Science
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Despite recent genetic evidence and the promise of individualized medicine, there is a continuing interest in using self-identified categories of race and ethnicity as variables in scientific and medical research. The U. ⋯ We believe that this move fails to acknowledge new scientific data and recommend that relevant data from individuals be collected and used rather than broad group statistics. We also encourage that increased funding be committed to this important issue.
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Opiates are widely used analgesics in anesthesiology, but they have serious adverse effects such as depression of breathing. This is caused by direct inhibition of rhythm-generating respiratory neurons in the Pre-Boetzinger complex (PBC) of the brainstem. ⋯ Treatment of rats with a 5-HT4 receptor-specific agonist overcame fentanyl-induced respiratory depression and reestablished stable respiratory rhythm without loss of fentanyl's analgesic effect. These findings imply the prospect of a fine-tuned recovery from opioid-induced respiratory depression, through adjustment of intracellular adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels through the convergent signaling pathways in neurons.