The contribution of opiate analgesics to the development of infectious complications in trauma patients.

Trauma-related pain is a natural consequence of injury and its surgical management; however, the relationship between opiates and complications in trauma patients is unknown. To study this a retrospective chart review of selected subjects following traumatic injury with admission to the SICU for > 3 days was performed, and opiate administration data was collected for the first 3 days of admission. Associated data from each subject's chart was also collected.

Gamma delta T cells regulate inflammatory cell infiltration of the lung after trauma-hemorrhage.

Trauma-hemorrhage (TH) promotes acute lung injury (ALI) and other pulmonary-related complications in part through an exaggerated inflammatory response. Studies have implicated γδ T cells in the development of inflammatory complications after major injury; however, it is unknown whether γδ T cells play a role in the development of ALI after TH. To study this, C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and δ TCR mice were subjected to TH or sham treatment.

Gamma delta (γδ) T-cells are critical in the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase at the burn wound site.

Background: The high incidence of morbidity and mortality following major burn can in part be attributed to immune derangements and wound healing complications. Inflammation plays an important role in wound healing, of which inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) derived nitric oxide is a central mediator. T-cells of the γδ TCR lineage have also been shown to be important in healing of the burn wound site.

Burn enhances toll-like receptor induced responses by circulating leukocytes.

Burn and toll-like receptors (TLR) are associated with innate immune system activation, but the impact of burn on TLR-induced inflammation responses by circulating leukocytes is unknown. To study this, C57BL/6 mice were subjected to burn (3(rd) degree, 25% TBSA) or sham procedure and 1-7 days later blood was collected. Whole blood cell suspensions were incubated for 24 hr in the presence of zymosan (TLR-2 agonist) or LPS (TLR-4 agonist).

Comparing three pedagogical approaches to psychomotor skills acquisition.

Background: We compared traditional pedagogical approaches such as time- and repetition-based methods with proficiency-based training.

Methods: Laparoscopic novices were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 training conditions. In experiment 1, participants in the time condition practiced for 60 minutes, participants in the repetition condition performed 5 practice trials, and participants in the proficiency condition trained until reaching a predetermined proficiency goal.

Tobacco and the escalating global cancer burden.

The global burden of cancer is escalating as a result of dramatic increases in the use of tobacco in the developing world. The use of tobacco is linked to the development of a broad variety of cancers, mainly lung cancer, the single most common cancer in the world. Tobacco smoking-attributable deaths extends beyond cancer and include stroke, heart attack and COPD.

Burn-induced alterations in toll-like receptor-mediated responses by bronchoalveolar lavage cells.

Unlabelled: Burn is associated with profound inflammation and activation of the innate immune system in multiple organ beds, including the lung. Similarly, toll-like receptors (TLR) are associated with innate immune activation. Nonetheless, it is unclear what impact burn has on TLR-induced inflammatory responses in the lung.

Increased expression of cardiac IL-17 after burn.

Background: Cardiac dysfunction is a common complication associated with major burns. While recent findings have linked the Th-17 T-cell response to the development of autoimmune myocarditis, the role of IL-17 and the Th-17 T-cell response in the development of post-burn cardiac dysfunction remains unknown.

Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a major burn (3rd degree, 25% TBSA) or sham treatment.