Nephropathy in critically Ill patients without preexisting renal disease.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) remains a common complication of radiographic procedures. Isovue (lopamidol) is a low-osmolality nonionic monomeric tri-iodinated water soluble agent widely used as a contrast medium in radiographic procedures for intravascular, intrathecal, and body cavity administration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lopamidol on renal function in patients without any preexisting renal condition who were undergoing radiographic imaging with the iodine contrast.

Prevalence of hypertension in Lithuanian mariners.

Several international studies from Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Croatia, and Finland indicate contradicting findings regarding cardiovascular dysfunction among seamen, deep sea fishermen, and harbor workers. The purpose of the present survey was to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension in a selected group of Lithuanian seamen. The survey was conducted during a one year period and involved sailors from commercial, passenger, and fishing boats.

Ischemia induced focal adhesion kinase cleavage in rat lung.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a 125 kDa protein, is located at the focal adhesion sites that stabilize endothelial cells on the matrix. Ischemic stimuli cause FAK cleavage and FAK depletion from focal adhesion sites. To test this hypothesis under ischemic conditions, we established an isolated rat lung that we ventilated at 40 inflations/min at inspiratory and expiratory pressures of 10 and 3 cm H2O, respectively.