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The traditional Chinese herbal formula Shenmai-Yin (SY) and nifedipine have both been used to treat patients with cardiovascular disorders. Nifedipine is primarily oxidized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A. The oxidation and pharmacokinetics of nifedipine were studied in rats in vitro and in vivo to illustrate the interaction of SY with nifedipine. Schisandrol A, schisandrin A and schisandrin B were identified as the main lignans in SY. In the study in vitro, the ethanolic extract of SY was used due to the solubility and the extract inhibited nifedipine oxidation (NFO) activity in a time-dependent manner. Among lignans, schisandrin B caused the most potent inhibition. According to the time-dependent inhibition behavior, rats were treated with SY 1 h before nifedipine administration. After oral treatment with 1.9 g/kg SY, nifedipine clearance decreased by 34% and half-life increased by 142%. SY treatment decreased hepatic NFO activity by 49%. Compared to the change caused by ketoconazole, the SY-mediated reduction of nifedipine clearance was moderate. These findings demonstrate that SY causes a time-dependent inhibition of NFO and schisandrin B contributes to the inhibition. The decreased nifedipine clearance by SY in rats warrants further human study to examine the clinical impact of this decrease., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

Birds may act as biovectors of nutrients and contaminants at the regional scale and potentially increase the exposure to such substances in ecosystems frequented by these birds. However, no study has estimated biotransport of contaminants by individual birds through their feces (guano). Elevated concentrations of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) have been reported in ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) breeding near Montreal (QC, Canada)- a known hotspot for HFRs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and selected emerging HFRs (e.g., Dechlorane-related compounds) in guano of individual ring-billed gulls, and to assess the relative accumulation of these HFRs by comparing concentrations in plasma (absorbed) versus guano (excreted). A second objective was to determine the importance of one of the largest ring-billed gull colony (Deslauriers Island) in North America located near Montreal as a vector of HFR biotransport at the regional scale. Elevated concentrations of PBDEs and Dechlorane plus were determined in guano and plasma of ring-billed gulls, although in general no difference was found between males and females. However, plasma to guano concentration ratios were significantly greater in females for the highly hydrophobic BDE-209 and Dechlorane plus compared to males. Overall, for both sexes combined, the total amount of HFRs (sum of the 16 major PBDEs and five emerging HFRs) deposited by this entire colony (64,980 gulls) in the Montreal area through guano during the 28-days incubation period was estimated to 1 g. This study showed that urban-adapted ring-billed gulls from this large colony represent an underestimated biovector of HFRs, which may contribute to augment exposure to these toxic compounds in nearby ecosystems., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In an attempt to evaluate the behavior of Dechlorane plus (DP) in soil-vegetable systems, this work investigated the uptake and translocation of DP by vegetables and the dissipation of DP in soil under greenhouse and conventional conditions. To address human dietary exposure to DP, estimated dietary intake via vegetable consumption was calculated. The uptake potential indexes of DP from soil into root for tomato and cucumber cultivated under different conditions ranged from 0.089 to 0.71. The ranges of uptake potential indexes of DP from resuspended soil particles into stem, leaf and fruit were 0.68-0.78, 0.27-0.42 and 0.39-0.75, respectively. The uptake potential indexes in greenhouse vegetables were generally higher than those in conventional vegetables when the vegetables had been planted in contaminated soil, indicating that greenhouse enhanced the uptake of DP with a high soil concentration by vegetables. The translocation factor (TF) values of DP in vegetables were in the range of 0.022-0.17, indicating that DP can be transported from root to fruit even though it has a high octanol water partition coefficient (K OW ). The half-lives of DP dissipation in soil ranged from 70 to 102 days. The dissipation of DP in greenhouse soil was slightly slower than that in conventional soil. Higher estimated dietary intake (EDI) values of DP via greenhouse vegetables were observed due to the higher concentration of DP in greenhouse vegetables than conventional vegetables. These results suggested that greenhouses should not be adopted for vegetable production in contaminated regions., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) consists of multiple compounds and the number of theoretically possible isomers can reach into the thousands. Currently each PAC group is quantified collectively as a single group of compounds. However, individual PACs can reveal important information on how the PACs were formed and this information may be used to determine sources of PACs in environmental samples, It is hypothesized that many of the limitations with characterizing alkylated PACs with one dimensional gas-chromatography (1D GC) can be circumvented using GC × GC (two dimensional gas chromatography). Here we apply comprehensive GCxGC coupled to high-resolution time of flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-HFTOF-MS) to aid in the separation, identification and quantitation of APACs in three environmental matrices: mussel tissue (Mytilus edulis), lubricating oil and coal. In the absence of authentic analytical standards, differences in the mass spectral fragmentation pattern of isomers were used to confirm the identity of isomers within a PAC group. The method was validated according to the EURACHEM guidelines and used to quantify a biological standard reference material (SRM 2974a). The method met all the standard method performance requirements such as trueness, precision and measurement of uncertainty and is fit for quantifying these compounds in biota. Furthermore, the method was used to identify and quantify additional PAC compounds in the SRM 2974a material which to date have not been certified. With appropriate statistical analytical tools, the described GC × GC method can be used as a tool for more robust source fingerprinting and source apportionment of PACs in the environment., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Schisandra chinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat sleep disorders. Zebrafish sleep/wake behavioral profiling provides a high-throughput platform to screen chemicals, but has never been used to study extracts and components from TCM. In the present study, the ethanol extract of Schisandra chinensis and its two main lignin components, schisandrin and schisandrin B, were studied in zebrafish. We found that the ethanol extract had bidirectional improvement in rest and activity in zebrafish. Schisandrin and schisandrin B were both sedative and active components. We predicted that schisandrin was related to serotonin pathway and the enthanol extract of Schisandra chinensis was related to seoronin and domapine pathways using a database of zebrafish behaviors. These predictions were confirmed in experiments using Caenorhabditis elegans. In conclusion, zebrafish behavior profiling could be used as a high-throughput platform to screen neuroactive effects and predict molecular pathways of extracts and components from TCM., (Copyright © 2018 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence and bioaccumulation of new flame retardants (nBFRs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus (DDC-CO) in the marine environment close to an Arctic community. Passive sampling of air and water and grab sampling of sediment and amphipods was used to obtain samples to study long-range transport versus local contributions for regulated and emerging flame retardants in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. BDE-47 and -99, α- and β-tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (DBE-DBCH), syn- and anti-dechlorane plus (DDC-CO) were detected in all investigated matrices and the DDC-COss at higher concentrations in the air than reported from other remote Arctic areas. Water concentrations of ΣDDC-COSs were low (3 pg/L) and comparable to recent Arctic studies. ΣnBFR was 37 pg/L in the water samples while ΣPBDE was 3 pg/L. In biota, ΣDDC-COSs dominated (218 pg/g ww) followed by ΣnBFR (95 pg/g ww) and ΣPBDEs (45 pg/g ww). When compared with other areas and their relative distribution patterns, contributions from local sources of the analysed compounds cannot be ruled out. This should be taken into account when assessing long-range transport of nBFRs and DDC-COs to the Arctic. High concentrations of PBDEs in the sediment indicate that they might originate from a small, local source, while the results for some of the more volatile compounds such as hexabromobenzene (HBBz) suggest long-range transport to be more important than local sources. We recommend that local sources of flame retardants in remote areas receive more attention in the future., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dechloranes (Decs) have been widely found in the environment, even in the Tibetan Plateau and remote polar regions. However, the understanding of their regional distribution characteristics in polar regions is limited. To study the long-range atmospheric transport and fates of these emerging contaminants, Decs were analyzed in soil and lichen from the Fildes Peninsula in Antarctica. The concentrations of five Decs in soil and lichen ranged from 141.46 to 838.47 pg/g dw and 237.04 to 3599.18 pg/g dw, respectively. The mean fractions of anti -Dechlorane Plus (DP) ( f anti ) values estimated in the current soils (0.37) and lichen (0.24) were lower than those of commercial products ( f anti = 0.64⁻0.80), which confirms that long-range atmospheric transport is a main source of DP, and the DP burdens could be driven by the accumulation of syn -DP. The average ΣDP concentration in soil in the coastal area was higher than that in the inland area and Ardley Island, while in lichen, the average DP concentration at the Ardley Island site was approximately three-fold higher than that in the coastal area and inland areas. This indicates that the distribution of DP was influenced by anthropogenic interference and animal activities in the Fildes Peninsula. The spatial variation of f anti of the three regions was clearer in soil than that in lichen. The f anti values were negatively correlated with DP concentrations in soil, suggesting that DP concentration levels play an important role in determining the isomeric composition of DP in the soil.

A reagent-less electrochemical DNA biosensor for rapid non-electroactive polycyclic organic compounds (POCs) screening and detection was proposed. In this method, methylene blue (MB) was incorporated into DNA/chitosan polyion complex membrane and then modified onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemical analysis for the prepared DNA-MB/chitosan/GCE showed that the modified electrode exhibited high electrochemical activity and stability. The addition of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), a model analyte of non-electroactive POCs, resulted in an obvious peak current decrease in DNA-MB/chitosan/GCE, and this electrochemical response was affected by the DNA type and MB/DNA ratio in the modified electrodes. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy was utilized to furthermore investigate the interaction between TC and DNA-MB/chitosan/GCE. As a result, a competitive interaction and displacement effect between TC and the intercalated MB was proposed. In our condition, the prepared DNA-MB/chitosan/GCE showed high sensitivity to POCs and had almost no response to common interferences. Besides, the good stability and reproducibility of the prepared electrode made it suitable for practical use.

The resolution power of turbulent flow chromatography using carbon dioxide as the mobile phase and coated (crosslinked methyl phenyl polysiloxane) open tube columns (OTCs) as the stationary phase was investigated under retentive conditions (0

The health impact of haze is of great concern; however, few air quality studies have investigated trace pollutant contamination in the air. Size-segregated atmospheric particles (nine size fractions derived from PM 10 ) were collected in dwelling (indoor) and traffic (outdoor) environments in Xinxiang, China, during light pollution conditions (air quality index (AQI), 60-90) and heavy pollution conditions (AQI, 350-550), and they were analysed for halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and Dechlorane Plus (DP) isomers. HFR occurrence levels generally decreased in the order of PBDEs > NBFRs > DPs. The total mean abundance ratios of heavy pollution/light pollution were 4.0, 2.9, 4.4 and 3.6 for PBDEs, NBFRs, DPs and HFRs, respectively. Meteorological conditions played distinctive roles in the HFR distribution in the air. Apparent differences were found for the particle size distribution of HFRs under light and heavy pollution conditions. In general, for adults, the estimated hazard quotient (HQ) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR BDE-209 ) values were approximately 1.7 × 10 -2 and 9.3 × 10 -9 in heavy pollution conditions, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in light pollution conditions (1.8 × 10 -3 and 2.1 × 10 -9 , respectively)., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Dechloranes, a type of additive polychlorinated flame retardant, which include Dechlorane (Dec) Plus (DP), Dec 602, Dec 603, and Dec 604, were detected in surficial water and sediment from the Jiulong River Estuary (JRE). The total concentration of dechloranes in the water and sediments ranged from 1.4 to 4.1 ng/L and 9.3 to 36.2 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The distribution patterns of dechloranes in the water and sediments were both dominated by DP. The average values of the anti-DP fractional abundances (f anti ) in the water and sediment samples both were fell in the range of commercial DP mixtures. The relationships of DP in the water with suspended particulate matter (SPM), total organic carbon (TOC), and tides indicated that the combined actions of these environmental factors influenced the distribution of DP in the JRE. The deleterious risk associated with exposure to dechloranes via the water for adults was very low, suggesting that exposure of the local population of dechloranes via water is relatively safe in the JRE.

We investigated the occurrence of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), six novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and dechlorane plus in air and soils on the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. We detected all of the NBFR except bis(2-ethylhexyl)-tetrabromophthalate and pentabromoethyl benzene. NBFRs constituted the most prevalent group. BDE-28 and BDE-47 dominated among the PBDE congeners. Decabromodiphenyl ethane was detected at relatively high levels up to 171 pg/m 3 and 1450 pg/g dry weight in air and soils, respectively; however, it appeared to be easily degraded in the environment. A general decreasing trend was observed among the HFR concentrations with increasing altitude, and this was due to the prominent contribution of source emissions over possible influence of environmental conditions. This study also suggests that HFRs are supplied to forest soils mainly in the form of precipitation and retained in the O horizon layers.

Dechlorane related compounds (DRCs), including Dechlorane Plus (syn-DP and anti-DP), Dechlorane-601, -602, -603 and Chlordene Plus (CP), constitute a group of polychlorinated flame retardants (FRs) that are still of industrial use. In particular, DRCs have been detected in various environmental matrices and in different aquatic and terrestrial biota, thus exhibiting bioaccumulation and biomagnification potentials. The present study aimed at producing first occurrence data of a range of DRCs in Silurus spp. samples from different rivers located in France. Determination was carried out by gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry after a sample clean-up based on a multilayer silica column and gel permeation chromatography. The concentration of monitored ΣDRCs ranged from 1.58 to 408 pg g -1 wet weight (54-11100 pg g -1 lipid weight). The fractional abundance of syn- and anti-DP stereoisomers was similar to that reported by other studies with an average equal to 0.60. Dec-601 was not detected in any sample. Detection frequencies ranged between 34 and 100% for other DRCs. Investigated correlations between DRCs and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) suggest a link with lipid content but independent contamination sources., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The double qualitative principle is a new composite qualitative method based on retention time and the characteristic peaks of the absorption spectra. Using a self-designed and assembled diode array detector (DAD), a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system was constructed. The illegal additive auramine O in six kinds of herbal slices and the active ingredient schisandrin in Jujube kernel Tianma capsules were separated and qualitative analyzed using the HPLC-DAD system. The results showed that there were similar peaks in the chromatograms of pollen typhae and Jujube kernel Tianma capsules when comparing the target analytes. However, the probabilities of the targets were excluded by comparing the absorption spectra. The application results indicated that, based on the double qualitative principle of retention time/absorption spectrum, the interference of impurities in the samples could be well eliminated and the false positives could be avoided. This provides a reference method for the study of traditional Chinese medicine components.

In this work, sixteen novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and Dechlorane Plus (DP) were investigated in dust samples collected from different indoor environments (home, office, laboratory, classroom and dormitory) in Hangzhou, China. High detection frequencies for most of the congeners were observed, suggesting the widespread use of NBFRs and DP. The mean concentrations of ∑ 16 NBFRs were 389ngg -1 in the home dust, 1125ngg -1 in the office dust, 204ngg -1 in the laboratory dust, 259ngg -1 in the classroom dust, and 825ngg -1 in the dormitory dust. Regarding DP, the mean concentrations of DP were 106ngg -1 in the office dust, 59ngg -1 in the dormitory dust, 56ngg -1 in the classroom dust, 52ngg -1 in the home dust, and 40ngg -1 in the laboratory dust. The concentrations of NBFRs and DP in the indoor dust were positively related to the number of indoor electric appliances and negatively related to the air ventilation rate. The age of the interior decoration has a profound effect on the concentration of NBFRs in indoor dust. The daily exposure doses (DED) of NBFRs and DP were estimated to be 4595pg (kgbw) -1 d -1 for toddlers and 1099pg (kgbw) -1 d -1 for adults. Thus, toddlers have a higher risk for NBFRs exposure than adults. The DED of young adults in college in different indoor microenvironments decreased in the following order: dormitory (657pg (kg bw) -1 d -1 )>laboratory (145pg (kgbw) -1 d -1 )>classroom (140pg (kgbw) -1 d -1 ). More attention should be paid to the exposure of young adults to indoor pollutants, which has not previously been the subject of great concern., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), and dechlorane plus (DPs) were analyzed in seven categories of building and decoration materials. The total concentrations of analyzed FRs ranged from 1.19 ng/g (diatomite powder) to 9532 ng/g (expanded polystyrene panel). Relatively high concentrations were detected in foam samples and PVC materials, followed by sealing materials, boards, wallpaper, paints, and wall decoration powders. BDE209 was the most detected compound with the highest concentrations in almost all materials, followed by decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), which was consistent with their productions and consumptions in China. The estimated PBDE concentrations in air and dust based on material concentration and emission rate were comparable with those detected in real samples. Adult and infant exposures via inhalation and dust ingestion were assessed. The estimated exposures to BDE209 via dust ingestion were 1.36 and 0.12 ng/(kg bw d), which were 19- and 4-fold higher than those via inhalation for infants and adults, respectively. This suggested that dust ingestion was a significant pathway of human BDE209 exposure, especially for infants. For the other PBDE congeners (∑ 7 PBDEs), the estimated exposures via inhalation were 2.60 and 1.32 ng/(kg bw d) for infants and adults, respectively. Despite the low estimated human exposures to PBDEs compared to the oral reference doses, the exposure associated with building and decoration materials still requires more attention because of the potential risks from other exposure pathways and undetected FRs in those materials., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Shengmai San (SMS), a Chinese classic herbal formula, has been widely used for the treatment of Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome in Asia. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that SMS improves the cognitive function. However, the quality markers (Q-markers) for SMS still need further research., Purpose: Using chinmedocmics strategy to systematically evaluate the efficacy of SMS in the treatment of APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to discover the efficacy-related Q-markers., Methods: The effect of SMS on APP/PS1 mice was evaluated by behavioral test, immunohistochemistry and urine metabolic profile, and the urine marker metabolites associated with SMS treatment of AD were characterized using metabolomics method. In the premise of efficacy, Serum Pharmacochemistry of Traditional Chinese Medicine was applied to investigate the in vivo constituents of SMS. A correlation analysis between marker metabolites of therapeutic effects and serum constituents was completed by chinmedomics approach., Results: SMS had a therapeutic effect on APP/PS1 mice, and 34 potential urine biomarkers were reversed by SMS treatment. A total of 17 in vivo constituents were detected, including 14 prototype components and 3 metabolites. The correlation analysis showed that eight constituents were extremely correlated with protective effects of SMS in AD, and considered as potential Q-markers of SMS, including schisandrin, isoschisandrin, angeloylgomisin Q, gomisin D, angeloylgomisin H, gomisin M2, ginsenoside F1, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3., Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that chinmedomics is novel strategy for discovering the potential effective constituents from herbal formula, which are recognized as Q-markers., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, tri-to hepta-BDEs) and Dechlorane Plus (DP) in multiple samples (soil, sediment, road dust, and PM 2.5 particles) in historical locations of our previous work in Guiyu (electronic-waste recycling town) in southeastern China were investigated in 2014. Ten years later, PBDEs and DP were detected in 100% of the samples. Ʃ 3-7 PBDEs were still relatively great, ranging from 1.2 × 10 1 to 2.1 × 10 3  ng/g dry weight (dw) in soil, 2.1 to 3.2 × 10 3  ng/g dw in sediment, 1.0 × 10 1 to 1.1 × 10 4  ng/g dw in road dust, which were a little less than or close to those measured in 2004. However, Ʃ 3-7 PBDEs in PM 2.5 (5.0 × 10 2 to 8.4 × 10 2  pg/m 3 ) were significantly lower in 2014. BDE-47, -99, -153, and -183 were predominant congeners, which were also predominant PBDEs reported in Guiyu (2006-2008). Greater proportions of lesser-brominated BDEs were predominant in PM 2.5 than other samples. DP was detected in 100% of the samples collected with high levels. Total syn-DP and anti-DP concentrations were 3.8 to 2.1 × 10 3  ng/g dw in soil, 1.1 × 10 3 to 7.2 × 10 3  ng/g dw in sediment, 1.4 × 10 1 to 1.1 × 10 3  ng/g dw in road dust, and 1.8 × 10 2 and 1.7 × 10 2  pg/m 3 in PM 2.5 . Most of the fractions of anti-DP (f anti ) (70%-80%) were consistent among samples. The health risk assessment showed that hazard indexes (HIs) of PBDEs or DPs for child or adult were all lower than 0.16., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Polycyclic musks (PCMs) in the aquatic environment and organisms have become an emerging environmental issue because of their potential risk. The most used method for polycyclic musk determination is gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with different sample extractions, which are somewhat expensive to operate, complex and laborious. In this study, a novel and ultrasensitive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with multiple signal amplification of carboxylic-DNA by gold nanoparticle-polyamidoamine conjugation (Au-PAMAM) was developed for determining polycyclic musks in fish. Hapten and immunogen were specially prepared. Polyclonal antibodies were produced based on the optimal immunisation, and the antibodies were characterised. Due to PAMAM's unique nanostructure of numerous functional amino groups, polyclonal antibody and carboxylic-DNA were immobilised by Au-PAMAM conjugation to develop the antibody-Au-PAMAM-DNA probes, which were used as a signal DNA amplifier in the PCR system. Compared with real-time immuno-PCR, this biological probe-amplified immuno-PCR (BPAI-PCR) assay had higher sensitivity due to the probes' higher ratio of signal DNA. Finally, the BPAI-PCR assay was applied to analyse AHTN (7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene,Tonalide) concentrations in fish samples in the range from 1 pg/L to 10 ng/L, giving an of LOD 0.61 pg/L. In general, due to the specificity of the antibody and novel nanoprobe design, this BPAI-PCR assay provided a potential way for trace analysis of AHTN in the aquatic organisms. The high concentrations of AHTN found in cultivated fish should encourage further toxicological studies.

Fifteen halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) including seven emerging brominated flame retardants (EBFRs) and eight dechlorane-related compounds (DRCs) were analyzed in eels (Anguilla anguilla) sampled from five Latvian lakes. Out of the seven EBFRs, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) were found in eels in quantifiable concentrations, up to 6.58 and 33.0 ng g -1 lipid weight (l.w.), respectively. The mean total concentration of DRCs (∑ DRC ) in the samples was 0.62 ng g -1 l.w. and the geographical distribution of DRC contamination was nearly uniform among the selected lakes. Dechlorane 602 (Dec 602) was the predominant component, whereas the composition of mixture containing syn- and anti-Dechlorane Plus (DP) stereoisomers showed a pronounced enrichment of the anti-DP isomer and was close to the composition of OxyChem ® DP commercial product. The determined concentrations of HFRs were lower than in other studies of aquatic biota from Europe and Asia, and the obtained results reflect the acceptable environmental status of Latvian lakes with regard to the total content of HBCD (∑ HBCD ), considering the environmental quality standards (EQS) stated in the Directive 2013/39/EU. The highest ∑ HBCD levels were observed in eels from lakes corresponding to the industrialization of those areas, while the results of principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the concentration of HBCD depended on the particular sampling lake, reflecting non-uniform contamination of the Latvian environment with this EBFR., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

While various investigations have been driven on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and other flame retardants (FRs) in different framework around the world, information about contamination and fate of PBDEs and other FRs in developing countries especially in the Indian subcontinent is uncommon. Nepal being located in the Indian subcontinent, very little is known about contamination level of semi-volatile organic pollutants discharged into the environment. This motivated us to investigate the environmental fate of halogenated flame retardant (HFRs) in Nepalese condition. In this study, we investigated the concentration, fate, and sources of 9 PBDEs, 2 dechlorane plus isomers (DPs), and 6 novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs). Moreover, air-soil exchange and soil-air partitioning were also evaluated to characterize the pattern of air-soil exchange and environmental fate. In general, the concentrations of NBFRs in soil were more prevalent than PBDEs and DPs, and accounted 95% of ∑HFRs. By and large, the concentrations of NBFRs and DPs were measured high in Kathmandu, while PBDEs level exceeded in Pokhara. Principal component analysis (PCA) study suggested contributions from commercial penta-, octa-, and deca-BDEs products and de-bromination of highly brominated PBDEs as the significant source of PBDEs. Likewise, low f anti ratio suggested DPs in soil might have originated from long-range atmospheric transport from remote areas, while high levels of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) in soil were linked with the use of wide varieties of consumer products. The estimated fugacity fraction (ff) for individual HFR was quite lower (<0.05) than equilibrium value, suggesting that deposition and net transport from air to the soil is overwhelming. Soil-air partitioning study revealed neither octanol-air partition coefficient (K OA ) nor black carbon partition coefficient (K BC-A ) is an appropriate surrogate for soil organic matter (SOM), subsequently, absorption by SOM has no or little role in the partitioning of HFRs., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Schisandrin B has received much attention owing to its various biological activities. The present study was aimed at the formulation development of schisandrin B and investigation of the pharmacokinetic profiles, distribution and excretion of schisandrin B in Sprague-Dawley rats. In this study, micronized schisandrin B particles with particle size of 10-20 μm were chosen as the research object. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a BDS Hypersil C 18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, i.d. 3.5 μm). Schisandrin B and deoxyschizandrin (internal standard) were detected without interference in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by a noncompartmental method. The area under concentration-time curve and the maximum concentration showed a significant difference in gender. The calculated absolute oral bioavailability of schisandrin B was ~55.0% for female rat and 19.3% for male rat. Schisandrin B exhibited linear pharmacokinetics properties within the range of the tested oral dose (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg). After oral administration of schisandrin B, it was extensively distributed in ovary and adipose tissue. The result also showed very low urinary, biliary and fecal excretion of schisandrin B implying that schisandrin B was excreted mainly in the forms of metabolites., (Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

We have extended a recently published toxicokinetic model for fish (TK-fish) towards the oral up-take of contaminants. Validation with hydrophobic chemicals revealed that diffusive transport through aqueous boundary layers in the gastro-intestinal tract and in the blood is the limiting process. This process can only be modelled correctly if facilitated transport by albumin or bile micelles through these boundary layers is accounted for. In a case study we have investigated the up-take of a super hydrophobic chemical, Dechlorane Plus. Our results suggest that there is no indication of a hydrophobicity or size cut-off in the bioconcentration of this chemical. Based on an extremely high, but mechanistically sound facilitation factor we received model results in good agreement with experimental values from the literature. The results also indicate that established experimental procedures for BCF determination cannot cover the very slow up-take and clearance kinetics that are to be expected for such a chemical.

Previously reported LC-MS methods for quantifying 8-α-hydroxy-mutilin (a marker residue of tiamulin) in tissues all used a pseudo MRM transition (from protonated molecular ion to protonated molecular ion, m/z 337→337) due to difficulties in finding a product ion, leading to suboptimal selectivity and sensitivity for detection. By using electrospray negative ionization in a basic medium, we, for the first time, found a highly selective and sensitive true MRM transition for 8-α-hydroxy-mutilin, m/z 335→179. With this newly found MRM transition and the use of pleuromutilin as the internal standard, a very sensitive, selective, and robust LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for quantifying 8-α-hydroxy-mutilin in rabbit tissues (muscle, liver, kidney, and fat). In comparison with the previously published methods, the selectivity and sensitivity were significantly improved. For the concentration range validated (0.2-10ppm or 0.2-10μg/g), the within-run and between-run accuracies (% bias) ranged from -5.0 to 3.1 and -4.9 to 3.0, respectively. The% CV ranged from 2.2 to 6.6 and 4.7 to 8.3 for within-run and between-run precisions, respectively. The validated method was successfully used to support two GLP tissue residue depletion studies in rabbits., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and Dechlorane Plus (DP) were measured in both human hair and paired serum samples from a cohort of university students in South China. Segmental analysis was conducted to explore gender difference and the relationships between the hair and serum. The concentrations of total PBDEs in the hair and serum samples were in a range of 0.28-34.1ng/g dry weight (dw) and 0.16-156ng/g lipid weight (lw), respectively. Concentrations of ∑DPs (sum of the syn-DP and anti-DP isomers) in all hair samples ranged from nd-5.45ng/g dry weight. Concentrations of most PBDEs and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) in distal segments (5-10cm from the scalp) were higher than those in the proximal segments (0-5cm from the scalp) (t-test, p < 0.05), which could be due to the longer exposure time of distal segments. The proximal segments exhibited a unique congener profile, more close to that in the serum rather than the distal segments of hair. An obvious gender difference was found in the levels of ∑PBDEs using integrated hair samples, while the difference disappeared when considering alone the proximal segments of hair (0-5cm from scalp) for both genders. This paper provides supplement to the current knowledge on sources of BFRs and DPs in hair and declares the importance of segmental analysis., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

An analytical method has been developed for the trace determination of 10 dechlorane-related compounds (DRCs) in food products by gas chromatography - high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). The highest sensitivity of this instrumental analysis method was achieved by selection of the GC column type, optimization of the heated zones within the instrument, and adjusting the electron impact energy. The efficiency of solid phase extraction as clean-up procedure was also optimized. Two different types of cartridges - neutral silica gel and Florisil ® , as well as seven organic solvents or their mixtures - n-hexane, cyclohexane, acetone, toluene, n-hexane/ethyl acetate, n-hexane/acetone, and n-hexane/dichloromethane - were evaluated. The analytical method was characterized as selective, precise, accurate, and linear over the concentration ranges from 1.00 to 100 pg μL -1 for DRCs. Ultra-trace level sensitivity was achieved with the instrumental limits of quantification (i-LOQs) varying from ∼0.01 pg to ∼ 1 pg and method limits of quantification (m-LOQs) by the analysis of 10 g of sample varying from ∼0.04 to ∼ 5 pg g -1 . The developed method was successfully applied for the analysis of food samples and the analyses revealed the presence of majority of selected DRCs, with the Dechlorane Plus (DP) isomers occurring to a greater extent, pointing to the highest levels in cod liver and other fish products., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Flame retardants in commercial products eventually make their way into the waste stream. Herein the presence of flame retardants in Norwegian landfills, incineration facilities and recycling sorting/defragmenting facilities is investigated. These facilities handled waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), vehicles, digestate, glass, combustibles, bottom ash and fly ash. The flame retardants considered included polybrominated diphenyl ethers (∑BDE-10) as well as dechlorane plus, polybrominated biphenyls, hexabromobenzene, pentabromotoluene and pentabromoethylbenzene (collectively referred to as ∑FR-7). Plastic, WEEE and vehicles contained the largest amount of flame retardants (∑BDE-10: 45,000-210,000μg/kg; ∑FR-7: 300-13,000μg/kg). It was hypothesized leachate and air concentrations from facilities that sort/defragment WEEE and vehicles would be the highest. This was supported for total air phase concentrations (∑BDE-10: 9000-195,000pg/m 3 WEEE/vehicle facilities, 80-900pg/m 3 in incineration/sorting and landfill sites), but not for water leachate concentrations (e.g., ∑BDE-10: 15-3500ng/L in WEEE/Vehicle facilities and 1-250ng/L in landfill sites). Landfill leachate exhibited similar concentrations as WEEE/vehicle sorting and defragmenting facility leachate. To better account for concentrations in leachates at the different facilities, waste-water partitioning coefficients, K waste were measured (for the first time to our knowledge for flame retardants). WEEE and plastic waste had elevated K waste compared to other wastes, likely because flame retardants are directly added to these materials. The results of this study have implications for the development of strategies to reduce exposure and environmental emissions of flame retardants in waste and recycled products through improved waste management practices., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To study the anti-inflammatory properties of OJ., Context: Ojayeonjonghwan (OJ) is a traditional Korean prescription, which has been widely used for the treatment of prostatitis. However, no scientific study has been performed of the anti-inflammatory effects of OJ., Materials and Methods: Peritoneal macrophages were isolated 3-4 days after injecting a C57BL/6J mouse with thioglycollate. They were then treated with OJ water extract (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/mL) for 1 h and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for different times. Nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and proinflammatory cytokine levels were determined by NO assay, Western blotting, RT-PCR and ELISA., Results: NO generation and iNOS induction were increased in the LPS-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. However, NO generation and iNOS induction by LPS were suppressed by treatment with OJ for the first time. The IC 50 value of OJ with respect to NO production was 0.09 mg/mL. OJ did not influence LPS-stimulated COX-2 induction, but did significantly decrease LPS-stimulated secretions and mRNA expressions of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. Inhibition rates of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β at an OJ concentration of 1 mg/mL were 77%, 88%, and 50%, respectively. OJ also suppressed the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB. High-performance liquid chromatography showed schizandrin and gomisin A are major components of OJ., Conclusions: OJ reduces inflammatory response, and this probably explains its positive impact on the prostatitis associated inflammation.

Schisandra chinensis (Chinese starvine) is a popular dietary supplement with a rich history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. Schisandra glabra (bay starvine) is the only North American representative of the genus, and little is known about its history of traditional use, chemistry, and potential biological activity. In this study, we conducted comparative high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis on S. glabra and S. chinensis fruits. Additional characterization of S. glabra was performed by liquid chromatography-Fourier transform mass spectrometry (LC-FTMS). Quantitative analysis of four bioactive marker compounds revealed that S. glabra does not have statistically higher levels of schisandrin A or schisandrol B than S. chinensis. S. glabra has lower levels of schisandrol A and γ-schisandrin. Total phenolic contents of the two species' fruits were not statistically different. S. glabra had higher total tannin content than S. chinensis. We discuss the relevance of this analytical analysis to the study of S. glabra as a potential dietary supplement ingredient and give specific consideration to the conservation challenges involved in commercially developing a regionally threatened species, even in semicultivated conditions.

As an emerging halogenated organic contaminant, Dechlorane Plus (DP) was scarcely reported in marine environments, especially in China. In this work, 35 surface sediments and a sediment core were collected across the Southern Yellow Sea (SYS) to comprehensively explore the spatio-temporal distribution and possible migration pathway of DP. DP concentrations ranged from 14.3 to 245.5 pg/g dry weight in the surface sediments, displaying a seaward increasing trend with the high levels in the central mud zone. This spatial distribution pattern was ascribed to that fine particles with the elevated DP levels were preferentially transported to the central mud zone under hydrodynamic forcing and/or via long-range atmospheric transportation and deposition. DP concentrations in sediment core gradually increased from the mid-1950s to present, which corresponded well with the historical production and usage of DP, as well as the economic development in China. Significantly positive correlation between DP and total organic carbon (TOC) in both surface sediments and sediment core indicated TOC-dependent natural deposition of DP in the SYS. We used multiple biomarkers, for the first time, to explore the potential effects of terrestrial and marine organic matters (TOM and MOM) on DP deposition. The results showed that competition may occur between TOM and MOM for DP adsorption, and MOM was the predominant contributor in controlling DP deposition in the marine sediments from the SYS., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Concentrations and spatial distribution pattern of organohalogen flame retardants were investigated in the riverine surface sediments from Taizhou, an intensive e-waste recycling region in China. The analytes were syn- and anti- Dechlorane Plus (DP), Dechloranes 602, 603, and 604, a DP monoadduct, two dechlorinated DPs and 8 congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The concentrations of Σ 8 PBDEs, ΣDP, ΣDec600s, and ΣDP-degradates ranged from <100 to 172,000, 100 to 55,000, not detectable (nd) to 1600, and nd to 2800 pg/g dry weight, respectively. BDE-209 and DP, both have been manufactured in China, had similar spatial distribution patterns in the study area, featured by distinctly recognizable hotspots some of which are in proximity to known e-waste dumping or metal recycling facilities. Such patterns were largely shared by Dec602 and dechlorinated DP, although their concentration levels were much lower. These major flame retardants significantly correlate with each other, and cluster together in the loading plot of principle component analysis. In contrast, most non-deca PBDE congeners do not correlate with DPs. Dec604 stood out having distinctly different spatial distribution pattern, which could be linked to historical use of mirex. Organic matter content of the sediment was not the dominant factor in determining the spatial pattern of pollution by halogenated flame retardants in the rivers of this study., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study involved a field-based investigation to assess the occurrence, distribution and bioaccumulation behaviour of hydrophobic organic contaminants in a large-scale constructed wetland. Samples of raw leachate, water and wetland plants, Typha angustifolia, were collected for chemical analysis. Target contaminants included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCP), as well as several halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) and personal care products (triclosan and synthetic musks). In addition to PCBs and OCPs, synthetic musks, triclosan (TCS) and dechlorane plus stereoisomers (syn- and anti-DPs) were frequently detected. Root concentration factors (log RCF L/kg wet weight) of the various contaminants ranged between 3.0 and 7.9. Leaf concentration factors (log LCF L/kg wet weight) ranged between 2.4 and 8.2. syn- and anti-DPs exhibited the greatest RCF and LCF values. A strong linear relationship was observed between log RCF and octanol-water partition coefficient (log K OW ). Translocation factors (log TFs) were negatively correlated with log K OW . The results demonstrate that more hydrophobic compounds exhibit higher degrees of partitioning into plant roots and are less effectively transported from roots to plant leaves. Methyl triclosan (MTCS) and 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (DCDD), TCS degradation products, exhibited relatively high concentrations in roots and leaves., highlighting the importance of degradation/biotransformation. The results further suggest that Typha angustifolia in this constructed wetland can aid the removal of hydrophobic organic contaminants present in this landfill leachate. The findings will aid future investigations regarding the fate and bioaccumulation of hydrophobic organic contaminants in constructed wetlands., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Guiyu, China, is well-known for the crude disposal of electronic waste (EW) and severe persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Therefore, in this study, the occurrence, composition, and source of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl (BB153), some novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), Dechlorane Plus (DP) and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) in farmland soils covering Guiyu were studied. In EW disposal area soils, PBDEs were the most abundant FRs, with concentrations of 13-1014 ng g -1 . The primary PBDE sources were technical Penta- and Deca-BDE mixtures in northern and southern Guiyu, respectively. The levels of BB153 were relatively low, possibly because it has been banned in the 1970s. The concentrations of hexabromobenzene (HBB) were 0.048-3.3 ng g -1 , while pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) was almost not detected in the soils. Two alternatives to commercial PBDEs, decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), were the primary NBFRs, with concentrations of 1.8-153 ng g -1 and 0.43-15 ng g -1 , respectively. DP was another primary FR, with concentrations of 0.57-146 ng g -1 . Moreover, syn-DP and anti-DP isomers were not stereoselectively decomposed during the EW disposal process and were therefore present in their original fractions in the soils. The levels of PBDD/Fs in EW disposal area soils were 2.5-17 pg TEQ g -1 . 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF and OBDF were the dominant congeners, mainly derived from processing, pyrolysis and combustion of BFRs. The regional distribution of pollutants was shown to be related to the disposal manner of EW, with their open thermal disposal tending to release more highly brominated compounds such as BDE209, DBDPE, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF. Additionally, some riverbank sites were heavily polluted because of nearby point sources, downwind Simapu (SMP) town without EW disposal activity was also contaminated by these pollutants., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The concentrations of several organic contaminants (OCs) and heavy metals were measured in indoor dust from e-waste recycling, rural, and urban areas in South China to illustrate the spatial characteristics of these pollutants and to further evaluate human exposure risks. The median concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), and dechlorane plus (DPs) were 38.6-3560, 2360-30,100, 665-2720, and 19.5-1860ng/g, while the median concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Zn were 2.46-40.4, 206-1380, 217- 1200, 25.3-134, and 176-212μg/g in indoor dust. The levels of all pollutants, except Zn, in dust from the e-waste recycling area were significantly higher than those from the other areas. Cd, Pb, and most OCs exhibited similar pollution patterns in the three areas, indicating that e-waste recycling activities are the major pollution source. In contrast, Cu, Cr, Zn, and penta-BDE are likely derived from household products in the rural and urban areas. The highest estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of PCBs, PBDEs, DBDPE, and DPs were 0.15-163, 3.97-1470, 1.26-169, and 0.11-134ng/kg bw/day for toddlers and adults. The highest EDIs of BDE 209 and Pb in toddlers in the e-waste recycling area were 16% and 18 times higher than the reference doses, indicating the high exposure risk of these pollutants in the e-waste recycling area., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nitric oxide (NO) is both an important regulatory molecule in biological systems and a toxic xenobiotic. Its oxidation products react with sulfhydryl groups and either nitrosylate or oxidize them. The aerobic reaction of NO supplied by diethylamine NONOate (DEA-NO) with pig kidney LLC-PK 1 cells and Zn-proteins within the isolated proteome was examined with three fluorescent zinc sensors, zinquin (ZQ), TSQ, and FluoZin-3 (FZ-3). Observations of Zn 2+ labilization from Zn-proteins depended on the specific sensor used. Upon cellular exposure to DEA-NO, ZQ sequestered about 13% of the proteomic Zn 2+ as Zn(ZQ) 2 and additional Zn 2+ as proteome·Zn-ZQ ternary complexes. TSQ, a sensor structurally related to ZQ with lower affinity for Zn 2+ , did not form Zn(TSQ) 2 . Instead, Zn 2+ mobilized by DEA-NO was exclusively bound as proteome·Zn-TSQ adducts. Analogous reactions of proteome with ZQ or TSQ in vitro displayed qualitatively similar products. Titration of native proteome with Zn 2+ in the presence of ZQ resulted in the sole formation of proteome·Zn-ZQ species. This result suggested that sulfhydryl groups are involved in non-specific proteomic binding of mobile Zn 2+ and that the appearance of Zn(ZQ) 2 after exposure of cells and proteome to DEA-NO resulted from a reduction in proteomic sulfhydryl ligands, favoring the formation of Zn(ZQ) 2 instead of proteome·Zn-ZQ. With the third sensor, FluoZin-3, neither Zn-FZ-3 nor proteome·Zn-FZ-3 was detected during the reaction of proteome with DEA-NO. Instead, it reacted independently with DEA-NO with a modest enhancement of fluorescence.

Schisandra lignans, mainly including schizandrol A, schizandrol B, schisantherin A, schizandrin A, schizandrin B, etc., are the major active ingredients of Schisandra chinensis. In the present study, a robust liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of schisandra lignans in rat primary hepatocytes. Lovastatin was used as an internal standard, and chromatographic separation was achieved on a Shimadzu C 18 column with a gradient elution at the flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. All of the analytes were detected in multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization since the sodium adduct ion [M + Na] + was observed as the most intensive peak in the MS spectrum. For schizandrol A, schisantherin A and schizandrin A, the dynamic range was within 2-1000 ng/mg protein, and the linear range of schizandrol B and schizandrin B was from 5 to 1000 ng/mg protein. The intra- and inter-day precision was <15% and the accuracy (relative error) ranged from -15 to 15%. No significant variation was observed in the stability tests. The validated method was then successfully applied to the time-dependent uptake study for the Schisandra Lignan Extract in rat primary hepatocytes., (Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Flame retardants (FRs) are useful because they can prevent combustion and delay the spread of fire after the ignition on commercial products containing plastics. However, such commercial products could be a primary source of environmental contamination with FRs. Plastic disks containing FRs were prepared to elucidate changes in the concentrations of the FRs after weathering tests. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) resin were separately kneaded with a combination of three organic FRs [Dechlorane plus (DP), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP)] and one inorganic FR [antimony trioxide (Sb 2 O 3 )]. The concentrations of TBBPA/TPhP and DP/Sb 2 O 3 in the final preparations were respectively 1000 and 500 mg/kg in compliance with the RoHS directive on organobromine FR. The concentrations of elements in the final preparations were 300 mg/kg for chlorine, 600 mg/kg for bromine, 100 mg/kg for phosphorus, and 400 mg/kg for antimony, respectively. The analytical concentrations (three FRs and four elements) were consistent with the expected concentrations (maximum difference -9.5% in the PC disks). The FRs and elements in the disks were sufficiently homogenous (maximum inhomogeneity 4.3% in the PC disks). The prepared disks were subjected to weathering tests; the concentrations of TBBPA in the disks decreased significantly (30 to 40%) whereas the concentrations of the elements did not change under the condition of this study. On the other hand, there were no drastic differences on relationships of FRs and elements such as DP/chlorine and TPhP/phosphorus.

The atmospheric deposition fluxes of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Dechlorane Plus (DPs) in Dongjiang River Basin of the Pearl River Delta in South China were investigated during winter and summer, respectively. The total deposition fluxes varied from 4.74 to 27.0 ng/m 2 /day for PBDEs and 8.77 to 206 ng/m 2 /day for DPs, respectively. The fractions of anti-DP to the total DPs (f anti ) varied from 0.28 to 0.63 (mean = 0.43 ± 0.06), i.e., generally lower than those in commercial products, which might be attributed to the different environmental fates of the two isomers. Significant seasonal and spatial variations of PBDEs and DPs were observed. The deposition fluxes in summer were generally higher than those in winter, which may be due to the relatively high temperature and rainfall in summer under the influence of prevailing subtropical monsoon climate. Moreover, high deposition fluxes of PBDEs and DPs in urban areas and significant urban/rural gradient implied that local industrial activities in the urban areas were primary sources, which were further confirmed by the results of principal component analysis. The highest deposition of PBDE and DP fluxes was found at different sampling sites, suggesting PBDEs and DPs may be derived from different industries or products.

This study was undertaken to determine levels of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) on skin surface to provide preliminary exposure estimates from dermal absorption. Skin wipes of palms, back-of-hands, and forearms were collected from 30 participants by using gauze pads soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), two novel brominated FRs, and two Dechlorane Plus (DPs) isomers were determined. BDE209, Decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), and 1, 2-Bis (2, 4, 6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE) were most frequently detected. BDE209 showed the highest median level (1760 ng m -2 ), followed by DBDPE (277 ng m -2 ) and anti-DP (64 ng m -2 ). The comparison of levels on palms and back-of-hands revealed no statistical differences, but both were significantly higher than the levels on forearms. Detections of HFRs on arms suggested that skin areas covered by clothing were exposed to these chemicals likewise. BDE209 and DPs levels from three repeated samples showed moderate to strong reliability over 3 months, while the levels of other compounds were not statistically reliable. Males had significant higher levels than females for most HFRs, while participants' age, time from last hand washing to sampling, and other behaviors contributed limitedly to the variations in levels. Daily uptakes of HFRs through dermal absorption were estimated. The estimated median total exposure from palms, back-of-hands, and forearms were 25.9, 1.6, and 7.2 ng d -1 for ∑PBDEs, ∑DPs, and ∑NBFRs, respectively, which were in the same ranges as those from diet and dust ingestion for adults in China, suggesting that dermal absorption would be an important exposure route for HFRs., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We investigated the concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative flame retardants (FRs) in environmental samples collected in January 2012, 2013, and 2014 from an electronic waste-processing area in northern Vietnam. During the study period, PBDE and alternative FR concentrations in soils around the electronic waste-processing workshops ranged from 37 to 9200 ng g -1 dry weight (dw) and from 35 to 24,000 ng g -1 dw; the concentrations in soils around the open-burning sites ranged from 1.6 to 62 ng g -1 dw and from <4 to 1900 ng g -1 dw; and the concentrations in river sediments around the workshops ranged from 100 to 3800 ng g -1 dw and from 23 to 6800 ng g -1 dw, respectively. Over the course of study period, we observed significant decreases in concentrations of PBDEs and significant increases in concentrations of alternative FRs, particularly Dechlorane Plus isomers and oligomeric organophosphorus FRs (o-PFRs) in both soils and sediments around the workshops. We also report information on concentrations and environmental emissions of o-PFRs and their low-molecular-weight impurities in the same soils and sediments. The detection of o-PFR impurities around the workshops and the open-burning sites highlights an enhanced breakdown of o-PFRs probably due to weathering during open storage and high temperature attained during the burning of electronic wastes., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the prevalence and abundance of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) in sludge samples from 5 sewage treatment plants in Guangzhou, China. Detection of 18 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 9 alternative HFRs including Dechlorane Plus (DP), brominated alkylbenzenes, and polybrominated biphenyls, and 2 related degradation products was conducted. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 209) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) were the dominant HFRs, with concentrations ranging from 200 to 2150 ng/g and 680-27,400 ng/g, respectively. The DBDPE detected was the highest level reported so far, exceeding those previously reported by 10-100 times. PBDEs were surpassed as the dominant HFRs in sewage sludge, with mean DBDPE/BDE 209 ratio exceeding 2 in all samples. The review of earlier surveys reveals that DBDPE level was surging while BDE 209 was declining. Annual emissions of BDE 209, DP, and DBDPE were estimated to be 227.9, 10.5, and 979.3 kg/yr, respectively. Although ecological risks assessment suggested low risks for the examined sludge, the key environmental properties and transformation pathways of alternative HFRs remain largely unknown. These findings prompt for further investigations on alternative HFR and sustainable management practices for HFR-laden biosolids. The HFR emission pattern revealed in this study is likely representative of other similarly industrialized regions in the post-PBDE era., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dechlorane Plus (DP) is a highly chlorinated flame retardant and found to be ubiquitously present in the environment. We reported here the first record of DP in sediments from the coastal East China Sea (ECS). DP was detected in most of the surface sediments, and the concentrations ranged from 14.8 to 198pg/g dry weight (dw) with a mean value of 64.4pg/g dw. Overall, DP levels exhibited a seaward decreasing trend from the inshore toward outer sea. The fractional abundance of anti-DP (f anti ) showed regional discrepancies, attributing to different environmental behaviors of DP isomers. Depth profiles of DP in a sediment core from estuarine environment showed distinct fluctuation, and the core in open sea had stable deposition environment with two peak values of DP in ~1978 and 2000. The f anti exhibited downward decreasing trend prior to mid-1950s, indicating a preferential degradation of anti-DP and/or a greater adsorption capacity of syn-DP after its burial. Lignin and lipid biomarkers (∑C 27 +C 29 +C 31 n-alkanes) of terrestrial organic matters were introduced to identify region-specific sources of DP, and the results showed that DP in the northern inner shelf, southern inner shelf of 29 °N and mud area southwest of Cheju Island was mainly come from Yangtze River (YR) input, surface runoffs after discharge of local sources close to the Taizhou-Wenzhou Region and the atmospheric deposition from the North China and East Asia, respectively. The coastal ECS was an important reservoir of DP in the world, with mass inventory of approximately 310.7kg in the surface sediments (0-5cm)., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The platensimycin (PTM) and platencin (PTN) class of natural products are promising drug leads that target bacterial and mammalian fatty acid synthases. Natural congeners and synthetic analogues of PTM and PTN have been instrumental in determining their structure-activity relationships, with only a few analogues retaining the potencies of PTM and PTN. Here we describe the identification and isolation of two new sulfur-containing PTM congeners (3 and 5) from the engineered dual PTM-PTN overproducing Streptomyces platensis SB12029. Structure elucidation of platensimycin D1 (5), a sulfur-containing PTM pseudo-dimer, revealed the existence of its presumptive thioacid precursor (3). The unstable thioacid 3 was isolated and confirmed by structural characterization of its permethylated product (6). LC-MS analysis of crude extracts of SB12029 confirmed the presence of the thioacid analogue of PTN (4). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 5 revealing retention of the strong antibacterial activity of PTM., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Few studies have been conducted on the alternatives to legacy flame retardants in avian species worldwide. In this study, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative flame retardants such as novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and dechlorane plus (DP) were determined in livers of 10 species of birds from Korea to elucidate species-specific accumulation, biological factors that affect accumulation, and bioaccumulation potentials of these contaminants. Among the emerging alternative flame retardants, the highest occurrence was found for bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-phthalate (BEHTBP), syn-DP, anti-DP, and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). PBDE concentrations (median: 17.1 ng/g lipid wt) measured in our study were within the ranges reported in previous studies, while the concentrations of BEHTBP, BTBPE and DP were greater than those reported earlier. Residential predatory birds showed significantly greater concentrations of PBDEs and NBFRs than migratory predators and passerine birds. The concentrations of PBDEs, BEHTBP, and DP in residential predatory birds were significantly correlated with increasing stable nitrogen isotope ratio (δ 15 N), which indicated biomagnification potentials of these contaminants. Our results suggest that the concentrations and accumulation patterns of PBDEs, NBFRs, and DP depend on the feeding habits and migration patterns of avian species. This is the first report on the accumulation of emerging alternatives to PBDEs in birds from Korea., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Resveratrol and related oligostilbenes are defense molecules produced by grapevine in response to stresses including various elicitors or signal molecules. Together with their prominent role in planta, these compounds have been the center of much attention in recent decades due to their pharmacological properties. The cost-effective production of resveratrol derivatives such as viniferins or more structurally complex stilbene oligomers remains a challenging task. In this study, the chemical diversity of stilbenes produced by Vitis vinifera Pinot Noir hairy roots was investigated after elicitation for 4 days with a mixture of methyl jasmonate (100 μM) and cyclodextrins (50 mM). Two crude extracts obtained from the culture medium and from the hairy roots were fractionated by centrifugal partition chromatography. The fractions were chemically investigated by two complementary identification approaches involving a 13 C NMR-based dereplication method and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In total, groups of 21 and 18 molecules, including flavonoids and stilbenes, were detected in the culture medium and root extracts, respectively. These included resveratrol monomers, dimers, trimers, and a tetramer, thus highlighting the ability of elicited hairy root culture systems to synthesize a wide diversity of secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical significance. The main compounds were unambiguously identified as trans-resveratrol, ε-viniferin, trans-piceatannol, pallidol, scirpusin A, eriodictyol, naringenin, vitisin B, and maackin.

Indoor air pollution is closely related to children's health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus (DP) transmitted through indoor PM 2.5 and dust, along with carbonyl compounds and black carbon (BC) aerosol were analysed in five Hong Kong kindergartens. The results showed that 60% of the median PM 2.5 levels (1.3×10 1 to 2.9×10 1 μg/m 3 for indoor; 9.5 to 8.8×10 1 μg/m 3 for outdoor) in the five kindergartens were higher than the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (2.5×10 1 μg/m 3 ). Indoor PM 2.5 mass concentrations were correlated with outdoor PM 2.5 in four of the kindergartens. The PBDEs (0.10-0.64ng/m 3 in PM 2.5 ; 0.30-2.0×10 2 ng/g in dust) and DP (0.05-0.10ng/m 3 in PM 2.5 ; 1.3-8.7ng/g in dust) were detected in 100% of the PM 2.5 and dust samples. Fire retardant levels in the air were not correlated with the levels of dust in this study. The median BC concentrations varied by >7-fold from 8.8×10 2 ng/m -3 to 6.7×10 3 ng/m -3 and cooking events might have caused BC concentrations to rise both indoors and outdoors. The total concentrations of 16 carbonyls ranged from 4.7×10 1 μg/m 3 to 9.3×10 1 μg/m 3 indoors and from 1.9×10 1 μg/m 3 to 4.3×10 1 μg/m 3 outdoors, whilst formaldehyde was the most abundant air carbonyl. Indoor carbonyl concentrations were correlated with outdoor carbonyls in three kindergartens. The health risk assessment showed that hazard indexes (HIs) HIs of non-cancer risks from PBDEs and DPs were all lower than 0.08, whilst non-cancer HIs of carbonyl compounds ranged from 0.77 to 1.85 indoors and from 0.50 to 0.97 outdoors. The human intake of PBDEs and DP through inhalation of PM 2.5 accounted for 78% to 92% of the total intake. The cancer hazard quotients (HQs) of formaldehyde ranged from 4.5E-05 to 2.1E-04 indoors and from 1.9E-05 to 6.2E-05 outdoors. In general, the indoor air pollution in the five Hong Kong kindergartens might present adverse effects to children, although different schools showed distinct pollution levels, so indoor air quality might be improved through artificial measures. The data will be useful to developing a feasible management protocol for indoor environments., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Thirty surface sediments and three sediment cores were collected from mangrove wetlands in the Pearl River Estuary of South China to investigate the spatial and vertical distribution of Dechlorane Plus (DP). DP concentrations in the mangrove surface sediments ranged from 0.0130 to 1.504 ng/g dry weight (dw). DP concentrations in sediments from Shenzhen were significantly greater than those from Guangzhou and Zhuhai. Anti-Cl11-DP, the dechlorinated product of anti-DP, was also detected in the mangrove sediments with concentrations ranged from not detected to 0.0198 ng/g dw. Significant positive relationship between anti-Cl11-DP and anti-DP levels was observed in the mangrove sediments, suggesting that photo and/or microbial degradation of anti-DP might occur in the sediments. The f anti values in the mangrove sediments were close to those in the technical DP products, suggesting that stereoselective enrichment of anti-DP may not exist in the mangrove sediments. DP concentrations in the mangrove sediment cores generally showed an increasing trend from the bottom to top layers. This is the first study to report the occurrence of DP and its degradation product in the mangrove wetlands.

This is the first robust study designed to probe selected flame retardants (FRs) in the indoor and outdoor dust of industrial, rural and background zones of Pakistan with special emphasis upon their occurrence, distribution and associated health risk. For this purpose, we analyzed FRs such as polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), dechlorane plus (DP), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in the total of 82 dust samples (indoor and outdoor) collected three from each zone: industrial, rural and background. We found higher concentrations of FRs (PBDEs, DP, NBFRs and OPFRs) in industrial zones as compared to the rural and background zones. Our results reveal that the concentrations of studied FRs are relatively higher in the indoor dust samples being compared with the outdoor dust and they are ranked as: ∑OPFRs > ∑NBFRs > ∑PBDEs > ∑DP. A significant correlation in the FRs levels between the indoor and outdoor dust suggest the potential intermixing of these compounds between them. The principal component analysis/multiple linear regression predicts the percent contribution of FRs from different consumer products in the indoor and outdoor dust of industrial, rural and background zones to trace their source origin. The FRs detected in the background zones reveal the dust-bound FRs suspended in the air might be shifted from different warmer zones or consumers products available/used in the same zones. Hazard quotient (HQ) for FRs via indoor and outdoor dust intake at mean and high dust scenarios to the exposed populations (adults and toddlers) are found free of risk (HQ < 1) in the target zones. Furthermore, our nascent results will provide a baseline record of FRs (PBDEs, DP, NBFRs and OPFRs) concentrations in the indoor and outdoor dust of Pakistan., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PBDD/Fs), and dechlorane plus (DP) in air around three concentrated vehicle parking areas (underground, indoor, and outdoor) in a metropolitan of South China. The parking areas showed higher concentrations of PBDEs, PBDD/Fs, and DP than their adjacent urban area or distinct congener/isomer profiles, which indicate their local emission sources. The highest PBDE and DP concentrations were found in the outdoor parking lot, which might be related to the heating effect of direct sunlight exposure. Multi-linear regression analysis results suggest that deca-BDEs without noticeable transformation contributed most to airborne PBDEs in all studied areas, followed by penta-BDEs. The statistically lower anti-DP fractions in the urban area than that of commercial product signified its degradation/transformation during transportation. Neither PBDEs nor vehicle exhaust contributed much to airborne PBDD/Fs in the parking areas. There were 68.1-100 % of PBDEs, PBDD/Fs, and DP associated with particles. Logarithms of gas-particle distribution coefficients (K ps) of PBDEs were significantly linear-correlated with those of their sub-cooled vapor pressures (p Ls) and octanol-air partition coefficients (K OAs) in all studied areas. The daily inhalation doses of PBDEs, DP, and PBDD/Fs were individually estimated as 89.7-10,741, 2.05-39.4, and 0.12-4.17 pg kg(-1) day(-1) for employees in the parking areas via Monte Carlo simulation.

The tissue concentrations of dechlorane plus and its analogues were determined in ducks collected from several e-waste recycling villages of Taizhou, China. Compared with the published literature, the relatively high concentrations of these compounds were detected in ducks, indicating serious DP contamination. Since both the duck meat and eggs were important components for diet, this result reminded us of keeping a watchful eye on human dietary exposure to DP and its analogues in this study area. The wet-weight concentrations of DP and its analogues were significantly related to tissue lipid content (p < 0.05), indicating that the lipid pools predominantly impacted the distribution of DPs in ducks. On the basis of lipid adjustment, the significantly lower levels in brain than those in liver and blood, displayed the occurrence of liver sequestration and blood-brain barrier to DP and its analogues in the duck (p < 0.05). The maternal transfer of DP and Mirex was not obviously limited, and the transferring extent of Dec 602 was over one. The stereo-selected accumulation of two DP isomers occurred among tissues with preference to syn-DP in blood, and to anti-DP in brain. The values of lipid-adjusted monodechlorinated products mainly originated from the exterior environment in ducks., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)