The use of oral ketanserin for the treatment of pre-eclampsia

The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaOral ketanserin was used in an attempt to control gestational proteinuric hypertension and to improve perinatal outcome in 20 patients before 34 weeks. The average duration of treatment was 9 days. These patients had advanced disease which progressed despite additional treatment with a diuretic and/or methyldopa.Publisher’s versio

Intrapartum treatment of preeclamptic hypertension by ketanserin

Ketanserin was administered intravenously as either 20 or 10 mg boluses to 16 patients with severe preeclampsia in labor. The fetal heart rate was monitored with a scalp electrode and the uterine contractions were evaluated with a fluid-filled catheter connected to a physiologic pressure transducer. A 10-minute recording before every administration of ketanserin was compared to the same period immediately afterward. Ketanserin lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly (p < 0.005, paired Student's t test). Maternal heart rate was unchanged but the mean fetal heart rate increased by 4.6 bpm. Long-term beat-to-beat variability and acceleration patterns were not affected. On four occasions an improvement in variable decelerations of the fetal heart, due to a reduction in uterine activity, was seen. Changes in the amplitude of contractions were not statistically significant. The freqency of contractions, however, was significantly reduced from 3.6 to 2.4 per 10 minutes (p < 0.005). No serious adverse effects occurred.Articl

Gamete intrafallopian transfer as treatment for infertility associated with endometriosis

Forty-six patients with endometriosis-associated infertility underwent 59 GIFT cycles. The pregnancy rate per cycle was 30.5%. The presence of endometriomas in 11 patients did not affect this rate adversely. We conclude that, provided at least one fallopian tube is patent, GIFT compensates effectively for the possible causes of infertility in these patients.Articl

The impact of employee perceptions of training on organisational commitment and turnover intentions: a study of multinationals in the Chinese service sector.

This study examines the impact of employee perceptions of training on organizational commitment, and the latter’s relationship with turnover intentions. Structured equation modelling is conducted on survey data from 437 Chinese employees of five multinational enterprises operating in the Chinese service sector. The results of the survey are consistent with social exchange theory. They highlight the importance of training as a tool to enhance the affective organisational commitment of employees, and reduce turnover. The findings differ from previous studies in non-Chinese settings. No evidence was found of any impact of motivation to learn and perceived benefits of training on organizational commitment. This may be explained by three factors; the involuntary nature of employee training, the limited career development opportunities on offer to local employees of multinational enterprises and the difficulty employees face in applying learnt skills given cultural differences. The implications for research and practice are discussed

Genital tuberculosis associated with female infertility in the western Cape

ArticleThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaInfertility is a common presenting symptom in women with genital tuberculosis. A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and characteristics of this disease among the infertile patients (A and B income group) attending the Reproductive Biology Unit at Tygerberg Hospital. Between June 1986 and December 1987, the menstrual fluid from 451 infertile women was cultured for Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Lowenstein-Jensen medium. A prevalence of 7.98% (36/451) was found. Laparoscopic examination of the pelvis revealed bilateral tubal occlusion in 3 patients (8,3%); peritubular adhesions were present in 17 patients (47,2%). In the remaining 16 patients (44,5%), the pelvis was considered normal. No culture-positive patient gave a history of previous infection or contact with tuberculosis. Radiography of the chest and histological examination of the endometrium showed no evidence of infection. Of the 34 patients treated, 13 (38.2%) became pregnant after antituberculosis treatment was completed. If tuberculosis occurs in a population, menstrual fluid of infertile women should be cultured routinely for M. tuberculosis, especially if there is evidence of tubal damage.Publisher’s versio