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Summary Sodium bicarbonate may be added to rocuronium to decrease pain on injection. However, this mixture may result in the formation of carbon dioxide bubbles. We investigated whether the addition of sodium bicarbonate to rocuronium alters neuromuscular blockade, in 120 patients randomly assigned to receive rocuronium mixed with saline or bicarbonate 8.4%, either in varying doses (for dose-response measurements; 60 patients) or a fixed dose of 600 μg.kg-1 (for time-course measurements; 60 patients). Sodium bicarbonate resulted in a left-shift of the rocuronium dose-response curve. The effective doses of rocuronium to produce 95% twitch depression were 331.6 (95% CI: 310.4–352.8) and 284.3 (95% CI: 262.0–306.6) μg.kg−1 mixed with isotonic saline or sodium bicarbonate, respectively (p

Flowering was slightly accelerated when iris was grown with 10.7:3.9 meq/L N:K and flowering percentage and vase life were increased when it was grown at a higher nitrogen level (17.9:3.9 meq/L N:K). CO2 concentration increased as the postharvest storage period was prolonged. Flowering of tulip was promoted by 14.3:3.9 meq/L N:K and internode diameter was significantly increased. Flowering of tulip, cultured with 10.7:3.9 meq/L N:K, 12.1:5.1 meq/L N:K and 14.3:3.9 meq/L N:K treatments, was somewhat delayed by postharvest sealing treatment, and quality was also maintained highly. Growth and flowering of lily was not significantly different between treatments. Vase life of the flowers 1-3 was increased (less than 1 day) by the highest nitrogen treatment, 17.9:3.9 meq/L N:K. In case of respiration rate in lily, cultured with 10.7:3.9 meq/L N:K, postharvest lily stored at 3°C was lower than 5°C. INTRODUCTION The cut iris, tulip, and lily are typical export flower crops in Korea. For plants, absorption of nutrient solution is an important factor during growth. Water and minerals are not taken up from a nutrient solution in the same proportion in which the components are present. The rate of absorption depends upon the plant, the climatic and environmental conditions such as light intensity and duration, temperature, and humidity, as well as the type of culture and the stage of development of the crop (Shim et al., 2001). The form of the nutrient is also important, for example, ammonium nitrogen has positive effects on the growth and development of carnations, including promotion of flowering time and increasing flowering percentage (Ishida and Masui, 1976). Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is widely used for both whole and fresh cut products to extend storability and shelf-life during the marketing period (Kader, 1986; Kim, 1998; Watada, 1997; Watada and Qi, 1999). For roses, with time, CO2 accumulates inside the bag, while the relative oxygen concentration is depleted, with the result that the quality of the flowers is improved (Salunkhe et al., 1990). Therefore, this experiment was performed to determine the effects of nutrient solution management and methods of storage and distribution on post-harvest quality in iris, tulip and lily. MATERIALS AND METHODS Effects of Culture Temperature and Nutrient Solution Management on Postharvest Quality in Cut Iris, Tulip and Lily This experiment was done in a greenhouse with a hydroponic system. Air temperature of the greenhouse was at 26/18°C (max./min.). Bulbs of Iris hollandica ‘Blue Magic’, 9-10 cm in circumference, were stored at 5°C for 8 weeks until planting. Bulbs of Tulipa gesneriana ‘Hollandia’, 10-12 cm in circumference, were stored at 5°C for 9 weeks until planting. Bulbs of Lilium ‘Siberia’, 13-15 cm in circumference, were stored at 5°C for 12 weeks until planting. Water was given during the first one week after planting, then nutrient solutions of four nitrogen and potassium levels were used. The Proc. IX Intl. Symp. on Flower Bulbs Eds.: H. Okubo, W.B. Miller and G.A. Chastagner Acta Hort. 673, ISHS 2005 514 nutrient solutions were as follows (all given as N:K, meq/L of each): 10.7:3.9, 12.1:5.1, 14.3:3.9, and 17.9:3.9. The basic nutrient solution also contained macro elements (P:Ca:Mg = 3.0:8.4:4.0 meq/L) and micro elements (Fe:3.0, Mn:0.5, B:0.5, Zn:0.25, Cu:0.03, Mo:0.05 ppm). The nutrient solution was given once per week during the experiment. The pH was maintained 6.5-6.7 and EC was 1.3-1.4 mmho/cm. Plant height, days to flowering, flowering rate, longevity, and diameter of the internode were measured. Effects of Storage and Distribution Conditions on the Postharvest Physiology of Iris, Tulip and Lily Grown in Different Nutrient Conditions Effect of modified atmospheres (MA) on flower longevity and possible interaction with nutrient solution composition was studied. Cut iris was stored at 0°C for pre-cooling after harvest. After pre-cooling, one cut iris was placed in a 1L sealed cylinder, and then, two kinds of gas (MAI: CO2 50% + O2 50%, MAII: CO2 5% + O2 3%) were introduced into the cylinder (15 ml/min for 1 minute). Also, cut iris sealed into cylinders without introduction of gas (MAIII) was dipped in distilled water. The control was dipping in distilled water with cut iris in open air. All treatments were stored at 4°C for 4 days, then the flowering degree and quality and CO2 concentration were measured. Cut tulip was treated with the two gasses, as described above. All treatments were stored at 4°C for 4 days, then the flower developmental index was measured. Flower development was evaluated visually using a scale (1 = green flower bud, 5 = full flowering). The flowering index was determined by multiplying the number of stems at each index value then dividing by the total number of stems. Cut lilies grown with the different nutrient solutions were stored at two temperatures (3 or 5°C) for 4 days, and then, stored at 6°C in a dry or wet condition to simulate transport. Respiration rate was measured every 4 days. Respiration rate was measured by gas production that was calculated from an analysis of 1 ml samples of the head space gas accumulated in 1.5 L chamber in which a cut lily was placed. Three replications were used in each treatment. Gas was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) of which the operating condition is shown in Table 1. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Effects of Culture Temperature and Nutrient Solution Management on Postharvest Quality in Cut Iris, Tulip and Lily Flowering was accelerated when iris was grown with 10.7:3.9 meq/L N:K as compared with other treatments (Table 2). The flowering percentage was increased when iris was grown with the highest nitrogen level (17.9:3.9 meq/L N:K) treatment. Also flower development was slightly increased by the highest nitrogen treatment. Nitrogen had no effect on plant height, leaf length and width, stem diameter, and degree of senescence and flower longevity. Plant height was decreased and plants flowered slightly faster when tulip was grown with 14.3 meq/L nitrogen as compared with other treatments (Table 3). Growth and flowering of lily were not significantly different between treatments but plant height was slightly decreased when lily was grown at the highest nitrogen level (Table 4). Leaf number and flower width were slightly increased by the 14.3:3.9 meq/L N:K treatment, but these differences are probably of no commercial significance. Vase life of flowers 1 to 3 was prolonged by less than 1 day by the highest nitrogen treatment. Nitrogen had no effect on lily stem diameter, days to flowering, leaf length and width, and flower length and number. Effects of Storage and Distribution Conditions on the Postharvest Physiology of Iris, Tulip and Lily Grown in Different Nutrient Conditions For iris, CO2 concentration increased as the postharvest storage period was prolonged (Fig. 1). Especially, CO2 concentration showed the lowest degree at MAIII treatment as compared with other treatments, and we could find that flowering was

The effect of triethylamine (TEA) in the mobile phase on the RPLC retention behavior of small organic solutes has been studied on a conventional polymeric octadecylsilica (ODS) and on a horizontally polymerized ODS. Retention factors for a set of solutes were measured on the two phases with methanol-water mobile phases containing triethylamine at different concentrations and analyzed by use of linear solvation energy relationships (LSER). Variation of the resulting LSER coefficients—v (hydrophobicity),r (polarizability),s (dipolarity),b (hydrogen-bond (HB) donating acidity), anda (HB accepting strength)—were examined to see how TEA affects the intermolecular interaction properties of the mobile and stationary phases and hence the retention of the solutes. Addition of TEA to the mobile phase changes the interaction properties of both conventionally polymerized and horizontally polymerized ODS; the effect is greater for the conventional phase. The HB donating acidity (b) of conventional polymeric ODS is significantly reduced by addition of TEA. For the mobile phases studied the magnitudes of theb andv coefficients for the horizontally polymerized ODS phase are greater than for the conventional phase. The different interaction properties of the two polymeric phases arise mainly as a result of differential adsorption of TEA, because of the very different amounts of surface silanol groups present on the two phases.

We compared the dose-response relationships of cisatracurium, mivacurium, atracurium, vecuronium and rocuronium and examined the interactions of cisatracurium with mivacurium, atracurium, vecuronium and rocuronium in humans by isobolographic and fractional analyses. We studied 180 adult patients during nitrous oxide-fentanyl-propofol anaesthesia. Neuromuscular block was monitored using mechanomyography to detect the twitch response of the ulnar nerve at the wrist. The dose-response curves were determined by probit analysis. The calculated ED50 values and their 95% confidence intervals were 40.9 (38.1-43.7), 49.8 (47.0-52.6), 187.2 (175.1-199.3), 36.6 (34.7-38.5) and 136.4 (129.2-143.6) micrograms.kg-1 for cisatracurium, mivacurium, atracurium, vecuronium and rocuronium, respectively. Corresponding ED95 values were 57.6 (53.5-61.7), 91.8 (88.1-95.5), 253.1 (238.9-267.3), 52.9 (49.1-56.7) and 288.7 (276.2-301.2) micrograms.kg-1, respectively. The interaction between cisatracurium and mivacurium, vecuronium or rocuronium was found to be synergistic, but the interaction between cisatracurium and atracurium was found to be additive. Synergy between cisatracurium and vecuronium or rocuronium was greater than between cisatracurium and mivacurium.

Sodium bicarbonate may be added to rocuronium to decrease pain on injection. However, this mixture may result in the formation of carbon dioxide bubbles. We investigated whether the addition of sodium bicarbonate to rocuronium alters neuromuscular blockade, in 120 patients randomly assigned to receive rocuronium mixed with saline or bicarbonate 8.4%, either in varying doses (for dose-response measurements; 60 patients) or a fixed dose of 600 μg.kg(-1) (for time-course measurements; 60 patients). Sodium bicarbonate resulted in a left-shift of the rocuronium dose-response curve. The effective doses of rocuronium to produce 95% twitch depression were 331.6 (95% CI: 310.4-352.8) and 284.3 (95% CI: 262.0-306.6) μg.kg(-1) mixed with isotonic saline or sodium bicarbonate, respectively (p0.001). The mean (SD) onset times of rocuronium 600 μg.kg(-1) were 3.6 (0.6) and 2.7 (0.5) min in the corresponding groups, respectively (p0.001). The mean (SD) times to 95% recovery were 35.8 (5.8) and 47.9 (7.1) min, respectively (p0.001). We conclude that the mixing of sodium bicarbonate with rocuronium enhances the potency, shortens the onset and prolongs the duration of action.

The efficacy and safety of sildenafil was evaluated in a randomiSed, double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose study in Korean men aged 28-78 y with erectile dysfunction (ED) of broad-spectrum aetiology and more than 6 months duration. A total of 133 patients were randomised at six centres in Korea to receive either sildenafil (50 mg initially, increased if necessary to l00 mg or decreased to 25 mg depending on efficacy and tolerance) (n=66) or matching placebo (n=67) taken on an 'as needed' basis l h prior to anticipated sexual activity for a period of 8 weeks. At the end of this time, the primary efficacy variables relating to the achievement and maintenance of erections sufficient for sexual intercourse, and the secondary efficacy variables, which included: (1) the five separate domains of sexual functioning of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scale, (2) the percentage of successful intercourse attempts, and (3) a global assessment of erections, were all statistically significantly improved by sildenafil in comparison with placebo (P&

A change in mechanical properties of articular cartilage would be considered one of the most reliable signs of cartilage degeneration. While an indentation method has the potential to measure the cartilage properties in vivo, an accurate measurement of cartilage thickness in situ is technically difficult. An ultrasound transducer has often been used to measure the cartilage thickness. However, its accuracy is limited by the lack of an accurate measurement of the ultrasound speed of cartilage, for the ultrasound speed varies according to the pathological conditions of the tissue. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop an in situ calibration method of predicting the true ultrasound speed of cartilage and thus allow the ultrasound transducer to measure the thickness of the tissue with great accuracy. By simultaneously implementing an indentation testing protocol using the ultrasound transducer as an indenter, this method can also provide an indentation stiffness measurement of cartilage. The feasibility of the proposed method was examined using normal and proteoglycan-depleted cartilage specimens. It was found that the true ultrasound speed measured by the in situ calibration method was sensitive to the proteoglycan depletion (1735+/-35 m/s for normal, and 1598+/-28 m/s for proteoglycan-depleted cartilage), and that the measured cartilage thickness was consistently accurate regardless of the tissue condition. The measured indentation stiffness of articular cartilage was also sensitive to the tissue condition. Thus, this study demonstrates that the proposed ultrasonic indentation technique can be used to accurately identify the abnormality of articular cartilage in situ.

In vivo studies using a rabbit model to determine the biologic effects of direct, adenovirus-mediated transfer of a therapeutic gene to the intervertebral disc.1) To deliver an exogenous therapeutic gene to rabbit lumbar intervertebral discs in vivo, 2) to quantify the resulting amount of gene expression, and 3) to determine the effect on the biologic activity of the discs.Although growth factors such as transforming growth factor beta 1 appear to have promising therapeutic properties, there currently is no practical method for sustained delivery of exogenous growth factors to the disc for the management of certain chronic types of disease (e.g., disc degeneration). A possible solution is to modify the disc cells genetically through gene transfer such that the cells manufacture the desired growth factors endogenously on a continuous basis.Saline, with or without virus, was injected directly into lumbar discs of 22 skeletally mature female New Zealand white rabbits. Group 1 (n = 11) received the adenovirus construct Ad/CMV-hTGF beta 1 containing the therapeutic human transforming growth factor beta 1-encoding gene. Group 2 (n = 6) received adenovirus containing the luciferase marker gene. Group 3 (n = 5) received saline only. The rabbits were killed 1 week after injection. Immunohistochemical staining for human transforming growth factor beta 1 was performed on the disc tissues of one rabbit from Group 1. Nucleus pulposus tissues from the remaining rabbits were cultured in serumless medium. Bioassays were performed to determine human transforming growth factor beta 1 production and proteoglycan synthesis.Discs injected with Ad/CMV-hTGF beta 1 exhibited extensive and intense positive immunostaining for transforming growth factor beta 1. The nucleus pulposus tissues from the discs injected with Ad/CMV-hTGF beta 1 exhibited a 30-fold increase in active transforming growth factor beta 1 production, and a 5-fold increase in total (active + latent) transforming growth factor beta 1 production over that from intact control discs (P0.05). Furthermore, these tissues exhibited a 100% increase in proteoglycan synthesis compared with intact control tissue, which was statistically significant (P0.05).The results of this study suggest that the intervertebral disc is an appropriate site for adenovirus-mediated transfer of exogenous genes and subsequent production of therapeutic growth factors. Gene therapy therefore may have useful applications for study of the basic science of the intervertebral disc and for clinical management of degenerative disc disease.

The quality of articular cartilage engineered using a cell-polymer construct depends, in part, on the chemical composition of the biomaterial and whether that biomaterial can support the chondrocytic phenotype. Acknowledging the supportive influence of tissue-specific matrix molecules on the chondrocytic phenotype, we have combined chondroitin sulfate-A (CSA) and chitosan, a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) analog, to develop a novel biomaterial to support chondrogenesis. Chitosan is a polycationic repeating monosaccharide of beta-1,4-linked glucosamine monomers with randomly located N-acetyl glucosamine units. Chitosan may be combined with the polyanionic CSA such that ionic crosslinking results in hydrogel formation. Bovine primary articular chondrocytes, when seeded onto a thin layer of CSA-chitosan, form discrete, focal adhesions to the material and maintain many characteristics of the differentiated chondrocytic phenotype, including round morphology, limited mitosis, collagen type II, and proteoglycan production. Our findings suggest CSA-chitosan may be well suited as a carrier material for the transplant of autologous chondrocytes or as a scaffold for the tissue engineering of cartilage-like tissue.

The two cases presented here involve deaths that were due to dichloromethane or chloroform poisoning. The dichloromethane and chloroform were determined in biological specimens by headspace gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detector. In one case, dichloromethane concentrations found were 252 mg/L (blood), 75 mg/kg (brain) and 30 mg/kg (heart). From the case investigation, it was determined that the death was accidental but related to the dichloromethane poisoning. In the other case, chloroform concentrations were 60 mg/kg (blood) and 14 mg/kg (lungs), respectively. This case, the cause of death was chloroform poisoning by forced inhalation in addition to oronasal obstruction.

We investigated the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its combination with acetylcholine (ACh) on the erectile response in 52 adults rats. Intracavernous injection of VIP (10(-8) to 10(-5)M, ACh (10(-9) to 10(-5), or a combination of VIP (10(-7) to 10(-5) with ACh (10(-6 M) additively enhanced that erection but did not lead to a full erection. VIP-antagonist (10(-9) to 10(-5 M), as well as atropine alone (10 (-7) to 10(-5 M), partially suppressed full erection induced by cavernous nerve stimulation (1 Hz, 3-6 V) in a dose-dependent manner, and the combination of VIP-antagonist (10(-9) to 10(-5 M) with atropine (10(-6 M) showed an additive effect. The results indicate that although VIP as well as ACh in involved in penile erection, they are not likely to be principal neurotransmitters. Their clinical application in the treatment of impotence may be confined to use in conjunction with another vasoactive agent.

At least three well documented neuropharmacologic mediators participate in physiologic erection: inhibition or cessation of alpha-adrenergic transmission, increases in both cholinergic (acetylcholine) and non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) transmission. In-vitro studies of rabbit corporal smooth muscle reveal that adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) has a variable effect on muscle tension depending on the level of basal tone. ATP has a pronounced relaxant effect on corporal smooth muscle at either high basal tension or pre-stimulated tension. ATP stimulates a contraction in corporal smooth muscle at low tension. The current studies compare the effects of a series of purines (adenine, adenosine, AMP, ADP, ATP and beta-gamma methylene ATP) on both basal tension and on field-stimulated relaxation. The results demonstrate that all purines relax both baseline tension (2g) and phenylephrine-stimulated contraction. Following phenylephrine pre-stimulation: beta-gamma methylene ATP was significantly more potent than ATP at inhibiting tension. ADP, AMP, adenosine, and adenine produced intermediate dose-response relaxation curves. At 2 grams baseline tension, adenosine, ADP, and AMP were equally potent relaxing agents, ATP was slightly less potent. Adenine and beta-gamma-methylene ATP induced similar dose-response curves which were significantly less potent and efficacious than adenosine, AMP, ADP, and ATP. Field stimulation of phenylephrine pre-contracted tissue strips produce relaxation at both low and high frequencies. None of the purines either facilitated or inhibited the corporal response to field stimulation. We conclude that field stimulated relaxation of rabbit corporal smooth muscle is independent of purinergic relaxation.

There is a demand for tulips as pot plants, having a condensed shape: a short stem, compact leaves and a big flower. In the last 350 years, however, most tulip varieties have been selected to bloom with a large flower on a long stem and they are being cultured for the production of early-season-flowering cut flowers.

Numerous revascularization procedures are used for the treatment of vasculogenic impotence. In an animal model we created three different types of bypasses: inferior epigastric artery to dorsal penile artery, to dorsal artery and to dorsal vein (anastomotic arteriovenous fistula), and to dorsal vein alone. Epigastro-dorsal anastomoses remained fully patent without anticoagulants in 3 of 4 animals. With erection the flow in the inferior epigastric artery and the retrograde flow in the dorsal artery (towards the cavernous artery) increased significantly. In the 4 studies incorporating an anastomotic arteriovenous fistula we could not establish a clear reason to incorporate the artery; runoff was demonstrated only to the venous system. Arterial bypass to the dorsal vein with a simulated emissary vein increased outflow resistance as well as improved intracorporeal pressure during erection of the corpora in 4 animals. As resting pressure was also elevated, the penile smooth muscle might be at risk for further degeneration with this procedure.

It is widely accepted that soft connective tissues such as tendon, ligament, intervertebral disc, articular cartilage, and meniscus, are multiphasic materials, i.e. a mixture of collagen/elastin fibrils, water, glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins, and cells. Based on this concept, Kenyon (1979) and Simon et al. (1985) used a classical consolidation theory of soil mechanics (Biot, 1962) to describe aortic tissue and intervertebral disk, respectively. As a more rigorous and theoretically versatile approach, Mow et al. (1980) used mixture theory (Truesdell and Toupin, 1960) to describe the deformation of articular cartilage. In their model, called the biphasic theory, Mow et al. assumed that soft hydrated tissue such as cartilage is a mixture of two immiscible constituents: an incompressible solid matrix and an incompressible interstitial fluid. This model has been shown to accurately describe both the stress distribution and interstitial fluid flow within soft hydrated tissue such as cartilage under various loading conditions (Armstrong, et al., 1984; Mow, et al., 1984; Mak, et al., 1987 Hou, et al., 1989).