Animals and humans are exposed to various residues that can have a detrimental impact on health, including carcinogenic potential, endocrine disruption, or fatal toxicity. The toxic burden can be evaluated in several biological samples, with serum being one of the preferred and most convenient options. In this study, we have applied and validated a method for detecting several hundred toxins in serum samples. This technique involved a single-step QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) extraction followed by analysis using gas and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. With this methodology, we could detect and quantify up to 353 compounds, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and rodenticides, using just 250 µL of serum. Among them, 92% could be measured at concentrations below 1.25 ng/mL, making it ideal for biomonitoring. We applied this method to samples collected from camels (n = 40) and humans (n = 25). We detected naproxen, ketoprofen, paracetamol, levamisole, and some POPs in these samples. This study validated the ability to simultaneously detect a broad range of compounds in small volumes of serum.

Introduction: Obesity is a pathological state that involves the dysregulation of different metabolic pathways and adipose tissue cells, constituting a risk factor for the development of other diseases. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment. The study of the behavior of pollutants in situations of extreme weight loss can provide biomonitoring information and tools to manage diseases of environmental etiology.Aim: To determine the prevalence of serum persistent and non-persistent pollutants in obese patients subjected to bariatric surgery and analyze the impact of sociodemographic variables on these changes.Methods: GC-MS/MS and UHPLC-MS/MS were utilized to determine the detection rates and concentrations of 353 compounds, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and rodenticide, in serum samples of 59 obese patients before and after undergoing bariatric surgery.Results: Detection rates of p,p’-DDE, HCB, β-HCH, naphthalene, phenanthrene and PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 significantly increased due to surgery-induced weight loss. Serum levels of p,p’-DDE, PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180 also increased after surgery. Correlations between naphthalene levels, weight loss, variation of total lipids and time after surgery were found. Additionally, correlations were observed between concentrations of PCB-138 and weight loss, and between phenanthrene levels and reduction of total lipids. No statistically significant differences were observed for other groups of contaminants, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals included in the quantification methods.Conclusions: Increment of POPs was observed after bariatric surgery. Serum concentrations of POPs after surgery were influenced by adiposity-related variables. Although biomonitoring studies show a decreasing tendency of exposure, rapid weight loss leads to an increase of circulating POPs. Further research on the interplay between adipose tissue, POPs and peripheral organs is required.

Adipose tissue, in addition to serving as energy storage, can store lipophilic substances, some of which may pose a health risk if massively mobilized during rapid weight loss. This study aimed to biomonitor inorganic elements in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and analyze the role of sociodemographic factors. ICP-MS was employed to quantify 55 elements, including elements identified from the ATSDR’s Substance Priority List and rare-earth elements, in serum samples of 58 obese patients before and after bariatric surgery. A total of 39 out of 55 elements were detected, either before or after surgery, in at least one patient. Serum concentrations of gold, copper, mercury, platinum, and selenium significantly decreased after surgery. Serum concentrations of iron and zinc were significantly lower before surgery. Age, sex, diabetes status, arterial hypertension, and family history of obesity were demographic factors associated with the concentration of elements. Correlation analyses showed significant associations between elements and total lipid concentration or body mass index. Our findings indicate a complex interplay between inorganic elements and body fat and provide relevant information regarding the biomonitoring of these chemical elements in a specific and understudied population.

Background: Shoulder pathologies are common causes of pain and functional limitation, often requiring physiotherapeutic interventions. Evidence comparing the effectiveness of manual therapy and exercise-based approaches in non-traumatic shoulder conditions remains limited. Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of Maitland mobilisation (MAIT) versus kinesiotherapy (KINE) in improving pain, function, quality of life, and range of motion (ROM) in patients with non-traumatic shoulder pathology. Method: Fifty-nine patients (63 shoulders) were randomly assigned to KINE (KINE; n = 32) or MAIT (MAIT; n = 31) over 15 sessions (three per week for 5 weeks). Both groups also received shortwave diathermy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and exercises. Outcomes included the Disabilities for the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scale, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Short Form Health Survey, and ROM assessed with a Qualisys motion capture system. Assessments were performed at baseline, post-treatment, and 2-week follow-up. Results: While both groups showed significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life after treatment, maintained at 2-week follow-up, MAIT also improved all outcome measures across all ROMs. Percentage changes from baseline were significantly greater in the MAIT group for most variables at both time points. A greater proportion of patients in the MAIT group exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for DASH, ASES, and VAS. Conclusion: Although both approaches produced positive outcomes, MAIT demonstrated superior effectiveness compared with KINE. Clinical Implications: Maitland mobilisation may be recommended as a preferred intervention for non-traumatic shoulder pathology in clinical practice, offering broader improvements in function, pain, and mobility without additional treatment burden.