Environmental and health impact of unrecovered API from pharmaceutical manufacturing wastes: A review of contemporary treatment,recycling and management strategies

Pharmaceutical industries are imminent for the survival of any contemporary society as their products are valuable for the populace's health and wellness. However, the wastes of these industries have become a nuisance with severe implications on human health and ecosystem, especially in many developing countries where they are discharged indiscriminately into the environment, either untreated or poorly treated. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Waste (PMW) effluents have been reported to possess a high BOD and COD, as well as recoverable APIs of various classes of pharmaceuticals. Moreover, antibiotic residues in these effluents are implicated in the progression and spread of antibiotic resistance in the aquatic and agroecosystem. Globally, the diverse activities of various pharmaceutical industries, owing to their diverse products, have resulted in difficulty in developing universal management and treatment protocols. Consequently, regulatory bodies/institutions find it challenging to monitor waste disposal practices of these industries adequately, primarily owing to their non-disclosure policies of intellectual properties. Hence, to a large extent, the onus for a sustainable society regarding PMWs lies in the decision and policies of these industries. Therefore, this review aims to foster informed policy-making decisions regarding waste management practices of pharmaceutical industries.     

AGET ATRP of Methyl Methacrylate Based on Thermoregulated Phase Transfer Catalysis in Organic/Aqueous Biphasic System: Facile and Highly Efficient In Situ Catalyst/Ligand Separation and Recycling

A novel polymerization system with activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) for sustainable catalyst/ligand separation and recycling in situ is developed based on thermoregulated phase transfer catalysis in organic/aqueous biphasic system. Herein, a typical iniferter agent 1‐cyano‐1‐methylethyldiethyldithiocarbamte is used as the initiator, and CuBr₂, monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐350‐supported substituted dipicolylamine (L₃₅₀), ascorbic acid, and methyl methacrylate are employed as the catalyst, thermoresponsive ligand, reducing agent, and the model monomer, respectively. The “living” nature of the system is confirmed by polymerization kinetics with recycled catalyst complex aqueous solution and chain‐extension experiments via iniferter and ATRP mechanism, respectively. In addition, the catalyst residue in polymers is less than 2 ppm and the recycling efficiency of catalyst complex in water kept more than 95% even after 5 times of recovery experiments while keeping narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n < 1.33).

     

浅析废玻璃资源化处理新技术及其在我国的应用前景

介绍了国内外废旧玻璃的产生及回收利用现状,分析了废玻璃资源化处理方案,研究了利用废玻璃制备泡沫玻璃建筑保温板材的生产线工艺流程及成本,并分析了泡沫玻璃产品在民用建筑保温隔热等方面的应用前景。     

Autoantibodies as Diagnostic and Predictive Markers of Vitiligo

Genetic and environmental factors are believed to influence development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Endogenous retroviruses (ERV) correspond to the integrated proviral form of infectious retroviruses, which are trapped within the genome due to mutations. ERV represent a key molecular link between the host genome and infectious viral particles. ERV-encoded proteins are recognized by antiviral immune responses and become targets of autoreactivity. Alternatively, ERV protein may influence cellular processes and the life cycle of infectious viruses. As examples, the HRES-1 human ERV encodes a 28-kDa nuclear autoantigen and a 24-kDa small GTP-ase, termed HRES-1/Rab4. HRES-1/p28 is a nuclear autoantigen recognized by cross-reactive antiviral antibodies, while HRES-1/Rab4 regulates surface expression of CD4 and the transferrin receptor (TFR) through endosome recycling. Expression of HRES-1/Rab4 is induced by the tat gene of HIV-1, which in turn down-regulates expression of CD4 and susceptibility to re-infection by HIV-1. CD4 and the TFR play essential roles in formation of the immunological synapse (IS) during normal T-cell activation by a cognate MHC class II peptide complex. The key intracellular transducer of T-cell activation, Lck, is brought to the IS via binding to CD4. T-cell receptorζ (TCRζ) chain binds to the TFR. Abnormal T-cell responses in SLE have been associated with reduced lck and TCRζ chain levels. HRES-1 is centrally located on chromosome 1 at q42 relative to lupus-linked microsatellite markers and polymorphic HRES-1 alleles have been linked to the development of SLE. 1q42 is one of the three most common fragile sites in the human genome, and is inducible by DNA demethylation, a known mechanism of retroviral gene activation. Molecular mimicry and immunomodulation by a ERV, such as HRES-1, may contribute to self-reactivity and abnormal T and B-cell functions in SLE.     

盐酸依格列汀合成工艺研究

目的 研究盐酸依格列汀(1)的合成工艺。方法 以 2,4,5-三氟苯乙酸为原料,经缩合、氨化、NaBH4还原三步反应得到消旋依格列汀,再经酒石酸拆分、盐酸成盐得到目标产物盐酸依格列汀。其中,拆分后所得的另一对映异构体S-依格列汀通过N-氯代、消除后顺利回收烯胺中间体。结果 制备工艺总收率26.9%,化学纯度为99.9%,光学纯度 ee 值为99.8%;烯胺中间体回收率为92.3%(以拆分所得依格列汀剩余的对映异构体量计算)。结论 该工艺收率高,步骤短,成本低廉、操作简便,适应工业化生产。此外,本文也为手性胺类药物的高效制备提供了一种极具吸引力的策略。     

不同途径胆汁再利用对恶性梗阻性黄疸患者营养状况的影响

目的探讨两种胆汁再利用方法的临床应用价值,并观察有无不良反应。方法选取恶性梗阻性黄疸行经皮肝穿刺胆道引流术(PTCD)患者,随机分为胆汁回输联合肠内营养(EN)组(A组39例)、胆汁口服联合EN组(B组36例)与对照组(C组38例),通过各项指标比较各组患者胃肠功能及营养状况。结果 A、B组患者营养状况明显高于C组,差异有统计学意义,P0.05;A、B两组患者各项指标差异无统计学意义,P0.05;三组患者胃肠功能差异均无统计学意义,P0.05。结论两种胆汁再利用联合EN均可改善患者营养状况,且作用相似。住院患者可以首选胆汁回输联合EN,而不能进行胆汁回输的患者,可以选择口服胆汁联合EN。     

Research of Wood Waste as a Potential Filler for Loose-Fill Building Insulation: Appropriate Selection and Incorporation into Polyurethane Biocomposite Foams

Currently, the recycling potential of wood waste (WW) is still limited, and in a resource efficiency approach, recycling WW in insulation materials, such as polyurethane (PUR), appears as an appropriate solution. It is known that the quality of WW is the main aspect which influences the stability of the final products. Therefore, the current study analyses different WW-based fillers as possible modifiers for polyurethane biocomposite foams for the application as loose-fill materials in building envelopes. During the study of WW-based fillers, it was determined that the most promising filler is wood scobs (WS) with a thermal conductivity of 0.0496 W/m·K, short-term water absorption by partial immersion—12.5 kg/m², water vapour resistance—0.34 m²·h·Pa/mg and water vapour diffusion resistance factor—2.4. In order to evaluate the WS performance as a filler in PUR biocomposite foams, different ratios of PUR binder and WS filler (PURb/WS) were selected. It was found that a 0.40 PURb/WS ratio is insufficient for the appropriate wetting of WS filler while a 0.70 PURb/WS ratio produced PUR biocomposite foams with the most suitable performance: thermal conductivity reduced from 0.0523 to 0.0476 W/m·K, water absorption—from 5.6 to 1.3 kg/m², while the compressive strength increased from 142 to 272 kPa and the tensile strength increased from 44 to 272 kPa.     

Upgrade Recycling of Cast Iron Scrap Chips towards β-FeSi2 Thermoelectric Materials

The upgrade recycling of cast-iron scrap chips towards β-FeSi₂ thermoelectric materials is proposed as an eco-friendly and cost-effective production process. By using scrap waste from the machining process of cast-iron components, the material cost to fabricate β-FeSi₂ is reduced and the industrial waste is recycled. In this study, β-FeSi₂ specimens obtained from cast iron scrap chips were prepared both in the undoped form and doped with Al and Co elements. The maximum figure of merit (ZT) indicated a thermoelectric performance of approximately 70% in p-type samples and nearly 90% in n-type samples compared to β-FeSi₂ prepared from pure Fe and other published studies. The use of cast iron scrap chips to produce β-FeSi₂ shows promise as an eco-friendly and cost-effective production process for thermoelectric materials.     

Material and Structural Performance Evaluations of Hwangtoh Admixtures and Recycled PET Fiber-Added Eco-Friendly Concrete for CO2 Emission Reduction

In order to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and produce an eco-friendly construction material, a type of concrete that uses a minimal amount of cement, yet still retains equivalent properties to ordinary cement concrete, has been developed and studied all over the world. Hwangtoh, a type of red clay broadly deposited around the world, has traditionally been considered an eco-friendly construction material, with bonus advantages of having health and cost benefits. Presently, Hwangtoh is not commonly used as a modern construction material due to properties such as low strength and high rates of shrinkage cracking. Recent studies, however, have shown that Hwangtoh can be used as a mineral admixture to improve the strength of concrete. In addition, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers recycled from PET bottle waste can be used to control shrinkage cracks in Hwangtoh concrete. Therefore, in this study, performance verification is conducted on newly developed Hwangtoh concrete mixed with short recycled PET fibers. The results show that Hwangtoh concrete has compressive strength, elastic modulus, and pH properties that are similar to these features in ordinary cement concrete. The properties of carbonation depth and creep strain of Hwangtoh concrete, however, are larger and smaller, respectively, than in ordinary cement concrete. According to flexural tests, reinforced concrete (RC) specimens cast with Hwangtoh admixtures (with and without PET fibers) possess similar or better capacities than ordinary RC specimens. The addition of PET fibers significantly improves the structural ductility of RC specimens under normal environmental conditions. However, the implementations of the concrete in aggressive environment must be carefully considered, since a previous study result indicates degradation of its durability performance in aggressive environments, such as seawater [1]. The results of this study validate the possibility of using eco-friendly Hwangtoh concrete reinforced with recycled PET fibers as a structural material for modern construction.     

Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene: Additive Manufacturing by Multi Jet Fusion Technology

Multi jet fusion (MJF) technology has proven its significance in recent years as this technology has continually increased its market share. Recently, polypropylene (PP) was introduced by Hewlett-Packard for the given technology. To our knowledge, little is known about the mechanical properties of polypropylene processed by MJF technology. During this study, standardised specimens were printed under all of the major orientations of the machine’s build space. Each of these orientations were represented by five samples. The specimens then underwent tensile, bending and Charpy impact tests to analyse their mechanical properties. The structural analysis was conducted to determine whether PP powder may be reused within the MJF process. The mechanical tests showed that the orientation of the samples significantly influences their mechanical response and must be carefully chosen to obtain the optimal mechanical properties of PP samples. We further showed that PP powder may be reused as the MJF process does not significantly alter its thermal and structural properties.