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Aldosterone, Salt, and Potassium Intakes as Predictors of Pregnancy Outcome, Including Preeclampsia.Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Aug 2019The mineralocorticoid aldosterone increases in plasma in healthy pregnancy along with renin and angiotensin II and plays a key role in the physiological plasma volume... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The mineralocorticoid aldosterone increases in plasma in healthy pregnancy along with renin and angiotensin II and plays a key role in the physiological plasma volume expansion. In mice, aldosterone contributes to an optimal fetal development by enhancing PlGF (placental growth factor) expression and trophoblast cell proliferation. In preeclampsia, there is coincident suppression of aldosterone and impaired placental development. We hypothesized that aldosterone independently contributes to placental and birth weight in humans, and high dietary sodium and low potassium intakes affect this relationship adversely. We analyzed 24-hour urine collections and plasma samples from gestational week 29 in a subsample of 569 pregnant women from the Odense Child Cohort-a Danish population-based longitudinal cohort study. Plasma and urinary aldosterone were measured by ELISA, sodium and potassium excretions by flame photometer. Predictive values of aldosterone levels and sodium and potassium intakes were assessed by multiple and Cox regression analyses. Primary outcomes were placental weight and birth weight. Secondary outcome was preeclampsia. Urinary aldosterone excretion at gestational week 29 independently contributed to placental and birth weights (adjusted β-coefficients [95% CI], 24.50 [9.66-39.35] and 9.59 [4.57-14.61], respectively). Aldosterone levels were not associated to preeclampsia incidence. Salt intake >6 g/d was associated with development of preeclampsia (hazard ratio [95% CI], 5.68 [1.51-21.36]). At gestational week 29, urinary aldosterone excretion is an independent predictor of placental and birth weights. High salt intake is a risk factor for preeclampsia. In perspective, suppression of aldosterone in pregnancy has adverse trophic effects.
Topics: Adult; Aldosterone; Cohort Studies; Denmark; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Incidence; Linear Models; Longitudinal Studies; Potassium; Pre-Eclampsia; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Proportional Hazards Models; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Sodium Chloride, Dietary; Statistics, Nonparametric
PubMed: 31177907
DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.12924 -
Clinical Laboratory May 2022(1-3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) is a fast and simple assay to diagnose invasive fungal infection. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the Goldstream BDG assay...
BACKGROUND
(1-3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) is a fast and simple assay to diagnose invasive fungal infection. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the Goldstream BDG assay (Beijing Gold Mountainriver Tech Development) performed on the automated analyzer, IGL-200 (Genobio Pharmaceutical).
METHODS
The precision and linearity of the Goldstream BDG assay were evaluated according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute procedures. BDG results performed on the IGL-200 were compared to a manual photometer, MB-80A (Genobio Pharmaceutical). The manufacturer-provided reference interval was verified.
RESULTS
Within-laboratory imprecision (% Coefficient of Variation) was 9.4%. The best polynomial fit was third-order within the manufacturer's claimed linear range (32.0 - 830.0 pg/mL). The BDG assay performed on IGL-200 and MB-80A showed a total agreement of 97.6%. All healthy subjects were within range of the manufacture provided reference interval.
CONCLUSIONS
The analytical performance of the Goldstream BDG assay was clinically acceptable.
Topics: Fungi; Humans; Invasive Fungal Infections; Sensitivity and Specificity; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 35536073
DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2021.210912 -
Pediatric Health, Medicine and... 2023The most important anemia next to iron deficiency is anemia of inflammation. Micronutrient deficits, such as those in zinc and iron, can be caused by intestinal...
BACKGROUND
The most important anemia next to iron deficiency is anemia of inflammation. Micronutrient deficits, such as those in zinc and iron, can be caused by intestinal permeability and gut inflammation brought on by environmental enteric dysfunction. This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence and association of anemia with Environmental Enteropathy.
METHODS
Data on water sanitation and hygiene indicators and sociodemographic characteristics were collected using structured questionnaire. The lactulose to mannitol ratio (L:M) was calculated from the concentration of both sugars in the urine. Level of Hemoglobin was detected by using Hemocue-301 digital photometer. Blood and urine sample was collected from three hundred children aged 12-59 months to determine the status of Anaemia and Environmental Enteropathy respectively.
RESULTS
Data were analyzed by using Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and logistic regression model to indicate prevalence and association of anemia with environmental Enteropathy in children less than five years old. The prevalence of anemia in children with environmental enteropathy was 63.8% (95% CI: 57.6, 71.7), and there was a significant association (p = 0.0001, AOR 3.502, 95% CI: 1.929-6.371) between anemia and environmental enteropathy. In a multivariate analysis, children aged 1-3 years with caretakers who had no or only primary education and with monthly income of less than 3000 ETB were more likely to develop anemia.
CONCLUSION
The result of this study indicated that two-thirds of children less than five with environmental enteropathy had developed anemia, and there is a significant association between environmental enteropathy and anemia. Even though there are other causes of anemia, based on the findings of this study, more research is needed to identify factors associated with environmental enteropathy to mitigate anemia due to intestinal permeability or malabsorption and its impact in children under the age of five.
PubMed: 36798588
DOI: 10.2147/PHMT.S387747 -
Environmental Research Jun 2022Due to the lack of black carbon (BC) measurement data in some cases, elemental carbon (EC) is often used as a surrogate of BC, with a simple assumption that they are...
Due to the lack of black carbon (BC) measurement data in some cases, elemental carbon (EC) is often used as a surrogate of BC, with a simple assumption that they are interchangeable. Such assumption will inevitably lead to uncertainties in radiative forcing estimation and health impact assessment. In order to quantitatively and systematically evaluate the relationship between BC and EC as well as factors responsible for their difference, 3-year collocated equivalent BC (eBC) and EC measurements with 1-h resolution were performed in Beijing, China continuously from 2016 to 2019. EBC concentration was measured by the multi-wavelength aethalometer (AE-33) based on optical analysis, while EC concentration was determined by semi-continuous OC/EC analyzer with thermal-optical method. The results showed that around 90% of eBC concentration was higher than that of EC, with average difference between eBC and EC as 1.21 μg m (accounting for 33% of average eBC in Beijing). EBC and EC concentrations exhibited strong correlation (r = 0.90) during the whole study period, but the slopes (or eBC/EC ratio) and correlation coefficients varied across seasons (spring: 1.67 and 0.94; summer: 0.91 and 0.65; fall: 1.15 and 0.88; winter: 1.09 and 0.91, respectively). Based on the information from shell/core ratios by Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2), source apportionment results by positive matrix factorization model, and chemical composition of PM, the differences between eBC and EC concentrations were found to be primarily related to BC aging process and secondary components as evidenced by strong positive correlation with secondary species (e.g., secondary organic carbon and nitrate). This study provided seasonal specific conversion factors of eBC and EC in Beijing and helpful reference for other areas, which will contribute new knowledge of carbonaceous aerosol and reduce uncertainty in assessing future climate change and health studies of BC.
Topics: Aerosols; Air Pollutants; Beijing; Carbon; China; Environmental Monitoring; Particulate Matter; Seasons; Soot
PubMed: 35101394
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112791 -
Indoor Air Jan 2022To better understand the impact of molds on indoor air quality, we studied the photochemistry of microbial films made by Aspergillus niger species, a common indoor mold....
To better understand the impact of molds on indoor air quality, we studied the photochemistry of microbial films made by Aspergillus niger species, a common indoor mold. Specifically, we investigated their implication in the conversion of adsorbed nitrate anions into gaseous nitrous acid (HONO) and nitrogen oxides (NO ), as well as the related VOC emissions under different indoor conditions, using a high-resolution proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) and a long path absorption photometer (LOPAP). The different mold preparations were characterized by the means of direct injection into an Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometer with a heated electrospray ionization (ESI-Orbitrap-MS). The formation of a wide range of VOCs, having emission profiles sensitive to the types of films (either doped by potassium nitrate or not), cultivation time, UV-light irradiation, potassium nitrate concentration and relative humidity was observed. The formation of nitrous acid from these films was also determined and found to be dependent on light and relative humidity. Finally, the reaction paths for the NO and HONO production are proposed. This work helps to better understand the implication of microbial surfaces as a new indoor source for HONO emission.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Nitrogen Dioxide; Nitrogen Oxides; Nitrous Acid
PubMed: 34866244
DOI: 10.1111/ina.12971 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jul 2023Reduction of the production of amyloid beta (Aβ) species has been intensively investigated as potential therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However,...
Reduction of the production of amyloid beta (Aβ) species has been intensively investigated as potential therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the degradation of Aβ species, another potential beneficial approach, has been far less explored. In this study, we discovered that ceruloplasmin (CP), an important multi-copper oxidase (MCO) in human blood, could degrade Aβ peptides. We also found that the presence of Vitamin C could enhance the degrading effect in a concentration-dependent manner. We then validated the CP-Aβ interaction using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, fluorescence photometer, and fluorescence polarization measurement. Based on the above discovery, we hypothesized that other MCOs had similar Aβ-degrading functions. Indeed, we found that other MCOs could induce Aβ degradation as well. Remarkably, we revealed that ascorbate oxidase (AO) had the strongest degrading effect among the tested MCOs. Using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) neuron cells, we observed that AO could rescue neuron toxicity which induced by Aβ oligomers. In addition, our electrophysiological analysis with brain slices suggested that AO could prevent an Ab-induced deficit in synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. To the best of our knowledge, our report is the first to demonstrate that MCOs have a degrading function for peptides/proteins. Further investigations are warranted to explore the possible benefits of MCOs for future AD treatment.
PubMed: 37461701
DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.02.547398 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2022Honey is one of the best nutritious substances in the world, having different services in the body functions regulation. Ten elements (K, Na, Ca, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb,...
Honey is one of the best nutritious substances in the world, having different services in the body functions regulation. Ten elements (K, Na, Ca, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se) from honey samples were analyzed from 80 different locations of Punjab and ten floras. The aim of the present study was to determine the quality and quantity of minerals and Physico-chemical analysis in honey. A flame photometer was used to measure the concentration of major minerals (K, Ca and Na). The concentration of micro minerals (Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Se) was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The concentration of macro-elements obtained was as follow (in ppm): K (166-1732), Na (107-418) and Ca (07-99), while the concentration of microelements (in ppm) Co (1-2), Cr (>1), Mn (<1), Mo (1.818), Ni (1.911), Pb (<1) and Se (1.968). The most abundant minerals were potassium, calcium and sodium, ranging between 396-810.5, 17.5-640.63 and 169.88-238.62 ppm, respectively. However, the trace mineral elements of honey were obtained in the order of decreasing Se > Co > Ni > Pb > Cr > Mo > Mn. The findings showed that all the heavy metals like Co, Cr, Ni and Pb were present in trace amounts and close to International Honey Quality Standard. The result of given honey samples represented highest value of moisture (31.23%), color (80 mm pfund), pH (8.23), acidity (72.02 meq/kg), electrical conductivity (0.85 ms/cm) and ash contents (0.83%).
Topics: Animals; Bees; Honey; Lead; Metals, Heavy; Minerals; Trace Elements
PubMed: 35857954
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.263534 -
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Dec 2019This study aimed to document the prevalence of chronic equine piroplasmosis (EP) in poorly performing Standardbred racehorses and to explore associations between the...
This study aimed to document the prevalence of chronic equine piroplasmosis (EP) in poorly performing Standardbred racehorses and to explore associations between the disease and sex, age, and hematological parameters. Blood was collected between 2004 and 2018; blood cell counts were performed using a cell counter analyzer, biochemical parameters using a photometer, and serum proteins using agarose gel electrophoresis. Blood smears were prepared, colored with a modified Giemsa, and an experienced technician identified the presence of protozoa. The horses were categorized into piroplasmosis positive (PP) and piroplasmosis negative (PN). The studied population included 520 horses (142 female, 27.6%; CI, 23.8%-31.7%), with a median age of 4 (interquartile range, 3-8) years. The prevalence of EP was 9.3% (CI: 6.9%-12.1%). There was no association between the infectious status and signalment. In poorly performing Italian Standardbreds, chronic piroplasmosis caused mild normocytic, normochromic anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, thrombocytopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia, as reported in literature. However, our findings suggests that blood analysis needs to be interpreted with caution as there were cases with overlap between parameters in PP and PN horses, and normal ranges. Hence, in cases of poorly performing Standardbreds living or recently moving into an EP-endemic region, blood cytology should be performed as a first step in differential diagnosis procedures to exclude chronic EP as one possible cause for poor performance. Further diagnostic tests (i.e., PCR, ELISA) are also recommended because correct diagnosis is vital to ensure the criteria of "lack of disease" in the welfare principle of good health.
Topics: Animals; Babesia; Babesiosis; Female; Horse Diseases; Horses; Italy; Male; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 31791528
DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102813 -
Heliyon Dec 2020Potassium (K) has been considered as a non-deficient nutrient in most Ethiopian soils. However, some studies recommended K application to K sufficient soils if K/Mg...
Potassium (K) has been considered as a non-deficient nutrient in most Ethiopian soils. However, some studies recommended K application to K sufficient soils if K/Mg ratio is < 0.7. To resolve this controversy, field experiments and laboratory soil analysis were conducted in two districts (Yilmana Densa and Dera) in north-western Ethiopia on Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic) (pH = 5.5), Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) (pH = 6.2) and Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic) (pH = 5.2) using wheat, and maize, respectively as test crops. The field experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with 7 K fertilizer rates (0, 42, 83, 125, 166, 208, and 249 kg ha K) and four replications. KCl and DAP (200 kg ha) fertilizers were added at planting. Urea (200 kg ha) was added in split, half at planting and half at tillering for wheat and ; and at knee-height stage for maize. Soil samples were taken two weeks after planting to determine K and Mg contents, K critical levels and optimum K/Mg ratio. The ammonium acetate extraction method was used to determine the K and Mg contents in the soil using a flame photometer and an atomic absorption spectrometer, respectively. Yield data were collected after harvest. The results of the study indicated that Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic), Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) and Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic) had high K contents of 351, 380 and 434 mg kg, respectively. Rising K fertilizer levels increased soil K contents; however, this did not significantly increase crop yields. Mg contents were also in high category (>351 mg kg). The K/Mg values ranged from 0.60 to 0.80 in Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic), 0.70 to 0.88 in Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) and 0.71 to 1.04 in Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic), and the values increased with an increasing K rates. However, wheat, and maize grain yields showed an increasing trend up to K/Mg ratio of 0.71 in Mollic Nitisols (aric, humic), 0.78 in Pellic Vertisols (aric, gilgaic, mazic) and 0.88 in Vertic Luvisols (aric, nitic), respectively, and declined above these values.
PubMed: 33319094
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05629 -
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &... Nov 2022Simulated daylight photodynamic therapy (SDL-PDT) is a new treatment alternative for actinic keratosis. The aim of this study was to show how the illuminance that...
BACKGROUND
Simulated daylight photodynamic therapy (SDL-PDT) is a new treatment alternative for actinic keratosis. The aim of this study was to show how the illuminance that reaches the target skin area during SDL-PDT depends on the spatial positioning of the patient.
METHODS
In this technical validation study, illuminance from the SDL-PDT system IndoorLux© was measured at different angles, directions, and distances from the light sources corresponding to potential target skin areas. Using two different photometers, data from 63 measuring points at seven specific distances from the ceiling were collected at 0°, 45°, and 90° angles, respectively. Illuminance levels ≥12,000 lux were regarded as adequate. Hotspots were defined as adequate measurements in all directions at a specific measuring point at distances of 1.3, 1.5, and 1.8 m from the light sources (i.e., the most common patient treatment positions).
RESULTS
Adequate illuminance levels were more common with photometer 1 (73%) than photometer 2 (57%). Almost all illuminance levels were adequate at a 0° angle with both photometers. Adequate illuminance levels were observed at 82-93% of the measuring points at a 45° angle and 22-47% at a 90° angle. Hotspots were registered with both photometers at all measuring points at 0°; 59-79% of the measuring points at 45°; and 0-21% at 90°.
CONCLUSION
Patient positioning is important during SDL-PDT. Adequate illuminance is achieved if target skin areas are positioned at 0°-45° angles relative to the light sources, but not at 90° angles.
Topics: Humans; Photochemotherapy; Aminolevulinic Acid; Photosensitizing Agents; Keratosis, Actinic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35437865
DOI: 10.1111/phpp.12792