Aspects of an experimental study of hydrogen use at automotive diesel engine.

Hydrogen may represents a good alternative fuel that can be used to fuel internal combustion engines in order to ameliorate energetic and emissions performance. The paper presents some experimental aspects registered at hydrogen use to fuel a diesel engine, different substitute ratios being use in the area of 18-34%, at 40% engine load and speed of 2000 rev/min. The engine is equipped with an open ECU and the control of the cyclic dosses of diesel fuel and hydrogen are adjusted in order to maintain the engine power performance. The in-cylinder pressure diagrams show the increase of the maximum pressure with 17%, from 78.5 bar to 91.8 bar for the maximum substitute ratio. Also, values of maximum pressure rise rate start to increase for hydrogen addition, in correlation with the increase of fuel amount burned into the premixed stage, without exceed the normal values with assure the normal and reliable engine operation. Higher Lower Heating Value and combustion speed of hydrogen assure the increase in thermal efficiency, the brake specific energy consumption decreases with 5.4%-7.8% at substitute ratios of 20-27%. The CO2 emission level decreases with 20% for maximum hydrogen cyclic dose. In terms of pollutant emission level, at hydrogen use the emission level of the NOx decreases with 50% and the smoke number decreases with 73.8% comparative to classic fuelling at the maximum hydrogen cyclic dose.

[5-fluorouracil treatment of acute pancreatitis and of pancreatic and duodenal fistulae]. / Tratamentul cu 5-fluorouracil al pancreatitelor acute si al fistulelor pancreatice si duodenale.

In acute pancreatitis the mechanism involved in the auto-amplification of morbid phenomena can be suppressed in most of the cases by inhibiting the pancreatic secretion. This can also enhance the repair of pancreatic, duodenal and jejunal fistulae. On the basis of experimental studies carried out by Johnson, and on the clinical studies of Guttmann, as well as on original studies done by the authors, Ftorafur was included in the complex therapy of acute pancreatitis, and of pancreatic and duodenal fistulae. A group of 14 cases of acute pancreatitis, were treated. These included 5 necrotic-haemorrhagic pancreatitis, and 9 oedematous pancreatitis. The drug was given by continuous intravenous perfusion in doses of 1,200-1,600 mg per day, for a period of 6-12 days. In all the cases the clinical improvement of the patients as well as recovery of normal values of blood amylase were spectacular, and full recovery was achieved in all the cases. Ftorafur was also used in 3 cases of pancreatic fistulae, and in 2 cases of duodenal fistulae, and recovery was also achieved in a very short time. On the basis of this experience, although small, the authors recommend the introduction of Ftorafur in the complex therapy of acute pancreatitis, as well as in that of pancreatic and duodenal fistulae. Following administration of Ftorafur no adverse effects were noted, and in the doses mentioned above this drug did not delay the repair of surgical wounds.

[An experimental study of the action of 5-fluorouracil on the function and cytomorphology of the exocrine pancreas]. / Studiu experimental privind actiunea 5-fluorouracilului asupra functiei si citomorfologiei pancreasului exocrin.

The authors have taken up previous studies by Martin (1969), and by Johnson (1973), and carried out an experimental study on white rats aimed at evaluating the morpho-functional changes of cells from the exocrine pancreas under the influence of 5-fluorouracil (Ftorafur), a cytostatic drug which is a general inhibitor of protein synthesis by cells. Ftorafur was injected in amounts of 2.3 mg/100 g of body weight, and a significant reduction was noted in the secretion of bicarbonates, amylase and lipase by the pancreas of the animals. Cytologic changes were also noted in the pancreatic tissue of these animals, indicating, on the one hand, a deficient protein and enzyme synthesis by the pancreatic cells, and a blocking of the mechanism of discharge of zymogen granules, on the other hand. The most intensive morpho-functional changes were noted following repeated administration of Ftorafur, probably due to the cumulative effects of this substance at the level of secretory pancreatic cells. The authors consider that 5-fluorouracil inhibits to a considerable degree the synthesis of pancreatic enzymes, and as such it can be used as a therapeutic means for the reduction of the external secretion of the pancreas.

[Prevention of postsurgical thromboembolism with small doses of heparin]. / Profilaxia bolii tromboembolice postoperatorii cu doze mici de heparina.

The study includes 390 patients of different age, operated for various conditions during the last quarter of 1975, and systematically treated post operatively with heparin (the cases in which heparin was contraindicated were not included). None of the patients developed signs of thromboembolism after the operation. The drawbacks of the method are virtually inexistent as compared to the gravity of postoperative thrombolic complications. A further study included 1708 operated patients of whom 223 (13.0%) received the heparin treatment and 1485 (87.0%) did not. There was no thrombolic-embolic complication in the former lot and 12 cases (0.8%) in the latter. Three of 15 patients (20%) in whom the postoperative heparin treatment was interrupted immediately or very soon, developed thromboembolism. The method is efficient provided it is applied after the operation up to complete mobilization of the patient. The method is readily applicable, there is no risk and haemostasis is insured.

[Difficulties in diagnosis and surgical treatment of subacute and chronic thyroiditis]. / Dificultati de diagnostic si tratament chirurgical în tiroiditele subacute si cronice

Out of a total number of 875 cases of thyroid affections of various origins, hospitalized in the two surgical clinics of Tîrgu-Mures, the authors selected 16 cases of subacute and chronic thyroiditis. They indicate the difficulties encountered in establishing the diagnosis before surgery, a fact that determined wide excisions in extremely difficult local conditions. They suggest, as a first therapeutic attitude, a conservative treatment with steroid drugs, antibiotics and roentgentherapy (when necessary), and, if such treatments fail, or when malignancies are suspected, as well as compression phenomena have developed, surgical treatment preceded by an extemporaneous anatomo-pathological examination. When thyroiditis is diagnosed surgery should be limited to decompressing incisions.