[LC-MS/MS as a method for the determination of isoprostanes: a brief review].

Isoprostanes are a large group of compounds formed as products of free radical oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are isomers of prostaglandin. They are present in all body tissues and biological fluids in quantifiable concentrations. Since 2018, the determination of isoprostanes by chromatographic technique with mass spectrometry is the golden standard of the oxidative stress markers determination in relation to oxidative damage to lipids.

Optimization of ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with fluorescence detector (FLD) method for the quantitative determination of selected neurotransmitters in rat brain.

Background: Glutamate (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are the main neurotransmitters in the central nervous system for excitatory and inhibitory processes, respectively. Monitoring these neurotransmitters is an essential tool in establishing pathological functions, among others in terms of occupational exposure to toxic substances.

Material And Methods: We present modification of the HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) to the UPLC (ultra-performance liquid chromatography) method for the simultaneous determination of glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid in a single injection.

The capability of fungi isolated from moldy dwellings to produce toxins.

Objectives: The main objective was analysis and assessment of toxinogenic capabilities of fungi isolated from moldy surfaces in residential rooms in an urban agglomeration situated far from flooded areas in moderate climate zone.

Material And Methods: The assessment of environmental exposure to mycotoxins was carried out in samples collected from moldy surfaces in form of scrapings and airborne dust from 22 moldy dwellings in winter season. In each sample 2 mycotoxins were analyzed: sterigmatocystin and roquefortine C produced by Aspergillus versicolor and Penicillium chrysogenum, respectively.

Exposure to widespread environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals and human sperm sex ratio.

In recent years, a trend toward a declining proportion of male births has been noted in several, but not all, industrialized countries. The underlying reason for the drop in the sex ratio is unclear, but one theory states that widespread environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals affecting the male reproductive system in a negative manner could be part of the explanation. The present study was designed to investigate whether the urinary phthalate, pyrethroids and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites concentrations were associated with sperm Y:X ratio.

Occupational exposure to selected isocyanates in Polish industry.

Background: Isocyanates constitute a group of highly reactive, low molecular weight chemicals used worldwide for polyurethane manufacturing. The occupational exposure to these compounds is a major cause of occupational asthma, thus it is very important to monitor their concentration in the workplace atmosphere. The aim of the study was to measure the concentration of 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI; CAS 101-68-8), toluene-2,4-di-isocyanate (2,4-TDI; CAS 584-84-9), toluene-2,6-di-isocyanate (2,6-TDI; CAS 91-08-7) and hexamethylene di-isocyanate (HDI; CAS 822-06-0) in the work environment for evaluation of the occupational exposure to these compounds.

Occupational exposure to diisocyanates in polyurethane foam factory workers.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate health effects of occupational exposure to diisocyanates (DIC) among polyurethane foam products factory workers.

Material And Methods: Thirty workers had a physical examination, skin prick tests with common allergens, allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to diisocyanates and pulmonary function tests. Concentrations of selected isocyanates in the workplace air samples as well as concentration of their metabolites in the urine samples collected from the workers of the plant were determined.

[Intoxication or false-positive acetaminophen result of toxicological determinations? Two case reports].

The aim of this study was to show the diagnostic procedure used in the two cases with false-positive serum acetaminophen results in suspected acetaminophen poisoning. The determination of serum acetaminophen were carried out using a UV/VIS spectrophotometer (Specord 40 Analytik Jena), coupled with an analytic computer station WinASPECT. The employed method of determination was based on the acetaminophen reaction with sodium nitrite, which yields yellow colour of solution in the presence of sodium hydrate.

Association between a biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and semen quality.

Objectives: Growing evidence supports the reproductive and developmental toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from prenatal and postnatal exposure, but the results of epidemiological studies regarding harmful effects of PAHs exposure on male reproductive system still remain limited and inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between 1-hydroxypyrene, a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and semen quality.

Materials And Methods: The study population consisted of 277 men attending an infertility clinic for diagnostic purposes and having normal semen concentration of 20-300 mln/ml or slight oligozoospermia (semen concentration: 15-20 mln/ml) (WHO 1999).

Developmental effects of exposures to environmental factors: the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study.

This paper estimates the effects of exposure to environmental factors, including lead, mercury, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), on child psychomotor development. The study population consists of mother-child pairs in the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study. Prenatal and postnatal exposure to environmental factors was determined from biomarker measurements as follows: for lead exposure--cord blood lead level, for mercury--maternal hair mercury level, for ETS--cotinine level in saliva and urine, and for PAH--1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) in urine.

Assessment of exposure to TDI and MDI during polyurethane foam production in Poland using integrated theoretical and experimental data.

The aim of this study was to develop an optimal strategy for the assessment of inhalation exposure to isocyanates such as TDI and MDI in the production of polyurethane foam by integration of theoretical and experimental data. ECETOC TRA and EASE predictive models were used to determine the estimated levels of exposure to isocyanates. The results of our study suggest that both applications EASE and ECETOC TRA can be used as a screening 1st Tier tool in this case study.

Predictors of environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons among pregnant women--prospective cohort study in Poland.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to characterize the PAH exposure level based on 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) in urine of Polish pregnant women and to assess the relationship between PAH and factors such as smoking, environmental tobacco smoke exposure, place of residence, heating and cooking method.

Materials And Methods: The study population included in this analysis consisted of 449 pregnant women who had been the subjects of the prospective Polish Mother and Child Cohort study performed in 8 regions of Poland. The women were interviewed three times during pregnancy (once in each trimester).

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and newborn biometric indicators.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on foetal growth.

Materials And Methods: The prospective Polish Mother and Child Cohort study was performed in 8 regions of Poland. The study population consisted of 449 mother-child pairs All women were interviewed three times during pregnancy (once in each trimester).

Occupational exposure to organic solvents and breast cancer in women.

Background: Although studies in rodents suggest possible associations between exposure to organic solvents and breast cancer, the evidence in humans is limited.

Methods: We evaluated job histories of 2383 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed during 2000-2003, and 2502 controls who participated in a large population-based case-control study in Poland. Industrial hygienists reviewed occupational histories and developed exposure metrics for total organic solvents and benzene.

[Occupational exposure limits for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Current legal status and proposed changes].

Background: The evaluation of occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Poland is based on the results of measurements of their concentrations in workplace air compared to appropriate occupational exposure limits. The inconsistence in current regulations is the source of many interpretation-related problems.

Objective: The objective of this work was to determine PAH concentrations in different technological processes and to analyze statistically the obtained data to indicate the presence (or absence) of differences between exposure indices calculated for 9 PAHs listed in the decree of the Minister of Labor and those (8 compounds) set by the Minister of Health.

[Exposure of smoking pregnant women to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons].

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds that are formed as a result of incomplete combustion of organic matter. The most common sources of PAHs are cigarette smoke, coal-fired utilities, steel plants, coke-oven plants, graphite electrode manufacturing plant, Söderberg aluminum electrolysis plant, vehicle exhaust, wood-burning ovens and fireplaces, and charcoal-grilled and smoked food. The aim of the study was to assess the exposure of smoking pregnant women to PAHs.

Occupation and breast cancer risk in Polish women: a population-based case-control study.

Background: The etiology of breast cancer is not well understood and the role of occupational exposures in breast carcinogenesis is still uncertain.

Methods: The population-based case-control study included 2,386 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed in 2000-2003, and 2,502 controls. Lifetime occupational histories and information on other potential breast cancer risk factors were obtained through personal interviews.

[The effect of combined exposure to chemical and physical factors on the nervous system during aluminum production: a preliminary finding].

Background: The authors present the results of medical examinations of workers employed in an aluminum electrolysis plant with occupational exposure to aluminum dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and magnetic field.

Methods And Materials: The study covered a selected group of 39 male workers (mean age, 44,9; SD = 7.5 years; range 29-55 years) involved in the aluminum production.

Assessing exposure misclassification by expert assessment in multicenter occupational studies.

Background: In a multicenter case-control study of lung cancer in central and eastern Europe and in Liverpool, exposure to occupational agents was assessed by teams of local experts. We performed an interteam agreement study to estimate the levels of exposure misclassification and the expected attenuation of the risk estimate.

Methods: Eight teams of experts and a reference rater assessed exposure to 70 putative lung carcinogens for 19 jobs.

Occupational exposure to rubber vulcanization products during repair of rubber conveyor belts in a brown coal mine.

Several hundred chemical compounds were found in workroom environments in the rubber industry, but most of the published exposure data relate to the production of tyres; information from the "non-tyre" sections are very limited, if any. This study was carried out to identify chemical substances and measure their air concentrations in the repair shop of a brown coal mine in which damaged rubber conveyor belts were repaired. GC-MS and HPLC analysis of stationary air samples resulted in identification of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons to C12, PAHs, alcohols, phenols, ketones, heterocyclic nitrogen and sulfur compounds.

[Exposure to selected aldehydes among municipal transport bus drivers].

The objective of the study was to determine occupational exposure of municipal transport bus drovers to selected aldehydes: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein. Ten drivers serving 5 bus lines were selected for the study. Air samples were collected in the driver's breathing zone and in bus cabins.