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Background: The ratio of umbilical vein (UV) and maternal artery (MA) concentrations of vecuronium may more accurately determine the placental transfer ratio during caesarean section. This ratio potentially correlates with the time from induction of anaesthesia to delivery (I-D time). The aim of this study was to determine the UV/MA ratio of vecuronium and its relationship with the I-D time. Methods: Eighteen pregnant women at full term undergoing caesarean section were studied. The parturient was given intravenously 0.01 mg/kg vecuronium as a priming dose, followed 180 s later by 0.11 mg/kg vecuronium as an intubation dose and 4 mg/kg thiamylal. The time from the injection of the intubation dose to the clamping of the umbilical cord was regarded as the I-D time. At the time of clamping the umbilical cord, blood samples were collected and the UV and MA of vecuronium were measured. Results: The UV/MA ratio and the I-D time, expressed as the mean (SD), were 0.056 (0.016) and 280 (57) s, respectively. The regression equation indicated y=0.0083+0.00017×(R2=0.381, r=0.617, P=0.0063, I-D time (s)=x, UV/MA=y). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the UV/MA ratio of vecuronium as an index of the placental transfer becomes smaller as the delivery time after injection of this drug becomes shorter during caesarean section.

We have developed a prototype AA-size cell which consists of an amorphous a-V2O5-P2O5 (95:5 in molar ratio) cathode, a lithium metal anode and an organic electrolyte (Li/a-V2O5 cell). Preliminary safety tests including electrical, thermal and mechanical abuse tests and cell performance tests were carried out on this Li/a-V2O5 cell. Based on these experimental results, we discuss the safety characteristics and the future prospects for rechargeable lithium metal cells.

The safety characteristics of commercial lithium-ion cells are examined in relation to their use as batteries for various applications such as cellular phones, note-type personal computers, electric vehicles, uninterrupted power supplies, backup power supplies, and so on. The lithium-ion cell safety must be very closely related to thermal runaway of the cells. This article describes the recent status of safety of practical lithium-ion cells, a theoretical approach to an understanding of cell safety, how to evaluate the safety of lithium-ion cells before practical use, and example results of safety tests of lithium-ion cells.

The ratio of umbilical vein (UV) and maternal artery (MA) concentrations of vecuronium may more accurately determine the placental transfer ratio during caesarean section. This ratio potentially correlates with the time from induction of anaesthesia to delivery (I-D time). The aim of this study was to determine the UV/MA ratio of vecuronium and its relationship with the I-D time.Eighteen pregnant women at full term undergoing caesarean section were studied. The parturient was given intravenously 0.01 mg/kg vecuronium as a priming dose, followed 180 s later by 0.11 mg/kg vecuronium as an intubation dose and 4 mg/kg thiamylal. The time from the injection of the intubation dose to the clamping of the umbilical cord was regarded as the I-D time. At the time of clamping the umbilical cord, blood samples were collected and the UV and MA of vecuronium were measured.The UV/MA ratio and the I-D time, expressed as the mean (SD), were 0.056 (0.016) and 280 (57) s, respectively. The regression equation indicated y = 0.0083 + 0.00017 x (R2 = 0.381, r = 0.617, P = 0.0063, I-D time (s) = x, UV/MA = y).The present study demonstrated that the UV/MA ratio of vecuronium as an index of the placental transfer becomes smaller as the delivery time after injection of this drug becomes shorter during caesarean section.

Eight women having cesarean section under general anesthesia received vecuronium (VCB) 0.01 mg.kg-1 as a priming dose, followed 180 s later by 0.11 mg.kg-1 as an intubation dose. Subsequently, VCB concentrations of umbilical venous and maternal arterial blood at delivery were assayed. The time from the injection of intubation dose to delivery was 283 +/- 55 (mean +/- SD) s. Umbilical and maternal VCB concentrations at delivery were 79.4 +/-36.1 1ng.ml-1 (UV) and 1258.3 +/- 464.1 ng.ml-1 (MA). respectively. Thus, the umbilical venous to maternal arterial VCB concentration ratio (UV.MA-1) was 0.07 +/- 0.02. One-min and 5-min Apgar scores were 8-9 and 9-10, respectively. Judging from previous reports concerning VCB administration during cesarean section, total of VCB 0.12 mg.kg-1 may be an overdose. We concluded therefore that of total VCB 0.10 mg.kg-1 seems to be an appropriate dose for cesarean section.