New optical telescopes have been introduced for pediatric bronchoscopy and removal of foreign bodies in the bronchi. One is flexible telescope (diameter, 1.8 mm). The other is a rigid telescope (diameter, 1.6 mm). Each contains both image and light channels. Each telescope is easily inserted into the side port of the conventional ventilating bronchoscope. Advantages of using these optical telescopes are magnification of image and achievement of an unobstructed view during manipulation with forceps.

Bronchoscopy↗

PubMed1982

Cervical ripening with dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) was given intravenously twice a week after 38 weeks gestation to ripen the uterine cervix in 20 nulliparae and 24 parous women who subsequently went into labour at term. The condition of the uterine cervix was assessed by Bishop scoring. The increase in the score in nulliparous women given DHEA-S was significantly greater than that in the control group, who were given placebo injections, on the 7th, 14th and 21st days. The increase in the parous women was significant only on the 7th day. In nulliparous women the dilatation, effacement and consistency improved significantly, while in the parous women the effect of DHEA-S was apparent only in the consistency. The duration of labour was significantly shortened by treatment with DHEA-S in nulliparae but this effect was not found in parous women. The interval between the first administration of DHEA-S and the onset of labour in nulliparae was significantly shorter than that in the control group. There were no serious side effects or complications. Our results suggest that DHEA-S may be used safely and effectively to ripen the uterine cervix and to trigger the onset of labour in late pregnancy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Effects of morphine on single unit activity of the amygdala in cats.

Single neuronal activity has been recorded extra-cellularly from the nucleus amygdaloideus centralis (pars lateralis) (Acl), the nucleus amygdaloideus centralis (pars medialis) (Acm), the nucleus amygdaloideus basalis (pars magnocellularis) (Abm), the nucleus amygdaloideus lateralis (Al), and the nucleus amygdaloideus basalis (pars parvocellularis) (Abp). The majority of the Acl, Acm, and Abm neurons were excited by nociceptive stimulation such as pinching the skin with serrated forceps and/or intraarterial injection of bradykinin. The nociceptive neurons were also driven by non-nociceptive stimulation such as tapping of deep tissues and bending hairs with an air-puff. Their receptive fields were large. After the intravenous administration of morphine, all nociceptive neurons became unresponsive to nociceptive stimuli, although they were driven by non-nociceptive stimuli. Intravenous naloxone antagonized the antinociceptive action of morphine. This suggests that morphine has selective and inhibitory effects on impulse transmission to these nociceptive neurons, and the amygdala, especially the Acl, Acm, and Abm, plays an important role in central nociceptive processing.

Amygdala↗

PubMed1982

Nociceptive and non-nociceptive responses of neurons in the medial subthalamic region and lateral hypothalamic area of cats and their relationship to the effects of morphine and pentazocine.

Single neuronal activity was recorded extracellularly from the Forel's field (FH), subthalamic region immediately rostral to the FH (STRF), rostral end of the medial subthalamic region (RE) and lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) of the anesthetized cats. Many of the FH, RE and LHA neurons were excited by nociceptive stimulation such as pinching the skin with serrated forceps and/or intra-arterial injection of bradykinin. These nociceptive neurons were also excited by non-nociceptive stimulation such as tap of deep tissues, bending hairs with an air-puff and/or joint rotation. On the other hand, inhibition by both nociceptive and non-nociceptive stimuli was seen in and around the rostral end of the FH including STRF. Their receptive fields were large. After intravenous administration of either morphine or pentazocine, most nociceptive neurons became unresponsive to nociceptive stimuli, although they were driven by non-nociceptive stimuli. This suggests that morphine and pentazocine have a specific antinociceptive action on these nociceptive neurons. Intravenous naloxone reversed the antinociceptive action of morphine, but failed to reduce the action of pentazocine. This differentiation has an important functional significance.

Animals↗

PubMed1982