Background: To evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment nutritional index (PNI), lactated dehydrogenase (LDH) and their combination (PNI-LDH) in patients with locally advanced NPC receiving induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

The effect of the extracellular Ca depletion on potassium contracture was investigated in single fibers isolated from frog semitendinosus muscle mainly in relation to its time and Na dependency. The shortening of plateau duration and the increase in the rate of relaxation of the potassium contracture appeared within 3--5 sec and 15 sec, respectively, after the fiber was immersed in Ca-free Na R...

Monensin, a Na(+)-selective ionophore, enhances transmitter release when applied to crustacean and frog neuromuscular junctions. Monensin is believed to raise intracellular sodium ([Na+]i) which in turn elevates intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). Using the fluorescent indicator fura-2, we measured [Ca2+]i in crayfish Procambarus clarkii presynaptic terminals during monensin application in normal ...

Hypotensive resuscitation strategies and inhibition of complement may both be of benefit in hemorrhagic shock. We asked if C5-blocking antibody (anti-C5) could diminish the amount of fluid required and improve responsiveness to resuscitation from hemorrhage. Awake, male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent controlled hemorrhage followed by prolonged (3 h) hypotensive resuscitation with lactated Ringer...

Axonal growth and targeting are fundamental to the organization of the nervous system, and require active engagement of the cytoskeleton. Polymerization and stabilization of axonal microtubules is central to axonal growth and maturation of neuronal connectivity. Studies have suggested that members of the tubulin polymerization promoting protein (TPPP, also known as P25α) family are involved in ...

PURPOSE To compare the hemostatic effect of sulfur hexafluoride 20% (SF6 20%) with lactated Ringer's solution for prevention of early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage following diabetic vitrectomy. METHODS In a prospective randomized clinical trial, 50 eyes undergoing diabetic vitrectomy were divided into two groups. At the conclusion of surgery, in one group the vitreous cavity was filled w...

background spinal anesthesia is an important and commonly used method for surgical anesthetic in operating rooms. however, even with identical drug dosage and administration mode, the extent of drug distribution in vivo is highly variable and difficult to control. preanesthetic administration of fluids immediately before spinal anesthesia (preload) is normal practice. the choice of fluid type m...

1. Electrophysiological techniques have been applied to tsetse fly Malpighian tubules for the first time. 2. In either Cl- or SO42- Ringer, both non-perfused and perfused tubules displayed transtubular potentials (Vt) at or close to 0 mV. Exposure to cyclic AMP elicited a marked secretory response and, in SO42- Ringer, a sharp (lumen-positive) increase in Vt. In Cl- Ringer, despite more than do...

BACKGROUND Oxygenation-sensitive (OS) Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is a promising utility in the diagnosis of heart disease. Contrast in OS-CMR images is generated through deoxyhemoglobin in the tissue, which is negatively correlated with the signal intensity (SI). Thus, changing hematocrit levels may be a confounder in the interpretation of OS-CMR results. We hypothesized that hemod...