The Journal of surgical research
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Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) cause substantial morbidity and mortality despite improvements in the understanding of lung injury and advances in treatment. Recruitment maneuver (RM) with high sustained airway pressures is proposed as an adjunct to mechanical ventilation to maintain alveolar patency. In addition, RM has been advocated to improve pulmonary gas exchange. However, many factors may influence responses to RM and the effect of pleural effusion (PLE) is unknown. ⋯ ALI/ARDS leads to poor oxygenation and hemodynamics. RM results in improved oxygenation, but this improvement is attenuated by PLE.
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The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) affects inflammatory responses during sepsis. Nonproteolytic activation of prorenin by the (pro)renin receptor has recently been shown to stimulate the tissue RAS. In the present study, the effect of (pro)renin receptor blocker (PRRB) pretreatment on sepsis in a rat cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model was investigated. ⋯ PRRB significantly improved the survival rate of rats with clinically relevant sepsis, possibly by attenuating a sepsis-induced systemic inflammatory response. We propose that overactivation of the RAS by activation of prorenin in foam cells may be a significant contributor to sepsis.
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The clinical significance of sternal fractures (SFs) after blunt trauma is heavily debated. We aimed to test the hypothesis that isolated SF is not associated with significant morbidity or mortality. ⋯ SFs occur in 3.7% of victims after MVC. With isolated SF, the mortality rate is low (3.5%); the tendency for poorer outcomes is most heavily influenced by associated injuries (pulmonary contusions, other thoracic fractures), complications (cardiac arrest, pulmonary embolism, acute respiratory distress syndrome), comorbidities (currently on or requiring dialysis, residual neurologic deficit from stroke), and lack of insurance.