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We report the case of a 16-year-old woman with microspherophakia and secondary open angle glaucoma. The patient presented with a membrane dividing the anterior chamber into two segments without edema or Descemet's membrane detachment. Slit lamp biomicroscopy, Pentacam, and specular microscopy images were obtained. Double anterior chamber is primarily found in patients with anterior chamber anomalies when there is no history of surgery or trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report a patient who presented with a very late-onset new growth of intraocular retinoblastoma, which occurred 11 years after the initial combined treatment. Observations: A 12-year-old monoophthalmic female patient presented with bilateral familial retinoblastoma showing new growth of intraocular tumor after 11 years of complete regression following combined local and systemic treatments. The new tumor growth was treated with diode laser transpupillary thermotherapy, ruthenium-106 plaque radiotherapy and adjuvant intravenous chemotherapy and the tumor regressed. Conclusions and importance: Despite initial satisfactory treatment and complete regression of the tumor, very late-onset new growth of intraocular retinoblastoma can occur. Hence, life-long follow-up in all patients with retinoblastoma is warranted, given the risk for new tumor formation even later in life. To our knowledge, this is the first report of new growth of intraocular retinoblastoma after regression for more than a decade.

The herbicide trifluralin (2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine) is widely used in agriculture and may pose toxic risks to some aquatic organisms. While its degradation has been investigated in field studies, this research is the first to elucidate the specific abiotic transformations that trifluralin may undergo in reducing environments such as flooded soils and wetland sediments. Kinetic data and product identities were determined for the degradation of trifluralin in Fe(ll)/goethite suspensions at near-neutral pH values. Under these conditions, trifluralin is consumed rapidly through a surface-mediated process that includes three distinct reactions: reduction of nitro groups, dealkylation of propylamines, and cyclization to form benzimidazoles. All detected products are among those that have been reported in natural soils and sediments. Therefore, these transformation pathways may play a significant role in affecting the fate of trifluralin in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of methyl reft-butyl ether (MTBE) in reformulated gasoline in motorized watercraft can lead to the presence of both unburned MTBE and fossil fuel combustion products in aquatic environments. MTBE has been added to unleaded gasoline to decrease vehicular carbon monoxide emissions in the atmosphere since the 1980s. Fluoranthene is among the most prevalent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) identified in the exhaust of internal combustion engines, and it has toxic effects on organisms in the presence of near-ultraviolet radiation. Because the interactions between MTBE and PAHs were not known, the toxicities of MTBE and fluoranthene together in fish were studied. Four-day-old fathead minnow larvae were exposed to combinations of fluoranthene and MTBE in a laboratory system under simulated sunlight for 96 h. Fish exposed to both MTBE and fluoranthene experienced higher mortality as compared to fish exposed only to fluoranthene. Fish exposed to MTBE alone did not exhibit increased mortality as compared to no-exposure controls. Co-exposure to MTBE was associated with significantly increased uptake rates and significantly decreased elimination rates for fluoranthene. The bioconcentration factor in fish exposed to 20 µg of fluoranthene/L in the presence of 40 µg of MTBE/L was 1.7-2.2 times higher than that for fluoranthene alone. The observed pattern of mortality reflected the different body residues of fluoranthene in fish. We conclude that, because of enhanced bioconcentration factors, the photoinduced toxicity of fluoranthene and potentially other PAHs will be greater in aquatic environments where reformulated gasoline containing MTBE is utilized in motorized watercraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an optimization methodology to obtain the uniform thermal conditions over the 3-D design body (DB) in 3-D radiant furnaces. For uniform thermal conditions on the DB surfaces, optimal temperature of the heater and the best location of the DB inside the furnace are obtained by minimizing an objective function. The radiative heat transfer problem is solved on the basis of the Monte Carlo method (MCM) to calculate the heat fluxes on the DB surfaces. The genetic algorithm (GA) is used to minimize the objective function defined based on the calculated and desired heat fluxes. The results indicate that thermal conditions on the DB surfaces are greatly influenced by the location of the DB and temperature of the heater. It is concluded that the introduced method is well capable to achieve the uniform thermal conditions on the DB surfaces by finding the optimal values for temperature of the heater and the best location for the DB inside the radiant furnace.

In the present study, air-side entropy generation rate for an evaporative air-cooled heat exchanger has been investigated using thermodynamic second-law analysis. For this purpose, entropy generations due to heat transfer, friction loss and evaporation were taken into consideration. From the results of this study, it was observed that the total air-side entropy generation was increased by increasing the air-side Reynolds number. Actually, increasing of air mass flow rate, increases irreversibilities due to both evaporation and friction. Stepping up of ambient temperature leads to increasing of irreversibility due to water evaporation. The results showed when the ambient temperature approaches to inlet process fluid temperature, the contribution of the entropy generation rate due to water evaporation becomes the dominant term in the total entropy generation rate. Moreover, it was seen that the effect of deluge water mass flow rate changes on entropy generation rate is slight.

Rhinoscleroma is a chronic granulomatous condition of the nose and other structures of the upper respiratory tract. Infection by the bacterium Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis is said to be the cause. A female patient aged 45 years, presented with a past history of trauma to the nose and swelling on her nose since last 1 year. There was nasal asymmetry and internal nasal examination showed a septal swelling protruding to the right nasal cavity with hypertrophied nasal mucosa and inferior turbinate. Open tip rhinoplasty approach was used to excise the mass, which examined pathologically revealing a rhinoscleroma, fibrotic infiltrative stage.

Objective: The present randomised controlled trial is based on the null hypothesis that there is no difference in crestal bone levels (CBLs) following socket preservation (SP) using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and free gingival graft (FGG). The aim was to evaluate CBLs following SP using PRF and FGG., Methods: This study is a parallel-arm randomised controlled trial. Patients in the test and control groups underwent SP using PRF and FGG, respectively. Intraoral visual examination was performed to clinically assess signs of swelling, pus/abscess, and stability of sutures and graft. Self-rated postoperative pain was assessed after 1 week and 6 months using the visual analogue scale (VAS). At the 6-month follow-up, cone-beam computed tomography was performed to evaluate CBL in mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions. The preoperative cone-beam computed tomographic images were superimposed with those taken at the 6-month follow-up to compare CBLs. Statistical comparisons were performed and level of significance was set at P < .05., Results: The test and control groups each comprised 13 individuals with comparable ages. All teeth included in the test and control groups were located in the maxillary aesthetic zone. At the 1-week follow-up, VAS scores were higher in the control than in the test group (P < .01). At the 6-month follow-up, none of the participants reported self-rated pain. The change in buccolingual dimension was greater in the control group than in the test group (P < .05)., Conclusions: Both FGG and PRF are effective techniques for SP; however, the latter technique is more effcacious in maintaining buccolingual dimensions of the extraction socket., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None disclosed., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The study examines the impact of microstructure and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) grafting on the degradability of Zn-Mg alloys. The mechanical properties of a Zn alloy containing 0.68 wt% Mg and extruded at 200 °C are enhanced for degradable load-bearing applications, addressing a crucial need in the field. The material exhibits a bimodal grain size distribution that is random texture, consisting of secondary phases, grains, and sub-grains. With an elongation to failure of 16 %, the yield and ultimate tensile strengths are 325.9 and 414.5 MPa, respectively, and the compressive yield strength is 450.5 MPa. The "grafting-from" method was used to coat a few micrometers thick of PMMA on both bulk and scaffold Zn alloys to mitigate the corrosion rate. The last one is a porous structure, with a porosity of 65.8 %, considered as in the first approach of an orthopedic implant. After being immersed for 720 h, the PMMA-grafted bulk alloy's corrosion rate decreased from 0.43 to 0.25 mm/y. Similarly, the scaffold alloy's corrosion rate reduced from 1.24 to 0.49 mm/y. These results indicate that the method employed could be used for future orthopedic applications., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Although zinc (Zn) is one of the elements with the greatest potential for biodegradable uses, pure Zn does not have the ideal mechanical or degrading properties for orthopaedic applications. The current research aims at studying the microstructure and corrosion behaviour of pure Zn (used as a reference material) and Zn alloyed with 1.89 wt.% magnesium (Mg), both in their extruded states as well as after being coated with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The grafting-from approach was used to create a PMMA covering. The "grafting-from" method entails three steps: the alkali activation of the alloys, their functionalization with an initiator of polymerization through a phosphonate-attaching group, and the surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerisation (SI-ATRP) to grow PMMA chains. Electrochemical and immersion corrosion tests were carried out in a simulated body fluid (SBF), and both confirmed the enhanced corrosion behaviour obtained after coating. The electrochemical test revealed a decrease in the degradation rate of the alloy from 0.37 ± 0.14 mm/y to 0.22 ± 0.01 mm/y. The immersion test showed the ability of complete protection for 240 h. After 720 h of immersion, the coated alloy displays minute crevice corrosion with very trivial pitting compared to the severe localized (galvanic and pitting) corrosion type that was detected in the bare alloy.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease with a potential morbidity in patients. Cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP) is a stress responsive protein having diverse roles in cancer and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of CIRP, (serum and tissue), in psoriasis patients and to correlate this expression to the clinico-pathological data of the patients. The serum level and tissue expression of CIRP were compared between 20 patients and 20 healthy controls. Additionally, the association between CIRP level and various clinicopathological parameters was done. The serum level of CIRP was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while its tissue expression was detected via immunohistochemistry. CIRP was expressed in the epidermis of all studied cases and controls with nuclear localization. A significant difference in its epidermal expression between lesional, perilesional cases and controls was observed. It was higher in control epidermis than perilesional skin and the lowest in lesional skin. Conversely, the serum CIRP level was significantly higher in psoriasis patients compared to healthy subjects. CIRP seemed to have a significant pathologic role in psoriasis patients with evident difference in its intracellular and extracellular expression levels suggesting a potential difference it its function.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease, affecting about 2 to 3% of the population worldwide. Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2-like receptor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of different inflammatory diseases. The current work aims to investigate the expression of nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2-like receptor in psoriatic skin through an immunohistochemical study. This cross-sectional case-control study included 20 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 20 age- and sex-matched normal subjects as controls. Psoriasis severity was assessed through the use of Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score. Skin biopsies were taken under local anesthesia from cases and from matched sites of controls. Expression of nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2 in epidermis of studied cases and controls showed positive epidermal expression of nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2 in all cases (100%) versus 6 (30%) controls with a significant increase (χ2 = 21.54, P ˂0.001). Moreover, dermal expression of nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2 was higher in psoriatic skin lesion (95%) compared to controls (15%) with a significant difference (χ2 = 25.86, P ˂0.001). We concluded that nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain 2 may be implicated in psoriasis pathogenesis being higher in cases in comparison to controls.

COVID-19 mainly causes a lower respiratory tract illness, meaning there has been great interest in the chest and lung radiological findings seen during the course of the disease. Most of this interest has centred around the computed tomographic findings. Most commonly, computed tomographic images report ground-glass opacities but a less common finding, and potential complication associated with COVID-19, is pneumatocele formation. In this case series, we describe the presentation and management of three patients with large pneumatoceles that developed during the recovery phase of COVID-19. A conservative approach is most recommended, with surgical intervention reserved for complicated cases that cause cardiorespiratory compromise.

Background: Langerhans cells (LCs) are antigen-presenting cells that are characterized by CD1a and CD207/langerin expression. The disturbance in the communication network among keratinocytes, melanocytes, and antigen-presenting cells may be involved in vitiligo pathogenesis., Aims: The current work aims to detect and quantify LCs in involved skin of patients affected by vitiligo before and after treatment with NB-UVB using CD1a immunohistochemistry, in addition to correlate percentage of LCs with the clinicopathological parameters., Methods: Twenty vitiligo patients and 10 age and sex matched controls were investigated. Patients were received NB-UVB thrice weekly for 12 weeks., Results: There was a significant reduction in LCs percentage in skin affected by vitiligo before treatment in comparison with normal skin. About 65% (13/20) of vitiligo patients responded to NB-UVB, and the liability to respond was correlated with LCs percentage in specimens before treatment. However, there was no statistical difference between specimens before and after treatment regarding LCs percentage., Conclusions: Reduction in LCs in vitiligo may be a sign of active disease and melanocytes destruction. The percentage of LCs affects response to NB-UVB since higher percentage is associated with greater response to therapy. Therefore, modulation of LCs as a type of immunotherapy could be beneficial in improvement of vitiligo., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: The ability to restore missing teeth with dental implants is dictated by the available bone and by the presence of anatomical structures. The potential to insert ultrashort implants avoids additional surgical procedures and its inherent complications. The last European Association of Dental Implantologists consensus in 2016 defined ultrashort implants and standard-length dental implants as <6 and >8 mm, respectively., Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate whether single standing ultrashort dental implants (US) could provide a viable therapeutic alternative to osteotome mediated sinus floor elevation in combination with standard-length dental implants (SL) 10 mm in posterior maxillary rehabilitation with reduced bone height., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a prospective parallel group controlled clinical trial with a 12 month follow-up, where 48 implants were randomized into two groups; US-group (5.5 mm) and SL-group (10 mm) implants placed with osteotome-mediated sinus floor elevation. Crestal bone loss (CBL) was defined as the study's primary outcome, while implant survival, buccal bone thickness, implant stability, probing depth, gingival recession, and adverse effects were assessed as secondary outcomes., Results: Mesial CBL was 1.13 ± 0.52 mm in SL- and 0.72 ± 0.52 mm in US-group (P = .021), while distal CBL was 1.44 ± 0.72 mm in SL- and 0.91 ± 0.69 mm in US-group at 12 months (P = .0179). Regarding implant stability, probing depth, and gingival recession there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Regarding implants' survival, three implants were lost in the US-while only one implant was lost in the SL-group (P = .6085; Fisher's exact test). Nevertheless, the ultrashort implants were associated with a tripling of the failure rate and uncertainty where the true failure rate is uncertain (relative risk 3.0; confidence interval 0.3-26.8)., Conclusions: Within the current trial's limitations, US-appear appear promising as they are associated less postoperative discomfort, minimal invasiveness and less CBL. However, larger sample size is required to determine whether the ultrashort have an acceptable survival rate., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

We describe the morphological, histological and histochemical characteristics of the uropygial gland of the duck ( Anas platyrhynchos ) and pigeon ( Columba livia ). The weight and dimensions of the glands were recorded. The gland openings onto the papilla in ducks were surrounded by double tufts of downy feathers; the tufts were held together by an oily secretion. In the pigeon, the gland opening was onto naked skin. Samples for light and transmission electron microscopy were obtained from adult birds. Gland morphometry of the duck showed greater dimensions and relative gland weight than the pigeon. In both species the gland was lined by stratified epithelium, packed with secretary tubules and filled with oil droplets that were discharged into a central cavity. In the pigeon, the gland was branched and alveolar with a wide central lumen, whereas in the duck it was simple and branched tubular. Ultrastructural analysis of both species revealed that the fat globules tended to condense in the peripheral layers of the secretory and degenerative cells, and the nuclei exhibited pyknosis, which suggest the holocrine nature of the gland. Morphometric and histological analysis of the gland showed that the architecture is similar among birds; however, some species-specific differences suggest a functional correlation with the habitat.

The occurrence and potential sources of synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) in the urban and surrounding environment were investigated. We analyzed air, soils and surface waters from a wide array of land-use types and urban densities including air from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), indoor, urban, rural, and remote Arctic sites; surface waters from urban and rural tributaries; and effluents of three WWTPs. In air, the median sum concentration of six selected polycyclic musks (Σ6PCMs) (i.e., galaxolide, tonalide, cashmeran, celestolide, phantolide, traseolide) were the highest from WWTP on-site > indoor > urban > WWTP off-site > rural. SMCs were not found in remote Arctic air indicating low potential for long-range atmospheric transport. SMCs were not found in soils, likely because of their high volatility and fast biodegradation rate. Galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN) were the two most abundant SMCs in air, tributaries and WWTP effluents. Σ6PCM concentrations in air taken along urban-rural transects and in tributary water were positively correlated with population density. In WWTP on-site air, trace levels of the toxic nitro-musks, namely musk xylene and musk ketone were detected and macrocyclic musks accounted for ∼10% of the total SMCs measured. In WWTP effluents, the concentrations of Σ6PCMs were proportional to the population served. We conclude that sources of SMCs to the outdoor urban environment and hence the surrounding region, originate from releases from indoor air, and temperature-dependent volatilization from WWTPs during treatment.

The AP-1 transcription factor complex is a key player in regulating inflammatory processes, cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell transformation. The aim of the present study is to investigate C-Jun (one of AP-1complex) expression and its proliferative role in skin samples of lichen planus, psoriasis as common inflammatory skin diseases and squamous cell carcinoma using immunohistochemical method. The present study was carried out on skin biopsies of 15 psoriatic patients, 15 lichen planus patients, 15 SCC, and 15 normal skin biopsies. Nuclear expression of C-Jun was detected in basal and few suprabasal layers of epidermis of normal skin. C-Jun was expressed in the whole epidermal layers of both psoriasis (14/15) and lichen planus (15/15) in addition to its expression in lymphocytic infiltrate in the latter in about half of cases (8/15). C-Jun was also expressed in 93.3% (14/15) of SCC in a percentage lower than that of psoriasis, lichen planus, and normal skin. The percentage of C-Jun expression in SCC was significantly associated with an early stage (p = 0.000), free surgical margins (p = 0.022), and small tumour size (p = 0.003)., Conclusions: The marked reduction of C-Jun in SCC in comparison to normal skin and inflammatory skin dermatoses may refer to its tumour suppressor activity. C-Jun expression in SCC carries favourable prognosis. Absence of significant association between C-Jun and Ki-67 either in SCC or inflammatory skin diseases indicates that it does not affect proliferative capacity of cells.

Human exposure to persistent perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), can occur directly from contaminated food, water, air, and dust. However, precursors to PFAAs (PreFAAs), such as dipolyfluoroalkyl phosphates (diPAPs), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), perfluorooctyl sulfonamides (FOSAs), and sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs), which can be biotransformed to PFAAs, may also be a source of exposure. PFAAs were analyzed in 50 maternal sera samples collected in 2007-2008 from participants in Vancouver, Canada, while PFAAs and PreFAAs were measured in matching samples of residential bedroom air collected by passive sampler and in sieved vacuum dust (<150 μm). Concentrations of PreFAAs were higher than for PFAAs in air and dust. Positive associations were discovered between airborne 10:2 FTOH and serum PFOA and PFNA and between airborne MeFOSE and serum PFOS. On average, serum PFOS concentrations were 2.3 ng/mL (95%CI: 0.40, 4.3) higher in participants with airborne MeFOSE concentrations in the highest tertile relative to the lowest tertile. Among all PFAAs, only PFNA in air and vacuum dust predicted serum PFNA. Results suggest that airborne PFAA precursors were a source of PFOA, PFNA, and PFOS exposure in this population.

Background: Various attempts have been implemented using different materials and techniques to augment the maxillary sinus floor for prospect dental implant positioning., Aim: This contemplate was conducted to assess the osteogenic capability of the maxillary sinus in a two-step sinus membrane elevation using titanium mesh to keep the formed space to place dental implants in atrophic ridges., Materials and Methods: Titanium micromesh was customized and positioned into the sinus on one side to preserve the elevated membrane in position. On the other side xenograft was applied. Instant and 6-months postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was done to assess the gained bone height and density. Bone core biopsies were obtained during implant placement for histological and histomorphometric evaluation., Results: The average bone height values increased in both groups. Meanwhile the average bone density value was higher at the graft group than the titanium mesh group. Histological and histomorphometric evaluation presented the average bone volume of the newly formed bone in the graft group which is superior to that of the titanium mesh group., Conclusion: The use of the titanium micromesh as a space-maintaining device after Schneiderian membrane elevation is a trustworthy technique to elevate the floor of the sinus without grafting.

The contamination levels and patterns of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their precursors in indoor air of children's bedrooms in Finland, Northern Europe, were investigated. Our study is among the most comprehensive indoor air monitoring studies (n = 57) and to our knowledge the first one to analyse air in children's bedrooms for PFASs (17 PFAAs and 9 precursors, including two acrylates, 6:2 FTAC and 6:2 FTMAC). The most frequently detected compound was 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (8:2 FTOH) with the highest median concentration (3570 pg/m 3 ). FTOH concentrations were generally similar to previous studies, indicating that in 2014/2015 the impact of the industrial transition had been minor on FTOH levels in indoor air. However, in contrast to earlier studies (with one exception), median concentrations of 6:2 FTOH were higher than 10:2 FTOH. The C8 PFAAs are still the most abundant acids, even though they have now been phased out by major manufacturers. The mean concentrations of FOSE/As, especially MeFOSE (89.9 pg/m 3 ), were at least an order of magnitude lower compared to previous studies. Collectively the comparison of FTOHs, PFAAs and FOSE/FOSAs with previous studies indicates that indoor air levels of PFASs display a time lag to changes in production of several years. This is the first indoor air study investigating 6:2 FTMAC, which was frequently detected (58%) and displayed some of the highest maximum concentrations (13 000 pg/m 3 ). There were several statistically significant correlations between particular house and room characteristics and PFAS concentrations, most interestingly higher EtFOSE air concentrations in rooms with plastic floors compared to wood or laminate., (Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to characterize the uptake of organophosphate esters (OPEs) by polyurethane foam (PUF) and sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam (SIP) disk passive air samplers (PAS). Atmospheric OPE concentrations were monitored with high-volume active air samplers (HV-AAS) that were co-deployed with passive air samplers. Samples were analyzed for tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), tri(phenyl) phosphate (TPhP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and tris(2,3-dichloropropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP). The mean concentration of ∑OPEs in air was 2650 pg/m 3 for the HV-AAS. Sampling rates and the passive sampler medium (PSM)-air partition coefficient (K PSM-Air ) were calculated for individual OPEs. The average calculated sampling rates (R) for the four OPEs were 3.6 ± 1.2 and 4.2 ± 2.0 m 3 /day for the PUF and SIP disks, respectively, and within the range of the recommended default value of 4 ± 2 m 3 /day. Since most of the OPEs remained in the linear uptake phase during the study, COSMO-RS solvation theory and an oligomer-based model were used to estimate K PUF-Air for the OPEs. The estimated values of log K PUF-Air were 7.45 (TCIPP), 9.35 (TPhP), 8.44 (TCEP), and 9.67 (TDCIPP). Finally, four configurations of the PUF and SIP disks were tested by adjusting the distance of the gap opening between the upper and lower domes of the sampler housing: i.e. 2 cm, 1 cm, no gap and 1 cm overlap. The sampling rate did not differ significantly between these four configurations (p < 0.05)., (Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The potential of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to act as sources of poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), volatile methyl siloxanes (VMSs) and organic UV-filters to the atmosphere was investigated. Target compounds included: PFASs (fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), perfluorooctane sulfonamides/sulfonamidoethanols (FOSAs/FOSEs), perfluroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs)), cyclic VMSs (D3 to D6), linear VMSs (L3 to L5) and eight UV-filters. Emissions to air were assessed at eight WWTPs using paired sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam passive air samplers, deployed during summer 2013 and winter 2014. Samplers were deployed on-site above the active tank and off-site as a reference. Several types of WWTPs were investigated: secondary activated sludge in urban areas (UR-AS), secondary extended aeration in towns (TW-EA) and facultative lagoons in rural areas (RU-LG). The concentrations of target compounds in air were ∼1.7-35 times higher on-site compared to the corresponding off-site location. Highest concentrations in air were observed at UR-AS sites while the lowest were at RU-LG. Higher air concentrations (∼2-9 times) were observed on-site during summer compared to winter, possibly reflecting enhanced volatilization due to higher wastewater temperatures or differences in influent wastewater concentrations. A significant positive correlation was obtained between concentrations in air and WWTP characteristics (influent flow rate and population in the catchment of the WWTP); whereas a weak negative correlation was obtained with hydraulic retention time. Emissions to air were estimated using a simplified dispersion model. Highest emissions to air were seen at the UR-AS locations. Emissions to air (g/year/tank) were highest for VMSs (5000-112,000) followed by UV-filters (16-2000) then ΣPFASs (10-110)., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A wide range of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs), perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), and perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs), were measured in fifteen house dust and two nonresidential indoor dust of Korea. Total concentrations of PFASs in house dust ranged from 29.9 to 97.6 ng g(-1), with a dominance of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), followed by 8:2 FTOH, N-Ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanol (EtFOSE), perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA). In a typical exposure scenario, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of total PFASs via house dust ingestion were 2.83 ng d(-1) for toddlers and 1.13 ng d(-1) for adults, which were within the range of the mean EDIs reported from several countries. For PFOA and PFOS exposure via house dust ingestion, indirect exposure (via precursors) was a minor contributor, accounting for 5% and 12%, respectively. An aggregated exposure (hereafter, overall-EDIs) of PFOA and PFOS occurring via all pathways, estimated using data compiled from the literature, were 53.6 and 14.8 ng d(-1) for toddlers, and 20.5 and 40.6 ng d(-1) for adults, respectively, in a typical scenario. These overall-EDIs corresponded to 82% (PFOA) and 92% (PFOS) of a pharmacokinetic model-based EDIs estimated from adults' serum data. Direct dietary exposure was a major contributor (>89% of overall-EDI) to PFOS in both toddlers and adults, and PFOA in toddlers. As for PFOA exposure of adults, however direct exposure via tap water drinking (37%) and indirect exposure via inhalation (22%) were as important as direct dietary exposure (41%). House dust-ingested exposure (direct+indirect) was responsible for 5% (PFOS in toddlers) and <1% (PFOS in adults, and PFOA in both toddlers and adults) of the overall-EDIs. In conclusion, house-dust ingestion was a minor contributor in this study, but should not be ignored for toddlers' PFOS exposure due to its significance in the worst-case scenario., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cyclic and linear volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMSs and lVMSs, respectively) were measured in ambient air over a period of over one year in Toronto, Canada. Air samples were collected using passive air samplers (PAS) consisting of sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam (SIP) disks in parallel with high volume active air samplers (HV-AAS). The average difference between the SIP-PAS derived concentrations in air for the individual VMSs and those measured using HV-AAS was within a factor of 2. The air concentrations (HV-AAS) ranged 22-351 ng m(-3) and 1.3-15 ng m(-3) for ΣcVMSs (D3, D4, D5, D6) and ΣlVMSs (L3, L4, L5), respectively, with decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) as the dominant compound (∼75% of the ΣVMSs). Air masses arriving from north to northwest (i.e., less populated areas) were significantly less contaminated with VMSs compared to air arriving from the south that are impacted by major urban and industrial areas in Canada and the U.S. (p < 0.05). In addition, air concentrations of ΣcVMSs were lower during major snowfall events (on average, 73 ng m(-3)) in comparison to the other sampling periods (121 ng m(-3)). Ambient temperature had a small influence on the seasonal trend of VMS concentrations in air, except for dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6), which was positively correlated with the ambient temperature (p < 0.001).

Concentrations of neutral per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (nPFAS) in the atmosphere are of interest because nPFAS are highly mobile percursors for perfluoroalkyl acids. Two calibration studies in Ontario, Canada and Costa Rica established the feasibility of using XAD 2-resin based passive air samplers (XAD-PAS) to reliably determine long term average air concentrations of nPFAS under temperate and tropical climatic conditions. The temporal and spatial distribution of nPFAS was investigated by analyzing XAD-PAS deployed for one year at between 17 and 46 sites on six continents between 2006 and 2011 as part of the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) study. Higher levels of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) compared to fluorinated sulfonamides (FOSAs), and fluorinated sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs) were observed at all sites. Urban sites had the highest levels of nPFAS compared to rural and remote sites, which is also apparent in a positive correlation of nPFAS levels with the proximity of a sampling site to areas of high population density. Levels of FOSAs and FOSEs tended to decrease during the six years of measurements, whereas an initial decline in the concentrations of FTOHs from 2006 to 2008 did not continue in 2009 to 2011. A comparison of nPFAS levels measured in national XAD-PAS networks in Costa Rica and Botswana revealed that the GAPS sites in Tapanti and the Kalahari are representative of the more remote regions in those countries. XAD-PAS derived absolute nPFAS levels at GAPS sites are lower than those measured using another PAS, but are within the range of levels measured with active air samplers. Agreement of relative nPFAS composition is better between samplers, suggesting that the discrepancy is due to uncertain sampling rates.

Recent studies disagree regarding the contributions of point versus non-point sources to the aqueous mass loads of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). This study investigated the longitudinal change in PFAA mass load from upstream to downstream stations along rivers and/or streams to assess the relative contributions of point versus nonpoint inputs. With concentrations 10 to 100 times higher than running water, point sources such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent and airport ditch-outlet (ADO) water were separated from neighboring upstream and downstream running waters using principal component analysis. Source waters were characterized by certain predominant components [e.g., perfluorobutylsulfonate (PFBS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in WWTP effluent and perfluorohexylsulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorooctylsulfonate (PFOS) in ADO water], which were minor components of running water. From a mass balance assessment of PFAA mass load, certain compounds such as PFOA and PFBS dominated the contribution of point sources to the mass load in the running water at downstream stations or in small catchment basins with high levels of industrial activity. Most of the mass load in the investigated catchments was attributable to upstream running water with a minor influence from industrial, commercial, and domestic human activities. Furthermore, the negative relationship of per capita emission factors (hereafter, EFs) with population density and a lower contribution of PFAA from WWTPs (~30% on average) compared to the running water-derived mass load at the national level indicated that diffuse inputs were more important contributors to aqueous PFAA contamination in each catchment basin as well as the entire watershed of the country (Korea). Volatile precursor compounds, which are readily dispersed to neighboring basins and transformed to PFAAs in the ambient environment, can be an important source of these diffuse inputs and will become more significant over time., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Heterogeneous reactions between OH radicals and emerging flame retardant compounds coated on inert particles have been investigated. Organophosphate esters (OPEs) including triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), tris-2-ethylhexyl phosphate (TEHP), and tris-1,3-dichloro-2-propyl phosphate (TDCPP) were coated on (NH4)2SO4 particles and exposed to OH radicals in a photochemical flow tube at 298 K and (38.0 ± 2.0) % RH. The degradation of these particle-bound OPEs was observed as a result of OH exposure, as measured using a Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer. The derived second-order rate constants for the heterogeneous loss of TPhP, TEHP, and TDCPP were (2.1 ± 0.19) × 10(-12), (2.7 ± 0.63) × 10(-12), and (9.2 ± 0.92) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively, from which approximate atmospheric lifetimes are estimated to be 5.6 (5.2-6.0), 4.3 (3.5-5.6), and 13 (11-14) days. Additional coating of the OPE coated particles with an OH radical active species further increased the lifetimes of these OPEs. These results represent the first reported estimates of heterogeneous reaction rate constants for these species. The results demonstrate that particle bound OPEs are highly persistent in the atmosphere with regard to OH radical oxidation, consistent with the assumption that OPEs can undergo medium or long-range transport, as previously proposed on the basis of field measurements. Finally, these results indicate that future risk assessment and transport modeling of emerging priority chemicals with semi- to low-volatility must consider particle phase heterogeneous loss processes when evaluating environmental persistence.

Two passive air sampler (PAS) media were characterized under field conditions for the measurement of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the atmosphere. The PASs, consisting of polyurethane foam (PUF) and sorbent-impregnated PUF (SIP) disks, were deployed for over one year in parallel with high volume active air samplers (HV-AAS) and low volume active air samplers (LV-AAS). Samples were analyzed for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), fluorotelomer methacrylates (FTMACs), fluorotelomer acrylates (FTACs), perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs), and perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs). Sampling rates and the passive sampler medium (PSM)-air partition coefficient (KPSM-A) were calculated for individual PFASs. Sampling rates were similar for PFASs present in the gas phase and particle phase, and the linear sampling rate of 4 m(-3) d(-1) is recommended for calculating effective air sample volumes in the SIP-PAS and PUF-PAS for PFASs except for the FOSAs and FOSEs in the PUF-PAS. SIP disks showed very good performance for all tested PFASs while PUF disks were suitable only for the PFSAs and their precursors. Experiments evaluating the suitability of different isotopically labeled fluorinated depuration compounds (DCs) revealed that (13)C8-perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was suitable for the calculation of site-specific sampling rates. Ambient temperature was the dominant factor influencing the seasonal trend of PFASs.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic photosensitive dermatosis characterized by scarring and atrophy. Granzyme B is a serine protease found in the cytoplasmic granules of cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Perforin permits delivery of the cytotoxic granzymes A and B into target cells to induce apoptosis and cause target cell death. The current study investigated the expression of granzyme B and perforin in 25 cases of DLE and in 10 cases of normal skin by immunohistochemistry and correlated their expression with the clinicopathological features in the studied DLE group. Both granzyme B and perforin were expressed in DLE with absent expression in normal skin. They were parallelly expressed in DLE where granzyme B was associated with features of chronicity such as old age (p = 0.05) and long duration of the disease (p = 0.05). Perforin expression in DLE was associated with male gender (p = 0.04) and outdoor workers (p = 0.04). Finally, expression of both granzyme B and perforin in dermal lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate in DLE may indicate the cytotoxicity of the infiltrate. The parallel expression of both molecules may refer to the cooperative relationship between them to enhance cytotoxicity. Higher expression of granzyme B than perforin may indicate the presence of other pathways for granzyme B release independent from perforin.

In Canada, perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) have been the focus of several monitoring programs and research and surveillance studies. Here, we integrate recent data and perform a multi-media assessment to examine the current status and ongoing trends of PFAAs in Canada. Concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and other long-chain perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) in air, water, sediment, fish, and birds across Canada are generally related to urbanization, with elevated concentrations observed around cities, especially in southern Ontario. PFOS levels in water, fish tissue, and bird eggs were below their respective Draft Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines, suggesting there is low potential for adverse effects to the environment/organisms examined. However, PFOS in fish and bird eggs tended to exceed guidelines for the protection of mammalian and avian consumers, suggesting a potential risk to their wildlife predators, although wildlife population health assessments are needed to determine whether negative impacts are actually occurring. Long-term temporal trends of PFOS in suspended sediment, sediment cores, Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) eggs collected from Lake Ontario increased consistently from the start of data collection until the 1990s. However, after this time, the trends varied by media, with concentrations stabilizing in Lake Trout and Herring Gull eggs, and decreasing and increasing in suspended sediment and the sediment cores, respectively. For PFCAs, concentrations in suspended sediment, sediment cores, and Herring Gulls generally increased from the start of data collection until present and concentrations in Lake Trout increased until the late 1990s and subsequently stabilized. A multimedia comparison of PFAA profiles provided evidence that unexpected patterns in biota of some of the lakes were due to unique source patterns rather than internal lake processes. High concentrations of PFAAs in the leachate and air of landfill sites, in the wastewater influent/effluent, biosolids, and air at wastewater treatment plants, and in indoor air and dust highlight the waste sector and current-use products (used primarily indoors) as ongoing sources of PFAAs to the Canadian environment. The results of this study demonstrate the utility of integrating data from different media. Simultaneous evaluation of spatial and temporal trends in multiple media allows inferences that would be impossible with data on only one medium. As such, more co-ordination among monitoring sites for different media is suggested for future sampling, especially at the northern sites. We emphasize the importance of continued monitoring of multiple-media for determining future responses of environmental PFAA concentrations to voluntary and regulatory actions., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In situ measurements of air and water phases at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were used to investigate the partitioning behavior of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluorooctyl sulfonamide (HFOSA) and their conjugate bases (PFC(-)s, PFS(-)s, and FOSA(-), respectively). Particle-dissolved (Rd) and air-water (QAW) concentration ratios were determined at different tanks of a WWTP. Sum of concentrations of C4-12,14 PFC(A)s, C4,6,8,10 PFS(A)s and (H)FOSA were as high as 50 pg m(-3) (atmospheric gas phase), 2300 ng L(-1) (aqueous dissolved phase) and 2500 ng L(-1) (aqueous particle phase). Particle-dissolved concentration ratios of total species, log Rd, ranged from -2.9 to 1.3 for PFS(A)s, from -1.9 to 1.1 for PFC(A)s and was 0.71 for (H)FOSA. These field-based values agree well with equilibrium partitioning data reported in the literature, suggesting that any in situ generation from precursors, if they are present in this system, occurs at a slower rate than the rate of approach to equilibrium. Acid QAW were also estimated. Good agreement between the QAW and the air-water equilibrium partition coefficient for C8PFCA suggests that the air above the WWTP tanks is at or near equilibrium with the water. Uncertainties in these QAW values are attributed mainly to variability in pKa values reported in the literature. The WWTP provides a unique environment for investigating environmental fate processes of the PFCAs and PFSAs under 'real' conditions in order to better understand and predict their fate in the environment., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Indoor dust is thought to be a source of human exposure to perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) and perfluorosulfonates (PFSAs), but exposures to emerging organofluorine compounds, including precursors to PFCAs and PFSAs via indoor dust, remain unknown. We report an analytical method for measuring several groups of emerging phosphorus-containing fluorinated compounds, including polyfluoroalkyl phosphoric acid diesters (diPAP), perfluorophosphonates (PFPA), and perfluorophosphinates (PFPIA), as well as perfluoroethylcyclohexane sulfonate (PFECHS) in indoor dust. This method was used to analyze diPAP, PFPA, and PFPIA levels in 102 residential dust samples collected in 2007-2008 from Vancouver, Canada. The results indicated a predominant and ubiquitous presence of diPAPs (frequency of detection 100%, mean and median ΣdiPAPs 7637 and 2215 ng/g). Previously measured median concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) in the same samples were 14-74 times lower than ΣdiPAP levels, i.e. 71 ng/g PFOS, 30 ng/g PFOA, and 152 ng/g ΣFTOHs. PFPAs and PFPIAs were detected in 62% and 85% of samples, respectively, at concentrations nearly 3 orders of magnitude lower than diPAPs (median 2.3 ng/g ΣPFPAs and 2.3 ng/g ΣPFPIAs). PFECHS was detected in only 8% of dust samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of these compounds in indoor dust. In this study, diPAP concentrations represented 98% ± 7% of the total measured analytes in the dust samples. Detection of diPAPs at such high concentrations in indoor dust may represent an important and as-yet unrecognized indirect source of PFCA exposure in humans, given the identified biotransformation pathways. Identifying the sources of diPAPs to the indoor environment is a priority for future research to improve air quality in households.