Life sciences
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The study aims to investigate the neurotoxicity induced by combined use of intrathecal lidocaine with bupivacaine and ropivacaine, and to examine the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on lidocaine-induced neurotoxicity. ⋯ Ropivacaine is not safe when intrathecally administered with lidocaine at the concentrations used in this study. Bupivacaine may be safely used with lidocaine at a ratio of 1:1. NGF can reduce lidocaine-induced neurotoxicity, possibly via inhibition of caspase 3-mediated apoptosis.
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Echocardiography is widely used for screening pulmonary hypertension (PH). More recently developed two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) can assess regional deformation of the myocardium and is useful for detecting left ventricular dysfunction. However, its usefulness to assess right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is not clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the ability of peak systolic strain (PSS) and post-systolic strain index (PSI) at the RV free wall determined by 2D-STE to detect PH. ⋯ PSS of the RV free wall might serve as a useful non-invasive indicator of PH.
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Comparative Study
Propofol prevents lung injury after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion by inhibiting the interaction between mast cell activation and oxidative stress.
Both mast cells and oxidative stress are involved in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IIR). The aim of this study was to investigate whether propofol could improve IIR-induced ALI through inhibiting their interaction. ⋯ Propofol protects against IIR-mediated ALI, most likely by inhibiting the interaction between oxidative stress and mast cell degranulation.
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To evaluate the hepatocyte phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in the early diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis and assessment of liver function in a rat model. ⋯ Hepatocyte phase RCEI values obtained with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI scan indicate liver injury in hepatic fibrosis and early cirrhosis. RCEI values are helpful for early diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.
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To investigate the effects of intrathecal morphine and fentanyl combined with low-dose naloxone on the expression of motilin and its receptor in a rat model of postoperative pain. ⋯ Acute pain, postoperative analgesia with opioids, and naloxone significantly impacted the expression of hippocampal and peripheral motilin. Variation trends in all sites were not identical. Intrathecal injection of low-dose naloxone upregulated paw withdrawal thermal latency and enhanced the analgesic effects of opioids. The findings presented here provide a new basis for central and peripheral regulations in GI motility, clinical postoperative analgesia, and management of analgesic complications.