Prevalence and Outcomes of Acute Hypoxaemic Respiratory Failure in Wales: The PANDORA-WALES Study.

Background: We aimed to identify the prevalence of acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure (AHRF) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and its associated mortality. The secondary aim was to describe ventilatory management as well as the use of rescue therapies.

Methods: Multi-centre prospective study in nine hospitals in Wales, UK, over 2-month periods.

Identification of residues contributing to the ATP binding site of Kir6.2.

The ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel links cell metabolism to membrane excitability. Intracellular ATP inhibits channel activity by binding to the Kir6.2 subunit of the channel, but the ATP binding site is unknown.

Analysis of the differential modulation of sulphonylurea block of beta-cell and cardiac ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels by Mg-nucleotides.

Sulphonylureas stimulate insulin secretion by binding with high-affinity to the sulphonylurea receptor (SUR) subunit of the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel and thereby closing the channel pore (formed by four Kir6.2 subunits). In the absence of added nucleotides, the maximal block is around 60-80 %, indicating that sulphonylureas act as partial antagonists.