Synthesis of Ba2SiO4:Eu(2+) by a Hybrid Process and Its Luminescent Properties.

Ba2SiO4:Eu(2+) powders were prepared using a sol-gel-combustion (hybrid) process with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and colloidal silica (C-SiO2) as Si sources. The effects of the silicon sources and preparation conditions on phase formation and luminescent properties were investigated. The B2S:Eu(2+) powders synthesized with TEOS were composed of the irregular particles, whereas C-SiO2 was more conducive to uniform particle distribution for the Ba2SiO4:Eu(2+) powders, leading to the enhancement of the emission intensity.

Influence of the washing program on the blood processing performance of a continuous autotransfusion device.

The continuous autotransfusion system has been widely used in surgical operations. It is known that if oil is added to blood, and this mixture is then processed by an autotransfusion device, the added oil is removed and reinfusion of fat is prevented by the device. However, there is no detailed report on the influence of the particular washing program selected on the levels of blood components including blood fat after continuous autotransfusion using such a system.

Application of cerebral oximetry for a parturient with Takayasu's arteritis undergoing cesarean section -a case report-.

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the aorta. Because TA sometimes involves cerebral arteries, anesthetic debates focus on cerebral monitoring. There is limited evidence as to which cerebral monitoring method is most adequate.

Compartmental modeling and simplified quantification of [¹¹C]sertraline distribution in human brain.

Sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft®, Pfizer) is an antidepressant drug of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The aims of this study were evaluating its in vivo distribution and kinetic models in human brain. Also, this study was to determine optimal scan duration of dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) for accurate [¹¹C]sertraline kinetic parameters and the feasibility of semi-quantitative approach for assessing distribution volume ratio (DVR).

Comparison of the renal safety between carbon dioxide absorbent products under sevoflurane anesthesia: a pilot study.

Background: The chemical reaction of carbon dioxide absorbent and sevoflurane is known to produce compound A. However, carbon dioxide absorbents are not controlled by the Food and Drug Administration, but are treated as industrial products in some nations. Moreover, carbon dioxide absorbents differ in their capacities to produce compound A, because their chemical compositions differ.

Effect of airway pressure on lumbar epidural pressure during positive pressure ventilation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to measure lumbar epidural pressure (EP) during the insertion of a Tuohy needle under general anesthesia and to evaluate the influence of airway pressure on EP.

Methods: Lumbar EP was measured directly through a Tuohy needle during intermittent positive pressure ventilation in fifteen patients. Mean and peak EP were recorded after peak inspiratory pressures (PIP) of 0, 15, and 25 cmH(2)O.

The neurological safety of epidural parecoxib in rats.

Epidural injection of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors has been suggested as a useful therapeutic modality in pain management in animal studies and clinical settings. Direct epidural administration of parecoxib, a highly selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, may have advantages over its parenteral administration regarding required dose, side effects, and efficacy. However, no animal studies have been performed to investigate the possible neurotoxicity of epidurally injected parecoxib.

Suction conditions for minimizing the production of free hemoglobin during blood salvage using an autotransfusion apparatus.

Background: Three kinds of conditions should be considered to reduce free hemoglobin production using an autologous cell salvage device. They are the negative suction pressure, the size of suction tip, and the air contact during suction. We want to examine which condition is the most important factor to produce free hemoglobin.

Local anesthetics inhibit tissue factor expression in activated monocytes via inhibition of tissue factor mRNA synthesis.

Local anesthetics have been reported to have anticoagulant properties, but the mechanisms responsible for this action are poorly understood. Here, we evaluated the in vitro effects of 3 local anesthetics--lidocaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine--on the tissue factor expression by monocytes. Monocytes from peripheral blood were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of local anesthetics.

A survey on informed consent process for epidural analgesia in labor pain in Korea.

Background: There is a legal obligation to explain the procedure and use of epidural analgesia in labor primarily due to the possibility of potential risks and associated complications. The present study details on the survey carried out to ascertain the current status of obtaining informed consent (IC) for explaining the epidural analgesia in labor.

Methods: The present study is based on a survey through a telephone questionnaire that covered all the hospitals in Korea where the anesthesiologists' belonged to and are registered with Korean Society of Anesthesiologists.

Growth suppression of four cancer cells by hyperbaric nitrous oxide and methotrexate.

Background: Nitrous oxide concentration is easily controlled by respiratory ventilation. It suppresses bone marrow via the inhibition of thymidylate synthesis. The aim of this work was to determine the optimal pressure and exposure duration of nitrous oxide, as well as methotrexate concentration that maximizes the suppression of 4 cancer cells: CCRF-CEM, K562, A549 and MDA-MB-231.

Bilateral femoral neuropathy after vaginal delivery: A case report.

Epidural analgesia is frequently used for the management of labor pain in parturients. The neurologic complications of epidural analgesia are rare, but they are catastrophic when they occur. We report here on a case of bilateral femoral neuropathy in a vaginal delivery patient with epidural analgesia.

Head rotation, flexion, and extension alter endotracheal tube position in adults and children.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of head rotation in adults and children on endotracheal tube (ETT) position and to confirm previous results regarding the influence of head flexion and extension on ETT position.

Methods: After inducing anesthesia in 24 young adults and 22 children (aged 1-9 yr), ETTs were secured on the right corner of each of their mouths. Using a fiberoptic bronchoscope, the distance from the carina to the tip of the ETT was measured with each patient's head and neck placed in a neutral position, flexed, extended, rotated to the right, and rotated to the left.

Hemomediastinum resulting from subclavian artery laceration during internal jugular catheterization.

Unlabelled: The complications associated with internal jugular vein catheterization are inadvertent arterial puncture, pleural and mediastinal injuries, pneumothorax, hemothorax, and hemomediastinum. Complications caused by laceration of a subclavian artery are rare. We present a case of hemomediastinum resulting from laceration of the subclavian artery during central venous catheterization.