The pyridinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([BPy][BF 4 ]), N-hexylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([HPy][BF 4 ]), and N-octylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([OPy][BF 4 ]) were found to be effective for the selective removal of aromatic heterocyclic sulfur compounds from diesel at room temperature. The results suggested that the structure and size of the cation greatly affect the extractive performance of ILs. The extractive performance using pyridinium-based ILs followed the orderand for the IL, the sulfur removal selectivity of sulfur compounds followed the order thiophene (TS) < benzothiophene (BT) < dibenzothiophene (DBT) under the same conditions. The pyridinium-based ILs would not contaminate the diesel due to their insolubility. On the other hand, diesel has a certain solubility in pyridinium-based ILs, varying from 0.49 wt % for [BPy][BF 4 ] to 1.97 wt % for [OPy][BF 4 ]. According to the results, [HPy][BF 4 ] and [OPy][BF 4 ] might be used as promising solvents for the extractive desulfurization of diesel.

This study was undertaken to provide reference values for relevant parameters of Chinese Reference Man. Eighteen kinds of major organ or tissue samples, including muscle, rib, liver, and so on, were obtained from autopsies of 68 healthy adult men living in four areas of China with different dietary patterns (Hebei, Shanxi, Sichuan, Jiangxi or Jiangsu provinces, including Shanghai City) who had just encountered sudden deaths. At the same time, whole blood samples were collected from 10 volunteers living in each of these areas. The concentrations of 60 elements in these samples were detected by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), neutron activation analysis (NAA), fluorometry (FL), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) techniques and necessary quality control (QC) measures. Based on obtained concentrations and reference values of these organ or tissue weights for Chinese Reference Man, the elemental burdens in these organs or tissues were estimated. As a summary report of a series of research studies for Chinese Reference Man, which included three steps (from 1996 to 2006), the concentrations of 60 elements in 18 main organs or tissues were determined and their elemental burdens in the organs or tissues and whole body were estimated. Furthermore, the organ or tissue distributions of some important elements for radiation protection were discussed. These results may provide more reliable and better representative bases than before for establishing related reference values of Chinese Reference Man and revising current reference values of International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Reference Man. These basic data will also be very valuable for many other applications in radiation protection and other scientific fields.

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The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential effect of environmental exposure to cadmium on pregnancy outcome and fetal growth. Normal pregnant women were selected from Da-ye city of Hubei province, a cadmium-polluted area, from November 2002 through January 2003. Whole blood of pregnant women, cord blood, and placenta were collected and cadmium levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma emission mass spectroscopy. Incidence rate of preterm labor (gestational age < or = 37 weeks) and neonatal asphyxia, neonatal birth height, and birth weight were compared between lower and higher cadmium exposure level groups. Whole blood cadmium of 44 mothers ranged from 0.80 to 25.20 microg/L. Cadmium concentration in maternal blood was significantly higher than that in cord blood (t = 11.44, P < 0.01). Placenta cadmium ranged from 0.084 to 3.97 microg/g dry weight. After adjustment for maternal age, history of gestation, abortion and lactation, Logistic regression analysis showed that there was no significant association between cadmium exposure levels and pregnancy outcome (premature labor or neonatal asphyxia). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, cord blood cadmium level, but not maternal blood cadmium and placenta cadmium, was significantly negatively associated with neonatal birth height (t= -2.33, P < 0.05). Compared with lower cord blood cadmium level (< or = 0.40 microg/L), higher level of cord blood cadmium (>0.40 microg/L) was associated with 2.24cm decrease in neonatal birth height. There was no significant association between cadmium exposure and birth weight. It was concluded that environmental exposure to cadmium significantly lower neonatal birth height.