Discovery and spectroscopy of the young jovian planet 51 Eri b with the Gemini Planet Imager.

Directly detecting thermal emission from young extrasolar planets allows measurement of their atmospheric compositions and luminosities, which are influenced by their formation mechanisms. Using the Gemini Planet Imager, we discovered a planet orbiting the ~20-million-year-old star 51 Eridani at a projected separation of 13 astronomical units. Near-infrared observations show a spectrum with strong methane and water-vapor absorption. Modeling of the spectra and photometry yields a luminosity (normalized by the luminosity of the Sun) of 1.6 to 4.0 × 10(-6) and an effective temperature of 600 to 750 kelvin. For this age and luminosity, "hot-start" formation models indicate a mass twice that of Jupiter. This planet also has a sufficiently low luminosity to be consistent with the "cold-start" core-accretion process that may have formed Jupiter.

Mini-review: Lactoferrin: a bioinspired, anti-biofilm therapeutic.

Medically relevant biofilms have gained a significant level of interest, in part because of the epidemic rise in obesity and an aging population in the developed world. The associated comorbidities of chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and diabetic foot wounds remain recalcitrant to the therapies available currently. Development of chronicity in the wound is due primarily to an inability to complete the wound healing process owing to the presence of a bioburden, specifically bacterial biofilms. New therapies are clearly needed which specifically target biofilms. Lactoferrin is a multifaceted molecule of the innate immune system found primarily in milk. While further investigation is warranted to elucidate mechanisms of action, in vitro analyses of lactoferrin and its derivatives have demonstrated that these complex molecules are structurally and functionally well suited to address the heterogeneity of bacterial biofilms. In addition, use of lactoferrin and its derivatives has proven promising in the clinic.

Intra-aortic balloon pump for combined myocardial contusion and thoracic aortic rupture.

The coexistence of myocardial contusion and thoracic aortic injury is probably more common than recognized following rapid deceleration multisystem trauma. This report describes the successful application of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in a critically injured patient requiring emergent repair of a thoracic aortic tear complicated by ventricular failure due to cardiac contusion.

The role of a regional trauma system in the management of a mass disaster: an analysis of the Keystone, Colorado, chairlift accident.

On December 14, 1985, the Teller chairlift at the Keystone, Colorado, ski area collapsed, throwing 60 of the 372 people aboard to the ground from heights up to 50 feet. Initial triage and management of the victims was carried out by the local ski patrol, the on-duty physician at the area's Snake River Health Services Clinic, and by volunteer physicians and nurses present at the scene. Thirty-three people required immediate evacuation to hospitals, most of them being transported 75 miles by helicopter air ambulance to level I and II trauma centers in the Denver metropolitan area. Eighteen of these air-evacuated patients were in serious or critical condition. Less seriously injured victims were treated at local medical facilities. The scene evacuation was carried out by helicopter and ground vehicles in accordance with an existing disaster plan coordinated by the Colorado Trauma Institute (CTI). The unique problems posed by a mass casualty incident in a remote mountain location are emphasized by this tragedy. Patient salvage due to the efficacy of a regionally organized trauma system is clearly demonstrated.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis with pneumoperitoneum in renal transplant patients on cyclosporine and prednisone.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis has been detected in 3/103 kidney transplant patients (3%) treated with CsA and prednisone, in contrast to less than 1% of kidney transplant patients treated with Aza and prednisone. In these three patients, the diagnosis of PCI was made by plain x-rays, 10 to 25 days after transplantation. PCI may be more likely to occur in patients with CsA trough blood levels above the recommended therapeutic range. There was associated pneumoperitoneum in all three patients, but none were subjected to exploratory laparotomy. PCI and associated pneumoperitoneum were not associated with adverse effects in any of our three patients. Antibiotics and exploratory laparotomy appear to be unnecessary.

Role of the observation unit in the management of thoracic trauma.

Use of the observation unit in the management of 150 consecutive patients sustaining blunt or penetrating thoracic trauma, and initially presenting with stable vital signs, normal physical examination findings, and normal chest x-ray studies, was reviewed. All patients requiring admission declared themselves within six hours, with the exception of one asymptomatic patient whose repeat x-ray study was slightly delayed. Of the 150 patients, 129 (86%) were spared hospital admission, and no increased morbidity or mortality could be associated with our policy of selective hospital admission.