Association between gestational diabetes and biomarkers: a role in diagnosis

Background: We investigated the association between markers of insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and adipokines and GDM.

Methods: In our case-cohort study in Johannesburg we included women with GDM and controls. We tested the ability of biomarkers to identify women at high risk of GDM.

Results: Of the 262 pregnant women, 83 (31.7%) had GDM. Women with GDM were heavier (p?=?0.04) and had more clinical risk factors (p?=?0.008). We found a significant difference in fasting insulin (p?p?=?0.046), HOMA (p?p?Conclusions: Insulin sensitivity markers are promising tools to identify women at high risk of GDM.     

Pneumoproteins and inflammatory biomarkers in asphalt pavers

Pneumoproteins, biomarkers of systemic inflammation and endothelial activation were studied across a season in 72 asphalt pavers, 32 asphalt plant operators and 19 asphalt engineers. Smokers had lower concentrations of Clara cell protein (CC-16) and surfactant protein A, but higher concentrations of surfactant protein D, interleukin 6, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 than non-smokers. Smokers reporting wheezing had lower mean CC-16 concentration than smokers not reporting wheezing (5.7 vs 8.6 µg l^?1; p?=?0.05). Cholesterol, P-selectin and ICAM-1 were lower in pavers and operators at the end compared with the start of the season. This may be related to increased physical activity during the season.     

Dynamic variation of histone H3 trimethyl Lys4 (H3K4me3) and heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) with employment length in nickel smelting workers

Objective: To investigate the dynamic variation in H3K4me3 and HP1 with employment length in nickel smelting workers.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 140 nickel smelting workers and 140 age-matched office workers to test for H3K4me3, and HP1 levels.

Results: H3K4me3 was statistically significantly different (p?<?0.05) between the two groups and positively correlated with employment length (r_s?=_?0.267). HP1 was not correlated with employment length (p?=?0.066) but was significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions: Chronic exposure to nickel can induce oxidative damage, and increase H3K4me3 expression and inhibit HP1 expression.     

Histopathological indices and inflammatory response in the digestive gland of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as biomarker of immunotoxicity to silver nanoparticles

Background: Histopathological assessments approaches in bivalves have become an important tool in environmental toxicology. This study seeks to develop a quantitative histopathological index (Ih) and inflammation score as biomarkers in the aim to assess the health status of nanoparticles exposed mussels.

Methods: Digestive gland hematoxylin and eosin (H&;E) stained sections from Mytilus galloprovincialis were assessed after in vivo exposure (for 3, 6 and 12?h) to silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs?Results: Silver nanoparticles clearly induced histopathological alterations in digestive gland (maximum inflammation 2.75 with AgNP?p?Ih with AgNP?p?Ih were recorded after uptake routes were blockade: AgNP?p?Conclusions: Histopathological assessments showed to be promising tool in nanotoxicity which seems to depend on nanoparticles size, exposure time and interestingly to uptake routes. It was not clear: is it the length of exposure or the size of particles is more impactful.     

Duration of exposure to environmental carcinogens affects DNA-adduct level in human lymphocytes

Background and objective: An important issue in human biomonitoring is determining how exposure duration affects the kinetics of molecular biomarkers. In this study we compare the influence of exposure variables on DNA adducts.

Methods: DNA adducts were analysed by 32P-postlabelling in lympho/monocytes of 677 Caucasian subjects.

Results: After correction for other variables, DNA adducts increased depending on the length of occupational and smoke exposures. Higher DNA adducts were detected in workers with more than 14 years of exposure than in workers with shorter exposures (RR?=?1.19, p?=?0.049) and in smokers with more than 10 years of exposure than in smokers with shorter exposure (RR?=?1.21, p <0.001).

Conclusions: Exposure length is the primary factor affecting DNA-adduct level in lympho/monocytes both in smokers and in occupationally exposed subjects.     

Comet assay for assessment of DNA damage in greenhouse workers exposed to pesticides

Purpose: The main goal of the present study was to determine DNA damage in pesticide-exposed greenhouse workers and pesticides non-exposed controls.

Materials and methods: The DNA damage was measured by alkaline comet assay method (pH?>?13) in 41 greenhouse workers and 45 non-exposed individuals as the control. Pesticide exposure was assessed by duration of working in the greenhouse and pesticide application in the greenhouse time. DNA damage was estimated by arbitrary unit and damage frequency.

Results: Arbitrary unit and damage frequency were consistently significantly higher in greenhouse workers than those of the controls (p?=?0.001). In terms of gender in greenhouse, DNA damage of female workers was significantly higher than those in male workers (p?<?0.05). We found significant correlation between DNA damage and working hours spent. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that working hours in the greenhouse as an indication of pesticide exposure were significantly associated with the DNA damage, which can be attributed to the genotoxic potential of the pesticide mixture.

Conclusions: The comet assay is sensitive to detect the damage exposed to chronic effect of pesticides in greenhouse workers. Significant DNA damage was obtained for the exposed group, which was associated with the pesticide exposure.     

Pedometer-determined physical activity levels of healthy children and children with Down’s syndrome

Purpose: Children with Down’s syndrome (DS) are considered sedentary and less engaged in recommended physical activity (PA) levels. This study compared the PA levels between children with DS and healthy children in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The study included 85 children divided into two groups. The DS group comprised 37 children with DS aged 8–12?years recruited from the Down Syndrome Charitable Association and Al-Nahda Schools for DS. The healthy group comprised 41 healthy children aged 8–12?years recruited from regular schools in the same region. PA levels were measured over 7?days using a pedometer.

Results: The healthy group was more active than the DS group (p?p?p?Conclusions: The DS group had a high body mass index and physical inactivity compared with the second group. Obesity and physical inactivity among Saudi Arabian children with and without DS are major health concerns. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to combat childhood obesity, promote PA, improve patient quality of life, and reduce the sedentary lifestyle among Saudi children and adolescents.     

Circulating biomarkers of hypertrophy and fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance

Abstract

Background: Myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with worse clinical outcomes. The availability of circulating biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy would be helpful in clinical practice.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate usefulness of various biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy in HCM.

Methods: Levels of biomarkers: soluble ST2 (sST2), galectin-3 (Gal-3), growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), NT-proBNP and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) were measured in 60 patients with HCM. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to calculate parameters of hypertrophy and fibrosis.

Results: We observed positive correlations among sST2 levels and left ventricular mass (LVM) (r?=?0.32, p?=?0.012), LV mass indexed for the body surface area (LVMI) (r?=?0.27, p?=?0.036) and maximal wall thickness (MWT) (r?=?0.31, p?=?0.015). No correlation was found between Gal-3 and GDF-15 levels and hypertrophy and fibrosis parameters. We observed positive correlations among hs-cTnT levels and LVM (r?=?0.58, p?<?0.0001), LVMI (r?=?0.48, p?=?0.0001), MWT (r?=?0.31, p?=?0.015) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) mass (r?=?0.37, p?=?0.003). There were positive correlations between NT-proBNP levels and LVM (r?=?0.33, p?=?0.01), LVMI (r?=?0.41, p?=?0.001), MWT (r?=?0.42, p?<?0.001) and LGE mass (r?=?0.44, p?<?0.001).

Conclusions: Although no correlation between sST2 levels and myocardial fibrosis was found, sST2 may provide some additional information about hypertrophy extension. NT-proBNP and hs-cTnT are useful biomarkers in assessment of hypertrophy and fibrosis in HCM.     

Hyperglycaemia,oxidative stress and inflammatory markers

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of hyperglycaemia implicates a state of oxidative stress and inflammation. Traditional and emerging biomarkers associated with increasing hyperglycaemia were assessed to clarify their role they play in hyperglycaemia.

Results: 309 participants attending a rural diabetic screening program were categorised into control and quintile groups based upon glucose levels: 1st quintile - <4.5?mmol/L and 4th, 5th quintile - >6.1?mmol/L. Significant results were obtained for anthropometric data and biochemical markers - glucose, HbA1c and total cholesterol (P?P?P?P?Conclusion: This study provided further evidence that inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers may contribute to diagnostic information associated with preclinical increases in BGL. Further we have provided a unique study in the analysis of ratios of inflammatory biomarkers and correlations with increasing BGL.     

A quantitative approach to evaluate urinary benzene and S-phenylmercapturic acid as biomarkers of low benzene exposure

Context: Benzene is a ubiquitous pollutant; smoking habit, genetic polymorphisms, and analytical difficulties impact the identification of the best biomarker.

Objective: To apply a systematic quantitative approach to evaluate urinary benzene (BEN-U) and S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA) as biomarkers of low benzene exposures.

Methods: Seventy-one blue collar refinery workers, 97 white collar refinery workers and 108 general population subjects were included. Intrinsic characteristics, sampling and analytical issues were compared.

Results: BEN-U and SPMA were detected in 99% and 78% of samples, which correlated with benzene exposure (r?=?0.456 and r?=?0.636, respectively) and with urinary cotinine (r?=?0.630 and r?=?0.570, respectively). Intrinsic characteristics were similar for the two biomarkers: specificity (0.64 and 0.69 for BEN-U and SPMA), sensitivity (0.74 and 0.83), as well as intra- and inter-individual variability (150% and >14 for both).

Conclusion: BEN-U and SPMA show similar intrinsic characteristics; analytical issues in detecting SPMA suggest that BEN-U is more convenient for investigating low exposure levels.     

Changes of urinary phospholipids in the chronic kidney disease patients

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether urinary phospholipids could be regarded as biomarkers of chronic kidney disease.

Materials and methods: Thirteen healthy volunteers and 26 consecutive chronic kidney disease patients were included. Urinary phospholipids were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Results: Urinary phosphatidylcholines concentrations (PC 16:0/16:0, 16:0/22:3, 16:0/18:1 and 16:0/18:2) were significantly higher both in glomerulonephritis group (all p?<?0.001) and in tubulointerstitial injury group (all p?<?0.05) than in healthy control group. Meanwhile, sphingomyelin concentrations (SM 18:1/16:0 and 18:1/18:0) in glomerulonephritis group were significantly higher than those in healthy control group (all p?<?0.001). Urinary PCs and SMs were positively correlated with proteinuria but negatively correlated with serum albumin. Meanwhile, PCs were positively correlated with serum creatinine.

Conclusion: Our work first demonstrated that urinary phospholipids might be biomarkers for the chronic kidney disease patients. Increased urinary phospholipids in chronic kidney disease patients might result from proteinuria, damaged kidney function or proteinuria induced hypoalbuminemia or lipotoxicity.     

Diagnostic utility of MR-proANP and NT-proBNP in elderly outpatients with a high risk of heart failure: the Copenhagen heart failure risk study

Abstract

Background: Amino-terminal-pro-B-type-natriuretic-peptide (NT-proBNP) is a diagnostic biomarker for heart failure (HF), but plasma concentrations are influenced by numerous factors. Mid-regional-pro-atrial-natriuretic-peptide (MR-proANP) have comparable diagnostic value in acute HF. However, data are lacking in the non-acute setting. This study sought to assess the diagnostic utility of MR-proANP in outpatients with a high risk of HF.

Methods: This prospective study included 399 outpatients. Inclusion criteria were: age?≥?60?years, ≥1 risk factor for HF (diabetes, chronic kidney disease, vascular disease, atrial fibrillation, hypertension), without known or suspected HF. Unrecognized HF was diagnosed based on clinical signs, patient-reported symptoms and echocardiography. Plasma concentrations of MR-proANP and NT-proBNP were analysed.

Results: In total, 65 patients were diagnosed with HF or asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (N?=?12 LVEF?≤?40%, N?=?7 LVEF?>?40% to ≤50%, N?=?46 LVEF?>?50%). Both MR-proANP (odds-ratio: 1.77; 95% CI:1.16–2.72; p?=?0.009) and NT-proBNP (odds-ratio: 1.49; 95% CI:1.22–1.82; p?<?0.001) were associated with HF. Area under receiver-operator characteristics curve (AUC) for the diagnosis of HF or asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction was higher for MR-proANP (AUC?=?0.886; p?<?0.001) and NT-proBNP (AUC?=?0.910; p?<?0.001) compared to patient-reported symptoms of HF (AUC?=?0.830), but NT-proBNP added more diagnostic information compared to MR-proANP (p?=?0.022).

Conclusions: Both NT-proBNP and MR-proANP are useful biomarkers in the diagnosis of HF or asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction in a non-acute setting. However, NT-proBNP added more diagnostic information compared to MR-proANP.     

A Japanese cross-sectional multicentre study of biomarkers associated with cardiovascular disease in smokers and non-smokers

Abstract

We performed a cross-sectional, multicentre study in Japan to detect the differences in biomarkers of exposure and cardiovascular biomarkers between smokers and non-smokers. Several clinically relevant cardiovascular biomarkers differed significantly between smokers and non-smokers, including lipid metabolism (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations – lower in smokers), inflammation (fibrinogen and white blood cell count – both higher in smokers), oxidative stress (8-epi-prostaglandin F_2α – higher in smokers) and platelet activation (11-dehydro-thromboxane B₂ – higher in smokers) (p ≤ 0.0001). These results provide further evidence showing that cardiovascular biomarkers can discriminate smokers from non-smokers, and could be used to evaluate the risks associated with tobacco products.     

Role of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in assessing disease control in Asian patients with axial spondyloarthritis

Introduction: C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) which are used for assessment of axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) related disease activity have poor specificity and sensitivity. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) have not been investigated as disease activity markers among Asian AxSpA patients.

Methodology: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in Singapore General Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 to investigate the role of NLR, PLR and MPV as disease activity markers in AxSpA patients.

Results: The mean age of patients (n?=?122) was 37.0?±?12.5 years old and majority of them were male (n?=?93, 76.2%). No significant differences were found between patients with disease with regards to age, gender, ethnicity, HLAB-27 status, age at onset of diagnosis of AxSpA, duration of disease and comorbidities such as cardiac disease (p?>?0.05).

There were no significant differences in the ESR, NLR, PLR and MPV between the four disease activity groups (p?>?0.05). However, patients with very high disease activity had higher ESR and CRP compared to patients with inactive disease and moderate disease activity (p?Conclusion: NLR, PLR and MPV were not associated with disease activity in Asian AxSpA patients.     

Assessment of genotoxicity in female agricultural workers exposed to pesticides

Objective: This study was designed to determine the genotoxic effect of exposure to a mixture of pesticides in 106 female agricultural workers employed in cotton fields from India.

Methods: Comet, micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations tests were carried out in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Micronucleus test was also performed in buccal epithelial cells. Levels of antioxidant enzymes, RBC acetylcholinesterase and hematological parameters were analyzed in the blood samples of the study subjects.

Results: The results indicated significant DNA damage, increased frequency of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in the exposed subjects (p?<?0.05). The levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly lowered and the rate of lipid peroxidation was elevated in the exposed subjects.

Conclusion: The outcome of the study revealed an increased risk of genotoxicity and health implications in female agricultural workers.     

Variability of oxidative stress biomarkers in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

Oxidative stress biomarkers may have a role in the future to assist clinical decisions regarding the use of antioxidant therapies and their efficacy. The aims of this study were to evaluate the within and between-individual variability of plasma oxidative stress biomarkers and investigate factors affecting their variability. Plasma F2-isoprostanes and protein carbonyls were measured in 14 hemodialysis patients every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. Within-individual coefficients of variation (CVs) were isoprostanes?=?30.4% (range?=?6.1–66.7%) and protein carbonyls?=?16.3% (8.4–29.5%). Between-individual CVs were isoprostanes?=?34.4% (28.9–40.2%) and protein carbonyls?=?19.5% (15.6–24.5%). There were no significant (p?>?0.05) relationships between the oxidative stress biomarkers and dietary antioxidant intake, medications, clinical and demographic parameters.     

Nutritional status and eating habits of bus drivers during the day and night

The aim of this study was to compare anthropometry and food intake patterns in bus drivers working during the day and night. One hundred and fifty males (81 night workers and 69 day workers) participated in the study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Measurements of height, weight, waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profile were obtained. A significant difference between groups was observed for mean WC (98.5?±?10.7?cm in day workers versus 103.2?±?9.7?cm in night workers; p?=?0.005). Night workers had higher prevalence of being overweight and obese (BMI?≥?25?kg/m²) than day workers (78.2% day workers versus 90.2% night workers; p?=?0.004) and increased WC (>94?cm) (72.4% day workers versus 86.4% night workers; p?=?0.03). Significant differences were found for meat consumption (2.3 servings ±0.9 for night workers versus 2.0 servings ±0.7 day workers, p?=?0.04) and fruit intake (0.9 servings ±0.4 for night workers versus 0.7 servings for day workers ±0.5; p?=?0.006). Night workers had a lower intake of vegetables than recommended compared to day workers (100 versus 92.7%, respectively, p?=?0.01) and higher intake of oil (40.7 versus 24.6%, p?=?0.03). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that night work was associated with being overweight (OR?=?2.94, 95% IC: 1.14–7.66, p?=?0.03) and abnormal values of WC (OR?=?2.82, 95% IC: 1.20–6.69, p?=?0.009) after adjusting for potential confounders. It is concluded that night workers had a higher prevalence and risk of being overweight/obese and increased WC compared with day workers. Night workers also presented a higher proportion of inappropriate intakes of food groups when compared to day workers, even though both groups were eating poor diets. These results demonstrate the need of lifestyle-intervention programs in these workers.     

A cross-sectional analysis of candidate biomarkers of biological effect in smokers,never-smokers and ex-smokers

Abstract

Context: Biomarkers of biological effect (BOBE) have been proposed as potential tools to assess tobacco product use, toxicity and disease risk.

Objective: To determine if candidate BOBE can distinguish between smokers, never-smokers and former smokers.

Methods: Biomarker levels were compared from 143 smokers, 61 never-smokers and 61 ex-smokers.

Results: In total, 27 candidate biomarkers were assessed, 14 were significantly different between smokers and never-smokers (p?<?0.01) and of these 14 biomarkers, 12 were able to distinguish between smokers and former smokers (p?<?0.05), which indicates the potential for reversibility.

Conclusions: A total of 12 of 27 BOBE are potentially useful tools for future product assessment.     

Plasma sE-cadherin and the plasma sE-cadherin/sVE-cadherin ratio are potential biomarkers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airway inflammation with endothelial dysfunction. Cadherins are adhesion molecules on epithelial (E-) and vascular endothelial (VE-) cells. Soluble (s) cadherin is released from the cell surface by the effects of proteases including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the associations of sE-/sVE-cadherin levels in plasma with the development of COPD.

Methods: Plasma sE-/VE-cadherin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 115 patients with COPD, 36 symptomatic smokers (SS), 63 healthy smokers (HS) and 78 healthy non-smokers (HN). sE-cadherin and MMP-7 levels in epithelial lining fluid (ELF) were measured in 24 patients (12 COPD and 12 control).

Results: Plasma sE-cadherin levels and sE-cadherin/sVE-cadherin ratios were significantly higher in COPD and SS than in HS and HN groups, while plasma sVE-cadherin levels were lower in COPD than in HS and HN groups (p?p?p?p?Conclusions: Plasma sE-cadherin levels and sE-cadherin/sVE-cadherin ratios are potential biomarkers for COPD.     

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as indicator of oxidative stress in automotive workers

Abstract

Purpose: To examine thiol-disulphide homeostasis auto painters.

Materials and methods: A total of 115 male workers, including 60 auto painters workers and 55 reference group, of the painting and assembly line units respectively, were included in the study. Thiol-disulphide parameters and ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) of groups were determined. Urinary hippuric acid, (HA) phenol, hexanedione, trichloroacetic acid, arsenic and blood lead and manganese were analysed.

Results: The median urinary HA level was significantly higher in auto painters when compared to the reference group [(2461 (1212) vs. 520 (513) µgr/L), (p?<?0.001)] . The mean disulphide level [19.7 (4.3) vs 0.15.1(4.1) μmol/L, (p?<?0.001)], the disulphide/native thiol ratio [4.72 (1.47) vs. 3.13 (1.21, (p?<?0.001)] and the disulphide/total thiol ratio [4.31 (1.23) vs. 2.94 (1.06), (p?<?0.001)] were higher in auto painters when compared to the reference group. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between urinary HA and disulphide concentrations (r?=?0.536 and p?<?0.001), disulphide/native thiol ratio (r?=?0.564 and p?<?0.001) and the disulphide/total thiol ratio (r?=?0.564 and p?<?0.001) and IMA (r?=?0.396 and p?<?0.001).

Conclusion: The results presented in this study showed that oxidative stress can be associated with occupational exposure to toluene denoted by alteration of thiol disulphide homeostasis and ischaemia-modified albumin levels.