Impact of the Revised European Tobacco Product Directive on the Quality of E-cigarette Refill Liquids in Belgium

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophia Barhdadi ◽  
Goedele Moens ◽  
Michael Canfyn ◽  
Celine Vanhee ◽  
Bart Desmedt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Nicotine Concentration ◽  
Regulatory Changes ◽  
Good Manufacturing Practices ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Introduction Since its introduction, the e-cigarette has become a commonly used consumer product. In this study, we investigate whether regulatory changes had an impact on the quality of refill liquids (e-liquids) available on the Belgian market through analysis of their chemical composition. Hence, the nicotine concentration accuracy was investigated in samples before, during and after the implementation of the revised Tobacco Product Directive (TPD) as an indicator of good manufacturing practices. This is, however, not enough to assure the quality. Therefore, extra criteria were also assessed based on TPD requirements. Methods By using in-house validated methods, a total of 246 e-liquids purchased prior (2013–2015), during (2016) and after (2017–2018) the implementation of the TPD revisions, were analyzed for the presence of nicotine, nicotine-related impurities, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), caffeine and taurine, and the flavors diacetyl and acetylpropionyl. Results Although not all manufacturers managed to produce and label their products accurately, nicotine labeling discrepancies have decreased over time. Moreover, also the number of e-liquids, containing high-risk VOCs (10% in 2016 vs. none of the samples in 2017–2018), caffeine (16% in 2017 vs. 5% in 2018), and diacetyl and acetylpropionyl (50% in 2017 vs. 27% in 2018 of sweet-flavored samples) diminished over time. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the overall quality of the e-liquids has improved after the implementation of the revised TPD. However, the results also show that periodic quality control might be required to ensure further compliance to the TPD. Implications This study clearly demonstrates that the implementation of the revised TPD has improved the quality of the e-liquids on the Belgian market. However, there are still e-liquids that are not in agreement with the TPD due to nicotine concentration label discrepancies, presence of e-liquid impurities and controversial flavors diacetyl and acetylpropionyl or the additive caffeine.

scholarly journals Quality control of aluminium melt in production process

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. S43-S47 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kotus ◽  
E. Jankajová ◽  
M. Petrík
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Production Process ◽  
Aluminium Alloy ◽  
Technological Process ◽  
Casting Alloy

The quality of aluminium alloy in the production process on the chemical composition basis was evaluated. The quality of casting alloy depends on the chemical composition of melt and on the technological process of production process. The basic elements such as Si, Cu, Fe, Mg and Al in melting were evaluated. The obtained data were compared with the guide data referred to in the standard for aluminium alloy.

scholarly journals Diseño de Medidor de Control en el Proceso de Producción de una Planta de Panificación y Repostería

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Sánchez-Vásquez Viviana ◽  
Caicedo-Camposano Oscar ◽  
Mora-Castro Oscar ◽  
Espinoza-Espinoza Fernando ◽  
Tandazo-Garcés Juan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Food Quality ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Critical Control Points ◽  
Good Manufacturing Practices ◽  
Safe Food

The following work was carried out in a baking and confectionery plant, in order to guarantee the quality of the products by optimizing the processes in these facilities, for which the principles set out in the Regulation of Good Practices for Processed Foods were taken into consideration. It´s desired to obtain products with food quality to provide healthy and safe food. For this, we take as a basis the regulations of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This is how a study was conducted where proposals for key procedures and instructions were raised and executed to identify critical control points for improvement, followed by the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices in a Bakery line. Good Manufacturing Practices are the sanitary foundation under which any company related to the processing and handling of food must operate, ensuring that the simplest of operations throughout the process of manufacturing a food product, is carried out under conditions that contribute to the assurance of the quality, hygiene and safety of the product. The GMP is in itself a system of quality control and safety through the elimination and / or reduction of contamination risks of a product.

scholarly journals Contaminant Emissions As Indicators of Chemical Elements in The Snow Along a Latitudinal Gradient in Southern Andes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Pizarro ◽  
Pablo Vergara ◽  
Sergio Cerda ◽  
Raul Cordero ◽  
Ximena Castillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Atmospheric Transport ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Air Contaminants ◽  
Latitudinal Transect ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Particulate Contaminants

Abstract The chemical composition of snow provides insights on atmospheric transport of anthropogenic contaminants at different spatial scales. In this study, we assess how human activities influence the concentration of elements in the Andean mountain snow along a latitudinal transect throughout Chile. The concentration of seven elements (Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn and Zn) was associated to gaseous and particulate contaminants emitted at different spatial scales. Our results indicate carbon monoxide (CO) averaged at 20 km and nitrogen oxide (NOx) at 40 km as the main indicators of the chemical elements analyzed. CO was found to be a significant predictor of most element concentrations while concentrations of Cu, Mn, Mg and Zn were positively associated to emissions of NOx. Emission of 2.5 mm and 10 mm particulate matter averaged at different spatial scales was positively associated to concentration of Li. Finally, the concentration of Zn was positively associated to volatile organic compounds (VOC) averaged at 40 km around sampling sites. The association between air contaminants and chemical composition of snow suggests that regions with intensive anthropogenic pollution face reduced quality of freshwater originated from glacier and snow melting.

scholarly journals Enhancing Value and Uptake for Whole-Population Cohorts of Children and Parents: Methods to Integrate Registries into the Generation Victoria Cohort

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
Valerie Sung ◽  
Katrina Williams ◽  
Ella Perlow ◽  
Yanhong J. Hu ◽  
Susannah Ahern ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Children And Parents ◽  
Funding Bias ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Morbid Conditions

Health registries are critical to understanding, benchmarking and improving quality of care for specific diseases and conditions, but face hurdles including funding, bias towards clinical rather than population samples, lack of pre-morbid and outcomes data, and absent cross-registry harmonisation and coordination. Children are particularly under-represented in registry research. This paper lays out novel principles, methods and governance to integrate diverse registries within or alongside a planned children’s mega-cohort to rapidly generate translatable evidence. GenV (Generation Victoria) will approach for recruitment parents of all newborns (estimated 150,000) over two years from mid-2021 in the state of Victoria (population 6.5 million), Australia. Its sample size and population denominator mean it will contain almost all children with uncommon or co-morbid conditions as they emerge over time. By design, it will include linked datasets, biosamples (including from pregnancy), phenotypes and participant-reported measures, all of which will span pre-morbid to long-term outcomes. We provide a vignette of a planned new registry for high-risk pregnancies to illustrate the possibilities. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to describe such a methodology designed prospectively to enhance both the clinical relevance of a large multipurpose cohort and the value and inclusivity of registries in a population.

scholarly journals Quality of cosmetics with active caffeine in cream and gel galenic bases prepared by compounding pharmacies

2022 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Vogel ◽  
L. L. M. Marques ◽  
A. A. Droval ◽  
A. M. Gozzo ◽  
F. A. R. Cardoso
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Shelf Life ◽  
Active Ingredient ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Color Measurement ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Color Parameters ◽  
Microbiological Control ◽  
Over Time

Abstract As there is a great scarcity of studies on the importance of good compounding practices in the preparation of cosmetics, this study aimed to evaluate the quality control of cosmetics with active ingredient caffeine for the treatment of cellulite prepared by magistrals pharmacies. Microbiological analyzes, pH determination, color measurement, quantification of the percentage of the active ingredient caffeine and viscosity in creams and gels with 5% of the active ingredient caffeine were performed. In the microbiological analysis, the presence of molds and yeasts was verified above the permitted level according to the Brazilian pharmacopoeia. The pH decreased over time, contributing to the formulations becoming more acidic. In the color parameters, it was found that pharmacy F4 showed a brownish color, both for the gel and for the cream. The percentage of caffeine was within specifications in all formulations and the viscosity remained unchanged during the shelf life of the samples. It is important that the compounding pharmacies demand more effectively the commitment of the team, as well as the analysis of the raw material according to the microbiological control regulations to translate into the quality of the products prepared by the pharmacies and favor the consumer in the effective objective that the product you want to achieve.

Health-related quality of life among high-risk women in an MRI surveillance study

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1522-1522
Author(s):  
A. R. Bradbury ◽  
S. A. Cummings ◽  
J. J. Dignam ◽  
L. Patrick-Miller ◽  
M. Verp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Brca Mutation ◽  
Breast Mri ◽  
High Risk Women ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Cancer ◽  
Over Time

1522 Background: The quality of life (QOL) and psychological impact of incorporating MRI into breast cancer screening programs for high-risk women (HRW) has not been well studied. Psychological and biological risk factors, e.g. cancer history, BRCA mutation, imaging recall, generalized anxiety or clinical depression may mediate QOL outcomes. Methods: 100 HRW undergoing intensive surveillance including yearly mammography, semiannual breast ultrasound and breast MRI have completed QOL (SF-36), anxiety (STAI) and depression (Beck) questionnaires at semi-annual visits. 56 HRW have completed 3 screenings. Differences in QOL measures over time were evaluated using longitudinal regression models. Differences between participants and population norms (PN), women with/without a history of cancer and with/without a BRCA mutation were assessed using t-tests. Results: QOL scores increased over time and were statistically significant for the general health (GH) subscale (p=0.016). All QOL subscales were higher than PN at baseline and were significantly higher than PN at 12 months. Mean GH score at 12 months = 80.0, PN 72.7 (SD14.2, p<0.01). Mean mental health score at 12 months = 78.9, PN 73.4 (SD14.9, p<0.01). At baseline, BRCA carriers had lower QOL scores than non-carriers and women with a history of cancer had higher QOL scores than unaffected participants, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: These data suggest that intensive breast cancer screening incorporating breast MRI may have a positive effect among HRW. Continued enrollment will allow for multi-variate characterization of psychological and biological predictors of change in QOL and psychological well-being among high-risk women undergoing intensive screening. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Contaminant emissions as indicators of chemical elements in the snow along a latitudinal gradient in southern Andes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Pizarro ◽  
Pablo M. Vergara ◽  
Sergio Cerda ◽  
Raúl R. Cordero ◽  
Ximena Castillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Atmospheric Transport ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Air Contaminants ◽  
Latitudinal Transect ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Particulate Contaminants

AbstractThe chemical composition of snow provides insights on atmospheric transport of anthropogenic contaminants at different spatial scales. In this study, we assess how human activities influence the concentration of elements in the Andean mountain snow along a latitudinal transect throughout Chile. The concentration of seven elements (Al, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn and Zn) was associated to gaseous and particulate contaminants emitted at different spatial scales. Our results indicate carbon monoxide (CO) averaged at 20 km and nitrogen oxide (NOx) at 40 km as the main indicators of the chemical elements analyzed. CO was found to be a significant predictor of most element concentrations while concentrations of Cu, Mn, Mg and Zn were positively associated to emissions of NOx. Emission of 2.5 μm and 10 μm particulate matter averaged at different spatial scales was positively associated to concentration of Li. Finally, the concentration of Zn was positively associated to volatile organic compounds (VOC) averaged at 40 km around sampling sites. The association between air contaminants and chemical composition of snow suggests that regions with intensive anthropogenic pollution face reduced quality of freshwater originated from glacier and snow melting.

High-Risk Youth Behaviors Decreasing Over Time

2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
MARY ELLEN SCHNEIDER
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
High Risk Youth ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Youth Behaviors

Quality management in the prophylaxis of venous thrombembolism - Results of a survey including 464 medical and surgical patients

VASA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-130
Author(s):  
Klein-Weigel ◽  
Richter ◽  
Arendt ◽  
Gerdsen ◽  
Härtwig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Function ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Risk Status ◽  
Vte Prophylaxis ◽  
Safety Concerns

Background: We surveyed the quality of risk stratification politics and monitored the rate of entries to our company-wide protocol for venous thrombembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in order to identify safety concerns. Patients and methods: Audit in 464 medical and surgical patients to evaluate quality of VTE prophylaxis. Results: Patients were classified as low 146 (31 %), medium 101 (22 %), and high risk cases 217 (47 %). Of these 262 (56.5 %) were treated according to their risk status and in accordance with our protocol, while 9 more patients were treated according to their risk status but off-protocol. Overtreatment was identified in 73 (15.7 %), undertreatment in 120 (25,9 %) of all patients. The rate of incorrect prophylaxis was significantly different between the risk categories, with more patients of the high-risk group receiving inadequate medical prophylaxis (data not shown; p = 0.038). Renal function was analyzed in 392 (84.5 %) patients. In those patients with known renal function 26 (6.6 %) received improper medical prophylaxis. If cases were added in whom prophylaxis was started without previous creatinine control, renal function was not correctly taken into account in 49 (10.6 %) of all patients. Moreover, deterioration of renal function was not excluded within one week in 78 patients (16.8 %) and blood count was not re-checked in 45 (9.7 %) of all patients after one week. There were more overtreatments in surgical (n = 53/278) and more undertreatments in medical patients (n = 54/186) (p = 0.04). Surgeons neglected renal function and blood controls significantly more often than medical doctors (p-values for both < 0.05). Conclusions: We found a low adherence with our protocol and substantial over- and undertreatment in VTE prophylaxis. Besides, we identified disregarding of renal function and safety laboratory examinations as additional safety concerns. To identify safety problems associated with medical VTE prophylaxis and “hot spots” quality management-audits proved to be valuable instruments.

Psychological and Cognitive Aspects of Borderline Intellectual Functioning

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastianina Contena ◽  
Stefano Taddei
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Intellectual Functioning ◽  
Clinical Impact ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Borderline Intellectual Functioning ◽  
General Quality ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Over Time

Abstract. Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) refers to a global IQ ranging from 71 to 84, and it represents a condition of clinical attention for its association with other disorders and its influence on the outcomes of treatments and, in general, quality of life and adaptation. Furthermore, its definition has changed over time causing a relevant clinical impact. For this reason, a systematic review of the literature on this topic can promote an understanding of what has been studied, and can differentiate what is currently attributable to BIF from that which cannot be associated with this kind of intellectual functioning. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we have conducted a review of the literature about BIF. The results suggest that this condition is still associated with mental retardation, and only a few studies have focused specifically on this condition.

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