Galanthamine hydrobromide (Nivalin), an alkaloid from the bulbs of snowdrops, is widely used in Bulgaria as an antagonist to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants. The pharmacology is reviewed and experiences in the use of galanthamine in 24 patients are described. It is about one-tenth as potent as neostigmine. As changes in pulse rate and blood pressure were slight, it is rarely necessary to inje...

OBJECTIVE To design and fabricate a device to simulate evoked thumb adduction in response to ulnar nerve stimulation. METHODS We implemented a computer-controlled, motorized thumb (TWITCHER) that responds to ulnar nerve stimulation by an unmodified peripheral nerve stimulator. Clinically realistic response patterns are generated for both depolarizing and non-depolarizing muscle relaxants and ...

Background Glycosylation is one of the major posttranslational modifications of proteins and it is essential for proteins to obtain normal biological functions. Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) are very rare genetic disorders that lack enzymes needed for glycosylation. Phosphomannomutase-2 (PMM2)-CDG is the most common type of CDG. CDGs can cause a wide variety of clinical symptoms ...

Background: Neuromuscular blockers (NMB) are very important for generalanesthesia, Rocuronium and Vecuronium are used as non-depolarizing muscle relaxants. In a randomized study we had compared both drugs as regard theonset of action, intubating condition and hemodynamic changes. Method:-Sixty patients ( 20 to 60 year), scheduled to undergo elective general surgery, were included in thisrandomi...

SEVERAL studies have documented that neuromuscular block often persists in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), even with the administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The frequency of this phenomenon, which has been called “residual curarization,” “residual neuromuscular block,” “postoperative residual curarization,” or “residual paralysis,” ranges between 4 and 50% depending on the d...

The estimation and detection of stimuli by sensory neurons is affected by factors that govern a transition from tonic to burst mode and the frequency characteristics of burst output. Pyramidal cells in the electrosensory lobe of weakly electric fish generate spike bursts for the purpose of stimulus detection. Spike bursts are generated during repetitive discharge when a frequency-dependent broa...

BACKGROUND Studies with nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents showed a delayed onset and prolonged recovery in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The objective of this study was to investigate if these alterations depend on disease progression. METHODS The authors studied 11 children (6-9 yr) with moderate Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 11 adolescents (12-16 yr) with advanced Du...

Anesthetists frequently provide intraoperative muscle relaxation in addition to general anesthesia. However, visual interpretation of the effect of neuromuscular blocking drugs is not always possible. This study examined two alternative methods (electromyography/electrocardiography [EMG/ECG] and mechanical/ECG) of interpreting neuromuscular blockade and compared these methods to visual interpre...