Membranes were prepared by solution casting as well as phase-inve

Membranes were prepared by solution casting as well as phase-inversion method. The later types of membranes exhibited much higher H(3)PO(4) content than its doping achieved in the solution casted membranes. These PBIs possess low hydrogen and helium permeability than that of conventional PBI. This low permeability, along with their excellent oxidative stability Dorsomorphin indicated that they can be promising PEM materials. Their CO(2)-sorption analysis revealed that PBI(6) based on suberic acid possesses appreciable CO(2) sorption. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 1090-1099, 2011″
“Plastids

and mitochondria each arose from a single endosymbiotic event and share many similarities in how they were reduced and integrated with their host. However, the subsequent evolution of the two organelles could hardly be more different: mitochondria are a stable fixture of eukaryotic cells that are neither lost nor shuffled between lineages, whereas plastid evolution has been a complex mix of movement,

loss and replacement. Molecular data from the past decade have substantially untangled this complex history, and we now know that plastids are derived from a single endosymbiotic event in the ancestor of glaucophytes, red algae and green algae (including plants). The plastids of both red algae and green algae were subsequently transferred to other lineages by secondary endosymbiosis. Green algal plastids were taken up by euglenids and chlorarachniophytes,

Bioactive Compound Library clinical trial as well as one small group of dinoflagellates. Red algae appear to have been taken up only once, giving rise to a diverse group called chromalveolates. Additional layers of complexity come from plastid loss, which has happened at least once and probably many times, and replacement. Plastid loss is difficult to prove, and cryptic, non-photosynthetic plastids are being found in many non-photosynthetic lineages. In other cases, photosynthetic lineages are now understood to have evolved from ancestors with a plastid of different origin, so an ancestral plastid has been replaced with a new one. Such replacement has taken place in several dinoflagellates GSK1120212 (by tertiary endosymbiosis with other chromalveolates or serial secondary endosymbiosis with a green alga), and apparently also in two rhizarian lineages: chlorarachniophytes and Paulinella (which appear to have evolved from chromalveolate ancestors). The many twists and turns of plastid evolution each represent major evolutionary transitions, and each offers a glimpse into how genomes evolve and how cells integrate through gene transfers and protein trafficking.”
“The aims of this study were to examine unfavorable attitudes toward receiving methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) and associated factors among inmates using intravenous heroin in Taiwan. A total of 315 inmates using intravenous heroin were recruited.

An alkaline brain pH(i) was associated with severely impaired out

An alkaline brain pH(i) was associated with severely impaired outcome; the degree of brain alkalosis was related to the severity of brain injury on MRI and brain lactate concentration; and a persistence of an alkaline brain pH(i) was associated with cerebral atrophy on MRI. Experimental animal models of hypoxia-ischemia show that NHE inhibitors are neuroprotective. Here, we review the published data on brain pH(i) in neonatal encephalopathy and the experimental studies of NHE inhibition and neuroprotection following hypoxia-ischemia.”
“The inflammatory response

has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Thus, the modulation of the inflammatory response by the consumption of bioactive food compounds, such as procyanidins, is a powerful tool to promote health. Procyanidin-mediated

anti-inflammatory molecular mechanisms include, among others, the modulation BMS-777607 cell line of the arachidonic acid pathway, the inhibition of the gene transcription, protein expression and enzymatic activity of eicosanoid generating enzymes, the production and secretion of inflammatory mediators (such as cytokines and nitric oxide), the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation, and the modulation of the nuclear factor-?B (NF-?B) pathway. The NF-?B pathway can be regulated by procyanidins at several levels. During early events in NF-?B signaling, procyanidins Nepicastat Metabolism inhibitor modulate I?? activity, and the cytoplasmic retention of p65:p50 NF-?B by the inhibition CA4P of I?B phosphorylation and proteasomal degradation, while at late stages, they affect

the nuclear translocation of pro/anti-inflammatory NF-?B homo/hetero dimers and their subsequent binding to the promoter regions of target genes. To identify and understand the value of procyanidins in the modulation of the inflammatory response, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activities and prohomeostatic effects of procyanidins need to be investigated further. (c) 2012 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.”
“Purpose of review

There is a critical need for meaningful viability and potency assays that characterize islet preparations for release prior to clinical islet cell transplantation. Development, testing, and validation of such assays have been the subject of intense investigation for the last decade. These efforts are reviewed, highlighting the most recent results while focusing on the most promising assays.

Recent findings

Assays based on membrane integrity do not reflect true viability when applied to either intact islets or dispersed islet cells. Assays requiring disaggregation of intact islets into individual cells for assessment introduce additional problems of cell damage and loss.

In this cohort of patients, %WL and EBWL were 18 3 and 40 % a par

In this cohort of patients, %WL and EBWL were 18.3 and 40 % a parts per thousand yen5 years after LAGB, respectively, and early and late complication PXD101 ic50 rates were 2.2 and 20 %, respectively. Majority of late complications were in the first 100 patients. Multifactorial causes included the surgical learning curve and patient selection process.”
“Precursor B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma

(B-LBL) is a rare high-grade neoplasm of immature B cells. Most of the reported cases in the literature represent cutaneous involvement in an existing systemic precursor B-LBL or leukemia rather than primary cutaneous disease. We report a rare case of primary cutaneous precursor B-LBL in an elderly male patient who presented with swelling and ulceration of his leg. Biopsy of the skin lesion showed precursor B-LBL. Immunohistochemistry was positive for terminal deoxytransferase, CD20, CD10, CD79a, and in situ hybridization was positive for Epstein-Barr virus. To our knowledge, this is the first report that shows an association between BLZ945 in vitro primary cutaneous precursor B-LBL

with Epstein-Barr viral infection.”
“Background: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is more suitable than the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for the detection of vascular cognitive impairment. In this study, we performed a correlation analysis of MoCA/MMSE scores with daily physical activity in patients with subcortical ischemic white matter changes. Methods: Ten patients (average 75.9 +/- 9.1 years old) with extensive leukoaraiosis detected on magnetic resonance imaging underwent cognitive testing, including the MMSE and the Japanese version of the MoCA (MoCA-J). Physical

activity was monitored this website with the Kenz Lifecorder EX device (Suzuken, Nagoya, Japan) to assess daily physical activity in terms of caloric expenditure, motor activity, number of steps, and walking distance for 6 months. Correlations of individual physical activity with total and subscale scores of MMSE/MoCA-J or 6-month interval change of MoCA-J scores were assessed. Results: The total or subscale scores of the MMSE did not correlate with any parameters of physical activity. However, the mean number of steps and walking distance significantly correlated with the total MoCA-J scores (r = .67 and .64, respectively) and its visuospatial/executive subscores (r = .66 and .66, respectively). The mean interval change of MoCA-J was 1.6; those who improved number of steps (n = 4; 80.5 +/- 3.0 years of age) had significantly preserved MoCA-J scores compared to those who did not (n = 6; 73.0 +/- 11.6 years of age; 12.0 versus 2.3; P = .016). Conclusions: These results suggest that MoCA is useful to detect a biologically determined specific relationship between physical activity and executive function. In addition, physical exercise, such as walking, may help enhance cognitive function in patients with vascular cognitive impairment of subcortical origin.

Knee joints of rats were also acutely inflamed by intra-articular

Knee joints of rats were also acutely inflamed by intra-articular injection of carrageenan alone. Long term duration of fasitibant antinociceptive effects were behaviorally evaluated using the incapacitance test.

Results: BK (100 mu M) injected into the saphenous artery, induced excitation and sensitization of multi- and single unit recordings. Fasitibant (300 mu M) injected prior to BK, reduced its excitatory effects as well as

the overall increase of movement-evoked activity resulting from repeated injections of BK. Fasitibant did not affect movement-evoked activity of sensory fibers of intact, non-inflamed knee joints. Intra-articular fasitibant (100 mu g/knee) Ferroptosis inhibitor significantly reduced the carrageenan-induced selleckchem inflammatory hyperalgesia measured with the

incapacitance test up to four days after treatment. This antinociceptive effect was not obtained with systemic endovenous injection of the drug.

Conclusions: Fasitibant prevents B-2 receptor-mediated activation and sensitization of peripheral joint afferents and the ensuing inflammatory hyperalgesia, and may be a useful, novel drug for arthritis pain treatment. (C) 2013 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: Current data on primary aldosteronism (PA) from Asian populations are scarce. This cohort study clarifies the attributes of patients with PA in a typical Chinese population.

Design: An observational cohort study.

Methods: The records

of patients referred to the Hypertension Clinic from a multi-centre registration in Taiwan from January 1995 to December 2007 were reviewed. All patients with PA were classified into two subtypes: aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA); their characteristics were compared.

Results: Our cohort consisted of 346 patients with PA, 255 with APA and 91 with IHA. The initial hypokalaemia (59% in APA vs. 27.5% in IHA, p < 0.0001) and transtubular potassium gradient (TTKG) (6.30 +/- 2.41 in APA vs. 4.91 +/- 2.03 in IHA, p = 0.01) were higher in the APA group. Baseline plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was also significantly different between the two subgroups (49.96 +/- 38.15 ng/dl in APA vs. 34.24 +/- 21.47 in IHA, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: SC79 In typical Chinese PA patients, the APA subgroup had a higher proportion of hypokalaemia with elevated TTKG and higher PAC as compared with the IHA subgroup. This largest Asian database also demonstrated major differences between the Caucasian and Chinese populations including female predilection, frequent hypokalaemia, and common paralytic myopathy.”
“Distribution of isoflavones and fatty acids in soymilk fermented with 7 Lactobacilli (L-type), 7 Bifidobacteria (B-type), or 5 Streptococci (S-type) were monitored. Total isoflavones in fermented soymilk ranged from 5.24 to 8.59 mu mol/g, dry basis while those in unfermented soymilk were 8.06 mu mol/g dry basis.

Results: During a median follow-up duration of 514 days, 20% of p

Results: During a median follow-up duration of 514 days, 20% of patients (n = 12) experienced an ischaemic event in the territory of the index carotid artery. Cox regression analysis indicated that M-C Stress (hazard ratio (HR): 12.98 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-26.67, p = 0.02), fibrous cap (FC) disruption (HR: 7.39 (95% CI: 1.61-33.82), p = 0.009) and PH (HR: 5.85 (95% CI: 1.27-26.77), p = 0.02) are associated with the development of subsequent cerebrovascular events. Plaques associated

with future events had higher M-C Stress than those which had remained asymptomatic (median (interquartile range, IQR): 330 kPa (229-494) vs. 254 kPa (166-290), p = 0.04).

Conclusions: High biomechanical structural stresses, in addition to FC rupture and PH, are associated with subsequent cerebrovascular events. (C) 2010 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose of review

New methods of imaging this website and image-guidance technology have the potential to provide surgeons with spatially accurate three-dimensional information about the location and anatomical relationships of critical subsurface structures and instrument position updated and displayed during the performance of surgery. Robotic platforms and technology in various forms continues to revolutionize surgery and will soon incorporate image ABT-263 manufacturer guidance.

Recent research

Image-guided

surgery (IGS) for abdominal and urologic interventions presents complex engineering and surgical challenges along with potential benefits to surgeons and patients. Key concepts such as registration, localization, accuracy, and targeting error are necessary for surgeons to understand and utilize the potential of IGS. Standard robotic surgeries, such as partial nephrectomy and radical prostatectomy may soon incorporate

IGS.

Summary

Research continues to explore the potential for combining image guidance and robotics to augment and improve a variety of surgical interventions.”
“The oxidation of (1S,5R,7R,S)-(4,7-dimethyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-7-yl)methanol Volasertib order epimeric at the C(7) atom resulted in scalemic (5R)-5-acetyl-2-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one.”
“MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small endogenous, non-coding RNAs that have key regulatory functions in plant growth, development, and other biological processes. Hypocotyl and cotyledon are the two major tissues of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) seedlings. Tissue culture experiments have indicated that the regenerative abilities of these two tissues are significantly different. However, the characterization of miRNAs and their roles in regulating organ development in cauliflower remain unexplored. In the present study, two small RNA libraries were sequenced by Solexa sequencing technology. 99 known miRNAs belonging to 28 miRNA families were identified, in which 6 miRNA families were detected only in Brassicaceae.

Results: CT coronary angiography yielded good image quality in 98

Results: CT coronary angiography yielded good image quality in 98% of patients and no significant differences in image quality were found among HRF and HRV groups. Radiation exposure was significantly higher in patients with low versus high HRF and in patients with severe versus normal HRV. No significant differences among HRF and HRV groups in image quality and diagnostic performance were found. A nonsignificant trend was found toward a lower specificity and PPV in patients with a high HRF or severe HRV when compared with low HRF or normal HRV in patients with a low calcium

score (Agatston score <100).

Conclusion: DS spiral CT Volasertib mw coronary angiography performed with adaptive ECG pulsing results in preserved diagnostic image quality and performance independent of HRF or HRV at the cost of limited dose reduction in arrhythmic patients. (C) RSNA, 2009″
“Electrical properties, including leakage currents, threshold voltages, and deep traps, of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure wafers with different concentrations of carbon in the GaN buffer layer, have been investigated by temperature dependent current-voltage selleck chemicals llc and capacitance-voltage measurements and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS), using Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs). It is found that (i) SBDs fabricated on the wafers with GaN buffer layers containing a low concentration

of carbon (low-[C] SBD) or a high concentration of carbon (high-[C] SBD) have similar low leakage currents even at 500 K; and (ii) the low-[C] SBD exhibits a larger (negative) threshold voltage than the high-[C] SBD. Detailed DLTS measurements on the two SBDs show that (i) different trap species are seen in the two SBDs: electron traps A(x) (0.9 eV), A(1) (0.99 eV), and A(2) (1.2 eV), and a holelike trap H(1) (1.24 eV) in the low-[C] SBD; and electron traps A(1), A(2), and A(3) (similar to 1.3 eV), and a holelike trap H(2) (>1.3 eV) in the high-[C] SBD; (ii) for both SDBs, in the region close to GaN buffer layer, only electron traps can be detected, while in the AlGaN/GaN interface region, significant holelike traps appear; and iii) all of the deep traps show a

strong dependence of the DLTS signal on filling pulse width, check details which indicates they are associated with extended defects, such as threading dislocations. However, the overall density of electron traps is lower in the low-[C] SBD than in the high-[C] SBD. The different traps observed in the two SBDs are thought to be mainly related to differences in microstructure (grain size and threading dislocation density) of GaN buffer layers grown at different pressures. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3488610]“
“Introduction: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an optical technology able to detect the hemodynamic changes in biological tissues. Our objective was to determine the feasibility of applying NIRS in the noninvasive diagnosis of detrusor overactivity (DO).

(C) 2010 American Institute of Physics [doi:10 1063/1 3360342]“<

(C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3360342]“
“Background: Exposure to food commercials is assumed to be related to children’s food preferences and snack food intake patterns. However, surprisingly few studies tested whether watching food commercials actually leads to elevated snack food intake.

Objective: We experimentally tested the side effects of television food commercials on concurrent nonadvertised sweet snack food intake in young children aged 8-12 y.

Design: check details The children (n = 120)

watched a movie interrupted by 2 commercial breaks that contained either food commercials or neutral commercials. While watching, the children could freely eat palatable food. Afterward, they filled out questionnaires and were weighed and measured.

Results: The main finding of our study was the interaction between commercial type and sex of the child. Food intake in boys was higher when they watched the food commercials than when they watched the neutral commercials, whereas food intake in girls was slightly lower when they watched the food commercials than when they watched the neutral commercials.

Conclusion: The results suggest that boys are susceptible

to food cues in commercials. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:1328-33.”
“For industrial www.selleckchem.com/products/PHA-739358(Danusertib).html polyester yarns, the study of hydrolytic/thermal degradation is important, because Of the negative influence of these degradations on mechanical properties of polyester yarns. In this research, tensile force at breaking point and elongation at break were used to assess the hydrolytic and thermal degradation of industrial polyester yarns with two draw ratios of 3.5 and 4, which were exposed in water and in oven for 28 days and selleck screening library at different temperatures of T(g), below and above T(g), Totally, the amount of these degradations at temperatures

of 70 to 90 degrees C is not high. The investigation shows that tensile strength at breaking point of industrial polyester yarn will decrease in water and in oven at higher temperature; this degradation is lower for yarn with high draw ratio. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 1929-1932, 2010″
“Background: Smoking has a negative impact on the natural history and on treatment results of many dermatological conditions. However, there are no data demonstrating a similar effect in patients with pilonidal disease.

Patients and Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing surgery for pilonidal disease between 1/2004 and 3/2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Two surgical methods were used: a minimally invasive “”pit-picking”" surgery for smaller primary disease and Karydakis flap for patients presenting with larger primary disease or those who have been operated previously. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of smoking on the natural history and on treatment results.

Results: Six hundred and ten patients underwent 660 surgeries: 475 pit-picking operations and 185 Karydakis procedures.

The bioassay-derived TCDD equivalents (TEQ(bio)) and the chemical

The bioassay-derived TCDD equivalents (TEQ(bio)) and the chemical-calculated TCDD equivalents (TEQ(cal)) were then compared, and mass balance analysis was conducted to identify the contributors of the observed response. Raw soil extracts from all locations induced significant AhR activities, where the TEQbio ranged from 5.3 to 210 pg/g dry weight soil (pg/g dw). The total concentrations of 17 PCDD/Fs, 36 PCBs and 16 PAHs varied from 210 to 850 pg/g dw, 11 to 100 ng/g

dw, and 330 to 20,000 ng/g dw, respectively. Profile characterization of the target analytes revealed that there were Alisertib similar sources originating from the crude dismantling of electric power equipments and the open burning of e-waste. There was a significant relationship between TEQ(cal) and TEQ(bio) (r=0.99, p < 0.05). Based on the mass balance analysis, PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PAHs could account for the observed AhR responses in vitro elicited by soil extracts, though their respective contributions varied depending on sample location. In this study, the combination of chemical

analysis and bioanalytical measurements proved valuable for screening, identifying and prioritizing the causative agents within complex environmental matrices. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Upper cervical or occipitocervical disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis present as EVP4593 manufacturer atlantoaxial

subluxation, vertical subluxation of the axis, and subaxial subluxation, which produce myelopathy and severe pain. In such cases, occipitocervical reconstruction surgery may be indicated, and several reports have described reduction of subluxation by fixing the halo vest before this surgery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using the halo vest LBH589 before the surgery for unstable upper cervical spine and for occipitocervical instability.

Twenty-eight patients (9 men and 19 women; mean age, 61.8 years at surgery) who presented with atlantoaxial or occipitocervical fusion were studied. In all cases, the halo vest was fixed in the conscious condition, and subluxation was reduced before the surgery. The mean follow-up period was 45 months. Roentgenologic measurement and clinical evaluation were performed before the surgery and at the final follow-up.

Using the halo vest resulted in significant reductions in the atlantodental interval, the space available for the spinal cord, and the Ranawat value (p < 0.05), and these were maintained until the final follow-up. The mean Japanese Orthopedic Association score significantly improved from 9.5 before surgery to 12.2 at the final follow-up (p = 0.01).

585-542 Myr ago) “
“Adult living-donor liver transplantation

585-542 Myr ago).”
“Adult living-donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) has a high rate of biliary complications. We identified risk factors that correlate with biliary leaks and strictures by combining data from two centers. Records of ALDLT right lobe recipients (n = 156) at two centers between December 1998 and February 2005 were reviewed. Leak rate was analyzed in 144 recipients after we excluded those with hepatic artery thrombosis

or death within 30 d of transplant. Stricture rate was also analyzed in 132 recipients after we excluded those with graft survival or follow-up < 180 d. Biliary SN-38 DNA Damage inhibitor reconstructions were performed using either duct-to-duct (DD) or Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy and were subclassified by anatomic type, number of anastomoses performed, and stent use. Prevalence of a leak and/or a stricture was 39%; 11% of recipients developed both. Single DD anastomoses between the graft right hepatic duct to the recipient common duct had significantly lower incidence of leaks compared to all other anastomotic types. Early leak was predictive MK-0518 ic50 of late stricture development (p = 0.006), but recipient demographics, diagnosis, warm ischemia time, anastomosis type, duct number, year of transplant, stent use, and transplant center were not. The results suggest donors with a single right hepatic duct reconstructed to the recipient common bile duct

are the most likely to avoid biliary problems after ALDLT.”
“Purpose: To develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led risk assessment tool to reduce the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) and evaluate the nurse’s role in FN risk assessment in a hospital-based oncology unit.

Methods and sample: A FN risk assessment tool was developed, implemented and evaluated. A comparative prospective observational chart review was undertaken to evaluate the tool. Clinical data were collected from 459 patients’ records from August 2008 through July 2009. Patients had no intervention Ro-3306 order during the first six months (n = 233). Patients in the following six months (n = 226) had the FN risk assessment completed and appropriate granulocyte-colony

stimulating factor prescribed. A self-questionnaire was utilised to evaluate the nurses’ role in FN risk assessment.

Key results: The incidence of FN was reduced by 52% (p = 0.02). Hospital days, dose reductions and treatment delays were reduced. Nurses felt they were the most appropriate person to carry out the assessment.

Conclusions: Through consistent risk assessment, nurses could determine which patients were at high risk of developing FN leading to significant reduction in life-threatening infections, hospitalisations, dose reductions and delays. Nurses can be confident and competent in decision-making to reduce life-threatening infections through the use of an FN risk assessment tool. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The present study aimed to evaluate the value of maternal serum u

The present study aimed to evaluate the value of maternal serum urocortin concentration for predicting preterm delivery in women with VS-6063 signs of spontaneous preterm labor. Material and Methods: A cohort study was conducted

on pregnant women at a gestational age of 2836 weeks who were admitted to the labor ward with spontaneous preterm labor. A blood sample was obtained from all participants to measure serum urocortin. The women were monitored up to delivery and serum urocortin was compared between women with preterm delivery and those who delivered at term (37 weeks of gestation). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine sensitivity and specificity if applicable. Results: One hundred and sixty pregnant women finished the study. One hundred and forty-eight (92.5%) of the women delivered preterm. Mean serum urocortin in the preterm delivery group was higher than in the term group, but without statistical significant difference (392.6 +/- 29.23 vs 113.2 +/- 11.0. pg/mL, respectively, P = 0.252). Area under the ROC curve was 0.6, which shows that this test is not appropriate for predicting preterm delivery in women with preterm labor. Conclusion: Serum urocortin could not predict women who delivered preterm

among women with signs of preterm labor.”
“The Ria of Huelva (south-west Spain) Z-IETD-FMK solubility dmso is a highly polluted estuary as a consequence of long-term mining and industrial activities. Between 2003 and 2004, we conducted a biomonitoring study of exposure to arsenic and some heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, copper and nickel) in urine samples of a representative sample (n=227) of children and adolescents residing in this area, and https://www.selleckchem.com/products/elafibranor.html of a reference group of 196 children and adolescents living in other less industrialised areas of Andalusia (south Spain). We also assessed the determinants of the variability in urinary metals within the population of the Ria of Huelva. There were no significant differences in the concentration of metal compounds between the two groups with the exception of Cd levels, which were significantly

higher in the reference group. Levels of the five metal ions in both groups were generally within the range of values reported by other biomonitoring studies for general children population, although mean Cd levels tended to be higher as compared to other European studies. Among the population of the Ria of Huelva, the main determinants of the interindividual variation in urinary metals were age, sex, area of residence, and frequency of intake of certain food items (mainly fish and shellfish). Overall, results suggest that living in the Ria of Huelva is not increasing current levels of exposure to certain metals among children and adolescents above those found in other urban areas of Andalusia. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.