Characteristic of the zinc- and nickel-containing iron-oxygen nanophases formed on the steel surface under rotation-corrosion dispergation conditions

The nanosized powders formed on the steel surface contacting with zinc and nickel inorganic water salt solutions under the rotation-corrosion dispergation (RCD) conditions have been studied using an X-ray diffraction method, thermal analytical measurements (TG / DTG, DTA) and scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that the formation of a single mineral phase of a non-stoichiometric spinel ferrite when zinc and nickel nitrate solutions were used as the dispersion medium, but in the presence of chloride-containing salts three mineral phases (spinel ferrite, lepidocrocite, and goethite) were determined in the phase composition of the surface powders. When sulfate solutions were chosen as the dispersion medium the mixed hydroxysulfate layered double hydroxides (LDHs) simultaneously appeared among other components of the powders. Due to exchange of cations Fe(II) and other 3d-metals between the disperse phase and dispersion medium the mixed LDH structures achieved stability against further oxidation and phase transformation. Hence, the presence of mixed LDHs in the phase composition of the powders significantly complicates the obtaining of monomineral phases of spinel ferrites or iron oxides when the RCD method is applied.Нанорозмірні суміші залізокисневих фаз отримані за умов ротаційно-корозійного диспергування на поверхні сталі, яка контактує з водними розчинами неорганічних солей цинку і нікелю. Їх будо досліджено методами рентгено-фазового аналізу, диференційного термічного аналізу (ТГ / ДТГ, ДТА) і сканівної електронної мікроскопії. Показано, що при використанні у якості дисперсійного середовища розчинів нітратів цинку та нікелю у складі порошків утворюється єдина мінеральна фаза нестехіометричної феришпінелі. Водночас у присутності Cl–-вмісних розчинів у складі порошків визначено три мінеральні фази (феришпінель, лепідокрокіт і гетит). При використанні у якості дисперсійного середовища SO₄²⁻ -вмісних розчинів у складі порошків, одночасно з іншими фазами з’являються змішані шаруваті подвійні гідроксиди (ШПГ) железа та цинку або нікеля. Обмін катіонами Fe(II) і 3d-металів між дисперсною фазою та дисперсійним середовищем веде до стабілізації структури ШПГ, що значною мірою ускладнює отримання при їх термічному перетворенні мономінеральних фаз феришпінелей та оксидів железа.Наноразмерные смеси железо-кислородных фаз получены на поверхности стали, контактирующей с водными растворами неорганических солей цинка и никеля, в условиях ротационно-коррозионного диспергирования. Смеси исследованы методами рентгенофазового анализа, дифференциального термического анализа (ТГ / ДТГ, ДТА) и сканирующей электронной микроскопии. Показано, что при использовании в качестве дисперсионной среды растворов нитратов цинка и никеля образуется единственная минеральная фаза нестехиометрической ферришпинели. В то же время в присутствии Cl–-cодержащих растворов в составе порошков определены три минеральные фазы (ферри¬шпинель, лепидокрокит и гетит). При использовании в качестве дисперсионной среды SO₄²⁻ -содержащих растворов в составе порошков одновременно с другими фазами образуются смешанные слоистые двойные гидроксиды (СДГ) железа и цинка или никеля. Обмен катионами Fe(II) и 3d-металлов между дисперсной фазой и дисперсионной средой приводит к стабилизации структуры СДГ, что значительно усложняет получение при их термической трансформации мономинеральных фаз ферришпинелей или оксидов железа

Functional abdominal pain in children

Abdominal pain is one of the most common children’s complaints in the practice of a pediatrician and a family doctor. In most cases, the cause of chronic abdominal pain is non-organic, functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS) without objective signs of an underlying organic disorder. At present, among various groups of antispasmodics, selective myotropic antispasmo­dics, namely myocyte cell membrane fast sodium channel blockers (mebeverine), are chosen for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. In clinical practice, mebeverine hydrochloride (SPARK®, JSC Farmak) is of interest for the treatment of patients with abdominal pain. SPARK® is available in capsules; one capsule contains 200 mg of mebeverine hydrochloride. The pathogenetically justified indication of mebeverine is a relief of chronic abdominal pain in adults and children over 10 years. The drug has no systemic effects. The efficacy of SPARK® (mebeverine) for FAPS in children was studied in the gastroenterological department of the Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 19 in Kharkiv. Forty-four children aged 10 to 18 years with FAPS were examined. The functional pathologies included: functional dyspepsia (FD) — 54.1 %, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — 20.8 %, functional biliary disorders (FBD) — 79.2 %; FD + FBD — 34.1 %, FD + IBS — 16 %, FBD + IBS — 8.3 %. The diagnosis was verified according to unified treatment protocols. The patients received a comprehensive pathogenetic therapy and a selective antispasmodic, SPARK®, 1 capsule twice daily for seven days. The pain syndrome was evaluated at admission and every day during the observation period [17]. A numerical pain rating scale was used to assess pain intensity. A tendency towards abdominal pain relief was observed in all patients from the study group; children with mild pain did not report abdominal pain from day 5 of therapy and patients with moderate pain — from day 6. The pain persisted longer, up to 7 days, in children with severe pain. Therefore, abdominal pain is one of the most common and complex problems in medical practice. It mostly occurs in functional gastrointestinal disorders. The use of selective myotropic antispasmodics (mebeverine) to relieve abdominal pain is pathogenetically justified. The results obtained showed the efficacy of SPARK® in the treatment of functional abdominal pain in children. Side effects and allergic reactions to the drug were not observed. Mebeverine (SPARK®) can be the drug of choice and is recommended for abdominal pain in adults and children over 10 years

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in pediatric practice: current topical issues

In recent years, much attention has been paid to the upper digestive tract diseases in children, particularly gastroesophageal reflux disease, as a cause that has an impact on the quality of life, even in children of school age, and thereafter in young adults. Consequently, there are searches for optimization of early detection, new me-thods of non-invasive diagnosis, screening of this pathology in children’s population in order to determine persons with risk factors and to control disease development and complicated course, as well as searches for the formation of preventive activities algorithm. Scientists came to a consensus that all examinations, which are used in pediatric practice, must be maximally available, simple and non-invasive to the extent of child’s condition. The question about advisability of performing esophagogastroduodenoscopy for all patients with complaints of heartburn and with other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, the question relative to performing ultrasonography of the esophagus in children as an additional method of examination, usage of questionnaire in pediatric practice, formation of disease course prediction algorithm, and identification of preventive measures specific to every patient remain open. In order to explain their application, the developmental mechanisms of this pathology must be well-understood, and individual risk factors that may influence disease severity and disease course prediction, which occur in children in different periods of life, must be taken into account. Therefore, the goal of this research is to provide an overview of modern literature with reference to topical issues of clinical evidence, risk factors, diagnosis, prediction of gastroesophageal reflux disease course in children of different ages (regarding main causative and pathogenic factors, clinical evidence (esophageal and extra-esophageal), diagnostic methods and modern approaches to gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment)

Risk factors and possibilities of preventing gastroesophageal reflux disease in school-age children

Background. The article presents the main problems of early diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in school-age children, which leads to late detection and initiation of treatment. The purpose of the study was to identify the main risk factors that may predispose the development of this disease, as well as triggers that provoke GERD in school-age children. Knowledge of risk factors can help prevent the formation of GERD in children, and, with timely diagnosis of therapy, reduce the severity of the disease and improve quality of life. Materials and methods. Open comparative study included 98 school-age children (31 girls, 67 boys) aged 6 to 18 years (mean age 14.2 years). Diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease was conducted in accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated January 29, 2013, No. 59 “On Approval of Unified Clinical Protocols for Medical Care of Children with Digestive Disorders”. During the comprehensive examination, the identification of possible risk factors was made, for which a detailed history collection was performed: the nature of the child’s nutrition and the regularity of the meal were evaluated, as well as the mode of the day, the presence and intensity of physical activity, the presence of chronic stress (psycho-traumatic situations), sleep duration, bad habits, false eating habits. Past medical history also revealed the duration of breastfeeding and the time of supplementary food introduction. Physical examination was also aimed at the detection of so-called symptoms of anxiety — “red flags” that may indicate the presence of complications or organic pathology. Results. In both age groups, boys were dominant; besides, there were significantly more children aged 13–17 years in the group with GERD. Early administration of supplements was revealed in both groups, as well as early artificial/mixed feeding. More than 85 % of children had signs of autonomic dysregulation and concomitant pathology of the upper digestive tract. Interestingly, body mass index met norms in most patients, so this risk factor was not significant. Conclusions. The study has revealed the main risk factors that contribute to the formation of GERD in children of two age groups: 6–12 and 13–17 years, and the relationship between individual risk factors with different forms of GERD was analyzed. Optimization of the primary screening diagnosis of GERD can be achieved by using adapted pediatric GERD questionnaire at the outpatient stage of medical care. It includes not only questions about typical esophageal clinical symptoms, but also extravascular and atypical GERD symptoms. Most of the risk factors and trigger factors are modified, so at the stage of primary care, the control of children’s status who are at risk of GERD, timely diagnosis and correction of risk factors, or reflux disorders which occur in the presence of these factors will prevent the development of disease or its severe course that will improve the quality of life of the patient

Modern problems of treatment of Helicobacter-associated diseases in children: opportunities of adjuvant therapy

Background. The relevance of research is related to a significant spread of the pathology of the upper digestive tract in children, which in most cases is caused by the pathogenic effect of Helicobacter pylori (Hp). Modern eradication strategies require adjuvant therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the Lactiale symbiotic as an adjuvant therapy for eradication schemes in children of different ages with the pathology of the upper digestive canal. Materials and methods. Seventy children with Hp-associated pathology of the upper digestive tract aged 5 to 18 years were under observation. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the use of the symbiotic. The diagnosis was verified using fibrogastroscopy, endoscopic pH-metry, determination of Hp-infection, morphological examination. The results were statistically processed. Results. The results of using Lactiale symbiotic in patients of group 1 as an adjuvant therapy for standard pediatric Hp eradication schemes suggest the expediency and high effectiveness of such treatment. The dynamics of complaints, absence of side effects and good tolerabi-lity of drugs against the background of reception of a symbiotic were positive. The increase in eradication efficiency by 10 % compared with standard schemes corresponds to the results of other studies. The positive influence of the symbiotic on the processes of qualitative healing of ulcers and a significant increase in anti-inflammatory effect in patients of the main subgroup with peptic ulcer of the duodenum was determined. The low result of eradication, obtained in patients with functional disorders, can be considered predictable. This is evidenced by the latest conciliatory conclusions of experts: the effectiveness of eradication in patients with functional dyspepsia does not exceed 15–30 %. Conclusions. The use of the Lactiale symbio-tic as an adjuvant therapy for eradication schemes in children of different ages with Hp-associated pathology of the upper digestive tract is advisable, significantly increases the effectiveness of eradication, improves the tolerability of drugs, adhe-rence of patients to the treatment

Characteristic of TiO 2 &Ag 0 nanocomposites formed via transformation of metatitanic acid and titanium (IV) isopropoxide

International audienceComposite nanoparticles TiO 2 &Ag 0 were synthesized by coprecipitation in a weakly alkaline medium in the presence of various precursors-metatitanic acid and titanium (IV) isopropoxide. Comparative study of TiO 2 &Ag 0 included analysis of morphology (CEM), phase (XRD) and chemical compositions (EDS). The formation of anatase structures was confirmed at a relatively low concentration of silver (0-8 wt.% for metatitanic acid and 0-4 wt.% for Ti (IV) isopropoxide). An increase in the Ag fraction to 8 wt% led to the appearance of the Ti 2 O 3 and -TiO 2 phases in the Ti(IV) isopropoxide system. The size distribution of primary particles is 8.3-10.6 nm (Ti(IV) isopropoxide system) and 12.3-14.0 nm (metatitanic acid system). The anatase lattice parameters decrease with Ag wt% increasing in Ti(IV) isopropoxide system and do not change for the metatitanic acid system. TG-DTA study showed the effects corresponding to the removal of structural water (210 °C), destruction of isopropoxide and combustion of organic matter (300-410 °C), crystallization of anatase (510 °C) and the anatase transformation into rutile phase (720-760 °C), but in the presence silver the anatase structure did not change to 1000 °C. Morphological study shows high crystallinity of both kinds of structures but less aggregative stability composites formed in the metatitanic acid solution. All type nanocomposites include four chemical elements-Ti, Ag, O, and Na as well as a small amount of various admixtures-S or Cl and K depending on precursore species. At the same time, relatively high concentration of argentum in the initial solution led to obtaining chemically pure composite nanoparticles and core&shell type structures

Diarrhea in young children: clinical picture, diagnosis, principles of therapy

Many diseases in infants and young children are accompanied by the development of diarrheal syndrome. As a result, there are organic lesions and functional disorders in the intestine. It is well known fact that 1.4 billion children under 5 years in the world suffer from acute diarrhea, and 123 million of them are forced to seek medical help urgently, 9 million require inpatient care, and 1.8 million children die from dehydration. In this connection, the choice of therapeutic regimen remains urgent. Medications that slow intestinal motility (loperamide) are contraindicated in acute diarrhea in children, since the risk of side effects including ileus, drowsiness, nausea (mortality to 1 %) is high. Probiotics are living microbial drugs commonly used to prevent acute diarrhea. A large number of researches have been conducted, and results of meta-analyzes have been published that have revealed the effect of Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (Mutaflor) in reducing the duration of diarrhea in children with acute gastroenteritis. Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 is one of the three bacteria in the world, which is better characterized at the molecular-biological level, the most investigated non-pathogenic and genetically stable strain in the world with 100-year history, having a genetic map, the genome of which is completely sequenced, genetic loci are deterministic. The product is included into the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ). The purpose of our study was to improve the therapeutic approaches to the correction of diarrheal syndrome using Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (Mutaflor) in the main treatment regimens. Seventy four children were examined and divided into two groups: the first group — children with diarrheal syndrome, who additionally received Mutaflor from the first day, the second group — children with diarrheal syndrome, who received traditional therapy. As a result of the study, the data were obtained proving the effectiveness of Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (Mutaflor) in the treatment of diarrhea in young children, its beneficial effect not only on intestinal microflora and normalization of intestinal kinetics, but also on faster improvement of clinical symptoms, which allows recommending it to children from the first months of life