How to build a framework to establish a patient research partner network in rheumatology research: a report of a 2-year implementation project.

Background: Patient research partners (PRPs) are people living with a relevant disease who actively contribute to research. Their contribution is beneficial for any research project. Although the inclusion of PRPs in rheumatology research is increasingly recommended, its practical implementation, particularly in translational research, remains limited .

Brain metabolism is significantly impaired at blood glucose below 6 mM and brain glucose below 1 mM in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Introduction: The optimal blood glucose target following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) must be defined. Cerebral microdialysis was used to investigate the influence of arterial blood and brain glucose on cerebral glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glutamate, and calculated indices of downstream metabolism.

Methods: In twenty TBI patients, microdialysis catheters inserted in the edematous frontal lobe were dialyzed at 1 microl/min, collecting samples at 60 minute intervals.

Increasing hematocrit above 28% during early resuscitative phase is not associated with decreased mortality following severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: To prevent iatrogenic damage, transfusions of red blood cells should be avoided. For this, specific and reliable transfusion triggers must be defined. To date, the optimal hematocrit during the initial operating room (OR) phase is still unclear in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Differential influence of arterial blood glucose on cerebral metabolism following severe traumatic brain injury.

Introduction: Maintaining arterial blood glucose within tight limits is beneficial in critically ill patients. Upper and lower limits of detrimental blood glucose levels must be determined.

Methods: In 69 patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), cerebral metabolism was monitored by assessing changes in arterial and jugular venous blood at normocarbia (partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (paCO2) 4.

Differential temporal profile of lowered blood glucose levels (3.5 to 6.5 mmol/l versus 5 to 8 mmol/l) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Introduction: Hyperglycaemia is detrimental, but maintaining low blood glucose levels within tight limits is controversial in patients with severe traumatic brain injury, because decreased blood glucose levels can induce and aggravate underlying brain injury.

Methods: In 228 propensity matched patients (age, sex and injury severity) treated in our intensive care unit (ICU) from 2000 to 2004, we retrospectively evaluated the influence of different predefined blood glucose targets (3.5 to 6.

Sleep-wake disturbances 6 months after traumatic brain injury: a prospective study.

Sleep-wake disturbances (SWD) are common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In acute TBI, we recently found decreased CSF levels of hypocretin-1, a wake-promoting neurotransmitter. In the present study, we aimed to delineate the frequency and clinical characteristics of post-traumatic SWD, to assess CSF hypocretin-1 levels 6 months after TBI, and to identify risk factors for posttraumatic SWD.

Final results of MRC CRASH, a randomised placebo-controlled trial of intravenous corticosteroid in adults with head injury-outcomes at 6 months.

MRC CRASH is a randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN74459797) of the effect of corticosteroids on death and disability after head injury. We randomly allocated 10,008 adults with head injury and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 14 or less, within 8 h of injury, to a 48-h infusion of corticosteroid (methylprednisolone) or placebo. Data at 6 months were obtained for 9673 (96.

Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the double press- fit technique: an alternative to interference screw fixation.

Purpose: Patellar tendon autograft fixation in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is commonly accomplished using interference screws. However, improper insertion of the screws may reduce primary stability, injure the posterior femoral cortex, or displace hardware into the joint. Even if placed properly, metallic screws interfere with postoperative magnetic resonance imaging.