Anthropogenic hydrocarbons in sediments of the northeastern Havana seaboard

The presence of petrogenic hydrocarbons was evaluated in surface sediments from the northeastern Havana littoral (Cuba). Different geochemical biomarkers were used to differentiate between biogenic and anthropogenic hydrocarbons. Sediment samples were Soxhlet extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometer detectors. Total concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons ranged from 5.5 ± 0.3 to 225.7 ± 12.6 µg g–1. The presence of an unresolved complex mixture, and the detection of hopanes and of the isoprenoid compounds pristane and phytane revealed the occurrence of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons in the sediment samples.

Stress neuropeptide levels in adults with chest pain due to coronary artery disease: potential implications for clinical assessment

: Substance P (SP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are neuropeptides involved in nociception. The study of biochemical markers of pain in communicating critically ill coronary patients may provide insight for pain assessment and management in critical care. Purpose of the study was to to explore potential associations between plasma neuropeptide levels and reported pain intensity in coronary critical care adults, in order to test the reliability of SP measurements for objective pain assessment in critical care