Articles: cations.
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The modulation of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) by divalent cations is believed to play an important role in their regulation in a physiological context. Ions such as calcium or zinc influence the activity of pLGIC neurotransmitter receptors by binding to their extracellular domain and either potentiate or inhibit channel activation. Here we have investigated by electrophysiology and X-ray crystallography the effect of divalent ions on ELIC, a close prokaryotic pLGIC homologue of known structure. ⋯ Here, divalent cations interact with the protein via carboxylate side-chains, and the site is similar in structure to calcium binding sites described in other proteins. There is evidence that other pLGICs may be regulated by divalent ions binding to a similar region, even though the interacting residues are not conserved within the family. Our study provides structural and functional insight into the allosteric regulation of ELIC and is of potential relevance for the entire family.
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This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Oct 2011
WITHDRAWN The analgesic effect of paracetamol when added to lidocaine for intravenous regional anesthesia.
Ninety patients undergoing elective hand surgery with IVRA were randomly assigned to three groups to receive either IV saline and C-IVRA with 0.5% lidocaine 3 mg/kg (control group, N=30), IV saline and IVRA with 0.5% lidocaine and 20 mL paracetamol (10 mg/cc) (P-IVRA group, N=30) or IV paracetamol and IVRA with 0.5% lidocaine (L-IV group, N=30). The following were measured: 1) sensory and motor block onset and recovery time, 2) tourniquet pain after tourniquet application and at 10, 20 and 30 min after tourniquet deflation, 3) the visual analog scale (VAS) scores of tourniquet pain at 30 min and 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h postoperatively, 4) the time to first analgesic requirement, 5) total analgesic consumption in 24 h and 6) side effects. ⋯ Perfalgan as an adjunct to lidocaine improves postoperative analgesia in IVRA without adverse effects.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Oct 2011
WITHDRAWN Coronary artery spasm associated with blood brain barrier disruption induced by carotid sinus stimulation.
Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher Blood brain barrier disruption (BBBD) is a novel technique for treating central nervous system lymphoma. This technique depends on the disruption of the tight junctions between endothelial cells (which represent the blood brain barrier) by intra-arterial injection of mannitol. ⋯ Here, the authors present a rare complication of coronary artery spasm manifested by elevation of the ST segment and bradycardia due to carotid sinus stimulation in a 33 year-old-male during blood brain barrier disruption. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a coronary artery spasm complicating blood brain barrier disruption.
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Background. Outcomes following burn injury have improved considerably in recent years due to early excision and skin grafting. Despite a reduction in late burn complications, up to 70% of patients experience long-term pain at both the injured area and the skin-grafted scar. Current therapies do not ameliorate these symptoms for a majority of these patients. This report presents initial results of a new technique using a bilayer dermal substitute (Integra™, [Integra LifeSciences, Plainsboro, NJ]) for revision of painful scars. ⋯ Scar excision, interval placement of a bilayer dermal matrix, and subsequent skin grafting is a new technique that can improve, and in some cases ameliorate, burn scar related pain. .