Red Cell Distribution Width and Mean Corpuscular Volume Alterations: Detecting Inflammation Early in Occupational Cement Dust Exposure.

Introduction Cement dust emitted during cement manufacture consists of toxic components. Occupational cement dust exposure may cause inflammation in the human body, which may be detected early by observing changes in blood parameters such as red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Objectives The study aims to observe the effect of occupational cement dust exposure on RDW and MCV. Methods This study was performed in the Department of Physiology of Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh, and a factory in Munshiganj, Bangladesh, from September 2017 to August 2018. Ninety-two participants between 20 and 50 years were included (46 subjects were occupationally exposed to cement dust, and 46 were not exposed to cement dust). A pre-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. An independent sample t-test was used to analyze basic information, such as blood pressure and BMI. The multivariate regression model was used to analyze the effect of cement dust exposure on the study group. The impact of cement dust exposure duration was analyzed using the multivariate regression model. The level of significance was p < 0.05. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA-15 (StataCorp, College Station, TX), and the graphical presentation used GraphPad Prism v8.3.2. Results The cement dust-exposed participants had a significantly higher value of MCV by 1.19 fi (95% CI = 0.02, 4.84; p = 0.049) and a 5.92% increase in RDW (95% CI = 5.29, 6.55; p < 0.001) than that of the control group. Conclusion The study reveals that exposure to cement dust causes significant changes in RDW and MCV. These changes may indicate hemolysis due to inflammation.

Genetic variations of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) in Bangladeshi adults with low serum 25(OH)D level-A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Some studies revealed that despite having sufficient sun exposure and dietary supply, the level of serum 25(OH)D in Bangladeshi adults is lower than its normal range. Genetic pattern of an individual is also an essential factor that regulates the level of serum 25(OH)D. However, the genetic variations of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) and their association with low serum 25(OH)D level in Bangladeshi adults are yet to be explored. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the frequency of variants of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 gene and its association with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults. METHOD: This pilot study was conducted among thirty individuals with low serum 25(OH)D level as the study population and ten subjects with sufficient serum 25(OH)D level as controls based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Genetic analysis of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 including primer designing, DNA extraction, PCR of target region with purification and Sanger sequencing of the PCR products were done accordingly. For statistical analysis, One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test, Freeman-Halton extension of Fisher's exact test, Chi-square test (χ2) test and unpaired student t-test were performed. RESULTS: In this study, genetic variants of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) among the study population were genotype GG (63.30%), GA (30%) and AA (6.7%). Minor allele frequency of the study population was 0.217. The association between GG and GA genotypes of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) with low serum 25(OH)D level among the study population was found and it was statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the genotypes and alleles of the study population and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of 'GG' and 'GA' genotypes of rs1041657 in CYP2R1 gene is associated with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults in this pilot study.

Occupational Cement Dust Exposure and Inflammatory Nemesis: Bangladesh Relevance.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged, repeated exposure to cement dust, depending on duration and sensitivity of cement dust-exposed workers, may cause deteriorating effects on the skin, eye, respiratory and hematological system. Toxic cement dust causes inflammatory damage to different body organs. White blood cells (WBCs) are considered cellular markers of ongoing tissue inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY: Determining the influence of occupational cement dust exposure on WBCs with its differentials (inflammatory markers) in workers from the cement manufacturing plant. METHODOLOGY: Ninety-two seemingly healthy male subjects (46 workers of cement plant and 46 control subjects, who do not contact cement dust, residing in Dhaka) aged between 20 and 50 years participated in this cross-sectional study. This study took place in Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh, between the years of 2017 and 2018. An automated hematoanalyser was used to assess both the total and differential count of WBC. Data were analyzed with multivariate regression analysis, independent samples t-test, and correlation test. RESULTS: The total WBC count, differential count of lymphocyte, and eosinophil were significantly (p< 0.05) higher in cement dust-exposed recruits than in the control group. Additionally, multivariate regression analysis revealed that duration of cement dust exposure showed a significant association with total WBC count [odds ratio (OR)=4.42,95%, confidence level (CI) 1.56,12.47, p 0.005]. Furthermore, univariate analysis revealed that the control group (not exposed to cement dust) was less likely to have the total WBC count alteration (OR = 0.122, 95% CI =0.047 to 0.311) than the cement dust-exposed group. The total WBC count showed a significant positive correlation with exposure duration to this toxic dust. CONCLUSION: Cement dust exposure causes harmful inflammatory responses, as evidenced by increased total and differential WBC count. The period of contact with this toxic dust has an impact on WBC count.