Comparison of Two Versus Three Bilateral Botulinum Toxin Injections Prior to Abdominal Wall Reconstruction.

Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A (BTA) induces a temporary muscle paralysis. In patients with a ventral hernia, preoperative injection of BTA in the muscles of the lateral abdominal wall (LAW) leads to thinning and lengthening of these muscles, making fascial closure more likely. In many hernia centres, treatment with BTA prior to abdominal wall reconstruction has therefore become standard care.

COVID-associated complications after reconstructive breast surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: The COVID pandemic significantly influenced reconstructive breast surgery regimens. Many surgeries were cancelled or postponed. COVID entails not only respiratory, but also coagulative symptoms.

[Abdominal pain].

Abdominal pain can be part of a variety of abdominal and non-abdominal conditions. Individual symptoms and signs from history taking and physical examination have limited discriminatory value for a clear diagnosis. Additional laboratory testing strategies and imaging techniques can provide more guidance in this respect.

A computed tomography study investigating the effects of botulinum toxin injections prior to complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

Objective: To explore how intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin A (BTA) affects the lateral abdominal wall (LAW) musculature, abdominal- and hernia dimensions, and muscle structure on computed tomography (CT) in patients scheduled for complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CAWR).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively registered patients who received bilateral intramuscular BTA injections into all three muscles of the LAW. Only patients for which a CT was available before and 3-6 weeks after BTA treatment prior to surgery were analyzed.

Risk Factor-Driven Prehabilitation Prior to Abdominal Wall Reconstruction to Improve Postoperative Outcome. A Narrative Review.

All abdominal wall reconstructions find themselves on a scale, varying between simple to highly complex procedures. The level of complexity depends on many factors that are divided into patient comorbidities, hernia characteristics, and wound characteristics. Preoperative identification of modifiable risk factors provides the opportunity for patient optimization.

Clinical outcomes of open abdominal wall reconstruction with the use of a polypropylene reinforced tissue matrix: a multicenter retrospective study.

Objective: To assess mesh behaviour and clinical outcomes of open complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CAWR) with the use of a polypropylene reinforced tissue matrix.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective study of adult patients who underwent open CAWR with the use of a permanent polypropylene reinforced tissue matrix (OviTex) between June 2019 and January 2021.

Results: Fifty-five consecutive patients from four hospitals in the Netherlands were analysed; 46 patients with a ventral hernia and 9 patients with an open abdomen.

The Psychological Impact of Participation in Victim-Offender Mediation on Offenders: Evidence for Increased Compunction and Victim Empathy.

Participation in victim-offender mediation (VOM) can reduce the risk of reoffending. However, relatively little is known about how VOM affects the intermediate psychological changes underlying this effect. It was hypothesized that VOM increases feelings of responsibility, guilt, and shame among offenders as well as empathy toward the victim.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of technical aspects and clinical outcomes of botulinum toxin prior to abdominal wall reconstruction.

Purpose: To systematically review technical aspects and treatment regimens of botulinum toxin A (BTA) injections in the lateral abdominal wall musculature. We also investigated the effect of BTA on abdominal muscle- and hernia dimensions, and clinical outcome.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL were searched for studies that investigate the injection of BTA in the lateral abdominal wall muscles.

[Botox preceding ventral hernia repair: it's not about esthetics].

Ventral hernia is a common complication after laparotomy. The aim during ventral hernia repair is to close the abdomen through medialization of the rectus muscles. Particularly in patients with large ventral hernia, chronically retracted lateral muscles may preclude muscle medialization and therewith closure of the abdomen.

Outcomes of mid-term and long-term degradable biosynthetic meshes in single-stage open complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

Objective: To assess clinical outcomes in patients that underwent open single-stage complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CAWR) with biosynthetic mesh.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of two prospectively registered series of consecutive patients undergoing CAWR with either long-term degradable (LTD) Phasix or mid-term degradable (MTD) BIO-A biosynthetic mesh in a single institution between June 2016 and December 2019.

Results: From 169 patients with CAWR, 70 consecutive patients were identified who underwent CAWR with either LTD or MTD biosynthetic mesh.

Bridging-to-Surgery in Patients with Type 2 Intestinal Failure.

Aim: Type 2 intestinal failure (IF) is characterized by the need for longer-term parenteral nutrition (PN). During this so-called bridging-to-surgery period, morbidity and mortality rates are high. This study aimed to evaluate to what extent a multidisciplinary IF team is capable to safely guide patients towards reconstructive surgery.

Immediate Closure of Abdominal Cavity with Biologic Mesh versus Temporary Abdominal Closure of Open Abdomen in Non-Trauma Emergency Patients (CLOSE-UP Study).

In more than 10% of emergency laparotomies in non-trauma patients, primary fascial closure is not achievable because of excessive visceral edema, which leaves the patient with an open abdomen (OA). An OA harbors an inherent high risk of serious complications, and temporary closure devices are used to achieve delayed fascial closure. A potential new strategy in preventing OA is immediate closure during the emergency procedure with a non-crosslinked biologic mesh.

Long-term outcomes after contaminated complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

Purpose: Complex abdominal wall repair (CAWR) in a contaminated operative field is a challenge. Available literature regarding long-term outcomes of CAWR comprises studies that often have small numbers and heterogeneous patient populations. This study aims to assess long-term outcomes of modified-ventral hernia working group (VHWG) grade 3 repairs.

The development and validation of risk-stratification models for short-term outcomes following contaminated complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

Background: Short-term outcomes for patients undergoing contaminated complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CCAWR), including risk stratification, have not been studied in sufficiently high numbers. This study aims to develop and validate risk-stratification models for Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade ≥ 3 complications in patients undergoing CCAWR.

Methods: A consecutive cohort of patients who underwent CCAWR in two European national intestinal failure centers, from January 2004 to December 2015, was identified.

Long-Term Objective Adherence to Mandibular Advancement Device Therapy Versus Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Patients With Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Study Objectives: Comparable health effects of mandibular advancement device (MAD) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy have been attributed to higher adherence with MAD compared with CPAP therapy. The objective of this study was to make a direct comparison of the objective adherence between MAD and CPAP in patients with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: Adherence was monitored for 12 months in 59 patients with moderate OSA (apnea-hypopnea index 15-30 events/h) as part of a randomized controlled trial.

Clinical- and Cost-Effectiveness of a Mandibular Advancement Device Versus Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Study Objectives: Limited evidence exists on the cost-effectiveness of mandibular advancement device (MAD) compared to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Therefore, this study compares the clinical and cost-effectiveness of MAD therapy with CPAP therapy in moderate OSA.

Methods: In a multicentre randomized controlled trial, patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15 to 30 events/h were randomized to either MAD or CPAP.

[Abdominal pain].

Abdominal pain Abdominal pain can be part of a variety of abdominal and non-abdominal conditions. Individual symptoms and signs from history taking and physical examination have limited discriminatory value for a clear diagnosis. Additional laboratory testing strategies and imaging techniques can provide more guidance in this respect.

A Protocol for Protein Profiling Using Chemoselective Cleavable Linker Probes in Semi-permeabilized Cells.

Activity-based protein profiling using activity-based probes (ABPs) resulted in the identification of various enzymes that are involved in the onset and progress of diseases. Detection of such proteins, often expressed at low abundance, is greatly enhanced by incorporating chemically cleavable linkers in the ABP of choice. Initial affinity purification, followed by tailored chemical cleavage of the linker, allows for specific release of the captured enzymes and their interaction partners.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition activates PERK-eIF2α and sensitizes cells to endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Unlabelled: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes both tumor progression and drug resistance, yet few vulnerabilities of this state have been identified. Using selective small molecules as cellular probes, we show that induction of EMT greatly sensitizes cells to agents that perturb endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function. This sensitivity to ER perturbations is caused by the synthesis and secretion of large quantities of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins by EMT cells.

The chaperone BAG6 captures dislocated glycoproteins in the cytosol.

Secretory and membrane (glyco)proteins are subject to quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to ensure that only functional proteins reach their destination. Proteins deemed terminally misfolded and hence functionally defective may be dislocated to the cytosol, where the proteasome degrades them. What we know about this process stems mostly from overexpression of tagged misfolded proteins, or from situations where viruses have hijacked the quality control machinery to their advantage.

Automated coaching to help parents increase their children's brushing frequency: an exploratory trial.

Unlabelled: Advances in digital communication, such as the internet, now provide a cost effective channel to reach and help families struggling to establish good oral hygiene in their homes. This paper describes a novel internet based oral hygiene intervention whose design draws from advances in social cognitive models of behaviour change. Intervention components included role-modelling cartoons for children, a guide for parents on using rewards, a personalised plan with clear steps, tips to follow and a weekly 10-minute review of progress.

Catch-and-release probes applied to semi-intact cells reveal ubiquitin-specific protease expression in Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Protein ubiquitylation controls many cellular pathways, and timely removal of ubiquitin by deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) is essential to govern these different functions. To map endogenous expression of individual DUBs as well as that of any interacting proteins, we developed a catch-and-release ubiquitin probe. Ubiquitin was equipped with an activity-based warhead and a cleavable linker attached to a biotin affinity-handle through tandem site-specific modification, in which we combined intein chemistry with sortase-mediated ligation.

A viral deubiquitylating enzyme restores dislocation of substrates from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in semi-intact cells.

Terminally misfolded glycoproteins are ejected from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the cytosol and are destroyed by the ubiquitin proteasome system. A dominant negative version of the deubiquitylating enzyme Yod1 (Yod1C160S) causes accumulation of dislocation substrates in the ER. Failure to remove ubiquitin from the dislocation substrate might therefore stall the reaction at the exit site from the ER.

BAT3 guides misfolded glycoproteins out of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Secretory and membrane proteins that fail to acquire their native conformation within the lumen of the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) are usually targeted for ubiquitin-dependent degradation by the proteasome. How partially folded polypeptides are kept from aggregation once ejected from the ER into the cytosol is not known. We show that BAT3, a cytosolic chaperone, is recruited to the site of dislocation through its interaction with Derlin2.

Protein quality control in the ER: balancing the ubiquitin checkbook.

Protein maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is subject to stringent quality control. Terminally misfolded polypeptides are usually ejected into the cytoplasm and targeted for destruction by the proteasome. Ubiquitin conjugation is essential for both extraction and proteolysis.