Neurosurgery
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To examine in a prospective manner the long-term safety and efficacy of chronic intrathecal morphine in patients with severe, nonmalignant pain refractory to less invasive modalities. ⋯ Continuous intrathecal morphine can be a safe, effective therapy for the management of severe, nonmalignant pain among a carefully selected patient population and can result in long-term improvement in several areas of daily function.
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To evaluate the possible role of the antioxidant ebselen in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm, we examined the effects of ebselen on the vasoactive mechanisms induced by endothelin (ET)-1, oxyhemoglobin, and oxygen-derived radicals. ⋯ Ebselen suppressed ET-1-induced contraction and synergetic interaction between oxyhemoglobin and ET-1, where free radical formation was involved. These effects may result from modification of the intracellular regulatory system including protein kinase C, as well as from protection against free radicals.