New study shows air pollution linked to heart damage in kidney disease patients
November 6, 2021, 8:39 am

New study shows air pollution linked to heart damage in kidney disease patients

Air pollution-Factory/Pixabay

The We For News reported according to new research that air pollution may have detrimental heart-related effects in people with kidney disease.

Air pollution is a major contributor to cardiovascular and kidney complications, but the mechanisms linking it with cardiorenal events are not well understood.

A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University, in the US, sought to assess whether Galectin 3 level — a marker of myocardial fibrosis and remodeling is associated with air pollution exposure in hypertensive patients with and without chronic kidney disease.

Cardiac fibrosis is a scarring event in the cardiac muscle.

The study examined 1,019 adults, comparing satellite-derived PM2.5 measurements with participants’ systolic blood pressure level (the top number on a blood pressure reading).

They found no link between air pollution exposure and blood levels of Galectin 3 — a marker of scarring in the heart.

However, in adults who had chronic kidney disease (CKD) in addition to hypertension, air pollution exposure was associated with rising levels of Galectin 3 over time.

“Air pollution may be directly linked to the development of myocardial fibrosis in individuals with CKD,” said lead author Hafsa Tariq, from the varsity.

She added: “Efforts to limit air pollution could have a beneficial effect on lowering subclinical cardiovascular disease in CKD.”

Further studies are needed to corroborate these findings with rigorous cardiac imaging studies, Tariq said.

The findings will be presented online at ASN Kidney Week 2021 November 4-7.

Various studies have showed that short-term exposure to PM10 was significantly associated with elevated systolic blood pressure in young adults, while long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10 and nitrogen dioxide were associated with elevated systolic levels as well as diastolic level (the bottom number on a blood pressure reading).

Besides, with the ongoing Covid pandemic having airborne transmission, particulate matter in the air could act as a carrier to increase the spread of the virus.

Studies have shown that an increase of only one microgram per cubic metre in PM 2.5 — dangerous tiny pollutants in the air — is associated with an 8 per cent increase in the Covid-19 severity and death rate.

Air pollution also weakens the immune system, compromising ability to fight off infection. Long-term exposure to chronically high PM2.5 levels weakens the ability of the lungs to clear off infections due to compromise in immunity, making general population more prone to acquire Covid-19.

Source: wefornews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.