Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) signaling are critical for effective proliferative and apoptotic actions; however, little is known about the codependency of these signaling pathways in the intestinal epithelium. Because total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with loss of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) proliferation and increased apoptosis, we utilized...

There are no reports regarding pneumomediastinum caused by thoracic epidural block complications. We believe that it is possible to experience an occurrence of pneumomediastinum caused by air in the epidural space after performing a thoracic epidural block using the loss of resistance (LOR) technique with air. We report a witnessed case where pneumomediastinum appeared after a thoracic epidural...

BACKGROUND Thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) is frequently used to maintain intraoperative analgesia. After injecting the initial bolus dose of epidural local anesthetics (LA), intermittent injection of LA through an epidural catheter is required to maintain the intraoperative analgesia. For intermittent epidural administration, usually 2 - 5 mL of LA has been used. However, no studies have su...

BACKGROUND: The potential benefits of anaesthesia techniques in the parameters cellular immunity and prevention metastasis various types cancer are attracting increasing attention.
 OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to estimate influence epidural blockade as a component anesthesia support on indexes patients operated for gastric cancer.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: 89 cancer, divided into two groups ...

BACKGROUND Various factors influencing the distribution of sensory blockade in epidural anesthesia have been identified; however, reports on the effects of gravity and different postures in thoracic epidural anesthesia have been rare. Medications may be injected with the lateral decubitus or the neutral position; however, it is unclear whether the distribution range of medication is similar or ...

BACKGROUND Because general anesthesia with tracheal intubation can elicit life-threatening bronchospasm in patients with bronchial hyperreactivity, epidural anesthesia is often preferred. However, segmental high thoracic epidural anesthesia (sTEA) causes pulmonary sympathetic and respiratory motor blockade. Whether it can be safely used for chest wall surgery as a primary anesthetic technique i...

BACKGROUND Extension of sensory blockade after an epidural top-up in combined spinal epidural (CSE) anesthesia is partly attributed to compression of the dural sac by the injected volume. This study investigated whether a volume effect plays a significant role when administering an epidural top-up after an initial epidural loading dose and assessed the predictive value of different factors with...

Tuberculosis (TB) is a granulomatous disease that has affected humanity for thousands of years. The production of cytokines, such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, is fundamental in the formation and maintenance of granulomas and in the control of the disease. Recently, the introduction of TNF-α-blocking monoclonal antibodies, such as Infliximab, has brought improvements in the treatment of patients with chr...

background: herbal medicines have been used since ancient times for treatment of a range of diseases and have represented stimulatory effects on the function of innate immunity. objective: to evaluate the effects of zataria multiflora (z. multiflora) on the function of innate immunity including phagocytic activity and tnf-α secretion in animal model. methods: eight balb/c mice were divided into...