Polysialic acid overexpression in malignant astrocytomas.

Objective: Polysialic acid (PSA) is a carbohydrate binding on the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM and impedes cell-cell interactions. It prevents neural progenitor cell differentiation and promotes their migration. Highly malignant tumours like small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) also overexpress PSA and this correlates with a negative prognosis.

Cerebral effects of three resuscitation protocols in uncontrolled haemorrhagic shock: a randomised controlled experimental study.

Background: To compare haemodynamic and cerebral variables during aggressive fluid resuscitation vs. administration of a hypertonic starch solution (HS) combined with either noradrenaline [norepinephrine] or arginine vasopressin in an animal model of uncontrolled haemorrhagic shock.

Methods: After Animal Investigational Committee approval, 24 anaesthetised pigs underwent a liver trauma.