Biological Monitoring of Human Exposure to Neonicotinoids Using Urine Samples, and Neonicotinoid Excretion Kinetics.

Background: Neonicotinoids, which are novel pesticides, have entered into usage around the world because they are selectively toxic to arthropods and relatively non-toxic to vertebrates. It has been suggested that several neonicotinoids cause neurodevelopmental toxicity in mammals. The aim was to establish the relationship between oral intake and urinary excretion of neonicotinoids by humans to facilitate biological monitoring, and to estimate dietary neonicotinoid intakes by Japanese adults.

Associations between levels of hydroxylated PCBs and PCBs in serum of pregnant women and blood thyroid hormone levels and body size of neonates.

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible associations between concentrations of hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs) and PCBs in the serum of women in the first trimester of pregnancy and thyroid hormone levels and body size of newborn infants in 79 mother-neonate pairs. We measured 16 OH-PCB isomers and 29 PCB isomers in the serum of Japanese women sampled at 11.1±1.

Serum levels of hydroxylated PCBs, PCBs and thyroid hormone measures of Japanese pregnant women.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between serum concentrations of hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs) and PCBs and measures of thyroid hormone status of Japanese pregnant women.

Methods: The concentrations of free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) as well as 16 OH-PCB isomers and 29 PCB isomers were analyzed in the serum of 129 women sampled in the first trimester of gestation. Dietary and lifestyle information of the subjects was obtained by self-administered questionnaire.

Levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid in female serum samples from Japan in 2008, Korea in 1994-2008 and Vietnam in 2007-2008.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have recently received attention owing to their widespread contamination in the environment. One of major manufacturers, 3M Company voluntarily phased out PFOS production in 2002. We measured the PFOS and PFOA concentrations in serum samples from Japan (Sendai, Takayama and Osaka), Korea (Busan and Seoul) and Vietnam (Hanoi) to evaluate the possible effects of the phase-out on the serum levels.

[Host risk factors for acquirement of antimicromial resistant gene in Haemophilus influenzae].

The present study investigated the host risk factors for carriage of Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) with resistant gene (s) against antibiotics. From September 2001 to January 2004, 174 strains of H.

Analysis of UNEP priority POPs using HRGC-HRMS and their contamination profiles in livers and eggs of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from Japan.

The present investigation demonstrates establishment of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) priority Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) using high-resolution gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Particularly, POPs analytical methods were established using native and (13)C-labeled internal standards of HCHs, HCB, cyclodienes, chlordanes, DDTs, mirex, dioxin-like PCBs, PCDDs, and PCDFs by isotope dilution technique. The relative response factor for 6-point calibration curve native standards (18 replicate analysis) were in the ranges of 0.

Brominated organic contaminants in the liver and egg of the common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from Japan.

The contamination profiles of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), biphenyls (PBBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs), and dibenzofurans (PBDFs) were determined in the liver and egg of common cormorants from Japan. PBDEs and PBBs were detected in all the samples; especially the former were detected at elevated levels. PBDDs/PBDFs were also detected in cormorants, albeit the concentrations were lower than those of the PBBs.

Remediation of soil contaminated with dioxins by subcritical water extraction.

The effectiveness of subcritical water extraction (SCWE) was examined for removing dioxins from contaminated soil. Most dioxins in the soil sample were reduced at 300 degrees C or more, but decreased dioxin concentrations were also observed at 150 degrees C. After 4 h of extraction, 99.