Global cerebral ischemia: effects of pentastarch after reperfusion.

There has been considerable interest in the use of synthetic hydroxyethyl starch macromolecules (e.g., pentastarch, a colloid used for intravascular fluid replacement) to reduce microvascular permeability and reperfusion injury after cerebral ischemia.

Effects of THAM and sodium bicarbonate on intracranial pressure and mean arterial pressure in an animal model of focal cerebral injury.

Episodes of arterial hypotension are associated with an increased mortality in head injury patients. Rapid infusion of sodium bicarbonate in such patients may cause hypotension and elevate intracranial pressure. Therefore, we examined the effects of tromethamine (THAM) versus bicarbonate on intracranial pressure and blood pressure in a model of focal cerebral injury.

Specific binding of Staphylococcus aureus to cultured porcine cardiac valvular endothelial cells.

Infective endocarditis usually occurs in patients who have had previous cardiac damage or who have congenitally abnormal hearts. However, this infection may afflict otherwise normal individuals, and it is often caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In these individuals, interactions between circulating microorganisms and resident cardiac endothelial cells may initiate the infection.