Iskanje po repozitoriju

A+ | A- | | SLO | ENG

Povzetek: Lead (Pb) is a global contaminant associated with multiple adverse health effects. Humans are especially vulnerable during critical developmental stages. During pregnancy, exposure to Pb can occur through diet and release from maternal bones. Apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) variants (ɛ2, ɛ3, ɛ4 alleles) may influence sex steroid hormones, bone metabolism, and Pb kinetics. We examined the interplay among maternal APOE (mAPOE) genotypes, fetal sex, parity, and Pb in maternal and cord blood (mB-Pb, CB-Pb) using linear regression models. Our study involved 817 pregnant women and 772 newborns with measured adequate levels of zinc and selenium. We compared carriers of the ε2 and ε4 alleles to those with the ε3/ε3 genotype. The geometric means (range) of mB-Pb and CB-Pb were 11.1 (3.58–87.6) and 9.31 (1.82–47.0) ng/g, respectively. In cases with female fetuses, the maternal mAPOE ε2 allele was associated with higher, while the mAPOE ε4 allele was associated with lower mB-Pb and CB-Pb levels. Nulliparity increased the strength of the observed associations. These findings highlight the significance of mAPOE genetics, fetal sex, and parity in prenatal Pb kinetics. Notably, the maternal ε2 allele may increase the risk of Pb exposure.
Ključne besede: cord blood, maternal APOE ε2 allele, bone turnover, fetal sex, parity
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.06.2026; Ogledov: 158; Prenosov: 87
Celotno besedilo (4,62 MB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več...

Povzetek: Background. Certified reference materials (CRMs) for mercury speciation of biological fluids have hitherto been limited to frozen or cold-storage types, which impedes the participation of laboratories in tropical or remote regions. Existing CRMs often do not fully meet user needs, particularly regarding storage stability and concentration relevance. Results. Using pooled Japanese human blood, we developed a freeze-dried, ambient-stable blood CRM, with certified values of 6.16 μg L−1 for total mercury (THg) and 5.46 μg L−1 for methylmercury (MeHg, as Hg). These concentrations are congruent with median exposure levels in fish-consuming populations (e.g., small island states and riverine Amazonian communities) derived from global biomonitoring data. Homogeneity, stability, and traceability were validated through inter-laboratory comparisons and rigorous uncertainty assessment. Significance. This ambient-stable blood CRM broadens global access to high-quality QA/QC of mercury speciation, especially in regions lacking cold-chain infrastructure. It contributes to capacity building under the Minamata Convention and strengthens interlaboratory comparability. Registration in COMAR and international collaborative deployment are under active development, enhancing the global infrastructure for mercury biomonitoring.
Ključne besede: passive monitoring, methylmercury, blood samples, mercury detection, human biomonitoring, trace elements
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 04.05.2026; Ogledov: 190; Prenosov: 173
Celotno besedilo (2,72 MB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več...

Povzetek: Objectives: There are still limited or lacking data on the association of trace elements (TEs) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This case–control study aimed to determine levels of essential TEs (manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo)) and non-essential TEs (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb)) in urine, whole blood, and serum to investigate a possible association with kidney and liver function, endocrine and metabolic parameters, and environmental and lifestyle sources of potential exposure and provide possible recommendations. Methods: In our case–control study, women with PCOS (n = 35) and healthy controls (n = 35) underwent clinical and ultrasonographic examination, filled in questionnaires targeting general, lifestyle, and environmental information, and provided fasting venous blood samples and first morning urine for biochemical, hormonal, and TE analysis. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between TE levels and data obtained through questionnaires. Results: In women with PCOS, lower Mo levels in whole blood (p = 0.024) and serum (p = 0.011) and higher serum Cu levels (p = 0.026) were detected when compared to healthy controls. Results of this study show that amendments in Cu and Mo levels might be related to altered kidney and liver function and disrupted hormonal balance in PCOS women. Cu levels positively correlated with leukocyte count. There was a negative correlation of Mo levels with proteinuria and luteinizing hormone levels. Regarding liver function, Mo negatively correlated with urinary bilirubin levels, and there was a positive association with alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, respectively. Dietary supplement consumption and certain diet habits appeared to be important predictors of exposure to Cu (beef consumption) or Mo (cereal and boiled vegetable consumption) and modify Mo and Cu levels in women. Conclusions: Concentrations of the chemical elements Mo and Cu in biological samples of women appear to be related to PCOS and nutrition. To our knowledge, this is a novel finding for Mo. Additional research is needed to provide more insights into the causality of the PCOS relationship with Mo and Cu in humans.
Ključne besede: essential elements, non-essential elements, polycystic ovary syndrome, endocrine disruptors, hepatic damage, trace elements
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 16.04.2026; Ogledov: 166; Prenosov: 119
Celotno besedilo (1,32 MB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več...

Povzetek: This study analysed urinary mercury (U-Hg) concentrations in 1412 Slovenian children across four human biomonitoring campaigns conducted between 2007 and 2024. Median U-Hg levels declined from 0.76 ng mL−1 (0.72 µg g−1 creatinine) in the 2007 PHIME cohort to 0.22 ng mL−1 (0.21 µg g−1 creatinine) in the 2018–2024 SLO-HBM-II cohort, paralleling a decrease in the prevalence (from 65 to 3%) and the average number of dental amalgam fillings in children. Multilevel mixed-effects models showed a consistent temporal decline in U-Hg that persisted after adjustment for demographic and environmental covariates. In contrast, the inclusion of the amalgam number substantially attenuated the time trend, indicating that reduced amalgam use likely contributed to the observed decrease. As amalgam prevalence fell, other sources of exposure, such as fish consumption, became relatively more prominent predictors of U-Hg, while children living in historically Hg-contaminated areas showed persistently higher levels. Although Slovenia had already phased down dental amalgam in children before ratifying the Minamata Convention, these long-term biomonitoring data illustrate how changes in exposure sources are reflected in internal Hg levels. The study demonstrates the value of repeated national HBM programmes for identifying dominant exposure pathways, investigating their evolution over time, and providing evidence relevant to effectiveness-evaluation frameworks under Article 22 of the Minamata Convention.
Ključne besede: concentrations in blood
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 10.02.2026; Ogledov: 566; Prenosov: 190
Celotno besedilo (1,83 MB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več...

Povzetek: Based on toxicological evidence, human exposure to phthalates (PHs) and diisononylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) may contribute to adverse health effects, especially during vulnerable developmental stages. To support the exposure assessment for this group of endocrine disruptors, we developed and validated a method for the analysis of 14 PH and 3 DINCH metabolites in human urine and maternal milk, applied the method in a pilot study, and identified crucial obstacles in the path of establishing maternal milk as a routine matrix in human biomonitoring. Urine and milk samples were extracted with solid-phase extraction (SPE) and QuEChERS salts, respectively, and analysed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method accuracy was confirmed for urine samples via a certified standard reference material and the G-EQUAS intercomparison programme. We identified a need for sampling protocols, reference materials, and external method verification schemes in order to establish maternal milk as a routine matrix. Finally, the method was tested for its applicability in a pilot biomonitoring study on 30 paired urine and milk samples from lactating mothers, with medians ranging from Ključne besede: phthalate metabolites, DINCH, human biomonitoring
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 14.01.2026; Ogledov: 367; Prenosov: 236
Celotno besedilo (2,06 MB)
Gradivo ima več datotek! Več...