Advanced Techniques in the Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Closure of Complex Neonatal Abdominal Wounds.

Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been described for closure of complex neonatal abdominal wounds, but advanced techniques for stoma or fistula control, skin protection, and the use of high pressure therapy not as well established.

Cases: We identified neonatal patients at our institution who received NPWT for a complex abdominal wound, defined as a wound associated with a stoma or fistula with partial or complete dehiscence of the abdominal fascia or skin. We then reviewed techniques for decreasing wound contamination and protecting the newborn's skin.

Using global gene expression to discriminate thin melanomas with poor outcomes.

Most melanomas present as thin lesions (≤1.0 mm) with a good prognosis; however, a small percentage of patients with thin lesions experience recurrence or metastasis. The aim of our study was to identify a distinct pattern of gene expression within thin melanomas known to have eventually metastasized to regional lymph nodes or distant sites compared with those that followed the typical course with good response to wide local excision alone.

Novel Educational Module for Subclavian Central Venous Catheter Insertion Using Real-Time Ultrasound Guidance.

Objective: Given increasing evidence supporting a real-time ultrasound (US)-guided approach for subclavian vein (SCV) central venous catheter (CVC) insertion as compared with the traditional landmark approach, we sought to develop a standardized curriculum to offer healthcare providers a means to attain increased competency and confidence in US-guided SCV CVC insertion.

Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Setting: Single institution's American College of Surgeons Level 1 Accredited Education Institute within an academic tertiary care center.

Autophagy in neuronal cell loss: a road to death.

The regulation of ageing has been extensively studied in divergent animal model systems including worms, flies and mice. However, little is known about the cellular pathways that mediate the death of these organisms. Analysing major cellular changes in the ageing nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has revealed a gradual, progressive deterioration of different tissues except for the nervous system, which remarkably preserves its integrity even in advanced old age.