Prevention of acute kidney injury and protection of renal function in the intensive care unit

Acute renal failure on the intensive care unit is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. To determine recommendations for the prevention of acute kidney injury (AKI), focusing on the role of potential preventative maneuvers including volume expansion, diuretics, use of inotropes, vasopressors/vasodilators, hormonal interventions, nutrition, and extracorporeal techniques. A systematic search of the literature was performed for studies using these potential protective agents in adult patients at risk for acute renal failure/kidney injury between 1966 and 2009. The following clinical conditions were considered: major surgery, critical illness, sepsis, shock, and use of potentially nephrotoxic drugs and radiocontrast media. Where possible the following endpoints were extracted: creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate, increase in serum creatinine, urine output, and markers of tubular injury. Clinical endpoints included the need for renal replacement therapy, length of stay, and mortality. Studies are graded according to the international Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) group system Several measures are recommended, though none carries grade 1A. We recommend prompt resuscitation of the circulation with special attention to providing adequate hydration whilst avoiding high-molecular-weight hydroxy-ethyl starch (HES) preparations, maintaining adequate blood pressure using vasopressors in vasodilatory shock. We suggest using vasopressors in vasodilatory hypotension, specific vasodilators under strict hemodynamic control, sodium bicarbonate for emergency procedures administering contrast media, and periprocedural hemofiltration in severe chronic renal insufficiency undergoing coronary intervention

ELEMENTAL ABUNDANCE ANALYSES WITH DAO SPECTROGRAMS .9. THE METALLIC-LINED STARS 15-VULPECULAE AND 32-AQUARII

Following from previous papers of this study we present elemental abundance analyses of the sharp-lined bright Am stars 15 Vul and 32 Aqr. The values derived using fine analysis techniques are found using the stellar parameters, effective temperature and surface gravity, determined using optical-region spectrophotometry and Balmer line profiles as well as with the procedures of Moon & Dworetsky and of Lane & Lester. The latter star is a more extreme Am star than the former star. We also discuss possible ways to improve these analyses

A MODEL-ATMOSPHERE ANALYSIS OF AP STAR HD 26385

An abundance analysis using photographic region spectrograms and fully line-blanketed model atmospheres has been performed for the chemically peculiar (CP) star HD 26385. Model parameters were determined from H-gamma-profile and photometric data. Its pattern of abundance shows that HD 26385 is typically Ap Si-star

ELEMENTAL ABUNDANCE ANALYSES WITH DAO SPECTROGRAMS .8. THE NORMAL F-MAIN SEQUENCE STARS THETA-CYGNI AND IOTA PISCIUM

Elemental abundance analyses of the normal F dwarfs theta-Cygni and iota-Piscium are performed and found to be consistent with previous papers of this study. Our derived microturbulences of 1.5 and 1.0 km s-1 are slightly smaller than found by other recent investigations. The elemental abundances derived using fine analysis techniques are for the most part close to solar. Those which are not should be carefully re-examined using spectral synthesis techniques. The effects of small changes in the adopted effective temperatures and surface gravities are also presented

FT-IR and micro-Raman spectroscopic study of decorated potteries from VI and VII century BC, excavated in ancient Ainos - Turkey

Ancient decorated pottery fragments belong to sixth and seventh century BC, excavated in the archaeological district of Enez - Turkey (Ancient Ainos) were analysed using micro-Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. The experimental results allowed us to identify the peculiar components of the ceramic body and the main pigments of the decoration. The presence of albite and anatase suggests low firing temperatures. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Investigation of uranium and thorium concentrations in the fluorite beds of Anatolia by using solid state nuclear track detectors

Uranium and thorium concentrations of fluorite samples taken from the main fluorite beds of Anatolia (Turkey) have been determined by fission fragment radiography using solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). The fissionable elements concentration of the fluorite samples were found to be 10(-4)-10(-7) g/g. The Th/U ratio, obtained for all the fluorite samples, is found to be characteristic for the location of the samples. Some correlations between the concentration of Th and those of lanthanites and concentration of U and that of Mo or Zr are observed

Neutron induced gamma-ray spectroscopic and x-ray fluorescence investigations of britholite veins of Basoren village (Turkey)

High resolution gamma-ray spectroscopic investigation of a mineral sample obtained from the deposits of the Basoren area, which is located about 670 km south-east of Ankara (Turkey), within the north-eastern margin of the eastern Tauride range, is reported. The gamma-spectrum of the natural sample shows all the elements of the Th decay series and a few elements of U decay series. On the other hand, the gamma-spectrum of the sample irradiated by 14.5 MeV neutrons additionally gives Na, K, Sc, Or, Mn, Kr, Sr, Y, Zr, Xe, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tm and Yb peaks. The natural alpha and beta radiations of the mineral sample for are found to be A alpha= 1.72 MBq kg(-1) and A beta= 0.40 MBq kg(-1), respectively, which is consistent with the gamma-spectroscopic results of the Th decay series. The X-ray fluorescence analysis of the sample is also given