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The hallmark of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) pathobiology is unchecked inflammation-driven diffuse alveolar damage and alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction. Currently, therapeutic interventions for ARDS remain largely limited to pulmonary-supportive strategies, and there is an unmet demand for pharmacologic therapies targeting the underlying pathology of ARDS in patients suffering from the illness. The complement cascade (ComC) plays an integral role in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. ComC activation can prime an overzealous cytokine storm and tissue/organ damage. The ARDS and acute lung injury (ALI) have an established relationship with early maladaptive ComC activation. In this review, we have collected evidence from the current studies linking ALI/ARDS with ComC dysregulation, focusing on elucidating the new emerging roles of the extracellular (canonical) and intracellular (non-canonical or complosome), ComC (complementome) in ALI/ARDS pathobiology, and highlighting complementome as a vital nexus of the pathobiological connectome for ALI/ARDS via its crosstalking with other systems of the immunome, DAMPome, PAMPome, coagulome, metabolome, and microbiome. We have also discussed the diagnostic/therapeutic potential and future direction of ALI/ARDS care with the ultimate goal of better defining mechanistic subtypes (endotypes and theratypes) through new methodologies in order to facilitate a more precise and effective complement-targeted therapy for treating these comorbidities. This information leads to support for a therapeutic anti-inflammatory strategy by targeting the ComC, where the arsenal of clinical-stage complement-specific drugs is available, especially for patients with ALI/ARDS due to COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low titer type O Rh‐D + whole blood (LTO + WB) has become a first‐line resuscitation medium for hemorrhagic shock in many centers around the World. Showing early effectiveness on the battlefield, LTO + WB is used in both the pre‐hospital and in‐hospital settings for traumatic and non‐traumatic hemorrhage resuscitation. Starting in 2018, the San Antonio Whole Blood Collaborative has worked to provide LTO + WB across Southwest Texas, initially in the form of remote damage control resuscitation followed by in‐hospital trauma resuscitation. This program has since expanded to include pediatric trauma resuscitation, obstetric hemorrhage, females of childbearing potential, and non‐traumatic hemorrhage. The objective of this manuscript is to provide a three‐year update on the successes and expansion of this system and outline resuscitation challenges in special populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological community of microorganisms in/on humans, termed the microbiome, is vital for sustaining homeostasis. While culture-independent techniques have revealed the role of the gut microbiome in human health and disease, the role of the cutaneous microbiome in wound healing is less defined. Skin commensals are essential in the maintenance of the epithelial barrier function, regulation of the host immune system, and protection from invading pathogenic microorganisms. In this review, we summarize the literature derived from pre-clinical and clinical studies on how changes in the microbiome of various acute and chronic skin wounds impact wound healing tissue regeneration. Furthermore, we review the mechanistic insights garnered from model wound healing systems. Finally, in the face of growing concern about antibiotic-resistance, we will discuss alternative strategies for the treatment of infected wounds to improve wound healing and outcomes. Taken together, it has become apparent that commensals, symbionts, and pathogens on human skin have an intimate role in the inflammatory response that highlights several potential strategies to treat infected, non-healing wounds. Despite these promising results, there are some contradictory and controversial findings from existing studies and more research is needed to define the role of the human skin microbiome in acute and chronic wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiome and its role in health and disease have recently been major focus areas of research. In this review, we summarize the different ways in which the gut microbiome interacts with the rest of the body, with focus areas on its relationships with immunity, the brain, and injury. The gut–brain axis, a communication network linking together the central and enteric nervous systems, represents a key bidirectional pathway with feed-forward and feedback mechanisms. The gut microbiota has a central role in this pathway and is significantly altered following injury, leading to a pro-inflammatory state within the central nervous system (CNS). Herein, we examine traumatic brain injury (TBI) in relation to this axis and explore potential interventions, which may serve as targets for improving clinical outcomes and preventing secondary brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tension pneumothorax (TPX) is the third most common cause of preventable death in trauma. Needle decompression at the fifth intercostal space at anterior axillary line (5th ICS AAL) is recommended by Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) with an 83-mm needle catheter unit (NCU). We sought to determine the risk of cardiac injury at this site., Methods: Institutional data sets from two trauma centers were queried for 200 patients with CT chest. Inclusion criteria include body mass index of =30 and age 18-40 years. Measurements were taken at 2nd ICS mid clavicular line (MCL), 5th ICS AAL and distance from the skin to pericardium at 5th ICS AAL. Groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U and chi-squared tests., Results: The median age was 27 years with median BMI of 23.8 kg/m2. The cohort was 69.5% male. Mean chest wall thickness at 2nd ICS MCL was 38-mm (interquartile range (IQR) 32-45). At 5th ICS AAL, the median chest wall thickness was 30-mm (IQR 21-40) and the distance from skin to pericardium was 66-mm (IQR 54-79)., Conclusion: The distance from skin to pericardium for 75% of patients falls within the length of the recommended needle catheter unit (83-mm). The current TCCC recommendation to "hub" the 83mm needle catheter unit has potential risk of cardiac injury., (2023.)

Major trauma frequently occurs in the deployed, combat setting and is especially applicable in the recent conflicts with explosives dominating the combat wounded. In future near-peer conflicts, we will likely face even more profound weapons including mortars and artillery. As such, the number of severely wounded will likely increase. Hypocalcemia frequently occurs after blood transfusions, secondary to the preservatives in the blood products; however, recent data suggests major trauma in and of itself is a risk factor for hypocalcemia. Calcium is a major ion involved in heart contractility; thus, hypocalcemia can lead to poor contractility. Smaller studies have linked hypocalcemia to worse outcomes, but it remains unclear what causes hypocalcemia and if intervening could potentially save lives. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of hypocalcemia on hospital arrival and the association with survival. We are seeking to address the following scientific questions, (1) Is hypocalcemia present following traumatic injury prior to transfusion during resuscitation? (2) Does hypocalcemia influence the amount of blood products transfused? (3) To what extent is hypocalcemia further exacerbated by transfusion? (4) What is the relationship between hypocalcemia following traumatic injury and mortality? We will conduct a multicenter, prospective, observational study. We will gather ionized calcium levels at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours as part of scheduled calcium measurements. This will ensure we have accurate data to assess the early and late effects of hypocalcemia throughout the course of resuscitation and hemorrhage control. These data will be captured by a trained study team at every site. Our findings will inform clinical practice guidelines and optimize the care delivered in the combat and civilian trauma setting. We are seeking 391 patients with complete data to meet our a priori inclusion criteria. Our study will have major immediate short-term findings including risk prediction modeling to assess who is at risk for hypocalcemia, data assessing interventions associated with the incidence of hypocalcemia, and outcome data including mortality and its link to early hypocalcemia.

Objective: Background: Massive transfusion protocols implement the use of blood products to restore homeostasis. Citrated blood products are required for massive transfusions and can induce hypocalcemia, resulting in decreased cardiac contractility. Recent data suggests that major trauma alone is associated with hypocalcemia. This phenomenon remains poorly described. We seek to characterize the incidence and risk factors for early hypocalcemia in the setting of combat trauma., Materials and Methods: This is a secondary analysis of previously described data from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry from January 2007 to March 2020. In this sub-analysis, we selected only casualties that had at least one ionized calcium measurement. We defined hypocalcemia as an ionized calcium level of less than 1.2mmol/L., Results: Within our study database, there were 142 adult casualties that met inclusion with at least one calcium value documented. We found 72 (51%) experienced at least one episode of hypocalcemia. Median composite injury severity score (ISS) was significantly lower in the control cohort compared to those with hypocalcemia (9 versus 15, p=0.010). Survival was similar between the two groups (97% versus 90%, p=0.166). On multivariable analysis when evaluating serious injuries by body region, only serious injuries to the extremities were significantly associated with developing hypocalcemia (odds ratio [OR] 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-2.21). When comparing prehospital interventions, only intravenous (IV) fluid administration was associated with high proportions experiencing hypocalcemia (25% versus 43%, p=0.029). In the multivariable model adjusted for ISS, mechanism of injury, and patient category, IV fluids were associated with the development of hypocalcemia (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.03-5.94). When comparing vital signs, only respiratory rates were noted to be higher in the hypocalcemia cohort (18.6 versus 20.4, p=0.048)., Conclusions: Approximately half of combat casualties with available ionized calcium (iCa) level were hypocalcemic. Prehospital IV fluid use was associated with the development of hypocalcemia. Our study has implications for forward-staged medical teams with limited laboratory analysis capabilities. Additional research is needed to determine whether calcium replacement improves survival from traumatic injury and to identify the specific indications and timing for calcium replacement. This study will help inform a clinical study intended to aid in the development of clinical practice guidelines for deployed medical personnel.