The effect of naloxone on the preoperative gastric volume and pH

The effect of 4 mg oral naloxone on preoperative gastric volume and pH of gastric aspirate was studied in a double-blind, randomized study. Twenty patients received 10 ml of naloxone (4 mg) mixed with 10 ml of orange juice, and 20 patients received 10 ml of isotonic saline mixed with 10 ml of orange juice, 2 h before surgery. Gastric content was obtained immediately after intubation of the trachea. No significant difference in gastric volume and pH of gastric aspirate was found between the two groups. It is concluded that naloxone does not affect gastric emptying and gastric acid secretion to a degree great enough to protect against aspiration of gastric contents into the lungs.     

Morphological characteristics and immunophenotype of dendritic cells generated from monocytes of human peripheral blood

Morphological features and immunophenotype of mature dendritic cells (DC) generated from the monocytes of healthy donor blood after culture with GM-CSF and IL-4 with the addition of TNF, were studied using light and electron microscopy, as well as flow-cytometry. It was shown that DC were characterized by a number of morphological features such as: large size, eccentrically located nucleus, highly developed system of extensions, large vacuolated cytoplasm, prominent and activated Golgi complex and ribosomal apparatus. Mature DC are characterized by active surface expression of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules (MHC I, MHC II, CD40, CD80, CD86).     

Morphogenetic aspect of the influence of purified birch tar on skin

Changes of the histological structure of rat's skin were studied two weeks following the daily applications of native birch tar and of purified birch tar, devoid of the components that could be potentially dangerous for humans. The morphometric investigations were performed with the use of computer technologies on the apparatus-programme complex (DiaMorph, Russia). It has been established that the main morphological manifestations of specific dermatotropic activity of birch tar in the present experiment included: epidermal hypertrophy, hyperkeratosis, stimulation of the activity of all dermal cellular elements, intensification of blood supply, reduction of sebaceous glands. Analysis of morphological findings indicates the bioequivalence of the native and purified birch tar in terms of its specific dermatotropic activity.     

Structural basis for the regulation of the neuronal sensitivity

Using light and electron microscopy structural bases for intracellular, extracellular and integrative regulation of synaptic efficiency and neuron sensitivity were established in rat sensomotor cortex. Intracellular regulation is realized basically through modulation of postsynaptic components of the synapse, while extracellular one is provided by synaptic endings of "recurrent" axons on GABA-ergic relay and interneurons. Integrative regulation is realized by means of concentration of similar axonal terminals in restricted cortical area and arrangement of "neuromediatory" pool.     

Currently available blood saving methods in a patient at cardiac surgery under extracorporeal circulation

Different blood saving methods are analyzed in 2000 cardiac surgical patients undergoing coronary and vascular bypass surgery in 1993 to 2000. The basic blood saving methods are as follows: intraoperative autoreinfusion (normovolemic thermodilution), reinfusion of the patient's blood, preoperative autologous plasma donation in combination with aprotinine, aminocapronic acid, etc. An analysis revealed a decrease in homologous blood components intraoperatively. Red blood cell transfusion decreased from 100% in 1993 to 44% in 2000, fresh frozen plasma and platelet transfusions did from 98 to 39% and from 96 to 1%, respectively. Intraoperative homologous blood transfusion could be avoided in 70% of those undergone coronary bypass surgery.     

Blood oxygen transport and pro-oxidant-antioxidant state during liver reperfusion

Indices of blood oxygen transport (hemoglobin-oxygen affinity, pCO2, pH, pO2, etc.) and prooxidant-antioxidant state (Schiff bases, conjugated dienes, catalase, retinal, alpha-tocopherol) were measured in rabbit blood and the liver during postischemic reperfusion. Hepatic ischemia was induced for 30 min by ligation of a hepatica propria, and reperfusion lasted for 120 min. Hepatic ischemia worsened blood oxygen transport. Restoration of arterial blood flow did not result in improvement of oxygen delivery. Moreover, marked metabolic acidosis was observed throughout 2 hr of reperfusion. Ischemia induced a shift of oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the right. This shift persisted after restoration of hepatic arterial blood flow facilitating increased oxygen transport to tissues. Changes in blood oxygen transport during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion were accompanied with high activity of free radical processes. During reperfusion, the largest increase in content of lipid peroxidation products and the greatest fall of some antioxidant levels except catalase were observed indicating impairment of liver prooxidant-antioxidant balance. The results showed that activation of lipid peroxidation and a decrease in some antioxidant levels during hepatic reperfusion were associated with lowering of hemoglobin-oxygen affinity and suggest participation of the latter in impairment of prooxidant-antioxidant balance.     

Falloposcopy in conjunction with laparoscopy: possibilities and limitations

Falloposcopy is a transvaginal microendoscopic technique to explore the human Fallopian tube from the uterotubal ostium to the fimbrial end. Falloposcopy provides a unique possibility to visualize endotubal disease and may be used therapeutically for removal of debris and for cutting down filmy intraluminal adhesions. To assess the clinical performance of falloposcopy as part of an infertility investigation, a total of 43 women scheduled for laparoscopy as part of an investigation of infertility had a falloposcopy performed in conjunction with the laparoscopy. All women were investigated at Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm and Akademiska Hospital, Uppsala, during 1995 and 1996. Images from the endosalpinx were obtained in 26 of 43 women (60.5%). In 10 women (23.3%), it was possible to obtain images from both tubes. No images were of sufficient quality to describe the entire tubal mucosa in detail. Falloposcopy represents a unique tool for visualization of endotubal disease and may provide a valuable instrument for in-vivo exploration of tubal physiology. However, certain technical problems limit the usefulness of this method in routine clinical practice. These technical problems have to be solved before falloposcopy can achieve a central position in investigation and treatment of tubal disease.