A Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain (UCBPP-PA14) is infectious both in an Arabidopsis thaliana leaf infiltration model and in a mouse full-thickness skin burn model. UCBPP-PA14 exhibits ecotype specificity for Arabidopsis, causing a range of symptoms from none to severe in four different ecotypes. In the mouse model, UCBPP-PA14 is as lethal as other well-studied P. aeruginosa strains. Mutations in the UCBPP-PA14 toxA, plcS, and gacA genes resulted in a significant reduction in pathogenicity in both hosts, indicating that these genes encode virulence factors required for the full expression of pathogenicity in both plants and animals.

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Catfish spine envenomations can result in debilitating hand problems. Virulent bacteria may be introduced through a puncture wound. An offending organism may be difficult to culture, and a foreign body may be missed unless there is a high index of suspicion. The majority of cases present early and symptoms resolve within 3 months. We report a markedly delayed presentation and treatment of a catfish "finning" injury that resulted in chronic tenosynovitis to the hand. A review of the literature and current treatment recommendations are provided.

The cervicofacial flap has been the reconstruction of choice for midface soft tissue defects for over 30 years. Deep plane dissection has been advocated to decrease complication rates and improve results. However, the subcutaneous approach is still widely used. Over a 20-year period, we reviewed all patients who underwent subcutaneous cervicofacial flaps for cheek defects to analyze complications and results.Thirty-two patients (mean age, 71 years) underwent 32 subcutaneous cervicofacial flaps for cheek reconstruction after Mohs micrographic excision of skin cancer. The mean defect size was 7.2 x 5.8 cm. Mean follow-up was 32 months. Only 3 of 32 patients (9%) had minor flap tip or edge necrosis, all managed without further surgery. One patient (3%) had minor long-term ectropion with upward gaze and 31 of 32 patients were happy with their results.The subcutaneous rotation-advancement cervicofacial flap remains an excellent choice for cheek reconstruction with comparable tip necrosis rates and likely lower ectropion rates when compared with the deep plane technique.