Rapid measurement of blood propofol levels: a proof of concept study.

Objective: Despite many advantages over traditional volatile anaesthetic techniques, propofol total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) makes up a small percentage of general anaesthetics administered. One of the reasons for this is the absence of a clinically useful method for measuring blood propofol concentrations. We have designed and tested a prototype system for rapidly measuring blood plasma levels of propofol using solid phase extraction (SPE) methodology, coupled with colorimetric and spectrometric techniques.

Radially symmetric excitation and collection optics for flow cytometric sorting of aspherical cells.

We report on a new optical configuration for sorting flow cytometers which is optimized for the illumination and collection of light from aspherical cells. This design provides radially symmetric illumination and detection of asymmetric particles while retaining the sort capability of a jet-in-air (or cylindrical cuvette) design. A paraboloidal reflector, symmetrical about the sample stream, both focuses a laser excitation beam and collects cell scatter and fluorescence from the inspection point.

Plasma cortisol responses to remote adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) infusion in free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus).

A remote infusion and blood collection device (Dracpac) was used on free-ranging red deer stags to deliver i.v. a range of ACTH1-24 doses and collect blood for cortisol determination.

Nutritional dependence of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors in skeletal muscle: measurement by light microscopic autoradiography.

To determine the cellular location, capacity, and nutritional sensitivity of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors, we measured the in vitro binding of [125I]-IGFs to skeletal muscle using light microscopic autoradiography. Muscle was collected from 8-month lambs that had received high or low nutrition diets (3% and 1.25% of body weight/day in pellets, respectively).