Characterization of transforming growth factors beta1 and 2 in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

Unwanted scar tissue after surgical procedures remains a central problem in medicine. Nowhere is this problem more evident than within the pediatric airway, where excess scarring, termed subglottic stenosis, can compromise breathing. Recent advances in molecular biology have focused on ways to decrease scar formation through understanding of the wound repair process.

Profound hypothermia is superior to ultraprofound hypothermia in improving survival in a swine model of lethal injuries.

Background: Rapid induction of profound hypothermia can improve survival from uncontrolled lethal hemorrhage. However, the optimal depth of hypothermia in this setting remains unknown. This experiment was designed to compare the impact of deep (15 degrees C), profound (10 degrees C), and ultraprofound (5 degrees C) hypothermia on survival and organ functions.

Antimicrobial therapies for pulmonary Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in B6D2F1/J mice immunocompromised by use of sublethal irradiation.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common cause of nosocomially acquired pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. Previously, we established a pneumonia model using Klebsiella pneumoniae in B6D2F1/J mice sublethally irradiated with 7-Gy 60Co gamma-radiation and inoculated intratracheally. In the study reported here, we investigated survival of mice following 10 days of antimicrobial therapy with ceftriaxone, gentamicin, gatifloxacin, and a ceftriaxone-gentamicin combination given once daily.

Susceptibility of irradiated B6D2F1/J mice to Klebsiella pneumoniae administered intratracheally: a pulmonary infection model in an immunocompromised host.

Bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae can invade and colonize an immunocompromised host and complicate clinical recovery. In the study reported here, an experimental model of induced pneumonia was developed in 60Co gamma-photon-irradiated mice for the purpose of evaluating efficacy of therapeutic agents. The model was characterized by use of probit analysis of bacterial dose, and microbiologic, and histopathologic results.