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The epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) with epoxy group contents of 48.4% were coagulated with ethanol and steam and the structures, processing performances, antioxidative behaviors, cure characteristics, and dynamic mechanical properties were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy, rubber processing analyzer, thermogravimetric analyzer, rheometer, and dynamic thermomechanical analyzer, respectively. The results indicate that the ENR coagulated with ethanol (ENR-e) exhibits a compact structure and the contents of residual low-molecular-weight matters are higher than those of unconsolidated ENR coagulated with steam (ENR-s). Therefore, the processing performance and antioxidative behavior as well as the curing characteristics of ENR-e compound are poorer than those of ENR-s. Although the mechanical properties and wet skid resistance of ENR-s vulcanizate are poorer than those of ENR-e, the heat build-up or rolling resistance of ENR-s is better than that of ENR-e. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

A microfluorescence analytical method was used to determine the contents of serum lipid peroxides and vitamin E in 35 severely burned patients, among whom 18 had been given vitamin E, and in 113 healthy blood donors. A comparative survey showed that the serum vitamin E decreased most significantly from days 6 to 8 postburn in both groups of burned patients, while the concomitant serum lipid peroxides increased significantly and reached a peak value. In control patients, the serum vitamin E levels were lower and lipid peroxides higher than those of healthy people (P less than 0.05) from days 20 to 22 postburn. At this time in the vitamin E-treated patients, the serum vitamin E levels increased and lipid peroxides decreased to the levels of healthy people (P greater than 0.05). Therefore, appropriate supplementation with vitamin E in burn patients is necessary.