"Components separation technique" for the repair of large abdominal wall hernias.

Background: The "components separation technique" is a method for abdominal wall reconstruction in patients with large midline hernias that cannot be closed primarily. The early and late results of this technique were evaluated in 43 patients.

Methods: Records of 43 patients, 11 women and 32 men, with a mean age of 49.

Plasma taurine concentrations increase after enteral glutamine supplementation in trauma patients and stressed rats.

Background: Taurine is a unique amino acid with antioxidant and osmolytic properties. Glutamine serves as the preferred fuel for the gut, liver, and immune cells and as a precursor for antioxidants. Trauma patients have low glutamine concentrations.