Prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes by first-trimester components of metabolic syndrome: a prospective longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the optimal cutoff values of each component of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the first trimester of pregnancy for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: A total of 1076 pregnant women in the first trimester of gestation were recruited in this prospective longitudinal cohort study. Specifically, 993 pregnant women at 11-13 weeks of gestation who were followed up until the end of pregnancy were included in the final analysis. The cutoff values of each component of MetS in the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes including gestational diabetes (GDM), gestational hypertensive disorders, and preterm birth were obtained via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis using the Youden's index. RESULTS: Among the 993 pregnant women studied, the significant associations between the first trimester MetS components and adverse pregnancy outcomes were as follows: triglyceride (TG) and body mass index (BMI) with preterm birth; mean arterial pressure (MAP), TG, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with gestational hypertensive disorders; BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and TG with GDM (all p values < 0.05). The cutoff point values for the above-mentioned MetS components were: TG > 138 mg/dl and BMI < 21 kg/m2 for the occurrence of preterm birth; TG > 148 mg/dL, MAP > 84, and HDL-C < 84 mg/dl for gestational hypertensive disorders; BMI > 25 kg/m2, FPG > 84 mg/dl, and TG > 161 mg/dl for GDM. CONCLUSION: The study findings imply the importance of early management of metabolic syndrome in pregnancy to improve maternal-fetal outcomes.

Biological Monitoring and Lung Function Assessment among Workers Exposed to Chromium in the Ceramic Industry.

BACKGROUND: Chromium exposure occurs in various industries such as ceramics industry. The main disadvantage of chromium is high toxicity when absorbed by the body. This study aimed to determine and compare urinary chromium values in the pre- and post-shift of ceramic glazers and the control group; investigate urinary chromium value according to the study variables; compare pulmonary function tests between ceramic glazers vs. the control group. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was carried out in Yazd City, central Iran on 49 glazers and 55 office workers in the same workplace as the control group. The urine samples were collected at both start and end of the work shift, and the control group was examined only once. Preparation of samples were conducted by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE). The analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). All the participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire comprising of questions about smoking habits, work shift, skin dermatitis, job title, using mask, ventilation system, duration of exposure, overtime working, age, weight, and height. The lung function tests were performed on study groups. RESULTS: The concentration of chromium after the glazer's shift was 2.73 times higher than the Biological Exposure Index (BEI) recommended by the occupational and environmental health center of Iran. Lung function tests were significantly lower in the glazers compared with the control group (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Skin dermatitis and overtime working are the main determinants of high chromium level in glazers.

Assessment of Vitamin D Status and Response to Vitamin D3 in Obese and Non-Obese Iranian Children.

BACKGROUND: Obesity seems to be a critical issue nowadays because of its high prevalence and its adverse effects on health. There is some evidence indicating the relationship between obesity and lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration. The aim of the present study was to examine serum 25(OH)D status of obese and non-obese Iranian children and compare their therapeutic response with identical oral vitamin D3 treatment. METHODS: In a non-randomized clinical trial, serum 25(OH)D level of 45 obese and 45 non-obese Iranian children aged 2-14 years was measured. Those with serum 25(OH)D status <30 ng/ml (73 cases) were treated with one pearl of vitamin D3 (50 000 International Units) once a week for 6 weeks. Serum vitamin D was measured once more 2 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The frequency of hypovitaminosis D was 43/45 (95.6%) in obese and 30/45 (66.7%) in non-obese children at baseline (p < 0.001). After treatment of 73 cases (43 obese, 30 non-obese), the above percentages were decreased to 24/43 (55.8%) and 1/30 (3.3%), respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated a high frequency of vitamin D deficiency among Iranian children, particularly the obese ones. Moreover, low therapeutic response in the obese group is witnessed.

Biological monitoring of glazers exposed to lead in the ceramics industry in Iran.

Exposure to heavy metals, particularly lead, takes place in the ceramics industry. Lead is used in glaze to produce smooth and brilliant surfaces; thus, there is a likelihood of occupational adverse effects on humans. Urine samples were collected from 49 glazers at the start and end of the work shifts (98 samples). Solid phase extraction was used for separation and pre-concentration of the analyte. Samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Lung function tests were performed on both control and lead exposed subjects. Statistical analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate the data obtained. The concentration of lead in glazers was 6.37 times higher than in the control group. Lung functions were significantly lower in the glazers compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Results showed that poor ventilation systems, overtime work and work history are effective determinants of high exposure levels.

Evaluation of Occupational Exposure of Glazers of a Ceramic Industry to Cobalt Blue Dye.

BACKGROUND: Cobalt is one of the most important constituent present in ceramic industries. Glazers are the relevant workers when they are producing blue colored ceramic, causing occupational exposure to such metal. Through this study, urinary cobalt was determined in glazers in a ceramic industry when they were producing blue-colored ceramic glazes. METHODS: In this case-control study, spot urine samples were collected from 49 glazers at the start and end of work shifts (totally 98 samples) in 2011. Control group were well matched for age, height, and weight. A solid phase extraction system was used for separation and preconcentration of samples followed by analysis by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). All participants filled out a self administered questionnaire comprises questions about duration of exposure, work shift, use of mask, skin dermatitis, kind of job, ventilation system, overtime work, age, weight, and height. The lung function tests were performed on each control and cobalt exposed subjects. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate the obtained results. RESULTS: Urinary levels of cobalt were significantly higher in the glazers compared to the control group. There were significant differences at urinary concentration of cobalt at the start and end of the work shift in glazers. Spirometric parameters were significantly lower in the glazers compared to the control group. Among the variables used in questionnaire the significant variables were dermatitis skin, mask, ventilation, and overtime work. CONCLUSION: This study verified existence of cobalt in the urine glazers, showing lower amount than the ACGIH standard.

Evaluation of Effectiveness of Ethanolic Extract of Artemisia aucheri, Individually and in Combination with Chloroquine, on Chloroquine - Sensitive Strain of Plasmodium berghei in Sourian Mice.

BACKGROUND: Drug resistance in malaria parasites is extending in the world particularly in chemical synthesized drugs such as 4- aminoquinolines and aminoalcoholes. Employing herbal extracts is encouraged by WHO in the malarious areas. In this study, the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of Artemisia aucheri individually and in combination with chloroquine, has been considered against chloroquine - sensitive strain of Plasmodium berghei. METHODS: At the first stage, ED50 of A. aucheri and chloroquine on P. berghei was calculated using in vivo test. Then based on the ED50s combination of A. aucheri and chloroquine with ratios of 0/100,10/90,20/80,30/70,40/60,50/50,60/40,70/30,80/20,90/10 and100/0 were tested against the parasite. For evaluating the adverse effect of A. aucheri on the mice, for two weeks 1000mg/kg of the extract was daily employed and the mice were followed up for fifty days. RESULTS: ED50s for chloroquine and A. aucheri were 1.6mg/kg and 1000mg/kg respectively. The outcome of two drugs combination on the mice showed antagonistic effects on the chloroquine - sensitive strain of parasite. Two weeks daily administration of A. aucheri had no toxic effect on the mice. CONCLUSION: A. aucheri individually can be effective in reducing the parasite while in combination with chloroquine loses its property.

Optimization of headspace solid phase microextraction procedure for trace analysis of toluene.

This study describes optimization of headspace solid phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector for toluene at trace level in spiked urine. The parameters affecting the extraction and gas chromatographic determination of analytes were studied: extraction time and temperature; desorption time and temperature; addition of NaCl; and pH, volume and agitation of the sample. Optimized headspace extraction was carried out at 30 degrees C for 6 min in the presence of 0.2 g.m(-1)of NaCl in the sample solution. Also, sample volume and sample pH were optimized at 5 ml and 7 (neutral pH), respectively. Desorption of the analytes was carried out at 250 degrees C for 60 s. The optimized procedure was validated with 3 different pools of spiked urine; it showed good reproducibility over 6 consecutive days and 6 within-day experiments. The study also determined the accuracy, linearity and detection limits of this method.