A lipoprotein-cholesterol-albumin serum substitute stimulates Giardia lamblia encystation vesicle formation.

We found previously that the A6 clone of Giardia lamblia strain WB that did not encyst in vitro was blocked at an early stage in differentiation, as it did not form encystation secretory vesicles (ESV) efficiently or express cyst antigens, in comparison with the related clone C6. We now report that A6 formed ESV normally in the suckling mouse model. Therefore, we asked whether our serum-containing encystation media might lack a stimulus or component or contain an inhibitor of ESV formation to which A6 was especially sensitive.

Effects of high-dose vitamin C administration on bacterial translocation and lung neutrophil sequestration in burned mice.

Severe burn injury produces shock and induces acute gastrointestinal derangements that may disrupt mucosal integrity and facilitate bacterial translocation (BT) to mesenteric lymph nodes, accompanied by endotoxemia. Antioxidant treatments may be beneficial after shock by acting as scavenger agents for highly reactive oxygen intermediates. We studied the effects of high dosages of vitamin C, a water-soluble antioxidant, on the incidence of BT and on levels of lung myeloperoxidase in burned mice.

Intestinal de-epithelialization and augmentation cystoplasty: an animal model.

Objectives: An animal model of augmentation cystoplasty was developed in New Zealand rabbits to study the effects of intestinal de-epithelialization on subsequent re-epithelialization by bladder urothelium.

Methods: Twenty-four rabbits underwent augmentation cystoplasty using intestinal segments that were either treated with protamine sulfate and urea solution or else anastomosed with an intact epithelium. Half of the rabbits receiving the de-epithelialized intestinal segments were subjected to glycosaminoglycan replacement therapy by administration of intravesical heparin.

The extracellular neutral cysteine proteinase of Entamoeba histolytica degrades anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a.

We have shown previously that the extracellular cysteine proteinase of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites activates the alternative pathway of complement by specifically cleaving C3. This unique mechanism of complement activation leads to passive lysis of nonpathogenic, but not of pathogenic strains. In an attempt to investigate the relationship between the cleavage of complement components C3 and C5 and the pathogenesis of amebiasis, we investigated the production of the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, which have diverse effects on the host immune response.

Nonadrenal epinephrine-forming enzymes in humans. Characteristics, distribution, regulation, and relationship to epinephrine levels.

Animal studies indicate that nonadrenal tissues may synthesize epinephrine (E). Here we demonstrate phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) and/or nonspecific N-methyltransferase (NMT) enzymatic activity in human lung, kidney, heart, liver, spleen, and pancreas. There was a significant overall correlation (r = 0.

Volkmann's ischemic contracture of the foot and ankle: evaluation and treatment of established deformity.

Fibrotic contracture of skeletal muscle can follow weeks or months after the severe ischemic insult of compartment syndrome. Commonly known as Volkmann's ischemic contracture, the affected limb often becomes dysfunctional and painful, and may lose sensibility. The pathogenesis of the muscle contracture includes prolonged ischemia, myonecrosis, fibroblastic proliferation, contraction of the cicatrix, and myotendinous adhesion formation.

A theoretical model using mechanical principles to quantify the physical principles of balloon dilatation.

Rationale And Objectives: Balloon dilatation is a mechanical form of controlled injury used to alleviate vascular stenoses. Several factors influence successful angioplasty. Few mechanical models exist to illustrate the physical principles of balloon dilatation.

Prevention of venous thrombosis in microvascular surgery by transmural release of heparin from a polyanhydride polymer.

Background: The effects of transmurally released heparin on the patency of microvenous anastomoses were studied by using a bioerodible polymer delivery system in a rat microvascular thrombosis model.

Methods: A polyanhydride carrier with heparin was wrapped around the outside of a highly thrombogenic venous inversion graft in 14 animals, and patency rates were compared with those of 17 control animals.

Results: Anastomotic patency was significantly greater in the groups treated with transmurally released heparin, measured both at 24 hours (86% versus 16%; p < 0.

Nursing care of donor site wounds.

The list of ideal donor site characteristics includes many items related to nursing care such as the ability of the dressing to minimize pain, permit patient mobility, and simplify postoperative care. Biobrane must adhere to the donor site wound bed and be allowed to dry without fluid accumulation. Coarse-mesh gauze wraps applied over the Biobrane in the operating room help maintain contact between Biobrane and the wound bed, protect the donor site from traumatic dislodgment in the early postoperative period, and serve to wick wound drainage in the first 24 hours.

Use of Biobrane for extensive posterior donor site wounds.

Optimal treatment of extensive donor sites in patients with major burn injuries can be frustrating for both physician and nursing staffs and can cause great discomfort for the patients. Slow healing or infections of donor site wounds may impede other aspects of burn care and delay further skin grafting. The posterior trunk is a particularly good site for donor site harvesting in patients who have incurred extensive burns.

Wound healing in partial-thickness burn wounds treated with collagenase ointment versus silver sulfadiazine cream.

During burn care the wounds must be repeatedly debrided of adherent and loose debris until the decision is made to surgically excise and graft the wound or to await epithelialization. Though native proteolytic enzymes in the skin or those produced by colonizing bacteria can speed eschar separation, the use of exogenous enzymes for wound debridement may accelerate wound cleaning and healing. Collagenase digests native and denatured collagen in necrotic tissue.

Bovine vaginal antibody responses to immunoaffinity-purified surface antigen of Tritrichomonas foetus.

Bovine trichomoniasis is a prevalent sexually transmitted disease of cattle caused by the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus. Currently, diagnosis is most often made by culture. In order to provide a faster immunodiagnostic approach, a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was investigated.

Confirmation of endotracheal intubation over a jet stylet: in vitro studies.

An accepted method of tracheal reintubation is to pass an endotracheal tube (ETT) over a jet stylet (JS). It is desirable to confirm tracheal reintubation prior to removing the JS from its known intratracheal location. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional size equivalent of the annular space between the JS and ETT for all combinations of variously sized ETTs and JSs and to determine whether this annular space will permit detection of exhaled carbon dioxide (CO2).

Transcatheter treatment of thrombosed hemodialysis access grafts.

Thrombosis of access grafts is a frequent problem for patients being treated with long-term hemodialysis. Transcatheter techniques have recently been used in the primary management of failed dialysis grafts. This article reviews current methods for transcatheter treatment.

Management of chronic sinusitis in cystic fibrosis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is extremely common in patients with cystic fibrosis. It causes numerous problems in these patients and can put them at risk for life-threatening illness. Potential problems include nasal obstruction, congestion, sinus pain and pressure, infection (usually with Pseudomonas organisms), hyposmia or anosmia, and the seeding of bacteria into the lower respiratory tract.

Treatment of bleeding from portal hypertensive gastropathy by portacaval shunt.

Portal hypertensive gastropathy is a vascular disorder of the gastric mucosa distinguished by ectasia of the mucosal capillaries and submucosal veins without inflammation. During 1988 to 1993, 12 patients with biopsy-proven cirrhosis (10 alcoholic, 2 posthepatitic) were evaluated and treated prospectively by portacaval shunt for active bleeding from severe portal hypertensive gastropathy. Eleven patients had been hospitalized for bleeding three to nine times previously, and one was bleeding uncontrollably for the first time.

Experimental investigation of hypercoagulant conditions associated with angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in blood coagulability after high-velocity intravascular fluid injections under conditions relevant to angiography.

Materials And Methods: In 101 rabbits, fluids were injected at 1,000 psi (6,890 kPa) via a multiple-side-hole catheter in the abdominal aorta, while blood was simultaneously aspirated via a second downstream catheter. The fluids injected included saline, contrast media, blood, tissue plasminogen activator, and heparin.

Asthma symptoms and airway hyperresponsiveness are lower during treatment with nedocromil sodium than during treatment with regular inhaled albuterol.

In a double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter study, 212 patients with asthma whose symptoms were not controlled by as-needed use of inhaled bronchodilators were randomized to receive either 4 mg of nedocromil sodium or 180 micrograms of albuterol four times daily for 12 weeks. Asthma symptom scores (daytime asthma, nighttime asthma, morning chest tightness, and cough) and peak expiratory flow rate were recorded daily on diary cards. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was assessed by changes in diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow rate and by methacholine inhalation challenge.