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Background: The beach chair position (BCP) can cause significant hypotension. Epinephrine is used to prolong the duration of local anesthetics; it is also absorbed into blood and can exert systemic effects. This study determined the effects of epinephrine mixed with ropivacaine for an interscalene block (ISB) on hemodynamic changes related to BCP. Methods: Patient data collected from March 2013 to August 2014 were used retrospectively. We divided the patients into three groups: 1) ISB only, 2) I+G (general anesthesia after ISB without epinephrine), and 3) I+E+G (general anesthesia after ISB with epinephrine). Mean blood pressure (MBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured for 30 minutes at 5-minute intervals. Results: The study analyzed data from 431 patients. MBP tended to decrease gradually in the groups I+G and I+E+G. There were significant differences in MBP between the groups I+G and I, and between the groups I+G and I+E+G. Group I+E+G showed a significant increase in HR compared with the other two groups. Conclusions: ISB with an epinephrine mixture did not prevent hypotension caused by the BCP after general anesthesia. HR increased only in response to the epinephrine mixture. A well-planned prospective study is required to compare hemodynamic changes in that context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endotracheal intubation sometimes leads to complications, particularly in patients with anticipated difficult intubation. The GlideScope is preferred because of its high success rate in cases with anticipated difficult intubation. However, complications during the process have been reported. Most minor injuries can be treated after early detection. However, treatment can be difficult if complications occur later. We report a patient who underwent an emergency tracheostomy due to a delayed airway obstruction caused by pharyngeal wall bleeding during intubation with a GlideScope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuropathic pain induced by spinal or peripheral nerve injury is very resistant to common pain killers, nerve block, and other pain management approaches. Recently, several studies using stem cells suggested a new way to control the neuropatic pain. In this study, we used the spinal nerve L5 ligation (SNL) model to investigate whether intrathecal rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) were able to decrease pain behavior, as well as the relationship between rMSCs and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methods: Neuropathic pain of the left hind paw was induced by unilateral SNL in Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10 in each group). Mechanical sensitivity was assessed using Von Frey filaments at 3, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, and 24 days post-ligation. rMSCs (10 μI, 1 × 105) or phosphate buffer saline (PBS, 10 μI) was injected intrathecally at 7 days post-ligation. Dihydroethidium (DHE), an oxidative fluorescent dye, was used to detect ROS at 24 days post-ligation. Results: Tight ligation of the L5 spinal nerve induced allodynia in the left hind paw after 3 days post-ligation. ROS expression was increased significantly (P < 0.05) in spinal dorsal horn of L5. Intrathecal rMSCs significantly (P < 0.01) alleviated the allodynia at 10 days after intrathecal injection (17 days post-ligation). Intrathecal rMSCs administration significantly (P < 0.05) reduced ROS expression in the spinal dorsal horn. Conclusions: These results suggest that rMSCs may modulate neuropathic pain generation through ROS expression after spinal nerve ligation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glomus tumors are a rare, benign neoplasm and 75% exist in the subungual region. Extradigital glomus tumors are much more difficult to diagnose because of their atypical location and symptoms. Furthermore, if their symptoms are similar to neuropathic pain, the patient can suffer from misdirected treatment due to misdiagnosis. It is essential to perform careful evaluation of the lesion itself in order to reduce misdiagnosis. Ultrasonography is a useful, non-invasive method that can be easily performed in the pain clinic for local evaluation and diagnosis. We report a case of misdiagnosed glomus tumor in the thigh which was properly diagnosed after ultrasonography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We realized a real space-based virtual aquarium equipped with a multiview function that provides images for users and audiences at the same time through motion tracking sensors. A virtual reality system needs more natural and intuitive interfaces so as to enhance users' immersion. We attach markers on users and camera devices in a real space designed in the one-to-one size as the virtual space to trace user and camera motions, which is reflected in real time to generate virtual world images. These images are transmitted to the user's immersing image devices. Also, the system allows audiences to share experiences by providing them with virtual synthetic images from a third-person perspective including a user after taking the user in the real space with a camcorder on which motion tracking markers are attached. For this, the system provides the functions of marker-based motion tracking with sensors, recognition of user's motions, real-time actual image rendering, and multiview to realize a system to simulate more intuitive and natural virtual space interactions, which can be used for the construction of motion-based realistic/experiencing systems, which increasingly attract interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a methodology about game environment system based on BCI (brain computer interface) for immersion of FPS game play. FPS game is a video game genre centered on gun shooting and projectile weapon-based combat through a first-person perspective; immersion is important factor in this game. FPS game designer makes efforts to raise player's immersion using interface, graphic effect, sound, and so forth.We implemented real-time game environment system using game player's emotional state information from the BCI sensor to raise the degree of immersion in FPS game. We measured user's EEG signal using MindSet to take user's emotional state on playing game. We can get user's emotional state in 4 categories (attention/inattention, meditation/uneasiness) and this emotional state interacts with game environment system real time. In game environment space, each player experiences different environmental situation (lighting, fog) because each player has emotional state on each scene. We implemented game environment system to be changed (lighting, fog) on playing FPS game. Player can feel the change of game environment by our system. We found out that game environment system can be applied to various game genres to raise player's immersion on playing game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless sensor networks have grown rapidly with the innovation in Information Technology. Sensor nodes are distributed and deployed over the area for gathering requisite information. Sensor nodes possess a negative characteristic of limited energy which pulls back the network from exploiting its peak capabilities. Hence, it is necessary to gather and transfer the information in an optimized way which reduces the energy dissipation. Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is being widely used in optimizing the network routing protocols. Ant Based Routing can play a significant role in the enhancement of network life time. In this paper, Intercluster Ant Colony Optimization algorithm (IC-ACO) has been proposed that relies upon ACO algorithm for routing of data packets in the network and an attempt has been made to minimize the efforts wasted in transferring the redundant data sent by the sensors which lie in the close proximity of each other in a densely deployed network. The IC-ACO algorithm was studied by simulation for various network scenarios. The results depict the lead of IC-ACO as compared to LEACH protocol by indicating higher energy efficiency, prolonged network lifetime, enhanced stability period, and the elevated amount of data packets in a densely deployed wireless sensor network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gabapentin is thought to exert an effect through the voltage-dependent calcium channel. Vitamin E is a widely known antioxidant which neutralizes the harmful effect of ROS which is considered to play a prominent role in various painful conditions. This study was therefore conducted to assess the antinociceptive effects of gabapentin and vitamin E and the interaction of these drugs in the modulation of pain in rats subjected to a formalin test. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats with a lumbar intrathecal catheter were tested for their paw flinches by 5% formalin injection after intrathecal injection of gabapentin or vitamin E. After obtaining dose-response curves for each drug, the effect of the combination was tested by the total dose fraction value and isobolographic analysis. Results: When a single drug was injected intrathecally, significant dose-dependent decreases in flinches were shown only in the late phase. ED50 values of intrathecal gabapentin and vitamin E in the late phase were 75.3 ± 9.58 µg, and 17.56 ± 1.65 mg/kg respectively. The combination of gabapentin and vitamin E produced dose-dependent decreases in the number of flinches in both phases induced by the formalin test. The ED50 value of the combination was lower than the theoretical additive values in the late phase, but did not show a significant difference with the theoretical additive value. Conclusions: Gabapentin and vitamin E (by itself ) have no antinociceptive effect in the early phase; however their combination has shown an antinociceptive effect. In addition, they show additive effects in the late phase of the formalin test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vitamin E is widely known to be one of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers and a drug that can easily be obtained, and it has been shown to attenuate the pain responses induced by various causes in animal pain models. Thus, this experiment was conducted to assess the antinociceptive effects of vitamin E by comparing intraperitoneal and intrathecal injections in rats subjected to the formalin test. Methods: After the intraperitoneal and intrathecal injections of vitamin E were carried out, respectively (IP: 500 mg/kg, 1 g/kg, and 2 g/kg, IT: 3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg), the formalin test was perfumed. As soon as 5% formalin was injected into left hind paw, the number of flinches induced by pain was measured at 5-minute intervals for 1 hour. Results: Formalin injected into the left hind paw induced biphasic nociceptive behavior in all animals. Intraperitoneal injection of vitamin E diminished the nociceptive behavior in a dose-dependent manner during the early and late phase. Intrathecal vitamin E diminished nociceptive behavior dose dependently during the late phase but showed no significant difference in the early phase. Conclusions: Vitamin E attenuated acute nociception when it was injected systemically, while both systemic and intrathecal injection produced analgesia in a rat model of formalin-induced hyperalgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and nitroperoxide, cause oxidative stress which interferes with normal cell functioning, resulting in cell damage. It is reported to be associated with chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain, and inflammatory pain. ROS is also closely related to central sensitization. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the effects of Phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), an ROS scavenger, in acute, continuous, and increasing pain caused by central sensitization. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups, an intraperitoneal group (IP) and an intrathecal group (IT), and once again divided into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was injected with Phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), a free radical scavenger, either intraperitoneally or intrathecally. After inducing pain by injecting formalin into the hind paw, pain behaviors were measured. Lumbar enlargement immmunohistochemistry was performed to assess nitrotyrosine, an oxidative stress marker, to identify the degree of protein nitration. Results: Both experimental groups of IP and IT showed statistically significant decreases in the number of flinches compared to the control group in phase 1 and 2. Immunohistochemical evaluation in the control group revealed an increase in nitrated proteins in the gray matter of the lumbar spinal cord, but a significant decrease in nitrated proteins in the gray matter of lumbar spinal cord of the experimental group. Conclusions: Intraperitoneal and intrathecal administration of PBN decreases analgesic behaviors, allowing us to believe that ROS is mainly responsible for acute pain and central sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown that if performed without radiographic guidance, the loss of resistance (LOR) technique can result in inaccurate needle placement in up to 30% of lumbar epidural blocks. To date, no study has shown the efficacy of measuring the depth of the posterior complex (ligamentum flavum, epidural space, and posterior dura) ultrasonographically to distinguish true and false LOR. Methods: 40 cervical epidural blocks were performed using the LOR technique and confirmed by epidurograms. Transverse ultrasound images of the C6/7 area were taken before each cervical epidural block, and the distances from the skin to the posterior complex, transverse process, and supraspinous ligament were measured on each ultrasound view. The number of LOR attempts was counted, and the depth of each LOR was measured with a standard ruler. Correlation of false and true positive LOR depth with ultrasonographically measured depth was also statistically analyzed. Results: 76.5% of all cases (26 out of 34) showed false positive LOR. Concordance correlation coefficients between the measured distances on ultrasound (skin to ligamentum flavum) and actual needle depth were 0.8285 on true LOR. Depth of the true positive LOR correlated with height and weight, with a mean of 5.64 ± 1.06 cm, while the mean depth of the false positive LOR was 4.08 ± 1.00 cm. Conclusions: Ultrasonographic measurement of the ligamentum flavum depth (or posterior complex) preceding cervical epidural block is beneficial in excluding false LOR and increasing success rates of cervical epidural blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) with information on the possible causes, pathophysiological studies and the supraspinal studies on CRPS pain. It mentions that the possible causes include tissue damage, nerve damage, and traumas. It also notes the wide range of physiological processes in taking pathophysiological studies and the roles of the posterior parietal cortices related to CRPS symptoms.

The article presents a case study of 82-year-man scheduled for elective laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy. Topics discusses include the history of severe anaphylactic reactions following rocuronium injection, endotracheal intubation, epinephrine administration, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) initiatiation after anaphylaxis, and selection of cisatracurium as the neuromuscular blocking agent for anesthesia.

Although sol–gel IZO thin films are entirely porous, there are local dense regions at the surface and interface. From the relationship between the refractive index and thickness, we found that densified regions are maximized to the level of sputter thin films’ density when the thickness is reduced. TFT devices with one-layer and four-layer IZO channels with the same thickness of 200 Å were compared. The four-layer channel showed a field-effect mobility of 9.06 cm2 V−1 s−1. This result shows an improvement of five times compared to the 1.95 cm2 V−1 s−1 of the one-layer channel, thus validating the effect of densification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no published guideline for the vaccination to pigs even though several vaccine companies suggested the program based on their products. It is very difficult to standardize the program because most of the veterinary vaccines are containing several multivalent antigens depending on the companies. Now, we are suggesting the vaccine programs based on the current situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]