Simultaneous Pu and U Isotope Nuclear Forensics on an Environmentally Recovered Hot Particle.

An environmentally recovered, mixed Pu-U hot particle from the Thule accident, Greenland has been analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and a large-geometry Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry based Scanning Ion Imaging (SII) method for simultaneous 235,236,238U and 239,240Pu isotope compositions. This SII technique permits the visual assessment of the spatial distribution of the isotopes of U and Pu and can be used to obtain quantitative isotope ratios in any user-defined square region up to a few 100 µm in size. The particle measured here has two resolvable U isotopic compositions with a single composition of weapons grade Pu. The bulk of the particle has enriched U and weapons-grade Pu with 235U/238U, 236U/238U, and 240Pu/239Pu of 1.12 ± 0.04, 0.006 ± 0.002, 0.054 ± 0.004, respectively (2σ). The Pu isotopic ratio was consistent across the sample but 239Pu/238Uraw decreased from 1.99 ± 0.07 to 0.11 ± 0.04 (2σ) corresponding to the area of the particle with a resolvably different U isotope composition. This portion of the particle has 235U/238U, 236U/238U, and 240Pu/239Pu ratios of 0.11 ± 0.04, 0.001 ± 0.002, and 0.05 ± 0.04, respectively (2σ). The origin of the less enriched U could be environmental that mixed with the particle or heterogeneously enriched U from the weapons. The heterogeneity of hot particles on a micrometer scale highlights the need for spatially resolved techniques to avoid mixing during a bulk or whole particle analysis, as the mixing end-members here would have been lost, and the measured ratios would have been inaccurate.

CLINICAL ASPECTS OF GLYCEMIC MONITORING AND CONTOL IN PATIENTS IN THE EARLY POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD.

INTRODUCTION: At present, no doubt enhanced by the attention of clinicians to monitor blood glucose and methods of its correction in ICU patients. Evidence of the effect of the expressed glycemic balance disorders on the results of treatment of such patients determine of the problem. Attempts to create a computer algorithm to determine the rate of insulin. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the module Space glycemic control (SGC, "BBraun Germany) with intravenous insulin therapy in patients with thoracoabdominal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Single-center prospective observational study was conducted in the ICU in 50 patients in the early period after operations on the abdominal and thoracic cavity, mediastinum. RESULTS: The average duration of the monitoring group with SGC was 57 hours (17 to 280 hours). The average length of the period during which the patients were recorded in the target range glycemia was 80.4% of the total time of SGC monitoring. The average value of glucose in capillary blood proved to 7,6?1,58 mmol/l. The incidence of severe hypoglycemia was 2% (1 patient). CONCLUSION: Application module SGC should expedient be used in patients after extensive thoracoabdiminal surgical procedures in which recorded postoperative hyperglycemia.

[Clinical application of dexmedetomidine in patients after thoracic and abdominal surgeries].

OBJECTIVE: To study efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine application for long-term (more than 12 hours) artificial lungs ventilation (ALV) and for psychomotor agitation. METHODS: We studied 57 patients after thoracic and abdominal surgeries. The patients were divided into three groups. Patients of a group-1 (n=18) received ALV under 12 hours, patients of group-2 (n=26) received ALV more than 12 hours. Patients of group-3 (n=13) received dexmedetomidine due to delirious state. Dexmedetomidine was administered by infusion 0.7 mkg/kg during the first hour. The rate of administration was corrected after the first hour. We recorded the level of sedation according to RASS, need of additional sedative drugs use, duration of ALV duration of ICU stay. RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine infusion provides target level of sedation from 0 to -3 according to RASS in 91% of patients requiring prolonged ALV after thoracic and abdominal surgeries. Bradycardia occurred in 15% of patients and arterial hypotension in 12% of patients. Bolus administration of dexmedetomidine should be avoided.