Determination of inorganic elements in sunscreen by using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence

Nowadays there are no official in vitro methods to determine TiO2, ZnO or other inorganic elements in sunscreen cosmetics. The objective of this work is to determine the concentration of several inorganic elements in sunscreen composition, without sample preparation, by employing a portable Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) device. Particularly in the case of TiO2 and ZnO, the aim is also to estimate their Sun Protection Factor (SPF) due to the physical protection barrier. A sensitivity curve for the determination of inorganic elements in sunscreen, with atomic numbers ranging from 19 to 35, is presented. Fifteen commercial samples with different SPF from different brands were analyzed. It was determined TiO2 and ZnO concentrations with their respective SPF values, as well as to detect the presence of K, Br, Sr and Ce in the sunscreen samples by identifying and quantifying chemical elements that had not been mentioned in the formulations.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Quality control in sunscreen by energy dispersive X-day fluorescence

The aim of this study was to evaluate sunscreens by Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and UV-VIS spectrophotometry, to quantify the sun protection factor (SPF) of the physical filter (micro-fine titanium dioxide) and the organics filters (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and benzophenone-3), respectively, in order to obtain the total SPF. Three formulations estimated in SPF-23 using inorganic and organic filters were prepared. The results showed that the system EDXRF portable and UV-VIS spectrophotometry are complementary methodologies for the determination of sunscreens, being viable for application in quality control.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar protetores solares por metodologia de Fluorescência de Raios-X por Dispersão de Energia (EDXRF) e por espectrofotometria UV-VIS, visando quantificar, respectivamente, o fator de proteção solar (FPS) do filtro físico (dióxido de titânio micronizado) e dos filtros orgânicos (metoxicinamato de octila e benzofenona-3), obtendo assim o FPS total. Foram preparadas três formulações estimadas em FPS-23 contendo filtros inorgânicos e orgânicos. Os resultados mostraram que o sistema portátil EDXRF e espectrofotometria UV-VIS são metodologias complementares para determinação de filtros solares, tornando-se viável para aplicação no controle de qualidade dos filtros solares.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Euclid. I. Overview of the Euclid mission

The current standard model of cosmology successfully describes a variety of measurements, but the nature of its main ingredients, dark matter and dark energy, remains unknown. Euclid is a medium-class mission in the Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) that will provide high-resolution optical imaging, as well as near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy, over about 14,000 deg^2 of extragalactic sky. In addition to accurate weak lensing and clustering measurements that probe structure formation over half of the age of the Universe, its primary probes for cosmology, these exquisite data will enable a wide range of science. This paper provides a high-level overview of the mission, summarising the survey characteristics, the various data-processing steps, and data products. We also highlight the main science objectives and expected performance

Euclid. I. Overview of the Euclid mission

International audienceThe current standard model of cosmology successfully describes a variety of measurements, but the nature of its main ingredients, dark matter and dark energy, remains unknown. Euclid is a medium-class mission in the Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) that will provide high-resolution optical imaging, as well as near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy, over about 14,000 deg^2 of extragalactic sky. In addition to accurate weak lensing and clustering measurements that probe structure formation over half of the age of the Universe, its primary probes for cosmology, these exquisite data will enable a wide range of science. This paper provides a high-level overview of the mission, summarising the survey characteristics, the various data-processing steps, and data products. We also highlight the main science objectives and expected performance

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

© 2020 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons LtdBackground: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien–Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9·2 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4–7) and 7 (6–8) days respectively (P < 0·001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6·6 versus 8·0 per cent; P = 0·499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0·90, 95 per cent c.i. 0·55 to 1·46; P = 0·659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34·7 versus 39·5 per cent; major 3·3 versus 3·4 per cent; P = 0·110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients