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  Global Toluene Toluene is an aromatic hydrocarbon derived primarily from petroleum sources. Major applications of toluene include blending with gasoline to increase the octane rating and as a feedstock for production of benzene. Benzene is further used in plastics, resins, and synthetic fibers. Other derivatives of toluene include toluene diisocyanate, used in the production of polyurethane foams, coatings, and elastomers. In 2020, the Global Toluene stood at over 28 million tons and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 4% during 2021-2026. Growth will be supported by increased petrochemical capacities and continued demand from gasoline blending. However, near-term challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic including reduced mobility and industrial activity are weighing on overall demand and pricing. Sustained Demand from Petrochemical Applications Petrochemical intermediates remain the largest end-use segment for toluene, accounting for over 60% of total demand. Benzene i...

  Plastic Surgery Instruments Instrument Sets Used in Plastic Surgery Procedures Plastic surgery requires a wide array of specialized instruments designed to safely alter soft and hard tissues. Key instrument sets used in plastic surgery include: Cutting Instrument Set Cutting instruments are essential for making incisions and excising excess or damaged tissue. Scalpels with #10, #11, and #15 blades are commonly used for incisions of various depths and widths. Scissors like Mayo, Metzenbaum, and iris scissors cut both soft tissues and sutures. Dermal punches create precise circular excisions for removing skin lesions or harvesting skin grafts. Bovie electrocautery instruments use electrical currents to simultaneously cut Plastic Surgery Instruments and cauterize tissues to control bleeding. Grafting and Flap Instrument Set For reconstructive procedures involving tissue transfers, grafting and flap instruments enable intricate manipulation of tissues. Raspatory eleva...

Healthcare Fabrics Fabrics for Infection Control One of the most important roles of healthcare fabrics is controlling the spread of infections both from patients to caregivers and vice versa. Fabrics used in healthcare settings need to be highly resistant to the growth and transmission of microbes like bacteria and viruses. Materials like polyester, nylon, cotton and microfibers are commonly used in gowns, drapes, curtains, bed sheets and towels due to their antimicrobial properties. Some fabrics are coated with silver ions or treated with antimicrobial chemicals during production to further boost their germ-fighting abilities. Fabrics containing silver have a natural ability to bind to bacterial cell membranes and inhibit their growth. Regular washing and drying of healthcare textiles at high temperatures helps remove pathogens effectively from their surfaces. Comfort and Durability Along with infection control, comfort and durability are also vital qualities of Healthcare Fabr...

  Plastic Waste Management Sources and Impacts of Plastic Waste Plastic is everywhere in modern society from packaging to clothing to electronics. However, plastics have some disadvantages as well. Most plastics are not biodegradable and persist in the environment for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics that enter the food chain. Each year, approximately 300 million tons of plastic waste is generated globally. Less than 9% of all plastic ever produced has been recycled. The other 91% accumulates in landfills or the natural environment. Plastic Waste Management has major impacts on the environment and human health. When plastic breaks down, it releases toxic chemicals that contaminate soil and water sources. Microplastics are commonly mistaken as food by wildlife and enter the ocean, where they are eaten by fish, seabirds, marine mammals and other organisms. This plastic accumulation moves up the food chain and brings health risks to humans who consume seafood. ...

  Aesthetic Injectables Types of Aesthetic Injectables There are several types of aesthetic injectables available for treating aesthetic concerns in a non-surgical manner. Some of the most popular injectables include: - Botox: This injectable is a botulinum toxin that works by temporarily paralysing the muscles. It is most commonly used for reducing wrinkles on the forehead, between the brows and around the eyes. A single Botox treatment lasts for 3-6 months. - Dermal Fillers: These Aesthetic Injectables contain hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite or poly-L-lactic acid. They help to replace lost volume and restore contours by creating a cushioning effect under the skin. The most common areas treated are the cheeks, lips and around the nose/mouth. The effects of dermal fillers last between 6-18 months. - Lip Fillers: As we age, the lips tend to lose their fullness and definition. Lip fillers help add volume back to the lips, restoring their youthful plumpness. They als...

  Mobile Stroke Unit The Need for Mobile Stroke Care Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Timely treatment is crucial for stroke patients to receive the best possible outcome and recovery. However, many communities lack adequate access to emergency stroke care facilities, facing barriers such as long travel times and distances to reach the nearest hospital. This delay in receiving treatment greatly reduces the chances of survival and functional recovery for stroke patients. To help bridge this access gap, especially in rural and remote areas, the concept of mobile stroke unit was introduced. How It Work ? A Mobile Stroke Unit is an ambulance specially equipped with on-board diagnostic technologies and trained medical personnel capable of delivering acute stroke treatment on location. It comprises of a conventional ambulance retrofitted with a computed tomography (CT) scanner, laboratory testing equipment, telestroke capabilities and medications...

Medical Polyoxymethylene Polyoxymethylene (POM), also known as acetal, is a thermoplastic polymer derived from formaldehyde. It is known for its self-lubricating properties, dimensional stability, transparency, and wear and chemical resistance. Due to its biocompatibility and mechanical properties, POM is increasingly being used in medical devices. Properties That Make it Suitable for Medical Applications POM exhibits good biocompatibility, making it suitable for internal medical uses. In cytotoxicity tests as per ISO 10993-5, POM extracts show no toxic, irritant, or sensitization effects. It is non-pyrogenic and has a long history of safe clinical use. Medical Polyoxymethylene self-lubricating properties reduce friction and wear on moving parts. This results in lower particulate generation, which is important for implants and devices in direct contact with body tissues or fluids. It is also very abrasion resistant. POM has high impact strength across a wide temperature range fro...

  Virus Filtration Working Principles of Nanofiltration Nanofiltration utilizes size-based exclusion principles to remove viruses from biological products such as vaccines and therapeutics. Viruses are generally much smaller than cells—they range from 20 to 300 nanometers—while most product-expressing cells are at least 1000 times larger. Size exclusion filters made from materials such as synthetic polymers or ceramics have precisely controlled pore sizes small enough to prevent the passage of even the smallest viruses while allowing desired protein products and other biomolecules to flow through. As the bulk solution passes through the filter membranes, viruses interact with these narrow pores based on their relative dimensions. Virus Filtration are too large to permeate through intact, while target proteins, antibodies, peptides and other components of interest freely pass to be collected on the outlet side. Some viruses may become trapped on or within the filter fibers or stru...

  Sports Medicine Devices  Sports Devices Monitor Training Wearable devices are utilized by athletes to monitor their training and performance. Fitness trackers can measure heart rate, calories burned, steps taken, and sleep patterns. This data gives athletes valuable insight into how their body is responding to different workout routines and intensities. Recovery time between high intensity sessions can be optimized based on fatigue levels indicated by biometric readings. Monitoring workouts over time helps athletes identify strengths and weaknesses while preventing overtraining and injuries. Devices with GPS can track speed, distance, and routes taken during runs or bike rides outdoors. Athletes can challenge personal records and train more efficiently by reviewing performance metrics collected by sports monitors. Rehabilitation Tools Speed Healing Many Sports Medicine Device assist in rehabilitation from injuries. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) un...

  Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure Devices What is a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure Devices? A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a normal opening between the two upper chambers of the heart that failed to close after birth. In a normally developing fetus, the foramen ovale allows blood to bypass the lungs. After birth, as the lungs expand and the baby takes its first breath, the pressure changes cause the flap-like tissue separating the left and right atria (the two upper chambers) to close. In about 25% of adults, the flap doesn't always seal tightly leaving a PFO. Most people who have a PFO don't experience any problems. However, in some cases a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) Closure Devices allows blood clots to pass from the right side of the heart to the left side and potentially cause a stroke. The risk is higher for those who have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) before the age of 55. PFOs have also been associated with migraines with aura in some studi...

  Swine Fever Vaccine Origins and History of African Swine Fever African swine fever (ASF) is a severe hemorrhagic disease affecting pigs that was first described in Kenya in the early 1920s. Since then, it has spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Europe. The disease is caused by ASF virus, which is acquired naturally by pig populations through contact with infected wild boars or soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros. While non-pathogenic in wild boars and ticks, the virus can cause mortality rates of nearly 100% in domestic pigs. Over the decades, ASF has caused severe production losses worldwide, threatening food security and livelihoods in many farming communities heavily dependent on pig rearing. Significant outbreaks occurred in Portugal during the 1950s-1960s, Spain in the 1970s, and Russia and neighboring countries from 2007 onwards. The last decade has seen unprecedented spread, with the Swine Fever Vaccine now present across much of Eastern Europe, Centr...