Interleukin-15 production during liver allograft rejection in humans.

Background: The activity of interleukin (IL)-15, a cytokine produced by macrophages, is similar to that of IL-2. We investigated whether IL-15 plays a role in liver allograft rejection.

Methods: We evaluated plasma levels and intrahepatic expression of IL-15 in 35 patients after liver transplantation, and then analyzed in vitro the influence of anticalcineurin drugs or steroids on IL-15 production and secretion.

Airway management using the intubating laryngeal mask airway for the morbidly obese patient.

Unlabelled: We studied the effectiveness of the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) in morbidly obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery. We included 118 consecutive morbidly obese patients (body mass index, 45 +/- 5 kg/m(2)). After the induction of general anesthesia, the laryngeal view was classified by the first observer according to the method of Cormack and Lehane.

The clinical relevance of systolic pressure variations in anesthetized nonhypotensive patients.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of respiratory-induced systolic pressure variation and its components to detect low left ventricular preload.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University hospital.

Prediction of arterial oxygen tension during one-lung ventilation: analysis of preoperative and intraoperative variables.

Objective: To determine whether currently available preoperative and intraoperative variables related to arterial oxygen tension (PaO(2)) can be used as predictors for low PaO(2) during one-lung ventilation (OLV).

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Setting: Primary university hospital.