Does long-term continuous transcranial Doppler monitoring require a pause for safer use?

Background: Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) has been used widely for long-term monitoring of cerebral blood flow without adverse reports. However, attention has not been adequately paid to the fact that an increase in the time period of TCD insonation causes brain temperature to rise due to ultrasound absorption by tissue and the skull. We measured the actual temperature rise in local brain tissue induced by TCD insonation over a long time period during in vivo animal experiments in order to verify whether or not a pause is required in long-term, continuous TCD monitoring.

The efficacy of intratracheal administration of vecuronium in rats, compared with intravenous and intramuscular administration.

To investigate the suitability of the intratracheal (IT) route as an alternative route for the administration of vecuronium, we compared the pharmacodynamic parameters for neuromuscular block in three groups of rats given vecuronium via the IT, IM, and IV routes. We also examined the pharmacokinetics of vecuronium in the three groups. The doses for the IT, IV, and IM groups were set at 1.

Comparative effects of bupivacaine and ropivacaine on intracellular calcium transients and tension in ferret ventricular muscle.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that ropivacaine exerts markedly less cardiotoxicity compared with bupivacaine; however, the mechanisms are not fully understood at the molecular level.

Methods: Isolated ferret ventricular papillary muscles were microinjected with the Ca-binding photoprotein aequorin, and intracellular Ca transients and tension were simultaneously measured during twitch in the absence and presence of bupivacaine or ropivacaine.

Results: Bupivacaine and ropivacaine (10, 30, and 100 microm) reduced peak systolic [Ca]i and tension in a concentration-dependent manner.

[Survey Report on International Cooperation 2001--report of the Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on International Affairs].

A survey was conducted in November 2001 with a questionnaire entitled "Survey Report on International Cooperation" compiled by the International Affairs of the Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA). The survey focused on member awareness of the importance of international cooperation by sending the questionnaire to its entire membership. Replies were received from approximately 15.

Comparison of sprotte and Quincke needles with respect to spinal fluid leakage using artificial spinal cord.

Purpose: This research investigated whether the Sprotte needle causes less leakage of CSF than the Quincke needle in the artificial spinal cord.

Methods: The changes in intradural pressure, extradural pressure, and leaked volume of CSF were evaluated following puncture with Sprotte and Quincke needles in the artificial spinal cord.

Results: The decrease in intradural pressure was 9.