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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. Data regarding 30-day readmission following index admission for AF in the developing world are poorly described.

Six low abundance rock reference materials (basalt BIR‐1, dunite DTS‐1, dolerite DNC‐1, peridotite PCC‐1, serpentine UB‐N and basalt TAFAHI) have been analysed for high field strength elements (Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Th and U), Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Tl and Bi at ng g−1levels (in rock) by magnetic sector inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry after HF/HClO4high pressure decomposition. The adopted method uses only indium as an internal standard. Detection limits were found to be in the range of 0.08 to 16.2 pg ml−1in solution (equivalent to 0.08 to 16.2 ng g−1in rock). Our data for high field strength elements, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Tl and Bi for the six selected low abundance geological reference materials show general agreement with previously published data. Our Ta values in DTS‐1 and PCC‐1 (1.3 and 0.5 ng g−1) are lower than in previously published studies, providing smooth primitive mantle distribution patterns. Lower values were also found for Tl in BIR‐1, DTS‐1 and PCC‐1 (2, 0.4 and 0.8 ng g−1). Compared with quadrupole ICP‐MS studies, the proposed magnetic sector ICP‐MS method can generally provide better detection limits, so that the measurement of high field strength elements, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Tl and Bi at ng g−1levels can be achieved without pre‐concentration, ion exchange separation or other specialised techniques.

Abstract. Chlorpyriphos methyl, chlorpyriphos ethyl, chlorthalonil, parathion methyl, parathion ethyl, fenitrothion, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan and tetradifon residues were analysed in pear pulp (an heterogeneous matrix) by extraction on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stir bar (SBSE) followed by recovery through thermodesorption (TD) and cGC-MS analysis. The levels of pesticides ranged from 10 to 100 ng/g (ppb). The results were compared to those obtained by a conventional method, namely SPMD-SPE cGC-ECD analysis. Characteristic recoveries ranged from 23.9% for chlorthalonil to 82.6% for fenitrothion. Comparable repeatability and intermediate precision, and lower LOD and LOQ than those of the reference SPMD/SPE-cGC-ECD method were obtained for each pesticide. A series of experiments on pear pulps and pear pulp liquid phase investigated the distribution of the pesticides between the solid and liquid phases and the influence of the ionic strength (salting and pH) on recovery.

Kupfer, Zink, Selen, Cadmium, Tellur, Blei, Thallium und Bismut wurden in biologischen Matrices und verschiedenen Kohleproben nach Verbrennung im Sauerstoffstrom und Lösen der Verbrennungsprodukte in 1 bis 2 ml gereinigter Säure durch differentielle Pulsinversvoltammetrie aus derselben Aufschlußlösung mit drei verschiedenen Elektrolyten bestimmt. Mit Ausnahme von Zn, das sich im Rückstand befindet, lassen sich alle Elemente nach Zumischen von Magnesiumchlorid im Verhältnis 8:2 und bei Kohleproben zusätzlich von Cellulose (1:1) als Oxide oder Halogenide verflüchtigen und können leicht gelöst werden. Die Nachweisgrenzen für Se, Te, Tl, Bi betragen 1 ng/g, 0,5 ng/g, 1 ng/g und 2 ng/g. Für Cu, Zn, Cd und Pb werden die Nachweisgrenzen durch Blindwerte begrenzt. Sie liegen für alle vier Elemente im unteren ng/g Bereich. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit den durch Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie ermittelten Daten verglichen und stimmen gut überein.

Summary Nitrate traces in Antarctic snow and hoar-frost samples, which were collected on the Ekström ice shelf during January and February, 1987, were determined with ion chromatography at the German Antarctic station “Georg-von-Neumayer”. For comparison, sample preparations for isotope dilution mass spectrometry were also carried out at the German station whereas the mass spectrometric measurements took place in Regensburg. Comparable reproducibilities of 1%–5% were found for both methods of analysing nitrate concentrations in the range of 40–190 ng/g. An excellent agreement of the results of both methods with an average deviation of 0.1% was found in three sets of firn core samples. The average relative deviation of the ion chromatographic values from those of isotope dilution mass spectrometry was -10% for eleven hoar-frost and surface snow samples. The highest nitrate concentrations were analysed in hoar-frost samples with an average value of 548 ng/g. The following order, which corresponds to the age of nitrate depositions, was: new snow (206 ng/g), old surface snow (146 ng/g), and snow from firn cores (61 ng/g). The decreasing concentration with the age of samples is the result of re-emission of nitrate into the atmosphere after its deposition by snow. A seasonal variation of the nitrate concentration with a summer maximum and a winter minimum was observed for firn core samples. Accurate results of analytical data, which are published from all parts of Antarctica today, can only be guaranteed by the application of independent methods, e.g., by ion chromatography and isotope dilution mass spectrometry as it is shown in this work.

Summary A method has been developed for the analysis of trace impurities in high purity gallium at nanogram level. The gallium is separated from the trace elements by partial dissolution and by solvent extraction as HGaCl4 complex from 7N HCl with di-isopropyl ether. The aqueous phase containing the impurities is evaporated almost to dryness after adding 1 ml of 0.1N H2SO4, made up to 1 ml with 0.1N HCl and then analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry using electrothermal atomization. The limits of detection for the impurities lie in the range of 0.5 ng/g to 10 ng/g and the coefficient of variation varies from 1 to 5% at 50 ng/g level. The percentage recoveries for all the impurities are in the range 95–100%.

A special apparatus for the separation of low levels of selenium from inorganic (= 0.5 ng/g) and organic (=2 ng/g) matrices is described. It enables a reliable determination of the isolated traces of selenium by hydride-AAS (HG-AAS) or AAS with electrothermal atomisation (ETA-AAS).

Zur Bestimmung von Selen in umweltrelevanten Matrices im ng/g- und pg/g-Bereich durch Hydrid-AAS wurde H2Se auf Chromosorb W bei -150° C vor der Atomisierung in der Quarzküvette angereichert. Die einzelnen Verfahrensschritte — Aufschluß, Reduktion von Se(VI) zu Se(IV), H2Se-Entwicklung, H2Se-Anreicherung und Atomisierung — wurden, teilweise mit dem Radioisotop Se-75, optimiert. Se wurde in einigen Wässern direkt, in Humanhaar, Fingernägeln und Humanserum nach Aufschluß in HNO3/HClO4 und nach Verbrennung im Sauerstoffstrom und in Proteinen von Humanserum nach isotachophoretischer Trennung und Aufschluß in HNO3/ HClO4 bestimmt. Die Nachweisgrenze des gesamten Verfahrens liegt bei 6 pg absolut und der lineare Bereich erstreckt sich bis 6 ng.

Summary Four biological standard-reference materials (NBS and IAEA) were mineralized with two independent decomposition methods — a wet decomposition with a mixture of HNO3/HClO3/HClO4 using an optimized temperature-time programme, and a combustion method in an oxygen stream (Trace-O-Mat). The selenium contents of the decomposition solutions were determined by the hydride-AAS method. The selenium concentrations were in agreement with the certified values at low sample weights, but decreased as the sample weights were increased. This effect is independent of the decomposition method, but is caused by interferences of concomitant elements in the μg/g-range with the formation of selenium hydride, as has been previously discussed [3].

Die beschriebenen Verfahren beruhen auf der Si-Bestimmung als Heteropolysäure. Sie umfassen den Aufschluß der Probe mit Salzsäure und Brom im PTFE-Gefäß, Eliminierung der Matrixelemente (Verdampfung von Arsen als Arsentrichlorid und Extraktion von Ga als Tetrachlorokomplex mit Diisopropylether) sowie anschließende spektralphotometrische Bestimmung als Silicomolybdänblau oder polarographische Bestimmung als ß-Silicomolybdänsäure. Die Optimierung der Vorbehandlungstechnik sowie der instrumentellen Analysenparameter wird beschrieben. Die Nachweisgrenzen liegen bei 7 ppb bzw. 5 ppb. Die vorgeschlagenen Methoden wurden auf verschiedene Sidotierte Proben angewendet. Die Ergebnisse werden verglichen und Unterschiede diskutiert.

The stoichiometry of thermal decomposition and the thermochemistry were studied for [NiL4(NCS)2] (I) as a host complex, and for its clathrates of type [NiL4(NCS)2]·2G, where L=4-ethylpyridine and guest molecule G=1-methylnaphthalene in clathrate (II), 1-chloronaphthalene in (III) or 1-bromonaphthalene in (IV). For I, the loss of volatile components proceeds in three steps (−2L, −L, −L); the first steps for II–IV also involve the release of G (−2G, −2L). DSC and X-ray powder measurements indicated a phase transition in the host lattice, and allowed differentiation of the escape of G and L molecules. The enthalpy changes give the following sequence of thermodynamic stability for the studied chlathrates: I>II>III.

Summary Three independent decomposition methods for organic matter are compared for use in the determination of arsenic by the hydride-AAS method. Matrix interferences in the arsine evolution cause systematic errors.

Radiochemical neutron activation method is presented for the determination of iridium in geological materials. The procedure consisted of thermal neutron irradiation of an 500 mg sample followed by sinterization with sodium peroxide, precipitation with tellurium and high resolution gamma-spectrometry with a hyper-pure Ge-detector. The procedure was evaluated by the analysis of the certified reference materials SARM-7 and W-1. The detection limit for the analytical conditions employed was 0.004 ng·g−1Ir. The procedure was applied to the reference materials TDB-1 and WGB-1, which present provisional values for Ir concentration, and GXR-3, GXR-5 and GXR-6, which do not present any reported data for Ir contents.

This work was aimed to evaluate the capabilities of catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry in quantifying platinum at μg/kg level or lower, under statistical control, in some samples of foods and beverages. Samples of tap water, rosé wine in tetrabrik package, bottled white wine, canned lemon tea, camomile in filter bags, peach fruit juice, UHT semiskimmed milk, wild chicory and bottled red wine (1985 vintage), as well as the in‐house aqueous standard solutions containing 2.0 μg/kg of platinum (used in statistical control), were microwave mineralized. Platinum was quantified at concentration levels lower than 1 μg/kg in tap water, canned lemon tea, camomile in filter bags, UHT semiskimmed milk and wild chicory. In rosé wine in tetrabrik package and bottled white wine the analyte concentration was at μg/kg level, while in the bottled red wine and in the peach fruit juice was not significantly different from zero. Owing to the outstanding sensitivity of the used method, the reproducibility and the precision (expressed as confidence interval at 95% confidence level) of all the results were surprisingly good.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) delineation to identify the fiducial points of ECG segments, plays an important role in cardiovascular diagnosis and care. Whilst deep delineation frameworks have been deployed within the literature, several factors still hinder their development: (a) data availability: the capacity of deep learning models to generalise is limited by the amount of available data; (b) morphology variations: ECG complexes vary, even within the same person, which degrades the performance of conventional deep learning models. To address these concerns, we present a large-scale 12-leads ECG dataset, ICDIRS, to train and evaluate a novel deep delineation model-ECGVEDNET. ICDIRS is a large-scale ECG dataset with 156,145 QRS onset annotations and 156,145 T peak annotations. ECGVEDNET is a novel variational encoder-decoder network designed to address morphology variations. In ECGVEDNET, we construct a well-regularized latent space, in which the latent features of ECG follow a regular distribution and present smaller morphology variations than in the raw data space. Finally, a transfer learning framework is proposed to transfer the knowledge learned on ICDIRS to smaller datasets. On ICDIRS, ECGVEDNET achieves accuracy of 86.28%/88.31% within 5/10 ms tolerance for QRS onset and accuracy of 89.94%/91.16% within 5/10 ms tolerance for T peak. On QTDB, the average time errors computed for QRS onset and T peak are −1.86 $\pm$ 8.02 ms and −0.50 $\pm$ 12.96 ms, respectively, achieving state-of-the-art performances on both large and small-scale datasets. We will release the source code and the pre-trained model on ICDIRS once accepted.

River water quality is crucial to ecosystem health and water security, yet its deterioration under climate change is often overlooked in climate risk assessments. Here we review how climate change influences river water quality via persistent, gradual shifts and episodic, intense extreme events. Although distinct in magnitude, intensity and duration, these changes modulate the structure and hydro-biogeochemical processes on land and in rivers, hence reshaping land–river connectivity and the quality of river waters. To advance understanding of and forecasting capabilities for water quality in future climates, it is essential to perceive land and rivers as interconnected systems. It is also vital to prioritize research under climate extremes, where the dynamics of water quality often challenge existing theories and models and call for shifts in conceptual paradigms.

Despite advancements in high-resolution screening techniques, the identification of novel perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remains challenging without prior structural information. In view of this, we proposed and implemented a new data-driven algorithm to calculate spectral similarity among PFAS, facilitating the generation of molecular networks to screen for unknown compounds. Using this approach, 81 PFAS across 12 distinct classes were identified in soil samples collected near an industrial park in Shandong Province, China, including the first reported occurrence of 12 iodine-substituted PFAS. Among them, the standards of four iodine-substituted polyfluorinated ether sulfonates (I-PFESA) were successfully synthesized, enabling structural confirmation and subsequent quantitative analysis. Although the median concentration of ∑I-PFESA (0.74 ng/g dw) in soil samples was lower than that of ∑H-PFESA (hydrogen-substituted, 61.96 ng/g dw) and ∑Cl-PFESA (chlorine-substituted, 2.98 ng/g dw), embryotoxicity assays in zebrafish revealed that 6:2 I-PFESA exhibited greater toxicity compared to 6:2 Cl-PFESA of the same chain length. This highlights the need for a closer examination of the toxic effects of I-PFESA. Notably, the proposed algorithm, based on novel PFAS spectral similarity, provides new perspectives on the environmental behavior and transformation of I-PFESA, although further investigation is required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of their toxicity.

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are refractory anthropogenic chemicals and current treatment processes at municipal water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) cannot efficiently degrade them, hence, these chemicals cycle through the environment. Certain PFAS can be concentrated in biosolids from WRRFs and are commonly land applied for beneficial reuse. Given recent advances in measurement of PFAS, documentation of the range of concentrations in pre‐stabilized sludge and stabilized biosolids is critical to evaluating treatment best practices and assessing potential human health and ecological risks. In this study, pre‐stabilized sludge and post‐stabilized biosolids samples were collected from 12 major WRRFs across the United States. PFAS were analyzed using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method SW846‐3500C/537.1, and Draft EPA Method 1633, by one commercial laboratory and two university research laboratories, respectively. Results comparison among laboratories demonstrated statistical differences in PFAS concentrations among split samples. For example, 5:3 FTCA (fluorotelomer carboxylic acid) concentrations in post‐stabilized sludge at Lab 1 were measured at 21 ng/g (dry), while they were detected at 151 ng/g (dry) in Lab 3. Further, higher PFAS concentrations were observed in post‐stabilized biosolids compared to pre‐stabilized sludges, regardless of the laboratory or analysis method, even when solids destruction through solids stabilization was considered. Further research is required to refine methods for analyses of PFAS in sludge and biosolids samples from WRRFs prior to being used for development of regulatory actions as well as understanding how various treatment protocols could impact concentrations of PFAS in land‐applied biosolids. The study documents the range of concentrations of 40 per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present in solids from 12 water resource recovery facilities in the United States, which may be used to inform development of regulatory policies.PFAS were measured in pre‐stabilized sludge and post‐stabilized biosolids using two different Environmental Protection Agency Methods.Measured PFAS were significantly different among the three laboratories.Higher 5:3 FTCA and PFOS concentrations were found in post‐stabilized biosolids than in pre‐stabilized sludges.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are some of the most important mycotoxins or fungal toxins that cause contamination of food products and are considered a threat to human and animal health. An efficient Cu/β-cyclodextrin/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (Cu/β-CD/rGO) has been prepared and applied as a new solid-phase extraction adsorbent for the separation and preconcentration of four AFs (B1, B2, G1, and G2) using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The successful synthesis of the prepared nanocomposite was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The impacts of pH, amount of adsorbent, sample volume, desorption solvent volume, and salt concentration on the recovery of AFs were precisely investigated and optimized by central composite design (CCD). Under the optimal conditions, the introduced method demonstrated good linearity in the range of 0.4–5.4, 0.08–1.08, 0.4–5.4, and 0.08–1.08 ng g−1for AFs B1, B2, G1and G2, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification for the four AFs were obtained in the range of 0.06–0.53 and 0.20–1.62 ng g−1, respectively. The accuracy of the method was evaluated using recovery measurements in spiked real samples such as rice, bean, and ginger samples, and satisfactory recoveries were obtained in the range of 83.5–109.0% with good precision (RSDs between 2.4 and 8.6%). The results of this research revealed that our developed method is sensitive, highly effective, and convenient to perform for the trace analysis of AFs in different real samples.

The presence of polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs), which are emerging as dioxin-like contaminants, in remote polar regions has not been reported. This study investigated 11 target PHCZs (Σ11PHCZs) and 25 unknown PHCZs (Σ25UNPs) in soil and sediment samples collected from Ny-Ålesund in the Arctic. The findings revealed that Σ11PHCZs concentrations reached 165.6 ng/g dry weight (dw), with 3,6-dichlorocarbazole and 3-chlorocarbazole being the predominant congeners. The Σ25UNPs concentrations ranged from 1.4 to 92.4 ng/g dw (median: 17.0 ng/g dw), primarily comprising a 1,3,6,8-tetrabromocarbazole isomer. The sediment contained ∼6 times more Σ25UNPs than Σ11PHCZs. Long-range atmospheric transport, oceanic transport, and human activity can potentially affect soils and sediments concurrently. For the first time, halogen substitution patterns in PHCZs, including ClI, ClI2, and ClI3, were detected in soil and sediment. Using the toxic equivalent (TEQ) approach, the potential toxic effects linked to the target PHCZ levels were assessed. The TEQPHCZsin Arctic soils and sediments indicated low risk, ranging from 8.0 × 10–3to 17 pg TEQ/g dw (median: 2.8 pg TEQ/g dw) and 0.1 to 0.4 pg TEQ/g dw (median: 0.3 pg TEQ/g dw), respectively. This study marks the first report on the occurrence, composition, sources, and potential risks posed by PHCZs in the Arctic region.

The occurrence of organophosphorus compounds has garnered global concern due to their widespread production and potential environmental risks. Limited structural information has hindered a comprehensive understanding of their composition. By characteristic fragmentation-based nontarget analysis, the occurrence and composition of organothiophosphate esters (OTPEs), which are antiwear additives in lubricant oils that have received little attention previously, were investigated in dust from automotive repair shops and surrounding buildings. Fourteen OTPEs were tentatively identified, including four triarylphosphorothionates, six O,O-dialkyl phosphorothioates, and four O-alkyl O-alkyl sulfone phosphorothioates, among which four OTPEs were further confirmed by authentic standards or an industrial product. Triphenyl phosphorothioate (TPhPt) and tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphorothioate (AO168=S) were prevalently detected in automotive repair shops with median concentrations of 230 and 246 ng/g, respectively, closely comparable to triphenyl phosphate (TPhP, median concentration: 302 ng/g). O,O-Dihexyl phosphorothioate (DHPt), O,O-dioctyl phosphorothioate (DOPt), O-hexyl O-hexyl sulfone phosphorothioate (DHSPt), and O-octyl O-octyl sulfone phosphorothioate (DOSPt) were the abundant analogues in automotive repair shops with semiquantitative median concentrations in the range of 119–1.05 × 103ng/g. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that OTPEs exhibited similar distribution patterns across automotive repair shops, indicating that these chemicals had similar sources. Moreover, the concentrations of OTPEs were usually higher in automotive repair shops than that in surrounding buildings, suggesting a motor vehicle related emission source. To our knowledge, 12 out of the 14 detected OPTEs were reported in the environment for the first time. The discovery of these OTPEs expanded the scope of known organophosphorus pollutants, highlighting the potential contaminants of OTPEs from lubricant oils for automotive and industrial applications.

Understanding the fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the deep ocean is crucial for elucidating the biogeochemical cycle of organic carbon under anthropogenic influences. In this study, surface sediments were collected from the deep sea of the Eastern Indian Ocean (water depth: 2161–4545 m) and analyzed for 29 semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including parent PAHs and their alkylated derivatives, as well as source biomarkers. The target SVOCs (∑29SVOCs: 23.0–183 ng/g, ∑16PAHs: 11.3–93.3 ng/g) were mainly from pyrogenic sources, namely coal combustion, traffic emissions, and wood burning. The contributions from wood burning and coal combustion exhibited distinct trends with increasing total organic carbon contents, suggesting different dominant biogeochemical behaviors. Major fractions of PAHs from wood burning can be biodegraded or photodegraded, leading to a depletion-dominated fate in the water column. Conversely, PAHs from coal combustion showed an accumulation-dominated fate via their sedimentation due to their persistence and hydrophobicity. This study highlights the distinct biogeochemical fates of PAHs from biomass or fossil fuel combustion in deep oceans and has implications for the marine cycle of refractory organic carbon under anthropogenic impacts.

Human exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs) can occur through contaminated food contact materials (FCMs), which may pose significant health risks. This study investigated the presence and migration characteristics of 26 OPEs in 60 plastic and paper-based food contact materials sourced from markets and online retailers. Migration experiments were conducted using three food simulants: 4% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, and 95% ethanol. Thirteen OPEs were identified in the packaging samples, with triphenyl phosphate and tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate being the most frequently detected, averaging 95.8 ng/g and 73.3 ng/g, respectively. During migration simulations, 11 OPEs were found to migrate into the food simulants, with migration concentrations ranging from 9.22 to 150 ng/cm². The health impact was assessed using hazard index and maximum cumulative ratio methods. Triphenylphosphine oxide, triisobutyl phosphate, and butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate contributed the most to the overall hazard among the 11 compounds. However, the overall risk of OPE exposure to humans was determined to be low.

China aims to actively control the contamination of globally concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Evaluation of the current situation can provide a critical reference point for tracking the effectiveness of ongoing progress. Herein, we present the first comprehensive assessment of the spatial variations of 20 legacy and 54 novel PFASs in Chinese background soils in 2021. Novel PFASs were extensively detected in 98.4% of the samples, with 21 species being first reported, which greatly facilitated the appointment of diverse emission sources that aligned with local industrial structures. However, legacy PFASs still dominated the ∑74PFAS profile (median 0.51 ng/g, 0.050–8.33 ng/g). The spatial heterogeneity of soil PFASs was positively driven by economic development and atmospheric deposition, enabling the establishment of predictive models to project the national distribution and temporal trends. Elevated PFAS levels were predominantly distributed in the more industrialized eastern and southern regions, as well as other coastal areas with greater precipitation. ∑74PFAS in surface soils was estimated to increase by 12.9 pg/(g year) over 2002–2021, which would continue alongside economic growth, albeit with greater contributions from novel alternatives. Our work provides comprehensive baseline and predictive data to inform policies toward PFAS control in China.

The distribution and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in homes are not well understood. To address this, we measured nine neutral PFAS in dust, airborne particles, dryer lint, and on heating and air conditioning (HAC) filters in 11 homes in North Carolina as part of the Indoor PFAS Assessment (IPA) Campaign and compared them with concurrently collected gas and cloth measurements. Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) contributed most (≥75%) to total (∑) measured neutral PFAS concentrations in dust, HAC filter, and dryer lint samples, with mean ∑(FTOH) concentrations of 207 ng/g, 549 ng/g, and 84 ng/g, respectively. In particles, perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs) dominated, with a mean ∑(FOSE) concentration of 0.28 ng/m3or 75,467 ng/g. For FTOHs and FOSEs, resulting mean dust–air, HAC filter–air, dryer lint–air and particle–air partition coefficients in units of log(m3/μg) ranged (across species) from −5.1 to −3.6, −4.9 to −3.5, −5.4 to −4.1, and −3.2 to −0.78, respectively. We estimate that cloth, gas phase, and HAC filters are the largest reservoirs for FTOHs, while cloth, HAC filters, and dust are the largest reservoirs for FOSEs. Release rates of neutral PFAS from homes to the outdoor environment are reported.

AbstractIn this research, for the first time, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 33 types of honey samples have been analyzed using an efficient, sensitive and rapid high-density solvent-microextraction (HDS-ME) technique coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Important parameters in the extraction process were optimized using central composite design (CCD). Good linear relationships were chosen for 16 PAHs in the range of 1–200 ng g−1, with a correlation coefficient (R2) higher than 0.94. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.3–0.8 ng g−1and 0.9–2.4 ng g−1, respectively. The relative standard deviations for six similar analyses at the optimized point were less than 9%. The recoveries of the proposed method were obtained between 86% and 102%. High recovery, low consumption of the solvent, speed, ease of use and good elimination of matrix interference compared to other methods are the advantages of the proposed method. The performance of the present work was confirmed by the standard addition method and satisfactory results were obtained. The concentrations of PAHs in honey samples were found lower than 11 ng g−1.

To date, considerable knowledge and data gaps regarding the occurrence, environmental levels, and fate of polymeric perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exist. In the present study availability, accumulation, and transformation of C4- and C8-fluoroalkylsulfonamide (FASA)-based copolymers were assessed in laboratory-grown earthworms (Eisenia fetida, triplicate of exposure tests and control). Further, a field study on earthworms (18 pooled samples) in sludge-amended soil was conducted to assess the environmental impact of sludge-amended soil with regard to the FASA-based copolymers, together with the applied sludge (n= 3), and the field soils during the period (n= 4). In the laboratory study, the FASA-based copolymers were taken up by the earthworms in concentrations between 19 and 33 ng/g of dw for the C8- and between 767 and 1735 ng/g of dw for the C4-FASA-based copolymer. Higher biota soil accumulation factors (BAFs) were observed for the copolymer with a longer perfluorinated side-chain length (C8, average BAF value of 0.7) compared to the copolymer with a shorter side-chain length (C4, average BAF value of 0.02). Perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetates (FOSAAs) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA), including both branched and linear isomers, were detected after exposure to the C8-FASA-based copolymer. Two metabolites were detected in the earthworms exposed to the C4-FASA-based copolymer: perfluorobutanesulfonamide (FBSA) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS). Although the presence of other monomers or impurities in the copolymer formulation cannot be ruled out, the present laboratory study suggests that the FASA-based copolymers may be an indirect source of lower molecular weight PFAS in the environment through transformation. Elevated levels of C8-FASA-based copolymer were found in the field sludge-amended soil compared to nontreated soil (32 versus 11 ng/g d.w.), and higher concentrations of PFAS in earthworms living in sludge-amended soil compared to nontreated soil (566 versus 103 ng/g d.w.) were observed. These findings imply that the application of sludge is a potential pathway of PFAS to the environment.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a group of active compounds which can influence Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) migration or biodegradation, thus may help solve the challenge of inefficient removal of PAHs in constructed wetlands (CWs). CWs with plant derived DOM (PA-A) or fulvic acid addition were set up to explore their influence on CWs performance. Results demonstrated significantly enhanced removal of phenanthrene (PHE, 7.81 % ± 2.07 %), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, 7.11 % ± 1.91 %), and benzo[k]fluoranthrene (BkF, 5.04 % ± 3.48 %) by DOM. With DOM addition, PAHs concentration in substrate decreased while the bioavailability increased. Notably, in the shallow substrate, PHE content decreased by 19.61%–23.53 %, and BaP bioavailability increased by 1.88–2.00 times. The active absorption and migration of PAHs in P.australis were enhanced, resulting in the total concentrations of PAHs reaching 1743.66 ng/g in the roots and 398.77 ng/g in the leaves in PA-A. Biodegradation was calculated as the primary pathway for PAHs removal by mass balance. Ochrobactrum, Xanthobacteraceae, Rhizobiumand Burkholderiaceaerelating to PAHs biodegradation were dominate strains. This study unraveled the synergy among substrate adsorption, plant uptake and microbial degradation during PAHs removal, and offered novel insights into the utilization of wetland plants.

Aflatoxins pose a major health concern and require strict monitoring in food products. Existing methods rely on hazardous organic solvents for extraction, prompting the development of a greener alternative. This study explores deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for aflatoxin extraction from pistachios, a valuable food product prone to aflatoxin contamination. The proposed method utilizes DES extraction followed by solid-phase extraction cleanup and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detector analysis. Recovery rates ranged from 85.5 to 99.1% for pistachios spiked with 1–8 ng/g aflatoxins, in compliance with EU regulations, with coefficients of variation less than 2.94%. The method demonstrates good sensitivity with limits of detection and quantification in the range of 0.02–0.22 ng/g and 0.05–0.72 ng/g, respectively. Greenness assessment using AGREEPrep and White Analytical Chemistry metrics confirms its environmental sustainability. This approach offers a promising, safer, and more eco-friendly alternative for aflatoxin extraction from complex food matrices like pistachios.

Electronic waste is an emerging source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) emissions to the environment, yet the contribution from hazardous recycling practices in the South Asian region remains unclear. This study detected 41 PFAS in soil samples from e-waste recycling sites in Pakistan and the total concentrations were 7.43–367 ng/g dry weight (dw) (median: 37.7 ng/g dw). Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid emerged as the dominant PFAS, constituting 49% and 13% of the total PFAS concentrations, respectively. Notably, nine CF3-containing emerging PFAS were identified by the high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based screening. Specifically, hexafluoroisopropanol and bistriflimide (NTf2) were consistently identified across all the samples, with quantified concentrations reaching up to 854 and 90 ng/g dw, respectively. This suggests their potential association with electronic manufacturing and recycling processes. Furthermore, except for NTf2, all the identified emerging PFAS were confirmed as precursors of TFA with molar yields of 8.87–40.0% by the TOP assay validation in Milli-Q water. Overall, this study reveals significant emission of PFAS from hazardous e-waste recycling practices and emphasizes the identification of emerging sources of TFA from precursor transformation, which are essential for PFAS risk assessment.

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the prevalence of the mycotoxin Ochratoxin A in poultry feed samples from Eastern Algeria, an important poultry production region. Ochratoxin A, produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi, can contaminate feed, leading to toxicity issues for poultry and human beings consuming contaminated products. Analysis of 42 feed samples using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), found 62% contained detectable ochratoxin A levels exceeding the concentration of 1.50 ng g−1, varying between 2.23 ng g−1and 3.23 ng g−1with an average of 2.59 ng g−1. Although the widespread prevalence is below current regulatory limits, there is a need for continued monitoring to prevent contamination and toxin transfer to poultry meat and eggs. The study recommends expanding testing to more regions and implementing Ochratoxin A surveillance. This is a feed – and food – safety issue on a large scale, with implications for other countries in North Africa.

The EQ-5D is the first validated questionnaire to assess quality-of-life (QoL) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in Syria.

Short-, medium-, and long-chain chlorinated paraffins (CPs) (SCCPs, MCCPs, and LCCPs) and dechloranes are chemicals of emerging concern; however, little is known of their bioaccumulative potential compared to legacy contaminants in marine mammals. Here, we analyzed SCCPs, MCCPs, LCCPs, 7 dechloranes, 4 emerging brominated flame retardants, and 64 legacy contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in the blubber of 46 individual marine mammals, representing 10 species, from Norway. Dietary niche was modeled based on stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon in the skin/muscle to assess the contaminant accumulation in relation to diet. SCCPs and dechlorane-602 were strongly positively correlated with legacy contaminants and highest in killer (Orcinus orca) and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales (median SCCPs: 160 ng/g lw; 230 ng/g lw and median dechlorane-602: 3.8 ng/g lw; 2.0 ng/g lw, respectively). In contrast, MCCPs and LCCPs were only weakly correlated to recalcitrant legacy contaminants and were highest in common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata; median MCCPs: 480 ng/g lw and LCCPs: 240 ng/g lw). The total contaminant load in all species was dominated by PCBs and legacy chlorinated pesticides (63–98%), and MCCPs dominated the total CP load (42–68%, except 11% in the long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas). Surprisingly, we found no relation between contaminant concentrations and dietary niche, suggesting that other large species differences may be masking effects of diet such as lifespan or biotransformation and elimination capacities. CP and dechlorane concentrations were higher than in other marine mammals from the (sub)Arctic, and they were present in a killer whale neonate, indicating bioaccumulative properties and a potential for maternal transfer in these predominantly unregulated chemicals.

Neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatments are commonly used in rice (Oryza sativa) production to control rice water weevil (Lisorhoptrus oryzophilus). With the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments, there is potential that honey bees (Apis mellifera) could be exposed to neonicotinoids through translocation to the pollen. Studies were conducted in 2015 and 2016 to determine the level of neonicotinoids present in flag leaves, pollen, and grain of rice. Thiamethoxam was applied as a seed treatment and foliar prior to flooding. Clothianidin was applied as a seed treatment and as a foliar at a preflood and postflood timing. Subsamples of flag leaves, pollen, and grain were analyzed for positive neonicotinoid detections and abundance. Thiamethoxam was detected in 8.9% of samples and clothianidin was detected in 1.4% of samples. For both thiamethoxam and clothianidin, more positive samples were observed in flag leaf samples than in pollen or grain. An average of 4.30 ng/g of thiamethoxam was detected in flag leaves from seed-applied thiamethoxam. An average of 1.25 ng/g of clothianidin was found in flag leaves from a preflood application of clothianidin. A survey of honey bees present in rice fields was conducted in Mississippi and Arkansas to determine the abundance of honey bees present in rice fields based on the time of day. Honey bee densities were low in rice, with less than 5% and 3% positive detections observed in Mississippi and Arkansas, respectively. More positive detections and higher densities of honey bees were observed for mid-day sampling than for morning or evening sampling.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) offers an alternative analysis method for isoeugenol (an active ingredient in fish sedatives) that avoids the use of organic solvents, simplifies sample preparation, and can be fully automated. This work focuses on developing and evaluating an HS-SPME-GC-MS method for isoeugenol in aquaculture samples and testing the stability of isoeugenol itself. Because of isoeugenol’s relatively low volatility, more polar SPME fiber coatings (polyacrylate and polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene) had better performance and the headspace extractions took over 30 min to reach equilibrium. Additionally, it was found that isoeugenol was relatively unstable compared to a deuterated standard (d3-eugenol) in the presence of water. To address this, after the fish samples were homogenized with water, they were heated at 50 °C for 1 h prior to analysis for equilibration. By using the method developed in this work, isoeugenol’s detection limits in multiple aquaculture matrices (shrimp, tilapia, and salmon) were in the low ng/g range (<15 ng/g), well below the target testing level (200 ng/g). Additionally, by adding d3-eugenol as an internal standard, excellent linearity (R2> 0.98), accuracy (97–99% recoveries), and precision (5–13% RSDs) were all achieved.

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) regulates vertebrate cell growth, proliferation and differentiation, and energy metabolism. In this study, we cloned rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fgf1and fgf1a, prepared their recombinant proteins (rFGF1 and rFGF1a), and described the molecular mechanisms by which they improve glycolipid metabolism in carnivorous fish. A 31-d feeding trial was conducted to investigate whether they could enhance glycolipid metabolism in rainbow trout on high-carbohydrate diets (HCD). A total of 720 rainbow trout (8.9 ± 0.5 g) were equally divided into 4 groups: the chow diet (CD) group injected with PBS, the HCD group injected with PBS, the HCD group injected with rFGF1 (400 ng/g body weight), and the HCD group injected with rFGF1a (400 ng/g body weight). The results showed that short-term HCD had a significant positive effect on the specific growth rate (SGR) of rainbow trout (P < 0.05). However, it led to an increase in crude fat, serum triglyceride (TG) and glucose content, as well as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) contents (P <0.05), suggesting a negative health effect of HCD. Nevertheless, rFGF1 and rFGF1a showed beneficial therapeutic effects. They significantly reduced the crude fat content of the liver, serum TG, GOT, and GPT contents caused by HCD (P < 0.05). The upregulation in atgl, hsl, and acc2mRNAs implied the promotion of TG catabolism. Moreover, rFGF1 and rFGF1a contributed to promoting lipolysis by activating the AMPK pathway and reducing lipid accumulation in the liver caused by HCD. In addition, the rFGF1 and rFGF1a-treated groups significantly reduced serum glucose levels and elevated hepatic glycogen content under HCD, and increased glucose uptake by hepatocytes. We observed a decrease in mRNA levels for pepck, g6pase, and pygl, along with an increase in mRNA levels for gys, glut2, and gkin the liver. Furthermore, these proteins regulated hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis by increasing the phosphorylation level of AKT, ultimately leading to an increase in GSK3β phosphorylation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that rFGF1 and rFGF1a can enhance lipolysis and glucose utilization in rainbow trout by activating the AMPK pathway and AKT/GSK3β axis.

AbstractBeeswax is known for its ability to retain pesticides for a long time, and the progressive accumulation of pesticides in wax has had adverse health effects on bees. This study aimed to determine the residue levels of pesticides in Brazilian beeswax and assess the health risk to bees due to exposure to these pesticides using hazard quotient calculation. Nineteen samples collected from different regions from São Paulo State, Brazil, were analyzed for the presence of 160 compounds, including 17 metabolites. A modified QuEChERS approach was used for sample preparation followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS-MS) analysis. The method validation parameters followed the requirements established by the EU SANTE 11813/2017 guideline. In 90% of the samples, one or more pesticide residues were found; among them, the most frequently found pesticides were chlorpyrifos and permethrin, which were present in 74% and 79% of the samples and had maximum levels of 18.6 ng g−1and 72 ng g−1, respectively. The hazard quotient estimate was determined considering the acute lethal dose (LD50) per contact for each pesticide residue in beeswaxes. Thus, it has been shown that exposure to chlorpyrifos and permethrin represents an elevated risk for the health of bees.

Corinthian currants are dried fruits produced from Vitis viniferaL.var. Apyrena grape. This study investigated the distribution of phenolic compounds in male Wistar rat livers following two distinct Corinthian currant long-term dietary intake protocols (3 and 10% w/w). Method optimization, comparing fresh and lyophilized tissues, achieved satisfactory recoveries (>70%) for most analytes. Enzymatic hydrolysis conditions (37 °C, pH 5.0) minimally affected phenolics, but enzyme addition showed diverse effects. Hydrolyzed lyophilized liver tissue from rats consuming Corinthian currants (3 and 10% w/w) exhibited elevated levels of isorhamnetin (20.62 ± 2.27 ng/g tissue and 33.80 ± 1.38 ng/g tissue, respectively), along with similar effects for kaempferol, quercetin, and chrysin after prolonged Corinthian currant intake. This suggests their presence as phase II metabolites in the fasting-state liver. This study is the first to explore phenolic accumulation in rat liver, simulating real conditions of dried fruit consumption, as seen herein with Corinthian currant.

Vulcanization accelerators (VAs) serve as crucial additives in synthetic rubber on a global scale. Despite their widespread use, the environmental presence, distribution, and associated exposure risks of VAs remain poorly understood. This study compiled a target list and conducted a screening for eight classes encompassing 42 VAs in diverse urban dust samples from South China. A total of 40 of the 42 target VAs were detectable across all four studied regions, among which 30 were identified for the first time in the environment. Among the eight structure-classified VA classes, xanthates exhibited the highest concentrations (median: 3810–81,300 ng/g), followed by thiazoles, guanidines, sulfenamides, dithiocarbamates, thiurams, thioureas, and others. The median total concentrations of all target VAs (∑VAs) were determined to be 5060 ng/g in road dust, 5730 ng/g in parking lot dust, 29,200 ng/g in vehicle repair plant dust, and 84,300 ng/g in household dust, indicating the widespread presence of numerous rubber-derived VAs in various urban environments. This study marked the first systematic effort to identify a wide range of emerging rubber-derived VAs prevalent in urban environments. The findings call for increased attention to these widely utilized but less well-evaluated chemicals in future research and environmental management efforts.

This study assessed organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) residues in the muscle of frozen Atlantic herrings (Clupea harengus) and compared with the maximum residue limits set by European Union (EU), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO). Frozen fish samples were purchased from Oke Ado market in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria and weighed per batch. Fish sample averaged 300grams were wrapped in aluminum foil paper and placed in cooler and taken to the Laboratory for analysis. OCPs were tested in C. harengusin February, March and April, 2023. The mean concentration and standard deviation of OCP congeners detected (concentration in ng/g) for February, March and April were 1368.74±47.49, 546.07±18.45, 788.40±35.36 respectively for a-HCH. p,p'-DDT had 0.14±0.06 with other values having b-HCH 0.36±0.15, d-HCH 0.52±0.23 in February, 0.00±0.00 in March and 0.20±0.08 in April. Aldrin and Endrin aldehyde concentration were 9.11±3.65 and 42.08±16.82 respectively for February only. Methoxychlor however recorded 1.12±0.47, 0.38±0.14 and 0.25±0.06 for February, March and April accordingly. The levels of OCPs detected exceeded Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), indicating potential risks to human health. It is recommended that regulatory measures, public awareness and continuous monitoring should be undertaken to stem the effects of this pollution.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common yet challenging cardiac disease. Great strides have been made in improving DCM prognosis due to heart failure but sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to ventricular arrhythmias remains significant and challenging to predict. High-risk patients can be effectively managed with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) but because identification of what is high risk is very limited, many patients unnecessarily experience the morbidity associated with an ICD implant and many others are not identified and have preventable mortality. Current guidelines recommend use of left ventricular ejection fraction and New York Heart Association class as the main markers of risk stratification to identify patients who would be at higher risk of SCD. However, when analysing the data from the trials that these recommendations are based on, the number of patients in whom an ICD delivers appropriate therapy is modest. In order to improve the effectiveness of therapy with an ICD, the patients who are most likely to benefit need to be identified. This review article presents the evidence behind current guideline-directed SCD risk markers and then explores new potential imaging, electrophysiological and genetic risk markers for SCD in DCM.