British journal of anaesthesia
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Observational Study
Characteristic pattern of pleural effusion in electrical impedance tomography images of critically ill patients.
Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is increasingly used for continuous monitoring of ventilation in intensive care patients. Clinical observations in patients with pleural effusion show an increase in out-of-phase impedance changes. We hypothesised that out-of-phase impedance changes are a typical EIT finding in patients with pleural effusion and could be useful in its detection. ⋯ In patients monitored with EIT, the presence of out-of-phase impedance changes is highly suspicious of pleural effusion and should trigger further examination.
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Neurotoxicity of anaesthetics in developing brain cells is well documented in preclinical studies, yet results are conflicting in humans. The use of many and different outcome measures in human studies may contribute to this disagreement. ⋯ Future observational studies should be more consistent in the choice of study population, age at exposure, follow-up, indication for and type of surgery, and outcomes. Assessment of sensory-motor development seems feasible in young children (age <4 yr), and intelligence/cognition in older children.
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Comparative Study
The anion study: effect of different crystalloid solutions on acid base balance, physiology, and survival in a rodent model of acute isovolaemic haemodilution.
Commercially available crystalloid solutions used for volume replacement do not exactly match the balance of electrolytes found in plasma. Large volume administration may lead to electrolyte imbalance and potential harm. We hypothesised that haemodilution using solutions containing different anions would result in diverse biochemical effects, particularly on acid-base status, and different outcomes. ⋯ With progressive haemodilution, resuscitation with a chloride-based solution induced more acidosis compared with lactate- and acetate-based solutions, but outcomes were similar. No short-term impact was seen from hyperchloraemia in this model.
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Adiponectin, a cytokine secreted by adipocytes, plays an important role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the role of adiponectin in pain conditions is largely unknown. This study aimed to identify the role and mechanism of adiponectin in nociceptive sensitivity under physiological and pathological states utilising adiponectin knockout (KO) mice. ⋯ Our results show that adiponectin regulates thermal nociceptive sensitivity by inhibiting activation of DRG neurones, spinal microglia, and somatosensory cortical neurones in physiological and neuropathic pain states. This study has relevance for patients with adiponectin disorders, such as obesity and diabetes.