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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).To determine the prevalence and clinical correlates of NAFLD in a large cohort of patients with T2DM.Four hundred thirty-seven participants with T2DM who consulted at Meijo Hospital from April 2019 to September 2020 and underwent computed tomography (CT) were assessed. The mean age was 74 ± 13 years, and 269 were men. Hepatic attenuation minus splenic attenuation (CTNAFLD was identified in 25.2% of the participants. Young age (odds ratio [OR] = -0.945; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.922-0.969), higher hemoglobin levels (OR = 1.501, 95%CI: 1.278-1.764), lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (OR = 0.971, 95%CI: 0.953-0.989), and the absence of dialysis (OR = 0.109, 95%CI: 0.014-0.856) were independent predictors of NAFLD.NAFLD was detected with CT in 25.2% of the participants. NAFLD was associated with younger age, higher hemoglobin levels, lower HDL cholesterol levels, and an absence of dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Manual rib cage compression is a chest physiotherapy technique routinely used in clinical practice. However, scientific evidence remains scarce on the effects of manual rib cage compression on airway clearance and oxygenation in mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: Anesthetized pigs were intubated via the trachea and mechanically ventilated. To create atelectasis, artificial mucus was infused into the airway. Each pig was randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: closed suctioning alone (control group, 7 pigs), or manual rib cage compression combined with closed suctioning (manual rib cage compression group, 8 pigs). Hard and brief rib cage compression synchronized with early expiratory phase was tested. Mucus clearance and oxygenation were assessed after the intervention. Sequential changes of hemodynamics were assessed after the intervention. RESULTS: During hard manual rib cage compression, the mean ± SD peak expiratory flow increased to 44 ± 7 L/min compared with 31 ± 7 L/min without treatment (P CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that hard and brief manual rib cage compression combined with closed suctioning was safe and led to improvement of mucus clearance; however, no effectiveness was confirmed with regard to oxygenation and ventilation.

A novel method coupling spin column extraction with high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was developed for simultaneous extraction of β-blockers and calcium channel blockers fro...

Purpose Tracheostomy is usually suggested to facilitate airway management of intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring prolonged translaryngeal intubation (PTLI). While it is not uncommon for physicians to hesitate and delay to perform it for more than 2 weeks, clinically recognizable airway adverse effects following PTLI are rarely discussed. Therefore, we compared retrospectively the PTLI group with control to assess them in adult patients. Methods During a period of 1991–2012, patients aged older than 15 years that were admitted to University of Tsukuba Hospital ICU, underwent translaryngeal intubation (TLI) for 14 days or longer, were retrospectively studied as Group P. Patients whose tracheas were intubated for 13 days or less were set up as a control group (Group C). Patients were excluded if they had undergone any procedures that might have affected recurrent laryngeal nerves. Results Ninety-eight patients (M:F = 58:40) (group P) and 88 patients (M:F = 58:30) (group C) were included. There were no differences in patients’ characteristics. Durations of TLI were 20.8 ± 6.8 days in group P and 3.8 ± 3.0 days in group C. There were no differences in the occurrence rates of severe airway adverse events. Although we found higher incidence rates of dysphagia and dysphonia/hoarseness in group P, the symptoms were mild and they were not prolonged. There were no differences in other signs and symptoms. Conclusions We found no difference in the occurrence rates of severe airway adverse events in both groups. Translaryngeal intubation may be tolerable in adults even if the duration exceeds 2 weeks.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified in 2019; thereafter, the COVID-19 outbreak became a health emergency of international concern. The impact of COVID-19 on liver-transplant recipients is unclear. Thus, it is currently unknown whether liver-transplant recipients are at a higher risk of developing complications related to COVID-19. Here, we report the case of liver-transplant recipients who were infected with SARS-CoV-2. A 20-year-old man who had undergone living-donor liver transplantation from his father at 5 years of age because of congenital biliary atresia was referred to our hospital for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chest computed tomography did not show any abnormalities; however, laboratory results revealed liver dysfunction. He received tacrolimus as maintenance therapy that was continued at the same dose. He has not developed severe pulmonary disease and was discharged after 10 days of hospitalization. Limited data are available on post-transplant patients with COVID-19, and this case of a young patient without metabolic comorbidities did not show any association of severe COVID-19 under tacrolimus treatment. The progression of COVID-19 in liver-transplant recipients is complex, and COVID-19 risk should be evaluated in each patient until the establishment of optimal guidelines.

Among the dysfunctions and pathologies associated with sepsis, the underlying molecular mechanisms of sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) are poorly understood. Endothelin (ET)-1, a potent vasoconstrictor and pro-inflammatory peptide, is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of ALI in a rat model of sepsis. Here, we investigated whether landiolol hydrochloride, an ultra-short-acting β-blocker, plays a crucial role in ameliorating and attenuating LPS-induced ALI through modulation of the ET-1 system. Male Wistar rats at 8 weeks of age were administered with either saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for three hours (3 h) and some of the LPS-administered rats were continuously treated with landiolol for 3 h. ALI was induced by LPS, including levels of both circulatory and pulmonary TNF-α and IL-6 but [PaO2] was significantly decreased. LPS also induced a significant increase in levels of pulmonary ET-1 and ET-A receptor, but levels of ET-B receptor, which has vasodilating effects, were remarkably diminished. Further, LPS administration upregulated the pulmonary expression of HIF-1α. Finally, the treatment of LPS-administered rats with landiolol for 3 h ameliorated and prevented ALI, normalized the altered levels of pulmonary ET-1 and ET-A receptors. Landiolol also induced significant down-regulation of ET-B receptor in lung tissues in the early hours (phase) of sepsis. However, Landiolol treatment had no effect on the up-regulated inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6) in both plasma and lung tissues during sepsis, and expression of pulmonary HIF-1α also remained unchanged after landiolol treatment. Collectively, these data led us to conclude that landiolol may ameliorate sepsis-induced ALI via the pulmonary ET system.

Summary Objectives To examine the hypothesis that severity of delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU) is positively associated with cognitive impairment at the time of hospital discharge. Design A prospective cohort study. Setting Adult medical and surgical ICU of a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Japan in ICU patients who were enrolled and admitted for more than 48 hours. Methods Severity of delirium was represented as a score of the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) during the patients’ stay in the ICU under the assumption that higher ICDSC score indicated severe delirium. After discharge from the ICU, the patients were followed up for cognitive impairment using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results Of the 79 patients enrolled, 50 (63.3%) developed delirium during their stay in the ICU. Patients who developed delirium had higher rates of cognitive impairment (28.0% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.03). After adjusting for covariates, the averaged ICDSC score during the ICU stay indicated a positive association between severity of delirium and cognitive impairment at the time of hospital discharge (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.6; 95% confidential interval (CI), 1.02–2.54; p = 0.041). Conclusions Our findings indicate that severity of delirium during ICU stay may be associated with cognitive impairment at the time of discharge from the hospital in ICU survivors.

Background Spine injury epidemiology in Japan has not been studied since the 1990s when its incidence was 39.4–40.2 per million and the major cause of injury was motor vehicle crashes. We elucidate the current epidemiological state of spinal injury and spinal injury patients in Japan for the clinicians and public health prevention programs. Methods Spine injury patients were retrospectively selected from the Japan Trauma Data Bank (JTDB) from 2004 to 2013 for all ages and all spinal injuries. The Abbreviated Injury Scale codes (AIS98) were translated into injuries. The dataset was contributed by 241 hospitals nationwide. The data was analysed for the causes of spinal injury, injury severity, age, gender differences, injury types, survival, anatomic location, circumstances of injury and medical history. Results A total of 25,792 (M, 70.1%, F, 29.9%, mean age: 53.4 years) spinal injury patients were recorded in the JTDB from 2004 to 2013, when multiple injuries were included the number of cases swelled to 33,892 (M, 70.4%, F, 29.6%). The number of patients with spinal injuries as a percentage of all traumatic patients in the JTDB was observed to increase from 2004 (15.4%) to 2013 (17.6%). The aetiology of the injuries was mostly falls (52.4%) and motor vehicle crashes (39.8%). Most injuries occurred at the cervical spine level (49.7%). Medical histories of cardiovascular diseases were found, due mostly to hypertension (19.6%). In total, most of the injuries were associated with fractures (64.8%) and others (30.7%) involved the spinal cord. Suicides (12.0%) and industrial accidents (9.0%) caused spine injury were uniquely prevalent in the population. Conclusion The number of spine injuries has increased in the JTDB between 2004 and 2013. Motor vehicle crashes have been replaced by falls due to various causes as the leading cause of spine injury. Suicides and industrial accidents are becoming a burden. More studies are needed to verify the actual incidence.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potential marker of the endothelial dysfunction, which has been shown to be elevated in hypertensive subjects. No previous study has investigated the circulatory level of ET-1 and hypertension in a South Asian country. The present study assessed the circulating levels of ET-1 in subjects with or without hypertension and further examined the association of ET-1 with clinical and metabolic parameters. A total of 2543 rural Bangladeshi women with a mean age of 44.5 years were studied using a cross-sectional survey. Multiple regressions were used to examine the association between the circulatory ET-1 levels and hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 29.3%. The ET-1 levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive (mean 3.08 pg ml(-1), s.e. (0.19)) than in the non-hypertensive subjects (mean 2.01 pg ml(-1), s.e. (0.03)) (P = 0.001). After adjusting for age, the ET-1 level had significant positive associations with the diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (P = 0.001), mean arterial pressure (P = 0.002) and fasting blood glucose (P = 0.002). In a tertile analysis, we found that hypertension in the subjects was significantly increased as the levels of ET-1 increased (P for the trend = 0.001). In a stepwise multiple regression analysis, after adjusting for age and all other potential variables, we found that the mean arterial pressure and the fasting plasma levels have significant associations with the ET-1 level. The present study demonstrates that there is a higher concentration of ET-1 among the hypertensive subjects in an apparently healthy population of Bangladeshi rural women. The relationship between ET-1 and hypertension requires further investigation to define the clinical utility and predictive value of serum ET-1 levels for hypertension for a South Asian population.

Aims Sepsis is a cluster of heterogeneous syndromes associated with progressive endotoxemic developments, ultimately leading to damage of multiple organs, including the heart. However, the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction is still not fully understood. The present study is the first to examine alterations in expression of key angiogenic signaling system mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in septic heart and the effects of endothelin dual blocker (ETDB) on it. Main methods Normal Wistar rats were either administered with: a) vehicle only (control group), b) lipopolysaccharide only (LPS: 15 mg/kg) and then sacrificed at different time points (1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 10 h), and c) the last group was co-administered with LPS and ETDB (SB-209670, 1 mg/kg body weight) for 6 h and then sacrificed. Key findings Administration of LPS resulted in increases in levels of: a) serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, b) serum VEGF and c) serum endothelin (ET)-1 levels accompanied by up-regulation of cardiac VEGF and its downstream angiogenic signaling molecules. While cardiac TNF-α level was unchanged among experimental groups, cardiac ET-1 level was significantly higher in LPS-administered group. Significance We conclude that elevation in VEGF angiogenic signaling may be triggered by diminished oxygenation in the myocardium following LPS administration as a consequence of sepsis-induced microvascular dysfunction. Because of this cardiac dysfunction, oxygen supply may be inadequate at microregional level to support the normal heart metabolism and function. ETDB at 6 h further increased the elevated levels of VEGF angiogenic signaling in endotoxemic heart.

Aims: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a mediator of various physiological and pathological processes, including vascular inflammation, cell proliferation and vasoconstriction. Attenuation of ET action using ET-1 antagonists reduces pulmonary vascular leakage and inflammation in several models of lung injuries and experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Based on these earlier reports, the current study investigates the patterns of ET-1 levels in circulation and pulmonary tissues in an experimental model of lavage-induced surfactant-depleted lung injury. Additionally, we also test the effects of open endotracheal suctioning (OES) and hyperinflation (HI) as recruitment maneuver following OES on ET-1 levels. Main methods: Briefly, 24 Japanese white rabbits were anesthetized and intubated. Normal saline was instilled into the lung and washed mildly. After instillation, rabbits were ventilated at definite settings at a total duration of 3 hours. OES and HI were performed every 15 minutes from the beginning of the protocol. Key findings: Here, we show that both circulatory and pulmonary ET-1 levels increased in models with lung injury induced by saline lavage compared to healthy control group. No further aggravation in expression of pulmonary ET-1 was seen after OES and HI, although OES and HI worsened arterial hypoxygenation and severity of lung injury. In contrast, circulatory ET-1 levels significantly decreased after OES and HI but were not associated with blood pressure changes. Significance: We conclude that in a saline lavage-induced lung injury model, both circulatory and pulmonary ET-1 levels increased. Further, OES and HI exerted differential effects on ET-1 expression at both circulatory and pulmonary levels.

Aims A growing body of evidence shows the cardiovascular benefits of fish oil ingredients, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in humans and experimental animals. However, the effects of EPA on endothelin (ET)-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the involved signaling cascade are largely unknown. A previous study has demonstrated that peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α ligand (fenofibrate) prevents ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Although EPA is a ligand of PPAR-α, to date, no study has examined a relationship between EPA and PPAR-α in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Here, we investigated whether EPA can block ET-1-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the possible underlying mechanisms. Main methods At day 4 of culture, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were divided into four groups: control, control cells treated with EPA (10 μM), ET-1 (0.1 nM) administered only and EPA-pre-treated ET-1 administered groups. Also, the cardiomyocytes were treated with PPAR-α siRNA in order to elucidate the mechanisms that may underlie suppression of hypertrophy via the EPA-PPAR system. Key findings Following ET-1 treatment, 2.12- and 1.92-fold increases in surface area and total protein synthesis rate in cardiomyocytes, respectively, were observed and these changes were greatly blocked by EPA pre-treatment. Further, the expression of PPAR-α increased in EPA-treated groups. PPAR-PPRE binding activity was suppressed in ET-1 administered cardiomyocyte and this suppression was improved by EPA treatment. Lastly, pre-treatment of cardiomyocytes with PPAR-α siRNA prior to EPA treatment attenuated the suppressing effects of EPA on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Significance In conclusion, the present study shows that EPA attenuates ET-1 induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by up regulating levels of PPAR-α pathway.

Objectives Bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been reported to increase the possibility of survival in patients with out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (OHCA). We evaluated the effects of CPR instructions by emergency medical dispatchers on the frequency of bystander CPR and outcomes, and whether these effects differed between family and non-family bystanders. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study, using Utstein-style records of OHCA taken in a rural area of Japan between January 2004 and December 2009. Results Of the 559 patients with non-traumatic OHCA witnessed by laypeople, 231 (41.3%) were given bystander CPR. More OHCA patients received resuscitation when the OHCA was witnessed by non-family bystanders than when it was witnessed by family members (61.4% vs. 34.2%). The patients with non-family-witnessed OHCA were more likely to be given conventional CPR (chest compression plus rescue breathing) or defibrillation with an AED than were those with family-witnessed OHCA. Dispatcher instructions significantly increased the provision of bystander CPR regardless of who the witnesses were. Neurologically favorable survival was increased by CPR in non-family-witnessed, but not in family-witnessed, OHCA patients. No difference in survival rate was observed between the cases provided with dispatcher instructions and those not provided with the instructions. Conclusions Dispatcher instructions increased the frequency of bystander CPR, but did not improve the rate of neurologically favorable survival in patients with witnessed OHCA. Efforts to enhance the frequency and quality of resuscitation, especially by family members, are required for dispatcher-assisted CPR.

Background No non-invasive method of observing renal microcirculation in vivo has been established as yet. Although angiography is considered to be ideally suited for the purpose, conventional X-rays cannot be used to image structures smaller than 100 µm. Purpose To develop a method for visualizing the renal arterioles, glomeruli, and proximal tubules of rats in vivo making use of synchrotron radiation. Material and Methods Male Wistar rats were anesthetized, and a catheter was inserted via laparotomy into the abdominal aorta with its tip placed above the renal arteries. The rats were paralyzed with a neuromuscular blocking agent and mechanically ventilated. An inorganic iodine contrast medium was injected via the catheter. The SR derived X-rays transmitted through the subjects were recorded with a CCD camera. Two-dimensional images with a pixel size of 9 µm were obtained. The exposure time was fixed at 50 ms, with a maximum acquisition rate of three images/s. Results Renal arterioles as small as 18 µm in diameter, glomeruli with an average diameter of 173 ± 21 µm, as well as proximal tubules, were clearly visualized. In addition, glomerular density at the peripheral renal cortex was measurable. Conclusion Rat renal microcirculation could be successfully observed in real-time, without exteriorization of the kidney in this study.

BACKGROUND: Adhesive tape is commonly used to secure the endotracheal tube (ETT) in anesthesia and intensive-care settings. OBJECTIVE: To determine the force required to extubate when the ETT is secured with adhesive tape or commercially available ETT holders. METHODS: We orally intubated a simulation manikin with a standard 8.0-mm inner-diameter ETT, inflated the cuff to 20 cm H2O, and measured the force required to extubate with the ETT secured in several ways. We tested 3 brands of tape (Durapore, Multipore Dry, and Wardel) with 6 methods, and 2 commercially available ETT holders (LockTite and Thomas) with one method. We also tested a bite block (Universal Bite Block) with 2 methods. We used a releasable cable tie with the bite block and/or ETT holder. We connected the ETT to a digital force gauge and pulled perpendicular to the oral cavity, until the entire cuff was removed from the trachea. In each trial we considered the largest force recorded the extubation force. RESULTS: One of the conventional tape methods (with wider tape and longer tape strips) required the largest force to extubate. CONCLUSIONS: With tape strips of sufficient length and width, a conventional tape method was superior to the 2 tested commercial ETT holders in holding the ETT in place in the manikin.

Summary Objective: To determine minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane for maintaining bispectral index (BIS) below 50 (MACBIS50) in children. Background: MACBIS50 of sevoflurane in adults was reported to be 0.97%, which has not been elucidated in children. Methods/Materials: Twenty children, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, aged 1–8, were induced and anesthetized with sevoflurane in oxygen. After tracheal intubation, we started maintenance of anesthesia with endtidal sevoflurane concentrations of 2.6%. The endtidal sevoflurane concentration at which BIS was measured was predetermined by the up-down method (with 0.2% as a step size). After 10 min at predetermined endtidal sevoflurane concentrations, BIS was measured for 1 min. MACBIS50 was determined using Dixon’s up-down method and probit test. Result: MACBIS50 of sevoflurane was 2.83% (95% confidence intervals: 2.70–3.14) in children. Conclusions: MACBIS50 of sevoflurane in children was calculated to be three times as high as in adults. This indicates that high endtidal sevoflurane concentration is required to suppress electroencephalogram activity in children.

A 61-year-old woman with chronic renal failure (CRF) associated with Alport syndrome underwent coronary artery aneurysmectomy under general anesthesia. Hemorrhage control was difficult during the surgery, and she became hemodynamically unstable. The surgery and anesthesia lasted 446 and 552 min, respectively. On postoperative day 1, she developed severe respiratory distress several minutes after extubation. Her trachea was immediately reintubated. The second attempt to extubate her trachea also failed. Fiberoptic examination revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis (VCP) due to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis. Although she needed a temporary tracheostomy, vocal cord movement recovered without treatment 3 months after surgery. The mechanisms underlying her symptoms may be multifactorial: the first and foremost factor was that she had been receiving maintenance hemodialysis for 20 years since being diagnosed with Alport syndrome. We speculated that RLN vulnerability due to Alport syndrome and CRF strengthened her symptoms. We also recognized that the long-lasting mechanical stress and low perfusion to the RLN due to hemodynamic instability during surgery were indispensable contributory factors to the development of VCP. This is the first report of postoperative bilateral VCP in a patient with CRF related to Alport syndrome. Based on this experience, we strongly recommend preoperative detailed examination of vocal cord function in patients with CRF associated with Alport syndrome.

Pulmonary hypertension in a parturient is known for its high perioperative mortality. We describe a successful case of cesarean section performed under general anesthesia in a parturient with pulmonary hypertension. A distinctive feature of our management was active blood volume manipulation by phlebotomy and reinfusion of the blood. Just after the baby was delivered, about 250 ml of blood was phlebotomized to counteract autotransfusion by the contracting uterus. We stopped phlebotomy at this volume because moderate systemic hypotension occurred. The blood was slowly infused, with transesophageal echocardiography used to evaluate right ventricle filling. The patient was hemodynamically stable during the operation and had an uneventful postpartum period. Her baby's perioperative course was also uneventful.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of prone positioning on pulmonary perfusion using flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR), a noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging technique that requires no contrast medium. Seven healthy volunteers were studied in the supine and prone positions under three respiratory conditions: normal breathing of room air, unassisted breathing of 45% O2, and controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) with positive end-expiratory pressure. Signal intensities (SIs) were obtained from ventral, middle, and dorsal regions on sagittal lung images and dependent/nondependent SI ratios were calculated to evaluate pulmonary perfusion distribution. In the supine position, SIs increased significantly from the ventral to dorsal region under all three respiratory conditions and prone positioning inverted the perfusion distribution under all conditions. Right lung SI ratios were 2.34 +/- 0.29, 2.74 +/- 0.66, and 2.42 +/- 0.73 in the supine position and 1.68 +/- 0.48, 1.78 +/- 0.36, and 1.92 +/- 0.21 in prone for room air, 45% O2, and CMV, respectively. The difference between supine and prone positions was statistically significant. The left lung showed a similar pattern and the difference was significant only under CMV. No difference was observed between the different respiratory conditions in both lungs. This study demonstrated that the distribution of pulmonary perfusion was more uniform in prone than in the supine position.

BackgroundHyperinflation (HI) is performed following open endotracheal suctioning (OES), whose goals include: to stimulate a cough, recover oxygenation and improve compliance. However, it may also induce unintended consequences, including: lung stress and strain, failure to maintain high distending pressure, and subsequently cycling recruitment and derecruitment. Here, our aim was to investigate the effects of hyperinflation after repeated OES on sequential alteration of arterial oxygenation and lung injury profile using a saline lavage-induced surfactant depleted ARDS rabbit model.MethodsBriefly, 30 Japanese White Rabbits were anesthetized and ventilated in pressure-controlled setting with a tidal volume of 6-8 ml/kg. Animals were divided into four groups, i.e.; Control, ARDS, OES, and HI. Saline-lavage-induced lung injury was induced except for Control group. Thereafter, rabbits were ventilated with positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) at 10 cm H2O. The ARDS group received ventilation with the same PEEP without derecruitment. As intervention, OES and HI were performed in ARDS animals. OES was performed for 15 seconds at 150 mm Hg, whereas HI was performed with PEEP at 0 cm H2O and peak inspiratory pressure at +5 cm H2O for a minute. Total duration of the experiment was for 3 hours. OES and HI were performed every 15 minutes from beginning of the protocol.ResultsPaO2 was maintained at about 400 mm Hg in both control and ARDS groups for the duration of this study, while in both OES and HI groups, PaO2 decreased continuously up to 3 hours, dropped to a mean (±SD) of 226 ± 28.9 and 97.0 ± 30.7 mmHg at 3 h, respectively. HI group had the lowest PaO2 in the present investigation. Histological lung injury score was the highest in HI group than other three groups. Pulmonary TNF-α and IL-8 levels were the highest in HI group compared to other groups, but without significant alterations at circulatory level in all the experimental groups.ConclusionsWe show in the present study that hyperinflation following repeated OES deteriorate arterial oxygenation and the severity of lung injury in a rabbit model of ARDS undergoing mechanical ventilation., Research article

We used dexmedetomidine for more than 2 months in a mechanically ventilated infant without serious adverse effects. An infant with liver cirrhosis of unknown cause underwent living donor liver transplantation at the age of 9 months. Long-term mechanical ventilation was required postoperatively, and midazolam with fentanyl had been used to sedate the patient. They required increase to 1.7 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) and 3.5 microg.kg(-1).h(-1), respectively, which were still inadequate. On postoperative day 29, dexmedetomidine was added. The rate of dexmedetomidine infusion was increased gradually to 1.4 microg.kg(-1).h(-1). It was discontinued temporarily to exclude drug-induced liver dysfunction. However, without dexmedetomidine, adequate sedation level was unattainable. Liver dysfunction was likely to be attributed to cytomegalovirus infection and after restarting dexmedetomidine, the respiratory condition improved. He was extubated 10 weeks after the operation. Dexmedetomidine was successfully tapered off over the following 2 weeks with no signs of withdrawal. Dexmedetomidine was a useful sedative for an infant who required mechanical ventilation for a prolonged period of time.

Thermo-sensitive colloidal crystals are prepared simply by mixing colloidal silica spheres and large thermo-sensitive gel spheres. The thermo-reversible change in the lattice spacing of colloidal crystals of monodisperse silica spheres (CS82, 103 nm in diameter) depends on the size of the admixed temperature-sensitive gel spheres. For spheres with sizes less and greater than that of the silica spheres, the lattice spacing upon temperature increase above the lower critical solution temperature of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) decreases (cf. Okubo et al. Langmuir 18:6783, 2002) and increases, respectively. A mechanism, which is able to explain these experimental findings, is proposed. Moreover, crystal growth rates and the rigidities of the thermo-sensitive colloidal crystals are studied.

Background The neurological prognosis is poor for patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), in the absence of bystander cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and showing asystole as the initial waveform. However, such patients have the potential of resuming social activity if cerebral tissue oxygen saturation can be preserved. Case presentation We recently encountered a 60-year-old man who had suffered an OHCA in the absence of bystander CPR, and who successfully resumed complete social activity despite initial asystole and requiring at least 75 min of chest compressions before return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). In this case, chest compression was appropriately performed concurrently with real-time evaluation of cerebral tissue oxygenation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). As a result, the cerebral tissue oxygenation was well maintained, leading to resumption of social activity. Conclusions Improved neurological prognoses can be expected if OHCA patients with the potential for social activity resumption are identified, using NIRS, and effective cardiopulmonary and cerebral resuscitation is performed while visually checking CPR quality.

Aims: Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potential marker of endothelial dysfunction, has been shown to be elevated in diabetic mellitus (DM) subjects. However, to date, the circulatory profile of ET-1 and its association with DM have not been investigated in any South Asian country, including Bangladesh. The present study assessed circulating levels of ET-1 in subjects with or without DM and further examined the association of ET-1 with clinical and metabolic parameters in Bangladeshi rural women. Main Methods: A total of 2022 rural Bangladeshi women were studied using a cross-sectional survey and then further analysis was performed based on a case control design between DM (n=195) and non-DM (204). Multiple regressions were used to examine the association between circulatory ET-1 level and DM. Key findings: A total of 2022 rural Bangladeshi women aged ≥15 years were studied using a population-based cross-sectional survey (DM prevalence is 9.1%). ET-1 levels were significantly increased in diabetes subjects [DM vs. non-DM: 3.11 ± 0.16 vs. 1.97 ± 0.03, p

Aims: The effects of a beta blocker, especially an ultra-short acting selective beta blocker, such as landiolol hydrochloride on the organ protection in sepsis are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate whether acute (early hours) liver injury in a rat model of sepsis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration: a) can be corrected by administering landiolol and b) whether landiolol’s effects on liver injury is accomplished by diminishing the elevated expression of inflammatory cytokine, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and a vaso constrictor peptide, such as endothelin (ET)-1. Methods: Eight (8)-week-old male Wistar rats were administered for three hours with either LPS (n=12), or continuously with LPS plus landiolol (n=11). Control rats were treated with saline only in a similar manner as the treatment group during the relevant time points (n=13). Results: Following LPS administration, blood gas and hemodynamic parameters were significantly altered compared to control rats at 3 h. Also, At 3 h after LPS administration, circulatory levels of ALT, AST, TNF-α and ET-1 were significantly increased. In addition, at 3 h after LPS administration significant features of hepatic injuries at morphological levels were also evident. Co-treatment of rats with LPS and landiolol ameliorated hepatic injury at 3 h post-treatment, as well as reversed elevated circulatory levels of factors associated with liver injury back to normal levels, such as AST and ALT, and local hepatic levels of TNF-α. Conclusion: Based on the current findings, it can be stated that landiolol may exert protective effects on liver injury in septic rats by normalizing local expression levels of inflammatory cytokine, such as TNF-α.

Aim: Myocardial dysfunction is one of the complications associated with sepsis during its (sepsis) pathogenesis. To date, very few studies have investigated whether angiogenic factors in the heart, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and components of its signaling system are involved in myocardial dysfunction during the early phases of sepsis. Therefore, the present study aims to examine: 1) the expression pattern of VEGF and its signaling molecules in the heart during the early hours of LPS-induced sepsis and 2) whether landiolol hydrochloride, an ultrashort-acting beta- blocker, can ameliorate alterations in the expression of cardiac VEGF signaling system components in the rats under these (sepsis) conditions. Method: Eight (8)-week-old male Wistar rats were administered for three hours with either LPS only once, or continuously with LPS plus landiolol. Result: At 3 h after LPS (only) administration, circulatory levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, iNOS, lactate concentration and percentage of fractional shortening of the heart were significantly increased. However, levels of cardiac VEGF and its downstream signaling components were significantly down regulated. Treatment of LPS-administered rats with landiolol for 3 h normalized LPS-induced blood lactate levels, cardiac functional compensatory events, as well as VEGF and its signaling molecules, but did not alter levels of plasma TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS. Conclusion: Taken together, these data led us to conclude that landiolol may be cardio-protective in septic rats by normalizing coronary microcirculation through blockage of sepsis-induced decrease in expression of VEGF signaling system but independent of inflammatory cytokines.

Aims: Sepsis is a disease that involves abnormal alterations in the microcirculation, with endothelial dysfunction playing a central role in the pathogenesis and mortality. The exact pathophysiology of brain dysfunction associated with sepsis remains poorly understood and experimental data are scarce. It is likely that cerebral microcirculatory alterations may play a potential role. Thus, the present study sought to investigate whether key angiogenic pathways are altered in the frontal cortexin a clinically-relevant animal model of endotoxemia/sepsis, and verify whether the alterations in angiogenic pathways affect the cerebral capillary density. Main methods: Male mice at 8 weeks of age were administered either with saline alone (control group) or 20 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (treatment group) at different time points (1, 3, 6, and 10 h). Microvascular alterations were determined by measuring levels of cerebral mRNA, protein levels of angiogenic factors, namely vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and their downstream molecules, and calculating microvascular density in frontal cortex. Key findings: In the frontal cortex of the endotoxemic model, the expressions of VEGF and KDR with the downstream molecule, eNOS, were diminished sharply in a time-dependent manner, implying significant alterations in the cerebral microcirculation during sepsis. Concomitantly, ET-1, which behaves as a pro-angiogenic factor under the mediation of the ET-B receptor subtype, was similarly downregulated time-dependently. Cerebral capillary density was significantly decreased at 10 hours after LPS administration (56%, p

We evaluated the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane required to maintain the bispectral index below 50 in children. We studied 55 children, divided into 1-year-old, 2- to 4-year-old and 5- to 9-year-old groups and used Dixon's up-and-down method and probit analysis. In the 1-year-old group, the bispectral index values remained above 50, with the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration reaching 4.0% or higher. The minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane for maintaining the bispectral index below 50 was significantly higher in the 2- to 4-year-old group (2.33%, 95% CI 2.25-2.57) than in the 5- to 9-year-old group (2.10%, 95% CI 1.94-2.25; p = 0.005). We conclude that assessing the depth of anaesthesia using bispectral index is unreliable in children aged

UNLABELLED Xenon may increase cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure (ICP). To evaluate the effects of xenon on brain circulation, we measured pial vessel diameter changes, CO(2) reactivity, and ICP during xenon inhalation in rabbits. Minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) for xenon was established in rabbits (n = 6). By using a cranial window model, pial vessel diameters were measured at 30% and 60% xenon inhalation and in time control groups (n = 15). ICP, mean arterial blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded during 30% and 60% xenon inhalation (n = 5). Pial vessel diameters were measured during hypocapnia and hypercapnia conditions in 60% Xenon and Control groups (n = 14). MAC for xenon was 85%. Xenon (0.35 and 0.7 MAC) dilated the arterioles (10% and 18%, respectively) and venules (2% and 4%, respectively) (P < 0.05). Dilation of arterioles was more prominent than that of venules. ICP, mean arterial blood pressure, and heart rate did not change during xenon inhalation. No difference in CO(2) reactivity was observed between Xenon and Control groups (P = 0.79). Sixty percent xenon (0.7 MAC) dilated brain vessels, but venule changes were small. Xenon did not increase ICP and preserved CO(2) reactivity of the brain vessels. IMPLICATIONS Xenon might increase cerebral blood flow; however, 0.7 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration xenon preserved both low intracranial pressure and CO(2) reactivity of the cerebral vessels in the normal rabbit.

A 27-year-old female nurse intravenously injected 5 mL of cigarette soakage solution that contained approximately 5.7 mg nicotine, in a suicidal attempt. Clinical manifestations consisted of nausea, palpitation, abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, and diarrhea. She remained fully conscious during this episode. About 7 hours later, she visited emergency department on foot and received fluid infusion for dehydration. She fully recovered at night of the day. This is the first documented report of acute nicotine poisoning due to intravenous injection of cigarette soakage in humans. Signs and symptoms appeared immediately after the injection, but this case seemed to be relatively mild in terms of clinical manifestation. The elimination half-life of nicotine seems to be short, that is, less than 1 hour. Therefore, if initial treatment is appropriate and the patient can survive acute phase of nicotine poisoning, prognosis is good.

The use of cables as structural members in large-span spatial structures is increasing. One reason for this is that from an architectural design perspective, these cables are light and provide an expanded impression of space, while smoothly curving cables create soft outlines. A second reason is that from a structural design perspective, these cables provide for the well-defined transmission of forces and rational layout of members in a structural system where members can be arranged so as to make the best use of their individual material properties. Cables are used in a variety of ways. In cable structures they are used as tensile members, and they help control member stress and deformation of frame structures. They enable systems to be constructed for balancing entire structural frames, and by applying tension to these cables, structural members can be made resistant to compression. This paper reports, by introducing several fine examples constructed recently in Japan, on the role of cables in typical applications where they are used to control frame structure deformation and structural member stress, or to form systems that balance entire structural frames. In the Miyagi General Gymnasium, which was completed in April 1997, horizontal thrust generated at the base of the continuous gable frames forming the large ridge roof is absorbed by tie cables. The cables are laid out on planar gable frames at each end of the roof, and the thrust is transmitted to the gables through planar bracing frames attached to the lower edge of the roof. In this design, cables not only form the system, they also actively control member stresses as a result of the tension applied to them. This system provides the structure with a self-balancing space for the entire structural frame. In the Saitama Arena, which is due to be completed in March 2000, one edge of the roof (160 m) is supported by a 130 m beam–string–structure employing cables to control deformation in structural frames and stress in the members. This is achieved by applying a tension of 3000 tons to the cables, matching the typical load applied to cables used in bridges. This system also provides the arena with a dynamic atmosphere of tension. The Sapporo Dome, due to be completed in March 2001, employs a non-conventional design in which the edge-ring of the dome is cut along an arc and a 90 m span bridge girder is inserted to link the cut ends of the ring to form a partially open structure. This turns the open dome into a dynamically closed structure by introducing tension into cables arranged within the girder.

Summary A 3-month-old boy with retractive breathing from his birth was scheduled for a rigid bronchoscopic examination. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane. The examination revealed a slight laryngomalacia which was not compatible with his severe symptom. During the procedure, no respiratory deterioration occurred. He was once extubated in the operating room, however, developed severe desaturation immediately. He was reintubated at the scene and returned to the ward being mechanically ventilated and sedated. The next day, his respiratory condition worsened gradually. Conventional drugs including theophylline, corticosteroid and beta adrenergic agonist did not improve his deleterious condition. He became bradycardic and was on the verge of circulatory collapse as his lungs were unable to ventilate. Then, we commenced inhalation of sevoflurane using a standard anesthesia machine, which relieved him from ventilatory crisis. Although there were some difficulties in using anesthesia machine in the ICU, we could successfully manage mechanical ventilation. After the beginning of sevoflurane inhalation, his condition improved gradually. Discontinuation of sevoflurane was difficult and it took 94 h to wean from sevoflurane inhalation. Despite long duration of inhalation, no adverse effects of sevoflurane were observed except transient mild increase in liver transaminase. There have been very few reports on application of sevoflurane inhalation for such a long period in infants with bronchospasm. Moreover, measured serum fluoride concentration (24.2 μmol·l−1) during inhalation was well below harmful level. Sevoflurane inhalation is worth attempting and safe to treat life-threatening bronchospasm even in infants.

We previously reported that nitric oxide (NO) in the brain cortex increases during hemorrhagic shock (HS) and then recovers to a baseline level by a retransfusion. Accordingly, we suggested that NO may play a role in blood redistribution during HS. To ascertain whether or not NO contributes to blood redistribution, we have investigated the changes in the liver's NO production during HS. Mongrel dogs were used in the study. After each dog was anesthetized with pentobarbital, an NO-selective electrode was placed in its liver, and a probe to measure hepatic blood flow (HF) was placed on the liver's surface. HS was induced until a mean arterial blood pressure of