The Journal of surgical research
-
Comparative Study
Intravital pathophysiological comparison of acid- and alkali-burn injuries in a murine model.
The breakdown of skin microcirculation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of chemical burns. Available data for alkali and acid injuries are rare. To determine the pathophysiological similarities and differences, two comparable in vivo acid and alkali burn models were developed. ⋯ The comparison of analogous intravital acid and alkali burns shows that despite many similarities in the microcirculatory parameters, there was a marked difference particularly in the course of the tissue regeneration by angiogenesis. The longer lasting destruction by alkali burns stands in contrast to the later onset but faster regeneration by angiogenesis compared with that by acid burns.
-
Blacks, Hispanics, and women are underrepresented in academic medicine. This study sought to identify recent trends in the academic appointments of underrepresented groups at all levels of academic medicine. ⋯ Minorities, including Asian Americans, and women remain grossly underrepresented in academic medicine. Blacks have shown the least progress during this 12-y period. The disparity is greatest at the highest levels (professor, chairperson, and dean) of our field. We must redouble our efforts to recruit, retain, and advance minorities in academic medicine.
-
Recidivism is a well-known problem in adult trauma patients. Trauma recidivists are a population that warrants further intervention to prevent future trauma. Among pediatric patients, the recidivism rate, demographics, mechanism, and mortality are unknown. We hypothesized that specific groups of pediatric trauma recidivists could be identified for targeted prevention efforts. ⋯ The pediatric recidivism rate in our population is small. Nevertheless, recidivists are more than twice as likely to be injured by penetrating trauma, especially GSWs. Targeted screening and counseling in this demographic may be helpful in reducing youth trauma recidivism.
-
Sepsis involves imbalance between the proinflammatory and antiinflammatory response to bacterial insults. Ulinastatin (UTI) is a serine protease inhibitor and reportedly exhibits antiinflammatory properties aside from its blocking of the protease pathway both in vitro and in vivo. This study was designed to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy of UTI for sepsis. ⋯ UTI exerted a protective effect against sepsis by suppressing inflammatory response and lymphocyte apoptosis.
-
Unplanned reoperations have been proposed as a quality indicator in surgery but have not been studied extensively, especially concerning risk factors. ⋯ Tertiary general surgery service patients had a significantly increased risk of being reoperated on if the initial surgery was an emergency surgery compared with elective surgery. Unplanned reoperations led to a significantly increased mortality risk and a longer postoperative hospital stay, which could be regarded as warning signs in the care of surgical patients.