PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of prior anesthesia on the time to full cycloplegia in young Chinese subjects. METHODS: The amplitude of accommodation was monitored over a 50-minute interval after the application of 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride with a pretreatment of 0.4% benoxinate (oxybuprocaine) or 0.9% saline solution (control). Using a nonlinear mathematical model, the rate of accommodative loss (k) and the time required for 95% of total cycloplegia (T95%) were determined. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a significantly faster rate of accommodative loss (P < .0001) after prior anesthesia (0.129 +/- 0.05) compared with the controls (0.103 +/- 0.04). T95% was noted at 26.43 +/- 10.22 minutes after prior anesthesia, which was significantly shorter (P < .0001) than that after the saline treatment (35.28 +/- 16.51 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: Prior application of topical anesthetic can shorten the time to full cycloplegia for people, such as the Chinese, with dark irides.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

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Case management in the Community Psychiatric Nursing Service in Hong Kong: describing the process.

PURPOSE: To explore the roles, functions, and work practices of case managers and their perceptions on the implementation of case management in the Community Psychiatric Nursing Services. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Data were collected from daily reports, field observations, reflective diaries, and small group interviews. FINDINGS: The study showed the work practices of case managers were more intensive compared to the conventional community psychiatric nursing practice, and there was more involvement of clients and their family in the treatment process. Case managers identified liaison, coordination, supportive and family counseling, and teaching practical living skills as their important roles. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable information in understanding the process of case management and contributed to the development of case management as a care delivery model in Hong Kong.

Case Management↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Recurrent necrotising arachnidism.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic exploration in the management of retroperitoneal masses.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The isolated finding of a retroperitoneal mass (RM) often represents a diagnostic challenge. Image-guided biopsy is frequently inadequate for diagnosis. With increasing experience, the use of laparoscopy for exploration of an indeterminate RM may provide a minimally invasive alternative to open exploration. Herein, we present a retrospective review of our initial four laparoscopic explorations, comparing our experience to four contemporary open explorations for an RM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 1995 to January 1998, four patients, aged 50 to 62 years old, with an RM of undetermined etiology underwent laparoscopic exploration. Another four patients underwent open exploration at the same hospital. The medical records of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The tumors were smaller in the laparoscopic group, averaging 3.7 cm (range 2-6 cm) vs 6.5 cm (range 1-10 cm) in the open group. A definitive diagnosis was obtained for all eight patients. Postoperative complications were observed in one of the laparoscopic explorations, and in three of the open explorations; there was no operative mortality. The blood loss (90 vs 440 ml), fall in hematocrit (5.1 vs 7.8%), time to resumption of a regular diet (3 vs 5 days), amount of morphine sulfate equivalents required for analgesia (128 mg vs 161 mg), time to ambulation (2.3 vs 6 days) and hospital stay (4.8 vs 6 days) were all less among the laparoscopy patients. However, the operative time was longer for the laparoscopic procedure; this time included stent placement and patient repositioning in addition to the time for laparoscopic excision of the mass (7.8 vs 4.3 hours). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic exploration appears to be a viable alternative to open exploration in patients presenting with a retroperitoneal mass. It is as effective as an open procedure and provides benefits with regard to patient morbidity and convalescence. However, operative time for this laparoscopic procedure is lengthy.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative study of colorimetric DNA hybridization method and conventional culture procedure for detection of Salmonella in foods.

A second generation nucleic acid hybridization assay has been developed and evaluated against the conventional culture method for detection of salmonellae in foods. The assay involves a liquid hybridization with Salmonella-specific oligonucleotide probes, capture of probe:target hybrids onto a solid support (plastic dipstick), and a colorimetric end point detection. The assay can be completed in 2.5 h, following approximately 44 h of culture enrichment. One thousand samples representing 20 food types were analyzed in parallel by both methods. Samples included uninoculated test product, and product inoculated with Salmonella at 2 levels. Eighteen Salmonella serotypes were used as inocula. The data demonstrate that the colorimetric hybridization method and the conventional culture method are equivalent in their ability to detect Salmonella contamination of foods.

Animals↗