Project description:To answer the question of whether preconception phthalate and phthalate replacements associated with sperm differentially methylated regions (DMRs) among men undergoing in-vitro fertilization, genome-wide DNA-methylation profiles of 48 human sperm samples were generated by bisulfite-based Illumina 450K BeadChip arrays. The sperm DNA methylation is then correlated with urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations.
Project description:BackgroundIron deficiency (ID) and anaemia of inflammation (AI) coexist where infections and nutritional deficiencies are common. The aim of this study was to determine burden of ID, anaemia, inflammation and AI in children in malaria endemic Limbe, Mount Cameroon as well as decipher the contribution of some inflammatory cytokines on the concentration of haemoglobin and ferritin.MethodsA total of 520 children aged ≤ 15 years old from the Limbe Health District (LHD) were randomly selected and examined in a cross-sectional study for iron deficiency, anaemia, inflammation and inflammation anaemia. Collected blood samples were used for full blood count and inflammatory marker analyses with the aid of a haemoanalyzer and ELISA machine, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between cytokines and haemoglobin while multiple linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of inflammatory cytokines on haemoglobin and ferritin concentrations.ResultsThe overall prevalence of anaemia, ID, IDA, inflammation and AI were respectively, 67.5%, 34.6%, 12.9%, 63.1% and 30.2%. Children aged 12‒15 years (P = 0.001), enrolled from the community (P < 0.001), whose parents are civil servants (P < 0.001), living in a home with 6‒10 occupants (P = 0.016), afebrile (P < 0.001) and malaria negative (P = 0.007) had the highest prevalence of ID while, children ≤ 5 years old (P = 0.001), with a family size of 1‒5 occupants (P = 0.033) had the highest prevalence of AI. Haemoglobin concentration positively correlated with concentrations of IFN-γ (P < 0.001), TNF-α (0.045) and ferritin (P < 0.001) while a negative correlation was observed with IL-10 (P = 0.003). In the multiple linear regression analysis only IL-6 significantly (P = 0.030) influenced haemoglobin concentration.ConclusionsWhile IL-6 is of significance in the pathology of anaemia, iron deficiency and anaemia of inflammation are of moderate public health concerns in the Mount Cameroon area. Hence, appropriate intervention against anaemia, ID and AI should be directed at children ≤ 5 years and counterparts > 10 years old that bear the highest burden.
Project description:ObjectiveThere is evidence that colorectal cancer screening using faecal haemoglobin is less effective in women than men. The faecal haemoglobin concentrations were therefore examined in women and men with screen-detected colorectal cancer.SettingScottish Bowel Screening Programme, following the introduction of a faecal immunochemical test from November 2017, to March 2020.MethodsData were collated on faecal haemoglobin concentrations, pathological stage and anatomical site of the main lesion in participants who had colorectal cancer detected. The data in women and men were compared.ResultsFor the faecal haemoglobin concentrations studied (>80 µg Hb/g faeces), the distributions indicated lower concentrations in women. Marked differences were found between women and men diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The median faecal haemoglobin concentration for women (n = 720) was 408 µg Hb/g faeces compared to 473 µg Hb/g faeces for men (n = 959) (p = 0.004) and 50.6% of the results were >400 µg Hb/g faeces in women; in men, this was 57.8%. The difference in faecal haemoglobin concentrations in women and men became less statistically significant as stage advanced from stages I-IV. For right-sided, left-sided and rectal colorectal cancer, a similar gender difference persisted in all sites. Differences in faecal haemoglobin between the genders were significant for left-sided cancers and stage I and approached significance for rectal cancers and stage II, but all sites and stages showed lower median faecal haemoglobin concentrations for women.ConclusionsTo minimise gender inequalities, faecal immunochemical test-based colorectal cancer screening programmes should evaluate a strategy of using different faecal haemoglobin concentration thresholds in women and men.
Project description:BACKGROUND: Waist circumference, a metabolic syndrome (MetSy) criterion, is not routinely measured in clinical practice making early identification of individuals with MetSy challenging. It has been argued that ratios of commonly measured parameters such as lipids and lipoproteins may be an acceptable alternative for identifying individuals with MetSy. The objective of our study was to explore clinical utility of lipid ratios to identify men and women with MetSy; and to explore the association between lipid ratios and the number of MetSy components. METHODS: Men and women (N?=?797) of Aboriginal, Chinese, European, and South Asian origin (35-60 years), recruited across ranges of body mass index (BMI), with no diagnosed cardiovascular disease (CVD) or on medications to treat CVD risk factors were assessed for anthropometrics, family history of CVD, MetSy components (waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides (TG), high-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)), low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), nonHDL-C, and health-related behaviours. RESULTS: Mean levels of lipid ratios significantly increased with increasing number of MetSy components in men and women (p?<?0.05). After adjustment for age, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, family history of CVD and BMI, (and menopausal status in women), all lipid ratios were associated with the number of MetSy components in men and women (Poisson regression, p?<?0.001). Compared to the rest of the lipid ratios (ROC curve analysis), TG/HDL-C was best able to discriminate between individuals with and without MetSy (AUC?=?0.869 (95% CI: 0.830, 0.908) men; AUC?=?0.872 (95% CI: 0.832, 0.912) women). The discriminatory power of TC/HDL-C and nonHDL-C/HDL-C to identify individuals with MetSY was the same (for both ratios, AUC?=?0.793 (95% CI: 0.744, 0.842) men; 0.818 (95% CI: 0.772, 0.864) women). Additionally, LDL-C/HDL-C was a good marker for women (AUC?=?0.759 (95% CI: 0.706, 0.812)), but not for men (AUC?=?0.689 (95% CI: 0.631, 0.748)). Based on a multiethnic sample, we identified TG/HDL-C cut-off values of 1.62 in men and 1.18 in women that were best able to discriminate between men and women with and without MetSY. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that TG/HDL-C is a superior marker to identify men and women with MetSy compared to TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and nonHDL-C/HDL-C.
Project description:Hypertension is a direct cardiovascular disease risk. It causes a heavy burden on the healthcare system globally. We aim to assess hypertension occurrence and its associated factors among women and men in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2019 on 2203 community-dwelling women and men aged 18 years or above. Participants' characteristics, comorbidity, behaviors, and physical measures were evaluated. Hypertension was classified as systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or using antihypertensive medication. We analyzed data using logistic regression models. The prevalence of hypertension was 24.3% (20.9% in women, 29.1% in men). For women, older age (odds ratio, OR, 6.80-12.41; p < 0.001), income above the poverty line (OR, 0.64; p = 0.008), diabetes comorbid (OR, 2.98; p < 0.001), added salts consumption (OR, 1.80; p < 0.001), overweight/obesity (OR, 1.64; p = 0.005), abdominal obesity (OR, 2.07; p < 0.001) were associated with hypertension. For men, older age (OR, 2.67-5.92; p < 0.001), diabetes comorbid (OR, 2.25; p = 0.010), smoking (OR, 1.38; p = 0.046), and overweight/obesity (OR, 2.18; p < 0.001) were associated with hypertension. Conclusions: Hypertension is prevalent in Vietnamese people. The associated factors of hypertension are varied by gender.
Project description:The fibularis tertius muscle (FTM) is a rare anatomic variation. The prevalence of this exclusively human structure, which is found in the anterior compartment of the leg, is often underestimated, and it is believed that foot and ankle conditions are more difficult to manage in patients with an FTM. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of the FTM palpation and determine whether its presence is associated with an individual's sex, because the exact prevalence in males and females is unclear. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out. The study included 481 people (23.49% men and 76.51% women) with a mean age of 23.51±5.369 years, who were recruited from a Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Clinic (Spain). Data on routine demographic and clinical factors were recorded, and the presence or absence of the FTM was determined based on surface visual or palpated localization of the tendon (using a consistent protocol). The FTM was present in 38.25% (184/481) of the participants. Furthermore, FTM were present in 38.6% (142/481) of females and 37.2% (42/481) of males. The study revealed that the presence of the FTM varies between individuals and does not depend on an individual's sex. Significant differences in the prevalence of the FTM between countries should be carefully evaluated rather than generalizing the results of this Spanish study to other non-Spanish populations. Larger numbers of participants should be enrolled in future studies in order to meet the statistical criteria.
Project description:ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between SHBG and 18 other hormonal and metabolic parameters in well characterized, normally cycling premenopausal women.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingUniversity general clinical research center.Subject(s)A total of 319 young healthy women with ovulatory menstrual cycles.Intervention(s)None.Main outcome measure(s)Midfollicular serum SHBG concentrations.Result(s)In our final linear regression model, SHBG was negatively associated with bioavailable T and positively associated with adiponectin, associations that were independent from other parameters. SHBG was also positively associated with estrone sulfate, but only when taking into account confounding variables. Unexpectedly, there was no straightforward relationship between SHBG and insulin resistance according to homeostasis-model assessment.Conclusion(s)Our results highlight the link between androgen action, as reflected by bioavailable T, and circulating SHBG concentrations in all premenopausal women and speak to the importance of the relationship between SHBG and adiponectin, which is at least in part independent from androgen action.Clinical trial registration numberNCT00393172.
Project description:AbstractIrisin stimulates osteoblast differentiation increasing bone mass a decreasing in irisin levels might contribute to osteoporotic fractures in inflammatory diseases. To date, there is controverted whether irisin levels are associated with osteoporotic fractures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, we evaluate the association of serum irisin with osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures (VFs) in women with RA.A total of 148 women with RA was included in the study.Clinical characteristics and risk factors of VFs was evaluated. For measurement of bone mineral density we included the assessment of lumbar spine (AP L1-L4) and Femoral Neck by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). VFs were evaluated by lateral vertebral assessment (LVA) of the dorsal and lumbar regions using X-ray and digital vertebral morphometry by DXA, using the Genant scale. Serum irisin levels were measured by ELISA. A reference group of 97 women with non-rheumatic diseases were included to compare irisin levels.RA patients had a median age of 59 years and 41% had osteoporosis. Seventy three (49%) had VFs. Lower irisin levels were observed in RA patients compared to controls (94 ± 74 vs 135 ± 103, P < .001). Irisin concentrations were lower in RA + VFs than RA non-VFs (74 ± 42 vs 113 ± 92 ng/mL, P = .001). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis the low 50 percentile irisin levels < 73 ng/mL (OR:3.1, 95% CI:1.55-6.2, P = .001), and disease duration of RA (OR:1.04, 95% CI:1.001-1.08, P = .04) were associated with an increase in the risk of VFs.A decrease of irisin levels is associated to VFs in RA. These results are valuable to consider that RA patients with low levels of irisin are in a potential risk of VFs.
Project description:Study questionAre preconception phthalate and phthalate replacements associated with sperm differentially methylated regions (DMRs) among men undergoing IVF?Summary answerTen phthalate metabolites were associated with 131 sperm DMRs that were enriched in genes related to growth and development, cell movement and cytoskeleton structure.What is known alreadySeveral phthalate compounds and their metabolites are known endocrine disrupting compounds and are pervasive environmental contaminants. Rodent studies report that prenatal phthalate exposures induce sperm DMRs, but the influence of preconception phthalate exposure on sperm DNA methylation in humans is unknown.Study design, size, durationAn exploratory cross-sectional study with 48 male participants from the Sperm Environmental Epigenetics and Development Study (SEEDS).Participants/materials, setting, methodsThe first 48 couples provided a spot urine sample on the same day as semen sample procurement. Sperm DNA methylation was assessed with the HumanMethylation 450 K array. Seventeen urinary phthalate and 1,2-Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH) metabolite concentrations were measured from spot urine samples. The A-clust algorithm was employed to identify co-regulated regions. DMRs associated with urinary metabolite concentrations were identified via linear models, corrected for false discovery rate (FDR).Main results and role of chanceAdjusting for age, BMI, and current smoking, 131 DMRs were associated with at least one urinary metabolite. Most sperm DMRs were associated with anti-androgenic metabolites, including mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP, n = 83), mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP, n = 16), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP, n = 22) and cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid-monocarboxy isooctyl (MCOCH, n = 7). The DMRs were enriched in lincRNAs as well as in regions near coding regions. Functional analyses of DMRs revealed enrichment of genes related to growth and development as well as cellular function and maintenance. Finally, 13% of sperm DMRs were inversely associated with high quality blastocyst-stage embryos after IVF.Limitations, reasons for cautionOur modest sample size only included 48 males and additional larger studies are necessary to confirm our observed results. Non-differential misclassification of exposure is also a concern given the single spot urine collection.Wider implications of the findingsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to report that preconception urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations are associated with sperm DNA methylation in humans. These results suggest that paternal adult environmental conditions may influence epigenetic reprogramming during spermatogenesis, and in turn, influence early-life development.Study funding/competing interest(s)This work was supported by grant K22-ES023085 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The authors declare no competing interests.
Project description:Genetic and environmental risk factors contribute to periodontal disease, but the underlying susceptibility pathways are not fully understood. Epigenetic mechanisms are malleable regulators of gene function that can change in response to genetic and environmental stimuli, thereby providing a potential mechanism mediating risk effects in periodontitis. The aim of this study is to identify epigenetic changes across tissues that are associated with periodontal disease.