Rapid assessment methodology in NORM measurements from building materials of Uzbekistan.

Utilizing low cost NaI(Tl) scintillation detector systems we present methodology for the rapid screening of building material samples and the determination of their Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq). Materials from Uzbekistan as a representative developing country have been measured and a correction coefficient for Radium activity is deduced. The use of the correction coefficient offers the possibility to decrease analysis times thus enabling the express measurement of a large quantity of samples. The reduction in time, cost and the use of inexpensive equipment can democratize the practice of screening NORM in building materials in the international community.

[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.

[Treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome with surfactant BL].

The paper presents the results of use of the Russian drug Surfactant BL as part of complex intensive care of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the premature newborn. The drug was used in 45 children (a study group). A control group comprised 52 children with RDS who had undergone a course of therapy before the use of the drug at our clinic. Statistical analysis indicated the practical uniformity of the study and control groups. Particular emphasis was laid on the study of changes in the parameters of blood oxygenation and those of artificial ventilation (AV) regimens in both groups of children. The study demonstrated that in the Surfactant BL-treated patients, blood oxygenation (pO2, A-aDO2, respiratory coefficient) improved much more rapidly and, from the end of the first day of treatment to the termination of therapy in the intensive care unit of a maternity hospital, the mean values of these parameters remained statistically significantly better than those in the controls. In the study group, under AV, insufflated gas FiO2 could be reduced more rapidly and by a large quantity and some other AV parameters "attenuated". Analyzing the outcome of treatment of neonatal infants with RDS has indicated that Surfactant BL has a statistically significant advantage in the positive outcomes of treatment in a group of patients treated with this agent as part of complex intensive care.

Application of NaI(Tl) detector for measurement of natural radionuclides and (137)Cs in environmental samples: new approach by decomposition of measured spectrum.

An alternative method for determination of activities of natural, technogenic and fallout radionuclides in environmental samples was proposed. The method used a widely available scintillation spectrometer and was based on the decomposition of samples' gamma-spectra into spectral components of separate radionuclide groups with the help of standard sources. The method was tested on water, soil and coal samples and could be successfully used in field (expedition) conditions (without liquid nitrogen for the detector cooling).