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We analysed and monitored the major chemical composition of cow's bulk milk by Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy over a 10-year period in the whole territory of Hungary. In addition, the two most important key parameters for milk quality assessment, total bacterial count (TBC) and somatic cell count (SCC) were also followed. Production parameters showed significant seasonal and yearly changes. The overall mean fat, protein, lactose and solids-non-fat (SNF) contents of cow's milk were 3.81%, 3.32%, 4.74% and 8.76%, respectively. A circannual variation was observed in the chemical composition and yield of milk components of samples examined between 2011 and 2020. Concerning milk fat, milk protein and SNF, the values were the lowest in summer and the highest in winter. In the case of lactose, the minimum values were measured in autumn and the maximum values in spring. An obvious trend of long-term elevation of lactose and SNF was found in the raw cow milk samples over the observed period. The overall mean TBC and SCC of cow's milk were 52 × 103 CFU ml−1 and 270 × 103 cells/ml, respectively. Although there were differences in the monthly average values, no seasonal cyclicality was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On cruise 93 of the R/V Akademik M.A. Lavrentyev (2021), we studied benthic communities in the Gamov Canyon (Sea of Japan), off the eastern coast of Kamchatka, and methane seep communities of the Koryak slope (Bering Sea); in addition, data were obtained on the sea-air mercury flux. The studies confirm the potential of the Gamov Canyon as a model site for long-term monitoring. We document significant changes in the structure and composition of the fauna compared to 2018 in the background and methane seep communities of the Koryak slope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kamara, M. and Kamruzzaman, M., 2021. Effects of thinning on aboveground net primary productivity in overcrowded mangrove Kandelia obovata stands. Journal of Coastal Research, 37(1), 75–81. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Litter plays a significant role in nutrient cycling in mangrove forest. Natural or artificial thinning processes can have various impacts on litter production, thereby varying nutrient fluxes. The effects of various thinning intensities on litterfall dynamics were evaluated over a 4-year study period in overcrowded Kandelia obovata stands. To quantify litterfall, two litter traps were placed in each plot (a total of six litter traps in each transect) composed of one naturally thinned control plot and two artificially thinned plots where 30% and 15% of stems were removed at the beginning of the experiment. Annual litterfall production showed a decreasing trend with increasing thinning intensity. Results showed that there was no significant difference in aboveground biomass production among the different plots at the last year of the study period. Thinning can be an important tool for silvicultural practices and forest productivity in terms of litterfall and aboveground biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the sexual behavior of male rats kept under constant laboratory conditions for one entire year. A total of 213 sexually-inexperienced, male Wistar rats were maintained in controlled environmental conditions from birth. Depending the month in which they reached the age 3-month-old, the male rats were divided into 12 groups, one for each month of the year, and their sexual behavior was evaluated. Records of their sexual behavior were made from 09:00 to 11:00 hrs am. The following parameters were recorded: mount (latency and number), intromission (latency and number), ejaculation latency, and intromission rate. During the months of March, June, July and September, the rats showed lower mount and intromission latencies than in January, February, April, May and October-to-December. Similarly, in March, June, July and August they had higher copulatory efficiency than in January, February, April and December. Results suggest that male rats exposed to controlled environmental conditions could have endogenous mechanisms that regulate sexual behavior but are independent of seasonal environmental signals. The annual variability in the sexual behavior of male rats maintained under constant laboratory conditions should be considered when planning research and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial nighttime lights (NTL) generated by human activities offer a unique opportunity to understand urban environments. Although previous studies have widely used NTL images to map urban extent at multiple scales, it remains a challenging task to address how NTL respond exactly to urbanization and thus to map urbanization from NTL. In this study, using monthly Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership/Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP/VIIRS) NTL images between 2013 and 2017, we developed a method to decompose time-series NTL signal into annual and seasonal components. Further, we proposed an NTL-based indicator for the detection of impervious surfaces change (ISC) by integrating annual increment and seasonal variation of NTL brightness. The indicator was then used to identify ISC by using a thresholding method. The application of the methodology in the conterminous United States (CONUS) revealed a more rapid urbanization in the southern CONUS than the northern states and a northeastern-southwestern gradient of NTL seasonality. It was also found that NTL of November and December provided the most accurate characterization of urban extent for most areas in the CONUS. The detection of ISC in four representative regions (i.e. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, greater Washington D.C., Denver-Aurora, and Atlanta) resulted in a moderate to high accuracy with the overall accuracy of ~80% and the Kappa value ranging from 0.56 to 0.73. Despite of this, the results showed a low accuracy of NTL-derived changing year of ISC (Kappa: 0.28) because of the existence of temporal inconsistency between NTL increase and ISC. The proposed method has the potential to timely map urban expansion at large geographical scales (e.g., continental and global) in a cost-efficient manner. • We decomposed time-series nighttime lights (NTL) into annual and seasonal trends. • We proposed an NTL-based indicator to detect impervious surfaces change (ISC). • A more rapid urbanization in southern U.S. than northern states was observed. • NTL seasonality showed a northeastern-southwestern gradient in the U.S. • The ISC detection resulted in the overall accuracy of ~80% and Kappa of 0.56–0.73. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships between modern Arctic benthic foraminifera and their ecological controls, along with their sensitivity to rapid environmental changes, is still poorly understood. This study examines how modern benthic foraminifera respond to annual environmental changes in the glaciated Arctic fjord Kongsfjorden, western Svalbard. Large environmental gradients due to the inflow of warm and saline Atlantic Water and the influence of tidewater glaciers characterise the fjord hydrography. A transect of six multi-corer stations, from the inner to the outer fjord, was sampled in the late summers of 2005 to 2008 to study the distribution of living (rose Bengal stained) benthic foraminifera. Physical properties of the water masses were measured concurrently. In general, nearly the entire Kongsfjorden region was dominated by ubiquitous N. labradorica foraminiferal assemblage that successfully exploited the local food resources and thrived particularly well in the presence of Atlantic-derived Transformed Atlantic Water (TAW). Further, the annual investigation revealed that Kongsfjorden underwent large interannual hydrological changes during the studied years related to variable inflow of warm and saline Atlantic Water. This led to a strong fauna variability particularly at the two marginal sites: the glacially influenced inner fjord and marine influenced shelf region. We also observed significant species shift from the ‘cold’ to ‘warm’ years and an expansion of widespread and sub-arctic to boreal species into the fjord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The involvement of respiratory system due to inhalation of methyl isocyanate (MIC) during Bhopal gas disaster was particularly severe. We retrospectively evaluated the annual changes in spirometric parameters among those who were affected in this disaster (exposed survivors) and had respiratory symptoms. Materials and Methods: Spirometry reports of exposed survivors that were carried out in our institution were retrospectively reviewed and we identified 252 subjects who had performed spirometry at least twice with interval of more than one year. The annual changes in spirometric indices of them were calculated. Results: The average age of study population was 55.7 years and 72% were male. Annual decline of FEV 1 ≥ 40 ml/yr was observed among 48% exposed survivors. The mean annual decline of FEV 1 among symptomatic exposed survivors with initial normal spirometry was 91 ml (95% CI: 52 ml to 130 ml) and this was more than the patients with initial obstructive pattern. Among fifty four patients with initial normal spirometry, ten patients (18.5%) developed obstructive and two patients (5%) developed restrictive lung function abnormalities during follow up spirometry. Conclusion: The exposed survivors with chronic respiratory symptoms had accelerated decline in lung function and they are at higher risk of developing obstructive lung function.

This report was to re-evaluate the clay of recycle building materials. The method used to re-evaluate a numerical analysis. Constant temperature and humidity with the room with strong straw-clay wall was able to obtain even an ordinary house with a straw-clay wall that simulates wattle. Here we show the effect of clay on the house of heat insulation and indoor humidity control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was taken up to identify annual changes in temperature at a scale of 1° × 1°. For this study, daily (maximum and minimum) temperature data for 45 years (1969-2013) at a grid size of 1° × 1°, prepared by the India Meteorological Department, Pune were used. The identification of change was based on statistical trend analysis. From the analysis, it can be concluded that the dominant tendency over the India land mass is of warming, and colder months of the year show more warming. Analysis of temperature difference (TD) brought out the existence of contiguous and large spatial clusters of shrinking and expanding TD. Further analysis is required to factor the variability in temperature due to anthropogenic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We analyse the effect of annual changes in GDP on annual changes in mortality rates. [•] Mixed linear models are developed with 1975–2011 data for 27 European countries. [•] Annual GDP increase is associated with annual increase in mortality rates. [•] Annual GDP decrease is associated with annual drop in mortality rates. [•] A one-year lagged effect of GDP decrease is observed in Northern/Western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with a histological study of the blood cells of Bufo Bufo gargarizans in different months: January, March, May, July and October. The methods used are by routine blood smear in Wright stain and observation in vivo. We found that in smears and in vivo two main types of cells of the red cells: mitotic as well as amitotic. While amitotic occurs all the year round, particularly in July, mitosis so far had been seen only in July. It is also found that there are plenty of neutrophils in the blood cells of Bufo Bufo gargarizans, furthermore, the nuclei of these cells are polymorphic, especially in January and March. Meanwhile, the concentration of red cells was lowest in May and highest in January; The concentration of white blood cells was highest in October and lowest in March; As to granulocytes, eosinophils in July and October had higher proportion, while neutrophils and basophils in July; in agranulocytes, mononuclear cells reached the highest value in March, lowest in January, lymphocytes and the maximum value appeared in May, the lowest value appeared in July. Morphological changes of thrombocytes were not obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the pooled and individual response of male swimmers over two consecutive years of training and identify the energetic and biomechanical factors that most contributed for the final performance. Nine competitive swimmers (20.0 ± 3.54 years old; 10.1 ± 3.41 years of training experience; 1.79 ± 0.07 m of height; 71.34 ± 8.78 kg of body mass; 22.35 ± 2.02 kg·m-2 of body mass index; 1.86 ± 0.07 m of arm span; 116.22 ± 4.99 s of personal record in the 200 m long course freestyle event) performed an incremental test in six occasions to obtain the velocity at 4 mmol of blood lactate (V4) and the peak blood lactate concentrations (Lapeak) as energetics, and the stroke frequency (SF), stroke length (SL), stroke index and swim efficiency as biomechanical variables. Performance was determined based on official time’s lists of 200 m freestyle event. Slight non-significant improvements in performance were determined throughout the two season period. All energetic and biomechanical factors also presented slight non-significant variations with training. Swimmers demonstrated high inter-individual differences in the annual adaptations. The best performance predictors were the V4, SF and SL. Each unit of change V4, SF and SL represented an enhancement of 0.11 s, 1.21 s and 0.36 s in performance, respectively. The results show that: (i) competitive male swimmers need at least two consecutive seasons to have slight improvements in performance, energetics and biomechanical profiles; (ii) major improvements in competition performance can be accomplished by improving the V4, SF and SL based on the individual background. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a unique disorder that has been previously described, and the distinct features of CPFE in comparison with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been reported. However, the yearly dynamics of pulmonary function parameters in CPFE patients compared with those in COPD patients have not yet been reported. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients with CPFE and COPD who had undergone pulmonary function tests more than five times during a follow-up period of more than five years. The baseline clinical characteristics and the annual changes in pulmonary function during the follow-up period in 16 stable CPFE patients were compared with those in 19 stable COPD patients. Annual changes in pulmonary function were estimated from linear regressions, with assumptions for time-dependency and linearity. We analyzed the time-dependent fluctuations in pulmonary function for the two disorders. Results: Annual decreases in VC and FVC in the CPFE group were significantly higher than those in the COPD group. Annual decrease in FEV1/FVC in the COPD group was significantly higher than in the CPFE group. During the follow-up period, FEV1/FVC in the CPFE group appeared to improve because of annual decrease in FVC. Annual decreases in DLco and DLco/VA in the CPFE group were significantly higher than those in the COPD group. Conclusion: This is the first report showing the yearly dynamics of pulmonary function parameters in CPFE patients compared with those in COPD patients during a follow-up period of more than five years. This study revealed that the physiologic consequences of CPFE including the rate of progression of pulmonary function impairment were different from those of COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared habitat diversity and morphodynamics of 'actively' restored reaches (including removal of bank fixation, widening and large wood placement) with 'passively' restored reaches (abandonment of channel maintenance) and adjacent non-restored control reaches in medium-sized Central European mountain rivers. Habitat diversity and river morphology were mapped in two consecutive years and changes in habitat composition (channel features, substrates) and morphological changes (active depth and width) were quantified. In both years, habitat diversity was generally higher in the restored reaches compared to their non-restored counterparts, and significantly differed between restoration approaches, with average values in actively restored reaches being about 60% larger than in passively restored reaches. Channel feature composition differed significantly, both between restored and unrestored reaches, and between restoration approaches, whereas substrate composition was similar in all investigated reaches, indicating that restoration had a higher effect on mesohabitat than on microhabitat conditions. Interannual habitat dynamics in respect to channel feature composition were larger in the actively restored compared to the passively restored reaches, while substrate composition remained fairly constant in all reaches. Regarding morphodynamics, changes in depth and width of actively restored reaches differed significantly from changes in passively restored ones in three of the four elements compared. Our findings imply increased habitat richness, diversity and habitat dynamics in the restored reaches, especially in actively restored ones. Analysis of discharge data suggests that flood events exceeding critical shear stress of the bed material, and the time span since restoration determine the potential for morphological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of several months of training on performance and energetic profile of elite swimmers. 9 elite swimmers were evaluated at 3 different time periods during the 2010-2011 calendar. Swimming performance was assessed based on lists of times for the 200 m freestyle event. An incremental set of 7 × 200 m swims was applied to obtain the energetic data. Measurements and/or estimations were made for the: velocity at 4 mmol l ?1 of lactate concentrations, highest value of lactate concentrations, maximal oxygen consumption, minimum swimming velocity where the maximal oxygen consumption is reached and total energy expenditure (Etot). The performance and most of the energetic variables assessed presented no significant variations during the study period. The only exception was the Etot with significant differences between all measurements. Correlation coefficients suggested a high stability for all variables. Cohen's Kappa tracking index demonstrated high variability in the individual adaptations to training. It is concluded that elite swimmers demonstrate a slight improvement in performance and energetic profile in response to several months of training. Each subject has an individual way of adapting to the training load, combining the different energetic confounders to enhance performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The involvement of respiratory system due to inhalation of methyl isocyanate (MIC) during Bhopal gas disaster was particularly severe. We retrospectively evaluated the annual changes in spirometric parameters among those who were affected in this disaster (exposed survivors) and had respiratory symptoms. Materials and Methods: Spirometry reports of exposed survivors that were carried out in our institution were retrospectively reviewed and we identified 252 subjects who had performed spirometry at least twice with interval of more than one year. The annual changes in spirometric indices of them were calculated. Results: The average age of study population was 55.7 years and 72% were male. Annual decline of FEV1 ⩾ 40 ml/yr was observed among 48% exposed survivors. The mean annual decline of FEV1 among symptomatic exposed survivors with initial normal spirometry was 91 ml (95% CI: 52 ml to 130 ml) and this was more than the patients with initial obstructive pattern. Among fifty four patients with initial normal spirometry, ten patients (18.5%) developed obstructive and two patients (5%) developed restrictive lung function abnormalities during follow up spirometry. Conclusion: The exposed survivors with chronic respiratory symptoms had accelerated decline in lung function and they are at higher risk of developing obstructive lung function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grey partridge populations declined in Europe from mid-1950s onwards mostly due to modifications of agricultural cropping. In Italy, the decline was even more dramatic because of over-hunting and restocking with allochthonous birds. We carried out a research on a re-introduced population in Central Italy from 1995 to 2005, with the aim of evaluating the reintroduction success and separating the intrinsic and external factors influencing year-to-year changes in partridge density with particular respect to the weather. Average spring density was 4.5 pairs per square kilometre (SD = 1.52); our population reached a peak few years after the reintroduction and then declined. Brood production rate was close to that of declining European populations (average 33.9%; SD = 10.21), and chick survival rate (average 40%; SD = 17.61) determined the change of breeding abundance from year t to year t + 1. Our population seemed to be mainly affected by brood production and chick survival rates and by the weather; in particular, higher early winter and spring temperatures increased breeding density whilst higher early summer temperatures decreased brood production rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A quantitative comparison of the benthic distribution in the Middle and Southern Caspian Sea, using benthos distribution maps with previously published materials, showed that the benthic communities is stable and interrupted only by the introduction of new species. The bottom community is dominated by small-size organisms, mainly fry and young and the benthic biomass is low although its efficiency as prey for higher trophic levels is high even though carnivores are almost absent in the bottom community. At depths of c.100m the benthos biomass and species diversity sharply decreases showing these features as a unique case of a bottom fauna and bottom community formed and modified under the influence of a severe grazing pressure by the sturgeon (Acipenser spp.) during very long periods. It is therefore suggested that grazing pressure has become the most important forcing function for the diversity and development of the bottom community. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study that evaluates the annual changes in forced expiratory flows among toll collectors from 2002-2005 in Duzce, Turkey. It has been reported that diesel exhaust (DE) exposure has long-term effects on lung development in children and decreases the pulmonary function. It investigates that long-term effects of DE on lung function among toll collectors.

Objectives: To compute the annual changes in total bone mineral content (BMCt), lean tissue mass and fat mass (LTM and FM) during growth. Methods: Whole body DXA data were used to calculate the annual changes of the parameter P (P = BMCt, LTM or FM), as a percentage, as ΔP% = 100 × (P[sub i+1] – P[sub i] ) / Pi; with P[sub i] and P[sub i+1] the values for P at age i and age (i+1). Smoothed curves were then obtained from ΔP% values plotted against age. Results: Changes in FM were different in males and females. A peak velocity was marked for the three tissues at age 6.5 in boys, and at age 6.5–7.5 in girls; a pubertal peak spurt appeared at age 12 in girls and between age 13 and 14 in boys. This latter peak was followed by an exponential decrease, and no significant changes were found for the three components after age 20 in girls and age 21–22 in boys. Conclusion: Changes in tissue accretion during growth are easy to follow when expressed in percentages. Fat changes, especially, should be around 17% in girls and 15% in boys at the age of puberty.Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until present, fundamental studies on cortisol secretory patterns have not been conducted in cetaceans. The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine diurnal changes in serum cortisol concentrations in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus and killer whales Orcinus orca, (2) to investigate annual cortisol changes in killer whales, and (3) to investigate the relationship between cortisol and sex steroids (testosterone and progesterone) concentrations in killer whales. Diurnal changes in serum cortisol concentrations were investigated at various intervals in the two species. In Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, serum cortisol levels exhibited the same episodic fluctuations for 24 h as did diurnal terrestrial mammals: cortisol levels were lower at 18:00 h and higher in the early morning. In killer whales, cortisol concentrations continued to decrease until 18:00 h, after which they fluctuated, and then increased in the next morning. Annual changes in cortisol levels were investigated by collecting blood samples every two weeks from two male killer whales and a pregnant female one twice per day (during 09:00–10:00 and 16:00–17:00 h) throughout a one-year period. Regarding sera collected during 09:00–10:00 h from the female, cortisol concentrations showed cyclic changes having about 4-month intervals. In males, cortisol showed higher concentrations in winter and lower concentrations during the summer season. There was a negative correlation between cortisol and progesterone levels in the female and a negative correlation was also observed between cortisol and testosterone in male no. 2. In the female and male no. 1, cortisol levels during 09:00–10:00 h were significantly higher than those during 16:00–17:00 h, and their data are considered to support observations regarding diurnal changes in cortisol levels in the two cetacean species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Microbial biomass and N, P, K, and Mg flushes were estimated in spring, summer, autumn, and winter samples of different forest soils. The microbial biomass showed significant seasonal fluctuations with an average distribution of 880±270 μg C g soil in spring, 787±356 μg C g soil in winter, 589±295 μg C g soil in summer, and 560±318 μg C g soil in autumn. The average annual concentrations of C, N, P, K, and Ca in the microbial biomass were 704, 106, 82, 69 and 10 μg g soil, respectively. Microbial C represented between 0.5 and 2% of the organic soil C whereas the percentage of microbial N with respect to the total soil N was two-to threefold higher than that of C; the annual fluctuations in these percentages followed a similar trend to that of the microbial biomass. Microbial biomass was positively correlated with soil pH, moisture, organic C, and total N. The mean nutrient flush was 31, 15, 7, and 4 μg g soil for N, K, P, and Mg, respectively, and except for K, the seasonal distribution was autumn ≥spring ≫ winter ≥summer. The average increase in available nutrient due to the mineralization of dead microbial cells was 240% for N, and 30, 26, and 14% for P, K, and Mg, respectively. There was a positive relationship between microbial biomass and the N, P, K, and Mg flushes. All the variables studied were significantly affected by the season, the type of soil, and the interaction between type of soil and season, but soil type often explained most of the variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viable microorganisms, soil respiration, and available N, Ca, Mg, Na, K, and P contents were determined in samples of five different forest soils collected in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Viable microorganisms and soil respiration were positively correlated and showed a clear seasonal trend. The soils exhibited high microbial population values in spring and autumn and low values in summer and winter; total respiration values were largely higher in autumn than in the other seasons. Seasonal variations in available Ca, Na, and K contents were much more marked than those found for available N, Mg, and P. Available N and K and the microbial population showed similar seasonal trends whereas available Ca, Mg, Na, and P did not exhibit a distinguishable and uniform seasonal pattern. The quantities of available nutrients in soils followed the order Ca>K=Na>Mg>P>N. Soils developed over basic rocks showed higher values of both microbial density and microbial activity than those in soils developed over acid rocks. All the variables analysed were clearly related to the type of soil but varied with the date of sampling; a significant seasonal effect on the microbial population, microbial activity and available nutrients was detected in all the soils studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient air contains a number of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), to which inhalation exposure has drawn worldwide concern. However, information regarding annual changes in the concentrations and health risks of POPs in the ambient air of São Paulo, Brazil, are limited. This study provides comprehensive information on annual changes in polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs), and 10 groups of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the ambient air of São Paulo between 2010 and 2015 based on the Global Monitoring Plan. The mass concentrations of the studied POPs (PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs, and OCPs) showed declining trends from 2010 to 2015 (from 2.65 × 10−2 to 1.33 × 10−2 pg m−3, from 9.89 × 10−2 to 3.12 × 10−2 pg m−3, and from 0.313 to 0.100 ng m−3, respectively), which might be due to the decrease of non-intentional emissions. The carcinogenic risk (CR) and non-carcinogenic risk (Non-CR) of the studied POPs were 1.48 × 10−11 to 6.08 × 10−7 and 3.44 × 10−8 to 3.34 × 10−3, respectively, which are lower than the generally accepted threshold values (10−6/10−5 and 1 for CR and Non-CR, respectively), suggesting that the health risks posed by the studied POPs were acceptable. PCDD/Fs had the highest CR (6.08 × 10−8-4.81 × 10−7), whereas the 95th percentile CR of DL-PCBs and nine of the OCPs were lower than 10−7, suggesting that among the studied POPs, PCDD/Fs in the ambient air warrant special attention. The 95th percentile CRs of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (2.30 × 10−8), dieldrin (1.30 × 10−8), hexachlorocyclohexanes (1.05 × 10−8), heptachlor (8.97 × 10−9), hexachlorobenzene (6.47 × 10−9), chlordane (5.89 × 10−9), heptachlor epoxide (1.42 × 10−9), aldrin (1.33 × 10−9), and mirex (2.71 × 10−10) in ambient air were relatively low, suggesting that their threats to human health were negligible. In general, PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs, and OCPs in the ambient air of São Paulo did not pose serious threats to human health during 2010–2015. Image 1 • Health risks of main POPs in ambient air of São Paulo City were assessed quantitatively. • Annual changes of POPs in ambient air were analysed from 2010 to 2015. • Health risks of POPs in ambient air of São Paulo City were within acceptable levels. • PCDD/Fs was the most dangerous pollutant among 12 POPs. The annual changes, risk levels and threats of main conventional POPs in ambient air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a unique disorder that has been previously described, and the distinct features of CPFE in comparison with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been reported. However, the yearly dynamics of pulmonary function parameters in CPFE patients compared with those in COPD patients have not yet been reported., Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients with CPFE and COPD who had undergone pulmonary function tests more than five times during a follow-up period of more than five years. The baseline clinical characteristics and the annual changes in pulmonary function during the follow-up period in 16 stable CPFE patients were compared with those in 19 stable COPD patients. Annual changes in pulmonary function were estimated from linear regressions, with assumptions for time-dependency and linearity. We analyzed the time-dependent fluctuations in pulmonary function for the two disorders., Results: Annual decreases in VC and FVC in the CPFE group were significantly higher than those in the COPD group. Annual decrease in FEV1/FVC in the COPD group was significantly higher than in the CPFE group. During the follow-up period, FEV1/FVC in the CPFE group appeared to improve because of annual decrease in FVC. Annual decreases in DLco and DLco/VA in the CPFE group were significantly higher than those in the COPD group., Conclusion: This is the first report showing the yearly dynamics of pulmonary function parameters in CPFE patients compared with those in COPD patients during a follow-up period of more than five years. This study revealed that the physiologic consequences of CPFE including the rate of progression of pulmonary function impairment were different from those of COPD., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)