BACKGROUND: The use of anesthesia during assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as TEST (Tubal Embryo Stage Transfer) may expose early embryo to anesthetics in tubal fluid. The effects of anesthetic agents on the development of early embryo in ART are yet unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of narcotics on mouse two-cell embryo development using in vitro growth model of mouse embryo. METHODS: Mouse two-cell embryos were exposed to narcotics, fentanyl (6.0 nM; 30.0 nM) and meperidine (1.0 M; 3.6 M) respectively. Mouse two-cell embryos unexposed to any drugs were served as controls. In vitro developmental patterns were observed on the third and fifth day of culture. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the rates of embryos arrested at 2~8 cell stage on the third day after culture and blastocysts development and their hatching on the fifth day after culture among three groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that fentanyl and meperidine in clinical therapeutic concentration have no detrimental effects on the in vitro two-cell mouse embryo development. But further investigations are required to determine whether narcotics have any adverse toxic effects in human reproductive medicine.
Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Animals ; Blastocyst ; Embryonic Development* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Meperidine ; Mice* ; Narcotics* ; Pregnancy ; Reproductive Medicine ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Animals ; Killer Cells, Natural* ; Mice*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Mice*

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic urologic surgery including transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) requires adequate sacral analgesia for insertion of resectoscope. But epidurally administered local anesthetic does not produce anesthetic effects uniformly. Failure to completely block S1 during epidural anesthesia because of the large size of nerve root has been noted. The purpose of this study to compare the relation between catheter direction and sensory anesthesia. METHODS: Thirty patients scheduled for endoscopic urologic surgery were enrolled. The epidural catheter was inserted at L3-4 using a standard 18 gauge Tuohy needle. In group A (n=15), the Tuohy needle with bevel pointed in a cephalad direction during catheter insertion. In group B (n=15), it pointed caudally. And the catheter was introduced 3 cm into the epidural space. After test dose, 2% lidocaine 5 cc, 0.5% bupivacaine 5 cc and 2% lidocaine 3 cc were administered with fractionate dose through it. The extent of the sensory anesthesia to loss of cold sensation and pin prick test was measured every 5minute for 30 minutes. RESULTS: Analgesia spread to loss of cold sensation and pin prick test was no significant statistical difference between the two groups. In 15 minutes after injection of surgical dose, complete blockade in L5, S1 dermatome was present in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our results conclude that epidural catheter direction is not significantly influence the epidural anesthetic spread including sacral area in continuous lumbar epidural anesthesia in elderly patients.
Aged ; Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthetics ; Bupivacaine ; Catheters* ; Epidural Space ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Needles ; Sensation ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate

Isoflurane causes little myocardial depression, rapid onset and recovery during controlled hypotensive anesthesia. Nitroglycerin, vasodilating agent, has short plasma half-life and myocardial protective effect, is easy to cantrol, and has no direct toxic effect. Doxapram hydrochloride(doxapram Hcl), respiratory stimulant, has been found to be safe and significantly potent, but also has significant pressor effect when larger doses are administered. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of doxapram on the hemodynamics after isoflurane and nitroglycerin-induced hypotensive anesthesia in dogs. Hemodynamic measurement including the value of left ventricular pressure, aortic pressure, pulmonary eapillary wedge pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, maximal and minimal dP/dT were determined in 8 dogs before doxapram Hcl administration, Smin, 15min and 30min after doxapram Hcl administration. 1) Left ventricular pressure and aortic pressure increased at 5min and 15min after doxapram Hcl administration but did not change significantly at 30min compared to the preadministration values. 2) Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and pulmonary artery pressure increased significantly at Smin and 15min, but did not change significantly 30min compared to the preadministration values. 3) Heart rate increased significantly at Smin, but did not change significantly at 15min and 30min compared to the preadministration value. 4) Cardiac output and body temperature did not change significantly at 5min, 15min compared to the preadministation values. 5) Maximal dP/dT increased signifieantly at Smin and 15min, but did not change at 30min compared to the preadministration value, minimal dP/dT increased significantly at 5min, but did not change at 15min and 30min compared to the preadministration value.
Anesthesia* ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Body Temperature ; Cardiac Output ; Depression ; Dogs* ; Doxapram* ; Half-Life ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Isoflurane* ; Nitroglycerin* ; Plasma ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure ; Ventricular Pressure

A case of multiple hamartomas of the unilateral chest wall in a four month old infant is presented. There have been a few reports on the CT findings of the chest wall hamartoma in infancy. We describe bone changes of the ribs and mineralization of this rare tumor on the CT scan, and the locations of two separate masses.
Hamartoma ; Humans ; Infant ; Miners ; Ribs ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Arthroscopy* ; Retrospective Studies* ; Temporomandibular Joint*

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the value of adminstration of IV gadopentetate dimeglumine for MR imaging of tuberculous spondylitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed MR images both with and without contrast enhancement of 22 patients with tuberculous spondylitis. Evaluation of signal characteristics, enhancement patterns, and difference of delineation between pre- and postcontrast enhancement was made on 4 compartments the vertebral body, intervertebral disc, paravertebral space, and extradural space. RESULTS: The spinal tuberculous lesions revealed relatively low or isosignal intensity on T1-weighted image and high signal intensity on T2-weighted image. The tuberculous lesions of vertebral body showed enhancement of mixed pattern, and rim enhancement pattern was predominant in the other 3 compartment, suggesting abscess. The contrast enhanced MR image showed better demarcation of the extents of tuberculous lesions comparing with noncontrast image, especially at the vertebral body and intervertebral disc. The nature of tuberculous involvement was better visualized at the extradural space and paravertebral space on postcontrast image. CONCLUSION: We conclude Gd-DTPA enhanced MR image can give informations for more detailed delineation, extents, and nature of involvement in the tuberculous spondylitis.
Abscess ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylitis*