Successful bilevel positive airway pressure therapy in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis after emergency laparotomy: A case report.

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) present an increased risk of postoperative respiratory failure after general anesthesia. We report the case of a 71-year-old man with ALS who underwent emergency laparotomy for small bowel strangulation. After surgery, he remained intubated and was transferred to the high care unit under mechanical ventilation, due to unstable hemodynamics requiring inotropic support.

Interleukin-1 upregulates anaphylatoxin receptors on mononuclear cells.

Background: The anaphylatoxins, C3a and C5a, that are generated during trauma, major surgery, or infection are potent proinflammatory mediators that increase interleukin (IL-1) cytokine synthesis. We investigated the effects of IL-1 on anaphylatoxin receptor expression in monocytes.

Methods: A human monocytic cell line, MONO-MAC-6, was used.