Evolution of Chernobyl Corium in Water: Formation of Secondary Uranyl Phases.

Two crystalline phases, which are analogues of common secondary uranyl minerals, namely, becquerelite (Ca[(UO)O (OH)]·8HO) and phurcalite (Ca[(UO)O (PO)]·7HO) were identified on the surface of a Chernobyl corium-containing sample affected by hydrothermal alteration in distilled water at 150 °C for one year. Phases were characterized using Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction Analysis (SCXRD) as well as optical and scanning electron microscopy. Features of the structural architecture of novel phases, which come from the specific chemical composition of the initial fragment of Chernobyl sample, are reported and discussed.

One of Nature's Puzzles Is Assembled: Analog of the Earth's Most Complex Mineral, Ewingite, Synthesized in a Laboratory.

Through the combination of low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis and room-temperature evaporation, a synthetic phase similar in composition and crystal structure to the Earth's most complex mineral, ewingite, was obtained. The crystal structures of both natural and synthetic compounds are based on supertetrahedral uranyl-carbonate nanoclusters that are arranged according to the cubic body-centered lattice principle. The structure and composition of the uranyl carbonate nanocluster were refined using the data on synthetic material.

Comment: Balanced Salt Solutions for Critically Ill Patients: Nonplused and Back to Basics.

The analysis of trial results of the intravenous fluids pharmacodynamics revealed problems common to all studies, such as varying study designs, clinical discretion for treatments, and heterogeneous patients. We believe that in the methodology of future research it is also necessary to pay due attention to the actual rather than theoretical physicochemical parameters of the solutions used, such as osmolality, pH, and potential excess of bases. Paying attention to these parameters of intravenous fluids will be useful for assessing their role in producing pharmacodynamic effects in critically ill patients.

Dynamics of Local Temperature in the Fingertips After the Cuff Occlusion Test: Infrared Diagnosis of Adaptation Reserves to Hypoxia and Assessment of Survivability of Victims at Massive Blood Loss.

Background: Since changes in the tone and size of the lumen of peripheral blood vessels with massive blood loss are part of the mechanism of adaptation to hypoxia, which automatically changes the flow of warm blood to the fingertips, it was assumed that infrared thermography of the fingertips can reveal the dynamics of heat release in them, reflecting the reactivity of peripheral blood vessels and adaptation to hypoxia. It was assumed that the cuff occlusion test (COT) would assess the available reserves of adaptation to hypoxia and improve the accuracy of resistance to hypoxia and the prognosis of survival in massive blood loss.

Methods: The temperature change in the fingertips before and after the application of COT in the corresponding hand was studied in healthy adult volunteers, donors after donating 400 mL of blood and in victims with blood loss of less than or more than 35%.

Effect of hydrogen peroxide on erythrocyte temperature in vitro.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is produced by most human cells. Cellular enzymes determine the features of the chemico-biological interaction between cells and hydrogen peroxide. The catalase is main intracellular enzyme that inactivates H2O2 in cells, in particular, erythrocytes.