A Review of Surgical Incisions Used for the Excision of Benign Parotid Tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To provide surgical references for selecting appropriate parotidectomy incisions, reviewing modified approaches, incision designs, and associated complications. METHODS: We have systematically searched 5 medical literature databases examining parotidectomy incision designs and postoperative complications from 2008 to 2021. RESULTS: There are a total of 9 novel incision designs: 1) posterior auricular hairline incision (PAHI); 2) combined preauricular and retroauricular incision (CPRI); 3) V-shaped incision (VI); 4) N-shaped incision (NI); 5) postaural incision (PI); 6) preauricular crutch incision (PCI); and 7) endaural incision (EI). Simultaneously, there are a total of 8 postoperative complications: 1) infection; 2) salivary fistula; 3) facial nerve palsy/paresis; 4) ear lobule numbness; 5) Frey syndrome; 6) facial deformity; 7) hematoma; and 8) tumor reoccurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, a surge in modified parotidectomy incisions has been witnessed in clinical practice. This expansion is attributed to rapid technical advancements and a deeper understanding of anatomy and histopathology. These modified approaches contribute significantly to improving cosmetic outcomes, minimizing associated complications, and enhancing patient satisfaction.

Neural and Inflammatory Interactions in Wound Healing.

ABSTRACT: The skin is an intricate network of both neurons and immunocytes, where emerging evidence has indicated that the regulation of neural-inflammatory processes may play a crucial role in mediating wound healing. Disease associated abnormal immunological dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy are implicated in the pathogenesis of wound healing impairment. However, the mechanisms through which neural-inflammatory interactions modulate wound healing remain ambiguous. Understanding the underlying mechanisms may provide novel insights to develop therapeutic devices, which could manipulate neural-inflammatory crosstalk to aid wound healing. This review aims to comprehensively illustrate the neural-inflammatory interactions during different stages of the repair process. Numerous mediators including neuropeptides secreted by the sensory and autonomic nerve fibers and cytokines produced by immunocytes play an essential part during the distinct phases of wound healing.

Numerical Simulation Study on the Corrosion Behaviour of Q345 Steel in a Simulated Marine Thermocline.

Changes in temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen content, and nutrients, which are key factors that cause metal corrosion, are common in marine thermoclines. To study the corrosion behaviours and reveal the corrosion mechanisms of metals in a marine thermocline, COMSOL 6.2 software is used in this paper. With this software, the corrosion behaviour of Q345 steel in a thermocline is numerically simulated, and a simulated marine thermocline is built indoors for experimental research purposes. The corrosion behaviour and mechanism of Q345 steel in a marine thermocline were investigated through numerical simulation, electrochemical testing, and corrosion morphology observation. After 21 days of immersion in the simulated marine thermocline, Q345 steel specimens at different depths are shown to have undergone vertical galvanic corrosion, with two anodes and two cathodes. At depths of 70 m and 150 m, the Q345 steel becomes the anode in the galvanic corrosion reaction, while at depths of 110 m and 190 m, the Q345 steel becomes the cathode in the galvanic corrosion reaction. The cathode is protected by the anode and has a relatively low corrosion rate. The main reason underlying these phenomena is that there are large differences in the dissolved oxygen contents and temperatures at different depths in a thermocline. The different dissolved oxygen contents lead to differences in the oxygen concentrations of Q345 steel specimens at various depths. These variations trigger galvanic coupling corrosion. Moreover, the difference in temperature further aggravates the degree of galvanic corrosion.

Precision Drug Repurposing: A Deep Learning Toolkit for Identifying 34 Hyperpigmentation-Associated Genes and Optimizing Treatment Selection.

BACKGROUND: Hyperpigmentation is a skin disorder characterized by a localized darkening of the skin due to increased melanin production. When patients fail first line topical treatments, secondary treatments such as chemical peels and lasers are offered. However, these interventions are not devoid of risks and are associated with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. In the quest for novel therapeutic potentials, this study aims to investigate computational methods in the identification of new targeted therapies in the treatment of hyperpigmentation. METHODS: We used a comprehensive approach, which integrated text mining, interpreting gene lists through enrichment analysis and integration of diverse biological information (GeneCodis), protein-protein association networks and functional enrichment analyses (STRING), and plug-in network centrality parameters (Cytoscape) to pinpoint genes closely associated with hyperpigmentation. Subsequently, analysis of drug-gene interactions to identify potential drugs (Cortellis) was utilized to select drugs targeting these identified genes. Lastly, we used Deep Learning Based Drug Repurposing Toolkit (DeepPurpose) to conduct drug-target interaction predictions to ultimately identify candidate drugs with the most promising binding affinities. RESULTS: Thirty-four hyperpigmentation-related genes were identified by text mining. Eight key genes were highlighted by utilizing GeneCodis, STRING, Cytoscape, gene enrichment, and protein-protein interaction analysis. Thirty-five drugs targeting hyperpigmentation-associated genes were identified by Cortellis, and 29 drugs, including 16 M2PK1 inhibitors, 11 KRAS inhibitors, and 2 BRAF inhibitors were recommended by DeepPurpose. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the promise of advanced computational methodology for identifying potential treatments for hyperpigmentation.

3D printed guide-assisted percutaneous screw fixation for minimally displaced scaphoid waist fractures with delayed diagnosis or presentation.

OBJECTIVES: To Investigate the value of 3D printed guide-assisted percutaneous management of minimally displaced scaphoid waist fractures(Herbert's B2) with delayed diagnosis or presentation. METHODS: From October 2018 to February 2022, 10 patients with established delayed diagnoses and presentation of minimally displaced scaphoid waist fractures were treated with 3D printed guides assisted with percutaneous internal fixation without bone grafting. This technique was based on the patient's preoperative CT and imported into the software. Based on Boolean subtraction, the most centralized screw placement position was identified and a customized guide was produced. Intraoperative percutaneous insertion of the guide wire was assisted by the custom guide. RESULTS: All 10 patients were successful in one attempt. The fractures healed at a mean of 7.7 weeks postoperatively (range 6-10 weeks). At a mean follow-up of 7.7 months (6-13 months), patients had excellent recovery of wrist function with minimal pain reduction. There were no major postoperative complications and the patients all returned to their previous activities before the injury. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous internal fixation based on 3D printed guides is a safe and effective technique for delayed diagnosis or presentation of patients with minimally displaced fractures of the scaphoid waist. This method allows for easy insertion of screws and avoids multiple attempts.

Corneal optical density: Structural basis, measurements, influencing factors, and roles in refractive surgery.

The cornea is the main refractive medium of the human eye, and its clarity is critical to visual acuity. Corneal optical density (COD) is an important index to describe corneal transparency. Intact corneal epithelial and endothelial cells, regular arrangement of collagen fibers in the stroma, and normal substance metabolism are all integral for the cornea to maintain its transparency. In the last two decades, the Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging system has emerged as a breakthrough for the measurement of COD (also called corneal densitometry). It has been found that a wide variety of factors such as age, refractive status, and corneal diseases can affect COD. Different corneal refractive surgery methods also change COD in different corneal regions and layers and affect visual acuity following the surgery. Thus, COD has gradually become a significant indicator to evaluate corneal health, one on which the attention of clinicians has been increasingly focused.

Extraosseous osteochondroma of superficial fascia layer of the heel: A case report and review of literature.

RATIONALE: Osteochondroma is a common benign bone tumor consisting of cartilage-covered bone confluent with the medullary canal of the epiphysis. Extraosseous osteochondroma shares the same appearance and histologic features as a typical osteochondroma but does not have any attachment to surrounding bone structures. Because of its low incidence, extraosseous osteochondroma is uncommon in clinical workups and thus prone to misdiagnosis. The diagnosis of extraosseous osteochondroma should be considered when there is a well-defined bony mass in the soft tissue with no direct continuity with the adjacent bone or joint. Here, we present a case of an imaging diagnosis of "calcified bursitis in the subcutaneous superficial fascial layer" and a postoperative pathological diagnosis of "extraosseous osteochondroma." PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient was a 61-year-old man who had a right plantar heel mass for 2 years and recently visited the hospital because of discomfort in shoes. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with pathological examination. INTERVENTIONS: After completing the relevant preoperative examination and preoperative preparation and excluding contraindications to surgery, surgery was performed under nerve block anesthesia. OUTCOMES: We performed surgical resection, and the patient did not have obvious discomfort when discharged from the hospital. Auxiliary examination showed no abnormalities. LESSONS: For foot tumors, we need to consider the possibility of extraosseous osteochondroma. After completing the auxiliary examination, we should determine the relationship between the tumor and its surrounding tissues and blood supply before surgery to avoid causing major trauma.

Chlorogenic acid ameliorates Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced pneumonia in immunosuppressed mice via inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) possesses a wide variety of bioactive properties, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-bacteria. This study was aimed at exploring the effects of CGA of anti-inflammation and anti-bacteria on mouse pneumonia prepared by immunosuppressed mice infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) in vivo and the cellular inflammasomes through lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophages in vitro. Mice received CGA treatment (30 and 90 mg kg-1) for 8 consecutive days and on the fourth day immunosuppression in mice was induced by cyclophosphamide (40 mg kg-1) for 5 days before inoculation of K. pneumoniae. Immunosuppressed mice infected with K. pneumoniae developed severe pneumonia, with marked interstitial vascular congestion, widened alveolar intervals, infiltration of monocytes, lymphocytes and macrophages as well as the damage of epithelial architecture, with growing mortality and count forming unit (CFU). CGA treatment significantly decreased the ratio of lung/body weight, reduced the severity of pneumonia induced by K. pneumoniae, decreased the lung injury, inflammatory cell infiltration scores and CD68 protein expression, inhibited the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and elevated the expression of IL-10. Meanwhile, we investigated the mechanism of CGA to counter K. pneumoniae-induced pneumonia and found that CGA remarkably repressed the activation of nucleotide-binding domain like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Altogether, our results indicate that the dietary intake of CGA or its rich foods ameliorates K. pneumonia-induced pneumonia by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Chlorogenic Acid Suppresses miR-155 and Ameliorates Ulcerative Colitis through the NF-κB/NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway.

SCOPE: The over-activation of the nucleotide-binding domain like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Chlorogenic acid (CGA) exposure is identified as an effective strategy for repressing inflammatory responses. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the NLRP3 inflammasome model with LPS/ATP-induced RAW264.7 cells in vitro and dextran-sulfate-sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice are used to evaluate the effect of CGA on NLRP3 inflammasome-related signaling. The results suggest that CGA suppressed the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), cysteine-requiring aspartate protease (Caspase)-1 p45, Caspase-1 p20, pro-/cleaved-interleukin (IL)-1ß, pro-/cleaved-IL-18), p-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) protein, and miR-155 in mice with colitis. Gain- and loss-of-function studies of miR-155 are performed to elucidate its role in inflammation. Moreover, activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and miR-155 expression is investigated. CGA exposure in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells leads to a decrease in p-NK-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins, which is dependent on the downregulation of miR-155 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that CGA prevented colitis by downregulating miR-155 expression and inactivating the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in macrophages. The current study has promising therapeutic implications in the treatment of UC.

Recent Development of 1,2,4-triazole-containing Compounds as Anticancer Agents.

1,2,4-Triazole derivatives possess promising in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity, and many anticancer agents such as fluconazole, tebuconazole, triadimefon, and ribavirin bear a 1,2,4-triazole moiety, revealing their potential in the development of novel anticancer agents. This review emphasizes the recent advances in 1,2,4-triazole-containing compounds with anticancer potential, and the structureactivity relationships as well as mechanisms of action are also discussed.