Application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technique to hair tissue mineral analysis.

The concentration of the main minerals present in human hair is measured on several subjects by Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) and compared with the results obtained through a commercial analytical laboratory. The possibility of using CF-LIBS for mineral analysis in hair is discussed, as well as its feasibility for the fast and inexpensive determination of the occurrence of heavy-metal poisoning in hair.

[Clinical evaluation of propofol-ketamine anesthesia in general surgery].

The combinations propofol-ketamine vs propofol-fentanyl in absence of N2O was compared in 60 patients undergoing abdominal surgery. The results show that ketamine and fentanyl provide a good analgesia in the absence of N2O and that ketamine offers better haemodynamic control.

[Intravenous anesthesia using propofol in surgical interventions in day hospital routines].

Having illustrated the importance of extending surgical treatment into day hospital situations, the paper underlines the need for anesthetics with short-term effects. Two groups of 30 patients were included in the study and underwent anesthesia in day hospital using Propofol or Tiopentone-Enflurane. The results reveal comparable respiratory and hemodynamic effects for the two techniques, but Propofol is more reliable in terms of the lesser side-effects caused and above all the speed of the patient's psycho-physical recovery.