The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale modified for palliative care inpatients (RASS-PAL): a pilot study exploring validity and feasibility in clinical practice.

Background: The Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS), which assesses level of sedation and agitation, is a simple observational instrument which was developed and validated for the intensive care setting. Although used and recommended in palliative care settings, further validation is required in this patient population. The aim of this study was to explore the validity and feasibility of a version of the RASS modified for palliative care populations (RASS-PAL).

Macrophages alter the differentiation-dependent decreases in fibronectin and collagen I/III protein levels in human preadipocytes.

Adipose tissue of obese individuals is characterized by increased fibrosis and macrophage infiltration. Extensive remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that occurs during adipogenesis can be influenced by macrophages, but it remains unclear how macrophage-secreted factors alter preadipocyte ECM protein expression under non-adipogenic versus adipogenic conditions. Confluent human subcutaneous abdominal preadipocytes were cultured for 14 days, with or without adipogenic inducers, in either control medium, medium conditioned by THP-1 monocytes (THP-1-MonCM), or medium conditioned by THP-1 macrophages (THP-1-MacCM).

Macrophage-conditioned medium inhibits differentiation-induced Rb phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

This study examines the mechanisms underlying the anti-adipogenic effect of macrophage-secreted products. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiate over 8 days in medium conditioned by murine J774 macrophages (MacCM). The inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic markers was diminished when addition of MacCM was delayed to day 2 of differentiation.