Study of magnesium, glycosylated hemoglobin and lipid profile in diabetic retinopathy.

The present study was undertaken in 100 subjects, 30 diabetics without complication (group I), 40 diabetics with retinopathy (group II) and 30 non diabetic as normal control group (group III). Blood sugar levels, magnesium, cholesterol and triglyceride were analyzed from plasma and serum. The results were correlated with degree of diabetic control from the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin. Serum magnesium levels in group II were found to be significantly lowered than in group I. There was also significant difference in magnesium levels of group I and group III. We found a significant correlation between the glycosylated hemoglobin and magnesium levels in our study.The results also indicate that the patients with diabetic retinopathy showed significant rise in serum cholesterol and triglyceride. Probably hypomagnesemia and increased serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels are responsible for microvascular changes in diabetes leading to retinopathy. The purpose of this study was thus to gather information about the degree of control of diabetes and magnesium status.

Comparison of pain, motility, and preoperative sedation in cataract phacoemulsification patients receiving peribulbar or sub-Tenon's anesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The authors hoped to reduce the need for preoperative sedation and intravenous pain medication during cataract surgery by converting from peribulbar anesthesia to sub-Tenon's anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 2453 cataract patients' charts were reviewed. Each patient had previously watched a videotape explaining the anesthetic method to be used. Requests for preoperative sedation were compared between patients who received peribulbar or sub-Tenon's anesthesia. A sample of 200 charts of nonsedated patients were reviewed to compare intraoperative pain and motility. RESULTS: Intraoperative freedom from pain was reported by 91% of the peribulbar patients and 99% of the sub-Tenon's patients. Preoperative sedation was reduced from 26% of the peribulbar patients to 6.7% of the sub-Tenon's patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sub-Tenon's anesthesia provided excellent intraoperative pain relief and reduced the need for preoperative sedation, making it a satisfactory anesthetic technique for patients undergoing cataract phacoemulsification in an ambulatory surgery facility.

Rapid preparation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor for crystallization in detergent solution.

A novel rapid purification method for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo electric tissue was developed. It allows preparation of 10 mg quantities of pure and stabile receptor protein within 2 days. This protein is used for crystallization attempts. Conditions are described which reproducibly yield crystals.