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Quantification of phthalate and DINCH metabolites in human urine and maternal breast milk: assessing maternal body burden and infant exposure
Get PDFBased on toxicological evidence, human exposure to phthalates (PHs) and diisononylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) may contribute to adverse health effects, especially during vulnerable developmental stages. To support the exposure assessment for this group of endocrine disruptors, we developed and validated a method for the analysis of 14 PH and 3 DINCH metabolites in human urine and maternal milk, applied the method in a pilot study, and identified crucial obstacles in the path of establishing maternal milk as a routine matrix in human biomonitoring. Urine and milk samples were extracted with solid-phase extraction (SPE) and QuEChERS salts, respectively, and analysed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method accuracy was confirmed for urine samples via a certified standard reference material and the G-EQUAS intercomparison programme. We identified a need for sampling protocols, reference materials, and external method verification schemes in order to establish maternal milk as a routine matrix. Finally, the method was tested for its applicability in a pilot biomonitoring study on 30 paired urine and milk samples from lactating mothers, with medians ranging from <LLOQ – 15 µg/L in urine and <LLOQ – 16 µg/L in maternal milk and generally higher detection rates in urine. Furthermore, the results indicate extensive monoester formation under cooled storage conditions, resulting in potentially high infantile exposure to phthalate monoesters for which, to date, no guidance values exist despite their demonstrated toxicity
Current advances in magnetoelectric composites with various interphase connectivity types
No full textMagnetoelectric composites integrate the coupling between magnetic and piezoelectric materials to create new functionalities for potential technological applications. This coupling is typically achieved through the exchange of magnetic, electric, or elastic energy across the interfaces between the different constituent materials. Tailoring the strength of the magnetoelectric effect is primarily accomplished by selecting suitable materials for each constituent and by optimizing geometrical and microstructural designs. Various composite architectures, such as (0-3), (2-2), (1-3) and core-shell connectivities, have been studied to enhance magnetoelectric coupling and other required physical properties in composites. This review examines the latest advancements in magnetoelectric materials, focusing on the impact of different interphase connectivity types on their properties and performance. Before exploring magnetic-electric coupling, a brief overview of the historical background of multiferroic magnetoelectric composites is provided. Fundamental concepts underlying the magnetoelectric effect, piezoelectricity, and the magnetostrictive effect are explained, including their origins and examples of these materials\u27 properties. So far, three types of magnetoelectric composite connectivities have been investigated experimentally: particulate composites (0-3), laminated and thin films (2-2), sticks embedded in matrix, core-shell particles, and coaxial fibers.An outlook on the prospects and scientific challenges in the field of multiferroic magnetoelectric composites is given at the end of this review
Acute human bocavirus 1 infection in children hospitalized for acute bronchiolitis
Get PDFBackground: The objective of this prospective study was to assess the proportion and clinical consequences of human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) replication in children hospitalized for acute bronchiolitis (AB) with HBoV1 DNA in the nasopharynx (NP). Methods: For this purpose, we detected HBoV1 DNA and mRNA (evidence of viral replication and viable virus) in NP in cases and healthy control children. This research allowed us to distinguish active HBoV1 infections from inactive ones. Results: HBoV1 DNA was detected in the NP of 37 of 307 patients with AB (12.1%) and 9 of 150 children in a healthy control group (6%) with a high codetection rate with other respiratory viruses in AB patients, 28 of 37 (75.7%). Only 9 of 37 HBoV1 DNA-positive NP swabs (24.3%) with high DNA load were also HBoV1 mRNA positive, moreover, HBoV1 DNA was also detected in the plasma of these patients. Conclusions: Based on the results of our study, we can conclude that children with AB acute HBoV1 infection has a high HBoV1 DNA load in NP samples together with detected HBoV1 mRNA and detected HBoV1 DNA in plasma
