The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness levels on the risk of developing atherogenic dyslipidemia

Background Low cardiorespiratory fitness has been established as a risk factor for cardiovascular-related morbidity. However, research about the impact of fitness on lipid abnormalities, including atherogenic dyslipidemia, has produced mixed results. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the influence of baseline fitness and changes in fitness on the development of atherogenic dyslipidemia. Methods All participants completed at least 3 comprehensive medical examinations performed by a physician that included a maximal treadmill test between 1976 and 2006 at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. Atherogenic dyslipidemia was defined as a triad of lipid abnormalities: low high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol ([HDL-C

Collection and Storage of Human Plasma for Measurement of Oxylipins

Oxylipins derived from omega-3 and -6 fatty acids are actively involved in inflammatory and immune processes and play important roles in human disease. However, as the interest in oxylipins increases, questions remain regarding which molecules are detectable in plasma, the best methods of collecting samples, and if molecules are stable during collection and storage. We thereby built upon existing studies by examining the stability of an expanded panel of 90 oxylipins, including specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs), in human plasma (n = 5 subjects) during sample collection, processing, and storage at −80 °C. Oxylipins were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Blood samples collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or heparin followed by up to 2 h at room temperature prior to processing showed no significant differences in oxylipin concentrations compared to immediately processed samples, including the SPMs lipoxin A4 and resolvin D1. The majority of molecules, including SPMs, remained stable following storage for up to 1 year. However, in support of previous findings, changes were seen in a small subset of oxylipins including 12-HETE, TXB2, 14-HDHA, and 18-HEPE. Overall, this study showed that accurate measurements of most oxylipins can be obtained from stored EDTA or heparin plasma samples using LC/MS/MS

Chirality and Polarity in the f-Block Borates M4_{4} [B16_{16} O 26_{26} (OH) 4_{4} (H 2_{2} O) 3_{3} Cl 4_{4} ] (M=Sm, Eu, Gd, Pu, Am, Cm, and Cf)

The reactions of trivalent lanthanides and actinides with molten boric acid in high chloride concentrations result in the formation of M4[B16O26(OH)4(H2O)3Cl4] (M=Sm, Eu, Gd, Pu, Am, Cm, Cf). This cubic structure type is remarkably complex and displays both chirality and polarity. The polymeric borate network forms helical features that are linked via two different types of nine-coordinate f-element environments. The f–f transitions are unusually intense and result in dark coloration of these compounds with actinides

Examination of newborn DNA methylation among women with polycystic ovary syndrome/hirsutism

Research suggests that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) traits (e.g., hyperandrogenism) may create a suboptimal intrauterine environment and induce epigenetic modifications. Therefore, we assessed the associations of PCOS traits with neonatal DNA methylation (DNAm) using two independent cohorts. DNAm was measured in both cohorts using the Infinium MethylationEPIC array. Multivariable robust linear regression was used to determine associations of maternal PCOS exposure or preconception testosterone with methylation β-values at each CpG probe and corrected for multiple testing by false-discovery rate (FDR). In the birth cohort, 12% (102/849) had a PCOS diagnosis (8.1% PCOS without hirsutism; 3.9% PCOS with hirsutism). Infants exposed to maternal PCOS with hirsutism compared to no PCOS had differential DNAm at cg02372539 [β(SE): −0.080 (0.010); FDR p = 0.009], cg08471713 [β(SE):0.077 (0.014); FDR p = 0.016] and cg17897916 [β(SE):0.050 (0.009); FDR p = 0.009] with adjustment for maternal characteristics including pre-pregnancy BMI. PCOS with hirsutism was also associated with 8 differentially methylated regions (DMRs). PCOS without hirsutism was not associated with individual CpGs. In an independent preconception cohort, total testosterone concentrations were associated with 3 DMRs but not with individual CpGs, though the top quartile of testosterone compared to the lowest was marginally associated with increased DNAm at cg21472377 near an uncharacterized locus (FDR p = 0.09). Examination of these probes and DMRs indicate they may be under foetal genetic control. Overall, we found several associations among newborns exposed to PCOS, specifically when hirsutism was reported, and among newborns of women with relatively higher testosterone around conception.</p

Distribution and predictors of urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites and phenols among pregnant women in the Healthy Start Study

Background: Phthalates and phenols are suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals that may adversely impact fetal outcomes following in utero exposure. Understanding predictors of exposure to phthalates and phenols during the prenatal period is important. Methods: We measured urinary concentrations of 15 phthalate metabolites and 11 phenols in 446 pregnant women enrolled in the Healthy Start pre-birth cohort. Creatinine-adjusted geometric means (GM) for each urinary biomarker were compared across categories of potential sociodemographic and dietary predictors. To assess the independent relationship between each significant food group predictor and biomarker we used multivariable models, adjusted for sociodemographic predictors. Results: The phthalate metabolites with the highest concentrations were monoethyl phthalate (GM: 41.1 µg/g creatinine) and monocarboxyisooctyl phthalate (GM: 20.5 µg/g creatinine). Benzophenone-3 (GM: 124.6 µg/g creatinine) and methyl paraben (GM: 119.9 µg/g creatinine) were the phenols with the highest concentrations. Concentrations of the metabolites of di-n-butyl phthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were significantly higher in younger, unmarried or unemployed mothers, those who were overweight or obese, those with lower educational attainment, or those of minority race/ethnicity (p-values < 0.05). Metabolites of di-n-butyl phthalate concentrations were 18% lower in those who consumed milk ≥ 7 times per week (95% CI: 30–4%). Benzophenone-3 and triclosan concentrations were significantly higher in older, married, or employed mothers, those with normal body mass index, higher educational attainment, higher household income, or who were non-Hispanic white (p-values < 0.05). Benzophenone-3 concentrations were 62% higher in those who consumed seafood ≥ 5 times per month (95% CI: 16–127%). Conclusions: We observed differences in urinary concentrations of phthalates and phenol biomarkers by sociodemographic predictors in an ethnically diverse cohort of pregnant women. These results and future analyses from this prospective cohort will help inform targeted interventions to reduce exposure to these potential endocrine disrupting chemicals during pregnancy