Prospective and randomized trial of intravenous tenoxicam versus fentanyl and tramadol for analgesia in outpatient extracorporeal lithotripsy.

Background: As extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is frequently carried out on an outpatient basis, it is crucial to choose an adequate analgesic with less adverse effect. This study evaluated the use of three different intravenous agents: fentanyl, tramadol HCl and tenoxicam in ESWL.

Methods: One hundred and twenty patients undergoing lithotripsy were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous fentanyl 1 microgram/kg, tramadol HCl 1.

Selective block by glyceryl nonivamide of inwardly rectifying K+ current in rat anterior pituitary GH3 cells.

The effects of glyceryl nonivamide (GLNVA) on ionic currents were compared and examined in rat pituitary GH3 cells. Hyperpolarization-activated K+ currents in GH3 cells bathed in high-K+ Ca2+-free external solution were studied to assess effects of GLNVA on the an inwardly rectifying K+ current (I(K(IR))). GLNVA is very potent in blocking I(K(IR)) in a concentration-dependent manner, with a half maximal concentrations of 0.

Co-activation of nonselective cation channels by store depletion and oxidative stress in monocytic U937 cells.

Two different types of nonselective cation currents in monocytic U937 cells were characterized with the aid of patch-clamp technique. When the cells were exposed to oxidative stress with 10 mM H2O2, a nonselective cation current (INS) can be elicited. This current was still observed when extracellular cations are Ca2+.

Mechanisms of rise and decay of ADP-evoked calcium signal in MDCK cells.

We have studied the effects of ADP on intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) measured by fura-2 fluorimetry in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. ADP evoked [Ca2+]i rises dose-dependently by releasing Ca2+ from the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-dependent Ca2+ pool followed by capacitative Ca2+ entry. The Ca2+ signal consisted of a peak and a gradual decline which reached a plateau in the case of 0.

Intracranial cystic cavernous angioma: a case report.

We present a case of cystic cavernous angioma in an 18-year-old woman with the chief complaint of acute onset of seizures. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a tumor with a slightly enhanced solid calcified portion and a large cystic portion. The patient was well without recurrence 6 months after surgery.

Bradykinin-evoked Ca2+ mobilization in Madin Darby canine kidney cells.

We studied the mechanisms underlying the bradykinin-evoked changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Bradykinin evoked a [Ca2+]i transient in a dose-dependent manner, measured by fura-2 fluorimetry and digital video imaging. The transient consisted of a rise and a decay and [Ca2+]i returned to baseline without oscillations.

APACHE II score: a useful tool for risk assessment and an aid to decision-making in emergency operation for bleeding gastric ulcer.

Background: Operating for bleeding gastric ulcer remains controversial. Gastric resection bears a higher surgical risk while limited operation may result in more postoperative hemorrhage. There has been little discussion of effective risk assessment of patients.

The phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 increases cytosolic calcium in MDCK cells by activating calcium influx and releasing stored calcium.

The effects of the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122 on intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) were studied in MDCK cells. U73122 elevated [Ca2+]i dose-dependently. Ca2+ influx contributed to 75% of 20 microM U73122-induced Ca2+ signals.

Oral drug of choice in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: Conservative treatment of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is variable.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of commonly used oral medications such as diuretics, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and steroids in the treatment of CTS.

Methods: Prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of patients with clinical symptoms and signs of CTS, confirmed by standard electrodiagnosis.

The additive effect of sclerotherapy to patients receiving repeated endoscopic variceal ligation: a prospective, randomized trial.

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is a new technique designed to manage esophageal varices. The effect of sclerotherapy following repeated banding ligation remains unknown. Seventy-two patients with a history of esophageal variceal bleeding received regular EVL until variceal disappearance or until left with residual small varices.

Inhibitory effects of berberine on voltage- and calcium-activated potassium currents in human myeloma cells.

The effects of berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, were investigated in human myeloma cells. In cells with intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) = 10 nM, the depolarizing square pulses from -80 mV elicited an instantaneous outward current with an inactivation. This outward current was voltage dependent, activating at -30 mV and showed inactivation with repetitive depolarization, and was hence believed to be n type voltage-activated K+ current (IK(V)).

Dideoxy fingerprinting for rapid screening of rpoB gene mutations in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Rifampin is a key component of therapeutic regimens for tuberculosis control, and a marker for multidrug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mutations responsible for conferring rifampin resistance in M. tuberculosis are known to occur in a 69-bp region of the rpoB gene.

Primary liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in Taiwan.

Pyogenic liver abscess is an uncommon complication of intra-abdominal or biliary tract infection and is usually a polymicrobial infection associated with high mortality and high rates of relapse. However, over the past 15 years, we have observed a new clinical syndrome in Taiwan: liver abscesses caused by a single microorganism, Klebsiella pneumoniae. We reviewed 182 cases of pyogenic liver abscess during the period September 1990 to June 1996; 160 of these cases were caused by K.

La3+ inhibits the UTP-induced Ca2+ mobilization in MDCK cells.

We have studied the effects of La3+ on UTP-induced rises in intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) measured by fura-2 fluorimetry in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. UTP induced [Ca2+]i rises dose-dependently with an EC50 of 1 mM. The Ca2+ signal was triggered by a Ca2+ release from the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive pool because the signal was completely blocked by pretreatment of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ pump inhibitor thapsigargin (TG) or the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73,122.

Adding ketamine in a multimodal patient-controlled epidural regimen reduces postoperative pain and analgesic consumption.

Unlabelled: We designed this double-blind study to evaluate the effect of adding small-dose ketamine in a multimodal regimen of postoperative patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). Ninety-one patients, ASA physical status I-III, undergoing major surgery, received a standardized general anesthesia and epidural catheterization in an appropriate intervertebral space after surgery. A PCEA device was programmed to deliver a regimen of morphine 0.

Elimination of hypercapnia may postpone the clinical presentation of malignant hyperthermia: a case report.

Malignant hyperthermia is a rare complication in clinical anesthesia, especially associated with the administration of succinylcholine or inhalation anesthetics. A 19-year-old patient, suffering from traumatic mandible fracture, underwent open reduction under general anesthesia. Unfortunately, following administration of succinylcholine, he also suffered severe facial twitch and the first episode of hypercapnia.

Is captopril-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity mediated via endothelin?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been reported to improve insulin sensitivity during either short-term or long-term administration. Recent studies indicate that endothelin-1 (ET-1) has potent glycogenolytic effects in rat hepatocytes and may cause insulin resistance in rat adipocytes. In addition, ET may also have a role in stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Primary intracranial leiomyoma: case report.

We present a case of intracranial parenchymal leiomyoma in a 20-year-old woman with a chief complaint of numbness and a painful sensation over the right limbs for several years. CT and MRI revealed an intensely enhancing calcified mass. The patient was well, without recurrence, 2 years after surgery.

Coxsackievirus B1 infection in infants less than 2 months of age.

Most of the neonatal enteroviral infections reported in the literature are associated with Coxsackievirus B2-B5 and echovirus 9 and 11. We report a retrospective Coxsackievirus B1 (CB1) infection in infants less than 2 months of age. Seventeen patients had aseptic meningitis and 8 had systemic sepsis (multi-organ involvement including meningitis, impaired liver function, and abnormality in coagulation).

Spindle cell carcinoma of the lung: a clinicopathologic presentation of three cases.

Three patients with spindle cell carcinoma located in the lower respiratory tract are presented, including cases of two monophasic and one biphasic tumor. On light microscopic examination, the spindle cell components of the tumors were histologically characterized by sheets of fusiform spindle cells that closely resembled a sarcoma. Keratin expression in the spindle cell components of these tumors, as shown by anti-cytokeratin antibody staining, demonstrated their epithelial nature.

Multifocal retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma: a case report.

This report concerns a 67-year-old male with malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising from the psoas muscle and perirenal soft tissue. The tumor was considered a mesenchymal neoplasm. These are generally clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from other retroperitoneal tumors.

Effect of preoperative transdermal ketoprofen on post-hysterectomy pain.

Background: In an attempt to reduce central sensitization after tissue injury, the concept of "pre-emptive analgesia" was evolved. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of pre-incisional transdermal ketoprofen on post-hysterectomy pain.

Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for elective trans-abdominal total hysterectomy were divided into three groups.

The acting site of bronchodilator, methacholine and upper respiratory tract infection on airways.

Background: The bronchodilator agent is an important drug for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methacholine is a popular bronchial provocative agent. Although the major acting site of bronchodilator, methacholine and upper respiratory tract infection (URI) has been evaluated in some studies, the sites are still in debate.