Natural killer cell activity during cortisol and adrenaline infusion in healthy volunteers.

The effects of cortisol and adrenaline on natural killer (NK) cell activity and the distribution of circulating lymphocyte subpopulations were studied in twenty volunteers, using a continuous intravenous infusion pattern to simulate some of the hormonal changes induced by major surgery. The participants were allocated to receive either cortisol for 5 h, adrenaline for 1 h, cortisol for 5 h with simultaneous adrenaline during the last hour, or placebo for 5 h. Cortisol induced leucocytosis, neutrophilia, and lymphopenia with marked reduction in the number of T-lymphocyte subsets (OKT3+, OKT4+, and OKT8+ cells).

Natural killer cell activity and lymphocyte function during and after coronary artery bypass grafting in relation to the endocrine stress response.

The effects of elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the associated endocrine stress response on natural killer (NK) cell activity in peripheral blood, the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations, and the phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte transformation were studied in 20 patients anesthetized with either etomidate-high dose fentanyl (75-125 micrograms . kg-1) or midazolam-low dose fentanyl (less than 20 micrograms . kg-1).

Postoperative pain relief and respiratory performance after thoracotomy: a controlled trial comparing the effect of epidural morphine and subcutaneous nicomorphine.

Twenty patients scheduled for lateral thoracotomy were randomly allocated to receive either epidural morphine at regular intervals or subcutaneous nicomorphine on demand for postoperative pain relief. The daily dose of opiate administered was greater in the group receiving subcutaneous nicomorphine than in the epidural group although four patients in the latter needed additional subcutaneous injections of opiate. During the first three days of the postoperative course, a profound decrease of the forced vital capacity (FVC), the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and the arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) was found in both groups, whereas the visual analogue pain score showed a marked increase, and the arterial pH and carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) remained unchanged.

Natural killer cell activity in a patient undergoing open-heart surgery complicated by an acute myocardial infarction.

The natural killer (NK) cell activity of peripheral mononuclear cells was investigated in a patient undergoing open-heart surgery complicated by an acute myocardial infarction. After a transient increase in NK activity during surgery, the activity fell to undetectable values postoperatively. This reduction appeared after continuous adrenaline infusion was established.

The wide-range ejector flowmeter: calibrated gas evacuation comprising both high and low gas flows.

The wide-range ejector flowmeter is an active scavenging system applying calibrated gas removal directly to the anaesthetic circuit. The evacuation rate can be adjusted on the flowmeter under visual control using the calibration scale ranging from 200 ml X min-1 to 151 X min-1. The accuracy of the calibration was tested on three ejector flowmeters at 12 different presettings.

Acid-base interactions with noradrenaline-induced contractile response of the rabbit isolated aorta.

The effect of acidosis and alkalosis on vascular smooth muscle contractions evoked by noradrenaline was studied. Helical strips of rabbit aorta were mounted for isometric tension recording. Acidosis (pH 7.

Catabolism of haemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes in haemolytic uraemia-like syndromes of different etiologies.

The catabolism of haemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes was studied in four patients with increased vascular haemolysis as part of acute or subacute haemolytic uraemic syndromes. The apparent volumic substance elimination rates for haemoglobin (Fe) bound to haptoglobin in plasma were 1.1 mumol/h/l and 2.

Efficiency of two variable performance techniques of oxygen therapy in relieving postoperative hypoxaemia.

The efficiency of two patient-dependent, variable performance techniques of oxygen therapy in relieving hypoxaemia after upper abdominal surgery was compared. A high-flow system delivered a humidified mixture of oxygen 2 litre min-1 and air 13 litre min-1 through a cannula inserted into the anterior nares. The low-flow system delivered 2 litre min-1 of dry oxygen into the nasopharynx through a catheter.

Cross-infection from contaminated anaesthetic equipment. A real hazard?

A definite relationship between the use of contaminated anaesthetic equipment and subsequent pulmonary infection remains to be established. There is however indirect and circumstantial evidence suggesting that cross-infection may occur, and further an increased susceptibility of surgical patients to pulmonary infections has been demonstrated. Decontamination should be recommended before the equipment is re-used.

Urinary loss of oxypurines in hypoxic premature neonates.

The daily urinary excretion of the oxypurines hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid during each of the first 3 days of life was determined in premature infants without hypoxia (PI) and in hypoxic premature infants (HPI) with the respiratory distress syndrome. The loss of uric aic was statistically significantly greater in the HPI during days 1, 2, and 3 of life, and so was the loss of xanthine on days 1, and 2, but not on day 3. As to the loss of hypoxanthine, no difference could be shown.

Accuracy of new gas flowmeters.

The accuracy of five new oxygen and nitrous oxide flowmeter units was investigated using the bubble meter method. The results were compared with those previously found in flowmeters withdrawn from clinical use. New oxygen flowmeters demonstrated less inaccuracies than old flowmeters.

Accuracy of gas flowmeters determined by the bubble meter method.

THe accuracy of 15 oxygen and nitrous oxide flowmeter units in daily use was investigated using the bubble meter method. At preset oxygen flow rates of less than 1 litre min-1 unacceptable errors were found. At flow settings greater than 1 litre min-1 the deviations varied within closer limits, but the actural flows were inaccurate irrespective of the presettings and of the gas delivered, and independent of the indicator being adjusted to be opposite or between the graduation marks on the flowmeter.

The negative pressure relief valve: pressure-flow relationships.

The scavenging of gases from anaesthetic circuits may present hazards to the patient. The negative pressure relief valve prevents the generation of subatmospheric pressures in the circuit as a result of a discrepancy between the fresh gas flow and the gas evacuation rate. The ideal valve will open at a small negative pressure, and immediately permit a high gas inflow.

Clinical effects of carticaine, a new local anesthetic. A survey and a double-blind investigation comparing carticaine with lidocaine in epidural analgesia.

Carticaine, a new local anesthetic of the amide type, differs from those previously known in that it contains a thiophene ring. The physico-chemical properties of the compound, its pharmacology and its toxicology are reviewed from the litererture. A controlled, double-blind investigation in which carticaine was compared with lidocaine for the purpose of throwing light on the effect of the new local anesthetic in epidural analgesia is presented.