Midazolam induces apoptosis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells through caspase activation and the involvement of MAPK signaling pathway.

Purpose: The present study aims to investigate how midazolam, a sedative drug for clinical use with cytotoxicity on neuronal and peripheral tissues, induced apoptosis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells.

Methods: The apoptotic effect and underlying mechanism of midazolam to MA-10 cells were investigated by flow cytometry assay and Western blotting methods.

Results: Data showed that midazolam induced the accumulation of the MA-10 cell population in the sub-G1 phase and a reduction in the G2/M phase in a time- and dose-dependent manner, suggesting an apoptotic phenomenon.

Efficacy of intramuscular nalbuphine versus diphenhydramine for the prevention of epidural morphine-induced pruritus after cesarean delivery.

Background: Pruritus is the most common side effect of epidural morphine analgesia. Diphenhydramine is a widely used agent for the treatment of urticarial pruritus. Nalbuphine is a mixed opioid agonist-antagonist and has been reported to be effective in treating opioid-induced pruritus.

Rectal diazepam solution is as good as rectal administration of intravenous diazepam in the first-aid cessation of seizures in children with intractable epilepsy.

Background: Acute seizures are readily recognizable episodes requiring urgent treatment. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of suppository use of rectal diazepam solution [Stesolid rectal tube (SRT), Alpharma, Inc., Lierskogen, Norway] with those of intravenous diazepam (IVD), Li Ta Pharma Co, Ltd.

Comparison of patient-controlled epidural analgesia and continuous epidural infusion for labor analgesia.

Background: In recent years, patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) has been developed as an attractive alternative to continuous epidural infusion (CEI) for labor pain control. PCEA is still not popular for labor pain control in Taiwan and disparities may exist between different ethnic and cultural groups toward the attitude of labor pain control. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were any differences between PCEA and CEI in the maintenance of epidural analgesia for Taiwanese parturients undergoing spontaneous delivery.

Factors influencing time of intubation with a lightwand device in patients without known airway abnormality.

Study Objective: To evaluate the correlation between accepted screening tests for difficult tracheal intubation and ease of intubation with a lightwand blind technique.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Anesthetic rooms of a university hospital.

Caudal epidural block for minor gynecologic procedures in outpatient surgery.

Background: Caudal epidural block (CEB) has become increasingly important for pediatric analgesia in recent years. However, data regarding CEB in adult ambulatory surgery are scarce. The aim of this study was to verify whether CEB could be applied as a simple, safe and economic method of anesthesia for adult patients undergoing minor gynecologic procedures (MGP).

Aspiration of a dislodged endotracheal tube: a rare cause of acute total airway obstruction.

We report an unusual cause of acute total airway obstruction after aspiration of a dislodged tube that was separated from its metallic connector. A 5-year-old boy had an emergence agitation and bucking to the endotracheal tube with a vigorous bite before extubation of the trachea. The whole uncuffed endotracheal tube was aspirated deep into the lower trachea causing laryngotracheal obstruction.

Anesthesia for pediatric patients with Prader-Willi syndrome: report of two cases.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a sporadic disorder of chromosome abnormalities with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 15,000. It mainly affects the central nervous system, and often involves the hypothalamus. Both general and regional anesthesia for these patients is difficult mainly due to morbid obesity.