Effects of Dexmedetomidine Infusion on the Recovery Profiles of Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection.

Transurethral resection has been the gold standard in the operative management of benign prostatic hyperplasia and bladder tumor; however, it is associated with several complications that may cause patient discomfort. We evaluated the usefulness of continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine on emergence agitation, hemodynamic status, and recovery profiles in patients undergoing elective surgery by a randomized clinical trial. Sixty patients aged 30 to 80 yr who were scheduled for elective transurethral resection under general anesthesia were included in this study.

FTY720 preserved islet β-cell mass by inhibiting apoptosis and increasing survival of β-cells in db/db mice.

Background: FTY720, an analogue of sphingosine-1-phosphate, has shown potential in the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus. It prevents development or cure of autoimmune diabetes in animal models. Recently, we reported that FTY720 also prevents development of diabetes in db/db mice by β-cell regeneration in vivo.

Advanced glycation end products downregulate glucokinase in mice.

Background: Glucokinase, the enzyme that catalyses the conversion of glucose to G-6-P, plays a key role in glucose metabolism. AGEs are implicated in diabetic complications. A previous study reported that AGEs decreased β-cell function through inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase and adenosine triphosphate synthesis.

New circulating-water devices warm more quickly than forced-air in volunteers.

Background: Newer circulating-water systems supply more heat than forced-air, mainly because the heat capacity of water is much greater than for that of dry warm air and, in part, because they provide posterior as well as anterior heating. Several heating systems are available, but three major ones have yet to be compared directly. We therefore compared two circulating-water systems with a forced-air system during simulation of upper abdominal or chest surgery in volunteers.

Regulation and localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the ischemic rabbit spinal cord.

The expression and cellular localization of neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS) were studied in the rabbit spinal cord following ischemic injury induced by clamping the descending aorta. In the normal spinal cord, nNOS immunoreactivity was localized to certain motor neurons located in the margin of the ventral horn. Following transient ischemia, immunoreactive spinal neurons increased in number, peaking five days after reperfusion.