The synergetic effect of ambient PM2.5 exposure and rhinovirus infection in airway dysfunction in asthma: a pilot observational study from the Central Valley of California.

Background: Elevated levels of particulate matter PM2.5 and rhinovirus infection have been known to exacerbate asthma. However, the combined effect of rhinovirus infection and high PM2.

Method development for the measurement of quinone levels in urine.

A method was developed for the quantification of 1-4 ring quinones in urine samples using liquid-liquid extraction followed by analysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Detection limits for the ten quinones analyzed are in the range 1-2 nmol dm(-3). The potential use of this approach to monitor urinary quinone levels was then evaluated in urine samples from both Sprague-Dawley rats and human subjects.

Effects of collagen nerve guide on neuroma formation and neuropathic pain in a rat model.

Background: Posttraumatic neuroma formation is a major cause of neuropathic pain that can occur after elective surgery, amputation, or trauma. This study examined the use of biosynthetic collagen nerve guides to prevent the development of posttraumatic neuromas.

Methods: Collagen nerve guides were applied after neurectomy in a rat sciatic nerve model in an effort to stimulate linear neuronal outgrowth and reduce random axon sprouting.

Dichloroacetate reduces tissue necrosis in a rat transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap model.

Objective: Ischemia-related complications may occur during postmastectomy transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction. The aim of our study was to investigate whether necrosis of susceptible flap regions could be reduced by dichloroacetate (DCA)-induced stimulation of oxidative metabolism in hypoxic tissue.

Methods: The study was a randomized control trial using male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Propofol improves skin flap survival in a rat model: correlating reduction in flap-induced neutrophil activity.

Accumulation of neutrophils in a random pattern skin flap has been demonstrated to contribute to the necrosis of distal flap tissue. This study proposes that administration of propofol anesthesia can effectively reduce neutrophil activity and enhance skin flap survival. The study was a randomized controlled trial using male Sprague-Dawley rats as subjects.