Parotid Gland Suspension Combined with Rhytidectomy to Recontour the Lower Face and Neck Enlargement Caused by Benign Parotid Hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Lower face and neck aging and facial shape changes are usually caused by soft tissue descent. During lower face and neck enlargement, parotid hypertrophy is an important influence factor of morphologic changes in the periauricular regions. Most plastic surgery techniques greatly improve the shape of the lower face and neck, but ignore the manipulation of the parotid gland. We aimed to resolve the lower face and neck enlargement caused by parotid hypertrophy. Thus, we performed parotid gland suspension combined with rhytidectomy to improve the lower face and neck contour. METHODS: This retrospective study recruited 22 patients who underwent parotid gland suspension combined with rhytidectomy from 2012 to 2020. The evaluation of patient outcomes was performed by selecting items from the FACE-Q scale. Surgical procedures involved parotid gland exposure and parotid fascia suspension. RESULTS: Patient-perceived age appraisal indicated a younger appearance with follow-ups for approximately 3-10 year after the surgery (mean ± standard deviation - 5.53 ± 3.67). Patients had a high satisfaction level for facial appearance (67.15 ± 16.84), lower face (74.69 ± 21.22), and contour of the parotid gland areas of the neck (65.76 ± 23.62). The lower face and neck contours were narrowed and tightened. The parotid gland area showed a remarkable improvement after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Parotid gland suspension combined with rhytidectomy obtained an outstanding improvement. This method can achieve a better lower face and neck contour, especially in patients with benign parotid hypertrophy or lower face and neck enlargement in periauricular regions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Gene Profiling of Circular RNAs in Keloid-prone Individuals and ceRNA Network Construction During Wound Healing.

Epigenetic alterations of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) are pivotal in the continuous activation and differentiation of fibroblasts in keloid. However, the epigenetic mechanism of circRNA in keloid is still not clear yet. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interplay among differentially expressed circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs during wound healing in keloid-prone individuals, construct a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network, and gain an in-depth insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying keloid development. Utilizing bioinformatic methods, we analyzed the expression profiles from the GSE113621 database. We identified 29 differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) in keloid-prone individuals during wound healing, from which we constructed 14 ceRNA networks. Subsequently, we validated the expression of predicted DEcircRNAs in keloid tissues and elucidated the ceRNA network involving circ_064002 and fibronectin-1 (FN1) through competing miR-30a/b-5p. Knocking down circ_064002 led to down-regulation of FN1 expression and various cellular functions in keloid-derived fibroblasts (KFs), including cell viability, migration, invasion, and repair capacity. Our study introduces a novel approach to explore the presence of DEcircRNAs and the ceRNA regulatory network during wound healing in keloid-prone individuals through in-depth mining of GEO data and also proves the epigenetic regulatory mechanism of circ_064002 in KFs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Reconstructed Mid-Face Lifting After Tissue Expansion by Suspending the Expander Capsule.

BACKGROUND: An obvious saggy tendency was observed in the expanded flaps from mid-facial reconstruction and resulted in an unsatisfactory postoperative cosmetic outcome. At the time of this writing, the authors introduced a novel technique of mid-face lifting to correct the phenomenon by suspending the expander capsule. METHODS: From September 2018 to August 2023, 11 patients who had undergone our mid-face lifting technique were enrolled in our study. The expanded flap was divided into 2 layers during the surgical procedure. The upper layer, which consists of the skin and the subcutaneous layer, was lifted, and the lower layer, consisting of the expander capsule and SMAS system, was left at the base. Then a capsular flap was lifted from the base and folded upward to lift the reconstructed mid-face. The capsular flap was fixed in the temporal or mastoid region when the saggy tendency was corrected, and the mid-facial contour became symmetric. Finally, the upper layer was trimmed and fixed at the base. Facial movements were restricted after the surgery. RESULTS: The saggy tendency of all the expanded flaps was corrected, and the mid-facial symmetry was rebuilt immediately after the surgery. The effect were long-lasting at 3 months to 2 years of follow-ups. No serious postoperative complications occurred. The patients or their legal guardians were satisfied with the esthetic improvement. CONCLUSION: Reconstructed mid-face lifting with capsular flap was an effective and reliable way to correct the saggy tendency of a mid-facial expanded flap and rebuilt the mid-facial symmetry.

Outer Fascia of Orbicularis Oculi Muscle (OFOOM)-Orbicularis (OOM)-Aponeurosis Fixation Approach in Double-Eyelid Blepharoplasty Revision.

BACKGROUND: Incisional double-eyelid blepharoplasty is the main surgical technique to obtain an artificial crease. Postoperative complications decrease patients' satisfaction, and patients with prominent depressed groove and persistent pretarsal swelling (sausage phenomenon) usually need revision surgery. To resolve the sausage phenomenon after blepharoplasty, we adopt Outer Fascia of Orbicularis Oculi Muscle (OFOOM)-Orbicularis (OOM)-Aponeurosis Fixation Approach to create natural double eyelids. METHODS: We included 68 patients in the study. The inclusion criteria for revision surgery were as follows: (1) pretarsal OOM remained after primary surgery, (2) prominent depressed surgical scar/groove and persistent pretarsal bulge (sausage phenomenon), (3) postsurgical abnormally wide crease. The surgical procedure involved releasing the pretarsal OOM, forming OFOOM-OOM flap, and OFOOM-OOM flap fixed with aponeurosis. Outcome observations were assessed using the FACE-Q questionnaire, and the follow-up period ranged from 6 to 36 months (mean=18 months). RESULTS: The depressed groove and pretarsal bulge showed significant improvements, and FACE-Q scores of the 68 patients before surgery (mean scores=66) compared with those after surgery (mean scores=90) were significantly different (P<0.01). Four patients with palpebral fold asymmetry and two patients with shallow eyelids received revision surgery, and patients were satisfied with the secondary surgery effects. Six patients presented with unnatural curves of folds and revision surgery alleviated these situations. CONCLUSIONS: Outer Fascia of Orbicularis Oculi Muscle (OFOOM)-Orbicularis (OOM)-Aponeurosis Fixation Approach is an effective way to resolve the sausage phenomenon. The OFOOM-OOM flap is a reliable and flexible structure to create natural double eyelids. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Reconstruction of Large Periorbital Defect With a Pre-expanded Retrograde Postauricular Island Flap: Our 13-Year Experiences.

The clinical application of the retrograde postauricular island flap has been widely restricted because of its limited size and high morbidity of venous congestion. Thus, in this article, we introduced a pre-expanded retrograde postauricular island flap to reconstruct the large periorbital defect. A total of 13 patients with periorbital lesions who had undergone the treatment of our flap were enrolled in the study. The whole series of operations was divided into 3 parts, including expander implantation in the postauricular region, a series of expander inflations, and flap transferring, and special incisions were also designed in the procedure. In the end, all the flaps survived without serious complications. The mean size of the harvested flaps was 2.65 times larger than that of our nonexpanded cases. The reconstructed periorbital region showed a functional and aesthetic repair outcome after a follow-up of 3 to 30 months. To conclude, the pre-expanded retrograde postauricular island flap was a safe way to reconstruct a larger periorbital defect.

Temporal-fasciae-complex sheet suspension for correction of severe recurrent blepharoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple surgical methods were performed to correct the blepharoptosis. However, the recurrence of blepharoptosis is not uncommon in clinical practice. The Temporal-Fasciae-Complex Sheet (TFC sheet) was an ideal autologous material in correcting the severe blepharoptosis. In the present retrospected study, we introduced our experience in the correction of severe recurrent blepharoptosis with the technique of TFC sheet suspension, and describe the follow-up results to illustrate its effectiveness and practicality. METHODS: A total of 16 patients (23 eyes) with severe recurrent blepharoptosis were enrolled in this study. All the patients were performed with temporal-fasciae-complex sheet suspension surgeries for revision> 12 months after the primary surgeries by the same treatment group. The margin-to-reflex distance 1 (MRD1), correction effect, and eyelid symmetry were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. RESULTS: 19 eyelids (82.6%) showed good correction results, and 5 eyelids (21.7%) showed fair correction results. The average value of preoperative-MRD1(pre-MRD1) was - 0.17 ± 0.97, and the average value of postoperative-MRD1(post-MRD1) was 4.01 ± 1.24. There was a statistically significant difference between pre-MRD1 and post-MRD1 (p < 0.0001). Good symmetry was observed in 13 patients (81.3%). All patients enrolled were satisfied with the surgical results. CONCLUSION: The Temporal-Fasciae-Complex Sheet Suspension is an effective and safe method for correcting the recurrent blepharoptosis.

PTB Regulates the Metabolic Pathways and Cell Function of Keloid Fibroblasts through Alternative Splicing of PKM.

Keloids, benign fibroproliferative cutaneous lesions, are characterized by abnormal growth and reprogramming of the metabolism of keloid fibroblasts (KFb). However, the underlying mechanisms of this kind of metabolic abnormality have not been identified. Our study aimed to investigate the molecules involved in aerobic glycolysis and its exact regulatory mechanisms in KFb. We discovered that polypyrimidine tract binding (PTB) was significantly upregulated in keloid tissues. siRNA silencing of PTB decreased the mRNA levels and protein expression levels of key glycolytic enzymes and corrected the dysregulation of glucose uptake and lactate production. In addition, mechanistic studies demonstrated that PTB promoted a change from pyruvate kinase muscle 1 (PKM1) to PKM2, and silencing PKM2 substantially reduced the PTB-induced increase in the flow of glycolysis. Moreover, PTB and PKM2 could also regulate the key enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Assays of cell function demonstrated that PTB promoted the proliferation and migration of KFb in vitro, and this phenomenon could be interrupted by PKM2 silencing. In conclusion, our findings indicate that PTB regulates aerobic glycolysis and the cell functions of KFb via alternative splicing of PKM.

A New Technique for Chondrolaryngoplasty in Patients Assigned Female at Birth.

BACKGROUND: Chondrolaryngoplasty is a classical facial feminization surgery for transgender women. In recent years, however, an increasing number of patients assigned female at birth are seeking chondrolaryngoplasty for esthetic purposes. Traditional chondrolaryngoplasty can no longer cope with problems of the growing group whose leading cause of laryngeal prominence differs from the transgender population. METHODS: A modified technique is designed as a supplement to the classical procedure. After the cartilage reduction process, paired platysma flaps are raised and advanced successively, resulting in an overlapped area over the thyroid notch, to further camouflage the thyroid prominence. To evaluate the efficiency of the new technique, a retrospective survey of 34 patients (5 men and 29 women) who underwent the surgery from 2016 to 2021 was performed, via a 5-point Likert scale including 7 questions. Physician assessment was also accomplished to provide an extra estimation. Complications were followed up and analyzed to evaluate the safety of modified surgery as well. RESULTS: Although only half of the patients graded prominence changes more than "moderately changed," as many as 75.0% of them still expressed "completely satisfied" or "satisfied very much" with the outcome. Similarly, physician assessment indicated a satisfactory result in appearance improvement. No severe and irreversible complications occurred after surgery, but lasting scar-related issues were reported by 4 patients and should be paid more attention to. CONCLUSIONS: Generally speaking, the new technique is both safe, efficient, and satisfying for most patients, especially ones assigned females at birth with esthetic demand.

Medial gastrocnemius resection for calf reduction by using a popliteal mini-incisional approach in Asians.

BACKGROUND: To create a new approach of resecting medial gastrocnemius for calf reduction and to meet the increasing requirement of the beauty standard of calf sliming in Asian. METHODS: Twenty patients with 39 calves underwent gastrocnemius resection for calf reduction. Under general anesthesia, a 5 cm incision, along the popliteal crease, was made down to the sub-popliteal deep fascia on a prone position. The medial belly of the gastrocnemius muscle was then dissected, in a blunt way, from the popliteal fossa down to the Achilles tendon around the muscular belly when its neurovascular bundle was ligated and cut off. Thereafter, the medial gastrocnemius was pulled out of the wound and incised transversely off at the level of the popliteal fossa while the attachment to the Achilles was transected with a long rectangular scissors. The incisional wound was finally closed in layers. RESULTS: Twenty patients with 39 calves were treated using the above-mentioned technique without severe complications. The harvested gastrocnemius muscle weighed 192.1 g in mean (from 104.5 g to 307.6 g). The calf circumference was significantly decreased from 36.3 cm in mean to 32.8 cm in mean before and after the operation (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The above-mentioned technique may be a safer, simpler, and more efficient method for calf reduction with less morbidity of the potential complications, in comparison with the traditional techniques.

Tear Trough Ligament Release and Autologous Fat Injection as a New Method for Tear Trough Deformity Correction.

BACKGROUND: Even though the tear trough (TT) deformity is only 2 cm in length, it can give a worn, even haggard appearance on the face. The authors developed a novel approach and presented findings from the clinical effect. METHODS: Between February 2018 and January 2021, the medical records of patients treated with autologous fat injection for TT deformity were researched. The fat was placed under the orbicularis oculi muscle with a sharp cannula. During that period, the TT ligament was also released with the cannula. After the fat was injected entirely, we still needed to repeatedly puncture this ligament to release it until there was no puncture resistance. Improvement was evaluated by measuring patients' and investigators' global aesthetic improvement scale. RESULTS: 152 of 173 patients completed the follow-up plan and were enrolled in this study. The most common complications reported were temporary swelling and lumpiness. At 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months, the satisfaction rate of patient self-assessment was 93.4%, 89.5%, 86.8%, 84.3%, and 82.4%, respectively. The Investigator Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale showed 94.1% of patients' improvement after one month, 83.6% after three months, 78.3% after six months, 75% after 12 months, and 71.8% after 24 months. CONCLUSION: Fat injection based on TT ligament release to correct TT deformity is a novel, easy and effective treatment that deserves to be further used. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Overexpression of Toll-like receptor 4 enhances LPS-induced inflammatory response and inhibits Salmonella Typhimurium growth in ovine macrophages.

The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a crucial role in innate inflammatory responses, as it recognizes gram-negative bacteria (or their products) and contributes greatly to host defense against invading pathogens. Though TLR4 overexpressing transgenic sheep, resistant to certain diseases related with gram-negative bacteria, had been bred in our previous research, the effects of overexpression of TLR4 on innate immune response remained unclear. In this study, TLR4 overexpressing ovine macrophages were obtained from peripheral blood, and it was found that the overexpression of TLR4 initially promoted the production of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-6 by activating TLR4-mediated IRAK4-dependent NF-κB and MAPK (JNK and ERK1/2) signaling following LPS stimulation. However, this effect was later impaired due to increased internalization of TLR4 into endosomal compartment of the macrophages. Then the overexpression of TLR4 triggered TBK1-dependent interferon-regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) expression, which in turn led to the induction of IFN-ß and IFN-inducible genes (i.e.IP10, IRG1 and GARG16). Understandably, an increased IFN-ß level facilitated phosphorylation of STAT1 to induce expression of innate antiviral genes Mx1 and ISG15, suggesting that TLR4 overexpressing macrophages were equipped better against viral infection. Correspondingly, the bacterial burden in these macrophages, after infection with live S. Typhimurium, was decreased significantly. In summary, the results indicated that overexpression of TLR4 could enhance innate inflammatory responses, initiate the innate antiviral immunity, and control effectively S. Typhimurium growth in ovine macrophages.

Intravenous Injections of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Modulated the Redox State in a Rat Model of Radiation Myelopathy.

The main aim of the present study was to assess the antioxidative effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) in a rat model of radiation myelopathy. UC-MSCs were isolated from Wharton's jelly (WJ) of umbilical cords. An irradiated cervical spinal cord rat model (C2-T2 segment) was generated using a (60)Co irradiator to deliver 30 Gy of radiation. UC-MSCs were injected through the tail vein at 90 days, 97 days, 104 days, and 111 days after-irradiation. Histological damage was examined by cresyl violet/Nissl staining. The activities of two antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the spinal cord were measured by the biomedical assay. In addition, the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in the spinal cord were determined by ELISA methods. Multiple injections of UC-MSCs through the tail vein ameliorated neuronal damage in the spinal cord, increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes CAT and GPX, and increased the levels of VEGF and Ang-2 in the spinal cord. Our results suggest that multiple injections of UC-MSCs via the tail vein in the rat model of radiation myelopathy could significantly improve the antioxidative microenvironment in vivo.