Articles: function.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2016
Comparative Study Observational StudySEER Sonorheometry Versus Rotational Thromboelastometry in Large Volume Blood Loss Spine Surgery.
Sonic estimation of elasticity via resonance (SEER) sonorheometry is a novel technology that uses acoustic deformation of the developing clot to measure its viscoelastic properties and extract functional measures of coagulation. Multilevel spine surgery is associated with significant perioperative blood loss, and coagulopathy occurs frequently. The aim of this study was to correlate SEER sonorheometry results with those of equivalent rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and laboratory parameters obtained during deformity correction spine surgery. ⋯ SEER sonorheometry demonstrates very strong correlation with ROTEM for determining clot stiffness and assessing fibrinogen and platelet contribution to clot strength in major spine surgery. An advantage of SEER sonorheometry is direct measurement of clot elasticity with no need to transform amplitude oscillation to elasticity.
-
The neural underpinnings of impaired consciousness and of the variable severity of behavioural deficits from one absence seizure to the next are not well understood. We aimed to measure functional MRI (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) changes in absence seizures with impaired task performance compared with seizures in which performance was spared. ⋯ National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, the Loughridge Williams Foundation, and the Betsy and Jonathan Blattmachr Family.
-
Inhalation of hypertonic saline improves sputum rheology, accelerates mucociliary clearance and improves clinical outcomes of people with cystic fibrosis. ⋯ People with cystic fibrosis could be encouraged to inhale hypertonic saline before or during airway clearance techniques to maximise perceived efficacy and satisfaction, even though these timing regimens may not have any better effect on lung function than inhalation after airway clearance techniques. Given the long-term efficacy of hypertonic saline has only been established for twice-daily inhalations, clinicians should advise patients to inhale hypertonic saline twice daily. However, if only one dose per day is tolerated, the time of day at which it is inhaled could be based on convenience or tolerability until evidence comparing these regimens is available.
-
Critical care medicine · Dec 2016
Visual Fixation in the ICU: A Strong Predictor of Long-Term Recovery After Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.
Posttraumatic amnesia is superior to the initial Glasgow Coma Scale score for predicting traumatic brain injury recovery, but it takes days/weeks to assess. Here, we examined whether return of visual fixation-a potential marker of higher cognitive function-within 24 hours of ICU admission could be used as an early predictor of traumatic brain injury recovery. ⋯ Visual fixation within 24 hours of ICU admission could be as performant as posttraumatic amnesia for predicting traumatic brain injury recovery, introducing a new variable of interest in traumatic brain injury outcome research.
-
Critical care medicine · Dec 2016
Carbon Monoxide Improves Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells During Sepsis by Production of Specialized Proresolving Lipid Mediators.
Mesenchymal stromal cells are being investigated as a cell-based therapy for a number of disease processes, with promising results in animal models of systemic inflammation and sepsis. Studies are ongoing to determine ways to further improve the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells. A gas molecule that improves outcome in experimental sepsis is carbon monoxide. We hypothesized that preconditioning of mesenchymal stromal cells with carbon monoxide ex vivo would promote further therapeutic benefit when cells are administered in vivo after the onset of polymicrobial sepsis in mice. ⋯ Taken together, these data suggest that production of specialized proresolving lipid mediators contribute to improved mesenchymal stromal cell efficacy when exposed to carbon monoxide, resulting in an improved therapeutic response during sepsis.