Twenty-first century droughts have not increasingly exacerbated fire season severity in the Brazilian Amazon.

Biomass burning in the Brazilian Amazon is modulated by climate factors, such as droughts, and by human factors, such as deforestation, and land management activities. The increase in forest fires during drought years has led to the hypothesis that fire activity decoupled from deforestation during the twenty-first century. However, assessment of the hypothesis relied on an incorrect active fire dataset, which led to an underestimation of the decreasing trend in fire activity and to an inflated rank for year 2015 in terms of active fire counts. The recent correction of that database warrants a reassessment of the relationships between deforestation and fire. Contrasting with earlier findings, we show that the exacerbating effect of drought on fire season severity did not increase from 2003 to 2015 and that the record-breaking dry conditions of 2015 had the least impact on fire season of all twenty-first century severe droughts. Overall, our results for the same period used in the study that originated the fire-deforestation decoupling hypothesis (2003-2015) show that decoupling was clearly weaker than initially proposed. Extension of the study period up to 2019, and novel analysis of trends in fire types and fire intensity strengthened this conclusion. Therefore, the role of deforestation as a driver of fire activity in the region should not be underestimated and must be taken into account when implementing measures to protect the Amazon forest.

Parity and the risk of incident dementia: a COSMIC study.

AIMS: To investigate the association between parity and the risk of incident dementia in women. METHODS: We pooled baseline and follow-up data for community-dwelling women aged 60 or older from six population-based, prospective cohort studies from four European and two Asian countries. We investigated the association between parity and incident dementia using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for age, educational level, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cohort, with additional analysis by dementia subtype (Alzheimer dementia (AD) and non-Alzheimer dementia (NAD)). RESULTS: Of 9756 women dementia-free at baseline, 7010 completed one or more follow-up assessments. The mean follow-up duration was 5.4 ± 3.1 years and dementia developed in 550 participants. The number of parities was associated with the risk of incident dementia (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-1.13). Grand multiparity (five or more parities) increased the risk of dementia by 30% compared to 1-4 parities (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.02-1.67). The risk of NAD increased by 12% for every parity (HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.02-1.23) and by 60% for grand multiparity (HR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.00-2.55), but the risk of AD was not significantly associated with parity. CONCLUSIONS: Grand multiparity is a significant risk factor for dementia in women. This may have particularly important implications for women in low and middle-income countries where the fertility rate and prevalence of grand multiparity are high.

Influence of social cognition as a mediator between cognitive reserve and psychosocial functioning in patients with first episode psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Social cognition has been associated with functional outcome in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP). Social cognition has also been associated with neurocognition and cognitive reserve. Although cognitive reserve, neurocognitive functioning, social cognition, and functional outcome are related, the direction of their associations is not clear. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to analyze the influence of social cognition as a mediator between cognitive reserve and cognitive domains on functioning in FEP both at baseline and at 2 years. METHODS: The sample of the study was composed of 282 FEP patients followed up for 2 years. To analyze whether social cognition mediates the influence of cognitive reserve and cognitive domains on functioning, a path analysis was performed. The statistical significance of any mediation effects was evaluated by bootstrap analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, as neither cognitive reserve nor the cognitive domains studied were related to functioning, the conditions for mediation were not satisfied. Nevertheless, at 2 years of follow-up, social cognition acted as a mediator between cognitive reserve and functioning. Likewise, social cognition was a mediator between verbal memory and functional outcome. The results of the bootstrap analysis confirmed these significant mediations (95% bootstrapped CI (-10.215 to -0.337) and (-4.731 to -0.605) respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive reserve and neurocognition are related to functioning, and social cognition mediates in this relationship.

Clinically relevant anxiety and risk of Alzheimer's disease in an elderly community sample: 4.5 years of follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether clinically relevant anxiety increased the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) while controlling for the presence of depression and other confounders; and to report the population attributable fraction (PAF) associated with anxiety disorder. METHOD: We used data from the longitudinal, community-based Zaragoza Dementia and Depression (ZARADEMP) study. A random sample of 4057 dementia-free community dwellers aged ≥55 years were followed for 4.5 years. The Geriatric Mental State-Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy package was used for the diagnosis of clinically significant cases and subcases of anxiety; and AD was diagnosed by a panel of research psychiatrists according to DSM-IV criteria. Multivariate survival analysis with competing risk regression model was performed. RESULTS: We observed a significant association between anxiety cases at baseline and AD risk in the univariate analysis that persisted in the fully adjusted model (SHR: 3.90; 95% CI: 1.59-9.60; p = 0.003), with a PAF for AD of 6.11% (95% CI: 1.30%-16.17%). No significant association between 'subcases' of anxiety at baseline and AD risk was found. LIMITATIONS: Data on apolipoprotein E were not available. The hospital-based diagnosis was not completed in all cases of dementia. CONCLUSION: Late-life, clinically significant anxiety (but not subclinical anxiety) seems to increase the risk of AD, independently of the effect of several confounders, including depression. Taking into account the high prevalence of anxiety among the elderly, future studies are warranted to determine potential risk reduction of AD.

Prevalence of anxiety disorder among older adults in Spain: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are recognized as one of the most prevalent mental disorders in late-life. However, the prevalence of anxiety disorders in older Spanish people has not yet been determined. The aim was to review epidemiological studies systematically to calculate the overall prevalence of anxiety in Spanish older adults by using meta-analytic techniques. METHODS: We searched relevant published studies in electronic databases up to January 2018 providing data on the prevalence of anxiety among people aged 65+  years in Spain. Overall anxiety prevalence estimates were calculated using random-effects models. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by means of univariate meta-regressions. RESULTS: A total of 9 studies were included in the meta-analysis (N = 12,577). Pooled overall prevalence of anxiety was 11% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6%-18%) representing 1958,471 people aged 65+  (95%CI: 1068,257-3204,771). Point, 12-month and lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders were 12%, 6% and 19%, respectively. LIMITATIONS: We detected a small publication bias effect for life-time prevalence of anxiety. The use of different diagnostic methods across the studies would have required separate analyzes. CONCLUSION: Some heterogeneity was found across studies, probably due to different methodological issues. Overall, the pooled prevalence of anxiety disorders in Spanish older adults was lower than that observed in other countries. Due to the negative consequences of anxiety disorders in older adults, detection and treatment should be a priority in this population.

Clinically significant anxiety as a risk factor for dementia in the elderly community.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether clinically significant anxiety is an independent risk factor for dementia, taking into account both depression among potentially confounding factors and the competing risk of death. METHOD: During the Zaragoza Dementia and Depression (ZARADEMP) study, a random sample of community dwellers aged 55 years or older was assessed (n = 4803), and a two-wave, 4.5-year follow-up was completed. Geriatric Mental State (GMS)-AGECAT criteria were used to diagnose anxiety and DSM-IV criteria were applied to diagnose incident dementia. The multivariate Fine and Gray regression model was implemented to calculate dementia risk. RESULTS: Compared with non-cases (GMS-AGECAT criteria), the incidence rate of dementia was significantly higher in subcases of anxiety, and particularly significant in the cases of anxiety (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 2.77; P = 0.010). Cases of anxiety, but not subcases, at baseline were significantly associated with dementia risk (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR): 2.7; P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Clinically significant anxiety is associated with an almost threefold increase in the risk of dementia in the population, even when controlling for depression and considering mortality in the competing risks model.

Misdiagnosis of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa in a choroideremia patient with heavily pigmented fundi.

Inherited retinal diseases are thought to be the leading cause of sight loss in the working age population. Mutations found in the RPGR and CHM genes cause retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and choroideremia, respectively. In the first instance, an X-linked family history of visual field loss commonly raises the suspicion of one of these two genes. In choroideremia, the classic description of a white fundal reflex secondary to the widespread chorioretinal degeneration was made over a hundred years ago in Caucasians. But, it is not so obvious in heavily pigmented fundi. Hence, the clinical diagnosis of CHM in non-Caucasian patients may be challenging in the first stages of the disease. Here we report a case of a Southeast Asian gentleman who has a family history of X-linked retinal degeneration and was found to have a confirmed in-frame deletion of 12 DNA nucleotides in exon 15 of the RPGR gene. Later in life, however, his fundal appearance showed unusual areas of circular pigment hypertrophy and clumping. He was therefore tested for carrying a disease-causing mutation in the CHM gene and a null mutation was found. Since gene therapy trials are ongoing for both of these conditions, it has now become critically important to establish the correct genetic diagnosis in order to recruit suitable candidates. Moreover, this case demonstrates the necessity to remain vigilant in the interpretation of genetic results which are inconsistent with clinical features.

An approach to an acute emotional stress reference scale. / Aproximacion a una escala de referencia de estres emocional agudo.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical diagnosis aims to identify the degree of affectation of the psycho-physical state of the patient as a guide to therapeutic intervention. In stress, the lack of a measurement tool based on a reference makes it difficult to quantitatively assess this degree of affectation. AIM: To define and perform a primary assessment of a standard reference in order to measure acute emotional stress from the markers identified as indicators of the degree. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Psychometric tests and biochemical variables are, in general, the most accepted stress measurements by the scientific community. Each one of them probably responds to different and complementary processes related to the reaction to a stress stimulus. The reference that is proposed is a weighted mean of these indicators by assigning them relative weights in accordance with a principal components analysis. RESULTS: An experimental study was conducted on 40 healthy young people subjected to the psychosocial stress stimulus of the Trier Social Stress Test in order to perform a primary assessment and consistency check of the proposed reference. The proposed scale clearly differentiates between the induced relax and stress states. CONCLUSIONS: Accepting the subjectivity of the definition and the lack of a subsequent validation with new experimental data, the proposed standard differentiates between a relax state and an emotional stress state triggered by a moderate stress stimulus, as it is the Trier Social Stress Test. The scale is robust. Although the variations in the percentage composition slightly affect the score, but they do not affect the valid differentiation between states.

TITLE: Aproximacion a una escala de referencia de estres emocional agudo.Introduccion. El diagnostico clinico persigue identificar el grado de afectacion del estado psicofisico del paciente como orientacion hacia la intervencion terapeutica. En el estres, la falta de un instrumento de medicion por comparacion con una referencia dificulta la valoracion cuantitativa del nivel de afectacion. Objetivo. Definir y hacer una primera validacion de un patron de referencia para la medida del estres emocional agudo a partir de marcadores identificados como indicadores del nivel. Sujetos y metodos. En general, las medidas mas solidas y aceptadas de estres por la comunidad cientifica son los test psicometricos y las variables bioquimicas. Cada uno de ellos responde probablemente a procesos distintos y complementarios de la reaccion frente a un estimulo estresante. La referencia que se propone es una media ponderada de estos indicadores, asignandoles pesos relativos de acuerdo con un analisis de componentes principales. Resultados. Para una primera aproximacion y verificacion de coherencia de la referencia propuesta, se ha utilizado un estudio experimental con una muestra de 40 jovenes sanos sometidos al estimulo estresante psicosocial del Trier Social Stress Test. La escala propuesta diferencia netamente entre los dos estados con distintos niveles de estres inducido. Conclusiones. Aceptando la subjetividad de la definicion, y a falta de una validacion posterior con nuevos datos experimentales, el patron propuesto diferencia entre un estado de relax y uno de estres emocional generados con un estimulo estresante moderado, como es el Trier Social Stress Test. La escala es robusta, ya que variaciones en la composicion porcentual repercuten ligeramente en la puntuacion, pero no en la diferenciacion valida entre estados.

Disability in a memory clinic: Frequency and associations with low cognitive performance

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To document the frequency of disability in a Psychiatry Memory Clinic (MC); to test the conjecture that there is an association between low cognitive performance and disability, even when controlling by dementia and clinically significant depression. METHODS: A sample of 158 individuals referred to a Psychiatry MC were assessed with a full clinical protocol. Instruments used: Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE); Semantic verbal fluency; the Clock Drawing test; Katz Index; Lawton and Brody Scale. DSM-IV criteria were used for diagnosing depression and dementia. The statistical analysis included logistic regression models. RESULTS: The frequency of disability was 71.6%. MMSE score was significantly associated with moderate-severe disability on instrumental activities of daily living (ADL's) (OR 0.83; 95%CI 0.72-0.96) and with social ADL's (OR 0.87; 95%CI 0.79-0.95)). Orientation, attention and language MMSE subscores were the cognitive domains most significantly associated with disability. CONCLUSIONS: Disability in patients referred to a Psychiatry MC with a heterogeneous clinical population is associated with low cognitive performance. The probability of having moderate-severe disability is related to the degree of impairment on MMSE global scores

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Different subpopulations of mild cognitive impairment are identified by using Petersen's or DSM-5 criteria

OBJECTIVES: In view of differences in the prevalence and conversion rate to dementia of Petersen's (P-MCI) and DSM-5's (DSM-5-MCI) categories of mild cognitive impairment, this paper is intended to examine the diagnostic agreement between the categories and to analyze clinical factors related to the potential discrepancies. METHOD: A representative population cohort of 4580 dementia-free individuals 55+ years of age was examined in Zaragoza, Spain (ZARADEMP). Validated Spanish versions of instruments, including the Geriatric Mental State-AGECAT, were used for assessment. Research psychiatrists diagnosed DSM-5-MCI and P-MCI following operationalized criteria. Between-category differences were analyzed, and the statistical methods included the calculation of Cohen's Kappa coefficients of agreement, and the McNemar's test to compare the performance of the intermediate cognitive definitions. RESULTS: Diagnostic concordance in the classification of MCI cases was very limited. In the total sample, 2.7% of individuals did not meet the P-MCI criteria but met the DSM-5-MCI criteria; and 6.4% met the P-MCI criteria, but not the DSM-5-MCI criteria. Overlap of both categories was observed in only 0.6%. The overall Kappa (agreement between both MCI categories) was 0.08 (95% CI: 0.04-0.12; p < 0.001). While no between-category significant differences was observed in cognitive scores, relevant differences in the populations identified had to do with demographic, non-cognitive psychopathological factors, activities of daily living and general health factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows 'poor' diagnostic agreement between the P-MCI and the DSM-5-MCI categories. The non-cognitive factors should receive special attention when trying to improve the validity of the MCI construct

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Development of a thiourea derivative polymer combined to a Direct Mercury Analyser for screening and pre-concentration of mercury species.

A new selective polymer has been developed (Patent: P201500704) with high mercury sorption capacity. The combination of this material with a Direct Mercury Analyser (DMA80) has overcome important limitations of this equipment for mercury determination of complex matrix samples, like high saline content, due to the ability of this material to selective and efficient mercury retention. Furthermore, application for fast screening of mercury species in food samples, like fish, is also presented. The polymer material has been synthesized by the precipitation technique, using Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator, 2-(Methacryloylamino) ethyl 2-Methyl Acrylate (NOBE) as cross-linker, and 1-phenyl-3-(-3-vinyl phenyl) thiourea as monomer. It has been characterized by SEM, TGA, FTIR, and binding isotherms have been established through Langmuir and Freundlich models. Selectivity has been proven by carrying out cross-reactivity experiments.

Alpha band disruption in the AD-continuum starts in the Subjective Cognitive Decline stage: a MEG study.

The consideration of Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) as a preclinical stage of AD remains still a matter of debate. Alpha band alterations represent one of the most significant changes in the electrophysiological profile of AD. In particular, AD patients exhibit reduced alpha relative power and frequency. We used alpha band activity measured with MEG to study whether SCD and MCI elders present these electrophysiological changes characteristic of AD, and to determine the evolution of the observed alterations across AD spectrum. The total sample consisted of 131 participants: 39 elders without SCD, 41 elders with SCD and 51 MCI patients. All of them underwent MEG and MRI scans and neuropsychological assessment. SCD and MCI patients exhibited a similar reduction in alpha band activity compared with the no SCD group. However, only MCI patients showed a slowing in their alpha peak frequency compared with both SCD and no SCD. These changes in alpha band were related to worse cognition. Our results suggest that AD-related alterations may start in the SCD stage, with a reduction in alpha relative power. It is later, in the MCI stage, where the slowing of the spectral profile takes place, giving rise to objective deficits in cognitive functioning.

Silver speciation and characterization of nanoparticles released from plastic food containers by single particle ICPMS.

Silver migration from a commercial baby feeding bottle and a food box containing AgNPs, as confirmed by SEM-EDX analysis, was evaluated using food simulant solutions [i.e., water, 3% (v/v) acetic acid, and 10% and 90% (v/v) ethanol]. Silver release was investigated at temperatures in the 20-70°C range using contact times of up to 10 days. Migration of silver from the food box was in all cases 2 to 3 orders of magnitude higher than that observed for the baby bottle, although the total silver content in the original box material was half of that found in the baby bottle. As expected, for both food containers, silver migration depended on both the nature of the tested solution and the applied conditions. The highest release was observed for 3% acetic acid at 70°C for 2h, corresponding to 62ngdm(2) and 1887ngdm(-2) of silver for the baby bottle and the food box, respectively. Single particle-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICPMS) was used to characterise and quantify AgNPs in the food simulants extracts. Sample preparation was optimized to preserve AgNPs integrity. The experimental parameters affecting AgNPs detection, sizing and quantification by SP-ICPMS were also optimised. Analyses of water and acidic extracts revealed the presence of both dissolved silver and AgNPs. Small AgNPs (in the 18-30nm range) and particle number concentrations within the 4-1510 10(6)L(-1) range were detected, corresponding to only 0.1-8.6% of the total silver released from these materials. The only exception was AgNPs migrated into water at 40°C and 70°C from the food box, which accounted for as much as 34% and 69% of the total silver content, respectively.

Bioconcentration of ionic cadmium and cadmium selenide quantum dots in zebrafish larvae.

The concern related to the use of nanomaterials is growing nowadays, especially the risk associated with their emission or exposure. One type of nanomaterials that has attracted much attention is quantum dots (QDs). QDs incorporation in consumer goods increases the probability of their entering in the environment and then into living organisms and human. In order to evaluate their potential to be bioconcentrated, zebrafish larvae have been exposed to SeCd/ZnS QDs, after performing an exhaustive characterization of these nanoparticles under the assay conditions. These data were compared with those obtained when zebrafish larvae were exposed to ionic cadmium. Finally, distribution of ionic Cd and QDs in exposed zebrafish larvae have been evaluated by Laser Ablation ICP-MS.

Staging cognitive impairment and incidence of dementia.

AIMS: In a background of interest in staging models in psychiatry, we tested the validity of a simple staging model of cognitive impairment to predict incident dementia. METHOD: A large community sample of adults aged ≥55 years (N = 4803) was assessed in the baseline of a longitudinal, four-wave epidemiological enquiry. A two-phase assessment was implemented in each wave, and the instruments used included the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE); the History and Aetiology Schedule and the Geriatric Mental State-AGECAT. For the standardised degree of cognitive impairment Perneczky et al's MMSE criteria were applied. A panel of psychiatrists diagnosed cases of dementia according to DSM-IV criteria, and cases and sub-cases of dementia were excluded for the follow-up waves. Competing risk regression models, adjusted by potential confounders, were used to test the hypothesised association between MMSE levels and dementia risk. RESULTS: Out of the 4057 participants followed up, 607 (14.9%) were classified as 'normal' (no cognitive impairment), 2672 (65.8%) as 'questionable' cognitive impairment, 732 (18.0%) had 'mild' cognitive impairment, 38 (0.9%) had 'moderate' cognitive impairment and eight (0.2%) had 'severe' impairment. Cognitive impairment was associated with risk of dementia, the risk increasing in parallel with the level of impairment (hazard ratio: 2.72, 4.78 and 8.38 in the 'questionable', 'mild' and 'moderate' level of cognitive impairment, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The documented gradient of increased risk of dementia associated with the severity level of cognitive impairment supports the validity of the simple staging model based on the MMSE assessment.

Conversion to dementia in mild cognitive impairment diagnosed with DSM-5 criteria and with Petersen's criteria.

OBJECTIVE: In a background of revision of criteria for states of increased risk for progression to dementia, we compare the conversion rate to dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as diagnosed using DSM-5 (DSM-5-MCI) and Petersen's (P-MCI) criteria. METHOD: A population representative cohort of 4057 dementia-free individuals 55+ years of age was followed up at 2.5 and 4.5 years in Zaragoza, Spain (ZARADEMP). Using the Geriatric Mental State- AGECAT for assessment, research psychiatrists diagnosed DSM-5-MCI and P-MCI following operationalized criteria. 'Conversion rate' (CR), 'annual conversion rate' (ACR), and incidence rate (IR) were calculated along with incidence rate ratio (IRR) to compare the performance of the intermediate cognitive definitions. RESULTS: At 4.5-year follow-up, in individuals aged 65+ years, ACRs for non-cases, P-MCI, and DSM-5-MCI were 0.8, 1.9 and 3.4, respectively, for global dementia. The IRRs were 2.9 and 5.3 for P-MCI and DSM5-MCI, respectively, being the non-cases the reference category. The corresponding values were slightly lower for AD. CONCLUSION: Conversion rate to dementia and AD was higher using DSM-5-MCI criteria than using Petersen's criteria. However, prediction of the construct still has some way to go, as most MCI individuals did not convert at 4.5-year follow-up.

A new specific polymeric material for mercury speciation: Application to environmental and food samples.

A new polymeric material (Patent: P201400535) highly specific for mercury is presented. Its great capability to pre-concentrate and selectively elute inorganic mercury and methylmercury are the main figures of merit. The polymer can be reused several times. To our knowledge, this is the only polymer proposed in the literature for direct inorganic mercury and methylmercury speciation without need of chromatography or quantification by difference. The polymer formation is based on the reaction of a vinyl derivative of 8-hydroxiquinoline as monomer, and 2-(Methacryloylamino) ethyl 2-Methyl Acrylate (NOBE) as co-monomer. Random radical polymerization by the precipitation method was carried out using Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. The polymer was characterized by SEM and FTIR. Adsorption binding isotherms were evaluated using Langmuir and Freundlich models, showing high adsorption capacity for both inorganic and organic mercury species. The polymer was employed to sequentially determine inorganic mercury and methylmercury, using a solid phase extraction (SPE) scheme. Cross reactivity of several ions, as well as matrix effects from a high saline matrix like seawater was irrelevant as the retained fractions mostly eluted during the washing step. The procedure was first validated by analyzing a certified reference material (BCR 464) and finally applied to commercial fish samples. The speciation proposed procedure is cheap, fast, and easy to use and minimizes reagents waste.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) eleutheroembryo-based procedure for assessing bioaccumulation.

This paper reports on the development and preliminary evaluation of a new bioaccumulation test based on the use of zebrafish (Danio renio) eleutheroembryos (72 h after hatching, corresponding to 144 h post fertilization, hpf) as an alternative to adult fish-based procedures for regulatory purposes regarding REACH application. The proposed test accomplished the OECD 305 guideline and consists of a 48 h uptake period followed by a 24 h depuration step. Bioaccumulation experiments were performed for a selected of hyper hydrophobic chemicals (log Kow> 7.6), that is, PCB 136 and PBDE 154 at two concentration levels corresponding roughly to 1% and 0.1% the chemicals LC50(nominal concentrations of 4.0 and 12.0 µg/L for PCB 136, and 1.0 and 5.0 µg/L PBDE 154, respectively). Toxicokinetic models were used to calculate the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) based on of the chemical concentrations found in the contaminated eleutheroembryos and their surrounding media. The experimentally determined accumulation profiles show bioaccumulation by zebrafish eleutheroembryos of both chemicals, and that the process is more complex than simple water-lipid partition. Calculated log BCFs using a first-order accumulation model(3.97 and 3.73 for PCB 136, and 3.95 and 4.29 for PBDE 154) were in the range of those previously reported in the literature. The suitability of this new nonprotected life stage bioaccumulation protocol for BCF estimation was evaluated by application to widely divergent micropollutants with different accumulation mechanisms. The results were compared with those in the MITE-NITE database for adult rice fish (Oryzias latipes).

Assessment of the reproducibility of oligoclonal IgM band detection for its application in daily clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: The presence of oligoclonal IgM bands (OCMB) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an unfavourable prognostic marker in multiple sclerosis. There is no commercial test to investigate OCMB status. However, a sensitive and specific isoelectrofocusing (IEF) and western blot method was described. We aimed to study the inter-centre reproducibility of this technique, a necessary condition for a reliable test to be incorporated into clinical practice. METHODS: The presence of OCMB was analysed by IEF and western blot with prior reduction of pentameric IgM. We assayed the reproducibility of this test in a blinded multicentre study performed in 13 university hospitals. Paired-CSF and serum samples from 52 neurological patients were assayed at every centre. RESULTS: Global analysis rendered a concordance of 89.8% with a kappa value of 0.71. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that OCMB detection by means of IEF and western blot with IgM reduction shows a good interlaboratory reproducibility and thus can be used in daily clinical setting.

Migration and characterisation of nanosilver from food containers by AF4-ICP-MS.

In this work, silver migration from commercial food containers was evaluated according to European Regulation 10/2011. Several experimental parameters affected silver release: food simulant, temperature, exposition time and sampled bag area. Results demonstrated a significant silver nanoparticle (AgNP) migration into aqueous and acidic simulants. The amount of silver migrated increased with storage time and temperature although, in general, silver showed a low tendency to migrate into food simulants (17 ng/g). However, the food simulant did not seem to be a really outstanding variable for long term storage. AF(4)-ICP MS was used to confirm the presence of AgNPs in the simulants. The low limit of detection achieved (0.4 µg L(-1)) allowed the identification of AgNPs and their size characterisation (40-60 nm). Finally, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray analysis suggested a possible transformation of the AgNPs detected in the extracts, due to association with other ligands, such as chlorine and sulphur, present in the original containers.