What's new in resuscitation strategies for the patient with multiple trauma?

The last decade has seen a sea change in the management of major haemorrhage following traumatic injury. Damage control resuscitation (DCR), a strategy combining the techniques of permissive hypotension, haemostatic resuscitation and damage control surgery has been widely adopted as the preferred method of resuscitation in patients with haemorrhagic shock. The over-riding goals of DCR are to mitigate metabolic acidosis, hypothermia and coagulopathy and stabilise the patient as early as possible in a critical care setting. This narrative review examines the background to these changes in resuscitation practice, discusses the central importance of traumatic coagulopathy in driving these changes particularly in relation to the use of high FFP:RBC ratio and explores methods of predicting, diagnosing and treating the coagulopathy with massive transfusion protocols as well as newer coagulation factor concentrates. We discuss other areas of trauma haemorrhage management including the role of hypertonic saline and interventional radiology. Throughout this review we specifically examine whether the available evidence supports these newer practices.     

Prophylaxis of colorectal cancer with non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- a new reality?

The use COX-2 inhibitors induces regression of adenoma polyps and disrupts the sequence adenoma colorectal carcinoma. So that, this can be used in chemoprevention of colorectal cancer and also in cancer localised in other segments of the digestive tract. So far there is no agreement regarding the beginning of the treatment, the minimal efficient dose, the span of time required for chemoprevention. As the current studies in this field are quite encouraging we believe that in the next future COX-2 inhibitors could be used not only in chemoprevention but also in tumoral regression, and as a codrug in chemiotherapy of colorectal cancer.     

Are laser-resistant endotracheal tubes safe with the new holmium:YAG infrared laser?

Laser-induced ignition of the endotracheal tube is the most morbid event that may occur during laser surgery of the upper respiratory/digestive tract. The efficacy of two new laser-resistant endotracheal tubes, the Laser-Flex stainless steel tube by Mallinckrodt and the Laser-Shield II tube with teflon-aluminium-silicone coating by Xomed-Treace, was studied under exposure to a newly introduced pulsed infrared laser (holmium:YAG, lambda = 2120 nm) in an experimental setting. The time from the onset of exposure until tube perforation was recorded. Laser exposure was continued for up to 180 s unless tube ignition occurred. Temperature during the following 30 s laser application was measured close to the target zones. The irradiance level of the holmium:YAG laser was in the range required for photoablation and plasma formation and led to laser-induced tube ignition in both types of tube. The steel tube showed greater resistance to laser-induced wall damage than the teflon-aluminium silicone tube. The maximum temperature increase following laser exposure was moderate in both tubes; the mean rise of 10 degrees C for the Laser-Shield tube and 23 degrees C for the Mallinckrodt tube correlating with the physical effects of photoablation.     

Antithrombin: prospects in clinical practice. Sespsi: anticoagulant or anti-inflammatory agents?

Sepsis and septic shock represent a frequent cause of mortality in Intensive Care Units, despite of the progress in antibiotic therapy and in the hemodynamic and respiratory support. The most frequent cause of death is the Multi Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS), which is the clinical manifestation of the irreversibile damage of the microvascular bed. During sepsis and septic shock both activation of coagulation /fibrinolysis and release of mediators of inflammation contribute to the pathogenesis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC); in particular the formation of fibrin in the microvascular bed is the pathological substrate of the clinical development of MODS. The rationale for employing antithrombin (AT) concentrates in the treatment of DIC associated to sepsis is based on the consideration that AT plasma levels are always decreased in patients with sepsis or septic shock; furthermore, the degree of the decrease is directly proportional to the severity of the disease and the prognosis and low AT plasma activities correlate with high mortality. AT has a double function: anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory. The most important mechanism responsible of the anti-inflammatory properties of AT is the binding to the glycosaminoglycans of the endothelial cells and the consequent release of prostacyclin. During sepsis and septic shock, treatment with AT was able, especially in animal models but also in clinical studies, to decrease plasma levels of mediators of inflammation and in some case to preserve organ failure and to reduce mortality.     

When Are Urodynamics Indicated in Patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence?

Despite technical and procedural advances in urodynamics over the past decade, the role of urodynamics in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) remains controversial. Many of these advancements have been the result of multicentric studies in the United States, such as the UITN and PFDN, which will be highlighted in this article. It appears to be the consensus that urodynamics may not be needed in pure stress incontinence. Urodynamics can be valuable in unmasking stress urinary incontinence in prolapse, although its impact on the ultimate management of occult incontinence remains debated. This article reviews the indications for urodynamic testing in women with SUI but will exclude more complex conditions such as mixed or recurrent incontinence which are outside the scope of this review.     

Are Antiresorptive Drugs Effective Against Fractures in Patients with Diabetes?

We studied whether the reduction in bone turnover by use of antiresorptive drugs is detrimental in patients with diabetes who already have low bone turnover due to hyperglycemia in a nationwide cohort study from Denmark. All users of antiresorptive drugs against osteoporosis between 1996 and 2006 (n = 103,562) were the exposed group, with three age- and gender-matched controls from the general population (n = 310,683). Patients on bisphosphonates and raloxifene had a higher risk of hip, spine, and forearm fractures. However, no difference was observed in the antifracture efficacy between patients with diabetes and nondiabetic controls or between patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Too few were users of strontium to allow analysis for this compound. The excess risk of fractures among patients treated with bisphosphonates or raloxifene compared to nonexposed controls was due to the higher a priori risk of fractures among patients treated for osteoporosis. Diabetes does not seem to affect the fracture-preventive potential of bisphosphonates or raloxifene. The low-turnover state of diabetes thus does not seem to be a hindrance to the effect of these drugs against osteoporosis. Therefore, patients with diabetes should receive treatment for osteoporosis in the same way as nondiabetic patients.     

The effect of mahogunin gene mutant on reproduction in male mice: a new sight for infertility?

Mahogunin is an important mediator of chromogenesis and neurodegeneration. Mahoganoid is a mutation of the mahogunin gene, which causes a pleiotropic phenotype that includes suppression of obesity, spongiform neurodegeneration and improvement of insulin sensitivity. Our previous research found that mahoganoid widely expressed in the male rat reproductive system, and mahoganoid‐deficient mice have reduced embryonic viability. But the reproductive change in mahogunin knockout (md^nc) male mice has not been reported previously. Here, we report that the mahogunin mRNA also widely exists in reproductive system of male mice, and its mRNA expression in the testis was in accordance with the first spermatogenesis wave cycle. Moreover, we find that md^nc male mice were able to mate with females but no pups are delivered. Besides, the sperms' active progressive motility and hormone secretion (E2, FSH, LH, PRL) were obviously decreased while abnormal sperm rate showed no significant difference in md^nc compared to wild‐type (WT) male mice. This study indicates the mahogunin deficiency results in the infertility of male mice, disruption of hormones secretion and impaired active progressive motility, which may additionally illuminate the aetiology of male infertility in human.     

In sight on multiple morphological abno rmalities of sperm flagella in male infertility:what is new?

The syndrome of multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella(MMAF)is a specific kind of asthenoteratozoospermia with a mosaic of flagellar morphological abnormalities(absent,short,bent,coiled,and irregular flagella).MMAF was proposed in 2014 and has attracted increasing attention;however,it has not been clearly understood.In this review,we elucidate the definition of MMAF from a systematical view,the difference between MMAF and other conditions with asthenoteratozoospermia or asthenozoospermia(such as primary mitochondrial sheath defects and primary ciliary dyskinesia),the knowledge regarding its etiological mechanism and related genetic findings,and the clinical significance of MMAF for intracytoplasmic sperm injection and genetic coun sell ng.This review provides the basic kno wledge for MMAF and puts forward some suggestions for further investigations.     

Are new vitamin D analogues in renal bone disease superior to calcitriol?

Progression of chronic kidney disease is associated with an early reduction in serum calcitriol levels; thus, therapy with calcitriol should be initiated early in the course of chronic kidney disease to prevent the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Initial studies demonstrated a potential role of calcitriol in the prevention of growth retardation in children with chronic kidney disease prior to dialysis. But the optimal parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels that will maximize growth response during calcitriol treatment remain to be defined. Therapy with calcitriol has been shown to control the biochemical and skeletal manifestations of secondary hyperparathyroidism, but patients developed hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and adynamic osteodystrophy. Thus, new vitamin D analogues with a lower hypercalcemic response have been developed. Although comparative studies are lacking, current evidence indicates that these new active vitamin D sterols (19-nor-paracalcitol and doxercalciferol) adequately control secondary hyperparathyroidism with minimal changes in serum calcium and phosphorus levels during treatment with calcium-containing binders. The long-term effect of such therapies on the skeleton and the process of vascular calcifications remain to be evaluated.This work was presented in part at the IPNA Seventh Symposium on Growth and Development in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease: The Molecular Basis of Skeletal Growth, 1–3 April 2004, Heidelberg, Germany     

Lymphopenia in Wegener's granulomatosis. A new clinical activity index?

BACKGROUND: Significant lymphopenia is a prominent feature in systemic erythematous lupus, but has not been described in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). We suggest from a retrospective analysis that lymphopenia may also be an index of WG disease activity. METHODS: Medical charts form 19 patients diagnosed with systemic active WG between 1990 and 2000 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients had crescentic glomerulonephritis and alveolar hemorrhage. Clinical and biological markers were reviewed at three different time points: diagnosis, time of relapse, and during remission. RESULTS: Average lymphocyte count was significantly lower at diagnosis and relapse than during remission times (p < 0.008 and p < 0.000002, respectively). During disease activity either at diagnosis and during relapses, ANCA titers were highly positive (> or =50 IU/ml) in 27.5% of patients (8/29). The corresponding lymphocyte counts were below normal (1,500/min(3)) in 28 of 29 patients (96.5%). In patients with either negative or weakly positive ANCA, mean lymphocyte count was 728.5, 744.2 and 2,551/ml at diagnosis, during relapse and remission times, respectively. There was a clear negative correlation between the lymphocyte count and disease activity. CONCLUSION: Lymphopenia appears to be a good marker of WG activity. This index might be useful in all patients including those with negative ANCA.     

Haemostasis in patients with Beh?et's disease.

AIM: to determine whether Beh?et's disease affects haemostatic function. SETTING: University Hospital, Turkey. PATIENTS: one hundred and twenty-seven consecutive patients with Beh?et's disease, 34 of whom with a history of vascular involvement. METHODS: prothrombin fragment 1+2 tissue plasminogen activator, protein S and C, antithrombin, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, thrombomodulin and prothrombin time (PT) were measured in patient plasma. RESULTS: soluble thrombomodulin was significantly lower and von Willebrand factor (vWF) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) significantly higher in Beh?et's patients. Patients with vascular involvement showed the highest levels of vWF and tPA. There was no activation of coagulation, not even in patients with an active disease at the time of sampling. CONCLUSION: there were indirect signs of endothelial activity or damage, particularly in patients with vascular involvement. Coagulation was not activated.     

Are there any new reliable markers to detect renal injury in obese children?

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the serum and urine levels of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), osteopontin (OPN), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and serum Cystatin-C to determine the renal effect of obesity in obese children.

Methods: Seventy-two obese and 35 non-obese healthy children were included in this study. Blood pressure (BP) was evaluated with office measurement. Creatinine, cystatin C, lipids, fasting glucose, and insulin levels were measured, and homeostasis model assessment -insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The urine albumin/creatinine ratio was calculated. The serum and urine KIM-1, NGAL, OPN, and MMP-9 levels were measured.

Results: Serum cystatin-C, triglyceride, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were found to be significantly higher in the obese group (p?=?.0001), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was found to be significantly lower (p?=?.019) in the obese group. No significant differences were found in serum KIM-1, NGAL, OPN or MMP-9 levels between groups (p?>?.05). No significant differences were found in urine KIM-1 and MMP-9 levels (p?>?.05), Urine NGAL, and OPN levels were found significantly higher in obese groups (p?Conclusions: According to our results, although serum KIM-1, NGAL, OPN, MMP-9, and urine MMP-9, urine KIM-1 do not appear to be ideal markers to evaluate renal injury in the early period of obesity, the serum levels of cystatin C and urine NGAL, urine OPN can be used as a good marker for assessing the renal effect of obesity which can lead end stage renal disease in pediatric population.     

Pressure traps in femoro-popliteal reversed vein grafts. Are valves culprits?

BACKGROUND: Stenosis is a major cause of vein graft failure in peripheral arterial surgery. Our goal is to determine whether vein valves play a role in this process by creating a "pressure trap". METHODS: Seventeen patients with femoro-popliteal reversed saphenous vein grafts were studied intraoperatively. Flow and pressure in the grafts were measured, while the graft outflow was gradually occluded and released for 2-4 seconds. In 3 patients the graft flow was reduced by compressing calf muscles. RESULTS: Patients heart rates were 54-84 BPM, blood pressures 170/80-110/55 mm Hg, and normal graft flow was 40-180 ml/min. In 12 patients with competent vein valves, at reduced flow (<30 m/min) the valves opened and closed in each cardiac cycle. At each closure the pressure was "trapped" distal to the valve producing diastolic hypertension. Also the flow was stagnant for a considerable portion of the cardiac cycle. Maximum diastolic pressure gradient across the valve ranged from 35 to 60 mm Hg and the level of pressure trapped was inversely proportional to the graft flow. CONCLUSIONS: In patients in whom reversed vein grafts with competent valves are placed in the femoro-popliteal positions a "pressure-trap" develops in the distal segment. This segmental hypertension combined with the flow stagnation could play an important role in the graft thickening and stenosis.