Is It Feasible of Prophylactic Alpha-5 GABA(A) Receptor Blockade for Preventing POCD?

GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA) is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). It plays a role in regulating neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. Also GABA activation is considered as the basis of general anesthesia including intravenous and inhalational anesthetics. Meanwhile, cumulating evidence indicated that GABA is the underlying mechanism of post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Based on these findings, researchers are beginning to focus on GABA as the target to treat POCD, but they ignored the role of GABA in the performance of general anesthesia, especially when the blockade of GABA was given prior to surgery. It is undoubtedly risking our patients in intra-operative awareness. Our exploratory data also verified our hypothesis in which the GABA inhibition would reduce the efficacy of inhalational anesthetics

Mobile Phone Short Messages for Health Professionals

Information communication technology has made great progress in past decades, whereas how much could the health professionals benefit from these techniques? Some reports concerned that mobile phone short messages can help health caregivers more focused on their work through reminding them what need do next, and positive results were presented showing that such “beep message” improves patients overall outcomes and satisfaction. Regarding this usage, several drawbacks need mentioned before it was recommended as routine reminder. Detraction from normal work, over-weighed dependence on this kind of remind, and uniform and non-individualized messages all will make the healthcare system lose flexibility and true efficacy

Albumin versus Saline in Mortality in Critically Ill Children

High mortality in critically ill patients is a challenge for the intensive care medicine. While different reasons were figured out and corresponding therapeutic protocols were recommended, the actual mortality is still high and it is hard to conquer it and make a big improvement of the overall outcomes. Albumin, the most abundant protein in human blood plasma, plays an essential role in maintaining oncotic pressure, in participating in as an important protein transporter, and in possessing many physiological functions. In the context of critical care medicine, administration of albumin was found benefit patients in increasing their survival rate. However, a more recent study reported that bolus injection of albumin in critically ill pediatric patients increased the mortality. Of this report, we analyzed carefully and commented their methodology in performing the study. Some issues were not that clear, and it is difficult to determine the real effect of albumin administration on the mortality in children. It is a challenge to answer one question precisely and in overall, and we herein raise our concerns on this topic to discuss them with other researchers