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PloS One 2019Uranium (U) measurements in water, soil, and food related to gold mining activities in populated areas in Gauteng Province, South Africa, suggest the possibility of...
Uranium (U) measurements in water, soil, and food related to gold mining activities in populated areas in Gauteng Province, South Africa, suggest the possibility of exposure levels that may lead to adverse health consequences, including cancer. Theoretical considerations on pathways of human uptake of significant exposures are plausible, but few data on directly measured human exposure are available. A cross-sectional study was conducted using human measurements to compare U levels with other settings around the globe (based on literature review), to explore potential exposure variability within the province, and to test the feasibility of recruiting subjects partially coming from vulnerable and difficult-to-reach populations. Wards of potentially high (HE) and low exposure (LE) were identified. Composite hair samples representing the respective local populations were collected from regular customers of selected barber shops over a period of 1-2 months. A total of 70 U concentrations were determined in 27 composite samples from 1332 individuals. U concentrations ranged from 31 μg/kg to 2524 μg/kg, with an arithmetic mean of 192 μg/kg (standard deviation, 310 μg/kg) and a median of 122 μg/kg. Although HE wards collectively showed higher U levels than LE wards (184 vs 134 μg/kg), differences were smaller than expected. In conclusion, detected U levels were higher than those from most other surveys of the general public. The barber-based approach was an efficient hair collection approach. Composite hair samples are not recommended, due to technical challenges in measuring U, and individual hair samples are needed in follow-up studies to determine predictors of exposure.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Environmental Monitoring; Feasibility Studies; Female; Gold; Hair; Humans; Male; Mining; South Africa; Uranium
PubMed: 31247044
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219059 -
Acta Diabetologica Jun 2007The objective of this study was to examine the effects of lovastatin on bone mineral density (BMD) of postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The study...
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of lovastatin on bone mineral density (BMD) of postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The study was an open-label clinical trial conducted from March 2002 to November 2003. Fifty-five postmenopausal women age 54-67 years with type 2 DM were allocated to lovastatin-treated and control (without lovastatin) groups based on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >130 or < or =130 mg/dl. The first group received lovastatin (20 mg daily titrated every 3 months to keep LDL-C less than 130 mg/dl) for a total of 18 months. The second group received their own diabetic regimen without statin. The BMD of the lumbar spine (L1 - L4), femoral neck, Wards triangle, trochanter and total hip was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 18 months. In the 28 women treated with lovastatin, the BMD increased in lumbar spine (from 0.946 (0.122) to 0.978 (0.135) g/cm2, p<0.01) and Ward's triangle (from 0.685 (0.123) to 0.780 (0.186) g/cm2, p<0.01). In the 27 women not treated with statin, the changes in BMD at all bone sites were not statistically significant. BMD was higher in femoral neck (1.2% vs. -2.7%, p<0.05), Ward's triangle (13.9% vs. 3.3%, p<0.05), trochanter (-0.1% vs. -2.9%, p<0.05), total hip (1.2% vs. -1.4%, p<0.05) and lumbar spine (3.4% vs. 1.2%, p>0.05) at the end of the study. Treatment with lovastatin may prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women with type 2 DM.
Topics: Absorptiometry, Photon; Aged; Bone Density; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Femur; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Lovastatin; Lumbar Vertebrae; Middle Aged; Postmenopause
PubMed: 17530471
DOI: 10.1007/s00592-007-0246-6 -
European Journal of Clinical... Jul 2000Vitamin D is essential for normal bone metabolism. Polymorphisms in exon 2, intron 8 and exon 9 of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have previously been found to be...
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D is essential for normal bone metabolism. Polymorphisms in exon 2, intron 8 and exon 9 of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have previously been found to be associated with bone mass and bone turnover.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We examined the effect of these polymorphisms, separately and in combination, on bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover, and the prevalence of osteoporotic fractures in 192 osteoporotic patients and 207 normal controls. The four polymorphisms were determined by RFLP using Fok I (T2-C), Bsm I (intron 8), Apa I (intron 8) and Taq I (T1055-C) after PCR.
RESULTS
We did not find any association between the Fok I polymorphism and bone mass, bone turnover or prevalence of osteoporotic fractures. We found that BB + Bb-genotypes were more frequent in patients with osteoporotic fractures (chi2 = 3.50, P = 0. 06). Furthermore, BMD of the intertrochanteric region (P < 0.0001, ANOVA) as well as the total hip (P < 0.01, ANOVA) were higher in individuals with the bb-genotype. The Apa I and the Taq I polymorphisms were not distributed differently among osteoporotic patients and normal controls. Apa I was not associated with differences in BMD. BMD of the intertrochanteric region was higher in individuals with the TT-genotype compared with individuals with the Tt- or tt-genotypes (P < 0.01, ANOVA), while no differences could be demonstrated in BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter or Wards triangle. Combining the genotypes generally reflected the differences caused by the Bsm I polymorphism.
CONCLUSION
We have found that the B-allele of the Bsm I polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of the VDR was associated with low BMD at the hip, and tended to be associated with osteoporotic fractures. The translation initiation polymorphism in the VDR does not affect BMD and is not associated with osteoporotic fractures in men or women.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Bone Density; Calcification, Physiologic; Case-Control Studies; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; Female; Fractures, Spontaneous; Genotype; Haplotypes; Hip Fractures; Humans; Introns; Lumbar Vertebrae; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Prevalence; Receptors, Calcitriol; Spinal Fractures
PubMed: 10886301
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2362.2000.00686.x -
European Journal of Applied Physiology... 1996Fifteen men and women (six men) between the ages of 50 and 73 years were recruited to begin keep-fit classes. They were matched for sex, age, menopausal status and mass...
Fifteen men and women (six men) between the ages of 50 and 73 years were recruited to begin keep-fit classes. They were matched for sex, age, menopausal status and mass to 15 non-exercising controls. The keep-fit classes were two to three times a week and included high-impact exercise, including step and jumping exercises specifically to load the proximal femur and spine. Proximal femur, lumbar spine and total body bone mineral density (BMD) were measured at 0 and 12 months. Urinary pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (dPyr) crosslinks were measured every 6 months to assess bone resorption. Quadriceps isometric strength was measured every 6 months. BMD increased non-significantly at the femoral neck [1.57 (0.8)%] and Wards triangle [1.97 (1.4)%], and significantly at the greater trochanter 2.21 (0.9)% (P = 0.02) in the exercise group. Femoral neck BMD decreased by -1.9(0.8)% (P = 0.049) in the control group, which was significantly different from the change in the exercise group (P = 0.009). BMD did not change at the Wards triangle or trochanter in the controls. Lumbar spine BMD did not change in either group. Total body BMD did not change in the exercise group, but decreased by -0.79 (0.3)% (P = 0.02) in the controls. Following 6 months of the exercise classes. Pyr and dPyr crosslinks were significantly reduced [-19.0 (7.2)%; P = 0.0019 and -20.0 (7.7)%; P = 0.021 respectively]. There was no significant change in crosslinks after 1 year, and no change at any time in the controls. Quadriceps strength changed by 5.4 (3.7)% in the exercise group and by -6.9 (2.5)% (P = 0.01) in the control group after 12 months, being significant between groups (P = 0.008). This study suggests that high-impact, aerobic exercise in postmenopausal women and men over 50 years old is feasible and effective at maintaining muscle strength and increasing proximal femur BMD but not spine or total body BMD.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Aged; Biomarkers; Body Weight; Bone Density; Bone Resorption; Collagen; Cross-Linking Reagents; Exercise; Female; Femur Head; Hip; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Contraction; Postmenopause; Pyridines; Spine
PubMed: 8971492
DOI: 10.1007/BF02376766 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Feb 1994Exercise is recommended as a means of preventing osteoporosis. When intensive, weight-bearing exercise is often associated with hypogonadism. As weight-bearing exercise... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Exercise is recommended as a means of preventing osteoporosis. When intensive, weight-bearing exercise is often associated with hypogonadism. As weight-bearing exercise is likely to be more beneficial at weight-bearing than nonweight-bearing sites, and hypogonadism is likely to be more detrimental to trabecular than cortical bone, we tested the hypothesis that exercise and hypogonadism result in differing regional effects: net benefits at weight-bearing, predominantly cortical sites, and net deficits at nonweight-bearing trabecular-rich sites. Bone density (grams per cm2), body fat, and fat-free mass (kilograms) were measured using dual x-ray absorptiometry in 44 ballet dancers, aged 17.0 +/- 0.2 yr (mean +/- SEM), 18 sedentary amenorrheic girls with anorexia nervosa, and 23 girls of comparable age with regular menstrual cycles. Bone density, expressed as a percentage above or below the mean in the girls with regular menstrual cycles, was normal or elevated at weight-bearing sites in dancers [femoral neck, 3.1 +/- 1.7% (P = NS); Wards triangle, 4.1 +/- 2.3% (P = NS); trochanter, 5.9 +/- 1.9% (P < 0.05)] and normal or reduced at these sites in girls with anorexia nervosa [-10.5 +/- 3.8% (P < 0.05), -7.8 +/- 4.3% (P = NS), and -8.7 +/- 4.0% (P < 0.05), respectively]. By contrast, deficits similar to those in girls with anorexia nervosa were found in dancers at nonweight-bearing sites [ribs, -5.7 +/- 0.8% (P < 0.01); arms, -4.6 +/- 1.1% (P < 0.01); skull, -5.9 +/- 1.3% (P < 0.01)] before, but not after, correcting for fat mass. Fat mass was 7.8 +/- 0.4 kg in dancers, similar to that in girls with anorexia nervosa (6.3 +/- 0.7 kg) and lower than that in girls with regular menstrual cycles (16.8 +/- 1.6 kg; P < 0.01). The net result of vigorous exercise, hypogonadism, and leanness in athletic amenorrhea may not be generalized osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercise may offset the effects of hypogonadism at predominantly cortical weight-bearing sites, such as the proximal femur. Non-weight-bearing sites and weight-bearing sites containing substantial amounts of trabecular bone, such as the lumbar spine, may be adversely affected by hypogonadism while benefiting little from weight-bearing exercise. Deficits at nonweight-bearing sites may be attenuated by maintenance of body weight.
Topics: Absorptiometry, Photon; Adolescent; Adult; Amenorrhea; Anorexia Nervosa; Body Composition; Body Weight; Bone Density; Bone and Bones; Child; Dancing; Exercise; Female; Femur Neck; Humans; Hypogonadism; Linear Models; Menstrual Cycle; Minerals; Weight-Bearing
PubMed: 8106634
DOI: 10.1210/jcem.78.2.8106634 -
Trials Jul 2023Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, early weaning is a reality, so less than 50% of children worldwide and in Brazil are on exclusive breastfeeding in the sixth month...
BACKGROUND
Despite the benefits of breastfeeding, early weaning is a reality, so less than 50% of children worldwide and in Brazil are on exclusive breastfeeding in the sixth month of life. A strategy to counteract this scenario is breastfeeding counseling. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of individualized counseling by nurses trained in breastfeeding counseling, on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, compared to standard care.
METHODS
Multicenter, randomized, parallel, and open clinical trial, with primiparous women aged over 18 years, hospitalized in rooming-in wards at participating centers and hemodynamically stable, aware, and oriented, who had a single-fetus pregnancy and gave birth, regardless of the type of delivery, with live child, gestational age of 37 to 42 weeks and birth weight greater than 2500 g. The women will be initially approached in rooming-in wards and, upon consent to participate in the study, will be allocated through randomization by blocks composed of eight participants in two groups: intervention and control. The randomization lists will be organized by a central without involvement with the study, which will manage the allocation groups and be prepared in the Randon® program. Women allocated to the intervention group will receive breastfeeding counseling by trained nurses, and those in the control group will receive standard care at the center participating in the study.
DISCUSSION
The results can contribute to breastfeeding by evidencing possible exclusivity and duration of the counseling trained nurses provide.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
REBEC RBR-4w9v5rq (UTN: U1111-1284-3559) ( https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4w9v5rq ). Posted on March 20, 2023.
Topics: Pregnancy; Child; Humans; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Infant; Breast Feeding; Hospitals; Parturition; Parity; Counseling; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37454111
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07490-y -
Network (Research Triangle Park, N.C.) Oct 1992
Topics: Advertising; Americas; Attitude; Attitude of Health Personnel; Behavior; Breast Feeding; Central America; Delivery of Health Care; Developing Countries; Economics; Education; Family Characteristics; Family Relations; Health; Health Education; Health Facilities; Honduras; Hospitals; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Latin America; Marketing of Health Services; Mothers; North America; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Parents; Pilot Projects; Psychology; Research; Teaching
PubMed: 12286078
DOI: No ID Found -
Calcified Tissue International Dec 1997In general, physical exercise appears to have favorable effects on the skeleton. However, a few recent reports have described negative effects, including reduced bone... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
In general, physical exercise appears to have favorable effects on the skeleton. However, a few recent reports have described negative effects, including reduced bone density (BMD) and high bone turnover in runners. The aim of our study was to compare endurance runners to controls with respect to BMD at different sites and ultrasound transmission through the peripheral skeleton, and to use PTH, total serum calcium, and biochemical markers of bone metabolism as a complement in evaluating the effects of endurance running on bone. Thirty runners (mean age 32 years, range 19-54 years) participated in the study. Their main form of training consisted of endurance running at moderate intensity for about 7 hours (range 2-12 hours) per week, and they had been active in their sport for about 12 years (range 1-21 years). For a comparison, 30 age- and sex-matched population based controls were investigated. BMD values, measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were higher in runners than in controls for the total body (3.6%; P = 0.03), legs (9.6%; P = 0. 001), femoral neck (10.0%; P = 0.01), trochanter (9.9%; P = 0.01), and Wards triangle (11.8%; P = 0.02), but not in the lumbar spine or in the forearm measured by single energy X-ray absorptiometry (SXA). The quantitative ultrasound measurement of the calcaneus also revealed higher values in runners than in controls for both broadband ultrasound attenuation (9.2%; P = 0.002) and speed of sound (3.1%; P = 0.0001). At all sites, BMD was related to ultrasound measurements in controls, but no such relationship was evident in runners. Concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) were lower (23.2%; P = 0.02) in runners than in controls, whereas total serum calcium concentrations were slightly higher (3.0%; P = 0.003). The levels of PICP (bone formation) and ICTP (bone resorption) in serum were lower (18.0%; P = 0.03 and 22.2%; P = 0.004, respectively) in runners than in controls, but no differences were seen for osteocalcin or bone specific alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP). In conclusion, BMD at the focus of strain for running, that is, the legs, is higher in endurance runners when compared to matched controls. Low bone turnover in runners, indicated by lower levels of PTH and biochemical markers of bone metabolism, point to an influence of endurance running at the cellular level.
Topics: Absorptiometry, Photon; Adult; Alkaline Phosphatase; Biomarkers; Bone Density; Bone Development; Bone Resorption; Bone and Bones; Calcaneus; Calcium; Case-Control Studies; Female; Femur; Forearm; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Statistical; Parathyroid Hormone; Physical Endurance; Reference Values; Regression Analysis; Running; Software; Spine; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 9383270
DOI: 10.1007/s002239900366 -
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Dec 1994Bone disorders following gastrectomy were studied by measuring absolute and relative bone mineral density of the Wards triangle, serum 1,25-(OH)2-D, alkaline... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Bone disorders following gastrectomy were studied by measuring absolute and relative bone mineral density of the Wards triangle, serum 1,25-(OH)2-D, alkaline phosphatase, and total serum calcium. The subjects were 20 males who had undergone total gastrectomy not more than three months previously (group A1). Seventeen of these patients were reviewed three years later (group A2). Absolute and relative bone density were significantly lower in group A2 than in A1 (0.52 +/- 0.011 g/cm2 versus 0.6 +/- 0.014 g/cm2, P < 0.01 and 85.5 +/- 1.4% age-matched control versus 95 +/- 1.3%, P < 0.01). 1,25-(OH)2-D was significantly lower in group A2 than in group A1 (14.3 +/- 0.97 pg/ml versus 20.6 +/- 1.02 pg/ml, P < 0.01). There was no difference in alkaline phosphatase and calcium serum concentration. The mean weight loss was 6.26 +/- 0.57% over the follow-up period, and weight loss correlated with absolute and relative bone density (r = -0.74, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between 1,25-(OH)2-D and absolute or relative bone density (r = 0.67, r = 0.62 and P < 0.01). These data suggest that bone density decrease has already occurred three years after total gastrectomy and is positively correlated to 1,25-(OH)2-D deficiency. As no differences in serum alkaline phosphatase and serum calcium concentration were found, these factors are of little value for the early detection of postgastrectomy bone disorders, whereas weight loss is a valuable screening parameter.
Topics: Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Bone Density; Bone Diseases; Calcitriol; Calcium; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Postgastrectomy Syndromes; Prospective Studies; Time Factors; Weight Loss
PubMed: 7995172
DOI: 10.1007/BF02087683 -
Clinical Nephrology Apr 2000Decreases in bone mass and increased susceptibility to fractures are well-recognized complications in organ transplants.
BACKGROUND
Decreases in bone mass and increased susceptibility to fractures are well-recognized complications in organ transplants.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study on 60 patients (40 males, 20 females, mean age 43.2 +/- 1.06, SE range 22 - 70) who underwent kidney transplantation (KTX) 55.6 +/- 4.5 months before. Blood and 24-hour urine samples were analyzed for the main parameters of mineral metabolism, and also for osteocalcin (BGP), bone alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP, urine N-telopeptid (u-NTx) and urine galactosyl-hydroxylysine (u-Ghyl). DEXA scan of the lumbar spine (LS) and proximal femur (PF) and ultrasound determination of the heel (stiffness) was also performed.
RESULTS
T-score values for bone density (BD) were 2.14 +/- 0.11 SD's for LS, -2.56 +/- 0.09 for PF and 2.49 +/- 0.15 for stiffness. There were 29 peripheral fractures in 16 patients. The rate of fractures before KTX were 0.0011 per patient/year and 0.0005 after transplantation (p < 0.02). When expressed as number of SD's with respect to normal controls, BGP (1.48 +/- 0.23), b-ALP (0.95 +/- 0.19), u-NTx excretion correlated negatively with BD at the femoral neck (p < 0.02) and trochanter (p < 0.03). Cumulative steroids intake were negatively correlated with b-ALP positively (p < 0.05). Current CsA was positively correlated with b-ALP (p < 0.001). Both cumulative steroid (p < 0.02) and CSA (p < 0.01) intakes were negatively correlated with BD at Wards triangle.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrate an important bone depletion at each stage KTX. PTH plays a major role in the observed increase in bone turnover, exacerbating the negative effects on the bone on immunosuppressive treatment. Glucocorticosteroid therapy is an important risk factor for osteoporosis in this setting also.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Bone Density; Bone and Bones; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Kidney Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Osteocalcin; Parathyroid Hormone
PubMed: 10809430
DOI: No ID Found