The use of lyophilized plasma as a reference sample for determining factor VIII]

The activity of lyophilized Soviet reference plasma Factor VIII was measured by a single-stage Papayan and Khrolova's method. This factor is referent in respect of the prothrombin complex factors, stored for 18-43.5 months. Factor VIII activity was found to be within 55-135 percent. Differences in the values of antihemophilic globulin activities obtained in parallel studies in different days may be explained by the fact that the native control was not standard. The results are promising as regards the possibility of using lyophilized donor reference plasma as a reference reagent for estimation of Factor VIII activity.     

The state of autonomic homeostasis during the use of a low-intensity helium-neon laser as a component of combined anesthesia]

The effect of intravenous blood irradiation, using helium-neon laser, on vegetative homeostasis during surgery was studied. It has been established that the introduction of low-intensity laser blood irradiation into a complex of anesthesiologic procedures ensures a more effective protection of patients from the surgical stress.     

The use of maggots as a new treatment in the community

Since maggots were reintroduced into modern wound management practice, published papers have described their mode of action in the treatment of wounds such as pressure sores and leg ulcers (Thomas et al, 1996a; Thomas et al, 1996b), diabetic ulcers (Jones and Thomas, 2000; Johnson, 1999; Murray and Benbow, 1999; Rayman et al, 1998; Evans, 1997; Mumcuoglu et al, 1997; Thomas et al, 1996a), traumatic injuries (Thomas et al, 1996b), burns (Namias et al, 2000) and surgical wounds (Fear et al, 2003; Jones and Champion, 1998; Young, 1997).     

The use of immunochemical reactions in determining a cytological diagnosis]

Cytologic preparations of 56 samples of pleural fluid, of 31 samples of ascitic fluid, and 13 puncture biopsy specimens were examined in immunocytochemical tests. Carcinoembryonic antigen and trophoblastic beta 2-globulin were detected in the cytograms. Antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen and trophoblastic beta 2-globulin employed in the tests did not react with the cells from benign exudation, because tumor cells, particularly glandular carcinoma ones, contain these markers in high concentrations.     

Facile synthesis of exfoliated vermiculite nanosheets as a thermal stabilizer in polyvinyl chloride resin

Well-defined vermiculite (VMT) nanosheets have been exfoliated from mineral VMT by a water-assisted anion-exchange approach. The resultant VMT nanosheets are utilized as a thermal stabilizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to resist dehydrochlorination of PVC. As expected, the color-blackening onset of PVC is delayed after incorporating VMT nanosheets, and the thermal stability improves with reducing the particle size of the VMT nanosheets. The dehydrochlorination temperature appears to be increased by 13 °C for the PVC resin with 6 wt% VMT additive. The improved thermal stability is attributed to the negatively charged laminates of VMT that stabilize hydrogen chloride produced from thermal degradation of PVC. This work not only provides a cost-effective approach to prepare VMT nanosheets but also presents new insight towards the design of thermal stabilizers.

Well-defined vermiculite nanosheets are exfoliated by a facile water-assisted anion-exchange approach. As its negatively charged laminates can stabilize hydrogen chloride, the VMT nanosheets show excellent thermal stability for PVC resin.     

The use of Capoten in systemic scleroderma]

Experience gained with the use of captopril has been summarized in 5 patients with sclerodermic renal crisis (true sclerodermic kidney) as well as the results of the double blind clinical trial of captopril in 16 patients with Raynaud's syndrome. Captopril given for a long time in the dose 75-150 mg to the patients with true sclerodermic kidney turned out effective which showed up by a decline and stabilization of arterial pressure, decrease of the intensity of azotemia and headaches, and stabilization of renal function. No convincing data have been obtained, that may confirm a beneficial effect of captopril on Raynaud's syndrome. The drug was applied in a dose of 37.5 mg for 2 weeks.     

The use of photography as a qualitative research tool

With reference to her own study of children with long-term conditions, Helen Close considers whether photography as a research method can be both valuable and ethical.