Anesthesiology
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The authors investigated the hypothesis that isoflurane modulates nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and protection against myocardial infarction through time-dependent changes in expression of key NO regulatory proteins, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase (GTPCH)-1, the rate-limiting enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). ⋯ APC favorably modulated a NO biosynthetic pathway by up-regulating GTPCH-1 and eNOS, and this action contributed to protection of myocardium against ischemia and reperfusion injury.
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Monocytes (MOs) have the unique ability to differentiate into immature dendritic cells (iDCs) (MO→iDC) under the influence of interleukin-4 and granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (IL-4&GM-CSF). In this study, the authors investigated the influence of ketamine on the process of MO→iDC. ⋯ Ketamine diminishes the process of MO→iDC in vitro. This is mediated via NMDA-dependent mechanisms and TGFβ.
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During mechanical ventilation, stress and strain may be locally multiplied in an inhomogeneous lung. The authors investigated whether, in healthy lungs, during high pressure/volume ventilation, injury begins at the interface of naturally inhomogeneous structures as visceral pleura, bronchi, vessels, and alveoli. The authors wished also to characterize the nature of the lesions (collapse vs. consolidation). ⋯ Most of the computed tomography scan new densities developed in nonhomogeneous lung regions. The damage in this model was primarily located in the interstitial space, causing alveolar collapse and consequent high recruitability.