A simple method for direct mercury analysis in dried blood spots (DBS) samples for human biomonitoring studies.

Human exposure to mercury can have serious health effects, especially in vulnerable groups such as children and fetuses. The use of dried blood spot (DBS) samples to collect capillary blood greatly facilitates sample collection and fieldwork, being a less invasive alternative to blood collection by venipuncture, needing a small volume of sample, and does not require specialized medical staff. Moreover, DBS sampling reduces logistical and financial barriers related to transport and storage of blood samples.

Presence of diclofenac, estradiol, and ethinylestradiol in Manzanares River (Spain) and their toxicity to zebrafish embryo development.

Diclofenac (DCF), 17-β-estradiol (E2), and 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) are emerging pollutants included in the first watch list agreed by European countries and set in the EU Water Directive. The objective of the present study was the analytical monitoring of DCF, E2, and EE2 in surface water and sediment of the Manzanares River in a stretch that crosses the city of Madrid, Spain, and to assess whether such environmental levels could affect the development of aquatic vertebrates through a zebrafish embryo-larval assay. Samples taken during two campaigns in the spring of 2015 were analyzed for DCF, E2, and EE2 by LC-MS or GC-MS.

A fast method for analysing six perfluoroalkyl substances in human serum by solid-phase extraction on-line coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

We have developed and validated an on-line TurboFlow solid-phase extraction procedure coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of six perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), two sulfonates (perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorohexane sulfonate), three carboxylates (perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid and perfluorodecanoic acid), and one sulfonamide (N-methylperfluorooctane sulfonamide), in human serum samples. This method requires only 100 μL of sample and involves a short pre-treatment with acetonitrile followed by addition of a labelled internal standard for quantification and ultracentrifugation. All PFAS were detected with a run time of 8.

Pharmacological Blockade of Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors in Diet-Induced Obesity Regulates Mitochondrial Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase in Muscle.

Cannabinoid CB1 receptors peripherally modulate energy metabolism. Here, we investigated the role of CB1 receptors in the expression of glucose/pyruvate/tricarboxylic acid (TCA) metabolism in rat abdominal muscle. Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), a flavoprotein component (E3) of α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complexes with diaphorase activity in mitochondria, was specifically analyzed.