The Use of Human Biomonitoring to Assess Occupational Exposure to PAHs in Europe: A Comprehensive Review

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the chemicals with proven impact on workers’ health. The use of human biomonitoring (HBM) to assess occupational exposure to PAHs has becomemore common in recent years, but the data generated need an overall viewtomake themmore usable by regulators and policymakers. This comprehensive review, developed under theHuman Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Initiative,was based on the literature available from2008–2022, aiming to present and discuss the information on occupational exposure to PAHs, in order to identify the strengths and limitations of exposure and effect biomarkers and the knowledge needs for regulation in the workplace. The most frequently used exposure biomarker is urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR), ametabolite of pyrene. As effect biomarkers, those based on the measurement of oxidative stress (urinary 8-oxo-dG adducts) and genotoxicity (blood DNA strand-breaks) are themost common. Overall, a need to advance newharmonized approaches both in data and sample collection and in the use of appropriate biomarkers in occupational studies to obtain reliable and comparable data on PAHexposure in different industrial sectors,was noted. Moreover, the use of effect biomarkers can assist to identify work environments or activities of high risk, thus enabling preventive riskmitigation andmanagementmeasures.European Unions' Horizon 2020 research and innovation Programme 733032 HBM4E

Comparative Analysis of Body Composition Profiles among Latin American Elite Football Players Competing in Europe

It has yet to be determined whether or not differences in body composition are present between international and non-international players playing in the same elite professional club competition. Similarly, it is not yet clear whether or not differences in body composition exist according to ethnic origin where relative homogeneity is to be expected among soccer players. There is no single anthropometric profile that guarantees sporting success, as success differs according to characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the description, comparison, and correlation of the body composition profile of Latin American professional football players playing in European leagues. The sample was composed of 238 Latin American male football players from European professional football leagues of Spain, Italy and England during the competition period. Differences were found in all measures. The present study shows that Latin American professional football players playing in Europe have significant differences in various body composition variables such as weight, height, WC, skinfold and fat values. This means that training, revalidation after injury and the classifications of sporting performance carried out in European football clubs should take into account the anthropometric difference between Latin American and European players.High Council for Sports (CSD), Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport, through the NESA NETWORK "Spanish Network of Sports Care at Altitude" 19/UPB/2

Determinación de nitratos en aguas de bebida en la provincia de Granada

Se ha realizado un estudio de los niveles de nitratos en las aguas de bebida de 107 poblaciones de la provincia de Granada agrupadas de acuerdo con la cuenca de abastecimiento. Se han seguido los métodos espectrofotométricos recomendados por la legislación española, comparándolos con un método ionométrico. Todas las muestras presentan niveles aceptables de nitratos.A study has been carried on of the nitrate levels in the drinking water of 107 villages. in Granada province. The samples are grouped according to a water supplys's basin. The methods recommended by the Spanish legislation were followed and compared with the ionometric method. All samples have a good concentration of nitrates

The E-screen assay: a comparison of different MCF7 cell stocks

This work was reported in part at the meeting "Estrogens in the Environment III: Global Health Implications," held in Washington, DC, 9-11 January 1994.MCF7 human breast cancer cells have been studied extensively as a model for hormonal effects on breast cancer cell growth and specific protein synthesis. Because the proliferative effect of natural estrogen is considered the hallmark of estrogen action, it was proposed that this property be used to determine whether a substance is an estrogen. The E-screen assay, developed for this purpose, is based on the ability of MCF7 cells to proliferate in the presence of estrogens. The aim of our study was to characterize the response of four MCF7 cell stocks (BUS, ATCC, BB, and BB104) and determine which of them performed best in the E-screen test. The four stocks assayed were distinguishable by their biological behavior. In the absence of estrogen, MCF7 BUS cells stopped proliferating and accumulated in the G(0)/G(1) phase of the cell cycle; estrogen receptors increased, progesterone receptors decreased, and small amounts of pS2 protein were secreted. Of all the MCF7 stocks tested, MCF7 BUS cells showed the highest proliferative response to estradiol-17B: cell yields increased up to sixfold over those of nontreated cells in a 144-hr period. The differences between estrogen-supplemented and nonsupplemented MCF7 BUS cells were due mostly to G(0)/G(1) proliferative arrest mediated by charcoal dextran-srripped serum. MCF7 BUS cell stocks and others showing a similar proliferative pattern should be chosen for use in the E-screen test, or,whenever a proliferative effect of estrogen is to be demonstrated.This work was supported by grant 94/1551 from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Spanish Ministry of Health

Estudio comparativo de métodos analíticos para la determinación de nitratos en aguas

Se ha realizado una puesta a punto y estudio comparativo de los métodos analíticos propuestos por la legislación española para la determinación de ión nitrato en aguas potables y el método ionométrico que utiliza electrodo selectivo de nitratos. El resultado de este estudio es favorable a la utilización del método ionométrico al ser más preciso y de mayor fiabilidad.A comparative study has been made between methods for deterrnjning the presence of N03- in drinking water, that proposed by Spanish legislation, and the ionornetric rnethod which uses a selective nitrate electrode. The result of this study ours the use of the ionometric method as being the most precise and of greater reliability

Método espectrofotométrico para la determinación de tiosoles de bajo peso molecular

Se ha establecido un método espectrofotométrico para la determinación de tioles de bajo peso molecular con nitroprusiato sódico y en presencia de una sal soluble de cinc. Se comparan los resultados obtenidos al utilizar agua y formamida como disolventes.A spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of low molecular weight thiols with sodium nitroprusside and in presence of a soluble salt of zinc. It is compared the results using water and formamide as solvents

Determination of bisphenol A and related aromatic compounds released from bis-GMA-based composites and sealants by high performance liquid chromatography

'Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health Perspectives'Most of the composites and sealants used in dentistry are based on bisphenol A diglycidylether methacrylate (Bis-GMA). Reports revealed that in situ polymerization is not complete and that free monomers can be detected by different analytic methods. Concerns about the estrogenicity of bisphenol A (BPA) and other aromatic components leached from commercial products have been expressed. We studied biphenolic components eluted from seven composites and one sealant before and after in vitro polymerization using HPLC and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and we investigated how pH modifications affect the leaching of these components. We found BPA (maximal amount 1.8 microg/mg dental material), its dimethacrylate derivative (Bis-DMA, 1.15 microg/mg), bisphenol A diglycidylether (6. 1 microg/mg), Bis-GMA (2.0 microg/mg), and ethoxylate and propoxylate of bisphenol A in media in which samples of different commercial products were maintained under controlled pH and temperature conditions. Our results confirm the leaching of estrogenic monomers into the environment by Bis-GMA-based composites and sealants in concentrations at which biologic effects have been demonstrated in in vivo experimental models. The main issue with implications for patient care and dentist responsibility is to further determine the clinical relevance of this estrogenic exposure.This research was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS, 95/1959) and Education (CICYT, AMB97-1194-CE) and the Andalusian Regional Government, Department of Health (Consejeria de Salud, JA, 231/97)

Produtos químicos como desreguladores endócrinos: substâncias danosas e como devem ser testadas

This paper presents an analysis of the opinions of different groups from: scientists, international regulatory bodies, non-governmental organizations and industry; with an interest in the problem of identifying chemical substances with endocrine disrupting activity. There is also discussion of the consequences that exposure to endocrine disruptors may have for human health, considering concrete issues related to: the estimation of risk; the tests that must be used to detect endocrine disruption; the difficulties to establish an association between dose, time of exposure, individual susceptibility, and effect; and the attempts to create a census of endocrine disruptors. Finally, it is proposed that not all hormonal mimics should be included under the single generic denomination of endocrine disruptors.This work was supported by a 96/99 Research Project from the Health Department of the Andalusian Regional Government

Nutrition Status of Female Winter Sports Athletes

The funding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; the collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data; the writing of the manuscript; or the decision to publish the results. This study was funded by the High Council for Sports (CSD), Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport, through the NESA NETWORK “Spanish Network of Sports Care at Altitude (RADA)” Ref. 19/UPB/23. Instituto de Salud Carlos III through CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038, which is cofounded by the European Regional Development Fund. The authors thank the Andalusian Federation of Winter Sports (FADI) for their support. The authors thank CETURSA Ski Resort of Sierra Nevada for their support. This paper will be part of Maria Jose Jimenez-Casquet’s doctoral thesis, completed as part of the “Nutrition and Food Sciences Program” at the University of Granada, Spain.Eating disorders, especially restrictive eating, are common among female athletes. There are two main types of winter sports: those that are practiced outdoors on snow (−25 to +5 °C and 2500 m), such as alpine skiing and snowboarding, and those that are practiced indoors on ice (5–10 °C at low altitude), such as figure skating and ice hockey. The aim of this research was to identify the nutritional status and potential risk of female athletes practicing winter sports, considering the altitude of training. The sample was composed of 58 women (aged 19.81 years (SD: 12.61)) who were competitors in some winter sports. Anthropometrics and nutritional variables were taken. Statistically significant differences were found between HA and LA groups for all the characteristics except thigh skinfold, and neither group had an energy intake (EI) that matched their total energy expenditure (TEE). Both groups met at least two-thirds of the RDI for all minerals and vitamins except iodine, fluorine, vitamin D, vitamin E, and retinol. This study suggests that female winter sports athletes have insufficient energy, vitamin, and mineral intake, which can be worsened with altitude.High Council for Sports (CSD)Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport Ref. 19/UPB/23Instituto de Salud Carlos III CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038European Regional Development FundAndalusian Federation of Winter Sports (FADI)CETURSA Ski Resort of Sierra NevadaUniversity of Granada, Spai

Determinación espectrofotométrica de aldehídos furánicos previa formación de tiosemicarbazonas. I. – Estudio del furfural

Se ha realizado un estudio espectrofotométrico en la región U.V. del furfural tiosemicarbazona. La disolución presenta un solo máximo a 316 nm y estable después de 7 días de su preparación. No presenta modificaciones en la absorbancia en un rango de pH comprendido entre 2 y 10. Cumple la Ley de Lambert-Beer para concentraciones de furfural 1.1O-5 M y 5.1O-5 M. La absortividad molar es E316= 29500 M-1 L cm-1.A U.V. spectrophotometric study of furan-2-carboxaldehyde tiosemicarbazone was performed. It has an only maximum at 316 nm and is stable for secen days. Absorbance doesn't vary in a range of pH from 2 to 10. Lambert-Beer's law is obyed for furfural concentrations between 1.1O-sM and 5.1O-5 M. Molar absortivity is E3l6=29500 M-1 L cm-1.