Altered colorectal afferent function associated with TNBS-induced visceral hypersensitivity in mice.

Inflammation of the distal bowel is often associated with abdominal pain and hypersensitivity, but whether and which colorectal afferents contribute to the hypersensitivity is unknown. Using a mouse model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, we investigated colorectal hypersensitivity following intracolonic TNBS and associated changes in colorectum and afferent functions. C57BL/6 mice were treated intracolonically with TNBS or saline.

Long-term sensitization of mechanosensitive and -insensitive afferents in mice with persistent colorectal hypersensitivity.

Afferent input contributes significantly to the pain and colorectal hypersensitivity that characterize irritable bowel syndrome. In the present study, we investigated the contributions of mechanically sensitive and mechanically insensitive afferents (MIAs; or silent afferents) to colorectal hypersensitivity. The visceromotor response to colorectal distension (CRD; 15-60 mmHg) was recorded in mice before and for weeks after intracolonic treatment with zymosan or saline.

Photocatalytic inactivation of E. coli in surface water using immobilised nanoparticle TiO2 films.

Photocatalysis is a promising method for the disinfection of potable water in developing countries where solar irradiation can be employed, thus reducing the cost of treatment. In addition to microbial contamination, water normally contains suspended solids, dissolved inorganic ions and organic compounds (mainly humic substances) which may affect the efficacy of solar photocatalysis. In this work the photocatalytic and photolytic inactivation rates of Escherichia coli using immobilised nanoparticle TiO2 films were found to be significantly lower in surface water samples in comparison to distilled water.

Lack of toxicity of a STAT3 decoy oligonucleotide.

Background: STAT3 overexpression has been detected in several cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Previous studies using intratumoral administration of a STAT3 decoy oligonucleotide that abrogates STAT3-mediated gene transcription in preclinical cancer models have demonstrated antitumor efficacy. This study was conducted to observe the toxicity and biologic effects of the STAT3 decoy in a non-human primate model, in anticipation of initiating a clinical trial in HNSCC patients.

Cell salvage alters the systemic inflammatory response after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Background: Retransfused cardiotomy suction blood contains elevated inflammatory markers and is a bypass independent source of inflammatory mediators. We hypothesized that, during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting surgery, avoiding retransfusion of unwashed cardiotomy suction blood would beneficially alter both urinary and plasma cytokine concentrations and be renoprotective.

Methods: Thirty-seven OPCAB surgery patients were randomly allocated to control (retransfusion of unwashed shed blood) and treatment (retransfusion of washed shed blood or discarding of unwashed blood) groups.

A clinical, renal and immunological assessment of surface modifying additive treated (SMART) cardiopulmonary bypass circuits.

Biocompatible cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits aim to reduce contact activation and its physiological consequences. We investigated the hypothesis that use of Surface Modifying Additive (SMA)-treated circuits (Sorin Group Ltd) compared with non-SMA circuits would be associated with preservation of blood pressure during CPB and modulation of perioperative subclinical renal function (urinary alpha-1-microglobulin (alpha-1-m)) and plasma and urinary cytokine changes. In a study of low-risk CABG patients (n=40), randomized to SMA (n=20) versus non-SMA circuits (n=20), we found better preserved blood pressure at CPB initiation in SMA patients (p <0.

Methylprednisolone favourably alters plasma and urinary cytokine homeostasis and subclinical renal injury at cardiac surgery.

Unlabelled: Whilst elevated urinary transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFbeta) is associated with chronic renal dysfunction its role in acute peri-operative renal dysfunction is unknown. In contrast, peri-operative increases in urinary IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and TNF soluble receptor-2 (TNFsr-2) mirror pro-inflammatory activity in the nephron and correlate with renal complications. Steroids modulate some plasma cytokines (decreasing TNFalpha, IL-8, IL-6 and increasing IL-10), whereas ability to reduce plasma and urinary TNFsr-2 and IL-1ra and peri-operative renal injury is unknown.

Propofol sedation using Diprifusor target-controlled infusion in adult intensive care unit patients.

This multicentre, non-comparative study investigated the range of target blood propofol concentrations required to sedate 122 adult intensive care patients when propofol was administered using Diprifusor target-controlled infusion systems together with opioid analgesia. Depth of sedation was assessed with a modified Ramsay score and the target blood propofol setting was adjusted to achieve the sedation desired for each patient. A desired level of sedation was achieved for 84% of the sedation period.

The effect of methylprednisolone on cytokine concentration and leukocyte adhesion molecule expression in an isolated cardiopulmonary bypass system.

This study examines the effect of methylprednisolone on cytokine balance and adhesion molecule expression within an isolated cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system. This isolated CPB system is an in vitro model which simulates the pro-inflammatory immune response. Whole blood from 10 volunteers was obtained in two equal amounts.

Plasma and urinary cytokine homeostasis and renal function during cardiac surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) significantly contributes to the plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine response at cardiac surgery. Complementary plasma and urinary anti-inflammatory cytokine responses have been described. The pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) have lower molecular weights than the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and TNF soluble receptor 2 (TNFsr2) and thus undergo glomerular filtration more readily.

Plasma and urinary cytokine homeostasis and renal dysfunction during cardiac surgery.

Background: Cardiac surgery induces changes in plasma cytokines. Proinflammatory cytokines have been associated with a number of renal diseases. The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) are smaller than the antiinflammatory cytokines interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and TNF soluble receptor 2 (TNFsr2), and thus undergo glomerular filtration more readily.

The effect of aprotinin on interleukin-8 concentration and leukocyte adhesion molecule expression in an isolated cardiopulmonary bypass system.

We examined the effect of aprotinin on the production of interleukin-8 and the expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules in an isolated cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. Five healthy volunteers each donated 500 ml blood which was divided into equal portions (A) and (B). Portion A was treated with aprotinin 250000 kallikrein inactivator units and added to a circuit primed with a further 250000 kallikrein inactivator units.

Haemodynamic effects of rapacuronium in adults with coronary artery or valvular disease.

We have assessed the haemodynamic effects of rapacuronium (Org 9487) in adults undergoing cardiac surgery and compared these with vecuronium and placebo. We studied 56 adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacement surgery using a fentanyl-based anaesthetic technique. A pulmonary artery flotation catheter was inserted before induction of anaesthesia.

In vivo evaluation of a lead-labeled monoclonal antibody using the DOTA ligand.

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of a radioimmunoconjugate containing a lead radionuclide for therapy and scintigraphy applications. The radioimmunoconjugate evaluated consisted of a bifunctional DOTA ligand and monoclonal antibody (MAb) B72.3 using athymic mice bearing LS-174T tumors, human colon carcinoma xenografts.

The choice of anesthetic maintenance technique influences the antiinflammatory cytokine response to abdominal surgery.

Unlabelled: Outcome in some diseases is determined by the relationship between pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines. Surgery may also provoke a cytokine response, which has both pro- and antiinflammatory components. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether anesthetic technique can modify the balance of cytokines associated with abdominal surgery.

The peri-operative use of the oesophageal Doppler monitor in patients undergoing coronary artery revascularisation. A comparison with the continuous cardiac output monitor.

This study was carried out to evaluate the ease of use and reliability of cardiac output estimations performed by an oesophageal Doppler monitor and to compare its use with that of a continuous cardiac output pulmonary flotation catheter. Measurements were made during and after surgery in 16 patients scheduled to undergo coronary revascularisation. Both devices suffered significant intra-operative problems which led us to question their suitability as operating theatre monitors.

The balance of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at paediatric cardiac surgery.

During adult cardiac surgery the plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine response is balanced by a phased anti-inflammatory cytokine response. Whether a similar balanced plasma pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine response occurred in paediatric cardiac surgery was investigated. Changes in intra-pulmonary cytokine balance by measuring bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytokine content were also estimated.

An investigation of the effects of heparin, low molecular weight heparin, protamine, and fentanyl on the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in in-vitro monocyte cultures.

We report a study conducted to determine if drugs given peri-operatively during cardiac surgery could themselves modulate the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. We determined the cytokine response of 10 separate in vitro monocyte cultures to the administration of drugs at concentrations used during cardiac 'surgery:fentanyl (25 ng.ml-1), heparin 2.

Cytokine balance and immunosuppressive changes at cardiac surgery: contrasting response between patients and isolated CPB circuits.

In vitro work suggests that IL-10 plays a pivotal role in controlling the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and monocyte HLA-DR expression. In 20 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, we investigated elaboration of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and its relationship to pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and leucocyte expression of HLA-DR and adhesion molecules. There were small increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) after induction, returning to baseline on induction of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).