For analysis of the cytokine network in Kawasaki disease (KD), we measured over time the plasma levels of interferon (IFN)-γ interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 in patients with KD. Fifteen patients with KD were studied. Eight healthy children were selected as control subjects. Circulating IFN-γ levels were measured by immunoradiometric assay, and IL-4 and IL-10 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results were as follows: (1) The plasma levels of IFN-γ in KD patients in the acute phase were significantly higher than the levels of patients in the convalescent phase (p < 0.05) and those of the control children (p < 0.05). (2) The plasma levels of IL-4 in the KD patients in the acute phase were significantly higher than the levels of the patients in the convalescent phase (p = 0.001) and those of the control children (p = 0.001). (3) The plasma levels of IL-10 in the KD patients in the acute phase were significantly higher than the levels of the patients in the convalescent phase (p < 0.03) and those of the control children (p < 0.005). (4) The investigation of the relationship between the IL-4 and IFN-γ levels during the acute phase of KD demonstrated a significant reciprocal relationship (p < 0.05). (5) There was no significant relationship between the IL-4 and IL-10 levels during the acute phase. However, plasma IL-10 levels were low in the patients with high levels of plasma IL-4, and the patients with high levels of IL-10 revealed low levels of plasma IL-4. The above results suggested that a variety of patterns of cytokine production was present in the acute phase of this disease, and that the key cytokine, which might regulate the cytokine network, was IL-4.

The data demonstrate that ketamine inhibited some of the inflammatory responses of both astrocytes and microglial cells treated with LPS without causing major change in nitric oxide release. Propofol had no effect on the production of nitric oxide or TNF-alpha from LPS-stimulated glial cells.

The KVC facilitated intubation by novice personnel without incidence of esophageal intubation. However, intubation times, success rates, and GSID scores were similar to the values obtained with the MAC. These findings suggest that the KVC, but not the KVNC, could be used as an alternative device for intubation by novice personnel.

These results suggest that γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor-mediated excitation plays an important role in attenuated sedative effects of midazolam in immature rats.

Both convulsant and depressant stereoisomers of the barbiturate inhibited the AMPA receptor-mediated current despite of their opposite effects on the central nervous system in vivo. Although thiopental exhibited a considerable inhibition of AMPA receptors, the results suggest that the inhibition of AMPA receptors contributes little to the hypnotic action of the barbiturates.