The effects of etomidate in an alcoholic vehicle and in a lipid-emulsion as well as those of propofol on N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP-) and zymosan-induced oxygen radical production of neutrophils were examined and compared with the effects of their respective vehicles. Furthermore free-radical scavenging capacities of these medications were investigated. The dose-response effects of etomidate, propofol and their respective vehicles on neutrophil function were tested by FMLP- and zymosan-induced chemiluminescence of neutrophils and, in addition, in a cell-free chemiluminescence system. Effects of commercial preparations of etomidate were generally not drug-specific but due to the vehicles and/or to unphysiologic osmolality values. Propofol impaired chemiluminescence of neutrophils in a drug-specific manner, even in the therapeutic concentration range. Free-radical scavenging contributed to this depression of chemiluminescence of neutrophils by propofol. Different composition of the lipid-emulsions of etomidate and propofol resulted in either a stimulation or suppression of chemiluminescence of neutrophils. Propofol but not etomidate impairs chemiluminescence of neutrophils drug-specifically. Besides a potential interaction with the neutrophils, free-radical scavenging accounts for this suppression.

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In classroom studies of mammalian embryology, students must fully grasp the cellular and tissue remodeling needed to initiate gastrulation to ensure comprehension of forthcoming developmental processes such as tissue specification and organogenesis. However, quickly and completely communicating three-dimensional concepts such as gastrulation, neurulation, and embryonic folding through common two-dimensional tools such as PowerPoint is challenging for students because this method lacks the spatial orientation needed to fully understand development.