Investigation on the source of VOCs emission from indoor construction materials using electronic sensors and TD-GC-MS.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is critical to the health and wellbeing of people. As the majority of people spend greater amounts of time indoors, either in office spaces or households, the level of air pollutants in such environments is critical. Building materials and furniture are known sources of air pollutants such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and may be associated with discomfort, detrimental health of the occupants, etc. In this study, the VOCs found in a brand new office complex were monitored over a period of 6 months, with an emphasis on monitoring and quantifying harmful VOCs and identifying their emission source. Air samples were taken from a closed, unoccupied office space on a weekly basis and analysed using Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), while continuous monitoring of the air quality was performed using two commercially available IAQ sensors. To identify the source of the emitted VOCs, pieces of all construction material that were used in the office, including flooring, finished wall material, and adhesive glues, were removed, and placed in air-tight glass containers prior to analysis confirming that the source of VOCs is indeed the flooring. Identified compounds included mainly material origin VOCs such as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) and styrene, but also common VOCs such as acetone and propan-2-ol. Of significant importance was the concentration of toluene that was found to be the most abundant VOC in both the flooring material and the indoor air.

Breath analysis of smokers, non-smokers, and e-cigarette users.

Solid phase micro extraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) analysis was performed in exhaled breath samples of 48 healthy volunteers: 20 non-smokers, 10 smokers and 18 e-cigarette (EC, vape) users. Each volunteer provided 1 L of exhaled breath in a pre-cleaned Tedlar bag, in which an SPME fiber was exposed to absorb the emitted breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The acquired data were processed using multivariate data analysis (MDA) methods in order to identify the characteristic chemicals of the three groups. The results revealed that the breath of non-smokers demonstrated inverse correlation with a variety of molecules related to the breath from smokers including furan, toluene, 2-butanone and other organic substances. Vapers were distinguished from smokers by the chemical speciation of the e-liquids, such as that of esters (e.g. ethyl acetate), terpenes (e.g. α-pinene, ß-pinene, d-limonene, p-cymene, etc.) and oxygenated compounds (e.g. 3-hexen-1-ol, benzaldehyde, hexanal, decanal, etc). Two classification models were developed (a) using principal component analysis (PCA) with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and (b) using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Both models were validated using 8 new samples (4 vapers and 4 smokers), collected in addition to the 48 samples of the calibration set. The combination of GC/MS breath analysis and MDA contributed successfully in classifying the volunteers into their respective groups and highlighted the relevant characteristic VOCs. The respective dynamic combination (SPME-GC/MS and MDA) provides a means for long term non-invasive monitoring of the population's health status for early detection purposes.

Main and side stream effects of electronic cigarettes.

Over the last decade there has been a significant boost towards the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), especially among youth. Different concentrations of propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG), flavors and nicotine are mixed in plastic cartridges and commercially offered or privately produced by the vapers. During vaping, a mixture of air and vapors is inhaled to the lungs. Since the ingredients of the e-cigarettes are not burned but vaporized (heated), fewer chemicals are emitted. The levels of potentially toxic compounds (e.g. volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), metals, radicals, nitrosamines, etc.) emitted from vaping appear to be lower compared to that of tobacco smoking (from combustible cigarettes). Nevertheless, measurable toxic elements and VOCs are still released (e.g. acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, etc.) along with other volatiles associated with e-liquid flavoring and device variability with PG and VG. The wide range of available flavors at various purities along with the heating temperature are important parameters affecting the evolution of VOCs and aerosols. There is lack of standardized short- and long-term epidemiological medical data (chronic exposure) on e-cigarettes effects to users, non-users and the human micro-environment (second- or third-hand exposure). Therefore, the potential health, safety and environmental effects of vaping are reviewed, examined and discussed.

The Effect of an Authentic Acute Physical Education Session of Dance on Elementary Students' Selective Attention.

There have been calls to test the potential benefits of different forms of physical activity (PA) to executive function, particularly in authentic settings. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an acute dance session within an existing physical education class on students' selective attention. The study employed a pre/posttest quasi-experimental design with a comparison group in one Aotearoa, New Zealand, primary school. Participants were 192 students (comparison group = 104 students) in Years 5 and 6. The intervention group participated in a dance-based physical education lesson while the comparison group continued their regular classroom work. PA during the physical education lesson was monitored using accelerometers. Selective attention was assessed at pretest and after the comparison/physical education sessions with the d2 Test of Attention. 2 × 2 ANOVA results suggested a significant time effect for all three measures, no significant group effects for any measures, and significant time by group interactions for TN and CP but not for E%. The intervention group improved significantly more than the comparison group for TN and CP. This study's findings suggest that existing school opportunities focused on cognitively engaging PA, such as dance, can improve aspects of students' selective attention.

Synthesis of new photosensitive H2BBQ2+[ZnCl4]2-/[(ZnCl)2(µ-BBH)] complexes, through selective oxidation of H2O to H2O2.

A new two-electron photosensitizer, H2BBQ2+[ZnCl4]2-/[(ZnCl)2(µ-BBH)] (BBQ stands for 2,5-bis[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]-1,4-quinone and BBH stands for 2,5-bis[bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]-1,4-hydroquinone), has been synthesized and the oxidation state of the ligand was determined by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Under light illumination the H2BBQ2+[ZnCl4]2- + ZnCl2 is reduced quantitatively to [(ZnCl)2(µ-BBH)] (pH ∼ 5) oxidizing H2O to H2O2 as is evident by trap experiments. Electrochemistry gave a reversible two-electron ligand-centered redox wave for [(ZnCl)2(µ-BBH)]. UV-Vis, luminescence and EPR spectroscopies reveal the slow formation of a stable quinone diradical, intermediate of the reaction. DFT calculations are in agreement with the proposed mechanism. Based on this property an aqueous {[(ZnCl)2(µ-BBH)]||H2O2} solar rechargeable galvanic cell has been constructed.

Expression and distribution of aggrecanases in human larynx: ADAMTS-5/aggrecanase-2 is the main aggrecanase in laryngeal carcinoma.

Members of the ADAMTS family of proteases degrade proteoglycans and thereby have the potential to alter tissue architecture and regulate cellular functions. Aggrecanases are the main enzymes responsible for aggrecan degradation, due to their specific cleavage pattern. In this study, the expression status, the macromolecular organization and localization of ADAMTS-1, ADAMTS-4/aggrecanase-1 and ADAMTS-5/aggrecanase-2 in human normal larynx and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) were investigated. On mRNA level, the results showed that ADAMTS-4 was the highest expressed enzyme in normal larynx, whereas ADAMTS-5 was the main aggrecanase in LSCC presenting a stage-related increase up to stage III (8-fold higher expression compared to normal), and thereafter decreased in stage IV. Accordingly, immunohistochemical analysis showed that ADAMTS-5, but not ADAMTS-4, was highly expressed by carcinoma cells. Sequential extraction revealed an altered distribution and organization of multiple molecular forms (latent, activated and fragmented forms) of the enzymes within the cancerous and their corresponding macroscopically normal laryngeal tissues, compared to the normal ones. Importantly, these analyses indicated that critical macromolecular changes occurred from the earliest LSCC stages not only in malignant parts of the tissue but also in areas that were not in proximity to carcinoma cells and appeared otherwise normal. Overall, the results of the present study show that ADAMTS-5/aggrecanase-2 is the main aggrecanase present in laryngeal carcinoma suggesting a critical role for the enzyme in aggrecan degradation and laryngeal tissue destruction during tumor progression.

Copper removal from sludge permeate with ultrafiltration membranes using zeolite, bentonite and vermiculite as adsorbents.

The aim of this work is to examine copper removal from sludge permeate with the use of low-cost minerals of Mediterranean origin combined with ultrafiltration membranes. The minerals used were zeolite (clinoptilolite), bentonite and vermiculite. Activated sludge was enriched with 0.01 N (317.7 ppm) of Cu(II). Fixed concentrations of minerals were added to sludge and the pH value was adjusted at 5.5. The mixture was agitated for 2 hours at 800 rpm at room temperature and was then filtered through a batch ultrafiltration system for 1 hour. This experiment was repeated, for comparison purposes, with sludge enriched with 0.01 N of Cu(II) with no mineral addition. The results showed that ultrafiltration membranes with no mineral addition were able to remove a significant amount of copper with removal efficiencies ranging from 59.4-78.3%. The addition of 10 g/l and 20 g/l of bentonite combined with ultrafiltration membranes resulted in removal efficiencies of 94.9% and 99.4% respectively and that of 10 g/l and 20 g/l of vermiculite in removal efficiencies of 93.8% and 96.8%, respectively. The ion exchange capacity of minerals followed the order bentonite > vermiculite > zeolite. Furthermore, membrane fouling was investigated. The addition of zeolite and bentonite reduced membrane fouling, while the addition of vermiculite did not impact on fouling. The use of low-cost minerals in combination with ultrafiltration membranes can be employed to treat industrial wastewater, resulting in a final effluent with very low copper concentrations.

Performance of a new household composter during in-home testing.

This article presents the methodology and the results of the performance testing of a prototype system for the production of high quality compost from biodegradable household waste separated at the source. Selected households in three municipalities of the Attica Region in Greece constituted the users of the home composter. The results indicated the effective operational performance of the prototype household composter in practice (use of the system by the householders on a daily basis), as well as the high level of response of the householders in adopting the composting practice in their daily activities as common practice. The compost that was produced in the households was characterized by high quality, which is in accordance with the quality standards that are set for its use. In only a few cases (in the first cycle of the pilot implementation) the quality of the compost was not high due to the fact that some householders were not yet familiar with the use of the composter, but these operational problems were solved and the compost that was later produced was considered high quality.

Steroid-sparing effects of pentoxifylline in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Agents that target pro-inflammatory cytokines may be useful in pulmonary sarcoidosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine effectiveness of a non-selective cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, pentoxifylline (POF). DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, SETTING: Clinical Research Center, National Institutes of Health. PATIENTS: 27 patients with biopsy-confirmed pulmonary sarcoidosis receiving prednisone. INTERVENTION: Placebo or POF (1200-2000 mg/day) for 10 months, as prednisone was tapered. MEASUREMENTS: Primary endpoints: sustained improvement in two or more pulmonary function parameters, or a combination of one pulmonary function parameter and dyspnea. RESULTS: Except for one patient, primary endpoints were not reached in POF-treated patients. Therefore, a post hoc analysis was performed. The observed relative risk reduction for flares associated with POF treatment was 54.9% (95% CI 0.21, 0.89) and the absolute risk reduction was 50.6% (95% CI 0.22, 0.80). Compared to placebo treatment, in the POF group, the mean prednisone dose was lower at 8 and 10 months (p = 0.007 and 0.01 respectively), and there was a trend towards less prednisone usage over the entire study period (p = 0.053), as determined by cumulative change analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Although our exploratory post hoc analysis suggested that POF reduced flares and had steroid-sparing effects, given the study limitations, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn regarding the efficacy of POF in pulmonary sarcoidosis. In addition, gastrointestinal side-effects, at the doses used, would seem to limit the use of POF in treating pulmonary sarcoidosis. Overall, however, this trial may provide a basis for using more specific, better-tolerated, PDE inhibitors in future clinical trials.

Preliminary study for the management of construction and demolition waste.

This paper refers to the management of the construction and demolition (C&D) waste since, according to the EU Waste Strategy, C&D waste is considered to be one of the priority waste streams and appropriate actions need to be taken with respect to its effective management. Initially, the paper presents the state-of-the-art of the problem of C&D waste, including the amount and composition of C&D waste in EU countries, differences in the characteristics of this waste stream depending on its origin, as well as collection and management practices that are applied. A methodology is described for the estimation of the quantities of the waste stream under examination, since in most cases quantitative primary data is not available. Next, the fundamentals for the development of an integrated scheme for the management of C&D waste are presented and discussed, such as appropriate demolition procedures and location of waste management (off-site waste management, on-site waste management, direct on-site recovery, centralized on-site recovery). Finally, taking into consideration all relevant parameters, alternative systems that could be applied for the management of the C&D waste are suggested.

Use of cryopreserved cells for enabling greater flexibility in compound profiling.

Measurement of intracellular calcium release following agonist challenge within cells expressing the relevant membrane protein is a commonly used format to derive structure-activity relationship (SAR) data within a compound profiling assay. The Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR) has become the gold standard for this purpose. FLIPR traditionally uses cells that are maintained in continuous culture for compound profiling of iterative chemistry campaigns. This supply dictates that assays can only be run on 4 of 5 weekdays, or alternative cell culture machinery is required such that plating can occur remotely at the weekend. The data reported here demonstrate that high-quality compound profiling data can be generated from the use of cryopreserved cells and that these cells can also be plated at various densities to generate equivalent data between 24 and 72 h post-plating. Hence, the authors report a method that allows data generation throughout the week and without the requirement of highly automated cell culture or continuous culture.

Stage-related decorin and versican expression in human laryngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The major proteoglycan of normal human larynx is aggrecan. In laryngeal carcinoma, aggrecan is depleted, with versican and decorin appearing in higher amounts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Proteoglycans in laryngeal carcinoma samples were characterized immunohistochemically and using Western blotting; their expression was examined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Aggrecan was totally removed in advanced cancer and its RT-PCR product was not identified. Both versican and decorin were overexpressed in cancer, versican much more than decorin. Decorin expression was higher than that of versican in the normal larynx; therefore, their disproportionate overexpression during cancer resulted in about equimolar expression. Both proteoglycans' expression correlated with their stage-related accumulation within the tissue. CONCLUSION: These data add to our previous findings and support the view that the levels of expression and the extent of accumulation and localization in the tumor stroma of structurally modified versican and decorin could be associated with the degree of aggressiveness of laryngeal carcinoma.

Bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract following tracheal intubation-effect of gravity: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of the horizontal orientation of endotracheal tube and neck on bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract in anesthetized sheep on mechanical ventilation, without use of antibiotics. DESIGN: Prospective animal study. SETTING: National Institutes of Health research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Anesthetized, paralyzed, and ventilated sheep. INTERVENTIONS: Sheep were randomized into five groups and managed as follows: Group IS contained sheep that were not intubated and were immediately killed. Group HU4 contained six sheep that were mechanically ventilated for 4 hrs, with head and endotracheal tube elevated 30 degrees from horizontal. Group HU72 contained seven sheep that were prone, mechanically ventilated for 72 hrs, and managed the same as group HU4. Groups G and Gf each contained seven sheep that were prone on a lateral body rotation device, mechanically ventilated for 72 hrs, with neck and endotracheal tube horizontal. Group Gf received nasogastric enteral feeding. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At the end of the study, sheep were examined postmortem, and a total of 11 tissue samples were taken from the trachea, the five lobar bronchi, and the five lobar parenchyma, for qualitative and quantitative culture. Group HU72 had significant decrease in Pao2/Fio2 and heavy bacterial colonization in all sheep. Groups G and Gf retained excellent lung function; lung bacterial colonization was no different from the IS group. CONCLUSIONS: The horizontal orientation of the endotracheal tube and neck, through lateral body rotation, showed no altered airway colonization and maintained excellent gas exchange and lung function in our animal model.

Alterations in the content and composition of glycosaminoglycans in human laryngeal carcinoma.

Glycosaminoglycans in normal and cancerous human laryngeal cartilage were isolated and characterized by means of enzyme susceptibility and high performance liquid chromatography. The known mammalian glycosaminoglycans were identified in all samples but their content and composition varied between normal and malignant samples. Chondroitin/dermatan sulphate was the major glycosaminoglycan in all cases, but its relative proportion was decreased in malignant samples. Its sulphation pattern showed that in normal samples it was sulphated mainly at the C6 position of galactosamine, whereas in malignant samples it was sulphated mainly at C4. Dermatan sulphate, expressed as a result of the different digestion of samples with chondroitinases, was present in very small amounts in normal samples (2.7% of total sulphated glycosaminoglycans) but increased in proportion up to 27.7% in malignant samples. The content of oversulphated chondroitin/dermatan was increased twofold in malignant samples. The content of heparan sulphate was increased almost fivefold in malignant samples as compared to normal ones. The content of hyaluronan was increased in malignant samples 3.5-fold, amounting to up to 11.4% of total glycosaminoglycans. These dramatic changes in the content and composition of glycosaminoglycans seemed to be characteristic of the tumour and independent of its status.

The influence of the hypertensive patient's education in compliance with their medication.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between patient's education in compliance with their medical regimen and the external variables: (1) "years of schooling," (2) duration of treatment, and (3) compliance with the medical regimen. The hypothesis tested in this study was as follows: "Hypertensive individuals who are educated about the importance of their medication and about the consequences of not taking the prescribed dosage will show better compliance with their prescribed drug regimen than those who are not thus educated." The sample of the study consisted of 40 hypertensive patients. A "posttest-only" control group design was used in this study. The hypothesis of the study was tested by using the Mann-Whitney U test. For the relationship between the external variables (years of schooling, duration of treatment, and compliance with the medical regimen), the Spearman test was used. The findings of the study revealed a statistically significant difference between compliance levels in the experimental group and in the control group (U = 130, p < 0.05), a positive correlation between "years of schooling" and compliance (rs = 0.33, p = 0.04), and a negative correlation between duration of treatment and compliance (rs = -0.45, p = 0.005). The findings support the hypothesis of the study.

Reversible airflow obstruction, proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cells, and impairment of gas exchange as predictors of outcome in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease, occurring in women, characterized by cystic degeneration of the lungs, abdominal tumors, and proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cells. Lung function abnormalities consist of impairment of the diffusion capacity (DL(CO)) and airflow obstruction. The objective of this study was to correlate the functional impairment with histologic measures of disease severity to identify predictors of disease outcome. Lung function of 143 patients and lung biopsies of 74 of these patients were reviewed for evidence of airway disease and scoring of disease severity. A positive response to bronchodilators was associated with more severe airflow obstruction, a predominantly solid pattern of LAM lesions in the lung biopsy, and greater rate of decline in expiratory flow. Airway inflammation, present in 61% of the lung specimens, was not associated with reversible airway obstruction and did not correlate with the severity of airflow obstruction. DL(CO) correlated best with the LAM histologic score (LHS), a demonstrated predictor of outcome. We conclude that reversible airway obstruction is found in LAM patients with accelerated loss of lung function and a predominantly solid pattern of LAM lesions. Impairment of DL(CO) correlates with LHS, a predictor of survival and time to lung transplantation.