Development of the headspace gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for ethylene oxide and ethylene chlorohydrin residue in medical devices.

RATIONALE: Ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization is commonly employed for the sterilization of medical devices and has a very high market share. However, EO and its metabolite ethylene chlorohydrin (ECH) are toxic to humans. In compliance with the classification and residue limits of medical devices defined by ISO 10993-7, our study established two extraction methods for the testing of EO and ECH. METHODS: The first method involves simulated-use extraction using water as the extraction solvent. While the second, exhaustive extraction, directly extracts sample through headspace sampling analysis. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode was utilized, requiring only 16 min. Then, the developed method was applied to assess 10 commercially available medical devices sterilized by EO. RESULTS: In simulated-use extraction, calibration curves were evaluated in the range of 1-100 and 5-500 µg for EO and ECH, respectively (r > 0.999). Inter-day recoveries ranged from 85.0% to 95.2% and from 94.8% to 102.4%. In exhaustive extraction, calibration curves spanned 0.5-50 and 2-200 µg for EO and ECH, respectively (r > 0.999). Inter-day recoveries ranged from 101.6% to 102.1% for EO and from 98.1% to 102.2% for ECH. After analysis of the 10 commercially available medical devices, two cotton swabs were found to have ECH of 35.1 and 28.4 µg per device, and four medical devices were found to have EO with concentration below the limit of quantification. Meanwhile, we found that the EO internal standard (propylene oxide) recommended by ISO 10993-7 had interference problems with other similar substances and was not suitable as an internal standard for EO. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers a sensitive and straightforward analytical approach to EO and ECH residues in a variety of medical devices. In addition, the results show that the EO or ECH content of these types of medical devices in our study falls below the regulatory limits, therefore instilling confidence among consumers regarding their safe use.

Development of a whole-cell biosensor for ethylene oxide and ethylene.

Ethylene and ethylene oxide are widely used in the chemical industry, and ethylene is also important for its role in fruit ripening. Better sensing systems would assist risk management of these chemicals. Here, we characterise the ethylene regulatory system in Mycobacterium strain NBB4 and use these genetic parts to create a biosensor. The regulatory genes etnR1 and etnR2 and cognate promoter Petn were combined with a fluorescent reporter gene (fuGFP) in a Mycobacterium shuttle vector to create plasmid pUS301-EtnR12P. Cultures of M. smegmatis mc2-155(pUS301-EtnR12P) gave a fluorescent signal in response to ethylene oxide with a detection limit of 0.2 µM (9 ppb). By combining the epoxide biosensor cells with another culture expressing the ethylene monooxygenase, the system was converted into an ethylene biosensor. The co-culture was capable of detecting ethylene emission from banana fruit. These are the first examples of whole-cell biosensors for epoxides or aliphatic alkenes. This work also resolves long-standing questions concerning the regulation of ethylene catabolism in bacteria.

Ethylene Oxide in Southeastern Louisiana's Petrochemical Corridor: High Spatial Resolution Mobile Monitoring during HAP-MAP.

Ethylene oxide ("EtO") is an industrially made volatile organic compound and a known human carcinogen. There are few reliable reports of ambient EtO concentrations around production and end-use facilities, however, despite major exposure concerns. We present in situ, fast (1 Hz), sensitive EtO measurements made during February 2023 across the southeastern Louisiana industrial corridor. We aggregated mobile data at 500 m spatial resolution and reported average mixing ratios for 75 km of the corridor. Mean and median aggregated values were 31.4 and 23.3 ppt, respectively, and a majority (75%) of 500 m grid cells were above 10.9 ppt, the lifetime exposure concentration corresponding to 100-in-one million excess cancer risk (1 × 10-4). A small subset (3.3%) were above 109 ppt (1000-in-one million cancer risk, 1 × 10-3); these tended to be near EtO-emitting facilities, though we observed plumes over 10 km from the nearest facilities. Many plumes were highly correlated with other measured gases, indicating potential emission sources, and a subset was measured simultaneously with a second commercial analyzer, showing good agreement. We estimated EtO for 13 census tracts, all of which were higher than EPA estimates (median difference of 21.3 ppt). Our findings provide important information about EtO concentrations and potential exposure risks in a key industrial region and advance the application of EtO analytical methods for ambient sampling and mobile monitoring for air toxics.

Ethylene Oxide Hemoglobin Adducts in Cord Blood and Offspring's Size at Birth: The NewGeneris European Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal ethylene oxide exposure may have adverse effects on fetal development. We examined the relationships between ethylene oxide hemoglobin (Hb) adduct levels and offspring's size at birth in a prospective European mother-child study. METHODS: This study included 1106 singletons from the NewGeneris project (2006-2010) with ethylene oxide Hb adducts measured in cord blood. We examined the relationships between adduct levels and offspring's size at birth among all infants and separately among infants of nonsmokers, using linear regression models for birth weight and birth head circumference and logarithmic binomial regression models for small for gestational age. We examined potential interactions between CYP2E1 single nucleotide polymorphisms in cord blood and the effects of ethylene oxide Hb adduct levels on offspring birth size. RESULTS: Higher quartiles of adduct levels as a measure of exposure were associated with decreasing birth weight and head circumference in the overall population. Compared to infants in the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile exhibited lower birth weight (-70.73 g, 95% confidence interval = -141.16, -0.30) and reduced head circumference (-0.30 cm, 95% confidence interval = -0.58, -0.02). We observed similar, albeit less pronounced, patterns among infants of nonsmokers. There was no evidence of an association between ethylene oxide Hb adducts and risk of small for gestational age, nor consistent evidence of an interaction with CYP2E1 polymorphisms on the association between EO Hb adduct levels and offspring's size at birth. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that higher ethylene oxide Hb adduct levels in cord blood are associated with a reduction in offspring birth size.

Toxicokinetic relationship between the adducts in globin and their cleavage products in the urine: Implications for human biomonitoring.

Globin adducts of various chemicals, persisting in organism over the whole lifetime of erythrocytes, have been used as biomarkers of cumulative exposures to parent compounds. After removal of aged erythrocytes from the bloodstream, cleavage products of these adducts are excreted with urine as alternative, non-invasively accessible biomarkers. In our biomonitoring studies on workers exposed to ethylene oxide, its adduct with globin, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)valine, and the related urinary cleavage product N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-L-valyl-L-leucine have been determined. To describe a toxicokinetic relationship between the above types of biomarkers, a general compartmental model for simulation of formation and removal of globin adducts has been constructed in the form of code in R statistical computing environment. The essential input variables include lifetime of erythrocytes, extent of adduct formation following a single defined exposure, and parameters of exposure scenario, while other possible variables are optional. It was shown that both biomarkers reflect the past exposures differently as the adduct level in globin is a mean value of adduct levels across all compartments (subpopulations of erythrocytes of the same age) while excretion of cleavage products reflects the adduct level in the oldest compartment. Application of the model to various scenarios of continuous exposure demonstrated its usefulness for human biomonitoring data interpretation.

Associations of ethylene oxide exposure with depression in American adults.

Ethylene oxide (EO) is an organic compound known for its high reactivity and negative impact on human health, but its adverse effects on depression remain poorly understood. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2884 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2013 and 2016. Participants were classified into four groups according to quartiles of log10-transformed hemoglobin adducts of EO (HbEO) levels. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between EO exposure and the risk of depression. Finally, we evaluated whether the association was mediated by inflammatory factors. Individuals with depression exhibited higher levels of hemoglobin adducts of ethylene oxide (HbEO) compared to those without depression. After adjusting for all covariates, patients in the highest quartile of HbEO (Q4 group) had a higher risk of depression, using the lowest quartile (Q1 group) as the reference group [odds ratio (OR) = 2.21, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): (1.47, 3.40)]. Additionally, the relationship between EO levels and the prevalence of depression followed a non-linear U-shaped pattern. Furthermore, inflammatory cells showed a positive correlation with EO levels. Moreover, white blood cells and neutrophils significantly mediated the relationship between HbEO and the risk of depression with mediated proportions of 14.70 and 12.55%, respectively. Exposure to ethylene oxide increases the risk of depression. Inflammatory factors partially mediated the observed association between EO exposure and depression.

Association between blood ethylene oxide levels and the prevalence of periodontitis: evidence from NHANES 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to establish a link between blood ethylene oxide (EO) levels and periodontitis, given the growing concern about EO's detrimental health effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 1006 adults from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. We assessed periodontitis prevalence across groups, used weighted binary logistic regression and restricted cubic spline fitting for HbEO-periodontitis association, and employed Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves for prediction. RESULTS: In the periodontitis group, HbEO levels were significantly higher (40.57 vs. 28.87 pmol/g Hb, P < 0.001). The highest HbEO quartile showed increased periodontitis risk (OR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.31, 6.31, P = 0.01). A "J"-shaped nonlinear HbEO-periodontitis relationship existed (NL-P value = 0.0116), with an inflection point at ln-HbEO = 2.96 (EO = 19.30 pmol/g Hb). Beyond this, ln-HbEO correlated with higher periodontitis risk. A predictive model incorporating sex, age, education, poverty income ratio, alcohol consumption, and HbEO had 69.9% sensitivity and 69.2% specificity. The model achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.761. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a correlation between HbEO levels and an increased susceptibility to periodontitis.

Construction of Polycarbonates with Pendant Multifunctional Groups via a One-Step CO2/ Diepoxide Copolymerization Approach.

A "one-step" strategy has been demonstrated for the tunable synthesis of multifunctional aliphatic polycarbonates (APCs) with ethylene oxide (EO), ethylene carbonate (EC), and cyclohexene oxide (CHO) side groups by the copolymerization of 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide with carbon dioxide under an aminotriphenolate iron/PPNBz (PPN = bis(triphenylphosphine)-iminium, Bz = benzoate) binary catalyst. By adjusting the PPNBz-to-iron complex ratio and incorporating auxiliary solvents, the content of functional side groups can be tuned within the ranges of 53-75% for EO, 18-47% for EC, and <1-7% for CHO. The yield and molecular weight distribution of the resulting multifunctional APCs are affected by the viscosity of the polymerization system. The use of tetrahydrofuran as an auxiliary solvent enables the preparation of narrow-distribution polycarbonates at high conversion. This work presents a novel perspective for the preparation of tailorable multifunctional APCs.

Positive association between blood ethylene oxide levels and metabolic syndrome: NHANES 2013-2020.

Purpose: The exposure of Ethylene oxide (EO) is linked to systemic inflammatory response and various cardiovascular risk factors. Hemoglobin's binding to ethylene oxide (HbEO) was used to measure serum EO level. This research aims to explore the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and HbEO, and between HbEO and components of metabolic syndrome. Method: This research included 1842 participants from 2013 to 2020 in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Weighted logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between HbEO and metabolic syndrome risk, using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The restricted cubic spline plot explores whether there is a dose-response relationship between HbEO and MetS risk. Subgroup analysis was performed to analyze study heterogeneity. Results: Significant differences were found in gender, educational level, marital status, diabetes status and hypertension among different groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.007, P = 0.003, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). The serum HbEO level exhibited positive correlation with metabolic syndrome risk in Q2 level (OR=1.64, 1.04~2.48), Q3 level (OR=1.99, 1.29~3.08), and Q4 level (OR=2.89, 1.92~4.34). The dose-response association suggested a possible linear association between serum HbEO and metabolic syndrome risk (P-overall=0.0359, P-non-linear=0.179). L-shaped association was found between HbEO and the risk of MetS in female population, obese population and mid-age and elder population (P-overall<0.001, P-non-linear=0.0024; P-overall=0.0107, P-non-linear=0.0055 P-overall<0.001 P-non-linear=0.0157). Conclusion: This study indicates a linear correlation between MetS and HbEO, with MetS risk escalating as HbEO levels increase. The prevalence of MetS varies depending on BMI, age and gender, and these factors can also influence MetS prevalence when exposed to EO.

Polyelectrolyte-protein synergism: pH-responsive polyelectrolyte/insulin complexes as versatile carriers for targeted protein and drug delivery.

The co-assembly of polyelectrolytes (PE) with proteins offers a promising approach for designing complex structures with customizable morphologies, charge distribution, and stability for targeted cargo delivery. However, the complexity of protein structure limits our ability to predict the properties of the formed nanoparticles, and our goal is to identify the key triggers of the morphological transition in protein/PE complexes and evaluate their ability to encapsulate multivalent ionic drugs. A positively charged PE can assemble with a protein at pH above isoelectric point due to the electrostatic attraction and disassemble at pH below isoelectric point due to the repulsion. The additional hydrophilic block of the polymer should stabilize the particles in solution and enable them to encapsulate a negatively charged drug in the presence of PE excess. We demonstrated that diblock copolymers, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(N,N,N-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate), consisting of a polycation block and a neutral hydrophilic block, reversibly co-assemble with insulin in pH range between 5 and 8. Using small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS, SAXS), we showed that insulin arrangement within formed particles is controlled by intermolecular electrostatic forces between protein molecules, and can be tuned by varying ionic strength. For the first time, we observed by fluorescence that formed protein/PE complexes with excess of positive charges exhibited potential for encapsulating and controlled release of negatively charged bivalent drugs, protoporphyrin-IX and zinc(II) protoporphyrin-IX, enabling the development of nanocarriers for combination therapies with adjustable charge, stability, internal structure, and size.

Association between blood ethylene oxide levels and periodontitis risk: a population-based study.

Background: The etiopathogenesis of periodontitis is closely associated with environmental conditions. However, the relationship between ethylene oxide exposure and periodontitis risk remains unclear. Methods: We selected qualified participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014. Periodontitis was identified according to the criteria of the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) definition. Ethylene oxide exposure was quantified by hemoglobin adducts of ethylene oxide (HbEO) levels. Log2-transformation was used to normalize HbEO levels. We designed three logistic regression models to explore potential relationship between HbEO and periodontitis. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) and subgroup analysis were also conducted with all covariates adjusted. We performed multivariable linear regression to appraise the association between the risk of periodontitis and different indicators of inflammation, including white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Mediation analysis was subsequently performed to examine whether ethylene oxide exposure contributed to periodontitis development through systemic body inflammation. Results: A total of 1,065 participants aged more than 30 were incorporated in this study. We identified that participants with higher HbEO levels showed increased risk of periodontitis after adjusting for all covariates (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.95, p = 0.0014). The results of subgroup analysis remained stable. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve also revealed a non-linear correlation between log2-transformed HbEO levels with the risk of periodontitis (p for nonlinear < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicated that HbEO level was significantly associated with four inflammatory mediators, with the mediated proportions of 14.44% (p < 0.001) for white blood cell, 9.62% (p < 0.001) for neutrophil, 6.17% (p = 0.006) for lymphocyte, and 6.72% (p < 0.001) for monocyte. Conclusion: Participants with higher ethylene oxide exposure showed higher risk of periodontitis, which was partially mediated by systemic body inflammation. More well-designed longitudinal studies should be carried out to validate this relationship.

Preparation of multifunctional cellulose macromolecule blended fabrics through internal and external synergy by N1, N6-bis (ethylene oxide-2-ylmethyl) hexane-1,6-diamine.

With the diversification of people's demand for textile functions, the preparation of multifunctional fabrics is still a current research hotspot. In this study, the water-soluble epoxy compound N1, N6-bis(oxiran-2-ylmethyl) hexane-1,6-diamine (EH) was introduced into cellulose macromolecule blended fabrics (cotton/modal) by two-phase vaporization technique, resulting in excellent wrinkle, hydrophobicity, and certain UV protection effects. It could be observed by electron microscopy that EH formed a polymer film on the fiber surface. In addition, the results of EDS scans and fiber swelling rate tests showed that EH was uniformly distributed and formed a cross-linked structure in the amorphous zones inside the fibers. Compared with the control fabrics, the wrinkle recovery angle of the EH-treated fabric was increased by 39.7 %. The fabrics could reach a contact angle of 136.9°, providing excellent hydrophobic effect. In addition, the fabrics achieved certain UV protection effects (UPF of 50+). The EH-treated fabrics were less stabilized in strong acid and alkali conditions, but exhibited greater durability in other environments. In summary, the internal and external synergistic effects of EH in forming polymer films on the fibers surface and internal cross-linking structures provided a cleaner, simple, and feasible method for the preparation of multifunctional cellulose macromolecule fibers textiles.

Association between ethylene oxide exposure and periodontitis: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ethylene oxide (EO) induces inflammation and oxidative stress, which are the main mechanisms of periodontitis. However, the effect of EO on periodontal health is not unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between EO exposure and the risk of periodontitis in general US adults. METHODS: Data used in our study from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014. The EO biomarker, hemoglobin adduct of EO (HbEO), was measured in blood samples utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Periodontitis category was defined by the CDC/AAP according to clinical periodontal parameters. Natural cubic spline, weight multivariable logistic regression analyses and subgroup analysis were used to explore the association between EO exposure and the risk of periodontitis. RESULTS: A total of 1497 participants over the age of 30 were included in our study. A non-linear positive association with periodontitis was identified for HbEO levels. Participants in the highest tertile of HbEO levels were more likely to have poorer periodontal health compared to the lowest tertile (ORtertile3vs1 = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.85-4.24). Similar results were also found in different subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: HbEO levels are positively associated with poor periodontal health in US adults. Additional longitudinal studies are necessary to further enhance our comprehension of the impact of exposure to EO on periodontal status.

Automated, cryogen-free headspace-trap with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol as residual fumigants in foods.

Ethylene oxide (EtO), although banned for use, is still being detected in foodstuffs that have been fumigated to eradicate pests during storage and transport. Residual levels over the European Union's (EU) maximum residue limit (MRL) pose severe health concerns. Recent detection of EtO and its by-product 2-chloroethanol (2-CE) at alarming levels have led to product recalls throughout the EU. Here, a simple, automated headspace (HS)-trap method for the simultaneous determination of EtO and its derivative 2-CE by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at the required MRL of ≤ 0.05 mg/kg has been implemented. Syringe-based HS combined with backflushed trapping technology provided enrichment of multiple extractions from the same sample vial (known as multi-step enrichment or MSE®) to increase sensitivity for EtO and 2-CE analysis by GC-MS using single-ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. Method detection limits (MDLs) of 0.00059 mg/kg and 0.00219 mg/kg for EtO and 2-CE, respectively, were obtained without the need for manual handling, solvent extraction or derivatization methods. Recoveries were shown to average (n = 5) at 98% and 107% for EtO and 2-CE, respectively, and the reproducibility was <10% for both compounds.

Impact of hemoglobin adducts of ethylene oxide on the prevalence and prognosis of chronic kidney disease in US adults: an analysis from NHANES 2013-2016.

Animal experiments have shown that high exposure to ethylene oxide (EO) can cause multiple system damages including the renal system. Recent studies have reported associations between exposure to EO and cancer, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. However, the impact of exposure to EO on the prevalence and prognosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in humans is scarcely investigated. The study was designed to investigate the associations between EO exposure and incidence and prognosis of CKD among 2900 US adults. Exposure to EO was measured by detecting the levels of hemoglobin adducts of EO (HbEO). The diagnosis of CKD was made according to an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and/or a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) > 30 mg/g. Prognosis of CKD was assessed based on the evaluation system initiated by KDIGO that consists of eGFR and UACR. Survey-weighted generalized linear models and proportional odds models were constructed to assess the associations between HbEO and prevalence and prognosis of CKD, with odds ratios (ORs) and proportional odds ratios (PORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) reported, respectively. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) function was performed to depict the correlation between HbEO and CKD. The weighted median (interquartile range) of HbEO was 31.3 (23.1-60.3) pmol/g Hb. A total of 491 participants (16.9%) were diagnosed with CKD, and 153 participants (5.31%) were identified to be at high or very high risk. Referred to the first tertile of HbEO, the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for CKD in the second and third tertile were 1.46 (0.85, 2.50) and 1.69 (1.00, 2.85), and the adjusted PORs (95% CIs) for prognosis of CKD in the second and third tertile were 1.37 (0.94, 1.99) and 1.58 (1.10, 2.26). When HbEO was analyzed as a continuous variable, the adjusted OR (95% CI) for CKD and POR (95% CI for prognosis of CKD were 1.24 (0.97, 1.58) and 1.22 (1.01, 1.47), respectively. RCS analysis revealed a non-linear positive correlation between HbEO and prevalence of CKD (P for nonlinearity < 0.05). Subgroup analysis indicated smoking status had a significant impact on this association, which remained significant among never smokers but lost significance among smokers. Among US adults, increased EO exposure was independently related to increased CKD prevalence and poor CKD outcomes, which was established in never smokers but not among ever smokers.

Association between ethylene oxide levels and depressive symptoms: A cross-sectional study based on NHANES 2013-2018 database.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ethylene oxide (EO) is a commonly used compound with known health risks. However, the specific association between EO exposure and the development of depressive symptoms has not been well established. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the potential association between EO exposure, as indicated by hemoglobin adduct of ethylene oxide (HbEO) levels, and the occurrence of depressive symptoms. METHODS: We employed logistic regression, restricted cubic spline, and subgroup analysis to investigate the association between EO exposure and the occurrence of depressive symptoms. Additionally, we conducted a mediating effect analysis to explore the potential factors influencing the association between EO exposure and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Elevated HbEO levels were associated with the development of depressive symptoms. After adjusting for potential confounders, the highest quartile of HbEO levels showed an odds ratio (OR) of 3.37 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.87-6.10, P = 0.002] compared with the lowest quartile. Additionally, a linear association was observed between HbEO levels and the risk of depressive symptoms. We also revealed that the levels of several inflammatory factors and triglycerides mediated the association between EO exposure and the occurrence of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of EO exposure were related to an increased risk of developing depressive symptoms. The analysis also suggested that the inflammatory response might play a mediating role in the pathway from EO exposure to depressive symptoms.

The association of hemoglobin ethylene oxide levels with albuminuria in US adults: analysis of NHANES 2013-2016.

Ethylene oxide (EO) is a common chemical contaminant in the environment and associated with the occurrence of multiple clinical diseases. This study aimed to explore the association of hemoglobin ethylene oxide (HbEO) levels with the risk of albuminuria in a representative sample of US adults. In total, 3523 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2016 were enrolled and classified into four groups based on HbEO. Restricted cubic spline plots and multiple logistic regression were performed to investigate the connection between HbEO levels and albuminuria, and mediation analysis was applied to elucidate the potential mechanism for the effect of HbEO concentrations on albuminuria. In the results, compared with the extreme quartile of HbEO levels, the weighted prevalence of albuminuria was significantly increased in participants with highest quartile (Q4 vs Q1, 11.2% vs 8.1%). Restricted cubic spline plots revealed that the risk of albuminuria raised non-linearly and positively with elevated HbEO level. After adjusting for confounders, the logistic regression suggested that the risk of albuminuria was enhanced by 12% for each one-unit increase in log-2-transformed HbEO (OR = 1.12, 95% CI, 1.03-1.22, P = 0.007). Moreover, the multivariate ORs (95% CIs) on albuminuria was increased across the increasing HbEO quartiles (Q4 vs Q1, OR = 1.54, 95% CI, 1.09-2.17; P for trend = 0.029). Furthermore, the impact of high HbEO level on albuminuria was partially related to inflammation markers, including white blood cells (17.2%), neutrophils (22.1%), and lymphocytes (19.5%). To sum up, our study identified that high HbEO levels increased the risk of albuminuria in representative population of US adults, and several inflammatory mediators might be potentially involved in EO-associated albuminuria.

Accurate selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry quantification of ethylene oxide contamination in the presence of acetaldehyde.

In September 2020, traces of ethylene oxide (a toxic substance used as a pesticide in developing countries but banned for use on food items within the European Union) were found in foodstuffs containing ingredients derived from imported sesame seed products. Vast numbers of foodstuffs were recalled across Europe due to this contamination, leading to expensive market losses and extensive trace exposure of ethylene oxide to consumers. Therefore, a rapid analysis method is needed to ensure food safety by high-throughput screening for ethylene oxide contamination. Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is a suitable method for rapid quantification of trace amounts of vapours in the headspace of food samples. It turns out, however, that the presence of acetaldehyde complicates SIFT-MS analyses of its isomer ethylene oxide. It was proposed that a combination of the H3O+ and NO+ reagent ions can be used to analyse ethylene oxide in the presence of acetaldehyde. This method is, however, not robust because of the product ion overlaps and potential interferences from other matrix species. Thus, we studied the kinetics of the reactions of the H3O+, NO+, OH- and O-˙ ions with these two compounds and obtained their rate coefficients and product ion branching ratios. Interpretation of these experimental data revealed that the OH- anions are the most suitable SIFT-MS reagents because the product ions of their reactions with acetaldehyde (CH2CHO- at m/z 43) and ethylene oxide (C2H3O2- at m/z 59) do not overlap.

Associations of ethylene oxide exposure and "Life's Essential 8".

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a widely used industrial chemical with recognized health risks. While its carcinogenic properties have been extensively studied, emerging evidence suggests potential associations with cardiovascular diseases. Using the recently introduced Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score as a comprehensive cardiovascular health (CVH) measure, this study aimed to elucidate the relationship between EtO exposure and CVH. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) encompassing 3748 adults was analyzed. CVH was assessed using the LE8 score, which incorporates diet, physical activity, tobacco/nicotine exposure, sleep duration, BMI, non-HDL cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The association between EtO exposure, gauged by Hemoglobin adduct (HbEtO) levels, and CVH was examined using linear regression and Cox regression models. An inverse relationship between EtO exposure and the overall CVH score was identified. Specifically, for every 1-unit increase in ln-transformed HbEtO, a 3.69-point decrease in the total CVH score was observed. An inverted J-shaped association between ln-transformed HbEtO and CVH score emerged, with an inflection point at 3.15 pmol/g Hb. Elevated EtO exposure was not significantly linked to all-cause mortality but was robustly associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Elevated EtO exposure is negatively associated with CVH, as outlined by the LE8 metrics. Beyond a certain threshold, this association underscores the cardiovascular risks of EtO exposure and highlights the importance of further research to determine underlying mechanisms and recommend preventive strategies.