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Transepithelial migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) plays a crucial role in inflammatory conditions of the intestine, such as inflammatory bowel diseases. Hypertonic saline (HS) exerts various inhibitory effects on PMN function. We hypothesized that HS could inhibit transepithelial migration of PMN and thereby prevent inflammatory events in experimental colitis. Isolated human PMN were treated with HS (40 mM), and their transmigration across a monolayer of T84 epithelial cells was induced by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Monolayer disruption was assessed by monitoring changes in transepithelial conductance in an Ussing chamber. Colitis in mice was induced by oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Animals were treated with 4 or 8 ml/kg of 7.5% saline intraperitoneally two times daily for 7 days. Controls received equivalent volumes of normal saline (NS, n = 6) or no intraperitoneal treatment (DSS, n = 12). The severity of inflammation was evaluated based on disease activity index and histology score. HS treatment of PMN in vitro significantly reduced cell migration and the disruption of T84 mono-layers compared with untreated control cells (n = 5, P < 0.05). This effect of HS was dose dependent. HS treatment in vivo also reduced colitis-induced gut tissue damage, as indicated by an improved histology score compared with the NS and DSS groups. We conclude that HS inhibits transepithelial migration of PMN in vitro and gut tissue damage in vivo in a mouse model of colitis. Thus HS may have clinical value to reduce PMN-mediated intestinal damage. neutrophil activation; inflammatory bowel disease; hypertonic saline solution; inflammation; epithelium

Classical molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were used for examining the surface tensions in the NaCl-water-air systems. Results suggest a weak, positive dependence of the simulated surface tension on pressure for NaCl-air, water-air and NaCl-solution.

Byline: R. Oliveira (1), R. Weingartner (2), E. Ribas (2), R. Moraes (2), G. Friedman (1) Keywords: Sepsis Hypertonic saline Small volume Hemodynamics Dextran Clinical trial Abstract: Abstract Objective. To study the haemodynamic effects of a hypertonic saline/dextran solution compared with a normal saline solution in patients with severe sepsis. Design. Prospective double blind and control-randomised study. Setting. Adult intensive care unit in a university hospital. Patients. Twenty-nine patients with sepsis with a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) lower than 12 mmHg. Interventions. Patients were randomised to receive 250 ml of blinded solutions of either normal saline (SS group, n=16) or hypertonic saline (NaCl 7.5%)/dextran 70 8% (HSS group, n=13) solutions. Measurements and results. Haemodynamic, blood gas, and sodium data were collected at the following time points: baseline, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min, and 180 min. PAOP was higher in the HSS group at 30 min (10.7+-3.2 mmHg vs 6.8+-3.2 mmHg) and 60 min (10.3+-3 mmHg vs 7.4+-2.9 mmHg) P Conclusion. Hypertonic saline/dextran solution may improve cardiovascular performance in severe sepsis without significant side effects. The haemodynamic effect appears related mainly to a volume effect. Author Affiliation: (1) Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Fernandes Vieira 181/601, 90035--091 Porto Alegre, Brazil (2) Central Intensive Care Unit, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericordia, Porto Alegre, Brazil Article History: Received Date: 29/01/2002 Accepted Date: 04/09/2002 Article note: Electronic Publication

Byline: Mette M. Berger (1), Anne Pictet (2), Jean-Pierre Revelly (1), Philippe Frascarolo (3), Rene L. Chiolero (1) Keywords: Thermal injury Burn Fluid resuscitation Hyperchloremic acidosis Normal saline Lactate Bicarbonate Acid base Abstract: Objective: The study aimed at assessing the impact of the introduction of a bicarbonated saline solution on total fluid load, weight gain and acid base status during acute burn resuscitation. Design: Based on a retrospective patient record review. Setting: Burn care centre of a surgical ICU in a tertiary university hospital. Patients: Two groups of adult patients (20/20), with thermal burns of 25% or more body surface area were studied. Intervention: Modification of the resuscitation fluid composition from lactated Ringer's solution (LR: Na 132 mmol/l, Cl 112 mmol/l, 263 mosm/l), to bicarbonated 0.9% saline (BS: Na 180 mmol/l, Cl 154 mmol/l, 340 mosm/l) Methods: Age, weight, burn size and depth, inhalation injury, fluid intakes over 48 h post-injury, plasma sodium, chloride, creatinine, albumin levels, blood gases and ventilation support were recorded. Results: The demographic characteristics of the patients (41+-16 years) in the two groups were not different, with severe burns involving 44+-17% body surface area. While the total fluid volumes administered did not differ, BS was associated with lower plasma pH, base excess and bicarbonate levels for 24 h and with hyperchloraemia. Clinical evolution did not differ. Conclusions: Using bicarbonated saline solution for resuscitation causes a transient hyperchloraemic dilutional acidosis compared with LR, and has no other detectable clinical impact over the first 10 days after severe burn injury. Author Affiliation: (1) Soins Intensifs de Chirurgie, CHUV -- BH08.660, CH 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland (2) Chirurgie Plastique et Reconstructive, CHUV, CH 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland (3) Anesthesiologie, CHUV, CH 1011 -- Lausanne, Switzerland Article History: Received Date: 03/01/2000 Accepted Date: 03/07/2000 Article note: Electronic Publication

Byline: B. Barry (1), A. Mallick (1), G. Hartley (1), A. Bodenham (1), M. Vucevic (1) Keywords: Key words Gastric mucosal pH; Critical care: monitoring: splanchnic; Gas tonometry: saline tonometry Abstract: Objective: 1) To compare saline gastric tonometry monitoring with air tonometry (Tonocap) in a group of general ICU patients. 2) An in vitro investigation of the performance of other fluids used in gastric tonometry and to assess the effects of variation of temperature and carbon dioxide concentration within the range encountered in clinical use. Design: a) A prospective, observational study in ICU patients b) A comparative laboratory study. Setting: The general Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the laboratory at Leeds General Infirmary. Patients and participants: Nine patients in the general ICU with severe sepsis or septic shock. Measurements and results: In vivo comparison of saline and air tonometry demonstrated a difference between the two techniques. Bland &amp Altman analysis showed a mean bias in the measurement of gastric PCO.sub.2 of 1.88 kPa with a precision of 1.22 kPa, with saline giving the lower result. In vitro, saline, air (Tonocap), gelatin and heparinised blood were used, at temperatures of 33--42 degC and at carbon dioxide concentrations of 4--8 kPa. While gelatin and blood gave unpredictable results, dependent on temperature and carbon dioxide concentration, air tonometry gave highly reproducible results. A consistent bias between the results with saline and air tonometry was seen over the range of temperatures and carbon dioxide (Co.sub.2) concentrations studied. The mean bias was 0.85 kPa with a precision of 0.40 kPa, saline consistently giving lower results. Conclusions: There are clinically significant differences in values for gastric mucosal PCO.sub.2 measured by air tonometry and saline tonometry both in vivo and in vitro. Author Affiliation: (1) Academic Unit of Anaesthesia, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK Tel.: + 44 113 391 6363 Fax: + 44 113 391 6361, GB Article note: Received: 19 December 1997 Accepted: 22 May 1998

The encapsulation of saline solution as an impurity in tetrahydrofuran clathrate hydrates grown in a stoichiometric solution with 3 wt % and the release of a saline solution during melting along with inclusion migration by hydrate recrystallization during annealing are studied. Interfermetric observation revealed that the salt concentration increased locally in the solution near the growth interface.

A study on ice formation from saline at concentrations near that of seawater, by cryo-etch high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, is presented. The study reveals some surprising morphologies.

A study is undertaken to synthesize microemulsion with the help of amphiphilic block copolymers. The findings indicate that pluronic microemulsions are an efficient system for the extraction of bupivacaine from normal saline.

Recent crocodilians live primarily in freshwater habitats. However two species (Crocodylus acutus and C. porosus) are estuarine specialists; two others (C. niloticus and C. johnstoni) that are primarily found in fresh water, have estuarine populations. Routes of uptake of water and sodium include drinking, feeding and associated incidental drinking, and integumental and buccal diffusion. Routes of loss include faeces-cloacal fluid, lingual salt glands, integumental and buccal diffusion, and respiratory loss. The least understood route of salt and water exchange is that of the oral and buccal epithelia, which are much more permeable to water and sodium than the general integument. The freshwater alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) osmoregulates in a manner typical for an amphibious reptile. Body sodium turnover is low and the general integument is quite low in permeability to sodium. Water turnover is more rapid (in terms of molar exchange) but still relatively low for an aquatice reptile. Most water exchange occurs across the integument and buccal epithelia. The presence of lingual salt glands in freshwater crocodilians remains enigmatic, as does the failure of these exocrine glands in estuarine species to respond to saline loading. Secretion does occur after injection of the parasympathetic stimulant methacholine chloride. The "salt water crocodile" (C. porosus) possesses a suite of osmoregulatory adaptations similar to those found in other estuarine reptiles. Water and sodium balance are maintained primarily by an extremely low general permeability to sodium, by economies in water loss, and by excretion of excess sodium by the lingual salt glands. Further work is needed to examine newly hatched C. porosus, and the possibility of ontogenetic change in lingual gland function in C. acutus. The importance of incidental drinking of sea water during feeding (recently discovered in turtles) needs to be evaluated in crocodilians. The use of osmoregulatory data in interpretation of the evolutionary history of the genus Crocodylus needs to be viewed with caution. The hypothesis that all species Crocodylus originated from the transoceanic migration of a saline-tolerant form may not be the most parsimonious explanation.

Sponsored by United States Army Institute of Surgical Research. In a burn population, conduct a prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial to determine the ability of spray silicone to alter [...]

Research was conducted to examine plasma volume expansion with solutions of hemoglobin, albumin, and Ringer lactate in sheep. Plasma volume expansion and hemodynamic responses were measured in conscious hemorrhaged and normovolemic splenectomized sheep after a 30-min infusion of either diaspirin cross-linked hemoglogin, human albumin or Ringer lactate solution. Results indicate that, in addition to their effects on oxygen-carrying capacity and vasoactivity, free hemoglobin solutions may have another important characteristic, namely, enahnced volume expansion.