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The method allowed simultaneous characterization of PAHs, nitro-PAHs and quinones in atmospheric particulate matter. This method employs a miniaturized micro-extraction step that uses 500 μL of an acetonitrile-dichloromethane mix and instrumental analysis by means of a high-resolution GC-MS. The method was validated using the SRM1649b NIST standard reference material as well as deuterated internal standards. The results are in good agreement with the certified values and show recoveries between 75% and 145%. Limit of detection (LOD) values for PAHs were found to be between 0.5 pg (benzo[a]pyrene) to 2.1 pg (dibenzo[a,h]anthracene), for nitro-PAHs ranged between 3.2 pg (1-nitrobenzo[e]pyrene) and 22.2 pg (3-nitrophenanthrene), and for quinones ranged between 11.5 pg (1,4-naphthoquinone) and 458 pg (9,10-phenanthraquinone). The validated method was applied to real PM10 samples collected on quartz fiber filters. Concentrations in the PM10 samples ranged from 0.06 to 15 ng m(-3) for PAHs, from

Background: Acute coronary syndromes in the setting of an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction are known as Kounis syndrome. The syndrome involves release of inflammatory mediators after an allergen exposure that leads to coronary artery vasospasm or platelet activation. A variety of foods, drugs, and environmental exposures have been implicated in this condition., Case Report: The case involves a 62-year-old woman with dyspnea, chest pain, and transient ST-segment elevation after ingesting celecoxib. Her symptoms resolved with treatment for a suspected allergic reaction. Although she did have mild elevation of serum cardiac biomarkers, subsequent cardiac catheterization demonstrated normal coronary arteries. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This is the first reported case of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after allergy to celecoxib. Knowledge of Kounis syndrome will better prepare physicians in both its identification and clinical management., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The present study proposes an analytical methodology that employs ion chromatography-conductivity detection for simultaneous quantification of inorganic (F(-), Cl(-), NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-), and PO(3)(-)), monocarboxylate (HCOO(-), CH(3)COO(-), propionate, n-butyrate, lactate, and pyruvate), dicarboxylate (oxalate and succinate), and tricarboxylate anions (citrate), as well as crustal cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), NH(4)(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+)) at low pgm(-3) range in airborne particle samples in one single run. The optimized conditions for anions were as follows: 0.6 mmol L(-1) KOH for 0-14 min, 0.6-15 mmol L(-1) KOH 14-20 min, 15-38 mmol L(-1) KOH during 20-32 min and finally returned to 0.6 mmol L(-1) for a period of 3 min, thereafter the eluent flow rate was 0.38 mL min(-1). Similarly, for cations, isocratic elution was adjusted to 0.36 mL min(-1) at 17.5 mmol L(-1) H(2)SO(4). LOD ranged 3.0-130 pgm(-3) and LOQ was within 10-400 pgm(-3) (Li(+) and PO(4)(3-), respectively) as well as recoveries ranged 89% (Ca(2+)) to 120% (Li(+)). Major ions were successfully determined in real PM1 and PM2.5 samples. The method used here was found to be a comprehensive, simple, cheap and reliable procedure for studying ions in particulate matter (PM) samples even those from remote areas or near ecosystem natural conditions., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We sought to investigate the effects of antenatal retinoic acid on the pulmonary vasculature and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors (VEGFR) expression in a nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) model., Study Design: Rat fetuses were exposed to nitrofen at gestational day 9.5 and/or all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) at gestational days 18.5-20.5. We assessed lung growth, airway, and vascular morphometry. VEGF, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 expression was analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Continuous data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test., Results: CDH decreased lung to body weight ratio, increased mean linear intercept and mean transection length/airspace, and decreased mean airspace cord length. ATRA did not affect lung growth or morphometry. CDH increased proportional medial wall thickness of arterioles while ATRA reduced it. ATRA recovered expression of VEGF and receptors, which were reduced in CDH., Conclusion: Retinoic acid and VEGF may provide pathways for preventing pulmonary hypertension in CDH., (Copyright © 2012 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 0.5%, 1% and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite in root canals instrumented with the ProTaper Universal system., Study Design: Fifty human mandibular premolar teeth with single root canals were infected with a mixture of C. albicans, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis, and S. aureus. The specimens were randomly divided into 5 groups with 10 root canals each according to the irrigant used: group 1: 0.5% NaOCl; group 2: 1% NaOCl; group 3: 2.5% NaOCl; group 4 (positive control): 0.85% sterile saline solution; group 5 (negative control, without microorganisms): 0.85% sterile saline solution. All root canals were instrumented with the ProTaper Universal system. The assessment of the antimicrobial action of the irrigant was performed before the biomechanical preparation (0), and after instrumentation with S1 (1), S2 (2), F1 (3), F2 (4), and F3 (5) files., Results: All positive control samples showed microbial growth, whereas negative control samples showed no microbial growth before the biomechanical preparation and after the instrumentation with S1, S2, F1, F2, and F3 files. The microorganisms were eliminated after the instrumentation with S1 file in all tested irrigants, except for 1 sample in S1 at 0.5% NaOCl which showed positive growth. There was no significant statistical difference (P = 1.000) among the tested irrigants., Conclusion: Sodium hypochlorite, at all tested concentrations, was effective in eliminating C. albicans, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis, and S. aureus in combination with the NiTi rotary instrumentation with the ProTaper Universal system.