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Macrophages play essential roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis and immune defence. However, their extensive infiltration into tumours has been linked to adverse outcomes in multiple human cancers. Within the tumour microenvironment (TME), tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumour growth and metastasis, making them prime targets for cancer immunotherapy. Recent single-cell analysis suggest that proliferating TAMs accumulate in human cancers, yet their origins and differentiation pathways remain uncertain. Here, we show that a subpopulation of CD163+ TAMs proliferates in situ within the TME of melanoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Consistent with their potential role in suppressing anti-tumour activities of T cells, CD163+ TAMs express a range of potent immunosuppressive molecules, including PD-L1, PD-L2, IL-10, and TGF-β. Other phenotypic markers strongly suggested that these cells originate from CD14+ CCR2+ monocytes, a cell population believed to have minimal capacity for proliferation. However, we demonstrate in vitro that certain myelopoietic cytokines commonly available within the TME induce robust proliferation of human monocytes, especially the combination of interleukin 3 (IL-3) and Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor 1 (M-CSF). Monocytic cells cultured with these cytokines efficiently modulate T cell proliferation, and their molecular phenotype recapitulates that of CD163+ TAMs. IL-3-driven proliferation of monocytic cells can be completely blocked by IL-4, associated with the induction of CDKN1A, alongside the upregulation of transcription factors linked to dendritic cell function, such as BATF3 and IRF4. Taken together, our work suggests several novel therapeutic routes to reducing immunosuppressive TAMs in human tumours, from blocking chemokinemediated recruitment of monocytes to blocking their proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin grafting reflects a common dermatological procedure for closing skin defects. Patient education is important for managing expectation and optimising skin graft take. While health information is increasingly accessed on the internet, there are no existing studies assessing their quality. Methods: The first 25 results from Google, Microsoft Bing and Yahoo! search engines using the term 'skin graft' were analysed using a variety of standard instruments. Readability was assessed using the Flesch–Kincaid Grade score (FKG), Gunning Fog Index (GFI), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and the New Dale‐Chall Readability Index (NDC). Reliability was assessed using the DISCERN instrument and credibility with the Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark Criteria (JAMA). Transparency was identified by presence of the Health On the Net Foundation Code certification (HON‐code). Results: Seventy‐five websites were identified. After exclusion, forty‐three remaining websites were analysed with average FKG, GFI and SMOG scores of 7.8, 10.1 and 10.7, respectively. The average NDC was 5.9. The average reliability was fair with a DISCERN score based on the first 15 questions of the instrument of 42.6. The mean JAMA score was 2, and 9 websites displayed the HON‐code certificate. Conclusions: Readability, reliability and credibility of online health information regarding skin grafting can be improved. Health care providers should critically assess existing online patient information or develop alternative material to educate patients undergoing skin graft surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Both bone forearm infective nonunions represent a rare but functionally limb threatening condition. Method: We report a successful salvage of a severe near total both bone diaphysial osteomyelitis by conversion to a one-bone forearm with free fibula flap. A literature review on forearm salvage addressing both bone defects was performed. Results: Bony union was achieved at 4 months with a highly functional extremity salvage in our case. Conclusion: While very little prior experience has been reported for long segmental both bone forearm infected nonunions, we report of this highly satisfactory salvage using one-bone free tissue transfer strategy. We also provided our literature review with history, indication and evolution of individualized treatment options for this difficult surgical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report describes a patient with a sternal chondrosarcoma who underwent sternal resection and reconstructive surgery. A multi-specialist approach is required to perform this complex surgery and a range of surgical options and considerations are presented. Perioperative Nurses play an important role in facilitating collaborative intraoperative and postoperative patient care and some of the challenges are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 47-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) presented for elective debulking of a disfiguring head and neck cutaneous neurofibroma (Fig. Further imaging defined a massive right internal jugular vein (IJV) giant cavernous venous malformation underlying the cutaneous neurofibroma (Fig. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Microvascular thrombosis is a dreaded complication of free tissue transfer, especially in breast reconstruction. Failure often leads to complete loss of the reconstruction and affects the patient both physically and psychologically. Fortunately, most vascular compromises occur early (within 24-36 hours) while the patient is still in the hospital and intervention takes place prior to irreversible thrombosis of the microvasculature. However, failures beyond 96 hours generally have dismal prognosis, especially because the patient is already home. Methods: A case of successful salvage is reported after an uncomplicated superior gluteal artery perforator flap performed for breast reconstruction returned from home with thrombosis of the venous pedicle the morning of postoperative day 5. Results: The pedicle was promptly explored and the venous patency reestablished using a combination of mechanical and chemical thrombolysis. At her 2-year follow-up, there was no evidence of fat necrosis and a satisfactory aesthetic outcome was achieved. Conclusion: Late salvage of failing free flap breast reconstruction from home is possible. Educating the patient on importance of self-examination is critical to salvage. The hospital system also needs to have the resources to handle such emergencies in order for rapid operative mobilization to expedite the patient's care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Median nerve laceration following a closed both-bone forearm fracture: a rare complication of a common injury A 13-year-old male presented with a closed midshaft both-bone forearm fracture following a 1-m fall (Fig.). Median nerve entrapment in a pediatric both-bone forearm fracture: recognition and management in the acute setting. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Community Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) rates have been increasing worldwide and contribute to a growing "global health security threat" as reported by the WHO. Our group previously reported an overall rate of 7% in CA-MRSA upper extremity infections between 2004-2009 at the Auckland Regional Hand Unit. This fell below the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation for empiric antimicrobial cover once local rates exceed 10-15%. We examined prevalence and characteristics of CA-MRSA upper extremity infections in our region over a subsequent 5-year period. Methods: One thousand two hundred and fifty-two patients with upper extremity infections requiring operative management between 2011 and 2015 inclusive were included in this study. Associated clinical characteristics were recorded including ethnicity, cultured organisms, antibiotic sensitivities, infection rate, and treatment practice. Results: One hundred and fifty (12%) of patients had culture positive CA-MRSA upper extremity infections. There was an increasing annual trend. Of note, rates of CA-MRSA in the Maori and Pacific Island ethnic subpopulations exceeded 15% in 2014 and 2015. Susceptibilities, associated factors and patient demographics are reported. Conclusions: Our unit enjoys significantly lower rates of CA-MRSA upper extremity infections than has been reported internationally. However, trends are increasing relative to our prior 6-year report, and the threshold for empiric treatment has been met within the Maori and Pacific Island ethnic subpopulations. This evolving threat is also highlighted by increasing cases of multi-drug resistant CA-MRSA. Evolving regional guidelines for empiric coverage of CA-MRSA among high-risk ethnic subpopulations identified by this study are underway.