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The main goal of this work was to assess the performance of an integrated membrane system for the treatment and valorization of wastewater generated from an olive mill (OMW) coming from a traditional extraction press. Two different lots of this effluent were firstly processed in an ultrafiltration (UF) pilot unit after a pretreatment by screening. The effect of transmembrane pressure (TMP) and temperature on the chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction and removal of total phenolic (TPh) content was investigated. Under optimal conditions (TMP = 1.5 bar and T = 20 °C), 20.6 and 26.8% for COD and TPh removal were achieved, respectively. The permeate from UF was then treated by nanofiltration (NF) in order to obtain a retentate enriched in phenolic compounds. The influence of pressure drop (ΔP), temperature, and pH on the removal of COD, TPh, and permeate flow was examined using a 2 3 full-factorial experimental design. The effect of the independent variables and their interactions on the process performance was analyzed with Pareto charts. Multivariable regression models allowed to built 3D surface plots. The best conditions that maximize the COD abatement (83.3%) and TPh removal (93.1%) were ΔP = 18 bar, T = 20 °C, and a pH 2.7. It can be concluded that the integration of UF and NF processes investigated in this work is a promising strategy for the treatment and valorization of OMW.

Background: Epileptic seizures are neurological disorders common in children; 4 to 10% of under 16-year olds have suffered at least one seizure. Antiepileptic drugs represent the basis of treatment for the majority of patients, but many of the drugs prescribed to pediatrics are used unlicensed and off-label., Objective: To analyze the prevalence of use of unlicensed and off-label antiepileptic drugs, by the pediatric population, according to the Food and Drug Administration and the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency. Setting General Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine at Ribeirão Preto, Brazil., Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective and observational study was carried out. The daily prescriptions of children up to 12 years of age were collected for the analysis of antiepileptic drug use. Data of the registration number, sex, age, reason hospitalized, unit where hospitalized, drug prescribed, dosage, route and administration frequency were collected., Main Outcome Measure: Antiepileptic drugs prescribed for children were classified as unlicensed and off-label according to the term of the product's license registered in the Food and Drug Administration and the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency., Results: Of the 6,637 pediatric patients identified during the study period, 583 (9.0%) received at least one antiepileptic drug. The most used antiepileptic drugs were phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid and clonazepam. As expected, the number of pharmaceutical dosage form classified as unlicensed or off-label was high in both agencies, but distinct between the two. The number of patients (n = 287) using unlicensed drugs was similar in the two agencies, but the use of off-label drugs was higher according to the analysis carried out by the North American agency (40.5%)., Conclusions: Old-generation antiepileptic drugs are widely prescribed to children. The results found for the use of off-label drugs demonstrate the absence of uniformity in action between the agencies and a lack of integration between the studies carried out. Although legislation on the licensing of drugs aims to protect the patients from drugs that have not been scientifically evaluated, the scarcity of data about the safety of the therapeutic resources obliges the doctors to prescribe unlicensed and off-label antiepileptic drugs to the pediatric population.