LOW-COST DOMESTIC WASTE WATER TREATMENT AND ANALYSIS

The motive of this paper to prepare some systematic low-priced and sustainable domestic waste water treatment system for household. To acquire this objective we collected samples from the household kitchen sink, basin, laundry etc. From the conclusion we learned that the tested parameters like BOD, COD, TDS, etc. displayed high removal of physical and chemical impurities. The treated water can be used for purposes such as irrigation, car washing, Flushing, etc.

Impact of national valsartan recalls on Veterans’ outcomes

Background and Aims: Chemical impurities discovered in angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) products in late 2018–2019 resulted in recalls of various products and has likely had downstream effects for patients and prescribers. The purpose of this study is to determine how the valsartan recall impacted clinical endpoints and prescribing of antihypertensives. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study including patients receiving recalled valsartan with essential hypertension who were mailed a recall letter on 12 March 2019. Mean blood pressure endpoints were collected 6 months before (pre-recall) and after the recall letter was mailed (post-recall). Antihypertensive medication changes and titrations were also characterized post-recall. Results: A total of 300 patients meeting eligibility criteria were included. There was no statistically significant difference in mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) when pre- and post-recall blood pressures were compared (SBP: 137.2 mmHg versus 135.8 mmHg, p = 0.125; DBP: 78.6 mmHg versus 78.5 mmHg, p = 0.900). In addition, the percentage of patients with controlled blood pressure readings was similar in the pre- and post-recall timeframes (28% versus 27%, p = 0.72). A total of 33 medication changes involving valsartan occurred, with approximately one-third being changed to another ARB ( n = 11) or drug class ( n = 12). In total, 11 valsartan medication changes were specifically documented to be related to the valsartan recall. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the valsartan recalls that occurred in 2019 did not significantly impact the clinical outcomes of the studied population. Plain Language Summary Impact of a medication recall on Veterans’ outcomes Background: Chemical impurities discovered in a class of blood pressure medications known as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) occurred in late 2018–2019. This resulted in recalls of various products and has likely had downstream effects for patients and prescribers. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine how the recall of valsartan, which is a medication in the ARB class, impacted clinical endpoints and prescribing of medications for blood pressure. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study including patients receiving recalled valsartan with high blood pressure who were mailed a recall letter on 12 March 2019. Blood pressure endpoints were collected 6 months before (pre-recall) and after the recall letter was mailed (post-recall). Medication changes and titrations were also characterized post-recall. Results: Three hundred patients meeting eligibility criteria were included. There was no difference found in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) when pre- and post-recall blood pressures were compared (SBP: 137.2 mmHg versus 135.8 mmHg; DBP: 78.6 mmHg versus 78.5 mmHg). In addition, the percent of patients with controlled blood pressure readings was similar in the pre- and post-recall timeframes (28% versus 27%). A total of 33 medication changes involving valsartan occurred, with approximately one-third being changed to another ARB ( n = 11) or drug class ( n = 12). Eleven valsartan medication changes were specifically documented to be related to the valsartan recall. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate the valsartan recalls that occurred in 2019 did not significantly impact the clinical outcomes of the studied population.

The Preparation of Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots by Gas Exfoliation with the Assistance of Liquid N2

Black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs), a type of nanoscale black phosphorus (BP), have fantastic application prospects in various fields. However, the premise of the application of BPQDs depends on its effective preparation. At present, most of preparation processes of BPQDs involve in organic solvents which may be harmful to humans and the environment. Furthermore, some chemical impurities may inevitably be introduced into the final product. In addition, all the preparation processes need to be carried out under an inert gas due to the instability of BPQDs, which makes the reaction conditions more harsh and complicated. Therefore, an efficient and simple method for the preparation of BPQDs by gas exfoliation with the assistance of liquid N2 (l-N2) was developed for the first time in this study. This method is environmentally friendly and impurity-free because l-N2 is a nontoxic liquid that can be gasified to form N2. The obtained BPQDs were characterized by XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM and UV-Vis techniques and they had a lateral size of 9±3 nm.

FUNCTIONAL NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS BASED ON TITANIUM DIOXIDE FOR USE IN ORTHOPEDIC DENTISTRY

Subject. The creation of functional ceramic coatings based on titanium dioxide for the manufacture of orthopedic structures, including dental implants and systems for osteosynthesis, helps to prevent possible complications during dental surgical and orthopedic treatment by improving the processes of osseointegration. The goal is to develop domestic proprietary technology for producing nanopowders and functional coatings based on titanium dioxide, free of chemical impurities, which can be used in the practice of orthopedic dentistry for the construction of dental and maxillary prostheses, as well as implant systems. Methodology. The authors developed and proposed a method for applying to medical devices made of titanium, a nanostructured surface layer of titanium dioxide. To provide an evidence base for the advantages of using the proposed titanium dioxide coating, an experimental study was made of its chemical uniformity and freedom from impurities, as well as an assessment of the adhesion force between the oxide layer deposited by titanium dioxide in the anatase phase and the surface of the titanium support. Results. During Raman spectroscopy, titanium dioxide nanopowder did not detect extraneous chemical impurities. According to the results of the method of thermal desorption of nitrogen, the specific surface of the titanium dioxide powder was 67-70 m2 / g, and the average calculated particle size was 20-22 nm. It was shown by optical microscopy that the average thickness of the oxide layer (rutile phase) is 15 ± 5 μm, anatase is 70 ± 10 μm, the adhesion force between the oxide layer (rutile phase) and the titanium base is 6.3 ± 0.1 MPa, at applying anatase - 4.9 ± 0.1 MPa. In the study of the adhesion force of a functional titanium dioxide coating with a titanium base, it was found that the onset of peeling occurs at a load of 8.6 N. Conclusions. Studies of a highly developed functional surface layer of nanostructured titanium dioxide indicate the wide possibilities of its use in the practice of a dentist.

Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Talc from Two Mexican Ore Deposits (Oaxaca and Puebla) and Nine Talcs Marketed in Mexico: Evaluation of Its Cosmetic Uses

The detailed mineralogical, physical and chemical characterization of nine samples of imported cosmetic talc and of two samples of talc from currently non-productive Mexican ore deposits (Oaxaca and Puebla States) is presented. The imported cosmetic talc was classified into two groups, considering whether they are packed in the country of origin or in Mexico and considering their price. X-ray diffraction, infrared short wave, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used for mineralogical characterization. For the physical characterization, colorimetry and laser granulometry were used. The chemical composition (major, trace elements) was studied by ICP-MS. It was concluded that only the highest priced and imported in packaged form talcs meet the specific purity requirements for a talc of cosmetic type. The talcs that are packed in Mexico and the talc of the studied Mexican deposits present mineralogical and chemical impurities that make their use difficult in the manufacture of high-quality cosmetic talc. The low-price talc should not be sold as cosmetic talc, and the regulations in Mexico on this subject should be reviewed and updated.

Risk and benefits of consuming raw (unpackaged) and pasteurized (packaged) milk

The aim of this review is to overview important literature data on milk and its composition, methodology of quality assurance throughout its processing and preservation, and to compare risks and benefits of consuming raw (unpackaged) and pasteurized (packaged) milk. Milk contamination risks are of various types, including physical contamination (foreign components, such as manure, feed, dust, pieces of broken glass, strands of hair, wood, plastic, or metal chips), chemical impurities (antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, detergents, or heavy metal residues), and microbiological agents (germs and somatic cells). Our study addresses the quality and safety of raw and pasteurized milk consumed by humans. If one considers risks and benefits simultaneously, there are many pros and cons of consuming raw and pasteurized milk. One can conclude that pasteurized milk is more appropriate for consumption as compared to the lower quality raw milk. For manufacturing high quality pasteurized milk, one should implement good hygienic practices, proper pasteurization process, as well as pre and post pasteurization preservation.

Chemical Impurities: An Epistemological Riddle with Serious Side Effects

Chemical synthesis is a science and an art. Rooted in laboratory or large-scale manufacture, it results in certain side products, eventually compromising the integrity of the final products. Such “impurities” occur in small amounts and, within chemistry itself, are of little concern. In pharmacy, in contrast, impurities increase the potential for toxicity, side effects, and serious implications for human health and the environment. The pharmaceutical regulatory agencies have therefore developed regulatory and strategic systems to minimize the chemical presence or biological impact of such substances. Here, pharmaceuticals are turned from impure into more defined materials as part of a complex socio-technological system revolving around and constantly evolving its specific rules and regulations. Whilst modern analytical methods indicate the presence of impurities, the interpretations of corresponding results are gated by risk management and agreed thresholds. Ironically, this allows for entities with no identified chemical structures, and hence epistemologically outside chemistry, to be regulated in pharmaceutical products. We will refer to such substances which are not, epistemologically speaking, “chemicals” as Xpurities, in order to distinguish them from recognized and identified impurities. The presence of such Xpurities is surprisingly common and constitutes a major issue in pharmaceutical research and practice. We propose a Space of Information to deal with such impurities based on values regarding the presence, chemical identities, and biological activities. It is anticipated that this may enable pharmacists to handle such Xpurities more efficiently.