Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants of significant public health concern, with several that are highly toxic to humans, including some proven or suspected carcinogens. To account for the high variability of PAH mixtures encountered in occupational settings, adjusting urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels by the total airborne pyrene (PyrT)/benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) ratio is essential for human biomonitoring (HBM). Given the complexity and cost of systematically monitoring atmospheric levels, alternative approaches to simultaneous airborne and HBM are required. The aim of this review was to catalog airborne PyrT/BaP ratios measured during different industrial activities and recommend 1-OHP-dedicated biological guidance values (BGV). A literature search was conducted. Seventy-one studies were included, with 5619 samples pertaining to 15 industrial sectors, 79 emission processes, and 213 occupational activities. This review summarized more than 40 years of data from almost 20 countries and highlighted the diversity and evolution of PAH emissions. PyrT/BaP ratios were highly variable, ranging from 0.8 in coke production to nearly 40 in tire and rubber production. A single PyrT/BaP value cannot apply to all occupational contexts, raising the question of the relevance of defining a single biological limit value for 1-OHP in industrial sectors where the PyrT/BaP ratio variability is high. Based upon the inventory, a practical approach is proposed for systematic PAH exposure and risk assessment, with a simple frame to follow based upon specific 1-OHP BGVs depending upon the occupational context and setup of a free PAH HBM interactive tool.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) resection is essential for complete (R0) excision of some malignancies. However, the optimal material for IVC reconstruction remains unclear. Our objective is to demonstrate the efficacy, safety, and advantages of using Non-Fascial Autologous Peritoneum (NFAP) for IVC reconstruction. To conduct a literature review of surgical strategies for tumors involving the IVC.
We reviewed all IVC reconstructions performed at our institution between 2015 and 2023. Preoperative, operative, postoperative, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed.
A total of 33 consecutive IVC reconstructions were identified: seven direct sutures, eight venous homografts (VH), and 18 NFAP. With regard to NFAP, eight tubular (mean length, 12.5 cm) and 10 patch (mean length, 7.9 cm) IVC reconstructions were performed. Resection was R0 in 89% of the cases. Two patients had Clavien-Dindo grade I complications, 2 grade II, 2 grade III and 2 grade V complications. The only graft-related complication was a case of early partial thrombosis, which was conservatively treated. At a mean follow-up of 25.9 months, graft patency was 100%. There were seven recurrences and six deaths. Mean overall survival (OS) was 23.4 months and mean disease-free survival (DFS) was 14.4 months. According to our results, no statistically significant differences were found between NFAP and VH.
NFAP is a safe and effective alternative for partial or complete IVC reconstruction and has many advantages over other techniques, including its lack of cost, wide and ready availability, extreme handiness, and versatility. Further comparative studies are required to determine the optimal technique for IVC reconstruction.

One of the main challenges of tissue engineering in dentistry is to replace bone and dental tissues with strategies or techniques that simulate physiological tissue repair conditions. This systematic review of in vitro studies aimed to evaluate the influence of the addition of nanohydroxyapatite (NHap) to scaffolds on cell proliferation and osteogenic and odontogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. In vitro studies on human stem cells that proliferated and differentiated into odontogenic and osteogenic cells in scaffolds containing NHap were included in this study. Searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, OpenGrey, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were performed. The total of 333 articles was found across all databases. After reading and analyzing titles and abstracts, 8 articles were selected for full reading and extraction of qualitative data. Results showed that despite the large variability in scaffold composition, NHap-containing scaffolds promoted high rates of cell proliferation, increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity during short culture periods, and induced differentiation, as evidenced by the high expression of genes involved in osteogenesis and odontogenesis. However, further studies with greater standardization regarding NHap concentration, type of scaffolds, and evaluation period are needed to observe possible interference of these criteria in the action of NHap on the proliferation and differentiation of human stem cells.

This article reviewed the published studies on the environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among children and assessed the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) level as a biomarker of exposure to PAHs. The current knowledge of the potential health effects of increased 1-OHP in children was reviewed. Additionally, the influence of genetic polymorphism on the urinary 1-OHP level was discussed in this review. The assembled data showed that children who are attending schools or living close to industrial and polluted urban areas might have greater exposure to higher concentrations of PAHs with a higher level of urinary 1-OHP when compared to those children living in rural areas. Urinary 1-OHP may be a reliable biomarker for determining the genotoxic effects, oxidative stress and inflammation caused by exposure to PAHs. Strong research evidence indicated that the total body burden of PAHs should be evaluated by biomonitoring of 1-OHP in line with other urinary PAHs metabolites (with 2-3 rings) to evaluate recent total exposure to PAHs. Overall, the study suggests implementing a mitigation plan to combat air pollution to provide a cleaner environment for children.

Soil contamination by pyrene has increased over the years due to human-related activities, urgently demanding for remediation approaches to ensure human and environment safety. Within this frame, phytoremediation has been successfully applied over the years due to its green and cost-effectiveness features. The scope of this review includes the main phytoremediation mechanisms correlated with the removal of pyrene from contaminated soils and sediments to highlight the impact of different parameters and the supplement of additives on the efficiency of the treatment. Soil organic matter (SOM), plant species, aging time, environmental parameters (pH, soil oxygenation, and temperature) and bioavailability are among the main parameters affecting pyrene removal through phytoremediation. Phytoextraction only accounts for a small part of the entire phytoremediation process, but the addition of surfactants and chelating agents in planted soils could increase pyrene accumulation in plant tissues by 20% as a consequence of the increased pyrene bioavailability. Rhizodegradation is the main phytoremediation mechanism involved due to the activity of bacteria capable of degrading pyrene in the root area. Inoculated-planted soil treatments have the potential to decrease pyrene accumulation in shoots and roots by approximately 30 and 40%, respectively, further stimulating the proliferation of pyrene-degrading bacteria in the rhizosphere. Plant-fungi symbiotic association results in an enhanced accumulation of pyrene in shoots and roots of plants as well as a higher biodegradation. Finally, pyrene removal from soil can be improved in the presence of amendments, such as natural non-ionic surfactants, biochar, and bacterial mixtures.

Disubstituted pyrenes at the non-K region by the same or different (hetero)aryl groups have proven to be an increasingly interesting area of research for scientists over the last decade due to their optical and photophysical properties. However, in this area, there is no systematization of the structures and synthesis methods nor their limitations. In this review, all approaches to the synthesis of these compounds, starting from the commercially available pyrene are described. Herein, the ways of obtaining of disubstituted intermediates based on bromination and acylation reaction are presented. This is crucial in the determination of the possibility of further functionalization by using coupling, cycloaddition, condensation, etc. reactions. Moreover, the application of disubstituted pyrenes in the synthesis of 1,3,6,8-tetrasubstituted was also reviewed. This review describes the directions of research on chemistry of disubstituted pyrenes.

To reduce environmental and human health risks of contaminated sites, having a comprehensive knowledge about the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) removal processes is crucial. PAHs are contaminants which are highly recognized to pose threats to humans, animals, and plants. PAHs are hydrophobic and own two or more benzene rings, and hence are resistant to structural degradation. There are various techniques which have been developed to treat PAH-contaminated soil. Four distinct processes to remove PAHs in the contaminated soil, thought to be more effective techniques, are presented in this review: soil washing, chemical oxidation, electrokinetic, phytoremediation. In a surfactant-aided washing process, a removal rate of 90% was reported. Compost-amended phytoremediation treatment presented 58-99% removal of pyrene from the soil in 90 days. Chemical oxidation method was able to reach complete conversion for some PAHs. In electrokinetic treatment, researchers have achieved reliable results in removal of some specific PAHs. Researchers\' innovations in novel studies and advantages/disadvantages of the techniques are also investigated throughout the paper. Finally, it should be noted that an exclusive method or a combination of methods by themselves are not the key to be employed for remediation of every contaminated site but the field characteristics are also essential in selection of the most appropriate decontamination technique(s). The remedy for selection criteria is based on PAH concentrations, site characteristics, costs, shortcomings, and advantages.

Calixarenes are considered as third generation supramolecules with hollow cavity-like architecture whereas nanoparticles are small entities with dimensions in the nanoscale. Many exciting achievements are seen when the calix system merges with nanoparticles which produces many fascinating facets in all fields of contemporary chemistry. The properties of nanoparticles which are tuned by calixarenes find applications in sensing, catalysis, molecular recognition, etc. Here, we have reviewed the chemistry of calix-based nanoparticles, and emphasis is laid on the modified, reducing, templated and stabilizing roles of calixarenes. This review covers the research being carried out in the domain of calix protected metal nanoparticles during last 18 years under the canopy of important 109 references. This article contains 58 figures which include 81 easy to understand structures. Calix-protected nanoparticles have enthralled researchers in the field of nanoscience with a tremendous growth in its applications, which heralds much promise to become in future a separate area of research.

OBJECTIVE: In 2011 recommendations for the prescription of lung cancer in coke oven workers were made in the UK. In the 1970s, a powered helmet respirator, the Airstream helmet, was introduced to the UK coking industry with the aim of reducing exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) aerosols and consequent lung cancer risks for workers on the coke oven tops. This review set out to identify the level of protection afforded by the Airstream helmet, when the helmets could be considered to have provided effective protection and whether the levels of protection have been maintained to the current time.
METHODS: Five approaches were taken to identify review material, including searching the peer-reviewed and grey literature; searching material held in the National Archive; using a Freedom of Information to the Health and Safety Executive; interviews with employees involved in the introduction of the Airstream helmet; and acquisition of company reports.
RESULTS: The two principal companies involved in coke production in the UK took different approaches to the introduction of the Airstream helmets. Because of this, it can only be considered that effective wearing occurred in the industry as a whole from 1982 onwards. Exposure measurements made by British Steel in the late 1970s suggested that the mean protection factor of the Airstream helmet was ~10 (5th percentile~2.5), regardless of whether exposure was assessed as the inhalable aerosol or other measures more specific to aerosol of PAH. More recent data collected using biological monitoring has identified that average urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) generally correspond with the inhalation occupational exposure limit for benzene soluble material. Although on occasions, relatively high air concentrations in-mask and urinary 1-HP concentrations have been identified, underlining the necessity to maintain close supervision of workers wearing respirators.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, we concluded that the wearing of helmet respirators has effectively controlled long-term average exposure to PAH for most workers on coke ovens since 1982.

The association between ambient air pollution exposure and lung cancer risk has been investigated in prospective studies and the results are generally consistent, indicating that long-term exposure to air pollution may cause lung cancer. Despite the prospective nature and consistent findings of these studies, causality assessment can benefit from biomarker research. In the present systematic review, we assess the contribution of intermediate biomarkers in epidemiological studies, to ascertain whether their measurement reinforces causal reasoning. We have reviewed 524 papers which described the relationships between ambient air pollution and biological markers of dose and early response. The evidence for each marker was evaluated using assessment criteria which rate a group of studies from A (strong) to C (weak) on amount of evidence, replication of findings, and protection from bias. Biomarkers that scored A or B for all three criteria are included here. The markers that fulfilled the inclusion criteria are: 1-hydroxypyrene, DNA adducts, chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, oxidative damage to nucleobases, and methylation changes. These biomarkers cover the whole spectrum of disease onset and progression from external exposure to tumour formation and some have also been suggested as risk predictors of future cancer, reinforcing causal reasoning. However, methodological issues such as confounding, publication bias and use of surrogate tissues instead of target tissues in studies on these markers are of concern. The identified biological markers have potential to shed light on the pathways of carcinogenesis, thus defining the association more clearly for public health interventions.