Article
Environmental Sciences
Kirtan Kaur, Corina Lesseur, Maya A. Deyssenroth, Itai Kloog, Joel D. Schwartz, Carmen J. Marsit, Jia Chen
Summary: Exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy may alter placental gene expression related to lipid and glucose metabolism. The effects may vary depending on the sex of the fetus. Further research is needed to understand the long-term programming effects of gestational PM2.5 exposure on postnatal metabolic health.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel A. Enquobahrie, James MacDonald, Michael Hussey, Theo K. Bammler, Christine T. Loftus, Alison G. Paquette, Nora Byington, Carmen J. Marsit, Adam Szpiro, Joel D. Kaufman, Kaja Z. LeWinn, Nicole R. Bush, Frances Tylavsky, Catherine J. Karr, Sheela Sathyanarayana
Summary: This study identified an association between prenatal exposure to PM2.5 and placental gene expression, particularly in the first half of pregnancy. Offspring sex may also play a role in modulating this association, with a positive correlation observed in males and a negative correlation in females.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Michael R. Hussey, Daniel A. Enquobahrie, Christine T. Loftus, James W. MacDonald, Theo K. Bammler, Alison G. Paquette, Carmen J. Marsit, Adam A. Szpiro, Joel D. Kaufman, Kaja Z. LeWinn, Nicole R. Bush, Frances Tylavsky, Qi Zhao, Catherine J. Karr, Sheela Sathyanarayana
Summary: This study investigated the impact of prenatal traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on placental gene expression. The results showed associations between TRAP and expression of genes STRIP2, CEBPA, and RASSF7, with interactions with infant sex. These findings suggest that TRAP may influence placental cell proliferation, autophagy, and growth, but additional research is needed for validation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maya A. Deyssenroth, Maria Jose Rosa, Melissa N. Eliot, Karl T. Kelsey, Itai Kloog, Joel D. Schwartz, Gregory A. Wellenius, Shouneng Peng, Ke Hao, Carmen J. Marsit, Jia Chen
Summary: This study identified a sensitive window during which maternal exposure to PM2.5 was significantly associated with reduced infant birthweight. Specific placental genes related to amino acid transport and cellular respiration may impact infant birthweight and maternal PM2.5 exposure levels. These findings suggest that maternal PM2.5 exposure may alter placental programming of fetal growth, leading to potential downstream health effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Terisha Ghazi, Pragalathan Naidoo, Rajen N. Naidoo, Anil A. Chuturgoon
Summary: The concept of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) suggests that in utero exposures can have long-term effects on health. The placenta plays a crucial role in fetal programming and can be impacted by maternal exposure to air pollution and heavy metals, leading to changes in DNA methylation patterns. These changes in placental DNA methylation have been associated with adverse birth outcomes and potential health issues in later life, highlighting the importance of environmental policies to reduce air pollution.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chen Gong, Mengyu Chu, Junnan Yang, Xian Gong, Bin Han, Li Chen, Zhipeng Bai, Jianmei Wang, Yujuan Zhang
Summary: Maternal exposure to PM2.5 was found to be associated with placental inflammation in early pregnancy, particularly with increased villus IL-6 in CREPL. Further research is needed to determine whether maternal-fetal interface inflammation related to PM2.5 exposure during the periovulatory period or later contributes to CREPL or other adverse pregnancy outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kristof Y. Neven, Congrong Wang, Bram G. Janssen, Harry A. Roels, Charlotte Vanpoucke, Ann Ruttens, Tim S. Nawrot
Summary: The study found that maternal exposure to PM2.5 may lead to changes in placental iodine load, while NO2 or black carbon were not associated with placental iodine concentrations. The results suggest that the effect of air pollution on placental iodine concentration is gestational-week specific.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Jake R. Thomas, Praveena Naidu, Anna Appios, Naomi McGovern
Summary: The placenta, essential for maternal and fetal health, contains fetal macrophages and syncytial cells. Recent research has led to new understanding of the origin, phenotype, and function of placental macrophages. The application of new technologies in placental research is aiding in further understanding these cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Toxicology
Russell Hunter, Brenna Baird, Marcus Garcia, Jessica Begay, Siem Goitom, Selita Lucas, Guy Herbert, David Scieszka, Jamie Padilla, Kathryn Brayer, Andrew K. Ottens, Melissa A. Suter, Enrico R. Barrozo, Curt Hines, Barry Bleske, Matthew J. Campen
Summary: This study investigated the impact of gestational ozone exposure on maternal cardiovascular function and placental development. The results showed that ozone exposure led to decreased cardiac function in pregnant mice and significant differential gene expression in the placenta, particularly in pericytes. These findings provide insights into potential molecular processes during pregnancy that may be altered due to the inhalation of environmental toxicants.
TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karin Engstroem, Yumjirmaa Mandakh, Lana Garmire, Zahra Masoumi, Christina Isaxon, Ebba Malmqvist, Lena Erlandsson, Stefan R. Hansson
Summary: Exposure to ambient nitrogen oxides during early pregnancy influences DNA methylation in placentas of preeclampsia cases, leading to placental immaturity and showing sexual dimorphism. No differentially expressed genes were found in this study.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fahmida Jahan, Goutham Vasam, Alex E. Green, Shannon A. Bainbridge, Keir J. Menzies
Summary: The placenta plays a crucial role in pregnancy, regulating various aspects such as adaptation to pregnancy, maternal-fetal exchange, and fetal development. Placental dysfunction, particularly in the case of preeclampsia, can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review examines the evidence of placental mitochondrial dysfunction in preeclampsia and discusses the potential of targeting mitochondria for therapeutic interventions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Chie-Pein Chen, Liang-Kai Wang, Chen-Yu Chen, Chia-Yu Chen, Yi-Hsin Wu
Summary: The study found that Slit2 expressed by human placental mesenchymal stromal cells may modulate the activity and migration of inflammatory macrophages in the placenta, potentially representing a novel mechanism for LPS-induced placental infection.
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yang Liu, Jing Cao, Xingli Gao, Songwei Gao, Yu Song, Yongran Guo
Summary: Pregnancy complications have a significant impact on millions of women each year, but there is currently no safe and effective treatment available. Placenta-specific therapy, which targets abnormal placental development using biomolecules and signaling pathways, shows promise as a safe and effective therapeutic strategy. This review provides a detailed explanation of the physiological structure and characteristics of the placenta, as well as the mechanisms of biomolecules and signaling pathways involved in normal and abnormal placental development. It also discusses how these biomolecules can be used as therapeutic targets and explores the potential of nanodelivery systems in placenta-specific therapy.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hafez Heydari, Moslem Lari Najafi, Abolfazl Akbari, Hossein Rezaei, Mohammad Miri
Summary: The study found that maternal exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was associated with fetal glucose homeostasis dysregulation; in addition, the total street length within the 300-meter buffer of traffic indicators was also related to fetal glucose homeostasis dysregulation.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olaf Uhl, Rohan M. Lewis, Birgit Hirschmugl, Sarah Crozier, Hazel Inskip, Antonio Gazquez, Nicholas C. Harvey, Cyrus Cooper, Gernot Desoye, Berthold Koletzko, Christian Wadsack, Hans Demmelmair, Keith M. Godfrey
Summary: The study found specific differences in polar-lipid composition and related gene expression in placentas of different sizes. These differences in lipid composition were associated with birth weight and neonatal lean mass, indicating that placental lipid composition may influence prenatal lean mass accretion.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY OF LIPIDS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Charlotte R. Doran, Ann Aschengrau
Summary: This study found that early-life exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE) may increase the risk of breathing pauses during sleep in adulthood, and individuals with mental illness and/or substance use disorder may be more susceptible to the effects of PCE exposure on short sleep duration.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lauren A. Wise, Amelia K. Wesselink, Samantha Schildroth, Antonia M. Calafat, Traci N. Bethea, Ruth J. Geller, Chad M. Coleman, Victoria Fruh, Birgit Claus Henn, Julianne C. Botelho, Quaker E. Harmon, Maya Thirkill, Ganesa R. Wegienka, Donna D. Baird
Summary: The study found that factors such as age, income, education, water intake, alcohol consumption, and seafood consumption were positively associated with several PFAS levels in women. Smoking was positively associated with MeFOSAA, while body mass index was inversely associated with most PFAS. Reproductive factors such as parity, lactation, recent birth, and menstrual bleeding intensity showed strong associations with PFAS concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Heidi T. Cueto, Bjarke H. Jacobsen, Anne Sofie Dam Laursen, Anders H. Riis, Elizabeth E. Hatch, Lauren A. Wise, Ellen Trolle, Henrik Toft Sorensen, Kenneth J. Rothman, Amelia K. Wesselink, Sydney Willis, Benjamin R. Johannesen, Ellen M. Mikkelsen
Summary: Preconception dietary folate intake is positively associated with fecundability in a monotonic pattern. Two internet-based cohort studies found that compared to a dietary folate intake of >= 400 μg/day, intake of 250-399 μg/day and <250 μg/day were associated with decreased fecundability. Additionally, low dietary folate intake (<250 μg/day) combined with folic acid supplementation was also associated with reduced fecundability.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jennifer J. Yland, Taiyao Wang, Zahra Zad, Sydney K. Willis, Tanran R. Wang, Amelia K. Wesselink, Tammy Jiang, Elizabeth E. Hatch, Lauren A. Wise, Ioannis Ch Paschalidis
Summary: Using data from the North American preconception cohort study, the researchers developed models to predict the probability of conception, achieving a performance of around 70% in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Flannery Black-Ingersoll, Julie de Lange, Leila Heidari, Abgel Negassa, Pilar Botana, M. Patricia Fabian, Madeleine K. Scammell
Summary: This article reviews field studies on urban cooling interventions, including cooling centers, misting stations, cool pavements, and cool or green roofs. The studies found that misting stations and cool pavements can reduce temperatures, but there is still a lack of evaluation on personal thermal comfort and costs.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sissel Jessen Weissert, Ellen Margrethe Mikkelsen, Bjarke H. Jacobsen, Elizabeth E. Hatch, Amelia K. Wesselink, Lauren A. Wise, Kenneth J. Rothman, Henrik T. Sorensen, Anne Sofie Dam Laursen
Summary: This study found no meaningful association between consumption of organic food and fecundability in couples trying to conceive. However, slightly higher fecundability was observed among participants with less than 3 cycles of pregnancy attempt time when they consumed more organic food.
PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Holly Michelle Crowe, Elizabeth Elliott Hatch, Tanran R. Wang, Charles Robert Horsburgh, Ellen Margrethe Mikkelsen, Wendy Kuohung, Lauren Anne Wise, Amelia Kent Wesselink
Summary: Periconceptional antibiotic use was not significantly associated with the risk of spontaneous abortion in this study, possibly due to multiple factors.
PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Amelia K. Wesselink, Ganesa Wegienka, Chad M. Coleman, Ruth J. Geller, Quaker E. Harmon, Kristen Upson, Sharonda M. Lovett, Birgit Claus Henn, Erica E. Marsh, Nyia L. Noel, Donna D. Baird, Lauren A. Wise
Summary: This study found that cigarette smoking is associated with a lower incidence of uterine leiomyomata based on a prospective ultrasound study. However, there is no significant association between smoking and uterine leiomyomata growth.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ruth J. Geller, Amelia K. Wesselink, Martha R. Koenig, Michael L. Eisenberg, Katherine L. Tucker, Elizabeth E. Hatch, Lauren A. Wise
Summary: This study found weak positive associations between male fatty acid intake and fecundability among couples planning pregnancy. However, no other fatty acid subtypes were significantly associated with fecundability. This study fills a knowledge gap regarding the association between male fatty acid intake and fecundability.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Amelia K. Wesselink, Sharonda M. Lovett, Janice Weinberg, Ruth J. Geller, Tanran R. Wang, Annette K. Regan, Mary D. Willis, Rebecca B. Perkins, Jennifer J. Yland, Martha R. Koenig, Kenneth J. Rothman, Elizabeth E. Hatch, Lauren A. Wise
Summary: We conducted a prospective cohort study to examine the association between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual cycle characteristics. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccination is associated with a temporary increase in menstrual cycle length by 1 day, but not with other menstrual cycle characteristics.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amelia K. Wesselink, Perry Hystad, Kipruto Kirwa, Joel D. Kaufman, Mary D. Willis, Tanran R. Wang, Adam A. Szpiro, Jonathan I. Levy, David A. Savitz, Kenneth J. Rothman, Elizabeth E. Hatch, Lauren A. Wise
Summary: This study found that ambient concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and O3 were not significantly associated with reduced fecundability in both the U.S. and Canada. Different concentrations of these pollutants also had varying impacts on fecundability.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jennifer J. Yland, Amelia K. Wesselink, Annette K. Regan, Elizabeth E. Hatch, Kenneth J. Rothman, David A. Savitz, Tanran R. Wang, Krista F. Huybrechts, Sonia Hernandez-Diaz, Michael L. Eisenberg, Lauren A. Wise
Summary: COVID-19 vaccination in either partner at any time before conception is not associated with an increased rate of miscarriage.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sarabeth Buckley, Catherine L. Connolly, Pamela H. Templer, Jacqueline Ashmore, Luis Carvalho, Nathan Phillips, Patricia Fabian
Summary: Simultaneous rooftop garden and ventilation upgrades can reduce CO2 emissions, save energy, and decrease costs.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Beth M. Haley, Prasad Patil, Jonathan I. Levy, Keith R. Spangler, Koen F. Tieskens, Fei Carnes, Xiaojing Peng, R. Monina Klevens, T. Scott Troppy, M. Patricia Fabian, Kevin J. Lane, Jessica H. Leibler
Summary: Occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 varies by profession, but essential workers are often considered in aggregate in COVID-19 models. We used census tract-resolution American Community Survey data to develop novel essential worker categories among the occupations designated as COVID-19 Essential Services in Massachusetts. Our findings show elevated COVID-19 case incidence in census tracts with higher proportions of workers in construction/transportation/buildings maintenance, production, and public-facing sales and services occupations. We also found that a greater percentage of essential workers able to work from home was associated with reduced case incidence. Estimating industry-specific risk for essential workers is important in targeting interventions for COVID-19 and other diseases.
JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
J. C. Bond, C. M. Coleman, J. J. Yland, A. K. Wesselink, T. Wang, M. Willis, E. E. Hatch, K. J. Rothman, D. Savitz, M. L. Eisenberg, L. A. Wise
Summary: This study found that female sleep duration had little association with spontaneous abortion (SAB), while male short sleep duration, female night work, and discrepancies in work schedules among partners had modest positive associations with SAB incidence.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)