Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 is increased in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia: a preliminary report.

Rationale: The diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can be difficult. Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 (sTREM-1) has been reported to be elevated in BAL fluid from patients with VAP.

Objectives: To evaluate the utility of sTREM-1 in the diagnosis of VAP in BAL fluid and the fluid collected in the expiratory trap from the ventilator, the exhaled ventilator condensate (EVC).

Impaired beta 2-adrenergic agonist-induced venodilation in Indians of Asian origin.

Objectives: Vascular responsiveness to infusions of vasoactive substances varies between ethnic groups. Indians of Asian origin are a rapidly growing ethnic group in the United States but have not been extensively studied. We sought to determine whether there was any difference in venous responsiveness to a local infusion of vasoactive substances between Indians of Asian origin and white subjects.

An overdose of ecstasy. A role for dantrolene.

An overdose of the semisynthetic, hallucinogenic amphetamine 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine resulted in convulsions, hyperthermia, hyperkalaemia and rhabdomyolysis. The patient's management, which included the use of dantrolene, is discussed.