Optimization of a modified Captiva EMR-lipid method based on micro-matrix solid-phase dispersion coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of nine bisphenols in mussel samples.

This work describes a reliable, cheap, easy and fast method for analysis of nine bisphenols in mussel samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after trimethylsilylation. The modified method consisted of miniaturized matrix solid phase dispersion (micro-MSPD) in a glass Pasteur pipette using Captiva EMR (enhanced matrix removal)-lipid as the sorbent. Good linearity was obtained in the work range (1-500 µg L-1) with a correlation coefficient (R2) ≥ 0.998. The method accuracy and precision were determined at two concentration levels. The results show recoveries ranging from 55 to 111%. The precision varied from 1.95 to 11.4% (RSD). The whole quantification limits were between 0.056 and 3.42 µg per kg dry weight. The analytical procedure was applied for the analyses of five mussel samples collected from Galician Rias. The major compound was BPA, and wild mussels from Rías de Ferrol, Vigo and A Coruña had the highest levels. The proposed method is suitable for the analysis of BPA and its analogues in mussel samples.

Optimization of micro-QuEChERS extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the fast determination of phthalic acid esters in mussel samples.

In this study, a new miniaturized version of the analytical method based on the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) technique using Florisil in the cleanup step for extracting six phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in mussel samples was developed by using a design of experiments. For this purpose, 1.5 mL of ultrapure water and later, 1.5 mL of acetonitrile were added to 0.1 g of the lyophilized sample, followed by 0.3 g of a commercial extraction salt packet (magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate dihydrate, and sodium hydrogencitrate sesquihydrate). The recovered extract was purified using 0.1 g of Florisil. The final extract was evaporated and reconstituted in 1 mL of hexane. The six phthalates were determined by a GC-MS (SIM) system. The whole method was validated at two concentration levels. Recoveries ranged from 79% to 108%. Reproducibility in terms of coefficients of variation was between 4.9% and 12.1%. The limits of quantification of the whole method were between 0.53 and 38.0 µg per kg dry weight. Five mussel samples coming from the Galician Rías were analysed using this method. Except for three of the five samples where DnOP (di-n-octyl phthalate) was below the limit of quantification, all PAEs were found in concentrations that ranged between 1.99 and 372.7 µg per kg dry weight.

Cross-cutting view of current challenges in paediatric solid organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Europe: the European Reference Network TransplantChild.

The low prevalence of European paediatric transplanted patients and scarcity of resources and expertise led to the need for a multidisciplinary network able to improve the quality of life of paediatric patients and families requiring a solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The European Reference Network (ERN) TransplantChild is one of the 24 ERNs established in a European legal framework to improve the care of patients with rare diseases. ERN TransplantChild is the only ERN focused on both solid organ and haematopoietic stem cell paediatric transplantation, based on the understanding of paediatric transplantation as a complex and highly specialised process where specific complications appear regardless the organ involved, thus linking the skills and knowledge of different organ disciplines. Gathering European centres of expertise in paediatric transplantation will give access to a correct and timely diagnosis, share expertise and knowledge and collect a critical mass of patients and data that increases the speed and value of clinical research outcomes. Therefore, the ERN TransplantChild aims for a paediatric Pan-European, Pan-transplant approach.

Distribution and trend of organochlorine pesticides in Galicia coast using mussels as bioindicator organisms. Possible relationship to biological parameters.

Contamination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) such as DDT and its metabolites (ΣDDs), γ-HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane), HCB (hexachlorobenzene), aldrin, endrin, isodrin and trans-nonachlor were investigated in wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from Galician Rías (Rías of Ferrol, A Coruña, Muros, Arousa, Pontevedra and Vigo) during the period 1998-2012. Biological parameters, lipid content, shell length and condition index, were also studied. The OCPs levels in the wild mussel were in the order ΣDDs>γ-HCH>HCB. The other pesticides, aldrin, endrin, isodrin and trans-nonachlor, were not detected or were below the analytical detection limit. All concentrations found in these samples were below the allowable limits for human consumption (Regulation (EC) no. 396/2005). Univariate analysis confirmed that levels of some compounds presented significant relation with biological parameters. Multivariate analysis of the OCPs levels revealed significantly differences between studied Rías, samples from Ría of Ferrol had the highest levels of these compounds (values of ΣDDs ranged from 3.9 to 4.2 ng g(-1) ww) and samples from Ría of Arousa, the lowest levels (values of ΣDDs from 1.3 to 2.4 ng g(-1) ww). Temporal trends showed a decrease of OCPs levels along the studied period 1998-2012 in the Galician Rías.

Distribution of aliphatic compounds in bivalve mollusks from Galicia after the Prestige oil spill: spatial and temporal trends.

The content and distribution of n-alkane (C8-C35) and isoprenoid (pristane and phytane) hydrocarbons were investigated in two species of bivalve mollusk, mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and cockle (Cerastoderma edule), collected at different points of the Galicia littoral zone during the period from December 2002 to February 2003 (after the Prestige oil spill). Samples were analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. The highest levels were found in mussels and cockles coming from two estuarine bays, Rías de Arousa and Vigo. Hydrocarbons with carbon chain length > 30 were detected and determined in all samples. The abundance of these hydrocarbons in biota could be interpreted with regard to the feeding and living habits. Chemometric techniques have been employed to analyze data and determine the potential source of hydrocarbon contamination. Differences between mussels and cockles were observed in relation to aliphatic content. According to the data analysis, the main source of hydrocarbon contamination of investigated samples seems to be more related to the intense traffic of vessels in these estuarine bays than to the Prestige oil spill.

Acculturation and low-birthweight infants among Latino women: a reanalysis of HHANES data with structural equation models.

Previous studies have demonstrated that acculturation is associated with negative birth outcomes among mothers in numerous immigrant populations, including Latinas. This study used structural equation models to reanalyze data employed in the 1989 Scribner and Dwyer study on the effect of acculturation (measured through the Cuellar scale) on mothers' low-birthweight status. Data revealed that language components dominate the effects of acculturation on low-birthweight status. Acculturuation appears to affect low-birthweight status indirectly through smoking and dietary intake but not through parity. Acculturation has a persistent direct effect on low-birthweight status, suggesting that other intervening variables are operant.