Raman spectroscopy evaluation of Polyvinylchloride structure

Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used commercial polymers, and the field of its application continues to expand rapidly. Effective development of state-of-art functional materials, such as PVC-based nanocomposites, copolymers, blends and fabrics, subjected to special kinds of treatment, requires elaboration of new, more informative approaches of PVC structure evaluation. Industrial PVC is characterized by variety of states of macromolecules and very low degree of crystallinity. Thus, the best way to evaluate PVC structure is to apply vibrational spectroscopy, the unique feature of which is high information capacity in the study of the different configurational and conformational states of macromolecules. Most of the Raman spectroscopic methods of PVC structure testing were developed more than 20 years ago. Therefore, improvement of the already recognized methods and development of modern computerbased processing of the spectra for the detailed quantitative analysis of PVC structure are important. In this work, we present an extensive study of polarized Raman spectra of a number of industrial grades of PVC powder and films, prepared from solutions of tetrahydrofuran and acetophenone. For PVC itself and residues of the solvents, remained in the films, we determined the number of Raman lines and their spectral characteristics. These data were used to assign accurately PVC Raman lines and to evaluate structure of different grades of PVC powder and films

Transformer oil reclamation by combining several strategies enhanced by the use of four adsorbents

From an environmental perspective, petroleum-based aged oils removed from power transformers are source of several pollutants and therefore cannot be disposed of without due care. The degradation of oil in in-service transformers is due to various factors concurrent with the operation of the units over several years. The present study proposes a new strategy to rejuvenate used mineral oils by combining centrifugation, dehydration and sorption with four different adsorbents: activated carbon (ACH), silica gel (SG), magnesium oxide (MO) and activated bentonite (AB). The process of regeneration proposed in this study resulted in a level of restoration that saw the used oil take on the characteristics of new oil (colour, dissipation factor, resistivity, permittivity, acid number). The results also showed that the optimum form of the re-refined base oil can be attributed to a 10% (w/w) quaternary mixture of the adsorbents, itself comprised of 1% ACH, 6% SG, 1% MO and 2% AB. The anticipated benefits are reduced risk of dielectric breakdown blamed for over 75% of extra high-voltage (EHV) power transformer failures and extended transformer life expectancy by retarding the solid insulation aging processes

Palivizumab: Four seasons in Russia

In 2010, the Russian Federation (RF) registered palivizumab - innovative drug, based on monoclonal antibodies for passive immunization of seasonal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children of disease severe progress risk group, which include primarily premature infants, children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease. Currently, palivizumab is included in the list of recommended medicines and medical care standards of different countries, including Russia. In the review the results of Russian research on the progress of RSV infection, its epidemiology and immunization experience gained over the 2010-2014 period are summarized in relation to the foreign data. During the four epidemic seasons palivizumab immunization covered more than 3,200 children of severe RSV infection risk group with a progressive annual increase in the number of patients who received the drug. Geography of palivizumab immunization is also greatly expanded in our country during this time. If during the first two seasons measures of immunization were taken mainly in Moscow and St. Petersburg, at the present time, thirty one territorial entities of the Russian Federation have the experience in the drug application. Analysis of the results of RSV infection immunization (made in several regions) confirms the high clinical efficacy and palivizumab safety already demonstrated in international studies. In addition, the analysis presents the potential to improve the efficiency of the integrated RSV infection immunization programs, realizing in the establishment of high-risk child group register, adequate counseling for parents, as well as the development of the routing of patients and coordination of interaction between different health institutions during the immunization. © 2014, Izdatel'stvo Meditsina. All rights reserved

РЕКОМЕНДАЦИИ ПО ВЕДЕНИЮ ПЕРВИЧНЫХ ПАЦИЕНТОВ С СИМПТОМАМИ ДИСПЕПСИИ

Aim: To develop evidence-based recommendations for primary care physicians and general practitioners (GP) on choosing the proper management tactics and making valuable & quick diagnostic decisions at outpatient phase for patients with symptoms of dyspepsia, and also reveal possible oncology on time. Summary of recommendations: Approximately 40% of the patients in Russia presenting to primary care with symptoms of dyspepsia. A doctor has to focus on the warning signs, which may require an urgent additional examination & the consultation with a surgeon/onco-surgeon or other specialists if required. With regard to a risk of cancer, a doctor should be more cautious in patients over 45 years of age. Early diagnosis of oncology depends mainly on cautiousness of GP, primary care physicians and their knowledge, future tactics with regard to the patients. From the mandatory diagnostic tests during the first visit, esophagogastroduodenoscopy and H. pylori diagnostics helps to exclude any organic esophagus and stomach pathology, possible oncology. While waiting for endoscopy results, a physician should use the preliminary diagnoses “Uninvestigated Dyspepsia” (ICD-10 К 31.9) (disease of stomach and duodenum, unspecified). After exclusion of all warning signs, therapy of dyspepsia should be in accordance to the order of the Ministry of Health No 248 which gives an option to use proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole or rabeprazole 20 mg daily) in combination with prokinetic (domperidone 30 mg daily). Fixed drug combination of omeprazole 20 mg and modified-release domperidone 30 mg/daily (Omez® DSR) is medically reasonable. Conclusion: The introduction of this recommendation into clinical practice will help clinicians to prevent diagnostic mistakes, unreasonable use of expensive diagnostic examinations and inappropriate treatment leads to improvement in the overall prognosis and quality of life for the patients.Цель. Представить рекомендации диагностики и лечения пациентов с симптомами диспепсии на этапе амбулаторно-поликлинической помощи, обобщающие зарубежный и отечественный опыт ведения данной категории больных. Основная цель рекомендаций - помочь терапевту и врачу общей практики (ВОП) на амбулаторном этапе принять правильное решение о тактике ведения больного, и в максимально короткий срок поставить правильный диагноз, а также вовремя выявить у пациента наличие онкологической патологии. Основные положения. Около 40% обращений пациентов на амбулаторно-поликлиническом приеме в России связано с симптомами диспепсии. Врач, в первую очередь, должен исключить наличие «тревожных признаков», которые требуют незамедлительного дополнительного обследования пациента, привлечения хирурга и/или других специалистов и госпитализации больного. Доктор должен иметь онкологическую настороженность, особенно, при обращении пациентов в возрасте 45 лет и старше, так как ранняя диагностика злокачественных новообразований (ЗНО) зависит главным образом от онкологической настороженности терапевтов, врачей общей практики и их знаний, дальнейшей тактики в отношении больного. Эзофагогастродуоденоскопия и тесты на H. pylori являются обязательными методами исследования на этапе диагностического поиска и позволяют исключить органические заболевания пищевода и желудка, наличие онкологии. До получения результатов эндоскопического исследования следует выставлять предварительный диагноз «Диспепсия Неуточненная» и шифровать под рубрикой МКБ-10 К 31.9 (болезнь желудка и двенадцатиперстной кишки неуточненная). После исключения «тревожных признаков» терапия диспепсии проводится согласно Приказу МЗ РФ № 248 и включает назначение ингибиторов протонной помпы (омепразол или рабепразол 20 мг/сут) в комбинации с прокинетиком (домперидон 30 мг/сут). Оправдано применение фиксированной комбинации омепразола 20 мг с домперидоном модифицированного высвобождения 30 мг/сут (Омез® ДСР). Заключение. Внедрение рекомендаций в клиническую практику поможет врачу избежать ошибок при постановке диагноза, применения необоснованных и нередко дорогостоящих методов обследования, нерационального лечения, что позволит улучшить прогноз и качество жизни пациентов