Toxic Metals and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Carotid, Femoral, and Coronary Vascular Territories: The Aragon Workers Health Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Grau-Perez ◽  
Maria J. Caballero-Mateos ◽  
Arce Domingo-Relloso ◽  
Ana Navas-Acien ◽  
Jose L. Gomez-Ariza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Calcium Score ◽  
Inorganic Arsenic ◽  
Arsenic Species ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Kernel Machine ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk Factors ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Joint Associations ◽  
And Tungsten

Objective: Studies evaluating the association of metals with subclinical atherosclerosis are mostly limited to carotid arteries. We assessed individual and joint associations of nonessential metals exposure with subclinical atherosclerosis in 3 vascular territories. Approach and Results: One thousand eight hundred seventy-three Aragon Workers Health Study participants had urinary determinations of inorganic arsenic species, barium, cadmium, chromium, antimony, titanium, uranium, vanadium, and tungsten. Plaque presence in carotid and femoral arteries was determined by ultrasound. Coronary Agatston calcium score ≥1 was determined by computed tomography scan. Median arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, antimony, titanium, uranium, vanadium, and tungsten levels were 1.83, 1.98, 0.27, 1.18, 0.05, 9.8, 0.03, 0.66, and 0.23 μg/g creatinine, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for subclinical atherosclerosis presence in at least one territory was 1.25 (1.03–1.51) for arsenic, 1.67 (1.22–2.29) for cadmium, and 1.26 (1.04–1.52) for titanium. These associations were driven by arsenic and cadmium in carotid, cadmium and titanium in femoral, and titanium in coronary territories and mostly remained after additional adjustment for the other relevant metals. Titanium, cadmium, and antimony also showed positive associations with alternative definitions of increased coronary calcium. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression analysis simultaneously evaluating metal associations suggested an interaction between arsenic and the joint cadmium-titanium exposure. Conclusions: Our results support arsenic and cadmium and identify titanium and potentially antimony as atherosclerosis risk factors. Exposure reduction and mitigation interventions of these metals may decrease cardiovascular risk in individuals without clinical disease.

scholarly journals In silico epigenetics of metal exposure and subclinical atherosclerosis in middle aged men: pilot results from the Aragon Workers Health Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1748) ◽  
pp. 20170084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela L. Riffo-Campos ◽  
Azahara Fuentes-Trillo ◽  
Wan Y. Tang ◽  
Zoraida Soriano ◽  
Griselda De Marco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Metal Exposure ◽  
Pathway Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Transport Pathways ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Hub Proteins ◽  
And Tungsten

We explored the association of metal levels with subclinical atherosclerosis and epigenetic changes in relevant biological pathways. Whole blood DNA Infinium Methylation 450 K data were obtained from 23 of 73 middle age men without clinically evident cardiovascular disease (CVD) who participated in the Aragon Workers Health Study in 2009 (baseline visit) and had available baseline urinary metals and subclinical atherosclerosis measures obtained in 2010–2013 (follow-up visit). The median metal levels were 7.36 µg g −1 , 0.33 µg g −1 , 0.11 µg g −1 and 0.07 µg g −1 , for arsenic (sum of inorganic and methylated species), cadmium, antimony and tungsten, respectively. Urine cadmium and tungsten were associated with femoral and carotid intima-media thickness, respectively (Pearson's r = 0.27; p = 0.03 in both cases). Among nearest genes to identified differentially methylated regions (DMRs), 46% of metal-DMR genes overlapped with atherosclerosis-DMR genes ( p < 0.001). Pathway enrichment analysis of atherosclerosis-DMR genes showed a role in inflammatory, metabolic and transport pathways. In in silico protein-to-protein interaction networks among proteins encoded by 162 and 108 genes attributed to atherosclerosis- and metal-DMRs, respectively, with proteins known to have a role in atherosclerosis pathways, we observed hub proteins in the network associated with both atherosclerosis and metal-DMRs (e.g. SMAD3 and NOP56 ), and also hub proteins associated with metal-DMRs only but with relevant connections with atherosclerosis effectors (e.g. SSTR5 , HDAC4 , AP2A2 , CXCL12 and SSTR4 ). Our integrative in silico analysis demonstrates the feasibility of identifying epigenomic regions linked to environmental exposures and potentially involved in relevant pathways for human diseases. While our results support the hypothesis that metal exposures can influence health due to epigenetic changes, larger studies are needed to confirm our pilot results. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Frontiers in epigenetic chemical biology’.

scholarly journals MCR: Open-Source Software to Automate Compilation of Health Study Report-Back

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6104
Author(s):  
Erin Polka ◽  
Ellen Childs ◽  
Alexa Friedman ◽  
Kathryn S. Tomsho ◽  
Birgit Claus Henn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Equitable Access ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Impact

Sharing individualized results with health study participants, a practice we and others refer to as “report-back,” ensures participant access to exposure and health information and may promote health equity. However, the practice of report-back and the content shared is often limited by the time-intensive process of personalizing reports. Software tools that automate creation of individualized reports have been built for specific studies, but are largely not open-source or broadly modifiable. We created an open-source and generalizable tool, called the Macro for the Compilation of Report-backs (MCR), to automate compilation of health study reports. We piloted MCR in two environmental exposure studies in Massachusetts, USA, and interviewed research team members (n = 7) about the impact of MCR on the report-back process. Researchers using MCR created more detailed reports than during manual report-back, including more individualized numerical, text, and graphical results. Using MCR, researchers saved time producing draft and final reports. Researchers also reported feeling more creative in the design process and more confident in report-back quality control. While MCR does not expedite the entire report-back process, we hope that this open-source tool reduces the barriers to personalizing health study reports, promotes more equitable access to individualized data, and advances self-determination among participants.

scholarly journals Work Shift, Lifestyle Factors, and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Spanish Male Workers: A Mediation Analysis

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1077
Author(s):  
José L. Peñalvo ◽  
Elly Mertens ◽  
Ainara Muñoz-Cabrejas ◽  
Montserrat León-Latre ◽  
Estíbaliz Jarauta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Logistic Models ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Lifestyle Habits ◽  
Potential Association ◽  
Workplace Wellness Programs ◽  
Working Shift ◽  
Work Shifts

(1) Background: Working night shifts has been associated with altered circadian rhythms, lifestyle habits, and cardiometabolic risks. No information on the potential association of working shift and the presence of atherosclerosis is available. The aim of this study was to quantify the association between different work shifts and the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis objectively measured by imaging. (2) Methods: Analyses were conducted on the baseline data of the Aragon Workers Health Study (AWHS) cohort, including information on 2459 middle-aged men. Categories of shift work included central day shift, rotating morning-evening or morning-evening-night shift, and night shift. The presence of atherosclerotic plaques was assessed by 2D ultrasound in the carotid and femoral vascular territories. Multivariable logistic models and mediation analysis were conducted to characterize and quantify the association between study variables. (3) Results: Participants working night or rotating shifts presented an overall worse cardiometabolic risk profile, as well as more detrimental lifestyle habits. Workers in the most intense (morning-evening-night) rotating shift presented higher odds of subclinical atherosclerosis (odds ratio: 1.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 2.27) compared to workers in the central shift, independently of the presence of lifestyle and metabolic risk factors. A considerable (21%) proportion of this association was found to be mediated by smoking, indicating that altered sleep-wake cycles have a direct relationship with the early presence of atherosclerotic lesions. (4) Conclusions: Work shifts should be factored in during workers health examinations, and when developing effective workplace wellness programs.

scholarly journals The sorption of inorganic arsenic on modified sepiolite: Effect of hydrated iron(III)-oxide

2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 815-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikola Ilic ◽  
Slavica Lazarevic ◽  
Vladana Rajakovic-Ognjanovic ◽  
Ljubinka Rajakovic ◽  
Djordje Janackovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sorption Capacity ◽  
Arsenic Removal ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Inorganic Arsenic ◽  
Arsenic Species ◽  
Deionized Water ◽  
Order Kinetic ◽  
Initial Ph ◽  
Order Kinetic Model ◽  
Pseudo Second Order

The sorption of inorganic arsenic species, As(III) and As(V), from water by sepiolite modified with hydrated iron(III) oxide was investigated at 25 ?C through batch studies. The influence of the initial pH value, the initial As concentrations, the contact time and types of water on the sorption capacity was investigated. Two types of water were used, deionized and groundwater. The maximal sorption capacity for As(III) from deionized water was observed at initial and final pH value 7.0, while the bonding of As(V) was observed to be almost pH independent for pH value in the range from 2.0 to 7.0, and the significant decrease in the sorption capacity was observed at pH values above 7.0. The sorption capacity at initial pH 7.0 was about 10 mg g?1 for As(III) and 4.2 mg g?1 for As(V) in deionized water. The capacity in groundwater was decreased by 40 % for As(III) and by 20 % for As(V). The Langmuir model and pseudo-second order kinetic model revealed good agreement with the experimental results. The results show that Fe(III)-modified sepiolite exhibits significant affinity for arsenic removal and it has a potential for the application in water purification processes.

scholarly journals Daily Sitting for Long Periods Increases the Odds for Subclinical Atheroma Plaques

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1229
Author(s):  
Jose Luis Perez-Lasierra ◽  
Martin Laclaustra ◽  
Pilar Guallar-Castillón ◽  
Jose Antonio Casasnovas ◽  
Jose Antonio Casajús ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Trained Personnel ◽  
Atherosclerosis Development ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

Sedentarism is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but currently it is not clear how a sedentary behavior such as long sitting time can affect atherosclerosis development. This study examined the relationship between sitting time and the prevalence of carotid and femoral subclinical atherosclerosis. A cross-sectional analysis based on a subsample of 2082 participants belonging to the Aragon Workers’ Health Study was carried out. Ultrasonography was used to assess the presence of plaques in carotid and femoral territories; the validated Spanish version of the questionnaire on the frequency of engaging in physical activity used in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals’ was used to assess physical activity and sitting time; and demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were obtained by trained personnel during the annual medical examination. Participants were categorized into <9 h/day and ≥9 h/day sitting time groups. After adjusting for several confounders, compared with participants that remain seated <9 h/day, those participants who remain seated ≥9 h/day had, respectively, OR = 1.25 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.55, p < 0.05) and OR = 1.38 (95%CI: 1.09, 1.74, p < 0.05) for carotid and any-territory plaque presence. Remaining seated ≥9 h/day is associated with higher odds for carotid and any-territory plaque presence independently of physical activity levels and other cardiovascular risk factors.

scholarly journals Rationalizing Thyroid Function Testing: Which TSH Cutoffs Are Optimal for Testing Free T4?

2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (11) ◽  
pp. 4235-4241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meg Henze ◽  
Suzanne J Brown ◽  
Narelle C Hadlow ◽  
John P Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Function ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Free T4 ◽  
Clinical Cohort ◽  
Thyroid Function Testing ◽  
Reflex Testing ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Function Testing ◽  
Tsh Levels

Abstract Context Thyroid function testing often uses thyrotropin (TSH) measurement first, followed by reflex testing for free thyroxine (T4) if TSH is outside the reference range. The utility of different TSH cutoffs for reflex testing is unknown. Objective To examine different TSH cutoffs for reflex free T4 testing. Design, Setting, and Patients We analyzed concurrent TSH and free T4 results from 120,403 individuals from a single laboratory in Western Australia (clinical cohort) and 4568 Busselton Health Study participants (community cohort). Results In the clinical cohort, restricting free T4 measurement to individuals with TSH &lt;0.3 or &gt;5.0 mU/L resulted in a 22% reduction in free T4 testing compared with a TSH reference range of 0.4 to 4.0 mU/L; using TSH cutoffs of 0.2 and 6.0 mU/L resulted in a 34% reduction in free T4 testing. In the community cohort, the corresponding effect was less: 3.3% and 4.8% reduction in free T4 testing. In the clinical cohort, using TSH cutoffs of 0.2 and 6.0 mU/L, elevated free T4 would go undetected in 4.2% of individuals with TSH levels of 0.2 to 0.4 mU/L. In most, free T4 was marginally elevated and unlikely to indicate clinically relevant hyperthyroidism. Low free T4 would go undetected in 2.5% of individuals with TSH levels of 4 to 6 mU/L; in 94%, free T4 was marginally reduced and unlikely to indicate clinically relevant hypothyroidism. Conclusions Setting TSH cutoffs at 0.1 to 0.2 mU/L less than and 1 to 2 mU/L greater than the reference range for reflex testing of free T4 would reduce the need for free T4 testing, with minimal effect on case finding.

O35-2 Current and cumulative night shift work and subclinical atherosclerosis – results of the gutenberg health study

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Jankowiak ◽  
Eva-Maria Backé ◽  
Falk Liebers ◽  
Andreas Schulz ◽  
Janice Hegewald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shift Work ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Night Shift Work ◽  
Gutenberg Health Study
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