Evaluation of post-tracheostomy scars and their impact on persons' quality of life: A case-control study.

Tracheostomy is one of the more commonly performed procedures in critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation. Postoperative scarring is one of the bothersome sequelae of tracheostomies. Scars distort physical appearance, especially when found on the head and neck, which could have a negative impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate and assess the impact of post-tracheostomy scars on quality of life according to the tracheostomy method. A prospective, single-center, observational, case-control study was conducted. One hundred fifty-six persons with a post-tracheostomy surgical scar for more than four months were observed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale and Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire. Persons were divided into two groups depending on the method of tracheostomy, and the duration of the cannulated period was considered in both groups. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS ver. 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and P values of <0.05 were considered significant. The patients who had a tracheostomic tube cannulation period of fewer than 15 days had better cosmetic results than those who had tracheostomic tubes for more than 15 days, regardless of the tracheostomy method: 6.64 ± 0.082 versus 16.15 ± 0.096 (P < 0.001) in the surgical tracheostomy group and 7.26 ± 0.211 versus 14.17 ± 0.379 (P < 0.05) in the percutaneous dilatational group. The Dermatology Life Quality Index scores had a mean value of 0.6 ± 0.01, which means that post-tracheostomy scarring in the present study had no effect on the person's quality of life. The aesthetic outcomes of post-tracheostomy scars after the open surgical tracheostomy technique did not significantly differ from those of the percutaneous dilatational technique in the present study. Persons with a long duration of tracheostomic tube ventilation showed worse aesthetic outcomes than those with short-term tracheostomic cannulation, which was not dependent on the tracheostomy technique. The Dermatology Life Quality Index showed that post-ttracheostomy scarring in the present study had no effect on the person's quality of life.

Epidemiology of maxillofacial injuries in "Heratsi" No 1 university hospital in Yerevan, Armenia: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the prevalence, etiologies, types of maxillofacial injuries (MFIs), sites of maxillofacial fractures (MFFs) and their management in Yerevan, Armenia. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. The extracted data included age, sex, date of referral, mode of injury, etiology, radiology records and treatment methods. Study outcomes were measured using percentages, means, standard deviations and tests of proportions. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 204 patients had a mean age of 36.26 ± 1.08 years (156 males and 48 females), and a total of 259 MFIs were recorded between 2017 and 2020. Interpersonal violence was found to be the most common etiology of MFFs in this study (42.1%), followed by road traffic accidents (RTAs) (27.9%) and falls (18.6%). The nasal bone was the most common injury site (47.5%), followed by the mandible (31.4%) and zygomatic complex (11.7%). The most common fracture site was the mandibular angle (37.9%), followed by the symphysis/parasymphysis (28.1%) and body (12.6%). Isolated soft tissue injuries were reported in 5.9% of the cases. The majority of MFFs were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. CONCLUSION: Interpersonal violence, followed by RTAs and falls, was the most common cause of MFIs. Males in the 21-30 years age group had the highest MFI incidence rate. The nasal bone was the most common injury site, followed by the mandible and zygomatic complex. Social education with the objective of reducing aggression and interpersonal conflict should be improved, and appropriate RTA prevention strategies should be strengthened and implemented.

Epigenetic dysregulation of interleukin 8 (CXCL8) hypersecretion in cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells.

Airway epithelial cells in cystic fibrosis (CF) overexpress Interleukin 8 (CXCL8) through poorly defined mechanisms. CXCL8 transcription is dependent on coordinated binding of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)ß, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and activator protein (AP)-1 to the promoter. Here we show abnormal epigenetic regulation is responsible for CXCL8 overexpression in CF cells. Under basal conditions CF cells had increased bromodomain (Brd)3 and Brd4 recruitment and enhanced NF-κB and C/EBPß binding to the CXCL8 promoter compared to non-CF cells due to trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and DNA hypomethylation at CpG6. IL-1ß increased NF-κB, C/EBPß and Brd4 binding. Furthermore, inhibitors of bromodomain and extra-terminal domain family (BET) proteins reduced CXCL8 production in CF cells suggesting a therapeutic target for the BET pathway.

Immunogenicity, efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action of epitope vaccine (Lu AF20513) for Alzheimer's disease: prelude to a clinical trial.

The Alzheimer's disease (AD) process is understood to involve the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. However, attempts at targeting the main culprits, neurotoxic Aß peptides, have thus far proven unsuccessful for improving cognitive function. Recent clinical trials with passively administrated anti-Aß antibodies failed to slow cognitive decline in mild to moderate AD patients, but suggest that an immunotherapeutic approach could be effective in patients with mild AD. Using an AD mouse model (Tg2576), we tested the immunogenicity (cellular and humoral immune responses) and efficacy (AD-like pathology) of clinical grade Lu AF20513 vaccine. We found that Lu AF20513 induces robust "non-self" T-cell responses and the production of anti-Aß antibodies that reduce AD-like pathology in the brains of Tg2576 mice without inducing microglial activation and enhancing astrocytosis or cerebral amyloid angiopathy. A single immunization with Lu AF20513 induced strong humoral immunity in mice with preexisting memory T-helper cells. In addition, Lu AF20513 induced strong humoral responses in guinea pigs and monkeys. These data support the translation of Lu AF20513 to the clinical setting with the aims of: (1) inducing therapeutically potent anti-Aß antibody responses in patients with mild AD, particularly if they have memory T-helper cells generated after immunizations with conventional tetanus toxoid vaccine, and (2) preventing pathological autoreactive T-cell responses.

Respiratory Outcomes at 5-Year Follow-Up in Children with Mannose-Binding Lectin Deficiency: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Mannose-binding lectin deficiency may predispose children to having increased infection susceptibility. However, there is no conclusive evidence that mannose-binding lectin deficiency is associated with adverse respiratory consequences in children. We aimed to evaluate the effects of mannose-binding lectin deficiency (defined as a level of less than 0.6 mg/L) on clinical, radiological, and microbiological characteristics in children presenting with troublesome respiratory symptoms, as compared to those who are mannosebinding lectin-sufficient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between mannose-binding lectin deficiency and respiratory outcomes in children over a period of 10 years in a large teaching hospital. Children presenting with frequent or persistent respiratory symptoms such as a chronic wet cough lasting more than 4 weeks, recurrent lower respiratory tract infections (≥4 infections in a year), or severe respiratory tract infections requiring admission to intensive care or to high dependency unit were included in the study. RESULTS: The study showed no significant difference in clinical outcomes with mannose-binding lectin deficiency and sufficiency. Thirty-two percent of children with mannose-binding lectin deficiency and 30% of those with mannose-binding lectin sufficiency had positive respiratory microbiology. Twenty-three percent of children with mannose-binding lectin deficiency and 24% of those with mannose-binding lectin sufficiency had radiological changes on plain radiographs; also the prevalence of bronchiectasis was similar in both groups. The rates of admission to pediatric intensive care unit were comparable in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Children with mannose-binding lectin deficiency and sufficiency showed similar clinical, radiological, and microbiological characteristics. Our study suggests that there are no childhood adverse respiratory consequences with mannose-binding lectin deficiency.

Lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma: From resection to prosthetic rehabilitation. A case report.

Key Clinical Message: There is a lack of consensus and evidence on treatment strategies for lacrimal sac carcinomas. Wide en bloc surgical resection with farther prosthetic rehabilitation could be the treatment option in certain cases. Abstract: Malignant epithelial lacrimal sac tumors are rare cancers with high recurrence rates. Diagnosis of these tumors is often delayed as they are confused with chronic dacryocystitis. There is a lack of consensus and evidence on standard treatment strategies for advanced lacrimal sac carcinomas. A case of advanced lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma treated with wide en bloc margin-negative surgical resection with further prosthetic rehabilitation without adjuvant therapy and 38 months of recurrence-free postoperative follow-up is presented.

Schwannoma of the brachial plexus with cystic degeneration: A case report schwannoma of the brachial plexus.

Schwannoma of the brachial plexus can be present as a painless swelling without an upper limb functional or sensitivity deficiency. Thorough examinations, including MRI, are necessary to identify the nerves of origin and prevent potential harm.

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis (Küttner's tumor) of the submandibular salivary gland: Our experience of one case report.

Surgical excision of the submandibular salivary gland in patients with chronic sclerosing sialadenitis can be complicated because of hyalinosis of the surrounding soft tissues. Patients with autoimmune diseases suspected of having salivary gland neoplasms or granulomatous disease should be carefully investigated for chronic sclerosing sialadenitis to prevent potential harm.

Surgical treatment of jaw osteonecrosis in "Krokodil" drug addicted patients.

Retrospective study of jaw osteonecrosis treatment in patients using the "Krokodil" drug from 2009 to 2013. On the territory of the former USSR countries there is widespread use of a self-produced drug called "Krokodil". Codeine containing analgesics ("Sedalgin", "Pentalgin" etc), red phosphorus (from match boxes) and other easily acquired chemical components are used for synthesis of this drug, which used intravenously. Jaw osteonecrosis develops as a complication in patients who use "Krokodil". The main feature of this disease is jawbone exposure in the oral cavity. Surgery is the main method for the treatment of jaw osteonecrosis in patients using "Krokodil". 40 "Krokodil" drug addict patients with jaw osteonecrosis were treated. Involvement of maxilla was found in 11 patients (27.5%), mandible in 21 (52.5%), both jaws in 8 (20%) patients. 35 Lesions were found in 29 mandibles and 21 lesions in 19 maxillas. Main factors of treatment success are: cessation of "Krokodil" use in the pre- (minimum 1 month) and postoperative period and osteonecrosis area resection of a minimum of 0.5 cm beyond the visible borders of osteonecrosis towards the healthy tissues. Surgery was not delayed until sequestrum formation. In the mandible marginal or segmental resection (with or without TMJ exarticulation) was performed. After surgery recurrence of disease was seen in 8 (23%) cases in the mandible, with no cases of recurrence in the maxilla. According to our experience in this case series, surgery is the main method for the treatment of jaw osteonecrosis in patients using "Krokodil". Cessation of drug use and jaw resection minimize the rate of recurrences in such patients.

Primary 4T1 tumor resection provides critical "window of opportunity" for immunotherapy.

It is believed that primary tumor resection modulates host-tumor immune interaction, but this has not been characterized in a stringent breast cancer tumor model. This report, using the 4T1 murine mammary tumor model, characterizes for the first time the dynamic longitudinal changes in immunosuppressive and effector components of the immune system after resection of an established orthotopic primary tumor with a defined natural history of developing lung metastases. More specifically, we analyzed changes of absolute numbers and frequencies of MDSC, regulatory T cells (Treg), as well as activated CD4 and CD8 positive T cells in spleens and, in some studies, lungs of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice and mice after primary tumor resection. Importantly, using mathematical analyses we established that primary resection of an orthotopic tumor had created a "window of opportunity" with decreased tumor-associated immune suppression that existed for approximately 10 days. Although tumor resection did slightly prolong survival, it did not affect the ultimate development of metastatic disease since animals with resected tumors or intact primary tumors eventually died by day 47 and 43, respectively. This window of opportunity likely occurs in humans providing a rationale and parameters for integration and testing of immunotherapeutic strategies in this critical "window of opportunity" to combat the development of metastatic disease.