Chemical wastewater streams may contain toxic compounds which are non-biodegradable, and therefore require advanced treatment techniques such as adsorption. However, application of adsorption processes is often limited by the cost of adsorbents. In this study, the adsorption capacity of a low-cost adsorbent (pine sawdust) was investigated by treating wastewater containing nickel (II) and other heavy metal ions. Results were analysed using response surface methodology and a factorial design was employed to determine the interactive effects of the various factors on the adsorption capacity. Furthermore, Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were fitted to experimental data to characterise the adsorption of the nickel ions by the pine sawdust. As a result, the highest adsorption capacity was attained at the combined effect of low adsorbent dose, high pH and high initial concentration. On the other hand, the Freundlich isotherm fitted the experimental data better than the Langmuir isotherm. Results of this study indicate that the use of pine sawdust could be a promising solution to the elimination of nickel ions from multi-component aqueous solutions.

Purpose: To report the immediate changes of intraocular (IOP) pressure after an intravitreal injection of 2.5mg (0.1ml) of bevacizumab. Methods: Prospective, non-controlled, interventional case series of 45 patients undergoing intravitreal injection of 2.5mg (0.1mL) of bevacizumab for a variety of retinal disorders. IOP was measured with a Goldmann tonometer at baseline, immediately after, 30minutes and one day after injection in all of the cases. The main outcome measured was the IOP immediately after injection. Results: At baseline the mean IOP was 16.6±2.8mm Hg (range, 10-24mm Hg; median, 16mm Hg; 25th percentile, 14mm Hg and 75th percentile, 18mm Hg). IOP rose to 53.9±18.2mm Hg (range, 16-78mm Hg, median, 54mm Hg; 25th percentile, 40mm Hg and 75th percentile, 70mm Hg; p<0.001) immediately after the injection. After 30minutes, the IOP normalized but was still higher than baseline with a mean of 19.8±5.2mm Hg (range, 10-36mm Hg; median,18mm Hg; 25th percentile,16mm Hg and 75th percentile, 24mm Hg; P<.01). At 24hours the IOP was 15.7±3.1mm Hg (range,10-24mm Hg; median, 16mm Hg; 25th percentile,14mm Hg and 75th percentile,18mm Hg; p>0.05). Conclusions: An intravitreal injection of 2.5mg (0.1ml) of bevacizumab causes a transient elevation of IOP that tends to return to normal 30 minutes later.

Objetivo: Comunicar los cambios inmediatos en la presión intraocular (PIO) después de una inyección intravítrea de 2,5mg de bevacizumab. Métodos: Serie prospectiva, sin controles de 45 pacientes con una variedad de enfermedades retinianas que se sometieron a una inyección intravítrea de 2,5mg (0,1ml) de bevacizumab. A todos los pacientes se les midió la presión intraocular con el tonómetro de Goldmann previo a la inyección, inmediatamente después, 30 minutos después y un día después de la inyección. El resultado principal fue la PIO inmediatamente después de la inyección. Resultados: La PIO basal fue de 16,6±2,8mm Hg (rango, 10-24mm Hg; mediana, 16mm Hg; primer cuartil, 14mm Hg y tercer cuartil, 18mm Hg)., La PIO subió hasta 53,9±18,2mm Hg (rango, 16-78mm Hg; mediana, 54mm Hg; primer cuartil, 40mm Hg y tercer cuartil, 70mm Hg; p<0,001) inmediatamente después de la inyección. Después de 30 minutos, la PIO se normalizó pero se mantenía aún elevada con una media de 19,8±5,2mm Hg (rango, 10-36mm Hg; mediana,18mm Hg; primer cuartil,16mm Hg y tercer cuartil, 24mm Hg; p<0,01) en comparación a la PIO. A las 24 horas la PIO bajó a 15,7±3,1mm Hg (rango, 10-24mm Hg, mediana, 16mm Hg; primer cuartil,14mm Hg y tercer cuartil,18mm Hg; p>0,05). Conclusión: Una inyección intravítrea de 2,5mg (0,1ml) de bevacizumab causa una elevación transitoria de la PIO que tiende a normalizarse 30 minutos más tarde.

Advanced wastewater-treatment techniques such as adsorption are essential in the removal of non-biodegradable toxic wastes from water. In this study, the use of South African coal fly ash, an industrial byproduct, has been investigated as a potential replacement for the current costly adsorbents used for removing heavy metals from wastewater. We utilised coal fly ash for the adsorption of cobalt(II) ions from synthetic petrochemical wastewater and characterised its performance. A two-level three-factor full-factorial design was successfully employed for experimental design and analysis of the results. The combined effects of pH, initial concentration and adsorbent dose on cobalt(II) removal were assessed using response surface methodology. Although the focus was on removal of cobalt(II), the adsorption was carried out in the presence of phenol and other heavy metal ions using the batch technique. The applicability of the Freundlich and Langmuir models to the equilibrium data was tested. Consequently, the equilibrium data was found to conform more favourably to the Freundlich isotherm than to the Langmuir isotherm; in this case, the coal fly ash had a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.401 mg/g for cobalt(II). We conclude that South African coal fly ash, as a natural, abundant and low-cost adsorbent, might be a suitable local alternative for elimination of cobalt(II) from aqueous solutions.