Cadmium exposure and the risk of prostate cancer among Nigerian men: Effect modification by zinc status

BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) may result from an interplay between many factors including exposure to trace elements. This study examined the association between cadmium exposure and PCa among Nigerian men and evaluated possible modification of this effect by zinc status.MethodsThis case-control study involved men with histologically confirmed PCa (n = 82), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; n = 93) and controls (n = 98), aged between 40 and 80 years. Study participants were recruited from the main teaching hospital that draws clients from the entire Anambra State in South-Eastern Nigeria. Blood and urine samples were collected from these participants and were analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS. Statistical models were used to assess the exposure risk for cadmium exposure as well as the mediating effect of zinc status.ResultsAmong men with prostatic disorders (case-case analysis), every 10-fold increase in urinary cadmium was associated with increased risk of PCa (adjusted odds ratios: 2.526; 95% CI: 1.096–5.821). Men in the highest blood zinc quartile had lower odds of PCa compared to the lowest quartile (AOR: 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06–0.54; p-for trend = 0.001). Zinc-specific effect was observed in this group: every 10-fold increase in urinary cadmium was associated with increased risk of PCa among men with creatinine-adjusted urinary zinc levels below the median value (AOR: 8.46; 95% CI: 1.97 –36.39) but not in those above the median value (AOR: 1.55; 95% CI: 0.45 – 5.39).ConclusionHigher exposure to cadmium may be associated with increased risk of PCa in Nigeria and probably other countries with high prevalence of Zn deficiency. These results point to the need to consider co-occurring trace metals in any effort to mitigate the toxicity of Cd in the environment.     

Dietary omega-6 fatty acid lowering increases bioavailability of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in human plasma lipid pools

BackgroundDietary linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) lowering in rats reduces n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) plasma concentrations and increases n-3 PUFA (eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) concentrations.ObjectiveTo evaluate the extent to which 12 weeks of dietary n-6 PUFA lowering, with or without increased dietary n-3 PUFAs, alters unesterified and esterified plasma n-6 and n-3 PUFA concentrations in subjects with chronic headache.DesignSecondary analysis of a randomized trial. Subjects with chronic headache were randomized for 12 weeks to (1) average n-3, low n-6 (L6) diet; or (2) high n-3, low n-6 LA (H3–L6) diet. Esterified and unesterified plasma fatty acids were quantified at baseline (0 weeks) and after 12 weeks on a diet.ResultsCompared to baseline, the L6 diet reduced esterified plasma LA and increased esterified n-3 PUFA concentrations (nmol/ml), but did not significantly change plasma arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) concentration. In addition, unesterified EPA concentration was increased significantly among unesterified fatty acids. The H3–L6 diet decreased esterified LA and AA concentrations, and produced more marked increases in esterified and unesterified n-3 PUFA concentrations.ConclusionDietary n-6 PUFA lowering for 12 weeks significantly reduces LA and increases n-3 PUFA concentrations in plasma, without altering plasma AA concentration. A concurrent increase in dietary n-3 PUFAs for 12 weeks further increases n-3 PUFA plasma concentrations and reduces AA.     

Age-dependent inverse association between alcohol consumption and obesity in Japanese men

The aim of this study was to determine whether age influences the relationship between alcohol drinking and obesity. Japanese men receiving periodic health checkups (20–70 years old, n = 36,121) were divided into non‐, light (<22 g ethanol/day), moderate (≥22 and <44 g ethanol/day), and heavy (≥44 g ethanol/day) drinkers. Relationships between alcohol intake and obesity‐related indices were compared among the quartiles of age. BMI was lower in light and moderate drinkers than in nondrinkers, and these differences were more prominent in the 1st and 2nd quartiles of age than in the higher quartiles. In the 1st and 2nd quartiles of age, waist circumference and waist‐to‐height ratio were significantly smaller and lower, respectively, in light and moderate drinkers than in nondrinkers, and these differences were less prominent in the 3rd quartile and were not found in the 4th quartile. In the 1st and 2nd quartiles of age, odds ratios vs. nondrinkers for large waist circumference were significantly low (P < 0.01) in light drinkers (1st quartile: 0.64 (0.54–0.75); 2nd quartile: 0.69 (0.60–0.80)) and moderate drinkers (1st quartile: 0.69 (0.61–0.78); 2nd quartile: 0.84 (0.76–0.93)), whereas the odds ratio was significantly low (P < 0.05) only in light drinkers in the 3rd quartile (0.84 (0.73–0.97)) and was not significant in any drinker groups of the 4th quartile. The results suggest that alcohol consumption is associated with lower risk of obesity in Japanese men and this association is more prominent in younger men than in older men.     

Identifying Prediabetes Using Fasting Insulin Levels

ObjectiveTo determine whether patients with prediabetes can be accurately and easily identified in clinical settings using a predictive clinical and laboratory model.MethodsThis retrospective study examined demographic and laboratory data from patients who had undergone 2-hour glucose testing for suspected prediabetes or diabetes between 2000 and 2004. Patients who met the diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus were excluded. Prediabetes was defined as a fasting glucose concentration ≥ 100 mg/dL and ≤ 125 mg/dL or a 2-hour postprandial glucose concentration ≥ 140 mg/dL and < 200 mg/dL. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify calculated or measured clinical and laboratory attributes that predict the presence of prediabetes, including fasting insulin quartiles, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index.ResultsOf 965 patients, 287 (29.7%) had prediabetes. The study population primarily consisted of white, obese, female patients. A multivariate model revealed that compared with the referent lowest quartile of fasting insulin (m = 4.9 [± SD] ± 1.2 mIU/mL), subsequent insulin quartiles increased the likelihood of identifying prediabetes (quartile 2: m = 8.0 ± 0.8 mIU/mL, odds ratio [OR] = 2.076, confidence interval [CI] = 1.241-3.273; quartile 3: m = 12.2 ± 1.7 mIU/mL, OR = 3.151, CI = 1.981-5.015; quartile 4: m = 25.9 ± 12.4 mIU/mL, OR = 5.035, CI = 3.122-8.122). Older age and increased diastolic blood pressure also contributed modestly to this model. Further analysis using the area under the curve revealed that at a fasting insulin level > 9.0 mIU/mL, prediabetes would be correctly identified in 80% of affected patients. A second model revealed that increased HOMA-IR index (OR = 1.303, CI = 1.205-1.410) and older age (OR = 1.037, CI = 1.024-1.05) predicted prediabetes.ConclusionsThe most robust model, which used fasting insulin levels, may provide the most utility as a clinical tool because the highest quartiles suggest significantly greater likelihood of identifying prediabetes. (Endocr Pract. 2010;16:47-52)     

3,3'-Diiodothyronine Concentrations in Hospitalized or Thyroidectomized Patients: Results from a Pilot Study

ObjectiveTo determine if various medical conditions affect the serum concentrations of 3,3′-diiodothyronine (3,3′-T2).MethodsA total of 100 patients who were recruited from a group of inpatients and outpatients with a diverse range of medical conditions, donated a single blood sample that was assayed for thyroid hormone derivatives using liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The associations between 3,3′-T2 concentrations and physiologic data and medical conditions were assessed.ResultsHigher quartiles of 3,3′-T2 concentrations (quartile 1: 2.01-7.48, quartile 2: 7.74-12.4, quartile 3: 12.5-17, quartile 4: 17.9-45.8 pg/mL) were associated with decreasing occurrence of critical illness (58%, 11%, 0%, 8%), stroke (29%, 7.7%, 4%, 0%), critical care unit hospitalization (75%, 39%, 8.3 %, 12%), and inpatient status (83%, 42%, 8%, 12%) (all P < .001). The same quartiles were associated with increasing frequency of thyroidectomy (4%, 12%, 17%, 60%). In multivariate analyses, after adjustment for age and sex, inpatient status was associated with decreasing concentrations of 3,3′-T2 (46% decrease for inpatients with 95% confidence interval [CI] 32-57%, P < .0001). Thyroidectomy was associated with increasing concentrations of 3,3′-T2 (29% increase (CI 0.5-66%, P = .049).ConclusionWe observed associations between inpatient status and reduced 3,3′-T2 concentrations. This appears to be a global change associated with illness, rather than an association with specific medical conditions. We also observed higher 3,3′-T2 concentrations in athyreotic outpatients receiving thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy. This demonstrates that there is production of 3,3′-T2 from levothyroxine (LT4) in extrathyroidal tissues. Conversion of thyroxine (T4) to 3,3′-T2 via both triiodothyronine (T3) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) pathways may prevent excessive T3 concentrations in such patients. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:797-807)     

Effects of Glycemia on Immediate Complications Followings Cabg

ObjectiveWe investigated the relationship between postoperative glucose levels (days 1 through 3) and immediate outcomes in patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 2,558 consecutive patients who had isolated CABG. Patients were stratified into 3 groups based on their pre-operative mortality risk (MR), using Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ criteria. Average glucose levels for the first 3 days following surgery were determined. Glucose levels for each group were divided into quartiles and related to relevant outcomes. Odds ratios assessing changes in outcomes as functions of increased glucose exposure were determined for postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 and for postoperative days 1 and 2 and 1 through 3.ResultsThe number of patients in each MR group (1 through 3; low, medium, and high) was 1,233, 852, and 473, respectively. Mean ± SD quartile glucose levels for days 1 and 2 were 133 ± 8.2, 150.4 ± 4.7, 167.2 ± 6.89, and 205.9 ± 24.9 mg/dL. The proportion of patients with a glucose level <70 mg/dL was 6.4%, <60 mg/dL was 2.7%, and <50 mg/dL was 1.1%.The most consistent and significant correlations between glucose quartiles and outcomes were observed for MR group 1, and they were most significant for the first 2 days following surgery. Glycemic control was not correlated with mortality, but it was correlated with total complications.ConclusionHyperglycemia during the first two days after CABG adversely affected total complications in patients who were in the low and medium MR groups, but it did not significantly affect hospital mortality. (Endocr Pract. 2013;19:928-936)     

Low-Grade Albuminuria Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Population

Background

Micro-albuminuria has been well established as one of the risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the association of MetS and its components with low-grade albuminuria among those with normal urinary albumin excretion has not been clearly elucidated in Chinese population.

Methodology and Findings

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 9,579 participants with normal urinary albumin excretion, who were recruited from Jia Ding District, Shanghai, China. The single-void first morning urine sample was collected for urinary albumin and creatinine measurements, and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) was calculated as urinary albumin divided by creatinine. Low-grade albuminuria was classified as sex-specific upper UACR quartile in this population. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The prevalence of MetS and its components increased across the UACR quartiles (all P _trend <0.01). A multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that the prevalence of MetS was gradually elevated according to the UACR quartiles (adjusted odds ratios [ORs] were 1.14, 1.24 and 1.59 for UACR quartiles 2, 3 and 4, compared with the lowest quartile; P _trend<0.0001). In the further stratified logistic regression analyses, the associations between low-grade albuminuria and MetS were significant in both sex strata (male and female), both age strata (<60 and ≥60 years), both body mass index strata (<24 and ≥24 kg/m²), and both diabetes strata (yes and no). Compared to the lowest UACR quartile, the participants in the highest quartile of UACR had the highest prevalence of central obesity (OR = 1.43; 95%CI = 1.25–1.63), high blood pressure (OR = 1.64; 95%CI = 1.43–1.87), hyperglycemia (OR = 1.52; 95%CI = 1.30–1.78) and high triglycerides (OR = 1.19; 95%CI = 1.04–1.37).

Conclusions and Significance

Low-grade albuminuria was significantly associated with the increasing prevalence of MetS and its components in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population with normal urinary albumin excretion.     

Production of polyclonal antibodies towards the immunodetection of insecticide phosalone

Summary Hapten synthesis for the production of specific insecticide phosalone polyclonal antibodies was carried out starting from an intermediate of the phosalone synthesis, 6-chloro-2-benzoxazolone1. Two haptens containing different spacers have been prepared: N-5-carboxypentyl-6-chloro-2-benzoxazolone7 and N-(2-oxo-3-aza-5-carboxypentyl)-6-chloro-2-benzoxazolone12. Each of these two haptens conjugated to bovine serum albumine (BSA) was used to immunize four rabbits. Immunoassays of phosalone were performed with ELISA using solid-phase bound hapten thyroglobulin conjugate and horseradish peroxidase labelled goat antirabbit IgG. The more sensitive response was observed when the antiserum obtained from the rabbit immunized with the hapten-BSA conjugate containing the N-2-oxo-3-aza-5-carboxypentyl spacer was in competition with the same hapten coupled to thyroglobulin. An identical response was obtained under the same conditions when using benzoxazolone instead of phosalone as competitor, showing a good recognition of the specific aromatic part of the organophosphate insecticide phosalone. Reduction of coating conjugate concentration (from 2 to 0.05g/well) and also the use of heterologous coating protein instead of homologous did improve the sensitivity, resulting in a concentration of phosalone required to inhibit binding by 50% of 2 mg/l and a detection limit of 0.02 mg/l.     

Reduction in omega-3 fatty acids by UV-B irradiation in microalgae

UV-B irradiation reduced the levels of omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:53) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:63), in microalgae; the degree of reduction varied with species.Chaetoceros calcitrans andSkeletonema costatum were high UV-B tolerant species, followed byPhaeodactylum tricornutum, Chroomonas salina, Pavlova lutheri, andThalassiosira pseudonana.Isochrysis galbana (T.ISO) andProrocentrum micans were UV- B sensitive. Cells in logarithmic phase were most sensitive to UV- B irradiation. Nitrate-, phosphate-, or sulphate-starved cells were more UV-B sensitive than non-starved cells grown in a complete basal medium. A relatively short exposure to high UV-B was more damaging than a longer exposure to lower irradiance. Visible light intensity levels had a profound impact on the sensitivity of microalgal cultures to UV-B, with high levels decreasing UV-B dependent damage. Addition of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine or spermine) or an amino acid (cysteine) to the culture medium minimized the reduction of omega-3 fatty acid content in microalgae caused by UV-B irradiation.Author for correspondence     

Is Alanine Aminotransferase Associated with Osteopenia in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese?

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and risk of osteopenia in middle-aged and elderly Chinese with ALT within the normal range.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. A total of 4,890 men and women (pre- and postmenopausal) aged 40 years or older were randomly recruited from Fujian, China. Each participant was required to complete a questionnaire and then undergo anthropometric, biochemical, and bone mineral density measurements.ResultsThe odds ratio of osteopenia decreased significantly with increasing ALT level at baseline. The three groups (men, pre- and postmenopausal women) were divided by ALT quartiles. In multiple logistic regression models using the first quartile as the reference, after adjusting for corresponding confounding factors, the odds ratios of osteopenia across the other ALT quartiles were 0.576 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.390 to 0.851), 0.654 (95% CI, 0.460 to 0.930), and 0.629 (95% CI, 0.427 to 0.926) for premenopausal women, and 0.949 (95% CI, 0.699 to 1.289), 0.733 (95% CI, 0.540 to 0.995), and 0.692 (95% CI, 0.508 to 0.943) for postmenopausal women (not significant for quartile 2). However, no significantly different results were found in men. Multiple linear regression models showed that serum ALT concentrations were positively associated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance.ConclusionOur study of middle-aged and elderly Chinese men and women demonstrates that the prevalence of osteopenia is inversely associated with ALT level when ALT is within the normal range. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20: 775-784)     

Objectively Measured Walking Duration and Sedentary Behaviour and Four-Year Mortality in Older People

BackgroundPhysical activity is an important component of health. Recommendations based on sensor measurements are sparse in older people. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of objectively measured walking and sedentary duration on four-year mortality in community-dwelling older people.MethodsBetween March 2009 and April 2010, physical activity of 1271 participants (≥65 years, 56.4% men) from Southern Germany was measured over one week using a thigh-worn uni-axial accelerometer (activPAL; PAL Technologies, Glasgow, Scotland). Mortality was assessed during a four-year follow-up. Cox-proportional-hazards models were used to estimate the associations between walking (including low to high intensity) and sedentary duration with mortality. Models were adjusted for age and sex, additional epidemiological variables, and selected biomarkers.ResultsAn inverse relationship between walking duration and mortality with a minimum risk for the 3rd quartile (102.2 to128.4 minutes walking daily) was found even after multivariate adjustment with HRs for quartiles 2 to 4 compared to quartile 1 of 0.45 (95%-CI: 0.26; 0.76), 0.18 (95%-CI: 0.08; 0.41), 0.39 (95%-CI: 0.19; 0.78), respectively. For sedentary duration an age- and sex-adjusted increased mortality risk was observed for the 4th quartile (daily sedentary duration ≥1137.2 min.) (HR 2.05, 95%-CI: 1.13; 3.73), which diminished, however, after full adjustment (HR 1.63, 95%-CI: 0.88; 3.02). Furthermore, our results suggest effect modification between walking and sedentary duration, such that in people with low walking duration a high sedentary duration was noted as an independent factor for increased mortality.ConclusionsIn summary, walking duration was clearly associated with four-year overall mortality in community-dwelling older people.     

Maternal intake of vitamin E and birth defects,national birth defects prevention study, 1997 to 2005

BACKGROUND In a recent study, high maternal periconceptional intake of vitamin E was found to be associated with risk of congenital heart defects (CHDs). To explore this association further, we investigated the association between total daily vitamin E intake and selected birth defects. METHODS: We analyzed data from 4525 controls and 8665 cases from the 1997 to 2005 National Birth Defects Prevention Study. We categorized estimated periconceptional energy‐adjusted total daily vitamin E intake from diet and supplements into quartiles (referent, lowest quartile). Associations between quartiles of energy‐adjusted vitamin E intake and selected birth defects were adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and nutritional factors. RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant association with the third quartile of vitamin E intake (odds ratio [OR], 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.35) and all CHDs combined. Among CHD sub‐types, we observed associations with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction defects, and its sub‐type, coarctation of the aorta and the third quartile of vitamin E intake. Among defects other than CHDs, we observed associations between anorectal atresia and the third quartile of vitamin E intake (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.01–2.72) and hypospadias and the fourth quartile of vitamin E intake (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.09–1.87). CONCLUSION: Selected quartiles of energy‐adjusted estimated total daily vitamin E intake were associated with selected birth defects. However, because these few associations did not exhibit exposure‐response patterns consistent with increasing risk associated with increasing intake of vitamin E, further studies are warranted to corroborate our findings. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 100:647–657, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Global DNA methylation in a population with aflatoxin B1 exposure

We previously reported that global DNA hypomethylation, measured as Sat2 methylation in white blood cells (WBC), and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) exposure were associated with increased hepatocellular carcinoma risk. In this study, we assessed the association between AFB₁ exposure and global DNA methylation. We measured LINE-1 and Sat2 methylation in WBC DNA samples from 1140 cancer free participants of the Cancer Screening Program (CSP) cohort. Blood and urine samples were used to determine the level of AFB₁-albumin (AFB₁-Alb) adducts and urinary AFB₁ metabolites. In continuous models, we found reverse associations of urinary AFB₁ with LINE-1 and Sat2 methylation. The odds ratio (OR) per 1 unit decrease were 1.12 (95%CI = 1.03–1.22) for LINE-1 and 1.48 (95%CI = 1.10–2.00) for Sat2 methylation. When compared with subjects in the highest quartile of LINE-1, we found that individuals in the 2nd and 3rd quartiles were less likely to have detectable AFB₁-Alb adducts, with ORs (95%CI) of 0.61 (0.40–0.93), 0.61 (0.40-.94), and 1.09 (0.69–1.72), respectively. The OR for detectable AFB₁-Alb was 1.81 (95%CI = 1.15–2.85) for subjects in the lowest quartile of Sat2 methylation. The OR for detection of urinary AFB₁ for those with LINE-1 methylation in the lowest quartile compared with those in the highest quartile was 1.87 (95%CI = 1.15–3.04). The corresponding OR was 1.75 (95%CI = 1.08–2.82) for subjects in the lowest quartile of Sat2 methylation. The association between AFB₁ exposure and global DNA methylation may have implications for the epigenetic effect of AFB₁ on hepatocellular carcinoma development and also suggests that changes in DNA methylation may represent an epigenetic biomarker of dietary AFB₁ exposure.     

Effect of inorganic salts on bacterial omega-3 PUFA production

The increasing demand of omega-3 in the market and the challenges facing its conventional supplies led to an increasing interest to microbial omega-3 sources. This research concentrates on the statistical role of some metal ions on the biosynthesis and productivity of eicosapentaenoic acid (essential omega-3 element) in bacterial isolate, Shewanella 717. A Plackett–Burman design was applied to screen the main effect of all metal salts entrenched in the artificial sea water medium components. Four salts, in particular, in addition to the interaction among them were highlighted as having a statistically significant effect upon the growth and/or eicosapentaenoic acid production. A subsequent central composite design was performed to determine the exact optimum concentration of each of the chosen variables which was found to be 2.5, 1.8, 1.2, and 23?g/l, for Na₂HPO₄, MgSO₄, KCl, and NaCl, respectively. All the experiments were performed with the minimal amount of carbon and nitrogen to eliminate any potential masking effect. A bioreactor batch run was operated and the ion uptake was monitored, using EDAX® electron microscopy, concluding that the process of microbial omega-3 production could be a phosphate-limited process. Optimizing the concentration of the tested metal ions led to a remarkable increase in the omega-3 productivity resulted in a 30, 9, and 10 times increase in yield, concentration, and percentage to the total fatty acids, respectively, even though the carbon and nitrogen were kept constant all over the research work.     

Relationship of Serum Vitamin D Concentrations and Allostatic Load as a Measure of Cumulative Biological Risk among the US Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

IntroductionThe allostatic load (AL) index is a multi-systemic measure of physiologic dysregulation known to be associated with chronic exposure to stress and adverse health outcomes. We examined the relationship between AL and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration in non-institutionalized US adults.MethodsData from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988–94) were used to calculate two versions of AL including 9 biomarkers and another two with 14 biomarkers (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, serum cholesterol, serum HDL-cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, sex-specific waist-to-hip ratio, serum albumin, and serum C-reactive protein for AL1, and, additionally body mass index, serum triglyceride, serum creatinine, and serum herpes I & II antibodies for AL2), each set defined by predefined cut-offs or by quartiles. Serum vitamin D concentration was ranked into quartiles. Logistic regression, Poisson regression and linear regression were used to examine the association of serum 25(OH)D concentrations on AL, after adjusting for biological, physiological, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health variables.ResultsOdds Ratios (OR) for high AL of the lowest 25(OH)D serum quartile were between 1.45 (95% CI: 1.28, 1.67) and 1.79 (95% CI: 1.39, 2.32) for the fully adjusted model, depending on AL version. Inverse relationships between vitamin D serum concentrations were observed for all AL versions and every adjustment. This relationship was consistent after stratification by sex, age or ethnic background. Sensitivity to low 25(OH)D concentrations was highest among the youngest group (20–39 years) with an OR of 2.11 (95% CI: 1.63, 2.73) for the lowest vitamin D quartile Q1.ConclusionsVitamin D had a consistent and statistically significant inverse association with all tested models of high AL, which remained consistent after adjusting for biological, socioeconomic, lifestyle and health variables. Our study adds evidence linking low 25(OH)D concentrations with poorer health, further-reaching than bone health.     

Assessment of DNA damages in lymphocytes of agricultural workers exposed to pesticides by comet assay in a cross-sectional study

Purpose: To assess the predictive power of the comet assay in the context of occupational exposure to pesticides.

Materials and methods: The recruited subjects completed a structured questionnaire and gave a blood sample. Exposure to pesticides was measured by means of an algorithm based on Dosemeci’s work (Agricultural Health Study). Approximately 50 images were analyzed for each sample via fluorescence microscopy. The extent of DNA damage was estimated by tail moment (TM) and is the product of tail DNA (%) and tail Length.

Results: Crude significant risks (odds ratios, ORs) for values higher than the 75th percentile of TM were observed among the exposed subjects (score?>?1). The frequency of some confounding factors (sex, age and smoking) was significantly higher among the exposed workers. A significant dose–effect relationship was observed between TM and exposure score. Significant high-risk estimates (ORs), adjusted by the studied confounding factors, among exposure to pesticides and TM, % tail DNA and tail length were confirmed using unconditional logistic regression models.

Conclusions: The adjusted associations (ORs) between the comet parameters and exposure to pesticides were significant. The sensitivity of the comet test was low (41%), the specificity (89%) and the predictive positive value (0.77) were found acceptable.     

The synthesis and accumulation of stearidonic acid in transgenic plants: a novel source of 'heart-healthy' omega-3 fatty acids

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have a proven role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and precursor disease states such as metabolic syndrome. Although most studies have focussed on the predominant omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), recent evidence suggests similar health benefits from their common precursor, stearidonic acid. Stearidonic acid is a Δ6-unsaturated C18 omega-3 fatty acid present in a few plant species (mainly the Boraginaceae and Primulaceae ) reflecting the general absence of Δ6-desaturation from higher plants. Using a Δ6-desaturase from Primula vialii , we generated transgenic Arabidopsis and linseed lines accumulating stearidonic acid in their seed lipids. Significantly, the P. vialii Δ6-desaturase specifically only utilises α-linolenic acid as a substrate, resulting in the accumulation of stearidonic acid but not omega-6 γ-linolenic acid. Detailed lipid analysis revealed the accumulation of stearidonic acid in neutral lipids such as triacylglycerol but an absence from the acyl-CoA pool. In the case of linseed, the achieved levels of stearidonic acid (13.4% of triacylglycerols) are very similar to those found in the sole natural commercial plant source ( Echium spp.) or transgenic soybean oil. However, both those latter oils contain γ-linolenic acid, which is not normally present in fish oils and considered undesirable for heart-healthy applications. By contrast, the stearidonic acid-enriched linseed oil is essentially devoid of this fatty acid. Moreover, the overall omega-3/omega-6 ratio for this modified linseed oil is also significantly higher. Thus, this nutritionally enhanced linseed oil may have superior health-beneficial properties.     

Lymphocytes DNA damages and exposure to chlorpyrifos,deltamethrin, penconazole,copper oxicloride

Purpose: The evaluation of the association between different exposure to pesticides and different types of comet images among a group of 26 recruited subject.

Material and methods: We have recruited 26 subjects (farmers and not farmers). They were submitted to a blood drawing of 10?mL and a questionnaire was administered to investigate personal habits and work history. By means of the comet assay it was assessed the oxidative DNA damage of peripheral lymphocytes by pesticides in the exposed and non-exposed workers.

Result: The data measured by means of the comet were log transformed and the associations (odds ratios – ORs) with the single pesticides were calculated. The regression analysis shows a significant dose effects relationships between the Intensity Score of pesticides exposures tail moment (TM) and other measured parameters. Insecticides TM OR?=?17.00 [1.47?–?196.41]. This relationship is independent from the smoking habits.

Conclusions: TM values higher than the 75° percentile were significantly associated with the exposure to particular insecticides such as chlorpyriphos, deltamethrin and with other pesticides (near the statistical significance).     

Association between light exposure at night and insomnia in the general elderly population: The HEIJO-KYO cohort

Chronic circadian misalignment between the internal and environmental rhythms, which is typically related to night-shift work and clock-gene variants, is associated with disruption of suprachiasmatic nucleus function and increased risk of insomnia. Under controlled laboratory conditions, light at night (LAN) suppresses melatonin secretion, delays the internal biological rhythm, and reduces sleepiness. Therefore, LAN exposure may cause circadian misalignment and insomnia, though it remains unclear in real-life situations whether LAN exposure is associated with insomnia. To evaluate an association between LAN exposure and sleep quality in home settings, we conducted a cross-sectional community-based study in 857 elderly individuals (mean age, 72.2 years). We evaluated bedroom light intensity using a light meter and subjectively and objectively measured sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and an actigraph, respectively, along with urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion. Compared with the lowest quartile group of LAN intensity, the highest quartile group revealed a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for subjective insomnia in a multivariate model adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, daytime physical activity, urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion, bedtime, rising time, and day length (adjusted OR, 1.61, 95% confidence interval, 1.05–2.45, p?=?0.029). In addition, higher OR for subjective insomnia was significantly associated with the increase in quartiles of LAN intensity (p_trend?=?0.043). Consistently, we observed significant association trends between the increase in quartiles of LAN intensity and poorer actigraphic sleep quality, including decreased sleep efficiency, prolonged sleep-onset latency, increased wake-after-sleep onset, shortened total sleep time, and delayed sleep-mid time in multivariate models adjusted for the covariates mentioned above (all p_trend?<?0.001). In conclusion, we demonstrated that LAN exposure in home settings is significantly associated with both subjectively and objectively measured sleep quality in a community-based elderly population.     

Relationship between Serum Ferritin Levels and Dyslipidemia in Korean Adolescents

BackgroundFerritin is associated with various cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance in adults. We aimed to study the association between serum ferritin levels and dyslipidemia in adolescents, because dyslipidemia is considered an important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor in the young.MethodsWe analyzed 1,879 subjects (1,026 boys and 853 girls) from the 2009–2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV. Subjects were categorized into quartiles according to their lipid parameters, which were classified according to age and gender. Those in the highest quartile groups for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride concentrations were diagnosed as having dyslipidemia. Those in the lowest quartile for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) values were diagnosed with abnormal levels.ResultsIn boys, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride concentrations were significantly correlated with serum ferritin levels. In both boys and girls, serum ferritin levels were negatively associated with HDL-C values, even after adjusting for all covariates. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between serum ferritin levels and total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride concentrations in girls.ConclusionSerum ferritin levels were significantly associated with major dyslipidemia parameters, more prominently in boys than in girls, and this association represents a cardiometabolic risk factor.