In septic shock patients, high amounts of circulating TNF-alpha and IL-6 are found and then correlate with fatal outcome. In trauma patients (even those patients resuscitated from hemorrhagic shock), much less increased concentrations of IL-6 are detected while normal TNF-alpha circulating concentrations are measured. In these patients, cytokine concentrations do not correlate with outcome. This finding suggests a much higher degree of activation of the immunoinflammatory cascade in septic shock than in multiple trauma patients. Increased IL-6 values are an indicator of the development of a nosocomial infection in trauma patients.

In this prospective study, continuous femoral nerve catheters were effective for postoperative analgesia but had a frequent rate of bacterial catheter colonization. We found no serious infections after short-term (2-day) infusion. Side effects were few, but one nerve injury occurred.

A means to an end: Polyethylene chains obtained by catalyzed chain growth on magnesium and exhibiting molar masses up to 5000 g mol−1 have been end‐functionalized in high yield with iodide, azide, and amine reactive end groups (see scheme). The functionalized polyethylenes can be used to generate a range of reactive polyolefins; for example, the azide‐functionalized chain can undergo “click” reactions to afford macromonomers.