Inflammation in human brain injury: intracerebral concentrations of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and their endogenous inhibitor IL-1ra

Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), cascades of inflammatory processes occur. Laboratory studies implicate the cytokines interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and IL-1beta in the pathophysiology of TBI and cerebral ischemia, whilst exogenous and endogenous interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is neuroprotective. We analyzed IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1ra in brain microdialysates (100-kDa membrane) in 15 TBI patients. We also analyzed energy-related molecules (glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glutamate, and the lactate/pyruvate ratio) in these brain microdialysates. Mean of mean (+/-SD) in vitro microdialysis percentage recoveries (extraction efficiencies) were IL-1alpha 19.7+/-7.6%, IL-1beta 23.9+/-10.5%, and IL-1ra 20.9+/-6.3%. In the patients' brain microdialysates, mean of mean cytokine concentrations (not corrected for percentage recovery) were IL-1alpha 5.6+/-14.8 pg/mL, IL-1beta 10.4+/-14.7 pg/mL, and IL-1ra 2796+/-2918 pg/mL. IL-1ra was consistently much higher than IL-1alpha and IL-1beta. There were no significant relationships between IL-1 family cytokines and energy-related molecules. There was a significant correlation between increasing IL-1beta and increasing IL-1ra (Spearman r=0.59, p=0.028). There was also a significant relationship between increasing IL-1ra and decreasing intracranial pressure (Spearman r=-0.57, p=0.041). High concentrations of IL-1ra, and also high IL-1ra/IL-1beta ratio, were associated with better outcome (Mann Whitney, p=0.018 and p=0.0201, respectively), within these 15 patients. It is unclear whether these IL-1ra concentrations are sufficient to antagonize the effects of IL-1beta in vivo. This study demonstrates feasibility of our microdialysis methodology in recovering IL-1 family cytokines for assessing their inter-relationships in the injured human brain, and suggests a neuroprotective role for IL-1ra. It remains to be seen whether exogenous IL-1ra or other agents can be used to manipulate cytokine levels in the brain, for potential therapeutic effect.     

Laparoscopic appendectomy is superior to open appendectomy in obese patients

BACKGROUND: There are minimal data comparing laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) with open appendectomy (OA) in obese patients. METHODS: We reviewed consecutive adult patients from 2003 to 2005 who underwent an appendectomy at a University-affiliated teaching hospital. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of 30 or greater. Outcome measures included length of stay, surgical times, intra-abdominal abscesses, wound infections, and hospital charges. RESULTS: There were 116 patients with a mean body mass index of 35. Eighty-five patients underwent LA, 12 were converted to open, 4 of 12 (31%) were perforated. Thirty-one patients underwent OA. Overall, 21 (18%) were perforated. Length of stay for LA was better, 3.4 days versus 5.5 days for OA (P = .02), and wound closure rate was better, 90% for LA versus 68% for OA (P < .01). Other outcome measures were equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: LA is associated with shorter lengths of stay, fewer open wounds, and equivalent hospital charges and intra-abdominal abscess rates; and should be considered the procedure of choice for obese patients with appendicitis.     

Treatment of perioral rhytids

Many techniques exist for treating rhytids in the perioral region. Injectable fillers, Botox, implants, lip lifts, and lip advancements all produce lasting results. Resurfacing procedures can also be used to rejuvenate this area. This article discusses the use of chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laser resurfacing, alone or in combination, as methods to reduce fine and vertical rhytids of the upper and lower lips and superficial scarring in the perioral region. The authors emphasize that the best outcomes are often achieved using a combination of these modalities tailored to each patient's needs, which also allows surgeons greater flexibility in achieving maximal results. This article also discusses patient selection, counseling, planning, and techniques that have yielded consistent results with high patient satisfaction.     

Sildenafil Prevents Cardiovascular Changes after Bone Marrow Fat Embolization in Sheep

Background: Sudden, intraoperative cardiovascular deterioration as a result of pulmonary embolization of bone marrow fat is a potentially fatal complication during total hip and knee arthroplasty, intramedullary nailing, and spine surgery. Anesthetic management is challenging in the presence of increased right ventricular afterload due to pulmonary hypertension. Selective pulmonary vasodilation may be an appropriate prophylactic or therapeutic measure. The effect of sildenafil (phosphodiesterase inhibitor) on cardiovascular deterioration after bone marrow fat embolization was therefore investigated.

Methods: Bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate) was injected into three lumbar vertebrae in 12 sheep. Invasive blood pressures and heart rate were recorded continuously until 60 min after the last injection. Cardiac output and arterial and mixed venous blood gas variables were measured at selected time points. Before the first cement injection, 6 animals received a bolus injection (0.7 mg/kg) of sildenafil, with continuous infusion (0.2 mg [middle dot] kg-1 [middle dot] h-1) thereafter. Postmortem lung and kidney biopsies were taken for semiquantitative analysis of intravascular fat.

Results: Fat embolism was associated with a transient increase (21 +/- 7mmHg) in pulmonary arterial pressure. A transient decrease in arterial blood pressure and temporary increases in central venous pressure and dead space were also observed. No significant changes in any cardiovascular variable were observed after fat embolism in the sildenafil group. There was significantly (P < 0.05) less intravascular fat in the lungs of the sildenafil (median count of 5 emboli per microscopic view) compared with the control group (median count of 1).     

Natural orifice surgery with an endoluminal mobile robot

Natural orifice transgastric endoscopic surgery promises to eliminate skin incisions and reduce postoperative pain and discomfort. Such an approach provides a distinct benefit as compared with conventional laparoscopy, in which multiple entry incisions are required for tools and camera. Endoscopy currently is the only method for performing procedures through the gastrointestinal tract. However, this approach is limited by instrumentation and the need to pass the entire scope into the patient. In contrast, an untethered miniature robot inserted through the mouth would be able to enter the abdominal cavity through a gastrotomy for exploration of the entire peritoneal cavity. In this study, the authors developed an endoluminal robot capable of transgastric abdominal exploration under esophagogastroduodenoscopic (EGD) control. Under EGD control, a gastrotomy was created, and the miniature robot was deployed into the abdominal cavity under remote control. Ultimately, future procedures will include a family of robots working together inside the gastric and abdominal cavities after their insertion through the esophagus. Such technology will help to reduce patient trauma while providing surgical flexibility.     

Bone Mineral Density Determinations by Dual-Energy x-ray Absorptiometry in the Management of Patients with Marfan Syndrome—Some Factors Which Affect the Measurement

Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) was sporadically reported in patients with Marfan syndrome. This may or may not place the Marfan patient at increased risk for bone fracture. In comparing the BMDs of our patients with those reported in the literature, it seemed that agreement between values, and hence the degree of osteoporosis or osteopenia reported, was dependent on the instrumentation used. The objective of this study was to statistically assess this impression. Bone mineral density measurements from our previously published study of 30 adults with Marfan syndrome performed on a Lunar DPXL machine were compared with studies published between 1993–2000 measured using either Lunar or Hologic bone densitometry instruments. The differences of our measurements compared with those made on other Lunar machines were not statistically significant, but did differ significantly with published results from Hologic machines (P < 0.001). Before progress can be made in the assessment of BMD and fracture risk in Marfan patients and in the evidence-based orthopedic management of these patients, standardization of instrumental bone density determinations will be required along with considerations of height, obesity, age, and sex.     

Quality of life in women with stress urinary incontinence

The objective of this study was to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) in 655 women with stress urinary incontinence who elected surgical treatment. The following factors were examined for their association with QoL as measured with the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ): number of incontinence (UI) episodes/day; self-reported type of UI symptoms (stress and urge); sexual function as measured by the Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire; symptom bother as measured by the Urogenital Distress Inventory; as well as other clinical and sociodemographic factors. A stepwise least-squares regression analysis was used to identify factors significantly associated with QoL. Lower QoL was related to the greater frequency of stress UI symptoms, increasing severity, greater symptom bother, prior UI surgery or treatment, and sexual dysfunction (if sexually active). Health and sociodemographic factors associated with lower incontinence-related QoL included current tobacco use, younger age, lower socioeconomic status, and Hispanic ethnicity. Supported by cooperative agreements from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, with additional support from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Office of Research on Women’s Health, National Institutes of Health.     

Cadaver fitting study of the DexAide right ventricular assist device

The DexAide right ventricular assist device (RVAD) has been developed to provide an implantable RVAD option to surgeons. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal cannula design and optimal implantation location of the DexAide RVAD in preparation for its clinical use. Separately, a HeartMate XVE left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and CorAide LVAD models were implanted into the preperitoneal and right thoracic space, and the anatomical fit of the DexAide RVAD was evaluated in five preserved human cadavers. The DexAide RVAD inflow cannula was inserted through the diaphragmatic surface of the right ventricle and the outflow was directed to the pulmonary artery. Right thoracic implantation of the DexAide RVAD provided an excellent fit with either the HeartMate or CorAide LVAD in all cadavers. The results of this study will guide improvements in the designs of cannulae and implantation of the DexAide RVAD in future clinical applications.     

Results of inferior vena caval interruption by greenfield filter, ligation or resection during radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy

PURPOSE: Surgical resection for patients with renal cell carcinoma and venous tumor thrombus may require interruption of the inferior vena cava using a Greenfield filter, ligation or resection. We describe the indications, technique, complications and outcomes of vena caval interruption during nephrectomy with tumor thrombectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 160 patients treated for level II-IV tumor thrombus at our institution between 1970 and 2004. Operative reports were reviewed to establish vena caval interruption. All patients who underwent interruption were assessed for postoperative disability according to the American Venous Forum International Consensus Committee. RESULTS: Vena caval interruption was performed in 40 of 160 cases (25%), including 14 level II, 10 level III and 16 level IV thrombi. A total of 34 patients (85%) were symptomatic at presentation. A Greenfield filter was deployed before cavotomy closure in 4 of 160 patients (2.5%) for bland thrombus of the infrarenal vena cava. Vena caval ligation was used for bland thrombus that completely occluded the infrarenal vena cava in 23 of 160 patients (14.4%), while segmental vena caval resection was performed for tumor thrombus growing into the wall of the vena cava or for tumor thrombus that interfaced with bland thrombus in 13 of 160 (8.1%). Postoperatively no case was class 3 disability, 12 of 40 (30%) were class 2, 12 of 40 (30%) were class 1 and 16 of 40 (40%) showed no disability. CONCLUSIONS: The need to interrupt the inferior vena cava is not infrequent in patients undergoing radical nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy, and it may be well tolerated postoperatively. Management should be based on the degree of venous occlusion and the presence of bland thrombus.