Risk assessment and monitoring of tranquilizers in live seafood: Analysis of natural essential oil and 2-phenoxyethanol by GC-MS/MS.

An analytical method for nine tranquilizer compounds, including eight major natural oil components and 2-phenoxyethanol, was developed using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and validated under CODEX and National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation guidelines. Subsequently, 315 live seafood samples under Korean preference for sashimi (eight species) were monitored with sales distribution channels and place of origin. A total of 76 detection cases in 65 seafood samples contained the target tranquilizer compounds at concentrations ranging from 2.

Distribution and ecological risk assessment of priority water pollutants in surface river sediments with emphasis on industrially affected areas.

Priority water pollutants comprising six plasticizers, 18 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), 1,4-dioxane, epichlorohydrin, formaldehyde, acrylamide, and cyanides were determined in surface river sediments to assess their distribution patterns and ecological risks. Among these, di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), toluene, TPH, and acrylamide were frequently found in sediments. The industrial sites had higher concentrations of ∑plasticizers (median 628 ng/g dry weight (dw)), ∑VOCs (median 3.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in surface sediments from river networks, South Korea: Spatial distribution, source identification, and ecological risks.

In this study, the nationwide monitoring of 65 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 23 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in surface sediments was conducted at 77 sites in river networks in South Korea. The concentrations of ∑PCBs were relatively high in industrial sites (0.0297-138 ng/g dry weight (dw); mean 15.

Working with dreams and nightmares: A review of the research evidence.

In this article, we describe methods for working with dreams and nightmares in individual psychotherapy, provide clinical examples, and review research evidence of immediate and distal outcomes of each method. An original meta-analysis of eight studies using the cognitive-experiential dream model with 514 clients showed moderate effect sizes for session depth and insight gains. In the nightmare treatment literature, a previous meta-analysis of 13 studies with 511 clients showed moderate to large effects in reducing nightmare frequency and small to moderate effects in decreasing sleep disturbance for imagery rehearsal therapy and exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy.

Exposure and Risk Assessment of Korean Firefighters to PBDEs and PAHs via Fire Vehicle Dust and Personal Protective Equipment.

In this study, the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were characterized in firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE) (i.e., jackets, pants, hoods, and gloves) and vehicle dust wipe samples to assess the exposure and potential risk of firefighters to these combustion-related toxic pollutants.

Evaluation of population estimation methods for wastewater-based epidemiology in a metropolitan city.

This study evaluated the effect of population estimation on the calculation of drug biomarker consumption using wastewater-based epidemiology. Population estimates using mobile phone data, census data, and wastewater quality parameters, such as biological oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP), were evaluated in six different wastewater treatment plant catchment areas of Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea. The population based on mobile phone data was affected by the patterns of non-resident population movements in each area.

Evaluation of sample preparation methods for suspect and non-target screening in water, sediment, and biota samples using gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry.

In this study, the sample preparation methods were proposed for the suspect and non-target screening (SNTS) using gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry in the aquatic environment. The pretreatment methods were evaluated based on detection rates, recoveries, and screening detection limits (SDLs) for 316 substances spiked into surface water, sediment, and biota samples. The detection rates of the spiked compounds were 92.

Meaning in life measure: a five-Item short form and its measurement invariance across gender, age, and cultural contexts.

Objective: The aims of this study were to develop a revised version of the Meaning In Life Measure (MILM; Hill et al., 2019) and investigate its multilevel measurement invariance at the between-person and within-person levels and multi-group measurement invariance across gender, age, and cultural groups.

Methods: We analyzed an international dataset including data from 1600 sessions with 384 clients in five continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America) using multilevel item response theory and multilevel factor analysis.

The process and outcome of spiritually integrated psychotherapies: A cross-cultural study in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

We investigated the process and outcome of spiritually integrated psychotherapies (SIPs) with 34 Catholic therapists and 359 clients in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America using a practice-based evidence design. The three most frequently used spiritual interventions across all therapists were: "encouraging personal prayer," "affirming trusting God," and "encouraging listening to the heart," but "discussing hope" was also one of the top three in Asia and Africa, "self-control" in Asia, "spiritual confrontation" and "self-disclosure" in Latin America, and "listening to spiritual issues" in Europe. In addition, using growth curve analyses, we found a significant decrease in both spiritual and nonspiritual distress over the course of SIPs; the levels of spiritual and nonspiritual concerns were highly correlated (but distinct) at any given time point.

Assessment of Exposure of Korean Firefighters to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons via Their Measurement in Serum and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites in Urine.

This study investigated the occupational exposure of Korean firefighters to a suite of combustion-related pollutants. Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed by measurement of their levels in serum and metabolites in urine (i.e.

Organophosphate Flame Retardants and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Drinking Water Treatment Plants from Korea: Occurrence and Human Exposure.

In this study, the concentrations of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFR) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were investigated in raw water and treated water samples obtained from 18 drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). The ∑OPFR concentrations in the treated water samples (29.5-122 ng/L; median 47.

Occurrence and distribution of carbamazepine, nicotine, estrogenic compounds, and their transformation products in wastewater from various treatment plants and the aquatic environment.

The concentrations and fates of carbamazepine and metabolites (CBMs), nicotine and metabolites (NCTs), estrogenic compounds and metabolites (Es) in various water samples were investigated. Different concentrations were found for water from different sources. The concentrations of these pharmaceuticals and personal care products and their metabolites in human waste treatment plant (HTP) influents (0.

Optimization of disinfection by-product analysis methods for IMO G9 approval.

This study assessed the methods for analyzing disinfection by-products (DBPs) to determine which were most suitable for ballast water in an approval test according to the Procedure for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems that make use of Active Substances (G9). The existing analysis methods are optimized for drinking water. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the characteristics of ballast water, which has high levels of total residual oxidants (TROs) and salinity, prior to applying the existing methods.

How Religious Beliefs and Practices Influence the Psychological Health of Catholic Priests.

Roman Catholic diocesan priests are a subgroup of men with unique religious and spiritual roles, beliefs, and practices. This qualitative study of 15 priests from the mid-Atlantic area of the United States focused on how priests' relationship with God and promises of celibacy and obedience influenced their psychological health. Using a consensual qualitative research (CQR) design, the analysis revealed that participants described their relationship with God as central to their health and contributing to positive outcomes (e.

Well-being in first year medical students.

Objective: This study explored the well-being, attitudes toward counseling, willingness to seek counseling, and coping strategies of first year medical students. Gender differences in attitudes toward and willingness to seek counseling were also explored.

Methods: One hundred five first year medical students (98 % response rate) were administered a 59-item questionnaire about well-being, attitudes toward counseling, willingness to seek counseling, and coping strategies during the first week of medical school.

Evaluation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products with emphasis on anthelmintics in human sanitary waste, sewage, hospital wastewater, livestock wastewater and receiving water.

We investigated 33 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) with emphasis on anthelmintics and their metabolites in human sanitary waste treatment plants (HTPs), sewage treatment plants (STPs), hospital wastewater treatment plants (HWTPs), livestock wastewater treatment plants (LWTPs), river water and seawater. PPCPs showed the characteristic specific occurrence patterns according to wastewater sources. The LWTPs and HTPs showed higher levels (maximum 3000 times in influents) of anthelmintics than other wastewater treatment plants, indicating that livestock wastewater and human sanitary waste are one of principal sources of anthelmintics.

Assessment of fates of estrogens in wastewater and sludge from various types of wastewater treatment plants.

We measured five estrogens in the wastewater samples from the municipal wastewater treatment plants (M-WWTPs), livestock wastewater treatment plants (L-WWTPs), hospital WWTPs (H-WWTPs) and pharmaceutical manufacture WWTPs (P-WWTPs) in Korea. The L-WWTPs showed the highest total concentration (0.195-10.

Characteristic occurrence patterns of micropollutants and their removal efficiencies in industrial wastewater treatment plants.

The concentrations and removal efficiencies of various kinds of micropollutants were investigated and the relationships between the input sources of industrial wastewater and occurrence patterns of each micropollutant were identified at nine on-site industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The distribution pattern of each compound varied according to the WWTP type and several micropollutants were significantly related with specific industries: chlorinated phenols (ClPhs) with paper and metal industries, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with petrogenic- and pyrogenic-related industries, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) with the paper industry, and chlorinated benzenes (ClBzs) with dye-related industries. The activated sludge (AS) process was very efficient in the removal of ClPhs and PAHs, and the filtration process in the removal of PCDD/Fs and 1,4-dioxane.

Occurrence and distribution of pharmaceuticals in wastewater from households, livestock farms, hospitals and pharmaceutical manufactures.

Twenty-four pharmaceuticals were measured in wastewater from 12 municipal wastewater treatment plants (M-WWTPs), four livestock WWTPs (L-WWTPs), four hospital WWTPs (H-WWTPs) and four pharmaceutical manufacture WWTPs (P-WWTPs). The total concentration of pharmaceuticals in the influent samples was highest in the L-WWTPs followed by the P-WWTPs, H-WWTPs and M-WWTPs. The effluents had different patterns of pharmaceuticals than their corresponding influents because of the different fate of each compound in the WWTPs.

Evaluation of the fate of perfluoroalkyl compounds in wastewater treatment plants.

Recent studies have shown that the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is a significant source of perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in natural water. In this study, 10 PFCs were analyzed in influent and effluent wastewater and sludge samples in 15 municipal, 4 livestock and 3 industrial WWTPs in Korea. The observed distribution pattern of PFCs differed between the wastewater and sludge samples.

Occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants and rivers in Korea.

We measured 25 pharmaceuticals in ten municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), one hospital WWTP and five rivers in Korea. In the municipal WWTP influents, acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine showed relatively high concentrations. The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the wastewater seems to be influenced by production and consumption of pharmaceuticals.

Distribution and formation of chlorophenols and bromophenols in marine and riverine environments.

To understand the distribution and formation of chlorophenols (CPs) and bromophenols (BPs), we analyzed water and sediment samples collected from the riverine areas and the marine environments near a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Korea. In the seawater, only BPs (2,4-dibromophenol and 2,4,6-tribromophenol) were detected, while CPs and BPs (4-chlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and 2,4,6-tribromophenol) were detected in the riverine water. 2,4-DBP (0.

Analysis and evaluation of chlorinated persistent organic compounds and PAHs in sludge in Korea.

The concentrations of 12 POPs listed in the Stockholm convention, chlorophenols (CPs) and PAHs were investigated in sludge samples from wastewater and sewage treatment plants (WWTPs and STPs). The concentrations of PCDD/Fs in the wastewater sludge ranged from 0.189 to 1092 ng-TEQkg(-1) dry wt.