TEA reduces liver injury in necrotizing acute pancreatitis. This could be related to a regional sympathetic block. TEA could thus preserve liver function in systemic inflammatory disorders such as acute pancreatitis.

IntroductionLiver dysfunction is a common feature of severe sepsis and is associated with a poor outcome. Both liver perfusion and hepatic inflammatory response in sepsis might be affected by sympathetic nerve activity. However, the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA), which is associated with regional sympathetic block, on septic liver injury are unknown. Therefore, we investigated hepatic microcirculation and inflammatory response during TEA in septic rats.MethodsForty-five male Sprague-Dawley-rats were instrumented with thoracic epidural catheters and randomized to receive a sham procedure (Sham), cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) without epidural anesthesia (Sepsis) and CLP with epidural infusion of 15 ul/h bupivacaine 0.5% (Sepsis + TEA). All animals received 2 ml/100 g/h NaCl 0.9%. In 24 (n = 8 in each group) rats, sinusoidal diameter, loss of sinusoidal perfusion and sinusoidal blood flow as well as temporary and permanent leukocyte adhesion to sinusoidal and venolar endothelium were recorded by intravital microscopy after 24 hours. In 21 (n = 7 in each group) separate rats, cardiac output was measured by thermodilution. Blood pressure, heart rate, serum transaminase activity, serum TNF-alpha concentration and histologic signs of tissue injury were recorded.ResultsWhereas cardiac output remained constant in all groups, sinusoidal blood flow increased in the Sepsis group and was normalized in rats subjected to sepsis and TEA. Sepsis-induced sinusoidal vasoconstriction was not ameliorated by TEA. In the Sepsis + TEA group, the increase in temporary venolar leukocyte adherence was blunted. In contrast to this, sinusoidal leukocyte adherence was not ameliorated in the Sepsis + TEA group. Sepsis-related release of TNF-alpha and liver tissue injury were not affected by Sepsis + TEA.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that TEA reverses sepsis-induced alterations in hepatic perfusion and ameliorates hepatic leukocyte recruitment in sepsis.

With a custom-made measuring unit, two separate experiments, involving six and five cadaveric torsos with intact rib cages and sternums, respectively, were carried out to determine the effect of the transection of the anterior longitudinal ligament with and without osteodiscectomy and its influence on the thoracic kyphosis. The open or thoracoscopically assisted anterior release, as part of the operative treatment of scoliosis or kyphosis, usually consists of a transection of the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) and an additional discectomy. A complete osteodiscectomy, however, is not always possible with a minimally invasive approach. As part of our biomechanical research, we attempted to quantify the amount of correction achievable with a defined force prior to and following the isolated transection of the anterior longitudinal ligament. The aim of the study was to clarify whether or not an isolated transection of the anterior longitudinal ligament is sufficient to obtain an adequate anterior release of the spine. In the surgical treatment of kyphotic deformities, anterior release of the spine is performed in the form of a transection of the ALL and discectomy. Recently, video-assisted thoracic surgery has become increasingly popular in spine surgery. As part of this change in surgical technique, the question has arisen as to what extent an isolated transection of the ALL provides an adequate release of the thoracic spine. Eleven human spines were retrieved from fresh cadavers, dissected, and attached to a specially constructed apparatus. The spine was attached to the construct at the twelfth vertebral body. C6 and C7 were fixed in synthetic resin. We installed the instruments in such a manner as to reproducibly apply a torsional moment of 10 Nm to the spine. Motion was only permitted in the sagittal plane. Segmental transections of the ALL were carried out from T3 to T7. For comparison, the sagittal Cobb angle was also documented following an anterior release combined with an osteodiscectomy. With the isolated transection of the ALL, an average correction of the sagittal Cobb angle of 4 degrees in each functional spinal motion segment was recorded. In comparison, the additional osteodiscectomy led to a further average increase of only 2 degrees per level. The measurements performed on human cadavers showed that the isolated transection of the ALL leads to a sufficient anterior release of the thoracic spine, allowing a correction of the kyphotic deformity. The release with a concomitant osteodiscectomy represents a more time-consuming and more invasive procedure resulting in only a slightly greater amelioration of the sagittal Cobb angle, while being associated with a greater patient morbidity.

BackgroundAll European countries need to increase the number of health professionals in the near future. Most efforts have not brought the expected results so far. The current notion is that this is mainly related to the fact that female physicians will clearly outnumber their male colleagues within a few years in nearly all European countries. Still, women are underrepresented in leadership and research positions throughout Europe.ObjectivesThe MedGoFem project addresses multiple perspectives with the participation of multiple stakeholders. The goal is to facilitate the implementation of Gender Equality Plans (GEP) in university hospitals; thereby, transforming the working conditions for women working as researchers and highly qualified physicians simultaneously. Our proposed innovation, a crosscutting topic in all research and clinical activities, must become an essential part of university hospital strategic concepts.MethodsWe capture the current status with gender-sensitive demographic data concerning medical staff and conduct Web-based surveys to identify cultural, country-specific, and interdisciplinary factors conducive to women’s academic success. Individual expectations of employees regarding job satisfaction and working conditions will be visualized based on “personal construct theory” through repertory grids. An expert board working out scenarios and a gender topic agenda will identify culture-, nation-, and discipline-specific aspects of gender equality. University hospitals in 7 countries will establish consensus groups, which work on related topics. Hospital management supports the consensus groups, valuates group results, and shares discussion results and suggested measures across groups. Central findings of the consensus groups will be prepared as exemplary case studies for academic teaching on research and work organization, leadership, and management.ResultsA discussion group on gender equality in academic medicine will be established on an internationally renowned open-research platform. Project results will be published in peer-reviewed journals with high-impact factors. In addition, workshops on gender dimension in research using the principles of Gendered Innovation will be held. Support and consulting services for hospitals will be introduced in order to develop a European consulting service.ConclusionsThe main impact of the project will be the implementation of innovative GEP tailored to the needs of university hospitals, which will lead to measurable institutional change in gender equality. This will impact the research at university hospitals in general, and will improve career prospects of female researchers in particular. Simultaneously, the gender dimension in medical research as an innovation factor and mandatory topic will be strengthened and integrated in each individual university hospital research activity. Research funding organizations can use the built knowledge to include mandatory topics for funding applications to enforce the use and implementation of GEP in university hosp...

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