A1 Ratio Research Articles

Longitudinal analysis of adiponectin to leptin and apolipoprotein B to A1 ratios as markers of future airflow obstruction and lung function decline

Previous studies suggest associations between the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and adiponectin/leptin (ALR) and apolipoprotein B/A1 (APOR) ratios. This longitudinal observational study, using data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), examined the rate of lung function decline, risk factors for the airflow obstruction (AFO), and the time to first AFO based on ALR and APOR groups. Among 5578 participants, high ALR and low APOR were associated with rapid decline in lung function and a shorter time to the first AFO. The high ALR group and the combined high ALR and low APOR group showed higher risk of experiencing AFO both at least once (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.12–1.90; RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.23–2.46, respectively) and at the final follow up (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.05–1.96; RR 1.72, 95% CI 1.14–2.60, respectively). High ALR and the combined high ALR and low APOR were identified as risk factors for earlier time to first AFO. This study highlights the potential of ALR and APOR as makers for predicting the risk of future airflow obstruction.

Spectral absorbance changes in the photoreceptors of the juvenile masked greenling, Hexagrammos octogrammus (Pisces, Hexagrammidae).

When changing habitat during migration or ontogenesis, fish encounter changes of the visual environment, among which the most important is the spectral composition of light and turbidity. This leads to changes in the behavior, morphology, and physiology of the visual system, in particular, spectral sensitivity, which is determined by the properties of visual pigments. The masked greenling Hexagrammos octogrammus has an additional factor that shapes effective spectral sensitivity-the presence of densely bright orange cornea which reversibly changes its density depending on the state of light/dark adaptation. However, it is unknown to what extent the properties of visual pigments are matched to spectral properties of the developing cornea at the final stage of metamorphosis during migration of juveniles from pelagic to coastal environments. The findings of this microspectrophotometric study show that the range of the spectral sensitivity of rods and cones in juveniles is much wider than in adults, with a shift in the sensitivity of a significant part of the cells to shorter wavelengths. The reason for this is the large variation in the ratio of chromophores A1:A2 in the pigment mixture in each cell and possible expression of new opsins. This also indicates the asynchrony of pigment transformations in different types of photoreceptors and the incompleteness of these transformations on the eve of the transition to bottom life in shallow water.

Studies on the Presence of Different Mating Types of<em> Phytophthora infestans</em> in Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans is one of the most devastating diseases in potato cultivation. It results in direct crop losses but also causes a considerable amount of cost for disease management. The primary objective of this study was to investigate P. infestans mating types in selected areas in Sri Lanka and evaluate the risks associated with mating types. In this experiment potato leaves from a range of late blight severity levels were sampled from infected farmer fields. The pathogen was isolated by leaf culture method and confirmed by microscopic observations. The mating types of each isolate were studied by a Metalaxyl sensitivity test. Mating type A1 has been previously reported in Sri Lanka, but mating type A2 was not reported since 2013. Results of this study reveal that mating type A1 was more prominent than A2 (75% and 50% respectively). A2 was reported only from two fields. These observations prove the presence and emergence of mating type A2 in Sri Lankan potato fields. Gradual increase of detectable A2 mating types suggests a high possibility of pathogen inoculum movement between the locations over time. The presence of both mating types raises the possibility of sexual reproduction and generation of oospores. The ratio of A1: A2: (A1+A2) in the current study was 2:1:1. This could permit genetic recombination with the biological evolution of fungicideresistant types of P. infestans species. This study emphasizes the importance of investigations on the mating types to manage late blight disease in Sri Lankan potato fields.

Non-lipid metabolomic biomarkers are associated with adverse cardiac remodelling and cardiovascular outcomes

Abstract Background Metabolomics is the detailed profiling of circulating metabolites including carbohydrates, lipids, amino and fatty acids, and ketones, all of which are substrates used in energy metabolism by cardiomyocytes. Purpose The role of cholesterol fractions with cardiovascular risk is well-established. This novel study examines the association between non-lipid circulating metabolites and markers of cardiac remodelling as assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Metabolites associated with adverse remodelling were taken forward to examine their impact on incident cardiovascular disease (CVD); ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure (HF). Methods This study used data from the UK Biobank. After exclusions (prevalent IHD, HF; outliers), there were a maximum of 34,727 individuals for CMR analyses and 262,536 individuals for incident CVD analysis. For CMR analyses, outcome variables were LV end-diastolic volume (EDV), LV mass, LV mass:volume ratio (MVR), LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and native T1. Separate regression models were built for each of the 40 scaled metabolite biomarkers. Each model incorporated one metabolite at a time with additional covariates: age, sex, ethnicity, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol medication use, type 2 diabetes, dietary intake, smoking status, fasting time, and time between recruitment and CMR examination. A Bonferroni-corrected significance threshold of 2.4x10-4 was used. To account for correlation between metabolites, Lasso regression with 10 fold cross-validation to identify the most important predictors was performed for LV MVR, LV GLS and native T1 whereby all metabolites and above covariates were included in the model. Metabolite predictors of adverse remodelling were included in an adjusted logistic regression model with incident CVD as an outcome. Results Metabolites demonstrating significant (p < 2.4x10-4) associations with CMR parameters are presented in Fig 1. For higher LV MVR and more positive LV GLS, the metabolites with the largest effect were monounsaturated fatty acids and glycoprotein acetyls. Higher omega-6:omega-3 ratio was associated with higher T1 values. The Lasso model identified 8 important predictors for adverse cardiac remodelling. Of these, two were routine biomarkers (creatinine, glucose). Of the remainder, monounsaturated fatty acids, glycoprotein acetyls and apolipoprotein B:apolipoprotein A1 ratio were significantly associated with increased risk of incident CVD (Fig 2). Current evidence regarding monounsaturated fatty acids in CVD is mixed. Glycoprotein acetyls are implicated in vascular inflammation. Apolipoproteins are thought to be a potential therapeutic target for CVD risk reduction. Conclusion This study demonstrates a role of non-lipid metabolites on subclinical CVD as assessed by adverse remodelling with CMR as well as associations with incident CVD. We highlight potential novel biomarkers for identification of CVD.Metabolite association with LV MVR/GLSMetabolite association with incident CVD

Effects of phytosterol supplementation on lipid profiles and apolipoproteins: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The use of phytosterols and phytostanols (PS) as food supplements to control plasma cholesterol concentrations has recently received attention as its efficacy has been endorsed by scientific authorities and leading guidelines. However, the effects of phytosterols on lipid profiles and atherosclerosis remain incomplete and controversial. This study aims to investigate the effects of PS supplementation on lipid profiles and apolipoproteins in adults based on a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A comprehensive search was conducted for RCTs published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science as of May 2024. Random effects model was utilized to determine the mean differences and 95% confidence interval for changes in circulating lipid profiles and apolipoproteins. Twenty-eight RCTs with a total of 1777 participants (895 cases and 882 controls) are included in the qualitative synthesis. PS supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) levels, as well as Apo-B/apolipoprotein A1 ratios, but increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. PS supplementation dose is associated with TC, LDL-c, and Apo-B levels in a dose-response manner. Our findings suggest that dietary phytosterols can effectively promote the reduction of TC, LDL-c, and Apo-B, along with increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adults.

Lipid metabolism parameters and alcohol consumption among men in Arkhangelsk, Russia: The Know Your Heart study

Aim. To assess the association between levels of alcohol consumption and lipid metabolism parameters among adult men.Materials and methods. The study included 881 men aged 35–69 from the general population of Arkhangelsk, who participated in the 2015–17 Know Your Heart study, and 161 men who received inpatient treatment for alcohol-related diagnoses (narcology patients). Participants were divided into five levels of alcohol consumption: non-drinkers, non-problem (infrequent moderate consumption), hazardous (frequent consumption in doses hazardous to health), harmful (prenosological), and narcology patients. Using multivariate linear regressions, we analyzed differences between these groups in atherogenic lipid fractions (total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], apolipoprotein B [ApoB], remnant cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a)) (Lp(a)), antiatherogenic lipid fractions (high-density lipoprotein [HDL], apolipoprotein A1 [апо A1]), and in ApoB/апо A1 ratio.Results. Compared with non-problem drinkers, hazardous drinkers had higher mean levels of HDL by 0.22 mmol/L, HDL by 0.07 mmol/L, and ApoB by 0.04 g/L. Among harmful drinkers, mean HDL was higher by 0.15 mmol/L and апо A1 by 0.08 g/L, but the ApoB/апо A1 ratio was lower by 0.06. Among narcology patients, mean TC levels were lower by 0.42 mmol/L, LDL by 0.41 mmol/L, ApoB by 0.09 g/L, ApoB/апо A1 by 0.08, and non-HDL by 0.45 mmol/L, but TG was higher by 0.15 mmol/L. Lp(a) in this group was higher by 0.29 mg/dl only after adjustment for markers of liver function. Non-drinkers had on average lower levels of TC by 0.29 mmol/L, HDL by 0.11 mmol/L, and апо A1 by 0.08 g/L.Conclusions. Compared with non-problem drinkers, hazardous drinkers had elevated levels of both atherogenic and antiatherogenic lipid fractions, hazardous drinkers had only elevated levels of antiatherogenic fractions, and narcology patients had the lowest levels of atherogenic lipid fractions but elevated TG levels. Therefore, lipid profiles may reflect the level of alcohol consumption, which should be taken into account when assessing cardiovascular risk.

Blood Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Apolipoproteins With Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Prospective Study Among Racially Diverse Populations.

Comprehensive blood lipoprotein profiles and their association with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) among racially and geographically diverse populations remain understudied. We conducted nested case-control studies of CHD among 3438 individuals (1719 pairs), including 1084 White Americans (542 pairs), 1244 Black Americans (622 pairs), and 1110 Chinese adults (555 pairs). We examined 36 plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins, measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, with incident CHD among all participants and subgroups by demographics, lifestyle, and metabolic health status using conditional or unconditional logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Conventionally measured blood lipids, that is, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, were each associated with incident CHD, with odds ratios (ORs) being 1.33, 1.32, 1.24, and 0.79 per 1-SD increase among all participants. Seventeen lipoprotein biomarkers showed numerically stronger associations than conventional lipids, with ORs per 1-SD among all participants ranging from 1.35 to 1.57 and a negative OR of 0.78 (all false discovery rate <0.05), including apolipoprotein B100 to apolipoprotein A1 ratio (OR, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.45-1.7]), low-density lipoprotein-triglycerides (OR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.43-1.69]), and apolipoprotein B (OR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.37-1.62]). All these associations were significant and consistent across racial groups and other subgroups defined by age, sex, smoking, obesity, and metabolic health status, including individuals with normal levels of conventionally measured lipids. Our study highlighted several lipoprotein biomarkers, including apolipoprotein B/ apolipoprotein A1 ratio, apolipoprotein B, and low-density lipoprotein-triglycerides, strongly and consistently associated with incident CHD. Our results suggest that comprehensive lipoprotein measures may complement the standard lipid panel to inform CHD risk among diverse populations.

Comparison between apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio and non high density lipoprotein-cholesterol among patients undergoing routine testing at a tertiary hospital in Kenya

Comparison between apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio and non high density lipoprotein-cholesterol among patients undergoing routine testing at a tertiary hospital in Kenya

The neutrophil-to-apolipoprotein A1 ratio is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with acute decompensated heart failure at different glucose metabolic states: a retrospective cohort study

The neutrophil-to-apolipoprotein A1 ratio is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with acute decompensated heart failure at different glucose metabolic states: a retrospective cohort study

Predictive value of neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio in patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

The neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio has emerged as a possible prognostic biomarker in different medical conditions. Nonetheless, the predictive potential of neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio in determining the 3-month prognosis of acute ischaemic stroke patients who undergo intravenous thrombolysis has yet to be fully acknowledged. In this study, 196 acute ischaemic stroke patients with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and 133 healthy controls were included. Meanwhile, we incorporated a total of 386 non-thrombolytic acute ischaemic stroke patients. The acute ischaemic stroke patients with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator were divided into four groups based on quartiles of neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio. The association between neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio and the 3-month prognosis was evaluated through univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the predictive value of neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio in different patient populations. Adverse outcomes were defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6. The study findings revealed a significant association between elevated neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio levels and poor prognosis in acute ischaemic stroke patients. In the highest quartile of neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio levels (Q4), after controlling for age, gender, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, blood urea nitrogen and stroke subtypes, the odds ratio for adverse outcomes at 3 months was 13.314 (95% confidence interval: 2.878-61.596, P = 0.001). An elevated neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio value was found to be associated with a poor prognosis in acute ischaemic stroke patients, regardless of whether they received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator treatment or not. The new model, which incorporating neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio into the conventional model, demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in discriminatory power and risk reclassification for 3-month poor outcomes in acute ischaemic stroke patients treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. The new model exhibited a categorical net reclassification index (P = 0.035) of 12.9% and an integrated discrimination improvement (P = 0.013) of 5.2%. Subgroup analyses indicated that the predictive value of neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio differed across stroke subtypes. Neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio is a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of acute ischaemic stroke patients. The clinical implications of our findings are significant, as early identification and intervention in high-risk patients can improve their outcomes. However, further studies are required to validate our results and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the association between neutrophil to apolipoprotein A1 ratio and poor prognosis in acute ischaemic stroke patients.

Targeting the vivid facets of apolipoproteins as a cardiovascular risk factor in rheumatoid arthritis.

Mostly, cardiovascular diseases are blamed for casualties in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Customarily, dyslipidemia is probably the most prevalent underlying cause of untimely demise in people suffering from RA as it hastens the expansion of atherosclerosis. The engagement of inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), etc., is crucial in the progression and proliferation of both RA and abnormal lipid parameters. Thus, lipid abnormalities should be monitored frequently in patients with both primary and advanced RA stages. An advanced lipid profile examination, i.e., direct role of apolipoproteins associated with various lipid molecules is a more dependable approach for better understanding of the disease and selecting suitable therapeutic targets. Therefore, studying their apolipoproteins is more relevant than assessing RA patients' altered lipid profile levels. Among the various apolipoprotein classes, Apo A1 and Apo B are primarily being focused. In addition, it also addresses how calculating Apo B:Apo A1 ratio can aid in analyzing the disease's risk. The marketed therapies available to control lipid abnormalities are associated with many other risk factors. Hence, directly targeting Apo A1 and Apo B would provide a better and safer option.

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ЛИПИДНОГО СПЕКТРА У БОЛЬНЫХ СТАБИЛЬНОЙ ИБС С ПОГРАНИЧНЫМ СТЕНОЗОМ КОРОНАРНЫХ АРТЕРИЙ

Introduction. Тherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD). The presence of borderline coronary artery stenosis (CA) is determined in about 35-45% of cases. Aim. To evaluate the lipid spectrum parameters in patients with stable ischemic heart disease (CHD) with borderline stenosis of the coronary arteries (CA) with different clinical phenotypes. Material and methods. The study involved 201 patients with stable ischemic heart disease, functional class 1-3 angina with borderline (50-70%) coronary artery stenosis. Three groups of patients were identified based on clinical phenotypes: a group with the phenotype of stable ischemic heart disease with borderline coronary artery stenosis without diabetes mellitus (DM) and metabolic adverse obesity phenotype (MAOP), a group with the phenotype of stable ischemic heart disease with borderline coronary artery stenosis with DM, and a group with the phenotype of stable ischemic heart disease with borderline coronary artery stenosis and MAOP. Lipid spectrum parameters (TC, LDL, HDL, TG), APO B, APO A1, and the APO B/APO A1 ratio were assessed in all patients. Coronary angiography was performed. Results. The group of patients with the phenotype of stable ischemic heart disease with borderline stenosis of coronary arteries without DM and MAOP included 71 people, with the phenotype of stable ischemic heart disease with borderline stenosis of coronary arteries with DM – 51 patients, and with the phenotype of stable coronary artery disease with borderline stenosis of coronary arteries and MAOP – 79 patients. The groups of patients with different phenotypes did not differ in age, frequency of hypertension and age of its development, age of onset and duration of ischemic heart disease, as well as the frequency of previous MI. When assessing the lipid spectrum in patients with the phenotype of stable ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, LDL and APO B levels were noted to be significantly lower with more frequent use of statins, and the TG level was significantly higher. In patients with stable ischemic heart disease phenotypes with borderline stenosis of coronary arteries without diabetes and MAOP, the level of protective APO A1 was significantly higher, and the frequency of an increase in the APO B/APO A1 ratio was significantly lower than in patients with other phenotypes. Conclusion. The most favorable lipid indices were determined in the group of patients with the stable IHD phenotype without diabetes mellitus and MAOP, although the patients had a similar duration of IHD and the frequency of MI in the anamnesis to those of patients with diabetes mellitus and MAOP. Patients with the stable IHD and diabetes mellitus phenotype compensated for high levels of proatherogenic lipids by taking statins, but they retained high TG levels, and patients with the stable IHD and MAOP phenotype were characterized by a more frequent decrease in APO A1. The frequency of an increase in the APO B/APO A1 ratio, as a proatherogenic index, was the highest in the IHD with diabetes mellitus and MAOP phenotypes.

Examining the Association between Apolipoprotein B to Apolipoprotein A1 Ratio and the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Examining the Association between Apolipoprotein B to Apolipoprotein A1 Ratio and the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Characteristics of lipid metabolism disorders in patients with coronavirus infection-COVID-19 with chronic hepatitis C

The aim of the study was to assess individual indicators of lipid metabolism in patients with novel coronavirus infection with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) depending on the severity of COVID-19 and liver fibrosis stage.Object and methods. A comparative analysis of the results of laboratory examination of patients of the following groups was carried out: group 1 (n = 147) – patients with COVID-19 and CHC, group 2 (n = 81) – patients with COVID-19, group 3 control (n = 94) patients with CHC without COVID-19. In turn, the patients of the first two groups were divided into subgroups according to the severity of the COVID-19: with moderate (A) and severe course (B). According to the liver fibrosis stage, patients with COVID-19 with CHC were divided into 3 subgroups: F1 (mild fibrosis), F2 (moderate fibrosis), F3 (severe fibrosis). In blood serum, lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (CHDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (CLDL), triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1), apolipoprotein B (Apo B)) were evaluated. All parameters were assessed in the acute period, according to the severity of COVID-19 and the liver fibrosis stage.Results. In 100% of patients with COVID-19 and CHC, a decrease in Apo A1 and an increase in Apo B, the ratio of Apo B/Apo A1 were detected, regardless the severity of disease. In patients with severe COVID-19 with CHC, changes in the lipid spectrum were recorded: an increase in TG, Apo AI, Apo B, Apo B/Apo A1 ratio, and a decrease in CHDL, CLDL, Apo A1. In patients with COVID19 and severe liver fibrosis (CHC), a decrease in LDLC, Apo A1 and increase in CLDL, Apo B, ratio Apo B/Apo A1 was observed.

Prognostic role of apolipoproteins on long-term major adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background/PurposeApolipoprotein (apo) levels are associated with coronary risk. However, the relationship between apo levels after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and long-term major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between lipid levels, including apo, at follow-up, and long-term MACEs in patients undergoing PCI. Methods/MaterialsIn total, 241 patients who underwent PCI between January 2004 and August 2008 were included in this study. MACEs were defined as cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, or coronary revascularization of new lesions. The primary endpoint was MACE, and the secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death and acute coronary syndrome. ResultsDuring a mean follow-up period of 2079 days, the following cardiovascular events occurred in 78 patients: cardiovascular death (n = 1), non-fatal acute myocardial infarctions (n = 10), and revascularizations of new lesions (n = 67). Multivariate cox's proportional hazards analysis showed that the apo B level was an independent risk factor for MACEs (hazard ratio 1.11, 95 % confidence interval 1.03–1.20; P = 0.009). In the Kaplan–Meier estimation for primary endpoints, significant differences were observed in the apo B level and apo B/apo A1 ratio (P = 0.04 and P = 0.004, respectively). However, there was no difference in the LDL-C level and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. At the secondary endpoint, only the apo B/apo A1 ratio was a prognostic factor (P = 0.007). ConclusionsIn the long-term cardiovascular events of patients undergoing PCI, the apo B level and apo B/apo A1 ratio were more valuable prognostic factors for cardiovascular events compared to the LDL-C level and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio.

Investigating the relationship between non-occupational pesticide exposure and metabolomic biomarkers.

The relationship between pesticide exposures and metabolomics biomarkers is not well understood. We examined the changes in the serum metabolome (early biomarkers) and the metabolic pathways associated with various pesticide exposure scenarios (OPE: overall exposure, PEM: exposure in months, PEY: exposure in years, and PEU: reported specific pesticides use) using data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 31-year cross-sectional examination. We utilized questionnaire data on pesticide exposures and serum samples for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics analyses. For exposures and metabolites associations, participants size varied between 2,361 and 5,035. To investigate associations between metabolomics biomarkers and exposure to pesticide scenarios compared to those who reported no exposures multivariable regression analyses stratified by sex and adjustment with covariates (season of pesticide use, socioeconomic position (SEP), alcohol consumption, BMI, and latitude of residence) were performed. Multiple testing by Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction applied. Pesticide exposures differed by sex, season of pesticide use, alcohol, SEP, latitude of residence. Our results showed that all pesticide exposure scenarios were negatively associated with decreased HDL concentrations across all lipoprotein subclasses in women. OPE, PEY, and PEU were associated with decreased branched-chain amino acid concentrations in men and decreased albumin concentrations in women. OPE, PEY and PEU were also associated with changes in glycolysis metabolites and ketone bodies in both sexes. Specific pesticides exposure was negatively associated with sphingolipids and inflammatory biomarkers in men. In women, OPE, PEM, and PEU were associated with decreased apolipoprotein A1 and increased apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio. Our findings suggest that identification of early biomarkers of disease risk related to pesticide exposures can inform strategies to reduce exposure and investigate causal pathways. Women may be more susceptible to non-occupational pesticide exposures when compared to men, and future sex-specific studies are warranted.

Role of lipid profile, apolipoproteins, and their ratio for prediction of cardiovascular disease in essential hypertension

Background and Aim of Study: Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and lipid metabolism changes are linked to essential hypertension. The aim of the study: to investigate the significance of lipid parameters, apolipoproteins, and their ratio in predicting cardiovascular disease among individuals with essential hypertension. Material and Methods: 250 patients with essential hypertension and 250 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this case-control study and their serum lipids and apolipoproteins were analyzed. Differences between cases and controls were examined using independent sample t-test and, a p-value &lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: In the essential hypertensive group, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), apolipoprotein B100 (Apo B100) and Apo B100/Apo A1 ratio were increased significantly compared to control subjects. Essential hypertensive patients had significantly decreased levels of apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared to controls. Moreover, age, body mass index (BMI), FBG, TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C, as well as the Apo B100/Apo A1 ratio, were significantly positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), but HDL-C and Apo A1 were significantly negatively correlated in essential hypertensive subjects. There was a significant positive correlation between apo B100 and SBP in people with essential hypertension. Apo B100 and DBP showed a positive association, however, it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Essential hypertensive people with dyslipidemia and an elevated Apo B100/Apo A1 ratio are at an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease.

The Effects on Target, By-Catch and Discard Catch of Using Multifilament and Monofilament With Selvedge (Guarding Net) on the Trammel Nets in the Black Sea Coastal Fisheries

This study was carried out in 13 fishing operations in the inner harbor area of Sinop, from September through November of 2004. Trammel nets were used, which has 32 mm mesh size and target fish species of the fishing gear is red mullet (Mullus barbatus) in the study. Three net groups were used in the experiments, without selvedge (A0) for the control net, multifilament with selvedge (A1) and monofilament with selvedge (A2) respectively. 65.3% Osteichthyes fish (696 individuals), 16.8% Mollusca (179 individuals), 16.4% was Arthropoda (175 individuals) and 1.5% was Chondrichthyes fish (16 individuals) of catch obtained from the operations were form. A total 124 individuals as the target species (red mullet), 398 individuals as bycatch species, and 544 individuals as discarded species were captured sea trials. Catch ratio of A0, A1 and A2 nets were determined 51.88%, 21.58% and 26.55% respectively. 48.38% of the target species, 30.40% of the bycatches and 57.53% of the discarded catch were caught by the A0 net. 25.81% of the target species, 45.23% of the bycatches, and 18.57% of the discard catch were caught with A1 net. 25.81% of the target species, 24.37% of the bycatch and 24.37% of the discarded catch were caught by the A2 net. The results showed that the use of selvedge (guarding net) on trammel nets in the Black Sea coastal fisheries caused a slight decrease in target fish catch, but significantly decreased the amount of discarded catch.

Spatially-ordered layer-by-layer biofilms of a two-species microbial consortium promote hydrogen production

The low hydrogen production efficiency caused by volatile fatty acids stress is the main technical barrier in the field of biohydrogen production. To enhance the resistance to acid stress and improve the synergistic efficiency of hydrogen-producing bacteria, spatially-ordered layer-by-layer biofilms of a two-species microbial consortium, consisting of Bacillus cereus A1 and Brevumdimonas naejangsanensis B1, were developed. The results showed that the spatially-ordered biofilms (SBs) significantly improved the cooperation efficiency of the two strains, and the hydrogen production increased by 103.27% and 66.50% compared with suspended fermentation and mixed biofilms (MBs) fermentation, respectively. Furthermore, the mixed ratios of the two strains were further optimized, and the highest hydrogen accumulation of 1755 mL L−1 was obtained at the inoculation volume ratio of A1:B1 = 1:1. Finally, the biofilms were used for 5 repeat batches of fermentation, and the hydrogen production performance was stable, with an average hydrogen accumulation of 1736 mL L−1. This study proposed a layer-by-layer biofilm hydrogen production system based on the spatially ordered distribution of functional bacteria, which significantly improved the cooperation efficiency and stability of the two-species microbial consortium.

Obesity Indices Could Predict High Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A1 Ratio in Non-menopausal Indonesian Adult Females

Previous researches have demonstrated associations between high obesity indices with increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. It has also been established that abnormalities of lipoprotein metabolism have an important role in atherogenesis and that non-menopausal females are protected from atherosclerotic cardiovascular events relative to menopausal females and males. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity indices such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BF), and visceral fat (VF) with apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio in non-menopausal Indonesian adult females. A total of 75 non-menopausal Indonesian adult females were included as subjects in this cross-sectional study. Measured indices included BMI, WC, BF, and VF. Measurement of apolipoprotein B and A1 were performed by immunoturbidimetry, followed by calculation of the ratio. A cut-off value of 0.8 was used to define high apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio. Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A1 ratio was significantly correlated with BMI (r=0.384, p=0.001), WC (r=0.363, p=0.001), BF (r=0.385, p=0.001), VF (r=0.380, p=0.001). The area under curve of BF (0.754) was slightly larger than BMI (0.722), VF (0.721), and WC (0.686) in predicting high apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio. A positive significant correlation was observed between obesity indices with the apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio. Obesity indices could be used to predict high apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio.