PFAS levels and exposure determinants in sensitive population groups.

BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants. The first exposure to PFAS occurs in utero, after birth it continues via breast milk, food intake, environment, and consumer products that contain these chemicals. Our aim was to identify determinants of PFAS concentrations in sensitive population subgroups- pregnant women and newborns. METHODS: Nine European birth cohorts provided exposure data on PFAS in pregnant women (INMA-Gipuzkoa, Sabadell, Valencia, ELFE and MoBa; total N = 5897) or newborns (3xG study, FLEHS 2, FLEHS 3 and PRENATAL; total N = 940). PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA concentrations were measured in maternal or cord blood, depending on the cohort (FLEHS 2 measured only PFOS and PFOA). PFAS concentrations were analysed according to maternal characteristics (age, BMI, parity, previous breastfeeding, smoking, and food consumption during pregnancy) and parental educational level. The association between potential determinants and PFAS concentrations was evaluated using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: We observed significant variations in PFAS concentrations among cohorts. Higher PFAS concentrations were associated with higher maternal age, primipara birth, and educational level, both for maternal blood and cord blood. Higher PFAS concentrations in maternal blood were associated with higher consumption of fish and seafood, meat, offal and eggs. In cord blood, higher PFHxS concentrations were associated with daily meat consumption and higher PFNA with offal consumption. Daily milk and dairy consumption were associated with lower concentrations of PFAS in both, pregnant women and newborns. CONCLUSION: High detection rates of the four most abundant PFAS demonstrate ubiquitous exposure of sensitive populations, which is of concern. This study identified several determinants of PFAS exposure in pregnant women and newborns, including dietary factors, and these findings can be used for proposing measures to reduce PFAS exposure, particularly from dietary sources.

PFAS levels and determinants of variability in exposure in European teenagers - Results from the HBM4EU aligned studies (2014-2021).

BACKGROUND: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made fluorinated chemicals, widely used in various types of consumer products, resulting in their omnipresence in human populations. The aim of this study was to describe current PFAS levels in European teenagers and to investigate the determinants of serum/plasma concentrations in this specific age group. METHODS: PFAS concentrations were determined in serum or plasma samples from 1957 teenagers (12-18 years) from 9 European countries as part of the HBM4EU aligned studies (2014-2021). Questionnaire data were post-harmonized by each study and quality checked centrally. Only PFAS with an overall quantification frequency of at least 60% (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFNA) were included in the analyses. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were analysed together with food consumption frequencies to identify determinants of PFAS exposure. The variables study, sex and the highest educational level of household were included as fixed factors in the multivariable linear regression models for all PFAS and each dietary variable was added to the fixed model one by one and for each PFAS separately. RESULTS: The European exposure values for PFAS were reported as geometric means with 95% confidence intervals (CI): PFOS [2.13 µg/L (1.63-2.78)], PFOA ([0.97 µg/L (0.75-1.26)]), PFNA [0.30 µg/L (0.19-0.45)] and PFHxS [0.41 µg/L (0.33-0.52)]. The estimated geometric mean exposure levels were significantly higher in the North and West versus the South and East of Europe. Boys had significantly higher concentrations of the four PFAS compared to girls and significantly higher PFASs concentrations were found in teenagers from households with a higher education level. Consumption of seafood and fish at least 2 times per week was significantly associated with 21% (95% CI: 12-31%) increase in PFOS concentrations and 20% (95% CI: 10-31%) increase in PFNA concentrations as compared to less frequent consumption of seafood and fish. The same trend was observed for PFOA and PFHxS but not statistically significant. Consumption of eggs at least 2 times per week was associated with 11% (95% CI: 2-22%) and 14% (95% CI: 2-27%) increase in PFOS and PFNA concentrations, respectively, as compared to less frequent consumption of eggs. Significantly higher PFOS concentrations were observed for participants consuming offal (14% (95% CI: 3-26%)), the same trend was observed for the other PFAS but not statistically significant. Local food consumption at least 2 times per week was associated with 40% (95% CI: 19-64%) increase in PFOS levels as compared to those consuming local food less frequently. CONCLUSION: This work provides information about current levels of PFAS in European teenagers and potential dietary sources of exposure to PFAS in European teenagers. These results can be of use for targeted monitoring of PFAS in food.

Impact of interleukin 13 (IL13) genetic polymorphism Arg130Gln on total serum immunoglobulin (IgE) levels and interferon (IFN)-γ gene expression.

This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the extent of genetic susceptibility by targeting variants in interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 signalling pathways leading to atopic disease in early childhood. We evaluated involvement of five single nucleotide polymorphisms IL4 C-590T, IL13 C-1055T, IL13 Arg130Gln, IL4RA Ile50Val and IL4RA Gln576Arg, in the control of serum total and antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels. Furthermore, we analysed their association with changes in gene expression of five cytokines having key roles in inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune response [IL-4, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-8 and IL-10]. Total and antigen-specific IgE levels in serum and gene expression of selected cytokines in peripheral blood were measured in 386 children aged 1-8 years. TaqMan allelic discrimination, amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) methods validated by sequencing were used for genotyping. All genotypes for children with total and antigen-specific IgE levels in the normal range were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Gene expression analyses were carried out using TaqMan gene expression assays. We found elevated total IgE levels in carriers of IL13 Arg130Gln variant allele [odds ratio (OR) = 1·84; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·16-2·93]. This effect was more apparent for boys (OR = 2·31; 95% CI = 1·25-4·28). However, no significant association was observed for the other four variants examined. We found up-regulation of IFN-γ in children with elevated serum total IgE levels carrying the Arg130 allele (P = 0·005). No differences were found for IL4, IL8 or IL10, while IL13 gene expression was under the detection limit. IL13 Arg130Gln genotypes can play a role in genetic susceptibility to allergy via regulation of serum total IgE levels and affecting IFN-γ gene expression.

Biomonitoring of genotoxic risk in workers in a rubber factory: comparison of the Comet assay with cytogenetic methods and immunology.

Several substances used in rubber processing are known to be genotoxic. Workers in a rubber tyre factory, exposed to a broad spectrum of contaminants such as benzo[a]pyrene, benzo-fluoranthene, naphthalene, acetonaphthene, alkenes and 1,3-butadiene have been regularly examined for several years: chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes, mutagenicity of urine (by use of the Ames test) and various parameters of blood and urine were assessed. An elevated level of mercapturic acid derivatives was found in the urine of employees, which is indicative of environmental exposure to toxicants with alkylating activity. We have now extended this study by examining genotoxicity with the modified Comet assay in parallel with chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus formation as well as immunological endpoints. Twenty-nine exposed workers from this factory were compared with 22 non-exposed administrative staff working in the same factory, as well as with 22 laboratory workers. The absolute numbers of peripheral leukocytes were significantly higher in the exposed group than in either of the control groups (p < 0.001). The erythrocyte mean cell volume was significantly higher in exposed workers in comparison with laboratory controls (p < 0.05). Percentages of lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes and eosinophils were not altered. The proliferative response of T- and B-cells to mitogen treatment when calculated per number of lymphocytes and adjusted for smoking, age and years of exposure did not differ between exposed and control groups. Endogenous strand breaks (including alkali-labile sites) and altered bases (formamidopyrimidine glycosylase- and endonuclease III-sensitive sites) were measured by the Comet assay in lymphocyte DNA. Exposed workers had significantly elevated levels of DNA breaks compared with office workers (p < 0.00001) or with laboratory controls (p < 0.00001). Micronuclei occurred at significantly higher frequencies in the exposed group than in controls (p < 0.00001), though the frequencies were all within the normal range. Significant correlations were seen between individual values of strand breaks, micronuclei and chromatid/chromosome breaks and certain immunological parameters.

[Mineralization of the Skeleton (DEXA) during Revision Surgery of the Hip Joint.]. / Stav mineralizácie skeletu (DEXA) pri revíznych operáciách koxy.

The authors focus attention on the quality of osseous tissue in patients with revisions of TEP of the hip joint. They evaluate the quality of the osseous tissue indirectly, based on densitometric examination DEXA (DPX) using an apparatus LUNAR DPX L. They used software for whole body assessment. Measurements in 53 patients (33 women and 20 men), mean age of women 65 years, of the men 68 years, with an average period of 11 years (1-15 years) since the primary implantation revealed the following results. All patients have a reduced bone density of the pelvis and lower extremities. In men the density is lowest in the lower extremities - BMD 1.27 g/cm2 which corresponds to 91% age of the corresponding healthy population. The Z score is -1.31. In women the authors found a more marked reduction of the bone density than in men. The greatest decalcification was found in the lower extremities, BMD 0.96 g/cm2, which corresponds to 89% age of the corresponding population. The Z score is -1.57. The pelvis had a BMD of 0.98, i.e. 94% of the normal value, the Z score is -0.68. Based on these results the authors recommend to pay attention to improvement of the osseous tissue during revisions of TEP of the hip joint by dietary measures, lifestyle, pharmacological means and exercise. Key words: revisions of TEP of the hip joint, osteoporosis, densitometry, DEXA, DPX.

[Salmon calcitonin nasal spray and calcium sandoz forte in the prevention and treatment of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women (information on clinical trial).]. / Lososí Calcitonin - nosný spray a Calcium Sandoz forte v prevencii a liecbe osteoporotických fraktúr u postmenopauzálnych zien (informácia o klinickej studii).

At the First Orthopaedic Clinic in Bratislava, Hlboká 7, since August 24, 1992 a clinical trial is under way which is focused on the effectiveness of treatment with salmon Calcitonin (Miacalcic Sandoz) and calcium (Sandoz) in postmenopausal osteoporosis. On the above mentioned day Sandoz Co. supplied the Clinic with a densitometer Lunar DPX-L working on the principle of double X-ray absorptiometry. The preparation for this clinical trial started at the beginning of 1992. By the end of June in the trial 62 female patients were included. The authors plan to include another 36 patients were included. The authors plan to include another 36 patients by the end of the year, thus the total number should be 100. Key words: osteoporosis, bone densitometry.

[Mineralization of the Coxa (DPX) before Implantation of TEP.]. / Stav mineralizácie (DPX) koxy pred implantáciou TEP.

The authors point out that when TEP are planned more attention is paid to the type of prosthesis, its composition and technical parameters and less attention to the quality of osseous tissue which is the subject of the present work. The authors examined at the First Orthopaedic Clinic Medical Faculty Comenius University Bratislava by means of a densitometer LUNAR DPX L the neck of the femur in patients before implantation of a TEP. They examined 96 coxae in patients with an average age of 57 years. Primary coxarthrosis accounted for 48%, bionecrosis of the head for 21%, deforming coxarthrosis (condition following LCC) 12%, rheumatoid arthritis 9%, conditions after fractures of the neck of the femur 9%. In the first group the bone density - BMD per g/cm2 in the neck of the femur (K) was 0.996 (109%), of Ward's triangle (W) 0.902 (118%), of the trochanter (T) 0.748 (106%). Values in the other groups: Group 2: K = 0,823 (93 %), W = 0,702 (91 %), T = 0,587 (76 %). Group 3: K = 0,987 (107%), W = 0,814 (99%), T = 0,684 (89 %). Group 4: K = 0,740 (83 %), W = 0,586 (74 %), T = 0,479 (64 %). Group 5: K = 0,604 (66 %), W = 0,533 (68 %), T = 0,513(63%). The results indicate that in idiopathic coxarthrosis the density is normal or elevated, in deforming coxarthrosis the coxa is difficult to examine by means of our software. In rheumatoid arthritis bionecrosis and mainly after fractures is density reduced. Reduced bone density is associated with the firmness of the fixation of TEP. Key words: DEXA, DPX, bone density, total endoprosthesis.