Thoracoscopic Vertebral Body Tethering for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Follow-up Curve Behavior According to Sanders Skeletal Maturity Staging.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Objective: To report the follow-up curve behaviors in different Sanders staging groups.

Summary Of Background Data: Vertebral body tethering (VBT) is a growth modulation technique that allows gradual spontaneous follow-up curve correction as the patient grows.

Ischemia modified albumin: does it change during pneumoperitoneum in robotic prostatectomies?

Background: The unique positioning of the patient at steep Trendelenburg with prolonged and increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) during robotic radical prostatectomy may increase the risk of splanchnic ischemia. We aimed to investigate the acute effects of IAP and steep Trendelenburg position on the level of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and to test if serum IMA levels might be used as a surrogate marker for possible covert ischemia during robotic radical prostatectomies.

Patients And Methods: Fifty ASA I-II patients scheduled for elective robotic radical prostatectomy were included in this investigation.

Comparative study of intravenous opioid consumption in the postoperative period.

Background: Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) using opiods is an accepted method for delivering postoperative analgesia. The aim of this study was to compare fentanyl and tramadol with IV PCA after spinal anesthesia (SA) and general anesthesia (GA) following cesarean section (C/S).

Methods: Ninety women were randomly assigned to three groups (n=30).

Esophageal balloon dilation in children: prospective analysis of hemodynamic changes and complications during general anesthesia.

Study Objective: To investigate hemodynamic changes and complications in children during balloon dilation of esophageal strictures.

Design: Prospective, controlled study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Store-operated Ca2+ influx in airway smooth muscle: Interactions between volatile anesthetic and cyclic nucleotide effects.

Background: Volatile anesthetics produce bronchodilation in part by depleting sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca stores in airway smooth muscle (ASM). Other bronchodilatory drugs are known to act via cyclic nucleotides (cyclic adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, cyclic guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate). Intracellular Ca regulation in ASM involves plasma membrane Ca influx, including that triggered by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca depletion (store-operated Ca entry [SOCE]).

Neurotrophin effects on intracellular Ca2+ and force in airway smooth muscle.

Neurotrophins [e.g., brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 4 (NT4)], known to affect neuronal structure and function, are expressed in nonneuronal tissues including the airway.

Cyclic nucleotide regulation of store-operated Ca2+ influx in airway smooth muscle.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and plasma membrane Ca2+ influx are key to intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) regulation in airway smooth muscle (ASM). SR Ca2+ depletion triggers influx via store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCC) for SR replenishment. Several clinically relevant bronchodilators mediate their effect via cyclic nucleotides (cAMP, cGMP).

Differential inhibition of neuronal Na+-Ca2+ exchange versus store-operated Ca2+ channels by volatile anesthetics in pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.

Background: Ca2+ influx is a key component of neuronal intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) regulation. The authors hypothesized that volatile anesthetic inhibition of neuronal activity is mediated by inhibition of Ca2+ influx via two major mechanisms: plasma membrane Na+-Ca2+ exchange (NCX) and the novel mechanism of Ca2+ influx triggered by endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ depletion (store-operated Ca2+ channels [SOCCs]).

Methods: Differentiated rat pheochromocytoma cells loaded with the Ca2+ indicator fura-2 were Na+-loaded with 0 Ca2+, 145 mm Na+ Tyrode's and 5 microm cyclopiazonic acid plus 10 microm ryanodine (functionally isolating plasma membrane).

Effects of volatile anesthetics on store-operated Ca(2+) influx in airway smooth muscle.

Background: In airway smooth muscle (ASM), volatile anesthetics deplete sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) stores by increasing Ca(2+) "leak." Accordingly, SR replenishment becomes dependent on Ca(2+) influx. Depletion of SR Ca(2+) stores triggers Ca(2+) influx via specific plasma membrane channels, store-operated Ca(2+) channels (SOCC).

Pyloromyotomy in a patient with paramyotonia congenita.

Unlabelled: A 2-mo-old infant with paramyotonia congenita was scheduled for pyloromyotomy and repair of inguinal hernia. Diagnosis of paramyotonia congenita was done with positive family history, myotonia at eyelids, provocation by cold, and electromyogram analysis. Anesthesia was induced via face mask with sevoflurane at 4 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration in oxygen.

Store-operated Ca2+ entry in porcine airway smooth muscle.

Ca(2+) influx triggered by depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) stores [mediated via store-operated Ca(2+) channels (SOCC)] was characterized in enzymatically dissociated porcine airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. When SR Ca(2+) was depleted by either 5 microM cyclopiazonic acid or 5 mM caffeine in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), subsequent introduction of extracellular Ca(2+) further elevated [Ca(2+)](i). SOCC was insensitive to 1 microM nifedipine- or KCl-induced changes in membrane potential.

QT dispersion increases during intubation in patients with coronary artery disease.

Anesthetic drugs have been shown to increase QT interval, however data regarding their effects on QT dispersion (QTd) are scarce, especially in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We tested whether induction of Anesthesia with thiopental and etomidate would increase QTd in patients with CAD. Thirty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II patients without CAD were randomly allocated to groups I (n = 15) and II (n = 15) and 30 ASA physical status III patients with CAD were randomly allocated to groups III (n = 15) and IV (n=15).