Influence of nitrous oxide on rat skin allograft.

Adult male Lewis/f Mai rats underwent skin allografts and the time for complete loss of the graft was compared among different groups treated with different methods. The rats were exposed in isolation chambers to an atmosphere of either room air (control groups I and IV for nitrous oxide-exposed groups, 20% and 40%, respectively); or an atmosphere of oxygen supplemented respectively with 20% and 40% nitrous oxide (the balance being nitrogen) continuously after transplant surgery (Groups II and V respectively); or 48 hours prior to transplantation and with air exposure only after surgery (Groups III or VI respectively). Results indicated that nitrous oxide-exposed rats had significantly prolonged skin allograft survival.

Suppression of chemotaxis to corneal inflammation by nitrous oxide.

Immune competency is depressed in the perioperative period. The role of anesthetic agents in immune reactivity remains unclear. The chemotactic migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to the cornea of rabbits injured by clove oil was studied.

Histamine release by four narcotics: a double-blind study in humans.

Histamine release and hemodynamic changes associated with four narcotics were studied in 60 adults (28 men, 32 women) scheduled for general surgery under balanced anesthesia. Under double-blind conditions, incremental equipotent doses of meperidine, morphine, fentanyl, or sufentanil were administered IV for induction of anesthesia, prior to thiopental, succinylcholine, and intubation. Arterial blood samples were drawn before and 1, 6, and 20 min after narcotic administration.

Classification of muscle spindle receptors.

The conduction velocities of muscle spindle afferent fibers have a bimodal distribution, and classifications of spindle receptors based on afferent fiber diameter have therefore divided these receptors into two groups, the well known primary and secondary endings. However, measures of spindle function that are likely to be important for kinesthetic sensibility such as dynamic response, adaptation and linear directionality (hysteresis) are distributed rather uniformly. Therefore, from this functional perspective it might be argued that muscle spindle receptors should not be subdivided at all.

Comparison of morphine, meperidine, fentanyl, and sufentanil in balanced anesthesia: a double-blind study.

A double-blind study comparing four narcotic analgesics of different potencies, meperidine, morphine, fentanyl, and sufentanil, was performed on consenting patients undergoing general or orthopedic surgery under balanced anesthesia. Blood pressure, measured through an indwelling arterial catheter, was recorded continuously, as were ECG and heart rates. The narcotics, made up in equipotent concentrations, were given as indicated by hemodynamic and clinical signs.