Influence of early antioxidant supplements on clinical evolution and organ function in critically ill cardiac surgery, major trauma, and subarachnoid hemorrhage patients.

Introduction: Oxidative stress is involved in the development of secondary tissue damage and organ failure. Micronutrients contributing to the antioxidant (AOX) defense exhibit low plasma levels during critical illness. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of early AOX micronutrients on clinical outcome in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with conditions characterized by oxidative stress.

Trace element supplementation after major burns modulates antioxidant status and clinical course by way of increased tissue trace element concentrations.

Background: After major burns, patients can develop nutritional deficiencies including trace element (TE) deficiencies. Various complications, such as infections and delayed wound healing, influence the clinical course of such patients.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effects of large, intravenous doses of TE supplements on circulating and cutaneous TE tissue concentrations, on antioxidant status, and on clinical outcome after major burns.

Effect of selenium supplementation on biochemical markers and outcome in critically ill patients.

Background & Aims: This study aimed to assess the effect of high dose selenium (Se) supplementation on Se status in blood, oxidative stress, thyroid function and possible effects on requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in severely septic patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: This prospective single-centre study was carried out in 40 septic ICU patients who were randomized to high dose Se (Se+ group, N=18 (474, 316, 158 microg/day), each for 3 consecutive days followed by a standard dose of 31.6 microg/day of Se given as sodium selenite whereas the control group (Se-, N=22) received only the standard dose of Se.

Chemoattraction of inflammatory cells by various intraocular lens materials.

Purpose: To compare the chemotactic activity induced by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, and silicone intraocular lens (IOL) materials, regardless of the surgical and host factors.

Methods: The chemotactic effect of five different IOLs was studied using a modified multi-well Boyden chamber. Two different non-coated PMMA IOLs, a heparin-coated PMMA IOL, an acrylic IOL, and a silicone IOL were assessed.

Markers of oxidative damage, antioxidant status and clinical outcome in critically ill patients.

Background: Oxidative stress is a consequence of critical illness, and may have an impact on survival. We studied markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant (AO) protection and compared them with clinical scores and outcome.

Methods: Blood sampling and clinical scoring was carried out on 60 consecutively admitted intensive therapy unit (ITU) patients within 24 h of admission and then every three days of ITU stay.

Face-offs in reproductive immunology: the Montreal forum meeting report.

The combined 12th International Congress of Immunology (ICI) and the 4th Annual Conference of the Federation of Clinical Immunological Societies (FOCIS) was held in Montreal, Canada July 18-23, 2004 and attracted over 6000 immunologists and almost 4000 abstracts. The host society, the Canadian Society for Immunology (CSI) spent many years in preparation for this large meeting and encouraged its members to propose topics for symposia and mini-symposia and to sponsor satellite meetings. With sponsorship of CSI; the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; the University of Guelph, Guelph, ON; Queen's University, Kingston, ON; McGill University, Montreal, QU, Canada; and the American Society for Reproductive Immunology, a focused, highly successful, one day satellite meeting on human uterine immunology was held.

Copper, selenium, zinc, and thiamine balances during continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration in critically ill patients.

Background: Acute renal failure is a serious complication in critically ill patients and frequently requires renal replacement therapy, which alters trace element and vitamin metabolism.

Objective: The objective was to study trace element balances during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in intensive care patients.

Design: In a prospective randomized crossover trial, patients with acute renal failure received CRRT with either sodium bicarbonate (Bic) or sodium lactate (Lac) as a buffering agent over 2 consecutive 24-h periods.

Chemotactic and chemokinetic properties of topical ophthalmic preparations.

Purpose: Chronic ocular inflammation can be due to a disease process or to iatrogenic factors that attract inflammatory cells to the anterior chamber. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of commonly used ophthalmic preparations on leukocyte migration.

Methods: A modified multi-well Boyden chamber was used to study the chemotactic and chemokinetic effects of 33 commercial ophthalmic preparations.

Use of antioxidants in surgery: a measure to reduce postoperative complications.

Purpose Of Review: This review highlights recent research into the causes and prevention of free radical (particularly reactive oxygen species)-induced surgical complications. Experimental and clinical studies have contributed new understanding of the sources of free radical attack, modalities to counter these and newer approaches developed with the aid of molecular biology.

Recent Findings: Most work has centred on cardiac bypass surgery, other surgery involving ischaemia and reperfusion, and transplant surgery.