This was a prospective study comparing the cost implications between two carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbers, soda lime (Intersurgical) and AMSORB® PLUS. The study was conducted over two 4-week periods in two dedicated operating theatres using Datex Ohmeda Aestiva/5 anaesthetic machines. AMSORB® PLUS was used during the first four weeks and soda lime (Intersurgical) the following four weeks. General anaesthesia was administered as routinely done but fresh gas flow (FGF) during the maintenance phase was limited to a maximum flow of 2 L/min. The CO2 absorber was only changed when there was evidence of exhaustion. Total duration of anaesthesia, sevoflurane (bottles) and CO2 absorber (kg) consumption, and amount of waste product (kg) was calculated at the end of each study period. The total cost of delivering general anaesthesia was lower in the AMSORB® PLUS group, RM82.40 (USD19.89)/hour versus the soda lime group, RM91.50 (USD 22.09)/hour (p=0.17), which translates to a 10% reduction in cost per hour. Reduction in sevoflurane consumption in the AMSORB® PLUS compared to the soda lime group was also not statistically significant (p=0.22). The only significant finding was the reduction in CO2 absorber consumption in the AMSORB® PLUS group as compared to soda lime group (p=0.001). In conclusion, AMSORB® PLUS consumption was significantly reduced compared to that of soda lime. However, the use of AMSORB® PLUS did not significantly reduce sevoflurane consumption nor the total cost of delivering general anaesthesia. Given the superior safety profile, AMSORB® PLUS may be a suitable, cost-effective alternative to soda lime in the daily practice of anaesthesia.
Sodium Hydroxide

This study aims to improve the solubility and bioavailability of daidzein by preparing the β-cyclodextrin-daidzein/PEG_(20000)/Carbomer_(940) nanocrystals. Specifically, the nanocrystals were prepared with daidzein as a model drug, PEG_(20000), Carbomer_(940), and NaOH as a plasticizer, a gelling agent, and a crosslinking agent, respectively. A two-step method was employed to prepare the β-cyclodextrin-daidzein/PEG_(20000)/Carbomer_(940) nanocystals. First, the insoluble drug daidzein was embedded in β-cyclodextrin to form inclusion complexes, which were then encapsulated in the PEG_(20000)/Carbomer_(940) nanocrystals. The optimal mass fraction of NaOH was determined as 0.8% by the drug release rate, redispersability, SEM morphology, encapsulation rate, and drug loading. The inclusion status of daidzein nanocrystals was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis(TGA), and X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis to verify the feasibility of the preparation. The prepared nanocrystals showed the average Zeta potential of(-30.77±0.15)mV and(-37.47±0.64)mV and the particle sizes of(333.60±3.81)nm and(544.60±7.66)nm before and after daidzein loading, respectively. The irregular distribution of nanocrystals before and after daidzein loading was observed under SEM. The redispersability experiment showed high dispersion efficiency of the nanocrystals. The in vitro dissolution rate of nanocrystals in intestinal fluid was significantly faster than that of daidzein, and followed the first-order drug release kinetic model. XRD, FTIR, and TGA were employed to determine the polycrystalline properties, drug loading, and thermal stability of the nanocrystals before and after drug loading. The nanocrystals loaded with daidzein demonstrated obvious antibacterial effect. The nanocrystals had more significant inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa than daidzein because of the improved solubility of daidzein. The prepared nanocrystals can significantly increase the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of the insoluble drug daidzein.
Sodium Hydroxide ; Acrylic Resins ; Escherichia coli ; Nanoparticles

In this study, a restoration process was developed with potassium hydroxide (KOH), in order to improve each of the structures for their posterior fixation, through the use of new methods such as the Chilean conservative fixative solution (SFCCh), with exceptional results. Restore anatomical pieces corresponding to corpse and organs, being these last set with the SFCCh. In this work dealt with processes of restoration with potassium hydroxide, sodium chloride, and sodium hypochlorite, the process began with the cleanliness and suture of the structures for subsequent fixing in Chilean conservative fixative solution, making use of a corpse and different anatomical parts. Work based on items found in the database, Elsevier, Science Direct, ProQuest, and MEDLINE. At the end of the process of restoration and conservation of the anatomical pieces, was observed an improvement in muscle pigment with decrease of rigidity in the specimen, additionally a recovery of appearance in the vascular-nervous elements was achieved. The organs were much more malleable and the structures facilitate the identification of specific details, its subsequent immersion in SFCCh allows the longer preservation of the obtained results. The restoration with potassium hydroxide allows the improvement in the appearance of the different anatomical structures and simultaneously to facilitate its study. The SFCCh is an alternative that replaces partially the use of formaldehyde. In addition, it presents toxicity reduction.
Cadaver ; Formaldehyde ; Immersion ; Potassium ; Sodium Hydroxide ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Sutures

The present study investigated the effect of immersion in the excipient lime water on the toxic component lectin protein and explained the scientific connotation of lime water detoxication during the processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum. Western blot was used to investigate the effects of immersion in lime water with different pH(pH 10, 11, and 12.4), saturated sodium hydroxide, and sodium bicarbonate solution on the content of lectin protein. The protein compositions of the supernatant and the precipitate after immersing lectin protein in lime water of different pH were determined by the SDS-PAGE method combined with the silver staining technique. The MALDI-TOF-MS/MS technique was used to detect the molecular weight distribution of peptide fragments in the supernatant and precipitate after immersing lectin protein in lime water of different pH, and circular dichroism spectroscopy was used to detect the ratio changes in the secondary structure of lectin protein during the immersion. The results showed that immersion in lime water at pH>12 and saturated sodium hydroxide solution could significantly reduce the content of lectin protein, while immersion in lime water at pH<12 and sodium bicarbonate solution had no significant effect on lectin protein content. The corresponding lectin protein bands and molecular ion peaks were not detected at the 12 kDa position in the supernatant and precipitate after immersing the lectin protein in lime water at pH>12, which was attributed to the fact that lime water immersion at pH>12 could significantly change the ratio of the secondary structure of lectin protein, resulting in irreversible denaturation, while lime water immersion at pH<12 did not change the ratio of the secondary structure of lectin protein. Therefore, pH>12 was the key condition for the detoxication of lime water during the processing of Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum. Lime water immersion at pH>12 could cause irreversible denaturation of lectin protein, resulting in a significant decrease in the inflammatory toxicity of Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum, which played a key role in detoxification.
Lectins ; Pinellia ; Sodium Bicarbonate ; Sodium Hydroxide ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Water

Kenaf has a high content of gum that is difficult to remove. Traditional chemical degumming process causes serious environmental pollution. To solve the problem, we developed a new method to degum kenaf. We pretreated the kenaf with steam explosion followed by ultrasonic treatment. We chose the single factor tests to select the ultrasonic frequency, sodium hydroxide concentration and processing time. Combined with orthogonal tests, we found that the optimum conditions were as follows: ultrasonic frequency was 28 kHz, sodium hydroxide concentration was 2%, and processing time was 60 min. Under these conditions, the residual gum of kenaf fiber was 9.72% and the fineness was 139.45 N(m). Steam explosion combined with ultrasonic method is effective in degumming of kenaf.
Hibiscus ; Plant Gums ; isolation & purification ; Sodium Hydroxide ; chemistry ; Steam ; Ultrasonics

Following application of 2N sodium hydroxide to the cornea, the aqueous humor pH reached a maximum of 10.2, 11.9, and 12 within 6 minutes following 20-, 50-, and 100-ul sodium hydrxide burn, respectively: after two hours the pH had fallen to 8.5, 10 and 10.5, The maximum rise following application of 100 ul of ammonium hydroxide was 10.8, declining to about 9 at 2 hours. The fall in pH following a 100-ul sodium hydroxide burn has not greatly influenced by external lavage. However, the pH was significantly lowerd by paracentesis alone and further reduce by immediate or delayed intracameral administration of phosphate buffer. On the basis of these result moderately severe and severe alkali burns of the eye should be treated by paracentesis and if possible with anterior chamber reformation with a sterile solution.
Alkalies* ; Ammonium Hydroxide ; Anterior Chamber ; Aqueous Humor ; Burns* ; Cornea* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Paracentesis ; Sodium ; Sodium Hydroxide ; Therapeutic Irrigation

Different neutralizing agents were used as pH controller to investigate their effects on the growth and succinic acid production of Actinobacillus succinogenes NJ113. The fermentation results showed that Ca(OH)2, CaCO3 and NH4OH were not suitable for succinic acid production by A. succinogenes NJ113 because of their negative effects on cell growth. When Na-base was used, cells would flocculate and lump, and due to the sodium ion concentration reaching to a high level, OD660 dropped sharply after 12 h of fermentation. Mg-base was better because there was no significant inhibition by magnesium ion. Two combined neutralizing agents were used to maintain pH level, one with NaOH and Mg(OH)2 while the other with Na2CO3 and Mg(OH)2. The optimum ratios of the combined neutralizing agents were both 1:1 (g:g) when using 100 g/L glucose. When NaOH and Mg(OH)2 were chosen with the ratio of 1:1(g:g), 69.8 g/L of the succinic acid and 74.5% of the yield was obtained.
Actinobacillus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Industrial Microbiology ; Magnesium Hydroxide ; pharmacology ; Sodium Hydroxide ; pharmacology ; Succinic Acid ; metabolism

The purposes of this study were to compare the efficacy of irrigation systems by removing a calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) paste from the apical third of the root canal and the effect of the patency file. Sixty single rooted human teeth were used in this study. The canals were instrumented by a crown-down manner with .04 taper ProFile to ISO #35. Ca(OH)2 and distilled water were mixed and placed inside the root canals. The teeth were divided into 6 groups according to the root canal irrigation system and the use of patency file as follows: group 1 - conventional method; group 2 - EndoActivator(R); group 3 - EndoVac(R); group 4 - conventional method, patency; group 4 - EndoActivator(R), patency; group 6 - EndoVac(R), patency. All teeth were irrigated with sodium hypochlorite. After the root canal irrigation, the teeth were split in bucco-lingual aspect. Percentage of the root canal surface coverage with residual Ca(OH)2 until 3 mm from working length was analyzed using Image Pro Plus ver. 4.0. Statistical analysis was performed using the One-way ANOVA, t-test and Scheffe's post-hoc test. Conventional groups had significantly more Ca(OH)2 debris than EndoActivator(R), EndoVac(R) groups. There was no significant difference between EndoActivator(R) and EndoVac(R) groups. Groups with patency file showed more effective in removing Ca(OH)2 paste than no patency groups, but, it was no significant difference. This study showed that EndoActivator(R) and EndoVac(R) systems were more effective in removing Ca(OH)2 paste from the apical third of the root canal than conventional method.
Calcium ; Calcium Hydroxide ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Humans ; Hydroxides ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Tooth ; Water

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the effects of different intracanal medicaments on chemical structure and microhardness of dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty human dentin discs were obtained from intact third molars and randomly assigned into two control groups and three treatment groups. The first control group received no treatment. The second control group (no medicament group) was irrigated with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), stored in humid environment for four weeks and then irrigated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The three treatment groups were irrigated with NaOCl, treated for four weeks with either 1 g/mL triple antibiotic paste (TAP), 1 mg/mL methylcellulose-based triple antibiotic paste (DTAP), or calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] and finally irrigated with EDTA. After treatment, one half of each dentin disc was subjected to Vickers microhardness (n = 10 per group) and the other half was used to evaluate the chemical structure (phosphate/amide I ratio) of treated dentin utilizing attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (n = 5 per group). One-way ANOVA followed by Fisher's least significant difference were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Dentin discs treated with different intracanal medicaments and those treated with NaOCl + EDTA showed significant reduction in microhardness (p < 0.0001) and phosphate/amide I ratio (p < 0.05) compared to no treatment control dentin. Furthermore, dentin discs treated with TAP had significantly lower microhardness (p < 0.0001) and phosphate/amide I ratio (p < 0.0001) compared to all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of DTAP or Ca(OH)2 medicaments during endodontic regeneration may cause significantly less microhardness reduction and superficial demineralization of dentin compared to the use of TAP.
Calcium Hydroxide ; Dentin* ; Edetic Acid ; Humans ; Molar, Third ; Regeneration* ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the effects of different intracanal medicaments on chemical structure and microhardness of dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty human dentin discs were obtained from intact third molars and randomly assigned into two control groups and three treatment groups. The first control group received no treatment. The second control group (no medicament group) was irrigated with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), stored in humid environment for four weeks and then irrigated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The three treatment groups were irrigated with NaOCl, treated for four weeks with either 1 g/mL triple antibiotic paste (TAP), 1 mg/mL methylcellulose-based triple antibiotic paste (DTAP), or calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] and finally irrigated with EDTA. After treatment, one half of each dentin disc was subjected to Vickers microhardness (n = 10 per group) and the other half was used to evaluate the chemical structure (phosphate/amide I ratio) of treated dentin utilizing attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (n = 5 per group). One-way ANOVA followed by Fisher's least significant difference were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Dentin discs treated with different intracanal medicaments and those treated with NaOCl + EDTA showed significant reduction in microhardness (p < 0.0001) and phosphate/amide I ratio (p < 0.05) compared to no treatment control dentin. Furthermore, dentin discs treated with TAP had significantly lower microhardness (p < 0.0001) and phosphate/amide I ratio (p < 0.0001) compared to all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of DTAP or Ca(OH)2 medicaments during endodontic regeneration may cause significantly less microhardness reduction and superficial demineralization of dentin compared to the use of TAP.
Calcium Hydroxide ; Dentin* ; Edetic Acid ; Humans ; Molar, Third ; Regeneration* ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared