Retrofittable plug-flow reactor for in situ high-temperature vibrating sample magnetometry with well-controlled gas atmospheres.

We have developed an in situ sample-holder-akin to a quartz-based plug-flow reactor-for vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) in gas-controlled environments at ambient pressure and temperatures up to ∼1000 °C. The holder matches onto a specific type of vibrating sample magnetometer (Lake Shore model 7404-S), but the principles are applicable to other types of VSM. The holder has been tested on powder samples of Co particles on a MgAl2O4 support in both reducing and oxidizing atmospheres.

Electrified methane reforming: A compact approach to greener industrial hydrogen production.

Electrification of conventionally fired chemical reactors has the potential to reduce CO emissions and provide flexible and compact heat generation. Here, we describe a disruptive approach to a fundamental process by integrating an electrically heated catalytic structure directly into a steam-methane-reforming (SMR) reactor for hydrogen production. Intimate contact between the electric heat source and the reaction site drives the reaction close to thermal equilibrium, increases catalyst utilization, and limits unwanted byproduct formation.

Dual-Function Cobalt-Nickel Nanoparticles Tailored for High-Temperature Induction-Heated Steam Methane Reforming.

The tailored chemical synthesis of binary and ternary alloy nanoparticles with a uniform elemental composition is presented. Their dual use as magnetic susceptors for induction heating and catalytic agent for steam reforming of methane to produce hydrogen at temperatures near and above 800 °C is demonstrated. The heating and catalytic performance of two chemically synthesized samples of CoNi and Cu⊂CoNi are compared and held against a traditional Ni-based reforming catalyst.

Improving Neuromuscular Monitoring and Reducing Residual Neuromuscular Blockade With E-Learning: Protocol for the Multicenter Interrupted Time Series INVERT Study.

Background: Muscle relaxants facilitate endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia and improve surgical conditions. Residual neuromuscular blockade occurs when the patient is still partially paralyzed when awakened after surgery. The condition is associated with subjective discomfort and an increased risk of respiratory complications.

Partners' experiences of the postdischarge period after day surgery--a qualitative study.

Aims And Objectives: Day surgery shifts the responsibility of care from the hospital to patients and their families. This study explored how partners of day surgery patients experienced their role after patient discharge.

Background: Many surgical procedures formerly requiring inpatient care are now carried out on a day surgery basis, shifting responsibility of care to patients and their partners/relatives.

Poor agreement between data from the National Patient Registry and the Danish Patient Insurance Association.

Introduction: Septic arthritis after knee arthroscopy requires in-patient treatment and should thus be reported to the National Patient Registry (NPR). It also meets the requirements for financial compensation if claimed to the Danish Patient Insurance Association (DPIA). The aim of this study was to assess data from the two independent data sources, the NPR and DPIA, with a view to comparing the registration of septic arthritis after knee arthroscopy.

Is day surgery safe? A Danish multicentre study of morbidity after 57,709 day surgery procedures.

Background: Day surgery is expanding in several countries, and it is important to collect information about quality. The aim of this study was to assess morbidity and unanticipated hospital visits 0-30 days post-operatively in a large cohort.

Methods: We prospectively recorded data from 57,709 day surgery procedures performed in eight day surgery centres over a 3-year period.

Comparison between local anaesthesia with remifentanil and total intravenous anaesthesia for operative hysteroscopic procedures in day surgery.

Background: This study aimed at comparing total i.v. anaesthesia (TIVA) with monitored anaesthesia care (MAC) during day-surgery operative hysteroscopy regarding: operation time, time to mobilization and discharge, and patient satisfaction.

Effect of Gabapentin on morphine demand and pain after laparoscopic sterilization using Filshie clips. A double blind randomized clinical trial.

Background: A considerable number of patients require opioids during recovery after laparoscopic sterilization. This implies nausea, dizziness and sedation and increases the number of unplanned admissions. Gabapentin has shown excellent postoperative analgesic effect in a number of recent studies with few side effects.

Return hospital visits and morbidity within 60 days after day surgery: a retrospective study of 18,736 day surgical procedures.

Background: As day surgery includes more extensive procedures focus should be put on late outcome. The frequency of day surgery-related return visits and the associated morbidity were examined to identify suitable indicators of quality.

Methods: From two centres, 16,048 patients underwent 18,736 day surgery operations including 4,829 surgical abortions.

Intubation conditions after rocuronium or succinylcholine for rapid sequence induction with alfentanil and propofol in the emergency patient.

Background And Objective: Previous studies mainly conducted on elective patients recommend doses of 0.9-1.2 mg kg[-1] rocuronium to obtain comparable intubation conditions with succinylcholine 1.

Remifentanil vs. alfentanil infusion in non-paralysed patients: a randomized, double-blind study.

Background And Objective: Remifentanil has a short duration of action and constant elimination, which allow administration of high doses, without prolonging recovery. Remifentanil has been compared to alfentanil, as part of a total intravenous anaesthetic technique, where remifentanil provided better anaesthetic conditions than alfentanil, without adverse effect on recovery. However, these results were obtained during anaesthesia involving neuromuscular blockade, which may mask both signs of insufficient anaesthesia and side-effects such as muscle rigidity.

Acceleromyography of the orbicularis oculi muscle II: comparing the orbicularis oculi and adductor pollicis muscles.

Background: The orbicularis oculi (OO) muscle has been recommended for neuromuscular monitoring when the adductor pollicis (AP) muscle is not available. We investigated whether neuromuscular block could be measured reliably from the orbital part of the OO muscle by the use of acceleromyography.

Methods: During propofol, fentanyl, and alfentanil anaesthesia two TOF-Guards (Organon Teknika NV, Boxtel, the Netherlands) with acceleration transducers placed on the distal phalanx of the thumb and over the middle of the eyebrow, respectively, were used to measure neuromuscular block simultaneously in 23 patients during vecuronium-induced and neostigmine-antagonized neuromuscular block.

Acceleromyography of the orbicularis oculi muscle I: significance of the electrode position.

Background: This study aimed to establish the best position of the stimulating electrodes for facial nerve stimulation during acceleromyographic monitoring from the orbital part of the orbicularis oculi muscle.

Methods: In 59 anaesthetised patients, an acceleration transducer was positioned over the middle of the eyebrow. In 47 patients, supramaximal train-of-four (TOF) stimulation was established for four electrode pairs with different positions along the facial nerve and behind the ear.

Rapacuronium 2.0 or 2.5 mg kg-1 for rapid-sequence induction: comparison with succinylcholine 1.0 mg kg-1.

The purpose of this nine-centre study in 602 patients was to show that the frequency of acceptable intubating conditions after rapacuronium 2.0 or 2.5 mg kg-1 is not more than 10% lower than the frequency after succinylcholine 1.

[Information, satisfaction and anxiety in connection with anesthesia. A questionnaire study].

The purpose of the study was to assess the level of information, anxiety and satisfaction with treatment and care among patients undergoing general anaesthesia. A questionnaire was answered by 406 patients. Seventeen criteria comprising various aspects of the total course of anaesthesia were defined to characterise a "satisfactory anaesthetic experience".

Postoperative pain control by epidural analgesia after transabdominal surgery. Efficacy and problems encountered in daily routine.

Background: The efficacy of postoperative epidural pain treatment has been well documented in controlled studies. However, the literature concerning results of daily routine use of this method often only emphasises certain aspects of it.

Methods: A prospective study of 168 patients scheduled for major surgery with transabdominal access was performed in order to evaluate efficacy, side effects, complications and rate of acceptance of postoperative epidural pain treatment.

The effect of succinylcholine on atracurium-induced neuromuscular block.

Background: The interaction between prior succinylcholine and atracurium has been found only after full recovery of succinylcholine block. We investigated whether the effect of succinylcholine on atracurium block may depend on the level of recovery from succinylcholine.

Methods: Fifty patients in 4 groups received atracurium 0.

Residual neuromuscular block is a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications. A prospective, randomised, and blinded study of postoperative pulmonary complications after atracurium, vecuronium and pancuronium.

Background: After anaesthesia involving pancuronium a high incidence of both residual neuromuscular block and postoperative pulmonary complications (POPC) has been reported. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of POPC following the use of pancuronium, atracurium, and vecuronium, and to examine the effect of residual neuromuscular block on the incidence of POPC.

Methods: A total of 691 adult patients undergoing abdominal, gynaecological, or orthopaedic surgery under general anaesthesia were randomised to receive either pancuronium, atracurium, or vecuronium.

Monitoring of neuromuscular transmission by electromyography during anaesthesia. A comparison with mechanomyography in cat and man.

In this study the applicability of the electromyographical method for monitoring neuromuscular transmission during anaesthesia has been investigated. The purpose was to determine the stability and temperature dependence of the EMG and to evaluate and compare EMG area, amplitude and duration during a non-depolarizing neuromuscular block in the tibialis anterior muscle preparation of the cat. Further, in clinical studies the purpose was to investigate differential hand muscle sensitivity to non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents based on the EMG and the standard adductor pollicis mechanomyogram, and to establish the agreement between the electromyographical and the mechanomyographical methods and their relationship to clinical parameters of residual neuromuscular block.

Good clinical research practice (GCRP) in pharmacodynamic studies of neuromuscular blocking agents.

Based on an international consensus conference held in Copenhagen in the autumn of 1994, a set of guidelines for Good Clinical Research Practice (GCRP) in pharmacodynamic studies of neuromuscular blocking agents are presented. The guidelines are intended to be a help for people working in this research field, and it is hoped that the guidelines will assist researchers, editors, and drug companies to enhance the quality of their pharmacodynamic studies of neuromuscular blocking agents.