Possible use of 2D shear wave liver elastography in new-onset ascites evaluation.

BACKGROUND: No data on the use of 2D shear wave elastography exists regarding the evaluation of the new-onset ascites causality. AIMS: To determine whether 2D shear wave elastography can help in the non-invasive assessment of the new-onset ascites cause. To assess the applicability of liver stiffness measured by 2D shear wave elastography using Esaote MyLab Nine apparatus in patients with ascites. METHODS: In 52 consecutive patients with new-onset ascites (January 2020 to October 2021), liver stiffness using 2D shear wave elastography was prospectively measured. The reliable measurements were used for further analysis. Relevant clinical and laboratory data was collected. RESULTS: The calculated liver stiffness measurement cut-off value of 14.4 kPa held 94% accuracy, 100% sensitivity, and 83% specificity when determining ascites with serum ascites albumin gradient ≥11 g/L. Reliable 2D shear wave elastography success rate was 84%. CONCLUSIONS: 2D shear wave elastography may potentially be used to differentiate transudative from exudative ascites, especially in patients with portal hypertension and peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Freshwater water quality criteria for phthalate esters and recommendations for the revision of the water quality standards.

With increasing urbanization and rapid industrialization, more and more environmental problems have arisen. Phthalates (PAEs) are the foremost and most widespread plasticizers and are readily emitted from these manufactured products into the environment. PAEs act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and can have serious impacts on aquatic organisms as well as human health. In this study, the water quality criteria (WQC) of five PAEs (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) for freshwater aquatic organisms were developed using a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and a toxicity percentage ranking (TPR) approach. The results showed that long-term water quality criteria (LWQC) of PAEs using the SSD method could be 13.7, 11.1, 2.8, 7.8, and 0.53 µg/L, respectively. Criteria continuous concentrations (CCC) of PAEs were derived using the TPR method and determined to be 28.4, 13.1, 1.3, 2.5, and 1.6 µg/L, respectively. The five PAEs are commonly measured in China surface waters at concentrations between ng/L and µg/L. DBP, DEHP, and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) were the most frequently detected PAEs, with occurrence rates ranging from 67% to 100%. The ecological risk assessment results of PAEs showed a decreasing order of risk at the national level, DEHP, DBP, DMP, DEP, DnOP. The results of this study will be of great benefit to China and other countries in revising water quality standards for the conservation of aquatic species.

Assessment of potential environmental and human risks for Bisphenol AF contaminant.

Bisphenol AF (BPAF) is found in high concentrations in aquatic environments due to the increased use of thermal paper and food packaging. However, there have been relatively few toxicological studies and potential risk assessments of BPAF. In this study, the risk quotient (RQ) and hazard quotient (HQ) of BPAF were derived to present the safety standards for environmental risk management and protection in lakes, rivers, bays, and Italian regions. We applied the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method based on the previous ecotoxicological data and the results of supplementary toxicity tests on BPAF. From the SSD curves, the hazardous concentration for 5 % of the species (HC5) values for the acute and chronic toxicity data were 464.75 µg/L and 3.59 µg/L, respectively, and the acute- and chronic-based predicted no-effect concentration were derived as 154.92 µg/L and 1.20 µg/L, respectively. The acute-based RQ (RQA)values of BPAF in all regions were negligible (RQ < 0.1). The chronic-based RQ (RQC) in the Xitang River (XR) and the Central Italy (CI) showed a considerably high ecological risk (12.77 and 1.29) and the Hangzhou Bay (0.21), the South and North Italy (0.79 and 0.27), and the Tamagawa River (0.13) had a medium ecological risk (0.1 < RQ < 1.0). However, the HQ values based on the tolerable daily intake for BPAF over all age groups in these regions was < 0.1, indicating the low health risk. Nonetheless, the result of this study indicates that BPAF contamination is serious in XR and CI, and their use and emissions require continuous monitoring.

A qualitative meta-analysis of carbon offset quality criteria.

Reaching climate neutrality and limiting the global average temperature increase to 1.5 °C, which are the main targets of the Paris Agreement, requires both mitigation measures and offsetting. Despite existing standards to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of carbon offsets, they face challenges associated with their quality. Incorrect replacement factors or baseline values used for the calculations can lead to credits being overestimated. The quality of carbon offsets and its assurance through offsetting standards are addressed in many publications that provide quality criteria that should be fulfilled. However, the abundance of studies and the unclear consistency of quality criteria for carbon offsets make it difficult to draw generalized conclusions. The fragmented understanding of offset quality and its contribution to climate neutrality requires a comprehensive analysis to identify prevailing consensus and areas needing further research. The paper aims to fill this gap by synthesizing existing criteria through a qualitative meta-analysis of the current literature. Consensus and discrepancies in the carbon offset quality criteria and the ratings of the offsetting programs were identified providing a holistic overview. While only the criteria 'additionality' and 'permanence' are consistently addressed in all publications, their definitions and associated aspects vary. Although consensus exists for the criterion 'ex-post', it only appears in 57% of the publications. Differences in definitions are not reflected in the program ratings. The analysis has several challenges, such as accommodating varying study scopes and methods. However, the results highlight the need for a common understanding and provide a baseline reference to enhance the quality assessment of offsets to effectively contribute to climate neutrality.

Recommendations and quality criteria to improve the early diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis. / Recomendaciones y criterios de calidad para mejorar el diagnóstico precoz de la colangitis biliar primaria.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to establish recommendations and quality criteria to enhance the healthcare process of PBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: It was conducted using qualitative techniques, preceded by a literature review. A consensus conference involving five specialists in the field was held, followed by a Delphi process developed in two waves, in which 30 specialist physicians in family and community medicine, digestive system and internal medicine were invited to participate. RESULTS: Seven recommendations and 15 sets of quality criteria, indicators and standards were obtained. Those with the highest consensus were «Know the impact on the patient's quality of life. Consider their point of view and agree on recommendations and care¼ and «Evaluate possible fibrosis at the time of diagnosis and during PBC follow-up, assessing the evolution of factors associated with poor disease prognosis: noninvasive fibrosis (elastography > 2.1 kPa/year), GGT, ALP and bilirubin annually¼, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the consensus recommendations and criteria would provide better patient care. The need for multidisciplinary follow-up and an increased role of primary care is emphasized.

The Left Outflow Tract in Fetal Cardiac Screening Examination: Introduction of Quality Criteria Is Not Always Associated With an Improvement of Practice When Supervised by Humans.

OBJECTIVES: Since 2016, the French CNEOF included the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) in the second and third trimester of pregnancy in addition to the four-chamber view and the parasagittal view of the right outflow tract. The objective of this study was to define quality criteria for fetal LVOT assessment and to perform a human audit of past and current practices, before and after the implementation of those quality criteria at a large scale. METHODS: Seven quality criteria were investigated and rated from 0 to 1 during three periods of interest. Files were randomly selected from three centers, and average total and specific scores were calculated. RESULTS: LVOT pictures were present in more than 94.3% of reports. The average quality score was 5.49/7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.36-5.62), 5.91/7 (95% CI: 5.80-6.03), and 5.70/7 (95% CI: 5.58-5.82) for the three centers in the three periods of interest. There was no significant difference following the introduction of the quality criteria, 2017 versus 2020, P = .054. CONCLUSION: Fetal LVOT images were present in most of ultrasound reports but the introduction of the proposed quality criteria under human supervision seems not associated with a significant change in practice.

Ecological risk assessment for xylenes and propylbenzenes in aquatic environment using a species sensitivity distribution approach.

Xylenes and propylbenzenes (PBZs) are volatile aromatic hydrocarbons with high aquatic toxicity. Xylenes can be present in three isomers: o-xylene (OX), m-xylene (MX), and p-xylene (PX), while PBZs include two isomers: n-propylbenzene (n-PBZ) and isopropylbenzene (i-PBZ). Their accidental spills and improper discharges from petrochemical industries can cause severe contamination in water bodies posing potential ecological risks. In this study, the published acute toxicity data of these chemicals for aquatic species were collected to calculate hazardous concentrations protecting 95% species (HC5) using a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) approach. The acute HC5 values for OX, MX, PX, n-PBZ, and i-PBZ were estimated to be 1.73, 3.05, 1.23, 1.22, and 1.46 mg/L, respectively. The risk quotient (RQ) values calculated based on HC5 indicated their high risk (RQ: 1.23 ∼ 21.89) in groundwater, but low risk (RQ < 0.1) in natural seawater, river water, and lake water. When xylenes or PBZs leaked into the sea, they were expected to pose a high risk (RQ > 1) at the start and then a low risk (RQ < 0.1) after 10 days due to natural attenuation. These results may help to derive more reliable protection thresholds for xylenes and PBZs in aquatic environment and provide a basis for evaluating their ecological risks.

Human health ambient water quality criteria and risk assessment of pentachlorophenol in Poyang Lake Basin, China.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) has been widely used as an insecticide for killing oncomelania (the intermediate host of schistosome) in China and leads to severe environmental contamination. Poyang Lake, as the largest freshwater lake and bird habitat in China, was once a schistosomiasis epidemic area. In this study, the concentrations of PCP in water and aquatic products from Poyang Lake were determined and analyzed, and then the human health ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) was derived based on native parameters of Poyang Lake basin. Finally, a comprehensive analysis of the health risks of drinking water and different types of aquatic products consumption was carried out. The results showed that PCP concentrations were ranged from 0.01 to 0.43 µg/L in surface water and 3.90 to 85.95 µg/kg in aquatic products. Due to the carcinogenicity of PCP, the human health AWQC for PCP are 0.02 µg/L for consumption of water and organisms and 0.03 µg/L for consumption of organisms only. Deterministic and probabilistic risk analysis indicated that the non-carcinogenic risk of PCP were acceptable in Poyang Lake, while the carcinogenic risk cannot be ignored. The health risks of PCP caused by aquatic products consumption were higher than that by drinking water. The percentages of acceptable risk for the population in Poyang Lake Basin were 99.95% at acceptable level of 10-4. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the impact of PCP concentrations on health risk values ranged from 53 to 82%. The study provided valuable information for regional water quality criteria development and water quality assessment.

[Newborn hearing screening in Germany-results of the 2011/2012 and 2017/2018 evaluations]. / Neugeborenen-Hörscreening in Deutschland ­ Ergebnisse der Evaluationen 2011/2012 und 2017/2018.

BACKGROUND: Newborn hearing screening (NHS) was introduced nationwide by the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, G­BA) in 2009. In this process, quality targets were also set in the pediatrics directive. In order to review the quality NHS in Germany, the G­BA commissioned a consortium to conduct an initial evaluation for the years 2011 and 2012 and a follow-up evaluation for 2017 and 2018. METHODS: The evaluations were based on NHS screening parameters (Sammelstatistiken) that must be documented by all obstetrics and neonatology departments as NHS providers and can also be compiled through cooperation with hearing screening centers (HSCs). Additional data were collected through questionnaires and interviews and routine data were used to evaluate the screening process. RESULTS: In 13 federal states, a total of 15 HSCs are involved in the screening process. Across Germany, an NHS screening rate of 86.1% was documented in 2018 (82.4% in 2012), but this differed significantly between the federal states. The specified quality targets could not yet be implemented everywhere. For example, only less than half of the obstetric departments achieved the specified screening rate of over 95%. A comparison of data from the follow-up evaluation and the first evaluation showed that the structural quality of NHS had improved, while the process quality remained the same or had deteriorated. The refer rate (children who were discharged without passing the screening) increased from 5.3% to 6.0%. DISCUSSION: To improve the quality of NHS, HSCs should be established nationwide and a second screening should be carried out more consistently before discharge in the case of a refer result in the initial screening.

A Tiered Ecological Risk Assessment of Caffeine by Using Species Sensitivity Distribution Method in the Nansi Lake Basin.

Caffeine has been reported toxic to aquatic organisms, and it frequently occurs at relatively high concentrations in most of surface waters. However, it is difficult to control caffeine pollution because of the lack of Water Quality Criteria (WQC). In this study, species sensitivity distribution method and Log-normal model were applied to derive caffeine WQC as 83.7 ng/L. Meanwhile, concentrations of caffeine in the Nansi Lake basin were detected in 29 sampling sites, with the mean of 99.3 ng/L. The levels of caffeine in tributaries were higher than those in the lakes. In addition, a tied ecological risk assessment method was applied to assess the adverse effect of caffeine on aquatic system. The joint probability curve indicated that ecological risk might exist 3.1% of surface water in the study area, while 5% threshold (HC5) was set up to protect aquatic species. Generally, caffeine posted a low risk to aquatic organisms in the Nansi Lake basin.

[Which Screening Instruments are used in Kindergarten for Developmental Assessment and Identification of Developmental Needs? Quality and Usefulness Criteria of the Instruments]. / Welche Verfahren zur Entwicklungsbeobachtung und zum Erkennen von Förderbedarf setzen Kitas ein? Güte- und Brauchbarkeitskriterien der Verfahren.

On the basis of the educational plans of the federal states, kindergartens have the duty to observe the development of children.There are various instruments for developmental observations and the identification of developmental needs.However, the quality and content of these instruments vary greatly. To date, there has been little systematic research on the use of screening instruments in kindergarten.Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the use and the satisfaction with instruments for developmental observations and the identification of support needs. Additionally, an analysis of the used instruments in regard of their psychometric quality was conducted. N = 190 kindergarten fromThuringia participated in the study. An online questionnaire was completed, which particularly addressed the question of whether and, if so, which screening instruments were used for developmental observations or for the identification of support needs. In addition, specific information on these instruments (e. g. duration, satisfaction) was collected. Nearly 94 % of participating kindergarten used screening instruments for developmental observations, and 69 % used instruments for identifying support needs. For most frequently used instruments the psychometric quality was weak and only few practice criteria were considered.

CC-CLEAR (Colon Capsule Cleansing Assessment and Report): the novel scale to evaluate the clinical impact of bowel preparation in capsule colonoscopy - a multicentric validation study.

BACKGROUND: Colon Capsule Cleansing Assessment and Report (CC-CLEAR) is a novel quantitative bowel preparation scale for colon capsule. AIM: The aim of this study is to validate the association between CC-CLEAR's classification and major CC outcomes: lesion detection rate, surveillance recommendations and post-CC endoscopic treatment. METHODS: Multicentric cohort of consecutive CCs. An expert's panel decided post-CC recommendations. Data included CC-CLEAR and Leighton-REX scales. Major CC outcomes were associated with the different cleansing grades. RESULTS: From 168 CC's included, findings were reported in 123 (73.2%), 67 (54.4%) of those being colorectal polyps. CC-CLEAR influenced CC's lesion detection (OR 1.25 95% IC [1.07-1.46], p-value .004) and polyp detection rate (OR 1.22 95% IC [1.04-1.43], p-value.014). Thirty-two (19%) post-CC colonoscopies were recommended, including 22 (68.75%) with at least one polypectomy. CC-CLEAR was associated with post-CC colonoscopy treatment (OR 1.40 95% IC [1.07-1.84], p-value .015). Regarding surveillance, CC-CLEAR influenced the decision for immediate CC repetition (OR 0.21 95% IC [0.12-0.36], p-value < .001) and the recommendation for CC in 3-5 years' time (OR 1.47 95% IC [1.50-1.86], p-value < .002). The Leighton-Rex scale was not correlated with major CC outcomes. CONCLUSION: CC-CLEAR impacts major CC outcomes: lesion detection, surveillance recommendations and post-CC endoscopic treatment.

Assessment of a New Approach Method for Grouped Chemical Hazard Estimation: The Toxicity-Normalized Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSDn).

New approach methods are being developed to address the challenges of reducing animal testing and assessing risks to the diversity of species in aquatic environments for the multitude of chemicals with minimal toxicity data. The toxicity-normalized species sensitivity distribution (SSDn) approach is a novel method for developing compound-specific hazard concentrations using data for toxicologically similar chemicals. This approach first develops an SSDn composed of acute toxicity values for multiple related chemicals that have been normalized by the sensitivity of a common species tested with each compound. A toxicity-normalized hazard concentration (HC5n) is then computed from the fifth percentile of the SSDn. Chemical-specific HC5 values are determined by back-calculating the HC5n using the chemical-specific sensitivity of the normalization species. A comparison of the SSDn approach with the single-chemical SSD method was conducted by using data for nine transition metals to generate and compare HC5 values between the two methods. We identified several guiding principles for this method that, when applied, resulted in accurate HC5 values based on comparisons with results from single-metal SSDs. The SSDn approach shows promise for developing statistically robust hazard concentrations when adequate taxonomic representation is not available for a single chemical.

Digital research data: from analysis of existing standards to a scientific foundation for a modular metadata schema in nanosafety.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the safety of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is an interdisciplinary and complex process producing huge amounts of information and data. To make such data and metadata reusable for researchers, manufacturers, and regulatory authorities, there is an urgent need to record and provide this information in a structured, harmonized, and digitized way. RESULTS: This study aimed to identify appropriate description standards and quality criteria for the special use in nanosafety. There are many existing standards and guidelines designed for collecting data and metadata, ranging from regulatory guidelines to specific databases. Most of them are incomplete or not specifically designed for ENM research. However, by merging the content of several existing standards and guidelines, a basic catalogue of descriptive information and quality criteria was generated. In an iterative process, our interdisciplinary team identified deficits and added missing information into a comprehensive schema. Subsequently, this overview was externally evaluated by a panel of experts during a workshop. This whole process resulted in a minimum information table (MIT), specifying necessary minimum information to be provided along with experimental results on effects of ENMs in the biological context in a flexible and modular manner. The MIT is divided into six modules: general information, material information, biological model information, exposure information, endpoint read out information and analysis and statistics. These modules are further partitioned into module subdivisions serving to include more detailed information. A comparison with existing ontologies, which also aim to electronically collect data and metadata on nanosafety studies, showed that the newly developed MIT exhibits a higher level of detail compared to those existing schemas, making it more usable to prevent gaps in the communication of information. CONCLUSION: Implementing the requirements of the MIT into e.g., electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) would make the collection of all necessary data and metadata a daily routine and thereby would improve the reproducibility and reusability of experiments. Furthermore, this approach is particularly beneficial regarding the rapidly expanding developments and applications of novel non-animal alternative testing methods.

Indicators for adequate diabetes care for the indigenous communities of Ecuador.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is the second leading cause of death in Ecuador, as 79% of the indigenous population live in rural areas that are difficult to access and have below-average health resources. The objective of this study was to define person-centred indicators to monitor the care received by patients with diabetes in the indigenous population. METHOD: Qualitative research combining three focus groups (with the participation of 10 patients and 18 professionals) to capture relevant information and Delphi to reach a consensus on the pertinence, relevance, and feasibility of a set of indicators was conducted. Two rounds of the Delphi technique were performed, with the participation of 64 professionals in the first round (90% response rate) and 34 in the second round (53% response rate). RESULTS: A total of 23 indicators were identified which were distributed in the previously identified six dimensions (cosmovision, accessibility, adaptability to cosmovision, resources, equipment, community care, quality culture and results). CONCLUSIONS: The consensus on the set of indicators among all the participants in this study strengthened the results obtained. These indicators have considered the feasibility and relevance and aimed to achieve comprehensive person-centred care for diabetes among the indigenous population in Ecuador and possibly the Andean community. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: These indicators' development included patients and caregivers since its conception. During the qualitative phase of this research, relevant information on cultural and social beliefs was gathered directly from the study population to achieve patient-centred indicators for adequate diabetes care.

The postoperative prognosis of older intertrochanteric fracture patients as evaluated by the Chang reduction quality criteria.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Chang reduction quality criteria (CRQC) and the outcome of intertrochanteric fractures in older adults according to follow-up time. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 389 older adult patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated surgically from January 2019 to June 2021, including 130 males and 259 females aged 84.6 (77.5-89.7) years. Patient survival was determined by telephone as the time between admission to hospital for fracture and death or until the study deadline (June 1, 2022). According to the CRQC, the patients were divided into the Poor, Acceptable, and Excellent groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between CRQC and all-cause mortality in older adult intertrochanteric fractures at 1 year and the total follow-up time. Further subgroup analysis was performed according to different clinical and biological characteristics to improve the accuracy of the results. RESULTS: The mortality rates were 24.7% and 15.4% at 1 year and the total follow-up time, respectively. Both at one year and the total follow-up time, the mortality of the CRQC-Excellent group was significantly lower than that of the CRQC-Acceptable group (p.adj < 0.05) and the CRQC-Poor group (p.adj < 0.05). After multifactor adjustment, CRQC grades of Acceptable and Poor were independent risk factors affecting the overall and 1-year mortality. In addition, advanced age, ≥ 1 comorbidities, ASA 3 + 4, and prolonged preoperative waiting time were independent risk factors for survival at the total follow-up time. At 1 year, only ASA 3 + 4 and prolonged preoperative waiting time were independent risk factors for survival. Subgroup analysis according to different characteristics at the total follow-up time and at one year showed that in most subgroups, a decrease in the CRQC grade was significantly associated with an increase in all-cause mortality (p for trend < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that CRQC grades of Acceptable and Poor are associated with increased all-cause mortality in older adult intertrochanteric fractures. We should attempt to achieve good reduction of these fractures.

Establishment of a comprehensive method to derive seawater quality criteria of BDE-47 in China.

2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) is an emerging toxic organic pollutant widely detected in territorial waters. Accordingly, establishing the seawater quality criteria (SWQC) for BDE-47 is of significant importance to protect the marine ecosystems. In this study, published ecotoxicity data of BDE-47 to aquatic species in China were collected, and acute and chronic toxicity tests were carried out on saltwater aquatic organisms from 5 phyla and 8 families widely existed in the Chinese marine environment. Static acute toxicity tests and renewed chronic toxicity tests were adopted. The scientific theories and technical methods of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Canada, the European Union (EU), and the Netherlands on water quality criteria guidelines, as well as the Chinese freshwater quality criteria guidelines were compared. Then an integrated method of SWQC derivation was introduced through comprehensive consideration. Afterward, the SWQC of BDE-47 was derived based on the ecotoxicity data. The SWQC includes short-term seawater quality criteria (S-SWQC), long-term seawater quality criteria (L-SWQC), and serious risk concentration for the ecosystem (SRCeco). And they were derived and recommended as 7.90 µg/L, 0.217 µg/L, and 3.65 µg/L, respectively. This study served as a specific example to quantitatively studies the differences between different scientific theories and technique methods. The derivation process and improvement of SWQC for BDE-47 provide support for the future revision of water quality criteria in China.

Occurrence, health risk assessment and water quality criteria derivation of six personal care products (PCPs) in Huangpu River, China.

Personal care products (PCPs) have shown adverse health effects on humans. However, their health risk associated with fish consumption and relevant water quality criteria are still not well documented. This study investigated the occurrence and health risk of six PCPs (triclosan, bisphenol-A, and four commonly used organic ultraviolet (UV) filters, i.e., homosalate (HMS), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), oxybenzone (BP-3), and octocrylene (OC)). River water and three trophic levels of fish species were collected from Huangpu River in Shanghai. The concentration range of the six PCPs were 1.48-89.76 ng/L in water and 0.40-10.75 ng/g dry weight in fish. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of the PCPs indicated that consuming these fish would not pose non-carcinogenic risks. The maximum allowable fish consumption rates ranged from 85 to 1760 and 155 to 3230 meals per month for children and adults, respectively. As to the four organic UV filters, it is the first time to report the fish consumption advisories. Finally, the human health ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) values of HMS, 4-MBC, BP-3, OC, TCS, and BPA (i.e., 0.1218, 0.7311, 0.3494, 0.0477, 235.8, and 154.7 µg/L, respectively) were proposed, and they can serve as a valuable technical reference for global development and revision of aquatic environmental quality standards for these emerging contaminants.

General Challenges and Recommendations for the Water Quality Criteria of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs).

Water quality criteria (WQC) play an important role in the environmental management of pollutants in different countries or institutions. It has been found that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can potentially alter functions of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse effects in aquatic organisms. Therefore, the complicated modes of action and mechanisms of EDCs should be carefully considered in WQC studies. For example, the research regarding the WQC derivation of EDCs should prioritize sensitive aquatic species in consideration of the WQC derivation. Second, the chronic toxicity of EDCs should be of utmost concern. In addition, the appropriate effects and endpoints of EDCs should be carefully selected for the WQC derivation. Moreover, it was pointed out that some new methods should be taken into consideration in the WQC studies of EDCs in the near future.

Consistent declines in aquatic biodiversity across diverse domains of life in rivers impacted by surface coal mining.

The rivers of Appalachia (United States) are among the most biologically diverse freshwater ecosystems in the temperate zone and are home to numerous endemic aquatic organisms. Throughout the Central Appalachian ecoregion, extensive surface coal mines generate alkaline mine drainage that raises the pH, salinity, and trace element concentrations in downstream waters. Previous regional assessments have found significant declines in stream macroinvertebrate and fish communities after draining these mined areas. Here, we expand these assessments with a more comprehensive evaluation across a broad range of organisms (bacteria, algae, macroinvertebrates, all eukaryotes, and fish) using high-throughput amplicon sequencing of environmental DNA (eDNA). We collected water samples from 93 streams in Central Appalachia (West Virginia, United States) spanning a gradient of mountaintop coal mining intensity and legacy to assess how this land use alters downstream water chemistry and affects aquatic biodiversity. For each group of organisms, we identified the sensitive and tolerant taxa along the gradient and calculated stream specific conductivity thresholds in which large synchronous declines in diversity were observed. Streams below mining operations had steep declines in diversity (-18 to -41%) and substantial shifts in community composition that were consistent across multiple taxonomic groups. Overall, large synchronous declines in bacterial, algal, and macroinvertebrate communities occurred even at low levels of mining impact at stream specific conductivity thresholds of 150-200 µS/cm that are substantially below the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency aquatic life benchmark of 300 µS/cm for Central Appalachian streams. We show that extensive coal surface mining activities led to the extirpation of 40% of biodiversity from impacted rivers throughout the region and that current water quality criteria are likely not protective for many groups of aquatic organisms.