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Frontiers in Public Health 2023The urinary system serves as a crucial pathway for eliminating metallic substances from the body, making it susceptible to the effects of metal exposure. However,...
BACKGROUND
The urinary system serves as a crucial pathway for eliminating metallic substances from the body, making it susceptible to the effects of metal exposure. However, limited research has explored the association between metal mixtures and bladder function. This study aims to investigate the relationship between urinary metal mixtures (specifically barium, cadmium, cobalt, cesium, molybdenum, lead, antimony, thallium, and tungsten) and urine flow rate (UFR) in the general population, utilizing multiple mixture analysis models.
METHODS
This study utilizes data obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. After adjusting for relevant covariates, we assessed the correlations between metal mixtures and UFR using three distinct analysis models: weighted quantile sum (WQS), quantile g-computation (qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Additionally, a gender-stratified analysis was conducted. Finally, we also performed sensitivity analyses.
RESULTS
A total of 7,733 subjects were included in this study, with 49% being male. The WQS regression model, when fitted in the positive direction, did not yield any significant correlations in the overall population or in the male and female subgroups. However, when analyzed in the negative direction, the WQS index exhibited a negative correlation with UFR in the overall group (β = -0.078; 95% CI: -0.111, -0.045). Additionally, a significant negative correlation between the WQS index and UFR was observed in the female group (β = -0.108; 95% CI: -0.158, -0.059), while no significant correlation was found in the male group. The results obtained from the qgcomp regression model were consistent with those of the WQS regression model. Similarly, the BKMR regression model revealed a significant negative correlation trend between metal mixtures and UFR, with cadmium and antimony potentially playing key roles.
CONCLUSION
Our study revealed a significant negative correlation between urinary metal mixture exposure and mean UFR in US adults, with notable gender differences. Specifically, higher urinary levels of cadmium and antimony were identified as potential key factors contributing to the decrease in mean UFR. These findings significantly contribute to the existing knowledge on the impact of metal mixtures on bladder function and provide valuable insights for safeguarding bladder health and preventing impaired bladder function.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Female; Environmental Exposure; Cadmium; Nutrition Surveys; Antimony; Bayes Theorem
PubMed: 37575093
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1241971 -
Toxics Jun 2024The adsorption of Sb(V) and As(V) onto iron-loaded gasification slag composite material (Fe-GFS), as well as the possible mechanisms, was investigated. Batch experiments...
The adsorption of Sb(V) and As(V) onto iron-loaded gasification slag composite material (Fe-GFS), as well as the possible mechanisms, was investigated. Batch experiments showed that in a single system, Fe-GFS sorbed As(V) to a greater extent than Sb(V) with the maximum adsorption capacity (pH 3.0) of 34.99 mg/g (0.47 mmol/g), while that of Sb(V) was 27.61 mg/g (0.23 mmol/g). In the composite system, the presence of low concentrations of Sb(V) reduced the adsorption efficiency of Fe-GFS for As(V), while the presence of high concentrations of Sb(V) actually promoted the adsorption of As(V). The presence of As(V) consistently inhibited the adsorption of Sb(V) by Fe-GFS. Compared to Fe-GFS, new peaks appeared in the FTIR spectra after adsorption, indicating the presence of Sb-O and As-O bonds on the surface after adsorption. XPS results showed that the adsorption of As(V) and Sb(V) led to a decrease in Fe-OH bonds, with a more significant decrease in Fe-OH bonds observed after the adsorption of As(V), indicating a stronger affinity of Fe-GFS for As(V) compared to Sb(V). Our results suggest that Fe-GFS is an efficient adsorbent with great potential for applications in water containing As(V) and Sb(V).
PubMed: 38922120
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12060440 -
Environmental Health Perspectives Dec 2023The rapid evolution of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) products warrants surveillance of the differences in exposure across device types-modifiable devices (MODs),...
BACKGROUND
The rapid evolution of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) products warrants surveillance of the differences in exposure across device types-modifiable devices (MODs), cartridge ("pod")-containing devices (PODs), disposable PODs (d-PODs)-and flavors of the products available on the market.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to measure and compare metal aerosol concentrations by device type and common flavors.
METHODS
We collected aerosol from 104 MODs, 67 PODs (four brands: JUUL, Bo, Suorin, PHIX), and 23 d-PODs (three brands: ZPOD, Bidi, Stig) via droplet deposition in a series of conical pipette tips. Metals and metalloids [aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), and zinc (Zn)] were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), results were log-transformed for statistical analysis, and concentrations are reported in aerosol units ().
RESULTS
Of the 12 elements analyzed, concentrations were statistically significantly higher in MOD devices, except for Co and Ni, which were higher in PODs and d-PODs. Of the POD brands analyzed, PHIX had the highest median concentrations among four metals (Al, Ni, Pb, and Sn) compared to the rest of the POD brands. According to POD flavor, seven metals were three to seven orders of magnitude higher in tobacco-flavored aerosol compared to those in mint and mango flavors. Among the d-POD brands, concentrations of four metals (Al, Cu, Ni, and Pb) were higher in the ZPOD brand than in Bidi Stick and Stig devices. According to d-POD flavor, only Cr concentrations were found to be statistically significantly higher in mint than tobacco-flavored d-PODs.
DISCUSSION
We observed wide variability in aerosol metal concentrations within and between the different e-cigarette device types, brands, and flavors. Overall, MOD devices generated aerosols with higher metal concentrations than PODs and d-PODs, and tobacco-flavored aerosols contained the highest metal concentrations. Continued research is needed to evaluate additional factors (i.e., nicotine type) that contribute to metal exposure from new and emerging e-cigarette devices in order to inform policy. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11921.
Topics: Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Lead; Aluminum; Aerosols; Copper; Chromium
PubMed: 38048100
DOI: 10.1289/EHP11921 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Increasing pollution in the environment calls for the precise determination of metal toxicity in plants as they are at the base of the food chain. Mosses are often...
Increasing pollution in the environment calls for the precise determination of metal toxicity in plants as they are at the base of the food chain. Mosses are often employed as biomonitors and provide good models for testing metal adsorption. However, species may react differently and many studies only look at one metal at a time, even though toxicity levels are affected by metal combinations. In this study, the effects of CuCl, MnCl, FeCl, and Sb-acetate were examined individually and in combinations on the moss species and . In general, the two species reacted differently to the presence of trace metals; although, for both, the tolerance limit was at 100 µM. Overall, individual metals were less toxic than combinations, with some exceptions for Fe and Mn in . Additionally, we demonstrate that multiple combinations of metals are especially toxic if Cu is present.
PubMed: 38068597
DOI: 10.3390/plants12233960 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023The authors conducted liquid solution studies of antimony with selenium and sulfur in order to provide information on the thermodynamic functions of the formation of...
The authors conducted liquid solution studies of antimony with selenium and sulfur in order to provide information on the thermodynamic functions of the formation of these alloys. The studies are based on the vapor pressure values of the components, comprising the double partial systems of antimony with antimony chalcogenides (SbSe and SbS) and antimony chalcogenides with chalcogens (Se and S). We calculated the thermodynamic functions of mixing (graphical dependencies) and evaporation (tabular data) based on the partial vapor pressure values of components, which are represented by temperature-concentration dependencies. Based on the partial pressure values of melt components, we calculated the boundaries of liquid and vapor coexistence fields at atmospheric pressure (101.3 kPa) and in a vacuum (0.9 kPa). We established the absence of the stratification region on the SbS-S diagram due to the fact that, on state diagrams, the stratification region is indicated at temperatures above 530 °C, while the boiling point of liquid sulfur at an atmospheric pressure corresponds to 429 °C. Based on the position of the field boundaries (L + V) on the state diagrams, the separation of antimony alloys with selenium and sulfur via distillation into elements at atmospheric pressure is difficult due to the high boiling points of antimony-based alloys in a vacuum: SbSe-Se melts require some number of condensate re-evaporation cycles.
PubMed: 38203979
DOI: 10.3390/ma17010125 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023A novel strategy to assess the main variables that potentially affect the migration of antimony from PET bottles to beverages, including mineral waters and juices, is...
A novel strategy to assess the main variables that potentially affect the migration of antimony from PET bottles to beverages, including mineral waters and juices, is herein proposed. In a preliminary step, an LC-ICP-MS method previously used for water analysis was optimized to correct identify Sb species present in the studied matrices using HRMS. Subsequently, the influence of temperature and storage time up to 30 days on Sb migration from PET bottles into peach and pineapple juices of the same brand was studied. Storing PET bottled drinks at elevated temperatures (i.e., in a hot car or in summer) can cause antimony migration to exceed the limits allowed in the EU or USA. Because the behavior observed differed from the results reported for Sb migration in mineral waters, a second approach was proposed: three mineral water and two juice samples were kept in different PET containers and stored at an elevated temperature (up to 60 °C) to understand the role of the PET type and matrix simultaneously. This study demonstrated that both matrix characteristics and type of PET bottle greatly influence antimony leaching, highlighting the need to consider these variables together when conducting migration experiments. The obtained results can be helpful for developing future legislation concerning migration of pollutants from packing to food commodities.
Topics: Antimony; Polyethylene Terephthalates; Beverages; Food Packaging; Mineral Waters; Drinking Water
PubMed: 37894645
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28207166 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023The fabrication of SbSe thin-film solar cells deposited by a pulsed hybrid reactive magnetron sputtering (PHRMS) was proposed and examined for different growth...
The fabrication of SbSe thin-film solar cells deposited by a pulsed hybrid reactive magnetron sputtering (PHRMS) was proposed and examined for different growth conditions. The influence of growth temperature and Se pulse period were studied in terms of morphology, crystal structure, and composition. The SbSe growth showed to be dependent on the growth temperature, with a larger crystal size for growth at 270 °C. By controlling the Se pulse period, the crystal structure and crystal size could be modified as a function of the supplied Se amount. The solar cell performance for SbSe absorbers deposited at various temperatures, Se pulse periods and thicknesses were assessed through current-voltage characteristics. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.7% was achieved for a SbSe solar cell with 900 nm thickness, SbSe deposited at 270 °C and Se pulses with 0.1 s duration and period of 0.5 s. Finally, annealing the complete solar cell at 100 °C led to a further improvement of the V, leading to a PCE of 3.8%, slightly higher than the best reported SbSe solar cell prepared by sputtering without post-selenization.
PubMed: 37570574
DOI: 10.3390/nano13152257 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials May 2024In natural environments, the fate and migratory behavior of metalloid contaminants such as antimony (Sb) significantly depend on the interfacial reactivity of mineral...
In natural environments, the fate and migratory behavior of metalloid contaminants such as antimony (Sb) significantly depend on the interfacial reactivity of mineral surfaces. Although boehmite (γ-AlOOH) is widely observed in (sub)surface environments, its underlying interaction mechanism with Sb oxyanions at the molecular scale remains unclear. Considering Sb-contaminated environmental conditions in this study, we prepared boehmite under weakly acidic conditions for use in the systematic investigation of interfacial interactions with Sb(III) and Sb(V). The as-synthesized boehmite showed a nanorod morphology and comprised four crystal facets in the following order: 48.4% (010), 27.1% (101), 15.0% (001), and 9.5% (100). The combined results of spectroscopic analyses and theoretical calculations revealed that Sb(III) formed hydrogen bonding outer-sphere complexation on the (100), (010), and (001) facets and that Sb(V) preferred to form bidentate inner-sphere complexation via mononuclear edge-sharing configuration on the (100), (001), and (101) facets and binuclear corner-sharing configuration on the (010) facet. These findings indicate that the facet-mediated thermodynamic stability of the surface complexation determines the interaction affinity toward the Sb species. This work is the first to document the contribution of boehmite to (sub)surface media, improving the ability to forecast the fate and behavior of Sb oxyanions at mineral-water interfaces.
PubMed: 38422738
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133902 -
Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Dec 2023Parenteral nutrition (PN) can lead to high or even toxic exposure to aluminum (Al). We aimed to quantify concentrations of Al and other chemical elements of all-in-one...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Parenteral nutrition (PN) can lead to high or even toxic exposure to aluminum (Al). We aimed to quantify concentrations of Al and other chemical elements of all-in-one (AIO) PN admixtures for adults prepared from commercial multichamber bags (Olimel® 5.7%, Omegaflex® special, SmofKabiven®, all with and without electrolytes) and vitamin and trace element additives over a 48-h period. Secondly, we determined the level of Al contamination resulting from admixing and infusion set use.
METHODS
We used dynamic reaction cell and kinetic energy discrimination inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify Al, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), tin (Sn), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) in AIO PN admixtures. We extracted samples for analysis via the bag injection ports and infusion sets over a 48-h period after admixing. We compared the measured Al concentrations of AIO PN admixtures with calculated values based on the measured concentrations of individual chamber contents and additives.
RESULTS
Mean (standard deviation) baseline Al concentrations in AIO PN admixtures ranged from 10.5 (0.5) to 59.3 (11.4) μg/L and decreased slightly over the 48 h (estimate [standard error] -0.09 [0.02] μg/L/hour, p <0.001). Thus, certain products exceeded the widely accepted limit of 25 μg/L. There was no significant difference in Al concentrations between samples extracted via the bag injection ports or infusion sets (p = 0.33), nor between measured and calculated Al concentrations of AIO PN admixtures (p = 0.91).
CONCLUSION
Because certain commercially available PN admixtures for adults proved to contain excessively high levels of Al in our study, regulations and corresponding quality requirements at the authority level (e.g., Pharmacopoeia and regulatory authorities) are urgently required. Our results showed that the PN handling process (admixing and supplementing additives) or the materials of the infusion set did not lead to additional Al contamination to any extent. Moreover, calculated Al concentrations of AIO PN admixtures derived from individual chamber contents and additives are valid.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Aluminum; Trace Elements; Manganese; Copper; Parenteral Nutrition
PubMed: 38411019
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.10.012 -
RSC Advances Jan 2024In this study, selenium (Se)-rich antimony selenide (SbSe) films were fabricated by applying a solution process with the solvents ethylenediamine and 2-mercaptoethanol...
In this study, selenium (Se)-rich antimony selenide (SbSe) films were fabricated by applying a solution process with the solvents ethylenediamine and 2-mercaptoethanol to optimize the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of the SbSe photocathode. Various antimony (Sb)-Se precursor solutions with different molar ratios of Sb and Se (Sb : Se = 1 : 1.5, 1 : 3, 1 : 4.5, 1 : 7.5, and 1 : 9) were prepared to attain Se-rich fabrication conditions. As a result, the Se-rich SbSe films fabricated using the Sb-Se precursor solution with a molar ratio of Sb : Se = 1 : 7.5 exhibited an improved PEC performance, compared to the stoichiometric SbSe film. The charge transport was improved by the abundant Se element and thin selenium oxide (SeO) layer in the Se-rich SbSe film, resulting in a decrease in Se vacancies and substitutional defects. Moreover, the light utilization in the long wavelength region above 800 nm was enhanced by the light-trapping effect because of the nanowire structure in the Se-rich SbSe film. Hence, the optimal Se-rich SbSe photocathodes showed an improved photocurrent density of -0.24 mA cm at the hydrogen evolution reaction potential that was three times higher than that of the stoichiometric SbSe photocathodes (-0.08 mA cm).
PubMed: 38173566
DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07023a