Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Torres Toda, Demetris Avraam, Timothy James Cadman, Serena Fossati, Montserrat de Castro, Audrius Dedele, Geoffrey Donovan, Ahmed Elhakeem, Marisa Estarlich, Amanda Fernandes, Romy Goncalves, Regina Grazuleviciene, Jennifer R. Harris, Margreet W. Harskamp-van Ginkel, Barbara Heude, Jesus Ibarluzea, Carmen Iniguez, Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, Deborah Lawlor, Aitana Lertxundi, Johanna Lepeule, Rosemary McEachan, Giovenale Moirano, Johanna L. T. Nader, Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen, Marie Pedersen, Costanza Pizzi, Theano Roumeliotaki, Susana Santos, Jordi Sunyer, Tiffany Yang, Marina Vafeiadi, Tanja G. M. Vrijkotte, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Martine Vrijheid, Maria Foraster, Payam Dadvand
Summary: Research suggests that maternal exposure to natural environments, especially green spaces, is associated with healthy fetal growth. However, there is limited research on the effects of blue spaces. This study evaluated the associations between maternal exposure to natural environments and birth outcomes in nine European countries. The findings indicate that residential proximity to green spaces is linked to increased birth weight and reduced risk of small for gestational age (SGA). However, there is little association between accessibility to green spaces or exposure to blue spaces and birth outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of promoting natural environments, especially in deprived areas.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vinoj H. Sewberath Misser, Ashna D. Hindori-Mohangoo, Arti Shankar, Jeffrey K. Wickliffe, Maureen Y. Lichtveld, Dennis R. A. Mans
Summary: Globally, prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants such as mercury, manganese, and lead is increasingly linked to adverse birth outcomes. This study in Suriname found no statistically significant relationship between blood levels of mercury, manganese, or lead and stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, and low Apgar score. However, diabetes mellitus was independently associated with preterm birth and hypertension with low birth weight.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sana Amjad, Dagmara Chojecki, Alvaro Osornio-Vargas, Maria B. Ospina
Summary: The evidence suggests that maternal wildfire exposure during late pregnancy is associated with reduced birth weight and preterm birth. However, the association between wildfire exposure and small for gestational age as well as infant mortality remains inconclusive. Well-designed comprehensive studies are needed to further understand the perinatal effects of wildfires.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jaehyun Park, Jeeyoung Kim, Esther Kim, Woo Jin Kim, Sungho Won
Summary: Prenatal lead exposure was found to be associated with altered, gender-specific patterns of DNA methylation in Korean infants. In males, maternal blood lead level during early pregnancy was linked to 18 CpG sites, while a CpG site near the NBAS gene was associated during late pregnancy. No significant association was observed in females.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Xuping Gao, Wanze Ni, Sui Zhu, Yanxin Wu, Yunfeng Cui, Junrong Ma, Yanhua Liu, Jinlong Qiao, Yanbin Ye, Pan Yang, Chaoqun Liu, Fangfang Zeng
Summary: The study findings suggest that exposure to PFOS, PFOA, and PFNA during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, while PFAS exposure may be linked to the risk of miscarriage and preeclampsia. More research is needed to confirm these findings due to limited evidence for most associations.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Annachiara Malin Igra, Anisur Rahman, Anna L. V. Johansson, Jesmin Pervin, Pernilla Svefors, Shams El Arifeen, Marie Vahter, Lars-ake Persson, Maria Kippler
Summary: This study found that early life exposure to cadmium, lead, and arsenic is associated with timing of menarche. In a mother-child cohort in rural Bangladesh, concentrations of these metals were measured in maternal erythrocytes and girls' urine at 5 and 10 years of age. The results showed that cadmium exposure is associated with later menarche, while the association with lead exposure is inconclusive. Maternal arsenic exposure is associated with later menarche.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kokeb Tesfamariam, Alemayehu Argaw, Giles T. Hanley-Cook, Seifu H. Gebreyesus, Patrick Kolsteren, Tefera Belachew, Mario Van de Velde, Sarah De Saeger, Marthe De Boevre, Carl Lachat
Summary: This study aimed to assess biomarkers of multiple mycotoxin exposure during pregnancy in rural Ethiopia and their associations with adverse birth outcomes. The findings indicated an extensive presence of multiple mycotoxin exposure among pregnant women, but no statistically significant associations were found with adverse birth outcomes.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
David R. Chettle, Kim N. Dietrich, Amit Bhattacharya, Heidi J. Kalkwarf, Lorenna Altmann, Chi Wei, Cyndy Cox, Jun Ying
Summary: In a study of a birth cohort exposed to relatively high levels of lead, researchers found a significant association between adult female bone lead concentrations and average childhood blood lead levels. However, in children, bone lead concentrations are relatively low and may not reflect their early lead exposure levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ibrahim Issah, Mabel S. Duah, John Arko-Mensah, Serwaa A. Bawua, Thomas P. Agyekum, Julius N. Fobil
Summary: Prenatal exposure to metal mixtures is significantly associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, with diverse effects and potential interactions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jay S. Schneider
Summary: This article discusses the concepts of permanence and persistence in relation to the neurotoxic effects of lead on the brain and the resulting adverse outcomes. It suggests that the cognitive/behavioral outcomes from lead exposure may be persistent and amenable to mitigation under certain circumstances. The author recommends further research and clinical intervention to explore optimal neurorehabilitative strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shanshan Wu, Yunshan Zhang, Xueqing Wu, Guimin Hao, Haiqin Ren, Jiahui Qiu, Yinfeng Zhang, Xingyu Bi, Aimin Yang, Lina Bai, Jichun Tan
Summary: This study investigated the associations between exposure to air pollutants and IVF outcomes, revealing a negative correlation between exposure to O3, NO2, and CO during fresh embryo transfer cycles and pregnancy outcomes. In addition, an inverse association of O3 and SO2 with pregnancy outcomes was observed in FET cycles. Furthermore, exposure to air pollutants was found to be associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy and lower oocyte yield.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zhenxian Jia, Hongling Zhang, Ling Yu, Feng Qiu, Yiqing Lv, Jing Guan, Huiqing Gang, Jingwen Zuo, Tongzhang Zheng, Hongxiu Liu, Wei Xia, Shunqing Xu, Yuanyuan Li
Summary: This prospective cohort study found an association between prenatal lead exposure and increased risk of cognitive developmental delay (CDD) in children with high genetic risk. These findings suggest that prenatal lead exposure and genetic background may jointly contribute to an increased risk of CDD in children, indicating the possibility for an integrated strategy to assess CDD risk and improve children's cognitive ability.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wanrong Wang, Siqi Mu, Weizhen Yan, Naiyu Ke, Han Cheng, Rui Ding
Summary: Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), including preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, stillbirth, and change in birthweight, are significantly associated with maternal exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy, according to this meta-analysis.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hyunji Lee, Jae-Whoan Koh, Young-Ah Kim, Kyoung-Chul Chun, Jung Yeol Han, Jong Hee Hwang, June-Seek Choi, Sung Hong Joo, Hye-Young Kwon
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of alprazolam exposure during pregnancy on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. The results showed that pregnant women exposed to alprazolam were more likely to experience spontaneous abortion, low birth weight, and Apgar score at 1 min <= 7. This suggests a significant association between alprazolam use during pregnancy and adverse outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tal Michael, Elkana Kohn, Sharon Daniel, Ariela Hazan, Matitiahu Berkovitch, Anna Brik, Ori Hochwald, Liron Borenstein-Levin, Moshe Betser, Miki Moskovich, Ayelet Livne, Rimona Keidar, Efrat Rorman, Luda Groisman, Zeev Weiner, Adi Malkoff Rabin, Ido Solt, Amalia Levy
Summary: This study investigated the associations between prenatal exposures to individual heavy metals and heavy metal mixtures and anthropometric measures of newborns. The results showed both negative and positive associations between specific heavy metals and birth weight and length. Head circumference was not associated with any of the metals. This study provides clues for further research into the complex biochemical processes involved in intrauterine fetal development despite the relatively low levels of metals detected in the sample.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mercedes A. Bravo, Marie Lynn Miranda
Summary: This study found an association between prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth and lower birthweight percentile. Comparing successive pregnancies in the same women, the study better controlled for confounding factors and strengthened the evidence for causal relationship between PM2.5 exposure and pregnancy outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bonnie R. Joubert, Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou, Toccara Chamberlain, Hua Yun Chen, Chris Gennings, Mary E. Turyk, Marie Lynn Miranda, Thomas F. Webster, Katherine B. Ensor, David B. Dunson, Brent A. Coull
Summary: Humans are exposed to a variety of chemical and non-chemical mixtures throughout their lives, and it is important to investigate the health impacts of these mixtures. However, there are challenges in analyzing mixture data in epidemiological studies, such as high correlation among health and exposure measures, missing observations, violation of modeling assumptions, and computational challenges. The PRIME program aims to address these challenges by developing and expanding statistical methods for mixtures. This review summarizes new methods from PRIME projects and provides insights for method selection and application.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Carolina Avendano, Aaron Lilienfeld, Liz Rulli, Melissa Stephens, Wendy Alvarez Barrios, Joseph Sarro, Michael E. Pfrender, Marie Lynn Miranda
Summary: This study conducted at a midsized Midwestern university in the US revealed a significant decrease in positive COVID-19 cases among the study population with a robust vaccination program, even in the presence of highly transmissible variants and congregate living.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Steven J. Krieg, Carolina Avendano, Evan Grantham-Brown, Aaron Lilienfeld Asbun, Jennifer J. Schnur, Marie Lynn Miranda, Nitesh Chawla
Summary: This study analyzes a data-driven COVID-19 testing program implemented at a mid-sized university. It demonstrates the effectiveness of using machine learning models to predict high-risk students and highlights the improvement in positivity rate and testing speed. The authors also discuss the potential for other organizations to adopt similar strategies to reduce community transmission.
NPJ DIGITAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Melissa D. Olfert, Rebecca L. Hagedorn-Hatfield, Bailey Houghtaling, Monica K. Esquivel, Lanae B. Hood, Lillian MacNell, Jessica Soldavini, Maureen Berner, Mateja R. Savoie Roskos, Melanie D. Hingle, Georgianna R. Mann, Julia F. Waity, Linda L. Knol, Jennifer Walsh, Valerie Kern-Lyons, Christopher Paul, Keith Pearson, Jeannine R. Goetz, Marsha Spence, Elizabeth Anderson-Steeves, Elizabeth D. Wall-Bassett, J. Porter Lillis, E. Brooke Kelly, Adam Hege, Mary Catherine Fontenot, Patricia Coleman
Summary: The study aims to assess the number and type of students failing to secure basic needs. The results indicate a high prevalence of food and housing insecurities among students, with homeless students or those who experienced childhood food insecurity being at the greatest risk of college food insecurity. Additionally, the year in school was found to be the largest contributor to housing insecurity. Therefore, a more holistic approach is needed to address these issues.
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mercedes A. Bravo, Joshua L. Warren, Man Chong Leong, Nicole C. Deziel, Rachel T. Kimbro, Michelle L. Bell, Marie Lynn Miranda
Summary: This study assessed the spatial variability and temporal trends in PM2.5 and O3 concentrations in North Carolina and their associations with community characteristics. The results showed that while pollutant concentrations have decreased, disparities in exposure have increased for racially and educationally isolated communities.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samantha M. Hall, Sharon Zhang, Kate Hoffman, Marie Lynn Miranda, Heather M. Stapleton
Summary: There are associations between placental PFAS concentrations and birth outcomes, suggesting potential effects of PFAS on fetal health.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Helene Vilme, Elizabeth O. Akin-Odanye, Derrick L. Sauls, Jessica De Leon, Christopher Paul, Joedrecka S. Brown Speights, Shelley White-Means, Felix Amissah, Roland N. Ndip, Yussif M. Dokurugu, Hayden B. Bosworth, Forgive Avorgbedor, Ivette A. Lopez
Summary: This study investigated factors influencing university students' COVID-19 preventive behaviors using the social ecological model (SEM). The analysis identified various factors such as personal responsibility, social support, university and employer protection measures, media and political influences, and lack of trust in information sources.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sharon E. Davis, Jeremiah R. Brown, Chad Dorn, Dax Westerman, Richard J. Solomon, Michael E. Matheny
Summary: This study compared predefined and surveillance-based updating strategies for prediction models in quality evaluations. The results showed that the surveillance-based approach provided better calibration, but with lower updating frequency. The original model's overprediction led to optimistic quality assessments and incorrectly indicated fewer acute kidney injury events than expected in most regions.
CIRCULATION-CARDIOVASCULAR QUALITY AND OUTCOMES
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Helene Vilme, Naomi N. Duke, Yussif Dokurugu, Elizabeth O. Akin-Odanye, Christopher J. Paul, Ernest Kaninjing, Ivette A. Lopez, Roland Matsouaka, Joedrecka S. Brown Speights, Jessica De Leon, Derrick L. Sauls, Roland N. Ndip, Felix Amissah, Hayden Bosworth, Carol L. Warren, Charles Muiruri
Summary: This study reports a significant increase in food insecurity among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the Midwest and South regions. The findings also highlight the association between food insecurity and difficulties in paying bills.
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sharon E. Davis, Henry Ssemaganda, Jejo D. Koola, Jialin Mao, Dax Westerman, Theodore Speroff, Usha S. Govindarajulu, Craig R. Ramsay, Art Sedrakyan, Lucila Ohno-Machado, Frederic S. Resnic, Michael E. Matheny
Summary: Validating new algorithms often requires knowing the ground truth for data characteristics, which is inaccessible in real-world data. Therefore, simulation studies using synthetic datasets are essential. We developed a generalizable framework for injecting hierarchical learning effects into a robust data generation process to mimic complex clinical environments.
BMC MEDICAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sharon E. Davis, Luke Zabotka, Rishi J. Desai, Shirley Wang, Judith C. Maro, Kevin Coughlin, Jose J. Hernandez-Munoz, Danijela Stojanovic, Nigam H. Shah, Joshua C. Smith
Summary: Pharmacovigilance programs protect patient health and safety by identifying adverse event signals. Electronic health records (EHRs) provide new opportunities for pharmacovigilance. However, current efforts in utilizing EHRs for safety signal identification are limited by variability in study design and failure to control for confounding. Developing best practices and common data models would promote the expansion of EHR-based pharmacovigilance.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Sue Anne Bell, Marie Lynn Miranda, Julie P. W. Bynum, Matthew A. Davis
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sharon E. Davis, Colin G. Walsh, Michael E. Matheny
Summary: As the adoption of AI-enabled tools increases in clinical settings, the importance of ongoing monitoring and updating of prediction models becomes evident. Changes in clinical practice, patient populations, and information systems can result in deteriorating model accuracy, posing a challenge to the sustainability of AI-enabled tools in clinical care. This paper emphasizes the need for updating clinical prediction models and discusses open questions in model maintenance policies, performance monitoring perspectives, and model updating strategies.
FRONTIERS IN DIGITAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Helene Vilme, Christopher J. Paul, Naomi N. Duke, Santiba D. Campbell, Derrick Sauls, Charles Muiruri, Asheley C. Skinner, Hayden Bosworth, Yussif M. Dokurugu, John P. Fay
Summary: The distribution of favorable food retail stores near HBCUs in North Carolina is limited, with a majority of stores being unfavorable. Collaboration between researchers, policy makers, and community stakeholders is necessary to improve the food environments surrounding HBCUs.
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH
(2022)
