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The aim of the study was to obtain information on the content of co-active compounds of a food supplement recommended as a weight reduction diet and on its short-term effectiveness and safety as a starter for lifestyle change. Eighty participants completed the protocol. The Sambucus nigra L. berry juice enriched with flower extract and tablets containing berry powder and flower extract provided a total of 1 mg anthocyanins, 370 mg flavonol glycosides and 150 mg hydroxycinnamates per day; the Asparagus officinalis L. powder tablets provided 19 mg saponins per day. After the diet, the mean weight, blood pressure, physical and emotional well-being and the quality of life had significantly improved (ITT analysis). The effectiveness and tolerability of the regimen were rated as very good or good by most of the completers. It remains to be established if any particular compounds contribute to the efficacy of the diet.

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Gentamicin in concentrations of 0.05--0.2 mmol litre-1 blocked neuromuscular transmission in the toad sartorius nerve--muscle preparation by decreasing the release of transmitter. In concetnrations of 0.5--1 mmol litre-1 it decreased the amplitude of the miniature end-plate current by a curare-like action, without affecting the mean open channel lifetime.

The effectiveness of extradural injections of morphine sulphate 6 mg, methadone 6 mg, pethidine 60 mg and fentanyl 60 micrograms in relieving pain after operation were compared in 24 patients. The average duration of pain relief following morphine was 12.3 h; methadone 8.7 h, pethidine 6.6 h and fentanyl 5.7 h. There was no significant difference in the efficacy of the four drugs. There were no effects of clinical importance on heart rate, respiratory frequency or arterial pressure, but arterial systolic pressure decreased after morphine and pethidine. Pethidine also caused a statistically significant reduction in diastolic pressure.

The purpose of this study was to compare the use of 0.5% ropivacaine with 0.5% bupivacaine for axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia. Sixty-six patients undergoing upper limb surgery were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, multicentre trial. Five patients were subsequently excluded for various reasons. Of the remaining patients, 30 received 40 ml of 0.5%) ropivacaine and 31 received 40 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. Brachial plexus block was performed by the axillary approach using a standardized technique with a peripheral nerve stimulator. Parameters investigated included the frequency, onset and duration of sensory and motor block, the quality of anaesthesia and the occurrence of any adverse events. The six principal nerves of the brachial plexus were studied individually. The frequency for achieving anaesthesia per nerve ranged from 70 to 90% in the ropivacaine group and 81 to 87% in the bupivacaine group. The median onset time for anaesthesia was 10 to 20 minutes with ropivacaine and 10 to 30 minutes with bupivacaine, and the median duration was 5.3 to 8.7h with ropivacaine and 6.9 to 20.3h with bupivacaine. Motor block was evaluated at the elbow, wrist and hand, and was completely achieved at a rate of 60 to 73% in the ropivacaine group and 55 to 71% in the bupivacaine group. The median duration of motor block was 6.5 to 7.5h with ropivacaine and 6.0 to 9.0h with bupivacaine. These parameters were not statistically different. The duration of partial motor block at the wrist (6.8 v 16.4h) and hand (6.7 v 12.3h) was significantly longer with bupivacaine. Ropivacaine 0.5% and bupivacaine 0.5%) appeared equally efficacious as long-acting local anaesthetics for axillary brachial plexus block.