The extracellular matrix proteoglycan lumican improves survival and counteracts cardiac dilatation and failure in mice subjected to pressure overload.

Left ventricular (LV) dilatation is a key step in transition to heart failure (HF) in response to pressure overload. Cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) contains fibrillar collagens and proteoglycans, important for maintaining tissue integrity. Alterations in collagen production and cross-linking are associated with cardiac LV dilatation and HF.

The extracellular matrix proteoglycan fibromodulin is upregulated in clinical and experimental heart failure and affects cardiac remodeling.

Pressure overload of the heart leads to cardiac remodeling that may progress into heart failure, a common, morbid and mortal condition. Increased mechanistic insight into remodeling is instrumental for development of novel heart failure treatment. Cardiac remodeling comprises cardiomyocyte hypertrophic growth, extracellular matrix alterations including fibrosis, and inflammation.

Preoperative bacterial colonization and its influence on postoperative wound infections in plastic surgery.

During two separate periods a total of 654 patients were included in a clinical study relating preoperative bacterial colonization to occurrence of postoperative wound infection in plastic surgery. During the second period one half of the patients were randomized to receive prophylactic azithromycin. Bacteriological samples were collected from the nasal vestibulum during both periods, and additionally from the surgical field during the second period.

A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a single dose of azithromycin on postoperative wound infections in plastic surgery.

Over a 9-month period from September of 1991 to May of 1992, 339 patients were included in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using azithromycin as the prophylactic agent to determine whether it effects a clinically meaningful reduction in postoperative surgical infections in plastic surgery. Azithromycin was given as prophylaxis in 171 patients and placebo in 168 patients. The study medication was a single oral dose taken at 8 P.