Nivo policikličnih aromatičnih ugljovodonika u gasnoj i čestičnoj fazi u školama na različitim lokacijama u Srbiji

This study investigated seasonal variation of PAHs and their partition between gas and particulate-bounded phases in indoor and outdoor air in 4 schools In Serbia located at different locations. The sampling campaigns were conducted during one workweek at each school successively. Campaigns were conducted in schools during heating and non-heating seasons in December 2011 and June 2012. Seasonal variations of gas and particle-bounded PAHs concentrations were observed with higher levels during heating season. The highest total PAH values were associated with the gas phase in both sampling periods. The total PAHs concentration at indoor and at the outdoor sites, during heating season, ranged from 88.45 to 447.72 ng/m(3) and 201.69 to 1017.15 ng/m(3), respectively. During non-heating season, the total PAHs concentration ranged from 36.91 to 271.57 ng/m(3) in Indoor environment and 27.00 to 132.32 ng/m(3) in outdoor environment. Most of the I/O ratios were less than 1, which indicated that the indoor PAHs were mostly from outdoor sources. The use of diagnostic ratio showed that traffic emission and coal combustion are the major sources of PAHs. Only the diagnostic ratios for the school located near the industrial area showed significant deviation compared to other schools.U ovom radu su istraživane sezonske promene PAH i njihova raspodela, u gasnoj fazi i respirabilnim česticama u vazduhu unutrašnjeg prostora i spoljašnje sredine u 4 škole u Srbiji koje se nalaze na različitim lokacijama. Kampanja uzorkovanja je sprovedena tokom jedne radne nedelje u toku grejnog i negrejnog perioda (od decembra 2011. do juna 2012.) u svakoj školi. Uočene su sezonske promene nivoa PAH u gasnoj fazi i česticama, sa višim koncentracijama tokom grejnog perioda. Izmerena je veća vrednost zbira ukupnih PAH tokom oba perioda u gasnoj fazi nego PAH u česticama. Ukupna koncentracija PAH tokom grejnog perioda u unutrašnjem prostoru se kretala u opsegu od 88,45 do 447,72 ng/m3, a u spoljašnjoj sredini od 201,69 do 1017,15 ng/m3. Tokom negrejnog perioda, ukupna koncentracija PAH-ova je bila 36,91-271,57 ng/m3 u unutrašnjem prostoru, dok je u spoljašnjoj sredini bila 27,00-132,32 ng/m3. Većina I/O odnosa je bila manja od 1, što ukazuje da PAH u unutrašnjem prostoru uglavnom potiču iz spoljašnjeg vazduha. Na osnovu dijagnostičkih odnosa zaključeno je da su saobraćaj i sagorevanje uglja glavni izvori PAH. Jedino dijagnostički odnosi za školu koja se nalazi u blizini industrijske zone pokazuju značajno odstupanje u poređenju sa drugim školama

The impact of puffball autolysis on selected chemical and biological properties: puffball extracts as potential ingredients of skin-care products

Puffballs are fungi that produce globose fruiting bodies that undergo autolysis, transforming their insides into a spore bearing, powdery mass. Mature fruiting bodies are traditionally used to treat open skin wounds. In this study, methanol extracts of two puffball species, Handkea excipuliformis and Vascellum pratense, were examined and compared in order to provide insight into the changes these mushrooms undergo during maturation, with respect to their potential use in skin care and wound treatment. Some compounds involved in skin care and regeneration were quantified, and it was found that maturation increases the concentrations of almost all of these compounds. Antioxidant activity was also more pronounced in mature fruiting body extracts, which was in correlation with the higher content of antioxidants. Tyrosinase inhibition was vastly improved with autolysis, correlating with the higher phenolic content in mature fruiting body extracts. Antimicrobial activity was negatively affected by autolysis in the case of H. excipuliformis, whereas autolysis had little effect on the antimicrobial activity of V. pratense. Autolysis generally improved the biological activity and increased the concentrations of compounds involved in skin care, which justifies the traditional use of puffballs and makes them good candidates for various potential cosmetic and medicinal skin-care products

In-depth quantitative profiling of post-translational modifications of Timothy grass pollen allergome in relation to environmental oxidative stress

An association between pollution (e.g., from traffic emissions) and the increased prevalence of respiratory allergies has been observed. Field-realistic exposure studies provide the most relevant assessment of the effects of the intensity and diversity of urban and industrial contamination on pollen structure and allergenicity. The significance of in-depth post-translational modification (PTM) studies of pollen proteomes, when compared with studies on other aspects of pollution and altered pollen allergenicity, has not yet been determined; hence, little progress has been made within this field. We undertook a comprehensive comparative analysis of multiple polluted and environmentally preserved Phleum pratense (Timothy grass) pollen samples using scanning electron microscopy, in-depth PTM profiling, determination of organic and inorganic pollutants, analysis of the release of sub-pollen particles and phenols/proteins, and analysis of proteome expression using high resolution tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, we used quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) immunoblotting. An increased phenolic content and release of sub-pollen particles was found in pollen samples from the polluted area, including a significantly higher content of mercury, cadmium, and manganese, with irregular long spines on pollen grain surface structures. Antioxidative defense-related enzymes were significantly upregulated and seven oxidative PTMs were significantly increased (methionine, histidine, lysine, and proline oxidation; tyrosine glycosylation, lysine 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal adduct, and lysine carbamylation) in pollen exposed to the chemical plant and road traffic pollution sources. Oxidative modifications affected several Timothy pollen allergens; Phl p 6, in particular, exhibited several different oxidative modifications. The expression of Phl p 6, 12, and 13 allergens were downregulated in polluted pollen, and IgE binding to pollen extract was substantially lower in the 18 patients studied, as measured by quantitative ELISA. Quantitative, unrestricted, and detailed PTM searches using an enrichment-free approach pointed to modification of Timothy pollen allergens and suggested that heavy metals are primarily responsible for oxidative stress effects observed in pollen proteins

Seasonal Trends of Benzo(A)Pyrene in Suspended Particulate Matter in Urban Areas of Belgrade, Serbia

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified to be one of the major toxic air pollutants in urban environment PAHs are mostly formed during incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic material According to Serbian National Legislation, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) concentration in total suspended particles (TSP) in ambient air in the Belgrade metropolitan area has been determined in the last ten years, as a part of a local air pollution monitoring program performed by the Public Health Institute of Belgrade and funded by Belgrades Municipality Air samples for analysis of BaP in suspended particles have been collected (as 24 h sample once per month) at selected monitoring sites within the municipal air quality monitoring network At the beginning, according to National Regulation, all samples were taken as total suspended particles (TSP) Since mid-2008, the procedure of sampling methodology was harmonized with EU requirements and solid fraction PM(10) has been collected and analyzed using GC/MS In this study, we have analyzed results of TSP collected between 2005 and 2008 Looking through the results obtained during the period of a whole year, it can be noticed that concentrations of BaP were much higher during winter season at almost all measuring site

Variations of Pm10 Mass Concentrations and Correlations with Other Pollutants in Belgrade Urban Area

In this paper, we present the PM10 levels measured at an urban residential background site in New Belgrade in Omladinskih Brigada Street, at 15 m height (roof) The aerosol samples were collected using a European standard sampler in four seasonal campaigns conducted in autumn Nov 13-Dec 03 2007 winter Feb 07-28, 2008 spring May 06-28, 2008 and summer July 17-August 15 2008 The results were compared with PM10 mass concentrations measured with a Horiba automatic station at street level at the same sampling site and at three more sites within the Belgrade municipal monitoring network The results show that the PM10 values in the Belgrade urban area were high during autumn and winter campaigns (heating season) with a number of samples exceeding the 24-h limit value of 50 mu g m(3) On the roof station, a maximum daily value of 209 mu g m(3) was measured in the autumn campaign, with 14 values out of 20 measurements exceeding the 24-h limit In winter, 14 out of 19 measurements exceeded the limit, with a maximum value of 196 mu g m(3) During the spring campaign, the number of exceedances was three out of 22 All values during the summer campaign were below 50 mu g m(3) The roof station equipped with the European Standard instrument showed systematically higher values than the street-level automatic monitor PM10 values at all sites followed the same trend The highest concentrations at all monitoring sites were observed during the autumn, Nov 20-25, 2007, and winter, Feb 19-23, 200

EXPOSURE TO PARTICULATE MATTER AND HEAVY METALS IN THE POPULATIONS OF CENTRAL ZONES OF BELGRADE

Particulate matter (PM) is hazardous to human health. This paper deals with PM concentrations inambient and indoor air on three locations (two being in the central parts of the city and another onenearindustrial zone of the settlement of Lazarevac, lying in the outskirts of Belgrade). The aim of thepaper is to assess the scope of exposure to particulate matter and heavy metals (Pb, NI, Cr, Cd and As)adhered to them. Concentrations of PM in indoor air in the central zones of the city are lower than thesemeasured in ambient air. We concluded that the air is predominant source of heavy metals andmetalloids in the environment. Since people spend more than 80% of the time indoors, the control andelimination of local sources of pollution may significantly reduce the scope of exposure to individualpollutants

VARIATIONS OF PM10 MASS CONCEN- TRATIONS AND CORRELATIONS WITH OTHER POLLUTANTS IN BELGRADE

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Comparison of sources of urban ambient particle bound PAHs between non-heating seasons 2009 and 2012 in Belgrade, Serbia

Exposure to increased cconcentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with adverse health problems and specifically with carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The major PAH sources outdoors are: stationary sources from industry (power plants, incineration, local industry) and domestic sources as the residential heating, burning and pyrolysis of coal, oil, gas, garbage, wood, or other organic substances mobile emissions (diesel and petrol engines), biomass burning and agricultural activities (e.g., open burning of brushwood, straw, stubble). The aim of this study was to assess potential differences in particle-bound PAH levels and source contribution between summer 2009 and 2012 sampling campaigns done at same location in Belgrade urban area. The sampling location is considered representative for a mix of residential, business and industrial areas of New Belgrade, an urban area that has been under rapid development. The average concentrations of PM10 are slightly higher in summer 2012 than in 2009. PM-bound PAH follow the same trend as the PM indicating an increasing strength of PAH sources relative to all PM sources. Appling Positive Matrix Factorization, three potential sources of PAHs in the atmosphere were distinguished: (1) stationary sources, (2) traffic (diesel and gasoline vehicle exhaust) and (3) local open burning sources (OBS). The analysis confirmed higher contribution of traffic and lower of OBS in summer 2012 than in 2009, reflecting higher traffic volumes and absence of or lower local OBS emissions due to burning wood, grass and domestic waste in 2012. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III41028

PAHs levels in gas and particle-bound phase in schools at different locations in Serbia

This study investigated seasonal variation of PAHs and their partition between gas and particulate-bounded phases in indoor and outdoor air in 4 schools in Serbia located at different locations. The sampling campaigns were conducted during one workweek at each school successively. Campaigns were conducted in schools during heating and non-heating seasons in December 2011 and June 2012. Seasonal variations of gas and particle-bounded PAHs concentrations were observed with higher levels during heating season. The highest total PAH values were associated with the gas phase in both sampling periods. The total PAHs concentration at indoor and at the outdoor sites, during heating season, ranged from 88.45 to 447.72 ng/m3 and 201.69 to 1017.15 ng/m3, respectively. During non-heating season, the total PAHs concentration ranged from 36.91 to 271.57 ng/m3 in indoor environment and 27.00 to 132.32 ng/m3 in outdoor environment. Most of the I/O ratios were less than 1, which indicated that the indoor PAHs were mostly from outdoor sources. The use of diagnostic ratio showed that traffic emission and coal combustion are the major sources of PAHs. Only the diagnostic ratios for the school, located near the industrial area, showed significant deviation compared to other schools. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR33036: Development of new meteorological mast for turbulence parameters characterization and br. III42008: Evaluation of Energy Performances and Indoor Environment Quality of Educational Buildings in Serbia with Impact to Health

In-depth quantitative profiling of post-translational modifications of Timothy grass pollen allergome in relation to environmental pollution and oxidative stress

An association between pollution (e.g., from traffic emissions) and the increased prevalence of respiratory allergies has been observed. Field-realistic exposure studies provide the most relevant assessment of the effects of the intensity and diversity of urban and industrial contamination on pollen structure and allergenicity. The significance of in-depth post-translational modification (PTM) studies of pollen proteomes, when compared with studies on other aspects of pollution and altered pollen allergenicity, has not yet been determined; hence, little progress has been made within this field. We undertook a comprehensive comparative analysis of multiple polluted and environmentally preserved Phleum pratense (Timothy grass) pollen samples using scanning electron microscopy, in-depth PTM profiling, determination of organic and inorganic pollutants, analysis of the release of sub-pollen particles and phenols/proteins, and analysis of proteome expression using high resolution tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, we used quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) immunoblotting. An increased phenolic content and release of sub-pollen particles was found in pollen samples from the polluted area, including a significantly higher content of mercury, cadmium, and manganese, with irregular long spines on pollen grain surface structures. Antioxidative defense-related enzymes were significantly upregulated and seven oxidative PTMs were significantly increased (methionine, histidine, lysine, and proline oxidation; tyrosine glycosylation, lysine 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal adduct, and lysine carbamylation) in pollen exposed to the chemical plant and road traffic pollution sources. Oxidative modifications affected several Timothy pollen allergens; Phl p 6, in particular, exhibited several different oxidative modifications. The expression of Phl p 6, 12, and 13 allergens were downregulated in polluted pollen, and IgE binding to pollen extract was substantially lower in the 18 patients studied, as measured by quantitative ELISA. Quantitative, unrestricted, and detailed PTM searches using an enrichment-free approach pointed to modification of Timothy pollen allergens and suggested that heavy metals are primarily responsible for oxidative stress effects observed in pollen proteins