Impact of drug consumption rooms on non-fatal overdoses, abscesses and emergency department visits in people who inject drugs in France: results from the COSINUS cohort.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of drug consumption rooms (DCRs) for people who inject drugs (PWID) has been demonstrated for HIV and hepatitis C virus risk practices, and access to care for substance use disorders. However, data on other health-related complications are scarce. Using data from the French COSINUS cohort, we investigated the impact of DCR exposure on non-fatal overdoses, abscesses and emergency department (ED) visits, all in the previous 6 months. METHODS: COSINUS is a 12-month prospective cohort study of 665 PWID in France studying DCR effectiveness on health. We collected data from face-to-face interviews at enrolment, and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. After adjusting for other correlates (P-value < 0.05), the impact of DCR exposure on each outcome was assessed using a two-step Heckman mixed-effects probit model, allowing us to adjust for potential non-randomization bias due to differences between DCR-exposed and DCR-unexposed participants, while taking into account the correlation between repeated measures. RESULTS: At enrolment, 21%, 6% and 38% of the 665 participants reported overdoses, abscesses and ED visits, respectively. Multivariable models found that DCR-exposed participants were less likely to report overdoses [adjusted coefficient (95% CI): -0.47 (-0.88; -0.07), P = 0.023], abscesses [-0.74 (-1.11; -0.37), P < 0.001] and ED visits [-0.74 (-1.27; -0.20), P = 0.007]. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show the positive impact of DCR exposure on abscesses and ED visits, and confirms DCR effectiveness in reducing overdoses, when adjusting for potential non-randomization bias. Our findings strengthen the argument to expand DCR implementation to improve PWID injection environment and health.

[Drug Consumption Rooms : Opinion and willingness among people who inject drugs in Marseille, France]. / Salles de consommation à moindre risque : opinion et volonté d'utilisation des personnes injectrices de substances psychoactives à Marseille, France.

BACKGROUND: In France, people who inject drugs (PWID) are still one of the most at risk population for contracting hepatitis C virus (HCV). Drug consumption rooms (DCR) have shown their effectiveness on HCV risk behaviors abroad and in France, where they have been recently evaluated with the COSINUS study. In France, two DCRs opened in 2016, one in Paris and another in Strasbourg. The objective of this sub-analysis was to explore the willingness to use a DCR in PWID living in Marseille, where no DCR is opened. METHODS: The COSINUS study is a prospective multicenter cohort that included 665 PWID recruited in Bordeaux, Marseille, Paris and Strasbourg between 2016 and 2019. Investigators administered questionnaires face-to-face at regular intervals at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. In Marseille, 199 PWID were recruited. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to assess factors associated with willingness to use DCR among this population. RESULTS: Among 545 observations corresponding to 195 distinct participants selected for analyses, 57% declared they were willing to attend a DCR. The main reason given was "to consume more cleanly". Receiving allowances (OR = 2.38; 95% confidence interval (CI) (95% CI) = 1.17-4.81), not having health insurance (OR = 3.61; 95% CI = 1.49-8.75), injecting daily (OR = 1.97; 95% CI = 1.05-3.70) and in a public space (OR = 2.66; 95% CI = 1.29-5.47) were all positively associated with willingness to use a DCR. CONCLUSIONS: DCR are devices that target PWID exposed to high sanitary or social risks, i.e. people living in precarious conditions, who have to inject in public spaces, in deleterious sanitary environments and with rapid gestures in order not to be seen. These analyzes highlight that the people who most want to attend a DCR are aware of the harms associated with their practices and show a desire to seek protection from street-based drug scenes.

Phylogeographic review of Y chromosome haplogroups in Europe.

The Y chromosome has been widely explored for the study of human migrations. Due to its paternal inheritance, the Y chromosome polymorphisms are helpful tools for understanding the geographical distribution of populations all over the world and for inferring their origin, which is really useful in forensics. The remarkable historical context of Europe, with numerous migrations and invasions, has turned this continent into a melting pot. For this reason, it is interesting to study the Y chromosome variability and how it has contributed to improving our knowledge of the distribution and development of European male genetic pool as it is today. The analysis of Y lineages in Europe shows the predominance of four haplogroups, R1b-M269, I1-M253, I2-M438 and R1a-M420. However, other haplogroups have been identified which, although less frequent, provide significant evidence about the paternal origin of the populations. In addition, the study of the Y chromosome in Europe is a valuable tool for revealing the genetic trace of the different European colonizations, mainly in several American countries, where the European ancestry is mostly detected by the presence of the R1b-M269 haplogroup. Therefore, the objective of this review is to compile the studies of the Y chromosome haplogroups in current European populations, in order to provide an outline of these haplogroups which facilitate their use in forensic studies.

Chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors in heavily pretreated BRCA1/2 mutation ovarian cancer (BMOC) patients.

OBJECTIVES: The hallmarks of germline(g) and/or somatic(s) BRCA1/2 mutation ovarian cancer (BMOC) patients are increased sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy (PCT) and PARP inhibitors (PARPi). There is little information on the effectiveness of chemotherapy in heavily pretreated (≥3 CT lines) g/sBMOC patients. METHODS: g/sBMOC patients who received CT from 2006 to 2016 at 4 cancer centers in Spain were selected. Overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were calculated with Kaplan Meier and Cox models. RESULTS: 135 g/sBMOC patients were identified (6% sBRCA1/2 mutations). The median number of chemotherapy lines was 2 (1-7). The 6-years OS rate was 69.4% and 71% in BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers (p = 0.98). A total of 57 (42%) patients had ≥3 CT lines (3-7), which encompassed a total of 155 treatments. The median overall TTP across all treatment lines beyond 2nd line was 10.2 months (CI 95% 8.4-11.9 months). In the platinum-sensitive setting, TTP was improved with PCT plus PARPi (17.1 m), PCT (12.6 m) or PARPi (12.4 m) versus non-PCT (4.9 m; p < 0.001 all comparisons). In the platinum-resistant setting, these differences in TTP were not statistically significant. A multivariate model confirmed that primary platinum-free interval (PFI) > 12 months and exposure to PCT and PARPi associated with improved outcomes. PARPi exposure did not compromise benefit of subsequent CT beyond 2nd relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Heavily pretreated g/sBMOC demonstrated CT sensitivity, including for non-PCT choices. Primary platinum-free interval (PFI) >12 months and exposure to both platinum-based chemotherapy and PARPi associate with improved prognosis in heavily pretreated g/sBMOC patients.

Efecto del nivel de complementación con metionina-colina en vacas Holstein durante el periodo de transición sobre las concentraciones hepáticas de triglicéridos, colina y carnitina / Effect of the level of complementation with methionine-coline in Holstein cows during the transitional period on the hepatic concentrations of triglycerides, choline and carnitine

RESUMEN Con el objetivo de evaluar el potencial lipotropics de metionina-colina en vacas lecheras durante el periodo de transición, dosis de 20 g/d de una Fuente Comercial Protegida de la Degradación Ruminal (FCPDR) de metionina y sus combinaciones con una FCPDR de colina en dosis de 60 y 120 g/d se suministraron a vacas entre el día 260 de gestación y el día 20 posparto. Estas pastoreaban kikuyo (Cenchrus clamdestinus) y recibieron un complemento alimenticio. En los días 270 de gestación y 10 y 20 posparto se cuantificaron las concentraciones plasmáticas de ácidos grasos no esterificados (AGNES), β-Hidroxibutirato (BHB) y triglicéridos (TG), así como las concentraciones hepáticas de triacilglicéridos, de colina, carnitina total, carnitina libre y acil carnitina. Durante el preparto se presentaron los valores significativamente más altos (p < 0.05) de TG plasmáticos y los significativamente más bajos (p < 0.05) de AGNES y BHB. Las concentraciones hepáticas de TG, de colina y de las diferentes formas de carnitina no difirieron significativamente entre periodos de muestreo y no se vieron afectadas por la suplementación con metionina-colina. Por su parte, las concentraciones plasmáticas de BHB aumentaron significativamente (p < 0.05) con la suplementación conjunta de metionina y colina, lo que sugiere un aumento en la oxidación de ácidos grasos. Se concluye que con concentraciones bajas de AGNES la metionina y colina no son nutrientes limitantes para la exportación de TG desde el hígado a la sangre. Bajo esta condición no se observó lipidosis hepática y como consecuencia la suplementación con metionina-colina no ocasionó efectos significativos sobre las concentraciones hepáticas de TG.

ABSTRACT In order to evaluate the lipotropic potential of methionine-coline in dairy cows during the transition period, the effect of supplementation with 20 g / d of a Ruminal Degradation Protected Commercial Source (FCPDR) of methionine was evaluated, and their combinations with a choline FCPDR in doses of 60 and 120 g / day. Cows grazed kikuyo (Cenchrus clandestinus) and received a nutritional supplement between day 260 of gestation and day 20 postpartum. On day 270 of gestation and on days 10 and 20 postpartum blood samples and liver biopsy were taken, in which were quantified: Non-esterified Fatty Acids (NEFAS), β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and Triglycerides; And hepatic concentrations of triacylglycerides, choline, total carnitine, free carnitine and acyl carnitine. The highest values (p < 0.05) of plasma triglycerides and the significantly lower values (p < 0.05) of AGNES and BHB were presented during the prepartum. Hepatic concentrations of triglycerides, choline and different forms of carnitine did not differ significantly between sampling periods, and were unaffected by methionine-choline supplementation. Plasma concentrations of BHB increased significantly (p < 0.05) with co-supplementation with methionine and choline, suggesting an increase in fatty acid oxidation. At relatively low concentrations of AGNES, methionine and choline are not limiting nutrients for the exportation of triglycerides from the liver to the blood, therefore under this condition no hepatic lipidosis was observed and consequently methionine-choline supplementation did not cause significant effects on hepatic triglyceride concentrations.

Two ovine mitochondrial DNAs harboring a fifth 75/76 bp repeat motif without altered gene expression in Northern Spain.

The Basque Country is home to the Latxa sheep breed, which is divided in several varieties such as Latxa Black Face (LBKF) and Latxa Blonde Face (LBLF). Mitochondrial DNA control region analysis of 174 male sheep (97 LBKF and 77 LBLF) was performed with the objective of characterizing the maternal lineages of these two varieties that are the basis to produce the cheese with Idiazabal quality label. The percentage of unique haplotypes was 77.32% in LBKF and 67.53% in LBLF. Most of the individuals were classified into B haplogroup (98.85%), while A haplogroup was much less frequent. Two Latxa individuals (one LBKF and one LBLF), both belonging to B haplogroup, displayed an additional 75/76 bp tandem repeat motif. Only 33 other sequences with this repeat motif were found among 11 061 sheep sequences included in the GenBank database. Gene expression was analyzed in peripheral blood leukocytes since the additional 75/76 bp repeat motif falls within ETAS1, a domain with a possible function in regulation of replication and transcription. The mRNA expression from four mitochondrial genes (COI, cyt b, ND1, and ND2) was analyzed in the two individuals of this study with a fifth repeat motif and in four without it. Although lower transcription was observed when the additional 75/76 bp repeat motif was present, no statistically significant differences were observed. Therefore, the variation in the number of the 75/76 repeat motif does not seem to modify the gene expression rate in mitochondrial genes.

Impacto de un programa de prescrición prudente en residentes de centros sociosanitarios / Impact of a program of conservative prescription in nursing homes

Introducción: El paciente anciano es más susceptible a efectos negativos a la medicación consecuencia de interacciones medicamentosas, de reacciones adversas y de prescripciones potencialmente inapropiadas (PPI). Objetivo: Analizar la influencia de un sistema estandarizado de revisión de tratamientos sobre el número de PPI y de medicamentos que forman parte del la tratamiento crónico. Se analizarán los resultados clínicos. Metodo: Estudio prospectivo de tres meses de duración en el que se revisaron los tratamientos de residentes de dos centros sociosanitarios. Se realizó una primera revisión tomándose las decisiones farmacoterapéuticas correspondientes. Al mes, en una segunda revisión, se analizó si las decisiones tomadas tuvieron una repercusión negativa en el estado de salud de los residentes. Variables analizadas: número de medicamentos/residente y número de PPI/residente al principio y final del estudio, tipo de PPI y resultado clínico (sin repercusión negativa, síndrome de retirada, reaparición de síntomas). Resultados: Se revisaron 332 tratamientos, identificándose 380 PPI. Se redujo de manera significativa el número medio de PPI/residente de 1,14 a 0,52 (diferencia de medias; -0,63 IC95% [-0,49, -0,76]). El número medio de medicamentos/residente se redujo de 8,76 a 8,32 (diferencia de medias; -0,44 IC95% [0,17, -1,05]) siendo la diferencia estadísticamente no significativa. En tres residentes la retirada del medicamento resultó en reaparición de síntomas, en el resto no tuvo repercusión clínica negativa. Conclusiones: La revisión de tratamientos con una metodología estandarizada y elaborada por el equipo multidisciplinar permite la reducción de PPI en el paciente anciano. Las intervenciones realizadas no tuvieron repercusión clínica negativa en la mayor parte de los residentes

Introduction: Elderly patients are more susceptible to drugs negative effects produced by: interactions, adverse reactions and potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PPI) medication. Objective: To analyze the influence of a standardized treatments reporting system on the number of PPI and drugs that are part of the chronic treatment system. Clinical outcomes were analyzed. Method: It was carried out a prospective, three-month study in which treatments of two nursing homes were reviewed. A first review was made taking the appropriate pharmacotherapeutic decisions. A month after, in a second review, we analyzed whether the decisions had had a negative impact on residents health. Variables analyzed: number of drugs and number of PPI per resident at the beginning and at the end of the study, type of PPI and clinical outcome (no negative impact, withdrawal syndrome, and recurrence of symptoms). Results: 332 treatments were reviewed, 380 PPI were identified. The average number of PPI per resident was significantly reduced from 1.14 to 0.52 (mean difference, -0.63 95%CI [-0.49, -0.76]). The average number of drugs per resident was reduced from 8.76 to 8.32 (mean difference; -0.44 95% CI [0.17, -1.05]), this difference was not statistically significant. In three residents the withdrawal of the drug resulted in recurrence of symptoms, the rest had no negative clinical impact. Conclusions: The review of treatments based on standardized methodology agreed by the multidisciplinary team allows the reduction of PPI in the elderly patient. Interventions had no negative clinical impact in most of the residents

High prevalence of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia among Mozambican children <5 years of age admitted to hospital with clinical severe pneumonia.

We aimed to describe Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) prevalence and features in children from sub-Saharan Africa and to investigate PCP-associated risk factors. During 2006-2007 we used molecular methods to test children younger than 5 years old admitted with severe pneumonia to a hospital in southern Mozambique for Pneumocystis infection. We recruited 834 children. PCP prevalence was 6.8% and HIV prevalence was 25.7%. The in-hospital and delayed mortality were significantly higher among children with PCP (20.8% vs. 10.2%, p 0.021, and 11.5% vs. 3.6%, p 0.044, respectively). Clinical features were mostly overlapping between the two groups. Independent risk factors for PCP were age less than a year (odds ratio (OR) 6.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.86-21.65), HIV infection (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.16-7.70), grunting (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.04-6.73) and digital clubbing (OR 10.75, 95% CI 1.21-95.56). PCP is a common and life-threatening cause of severe pneumonia in Mozambican children. Mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention should be strengthened. Better diagnostic tools are needed.

Biomarcadores para el despistaje de enfermedades infecciosas: una revolución diagnóstica para los países pobres / Biomarkers for the screening of pediatric infectious diseases: a true diagnostic revolution for the developing world

El personal clínico que trabaja en países en desarrollose enfrenta cada día al diagnóstico ytratamiento de niños enfermos. Malaria, neumonía y diarreason lasenfermedades infecciosas másimportantes en los países con recursos limitados entérminos de morbilidad ymortalidadinfantil. La escasez deherramientas diagnósticaspara determinar su etiologíaen estos medios es un problema frecuente, y por lo tanto es difícil orientar el manejo clínico, incluyendola prescripción demedicamentos para estas patologías. Por otro lado, los síntomas demalaria, de algunas infecciones bacterianasy de infeccionesviralesson a menudo compartidos y difíciles de distinguir en ausencia de apoyo diagnóstico. El reconocimiento erróneode estas enfermedadespuede aumentarlamorbimortalidadpediátrica, así como los niveles de resistenciaa fármacos antimaláricosy antibióticos. Es importante, por tanto, desarrollarnuevasherramientas diagnósticas paraenfermedadesinfecciosasque se puedan utilizarincluso en las zonas más rurales de países con recursos limitados. Las pruebas de diagnóstico rápido demalaria son un buen ejemplo de estas herramientas de diagnóstico precoz, asequibles, accesibles, de resultado casi inmediato y con alto impacto en el diagnóstico de una de las enfermedades que más mortalidad causan en el mundo en desarrollo. La implementación de pruebas de diagnóstico rápido similares para otras enfermedades infecciosas, significaría sin duda un gran avance en el diagnóstico y manejo de las infecciones pediátricas, suponiendo un paso adelante en la disminución de la inaceptablemente alta mortalidad infantil que todavía afecta a estos países (AU)

Health workers in rural facilities in Africa are confronted every day with the diagnosis and treatment of sick children with infectious diseases. Malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea are among the most important infectious diseases in developing countries in terms of morbidity and mortality burden in children. However, there is a scarcity of diagnostic tools to determine the etiologic origin of these infections in health facilities in rural Africa, and therefore guide clinical management including the prescription of anti-malarials and/or antibiotics. Clinical presentations of malaria, bacterial infections and viral infections often overlap, particularly in children. Misdiagnosis of malaria, bacterial infections and viral infections may increase the morbidity and mortality among children, as well as boost resistance levels to antimalarial drugs and antibiotics. As a result, there is a need to develop new diagnostic tools for infectious diseases that can be used for diagnosis of such highly prevalent conditions in the developing world. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests are a good example of these new diagnostic tools, affordable, accessible and with a high-impact on the diagnosis of one of the diseases causing more deaths in the developing world. Widespread implementation of tools similar to the RDTs for other infectious diseases, and particularly those of bacterial origin, will surely result in improvements in the recognition and management of life-threatening childhood infections, and in a reduction of their intolerable burden (AU)

Carcinoma inflamatorio quimiorresistente / No disponible

Los casos de resistencia a poliquimioterapia en cáncer inflamatorio de mama representan un problema clínico difícil de resolver, sobre todo en pacientes jóvenes. Se presenta el caso de una paciente tratada por un cáncer de mama que presenta una recidiva local a los 4 años en forma de carcinoma inflamatorio, que resultó resistente a múltiples pautas quimioterápicas y que finalmente fue tratada mediante cirugía radical y reparación mediante colgajo de dorsal ancho(AU)

The cases of resistance to chemotherapy in inflammatory breast cancer represent a difficult clinical problem solving, especially in young patients. A case of a patient for breast cancer that has a local recurrence at 4 years in the form of inflammatory carcinoma, which were resistant to multiple chemotherapy regimens and eventually was treated by radical surgery and repair of latissimus dorsi flap(AU)

Absceso como forma de presentación del carcinoma epidermoide primario de mama en una lactante. Revisión a propósito de un caso clínico / No disponible

Existen pocos casos descritos de absceso mamario comoforma de presentación del carcinoma epidermoide primario dela mama, y, menos aún, de carcinoma epidermoide de lamama durante la gestación. Generalmente, se considera queel potencial maligno del carcinoma epidermoide de mama esmayor que el de otras variedades anatomopatológicas de tumormamario así como también se le atribuye una mayoragresividad al cáncer de mama que aparece en la pacientegestante con respecto al que aparece fuera del periodo gestacional.Presentamos el caso de una paciente lactante diagnosticadade carcinoma epidermoide y llevamos a cabo una revisión delas características de esta variedad de neoplasia así como delas opciones de tratamiento que se han propuesto durante losúltimos años en relación a la misma(AU)

Few cases of breast primary squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) presenting as breast abscess have been reported and itis also less frequent the development of SCC during gestationalperiod. Malignant potential is generally considered to behigh in cases of SCC subtypes of breast cancer. On the otherside, breast cancer during lactation tends to behave aggressivelythan breast cancer in non- gestational patients.A case of SCC of the breast in a lactating woman is reported.We have reviewed literature for presenting features of thiskind of tumor and therapy options that have been suggestedduring last years(AU)

Notas sobre el género Geastrum pers. en Chile central / Notes on the genus Geastrum Pers. in Central Chile

Se reporta el hallazgo de Geastrum campestre, G. fornicatum y G. pectinatum en la zona central de Chile. Junto a la descripción e ilustraciones de estas especies, se comentan aspectos de su ecología, taxonomía y distribución. G. campestre es nuevo para el catálogo micológico chileno.

Geastrum campestre, G. fornicatum, and G. pectinatum are reported from Central Chile. Descriptions and illustrations of these species are provided with comments on their ecology, taxonomy and distribution. G. campestre is new to Chile.

Availability and bio-accessibility of metals in the clay fraction of urban soils of Sevilla.

The availability of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn present in the finest size particles of urban soils is studied by comparing the concentrations in the clay fraction with those extracted from the whole soil by either single-extraction or sequential extraction method. Many metals are preferentially present in the finest particles as compared to coarser fractions. This is true for most metals studied, except Mn and, perhaps, Cd. Those metals present in the clay fraction are often in easily bio-accessible forms, especially Cu, Pb and Zn. The results suggest that bio-accessible forms of these three metals are distributed among the three sequential fractions, and even the fraction considered as 'residual' is also bio-accessible to a significant extent. The statistical analysis shows some distinctions among metals that are compared to the 'urban', 'natural', or intermediate behaviour of the various metals as proposed earlier in the literature.

Lúes congénita / Congenital lues

La lúes, o sífilis, es la infección producida por Treponema pallidumy transmitida por contacto sexual, o de la madre al hijo por medio de transmisión vertical; esta última, la sífilis congénita, constituye el objeto de esta revisión. Presentamos un caso de sífilis congénita y posteriormente, en una breve discusión, incidimos en los factores epidemiológicos, diagnósticos y de tratamiento(AU)

Lues, or syphilis, is the infection produced by Treponema pallidum. It is transmitted through sexual contact, or from mother to infant by means of vertical transmission. The latter results in congenital syphilis, the subject of this review. We present a case of congenital syphilis, followed by a brief discussion of the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic factors(AU)

Metals in particle-size fractions of the soils of five European cities.

Soils from Aveiro, Glasgow, Ljubljana, Sevilla and Torino have been investigated in view of their potential for translocation of potentially toxic elements (PTE) to the atmosphere. Soils were partitioned into five size fractions and Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in the fractions and the whole soil. All PTE concentrated in the <10 microm fraction. Cr and Ni concentrated also in the coarse fraction, indicating a lithogenic contribution. An accumulation factor (AF) was calculated for the <2 and <10 microm fraction. The AF values indicate that the accumulation in the finer fractions is higher where the overall contamination is lower. AF for Cr and Ni are particularly low in Glasgow and Torino. An inverse relationship was found between the AF of some metals and the percentage of <10 microm particles that could be of use in risk assessment or remediation practices.

Battarrea stevenii (Liboschitz) Fr. en Paposo II Región de Chile / (Battarrea stevenii (Liboschitz) Fr. in Paposo second Region of Chile

Se reporta el hallazgo de Battarrea stevenii (Liboschitz) Fr., un raro basidiomiceto xerofítico, en la localidad de Paposo, II Región de Chile. Junto a la descripción e ilustración del material examinado, se entregan comentarios sobre su ecología, taxonomía y distribución.

Battarrea stevenii (Liboschitz) Fr., a rare xerophytic basidiomycete is reported from Paposo, Second Region of Chile. Besides description and illustration of the examined samples, comments about its ecology, taxonomy and distribution are also discussed.

Soil pollution by PAHs in urban soils: a comparison of three European cities.

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in samples of urban soil from three European cities: Glasgow (UK), Torino (Italy) and Ljubljana (Slovenia). Fifteen PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene) were measured in urban soil samples, using harmonised sampling, sample extraction and analyte quantification methods. Although the mean concentration of each PAH in urban soils of each city showed a wide range of values, high levels of contamination were only evident in Glasgow, where the sum of concentrations of 15 PAHs was in the range 1487-51,822 microg kg(-1), cf. ranges in the other two cities were about ten-fold lower (89.5-4488 microg kg(-1)). The three predominant PAHs were phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene, with the sum of these compounds about 40% of the total PAH content. These data, together with some special molecular indices based on ratios of selected PAHs, suggest pyrogenic origins, especially motor vehicle exhausts, to be the major sources of PAHs in urban soils of the three cities. The largest concentrations for PAHs were often found in sites close to the historic quarters of the cities. Overall, the different climatic conditions, the organic carbon contents of soil, and the source apportionment were the dominant factors affecting accumulation of PAHs in soil.

Estimating the extractability of potentially toxic metals in urban soils: a comparison of several extracting solutions.

Metals released by the extraction with aqua regia, EDTA, dilute HCl and sequential extraction (SE) by the BCR protocol were studied in urban soils of Sevilla, Torino, and Glasgow. By multivariate analysis, the amounts of Cu, Pb and Zn liberated by any method were statistically associated with one another, whereas other metals were not. The mean amounts of all metals extracted by HCl and by SE were well correlated, but SE was clearly underestimated by HCl. Individual data for Cu, Pb and Zn by both methods were correlated only if each city was considered separately. Other metals gave poorer relationships. Similar conclusions were reached comparing EDTA and HCl, with much lower values for EDTA. Dilute HCl extraction cannot thus be recommended for general use as alternative to BCR SE in urban soils.