Inflammasomes are supramolecular complexes that play key roles in immune surveillance. This is accomplished by the activation of inflammatory caspases, which leads to the proteolytic maturation of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and pyroptosis. Here, we show that nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain–containing protein 3 (NLRP3)- and pyrin-mediated inflammasome assembly, caspase activation, and IL-1β conversion occur at the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC). Furthermore, the dynein adapter histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is indispensable for the microtubule transport and assembly of these inflammasomes both in vitro and in mice. Because HDAC6 can transport ubiquitinated pathological aggregates to the MTOC for aggresome formation and autophagosomal degradation, its role in NLRP3 and pyrin inflammasome activation also provides an inherent mechanism for the down-regulation of these inflammasomes by autophagy. This work suggests an unexpected parallel between the formation of physiological and pathological aggregates.

Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable combat-related deaths. The vast majority of these deaths occur in the field before the injured can be transported to a treatment facility. Early control of hemorrhage remains the most effective strategy for treating combat casualties. A number of hemostatic agents have recently been deployed to the warfront that can be used to arrest bleeding before surgical control of the source. The purpose of this article is to summarize the background information regarding these hemostatic agents, indications and rationale for their use, and characteristics of these products that may impact effectiveness.

A number of new hemostatic products have been developed recently for use in trauma settings of severe uncontrolled bleeding. Currently, the literature on these products is controversial, with efficacy demonstrated under some circumstances but not others. In this review, we analyze the current literature pertaining to four of the most promising products (dry fibrin sealant dressing, Rapid Deployment Hemostat, HemCon chitosan dressing, and QuikClot) that have been suggested for use in combat casualty care applications. In particular, this analysis takes into account the characteristics of the animal models used for efficacy testing of these products, the desired characteristics of hemostatic dressings, and specific safety considerations. Animal models ranged from those featuring low-pressure/low-flow bleeding to those featuring high-pressure/high-flow bleeding. When data are viewed in the context of the specific characteristics of the differing animal models used, seemingly disparate experimental results related to efficacy and safety become quite complementary and lead to recommendations for the use of different products in different injury scenarios. Mission and training requirements will dictate the use of these products by military and civilian prehospital care providers.

The use of zeolite hemostatic agent (1% residual moisture, 3.5 oz) can control hemorrhage and dramatically reduce mortality from a lethal groin wound.

Background Two decades ago, hypotensive trauma patients requiring emergent laparotomy had a 40% mortality. In the interim, multiple interventions to decrease hemorrhage-related mortality have been implemented but few have any documented evidence of change in outcomes for patients requiring emergent laparotomy. The purpose of this study was to determine current mortality rates for patients undergoing emergent trauma laparotomy. Methods A retrospective cohort of all adult, emergent trauma laparotomies performed in 2012–2013 at 12 Level I trauma centers was reviewed. Emergent trauma laparotomy was defined as emergency department (ED) admission to surgical start time in ≤90 minutes. Hypotension was defined as arrival ED systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤90 mmHg. Cause and time to death was also determined. Continuous data are presented as median [IQR]. Results 1,706 patients underwent emergent trauma laparotomy. The cohort was predominately young (31 years [24, 45]), male (84%), sustained blunt trauma (67%), and with moderate injuries (ISS 19 [10, 33]). The time in ED was 24 minutes [14, 39] and time from ED admission to surgical start was 42 minutes [30, 61]. The most common procedures were enterectomy (23%), hepatorrhaphy (20%), enterorrhaphy (16%), and splenectomy (16%). Damage control laparotomy was utilized in 38% of all patients and 62% of hypotensive patients. The Injury Severity Score for the entire cohort was 19 (IQR 10, 33) and 29 (IQR 18, 41) for the hypotensive group. Mortality for the entire cohort was 21% with 60% of deaths due to hemorrhage. Mortality in the hypotensive group was 46%, with 65% of deaths due to hemorrhage. Conclusion Overall mortality rate of a trauma laparotomy is substantial (21%) with hemorrhage accounting for 60% of the deaths. The mortality rate for hypotensive patients (46%) appears unchanged over the last two decades and is even more concerning, with almost half of patients presenting with a SBP ≤ 90 mmHg dying. Level of Evidence Level III (retrospective epidemiologcal study with up to two negative criteria)

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Of the hemostatic agents tested, QuikClot improved survival and decreased bleeding in a swine model of lethal vascular and soft tissue injury.

Telemedicine has become one of the most rapidly-expanding components of the health care system. Its adoption has afforded improved access to care, greater resource efficiency, and decreased costs associated with traditional office visits and has been well established in a wide array of fields. Telemedicine has been adopted in several domains of surgical care. In recent years, the role of telemedicine in postoperative care has caught attention as it has demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes, enhanced patient satisfaction, increased accessibility along with reduced wait times, and cost savings for patients and health care systems. In this narrative review, we describe the history of telemedicine, its adoption in the field of surgery and its various modalities, its use in the postoperative setting, and the potential benefits to both patients and healthcare systems. As telemedicine continues to emerge as a powerful tool for health care delivery, we also discuss several barriers to its widespread adoption as well as the future utility of telemedicine in postoperative care.