Tumors of the retrorectal space.

Purpose: Retrorectal tumors are a diverse group of masses derived from a variety of embryologic origins. Because of this, some confusion is associated with their diagnosis and management. Although rare, a basic understanding of the etiology, presentation, work-up, and treatment of retrorectal masses is essential.

Circulating leptin and cortisol after burn injury: loss of diurnal pattern.

Leptin, a hormone involved in appetite and metabolic energy expenditure, could have a role in the reduced appetite and/or energy expenditure after burn injury. In this study, the diurnal pattern of circulating leptin concentrations was compared with body mass index (BMI), sex, glucose, insulin, and the diurnal cortisol rhythm in burn patients. Plasma samples were collected at 12:00 pm and 02:00 am from severely burned adults and children.

Etiology and pathophysiology of diverticular disease.

Diverticular disease is prevalent in Western countries and yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. The common theories of the cause of diverticular disease have focused on colonic motility, the structural aspects of the colonic wall, and the role of dietary factors, particularly fiber.

Expression of transforming growth factor beta1 in patients with and without previous abdominal surgery.

Hypothesis: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays an important role in the formation of adhesions after abdominal operations.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: University-based, tertiary referral center.

Release of abdominal compartment syndrome improves survival in patients with burn injury.

Background: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has rarely been described as a complication of burn injury. This study describes cases of ACS in patients with burn injury and the physiologic results of abdominal release.

Methods: Charts for all patients admitted to two major burn center intensive care units from January 1998 through August 2000 were reviewed for ACS.

Burn-induced thymic apoptosis corresponds with altered TGF-beta(1) and Smad 2/3.

Immune suppression is a common complication of injury. Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), a cytokine with diverse anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, may play an important role. Smad 2 and Smad 3 are transcription factors that mediate the effects of TGF-beta(1).

Direct quantification of autologous serum albumin leakage after burn injury in mice.

The current technique determining the extent of capillary leakage after injury is to measure the leakage of dye-labeled foreign albumin. A recent report, however, demonstrated that albumin leakage is dependent upon the type of fluorescent dye used for labeling. We chose to develop and test a technique for determining the extent of vascular albumin leakage after burn injury without the use of dyes.