticosteroids after resection. The lesion area ranged from 2.5 × 2.0 to 3.5 × 3.5 cm2. The flap size ranged from 2.5 × 3.0 to 3.5 × 4.5 cm2. The flaps and wound bases received 3 steroid injections at approximately 1, 2, and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: No flap necrosis or complications were noted. The postoperative esthetic results were satisfactory in 8 patients and excellent in 4. All patients were followed up for 14 to 28 months (median, 20.6 months). No recurrence was noted, although 3 patients exhibited mild scarring of the wound flap base. CONCLUSIONS: A retro auricular flap is safe and effective for reconstructing helical rim defects; adjuvant intralesional corticosteroids prevent scarring of the flap wound base after resection of large keloids.

Reconstruction of Large Acquired Palatal Defects Using Facial-Submental Artery Island Flap.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical effect of facial-submental artery island flap (FSAIF) in the repair of palatal defects, and to provide reference for the clinical application of submental artery island flap. METHODS: Nine patients with palatal defects, the range of nasal palatal perforation defects were 3 cm × 4cm to 3 cm × 6 cm (median 3 cm × 5.4 cm), were repaired by FSAIF, and the sizes of FSAIF were 4 cm × 9cm to 4 cm × 12 cm (median 4 cm × 10.4 cm,). Postoperative clinical efficacy was evaluated, including infection and necrosis of mucosal flap and postoperative palatal fistula perforation. Patients were followed up to evaluate their chewing, swallowing, speech function, and satisfaction of appearance. RESULTS: All patients were successfully repaired with FSAIF. Followed up 13∼35 months, there was no palatal fistula perforation in all patients. The speech, agitation, and swallowing function were not affected and the patients were satisfied with the appearance. CONCLUSION: FSAIF is a safe and reliable method for palatal defect repair.

miR-582-5p inhibits invasion and migration of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cells by targeting FOXC1.

OBJECTIVE: Neurotropism of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) and pulmonary metastasis may lead to in treatment failure. miR-582-5p plays important roles in tumorigenesis, invasion and migration. Here, we aim to determine the effect of miR-582-5p and its role in SACC invasion and metastasis. METHODS: Six primary human SACC samples and matching adjacent normal tissues were analyzed by microarray analysis. Next, quantitative real-time PCR was carried out to evaluate miR-582-5p expression in 16 primary human SACC samples and matching adjacent normal tissues. Cell invasion and migration were also analyzed, and a luciferase reporter assay and western analysis were conducted. Cell growth and apoptosis assay were performed to confirm the effect of miR-582-5p and Forkhead box C1 (FOXC1) siRNA in cell proliferation and apoptosis. SACC tumorigenesis and metastasis were investigated in vivo experiment. Clinical samples from 110 patients were analyzed using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Microarray analysis revealed that miR-582-5p was significantly downregulated in the SACC samples compared with the matching adjacent normal tissues. Regulation of miR-582-5p expression significantly influenced the migration, invasion and proliferation ability of SACC cells by targeting FOXC1. E-cadherin was increased, while vimentin and snail were decreased with downregulation of FOXC1, suggesting that FOXC1 may regulate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of SACC cells by transactivating snail. In vivo, miR-582-5p overexpression suppressed the tumorigenesis and pulmonary metastasis of SACC. Lower expression of miR-582-5p expression predicts unfavorable prognoses and high rates of metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: miR-582-5p could suppress effect on the process of invasion and migration in SACC cell lines, and this could occur through its target gene FOXC1.

Endoscope-assisted extracapsular dissection of benign parotid tumors through a single cephaloauricular furrow incision versus a conventional approach.

BACKGROUND: A few modified approaches have been reported for performing endoscope-assisted dissections of benign parotid tumors, but none that use incisions totally hidden in a natural furrow. This study evaluated the feasibility of performing endoscope-assisted extracapsular dissections of benign parotid tumors using a single cephaloauricular furrow incision. METHODS: Forty-six patients with benign parotid superficial lobe tumors were randomly divided into two groups: an endoscope-assisted (21 patients) group or a conventional (25 patients) surgery group. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes of the patients were evaluated, including the maximum diameter of the tumors, length of the incision, operating time, estimated blood loss during the operation, amount and duration of drainage, satisfaction scores based on the cosmetic results, perioperative complications, and follow-up information. RESULTS: The diameters of the tumors were comparable between the groups, and all operations were successfully performed as planned. The mean length of the incision in the endoscope-assisted group (3.6 ± 0.5 cm) was significantly shorter than that in the conventional group (9.1 ± 1.9). Meanwhile, the intraoperative blood loss, amount of drainage, perioperative complications, and cosmetic outcomes were all improved in the endoscope-assisted group. No tumor recurrence was found during 11-40 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Cephaloauricular furrow incisions were totally and naturally hidden in this procedure. Endoscope-assisted extracapsular dissections of benign parotid tumors via a small cephaloauricular furrow incision were found to be feasible and reliable, providing a minimally invasive approach and a satisfactory appearance.

Craniofacial Resection and Reconstruction in Patients With Recurrent Cancer Involving the Craniomaxillofacial Region.

PURPOSE: Head and neck tumors that involve the craniomaxillofacial region are classified as stage IVb disease and are clinically challenging. In this study, the outcomes of craniofacial resection and craniofacial reconstruction in patients with recurrent malignant tumors involving the craniomaxillofacial region were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted from January 2008 to August 2015. Data collected for each patient included age, gender, tumor site, initial treatment, craniofacial resection, reconstruction flaps and complications after craniofacial resection, adjuvant treatment, and reported outcomes of craniofacial resection and craniofacial reconstruction. The χ2 test in SPSS was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with recurrent malignant tumors involving the craniomaxillofacial region were identified who had undergone craniofacial resection at the Center of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, Guangdong, China). The study population was comprised of 24 patients (15 men and 9 women; age range, 21 to 73 yr) with recurrent tumors (58.3% with squamous cell carcinoma [SCC], 41.7% with sarcoma [SA]) involving the craniomaxillofacial region who underwent craniofacial resection. Craniofacial resection consisted of orbital exenteration and maxillotomy; anterior skull base surgery, facial resection, and mandibulotomy; or ipsilateral radical neck dissection. The resultant craniomaxillofacial defects were reconstructed using extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flaps (TIMFs), temporalis myofascial flaps, or submental flaps. All patients with recurrent malignant tumor involving the craniomaxillofacial region underwent gross total resection of the tumor; 22 patients underwent craniofacial reconstruction. There were no major surgical complications. Minor flap failure and wound dehiscence in the donor site occurred in 4 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 8 to 36 months. Seven patients in the SCC group and 7 in the SA group were alive with no evidence of disease (AND), 3 in the SCC group and 2 in the SA group were alive with disease (AWD), and 4 in the SCC and 1 in the SA group died of the disease (DOD) after local recurrence or distant metastases at 8 to 18 months. There were no statistical differences among the AND, AWD, and DOD groups. CONCLUSIONS: Craniofacial resection remains an effective salvage treatment for patients with recurrent SCC and SA involving the craniomaxillofacial region. The extended vertical lower TIMF is a large, simple, and reliable flap for reconstructing major defects after a craniofacial resection.

Novel Local Full-Thickness Skin Grafts for Closure of Free Fibular Osteocutaneous Flap Donor Sites.

PURPOSE: The fibular flap donor site after skin paddle harvest is usually covered with abdominal full-thickness skin grafts. However, this kind of skin graft creates an inevitable third operative area and additional esthetic damage. The aim of this report was to present a novel approach to manage fibular donor site defects using a full-thickness skin graft from the adjacent area and avoid further esthetic damage in a third area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients underwent mandibular and maxillary defect reconstruction using free fibular osteocutaneous flaps and the fibular donor-site defects were covered with full-thickness skin grafts from the adjacent area. The skin harvesting sites were closed primarily. RESULTS: The skin donor sites were closed without dehiscence in all cases. Fifteen full-thickness skin grafts survived completely, whereas 2 grafts were partial failures. There were no complete skin graft losses. All fibular osteocutaneous flaps were viable, and the recipient sites had no complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that adjacent full-thickness skin grafts provide a straightforward and reliable technique for closure of the free fibular osteocutaneous flap donor site. The primary advantage of this technique is the avoidance of a third surgical site, an additional surgical scar, and subsequent additional esthetic impairment.

Role of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in the Management of Submandibular Fistula After Reconstruction for Osteoradionecrosis.

PURPOSE: Although negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for complicated wounds has been extensively studied, it is rarely used in cases involving a submandibular fistula due to radiation-induced osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of NPWT for submandibular fistulas after reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine patients with submandibular fistulas after reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis treated with NPWT between 2011 and 2014 were included in the study. The wound healing was documented. RESULTS: The NPWT device was removed postoperatively between days 7 and 12 (mean duration, 9.6 days). The wound bed was filled with healthy granulation tissue, and successful healing by second intention was observed in all patients within 2 weeks. No complications were observed. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 27 months (mean, 18 months); the fistulas exhibited excellent healing, and no recurrence or infection was observed. CONCLUSIONS: NPWT is a safe, effective technique for managing submandibular fistulas after reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis.

Salvage Surgery for Patients With Recurrent Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Involving the Carotid Artery.

PURPOSE: Outcomes of salvage surgery and carotid artery (CA) management were evaluated in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with recurrent oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma involving the CA underwent salvage surgeries consisting of wide resection of the tumor, CA resection without and with reconstruction, and CA subadventitial dissection without and with encapsulation. Major tissue defects were reconstructed using a flap. RESULTS: One patient showed postoperative transient hemiplegia, and wound dehiscence occurred at the recipient site in 2 patients. Two patients had carotid blowout. One patient who underwent CA resection and reconstruction had a carotid embolism. After 5 to 42 months of follow-up, 12 patients were free of disease, 2 remained ill, and 4 died of local recurrence or distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage surgery remains an effective treatment modality. CA sacrifice offers a viable treatment strategy. Major defects can be reconstructed with a trapezius flap.

Virtual Surgical Planning in Precise Maxillary Reconstruction With Vascularized Fibular Graft After Tumor Ablation.

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of maxillary and midfacial defects due to tumor ablation is challenging to conventional operation. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the precise 3-dimensional position of the fibular flap in reconstruction of maxillary defects assisted by virtual surgical planning and to assess the postoperative outcomes compared with conventional surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 18 consecutive patients who underwent maxillary reconstruction with a vascularized fibular flap assisted by virtual surgical planning after maxillary or midfacial tumor ablation. Conventional surgery was performed in another 15 patients. Proplan CMF surgical planning (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) was performed preoperatively in the virtual planning group. Fibular flaps were harvested and underwent osteotomy assisted by prefabricated cutting guides, and the maxilla and midface were resected and reconstructed assisted by the prefabricated cutting guides and templates in the virtual planning group. The operative time and fibular flap positions were evaluated in the 2 groups. Postoperative fibular positions of the maxillary reconstruction were compared with virtual plans in the virtual planning group. The postoperative facial appearance and occlusal function were assessed. RESULTS: The operations were performed successfully without complications. The ischemia time and total operative time were shorter in the virtual planning group than those in the conventional surgery group (P < .05). High precision of the cutting guides and templates was found on both the fibula and maxilla in the virtual planning group. The positions of the fibular flaps, including the vertical and horizontal positions, were more accurate in the virtual planning group than those in the conventional surgery group (P < .05). Bone-to-bone contact between the maxilla and fibular segments was more precise in the virtual planning group (P < .05). Postoperative computed tomography scans showed excellent contour of the fibular flap segments in accordance with the virtual plans in the virtual planning group. All patients were alive with no evidence of disease. Functional mandibular range of motion, good occlusion, and an ideal facial appearance were observed in the virtual planning group. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual surgical planning appears to achieve precise maxillary reconstruction with a vascularized fibular flap after tumor ablation, as well as an ideal facial appearance and function after dental rehabilitation. The use of prefabricated cutting guides and plates eases fibular flap molding and placement, minimizes operating time, and improves clinical outcomes.

Endoscopic-Assisted Resection of Benign Tumors of the Accessory Parotid Gland.

PURPOSE: Modified endoscopically assisted resection of benign tumors in the accessory parotid gland region (APGR) has been reported, and the surgery confers a potential risk of injury to the great auricular nerve. This clinical research study provides an updated approach for the resection of benign tumors of the APGR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen cases diagnosed with primary benign tumors in the APGR were treated by endoscopically assisted resection through a margin of the tragus, and its feasibility was evaluated. RESULTS: All tumors were completely resected. The procedures lasted 45 to 70 minutes (mean, 54 minutes). None of the endoscopically assisted surgeries proceeded to open surgery. The patients were followed for 3 to 14 months, without postoperative complications, including pain, facial or auricular nerve weakness, salivary fistula, infection, tumor recurrence, Frey syndrome, or depression deformity. The scars were concealed and esthetically satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Endoscopically assisted resection of benign tumors through a margin of the tragus in the APGR is a safe technique that achieves excellent esthetic and functional results.

Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy for lip mucous membrane venous malformation in infants.

OBJECTIVE: Lip mucous membrane venous malformations are common benign lesions in infants. This clinical study evaluates the efficacy and safety of liquid nitrogen cryotherapy used to treat this condition. METHODS: A total of 84 pediatric patients undergoing liquid nitrogen cryotherapy for venous malformations involving the lips were reviewed, with 45 males and 39 females treated. The overall median age at mucous membrane venous malformation diagnosis was 5.6 months (range 2-18 months). The venous malformations involved the vermilion of the lower lip in 44 cases, the vermilion of the upper lip in 31 cases, and both vermilions in 9 cases. RESULTS: No complications due to anesthesia occurred. After a follow-up period of 2-38 months (mean 25 months), 65 lesions (77.4 %) were completely involuted, 14 lesions (16.7 %) were mostly involuted, and 5 lesions (5.9 %) were partially involuted; no lesions showed a minor amount of involution. CONCLUSIONS: Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy is an effective, simple, and safe management tool for mucous membrane venous malformations of the lip in infants.

Minimally invasive selective neck dissection: a prospective study of endoscopically assisted dissection via a small submandibular approach in cT(1-2_N(0) oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Selective neck dissection (SND) in clinical N0 (cN0) cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been performed by surgeons using a retroauricular or modified facelift approach with robotic or endoscopic assistance. However, these procedures provide cosmetic satisfaction at the cost of possible maximal invasiveness. In this prospective study, we introduced and evaluated the feasibility as well as surgical invasiveness and cosmetic outcome of endoscopically-assisted SND via a small submandibular approach. METHODS: Forty-four patients with cT1-2N0 oral SCC (OSCC) were randomly divided into two groups of endoscopically-assisted SND and conventional SND. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes of patients were evaluated, including the length of the incision, operating time for neck dissection, estimated blood loss during the operation, amount and duration of drainage, total hospitalization period, total number of lymph nodes retrieved, satisfaction scores based on the cosmetic results, perioperative local complications, shoulder syndrome, and follow-up information. RESULTS: The mean operation time in the endoscopically-assisted group (126.04 ± 12.67 min) was longer than that in the conventional group (75.67 ± 16.67 min). However, the mean length of the incision was 4.33 ± 0.76 cm in the endoscopically-assisted SND group, and the amount and duration of drainage, total hospital stay, postoperative shoulder pain score, and cosmetic outcomes were superior in the endoscopically-assisted SND group. Additionally, the retrieved lymph nodes and complications were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopically-assisted SND via a small submandibular approach had a longer operation time than the conventional approach. However, endoscopically-assisted SND was feasible and reliable while providing minimal invasiveness and satisfactory appearance.

A role for cancer-associated fibroblasts in inducing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Lymph node metastasis is a prominent clinical feature of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and is associated with a higher mortality rate. Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play an important role in tumor progression, and are associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine the role of CAFs in promoting the invasion of TSCC through the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of matched CAF and normal fibroblast (NF) pairs were assessed for cell morphology and for the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1), fibroblast-activating protein (FAP), vimentin, and cytokeratin (CK) markers. Transwell assays, Western blot analysis, reverse transcription-PCR, and immunofluorescence staining were used to assess the role of CAFs, as compared to that of NFs, in promoting proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in TSCC. RESULTS: Both CAF and NF primary cultures expressed vimentin but not CK. CAFs showed significantly higher α-SMA protein levels, SDF1 secretion, and mRNA levels of α-SMA, SDF1, and FAP. We also found that co-culture with CAFs enhanced the proliferation and invasion of SCC9 cells. Moreover, co-culture with CAFs induced upregulation of the EMT markers fibronectin and vimentin, downregulation of E-cadherin, and enhanced invasion in SCC9 cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CAFs induce EMT marker expression and functional changes in TSCCs.

Use of extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flaps to cover exposed reconstructive plates.

PURPOSE: Plate exposure is the most common complication after reconstruction of oncologic resection using a titanium plate. The outcomes of covering exposed reconstructive plates with extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flaps (TIMFs) were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve instances of exposure of reconstructive plates occurred in patients after segmental mandibulectomy to treat cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx. The plates were covered with extended vertical lower TIMFs. The site of the primary tumor was the gingiva or mandible in 5 cases, the buccal mucosa in 3, the floor of the mouth in 2, and the base of the tongue in 2. The types of bone defect were hemimandibular in 1 case, central in 2, and lateral in 9. Intraoral, extraoral, and intra- and extraoral exposures occurred in 1, 7, and 4 instances, respectively. Intraorally and extraorally exposed plates were re-covered with skin paddles measuring 6 × 7 to 6 × 23 cm (average, 6.0 × 13.5 cm). Four folded extended vertical lower TIMFs were constructed to cover plates exhibiting intra- and extraoral exposure. RESULTS: All flaps survived. Patients were followed for 12 to 36 months (median duration, 22.8 months). One patient (8.3%) exhibited external plate exposure at 20 months. Nine patients (75.0%) were alive with no evidence of disease at 12 to 36 months, and 2 (16.7%) were alive with disease at 20 to 28 months. One patient (8.3%) died of local recurrence at 23 months. CONCLUSIONS: The use of extended vertical lower TIMFs to cover intraorally, extraorally, or intra- and extraorally exposed plates is reliable.

Cured HCV patients with suboptimal hepatitis B vaccine response exhibit high self-reactive immune signatures.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Chronic HCV infection induces lasting effects on the immune system despite viral clearance. It is unclear whether certain immune alterations are associated with vaccine responses in cured HCV patients. APPROACH: Thirteen cured HCV patients received the standard 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine and were followed up at the 0, 1st, 6th, and 7th months (M0, M1, M6, and M7) after the first dose of vaccination. Thirty-three-color and 26-color spectral flow cytometry panels were used for high-dimensional immunophenotyping of the T-cell and B-cell subsets, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to the healthy controls (HC), 17 of 43 (39.5%) immune cell subsets showed abnormal frequencies in cured HCV patients. Patients with cured HCV were further divided into high responders (HR, n = 6) and nonresponders (NR1, n = 7) based on the levels of hepatitis B surface antibodies at M1. Alterations in cell populations were more significant in NR1. Moreover, we found that high levels of self-reactive immune signatures, including Tregs, TD/CD8, IgD-only memory B, and autoantibodies, were associated with suboptimal hepatitis B vaccine responses. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that cured HCV patients exhibit persistent perturbations in the adaptive immune system, among which highly self-reactive immune signatures may contribute to a suboptimal hepatitis B vaccine response.

Elevated glutamate impedes anti-HIV-1 CD8 + T cell responses in HIV-1-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy.

CD8 + T cells are essential for long-lasting HIV-1 control and have been harnessed to develop therapeutic and preventive approaches for people living with HIV-1 (PLWH). HIV-1 infection induces marked metabolic alterations. However, it is unclear whether these changes affect the anti-HIV function of CD8 + T cells. Here, we show that PLWH exhibit higher levels of plasma glutamate than healthy controls. In PLWH, glutamate levels positively correlate with HIV-1 reservoir and negatively correlate with the anti-HIV function of CD8 + T cells. Single-cell metabolic modeling reveals glutamate metabolism is surprisingly robust in virtual memory CD8 + T cells (TVM). We further confirmed that glutamate inhibits TVM cells function via the mTORC1 pathway in vitro. Our findings reveal an association between metabolic plasticity and CD8 + T cell-mediated HIV control, suggesting that glutamate metabolism can be exploited as a therapeutic target for the reversion of anti-HIV CD8 + T cell function in PLWH.

Metabolic interventions improve HBV envelope-specific T-cell responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: Restoration of HBV-specific T cell immunity is a promising approach for the functional cure of chronic Hepatitis B (CHB), necessitating the development of valid assays to boost and monitor HBV-specific T cell responses in patients with CHB. METHODS: We analyzed hepatitis B virus (HBV) core- and envelope (env)-specific T cell responses using in vitro expanded peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with CHB exhibiting different immunological phases, including immune tolerance (IT), immune activation (IA), inactive carrier (IC), and HBeAg-negative hepatitis (ENEG). Additionally, we evaluated the effects of metabolic interventions, including mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (MTA), polyphenolic compounds, and ACAT inhibitors (iACAT), on HBV-specific T-cell functionality. RESULTS: We found that HBV core- and env-specific T cell responses were finely coordinated and more profound in IC and ENEG than in the IT and IA stages. HBV env-specific T cells were more dysfunctional but prone to respond to metabolic interventions using MTA, iACAT, and polyphenolic compounds than HBV core-specific T-cells. The responsiveness of HBV env-specific T cells to metabolic interventions can be predicted by the eosinophil (EO) count and the coefficient of variation of red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV). CONCLUSION: These findings may provide valuable information for metabolically invigorating HBV-specific T-cells to treat CHB.

Double mental neurovascular V-Y island advancement flaps combined with tongue flaps for functionally reconstructing total lower-lip defects.

Although several techniques have been described for lower-lip reconstruction, functional reconstruction of total lower-lip defects remains a challenge. This study investigated a functional reconstruction technique for total lower-lip defects. Nine lower-lip defects were reconstructed after cancer ablation using double mental V-Y island advancement flaps, based on mental neurovascular bundle combined with tongue flaps. All flaps survived completely. The patients were followed up for 6 to 20 months. The lip function and sensation were normal, and aesthetic appearance was satisfactory. No patient developed local recurrence or lymphatic metastasis. The technique of combining a double mental neurovascular V-Y island advancement flap with a lingual mucosal membrane flap is ideal for the functional repair of total lower-lip defects after cancer ablation.

CCL5-Secreting Virtual Memory CD8+ T Cells Inversely Associate With Viral Reservoir Size in HIV-1-Infected Individuals on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Recent studies highlighted that CD8+ T cells are necessary for restraining reservoir in HIV-1-infected individuals who undergo antiretroviral therapy (ART), whereas the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we enrolled 60 virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected individuals, to assess the correlations of the effector molecules and phenotypic subsets of CD8+ T cells with HIV-1 DNA and cell-associated unspliced RNA (CA usRNA). We found that the levels of HIV-1 DNA and usRNA correlated positively with the percentage of CCL4+CCL5- CD8+ central memory cells (TCM) while negatively with CCL4-CCL5+ CD8+ terminally differentiated effector memory cells (TEMRA). Moreover, a virtual memory CD8+ T cell (TVM) subset was enriched in CCL4-CCL5+ TEMRA cells and phenotypically distinctive from CCL4+ TCM subset, supported by single-cell RNA-Seq data. Specifically, TVM cells showed superior cytotoxicity potentially driven by T-bet and RUNX3, while CCL4+ TCM subset displayed a suppressive phenotype dominated by JUNB and CREM. In viral inhibition assays, TVM cells inhibited HIV-1 reactivation more effectively than non-TVM CD8+ T cells, which was dependent on CCL5 secretion. Our study highlights CCL5-secreting TVM cells subset as a potential determinant of HIV-1 reservoir size. This might be helpful to design CD8+ T cell-based therapeutic strategies for cure of the disease.

Removal of the submandibular gland using a combined retroauricular and transoral approach.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and outcome of a combined retroauricular and transoral approach for removing the submandibular gland. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients underwent removal of benign submandibular gland lesions (6 sialoadenitis with sialolithiasis, 4 chronic sialoadenitis, and 3 pleomorphic adenomas) using a combined retroauricular and intraoral approach. RESULTS: All 13 submandibular sialoadenectomies were successful and all of the wounds healed uneventfully. A temporary deficit of the lingual nerve developed in 2 cases and mild limited movement of the tongue developed in 3 cases. No patient suffered from weakness of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve. The follow-up averaged 14.1 months (range, 6-24 months); no tumors recurred. The incision scars were invisible. CONCLUSION: Submandibular gland resection using a combined retroauricular and transoral approach is a feasible method for benign submandibular gland lesions that provides an acceptable cosmetic outcome.