Assessing the Ecological Risks of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Current State-of-the Science and a Proposed Path Forward.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a large, heterogenous group of chemicals of potential concern to human health and the environment. Based on information for a few relatively well-understood PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate, there is ample basis to suspect that at least a subset can be considered persistent, bioaccumulative, and/or toxic. However, data suitable for determining risks in either prospective or retrospective assessments are lacking for the majority of PFAS.

Toward Sustainable Environmental Quality: Priority Research Questions for North America.

Anticipating, identifying, and prioritizing strategic needs represent essential activities by research organizations. Decided benefits emerge when these pursuits engage globally important environment and health goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, horizon scanning efforts can facilitate identification of specific research needs to address grand challenges.

[Joint EFLM-COLABIOCLI recommendation for venous blood sampling].

This document provides a joint recommendation for venous blood sampling of the European federation of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine (EFLM) Working Group for preanalytical phase (WG-PRE) and Latin American working group for preanalytical phase (WG-PRE-LATAM) of the Latin America confederation of clinical biochemistry (COLABIOCLI). It offers guidance on the requirements for ensuring that blood collection is a safe and patient-centered procedure and provides practical guidance on how to successfully overcome potential barriers and obstacles to its widespread implementation. The target audience for this recommendation are healthcare staff members directly involved in blood collection.

Joint EFLM-COLABIOCLI Recommendation for venous blood sampling.

This document provides a joint recommendation for venous blood sampling of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE) and Latin American Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE-LATAM) of the Latin America Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI). It offers guidance on the requirements for ensuring that blood collection is a safe and patient-centered procedure and provides practical guidance on how to successfully overcome potential barriers and obstacles to its widespread implementation. The target audience for this recommendation are healthcare staff members directly involved in blood collection.

Considerations of Environmentally Relevant Test Conditions for Improved Evaluation of Ecological Hazards of Engineered Nanomaterials.

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are increasingly entering the environment with uncertain consequences including potential ecological effects. Various research communities view differently whether ecotoxicological testing of ENMs should be conducted using environmentally relevant concentrations-where observing outcomes is difficult-versus higher ENM doses, where responses are observable. What exposure conditions are typically used in assessing ENM hazards to populations? What conditions are used to test ecosystem-scale hazards? What is known regarding actual ENMs in the environment, via measurements or modeling simulations? How should exposure conditions, ENM transformation, dose, and body burden be used in interpreting biological and computational findings for assessing risks? These questions were addressed in the context of this critical review.

Aquatic hazard, bioaccumulation and screening risk assessment for ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)-propanoate.

The fluoropolymer manufacturing industry is moving to alternative polymerization processing aid technologies with more favorable toxicological and environmental profiles as part of a commitment to curtail the use of long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). To facilitate the environmental product stewardship assessment and premanufacture notification (PMN) process for a candidate replacement chemical, we conducted acute and chronic aquatic toxicity tests to evaluate the toxicity of ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)-propanoate (C6HF11O3.H3N) or the acid form of the substance to the cladoceran, Daphnia magna, the green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and a number of freshwater fish species including the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, In addition, testing with the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, was conducted to determine the bioconcentration potential of the acid form of the compound.

Sequencing and de novo draft assemblies of a fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) reference genome.

The present study was undertaken to provide the foundation for development of genome-scale resources for the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), an important model organism widely used in both aquatic toxicology research and regulatory testing. The authors report on the first sequencing and 2 draft assemblies for the reference genome of this species. Approximately 120× sequence coverage was achieved via Illumina sequencing of a combination of paired-end, mate-pair, and fosmid libraries.

Review of laboratory-based terrestrial bioaccumulation assessment approaches for organic chemicals: Current status and future possibilities.

In the last decade, interest has been renewed in approaches for the assessment of the bioaccumulation potential of chemicals, principally driven by the need to evaluate large numbers of chemicals as part of new chemical legislation, while reducing vertebrate test organism use called for in animal welfare legislation. This renewed interest has inspired research activities and advances in bioaccumulation science for neutral organic chemicals in aquatic environments. In January 2013, ILSI Health and Environmental Sciences Institute convened experts to identify the state of the science and existing shortcomings in terrestrial bioaccumulation assessment of neutral organic chemicals.

Aquatic hazard, bioaccumulation and screening risk assessment for 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate.

This study assessed the aquatic toxicity and bioaccumulation potential of 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTSA). Acute and chronic aquatic hazard endpoints indicate 6:2 FTSA is not classified for aquatic hazard according to GHS or European CLP legislation. The aqueous bioconcentration factors for 6:2 FTSA were <40 and the dietary assimilation efficiency, growth corrected half-life and dietary biomagnification factor (BMF) were 0.

Application of a label-free, gel-free quantitative proteomics method for ecotoxicological studies of small fish species.

Although two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-GE) remains the basis for many ecotoxicoproteomic analyses, newer non-gel-based methods are beginning to be applied to overcome throughput and coverage limitations of 2D-GE. The overall objective of our research was to apply a comprehensive, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomic approach to identify and quantify differentially expressed hepatic proteins from female fathead minnows exposed to fadrozole, a potent inhibitor of estrogen synthesis. Female fathead minnows were exposed to 0 (control), 0.

TFA from HFO-1234yf: accumulation and aquatic risk in terminal water bodies.

A next-generation mobile automobile air-conditioning (MAC) refrigerant, HFO-1234yf (CF(3) CF = CH(2)), is being developed with improved environmental characteristics. In the atmosphere, it ultimately forms trifluoroacetic acid (TFA(A); CF(3)COOH), which is subsequently scavenged by precipitation and deposited on land and water as trifluoroacetate (TFA; CF(3)COO(-)). Trifluoroacetate is environmentally stable and has the potential to accumulate in terminal water bodies, that is, aquatic systems receiving inflow but with little or no outflow and with high rates of evaporation.

Comparative acute freshwater hazard assessment and preliminary PNEC development for eight fluorinated acids.

Short-term 48, 72 and 96-h aquatic toxicity tests were conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity of eight fluorinated acids to the cladoceran, Daphnia magna, the green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss or the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas. The eight fluorinated acids studied were tridecafluorohexyl ethanoic acid (6:2 FTCA), heptadecafluorooctyl ethanoic acid (8:2 FTCA), 2H-dodecafluoro-2-octenoic acid (6:2 FTUCA), 2H-hexadecafluoro-2-decenoic acid (8:2 FTUCA), 2H,2H,3H,3H-undecafluoro octanoic acid (5:3 acid), 2H,2H,3H,3H-pentadecafluoro decanoic acid (7:3 acid), n-perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and n-perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). The results of the acute toxicity tests conducted during this study suggest that the polyfluorinated acids, 8:2 FTCA, 8:2 FTUCA, 6:2 FTCA, 6:2 FTUCA, 7:3 acid and 5:3 acid, and the perfluorinated acids PFPeA and PFDA, are generally of low to medium concern based on evaluation of their acute freshwater toxicity (EC/LC50s typically between 1 and >100 mg L(-1)) using the USEPA TSCA aquatic toxicity evaluation paradigm.

Toxicological assessment of tridecafluorohexylethyl methacrylate (6:2 FTMAC).

The toxicity of tridecafluorohexylethyl methacrylate (6:2 FTMAC), an acrylic monomer used in producing polymeric substances, was evaluated. 6:2 FTMAC has low acute oral and dermal toxicity (LD50>5000 mg/kg), was not a skin or eye irritant, and did not demonstrate skin sensitization potential in a local lymph node assay (LLNA). 6:2 FTMAC was not mutagenic in the bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test or in the mouse lymphoma assay.

Heart rate as an independent risk factor in patients with multiple organ dysfunction: a prospective, observational study.

Purpose: To study the association between baseline heart rate and outcome in patients with multiple organ dysfunction (MODS) as well as the course of heart rate over the first 4 days during MODS.

Methods: Prospective observational study in 89 patients with MODS, defined as an APACHE-II score ≥20. Baseline heart rate (HR(0)) was determined over a 60-minute period at the time of MODS diagnosis.

Comparing laboratory and field measured bioaccumulation endpoints.

An approach for comparing laboratory and field measures of bioaccumulation is presented to facilitate the interpretation of different sources of bioaccumulation data. Differences in numerical scales and units are eliminated by converting the data to dimensionless fugacity (or concentration-normalized) ratios. The approach expresses bioaccumulation metrics in terms of the equilibrium status of the chemical, with respect to a reference phase.

Reducing elevated heart rate in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome by the I (f) (funny channel current) inhibitor ivabradine : MODI (f)Y trial.

Background: Heart rate (HR) is of relevant prognostic value not only in the general population and patients with cardiovascular disease, but also in critically ill patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). An elevated HR in MODS patients is associated with a worse prognosis. Beta-blocker (BB) administration has been shown to reduce mortality in MODS.

Comparing laboratory- and field-measured biota-sediment accumulation factors.

Standardized laboratory protocols for measuring the accumulation of chemicals from sediments are used in assessing new and existing chemicals, evaluating navigational dredging materials, and establishing site-specific biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for contaminated sediment sites. The BSAFs resulting from the testing protocols provide insight into the behavior and risks associated with individual chemicals. In addition to laboratory measurement, BSAFs can also be calculated from field data, including samples from studies using in situ exposure chambers and caging studies.

Bioaccumulation data from laboratory and field studies: are they comparable?

Once they are released into the environment, a number of chemicals are known to bioaccumulate in organisms, sometimes to concentrations that may threaten the individual or their predators. However, use of physical or chemical properties or results from laboratory bioaccumulation tests to predict concentrations sometimes found in wild organisms remains a challenge. How well laboratory studies and field measurements agree or disagree, and the cause of any discrepancies, is a subject of great interest and discussion from both a scientific and a regulatory perspective.

Septic cardiomyopathy: hemodynamic quantification, occurrence, and prognostic implications.

Introduction: In sepsis, severe reduction of afterload may often mask cardiac impairment. By establishing the parameter "afterload-related cardiac performance (ACP)" we wanted to determine the extent, frequency, and prognostic relevance of septic cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Over a 12 months period, all patients of our medical intensive care ward were included into the study when they were classified as having "septic MODS" (sepsis score ≥12 as long as APACHE II score was ≥20).

Monitoring the tidal Delaware River for ambient toxicity.

This study assessed ambient waters in an urbanized area of the Delaware River, to determine whether river water samples exhibited chronic lethal or sublethal toxicity when measured in laboratory experiments. Toxicity was assessed at 16 fixed stations in the main-stem river and 29 stations in tributaries of the tidal Delaware River with salinities from 0 to 15 parts per 1000 (ppt) using Pimephales promelas, Americamysis bahia, Menidia beryllina, and Ceriodaphnia dubia in 7-d tests; Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata in a 96-h test; and Hyalella azteca in a 10-d water-only test. The toxicity tests measured organism survival, growth, and reproduction.

Predicting chemical impacts on vertebrate endocrine systems.

Animals have evolved diverse protective mechanisms for responding to toxic chemicals of both natural and anthropogenic origin. From a governmental regulatory perspective, these protective responses complicate efforts to establish acceptable levels of chemical exposure. To explore this issue, we considered vertebrate endocrine systems as potential targets for environmental contaminants.

Stability of cetuximab and panitumumab in glass vials and polyvinyl chloride bags.

Purpose: The stability of cetuximab and panitumumab in glass vials and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags stored at 4 degrees C for up to 14 days was studied.

Methods: Sixty milliliters of cetuximab was drawn directly from a commercially available vial, and 20 mL was injected into each of three sterile, empty, 100-mL PVC bags through a preattached 0.22-microm filter.

Development of a preliminary relative risk model for evaluating regional ecological conditions in the Delaware River Estuary, USA.

Effective environmental management and restoration of urbanized systems such as the Delaware River Estuary requires a holistic understanding of the relative importance of various stressor-related impacts throughout the watershed, both historical and ongoing. To that end, it is important to involve as many stakeholders as possible in the management process and to develop a system for sharing of scientific data and information, as well as effective technical tools for evaluating and disseminating the data needed to make management decisions. In this study, we describe a preliminary assessment that was undertaken to evaluate the relative risks for the variety of stressors currently operating within the Delaware Estuary using a relative risk model (RRM) framework.

[Septic circulatory shock and septic cardiomyopathy].

Septic shock is not only a circulatory shock but is also a cardiac shock, the consequence of a potentially reversible heart impairment known as septic cardiomyopathy. Disturbances of macrocirculation as well as microcirculation, an individually heterogeneous reduction of cardiac function, and an extensive impairment of demand-oriented regulation of heart function characterize the septic shock state. Bacterial toxins, inflammatory mediators, and a disseminated intravasal coagulopathy are responsible for these disturbances; for the impairment of cardiac regulation, the interaction of endotoxin with the cardiac pacemaker current I(f) also plays a role.