miR-21 mimic blocks obesity in mice: A novel therapeutic option.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are promising drug targets for obesity and metabolic disorders. Recently, miRNA mimics are providing a unique mechanism of action that guides the process for drug development and sets out the context of their therapeutic application. miRNA (miR)-21 expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) has been associated with obesity.

Sildenafil prevents the increase of extravascular lung water and pulmonary hypertension after meconium aspiration in newborn piglets.

Meconium aspiration syndrome causes respiratory failure after birth and in vivo monitoring of pulmonary edema is difficult. The objective of the present study was to assess hemodynamic changes and edema measured by transcardiopulmonary thermodilution in low weight newborn piglets. Additionally, the effect of early administration of sildenafil (2 mg/kg vo, 30 min after meconium aspiration) on this critical parameter was determined in the meconium aspiration syndrome model.

Alveolar type 1 cells express the alpha2 Na,K-ATPase, which contributes to lung liquid clearance.

The alveolar epithelium is composed of alveolar type 1 (AT1) and alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells, which represent approximately 95% and approximately 5% of the alveolar surface area, respectively. Lung liquid clearance is driven by the osmotic gradient generated by the Na,K-ATPase. AT2 cells have been shown to express the alpha1 Na,K-ATPase.

Gastric intramucosal pH and intraluminal PCO2 during weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Objective: To study the value of gastric intramucosal pH and gastric intraluminal PCO2 measurements to predict weaning outcome from mechanical ventilation.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: Intensive care medicine department of a university hospital.