The effects of etomidate on expression of high mobility group box 1 via the nuclear factor kappa B pathway in rat model of sepsis.

Etomidate is an anesthetic agent used in hemodynamically unstable patients, but its use has been controversial in septic patients. The response of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a late-phase lethal cytokine in sepsis, to etomidate has not been reported. This study investigated the effects of etomidate on the expression and release of HMGB1 and the underlying mechanism using a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model.

Effects of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure on Intraocular Pressure during One-Lung Ventilation in the Lateral Decubitus Position-A Prospective Randomized Trial.

: The effect of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on intraocular pressure (IOP) is debatable. There have been no studies investigating the effects of PEEP on IOP during one-lung ventilation (OLV). We aimed to investigate the effects of PEEP on IOP in patients undergoing OLV for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATs).

Sonochemical Preparation of a Magnet-Responsive FeO@ZIF-8 Adsorbent for Efficient Cu Removal.

This work presents a novel approach to synthesizing magnetic core-shell nanocomposites, consisting of magnetic nanoparticles and a metal-organic framework, for environmental applications. The synthesis is based on the encapsulation of magnetic FeO nanoparticles with microporous zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanocrystals via ultrasonic activation under a continuous supply of precursor solutions. This sonochemical approach is proven to be a fast, cost-effective, and controllable route for the preparation of magnet-responsive FeO@ZIF-8 nanoparticles with a core-shell structure.

Highly Hydrophobic Polydimethylsiloxane-Coated Expanded Vermiculite Sorbents for Selective Oil Removal from Water.

Naturally abundant vermiculite clay was expanded by using an aqueous solution of HO and its surface was modified with ultra-thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using facile thermal vapor deposition to prepare an ecologically friendly, low-cost oil sorbent that plays an important role in oil spillage remediation. The resulting PDMS-coated expanded vermiculite (eVMT@PDMS) particles exhibited adequate hydrophobicity and oleophilicity for oil/water separation, with numerous conical slit pores (a size of 0.1-100 μm) providing a great sorption capacity and an efficient capillarity-driven flow pathway for oil collection.

Changes of intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure during controlled hypotension in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery: A prospective, randomized, controlled study comparing propofol, and desflurane anesthesia.

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of deliberate hypotensive anesthesia on intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) and compare the effects of propofol total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and desflurane anesthesia on IOP and OPP.

Methods: A total of 50 patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the lateral decubitus position were randomized to receive desflurane or propofol anesthesia. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was maintained in the range of 60-75 mm Hg during hypotensive anesthesia.

Amitriptyline inhibits the MAPK/ERK and CREB pathways and proinflammatory cytokines through A3AR activation in rat neuropathic pain models.

Background: The pain-relief properties of tricyclic antidepressants can be attributed to several actions. Recent observations suggest that adenosine is involved in the antinociceptive effect of amitriptyline. The A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) is the only adenosine subtype overexpressed in inflammatory and cancer cells.

Optimal dose of perineural dexmedetomidine for interscalene brachial plexus block to control postoperative pain in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery: A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study.

Background: Adjuvant perineural dexmedetomidine can be used to prolong the analgesic effect of interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB). We investigated the optimal dose of dexmedetomidine in ISB for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Methods: One hundred patients scheduled for elective shoulder arthroscopic surgery were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind study.

Variation in intraocular pressure caused by repetitive positional changes during laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled study comparing propofol and desflurane anesthesia.

Laparoscopic surgery is often prolonged and requires positional changes to facilitate surgical access. Previous studies reported intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in one fixed position. This study investigated the effect of desflurane and propofol anesthesia on IOP during repeated positional changes.

Laminated and infused Parafilm® - paper for paper-based analytical devices.

Numerous fabrication methods have been reported for microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) using barrier materials ranging from photoresist to wax. While these methods have been used with wide success, consistently producing small, high-resolution features using materials and methods that are compatible with solvents and surfactants remains a challenge. Two new methods are presented here for generating μPADs with well-defined, high-resolution structures compatible with solvents and surfactant-containing solutions by partially or fully fusing paper with Parafilm® followed by cutting with a CO laser cutter.

Optimal dose of dexmedetomidine for attenuating cardiovascular response during emergence in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Objective: To investigate the optimal dose of dexmedetomidine for attenuating the haemodynamic response during emergence from anaesthesia.

Methods: Patients undergoing laparoscopic total hysterectomy were randomly allocated to receive 0.9% normal saline (control group) or dexmedetomidine (0.

Spontaneous C1-2 cerebrospinal fluid leak treated with a targeted cervical epidural blood patch using a cervical epidural Racz catheter.

A 39-year-old woman with no history of trauma or meningitis presented to the neurology department of our hospital with an occipital headache, neck pain, nausea, and dizziness that had worsened during the previous month. The headache worsened when sitting or standing and partially regressed when lying down. She was diagnosed with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and received conservative management.

A novel methanol sensor based on gas-penetration through a porous polypyrrole-coated polyacrylonitrile nanofiber mat.

In this work, we propose a novel chemoresistive gas sensor operated under a vertical analyte flow passing through a permeable sensing membrane. Such a configuration is different from the use of a planar sensor implemented under a conventional horizontal flow. A highly porous core-shell polyacrylonitrile-polypyrrole (PAN@PPy) nanofiber mat was prepared as the sensing element via electrospinning and two-step vapor-phase polymerization (VPP).

Optimal dose of prophylactic dexmedetomidine for preventing postoperative shivering.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the optimum dosage of dexmedetomidine for prevention of postanesthetic shivering.

Methods: One-hundred thirty two ASA physical status I-II patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic total hysterectomy were enrolled in this randomised, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomly allocated to receive dexmedetomidine in four groups: group S (0.

Material properties of the Pt electrode deposited on nafion membrane by the impregnation-reduction method.

Platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) were chemically deposited on a Nafion polymer electrolyte membrane by the impregnation-reduction (I-R) procedure to prepare an active electrode for solid electrochemical sensors. Various analysis methods such as SEM, EDX, XRD and cyclic voltammogram (CV) measurements were employed in order to characterize microstructures and electrochemical properties of the Pt layer. At the conditions ([Pt(NH3)4Cl2] = 10 mM, [NaBH4] = 60 mM, 50 degrees C), the porous Pt thin-film, consisting of sphere-like particles formed by the agglomeration of primary polycrystalline Pt NPs with an average crystal size of 13-18 nm, was obtained and confirmed to have a large surface area (roughness factor = 267) and strong adhesion due to the formation of interfacial Pt-Nafion composites.

Synthesis and characterization of conductive core-shell polyacrylonitrile-polypyrrole nanofibers.

Nonwoven polyacrylonitrile-polypyrrole (PAN-PPy) core-shell nanofiber mats were prepared through the growth of PPy layers on electrospun PAN nanofibers via a two-step vapor-phase polymerization, i.e., the wet-coating of ferric tosylate (FeTos) oxidants on PAN nanofibers followed by exposure to pyrrole monomers in the gas phase.

Hepatic ischemic preconditioning provides protection against distant renal ischemia and reperfusion injury in mice.

We previously demonstrated that there are acute and delayed phases of renal protection against renal ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury with renal ischemic preconditioning (IPC). This study assessed whether hepatic IPC could also reduce distant renal IR injury through the blood stream-mediated supply of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: group I, sham operated including right nephrectomy; group II (IR), left renal ischemia for 30 min and reperfusion injury; group III (IPC-IR), hepatic ischemia for 10 min followed by 10 min of reperfusion before left renal IR injury; group IV (MPG - IPC + IR), pretreated with 100 mg/kg N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG) 15 min before hepatic IPC and left renal IR injury.

A glucose sensor fabricated by piezoelectric inkjet printing of conducting polymers and bienzymes.

Piezoelectric inkjet printing of polymers and proteins holds great promise for fabrication of miniaturized bioelectronic devices, such as biochips and biosensors. In this study, a bienzymatic glucose biosensor prototype based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PEDOT-PSS), glucose oxidase (GOD), and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was fabricated by a piezoelectric inkjet printer. An aqueous bioelectrical ink containing PEDOT-PSS, GOD, and HRP was prepared and printed on an indium-tin-oxide (ITO)-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film.

The potential role of VPREB1 gene copy number variation in susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

Although the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unknown, it has been widely suggested that RA has a genetic background. In humans, a copy number loss of 22q11.2, a region harboring the VPREB1 gene, has been suggested to be associated with several immunologic disorders, but there has been no study on the copy number variation (CNV) of the VPREB1 and its potential association with RA.

Rumpel-Leede phenomenon associated with noninvasive blood pressure monitoring -A case report-.

We report a case of Rumpel-Leede (RL) phenomenon, - acute dermis capillary rupture, secondary to noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) monitoring in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension. The first most likely cause is vascular fragility in microangiopathy as a result of DM and chronic steroid use. The second is the increased venous pressure during cycling of the blood pressure cuff in a hypertensive state.

Acute compartment syndrome of the forearm and hand in a patient of spine surgery -A case report-.

A 38-year-old woman underwent a 4-hour operation in the prone position for a laminectomy at C4-7 and posterior cervical decompressive fusion at C7-T1 under general anesthesia. After undraping at the end of surgery, considerable swelling with many blisters of the left forearm and hand was observed. The chest roll at the left side had moved cephalad into the axilla and compressed the axillary structures.

Efficient fabrication of wafer scale thin film of individualized single-walled carbon nanotubes by dual-nozzle spin casting.

In this paper, a dual-nozzle spin casting method was proposed to form a thin film of individualized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) at the wafer scale. Each nozzle simultaneously ejected the SWNT solution and methanol, respectively. During the ejection process, two solutions were mixed at the contacting end of the nozzles and then dropped onto the substrate.

Low dose ketamine reduces the induction of ERK1/2 and CREB signaling protein in a neuropathic pain model of rats.

Background: In addition to causing the loss of voluntary sensory and motor function, spinal cord injury (SCI) often creates a state of central neuropathic pain. Rats given SCI display increases in the activated form of transcription factors ERK 1/2 MAPK and CREB in the spinal cord, which correspond to allodynia in a model of neuropathic pain. This study was conducted to determine if low dose ketamine had an effect on the activation of ERK 1/2 and CREB in the development of neuropathic pain.

Comparison of analgesic efficacy between bilateral superficial and combined (superficial and deep) cervical plexus block administered before thyroid surgery.

Background And Objective: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of bilateral superficial cervical plexus block and combined superficial and deep cervical plexus block for incision pain, headache and posterior neck pain after thyroidectomy.

Method: Ninety patients were divided into a control group (group C, n = 30), a bilateral superficial cervical plexus group (group S, n = 30) and a bilateral combined superficial and deep cervical plexus block group (group CO, n = 30). Before general anaesthesia, we performed bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (18 ml) and combined superficial (14 ml) and deep (4 ml) cervical plexus block with 0.

Association of thymic stromal lymphopoietin gene -847C>T polymorphism in generalized vitiligo.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) induces naïve CD4+ T cells to produce Th2 cytokines. In addition, to low production of Th2 cytokines, strong Th1 response, which plays an important role in vitiligo development, has been induced by blockade of TSLP or TSLP receptor. This study examined whether a functional TSLP polymorphism was associated with vitiligo.