ABSTRACT
Diesel exhaust (DE), Group 1 carcinogen, is an important source of air pollutants. Studies show that DE exposure associates with elevated incidences of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The toxic effects of DE are closely related to its components. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the main toxic components in DE and are often used as human exposure biomarkers to DE. However, the exposure assessment of DE using PAHs as biomarkers could be interfered due to the other sources of PAHs. Therefore, identification of highly specific and reliable PAHs sourced biomarkers of DE exposure has become a hotspot of current research. New biomarkers of DE may play an important role in determining human exposure to DE and establishing dose-response relationship of DE exposure and health outcomes of interest. This paper focused on current progress in terms of PAHs sourced biomarkers of human exposure to DE with the following aims: (1) to clarify the types of PAHs sourced biomarkers to DE; (2) to explore the applicability and limitations of PAHs sourced biomarkers for DE exposure assessment in occupational exposure and environmental exposure analysis; and (3) to summarize the analysis methods for PAHs sourced exposure biomarkers in human urine samples and compare the advantages and disadvantages of different analytical methods.
ABSTRACT
Objective. To determine whether the DNA damage detected using the Comet assay helps in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis Methods. Sepsis was diagnosed, based on clinical findings, laboratory findings and positive culture results, in 24 of the 48 newborns who participated in the study. Hematological parameters, baseline demographic data and genotoxic evaluation were investigated. Results. There were no significant differences in hematological, demographic and genotoxic data between cases and controls. Conclusions. The Comet assay proved to be ineffective in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.
Subject(s)
Comet Assay , DNA Damage , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , ROC Curve , Sepsis/diagnosis , Sepsis/geneticsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>Exposure misclassification is a major obstacle to obtain accurate dose-response relationships. In order to solve this problem, the impact of hair treatment on total mercury in hair was assessed in Japanese women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study was carried out among 327 women at age 24-49 years to determine hair mercury levels and estimate daily mercury intakes from seafood by using a food frequency questionnaire.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hair mercury levels in the women and daily mercury intake ranged from 0.11 to 6.86 (median 1.63) μg/g and from 0.77 to 144.9 (median 15.0) μg/day, respectively. The hair mercury was positively correlated with the daily mercury intake (p<0.001). When the women were divided into two subgroups based on artificial hair-waving, hair coloring/dyeing, residence (non-fishing and fishing areas), and working status, a significant difference in the hair mercury level was observed between the women with and without artificial hair-waving only (p<0.001). The multiple regression analysis showed that the log-transformed hair mercury level was significantly related to the log-transformed daily mercury intake (standardized regression coefficient βs=0.307) and artificial hair-waving (βs=-0.276); but not to hair coloring/dyeing, residence, working status or age. Permanent hair treatment was estimated to reduce total mercury in hair by approximately 30%, after adjusting for daily mercury intake and other possible factors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These findings suggest that hair mercury is not the best biomarker of methylmercury exposure when a study population includes women with artificial hair-waving.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Exposure misclassification is a major obstacle to obtain accurate dose-response relationships. In order to solve this problem, the impact of hair treatment on total mercury in hair was assessed in Japanese women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 327 women at age 24-49 years to determine hair mercury levels and estimate daily mercury intakes from seafood by using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Hair mercury levels in the women and daily mercury intake ranged from 0.11 to 6.86 (median 1.63) μg/g and from 0.77 to 144.9 (median 15.0) μg/day, respectively. The hair mercury was positively correlated with the daily mercury intake (p<0.001). When the women were divided into two subgroups based on artificial hair-waving, hair coloring/dyeing, residence (non-fishing and fishing areas), and working status, a significant difference in the hair mercury level was observed between the women with and without artificial hair-waving only (p<0.001). The multiple regression analysis showed that the log-transformed hair mercury level was significantly related to the log-transformed daily mercury intake (standardized regression coefficient βs=0.307) and artificial hair-waving (βs=−0.276); but not to hair coloring/dyeing, residence, working status or age. Permanent hair treatment was estimated to reduce total mercury in hair by approximately 30%, after adjusting for daily mercury intake and other possible factors. Conclusions: These findings suggest that hair mercury is not the best biomarker of methylmercury exposure when a study population includes women with artificial hair-waving.