Basic subsite theory assumptions may not be applicable to hydrolysis of cellooligosaccharides by almond beta-glucosidase

Steady-state kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of cellooligosaccharides by almond beta-glucosidase were evaluated at pH 5.0 and 25 degrees C in relation to the subsite theory (K. Hiromi, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 40, 1-6, 1970). The value of k0/Km decreased monotonously with increasing degree of polymerization (DP) of the substrates (DP = 2-6). Also, the Km and k0 values for cellotriose were smaller than those for cellobiose. These DP dependencies differ from those of most amylases and glucosidases studied so far, to which the subsite theory has been successfully applied. The subsite parameters could not be consistently obtained, which suggests that one or both of the two basic assumptions of the subsite theory might not be applicable to the hydrolysis of cellooligosaccharides by the enzyme. That is, the intrinsic rate of the hydrolysis may depend on the DP and/or there may be interaction between subsites for binding the glucose residues of a substrate.

Severe pulmonary hypertension associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome

Severe pulmonary hypertension is one of the fetal complications in various connective tissue diseases. We report a case of severe pulmonary hypertension associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome. In a lung biopsy specimen, there were findings of intimal and medial hypertrophy with narrowing vessel lumina and plexiform lesions. Moreover, deposits of immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin A and complement protein C1q were found in the pulmonary arterial walls. Although pulmonary hypertension was refractory to oral prostacyclin, steroid therapy improved the clinical and hemodynamic conditions. In the present case, the immunological etiology may be related to the mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

[Isolation and serotypes of Vero toxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) from pigeons and crows]

To clarify the source and route of infection with Vero toxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) in humans, we sampled gastrointestinal contents and isolated VTEC from wild birds captured to exterminate harmful birds between August 1997 and January 1998. Pigeons were caught in Sagamihara-shi and crows were caught in Sagamihara-shi, Kawasaki-shi, Yokohama-shi, and the Tokyo metropolitan area. The following results were obtained. 1) VTEC was isolated from 32 of 521 birds (6.1%) examined. Among pigeons, VTEC was isolated from 25 of 262 birds (9.5%) captured in Sagamihara-shi. Among crows, VTEC was isolated from 7 of 184 birds (3.8%) captured in Sagamihara-shi, but not isolated from any bird of 11.4, and 60 birds captured in Yokohama-shi, Kawasaki-shi, and the Tokyo metropolitan area, respectively. 2) Toxin was typed in 33 isolates. There were four VT1-producing isolates (6.5%), 27 VT2-producing isolates (88.7%), and two VT1, VT2-producing isolates (4.8%). 3) The serotypes of the isolates were: O78: H-, 10; O152: H-, 7; O153: H19.2; O164: H-, 1; O128: H-, 1; O164/143: H-, and O1: HUT, 1. The serotype was unknown in 10 isolates. Among 10 isolates for which the serotype could not be determined, auto-aggregation was observed in one isolate. 4) EaeA was investigated in the 33 isolates, and 31 isolates (93.9%) possessed eaeA. The above findings showed that strains with same toxin types and serotypes of human diarrhea-derived VTEC were isolated from pigeons and crows, and the isolates frequently possessed eaeA, which is considered to have an important association with its pathology, suggesting that birds are involved in VTEC infection in humans as a source of infection.

Bone defects in latent TGF-beta binding protein (Ltbp)-3 null mice; a role for Ltbp in TGF-beta presentation

The latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta binding proteins (LTBP)-1, -3 and -4 bind the latent form of the multipotent cytokine TGF-beta. To examine the function of the LTBPs, we made a null mutation of Ltbp-3 by gene targeting. The homozygous mutant animals developed cranio-facial malformations by 12 days. By three months, there was a pronounced rounding of the cranial vault, extension of the mandible beyond the maxilla, and kyphosis. The mutant animals developed osteosclerosis of the long bones and vertebrae as well as osteoarthritis between 6 and 9 months of age. These latter phenotypic changes were similar to those described for mice that have impaired TGF-beta signaling. Thus, we suggest that Ltbp-3 plays an important role in regulating TGF-beta bioavailability as the phenotype of the Ltbp-3 null mouse appears to result from decreased TGF-beta signaling. Histological examination of the skulls from null animals revealed no effects on calvarial suture closure. However, the synchondroses in the skull base were obliterated within 2 weeks of birth. This is in contrast to the wild-type synchondroses, which remain unossified throughout the life of the animal and enable growth of the skull base through endochondral ossification. Histological changes in mutant basooccipital-basosphenoid synchondrosis were observed 1.5 days after birth. Compared with wild-type or heterozygous littermates, the basooccipital-basosphenoid synchondrosis of Ltbp-3 null mice contained increased numbers of hypertrophic chondrocytes. The expression of bone sialoprotein-1 (a marker for osteoblasts) was observed in cells surrounding the synchondrosis at postnatal day 1.5 indicating ectopic ossification. The expression of Indian hedgehog (Ihh) (a marker for chondrocytes committed to hypertrophic differentiation) was found through the basooccipital-basosphenoid synchondrosis, whereas the expression of parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP), which inhibits chondrocyte differentiation, appeared to be diminished in Ltbp-3 null mice. This suggests that Ltbp-3 may control chondrocyte differentiation by regulating TGF-beta availability. TGF-beta may regulate PTHrP expression either downstream of Ihh or independently of Ihh signaling.

Apolipoprotein J/clusterin is induced in vascular smooth muscle cells after vascular injury

BACKGROUND

Understanding the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of restenosis after PTCA may help us to develop a new strategy for the treatment of restenosis after PTCA. The purpose of this study was to identify the genes involved in vascular restenosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Applying a differential hybridization method to a model of the balloon-injured rabbit aorta, we identified 6 cDNA clones that were upregulated after injury. Northern blot showed that 5 genes, but not apolipoprotein J (apoJ)/clusterin, were constitutively expressed in noninjured aorta and upregulated after balloon injury. ApoJ mRNA was not detectable in noninjured aorta (control), began to be expressed at 6 hours after injury, showed a peak level at 24 hours (a 48-fold increase), gradually declined, and returned to the control level at 24 weeks. Western blot and immunohistochemistry demonstrated no expression of apoJ protein in noninjured aorta, an expression of apoJ at 2 days after balloon injury, and a peak level (a 55-fold increase) at 2 to 8 weeks. The expression of apoJ protein continued until 24 weeks after injury. In situ hybridization revealed that apoJ mRNA was expressed in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of media at 2 days after injury and in SMCs of media and neointima at 2 weeks. To analyze the function of apoJ, stably transfected rabbit SMCs were created. The expression of apoJ stimulated proliferation and migration of SMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

ApoJ is dramatically induced in media and neointima after vascular injury, suggesting that apoJ contributes to restenosis after angioplasty.

Direct neurotoxicity of tetracaine on growth cones and neurites of growing neurons in vitro

BACKGROUND

Local anesthetics have direct neurotoxicity on neurons. However, precise morphologic changes induced by the direct application of local anesthetics to neurons have not yet been fully understood. Also, despite the fact that local anesthetics are sometimes applied to the sites where peripheral nerves may be regenerating after injury, the effects of local anesthetics on growing or regenerating neurons have never been studied.

METHODS

Three different neuronal tissues (dorsal root ganglion, retinal ganglion cell layer, and sympathetic ganglion chain) were isolated from an age-matched chick embryo and cultured for 20 h. Effects of tetracaine were examined microscopically and by a quantitative morphologic assay, growth cone collapse assay.

RESULTS

Tetracaine induced growth cone collapse and neurite destruction. Three neuronal tissues showed significantly different dose-response, both at 60 min and at 24 h after the application of tetracaine (P < 0.01). The ED50 values (mean +/- SD) at 60 min were 1.53+/-1.05 mM in dorsal root ganglion, 0.15+/-0.05 mM in retinal, and 0.06+/-0.02 mM in sympathetic ganglion chain cultures. The ED50 values at 24 h were 0.43+/-0.15 mM in dorsal root ganglion, 0.07+/-0.03 mM in retinal, and 0.02+/-0.01 mM in sympathetic ganglion chain cultures. Concentration of nerve growth factor in the culture media did not influence the ED50 values. The growth cone collapsing effect was partially reversible in dorsal root ganglion and retinal neurons. However, in the sympathetic ganglion culture, no reversibility was observed after exposure to 1 mM tetracaine for 10 or for 60 min. Bupivacaine had similar neurotoxicity to the three types of growing neurons. (The ED50 values at 60 min were 2.32+/-0.50 mM in dorsal root ganglion, 0.96+/-0.16 mM in retinal, and 0.18+/-0.05 mM in sympathetic ganglion chain cultures. The ED50 values at 24 h were 0.34+/-0.09 mM in dorsal root ganglion, 0.21+/-0.06 mM in retinal, and 0.45+/-0.10 mM in sympathetic ganglion chain cultures.)

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term exposure to tetracaine produced irreversible changes in growing neurons. Growth cones were quickly affected, and neurites degenerated subsequently. Sensitivity varied with neuronal type and was not influenced by the concentration of nerve growth factor. Because a similar phenomenon was observed after exposure to bupivacaine, the toxicity to growing neurons may not be unique to tetracaine.

[Colony and phage-plaque direct sequencings by dye-terminator methods]

Direct sequencing using lambda phage DNA and E. coli colonies with plasmid DNA is a very powerful technique. Almost all of the reported direct sequencing methods involve either radioactive sequencing or fluorescent dye-primer sequencing. We present a direct colony sequencing strategy that uses a dye terminator (BigDye terminator kit) together with dye primer sequencing. We found that single-colony sequencing with the terminator yielded about 500 base pairs of sequence information. Signal strength was not improved when the number of cycles increased to 40. The colony used for the sequencing was estimated to contain about 5.6 x 10(7) cells. In addition, although a single plaque consisted of 2 x 10(6) cells, the pfu was not high enough to read with single-cycle sequencing, and only about 300 base pairs of sequence information were obtained from a single plaque using two cycle-sequencing reactions (re-cycle sequencing). The optimal amounts of the template were 500 ng of purified lambda DNA and 1 x 10(7) pfu of the lambda phage suspension, but with BigDye terminator it was possible to detect as little as 50 ng of purified lambda DNA and 2 x 10(6) pfu for lambda phage suspensions. Thus, colony direct sequencing and plaque direct sequencing are estimated to be very useful for rapid and high-throughout screening of genomic and cDNA libraries.

[Detection of visceral ischemia with doplex scanning method of mesenteric arteries: in patients with acute type B aortic dissection]

Between March, 1997 and January, 1999, 11 patients with acute type B aortic dissection underwent doplex scanning evaluation of mesenteric arteries for the early detection of visceral ischemia. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the celiac artery (CeA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was measured on their admission. Mean PSV of CeA in the non-ischemic group (8 patients) and in the ischemic group (3 patients) was 1.66 +/- 0.34 m/sec and 3.60 +/- 0.49 m/sec (p = 0.0481), respectively. Mean PSV of the SMA in the non-ischemic group and in the ischemic group was 1.93 +/- 0.52 m/sec and 3.33 +/- 0.37 m/sec (p = 0.00768), respectively. All patients with PSV of the mesenteric arteries above 3.00 m/sec presented visceral ischemia that required emergency operation. If PSV of the mesenteric arteries exceeds 3.00 m/sec, urgent surgical repair should be considered.

Effects of 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors on the modulation of nociceptive transmission in rat spinal cord according to the formalin test

We used the formalin test to clarify the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor subtypes involved in the modulation of spinal nociceptive transmission in rats. Intrathecal administration of a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetraline (8-OH-DPAT; 1, 10, and 30 microg), or a 5-HT1B receptor agonist, 1, 4-dihydro-3-(1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-5H-pyrrol (3, 2-b) pyridin-5-one (CP 93129; 1 and 10 microg), produced no significant change in the number of flinches. A 5-HT(2) receptor agonist, (+/-)-2, 5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI; 10, 30, and 100 microg), and a 5-HT3 receptor agonist, 2-methyl-5-HT (100 and 300 microg), produced dose-dependent decreases in the number of flinches in phases 1 (1 to 6 min) and 2 (10 to 61 min) of the test. The antinociceptive effects of DOI and 2-methyl-5-HT were antagonized by intrathecal pretreatment with a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, and a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, 3-tropanyl-3, 5-dichlorobenzoate (MDL-72222), respectively. These results suggest that 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in the spinal cord mediate antinociception to chemical stimuli.

[Endoventricular circular patch plasty (dor operation) for postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm and ischemic cardiomyopathy]

The determination of purse-string suture line is one of the most important point in endoventricular circular patch plasty (Dor operation) for postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm (LVAN), especially for ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). We suggest following three points to decide appropriate suture line. First, the purse-string suture on the basal side should be placed on the 1-2 cm level under diagonal branch. Secondly, lateral wall should not be over excluded to maintain left ventricular function. And the third, akinetic or dyskinetic lesion of apex and septal wall should be excluded as much as possible. Nine cases of five LVAN and four ICM were underwent Dor operation in our institute from Dec. 1999 to Jan. 2000. All patients were weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass easily except one patient, who was operated under IABP support, because of his preoperative severe heart failure. All patients recovered well without any serious complications and postoperative left ventricular graphies were satisfactory. Left ventricular ejection fraction and stroke volume index were increased from 34 +/- 17 to 55 +/- 16% and from 38 +/- 7 to 47 +/- 6 ml/m2, end-diastric and systric volume index decreased from 141 +/- 37 to 88 +/- 19 ml/m2 and from 96 +/- 41 to 41 +/- 23 ml/m2 respectively. The Dor procedure adopted our idea led to satisfactory result in hemodynamic and also in morphologic study.

A rat model of postthoracotomy pain: behavioural and spinal cord NK-1 receptor assessment

PURPOSE

To develop a new rat model of postthoracotomy pain for investigating its mechanisms and clarifying neurochemical changes.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups that underwent either fourth and fifth intercostal nerve ligation, cutting of the fourth and fifth ribs, or a sham operation in which only pleura was cut. For behavioural response assessment during the following month, pinch and touch were used as mechanical stimuli, and acetone was used as a cold thermal stimulus. In addition, (125)I-substance P autoradiography was used to determine neurokinin (NK) receptor density in spinal cord laminae I and II at one to six weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

In rats with nerve ligation, hypersensitivity to noxious and non-noxious stimuli continued throughout the month. The "mirror phenomenon" was observed. The lowest threshold was obtained in the dorsomedial portion of the T4 dermatome on the side of surgery. In rats with rib cutting, a lowered threshold to noxious and non-noxious stimuli was observed for two weeks. In rats with sham operations, hypersensitivity was seen only at postoperative day one. NK-1 receptor density on the side of operation increased significantly in rats with nerve ligation from day seven to 28. Receptor density was highest on day 14 (22.97 +/- 1.04 fmol x mg(-1) tissue vs. control, 16.22 +/- 0.43), representing a 50% receptor excess on the side of ligation compared to the contralateral side.

CONCLUSION

Intercostal nerve damage induces long-term postthoracotomy pain and an increase of spinal NK-1 receptors in rats. This model may be useful for investigation of postthoracotomy pain.

Determination of picomolar levels of iron in seawater using catalytic cathodic stripping voltammetry

A new procedure for the direct determination of picomolar levels of iron in seawater is presented. Cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) is preceded by adsorptive accumulation of the iron(III)-2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) complex from seawater, containing 20 microM DHN at pH 8.0, onto a static mercury drop electrode, followed by reduction of the adsorbed species. The reduction current is catalytically enhanced by the presence of 20 mM bromate. Optimized conditions include a 60-s adsorption period at -0.1 V and a voltammetric scan using sampled dc modulation at 10 Hz. In these conditions, a detection limit of 13 pM iron in seawater was achieved which can be lowered further by extending the adsorption time to 300 s. The new catalytic CSV method is approximately 5 times more sensitive than existing CSV methods and was tested on samples from the Atlantic Ocean.

[The trends of Vibrio parahaemolyticus foodborne outbreaks in Tokyo: 1989-2000]

The total number of foodborne outbreaks due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Tokyo during the last 12 years between 1989 and 2000 were 710. The number of outbreaks in a year was 55 in 1989, 75 in 1990, and there was a gradual decrease to 24 outbreaks in 1993 which was the smallest number during those 12 years. After 1994, the number of outbreaks increased dramatically year by year until 1998 (107 outbreaks). Then they had decreased slightly to 74 in 1999, 65 in 2000. The monthly incidence of V. parahaemolyticus foodborne outbreaks showed a peak in August (44.2%) each year. In the last 12 years, 88.7% of V. parahaemolyticus foodborne outbreaks occurred during the 3 months between July and September, while 99.9% occurred between June and October. The most prevalent serotype of V. parahaemolyticus also changed, the most prevalent was O4:K4 in 1989, O4:K8 in both 1990 and 1991, O1:K56 in 1992, and O4:K8 from 1993 through 1995. Serotype O3:K6 became the most prevalent in 1996 and has remained so to date. In addition, the new serotype O4:K68 had also appeared in 1998. The number of outbreaks due to serotype O4:K68 followed that of O3:K6. Thus, the trends of V. parahaemolyticus foodborne outbreaks during the last 12 years in Tokyo showed various characteristics and dramatic changes in causal organisms.

A novel cryoprotective protein (CRP) with high activity from the ice-nucleating bacterium, Pantoea agglomerans IFO12686

The ice-nucleating bacterium, Pantoea agglomerans IFO12686, induces the cryoprotective protein (CRP) by cold acclimation at 12 degrees C. The CRP was purified to apparent homogeneity by various chromatographies. We found that the purified CRP was a monomer of approximately 29,000 according to gel filtration chromatography and SDS-PAGE, and was a heat-stable protein. The CRP could protect freeze-labile enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (iCDH), against freezing-thawing denaturation. The activity of the CRP was about 3.5 x 10(4) times more effective than bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 2 x 10(6) times than COR26 from the ice-nucleating bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens KUIN-1. We confirmed that the CRP was a novel protein, as judged by the a different molecule mass from the already-known cryoprotectants, and has an extremely high cryoprotective activity.

Twenty-seven-year follow-up of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

This case report describes clinical features, especially of surface ECG changes, observed for 27 years in a patient with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). The course of this patient was characterized by progressive deterioration of right ventricular function and progression of delayed potentials (so-called epsilon waves) following QRS complexes. However, the relation between ventricular arrhythmias and ECG changes or the degree of right ventricular abnormality was difficult to discern.

Antiallodynic effect of intrathecally administered 5-HT(2) agonists in rats with nerve ligation

We examined the antiallodynic effect of intrathecally administered serotonin receptor agonists including 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(2) and 5-HT(3) receptor subtypes in a rat model using spinal nerve ligation at L5 and L6. Administration of the 5-HT(2) receptor agonist, alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate (alpha-m-5-HT; 3-100 microg) or (+/-)-1-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane hydrochloride (DOI; 10-100 microg), showed dose-dependent antiallodynic actions with no associated motor weakness. The antiallodynic action of alpha-m-5-HT was more potent than that of DOI. The effects of 5-HT(2) agonists on tactile allodynia were reversed by intrathecal pretreatment with the selective 5-HT(2) antagonist ketanserin and with the mixed 5-HT(1) and 5-HT(2) antagonist methysergide. Neither the mixed 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) antagonist cyanopindolol nor the selective 5-HT(3) antagonist MDL72222 attenuated antiallodynic effects induced by 5-HT(2) agonists. In contrast, the selective 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT; 1-50 microg), the 5-HT(1B) agonist 5-methoxy-3-(1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinil)-1H-indol (RU-24969; 10-100 microg) and the 5-HT(3) agonist 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine maleate (2-m-5-HT; 30-300 microg) all lacked significant antiallodynic action with intrathecal administration. These results indicate that the 5-HT(2) receptor plays an essential role in spinal suppression of neuropathic pain by 5-HT.

[Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting using subxiphoid approach]

We report twelve cases of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting via small laparotomy using right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) to the right coronary artery. Seven patients were operated on without partial sternotomy (N group), and lower partial sternotomy with Octopus 2 stabilization system was used in five of the cases (P group). Postoperative Doppler echographic imaging or angiographic study showed all RGEA grafts were functioning well in P group. However, graft occlusion was observed in two of the cases in N group. Inferior partial sternotomy combined with Octopus 2 stabilization system produce a clear surgical view, which avoids of both full-sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. This method might be useful especially for reoperation.

Identification of a compound in Chamaecyparis taiwanensis inhibiting the ice-nucleating activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens KUIN-1

Inactivation of the ice-nucleating activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens KUIN-1 by compounds in the leaves from coniferous trees were investigated, and the inactivated material was identified. Intact cells of the strain KUIN-1 and the acetone or methanol extracts of leaves of various coniferous trees were allowed to react for 30 min at 18 degrees C. Antinucleation compounds were obtained from Chamaecyparis taiwanensis. When the acetone extract from the leaves of coniferous trees was added to the cell suspension (about 10(6) cells/ml) in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), the ice nucleating temperature, T50, was significantly decreased (T50 < -5 degrees C). This inhibitor was isolated by using TLC, then identified as hinokitiol based on UV-VIS, IR, and mass spectral data. When intact cells of the strain KUIN-1 were incubated with hinokitiol, limonene, and alpha-pinene of the principal constituent of the leaves of coniferous trees in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), the ice-nucleating activity decreased, but not in alpha-terpinene. Furthermore, the ice-nucleating activities from other ice-nucleating bacteria also decreased in the presence of hinokitiol. This inhibition was proportional to the concentration of hinokitinol. The pH and thermal stabilities of the ice-nucleating activity of the cells were changed by the addition of hinokitiol (10 mM).

The comparative effects of propofol versus thiopental on middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity during electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy provokes abrupt changes in both systemic and cerebral hemodynamics. An anesthetic that has a minor effect on cerebral hemodynamics might be more suitable for patients with intracranial complications, such as cerebral aneurysm. The purpose of our present study was to compare the effects of thiopental and propofol on cerebral blood flow velocity. We continuously compared cerebral blood flow velocity at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) during electroconvulsive therapy, using propofol (1 mg/kg, n = 20) versus thiopental (2 mg/kg, n = 20) anesthesia. Systemic hemodynamic variables and flow velocity at the MCA were measured until 10 min after the electrical shock. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure increased in the thiopental group until 5 min after the electrical shock. In the propofol group, an increase in mean blood pressure was observed to 1 min after the electrical shock. Mean flow velocity at the MCA decreased after anesthesia in both groups, and increased at 0.5-3 min after the electrical shock in the thiopental group and at 0.5 and 1 min after the shock in the propofol group. The flow velocities at 0.5-5 min after the electrical shock were significantly more rapid in the thiopental group compared with the propofol group. ¿abs¿

IMPLICATIONS

Cerebral blood flow velocity change, measured by transcranial Doppler sonography during electroconvulsive therapy, was minor using propofol anesthesia compared with barbiturate anesthesia. Propofol anesthesia may be suitable for patients who cannot tolerate abrupt cerebral hemodynamic change.