Abstract. This article describes the optimization of a peel-off facial mask formulation. An investigation was carried out on the parameters of the formulation that most affect the desirable characteristics of peeloff facial masks. Cereal alcohol had a significant effect on the drying time at concentrations of 1-12% (w/ w). The applicability of the evaluated formulations was influenced by both carbomer (0-2.4%; w/w) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA; 2.5-17.5%; w/w) content due to their ability to alter the formulation viscosity. Inverse concentrations of carbomer and PVA led to formulations with optimum viscosity for facial application. Film-forming performance was influenced only by the PVA concentration, achieving maximum levels at concentrations of around 11% (w/w). The optimized formulation, determined mathematically, contained 13% (w/w) PVA and 10% (w/w) cereal alcohol with no addition of carbomer. This formulation provided high levels of applicability and film-forming performance, the lowest drying time possible and excellent homogeneity of the green clay particles and aloe vera before and after drying. The preliminary stability study indicated that the optimized formulation is stable under normal storage conditions. The microbiological stability evaluation indicated that the preservative was efficient in terms of avoiding microbial growth. RSM was shown to be a useful statistical tool for the determination of the behavior of different compounds and their concentrations for the responses studied, allowing the investigation of the optimum conditions for the production of green clay and aloe vera peel-off facial masks.

Long-term accurate and continuous monitoring of nitrate (NO3 –) concentration in wastewater and groundwater is critical for determining treatment efficiency and tracking contaminant transport. Current nitrate monitoring technologies, including colorimetric, chromatographic, biometric, and electrochemical sensors, are not feasible for continuous monitoring. This study addressed this challenge by modifying NO3 – solid-state ion-selective electrodes (S-ISEs) with poly­(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE, (C2F4) n ). The PTFE-loaded S-ISE membrane polymer matrix reduces water layer formation between the membrane and electrode/solid contact, while paradoxically, the even more hydrophobic PTFE-loaded S-ISE membrane prevents bacterial attachment despite the opposite approach of hydrophilic modifications in other antifouling sensor designs. Specifically, an optimal ratio of 5% PTFE in the S-ISE polymer matrix was determined by a series of characterization tests in real wastewater. Five percent of PTFE alleviated biofouling to the sensor surface by enhancing the negative charge (−4.5 to −45.8 mV) and lowering surface roughness (R a: 0.56 ± 0.02 nm). It simultaneously mitigated water layer formation between the membrane and electrode by increasing hydrophobicity (contact angle: 104°) and membrane adhesion and thus minimized the reading (mV) drift in the baseline sensitivity (“data drifting”). Long-term accuracy and durability of 5% PTFE-loaded NO3 – S-ISEs were well demonstrated in real wastewater over 20 days, an improvement over commercial sensor longevity.

As nanoparticle design continues to advance, improved therapeutic efficacy will likely follow. Actively targeted systems may improve distribution specificity but more positive clinical demonstrations are needed. Further investigation into systemic and intracellular distribution as well as toxicity will improve understanding of how these nanoparticle systems can be applied to improve existing therapies. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 00, 000-000.

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Cecropia glaziovi Snethl., Urticaceae, is commonly used in South America and is one of the species included in the Brazilian Medicinal Plants Research Program. Pharmacological studies have led to reports of the potential of C. glaziovi as a hypotensive, antiasthmatic and anxiolytic agent. The strict requirements regarding the quality, safety and effectiveness of phytopharmaceutical products represent an enormous challenge in the search for products with a high level of uniformity, reproducibility and stability. The incorporation of dry extracts into multiparticulate dosage forms, such as pellets produced by extrusion/spheronization technology, is a suitable alternative to overcome the lack of technological properties of dry extracts, since they are associated with low flowability and high hygroscopicity. In this study, an optimized dry extract (ODE) of C. glaziovi was incorporated into pellets seeking to decrease the moisture sorption and increase the stability, safety and percentage of the extract in the final product. Pellets containing around 50% of ODE were considered the most technologically viable, offering a narrow particle size distribution, significant improvement in the flowability and compressibility properties, and decrease in the moisture compared with the ODE. In conclusion, pellets containing a high dose of the C. glaviovi extract were successfully prepared, achieving degrees of quality, physical stability and feasibility compatible with the desirable characteristics of a phytopharmaceutical