Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2012
Biography Historical ArticleSpecial article: Laurette McMechan (1878-1970): "mother of anesthetists".
Laurette van Varseveld McMechan (1878-1970) was married to Francis Hoeffer McMechan (1879-1939), who organized the International Anesthesia Research Society and was the editor of the first journal for physician and dentist anesthetists. Although she was not a physician, she made vital contributions to the development of worldwide organized anesthesia and its journals. ⋯ Her life was dedicated to the profession of anesthesia. A memorial tribute labeled her "the mother of anesthetists," a title she deserved.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2012
The local peripheral antihyperalgesic effect of levetiracetam and its mechanism of action in an inflammatory pain model.
We have recently shown that levetiracetam, administered systemically, exerts an antihyperalgesic effect in a rat inflammatory pain model. In this study, we examined whether levetiracetam has local peripheral antihyperalgesic/anti-edematous effects in the same model of localized inflammation and whether opioidergic, adrenergic, purinergic, 5-HTergic, and GABAergic receptors are involved in its antihyperalgesic action. ⋯ Our results show that levetiracetam produces local peripheral antihyperalgesic and anti-edematous effects in a rat model of localized inflammation. Antihyperalgesia is at least in part mediated by peripheral μ-opioid, α2A,C-adrenergic, A1 adenosine, and 5-HT1B/1D receptors, but not by GABAA receptors. These findings could contribute toward a better understanding of the analgesic effects of levetiracetam, and improved treatments of inflammatory pain with a lower incidence of systemic side effects and drug interactions of levetiracetam.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2012
Biography Historical ArticleSpecial article: T. H. Seldon (1905-1991).
Dr. Seldon was Editor of Anesthesia & Analgesia from 1954 to 1977. We examined how he led the effort to transform this journal into a clinically relevant and vital publication for the specialty.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2012
Vasopressin-mediated enhancement of adrenergic vasoconstriction involves both the tyrosine kinase and the protein kinase C pathways.
Vasopressin is frequently used to treat catecholamine-resistant vasodilatory shock. It enhances the vasoconstrictor effects of catecholamines at concentrations of vasopressin that have none or only minimal intrinsic pressor effects. However, the vascular mechanisms underlying this combined pharmacological approach have not been fully elucidated. ⋯ These data are consistent with a central role for TK in mediating both the NE response and the VP-augmented response. Moreover, PYK2 and the µ and γ isoforms of PKC seem to play a preferential role in mediating the augmented VP response. The apparent divergent roles of these pathways in mediating NE- versus VP-augmented pressor responses could potentially lead to new targeted therapies in catecholamine-resistant shock.