Volatile organic compounds emitted from historical books made from cotton/linen rag and wood pulp paper have been studied. Different profiles were obtained using different solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibres to access the compounds involved in the decomposition reactions occurring in cotton/linen rag and wood pulp paper upon natural ageing and precocious/accelerated degradation. Contact headspace solid-phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) was improved as a non-destructive methodology for the analysis of historical books. Potential markers of cellulose degradation-linear hydrocarbons, linear aldehydes, and 2-furfural-together with potential markers of cotton/linen rag paper (isopropylic esters) were identified. Chiral analysis (SPME-c-GC-TOF-MS) showed that only the enantiomer (S)-2-ethyl-1-hexanol is present as an emanation compound in both types of paper. Validation studies for a larger number of books are being done.

-In order to protect the legitimate interests of the poplar breeders, growers and industries, we have developed a reliable and affordable certification tool for commercial poplars in Spain. We have carried out a genetic description of the 28 commercial clones of the current Spanish National Catalogue using 10 microsatellite molecular markers (SSR). The results clearly show that in the Spanish National Catalogue there are labelling mistakes including synonymies, supported by a combined probability of identity (PI) of 1.18 × 10 −9 . We have also demonstrate that it is possible to identify all the different clones (genotypes) with only three microsatellites, that show a combined probability of identity of 2.4 × 10 −4 , and we have optimised the protocols to reduce the time and the economical costs of the analysis. This SSR-based tool could be incorporated in the current certification protocols, to avoid duplication of accessions and identification mistakes.commercial poplar clone / microsatellite / identification / Spanish national catalogue Résumé -Développement de marqueurs microsatellites pour l'identification et la certification des clones commerciaux de peuplier en Espagne. Dans le but de protéger les intérêts légitimes des cultivateurs, des sélectionneurs et des industriels de la populiculture, nous avons mis au point un outil de certification fiable et accessible pour les clones de peupliers commerciaux en Espagne. Nous avons fait une description génétique des 28 clones commerciaux de l'actuel catalogue national espagnol en utilisant 10 marqueurs moléculaires microsatellites (SSR). Les résultats obtenus indiquent clairement que ce catalogue contient des erreurs d'identification, dont des clones synonymes, soutenues par une probabilité combinée d'identité (PI) de 1.18 × 10 −9 . Nous avons également démontré qu'il est possible d'identifier tous les génotypes différents avec 3 microsatellites, qui montrent une probabilité combinée d'identité de 2.4 × 10 −4 , et nous avons optimisé les protocoles afin de réduire le temps et le coût de l'analyse. Cet outil fondé sur les SSR pourrait être intégré dans les protocoles actuels de certification afin d'éviter la duplication des matériaux et les erreurs d'identification.clone commercial de peuplier / microsatellite / identification / catalogue national espagnol

This paper reports, for the first time, the concentrations of selected phthalates in drinking water consumed in Portugal. The use of bottled water in Portugal has increased in recent years. The main material for bottles is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Its plasticizer components can contaminate water by leaching, and several scientific studies have evidenced potential health risks of phthalates to humans of all ages. With water being one of the most essential elements to human health and because it is consumed by ingestion, the evaluation of drinking water quality, with respect to phthalate contents, is important. This study tested seven commercial brands of bottled water consumed in Portugal, six PET and one glass (the most consumed) bottled water. Furthermore, tap water from Lisbon and three small neighbor cities was analyzed. Phthalates (di-n-butyl phthalate ester (DnBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate ester (DEHP), and di-i-butyl phthalate ester (DIBP)) in water samples were quantified (PET and glass) by means of direct immersion solid-phase microextraction and ionic liquid gas chromatography associated with flame ionization detection or mass spectrometry due to their high boiling points and water solubility. The method utilized in this study showed a linear range for target phthalates between 0.02 and 6.5 μg L(-1), good precision and low limits of detection that were between 0.01 and 0.06 μg L(-1), and quantitation between 0.04 and 0.19 μg L(-1). Only three phthalates were detected in Portuguese drinking waters: dibutyl (DnBP), diisobutyl (DIBP), and di(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Concentrations ranged between 0.06 and 6.5 μg L(-1) for DnBP, between 0.02 and 0.16 μg L(-1) for DEHP, and between 0.1 and 1.89 μg L(-1) for DIBP. The concentration of DEHP was found to be up to five times higher in PET than in glass bottled water. Surprisingly, all the three phthalates were detected in glass bottled water with the amount of DnBP being higher (6.5 μg L(-1)) than in PET bottled water. These concentrations do not represent direct risk to human health. Regarding potable tap water, only DIBP and DEHP were detected. Two of the cities showed concentration of all three phthalates in their water below the limits of detection of the method. All the samples showed phthalate concentrations below 6 μg L(-1), the maximum admissible concentration in water established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The concentrations measured in Portuguese bottled waters do not represent any risk for adult's health.

A total of sixty-five accessions from the Spanish region of Castilla y León including those authorized in the VQPRD areas were characterized for six SSR loci. All the samples but one unknown were identified by comparison to other databases. Thirty synonymous samples and three cases of homonymy were found out, confirming in most cases ampelographic expectations. Five unique genotypes belonging to local varieties in risk of extinction were detected. Several parameters were calculated to assess the usefulness of the chosen loci in this work. A dendrogram representing the genetic similarities among the accessions was constructed using the neighbor-joining method to investigate possible parentage relationships in the sample, and to explain them from an historical and cultural point of view.

Risk factors for lead poisoning among immigrant children may differ from those among U.S.-born children. Screening of immigrant children who may have been exposed in their country of origin and education of immigrant parents about lead exposure hazards associated with activities such as car repair should be considered in the design of lead poisoning prevention and control programs.