Monitoring of Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Human Breast Milk in the Northern Governorates of Jordan in 2019/2020 Compared with the Results of 2015 Study.

One hundred and twenty samples of breast milk were collected from five northern governorates and districts in Jordan in 2019 and 2020 to monitor results for organochlorine pesticides as organic contaminants. The results showed that 36 samples (30%) of total 120 analyzed samples were contaminated as follows: 16 samples (13.3%) were contaminated with dieldrin, 4 samples (3.3%) with p,p'-DDE, 4 samples (3.3%) with p,p'-DDD, 8 samples (6.7%) with p,p'-DDT and 4 samples (3.3%) with o,p'-DDE. Comparing results of the current study with those of 2015 study, no residues for the HCHs in 2019/2020 study have been detected, an increase in the DDTs occurred and an increase in the cyclodiens in the 2019/2020 compared to the 2015 study.

Comparative study of persistent organic pollutant (POP) (chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins/furans) concentrations in cancer-affected human organs with those of healthy organs.

The concentrations of POPs (persistent organic pollutants) including 16 compounds of OCPs, 12 dioxin-like PCBs congeners, and 17 PCDDs/Fs congeners were determined in 46 human adipose tissue samples gathered from Jordanian citizens. Thirteen adipose tissue samples of healthy people were collected from Jordan University Hospital and 33 adipose tissue samples of cancer-affected patients were collected from King Hussein Cancer Center. All samples were extracted, cleaned-up, and analyzed using GC/MS. In the healthy person's samples, among the OCP compounds, the highest concentration was found for heptachlor-oxo-epoxide (5696.71 µg/kg), while among the PCB congeners, the non-ortho PCB 126 shows the highest TEQ concentrations (5554.5 µg TEQ/kg) and among the PCDDs/Fs congeners, the highest TEQ value was found for the congener 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDFs (5.93 µg TEQ/kg). For the cancer-affected patient's samples, the highest concentration among the OCP compounds was found for o,p-DDT (638.7 µg/kg), while among the PCBs congeners, the highest TEQ value was found for the non-ortho-PCB 126 (3366.24 µg TEQ/kg) and among the PCDDs/Fs congeners, the highest TEQ value was found for the congener 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDDs (20.64 µg TEQ/kg). OCP concentration level in adipose tissue samples for healthy people was 32 times higher than for cancer patient persons, while the TEQ values for dioxin-like PCB concentrations in adipose tissue samples of healthy people was 2.2 times higher than in the samples of cancer-affected patient and the TEQ values for PCDDs/Fs in adipose tissue samples of cancer-affected patient was 3 times higher than in the samples of healthy people.

Validation of an effective, low cost, Free/open access 3D-printed stethoscope.

The modern acoustic stethoscope is a useful clinical tool used to detect subtle, pathological changes in cardiac, pulmonary and vascular sounds. Currently, brand-name stethoscopes are expensive despite limited innovations in design or fabrication in recent decades. Consequently, the high cost of high quality, brand name models serves as a barrier to clinicians practicing in various settings, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In this publication, we describe the design and validation of a low-cost open-access (Free/Libre) 3D-printed stethoscope which is comparable to the Littmann Cardiology III for use in low-access clinics.

Organochlorine Pesticides Residues in Human Breast Milk from the Middle Governorates in Jordan in 2013/2014.

One hundred samples of mother breast milk were gathered from six middle governorates and districts in Jordan in 2013/2014 to monitor Organochlorine pesticides pollutants. The results showed clearly that banned organochlorine pesticides are still detected in the monitored samples in low concentration despite banning of these persistent pollutants in Jordan since 36 years ago. However, the results indicated that 1% of the contaminated samples contained ß-HCH, 5% γ-HCH, 3% p,p'-DDD, 2% heptachlor, 45% p,p'-DDE and 3% p,p'-DDT. In addition, these monitored samples had no residues of aldrin, dieldrin, α-endosulfan, ß-endosulfan, HCB, o,p'-DD, o,p'-DDT and o,p'-DDE. In conclusion, there was a decline in the residues of Organochlorine pesticides, particularly DDT group members.

Simultaneous GC-MS determination of eight phthalates in total and migrated portions of plasticized polymeric toys and childcare articles.

A gas chromatography/mass spectrometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of eight phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in toys and child care articles that are made of plasticized plastic. The novel method was used to determine the total concentration of the PAEs in addition to the migrated PAEs values into artificial saliva, under conditions that simulate real life situations. The extraction method, which was developed for the first time to determine the total concentration of PAEs, utilized a novel optimization of four parameters involving the solvent, time, temperature and weight of sample. The PAEs were extracted with tetrahydrofuran, as extraction the solvent, and using the ultrasonic water bath shaker for 30min, at room temperature. Another extraction method was developed to determine the migrated PAEs into artificial saliva at pH 6.2 and 37°C, implementing a liquid-liquid extraction with chloroform. Both methods were subjected to validation steps in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy and recovery, which ensured that all obtained results were well within the norms of acceptable limits and specifications. The analytes were separated at the following retention times: 4.99, 5.21, 5.31, 6.63, 7.41, 9.05min for di-"isobutyl" phthalate (DIBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis(2-methoxyethyl)phthalate (DMEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), respectively. The chromatographic peaks corresponding to di-"isononyl" phthalate (DINP) and di-"isononyl" phthalate (DIDP), were separated, using the extracted ion chromatogram (EIC) mode within the time ranges of 8.05-12.10min for DINP and 8.50-14.50min for DIDP. The instrument detection limits for DIBP, DBP, DMEP, BBP, DEHP, DnOP, DINP and DIDP were determined at 0.100, 0.100, 0.045, 0.035, 0.015, 0.370, 0.320, 0.260µg/ml, respectively. The calibration curve working ranges were determined at 0.5-25µg/ml for DIBP, DBP, DMEP, BBP and DEHP, 2-100µg/ml for DnOP and 5-100µg/ml for DINP and DIDP. The coefficients of variation (precision) for the total PAEs method were in the range 0.55-12.10% and for the migration method were in the range 0.72-7.70%. Recovery values for total PAEs and for the migrated PAEs were ranged within 90.6-111.7% and 86.3-117.2%; respectively. Both developed methods were used to survey the Jordanian market, where twenty seven samples were collected and tested for plastic type, total PAEs and migrated PAEs. Seventeen of those samples were found to be polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and all of them containing total PAEs having concentrations in excess of the allowed limit of 0.1% (w/w). The rest of the samples were non-PVC and only one of them containing PAEs, but below the allowed limit. In contrast, all the migration results were found to be well within the allowed limits. It was also found that as the PAEs total concentration increase, the corresponding migrated value increase, while the opposite trend holds for in the PAEs molecular weight.

Method development, validation and bioequivalence of varenicline in human plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

A method based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was developed for quantitative determination of varenicline in human plasma. Varenicline and the internal standard (25.0ng/mL of Clarithromycin) were extracted from human plasma by liquid-liquid extraction, using methyl tertiary butyl ether as the organic solvent. The chromatographic separation was achieved using C8 column with isocratic elution using a mixture of acetonitrile:0.001M ammonium acetate (adjusted to pH 4.0) (70:30%, v/v). The method was validated over the concentration range of 0.1-10.0ng/mL by investigating specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect and stability according to United State Food and Drug Administration guideline. The validated bioanalytical method was successfully applied to evaluate bioequivalence of two commercial products of 1mg varenicline single dose.

Simultaneous determination of amlodipine and atorvastatin with its metabolites; ortho and para hydroxy atorvastatin; in human plasma by LC-MS/MS.

A simple liquid chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry method for the quantification of amlodipine and atorvastatin with its metabolites, ortho and para hydroxy atorvastatin, simultaneously in human plasma was developed. Analytes with internal standard were extracted by protein direct precipitation with acetonitrile. Adequate chromatographic separation was achieved using Phenomenex Synergi 4u polar-RP 80A (150mm×4.6mm, 4µm) column in the isocratic elution mode and the eluent was water/methanol (14:86%, v/v) adjusted by trichloroacetic acid to pH 3.2 which was delivered isocratically at constant flow rate of 0.50mL/min. Standard solutions for the analytes were prepared using amlodipine besylate, atorvastatin calcium, ortho-hydroxy atorvastatin dihydrate monosodium salt, para-hydroxy atorvastatin disodium salt, and pravastatin sodium as an internal standard. The method validation intends to investigate specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect and stability according to USFDA guideline. Standard calibration levels were prepared by pooled human plasma to attain final dynamic range of 0.2-20.0ng/mL for amlodipine, 1.5-150ng/mL for atorvastatin, 1.0-100.0ng/mL for ortho-hydroxy atorvastatin and 0.2-20.0ng/mL for para-hydroxy atorvastatin. Clinical bioequivalence study was successfully investigated by the application of this validated bioanalytical method in order to evaluate bioequivalence of two commercial products 10mg amlodipine/80mg atorvastatin in a single dose. In this study, 29 healthy volunteers were participated in randomized, two periods, double blend, open label cross over design. Pharmacokinetic parameters of C(max), AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-∞) were calculated to compare a test product with CADUET(®) reference product.