Our data indicate that IV dexmedetomidine exerts pronounced antinociception against CRD-induced visceral pain and suggest that the antinociceptive effect of dexmedotimidine is mediated in part by opioid receptors, but peripheral alpha(2)-ARs are not involved.

Organophosphate (OP) compounds are a large class of chemicals, many of which are used as pesticides. It is suggested that OPs specifically affect glia and neurons. Effects of acute exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF), which is a common organophosphorus pesticide used worldwide, on neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100B levels in rat blood during 7 days were assessed. Rats were evaluated either before (0 hr) or 2, 12, 24, 48 and 168 hr (7 days) after injection of CPF (279 mg ⁄ kg, s.c.) or vehicle (peanut oil, 2 ml ⁄ kg, s.c.) for clinical signs of toxicity. Immediately after the evaluation of toxicity, blood samples were taken for biochemical assays. CPF administration produced decreases in body-weight and temperature, which were observed for first time at 12 hr after CPF administration and continued for 168 hr (p < 0.05-0.001). Serum S100B and NSE levels were acutely increased 2 hr after CPF administration and remained high at 12 hr (p < 0.01-0.001). NSE and S100B levels were not different in either CPF or vehicle groups at following time points. Serum butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8; BuChE) activity was dramatically reduced at 2 hr after CPF and remained low at each time points during 7 days (p < 0.01-0.001). Our results suggest that the usefulness of serum levels of these glia-and neuron-specific marker proteins in assessing OP toxicity, specifically CPF-induced toxicity.

Muscular variations of the flexor compartment of forearm are usual and can result in multiple clinical conditions limiting the functions of forearm and hand. The variations of the muscles, especially accessory muscles may simulate soft tissue tumors and can result in nerve compressions. During a routine dissection of the anterior region of the forearm and hand, an unusual muscle was observed on the left side of a 65-year-old male cadaver. The anomalous muscle belly arose from the medial epicondyle approxiamately 1 cm posterolateral to origin of normal flexor carpi ulnaris muscle (FCU), and from proximal part of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. It inserted to the triquetral, hamate bones and flexor retinaculum. Passive traction on the tendon of accessory muscle resulted in flexion of radiocarpal junction. The FCU which had one head, inserted to the pisiform bone hook of hamate and palmar aponeurosis. Its contiguous muscles displayed normal morphology. Knowledge of the existence of muscle anomalies as well as the location of compression is useful in determining the pathology and appropriate treatment for compressive neuropathies. In this study, a rare accessory muscle has been described.

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