The Accuracy of 6 Inexpensive Pulse Oximeters Not Cleared by the Food and Drug Administration: The Possible Global Public Health Implications.

Background: Universal access to pulse oximetry worldwide is often limited by cost and has substantial public health consequences. Low-cost pulse oximeters have become increasingly available with limited regulatory agency oversight. The accuracy of these devices often has not been validated, raising questions about performance.

Accuracy of carboxyhemoglobin detection by pulse CO-oximetry during hypoxemia.

Background: Carbon monoxide poisoning is a significant problem in most countries, and a reliable method of quick diagnosis would greatly improve patient care. Until the recent introduction of a multiwavelength "pulse CO-oximeter" (Masimo Rainbow SET(®) Radical-7), obtaining carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in blood required blood sampling and laboratory analysis. In this study, we sought to determine whether hypoxemia, which can accompany carbon monoxide poisoning, interferes with the accurate detection of COHb.

Discrete change in volatile anesthetic sensitivity in mice with inactivated tandem pore potassium ion channel TRESK.

Background: We investigated the role of tandem pore potassium ion channel (K2P) TRESK in neurobehavioral function and volatile anesthetic sensitivity in genetically modified mice.

Methods: Exon III of the mouse TRESK gene locus was deleted by homologous recombination using a targeting vector. The genotype of bred mice (wild type, knockout, or heterozygote) was determined using polymerase chain reaction.

Regional expression of the anesthetic-activated potassium channel TRESK in the rat nervous system.

The two-pore-domain potassium (K(2P)) channels contribute to background (leak) potassium currents maintaining the resting membrane potential to play an important role in regulating neuronal excitability. As such they may contribute to nociception and the mechanism of action of volatile anesthetics. In the present study, we examined the protein expression pattern of the K(2P) channel TRESK in the rat central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) by immunohistochemistry.