Ralf Baumann

Dr. Ralf Baumann


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 December 2016 in Toxicology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RBRalf Baumann
Ralf Baumann
SJS. Joraslafsky
S. Joraslafsky
AMA. Markert
A. Markert
IRI. Rack
I. Rack
SDS. Davatgarbenam
S. Davatgarbenam
MGM. Gube
M. Gube

1 August 2022 in Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Theresa ScheurerTheresa Scheurer
Theresa Scheurer
JSJan Steffens
Jan Steffens
AMAgnieszka Markert
Agnieszka Markert
MSMiriam Du Marchie Sarvaas
Miriam Du Marchie Sarvaas
Christoph RoderburgChristoph Roderburg
Christoph Roderburg
RBRalf Baumann
Ralf Baumann
Background: Short-term inhalation of occupationally relevant ultrafine zinc/copper (Zn/Cu) containing welding fumes has been shown to induce subclinical systemic inflammation, associated with an elevated risk for cardiovascular diseases. The involvement of noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in this setting is currently unknown. However, lncRNAs have been reported to fulfill essential roles in, e.g., cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, infectious diseases, and pollution-related lung disorders. Methods: In this study, the specific lncRNAs levels of the 4 lncRNAs CoroMarker, MALAT1, CDR1as and LINC00460 were determined by RT-qPCR in THP-1 macrophages exposed to Zn/Cu metal fume suspensions for 1, 2, and 4 hours in vitro. Furthermore, 14 subjects were exposed to Zn/Cu containing welding fumes (at 2.5 mg/m3) for 6 hours. Before, 6, 10, and 29 hours after exposure start, whole blood cell lncRNAs levels were determined by RT-qPCR. Results: In THP-1 macrophages, we observed a 2.3-fold increase of CDR1as at 1 h (Wilcoxon p = 0.03), a non-significant increase of CoroMarker at 1 h, and an increase of LINC00460 at 2 h (p = 0.03) and at 4 h (p = 0.06). In whole blood cells, we determined a non-significant upregulation of CDR1as at 6 h (p = 0.2), a significant downregulation of CoroMarker at 6 h (p = 0.04), and a significant upregulation of LINC00460 levels at 10 h (p = 0.04) and 29 h (p = 0.04). MALAT-1 remained unchanged in both settings. Conclusion: The orientation of regulation of the lncRNAs is (except for CoroMarker) similar in the in vitro and in vivo experiments and in line with their described functions. Therefore, these results, e.g. the upregulation of the potential risk marker for cardiovascular diseases, CDR1as, contribute to understanding the underlying mechanisms of Zn/Cu-induced subclinical inflammation in metal workers.