scholarly journals Occupational Exposure to Metals and Serum Adiponectin Levels Among Shipyard Workers: A Cohort Study with Weighted Quantile Sum Regression Analyses

Author(s):  
Chen-Jung Wu ◽  
A-Chuan Ho ◽  
Shih-Ya Chen ◽  
Chih-Hong Pan ◽  
Hsiao-Chi Chuang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The influence of welding-associated air pollutants on workers’ health is mainly regarded as a core issue in public health and occupational medicine. Previous studies have indicated that workers exposed to metal fumes had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, which was correlated with decreased serum adiponectin levels. This study aimed to explore whether heavy metal exposure affects the concentration of adiponectin among welding workers. Methods: The study participants were recruited from a shipyard with 31 office workers and 100 welding workers in 2015. Urinary metal concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Serum adiponectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inferential statistics on repeated measures were performed using generalized estimating equations (GEEs). A weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression model was conducted to examine the joint effect of the association of multimetal exposure with serum adiponectin. Results: After adjustment for all confounding variables through a GEE analysis, significantly negative associations of numerous urinary metals with serum adiponectin were detected in the welding workers, including Cr (β = -0.088; 95% CI: -0.148, -0.027), Mn (β = -0.174; 95% CI: -0.267, -0.081), Co (β = -0.094; 95% CI: -0.158, -0.029), Ni (β = -0.108; 95% CI: -0.208, -0.008), Cd (β = -0.067; 95% CI: -0.115, -0.018), and Pb (β = -0.089; 95% CI: -0.163, -0.015). The contributions of multiple urinary metal levels to serum adiponectin levels, determined individually by WQS regression, suggested that Pb was the greatest contributor. Conclusions: Welding workers exposed to heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Co, Mn, Ni, and Cd might have reduced serum adiponectin levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

2020 ◽  
pp. 104063872098298
Author(s):  
Megan C. Romano ◽  
Grace E. Higgs ◽  
Michelle N. Helm ◽  
Darko Stefanovski ◽  
Cynthia L. Gaskill

Fatal sodium intoxication can occur in many species, including cattle, and postmortem confirmation often includes brain sodium concentration determination. Published information regarding brain sodium distribution in cattle was not found in a literature review. Our study was designed to determine whether sodium is uniformly distributed throughout the bovine brain. Eight whole bovine brains were collected from adult cattle with no neurologic signs or history suggestive of sodium intoxication, and with a non-neurologic cause of death diagnosed on gross examination. Brains were divided mid-sagittally. One hemisphere of each brain was homogenized. Subsamples were obtained from the remaining hemisphere (rostral, caudal, and dorsal cerebral cortices; brainstem, thalamus, and cerebellum). Sodium concentrations of regions and homogenates were measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with a pairwise post-test to compare mean sodium concentration of each region to mean homogenate sodium concentration. Brain sodium was not uniformly distributed; sodium concentrations in different regions of the same brain varied somewhat unpredictably. Homogenization of an entire brain hemisphere appears to be the ideal method of sample preparation to ensure accurate brain sodium concentration measurement in adult cattle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Eun Sang Jung ◽  
Subpiramaniyam Sivakumar ◽  
Sung-Chul Hong ◽  
Pyong-In Yi ◽  
Seong-Ho Jang ◽  
...  

The effect of single (0.1, 1, and 10 mg L−1) and binary mixtures (0.1 + 0.1, 1 + 1, and 10 + 10 mg L−1) of metal-based nanoparticles (CdO and CuO) on the germination of Vigna radiata was studied under two humidity ranges (70% and 80%). Filter paper-based tests were conducted. The surface-sterilized seeds were exposed to CdO and CuO under controlled environmental conditions (70% and 80% humidity at 35 °C). Germination rates were scored after 24 h and 48 h. The accumulation of metals was tested in seedlings after 48 h using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Compared with 70% humidity, the germination rate was higher under 80% humidity in all tested conditions. The germination rate of the CdO + CuO treatment was less than that of the single metal exposure under both humidities (70% and 80%) at 48 h. By two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), we found that germination was greatly influenced by humidity. The accumulation of metal was higher in the CuO test than in the CdO test. Metal accumulation was concentration and humidity dependent, except for Cd accumulation in the CdO + CuO treatment. Here we show that the germination of seeds depends on the humidity and concentration of metal oxide nanoparticles. Understanding these strategies in seeds might help to avoid environmental and chemical stress and improve crop yield.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Modabbernia ◽  
E. Velthorst ◽  
C. Gennings ◽  
L. De Haan ◽  
C. Austin ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundDespite evidence for the effects of metals on neurodevelopment, the long-term effects on mental health remain unclear due to methodological limitations. Our objective was to determine the feasibility of studying metal exposure during critical neurodevelopmental periods and to explore the association between early-life metal exposure and adult schizophrenia.MethodsWe analyzed childhood-shed teeth from nine individuals with schizophrenia and five healthy controls. We investigated the association between exposure to lead (Pb2+), manganese (Mn2+), cadmium (Cd2+), copper (Cu2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and zinc (Zn2+), and schizophrenia, psychotic experiences, and intelligence quotient (IQ). We reconstructed the dose and timing of early-life metal exposures using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.ResultsWe found higher early-life Pb2+ exposure among patients with schizophrenia than controls. The differences in log Mn2+ and log Cu2+ changed relatively linearly over time to postnatal negative values. There was a positive correlation between early-life Pb2+ levels and psychotic experiences in adulthood. Moreover, we found a negative correlation between Pb2+ levels and adult IQ.ConclusionsIn our proof-of-concept study, using tooth-matrix biomarker that provides direct measurement of exposure in the fetus and newborn, we provide support for the role of metal exposure during critical neurodevelopmental periods in psychosis.


Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1112
Author(s):  
George-Razvan Pandelea-Dobrovicescu ◽  
Mariana Prodana ◽  
Florentina Golgovici ◽  
Daniela Ionita ◽  
Maria Sajin ◽  
...  

In this study, CoCr cardiovascular metallic stents with the same chemical composition as well as the adjacent tissues were analyzed. Recovered stents and adjacent tissues were characterized by surface morphology techniques like light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of metals in the tissue from around explanted stent was also confirmed by TEM method. The released metal ions were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Histopathological analysis was used to highlight host tissue response to the implanted stents. EDX analysis revealed that 21 stents had the same composition. The quantities of Cr ions detected in the tissues were between 5 and 14 ppb and for Co ions were between 4 and 10 ppb. The tissue sections near the layers that generated large quantities of ions showed restenosis development and the deposits of surface calcifications were highlighted. The heavy metal levels observed in this study due to corrosion are too low to cause a systemic toxic response.


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 891
Author(s):  
Chikumbusko Chiziwa Kaonga ◽  
Ishmael Bobby Mphangwe Kosamu ◽  
Wells Robert Utembe

This review gives insights into the levels of metals in urban dust, their determination methods, and risk assessment. Urban dust harbors a number of pollutants, including heavy metals. There are various methods used for the sampling of urban dust for heavy-metal analysis and source-apportionment purposes, with the predominant one being the use of plastic sampling materials to avoid prior contamination. There are also various methods for the determination of metals, which include: atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), among others. Studies have shown that pollutants in urban dust are mainly derived from industrial activities and coal combustion, whereas traffic emissions are also an important, but not a predominant source of pollution. The varying particle-size distribution of urban dust and its large surface area makes it easier for the deposition and transport of heavy metals. Risk-assessment studies have shown that metals in urban dust could cause such problems as human pulmonary toxicity and reduction of invertebrate populations. The risk levels seem to be higher in children than adults, as some studies have shown. It is therefore important that studies on metals in urban dust should always incorporate risk assessment as one of the main issues.


Author(s):  
Anatoly V. Skalny ◽  
Philippe Yu Kopylov ◽  
Monica M. B. Paoliello ◽  
Jung-Su Chang ◽  
Michael Aschner ◽  
...  

The objective of the present study was to evaluate hair toxic metal levels in patients with obesity and/or coronary heart disease (CHD). Following a 2 × 2 factorial design, subjects without CHD were grouped into normal weight control (n = 123) and obese groups (n = 140). Patients suffering from CHD were divided into normal weight (n = 180) and obese CHD subjects (n = 240). Hair Al, As, Cd, Hg, Ni, and Pb levels were evaluated using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry. The data demonstrate that hair Al and Hg levels were higher in obese subjects as compared to normal weight controls. Normal weight CHD patients were characterized by significantly higher hair Al, As, Cd, and Pb levels when compared to healthy subjects. The highest hair Al, As, and Pb levels were observed in obese CHD patients, significantly exceeding the respective values in other groups. Factorial analysis revealed significant influence of factorial interaction (CHD*obesity) only for hair Pb content. Given the role of obesity as a risk factor for CHD, it is proposed that increased toxic metal accumulation in obesity may promote further development of cardiovascular diseases.


Author(s):  
Joanna M Gaitens ◽  
Clayton H Brown ◽  
Frederick G Strathmann ◽  
Hanna Xu ◽  
Michael R Lewin-Smith ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The objective of this investigation is to explore the utility of using a spot urine sample in lieu of a 24-hour collection in assessing fragment-related metal exposure in war-injured veterans. Methods Twenty-four veterans collected each urine void over a 24-hour period in separate containers. Concentrations of 13 metals were measured in each void and in a pooled 24-hour sample using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To assess the reliability of spot sample measures over time, intraclass correlations (ICCs) were calculated across all spot samples. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was used to assess agreement between a randomly selected spot urine sample and each corresponding 24-hour sample. Results In total, 149 spot urine samples were collected. Ten of the 13 metals measured had ICCs more than 0.4, suggesting “fair to good” reliability. Concordance coefficients were more than 0.4 for all metals, suggesting “moderate” agreement between spot and 24-hour concentrations, and more than 0.6 for seven of the 13 metals, suggesting “good” agreement. Conclusions Our fair to good reliability findings, for most metals investigated, and moderate to good agreement findings for all metals, across the range of concentrations observed here, suggest the utility of spot urine samples to obtain valid estimates of exposure in the longitudinal surveillance of metal-exposed populations.


Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 143 (6) ◽  
pp. 794-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. COURTNEY-HOGUE

SUMMARYThe accumulation of heavy metals in macroparasites of fish has been widely studied in freshwater environments. Less is known about metal uptake in cestodes parasitizing marine fish. Lacistorhynchus dollfusi is a common larval cestode parasite of Pacific sanddab (Citharichthys sordidus), a flatfish species inhabiting Santa Monica Bay. The ability of this cestode to concentrate metals in its tissues was compared with metal levels in its sanddab host. Fish and cestode tissue were analysed for 14 elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The elements analysed were silver (Ag), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), potassium (K), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti) and zinc (Zn). Three of the 14 metals (Cu, Hg and Zn) were significantly greater in concentration in L. dollfusi compared with their levels in the liver, intestine and muscle of their fish host. They ranked in concentration from highest to lowest as follows: Zn > Cu > Hg. The ability of the cestode L. dollfusi to uptake metals at higher concentrations than its host warrants its consideration as a candidate for a heavy metal accumulation indicator of pollution exposure in Pacific sanddab.


Author(s):  
Madeleine Scammell ◽  
Caryn Sennett ◽  
Rebecca Laws ◽  
Robert Rubin ◽  
Daniel Brooks ◽  
...  

Metals are suspected contributors of autoimmune disease among indigenous Americans. However, the association between metals exposure and biomarkers of autoimmunity is under-studied. In Nicaragua, environmental exposure to metals is also largely unexamined with regard to autoimmunity. We analyzed pooled and stratified exposure and outcome data from Navajo (n = 68) and Nicaraguan (n = 47) men of similar age and health status in order to characterize urinary concentrations of metals, compare concentrations with the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) male population, and examine the associations with biomarkers of autoimmunity. Urine samples were analyzed for metals via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Serum samples were examined for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) at 1:160 and 1:40 dilutions, using an indirect immunofluorescence assay and for specific autoantibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Logistic regression analyses evaluated associations of urinary metals with autoimmune biomarkers, adjusted for group (Navajo or Nicaraguan), age, and seafood consumption. The Nicaraguan men had higher urinary metal concentrations compared with both NHANES and the Navajo for most metals; however, tin was highest among the Navajo, and uranium was much higher in both populations compared with NHANES. Upper tertile associations with ANA positivity at the 1:160 dilution were observed for barium, cesium, lead, strontium and tungsten.


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