Relationship of feline bispectral index to multiples of isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration

The study reported here was done to determine the relationship between bispectral index (BIS) values and minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) multiples of isoflurane in cats. Isoflurane MAC was determined using the tail-clamp method in eight domestic cats. Ten days later, the cats were anesthetized a second time with isoflurane at each of five MAC multiples administered in random order. Ventilation was controlled and, after a 20-min equilibration period at each MAC multiple of isoflurane, BIS data were collected for 5 min and the median BIS value calculated. Data from each isoflurane MAC multiple were compared using analysis of variance for repeated measures, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The MAC of isoflurane (mean +/- 1 standard deviation) was 1.8% +/- 0.2%. BIS values at 0.5 MAC could not be recorded due to spontaneous movement in all eight cats. BIS values at 2.0 MAC were confounded by burst suppression in seven of the eight cats. Over the range of 0.8 to 1.5 MAC, BIS values decreased significantly with increasing end-tidal isoflurane concentrations. Mean (+/- 1 standard deviation) BIS measurements were 32 +/- 3 at 0.8 MAC, 20 +/- 4 at 1.0 MAC, and 5 +/- 3 at 1.5 MAC. Therefore, BIS values are inversely and linearly related to end-tidal isoflurane concentrations in anesthetized cats. However, the consistently low BIS values recorded in this study suggest that clinical BIS endpoints used to titrate anesthetic agents in humans may not be applicable to cats.     

Relationship of bispectral index values, haemodynamic changes and recovery times during sevoflurane or propofol anaesthesia in rabbits

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the degree of hypnosis achieved during propofol or sevoflurane anaesthesia in rabbits using bispectral index (BIS), and to evaluate its usefulness as a predictor of both haemodynamic changes during anaesthesia and recovery times. Twenty adult male New Zealand White rabbits, average weight 4.4 +/- 0.4 kg, were used for this study. Animals were randomly allocated to one of two groups with 10 rabbits/group. An electroencephalographic recording was obtained from each conscious rabbit prior to drug administration. All animals received buprenorphine as a preanaesthetic medication (0.05 mg/kg, intravenous [i.v.]). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol (8 mg/kg, i.v.) in all animals; 10 rabbits were maintained with sevoflurane via inhalation (1 minimum alveolar concentration--end-tidal sevoflurane concentration of 3.7%--at a fresh gas flow rate of 3 L/min; group I), and 10 were maintained with i.v. propofol (0.6 mg/kg/min; group II). The rabbits were orotracheally intubated and spontaneous ventilation was maintained throughout the study (100% oxygen). After abdominal surgery through a ventral midline laparotomy, rabbits were allowed to recover from anaesthesia. Cardiovascular variables and BIS values were recorded at intervals throughout the procedure, as was the duration of recovery from anaesthesia. In both groups, mean BIS values were significantly decreased immediately after induction, compared with baseline values obtained during consciousness. Anaesthetic depth (evaluated by clinical observation) was similar in both groups; however, group II rabbits had significantly higher (P<0.001) BIS values from 30 s before incision until anaesthesia was discontinued. There was no significant difference in BIS recorded 1 and 5 min after incision as compared with values obtained 30 s before incision in either group. During sevoflurane or propofol administration, correlations were found between BIS values and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and between BIS values and heart rate (HR). Mean BIS values at discontinuation of administration of the anaesthetic agent were greater in group II (69.1 +/- 6.0) than in group I (49.3 +/- 2.2). However, recovery from anaesthesia was significantly longer in group II (38.4 +/- 7.2 min) than in group I (11.5 +/- 2.5 min). In conclusion, BIS can be used to differentiate between conscious and unconscious states during anaesthesia in rabbits. BIS values derived from an electroencephalogram at the end of anaesthesia were not useful for predicting the speed of anaesthetic recovery in sevoflurane or propofol-anaesthetized rabbits undergoing abdominal surgery. Despite the correlation found between BIS and haemodynamic parameters, its usefulness as a predictor of clinically important changes in arterial blood pressure and HR in anaesthetized rabbits was limited.     

Reduction of the sevoflurane minimum alveolar concentration induced by methadone, tramadol, butorphanol and morphine in rats

This study aimed to estimate the reduction in the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane induced by low and high doses of methadone (5 and 10 mg/kg), tramadol (25 and 50 mg/kg), butorphanol (5 and 10 mg/kg) or morphine (5 and 10 mg/kg) in the rat. A control group received normal saline. Sixty-three adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were anaesthetized with sevoflurane (n = 7 per group). Sevoflurane MAC was then determined before and after intraperitoneal administration of the opioids or saline. The duration of the sevoflurane MAC reduction and basic cardiovascular and respiratory measurements were also recorded. The baseline MAC was 2.5 (0.3) vol%. Methadone, tramadol and morphine reduced the sevoflurane MAC (low dose: 31 ± 10, 38 ± 15 and 30 ± 13% respectively; high dose: 100 ± 0, 83 ± 17 and 77 ± 25%, respectively) in a dose-dependent manner. The low and high doses of butorphanol reduced the sevoflurane MAC to a similar extent (33 ± 7 and 31 ± 4%, low and high doses, respectively). Two rats developed apnoea following administration of high-dose butorphanol and methadone. These anaesthetic-sparing effects are clinically relevant and may reduce the adverse effects associated with higher doses of inhalational anaesthetics.     

Protocol for the "Michigan Awareness Control Study": A prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing electronic alerts based on bispectral index monitoring or minimum alveolar concentration for the prevention of intraoperative awareness

Background

Prolonged sedation is common in mechanically ventilated patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine the diagnostic value of head computed tomography (CT) in mechanically ventilated patients who remain unresponsive after discontinuation of sedation.

Methods

A retrospective review of adult (age >18 years of age) patients consecutively admitted to the medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care medical center. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation for management of respiratory failure for longer than 72 hours were included in the study group. A group that did not have difficulty with awakening was included as a control.

Results

The median time after sedation was discontinued until a head CT was performed was 2 days (interquartile range 1.375–2 days). Majority (80%) of patients underwent head CT evaluation within the first 48 hours after discontinuation of sedation. Head CT was non-diagnostic in all but one patient who had a small subarachnoid hemorrhage. Twenty-five patients (60%) had a normal head CT. Head CT findings did not alter the management of any of the patients. The control group was similar to the experimental group with respect to demographics, etiology of respiratory failure and type of sedation used. However, while 37% of subjects in the control group had daily interruption of sedation, only 19% in the patient group had daily interruption of sedation (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In patients on mechanical ventilation for at least 72 hours and who remain unresponsive after sedative discontinuation and with a non-focal neurologic examination, head CT is performed early and is of very limited diagnostic utility. Routine use of daily interruption of sedation is used in a minority of patients outside of a clinical trial setting though it may decrease the frequency of unresponsiveness from prolonged sedation and the need for head CT in patients mechanically ventilated for a prolonged period.     

Changes in minimal alveolar concentration of isoflurane following treatment with medetomidine and tiletamine/zolazepam, epidural morphine or systemic buprenorphine in pigs

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane after treatment with medetomidine and tiletamine/zolazepam (MTZ), epidural morphine or systemic buprenorphine in 11 healthy crossbred pigs. The first part of this study was to measure the baseline values in pigs induced with isoflurane (5%) by face mask and maintained with isoflurane in air and oxygen for 2 h (ISO). Baseline isoflurane MAC was determined using mechanical stimulation. Thereafter, each pig was randomly chosen for a crossover test in which the same animal received three different treatments with at least one week in between treatments. The three treatments were as follows: induction of anaesthesia with medetomidine (0.05 mg kg(-1)) and tiletamine/zolazepam (2.5 mg kg(-1) each) given intramuscularly (MTZ); MTZ followed by epidural morphine (0.1 mg kg(-1); MTZ/M); and MTZ followed by intramuscular buprenorphine (0.1 mg kg(-1); MTZ/B). All pigs were maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and air for 2 h and their lungs were mechanically ventilated. The end-tidal isoflurane concentration, respiratory rate, inspiratory and expiratory O2 and CO2 concentrations, heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure were recorded every 10 min. Arterial blood gases were analysed every 20 min. Among the treatment groups, differences in isoflurane MAC were tested using GLM and Tukey's method for further comparison; P < 0.05 was adopted as significant. Isoflurane MAC was 1.9 +/- 0.3%. MTZ reduced isoflurane MAC to 0.6 +/- 0.1%. Additional morphine or buprenorphine reduced the MTZ isoflurane MAC further to 0.4 +/- 0.2 and 0.3 +/- 0.1%, respectively. During MTZ, MTZ/M and MTZ/B mean arterial blood pressure was higher and the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference was lower compared with ISO. In conclusion, induction of anaesthesia with MTZ reduced the isoflurane MAC in pigs by 68%. Additional epidural morphine or systemic buprenorphine decreased MTZ isoflurane MAC by 33 and 50%, respectively.     

Relationship between inflammatory cytology of canine seminal fluid and significant aerobic bacterial, anaerobic bacterial or mycoplasma cultures of canine seminal fluid: 95 cases (1987-2000)

Seminal fluid was collected by manual ejaculation from 95 dogs. Quantitative aerobic bacterial, qualitative anaerobic bacterial and mycoplasma cultures were performed on the seminal fluid, and their association with presence of inflammatory cells present in the pellet formed after centrifugation of the fluid was investigated. There was a clinically meaningful aerobic bacterial growth in 28.4%, anaerobic bacterial growth in 13.7%, and mycoplasma growth in 57.9% of the seminal fluid samples. Presence of inflammatory cytology was statistically associated with clinically meaningful aerobic bacterial growth. However, of the 78 dogs (82.1%) with clinically meaningful growth of at least one aerobic, anaerobic or mycoplasma organism, 43 (55.1%) had non-inflammatory seminal fluid cytology.     

Relationship of sexual dimorphism in canine size and body size to social,behavioral, and ecological correlates in anthropoid primates

Among anthropoid primates there are interspecific differences in the degree of sexual dimorphism in both body size and canine size. Within the suborder body size dimorphism and canine size dimorphism are positively correlated,r=0.76. This correlation suggests that the two dimorphisms are equally developed in some species, while in other species there is a differential degree of sexual dimorphism. An analysis of these results and their relation to social organization and other ecological variables reveals: (1) the degree of canine size dimorphism is closely related to the amount of male intrasexual selection in a given mating system; and (2) the degree of body size dimorphism is also related to male intrasexual selection, but may be modified (either enhanced or diminished) by selection pressure from factors such as habitat, diet, foraging behavior, antipredator behavior, locomotory behavior, and female preference.     

Development of a method for the quantitative evaluation of microorganism sensitivity to antibiotics utilizing disks. The determination of the minimal doxycycline concentration that depresses microorganism growth using disks containing this antibiotic]

A quantitative method for estimation of microbial sensitivity to doxycycline with the use of discs containing 10 gamma of the antibiotic was developed. The antibiotic concentrations in the agar were determined at a distance equal to the radius of the growth inhibition zone with the help of a curve of the dependence of the logarithm of the doxycycline concentration in agar at the period of the average critical time of the zone formation equal to 5 hours and the distance from the disc center. The antibiotic concentration in the agar at the zone edges was almost the same as the MIC of doxycycline against the test-cultures determined with the method of serial dilutions in agar.     

Relationship of antioxidant enzymes to ozone tolerance in branches of mature ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) trees exposed to long-term, low concentration, ozone fumigation and acid precipitation

Seasonal activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1). ascorbate peroxidase (APOD, EC 1.11.1.11) and guaiacol-oxidizing enzymes (GPODs, EC 1.11.1.7) was examined in needles of 12- to 15-year-old ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) trees which received ozone (O₃) and acid precipitation treatment. Individual branches were enclosed in branch exposure chambers delivering either charcoal-filtered (O₃-reduced) air, ambient air, or air with twice ambient (2 x ambient) concentrations of O₃. Acid precipitation treatments were rain of pH 3.0 or 5.1 or no rain. Changes in antioxidant enzyme activity were not a consistent response to O₃ fumigation or acid precipitation, but when observed, they occurred most often in the O₃-sensitive clone and in symptomatic, fumigated branches. In the second year of fumigation. O₃ fleck symptoms appeared on needles of the sensitive clone as early as July and APOD activities were significantly increased by O₃ at all sampling dates. In the tolerant clone, antioxidant enzyme activities were not significantly changed by O₃ in the first season of fumigation (March to December 1990), not even during an episode when ambient O₃ concentrations reached 125 nl 1^?1 (240 nl 1^?1 in 2x ambient chambers). No foliar symptoms were observed on needles of the tolerant clone during this year. However, in the second year of fumigation (1992), O₃ fleck symptoms were observed on the tolerant clone and APOD activities were significantly increased in previous-year needles. The tolerant clone had SOD, APOD, and GPOD activities at least 40% higher than those of the sensitive clone before fumigation and 65, 178, and 119% higher, respectively, during both years of fumigation. The higher constitutive levels of these enzymes may have protected against foliar injury in 1990, however in 1992 we concluded that the stimulations in antioxidant enzyme activities observed in symptomatic branches of both clones were a consequence of O₃ injury. Total (intra- and extracellular) activities of the antioxidant enzymes did not appear to be good indicators of O₃ tolerance. Phenotypically, the O₃-tolerant clone was much more vigorous and in both years of fumigation, gas exchange rates were 30 to 71% higher than in the sensitive clone (P. D. Anderson, unpublished data). The greater vigor of the tolerant clone may allow more carbon allocation to protective and repair processes which include, but are not restricted to, the turnover of antioxidant enzymes and metabolites.     

云南文山石漠化区车桑子叶脉密度与叶氮含量关系对生境的响应

植物叶脉特征和叶氮含量的变化影响着叶片经济谱的形成,为验证叶片结构中叶脉网络构建提供了理论依据。该文以单位质量叶氮含量(N_mass)和单位面积叶氮含量(N_area)分别表示叶氮含量,采取主成分分析、线性回归分析的方法,研究了云南文山石漠化区旷地(Ⅰ)、林缘(Ⅱ)和林下(Ⅲ)3种自然生境下车桑子的叶脉密度(Vein density,VD)与N_mass和N_area的异速关系。结果表明:从乔灌群落的旷地到林下,车桑子的比叶面积、叶绿素总含量、光能利用率和N_mass逐渐增大,光饱和点、光补偿点、水分利用效率、VD、N_area逐渐减小,净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度呈先增大后减小的趋势。VD与叶氮含量呈不同程度的相关性,在生境I和III,VD与N_mass和N_area分别具有显著的负相关(P<0.05)和正相关(P<0.05);在生境Ⅱ,VD与N_mass和N_area分别...     

Relationship of oestrus synchronization method, circulating hormones, luteinizing hormone and prostaglandin F-2 alpha receptors and luteal progesterone concentration to premature luteal regression in superovulated sheep

Ewes were treated with exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestrus was synchronized using either a dual prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF-2 alpha) injection regimen or pessaries impregnated with medroxy progesterone acetate (MAP). Natural cycling ewes served as controls. After oestrus or AI (Day 0), corpora lutea (CL) were enucleated surgically from the left and right ovaries on Days 3 and 6, respectively. The incidence of premature luteolysis was related (P less than 0.05) to PGF-2 alpha treatment and occurred in 7 of 8 ewes compared with 0 of 4 controls and 1 of 8 MAP-exposed females. Sheep with regressing CL had lower circulating and intraluteal progesterone concentrations and fewer total and small dissociated luteal cells on Day 3 than gonadotrophin-treated counterparts with normal CL. Progesterone concentration in the serum and luteal tissue was higher (P less than 0.05) in gonadotrophin-treated ewes with normal CL than in the controls; but luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors/cell were not different on Days 3 and 6. There were no apparent differences in the temporal patterns of circulating oestradiol-17 beta, FSH and LH. High progesterone in gonadotrophin-treated ewes with normal CL coincided with an increase in total luteal mass and numbers of cells, which were primarily reflected in more small luteal cells than in control ewes. Gonadotrophin-treated ewes with regressing CL on Day 3 tended (P less than 0.10) to have fewer small luteal cells and fewer (P less than 0.05) low-affinity PGF-2 alpha binding sites than sheep with normal CL. By Day 6, luteal integrity and cell viability was absent in ewes with prematurely regressed CL. These data demonstrate that (i) the incidence of premature luteal regression is highly correlated with the use of PGF-2 alpha; (ii) this abnormal luteal tissue is functionally competent for 2-3 days after ovulation, but deteriorates rapidly thereafter and (iii) luteal-dysfunctioning ewes experience a reduction in numbers of small luteal cells without a significant change in luteal mass by Day 3 and, overall, have fewer low-affinity PGF-2 alpha binding sites.     

Relationship of family income and house type to body mass index and chronic energy deficiency among urban Bengalee male slum dwellers of Kolkata, India

A cross-sectional study of 469 adult (>18 years) Bengalee male slum dwellers of Dum Dum, Kolkata, India, was undertaken to study the relationships of family income and house type with body mass index (BMI) and chronic energy deficiency. The overall frequency of chronic energy deficiency was 32.0%. Based on the World Health Organization classification, the prevalence of chronic energy deficiency among this population was high and thus the situation is serious. Overall, monthly family income was significantly positively correlated with BMI. Significant differences in mean weight, BMI and monthly family income, were observed between the two house type groups. All values were found to be significantly higher in the brick household group who also earned a comparatively higher income as evident from the mean monthly family income values. The prevalence of chronic energy deficiency was also found to be significantly higher in the bamboo-fenced household group. Subjects belonging to the lowest family income group had the lowest mean BMI and the highest rate of chronic energy deficiency while those in the highest family income group had the largest mean BMI and lowest rate of chronic energy deficiency. There was a significant family income group difference in mean BMI. There existed significant differences in chronic energy deficiency rates in family income group categories. Linear regression analyses showed that monthly family income and house type had a significant impact on BMI. Subsequent multiple regression analyses revealed that both monthly family income and house type had a significant impact on BMI, even after controlling for each other.     

Development of a simplified, sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method using fluorescence detection to determine the concentration of UCN-01 in human plasma

UCN-01 is a naturally derived anticancer agent isolated in the culture broth of actinomyces streptomyces. We have developed a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of UCN-01 in human plasma. UCN-01 was isolated from human plasma after intravenous administration, by using 100% ice-cold acetonitrile liquid–liquid phase extraction. Liquid chromatographic separation was achieved by isocratic elution on a phenyl analytical column. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile–0.5 M ammonium acetate (45:55) with 0.2% triethylamine added as a modifier. The UCN-01 peak was identified from other peaks using fluorescence excitation energy and emission energy wavelengths of 310 and 410 nm, respectively. Retention time for UCN-01 was 4.2±0.5 min. The UCN-01 peak was baseline resolved, with nearest peak at 2.6 min distance. No interfering peaks were observed at the retention time of UCN-01. Peak area amounts from extracted samples were proportional over the dynamic concentration range used: 0.2 to 30 μg/ml. Mean recoveries of UCN-01 at concentrations of 0.5 and 25 μg/ml were 89 and 90.2%, respectively. Relative standard deviations for UCN-01 calibration standards ranged from 1.89 to 2.31%, with relative errors ranging from 0.3 to 11.6%. Assay precision for UCN-01 based on quality control samples of 0.50 μg/ml was ±4.86% with an accuracy of ±5.7%. For drug extracted from plasma the lowest limit of detection was 0.1 μg/ml, with the lowest limit of quantitation being 0.2 μg/ml. This method is suitable for routine analysis of UCN-01 in human plasma at concentration from 0.2 to 30 μg/ml.     

Western blot analysis of bile or intestinal fluid from patients with septic shock or systemic inflammatory response syndrome, using antibodies to TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta

Septic shock or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) often develops in patients following burns, traumatic injury, surgery or biliary obstruction. Although the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1 have been strongly implicated in the development of these syndromes, treatment of patients by the systemic administration of inhibitors of TNF-alpha or IL-1 has shown limited effectiveness. Recent reports suggest that septic shock may be perpetuated by inflammatory cytokines secreted by the liver in response to bacterial translocation resulting from cytokine-induced gastrointestinal damage. The present study sought to demonstrate the presence of high levels of inflammatory cytokines in the bile or small intestine of patients suffering from septic shock or SIRS, with a view to the development of strategies for the reduction of gastrointestinal damage through intraduodenal administration of cytokine inhibitors. Western blot analysis of human bile or intestinal fluid using anti-TNF-alpha antibodies resulted in the detection of a number of bands in samples from patients with septic shock or SIRS. However, these proteins differed antigenically from human recombinant TNF-alpha (rTNF-alpha) and showed no activity in a biological assay for TNF-alpha. Antibodies to IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta detected several strong bands, some of which appeared to be identical to recombinant IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. It is concluded that proteins resembling several known inflammatory cytokines are present in the bile and intestine of septic shock patients, but it is suggested that further work is required to determine the nature and function of these molecules.     

Relationship of phosphate administration to serum and red cell phosphate concentration, erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and blood P50 in the hyperglycemic dog

In vitro studies indicate that acute increases in intracellular phosphate concentration decrease red blood cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels (G. Momsen, B. Vestergaard-Bogind, Arch Biochem Biophys 190:67, 1978). We have examined the relationship in vivo of serum phosphate concentration, red cell phosphate, 2,3-DPG and blood P50 in hyperglycemic dogs infused alternately with phosphate or chloride (control) solutions. During the 8-hr insulin infusion, serum phosphate (Pi) fell 40% in the chloride-treated animals and rose 71% in the phosphate-treated dogs (P less than 0.001, phosphate vs. control). RBC Pi concentration declined in the controls and rose significantly in the phosphate-infused dogs (P less than 0.02). Serum Pi and RBC Pi were correlated in the phosphate-managed animals (r = 0.76, P less than 0.02), but not in the controls. RBC 2,3-DPG failed to rise in either group during insulin infusion and regression analysis showed a negative correlation between serum Pi and 2,3-DPG (r = -0.90, P less than 0.005) and between RBC Pi concentration and 2,3-DPG (r = -0.84, P less than 0.02). P50 failed to change in either group during insulin treatment and for up to 24 hr after initiation of the 8-hr infusion of insulin.     

Magnetic aqueous two-phase separation: a new technique to increase rate of phase-separation, using dextran-ferrofluid or larger iron oxide particles

A new technique to speed up the phase separation of aqueous two-phase systems is described. The technique is based on the addition of magnetically susceptible additives (ferrofluids or iron oxide particles). In a magnetic field such additives will induce a faster phase separation. In one approach, dextran-stabilized ferrofluid was added to an aqueous two-phase system containing polyethylene glycol and dextran. The ferrofluid was totally partitioned to the dextran phase. After mixing of the two-phase system, it was possible to reduce the separation time by a factor of 35 by applying a magnetic field to the system. Another approach involved the use of 1-micron iron oxide particles instead of ferrofluid. In this case also, the phase-separation time was reduced, by a factor of about 70, when the system was placed in a magnetic field. The addition of ferrofluid and/or iron oxide particles was shown to have no influence on enzyme partitioning or on enzyme activity. The partitioning of chloroplasts, on the other hand, was influenced unless the ferrofluid used had been treated with epoxysilane. A column system comprising 15 magnetic separation stages was constructed and was used for semicontinuous separation of enzyme mixtures.