Features of clinical symptom and inflammatory marker regression in the use of thermal oxygen-helium mixture in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treatment

New coronavirus infection is accompanied by high mortality and socio-economic losses in the world community. Despite the continuous process of including new medication with antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects in the disease treatment, the development of complications, primarily of hypoxic origin, and mortality remain high.The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the use of thermal oxygen-helium mixture in the therapy on the rate of regression of clinical and laboratory signs of inflammation, as well as the length of patient hospital stay.Material and methods. 59 patient medical records with moderate and severe disease were analyzed. The article summarizes experience of patient management with COVID-19-associated pneumonia who are treated with or without the use of thermal oxygen-helium mixture in one of intensive care units in multi-filed hospital.Results and discussion. It has been proven that the use of a thermal oxygen-helium mixture in the SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treatment is effective.

Oxygen-Helium Gas Mixture «Heliox» for the Treatment of Respiratory Failure in Patients with New Coronavirus Infection Covid-19 (Randomized Single-Center Controlled Trial)

Introduction. Treatment of respiratory failure in pneumonia caused by coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is still an unsolved problem that requires a comprehensive approach and the development of new methods that expand the range of possibilities of modern therapy. There is evidence that the heated oxygenhelium mixture has a positive effect on gas exchange in the infiltration zone by improving both ventilation and diffusion.AIM of study. To evaluate the effectiveness of the inclusion of a heated oxygen-helium mixture HELIOX (70% Helium/ 30% Oxygen) in the complex intensive care of respiratory failure of pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.Material and methods. The study included 60 patients with confirmed viral pneumonia caused by COVID-19. The patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 (n=30) — patients who were treated with the standard COVID-19 treatment protocol with the heated oxygen-helium mixture HELIOX, and group 2 (control) (n=30) — patients who received standard therapy. Lethality was studied for 28 days, the time in days until a steady increase in SpO2>96% was achieved when breathing atmospheric air; the time until the patient is transferred from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the general department.Results. Inhalation of the HELIOX mixture (70% Helium / 30% Oxygen) resulted in a faster recovery of the hemoglobin oxygen saturation index (SpO2). Starting from day 3, these differences became statistically significant. The time in days from inclusion in the study to a persistent increase in the degree of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2>96%) when breathing atmospheric air in the group with inhalation of the HELIOX mixture was less — 8 (7; 10), compared to 10 (8;13) in the control group (p=0.006). In the group with inhaled HELIOX mixture, the median treatment time in the ICU was 8 (7; 9.5) days vs 13 (8; 17) days (p<0.001) in the comparison group.Conclusions. Inhalation of the HELIOX mixture (70% Helium / 30% Oxygen) led to a faster recovery of the hemoglobin oxygen saturation index SpO2, which contributed to reduction in the duration of oxygen therapy and a decrease in mortality.

Elemental Carbon and Its Fractions during Evolved Gas Analysis with Respect to Pyrolytic Carbon and Split Time

We demonstrated the relationships between elemental carbon (EC) and EC fractions during evolved gas analysis (EGA) for PM2.5 sampled at KOREATECH from 29 March 2018 to 12 May 2018. The EC concentrations were compared to the concentrations of equivalent black carbon to confirm that the level of EC concentrations analyzed in this study was valid. Among various EC fractions and their combination, EC1+EC3 fractions were best correlated with the EC concentrations. Especially, dominant EC fraction was related with the dependence of carbon oxidation quantity on the oxidation temperature. We also examined the relationships between pyrolytic carbon (PyC) and EC concentration with respect to the split time. PyC was correlated with the split time in the phase of oxygen-helium mixture. PyC was close to zero for the split time in the helium phase. It is novel, as far as the authors know, that the correlation between PyC and the split time under NIOSH 5040 protocol was reported with regard to EGA. We believe that our study helps to identify what causes uncertainty in the quantification of PyC.

The use of heated oxygen-helium mixture in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease

BACKGROUND: In recent years, along with the development of new pharmacological approaches and treatment COLD (chronic obstructive lung disease), a significant attention is paid to the study of non-medical methods of treatment and correction of the system inflammation occurring. AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of the use of heated oxygen-helium mixture (OHM) in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis on an outpatient polyclinic stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The supervision was 102 patients aged from 32 to 56 (43.74.1) years. All patients entered into research signed voluntary informed consent. Patients were divided into three groups: the first group (n=32) is the control; the second group (n=35) is the main one. Patients of these groups had a verified diagnosis: chronic obstructive bronchitis, moderate and moderate degree of obstruction, the duration of the disease amounted to 2 years to 16 (5.41.4) years. The third group (n=35) is practically healthy patients. The patients of the second and third group passed the respiratory course of heated OHM (the temperature of the mixture in the mask 50). Breathing was carried out in cyclical-fractionated mode: the breath of the mixture 5 minutes then breathing with atmospheric air 5 minutes (one cycle), 3 cycles for the procedure. The course of treatment consisted of 1 procedure per day for 10 days from the first day of the study. The clinical efficacy of reducing treatment was assessed before the start of therapy, after the 10th procedure in the following indicators: Harvard step test index, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (heart rate), blood pressure recovery time, maximum oxygen consumption (MOC); diagnosis of psycho-emotional state using WBAM Questionnaire (well-beingactivitymood). RESULTS: In the group of practically healthy patients, a positive dynamics was noted in the speed of adaptive processes for the restoration of the cardiovascular system after physical exertion of the form of a decrease in blood pressure reduction time, a decrease in systolic blood pressure, the indicators of the Harvard step test index and maximum oxygen consumption increased. Patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis, who passed the breathing rate of heated oxygen-helium mixture, had an increase in points on WBAM Questionnaire, which indicates the improvement of the psycho-emotional state of patients. CONCLUSION: The use of the course of breathing heated oxygen-helium mixture in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis does not affect the increase in physical performance. The use of heated oxygen-helium mixture has a positive effect on the functional state of practically healthy patients, which is manifested in the form of slowing the connection of the anaerobic mechanisms of energy supply in the process of performing physical exertion, leading to an increase in oxygen consumption, improving physical performance.

Experience of using heliox in the treatment of viral pneumonia in COVID-19

SummaryIntroduction. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, finding new treatments is an extremely important issue. The effectiveness of heliox was previously demonstrated in the complex treatment of patients with various bron-chopulmonary pathologies. Therefore, this method has been recommended for the treatment of pneumonia associated with COVID-19. Purpose. To study the safety and efficacy of inhaled heliox therapy in the treatment of pneumonia in COVID-19. Materials and methods. A sing-le-center prospective study was carried out for the period from 01.12.2020 to 15.02.2021. The study included 91 pa-tients. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (using heliox) included 46 people, and group 2 (con-trol) — 45. Inhalations of a heated oxygen-helium mixture heliox (70% helium, 30% oxygen) were carried out using “Ingalit-B2-01” inhaler. Objective (saturation, O2 flow) and laboratory parameters (lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein), as well as chest organs CT data were studied. Differences between groups were determined using the χ2 test, as well as the Mann–Whitney U-test. The p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results. In group 1, side effects developed in 5 (11.3%) patients. These patients refused to further participate in the study. Final number of patients in group 1 — 41. Among patients of group 1, there was a tendency towards a more rapid normalization of lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein, as well as a decrease in oxygen dependence. In group 1, according to CT data, no progression of pneumonia was recorded. In group 2, progression was observed in 6 (13.3%) patients. The overall effectiveness of treatment among patients in group 1 was 100%, among patients in group 2 — 86.7%. The differences between the groups are statistically sig-nificant (p=0.02). Conclusion. The use of inhalations with a heated oxygen-helium mixture heliox (30% oxygen, 70% helium) has shown its effectiveness and safety in the treatment of viral pneumonia (CT1- 2) associated with COVID-19.

Application of the heated oxygen-helium mixture in rehabilitation of military servicers with arterial hypertension at the ambulatory-polycinic stage

Background. The professional activity of military personnel is characterized by complexity, high requirements for the state of physical and mental health, therefore, maintaining health and professional longevity is a priority task for the law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. Aims. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of heated oxygen-helium mixture (OHM) in the rehabilitation of military personnel with arterial hypertension at the outpatient stage. Methods. The study included 68 people aged 32 to 56 (43,7 4,1) years. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 33) practically healthy volunteers, Group II (n = 35) patients with a verified diagnosis: arterial hypertension of I and II degrees, low and medium risk, the duration of the disease ranged from 1,5 to 18 (6.3 1.3) years. All patients included in the study underwent a course of inhalation of a heated OHM (the temperature of the mixture in the mask was 50С). Breathing was carried out in a cyclic-fractionated mode: breathing with a mixture 5 minutes, then breathing with atmospheric air 5 minutes (one cycle), 3 cycles per procedure. The course of treatment consisted of 1 procedure per day for 10 days from the first day of the study. The clinical efficacy of restorative treatment was assessed in three stages before the start of therapy, after the 5th and 10th procedures according to the following indicators: assessment of vegetative status using indicators of heart rate variability; express diagnostics of the psychoemotional state using the SAN questionnaire (well-being, activity, mood); assessment of adaptation of the cardiovascular system to physical activity using Martine's test with 20 squats. Results. In the second group, positive dynamics was noted in the form of normalization of the autonomic status, an increase in the activity of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system (an increase in SDNN, RMSSD indicators to 55 [4868] and 40 [3851 msec, respectively), a decrease in the tone of the sympathetic nervous system (normalization of the coefficient vagosympathetic balance LF/HF up to 1.1 [0.741.5]). The indicators of the SAN questionnaire have increased, which indicates an improvement in the psychoemotional state of servicemen. Patients with arterial hypertension, had positive dynamics in the rate of adaptive processes of restoration of the cardiovascular system after exercise (recovery time is 3.0 0.5 after the course). Conclusions. The use of a course of inhalations of a heated oxygen-helium mixture in the rehabilitation of servicemen with arterial hypertension has demonstrated its effectiveness in normalizing the psychoemotional state and vegetative status. In order to prevent the progression of arterial hypertension, this method can be included in rehabilitation programs at the outpatient and polyclinic stage.

Innovative neon refrigeration unit operating down to 30 K

A new compact, low-cost, economically competitive and environmentally friendly cryogenic system for cooling a continuous gas flow down to about 30 K is under developing at the ILK Dresden, reported in this paper. The paper shows thermodynamic calculations of cycles on neon and neon-helium mixtures. The assessment of the degree of thermodynamic perfection of the neon cycles in comparison of neon-helium cycles is provided. The use of neon and neon-helium mixture in cryogenic cycles for cryostatting at a temperature level of 27…63 K will increase the thermodynamic efficiency of the cryogenic system and reduce the energy costs of obtaining cold at this temperature level. A technological chain/process, as well as the main economic indicators of the system under development are presented. The availability of such an innovative refrigeration system can be used in a wide range of cryogenic and cooling applications.

Influence of the breathing methods of the heated oxygen-helium mixture on the indicators of variability of the heart rhythm and functions of external respiration in military servers with chronic obstructive

The purpose of the research was to study the effectiveness of using heated oxygen-helium mixture in the medical rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. Material and methods. The study included 68 patients aged 32 to 56 years (43.7 4.1 years). The first group (n = 33) contained of practically healthy volunteers and the second group (n = 35) of patients with a verified diagnosis: chronic obstructive bronchitis, moderate to moderate degree of obstruction, the duration of the disease ranged from 2 to 16 years (5.4 1.4). In both groups, heated oxygen-helium mixture was used (the temperature of the mixture in the mask was 50С). Patients of the second group 30 minutes before inhalation of the heated oxygen-helium mixture used short or long-acting bronchodilators. The study was carried out before the start of therapy, after 5, 10 procedures. Estimated indicators of heart rate variability and respiratory function. Results and conclusion. The use of heated oxygen-helium mixture allowed to increase the activity of the parasympathetic department of the autonomic nervous system and reduce the tone of the sympathetic department, normalize the functioning of the bodys regulatory systems. The research data showed an increase in SDNN, RMSSD, a decrease in LF/HF wave power, and a decrease in the centralization index. After the 5th breathing procedure of the heated oxygen-helium mixture, the second group showed an increase in external respiration function by an average of 16%, and after a full course, by 20%, which indicates an improvement in pulmonary ventilation and a decrease in the degree of obstructive disorders. The use of heated oxygen-helium mixture is a promising method that does not give complications, can reduce the severity of obstructive syndrome, helps to restore the bodys adaptive systems, and can be used as one of the methods in the comprehensive rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis.