ABSTRACT
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe respiratory disease and it is predicted that the COVID-19 pandemic will leave a substantial number of patients with long-term respiratory complications (1).
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Ciliary Motility Disorders , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
The widespread use of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is resulting in a broad human exposure to these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), prompting biomonitoring research to evaluate its magnitude and impact, especially during critical windows of exposure such as fetal and perinatal periods. This study was focused on developing a method to determine 10 PFAS in placental tissue by combining salt-assisted liquid-liquid extraction with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Chemometric strategies were applied to optimize the experimental parameters. The limit of quantification was 0.02 ng g-1 for all analytes, and the inter-day variability (as relative standard deviation) ranged from 7.9% to 13.8%. Recoveries ranged from 88.2% to 113.9%. The suitableness of the procedure was demonstrated by assessing the targeted compounds in 20 placenta samples. The highest concentrations were recorded for perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate, with maximum concentrations of 0.62 and 1.02 ng g-1 and median concentrations of 0.13 and 0.53 ng g-1, respectively. Median concentrations of the other PFAS ranged from detected values to 0.08 ng g-1. This analytical procedure yields useful data on fetal exposure to PFAS.
Subject(s)
Fluorocarbons , Liquid Phase Microextraction , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Chromatography, Liquid , Female , Humans , Liquid-Liquid Extraction , Placenta , Pregnancy , Tandem Mass SpectrometryABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the effects of different training modalities on the soluble Klotho (S-Klotho) plasma levels in sedentary middle-aged adults. A total of 74 middle-aged adults (53.4 ± 5.0 years old; 52.7% women) were enrolled in the FIT-AGEING study. We conducted a 12-week randomised controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned to 4 different groups: (i) a control group (no exercise), (ii) a physical activity recommendation from the World Health Organization group (PAR), (iii) a high intensity interval training group (HIIT), and (iv) a high intensity interval training group adding whole-body electromyostimulation training group (HIIT-EMS). S-Klotho plasma levels, anthropometric measurements, and body composition variables were measured before and after the intervention programme. All exercise training modalities induced an increase in the S-Klotho plasma levels (all P ≤ 0.019) without statistical differences between them (all P ≥ 0.696). We found a positive association between changes in lean mass index and changes in the S-Klotho plasma levels, whereas a negative association was reported between changes in fat mass outcomes and changes in the S-Klotho plasma levels after our intervention study. In conclusion, our results suggest that the link between exercise training and the increase in S-Klotho plasma levels could be mediated by a decrease of fat mass and an increase of lean mass.
Subject(s)
Electric Stimulation , Exercise/physiology , Glucuronidase/blood , High-Intensity Interval Training/methods , Sedentary Behavior , Body Fat Distribution , Body Mass Index , Female , Humans , Klotho Proteins , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
To study atherogenesis markers in patients with stage 5D chronic kidney disease (CKD-5D) on hemodialysis to determine which parameters are modified and whether their behavior differ between male and female patients of similar age. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, total proteins, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol, homocysteine (Hcy), folate, and vitamin B12 were measured in male and female controls and CKD-5D patients on hemodialysis for >6 months. The CKD-5D patients had significantly lower cholesterol, LDL-c and ox-LDL levels and significantly higher ox-LDL-AB and Hcy levels versus their respective controls. The reduction in ox-LDL in CKD patients does not imply a lower risk of atherosclerosis. In fact, the risk may be higher due to a greater capture of ox-LDL by macrophage scavenger receptors, which are increased in these patients. Elevated Hcy levels may also be a risk factor for atherosclerosis in male and female CKD-5D patients.
Subject(s)
Kidney Failure, Chronic/blood , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Lipids/blood , Oxidative Stress , Renal Dialysis , Aged , Atherosclerosis/blood , Atherosclerosis/diagnosis , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Cholesterol/blood , Cholesterol, HDL , Cholesterol, LDL , Female , Folic Acid/blood , Homocysteine/blood , Humans , Lipoproteins, LDL , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Triglycerides/blood , Vitamin B 12/bloodABSTRACT
An outbreak of trichinellosis caused by wild boar meat occurred in the Iruela (Jaen) in southern Spain in February 1996. Thirty-five people were diagnosed on the basis of epidemiologic data, but only 24 patients agreed to participate in this study. Twenty-three (96%) had symptoms suggestive of trichinellosis. Immunofluorescent and Western blot test results for trichinellosis were positive in 18 persons, and 15 had circulating Trichinella spiralis antigens. These findings suggest that results of tests for circulating antigens in conjunction with clinical presentation are useful for the diagnosis of trichinellosis.
