Endothelium-derived microparticles induce endothelial dysfunction and acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) carries a high mortality in critically ill patients. Recent reports correlate elevated concentrations of endothelium-derived microparticles (EMPs) with diseases of endothelial dysfunction. Many of these diseases have ALI sequelae.

Pediatric pelvic injury: functional outcome at 6-month follow-up.

Background/purpose: Data on functional outcomes after pediatric pelvic fractures are limited to those obtained at hospital discharge. This study assesses functional status at both hospital discharge and at 6 months after injury.

Methods: A national multicenter prospective study began in February 2002 and is ongoing.