Potentiation of acute morphine-induced analgesia measured by a thermal test in bone cancer-bearing mice

Agonists of mu-opioid receptors are currently used in the management of cancer pain. However, several data suggest that the analgesic effect of morphine can diminish during the development of experimental tumors. By using a thermal test, we have studied whether the analgesic effect evoked by morphine is altered in mice bearing two painful bone tumors. The analgesic effect evoked by systemic morphine remained unaltered after the intratibial inoculation of B16-F10 melanoma cells and was potentiated after the inoculation of NCTC 2472 osteosarcoma cells. Although the number of spinal mu-opioid receptors measured by western blot studies was not augmented in osteosarcoma-bearing mice, the analgesia evoked by intrathecal (i.t.) morphine was also enhanced. The analgesic response produced by the spinal administration of the Gi/o protein activator mastoparan was amplified, whereas the analgesic response evoked by the i.t. administration of the N-type calcium channel blocker ?-conotoxin remained unaltered. The efficacy of the GIRK channel blocker tertiapin-Q to antagonize the analgesic effect produced by a maximal dose of morphine was also increased in osteosarcoma-bearing mice. Our results seem to indicate that the analgesic effect of morphine on thermal nociception can be enhanced in response to the development of particular bone tumors in mice, being this potentiation probably related to a greater efficacy of the transduction system driven by Gi/o proteins and GIRK channels.Grants were provided by MEC-FEDER (SAF2009-10567). SL received a grant from CIBER of Enfermedades Raras of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII). The Instituto Universitario de Oncología is supported by Obra Social Cajastur-Asturias, Spain

Cines nacionales y lenguas no hegemónicas. La invisibilidad del gallego frente a las políticas de diversidad cultural

In the spirit of the proposals of the Agenda 2020 about the structural role of cinema in the configuration of the European identities, this article highlights the significance of the national cinemas in non-hegemonic languages in the conformation of a diverse European culture. Following this perspective, we use Galician cinema as a case study in which we analyze the presence (or more precisely the absence) of the Galician language in the original version in the feature films released between 2008 and 2012.This proposal is hosted by the I+D+I project eDCINEMA: “Towards the European Digital Space. The role of small cinemas in original version” (Ref. CSO2012-35784) financed by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain.En línea con los postulados de la Agenda 2020 respecto al rol estructural del cine en la configuración de la(s) identidad(es) europea(s), el artículo destaca la trascendencia de las cinematografías nacionales en lenguas no hegemónicas en la consecución de una cultura europea diversa. Desde esta perspectiva, se asume el estudio de caso del cine en Galicia, y se analiza la presencia (o, para ser más exactos, la ausencia) de la versión original gallega en los largometrajes cinematográficos estrenados entre 2008 y 2012. La propuesta surge al abrigo del proyecto de I+D+i “Hacia el Espacio Digital Europeo. El papel de las cinematografías pequeñas en versión original” (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Ref. CSO2012- 35784)

National Cinemas and Non-Hegemonic Languages. The Invisibility of Galician Language Facing the Policies for Cultural Diversity

En línea con los postulados de la Agenda 2020 respecto al rol estructural del cine en la configuración de la(s) identidad(es) europea(s), el artículo destaca la trascendencia de las cinematografías nacionales en lenguas no hegemónicas en la consecución de una cultura europea diversa. Desde esta perspectiva, se asume el estudio de caso del cine en Galicia, y se analiza la presencia (o, para ser más exactos, la ausencia) de la versión original gallega en los largometrajes cinematográficos estrenados entre 2008 y 2012. La propuesta surge al abrigo del proyecto de I+D+i “Hacia el Espacio Digital Europeo. El papel de las cinematografías pequeñas en versión original” (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Ref. CSO2012- 35784)In the spirit of the proposals of the Agenda 2020 about the structural role of cinema in the configuration of the European identities, this article highlights the significance of the national cinemas in non-hegemonic languages in the conformation of a diverse European culture. Following this perspective, we use Galician cinema as a case study in which we analyze the presence (or more precisely the absence) of the Galician language in the original version in the feature films released between 2008 and 2012. This proposal is hosted by the I+D+I project eDCINEMA: “Towards the European Digital Space. The role of small cinemas in original version” (Ref. CSO2012-35784) financed by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of SpainS

Advancing Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring With Human Reflexes

Brainstem reflexes; Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring; Spinal reflexesReflexos del tronc cerebral; Monitorització neurofisiològica intraoperatòria; Reflexos espinalsReflejos del tronco cerebral; Monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria; Reflejos espinalesHuman reflexes are simple motor responses that are automatically elicited by various sensory inputs. These reflexes can provide valuable insights into the functioning of the nervous system, particularly the brainstem and spinal cord. Reflexes involving the brainstem, such as the blink reflex, laryngeal adductor reflex, trigeminal hypoglossal reflex, and masseter H reflex, offer immediate information about the cranial-nerve functionality and the overall state of the brainstem. Similarly, spinal reflexes such as the H reflex of the soleus muscle, posterior root muscle reflexes, and sacral reflexes provide crucial information about the functionality of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. One of the critical benefits of reflex monitoring is that it can provide continuous feedback without disrupting the surgical process due to no movement being induced in the surgical field. These reflexes can be monitored in real time during surgical procedures to assess the integrity of the nervous system and detect potential neurological damage. It is particularly noteworthy that the reflexes provide motor and sensory information on the functional integrity of nerve fibers and nuclei. This article describes the current techniques used for monitoring various human reflexes and their clinical significance in surgery. We also address important methodological considerations and their impact on surgical safety and patient outcomes. Utilizing these methodologies has the potential to advance or even revolutionize the field of intraoperative continuous monitoring, ultimately leading to improved surgical outcomes and enhanced patient care