Ceramicrete: A novel ceramic packaging system for spent-fuel transport and storage

This presentation summarizes efforts to develop and apply chemically bonded phosphate ceramic (Ceramicrete{trademark}) technology for radiation shielding applications. The specific application being targeted is a packaging system for spent-fuel transport and storage. Using Ceramicrete technology under ambient conditions, the authors can produce dense and hard ceramic forms that incorporate second-phase material. Ceramicrete inherently is a superior shielding material because it contains large amounts of bound water in its crystal structure and can be cast in any shape. A parametric study was conducted on Ceramicrete that contained second-phase additions of metals and other ceramic powders. Results of various standardized tests that included mechanical performance and shielding from neutrons are presented. The fabrication of complex shapes and structures by Ceramicrete technology is discussed. Ceramicrete is compared with other currently available shielding systems that are based on concrete and polymers

Metabolic model for laboratory control of anti-ischaemic therapy effectiveness: a case study of nicorandil

Scientific relevance. A key anti-ischaemic mechanism of some medicinal products involves their effects on the metabolism of endothelial vasodilators, particularly the synthesis of nitric oxide from arginine and its precursor citrulline.Aim. The study was aimed to determine whether the plasma time course of guanidine derivatives (arginine precursors) is applicable to laboratory control of anti-ischaemic therapy effectiveness using a single oral dose of nicorandil in patients with coronary heart disease as a case study.Materials and methods. The authors used high-performance liquid chromatography to determine metabolites. Blood samples for analysis were obtained from 30 patients with angina pectoris (Grade II–III, Canadian Cardiovascular Society) and 30 healthy donors. All the study participants received a single oral dose of 20 mg nicorandil after 10 h of fasting.Results. At baseline, patients showed significantly higher plasma citrulline levels than donors. However, the elevated levels decreased to the healthy range after nicorandil administration. Plasma arginine levels in patients showed a statistically significant increase following nicorandil administration. Plasma homoarginine levels in patients remained reduced both before and after dosing. Nicorandil did not influence elevated levels of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (asymmetrical dimethylarginine).Conclusions. In addition to the established mechanisms responsible for altering cell metabolism, nicorandil enhances the contribution of citrulline to arginine resynthesis. It is reasonable to include citrulline and arginine, which are involved in the vasodilator response, in model schemes for laboratory control of the effectiveness of anti-ischaemic therapy

Метаболическая модель для лабораторного контроля эффективности антиишемической терапии на примере использования никорандила

A key anti-ischaemic mechanism of some medicinal products involves their effects on the metabolism of endothelial vasodilators, particularly the synthesis of nitric oxide from arginine and its precursor citrulline.The aim of the study was to determine whether the plasma time course of guanidine derivatives (arginine precursors) is applicable to laboratory control of anti-ischaemic therapy effectiveness using a single oral dose of nicorandil in patients with coronary heart disease as a case study.Materials and methods. The authors used high-performance liquid chromatography to determine metabolites. Blood samples for analysis were obtained from 30 patients with angina pectoris (Grade II–III, Canadian Cardiovascular Society) and 30 healthy donors. All the study participants received a single oral dose of 20 mg nicorandil after 10 h of fasting.Results. At baseline, patients showed significantly higher plasma citrulline levels than donors. However, the elevated levels decreased to the healthy range after nicorandil administration. Plasma arginine levels in patients showed a statistically significant increase following nicorandil administration. Plasma homoarginine levels in patients remained reduced both before and after dosing. Nicorandil did not influence elevated levels of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (asymmetrical dimethylarginine).Conclusions. In addition to the established mechanisms responsible for altering cell metabolism, nicorandil enhances the contribution of citrulline to arginine resynthesis. It is reasonable to include citrulline and arginine, which are involved in the vasodilator response, in model schemes for laboratory control of the effectiveness of anti-ischaemic therapy.Важным механизмом антиишемического действия некоторых препаратов является их влияние на метаболизм эндотелиальных факторов вазодилатации, в частности на образование оксида азота из аминокислоты аргинина и его предшественника цитруллина.Цель работы: изучение возможности использования показателей динамики гуанидиновых производных — предшественников аргинина — в плазме крови для лабораторного контроля эффективности антиишемической терапии на примере однократного перорального приема никорандила у пациентов с ишемической болезнью сердца.Материалы и методы: метаболиты определяли методом высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии в образцах крови, взятых у 30 пациентов со стенокардией напряжения II–III функционального класса. Референтной группой являлись 30 здоровых доноров. Никорандил использовали перорально в разовой дозе 20 мг после 10-часового голодания.Результаты: у пациентов исходный уровень цитруллина был достоверно выше, чем у здоровых доноров. После приема никорандила содержание цитруллина снижалось до уровня, не отличающегося от уровня в плазме крови здоровых доноров группы сравнения. Содержание аргинина в плазме крови пациентов после приема препарата достоверно возрастало. При этом у них сохранялся пониженный уровень гомоаргинина как до, так и после приема никорандила. Обнаружено также отсутствие влияния приема никорандила на уровень эндогенного ингибитора синтазы оксида азота — асимметричного диметиларгинина.Вывод: в дополнение к известным механизмам воздействия никорандила на клеточный метаболизм показано усиление участия цитруллина в ресинтезе аргинина. При оценке эффективности антиишемической терапии в модельную схему для лабораторного контроля целесообразно включать цитруллин и аргинин, которые являются участниками вазодилатационного ответа

May Measurement Month 2018: a pragmatic global screening campaign to raise awareness of blood pressure by the International Society of Hypertension

Aims Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk

May measurement month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results in Georgia.

May Measurement Month (MMM) is aimed at raising public awareness about arterial hypertension-the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in the population. Screening was carried out at 200 sites on a national scale. More than 500 volunteers, including doctors (80%) and medical students (20%) participated in the screening. To familiarize them with the research tools and standard blood pressure (BP) measurement method, their training was conducted by the Georgian Society of Hypertension in Tbilisi and other large cities. Social and mass media, medical societies, and other stakeholders were actively involved in the recruitment process. A total of 10 756 people were screened. The mean age of participants was 53.1 years (SD 16.1). Males-67.9%, females-32.1%. One hundred percent were White. After multiple imputation, the number of hypertensive patients was 6.037 (56.1%) and out of them 4950 were aware and 4701 (77.9%) were on medication, 1336 (22.1%) were not taking a medication. Of those taking antihypertensive medication, 38.2% had controlled BP. In spite of non-randomized selection and certain restrictions with respect to extrapolation of the results, MMM comprehensively reflects an urgent problem and major gaps in the health system. Based on the above, its importance is extremely valuable for identifying public health policy priorities

May measurement month 2017: an analysis of blood pressure screening results in Georgia-Europe.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programmes worldwide. According to STEPS-Georgia, between 2010 and 2016, arterial hypertension prevalence (BP ≥140/90 mmHg or being treated) increased from 33.4% to 37.7%. According to the Health for All (HFA) (WHO data set) Database in Georgia in 2015 cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality contributed to 42.6% of overall deaths; among them 23.3% is due to coronary heart disease (CHD), and 30% due to cerebrovascular diseases. An opportunistic screening of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in May 2017 (MMM17). BP measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. Screening was carried out in 50 sites at a national scale (clinics, public places). Five hundred volunteers, mostly medical personnel took part in the project. A total of 6144 individuals were screened during MMM17. After multiple imputations, 3744 (60.9%) had hypertension. Of those not on anti-hypertensive medication, 958 (28.5%) respondents were found to have hypertension, while 1862 (66.8%) individuals receiving anti-hypertensive medication, had uncontrolled BP. MMM17 was the largest BP screening campaign undertaken in Georgia. Approximately 60% of those screened had hypertension and among those who receive medication, up to 70% are treated inadequately. These results suggest that opportunistic screening can identify a significant number of people with raised BP