Auflistung nach Autor:in "Bartel-Steinbach, Martina"

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Characteristics of 24-H urine samples and their relevance for human biomonitoring
(2018) Lermen, Dominik; Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Gwinner, Frederik; Conrad, André; Weber, Till; Rüther, Maria; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike
For documenting trends in human exposure, the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) has been routinely collecting and archiving 24 h-urine samples from young adults at four sampling sites in Germany. In addition to pollutant concentrations, urinary creatinine (UC), specific gravity (SG), conductivity (CON) and total urine volume (UVtot) have been routinely recorded. It is known that the above-mentioned characteristics of 24 h-urine samples vary between individuals and over time and might affect data interpretation. To identify relevant differences and trends in these parameters, we analysed ESB data from 1997-2016 from 8,916 participants also with regard to the impact of sex and sampling site. Sampling sites do not substantially affect UVtot, UC, SG and CON. A significant increasing trend was revealed for UVtot. This increase is associated with UC, SG, and CON decreasing over time. Effects of normalization against these urine parameters were demonstrated for urinary Ca2+ concentrations: From 1996-2016, Ca2+ concentrations showed a significant decreasing trend over time. A normalization against UVtot, UC, or CON eliminated this trend. The known sex-specific excretion for Ca2+ is confirmed in this study. A normalization against UC, SG, or CON alleviated differences between sexes whereas a normalization against UVtot did not. To avoid misinterpretations in trend analysis and of sex specific excretion, the collection of 24 h-urine samples and the calculation of the total daily excretion is recommended. Also if sampling is limited to spot or morning urine samples, the record of multiple urinary parameters should be considered for supporting data standardization. The suitability of these characterization may, however, vary by the analyte of interest, the study design, and the kind of urine sample taken. Funding by the German Ministry for the Environment (BMU) is gratefully acknowledged. In: ISES-Europe 2018 : Workshop proceedings. Dortmund: International Society of Exposure Science Europe, 2018, S. 30
Die Umweltprobenbank des Bundes
(2016) Lermen, Dominik; Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Conrad, André; Rüther, Maria; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike
Genome-wide DNA methylation sequencing identifies epigenetic perturbations in the upper airways under long-term exposure to moderate levels of ambient air pollution
(2023) Messingschlager, Marey; Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Mackowiak, Sebastian D.; Straff, Wolfgang; Süring, Katrin
While the link between exposure to high levels of ambient particulate matter (PM) and increased incidences of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases is widely recognized, recent epidemiological studies have shown that low PM concentrations are equally associated with adverse health effects. As DNA methylation is one of the main mechanisms by which cells regulate and stabilize gene expression, changes in the methylome could constitute early indicators of dysregulated signaling pathways. So far, little is known about PM-associated DNA methylation changes in the upper airways, the first point of contact between airborne pollutants and the human body. Here, we focused on cells of the upper respiratory tract and assessed their genome-wide DNA methylation pattern to explore exposure-associated early regulatory changes. Using a mobile epidemiological laboratory, nasal lavage samples were collected from a cohort of 60 adults that lived in districts with records of low (Simmerath) or moderate (Stuttgart) PM10 levels in Germany. PM10 concentrations were verified by particle measurements on the days of the sample collection and genome-wide DNA methylation was determined by enzymatic methyl sequencing at single-base resolution. We identified 231 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between moderately and lowly PM10 exposed individuals. A high proportion of DMRs overlapped with regulatory elements, and DMR target genes were involved in pathways regulating cellular redox homeostasis and immune response. In addition, we found distinct changes in DNA methylation of the HOXA gene cluster whose methylation levels have previously been linked to air pollution exposure but also to carcinogenesis in several instances. The findings of this study suggest that regulatory changes in upper airway cells occur at PM10 levels below current European thresholds, some of which may be involved in the development of air pollution-related diseases. Quelle: Elsevier
German Environmental Specimen Bank: Characteristics of 24-H urine samples and their relevance for human biomonitoring
(2018) Conrad, André; Lermen, Dominik; Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Weber, Till; Rüther, Maria; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike
For documenting trends in human exposure, the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) has been routinely collecting and archiving 24 h-urine samples from young adults at four sampling sites in Germany. In addition to pollutant concentrations, urinary creatinine (UC), specific gravity (SG), conductivity (CON) and total urine volume (UVtot) have been routinely recorded. It is known that the above-mentioned characteristics of 24 h- urine samples vary between individuals and over time and might affect data interpretation. To identify relevant differences and trends in these parameters, we analysed ESB data from 1997-2016 from 8,916 participants also with regard to the impact of sex, sampling site. Sampling sites do not substantially affect UVtot, UC, SG and CON. A significant increasing trend was revealed for UVtot. This increase is associated with UC, SG, and CON decreasing over time. Effects of normalization against these urine parameters were demonstrated for urinary Ca2+ concentrations: From 1996-2016, Ca2+ showed a significant decreasing trend over time. A normalization against UVtot, UC, or CON eliminated this trend. The known sex specific excretion for Ca2+ is confirmed in this study. A normalization against UC, SG, or CON alleviated differences between sexes whereas a normalization against UVtot did not. To avoid misinterpretations in trend analysis and of sex specific excretion, the collection of 24-h urine samples and the calculation of the total daily excretion is recommended. Also if sampling is limited to spot or morning urine samples, the record of multiple urinary parameters should be considered for supporting data standardization. The suitability of these characterization may, however, vary by the analyte of interest, the study design, and the kind of urine sample taken. Funding by the German Ministry for the Environment (BMU) is gratefully acknowledged. In: ISES-ISEE 2018 Joint Annual Meeting : Abstract book. Ottawa: International Society of Exposure Science, 2018, S. 1521
Improved standardization of sampling in epidemiological studies by using mobile lab-technology
(2022) Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Lermen, Dominik; Weber, Till; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike
Lead exposure of young adults in Germany - long time experience of the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB)
(2018) Lermen, Dominik; Göen, Thomas; Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Conrad, André; Weber, Till; Rüther, Maria; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike
Long-term monitoring of mercury in young German adults: Time trend analyses from the German Environmental Specimen Bank, 1995-2018
(2022) Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Lermen, Dominik; Conrad, André; Gwinner, Frederik; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Weber, Till
As highlighted in the Minamata Convention, Mercury (Hg) in its various forms poses a substantial risk to human health and the environment. The health relevance of Hg is also recognized by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), which classifies Hg as a priority substance, since considerable knowledge and data gaps on Hg exposure levels and their changes over time still exist in Europe. The German Environmental Specimen Bank (German ESB) provides valuable policy relevant data and long-term trends of substance exposure on a national level for international comparison and evaluation. In this study we analysed data of the German ESB on Hg exposure of young adults aged 20 to 29 including data on urinary Hg levels from 1995 to 2018 and whole blood Hg levels from 2001 to 2010. Results show a clear decrease in both, about 86% in urine total daily Hg excretion from 1995 (0.76 (micro)g/L) to 2018 (0.11 (micro)g/L) (n = 10,069) and about 57% in blood concentrations of Hg from 2001 (1.76 (micro)g/L) to 2010 (0.77 (micro)g/L) (n = 4085). Over the investigated timeframe only a few values exceeded the toxicologically derived health based guidance value HBM I for blood and urine, with these exceedances decreasing over time in line with the general trend. The factors mostly influencing Hg excretion identified in this study are dental amalgam as well as fish and seafood consumption. Besides other factors (e.g. age and sex), also airborne Hg exposure appears to be a low but evident influencing factor in Germany. Although a considerable decrease in internal Hg exposure is recognized in the last decades, the current low-level exposure may cause adverse health effects especially to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children. To further elucidate and evaluate current exposure sources and to reduce human exposure to Hg, continuous environmental and human biomonitoring is needed. © 2022 The Authors.
The Corona Pandemic - a special challenge for epidemiological sampling campaigns
(2021) Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Lermen, Dominik; Weber, Till; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike
Towards harmonized biobanking for biomonitoring: A comparison of human biomonitoring-related and clinical biorepositories
(2020) Lermen, Dominik; Gwinner, Frederik; Fiddicke, Ulrike; Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike
Human biomonitoring (HBM) depends on high-quality human samples to identify status and trends in exposure and ensure comparability of results. In this context, much effort has been put into the development of standardized processes and quality assurance for sampling and chemical analysis, while effects of sample storage and shipment on sample quality have been less thoroughly addressed. To characterize the currently applied storage and shipment procedures within the consortium of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), which aims at harmonization of HBM in Europe, a requirement analysis based on data from an online survey was conducted. In addition, the online survey was addressed to professionals in clinical biobanking represented by members of the European, Middle Eastern and African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking (ESBB) to identify the current state-of-the-art in terms of sample storage and shipment. Results of this survey conducted in these two networks were compared to detect processes with potential for optimization and harmonization. In general, many similarities exist in sample storage and shipment procedures applied by ESBB members and HBM4EU partners and many requirements for ensuring sample quality are already met also by HBM4EU partners. Nevertheless, a need for improvement was identified for individual steps in sample storage, shipment, and related data management with potential impact on sample and data quality for HBM purposes. Based on these findings, recommendations for crucial first steps to further strengthen sample quality, and thus foster advancement in HBM on a pan-European level are given. © Dominik Lermen et al., 2020
Trends in characteristics of 24-h urine samples and their relevance for human biomonitoring studies - 20 years of experience in the German Environmental Specimen Bank
(2019) Lermen, Dominik; Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Conrad, André; Gwinner, Frederik; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Weber, Till
To document trends in human exposure to environmental pollutants, the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) has been routinely collecting and archiving 24-h urine samples from young adults at four sampling sites in Germany on an annual basis. For the purpose of normalizing measured analyte concentrations, urinary creatinine (UC), specific gravity (SG), conductivity (CON), and total urine volume (UVtot) of 24-h urine samples have also been recorded. These parameters are however susceptible to variation over time, as well as within/among participants and normalization against them can thus affect the interpretation of data regarding exposure to environmental pollutants. To evaluate the influence of normalization against these parameters, we first sought to determine variations of these parameters with regard to differences between sexes and trends over time. We analysed data from 8619 urine samples collected from 1997 to 2016. We observed an inverse relation between UVtot and UC, SG, and CON. We also found differences between sexes for UC, SG and CON, but not UVtot. UC, SG, and CON showed significant decreasing trends over time in both sexes. In contrast, a significant increase of over 30% in UVtot, independent of participant age and BMI, was revealed. This increase in UVtot and the concomitant sample dilution is likely to have an impact on measured analyte concentrations in 24-h urine samples. Hence, normalization of urinary concentrations is warranted when interpreting time trends of human exposure. Next, urinary calcium (Ca2+) concentrations of ESB participants were used to demonstrate the effects of normalization against each of the four urine parameters. From 1997 to 2016, measured Ca2+ concentrations showed a statistically significant but scientifically implausible decrease. Normalization of Ca2+ concentrations against UVtot (by calculating the total daily excretion), UC, or CON, but not SG, eliminated this decrease. Consistent with previous work, Ca2+ concentrations in urine and total daily Ca2+ excretion were higher for males than females. Normalization against UC, SG, or CON, however, attenuated this difference. Thus, to avoid misinterpretation in trend analysis and sex-specific excretion in 24-h urine samples, the calculation of the total daily excretion is recommended.
Trends in Parameter des 24h-Sammelurins und deren Bedeutung für das Humanbiomonitoring
(2018) Lermen, Dominik; Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Gwinner, Frederik; Weber, Till; Rüther, Maria; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike
Zeitliche Entwicklung und aktueller Stand der Bleibelastung junger Erwachsener in Deutschland
(2015) Domer, Silke; Schröter-Kermani, Christa; Lermen, Dominik; Bartel-Steinbach, Martina; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Göen, Thomas