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de Kam PJ, Zielen S, Bernstein JA, Berger U, Berger M, Cuevas M, Cypcar D, Fuhr-Horst A, Greisner WA, Jandl M, Laßmann S, Worm M, Matz J, Sher E, Smith C, Steven GC, Mösges R, Shamji MH, DuBuske L, Borghese F, Oluwayi K, Zwingers T, Seybold M, Armfield O, Heath MD, Hewings SJ, Kramer MF, Skinner MA. Response to Correspondence to "Short-course subcutaneous treatment with PQ Grass strongly improves symptom and medication scores in grass allergy". Allergy 2024. [PMID: 38525846 DOI: 10.1111/all.16104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | - S Zielen
- Children and Adolescents Deptartment, Allergology, Pulmonology & Cystic fibrosis, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - J A Bernstein
- Bernstein Clinical Research Center LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - U Berger
- Department of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Berger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Wiener Gesundheitsverbund, Hospital Hietzing, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Cuevas
- Clinic and Polyclinic of Otorhinolaryngology, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - D Cypcar
- Allergy Partners of Western North Carolina, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
| | - A Fuhr-Horst
- ENT Research-Institut für klinische Studien, Essen, Germany
| | - W A Greisner
- Bluegrass Allergy Research, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - M Jandl
- Hamburger Institut für Therapieforschung GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - S Laßmann
- Studienzentrum Dr. Sabine Laßmann, Saalfeld, Germany
| | - M Worm
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy-Charite Campus Mitte, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Matz
- Chesapeake Clinical Research, Inc., White Marsh, Maryland, USA
| | - E Sher
- Allergy Partners of New Jersey, Ocean, New Jersey, USA
| | - C Smith
- Certified Research Associates, Cortland, New York, USA
| | - G C Steven
- Allergy Asthma & Sinus Center S.C., Greenfield, Wisconsin, USA
| | - R Mösges
- IMSB (Institute of Computational Biology and Medical Statistics), University at Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- ClinCompetence, Cologne, Germany
| | - M H Shamji
- Department of National Heart and Lung Institute, Immunomodulation and Tolerance Group, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - L DuBuske
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - K Oluwayi
- Allergy Therapeutics PLC, Worthing, UK
| | | | - M Seybold
- Allergy Therapeutics PLC, Worthing, UK
| | | | - M D Heath
- Allergy Therapeutics PLC, Worthing, UK
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de Kam PJ, Zielen S, Bernstein JA, Berger U, Berger M, Cuevas M, Cypcar D, Fuhr-Horst A, Greisner WA, Jandl M, Laßmann S, Worm M, Matz J, Sher E, Smith C, Steven GC, Mösges R, Shamji MH, DuBuske L, Borghese F, Oluwayi K, Zwingers T, Seybold M, Armfield O, Heath MD, Hewings SJ, Kramer MF, Skinner MA. Short-course subcutaneous treatment with PQ Grass strongly improves symptom and medication scores in grass allergy. Allergy 2023; 78:2756-2766. [PMID: 37366581 DOI: 10.1111/all.15788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A modified grass allergen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) product with MicroCrystalline Tyrosine and monophosphoryl lipid-A as an adjuvant system (Grass MATA MPL [PQ Grass]) is being developed as short-course treatment of grass-pollen allergic rhinitis (SAR) and/or rhinoconjunctivitis. We sought to evaluate the combined symptom and medication score (CSMS) of the optimized cumulative dose of 27,600 standardized units (SU) PQ Grass in a field setting prior to embarking on a pivotal Phase III trial. METHODS In this exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial subjects were enrolled across 14 sites (Germany and the United States of America). Six pre-seasonal subcutaneous injections of PQ Grass (using conventional or extended regimens) or placebo were administered to 119 subjects (aged 18-65 years) with moderate-to-severe SAR with or without asthma that was well-controlled. The primary efficacy endpoint was CSMS during peak grass pollen season (GPS). Secondary endpoints included Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire standardized (RQLQ-S) and allergen-specific IgG4 response. RESULTS The mean CSMS compared to placebo was 33.1% (p = .0325) and 39.5% (p = .0112) for the conventional and extended regimens, respectively. An increase in IgG4 was shown for both regimens (p < .01) as well as an improvement in total RQLQ-S for the extended regimen (mean change -0.72, p = .02). Both regimens were well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS This trial demonstrated a clinically relevant and statistically significant efficacy response to PQ Grass. Unprecedented effect sizes were reached for grass allergy of up to ≈40% compared to placebo for CSMS after only six PQ Grass injections. Both PQ Grass regimens were considered equally safe and well-tolerated. Based on enhanced efficacy profile extended regime will be progressed to the pivotal Phase III trial.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S Zielen
- Children and Adolescents Department, Allergology, Pulmonology & Cystic Fibrosis, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - J A Bernstein
- Bernstein Clinical Research Center, LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - U Berger
- Aerobiology and Pollen Research Unit, Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Berger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Wiener Gesundheitsverbund, Hospital Hietzing, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Cuevas
- Clinic and Polyclinic of Otorhinolaryngology, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - D Cypcar
- Allergy Partners of Western North Carolina, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
| | - A Fuhr-Horst
- ENT Research- Institut für klinische Studien, Essen, Germany
| | - W A Greisner
- Bluegrass Allergy Research, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - M Jandl
- Hamburger Institut für Therapieforschung GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - S Laßmann
- Studienzentrum Dr. Sabine Laßmann, Saalfeld, Germany
| | - M Worm
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy-Charite Campus Mitte, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - J Matz
- Chesapeake Clinical Research, Inc, White Marsh, Maryland, USA
| | - E Sher
- Allergy Partners of New Jersey, Ocean Township, New Jersey, USA
| | - C Smith
- Certified Research Associates, Cortland, New York, USA
| | - G C Steven
- Allergy Asthma & Sinus Center, S.C., Greenfield, Wisconsin, USA
| | - R Mösges
- IMSB (Institute of Computational Biology and Medical Statistics), University at Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- ClinCompetence, Cologne, Germany
| | - M H Shamji
- Immunomodulation and Tolerance Group, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - L DuBuske
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - K Oluwayi
- Allergy Therapeutics PLC, Worthing, UK
| | | | - M Seybold
- Allergy Therapeutics PLC, Worthing, UK
| | | | - M D Heath
- Allergy Therapeutics PLC, Worthing, UK
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Guckert M, Rupp J, Nürenberg G, Nödler K, Koschorreck J, Berger U, Drost W, Siebert U, Wibbelt G, Reemtsma T. Differences in the internal PFAS patterns of herbivores, omnivores and carnivores - lessons learned from target screening and the total oxidizable precursor assay. Sci Total Environ 2023; 875:162361. [PMID: 36842595 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of anthropogenic chemicals, which are not (fully) biodegradable and accumulate in different environmental compartments worldwide. A comprehensive, quantitative analysis - consisting of target analysis (66 different analytes, including e. g. ultrashort-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), precursor compounds and novel substitutes) and the Total Oxidisable Precursor (TOP) assay (including trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)) - were conducted to analyse the PFAS concentrations and patterns in 12 mammalian and two bird species from different areas of Germany and Denmark. The PFAS contamination was investigated in dependance of the trophic class (herbivores, omnivores, carnivores), ecological habitat (terrestrial, (semi-) aquatic) and body tissue (liver, musculature). PFAS concentrations were highest in carnivores, followed by omnivores and herbivores, with ∑PFAS concentration ranging from 1274 μg/kg (Eurasian otter liver) to 22 μg/kg (roe deer liver). TFA dominated in the herbivorous species, whereas perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and the long-chain PFCAs covered the majority of the PFAS contamination in carnivorous species. Besides trophic class, ecological habitat also affected the PFAS levels in the different species, with terrestrial herbivores and omnivores showing higher PFAS concentration than their aquatic counterparts, whereas for carnivores this relationship was reversed. The TOP assay analysis indicated similar trends, with the PFCA formation pattern differing significantly between the trophic classes. TFA was formed predominantly in herbivorous and omnivorous species, whereas in carnivorous species a broad spectrum of PFCAs (chain-length C2-C14) was formed. Musculature tissue of six species exhibited significantly lower PFAS concentrations than the respective liver tissue, but with similar PFAS patterns. The comprehensive approach applied in the present study showed, that primarily the trophic class is decisive for the PFAS concentration, as herbivores, omnivores and carnivores clearly differed in their PFAS concentrations and patterns. Additionally, the TOP assay gave novel insights in the PFCA formation potential in biota samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Guckert
- TZW: DVGW Water Technology Center, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jana Rupp
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gudrun Nürenberg
- TZW: DVGW Water Technology Center, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Karsten Nödler
- TZW: DVGW Water Technology Center, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Jan Koschorreck
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wiebke Drost
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstr. 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany
| | - Gudrun Wibbelt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Linnéstrasse 3, 04301 Leipzig, Germany
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Rupp J, Guckert M, Berger U, Drost W, Mader A, Nödler K, Nürenberg G, Schulze J, Söhlmann R, Reemtsma T. Comprehensive target analysis and TOP assay of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wild boar livers indicate contamination hot-spots in the environment. Sci Total Environ 2023; 871:162028. [PMID: 36740073 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The suitability of wild boar liver as a bioindicator of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the terrestrial environment was investigated. Samples from 50 animals in three different areas associated with (1) contaminated paper sludges distributed on arable land (PS), (2) industrial emissions of PFAS (IE) and (3) background contamination (BC) were analyzed for 66 PFAS, including legacy PFAS, novel substitutes and precursors of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). Additionally, the Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) assay was performed to determine the formation potential of PFAAs from precursors. In total, 31 PFAS were detected with site-specific contamination profiles. PFAS concentrations in livers from area PS and IE (567 and 944 μg kg-1 wet weight, respectively) were multiple times higher than from area BC (120 μg kg-1). The dominating PFAS were the legacy compounds perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in areas PS and BC (426 and 82 μg kg-1, respectively) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in area IE (650 μg kg-1). In area IE, the compounds 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (DONA) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) - which are used as substitutes for PFOA - were determined at 15 and 0.29 μg kg-1, respectively. The formation potential of PFAAs was highest in area PS, but generally lower than the contamination with PFAAs. The pattern of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in wild boar liver reflects the contamination of the local soil at the two hot-spot areas IE and PS. This first comparison of PFAS contamination between wild boars and soil suggests that wild boar livers are suitable bioindicators for PFAS contamination in the terrestrial environment. Moreover, in terrestrial samples from area IE, legacy PFAS were found to be retained for a longer period as compared to riverine samples (suspended particulate matter and chub filet).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Rupp
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Marc Guckert
- TZW: DVGW Water Technology Center, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wiebke Drost
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Anneluise Mader
- Department Safety in the Food Chain, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Nödler
- TZW: DVGW Water Technology Center, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany.
| | - Gudrun Nürenberg
- TZW: DVGW Water Technology Center, Karlsruher Str. 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jona Schulze
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Reiner Söhlmann
- District Office Rastatt, Office for Environment and Commercial Operator Inspection, Am Schlossplatz 5, 76437 Rastatt, Germany
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Linnéstrasse 3, 04301 Leipzig, Germany.
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Bravo AC, Aguilera MNL, Marziali NR, Moritz L, Wingert V, Klotz K, Schumann A, Grünert SC, Spiekerkoetter U, Berger U, Lederer AK, Huber R, Hannibal L. Analysis of S-Adenosylmethionine and S-Adenosylhomocysteine: Method Optimisation and Profiling in Healthy Adults upon Short-Term Dietary Intervention. Metabolites 2022; 12:373. [PMID: 35629877 PMCID: PMC9143066 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12050373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is essential for methyl transfer reactions. All SAM is produced de novo via the methionine cycle. The demethylation of SAM produces S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), an inhibitor of methyltransferases and the precursor of homocysteine (Hcy). The measurement of SAM and SAH in plasma has value in the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) and in research to assess methyl group homeostasis. The determination of SAM and SAH is complicated by the instability of SAM under neutral and alkaline conditions and the naturally low concentration of both SAM and SAH in plasma (nM range). Herein, we describe an optimised LC-MS/MS method for the determination of SAM and SAH in plasma, urine, and cells. The method is based on isotopic dilution and employs 20 µL of plasma or urine, or 500,000 cells, and has an instrumental running time of 5 min. The reference ranges for plasma SAM and SAH in a cohort of 33 healthy individuals (age: 19-60 years old; mean ± 2 SD) were 120 ± 36 nM and 21.5 ± 6.5 nM, respectively, in accordance with independent studies and diagnostic determinations. The method detected abnormal concentrations of SAM and SAH in patients with inborn errors of methyl group metabolism. Plasma and urinary SAM and SAH concentrations were determined for the first time in a randomised controlled trial of 53 healthy adult omnivores (age: 18-60 years old), before and after a 4 week intervention with a vegan or meat-rich diet, and revealed preserved variations of both metabolites and the SAM/SAH index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Corrillero Bravo
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.C.B.); (M.N.L.A.); (N.R.M.); (L.M.); (V.W.); (K.K.); (A.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Maria Nieves Ligero Aguilera
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.C.B.); (M.N.L.A.); (N.R.M.); (L.M.); (V.W.); (K.K.); (A.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Nahuel R. Marziali
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.C.B.); (M.N.L.A.); (N.R.M.); (L.M.); (V.W.); (K.K.); (A.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Lennart Moritz
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.C.B.); (M.N.L.A.); (N.R.M.); (L.M.); (V.W.); (K.K.); (A.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Victoria Wingert
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.C.B.); (M.N.L.A.); (N.R.M.); (L.M.); (V.W.); (K.K.); (A.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Katharina Klotz
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.C.B.); (M.N.L.A.); (N.R.M.); (L.M.); (V.W.); (K.K.); (A.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Anke Schumann
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.C.B.); (M.N.L.A.); (N.R.M.); (L.M.); (V.W.); (K.K.); (A.S.); (U.B.)
- Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.C.G.); (U.S.)
| | - Sarah C. Grünert
- Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.C.G.); (U.S.)
| | - Ute Spiekerkoetter
- Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.C.G.); (U.S.)
| | - Urs Berger
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.C.B.); (M.N.L.A.); (N.R.M.); (L.M.); (V.W.); (K.K.); (A.S.); (U.B.)
| | - Ann-Kathrin Lederer
- Center for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.-K.L.); (R.H.)
| | - Roman Huber
- Center for Complementary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.-K.L.); (R.H.)
| | - Luciana Hannibal
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolism, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (A.C.B.); (M.N.L.A.); (N.R.M.); (L.M.); (V.W.); (K.K.); (A.S.); (U.B.)
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Neuwald I, Muschket M, Zahn D, Berger U, Seiwert B, Meier T, Kuckelkorn J, Strobel C, Knepper TP, Reemtsma T. Filling the knowledge gap: A suspect screening study for 1310 potentially persistent and mobile chemicals with SFC- and HILIC-HRMS in two German river systems. Water Res 2021; 204:117645. [PMID: 34547688 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Persistent and mobile chemicals (PM chemicals) were searched for in surface waters by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), both coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). A suspect screening was performed using a newly compiled list of 1310 potential PM chemicals to the data of 11 surface water samples from two river systems. In total, 64 compounds were identified by this approach. The overlap between HILIC- and SFC-HRMS was limited (31 compounds), confirming the complementarity of the two methods used. The identified PM candidates are characterized by a high polarity (median logD -0.4 at pH 7.5), a low molecular weight (median 187 g/mol), are mostly ionic (54 compounds) and contain a large number of heteroatoms (one per four carbons on average). Among the most frequently detected novel or yet scarcely investigated water contaminants were cyanoguanidine (11/11 samples), adamantan-1-amine (10/11), trifluoromethanesulfonate (9/11), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate (10/11), and the inorganic anions hexafluorophosphate (11/11) and tetrafluoroborate (10/11). 31% of the identified suspects are mainly used in ionic liquids, a chemically diverse group of industrial chemicals with numerous applications that is so far rarely studied for their occurrence in the environment. Prioritization of the findings of PM candidates is hampered by the apparent lack of toxicity data. Hence, precautionary principles and minimization approaches should be applied for the risk assessment and risk management of these substances. The large share of novel water contaminants among these findings of the suspect screening indicates that the universe of PM chemicals present in the environment has so far only scarcely been explored. Dedicated analytical methods and screening lists appear essential to close the analytical gap for PM compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Neuwald
- Hochschule Fresenius gem. GmbH, Limburger Str. 2, Idstein 65510, Germany
| | - Matthias Muschket
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Daniel Zahn
- Hochschule Fresenius gem. GmbH, Limburger Str. 2, Idstein 65510, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Bettina Seiwert
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Till Meier
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig 04318, Germany
| | - Jochen Kuckelkorn
- Umweltbundesamt, Section Toxicology of Drinking Water and Swimming Pool Water, Heinrich-Heine-Strasse 12, Bad Elster 08645, Germany
| | - Claudia Strobel
- Umweltbundesamt, Section Toxicology of Drinking Water and Swimming Pool Water, Heinrich-Heine-Strasse 12, Bad Elster 08645, Germany
| | - Thomas P Knepper
- Hochschule Fresenius gem. GmbH, Limburger Str. 2, Idstein 65510, Germany
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig 04318, Germany; University of Leipzig, Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Linnéstrasse 3, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
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Arinaitwe K, Keltsch N, Taabu-Munyaho A, Reemtsma T, Berger U. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria: Spatial distribution, catchment release and public exposure risk via municipal water consumption. Sci Total Environ 2021; 783:146970. [PMID: 33872896 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have scarcely been studied in the Lake Victoria Basin and Africa in general. We investigated spatial profiles of PFASs in the Ugandan part of Lake Victoria, their influxes and human exposure via drinking water. We analyzed open lake water, riverine water (Rivers Kagera and Sio), urban drainage water (Nakivubo Channel), over-lake bulk atmospheric deposition and municipal tap water (Kampala, Jinja and Entebbe). The average concentrations (ng/L) for individual target PFASs were in the ranges of 0.08-23.8 (Nakivubo Channel), 0.01-10.8 (Murchison Bay), <MDL-5.38 (Kampala tap water), 0.01-3.64 (R. Kagera), <MDL-3.56 (Jinja tap water), <MDL-3.35 (R. Sio), <MDL-1.96 (Entebbe tap water), <MDL-1.46 (open lake) and <MDL-1.00 (atmospheric deposition). Estimated contribution of input pathways to ∑PFAS fluxes into Lake Victoria was in the order atmospheric deposition > R. Kagera, >R. Sio > Nakivubo Channel. Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) had the highest influx and retention estimates, respectively. Perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) were mostly associated with urban drainage samples. PFASs were likely recycled from the Nakivubo Channel, through the Murchison Bay, into municipal drinking water. The estimated human exposure to ∑11PFASs via drinking water indicated low risk of adverse health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Arinaitwe
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Makerere University, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Nils Keltsch
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anthony Taabu-Munyaho
- Uganda National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI), P.O. Box 343, Jinja, Uganda
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; University of Leipzig, Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Linnéstrasse 3, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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Chigbu CO, Aniebue UU, Berger U, Parhofer KG. Impact of perceptions of body size on obesity and weight management behaviour: a large representative population study in an African setting. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021; 43:e54-e61. [PMID: 31774503 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perception of body size is an important psycho-cultural cause of obesity with wide racial and ethnic variations. METHOD Cross-sectional household survey using multistage cluster-randomised sampling. Prevalence estimates were weighted. Logistic regressions were done to determine the impact of perception of large body size on obesity and the impact of perception of own body size on weight-management behaviour. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were reported. RESULTS The survey involved 6628 adults from 2843 households. More than a quarter of the population is either obese or overweight. Nearly half, 44.07% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 42.48-45.66%) of the population perceive large body size as desirable. Positive perception of large body size significantly increases the odds of obesity by 1.5 (AOR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.09-1.9). Some 42.03% (95% CI: 35.52-48.55%) obese persons misperceive their weight to be normal. Perceiving own body size as normal decreases the odds of weight-losing behaviour (AOR: 0.019; 95% CI: 0.014-0.026). CONCLUSION There is a high level of veneration of large body size in southeast Nigeria, and this has a significant impact on obesity burden. Perception of own body size has a significant impact on weight-management behaviour. Health-promotion policies aimed at changing the social desirability of large body size and misperception of body size are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- C O Chigbu
- CIH LMU Center for International Health, Medical Center of the University of Munich, Leopoldstrasse 7, Munich 80802, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410108, Nigeria
| | - U U Aniebue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410108, Nigeria
| | - U Berger
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - K G Parhofer
- Department of Medicine 4, Grossharden, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich 81377, Germany
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Mendler A, Geier F, Haange SB, Pierzchalski A, Krause JL, Nijenhuis I, Froment J, Jehmlich N, Berger U, Ackermann G, Rolle-Kampczyk U, von Bergen M, Herberth G. Mucosal-associated invariant T-Cell (MAIT) activation is altered by chlorpyrifos- and glyphosate-treated commensal gut bacteria. J Immunotoxicol 2020; 17:10-20. [PMID: 31909636 DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2019.1706672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucosal-associated invariant T-cells (MAIT) can react to metabolites of the vitamins riboflavin and folate which are produced by the human gut microbiota. Since several studies showed that the pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) and glyphosate (GLP) can impair the gut microbiota, the present study was undertaken to investigate the impact of CPF and GLP treatment on the metabolism of gut microbiota and the resulting bacteria-mediated modulation of MAIT cell activity. Here, Bifidobacterium adolescentis (B. adolescentis), Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri), and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were treated with CPF (50-200 µM) or GLP (75-300 mg/L) and then used in MAIT cell stimulation assays as well as in vitamin and proteome analyses. All three bacteria were nonpathogenic and chosen as representatives of a healthy human gut microflora. The results showed that E. coli activated MAIT cells whereas B. adolescentis and L. reuteri inhibited MAIT cell activation. CPF treatment significantly increased E. coli-mediated MAIT cell activation. Treatment of B. adolescentis and L. reuteri with CPF and GLP weakened the inhibition of MAIT cell activation. Riboflavin and folate production by the test bacteria was influenced by CPF treatment, whereas GLP had only minor effects. Proteomic analysis of CPF-treated E. coli revealed changes in the riboflavin and folate biosynthesis pathways. The findings here suggest that the metabolism of the analyzed bacteria could be altered by exposure to CPF and GLP, leading to an increased pro-inflammatory immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Mendler
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Florian Geier
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven-Bastiaan Haange
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arkadiusz Pierzchalski
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jannike Lea Krause
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ivonne Nijenhuis
- Department of Isotope Biogeo-chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jean Froment
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nico Jehmlich
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Ulrike Rolle-Kampczyk
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin von Bergen
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gunda Herberth
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
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Arinaitwe K, Koch A, Taabu-Munyaho A, Marien K, Reemtsma T, Berger U. Spatial profiles of perfluoroalkyl substances and mercury in fish from northern Lake Victoria, East Africa. Chemosphere 2020; 260:127536. [PMID: 32683018 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
There is an acute deficit of data on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and mercury (Hg) in the open waters of Lake Victoria, East Africa, relative to nearshore areas. We analyzed stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C), PFASs and Hg in Nile Perch and Nile Tilapia muscle and liver samples from nearshore and open lake locations from the Ugandan part of the lake. The δ15N values of Nile Perch muscle indicated a higher trophic level for samples from the open lake than from nearshore locations. Averages of ∑PFAS concentrations in Nile Perch muscle and liver (0.44 and 1.75 ng/g ww, respectively) were significantly higher than in Nile Tilapia (0.24 and 0.50 ng/g ww, respectively). ∑PFAS concentrations in muscle of open lake Nile Perch were significantly higher than for nearshore samples. A similar observation was made for total mercury concentrations in muscle (THg_Muscle) of Nile Perch. THg was dominated by methyl mercury (MeHg+, 22-124 ng/g ww) and mercuric mercury (Hg2+, <MDL-29 ng/g ww) in Nile Perch muscle. Strong correlation between MeHg+ and some PFASs (e.g. PFOS: r = 0.704, P = 0.016) suggested similar exposure routes or factors. Estimated human daily intake values of PFOS from fish consumption were below international limits whereas for MeHg+, the US EPA reference dose was exceeded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Arinaitwe
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany; Makerere University, Department of Chemistry, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Arne Koch
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Anthony Taabu-Munyaho
- Uganda National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI), P.O. Box 343, Jinja, Uganda.
| | - Karsten Marien
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany; University of Leipzig, Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Linnéstrasse 3, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Urs Berger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
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Schulze S, Paschke H, Meier T, Muschket M, Reemtsma T, Berger U. A rapid method for quantification of persistent and mobile organic substances in water using supercritical fluid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 412:4941-4952. [PMID: 32524369 PMCID: PMC7334264 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-02722-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Persistent and mobile organic substances (PM substances) are a threat to the quality of our water resources. While screening studies revealed widespread occurrence of many PM substances, rapid trace analytical methods for their quantification in large sample sets are missing. We developed a quick and generic analytical method for highly mobile analytes in surface water, groundwater, and drinking water samples based on enrichment through azeotrope evaporation (4 mL water and 21 mL acetonitrile), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and quantification using a compound-specific correction factor for apparent recovery. The method was validated using 17 PM substances. Sample preparation recoveries were between 60 and 110% for the vast majority of PM substances. Strong matrix effects (most commonly suppressive) were observed, necessitating a correction for apparent recoveries in quantification. Apparent recoveries were neither concentration dependent nor dependent on the water matrix (surface or drinking water). Method detection and quantification limits were in the single- to double-digit ng L−1 ranges, precision expressed as relative standard deviation of quadruplicate quantifications was on average < 10%, and trueness experiments showed quantitative results within ± 30% of the theoretical value in 77% of quantifications. Application of the method to surface water, groundwater, raw water, and finished drinking water revealed the presence of acesulfame and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid up to 70 and 19 μg L−1, respectively. Melamine, diphenylguanidine, p-dimethylbenzenesulfonic acid, and 4-hydroxy-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine were found in high ng L−1 concentrations. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Schulze
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Heidrun Paschke
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Till Meier
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Muschket
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Leipzig, Linnéstrasse 3, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
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12
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Tizek L, Schielein MC, Berger U, Ege MJ, Schneider S, Zink A. Skin cancer risk and shade: comparing the risk of foresters with other outdoor workers. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34:2526-2533. [PMID: 32365247 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) is an increasingly important public health problem with an especially high prevalence in outdoor workers. In contrast to other occupations, foresters spend most of their outdoor time under the shade of trees. OBJECTIVES We aimed to compare the unique sun exposure patterns and sun protection behaviour of foresters with those of other outdoor workers and their relation to the KC risk. METHODS In July 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted at an international forestry fair using a questionnaire about health awareness and skin cancer screening by dermatologists to assess the prevalence of KC. RESULTS A total of 591 participants (78.7% male; mean age 46.8 ± 16.2 years) including 193 foresters were enrolled. Of all foresters, 72% experienced sunburns (solar erythema) within the past year and 50% of them experienced the worst sunburn during work. Foresters were most likely to often/always wear protective clothes (29.0%) but were least likely to often/always avoid midday sun (23.8%) and stay in the shade (31.1%). Having an outdoor profession or spending hours outside for leisure was negatively associated with sun protection. Skin examination revealed an overall KC prevalence of 16.7%, with 16.5% of foresters being affected. CONCLUSION Despite being protected by trees, the risk of KC for foresters is comparable to that of other professional groups. Shade alone may not provide sufficient protection. Additional sun protection measures are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Tizek
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany.,Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M C Schielein
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany.,Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - U Berger
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M J Ege
- Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL), Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - S Schneider
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine (MIPH), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - A Zink
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
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13
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Ebert A, Allendorf F, Berger U, Goss KU, Ulrich N. Membrane/Water Partitioning and Permeabilities of Perfluoroalkyl Acids and Four of their Alternatives and the Effects on Toxicokinetic Behavior. Environ Sci Technol 2020; 54:5051-5061. [PMID: 32212724 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The search for alternatives to bioaccumulative perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) is ongoing. New, still highly fluorinated alternatives are produced in hopes of reducing bioaccumulation. To better estimate this bioaccumulative behavior, we performed dialysis experiments and determined membrane/water partition coefficients, Kmem/w, of six perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), three perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids, and four alternatives. We also investigated how passive permeation might influence the uptake kinetics into cells, measuring the passive anionic membrane permeability Pion through planar lipid bilayers for six PFAAs and three alternatives. Experimental Kmem/w and Pion were both predicted well by the COSMO-RS theory (log RMSE 0.61 and 0.46, respectively). Kmem/w values were consistent with the literature data, and alternatives showed similar sorption behavior as PFAAs. Experimental Pion values were high enough to explain observed cellular uptake by passive diffusion with no need to postulate the existence of active uptake processes. However, predicted pKa and neutral permeabilities suggest that also the permeation of the neutral species should be significant in case of PFCAs. This can have direct consequences on the steady-state distribution of PFAAs across cell membranes and thus toxicity. Consequently, we propose a model to predict pH-dependent baseline toxicity based on Kmem/w, which considers the permeation of both neutral and anionic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ebert
- Department of Analytical Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University, Gruberstrasse 40, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Flora Allendorf
- Department of Analytical Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kai-Uwe Goss
- Department of Analytical Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 2, D-06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Nadin Ulrich
- Department of Analytical Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
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Berger U, Oehme M. Identification of Derivatives of Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether and Novolac Glycidyl Ether in Can Coatings by Liquid Chromatography/Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry. J AOAC Int 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/jaoac/83.6.1367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method combined with fluorescence and multiple mass spectrometric detection in series is presented for the separation and structure elucidation of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) and novolac glycidyl ether (NOGE) derivatives. Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in the positive ion mode and collision induced fragmentation in the ion trap allowed identification of BADGE- and NOGE-related compounds originating from reactions of the glycidyl ethers with bisphenols, solvents, and chain stoppers. Two extracts from food-can coatings were investigated in detail. It was possible to elucidate the structures of many substances and consequently to draw conclusions about the production of the lacquers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs Berger
- University of Basel, Organic Analytical Chemistry, Neuhausstrasse 31, CH-4057 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Oehme
- University of Basel, Organic Analytical Chemistry, Neuhausstrasse 31, CH-4057 Basel, Switzerland
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Allendorf F, Berger U, Goss KU, Ulrich N. Partition coefficients of four perfluoroalkyl acid alternatives between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and water in comparison to ten classical perfluoroalkyl acids. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2019; 21:1852-1863. [PMID: 31475719 DOI: 10.1039/c9em00290a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent, ubiquitous environmental contaminants and their long-chain representatives are bioaccumulative. The phase-out of these compounds (e.g. PFOA and PFOS) shifted the production to alternatives. However, little is known about the bioaccumulative behaviour of the alternatives, which are still highly fluorinated. PFAAs are predominantly detected in blood, where they bind to the transport protein serum albumin. This sorption can be described by the albumin/water partition coefficient. It is unclear whether the partition coefficients of the alternatives are lower than or in the same range as those of classical PFAAs. We determined albumin/water partition coefficients for seven perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, three perfluoroalkane sulfonates and four alternatives by dialysis experiments in a physiologically representative system. Quantification was done by LC-MS/MS and a mass balance approach. Logarithmic albumin/water partition coefficients for PFAAs range from 2.8 to 4.8 [Lwater kgalbumin-1] and increase with increasing chain length. Perfluorinated sulfonates sorb more strongly than their carboxylate counterparts. The albumin/water partition coefficients for the alternatives (HFPO-DA, DONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS and PFECHS) are in the same range as for classical PFAAs. Structural modifications such as the introduction of ether groups into the chain do not reduce sorption to albumin, whereas the chlorine atom in 9Cl-PF3ONS seems to even increase the sorption to albumin. We further investigated whether the sorption strength could be affected in the presence of medium- or long-chain fatty acids. Binding competition between medium-chain fatty acids and PFAAs appeared to be possible. However, the presence of physiologically more relevant long-chain fatty acids should not alter the albumin/water partition coefficients of PFAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Allendorf
- Department of Analytical Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kai-Uwe Goss
- Department of Analytical Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany. and Institute of Chemistry, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse 2, D-06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Nadin Ulrich
- Department of Analytical Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany.
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Gyllenhammar I, Benskin JP, Sandblom O, Berger U, Ahrens L, Lignell S, Wiberg K, Glynn A. Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in Children's Serum and Contribution from PFAA-Contaminated Drinking Water. Environ Sci Technol 2019; 53:11447-11457. [PMID: 31476116 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We investigated associations between serum perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) concentrations in children aged 4, 8, and 12 years (sampled in 2008-2015; n = 57, 55, and 119, respectively) and exposure via placental transfer, breastfeeding, and ingestion of PFAA-contaminated drinking water. Sampling took place in Uppsala County, Sweden, where the drinking water has been historically contaminated with perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluoroheptanoate (PFHpA), and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA). PFOS showed the highest median concentrations in serum (3.8-5.3 ng g-1 serum), followed by PFHxS (1.6-5.0 ng g-1 serum), PFOA (2.0-2.5 ng g-1 serum), and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) (0.59-0.69 ng g-1 serum) in children. Including all children, serum PFOA, PFHxS, and PFOS concentrations in children increased 10, 10, and 1.3% (adjusted mean), respectively, per unit (ng g-1 serum) of increase in the maternal serum level (at delivery), the associations being strongest for 4 year-old children. PFHxS and PFOS significantly increased 3.9 and 3.8%, respectively, per month of nursing, with the highest increase for 4 year-olds. PFOA, PFBS, PFHxS, and PFOS increased 1.2, 207, 7.4, and 0.93%, respectively, per month of cumulative drinking water exposure. Early life exposure to PFOA, PFHxS, and PFOS is an important determinant of serum concentrations in children, with the strongest influence on younger ages. Drinking water with low to moderate PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFOA contamination is an important source of exposure for children with background exposure from other sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Gyllenhammar
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment , National Food Agency , P.O. Box 622, SE-751 26 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES) , Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Oskar Sandblom
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES) , Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department Analytical Chemistry , Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) , Permoserstr. 15 , DE-04318 Leipzig , Germany
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) , Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Sanna Lignell
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment , National Food Agency , P.O. Box 622, SE-751 26 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) , Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) , Box 7028, SE-750 07 Uppsala , Sweden
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Schulze S, Zahn D, Montes R, Rodil R, Quintana JB, Knepper TP, Reemtsma T, Berger U. Occurrence of emerging persistent and mobile organic contaminants in European water samples. Water Res 2019; 153:80-90. [PMID: 30703676 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The release of persistent and mobile organic chemicals (PMOCs) into the aquatic environment puts the quality of water resources at risk. PMOCs are challenging to analyze in water samples, due to their high polarity. The aim of this study was to develop novel analytical methods for PMOCs and to investigate their occurrence in surface and groundwater samples. The target compounds were culled from a prioritized list of industrial chemicals that were modeled to be persistent, mobile, and emitted into the environment. Analytical screening methods based on mixed-mode liquid chromatography (LC), hydrophilic interaction LC, reversed phase LC, or supercritical fluid chromatography in combination with mass spectrometric detection were successfully developed for 57 target PMOCs and applied to 14 water samples from three European countries. A total of 43 PMOCs were detected in at least one sample, among them 23 PMOCs that have not been reported before to occur in environmental waters. The most prevalent of these novel PMOCs were methyl sulfate, 2-acrylamino-2-methylpropane sulfonate, benzyltrimethylammonium, benzyldimethylamine, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, 6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-diamine, and 1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine occurring in ≥50% of the samples at estimated concentrations in the low ng L-1 up to μg L-1 range. The approach of focused prioritization combined with sensitive target chemical analysis proved to be highly efficient in revealing a large suite of novel as well as scarcely investigated PMOCs in surface and groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Schulze
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Zahn
- Hochschule Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Analytical Research, Limburger Strasse 2, 65510, Idstein, Germany
| | - Rosa Montes
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IIAA - Institute for Food Analysis and Research, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosario Rodil
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IIAA - Institute for Food Analysis and Research, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Benito Quintana
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IIAA - Institute for Food Analysis and Research, Constantino Candeira S/N, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Thomas P Knepper
- Hochschule Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Analytical Research, Limburger Strasse 2, 65510, Idstein, Germany
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany; University of Leipzig, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Linnéstrasse 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
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18
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Koponen J, Winkens K, Airaksinen R, Berger U, Vestergren R, Cousins IT, Karvonen AM, Pekkanen J, Kiviranta H. Longitudinal trends of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in children's serum. Environ Int 2018; 121:591-599. [PMID: 30308470 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Studies suggest negative health impacts from early life exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). However, information on longitudinal exposure to PFASs during childhood is scarce for background-exposed individuals. This study sought to fill this gap by investigating children's longitudinal exposure trends through measurement of PFAS serum concentrations and calculation of body burdens (μg, total in body). Blood of 54 Finnish children was sampled 2005-2015 and analyzed for 20 PFASs at 1, 6 and 10.5 years of age. The body burden was calculated by multiplying the serum concentration by the volume of distribution and the bodyweight for each individual. Associations between serum concentrations or body burdens and parameters, such as sex, breastfeeding duration, body mass index as well as indoor dust and air PFAS concentrations, were evaluated. Serum concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) decreased significantly (p < 0.001) with age. In contrast to serum concentrations, body burdens stayed unchanged or even increased significantly (p < 0.05), except for PFOA in female children. Breastfeeding duration was positively correlated (p < 0.001) with serum concentrations of PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA and PFNA at 1 year of age. Some associations were found at 10.5 years with sex and indoor PFAS concentrations. Observations of longitudinal decreasing trends of serum concentrations can be misleading for understanding exposure levels from external media during childhood, as the serum concentration is influenced by parallel temporal changes and growth dilution. Body burdens account for growth dilution and thus better reflect differences in early-life to adolescence exposure than serum concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jani Koponen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), FI-70150 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Kerstin Winkens
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Riikka Airaksinen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), FI-70150 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Urs Berger
- Department Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Robin Vestergren
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, SE-10031 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anne M Karvonen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), FI-70150 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha Pekkanen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), FI-70150 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Kiviranta
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), FI-70150 Kuopio, Finland
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19
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Winkens K, Giovanoulis G, Koponen J, Vestergren R, Berger U, Karvonen AM, Pekkanen J, Kiviranta H, Cousins IT. Perfluoroalkyl acids and their precursors in floor dust of children's bedrooms - Implications for indoor exposure. Environ Int 2018; 119:493-502. [PMID: 30053737 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We analysed floor dust samples from 65 children's bedrooms in Finland collected in 2014/2015 for 62 different per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with a simple and highly efficient method. Validation results from the analysis of standard reference material (SRM) 2585 were in good agreement with literature data, while 24 PFASs were quantified for the first time. In the dust samples from children's bedrooms, five perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were detected in more than half of the samples with the highest median concentration of 5.26 ng/g for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). However, the dust samples were dominated by polyfluoroalkyl phosphoric acid esters (PAPs) and fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) (highest medians: 53.9 ng/g for 6:2 diPAP and 45.7 ng/g for 8:2 FTOH). Several significant and strong correlations (up to ρ = 0.95) were found among different PFASs in dust as well as between PFASs in dust and air samples (previously published) from the same rooms. The logarithm of dust to air concentrations (log Kdust/air) plotted against the logarithm of the octanol-air partition coefficient (log Koa) resulted in a significant linear regression line with R2 > 0.88. Higher dust levels of PFOS were detected in rooms with plastic flooring material in comparison to wood (p < 0.05). Total estimated daily intakes via dust (EDIdust) and air (EDIair) of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), including biotransformation of precursors to PFAAs, were calculated for 10.5-year-old children. The total EDIdust for PFOA and PFOS were estimated to be 0.007 ng/kg bw/day and 0.006 ng/kg bw/day, respectively, in an intermediate exposure scenario. The sum of the total EDIs for all PFAAs was slightly higher for dust than air (0.027 and 0.019 ng/kg bw/day). Precursor biotransformation was generally important for total PFOS intake, while for the PFCAs, FTOH biotransformation was estimated to be important for air, but not for dust exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Winkens
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Georgios Giovanoulis
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden; IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, SE-10031 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jani Koponen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Robin Vestergren
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, SE-10031 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anne M Karvonen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha Pekkanen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland; Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Kiviranta
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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20
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Karatzas K, Katsifarakis N, Riga M, Werchan B, Werchan M, Berger U, Pfaar O, Bergmann KC. New European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology definition on pollen season mirrors symptom load for grass and birch pollen-induced allergic rhinitis. Allergy 2018; 73:1851-1859. [PMID: 29791010 DOI: 10.1111/all.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for allergic rhinitis and its clinical efficacy in clinical trials depends on the effective determination of pollen allergen exposure time periods. We evaluate pollen data from Germany to examine the new definitions on pollen season and peak pollen period start and end as proposed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in a recently published Position Paper. The aim was to demonstrate the ability of these definitions to mirror symptom loads for grass and birch pollen-induced allergic rhinitis based on real-life data. METHODS Data coming from four pollen monitoring stations in the Berlin and Brandenburg area in Germany and for 3 years (2014-2016) were used to investigate the correlation of season definitions, birch and grass pollen counts and total nasal symptom and mediation scores as reported by patients in "Patients Hay fever Diaries" (PHDs). After the identification of pollen periods on the basis of the EACCI criteria, a statistical analysis was employed, followed by a detailed graphical investigation. RESULTS The analysis revealed that the definitions of pollen season as well as peak pollen period start and end as proposed by the EAACI are correlated to symptom loads for grass and birch pollen-induced allergic rhinitis reported by patients in PHDs. CONCLUSION Based on our analysis, the validity of the EAACI definitions on pollen season is confirmed. Their use is recommended in future clinical trials on AIT as well as in daily routine for optimal patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Karatzas
- Environmental Informatics Research Group; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Aristotle University; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - N. Katsifarakis
- Environmental Informatics Research Group; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Aristotle University; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - M. Riga
- Environmental Informatics Research Group; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Aristotle University; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - B. Werchan
- German Pollen Information Service Foundation; Berlin Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Department of Dermatology; Venerology and Allergology; Berlin Germany
| | - M. Werchan
- German Pollen Information Service Foundation; Berlin Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Department of Dermatology; Venerology and Allergology; Berlin Germany
| | - U. Berger
- Aerobiology and Pollen Information Research Unit; Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - O. Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery; Universitätsmedizin Mannheim; Medical Faculty Mannheim; Heidelberg University; Mannheim Germany
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology; Wiesbaden Germany
| | - K.-C. Bergmann
- German Pollen Information Service Foundation; Berlin Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Department of Dermatology; Venerology and Allergology; Berlin Germany
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21
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Berger U, Kraußlach H, Strauß B. Vorbeugen durch Teilhabe: Evaluierte Praxishilfen und erste Ergebnisse der Wirkungsstudien zur Setting-basierten Gesundheitsförderung im Verbundprojekt VorteilJena. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- U Berger
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
| | - H Kraußlach
- Ernst-Abbe-Fachhochschule Jena, Fachbereich Betriebswirtschaft, Jena, Deutschland
| | - B Strauß
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
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22
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Muehleck J, Richter F, Bell L, Wick K, Strauß B, Berger U. Inanspruchnahme des Versorgungssystems und Prävalenz bei Essstörungen – Kohortenstudie zu Sekundärdaten der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Muehleck
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
| | - F Richter
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
| | - L Bell
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
| | - K Wick
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
| | - B Strauß
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
| | - U Berger
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
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23
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Berger U, Bell L, Richter F, Muehleck J, Wick K, Strauß B. Langzeitevaluation mit 8-Jahres-Katamnese des Programms PriMa (Primärprävention Magersucht) zur schulbasierten Prävention bei Essstörungen. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1667910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- U Berger
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
| | | | | | - J Muehleck
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
| | | | - B Strauß
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
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24
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Mill W, Kirschner H, Berger U, Forstmeier S, Strauß B, Singh S, Zimmermann A, Werner B. Mental health of the elderly: Evaluating a newly developed structured life-review manual using a within-subjects pre-post design. Psychother Psych Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- W Mill
- Jena University Hospital, Jena, Deutschland
| | | | - U Berger
- Jena University Hospital, Jena, Deutschland
| | | | - B Strauß
- Jena University Hospital, Jena, Deutschland
| | | | | | - B Werner
- Jena University Hospital, Jena, Deutschland
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25
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Ritscher A, Wang Z, Scheringer M, Boucher JM, Ahrens L, Berger U, Bintein S, Bopp SK, Borg D, Buser AM, Cousins I, DeWitt J, Fletcher T, Green C, Herzke D, Higgins C, Huang J, Hung H, Knepper T, Lau CS, Leinala E, Lindstrom AB, Liu J, Miller M, Ohno K, Perkola N, Shi Y, Småstuen Haug L, Trier X, Valsecchi S, van der Jagt K, Vierke L. Zürich Statement on Future Actions on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs). Environ Health Perspect 2018; 126:84502. [PMID: 30235423 PMCID: PMC6375385 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are man-made chemicals that contain at least one perfluoroalkyl moiety, [Formula: see text]. To date, over 4,000 unique PFASs have been used in technical applications and consumer products, and some of them have been detected globally in human and wildlife biomonitoring studies. Because of their extraordinary persistence, human and environmental exposure to PFASs will be a long-term source of concern. Some PFASs such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) have been investigated extensively and thus regulated, but for many other PFASs, knowledge about their current uses and hazards is still very limited or missing entirely. To address this problem and prepare an action plan for the assessment and management of PFASs in the coming years, a group of more than 50 international scientists and regulators held a two-day workshop in November, 2017. The group identified both the respective needs of and common goals shared by the scientific and the policy communities, made recommendations for cooperative actions, and outlined how the science-policy interface regarding PFASs can be strengthened using new approaches for assessing and managing highly persistent chemicals such as PFASs. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4158.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Ritscher
- Safety and Environmental Technology Group, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich , Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich , Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich , Zürich, Switzerland
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University , Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Justin M Boucher
- Safety and Environmental Technology Group, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich , Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) , Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ , Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sylvain Bintein
- Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission , Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Daniel Borg
- Swedish Chemicals Agency , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas M Buser
- Industrial Chemicals Section, Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) , Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ian Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University , Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jamie DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University , Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tony Fletcher
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , London, UK
| | | | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), FRAM - High North Research Centre on Climate and the Environment , Tromsø, Norway
| | - Christopher Higgins
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines , Golden, Colorado, USA
| | - Jun Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Organic Contaminants Control (BKLEOCC), School of Environment, POPs Research Center, Tsinghua University , Beijing, China
| | - Hayley Hung
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada , Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Christopher S Lau
- United States Environmental Protection Agency , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eeva Leinala
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris, France
| | - Andrew B Lindstrom
- United States Environmental Protection Agency , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University , Montreal, Canada
| | - Mark Miller
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences & U.S. Public Health Service , Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Koichi Ohno
- Center for Health and Environmental Risk Research , National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Yali Shi
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing, China
| | - Line Småstuen Haug
- Department of Environmental Exposure and Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health , Oslo, Norway
| | - Xenia Trier
- Integrated Environmental Assessments Programme, European Environment Agency , Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sara Valsecchi
- IRSA-CNR, Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy , Brugherio, Italy
| | | | - Lena Vierke
- German Environment Agency , Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
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26
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Muehleck J, Borse S, Gerlinghoff M, Backmund H, Dohme S, Wunderer E, Berger U. Adressatengerechte Angebote zur Aufklärung und Information bei Essstörungen. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 2018. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Muehleck
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
| | - S Borse
- Frankfurter Zentrum für Ess-Störungen (FZE), Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland
| | - M Gerlinghoff
- Therapiezentrum für Essstörungen München, München, Deutschland
| | - H Backmund
- Therapiezentrum für Essstörungen München, München, Deutschland
| | - S Dohme
- Bundesfachverband für Essstörungen (BFE), München, Deutschland
| | - E Wunderer
- Hochschule Landshut, Landshut, Deutschland
| | - U Berger
- Universitätsklinikum Jena, Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Jena, Deutschland
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27
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Gyllenhammar I, Benskin JP, Sandblom O, Berger U, Ahrens L, Lignell S, Wiberg K, Glynn A. Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in Serum from 2-4-Month-Old Infants: Influence of Maternal Serum Concentration, Gestational Age, Breast-Feeding, and Contaminated Drinking Water. Environ Sci Technol 2018; 52:7101-7110. [PMID: 29758986 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about factors influencing infant perfluorinated alkyl acid (PFAA) concentrations. Associations between serum PFAA concentrations in 2-4-month-old infants ( n = 101) and determinants were investigated by multiple linear regression and general linear model analysis. In exclusively breast-fed infants, maternal serum PFAA concentrations 3 weeks after delivery explained 13% (perfluoroundecanoic acid, PFUnDA) to 73% (perfluorohexanesulfonate, PFHxS) of infant PFAA concentration variation. Median infant/maternal ratios decreased with increasing PFAA carbon chain length from 2.8 for perfluoroheptanoic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) to 0.53 for PFUnDA and from 1.2 to 0.69 for PFHxS and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS). Infant PFOA, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and PFOS levels increased 0.7-1.2% per day of gestational age. Bottle-fed infants had mean concentrations of PFAAs 2 times lower than and a mean percentage of branched (%br) PFOS isomers 1.3 times higher than those of exclusively breast-fed infants. PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS levels increased 8-11% per week of exclusive breast-feeding. Infants living in an area receiving PFAA-contaminated drinking water had 3-fold higher mean perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS) and PFHxS concentrations and higher mean %br PFHxS. Prenatal PFAA exposure and postnatal PFAA exposure significantly contribute to infant PFAA serum concentrations, depending on PFAA carbon chain length. Moderately PFBS- and PFHxS-contaminated drinking water is an important indirect exposure source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Gyllenhammar
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment , National Food Agency , P.O. Box 622, 751 26 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES) , Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Oskar Sandblom
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES) , Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , Department of Analytical Chemistry , Permoserstrasse 15 , 04318 Leipzig , Germany
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , Box 7050, 750 07 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Sanna Lignell
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment , National Food Agency , P.O. Box 622, 751 26 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Karin Wiberg
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , Box 7050, 750 07 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment , National Food Agency , P.O. Box 622, 751 26 Uppsala , Sweden
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , Box 7028, 750 07 Uppsala , Sweden
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Schulze S, Sättler D, Neumann M, Arp HPH, Reemtsma T, Berger U. Using REACH registration data to rank the environmental emission potential of persistent and mobile organic chemicals. Sci Total Environ 2018; 625:1122-1128. [PMID: 29996409 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Organic chemicals that are persistent and mobile in the aquatic environment exhibit a hazard to contaminate drinking water resources. In this study an emission score model was developed to rank the potential of substances registered under the REACH legislation to be emitted into the environment. It was applied to a list of 2167 REACH registered substances that were previously identified to be persistent and mobile organic chemicals (PMOCs) in groundwater or to be hydrolyzed to form transformation products fulfilling the PMOC criteria. The emission score model is based on the tonnage placed on the European market and on seven emission-related use characteristics (high release to environment, wide dispersive use, intermediate use, closed system use, professional use, consumer use, and substance in article), reported in the companies' registrations under REACH. Applying the model resulted in a list of 1110 substances (936 PMOCs and 174 precursors to PMOCs) that were estimated to be released into the environment, while 1054 substances had indicators of negligible environmental emissions and 3 substances could not be evaluated due to severe data gaps. The 936 PMOCs and the 174 precursors were ranked in two lists with regard to their emission potential. The model was shown to be fit for purpose in terms of suggesting and prioritizing substances for scientific investigations with a focus on environmental water quality. Though targeted for PMOCs, the presented scoring system is illustrative of how REACH registration data can be used to assess the emission potential of various substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Schulze
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Sättler
- Section IV 2.3 Chemicals, German Environment Agency - UBA, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Michael Neumann
- Section IV 2.3 Chemicals, German Environment Agency - UBA, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Hans Peter H Arp
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute - NGI, Postboks 3930 Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway
| | - Thorsten Reemtsma
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
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Harbeck N, Alt U, Berger U, Kates R, Krüger A, Thomssen C, Jänicke F, Graeff H, Schmitt M. Long-Term Follow-Up Confirms Prognostic Impact of Pai-1 and Cathepsin D and L in Primary Breast Cancer. Int J Biol Markers 2018; 15:79-83. [PMID: 10763146 DOI: 10.1177/172460080001500115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
After long-term follow-up, the prognostic impact of the following proteolytic factors associated with tumor invasion and metastasis was evaluated in 276 primary breast cancer patients: uPA (urokinase-type plasminogen activator), PAI-1 (uPA inhibitor type 1), and cathepsins B, D and L. The median follow-up of patients still alive at the time of analysis was 109 months. To date 119 patients (43%) have relapsed and 117 (42%) have died. Antigen levels of uPA and PAI-1 were determined by ELISA in detergent extracts; cathepsin B, D, and L content was determined in cytosol fractions of the primary tumor: cathepsin D by ELSA and cathepsin B and L by ELISA. In multivariate analysis (Cox model) for disease-free survival (DFS), lymph node status (p<0.001; RR=3.8), cathepsin L (p<0.001; RR=2.6) and PAI-1 (p=0.027; RR=1.7) were significant factors in all patients. In addition to these factors, grading was significant for overall survival (OS). In another multivariate approach, CART (Classification And Regression Trees) analysis, lymph node status (p<0.001) turned out to be the strongest discriminator for patients at high risk of relapse. In the node-negative patient subset, PAI-1 was the strongest risk group discriminator (p<0.001): in this subset, patients with low levels of both PAI-1 and cathepsin D had a very low relapse rate of only 3.2% compared to 39% in the remaining node-negative patients. In node-positive patients cathepsin L gave the best risk group assessment (p=0.001). In conclusion, tumor-associated PAI-1 and cathepsins D and L provide significant, statistically independent prognostic information for DFS and OS in primary breast cancer, even after a median follow-up period of almost 10 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Harbeck
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University, Munich.
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Gyllenhammar I, Diderholm B, Gustafsson J, Berger U, Ridefelt P, Benskin JP, Lignell S, Lampa E, Glynn A. Perfluoroalkyl acid levels in first-time mothers in relation to offspring weight gain and growth. Environ Int 2018; 111:191-199. [PMID: 29223808 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We investigated if maternal body burdens of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) at the time of delivery are associated with birth outcome and if early life exposure (in utero/nursing) is associated with early childhood growth and weight gain. Maternal PFAA body burdens were estimated by analysis of serum samples from mothers living in Uppsala County, Sweden (POPUP), sampled three weeks after delivery between 1996 and 2011. Data on child length and weight were collected from medical records and converted into standard deviation scores (SDS). Multiple linear regression models with appropriate covariates were used to analyze associations between maternal PFAA levels and birth outcomes (n=381). After birth Generalized Least Squares models were used to analyze associations between maternal PFAA and child growth (n=200). Inverse associations were found between maternal levels of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), and birth weight SDS with a change of -0.10 to -0.18 weight SDS for an inter-quartile range (IQR) increase in ng/g PFAA. After birth, weight and length SDS were not significantly associated with maternal PFAA. However, BMI SDS was significantly associated with PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS at 3 and 4years of age, and with PFOS at 4 and 5years of age. If causal, these associations suggest that PFAA affects fetal and childhood body development in different directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbro Diderholm
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Gustafsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Department Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Ridefelt
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sanna Lignell
- National Food Agency, P.O. Box 622, 751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik Lampa
- UCR Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Glynn
- National Food Agency, P.O. Box 622, 751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
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Karatzas K, Riga M, Berger U, Werchan M, Pfaar O, Bergmann K. Computational validation of the recently proposed pollen season definition criteria. Allergy 2018; 73:5-7. [PMID: 28718953 DOI: 10.1111/all.13255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Karatzas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Environmental Informatics Research Group Aristotle University Thessaloniki Greece
| | - M. Riga
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Environmental Informatics Research Group Aristotle University Thessaloniki Greece
| | - U. Berger
- Aerobiology and Pollen Information Research Unit Department of Oto‐Rhino‐Laryngology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - M. Werchan
- Foundation German Pollen Information Service Berlin Germany
| | - O. Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Universitätsmedizin Mannheim Medical Faculty Mannheim Heidelberg University Mannheim Germany
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology Wiesbaden Germany
| | - K.C. Bergmann
- Foundation German Pollen Information Service Berlin Germany
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Garib V, Wollmann E, Djambekova G, Lemell P, Kmenta M, Berger U, Zieglmayer P, Valenta R. Possible effect of landscape design on IgE recognition profiles of two generations revealed with micro-arrayed allergens. Allergy 2017; 72:1579-1582. [PMID: 28369950 PMCID: PMC5638056 DOI: 10.1111/all.13169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of landscape design on the IgE sensitization profile toward inhalant allergens in patients with respiratory allergy from Uzbekistan where green areas have been changed during the last two decades by a State program. Sera from two different generations of Uzbek (n=58) and, for control purposes, from two generations of Austrian (n=58) patients were analyzed for IgE reactivity to 112 different micro‐arrayed allergen molecules by ImmunoCAP ISAC technology. Changes in molecular IgE sensitization profiles to pollen allergens in the young vs the middle‐aged Uzbek population were associated with replanting, whereas those in the Vienna populations reflected natural changes in plant growth. Our data indicate that anthropologic as well as natural changes in the biome may have effects on IgE sensitization profiles already from one to another generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Garib
- Division of Immunopathology; Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research; Center of Pathophysiology; Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - E. Wollmann
- Division of Immunopathology; Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research; Center of Pathophysiology; Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - G. Djambekova
- Specialized Scientific-Practical Center for Therapy and Medical Rehabilitation (RSSPMC T&R); Tashkent Uzbekistan
| | - P. Lemell
- Vienna Challenge Chamber; Vienna Austria
| | - M. Kmenta
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - U. Berger
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | | | - R. Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology; Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research; Center of Pathophysiology; Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
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Yuan B, Bogdal C, Berger U, MacLeod M, Gebbink WA, Alsberg T, de Wit CA. Quantifying Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffin Congener Groups. Environ Sci Technol 2017; 51:10633-10641. [PMID: 28813149 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Accurate quantification of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) poses an exceptional challenge to analytical chemists. SCCPs are complex mixtures of chlorinated alkanes with variable chain length and chlorination level; congeners with a fixed chain length (n) and number of chlorines (m) are referred to as a "congener group" CnClm. Recently, we resolved individual CnClm by mathematically deconvolving soft ionization high-resolution mass spectra of SCCP mixtures. Here we extend the method to quantifying CnClm by introducing CnClm specific response factors (RFs) that are calculated from 17 SCCP chain-length standards with a single carbon chain length and variable chlorination level. The signal pattern of each standard is measured on APCI-QTOF-MS. RFs of each CnClm are obtained by pairwise optimization of the normal distribution's fit to the signal patterns of the 17 chain-length standards. The method was verified by quantifying SCCP technical mixtures and spiked environmental samples with accuracies of 82-123% and 76-109%, respectively. The absolute differences between calculated and manufacturer-reported chlorination degrees were -0.9 to 1.0%Cl for SCCP mixtures of 49-71%Cl. The quantification method has been replicated with ECNI magnetic sector MS and ECNI-Q-Orbitrap-MS. CnClm concentrations determined with the three instruments were highly correlated (R2 > 0.90) with each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yuan
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Bogdal
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich , Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Urs Berger
- Department Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , Permoserstraße 15, DE-04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthew MacLeod
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wouter A Gebbink
- RIKILT, Wageningen University & Research , P.O. Box 230, Akkermaalsbos 2, NL-6708 AE, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Tomas Alsberg
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cynthia A de Wit
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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Arp HPH, Brown TN, Berger U, Hale SE. Ranking REACH registered neutral, ionizable and ionic organic chemicals based on their aquatic persistency and mobility. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2017. [PMID: 28628174 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00158d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The contaminants that have the greatest chances of appearing in drinking water are those that are mobile enough in the aquatic environment to enter drinking water sources and persistent enough to survive treatment processes. Herein a screening procedure to rank neutral, ionizable and ionic organic compounds for being persistent and mobile organic compounds (PMOCs) is presented and applied to the list of industrial substances registered under the EU REACH legislation as of December 2014. This comprised 5155 identifiable, unique organic structures. The minimum cut-off criteria considered for PMOC classification herein are a freshwater half-life >40 days, which is consistent with the REACH definition of freshwater persistency, and a log Doc < 4.5 between pH 4-10 (where Doc is the organic carbon-water distribution coefficient). Experimental data were given the highest priority, followed by data from an array of available quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs), and as a third resort, an original Iterative Fragment Selection (IFS) QSAR. In total, 52% of the unique REACH structures made the minimum criteria to be considered a PMOC, and 21% achieved the highest PMOC ranking (half-life > 40 days, log Doc < 1.0 between pH 4-10). Only 9% of neutral substances received the highest PMOC ranking, compared to 30% of ionizable compounds and 44% of ionic compounds. Predicted hydrolysis products for all REACH parents (contributing 5043 additional structures) were found to have higher PMOC rankings than their parents, due to increased mobility but not persistence. The fewest experimental data available were for ionic compounds; therefore, their ranking is more uncertain than neutral and ionizable compounds. The most sensitive parameter for the PMOC ranking was freshwater persistency, which was also the parameter that QSARs performed the most poorly at predicting. Several prioritized drinking water contaminants in the EU and USA, and other contaminants of concern, were identified as PMOCs. This identification and ranking procedure for PMOCs can be part of a strategy to better identify contaminants that pose a threat to drinking water sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- H P H Arp
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Postboks 3930 Ullevål Stadion, NO-0806 Oslo, Norway.
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Johansson JH, Berger U, Cousins IT. Can the use of deactivated glass fibre filters eliminate sorption artefacts associated with active air sampling of perfluorooctanoic acid? Environ Pollut 2017; 224:779-786. [PMID: 28279582 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Experimental work was undertaken to test whether gaseous perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) sorbs to glass fibre filters (GFFs) during air sampling, causing an incorrect measure of the gas-particle equilibrium distribution. Furthermore, tests were performed to investigate whether deactivation by siliconisation prevents sorption of gaseous PFOA to filter materials. An apparatus was constructed to closely simulate a high-volume air sampler, although with additional features allowing introduction of gaseous test compounds into an air stream stripped from particles. The set-up enabled investigation of the sorption of gaseous test compounds to filter media, eliminating any contribution from particles. Experiments were performed under ambient outdoor air conditions at environmentally relevant analyte concentrations. The results demonstrate that gaseous PFOA sorbs to GFFs, but that breakthrough of gaseous PFOA on the GFFs occurs at trace-level loadings. This indicates that during high volume air sampling, filters do not quantitatively capture all the PFOA in the sampled air. Experiments with siliconised GFFs showed that this filter pre-treatment reduced the sorption of gaseous PFOA, but that sorption still occurred at environmentally relevant air concentrations. We conclude that deactivation of GFFs does not allow for the separation of gaseous and particle bound perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) during active air sampling. Consequently, the well-recognised theory that PFCAs do not prevail as gaseous species in the atmosphere may be based on biased measurements. Caution should be taken to ensure that this artefact will not bias the conclusions of future field studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana H Johansson
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Sweden.
| | - Urs Berger
- Department Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Sweden
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Pfaar O, Bastl K, Berger U, Buters J, Calderon MA, Clot B, Darsow U, Demoly P, Durham SR, Galán C, Gehrig R, Gerth van Wijk R, Jacobsen L, Klimek L, Sofiev M, Thibaudon M, Bergmann KC. Defining pollen exposure times for clinical trials of allergen immunotherapy for pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis - an EAACI position paper. Allergy 2017; 72:713-722. [PMID: 27874202 DOI: 10.1111/all.13092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical efficacy of pollen allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been broadly documented in randomized controlled trials. The underlying clinical endpoints are analysed in seasonal time periods predefined based on the background pollen concentration. However, any validated or generally accepted definition from academia or regulatory authorities for this relevant pollen exposure intensity or period of time (season) is currently not available. Therefore, this Task Force initiative of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) aimed to propose definitions based on expert consensus. METHODS A Task Force of the Immunotherapy and Aerobiology and Pollution Interest Groups of the EAACI reviewed the literature on pollen exposure in the context of defining relevant time intervals for evaluation of efficacy in AIT trials. Underlying principles in measuring pollen exposure and associated methodological problems and limitations were considered to achieve a consensus. RESULTS The Task Force achieved a comprehensive position in defining pollen exposure times for different pollen types. Definitions are presented for 'pollen season', 'high pollen season' (or 'peak pollen period') and 'high pollen days'. CONCLUSION This EAACI position paper provides definitions of pollen exposures for different pollen types for use in AIT trials. Their validity as standards remains to be tested in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery; Medical Faculty Mannheim; Universitätsmedizin Mannheim; Heidelberg University; Mannheim Germany
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology; Wiesbaden Germany
| | - K. Bastl
- Aerobiology and Pollen Information Research Unit; Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - U. Berger
- Aerobiology and Pollen Information Research Unit; Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - J. Buters
- ZAUM; Center of Allergy & Environment; Helmholtz Center Munich/Technische Universität München; Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL); Munich Germany
- Kühne Foundation; Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-CARE); Munich Germany
| | - M. A. Calderon
- Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Imperial College London; London UK
- National Heart & Lung Institute; Royal Brompton Hospital; London UK
| | - B. Clot
- Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss; Payerne Switzerland
| | - U. Darsow
- ZAUM; Center of Allergy & Environment; Helmholtz Center Munich/Technische Universität München; Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL); Munich Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein; Technical University of Munich (TUM); Munich Germany
| | - P. Demoly
- Département de Pneumologie et Addictologie; Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve; University Hospital of Montpellier; Montpellier France
- UPMC Paris 06; UMR-S 1136; IPLESP; Equipe EPAR; Sorbonne Universités; Paris France
| | - S. R. Durham
- Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology; Imperial College London; London UK
| | - C. Galán
- Department of Botany; Ecology and Plant Physiology; University of Córdoba; Córdoba Spain
| | - R. Gehrig
- Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss; Zurich Switzerland
| | - R. Gerth van Wijk
- Section of Allergology; Department of Internal Medicine; Erasmus MC; Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - L. Jacobsen
- ALC; Allergy Learning and Consulting; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - L. Klimek
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology; Wiesbaden Germany
| | - M. Sofiev
- Finnish Meteorological Institute; Helsinki Finland
| | - M. Thibaudon
- RNSA (Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique); Brussieu France
| | - K. C. Bergmann
- Foundation German Pollen Information Service; Berlin Germany
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Winkens K, Koponen J, Schuster J, Shoeib M, Vestergren R, Berger U, Karvonen AM, Pekkanen J, Kiviranta H, Cousins IT. Perfluoroalkyl acids and their precursors in indoor air sampled in children's bedrooms. Environ Pollut 2017; 222:423-432. [PMID: 28012670 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
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/m3). 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/m3), 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/m3). 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Winkens
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Jani Koponen
- Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jasmin Schuster
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mahiba Shoeib
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robin Vestergren
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anne M Karvonen
- Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha Pekkanen
- Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland; Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Kiviranta
- Department of Health Protection, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Sikoparija B, Skjøth CA, Celenk S, Testoni C, Abramidze T, Alm Kübler K, Belmonte J, Berger U, Bonini M, Charalampopoulos A, Damialis A, Clot B, Dahl Å, de Weger LA, Gehrig R, Hendrickx M, Hoebeke L, Ianovici N, Kofol Seliger A, Magyar D, Mányoki G, Milkovska S, Myszkowska D, Páldy A, Pashley CH, Rasmussen K, Ritenberga O, Rodinkova V, Rybníček O, Shalaboda V, Šaulienė I, Ščevková J, Stjepanović B, Thibaudon M, Verstraeten C, Vokou D, Yankova R, Smith M. Spatial and temporal variations in airborne Ambrosia pollen in Europe. Aerobiologia (Bologna) 2017; 33:181-189. [PMID: 28579673 PMCID: PMC5432595 DOI: 10.1007/s10453-016-9463-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The European Commission Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action FA1203 "SMARTER" aims to make recommendations for the sustainable management of Ambrosia across Europe and for monitoring its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The goal of the present study is to provide a baseline for spatial and temporal variations in airborne Ambrosia pollen in Europe that can be used for the management and evaluation of this noxious plant. The study covers the full range of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. distribution over Europe (39°N-60°N; 2°W-45°E). Airborne Ambrosia pollen data for the principal flowering period of Ambrosia (August-September) recorded during a 10-year period (2004-2013) were obtained from 242 monitoring sites. The mean sum of daily average airborne Ambrosia pollen and the number of days that Ambrosia pollen was recorded in the air were analysed. The mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated regardless of the number of years included in the study period, while trends are based on those time series with 8 or more years of data. Trends were considered significant at p < 0.05. There were few significant trends in the magnitude and frequency of atmospheric Ambrosia pollen (only 8% for the mean sum of daily average Ambrosia pollen concentrations and 14% for the mean number of days Ambrosia pollen were recorded in the air). The direction of any trends varied locally and reflected changes in sources of the pollen, either in size or in distance from the monitoring station. Pollen monitoring is important for providing an early warning of the expansion of this invasive and noxious plant.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Sikoparija
- BioSense Institute - Research Institute for Information Technologies in Biosystems, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - C. A. Skjøth
- National Pollen and Aerobiology Unit, Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ UK
| | - S. Celenk
- Biology Department, Science Faculty, Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - C. Testoni
- Local Health Authority Milano Città Metropolitana, Milan, Italy
| | - T. Abramidze
- Center of Allergy and Immunology, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - K. Alm Kübler
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J. Belmonte
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - U. Berger
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - M. Bonini
- Local Health Authority Milano Città Metropolitana, Milan, Italy
| | - A. Charalampopoulos
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - A. Damialis
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, UNIKA-T, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Augsburg, Germany
| | - B. Clot
- Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Å. Dahl
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - L. A. de Weger
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R. Gehrig
- Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M. Hendrickx
- Belgian Aerobiology Network, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - L. Hoebeke
- Belgian Aerobiology Network, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - N. Ianovici
- Faculty of Chemistry-Biology-Geography, West University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - A. Kofol Seliger
- Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - D. Magyar
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - G. Mányoki
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - S. Milkovska
- Institute of Occupational Health - WHO Collaborating Center, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
| | - D. Myszkowska
- Department of Clinical and Environmental Allergology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - A. Páldy
- National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - C. H. Pashley
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - O. Ritenberga
- Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - V. Rodinkova
- Vinnitsa National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnitsa, Ukraine
| | - O. Rybníček
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - V. Shalaboda
- V. F. Kuprevich Institute for Experimental Botany of the NAS of Belarus, Minsk, Belarus
| | - I. Šaulienė
- Department of Environmental Research, Siauliai University, Šiauliai, Lithuania
| | - J. Ščevková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - B. Stjepanović
- Institute of Public Health “Dr Andrija Štampar”, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M. Thibaudon
- Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (R.N.S.A.), Brussieu, France
| | - C. Verstraeten
- Belgian Aerobiology Network, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Brussels, Belgium
| | - D. Vokou
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - R. Yankova
- Clinical Center of Allergology, University Hospital Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - M. Smith
- Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ UK
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Faxneld S, Berger U, Helander B, Danielsson S, Miller A, Nyberg E, Persson JO, Bignert A. Temporal Trends and Geographical Differences of Perfluoroalkyl Acids in Baltic Sea Herring and White-Tailed Sea Eagle Eggs in Sweden. Environ Sci Technol 2016; 50:13070-13079. [PMID: 27775331 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Temporal and spatial trends of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) were investigated in Baltic Sea herring liver (Clupea harengus) from three sites, and white-tailed sea eagle (WTSE) eggs (Haliaeetus albicilla) from two freshwater and two marine areas in Sweden. Trends of most quantifiable PFAAs increased over the monitored period (1980-2014 in herring, 1960s/1980s-2010 in WTSE). No significant decreasing trends were observed for the most recent ten years for any substances, except perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA). Concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonic acids (PFOS) in herring showed a distinct decreasing spatial trend moving from the more southern site toward the more northern site, indicating main input of PFOS into the southern Baltic Sea. For WTSE, PFOS concentration was higher in the marine compared to the freshwater environment, explained by the cumulative historic contamination of the Baltic Sea. Similarly, concentrations in WTSE were lower in the northern part of the Baltic Sea compared to further south. Concentrations of PFUnDA, representing long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), showed a more homogeneous spatial distribution compared to PFOS for both herring and WTSE, indicating that atmospheric inputs (via precursors) of the long-chain PFCAs are important contributors in the study areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Faxneld
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Björn Helander
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Danielsson
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aroha Miller
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Nyberg
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan-Olov Persson
- Department of Mathematics, Stockholm University , SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Bignert
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History , Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
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Gehrmann U, Berger U, Teich N, Bruns T, Stallmach A, Weber M. Motivation of patients with inflammatory bowel disease to participate in a clinical trial. Z Gastroenterol 2016; 54:1123-1129. [PMID: 27723903 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-105749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: Clinical trials are designed to investigate innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients. However, factors that influence patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and willingness to participate in a clinical trial are unknown. Methods: We developed a questionnaire and asked IBD patients about their willingness to hypothetically participate in a clinical trial and their current health-related quality of life by using the IBDQ. Results: Of 201 distributed questionnaires, 166 were returned and included in the analysis. One-hundred-one (61 %) patients declared their willingness to participate in a clinical trial hypothetically offered in their current situation, whereas 65 (39 %) declined. Among all patients, a trustful relationship between patient and doctor was most important for trial participation. The willingness to help others and to support medical progress were other key issues mentioned. In contrast, those patients inclined to refuse trial participation feared impairment of their current health status, potential side effects, medical examinations, and the expenditure of time and effort. Conclusion: In our cohort of IBD patients, approximately two-thirds were willing to participate in a clinical trial. We were able to identify a number of factors that should help physicians to directly address fears and break down barriers in order to increase the number of patients willing to participate in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Gehrmann
- Klinik für Innere Medizin IV, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany
| | - U Berger
- Institut für Psychosoziale Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany
| | - N Teich
- Internistische Gemeinschaftspraxis für Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten, Leipzig, Germany
| | - T Bruns
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - A Stallmach
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - M Weber
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Reemtsma T, Berger U, Arp HPH, Gallard H, Knepper TP, Neumann M, Quintana JB, Voogt PD. Mind the Gap: Persistent and Mobile Organic Compounds-Water Contaminants That Slip Through. Environ Sci Technol 2016; 50:10308-10315. [PMID: 27571393 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The discharge of persistent and mobile organic chemicals (PMOCs) into the aquatic environment is a threat to the quality of our water resources. PMOCs are highly polar (mobile in water) and can pass through wastewater treatment plants, subsurface environments and potentially also drinking water treatment processes. While a few such compounds are known, we infer that their number is actually much larger. This Feature highlights the issue of PMOCs from an environmental perspective and assesses the gaps that appear to exist in terms of analysis, monitoring, water treatment and regulation. On this basis we elaborate strategies on how to narrow these gaps with the intention to better protect our water resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Reemtsma
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hans Peter H Arp
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) , P.O. Box 3930, Ullevål Stadion, 0806 Oslo, Norway
| | - Hervé Gallard
- University of Poitiers , Institute of Chemistry of Materials and Natural Resources, UMR CNRS 7285, ENSIP, 1 rue Marcel Doré, Poitiers Cedex 9, France
| | - Thomas P Knepper
- Hochschule Fresenius, University of Applied Sciences , Institute for Analytical Research, Limburger Strasse 2, 65510 Idstein, Germany
| | - Michael Neumann
- German Environment Agency (UBA), Section IV 2.3 "Chemicals", Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - José Benito Quintana
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Sciences, IIAA-Institute for Food Analysis and Research, University of Santiago de Compostela , 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Pim de Voogt
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam , Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- KWR Watercycle Research Institute, Groningenhaven 7, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
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Yuan B, Alsberg T, Bogdal C, MacLeod M, Berger U, Gao W, Wang Y, de Wit CA. Deconvolution of Soft Ionization Mass Spectra of Chlorinated Paraffins To Resolve Congener Groups. Anal Chem 2016; 88:8980-8988. [PMID: 27531279 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b0117210.1016/j.trac.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We describe and illustrate a three-step data-processing approach that enables individual congener groups of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) to be resolved in mass spectra obtained from either of two soft ionization methods: electron capture negative ionization mass spectrometry (ECNI-MS) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS). In the first step, general fragmentation pathways of CPs are deduced from analysis of mass spectra of individual CP congeners. In the second step, all possible fragment ions in the general fragmentation pathways of CPs with 10 to 20 carbon atoms are enumerated and compared to mass spectra of CP mixture standards, and a deconvolution algorithm is applied to identify fragment ions that are actually observed. In the third step, isotope permutations of the observed fragment ions are calculated and used to identify isobaric overlaps, so that mass intensities of individual CP congener groups can be deconvolved from the unresolved isobaric ion signal intensities in mass spectra. For a specific instrument, the three steps only need to be done once to enable deconvolution of CPs in unknown samples. This approach enables congener group-level resolution of CP mixtures in environmental samples, and it opens up the possibility for quantification of congener groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yuan
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Alsberg
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Bogdal
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zürich , Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Sustainability Sciences , Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthew MacLeod
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , Permoserstraße 15, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shuangqing Road 18, CN-100085 Beijing, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shuangqing Road 18, CN-100085 Beijing, China
| | - Cynthia A de Wit
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University , Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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Yuan B, Alsberg T, Bogdal C, MacLeod M, Berger U, Gao W, Wang Y, de Wit CA. Deconvolution of Soft Ionization Mass Spectra of Chlorinated Paraffins To Resolve Congener Groups. Anal Chem 2016; 88:8980-8. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b01172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yuan
- Department
of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Alsberg
- Department
of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Bogdal
- Institute
for Chemical and Bioengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Sustainability Sciences, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, CH-8046 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthew MacLeod
- Department
of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department
Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wei Gao
- State
Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research
Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shuangqing Road 18, CN-100085 Beijing, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- State
Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research
Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shuangqing Road 18, CN-100085 Beijing, China
| | - Cynthia A. de Wit
- Department
of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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Gebbink WA, Bignert A, Berger U. Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) and Selected Precursors in the Baltic Sea Environment: Do Precursors Play a Role in Food Web Accumulation of PFAAs? Environ Sci Technol 2016; 50:6354-6362. [PMID: 27192404 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined the presence of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and selected precursors in the Baltic Sea abiotic environment and guillemot food web, and investigated the relative importance of precursors in food web accumulation of PFAAs. Sediment, water, zooplankton, herring, sprat, and guillemot eggs were analyzed for perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs; C4,6,8,10) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs; C6-15) along with six perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid (PFOS) precursors and 11 polyfluoroalkyl phosphoric acid diesters (diPAPs). FOSA, FOSAA and its methyl and ethyl derivatives (Me- and EtFOSAA), and 6:2/6:2 diPAP were detected in sediment and water. While FOSA and the three FOSAAs were detected in all biota, a total of nine diPAPs were only detected in zooplankton. Concentrations of PFOS precursors and diPAPs exceeded PFOS and PFCA concentrations, respectively, in zooplankton, but not in fish and guillemot eggs. Although PFOS precursors were present at all trophic levels, they appear to play a minor role in food web accumulation of PFOS based on PFOS precursor/PFOS ratios and PFOS and FOSA isomer patterns. The PFCA pattern in fish could not be explained by the intake pattern based on PFCAs and analyzed precursors, that is, diPAPs. Exposure to additional precursors might therefore be a dominant exposure pathway compared to direct PFCA exposure for fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter A Gebbink
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University , SE 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Bignert
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, SE 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University , SE 10691, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ , DE 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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Nordén M, Berger U, Engwall M. Developmental toxicity of PFOS and PFOA in great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), herring gull (Larus argentatus) and chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:10855-10862. [PMID: 26895726 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6285-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are found globally in environmental samples and have been studied in various species. In this study, we compare the sensitivity of three avian species to the toxic effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA). Eggs of great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), herring gull (Larus argentatus) and the domestic White Leghorn chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) were exposed in ovo by injection into the air sac. Effects on embryo survival were observed following exposure to PFOS and PFOA in chicken and herring gull. Chicken was found to be the most sensitive species with 50 % reduced embryo survival at 8.5 μg/g egg for PFOS and 2.5 μg/g egg for PFOA. Cormorant was shown to be the least sensitive species. The difference in sensitivity between chicken and herring gull was a factor of 2.7 for PFOS and 3.5 for PFOA. Between chicken and great cormorant, the sensitivity difference was 2.6 for PFOS and 8.2 for PFOA. Effects on embryo survival were seen at egg injection doses of PFOS close to levels found in environmental samples from wild birds, indicating that PFOS could be having effects in highly exposed populations of birds. This study also shows that there are differences in species sensitivity to PFOS and PFOA that should be taken into consideration in avian wildlife risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Nordén
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm university, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Engwall
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-701 82, Örebro, Sweden.
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Wang Z, Cousins IT, Berger U, Hungerbühler K, Scheringer M. Comparative assessment of the environmental hazards of and exposure to perfluoroalkyl phosphonic and phosphinic acids (PFPAs and PFPiAs): Current knowledge, gaps, challenges and research needs. Environ Int 2016; 89-90:235-47. [PMID: 26922149 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl phosphonic and phosphinic acids (PFPAs and PFPiAs) are sub-groups of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) that have been commercialized since the 1970s, particularly as defoamers in pesticide formulations and wetting agents in consumer products. Recently, C4/C4 PFPiA and its derivatives have been presented as alternatives to long-chain PFASs in certain applications. In this study, we systematically assess the publicly available information on the hazardous properties, occurrence, and exposure routes of PFPAs and PFPiAs, and make comparisons to the corresponding properties of their better-known carboxylic and sulfonic acid analogs (i.e. PFCAs and PFSAs). This comparative assessment indicates that [i] PFPAs likely have high persistence and long-range transport potential; [ii] PFPiAs may transform to PFPAs (and possibly PFCAs) in the environment and biota; [iii] certain PFPAs and PFPiAs can only be slowly eliminated from rainbow trout and rats, similarly to long-chain PFCAs and PFSAs; [iv] PFPAs and PFPiAs have modes-of-action that are both similar to, and different from, those of PFCAs and PFSAs; and [v] the measured levels of PFPAs/PFPiAs in the global environment and biota appear to be low in comparison to PFCAs and PFSAs, suggesting, for the time being, low risks from PFPAs and PFPiAs alone. Although risks from individual PFPAs/PFPiAs are currently low, their ongoing production and use and high persistence will lead to increasing exposure and risks over time. Furthermore, simultaneous exposure to PFPAs, PFPiAs and other PFASs may result in additive effects necessitating cumulative risk assessments. To facilitate effective future research, we highlight possible strategies to overcome sampling and analytical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanyun Wang
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Ian T Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Department Analytical Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Konrad Hungerbühler
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Scheringer
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland; RECETOX, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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Abstract
Mass balances of ten individual perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) in two nested pristine catchments in Northern Sweden with different sizes and hydrological functions were assembled for 2011-2012. Concentrations of PFAAs in rain and snowmelt, as well as in streamwater at the outlet of the two watersheds were measured and used to calculate PFAA atmospheric inputs to and riverine outputs from the catchments. The results generally showed a great excess of PFAA inputs for both catchments over the whole study year. However, during the spring flood period, the inputs and outputs were within a factor of 2 for several PFAAs and the streamwater showed PFAA patterns resembling the patterns in rain (as opposed to snowmelt), suggesting that snowmelt water infiltrating the ground had displaced water from the previous summer. Comparison of PFAA mass balances between the two catchments further suggested that atmospheric inputs of short-chain (replacement) perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids had increased in the years before sampling, while inputs of the legacy perfluorooctane sulfonic acid had decreased. Overall, the mass balances indicate that a considerable portion of the PFAAs deposited from the atmosphere are stored in soil and may be released to surface and marine water environments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Filipovic
- Stockholm University , Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hjalmar Laudon
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) , Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Michael S McLachlan
- Stockholm University , Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Urs Berger
- Stockholm University , Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ , Department Analytical Chemistry, Permoserstrasse 15, DE-04318 Leipzig, Germany
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Karrer G, Skjøth CA, Šikoparija B, Smith M, Berger U, Essl F. Ragweed (Ambrosia) pollen source inventory for Austria. Sci Total Environ 2015; 523:120-8. [PMID: 25863502 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study improves the spatial coverage of top-down Ambrosia pollen source inventories for Europe by expanding the methodology to Austria, a country that is challenging in terms of topography and the distribution of ragweed plants. The inventory combines annual ragweed pollen counts from 19 pollen-monitoring stations in Austria (2004-2013), 657 geographical observations of Ambrosia plants, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), local knowledge of ragweed ecology and CORINE land cover information from the source area. The highest mean annual ragweed pollen concentrations were generally recorded in the East of Austria where the highest densities of possible growth habitats for Ambrosia were situated. Approximately 99% of all observations of Ambrosia populations were below 745m. The European infection level varies from 0.1% at Freistadt in Northern Austria to 12.8% at Rosalia in Eastern Austria. More top-down Ambrosia pollen source inventories are required for other parts of Europe. CAPSULE ABSTRACT A method for constructing top-down pollen source inventories for invasive ragweed plants in Austria, a country that is challenging in terms of topography and ragweed distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Karrer
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - C A Skjøth
- National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, University of Worcester, UK.
| | - B Šikoparija
- Laboratory for Palynology, Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - M Smith
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland; Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - U Berger
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - F Essl
- Environment Agency Austria, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Division of Conservation, Vegetation and Landscape Ecology, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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50
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Voukantsis D, Berger U, Tzima F, Karatzas K, Jaeger S, Bergmann KC. Personalized symptoms forecasting for pollen-induced allergic rhinitis sufferers. Int J Biometeorol 2015; 59:889-897. [PMID: 25277722 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-014-0905-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Hay fever is a pollen-induced allergic reaction that strongly affects the overall quality of life of many individuals. The disorder may vary in severity and symptoms depending on patient-specific factors such as genetic disposition, individual threshold of pollen concentration levels, medication, former immunotherapy, and others. Thus, information services that improve the quality of life of hay fever sufferers must address the needs of each individual separately. In this paper, we demonstrate the development of information services that offer personalized pollen-induced symptoms forecasts. The backbone of these services consists of data of allergic symptoms reported by the users of the Personal Hay Fever Diary system and pollen concentration levels (European Aeroallergen Network) in several sampling sites. Data were analyzed using computational intelligence methods, resulting in highly customizable forecasting models that offer personalized warnings to users of the Patient Hay Fever Diary system. The overall system performance for the pilot area (Vienna and Lower Austria) reached a correlation coefficient of r = 0.71 ± 0.17 (average ± standard deviation) in a sample of 219 users with major contribution to the Pollen Hay Fever Diary system and an overall performance of r = 0.66 ± 0.18 in a second sample of 393 users, with minor contribution to the system. These findings provide an example of combining data from different sources using advanced data engineering in order to develop innovative e-health services with the capacity to provide more direct and personalized information to allergic rhinitis sufferers.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Voukantsis
- Aristotle University, P.O. Box 483, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece,
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