Inadvertent hypothermia and mortality in postoperative intensive care patients: retrospective audit of 5050 patients.

We proposed that many Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients would be hypothermic in the early postoperative period and that hypothermia would be associated with increased mortality. We retrospectively reviewed patients admitted to ICU after surgery. We recorded the lowest temperature in the first 24 h after surgery using tympanic membrane thermometers.

Axonal mRNAs: characterisation and role in the growth and regeneration of dorsal root ganglion axons and growth cones.

We have developed a compartmentalised culture model for the purification of axonal mRNA from embryonic, neonatal and adult rat dorsal root ganglia. This mRNA was used un-amplified for RT-qPCR. We assayed for the presence of axonal mRNAs encoding molecules known to be involved in axon growth and guidance.

Sore throat or hoarse voice with bronchial blockers or double-lumen tubes for lung isolation: a randomised, prospective trial.

Double-lumen endotracheal tubes and bronchial blockers allow lung isolation for one-lung ventilation. Few studies, however, directly compare these devices. Further, a new endobronchial blocker (Coopdech) is available in some countries.

Perioperative mortality risk score using pre- and postoperative risk factors in older patients.

We developed a risk score for 30-day postoperative mortality: the Perioperative Mortality risk score. We used a derivation cohort from a previous study of surgical patients aged 70 years or more at three large metropolitan teaching hospitals, using the significant risk factors for 30-day mortality from multivariate analysis. We summed the risk score for each of six factors creating an overall Perioperative Mortality score.

The predictive performance of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) increases with grade of acute kidney injury.

Background: In adult cardiac surgery, the predictive value for AKI of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) appears to have wide variability. The choice of definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) might, at least in part, account for such variability.

Methods: In a prospective study of 100 adult cardiac surgery patients, we assessed the value of postoperative plasma NGAL in predicting AKI according to the degree of severity used for its definition.

Decreased catecholamine degradation associates with shock and kidney injury after cardiac surgery.

Enzymatic pathways involving catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catabolize circulating catecholamines. A G-to-A polymorphism in the fourth exon of the COMT gene results in a valine-to-methionine amino acid substitution at codon 158, which leads to thermolability and low ("L"), as opposed to high ("H"), enzymatic activity. We enrolled 260 patients postbypass surgery to test the hypothesis that COMT gene variants impair circulating catecholamine metabolism, predisposing to shock and acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery.

Recent developments of acupuncture in Australia and the way forward.

Almost one in ten Australians has received acupuncture treatment by acupuncturists and/or medical doctors in private clinics. The majority of Australian health insurance funds offer rebates for acupuncture. Statutory regulations for acupuncture have been implemented in the State of Victoria, Australia.

Boosting enrollment in neurology trials with Local Identification and Outreach Networks (LIONs).

Objective: Our purpose was to develop a geographically localized, multi-institution strategy for improving enrolment in a trial of secondary stroke prevention.

Methods: We invited 11 Connecticut hospitals to participate in a project named the Local Identification and Outreach Network (LION). Each hospital provided the names of patients with stroke or TIA, identified from electronic admission or discharge logs, to researchers at a central coordinating center.

Cultivar variations of Australian-grown Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza): bioactive markers and root yields.

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Lamiaceae) is a commonly used and highly valued Chinese medicinal herb grown widely in China. In the present work, we studied cultivar variations of Australian-grown Danshen in order to select optimal cultivars for local herbal production. Root yields of seven cultivars, V1-V7, were monitored in a one-year field trial, and bioactive markers, including cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, and salvianolic acid B, were quantitatively determined using a validated RP-HPLC method.

Inhibition of release of inflammatory mediators in rat peritoneal mast cells and murine macrophages by a Chinese herbal medicine formula (RCM-102).

RCM-102 is a Chinese herbal medicine formulation derived from a formula which was shown to be effective in treating seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of RCM-102 on the formation of inflammatory mediators, histamine, prostaglandin and nitric oxide, which are known to be involved in the pathophysiology of SAR. The effect of RCM-102 on histamine release was tested in compound 48/80-stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells.

Novel and conventional serum biomarkers predicting acute kidney injury in adult cardiac surgery--a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To compare the value of novel with conventional serum biomarkers in the prediction of acute kidney injury (AKI) in adult cardiac surgical patients according to preoperative renal function.

Design: Single-center, prospective observational study.

Setting: Tertiary hospital.

Sodium bicarbonate to prevent increases in serum creatinine after cardiac surgery: a pilot double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To test whether perioperative sodium bicarbonate infusion can attenuate postoperative increases in serum creatinine in cardiac surgical patients.

Design: Double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Operating rooms and intensive care unit at a tertiary hospital.

Herbal medicine for dementia: a systematic review.

This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines (HM) for treating dementia. Databases in English and Chinese were searched from their inceptions to February 2007. References in reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened by hand.

Major complications related to the use of transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac surgery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of injury associated with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE injuries) in cardiac surgery.

Design: Retrospective.

Setting: University-affiliated hospitals.

A population survey on the use of 24 common medicinal herbs in Australia.

Background: Herbal medicine use is common in Australia but little is known about the use of individual herbs.

Methods: A cross-sectional population survey conducted in 2007 with a sample of 2526, in the Australian state of Victoria.

Results: Almost a quarter (22.

Chinese herbal medicine for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Age Associated Memory Impairment: a review of randomised controlled trials.

This review assesses the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Age Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI). Electronic searches of English and Chinese databases and hand searches of Chinese journal holdings were conducted. Randomised controlled trials comparing orally administered CHM with placebo, no intervention or other therapy were considered.

Chemistry and bioactivity of Flos Magnoliae, a Chinese herb for rhinitis and sinusitis.

Flos Magnoliae (FM, Chinese name: Xin-yi) is one of the most commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs. It has a long history of clinical use for managing rhinitis, sinusitis and headache. More than 20 different FM species have been used clinically, which makes species identification and evaluation of pharmacological effects of individual chemical ingredients difficult.

Multislice computed tomography coronary angiography: risk stratification of patients in the perioperative period.

Multislice computed tomography coronary angiography is emerging as a reliable non-invasive method for the assessment of coronary artery disease, coronary anatomy and cardiac function. Improvements in computed tomography technology hold the promise of replacing the standard invasive procedure of conventional coronary angiography in selected patient groups. The ability of a six-second scan to identify flow-limiting coronary artery stenoses as well as characterising coronary atheromatous plaque components provides valuable information that can assist in refining perioperative cardiovascular risk.

Hypothermia on arrival in the intensive care unit after surgery.

Objective: Minimising perioperative hypothermia is a priority for anaesthetists. However, there are few studies of postoperative hypothermia in intensive care units. We tested the hypotheses that many patients arrive in the ICU with hypothermia and that patients are warmer after cardiac surgery than after non-cardiac surgery.

Postoperative complications in elderly patients and their significance for long-term prognosis.

Purpose Of Review: To outline perioperative risk factors for postoperative mortality in older patients, the relationship of these factors with long-term mortality, and to examine possible strategies to reduce mortality.

Recent Findings: For patients aged 70 years and over 30-day mortality is about 6%, whereas 20% are likely to have at least one complication during their hospital stay. The mortality risk increases by 10% for every year after age 70.

Acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathy use in Australia: a national population survey.

Background: There have been no published national studies on the use in Australia of the manipulative therapies, acupuncture, chiropractic or osteopathy, or on matters including the purposes for which these therapies are used, treatment outcomes and the socio-demographic characteristics of users.

Methods: This study on the three manipulative therapies was a component of a broader investigation on the use of complementary and alternative therapies. For this we conducted a cross-sectional, population survey on a representative sample of 1,067 adults from the six states and two territories of Australia in 2005 by computer-assisted telephone interviews.