非小细胞肺癌患者中B细胞淋巴瘤-2、人体第二表皮生长因子受体蛋白表达的比较研究

目的 研究非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者B细胞淋巴瘤-2（Bcl-2）、人体第二表皮生长因子受体（Her-2）蛋白的表达情况及临床意义.方法 应用组织芯片、免疫组化技术检测208例NSCLC患者的肿瘤组织、150例癌旁组织以及17例良性肺疾病肺组织中的Bcl-2、Her-2蛋白的表达情况.结果 ①NSCLC癌组织中Bcl-2蛋白表达率明显高于癌旁组织及肺良性疾病肺组织（ P〈0.05）;Bcl-2蛋白表达水平与NSCLC临床分期及淋巴结转移有相关性（P〈0．05）.②NSCLC癌组织中Her-2蛋白的表达率明显高于癌旁组织及肺良性疾病肺组织（P〈0.05）;Her-2蛋白表达水平与NSCLC分化程度差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）.结论 ①Bcl-2、Her-2蛋白在NSCLC组织中均高表达,提示Bcl-2及Her-2基因的表达异常与NSCLC的发生发展密切相关;②Bcl-2蛋白表达程度与NSCLC的临床分期及淋巴结转移有关,Her-2蛋白表达程度与NSCLC的分化程度有关,提示两者均与肿瘤恶性生物学行为密切相关.     

非小细胞肺癌中细胞外信号调节激酶表达的意义

目的 探讨细胞外信号调节激酶ERK1和ERK2蛋白在非小细胞肺癌组织中的表达及其意义。方法 应用固定化蛋白质印迹法检测52例非小细胞肺癌及癌旁正常肺组织中ERK1、ERK2及磷酸化的ERK（P—ERK）蛋白的表达;应用免疫组织化学法分析其在细胞内的定位。结果 肺癌组织中ERK1、ERK2及P—ERK蛋白的表达水平明显高于癌旁正常组织,分别为癌旁组织的1．5、1．8和1．7倍（P〈0．01）;ERK1与ERK2蛋白表达水平呈正线性相关（r=0．64,P〈0．01）。免疫组织化学显示ERK蛋白主要位于细胞浆内。结论 ERK蛋白的过表达可能在非小细胞肺癌的发生、发展过程中起着重要的作用。     

促血管生成素家族在大肠腺癌中的表达及与微血管密度和临床病理特征的关系

目的 探讨促血管生成素-1（Ang-1）、促血管生成素-2（Ang-2）、促血管生成素受体（Tie-2）及血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）在大肠腺癌及癌旁正常组织中的表达，及与微血管密度（MVD）和临床病理特征的关系。方法 采用免疫组织化学方法检测Ang-1、Ang-2、Tie-2及VEGF在45例大肠腺癌及10例癌旁正常组织中的表达。结果 大肠腺癌组织中的Ang-2蛋白及VEGF蛋白明显高于癌旁正常组织（P〈0．01），腺癌的分化程度越低，Ang-2及VEGF蛋白的表达率越高（P〈0．05），Ang-2与VEGF蛋白的表达存在明显正相关性（r=0．997，P〈0．01）；大肠腺癌组织中的Ang-1蛋白明显低于癌旁正常组织（P〈0．01），腺癌的分化程度越高，Ang-1蛋白的表达率越高（P〈0．05）；Tie-2蛋白在大肠腺癌和癌旁正常组织中的表达差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。大肠腺癌的分化程度越低，MVD越高（P〈0．05），腺癌组织中Ang-1蛋白阳性表达组MVD明显低于阴性表达组（P〈0．01），Ang-2蛋白阳性表达组MVD明显高于阴性表达组（P〈0．01）。≥5cm及有淋巴结转移的大肠腺癌组织中，Ang-2蛋白的表达明显增加（x^2=8．889，P〈0．01；x^2=10．020，P〈0．01）。结论 在大肠腺癌组织中，相对Ang-1占优势的Ang-2的过度表达，可能在肿瘤的血管生成和进展过程中起着重要作用。     

基质金属蛋白酶-9表达与非小细胞肺癌生物学行为及预后的相关性研究

目的：探讨基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）的表达与非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）生物学行为及预后的相关性,判断其能否作为预测NSCLC预后的生物学指标。方法：采用免疫组化染色技术检测79例2000年1月-2003年12月在我院就诊的NSCLC患者癌组织和20例良性肺疾病患者正常肺组织标本中MMP-9的表达水平,比较其与NSCLC临床病理因素和术后5年生存率之间的关系。结果：MMP-9在NSCLC组织中阳性表达率明显高于正常肺组织中的表达;MMP-9的表达水平与NSCLC的TNM分期（r=0．3987,P〈0．05）、淋巴结转移（P〈0．05）和肿瘤最大直径（r=0．3546,P〈0．05）呈正相关,与病理类型（r=0．1904,P〉0．05）和组织分化程度（P〉O．05）无关;生存分析提示MMP-9高表达者生存率明显低于无／低表达者。结论：MMP-9可以成为临床判断NSCLC生物学行为及预后的重要参考指标。     

肾母细胞瘤过表达基因和WT1基因在肾癌组织中转录水平的定量研究

目的 研究肾癌组织中肾母细胞瘤过表达基因（NOV）及WT1基因mRNA定量表达水平及意义。方法 肾癌组织标本57例。男40例，女17例，平均年龄65岁。T139例、T213例、T3a5例；G114例、G223例、G320例。应用实时RT—PCR方法定量检测癌组织及36例癌旁正常肾组织中NOV和WT1的mRNA表达，并对2种基因表达水平进行相关性分析。结果 肾癌组织NOVmRNA表达水平中位值（1．17）显著低于癌旁正常组织（4．32，P〈0．05），乳头状肾癌组织表达量（2．67）显著高于透明细胞癌（1．06，P〈0．05），G．肿瘤表达量（4．61）显著高于G2～G3肿瘤（1．11，P〈0．05）。NOV表达与肿瘤分期、大小等无显著相关。WT1mRNA在肾癌组织中的表达水平中位值（0．13）显著低于癌旁正常组织（1．93，P〈0．05），WT1表达与肿瘤分期、分级、组织类型等均无关。NOVmRNA与WT1mRNA表达水平无明显相关。结论 NOV基因与肾癌的发生和分化相关。WT1在肾癌组织中表现为低表达。NOV表达是否受WT1的调节尚需进一步研究。     

EphrinA1在原发性肝细胞癌中的表达及临床意义

目的探讨原发性肝细胞癌中EphrinA1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平及其临床意义。方法应用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）及免疫组织化学方法检测EphrinA1的mRNA及蛋白在40例肝癌及相应的癌旁肝组织和10例正常肝组织中的表达水平,并分析其与临床病理学特点之间的关系。结果40例肝癌组织及相应的癌旁肝组织和10例正常肝组织中均有EphrinA1 mRNA的表达。RT-PCR分析显示EphrinA1mRNA在肝癌组织（0．5413±0．1527）中的表达显著高于癌旁肝组织（0．3895±0．0549,P〈0．05）和正常肝组织（0．3770±0．1055,P〈0．05）,而在癌旁肝组织（0．3895±0．0549）和正常肝组织（0．3770±0．1055）中的表达差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。从正常肝组织、癌旁肝组织到肝癌组织,EphrinA1蛋白的阳性表达率分别为20％（2／10）、35％（14／40）和62％（25／40）,呈递增趋势（x^2=14．762,P〈0．05）。EphrinA1蛋白的过表达与肝癌细胞的分化程度、门静脉癌栓的形成及淋巴结转移等临床病理因素有关（P〈0．05）。结论EphrinA1蛋白的过表达与肝癌细胞的分化程度、淋巴结转移和门静脉癌栓有密切联系,提示其可能在肝癌的恶性转化、侵袭和转移过程中发挥重要作用。     

转移抑制基因Kiss-1和KAI-1在胃癌组织中表达的原位杂交研究

目的研究胃癌及其癌旁组织Kiss-1和KAI-1转移抑制基因信使核糖核酸（Kiss-1mRNA和KAI-1 mRNA）的表达水平及其临床意义。方法将49例胃癌组织和20例癌旁组织常规制作石蜡包埋切片．用Kiss-1 mRNA和KAI-1 mRNA染色方法作为原位杂交染色法。结果胃癌组织中Kiss-1 mRNA和KAI-1 mRNA表达阳性率明显低于癌旁组织（P〈0．01）；正常至轻度不典型增生癌旁组织两者Kiss-1 mRNA和KAI-1 mRNA表达阳性率及其评分明显高于中至重度不典型增生病例（P〈0．05，P〈0．01）。侵袭深度T1～T2、区域淋巴结无转移、第1站淋巴结转移及无远处转移的胃癌Kiss-1 mRNA和KAI-1 mRNA表达阳性率及其评分明显高于侵袭深度T3～T4、区域淋巴结有转移、第2站或第3站淋巴结转移及有远处转移的病例（P〈0．05，P〈0．01）；但两者的表达与胃癌其他临床病理特征无明显关系。胃癌组织中Kiss-1 mRNA表达评分与KAI-1 mRNA表达评分呈密切正相关（r=0．53，P〈0．01）。结论Kiss-1 mRNA和KAI-1 mRNA表达可能是反映胃癌侵袭和转移潜力及预后的重要生物学标记物，对胃良性病变者检测Kiss-1 mRNA和／或KAI-1 mRNA可能对早期发现及预防胃癌发生有重要临床意义。     

载脂蛋白M在结直肠癌组织中的表达及其临床病理相关性

目的探讨载脂蛋白M（apoM）在结直肠癌组织中表达水平的变化及其临床相关性。方法采用荧光定量PCR检测20例结直肠癌组织及其癌旁组织中apoM的mRNA表达：采用免疫组织化学方法检测7例正常肠黏膜、6例肠炎组织、10例肠息肉、20例结直肠癌及其癌旁组织中apoM的蛋白表达水平。结果apoMmRNA在结直肠癌组织和癌旁组织中均有表达．前者相对表达量显著低于后者（0．05±0．01比0．19±0．05,P〈0．05）。无淋巴结转移者apoMmRNA表达水平显著低于有淋巴结转移者（P〈0．01）。结直肠癌组织中apoM蛋白表达中位分值为5．50．显著低于癌旁组织（10．5,P〈0．05）、肠炎组织（9．75,P〈0．05）、肠息肉组织（11．0,P〈0．01）及正常黏膜组织（10．5,P〈0．05）。未见结肠癌组织中apoM蛋白水平与患者临床病理特征有关（P〉0．05）。结论载脂蛋白apoM在肠癌组织中的mRNA及蛋白水平较正常组织及良性病变组织显著降低。结直肠癌组织中apoMmRNA表达水平与淋巴结转移有关。     

肝细胞癌中SFRP1和APC基因启动子甲基化与其mRNA的表达

目的探讨肝细胞癌（HCC）中SFRP1和APC基因启动子甲基化状态及其mRNA表达的关系。方法应用甲基化特异性聚合酶链反应（MSP）和逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）技术，检测30例肝细胞癌（HCC组）及相应的癌旁组织（癌旁组）和10例正常肝组织（正常对照组）中SFRP1及APC基因启动子甲基化状态和mRNA的表达水平，分析甲基化与某些临床参数与mRNA表达的关系。结果HCC组、癌旁组及正常对照组中的SFRP1和APC基因启动子甲基化率分别是11／30，4／30，0／10和14／30，5／30，0／10；HCC组明显高于其余两组（P〈0．05）。SFRP1基因启动子甲基化与临床资料无关（P〉0．05）；APC基因启动子甲基化与年龄（〈60）岁和癌肿无假包膜有关（P〈0．05）。HCC组SFRP1基因mRNA表达明显低于其余两组（P〈0．05），各组APC基因mRNA表达差异无显著性。两基因甲基化之间无相关性。结论SFRP1和APC基因启动子甲基化与HCC的形成和进展有关，但HCC组织中基因甲基化与mRNA表达的关系尚不明确。     

SOX2在肝细胞肝癌组织中的表达及其临床意义

目的：研究SOX2在肝细胞肝癌和癌旁肝组织的表达及其意义,探讨其表达水平与临床病理因素的联系。方法：收集42例肝细胞肝癌患者的临床资料,采用RT—PCR和Westernblot方法检测SOX2在42例肝细胞肝癌和癌旁肝组织的表达,并分析其表达水平与临床病理因素的联系。结果：PCR结果显示SOX2mRNA在肝细胞肝癌组织中的表达水平为0．7136±0．1556,明显高于癌旁肝组织（O4429±0．1215）,差异有统计学意义（f=8．8864．P〈0．001）;Westernblot结果显示,SOX2蛋白在肝细胞肝癌的表达水平为0．4638±0．1600,高于癌旁肝组织（0．3130±0．1554）,差异有统计学意义（t=3．8839,P〈0．05）;SOX2mRNA表达水平与患者的性别、年龄、血清AFP水平、肿瘤大小无明显相关性（P〉O．05）,而与临床TNM分期有明显相关性（P〈0．05）。Westernblot显示SOX2蛋白在TNMI期中的表达明显低于Ⅱ、Ⅲ期中的表达。结论：SOX2在肝细胞肝癌组织中的表达高于癌旁肝组织中的表达,其表达水平与临床TMN分期密切有关。     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Synergistic interaction between the effects of propofol and midazolam with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity in rabbits

Background: It has been shown that the depressive effects of both propofol and midazolam on consciousness are synergistic with opioids, but the nature of their interactions on other physiological systems, e. g. respiration, has not been fully investigated. The present study examined the effect of propofol and midazolam alone and in combination with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity (PNA) and whether such interactions are additive or synergistic. Methods: PNA was recorded in 27 anaesthetised and artificially ventilated rabbits. In three groups, propofol, fentanyl and midazolam were administered intravenously in incremental doses to construct dose-response curves for the depressant effects of each one on PNA. In another two groups, the effect of pretreatment with either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. on the effects of propofol and fentanyl respectively on PNA were studied. Results: Propofol and fentanyl caused a dose-dependent depression of PNA with complete abolition at the highest total doses of 16 mg · kg^?1 i. v. and 32 μg · kg^?1 i. v., respectively. In contrast, midazolam in incremental doses to a total of 0.8 mg · kg^?1 reduced mean PNA by 63%, but approximately 12% of PNA remained at a total dose as high as 6.4 mg · kg^?1. The mean ED₅₀s, calculated from dose-response curves, were 5.4 mg · kg^?1, 3.9 μg · kg^?1 and 0.4 mg · kg^?1 for propofol, fentanyl and midazolam, respectively. Initial doses of either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. acted synergistically with subsequent doses of either propofol or fentanyl to abolish PNA at total doses of 8 mg · kg^?1 and 8 μg · kg^?1, respectively. Conclusion: Fentanyl has a synergistic interaction with both propofol and midazolam on PNA and hence potentially on respiration.     

Influence of dopexamine hydrochloride on haemodynamics and regulators of circulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background: Catecholaminergic support is often used to improve haemodynamics in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Dopexamine is a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine with beneficial microcirculatory properties. Methods: The influence of perioperative administration of dopexamine on cardiorespiratory data and important regulators of macro- and microcirculation were studied in 30 patients undergoing Whipple pancreaticduodenectomy. The patients received randomized and blinded either 2 μg · kg^?1 · min^?1 of dopexamine (n=15) or placebo (n=15, control group). The infusion was started after induction of anaesthesia and continued until the morning of the first postoperative day. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and catecholamine plasma levels were measured from arterial blood samples. Measurements were carried out after induction of anaesthesia, 2 h after onset of surgery, at the end of surgery, 2 h after surgery, and on the morning of the first postoperative day. Results: Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly in the dopexamine group (from 2.61±0.41 to 4.57±0.78 1 · min^?1 · m^?2) and remained elevated until the morning of the first postoperative day. Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) and oxygen consumption index (VO₂I) were also significantly increased in the dopexamine group (DO₂I: from 416±91 to 717±110 ml/m² · m²; VO₂I: from 98±25 to 157±22 ml/m² · m²), being significantly higher than in the control group. pHi remained stable only in the dopexamine patients, indicating adequate splanchnic perfusion. Vasopressive regulators of circulation increased significantly only in the untreated control patients (vasopressin: from 4.37±1.1 to 35.9±12.1 pg/ml; ET-1: from 2.88±0.91 to 6.91±1.20 pg/ml). Conclusion: Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery may profit from prophylactic perioperative administration of dopexamine hydrochloride in the form of improved haemodynamics and oxygenation as well as beneficial influence on important regulators of organ blood flow.     

A comparison of the inhibitory effects of four volatile anaesthetics on the metabolism of chlorzoxazone, a substrate for CYP2E1, in rabbits

Background: Halothane inhibits in vitro and in vivo activity of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1. There are several fluorinated volatile anaesthetics besides halothane, and most of them are defluorinated by CYP2E1. It is unclear whether other fluorinated anaesthetics inhibit the in vivo activity of CYP2E1.
Methods: We compared the inhibitory effects of therapeutic concentrations of four inhalational anaesthetics, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, on chlorzoxazone metabolism in rabbits receiving artificial ventilation.
Results: All four inhalational anaesthetics decreased arterial blood pressure and increased plasma chlorzoxazone concentration. However, no significant differences in the plasma chlorzoxazone concentration were found between the four anaesthetics. The estimated chlorzoxazone clearance increased after beginning inhalation with all four agents, but no significant difference in clearance was noted between agents.
Conclusions: At therapeutic concentrations, the in vivo inhibitory effect on chlorzoxazone metabolism was similar for all four inhalational anaesthetics examined, even though their chemical characteristics and extent of hepatic metabolism differ considerably.     

Systemic analgesia adapted to the children's condition

A concept of balanced analgesia using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol (acetaminophen), opioids, and corticosteroids can also be used in patients with pre-existing illnesses. NSAIDs are the most effective treatment for acute pain of moderate intensity in children; however, these drugs should be avoided in patients at increased risk for serious side effects, e.g. patients with renal impairment, bleeding tendency, or extreme prematurity. NSAIDs can be given with minimal risks to the younger child with mild to moderate asthma, and, in these patients, the use of steroids can be encouraged; in addition to their antiemetic and analgesic action, a beneficial effect on asthma symptoms can be expected. In the non-intubated child with cerebral trauma, exaggerated sedation caused by opioids and increased bleeding tendency caused by NSAIDs must be avoided. In neonates and small infants, the oral administration of sucrose or glucose is helpful to minimize pain reaction during short uncomfortable interventions.