Brightfield and fluorescence in-channel staining of thin blood smears generated in a pumpless microfluidic.

Effective staining of peripheral blood smears by increasing contrast of intracellular components and biomarkers is essential for the accurate characterization, diagnosis, and monitoring of various diseases such as malaria. To assess the potential for automation of stained whole human blood smears at the point-of-care (POC), brightfield and fluorescence staining protocols were adapted for smears generated in channels of pumpless microchannels and compared to a standard glass smear. A 3× concentration Giemsa brightfield staining solutions (10, 33, and 50% dilution), and Acridine Orange fluorescence staining solutions (12 μg mL-1) were evaluated with human blood smears containing malaria parasites within a microfluidic channel.

Influence of anxiolytic premedication on vasovagal reactions and home readiness following outpatient intrathecal anaesthesia-A retrospective analysis.

Background: Vasovagal reactions during application of intrathecal anaesthesia (IA) are associated with high anxiety levels. A high percentage of patients undergoing outpatient surgery suffer from anxiety. Anxiolytic premedication in day-surgery is suspected to delay recovery and discharge and is, therefore, not routinely used.

Retrospective analysis of mepivacaine, prilocaine and chloroprocaine for low-dose spinal anaesthesia in outpatient perianal procedures.

Purpose: Perianal procedures are carried out in an outpatient setting regularly. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the impact of different local anaesthetics (LA) for spinal anaesthesia (SPA) on operating room (OR) efficiency (perioperative process times, turnaround times) and postoperative recovery. This study aims on the determination of the optimal LA for low-dose SPA in the specific setting of a high-volume day-surgery centre.

Hydrostatic pressure activates ATP-sensitive K+ channels in lung epithelium by ATP release through pannexin and connexin hemichannels.

Lungs of air-breathing vertebrates are constantly exposed to mechanical forces and therefore are suitable for investigation of mechanotransduction processes in nonexcitable cells and tissues. Freshly dissected Xenopus laevis lungs were used for transepithelial short-circuit current (ISC) recordings and were exposed to increased hydrostatic pressure (HP; 5 cm fluid column, modified Ussing chamber). I(SC) values obtained under HP (I(5cm)) were normalized to values before HP (I(0cm)) application (I(5cm)/I(0cm)).