Outpatient COVID-19 Pneumonia In Elderly Patients In Kazakhstan

COVID pneumonia is difficult to manage in elderly patients over 65 years of age.The aim of the study was to determine the clinical features of the course of COVID pneumonia in a cohort of patients over 65 years old.Materials and methods: We observed patients with community-acquired pneumonia, of whom PCR positive for COVID were 33 patients, mean age 67.6 ± 12 years, men – 11, women – 22; 16 patients had no confirmed virus (COVID PCR negative), mean age 65.5 ± 8.2 years, 7 women and 9 men.Examination results: in the group of COVID patients, the disease more often proceeded according to the type of bilateral polysegmental pneumonia according to CT data, with severe monocytosis, с thrombocytosis and transient increase in creatinine, which required the appointment of intensive anticoagulant therapy. Arterial hypertension was observed in the majority of people. In the control group (PCR -), pneumonia proceeded predominantly as bronchopneumonia, saturation indices were approximately the same in both groups. COVID patients had significantly higher levels of monocytes, blood platelets, CRP, creatinine levels, including arterial hypertension was more common.Conclusion: COVID pneumonia in elderly patients proceeds as multisegmented bilateral pneumonia with moderate disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, which is well controlled due to complex therapy with anticoagulants and antibiotics.

Nanofiltration Process for Enhanced Treatment of RO Brine Discharge

Brine discharge of reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants represents a challenge for both inland and coastal desalination plants. Zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) can be accomplished by using additional stages of RO, which can recycle that brine water, but the key challenge is the high concentration of divalent salts. These divalent salts (especially calcium and magnesium salts) forms a scaling layer on the RO membrane surfaces and hence shorten the life-time of the membranes. In this study, the nanofiltration (NF) procedure was used to remove divalent ions from the brine discharge to minimize the load on additional stages of RO membranes. One of the most critical considerations influencing the selection of an effective NF is the water type, which is expected here by calculation of some hydrochemical parameters (major ions, hypothetical soluble salts (electrolyte), and saturation indices). NF experiments were undertaken on a lab-scale using a low-pressure hand-made system of 4–7 bar. Synthetic single salts solutions and two real brine water discharge (brackish (BWRO) and seawater (SWRO) desalination plants) were used as a feed solution for NF system. The chemical characteristics of the RO-feed, RO-brine, NF-permeate, and NF-reject in were investigated. Electrolyte concentrations and saturation indices were determined based on the concentration of the major ions and the NETPATH software package, respectively. Calculations reveal that the brine concentrate samples contained mostly MgSO4 and MgCl2 soluble salts. The results show that 79–89% of the total dissolved salts (TDS) and 96–98% of the total hardness (TH) were retained using the NF process. The salt rejection of the NF membrane follows the order of CaSO4, Na2SO4, MgSO4, MgCl2, and NaCl with a percent of 97.4, 97.3, 95.2, 93.4, and 79%, respectively.

Monitoring nitrate reduction: hydrogeochemistry and clogging potential in raw water wells

The mainly agricultural input of NO3- and compliance with drinking water guideline values pose major challenges for many water suppliers. Additionally, associated changes in hydrochemistry, especially concerning products of NO3- reduction (Fe2+/3+, Mn2+/4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, HCO3-) and subsequent reactions, can have a major influence on mineral saturation states and well yield: well productivity can be strongly reduced by mineral precipitation and silting. To evaluate hydrogeochemical evolution and clogging potential for a given well field, thorough hydrochemical and geochemical investigations are required. Therefore, time-dependent and depth-specific ion concentrations in water samples (n = 818) were analysed in a catchment area of a waterworks in western Germany. The sediments of the aquifers were extensively investigated for their geochemistry (CS, scanning electron microscope, aqua regia digestion and dithionite solution; n = 253). In addition, PhreeqC was used to model saturation indices in order to identify possible mineral precipitation in the wells. Results show a high NO3- input into deep wells screened in Tertiary sediments due to an admixture of Quaternary groundwater. Directly at the Quaternary-Tertiary boundary, chemolithotrophic NO3- reduction consuming pyrite occurs. Protons released during the process are pH-buffered by dissolving carbonate minerals. Overall, the hydrochemistry and especially the saturation indices are strongly influenced by NO3- reduction and its degradation products. A change in well yield has not yet been observed, but future clogging by ochre formation or sintering cannot be excluded.

Respiratory events in sleeping infants of the first year of life and their reference values

The authors present the reference values of the major respiratory events based on polysomnographic evaluation of 2,073 sleeping infants of the first year of life. These reference values were developed in accordance with the adopted LMS (lambda-mu-sigma) algorithm aimed at smoothing and maximal approximation of the calculated values to the real ones. The article describes the centile curves and centile tables of the respiratory events indices, maximal lengths and densities of the different types of apneas, periodic breathing, oxygen saturation and de-saturation indices at different sleep stages of the 1-to-52-week-old infants. The reference values are compared with available literature data.

Hydrogeochemistry of thermal waters of the Baikal Rift, South-Eastern Tuva, Russia

The spa resort of the Ush-Beldir is located in the south-eastern part of the Tuva region, Russia in the zone of influence of the Baikal rift. The Ush-Beldir territory has about 10 thermal springs and 4 exploration wells used for treatment and prevention of diseases. Hydrological and hydrochemical features of the thermal groundwaters are considered. The studied waters are thermal (T=50–83°C), alkaline (pH=9.3–10), low mineralized (TDS<370 mg/L) Na–НСО3 waters with a high content of SiO2 (up to 125 mg/L) and F (up to 14 mg/L). The correlation of F- with SiO2, НСО3–, Cl-, Na+ as well as the calculation of saturation indices of minerals, allows one plausible solute source for these thermal waters, viz. the dissolution of rock-forming aluminosilicates, most likely plagioclase, gabbro and/or amphiboles in shales.

Hydrogeochemistry of Ground Water in Mbeere South Sub-County, Kenya

This paper presents the experimental and simulated results of ground water in Mbeere South Sub -County, Kenya. A total of 30 samples from 10 boreholes were collected and used to investigate the chemical characteristics of groundwater. The samples were analyzed for physicochemical characteristics such as pH, temperature and Total Dissolved Solids along with major cations and anions using standard analytical procedures. The laboratory data obtained was run into a hydrogeochemical computer model, PHREEQC for aqueous speciation modelling. Origin pro and AqQA computer software were also used to reveal more hydrogeochemistry of the groundwater in the area. The results showed that the Na+ ˃ Ca2+ ˃ Mg2+ ˃ K+&gt; Fe3+were the dominant cations while HCO3-˃Cl-&gt;SO42-&gt;NO3-˃F- were the dominant anions. The hydrogeochemical facies indicated that 40% of the samples belong to the Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl--SO42- type, 40% belong to the Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3-, 20 % are of the type Na+-K+-HCO3- with no Na+-K+-Cl--SO42- water type. The facies also illustrated atmospheric precipitation, dissolution of salt deposits within the vadose zones and weathering of halite, anhydrite, gypsum, huntite, hydromagnesite, artinite, dolomite and magnesite as the major contributors to the variation in Mbeere South groundwater chemistry. The Saturation Indices (SI) showed that the specimens were slightly saturated with aragonite, calcite, and dolomite; slightly under-saturated with anhydrite and gypsum; moderately under saturated with halite and under-saturated with hydromagnesite, trona and portlandite.

Hydrogeochemical investigation of the origin of Molybdenum (Mo) in groundwater resources in Wadi Al Arab area, Northern Jordan

High Mo concentrations have been detected in drinking water pumped from domestic water supply wells located in the Wadi Al Arab area, at the Irbid city, northern Jordan. The main objective of this study is to investigate hydrogeochemical processes responsible for the release of Mo in the groundwater resources. Usually Mo is a metallic element that is naturally present in the earth’s crust. However, the presence of Mo in groundwater is an important potential pollution issue. To achieve the objectives of the study, 34 water samples were collected from the whole catchment area of Wadi Al Arab and were analyzed using ICP-MS for total Mo and the other major cations, anions and heavy metals. The results obtained from the hydrogeochemical investigation show that the groundwater in Wadi Al Arab catchment area is susceptible to Mo contamination due to the chemical reactions of water with clay-rich underlying bedrock that consists mainly of shale and marl rocks. The concentration values measured at the tested wells vary from 46.6 μg/L to 1438.7 μg/L, with an average value of 397.6 μg/L. Therefore, about 70% of the analyzed water samples show Mo levels that exceed the permissible limit of 70 μg/L for drinking water according to World Health Organization. The results of geochemical modeling using VISUAL MINTEQ software show that the most abundant species of Mo mineral is molybdate ion (MoO42-), with a concentration of 30 μg/L, which accounts for more than 50% of the Mo species dissolved in groundwater. The possible source of the Mo in the groundwater in Wadi Al Arab catchment area is due to presence of oil shale and phosphate layers within the geological succession of the aquifer. Through the geochemical model, the saturation indices of the common Mo minerals were calculated. The calculated saturation indices showed that groundwater is under-saturated with respect to Mo mineral speciation, which emphasizes that natural equilibrium will never be reached.