Nociceptin produces antinociception after spinal administration in amphibians.

Nociceptin, also known as orphanin FQ, is a opioid-like neuropeptide that mediates its effects at the nociceptin receptor, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. In mammals, nociceptin produces analgesia after spinal administration, however the role of nociceptin and nociceptin receptors in the modulation of noxious stimuli in non-mammalian species has not been examined. In an amphibian pain model using the acetic acid test with Rana pipiens, nociceptin and nociceptin1-13 amide produced dose-dependent antinociception (1-100 nmol), blocked by the nociceptin antagonist, [Nphe1]-nociceptin1-13 amide (30 nmol), but not the opioid antagonist, naltrexone (100 nmol/g, s.

Intraoperative cerebral high-intensity transient signals and postoperative cognitive function: a systematic review.

Background: Much attention in the literature has focused on the relationship between perioperative microemboli during cardiac and vascular surgery and postoperative cognitive decline. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) has been used to measure high-intensity transient signals (HITS), which represent microemboli during cardiac, vascular, and orthopedic surgery. The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the literature with respect to HITS and postoperative cognitive function.