scholarly journals Metal additive manufacturing and possible clinical markers for the monitoring of exposure-related health effects

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248601
Author(s):  
Stefan A. Ljunggren ◽  
Liam J. Ward ◽  
Pål Graff ◽  
Anders Persson ◽  
Malin Leijon Lind ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Inflammatory Marker ◽  
Metal Exposure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Clinical Markers

Additive manufacturing (AM) includes a series of techniques used to create products, in several different materials, such as metal, polymer or ceramics, with digital models. The main advantage of AM is that it allows the creation of complex structures, but AM promises several additional advantages including the possibility to manufacture on demand or replacing smaller worn parts by directly building on an existing piece. Therefore, the interest for and establishment of AM is rapidly expanding, which is positive, however it is important to be aware that new techniques may also result in new challenges regarding health and safety issues. Metals in blood and possible clinical effects due to metal exposure were investigated in AM operators at one of the first serial producing AM facilities in the world during two consecutive years with implementation of preventive measures in-between. As comparison, welders and office workers as control group were investigated. Health investigations comprised of surveys, lung function tests, antioxidant activity and vascular inflammation as well as renal- and hepatic function analysis. AM operators had significantly reduced nickel levels in blood (10.8 vs 6.2 nmol/L) as well as improved lung function (80 vs 92% of predicted) from year 1 to year 2. This is in line with previously published results displaying reduced exposure. Blood cobalt and nickel levels correlated with previously reported urinary levels, while blood chromium did not. Multivariate modelling showed that blood cobalt, antioxidant/inflammatory marker serum amyloid A1/serum paraoxonase/arylesterase 1 activity and the hepatic markers aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were higher in AM operators compared to controls. The study show that the selected clinical analyses could function as a complement to metal analyses in biological fluids when investigating exposure-related health effects in AM operators. However, validation in larger cohorts is necessary before more definite conclusions could be drawn.

scholarly journals Lung Function and Respiratory Health of Populations Living Close to Quarry Sites in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6068
Author(s):  
Maysaa Nemer ◽  
Rita Giacaman ◽  
Abdullatif Husseini
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Exposed Group ◽  
Dust Exposure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nasal Allergy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
At Home

Environmental exposure to dust from quarrying activities could pose health dangers to the population living nearby. This study aimed to investigate the health effects of dust exposure on people living close to quarry sites and compared them with those who live far from the quarry sites. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 79 exposed participants, who lived less than 500 m away from the quarry sites, and 79 control participants who lived more than 500 m away. All participants answered a questionnaire on dust exposure at home and health effects, as well as performed a lung function test in which both reported and measured health effects were investigated. People who live in close proximity to the quarry sites reported exposure to dust at home (98%), land destruction (85%), plant leaves covered with dust (97%), and an inability to grow crops (92%). The exposed group reported significantly higher eye and nasal allergy (22% vs. 3%), eye soreness (18% vs. 1%), and dryness (17% vs. 3%), chest tightness (9% vs. 1%), and chronic cough (11% vs. 0%) compared to the control group. Lung function parameters were significantly lower among the exposed group compared to the control group; mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3.35 L vs. 3.71 L (p = 0.001), mean forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) was 2.78 L vs. 3.17 L (p = 0.001). Higher levels of airway restriction were found among the exposed group. Among the exposed group, lung function parameters worsened with the increasing closeness of home to the quarry site. This study demonstrates the negative health effects of environmental dust exposure among two communities living near quarry sites in Palestine. The results highlight the importance of developing and strictly enforcing rules and regulations in Palestine to protect population health.

scholarly journals Tiotropium in COPD: clinical outcomes and economic evidence

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-41
Author(s):  
Orietta Zaniolo ◽  
Viola Sacchi ◽  
Roberto W. Dal Negro
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Incremental Cost ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Duration Of Action ◽  
Cost Increase ◽  
Pharmaceutical Cost ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Anticholinergic Bronchodilator

Tiotropium bromide is a once-daily anticholinergic bronchodilator with duration of action of at least 24 hours. In clinical trials, tiotropium has been compared with placebo, ipratropium or salmeterol, the most frequently used long-acting β2 agonist. When compared with ipratropium or placebo in COPD management, tiotropium resulted associated with FEV1, dyspnoea and health-related quality of life (QoL) improvement, along with reduced exacerbation and hospitalisation rates. In comparison to salmeterol, it proved to be superior in terms of lung function improvement and exacerbation risk reduction. Recently, the randomised, double-blind trial UPLIFT showed that 4 years of therapy with tiotropium were associated with improvements in lung function, QoL, and exacerbations, and with an effective reduction of mortality compared with control group in 5,993 patients with moderate to very-severe COPD. These encouraging clinical effects are to be traded against the pharmaceutical cost increase induced by the inclusion of tiotropium in routine care. However, published work indicates that this pharmaceutical cost increase may be totally or partially offset by the reduction in costs needed for exacerbations management and hospitalisations. Depending on the setting analysed, tiotropium is estimated to dominate ipratropium and salmeterol or to be associated with an incremental cost of less than € 2,500 per exacerbation avoided. An Italian model based on UPLIFT data shows that therapy including tiotropium induces an incremental cost of € 6,700 for year of life and of € 7,916 for Quality-adjusted Life Year gained, with respect to routine care alone. These values are much lower than commonly accepted thresholds and than cost/effectiveness results estimated for other long-acting bronchodilators. In conclusion, available evidence suggests that tiotropium may prove an appropriate therapeutic option with a largely affordable cost.

ESTIMATION OF SERUM FERRITIN LEVELS IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS AND ITS RELATION WITH HbA1C LEVEL.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shah Namrata Vinubhai ◽  
Pardeep Agarwal ◽  
Bushra Fiza ◽  
Ramkishan Jat
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Blood Sugar ◽  
Serum Ferritin ◽  
Inflammatory Marker ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Positive Correlation

Background: Serum ferritin is known as an index for body iron stores also as an inflammatory marker and it is influenced by several disease. We were looking for a correlation between HbA1c and S. Ferritin in type 2 DM. Methodology: The present study a total of 150 participants were enrolled of which 100 were confirmed cases of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and rest 50 age and sex matched healthy subjects constituted the control group. All were screened for HbA1c, Fasting blood sugar, Post prandial blood sugar and S.Ferritin. Results: A highly significant variation and positive correlation was observed with respect to S.Ferritin and HbA1c levels. Mean S.Ferritin was high in the subgroup with poor glycemic control. Conclusion: The fasting, post prandial sugar levels, HbA1c and S.Ferritin were significantly higher in the diabetic subjects. This study shows a positive correlation between HbA1c and S. Ferritin levels. So we can conclude that in diabetic patients S. Ferritin may serve as an independent marker of poor glycemic and metabolic control. Keywords: Serum ferritin, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, HbA1c.

MYCOPLASMA AND CHLAMYDIA AS ETHIOLOGICAL FACTORS OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN TERMS OF ETHNOGENESIS

2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
O. A. Sharavii ◽  
S. V. Smirnova
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Blood Serum ◽  
Bronchial Asthma ◽  
Mycoplasma Hominis ◽  
Acute Stage ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Markers ◽  
Chlamydophila Psittaci ◽  
Asthma Patients

 Aim. The study of the prevalence and clinical peculiarities of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis in patients with different pathogenic forms of bronchial asthma (BA) taking into account ethnicity of a patient. Subjects and Methods. The research covered 239 subjects – both the Europeoids and the Mongoloids in the city of Krasnoyarsk and the town of Kyzyl, all of them being BA patients of different stages, including acute stage and practically healthy. We had determined antigens Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydophila psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis in smears of mucosa of pharynx and antibodies to these antigens in peripheral blood serum. Results.  We found high frequency of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis in the inhabitants of Eastern Siberia, BA patients with different pathogenic forms as compared to control group. We had determined ethnic peculiarities of specific immune response: IgM to М. pneumoniae was revealed in the Europoids more frequently than in the Mongoloids, but IgM to С. pneumoniae and to C. trachomatis, C. trachomatis antigens had been revealed more often in the Mongoloids than in the Europoids. We accepted as clinical equivalents of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis diagnostics the following signs: temperature around 37C (subfebrile temperature), non-intensive but stable coughing with scanty mucous and muco-purulent sputum, dyspnea of mixed character. Conclusions. Mycoplasma and Chlamydia are meaningful etiologic factors of bronchial asthma. We have found the peculiarities of immune response depending on ethnicity of a patient (ethnic belonging). Clinical markers of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis should be taken into account in bronchial asthma in order to provide diagnostics timely as well as eradication of infection agents. Because of insufficient knowledge of problem of bronchial asthma related to contamination with Мycoplasma and Chlamydia we put the goal to study the frequency of Mycoplasmosis and Chlamydiosis occurrence in bronchial asthma patients and determine the characteristics clinical course of diseases. We defined antigens Мycoplasma pneumoniae, Мycoplasma hominis, Chlamydophila pneumoniaе, Chlamydophila psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis in smears of oropharynx mucosa and antibodies to them in blood serum. 

Salivary mir-27b Expression in Oral Lichen Planus Patients: A Series of Cases and a Narrative Review of Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (31) ◽  
pp. 2816-2823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Di Stasio ◽  
Laura Mosca ◽  
Alberta Lucchese ◽  
Donatella Delle Cave ◽  
Hiromichi Kawasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lichen Planus ◽  
Oral Lichen Planus ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Oral Lichen

Background: microRNAs play a critical role in auto-immunity, cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death. miRNAs are present in all biological fluids, and their expression is essential in maintaining regular immune functions and preventing autoimmunity, whereas miRNA dysregulation may be associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an inflammatory disease mediated by cytotoxic T cells attack against epithelial cells. The present study aims to perform a specific microRNA expression profile through the analysis of saliva in this disease. Methods: The study group was formed by five patients (mean age 62.8±1.98 years; 3 females/2 males) affected by oral lichen planus and control group by five healthy subjects (mean age 59.8 years±2.3; 3 females/ 2 males); using a low-density microarray analysis, we recorded a total of 98 differentially expressed miRNAs in the saliva of patients with oral lichen planus compared to the control group. The validation was performed for miR-27b with qRT-PCR in all saliva samples of oral lichen planus group. Results: 89 miRNAs were up-regulated and nine down-regulated. In details, levels of miR-21, miR- 125b, miR-203 and miR15b were increased (p<0.001) in study group while levels of miR-27b were about 3.0-fold decreased compared to controls (p<0.001) of miR-27b expression in OLP saliva. QRTPCR validation confirmed the down regulation of miR-27b in all saliva samples. Conclusions: Collecting saliva samples is a non-invasive procedure and is well accepted by all patients. microRNAs can be readily isolated and identified and can represent useful biomarkers of OLP.

scholarly journals Metabolic Evaluation of Urine from Patients Diagnosed with High Grade (HG) Bladder Cancer by SPME-LC-MS Method

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2194
Author(s):  
Kamil Łuczykowski ◽  
Natalia Warmuzińska ◽  
Sylwia Operacz ◽  
Iga Stryjak ◽  
Joanna Bogusiewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Biomarker Discovery ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Reversed Phase ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Metabolic Evaluation ◽  
Metabolomic Profiling

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common malignancy of the urinary system and a leading cause of death worldwide. In this work, untargeted metabolomic profiling of biological fluids is presented as a non-invasive tool for bladder cancer biomarker discovery as a first step towards developing superior methods for detection, treatment, and prevention well as to further our current understanding of this disease. In this study, urine samples from 24 healthy volunteers and 24 BC patients were subjected to metabolomic profiling using high throughput solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in thin-film format and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a Q Exactive Focus Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The chemometric analysis enabled the selection of metabolites contributing to the observed separation of BC patients from the control group. Relevant differences were demonstrated for phenylalanine metabolism compounds, i.e., benzoic acid, hippuric acid, and 4-hydroxycinnamic acid. Furthermore, compounds involved in the metabolism of histidine, beta-alanine, and glycerophospholipids were also identified. Thin-film SPME can be efficiently used as an alternative approach to other traditional urine sample preparation methods, demonstrating the SPME technique as a simple and efficient tool for urinary metabolomics research. Moreover, this study’s results may support a better understanding of bladder cancer development and progression mechanisms.

scholarly journals Effect of mesenchymal stromal cell infusions on lung function in COPD patients with high CRP levels

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Weiss ◽  
Karen Segal ◽  
Richard Casaburi ◽  
Jack Hayes ◽  
Donald Tashkin
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Inflammatory Marker ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Allogeneic Mscs ◽  
Copd Exacerbations ◽  
Copd Patients ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Background We previously reported a Phase 1/2 randomized placebo-controlled trial of systemic administration of bone marrow-derived allogeneic MSCs (remestemcel-L) in COPD. While safety profile was good, no functional efficacy was observed. However, in view of growing recognition of effects of inflammatory environments on MSC actions we conducted a post-hoc analysis with stratification by baseline levels of a circulating inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (CRP) to determine the effects of MSC administration in COPD patients with varying circulating CRP levels. Methods Time course of lung function, exercise performance, patient reported responses, and exacerbation frequency following four monthly infusions of remestemcel-L vs. placebo were re-assessed in subgroups based on baseline circulating CRP levels. Results In COPD patients with baseline CRP ≥ 4 mg/L, compared to COPD patients receiving placebo (N = 17), those treated with remestemcel-L (N = 12), demonstrated significant improvements from baseline in forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, and six minute walk distance at 120 days with treatment differences evident as early as 10 days after the first infusion. Significant although smaller benefits were also detected in those with CRP levels ≥ 2 or ≥ 3 mg/L. These improvements persisted variably over the 2-year observational period. No significant benefits were observed in patient reported responses or number of COPD exacerbations between treatment groups. Conclusion In an inflammatory environment, defined by elevated circulating CRP, remestemcel-L administration yielded at least transient meaningful pulmonary and functional improvements. These findings warrant further investigation of potential MSC-based therapies in COPD and other inflammatory pulmonary diseases. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00683722.

Pathological Alternations of Mediastinal Fat-Associated Lymphoid Cluster and Lung in a Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mouse Model

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Yaser H.A. Elewa ◽  
Osamu Ichii ◽  
Teppei Nakamura ◽  
Yasuhiro Kon
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Lung Injury ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Inflammatory Marker ◽  
Diabetic Mouse ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Injury Progression

Diabetes is a devastating global health problem and is considered a predisposing factor for lung injury progression. Furthermore, previous reports of the authors revealed the role of mediastinal fat-associated lymphoid clusters (MFALCs) in advancing respiratory diseases. However, no reports concerning the role of MFALCs on the development of lung injury in diabetes have been published. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the correlations between diabetes and the development of MFALCs and the progression of lung injury in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis for immune cells (CD3+ T-lymphocytes, B220+ B-lymphocytes, Iba1+ macrophages, and Gr1+ granulocytes), vessels markers (CD31+ endothelial cells and LYVE-1+ lymphatic vessels “LVs”), and inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-5) was performed. In comparison to the control group, the diabetic group showed lung injury development with a significant increase in MFALC size, immune cells, LVs, and inflammatory marker, and a considerable decrease of CD31+ endothelial cells in both lung and MFALCs was observed. Furthermore, the blood glucose level showed significant positive correlations with MFALCs size, lung injury, immune cells, inflammatory markers, and LYVE-1+ LVs in lungs and MFALCs. Thus, we suggest that the development of MFALCs and LVs could contribute to lung injury progression in diabetic conditions.

scholarly journals Dynamic evolution of emphysema and airway remodeling in two mouse models of COPD

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Yang ◽  
Tingting Di ◽  
Zixiao Zhang ◽  
Jiaxin Liu ◽  
Congli Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Airway Remodeling ◽  
Exposed Group ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mouse Lung ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Exposure Method

Abstract Background Establishment of a mouse model is important for investigating the mechanism of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this study, we observed and compared the evolution of the pathology in two mouse models of COPD induced by cigarette smoke (CS) exposure alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods One hundred eight wild-type C57BL/6 mice were equally divided into three groups: the (1) control group, (2) CS-exposed group (CS group), and (3) CS + LPS-exposed group (CS + LPS group). The body weight of the mice was recorded, and noninvasive lung function tests were performed monthly. Inflammation was evaluated by counting the number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and measuring the expression of the IL-6 mRNA in mouse lung tissue. Changes in pathology were assessed by performing hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining of lung tissue sections. Results The two treatments induced emphysema and airway remodeling and decreased lung function. Emphysema was induced after 1 month of exposure to CS or CS + LPS, while airway remodeling was induced after 2 months of exposure to CS + LPS and 3 months of exposure to CS. Moreover, the mice in the CS + LPS group exhibited more severe inflammation and airway remodeling than the mice in the CS group, but the two treatments induced similar levels of emphysema. Conclusion Compared with the single CS exposure method, the CS + LPS exposure method is a more suitable model of COPD in airway remodeling research. Conversely, the CS exposure method is a more suitable model of COPD for emphysema research due to its simple operation.

scholarly journals Single High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation as an Approach for Reducing Ultramarathon-Induced Inflammation: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1280
Author(s):  
Jan Mieszkowski ◽  
Andżelika Borkowska ◽  
Błażej Stankiewicz ◽  
Andrzej Kochanowicz ◽  
Bartłomiej Niespodziński ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Inflammatory Marker ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Oncostatin M ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Single High Dose ◽  
High Dose Vitamin

Purpose: A growing number of studies indicate the importance of vitamin D supplementation for sports performance. However, the effects of a single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on ultramarathon-induced inflammation have not been investigated. We here analyzed the effect of a single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on the inflammatory marker levels in ultramarathon runners after an ultramarathon run (maximal run 240 km). Methods: In the study, 35 runners (amateurs) were assigned into two groups: single high-dose vitamin D supplementation group, administered vitamin D (150,000 IU) in vegetable oil 24 h before the start of the run (n = 16); and placebo group (n = 19). Blood was collected for analysis 24 h before, immediately after, and 24 h after the run. Results: Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly increased after the ultramarathon in both groups. The increase was greater in the vitamin D group than in the control group. Based on post-hoc and other analyses, the increase in interleukin 6 and 10, and resistin levels immediately after the run was significantly higher in runners in the control group than that in those in the supplementation group. Leptin, oncostatin M, and metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor levels were significantly decreased in both groups after the run, regardless of the supplementation. Conclusions: Ultramarathon significantly increases the serum 25(OH)D levels. Attenuation of changes in interleukin levels upon vitamin D supplementation confirmed that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effect on exercise-induced inflammation.

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