Source control review in clinical trials of anti-infective agents in complicated intra-abdominal infections.

In clinical trials of complicated intra-abdominal infections, assessment of adequacy of the initial surgical approach to the management of the infection is of considerable importance in determining outcome. Antibiotic therapy would not be expected to adequately treat the infection if the surgical procedure was inadequate with respect to source control. Inclusion of such cases in an efficacy analysis of a particular therapeutic antibiotic may confound the results.

Alterations in endothelial thrombomodulin expression in zymosan-induced lung injury.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by endothelial damage, neutrophil infiltration, and microvascular thrombosis. Products of the coagulation cascade, particularly thrombin, activate the endothelium with resulting polymorphonuclear neutrophil accumulation and thrombosis. This study assessed the changes in lung tissue endothelial thrombomodulin (TM) expression in a rat model of zymosan-induced remote lung injury.

The negative impact of the repeal of the Arkansas motorcycle helmet law.

Background: On July 1, 1997, Arkansas became the first state in 14 years to repeal their adult helmet law. We examined the clinical and financial impact of this repeal.

Methods: A 6-year retrospective review was conducted of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences trauma registry including the 3 years before and the 3 years after the repeal of the helmet law.