British journal of anaesthesia
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S100B is an acknowledged marker of brain damage. However, trauma without brain damage also causes an increase in S100B. S100B concentrations are highest in multiple trauma patients with long bone fractures. Clinically, extensive long bone fractures are associated with haemorrhagic shock and haemorrhagic shock per se is associated with increased S100B. The aim of our experimental study was to verify the S100B increase in long bone fracture without haemorrhagic shock. ⋯ S100B is increased in bilateral femur fracture without haemorrhagic shock in rats. This finding suggests that bone marrow is a potential extracerebral source of S100B.
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We studied previously patterns of organ donation in a teaching hospital. Eleven years later we repeated the study to investigate how patterns had changed. We also wanted to see whether non-heart beating donation was being practised in our intensive care units. ⋯ In this hospital the number of potential and actual organ donors has fallen in 11 yr. This is a combination of decreasing numbers of patients becoming brain dead and increased relative refusal rate. It has only been partially offset by a more liberal attitude of the coroner and non-heart beating donors.
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Soluble pulmonary vasoconstrictors released in response to hypoxia have been reported in pig and rat preparations, but not in rabbit preparations. ⋯ In this closed system, a soluble factor contributes substantially to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.