Determination of Physiochemical Properties of Biosorbents Synthesized from Water Melon Rind Using Microwave Assisted Irradiation Procedure

Three biosorbents were prepared from Watermelon Rind (WMR) using microwave assisted procedure and then characterized using physiochemical techniques (pH, bulk density, volatile matter, surface area, ash content and moisture content). Physiochemical characterization of the synthesized biosorbents was done in order to evaluate their adsorption potentials. Accordingly, results obtained from the experiments conducted revealed the following trend: pH: Water Melon Rind treated with Sodium hydroxide (NaWMR) 8.5 > Water Melon Rind treated with Hydrogen peroxide (HP-WMR) 8.1 > Water Melon Rind treated with Distilled water (DWMR) 6.4 > Untreated Water Melon Rind (UWMR) 5.4, which suggest that NaWMR and HP-WMR possess suitable pH values for the uptake of cationic species within aqueous systems. Surface Area: analysis: UWMR (21.4 m2/g), DWMR (35.8 m2/g), NaWMR (40.6 m2/g) and HP-WMR (61.4 m2/g). This means that HP-WMR has a larger surface area and could be a preferred candidate for adsorption processes. The results obtained from this study suggest that chemical modification of Water Melon Rind (WMR) with either distilled water Sodium Hydroxide or Hydrogen peroxide by means of microwave irradiation enhances physiochemical properties which could boost the adsorption capacity of Water Melon Rind. Thus, the outcome shows that all the three synthesized biosorbents;DWMR, NaWMR and HP-WMR possess the characteristics of a good adsorbent. Accordingly, they can be applied to wastewater treatment process.

Research on Energy Saving Optimization of MVR Distilled Water Machine

Compared with the multi-effect distilled water machine,the mechanical vapor recompression(MVR)distilled water machine has many advantages,and has been a trend to replace the traditional distilled water machine.Based on the conservation equations of mass and energy,this paper designs an MVR distilled water production process and establishes the corresponding thermodynamic model.Effects of the produced water temperature,heat exchange temperature difference,compressor adiabatic efficiency,and pipeline loss to the produced water energy consumption,energy saving rate and coefficient of performance(COP)were studied.Research shows that the MVR distilled water machine is more suitable for occasions with low water production temperature.Appropriate heat exchangers and compressors should be selected to improve comprehensive performance through heat exchange temperature differences and improving adiabatic efficiency.

Iontophoresis-assisted corneal crosslinking using 0.1% riboflavin for progressive keratoconus

AIM：To report the clinical results of iontophoresis-assisted epithelium-on corneal crosslinking（I-CXL） using 0.1% riboflavin in distilled water for progressive keratoconus. METHODS：In this prospective clinical study, we examined 94 eyes of 75 patients with progressive keratoconus who were treated with I-CXL using 0.1% riboflavin in distilled water. Best correct visual acuity（BCVA）, Scheimpflug tomography, corneal topography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, intraocular pressure, and endothelial cell density were evaluated at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 mo after I-CXL.RESULTS：After 24 mo I-CXL, compared to the level at baseline, BCVA significantly improved 0.14±0.07（P=0.010）; mean keratometry signifi cantly decreased 0.72±1.97（P=0.021）; maximum keratometry significantly reduced 2.30±5.01（P=0.014）; central keratoconus index significantly reduced 0.04±0.08（P=0.007）. The demarcation line was visible in 83.1% of eyes at 1mo after treatment, with a depth of 298.95±51.97 μm, and gradually indistinguishable. One eye had repeat treatment. Intraocular pressure and endothelial cell density did not change significantly.CONCLUSION：I-CXL using 0.1% riboflavin halts keratoconus progression within 24 mo, resulting in a significant improvement in visual and topographic parameters. Moreover, the depth of the demarcation line is similar to that previously reported in standard epithelium-off CXL procedures.

Impact of metabolism-related mutations on the heart rate of gastric cancer patients after peritoneal lavage

BACKGROUND During surgery for gastric cancer,peritoneal lavage using warm distilled water can cause temporary hemodynamic changes.AIM To examine the associations between changes in heart rate and single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs).METHODS This was a prospective observational study of patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy and peritoneal hypotonic lavage at the Third Af
liated Hospital of Soochow University from March 2018 to March 2019.Related SNPs were selected,and the verified exons were analyzed.Heart rate and blood pressure(BP)were measured before and after lavage.The patients were grouped as heart rate change≥30%vs<30%.Comparison and regression analyses of the selected SNPs were performed between the two groups.RESULTS According to the inclusion/exclusion criteria,194 patients were included in the analysis.Of these patients,138 were male,with a mean age of 65.9±0.8 years,and 56 were female,with a mean age of 65.0±1.3 years.Heart rate dropped by 0%-10%in 65 participants,by 10%-15%in 29,by 15%-20%in 23,by 20%-50%in 39,by 50%-100%in four,six had a cardiac arrest,and 28 had an increase in heart rate.Considering the possible impact of exonic SNPs on the phenotypes,TEP1(rs938886),TEP1(rs1713449),and RECQL5(rs820196)were analyzed.The haplotype analysis suggested that the haplotypes CTT[odds ratio(OR)=2.018,95%confidence interval(CI):1.012-4.025,P=0.0430]and GCC(OR=2.293,95%CI:1.174-4.477,P=0.0131)of TEP1(rs938886),TEP1(rs1713449),and RECQL5(rs820196)increased the risk of a drop in heart rate>30%.CONCLUSION The TEP1(rs938886),TEP1(rs1713449),and RECQL5(rs820196)SNPs were associated with changes in heart rate≥30%during intraperitoneal lavage using distilled water after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.