Comparative Study of Multifunctional Irrigation-assisted Vacuum Drainage, Vacuum Sealing Drainage and the Penrose Drain in Treating Severe Multi-space Deep Fascial Infection in the Head and Neck.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare multifunctional irrigation-assisted vacuum drainage (MIVD), vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) and the Penrose drain in treating severe multi-space deep fascial infection (DFI) in head and neck. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 113 patients who had suffered from severe multi-space DFI in head and neck and underwent surgical treatment. Patients were divided into the MIVD group, the VSD group, and the Penrose group according to their treatment. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcome data regarding infection control, clinicians' workload, surgical procedure required, and cost were analyzed. RESULTS: Duration of antibiotic administration was significantly shorter using MIVD and VSD than Penrose drains (p = 0.002 with MIVD, p = 0.008 with VSD). Hospital stay in the MIVD group was shorter than the Penrose group (p = 0.034). Compared to the other two groups, more times of manual irrigation were needed in higher frequency in the Penrose group (p < 0.001). Longer Incision and more surgical operation were required in the VSD group than the other two groups (p < 0.001). The treatment cost in the VSD group was higher than the MIVD group (p = 0.045) and the Penrose group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of severe multi-space DFI in head and neck, MIVD and VSD are superior to the Penrose drain in infection control and reduction in clinicians' workload. Meanwhile, MIVD, with fewer surgical procedures required and less cost, seems to be a more promising method than VSD.

Bacteriocin Isolated from Lactobacillus Rhamnosus L34 Has Antibacterial Effects in a Rabbit Model of Infection After Mandible Fracture Fixation.

BACKGROUND Rigid internal fixation (RIF) technology is a recently developed fracture fixation technique in which use of specific antibiotics before and after the operation and timely treatment of local infections is necessary. MATERIAL AND METHODS The bacteriocins were isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus L34. Twenty-four New Zealand White female rabbits were divided into 2 groups: bacteriocins and control group. After mandible fracture fixation, the rabbits were infected with S. aureus and subsequently injected with either bacteriocins or saline. The biofilm samples were harvested from rabbits euthanized on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days and observed using a fluorescence microscope. Blood samples were collected at 1 h, 12 h, 1 day, 3 days, and 5 days after the injection of either bacteriocin or saline to test the level of C-reactive protein and TNF-α. RESULTS Significant differences in the biofilm formation were evident between the bacteriocins and saline treatment group on days 1, 3, and 5. Moreover, the serum levels of TNF-α and CRP after treatment with bacteriocins were significantly lower than in controls. CONCLUSIONS Use of bacteriocins isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus L34 may be a promising way to control infections of mandible fracture after internal fixation in vivo.

Multimodal training with dual-task enhances immediate and retained effects on dual-task effects of gait speed not by cognitive-motor trade-offs in stroke survivors: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Individuals who have experienced stroke may benefit from dual-task related training to improve gait speed performance. Whether noted improvements reflect true effects on gait or cognitive-motor trade-offs still remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dual-task training on dual-task effects of both walking and cognitive domains in stroke survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four individuals with stroke were randomized to dual-task or single-task training groups. Both groups exercised three 60-minute sessions per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes were dual-task effects on gait speed and cognitive score. Outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention and 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: While both groups exhibited improvement in absolute gait speed under dual-task conditions, the dual-task training group demonstrated superior results by providing an additional gain on dual-task effects of gait speed. Compared to single-task training, dual-task training exhibited a significant improvement in dual-task effects of gait speed at post-treatment and follow-up. Regarding the dual-task effects on cognitive scores, no significant differences within and between groups after training were observed. CONCLUSION: Dual-task training enhances immediate and retained effects on the dual-task effects of gait speed in individuals with stroke, not by cognitive-motor trade-offs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02686515.

Dual-task interference during walking has important consequences for stroke survivors to walk safely.Multimodal training with dual-task enhances immediate and retained effects on the dual-task effects of gait speed in individuals with stroke, not by cognitive-motor trade-offs.Clinicians are encouraged to incorporate multimodal training with dual-task into the exercise routines to enhance walking under dual-task conditions in stroke survivors.

Activity of bovine lactoferrin in resistance to white spot syndrome virus infection in shrimp.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a notorious pathogen that has plagued shrimp farming worldwide for decades. To date, there are no known treatments that are effective against this virus. Lactoferrin (LF) is a protein with many bioactivities, including antiviral properties. In this study, the activities and mechanisms of bovine LF (bLF) against WSSV were analyzed. Our results showed that bLF treatment significantly reduced shrimp mortalities caused by WSSV infection. bLF was found to have the ability to bind to surfaces of both host cells and WSSV virions. These bindings may have been a result of bLF interactions with the host cellular chitin binding protein and F1 ATP synthase ß subunit protein and the WSSV structural proteins VP28, VP110, VP150 and VP160B. bLF demonstrated potential for development as an anti-WSSV agent in shrimp culture. Furthermore, these reactionary proteins may play a role in WSSV infection.