Modulation of microglial activation by antidepressants.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that microglial activation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of depression. In fact, neuroinflammation is associated with a phenotypic change of microglia, consisting of morphological differences, increased release of cytokines and oxidative stress products, which may contribute to the development and maintenance of depression. Antidepressants, including selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, have been shown to act on the immune and oxidative stress mechanisms commonly found to be disrupted in depression.

Should positive end-expiratory pressure be used during elective general anaesthesia with supraglottic airway devices?

Anaesthetists' use of positive end-expiratory pressure during elective general anaesthesia via supraglottic airway devices varies. Positive end-expiratory pressure may help to maintain oxygenation and prevent atelectasis, but could worsen the risk of air leak, gastric insufflation and catastrophic aspiration.

Impact of Simulation Training on Undergraduate Clinical Decision-making in Emergencies: A Non-blinded, Single-centre, Randomised Pilot Study.

Introduction There is an increasing evidence base for the use of simulation-based medical education. Simulation is superior to more didactic methods for teaching a range of technical and non-technical skills, and students report they often derive more educational value from it compared with other teaching methods. There is currently limited evidence that simulation training improves clinical decision-making and, therefore, this pilot study sought to explore this further.

Cardiac hemodynamics of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using simultaneous Doppler echocardiography and electrocardiography.

Using Doppler echocardiography and electrocardiography, we characterized cardiac hemodynamics, timing, and electromechanical function, and examined the effects of ventricular hypertrophy on systolic function in anesthetized rainbow trout. Atrial filling (D(SA)), ventricular filling (D(AV)), and ventricular ejection (D(VB)) accounted for 40-77, 13-27, and 22-41% of the cardiac cycle, respectively. Ventricular ejection occurred entirely during atrial filling and ended by the time the QT interval was 80% (SD=9%) completed.