The relationship of plasma levels of pyridostigmine to clinical effect in patients with myasthenia gravis

The relationship between plasma levels of pyridostigmine to clinical evaluation of muscle power was examined in nine patients with myasthenia gravis during treatment with pyridostigmine in doses of 60 to 1040 mg daily. Five of the nine subjects demonstrated a trend towards a positive correlation, but in only two of them was this statistically significant at p < 0.05. In addition, the presence or absence of a possible correlation between muscle power and plasma concentration was not related to the duration of the disease, additional prednisolone therapy or thymectomy.     

Evaluation of the Effects of Cypermethrin on Female Reproductive Function by Using Rabbit Model and of the Protective Role of Chinese Propolis

正The prophylactic effects of Chinese propolis against cypermethrin toxicity were evaluated by performing ovary and uterus histopathology,as well as by characterizing ovarian function,embryos,and litters.Cypermethrin induced atypia in the ovary and uterus,and decreased the ovulation sites and the number of embryos.Cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress during pregnancy,decreased the parturition rate as well as the number and weight     

Evidence-based care of chinese men having transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

Aim of study : To measure the effect of specific preoperative information on postoperative anxiety, satisfaction with information, and demand for analgesia, of Chinese males having transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Design : A controlled experimental design. The researchers allocated all patients ( n =30) undergoing TURP in a general hospital in Hong Kong, during a 3-month period, to one of two groups. The experimental group ( n =15) received a specific information pamphlet and a general preoperative counselling video. The control group ( n =15) received a video alone. Procedure and measures : Following ethical approval, a researcher took baseline measures of state and trait anxiety using the Chinese State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (C -STAI). Five days after surgery the researcher administered the C-STAI (A-State), a patients' satisfaction questionnaire, and, recorded requests for analgesia during the first 5 postoperative days. Results : Experimental subjects reported significantly lower anxiety levels post-operatively and a significantly higher level of satisfaction with the preoperative information, than controls. Postoperative demand for analgesia did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusions : The findings support the importance of providing patients with specific, written preoperative information about their surgery and its effects to minimize their postoperative anxiety levels, and improve their satisfaction with the care provided.