Battery of behavioral tests in mice to study postoperative delirium.

Postoperative delirium is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and cost. However, its neuropathogenesis remains largely unknown, partially owing to lack of animal model(s). We therefore set out to employ a battery of behavior tests, including natural and learned behavior, in mice to determine the effects of laparotomy under isoflurane anesthesia (Anesthesia/Surgery) on these behaviors.

A randomized controlled trial of sertraline to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder in burned children.

Background: This study evaluated the potential benefits of a centrally acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline, versus placebo for prevention of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in burned children. This is the first controlled investigation based on our review of the early use of a medication to prevent PTSD in children.

Methods: Twenty-six children aged 6-20 were assessed in a 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled design.

Mesenchymal stem cells: Mechanisms of immunomodulation and homing.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has been explored as a new clinical approach to repair injured tissue. A growing corpus of studies have highlighted two important aspects of MSC therapy: 1) MSCs can modulate T-cell-mediated immunological responses, and (2) systemically administered MSCs home to sites of ischemia or injury. In this review, we describe the known mechanisms of immunomodulation and homing of MSCs.

Effect of insulin levels on the phosphorylation of specific amino acid residues in IRS-1: implications for burn-induced insulin resistance.

Alterations in the phosphorylation and/or degradation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) produced by burn injury may be responsible, at least in part, for burn-induced insulin resistance. In particular, following burn injury, reductions in glucose uptake by skeletal muscle may be secondary to altered abundance and/or phosphorylation of IRS-1. In this study, we performed in vitro experiments with 293 cells transfected with IRS-1.

Preliminary evidence for the effects of morphine on posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in one- to four-year-olds with burns.

This study tested the hypothesis that very young children who received more morphine for acute burns would have larger decreases in posttraumatic symptoms 3 to 6 months later. This has never before been studied in very young children, despite the high frequency of burns and trauma in this age group. Seventy 12- to 48-month-old nonvented children with acute burns admitted to a major pediatric burn center and their parents participated.

Long-term superior performance of a stem cell/hepatocyte device for the treatment of acute liver failure.

Cell-based technologies to support/restore organ function represent one of the most promising avenues in the treatment of acute liver failure (ALF). Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported as a new therapeutic for inflammatory conditions. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of MSCs, when cocultured with hepatocytes, to provide combination hepatic and antiinflammatory therapy in the setting of ALF.

Microfabrication-based modulation of embryonic stem cell differentiation.

Embryonic stem (ES) cells form spontaneous aggregates during differentiation, and cell-cell communication in the aggregates plays an important role in differentiation. The development of a controlled differentiation scheme for ES cells has been hindered by the lack of a reliable method to produce uniform aggregate sizes. Conventional techniques, such as hanging drop and suspension cultures, do not allow precise control over size of ES cell aggregates.

Radial flow hepatocyte bioreactor using stacked microfabricated grooved substrates.

Bioartificial liver (BAL) devices with fully functioning hepatocytes have the potential to provide temporary hepatic support for patients with liver failure. The goal of this study was to optimize the flow environment for the cultured hepatocytes in a stacked substrate, radial flow bioreactor. Photolithographic techniques were used to microfabricate concentric grooves onto the underlying glass substrates.

Microfabricated grooved substrates as platforms for bioartificial liver reactors.

An extracorporeal bioartificial liver device has the potential to provide temporary hepatic support for patients with liver failure. Our goal was to optimize the flow environment for the cultured hepatocytes in a flat-plate bioreactor, specifically focusing on oxygen delivery using high medium flow rates while reducing the detrimental effects of the resulting shear stresses. We used photolithographic techniques to fabricate microgrooves onto the underlying glass substrate.