Physiology Update - The Cori cycle

"Overall, the glycolysis part of the cycle produces 2 ATP molecules at a cost of 6 ATP molecules consumed in the gluconeogenesis part. Each iteration of the cycle must be maintained by a net consumption of 4 ATP molecules. As a result, the cycle cannot be sustained indefinitely ..." See Link.

Journal Club - Management of split skin graft donor sites-results of a national survey

"The authors wished to obtain a 'snapshot' of the range of practice in the management of split skin graft donor sites in the British Isles ... " See Link.

Journal Club - High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation by David Collins

A presentation by David Collins on High Frequency Oscillation Ventilation at Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney. See Link.

Pathology Update - Moyamoya syndrome

"... is a disease in which certain arteries in the brain are constricted. Blood flow is blocked by the constriction, and also by blood clots (thrombosis). The blood vessels develop collateral circulation around the blocked vessels to compensate for the blockage, but the collateral vessels are small, weak, and prone to hemorrhage, aneurysm and thrombosis. ..." See Link.

Quote of the Day - Jack Lalanne

"if man made it, don't eat it", and "if it tastes good, spit it out." See Link.

Journal Club - The role of pulmonary embolectomy in the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism: a literature review from 1968 to 2008☆

"Although traditionally reserved as rescue therapy for cases of failed thrombolysis, surgical embolectomy is a safe procedure with low mortality when performed early and in a selected group of patients ..." See Link.

General News - Wikipedia Offline Protest. What exactly is Wikipedia doing?

"Wikipedia is protesting against SOPA and PIPA by blacking out the English Wikipedia for 24 hours, beginning at midnight January 18, Eastern Time. Readers who come to English Wikipedia during the blackout will not be able to read the encyclopedia ..." See Link.

Journal Club - Using an evidence-based protocol to guide rehabilitation and weaning of ventilator-dependent cervical spinal cord injury patients

"An evidence-based clinical protocol was developed to improve ventilatory muscle strength and endurance of venti- lator-dependent cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. ..." See Link.

General News - Intravenous N-acetylcysteine improves transplant-free survival in early stage non-acetaminophen acute liver failure.

"Intravenous NAC improves transplant-free survival in patients with early stage non-acetaminophen-related acute liver failure. Patients with advanced coma grades do not benefit from NAC and typically require emergency liver transplantation. ..." See Link.

Journal Club - The Role of Serum Lactate in the Acute Care Setting

"Lactate is produced as an end product of anaerobic metabolism. Elevated levels are associated with increased morbidity and mortality and are nearly always pathologic ..." See Link.