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)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Shang, Liyan Huang, Liren Yang, Longtao Leng, Cuifang Qi, Guilan Xie, Ruiqi Wang, Leqian Guo, Wenfang Yang, Mei Chun Chung
Summary: The study found that prenatal exposure to air pollution may have adverse effects on term birth weight, with effects varying depending on trimesters and pollutants. This provides further evidence for the adverse effects of air pollution exposure on term birth weight in heavily polluted areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoyi Shi, Yuxin Zheng, Haiwen Cui, Yuxi Zhang, Menghui Jiang
Summary: Air pollution caused by industrialization and modernization is considered a major threat to global health and obesity. Epidemiological studies indicate a correlation between exposure to various air pollutants and overweight/obesity. Mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic imbalance, intestinal flora disorders, and epigenetic modifications may contribute to the increased risk of obesity caused by air pollution. Macro and micro-level measures should be taken to prevent the negative effects of air pollution on obesity prevalence.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michelle Plusquin, Congrong Wang, Charlotte Cosemans, Harry A. Roels, Maartje Vangeneugden, Bruno Lapauw, Tom Fiers, Guy T'Sjoen, Tim S. Nawrot
Summary: This study investigated the association between prenatal ambient air pollution and cord blood steroid hormones. The results showed that exposure to PM2.5 and black carbon during pregnancy was associated with changes in cord blood steroid levels, and different gestational time windows had different effects on steroid levels. These findings suggest that prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution may interfere with fetal hormone levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tong Wei, Rong Jiao, Rena Nakyeyune, Zhaoping Zang, Yi Shao, Yi Shen, Chen Niu, Lingyan Zhu, Xiaoli Ruan, Fen Liu
Summary: The study found that high exposure to benzene and nitrogen dioxide was positively correlated with leukemia risk, especially during the third trimester and second trimester of pregnancy and the entire pregnancy. The exposure to benzene and nitrogen dioxide showed linear association with leukemia risk. Other air pollutants did not show statistical correlation with leukemia risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yan-Ling Deng, Jia-Qiang Liao, Bin Zhou, Wen-Xin Zhang, Chong Liu, Xiao-Qiong Yuan, Pan-Pan Chen, Yu Miao, Qiong Luo, Fei-Peng Cui, Min Zhang, Sheng-Zhi Sun, Tong-Zhang Zheng, Wei Xia, Yuan-Yuan Li, Shun-Qing Xu, Qiang Zeng
Summary: This study discovered that prenatal exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 is negatively associated with CD3(+) and CD3(+)CD8(+) cells, while late pregnancy exposure is positively associated with CD3(+) cells. Postnatal exposure to these pollutants at 1 and 2 years old is positively associated with IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. Additionally, the associations of prenatal or postnatal air pollution exposure with cellular immune responses vary by child's sex.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jenni A. Shearston, Sebastian T. Rowland, Tanya Butt, Steven N. Chillrud, Joan A. Casey, Donald Edmondson, Markus Hilpert, Marianthi-Anna Kioumourtzoglou
Summary: Traffic-related air pollution, specifically exposure to NO2, can increase the risk of myocardial infarction. The current hourly US national air quality standard may not adequately protect cardiovascular health, as it is based on limited hourly-level effect estimates.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yang Liu, Lei Li, Jun Xie, Xuechun Jiao, Honglin Hu, Ying Zhang, Ruixue Tao, Fangbiao Tao, Peng Zhu
Summary: The study suggests that prenatal air pollution exposure may lead to fetal glucolipid metabolism disorders, while high fetal 25(OH)D levels could improve fetal systemic inflammation and glucolipid metabolism at low-medium levels of prenatal air pollution exposure.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elena Isaevska, Valentina Fiano, Federica Asta, Massimo Stafoggia, Giovenale Moirano, Maja Popovic, Costanza Pizzi, Morena Trevisan, Laura De Marco, Silvia Polidoro, Luigi Gagliardi, Franca Rusconi, Sonia Brescianini, Lorenza Nistico, Maria Antonietta Stazi, Luca Ronfani, Daniela Porta, Lorenzo Richiardi
Summary: Exposure to PM10 pollution during pregnancy can cause changes in cord blood DNA methylation. Exposure during early gestation is associated with more DNA methylation alterations. The study also demonstrates associations between exposure during different gestational periods and newborn telomere length.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karl Kilbo Edlund, Gerd Sallsten, Peter Molnar, Eva M. Andersson, Mikael Ogren, David Segersson, Erika Fagman, Bjorn Fagerberg, Lars Barregard, Goran Bergstrom, Leo Stockfelt
Summary: Long-term exposure to low levels of air pollution, particularly traffic-related pollutants, is positively associated with larger carotid artery plaque area, indicating the role of atherosclerosis as a main pathway between air pollution and cardiovascular disease. These associations are stronger in men and participants with cardiovascular risk factors.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiqing Li, Aimei Lu, Shucheng Si, Kai Zhang, Fang Tang, Fan Yang, Fuzhong Xue
Summary: This study found a dose-response relationship between exposure to various air pollutants (including PM2.5, PM10, NO, and NO2) and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). A comprehensive assessment of the impact of different air pollutants on VTE is important for prevention.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lulu Song, Mingyang Wu, Lulin Wang, Jianing Bi, Zhongqiang Cao, Shunqing Xu, Yaohua Tian, Chao Xiong, Youjie Wang
Summary: Recent studies have shown that prenatal ozone exposure is associated with newborn telomere length (TL), with positive associations during the 2nd trimester, 3rd trimester, and whole pregnancy, and a negative association during the 1st trimester. This study provides new evidence of a programming mechanism linking maternal ozone exposure to the initial setting of offspring's telomere biology.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chan Lu, Wenhui Yang, Faming Wang, Bin Li, Zijing Liu, Hongsen Liao
Summary: The study found that exposure to pollutants during pregnancy and after birth has an impact on children's doctor diagnosed pneumonia (DDP). Intrauterine and post-natal exposure to PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and PM10 were associated with DDP. Intrauterine exposure to PM2.5 and post-natal exposure to PM10 were associated with increased risk of pneumonia. The second trimester, third trimester, and first year after birth were identified as critical windows for PM2.5, PM2.5-10, and PM10 exposure. Daytime exposure to traffic-related pollution, especially in early life, increased the risk of DDP.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Lauren R. Linde, Adam Readhead, Pennan M. Barry, John R. Balmes, Joseph A. Lewnard
Summary: Wildfire-associated ambient air pollution is associated with an increased risk of active tuberculosis diagnosis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liangliang Ju, Changlian Li, Mei Yang, Shu Sun, Qi Zhang, Jiyu Cao, Rui Ding
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis of 60 studies on the association between maternal exposure to various air pollutants and the risk of preterm birth (PTB), finding that PM2.5, PM10, O-3, and NO2 were associated with PTB (including different levels of severity), while the relationship with NOx was unstable.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra Ramirez-Celis, Lisa A. Croen, Cathleen K. Yoshida, Stacey E. Alexeeff, Joseph Schauer, Robert H. Yolken, Paul Ashwood, Judy van de Water
Summary: Maternal autoantibody-related ASD (MAR ASD) is a subtype of autism where maternal autoantibodies cross the placenta and affect the developing brain, leading to neurodevelopmental alterations and autism-associated behaviors in the offspring. This study validated previously identified MAR ASD patterns and their accuracy in predicting ASD risk.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Anika Kalra, Manju Siju, Alisa Jenny, Hilary Spindler, Solange Madriz, Jami Baayd, Seema Handu, Rakesh Ghosh, Susanna Cohen, Dilys Walker
Summary: The study demonstrated the potential of Super Divya to engage simulation educators in continuous education. While some concerns around internet connectivity and accessibility were raised, the majority of Nurse Mentor Supervisors reacted positively to the idea of distributing Super Divya to other simulation educators. Participants also had suggestions for additional clinical and simulation educator training topics.
BMC MEDICAL EDUCATION
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rakesh Ghosh, Nicole Santos, Elizabeth Butrick, Anthony Wanyoro, Peter Waiswa, Eliana Kim, Dilys Walker
Summary: This study investigated the interaction of risks for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes between caesarean section (CS) and vaginal deliveries (VD). The results showed that CS was associated with a higher risk of stillbirth, predischarge neonatal mortality, and maternal mortality compared to VD. It was also found that mothers who received a CS had a lower risk of stillbirth if they were recorded as a referral.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anika Kalra, Nidhi Subramaniam, Ojungsangla Longkumer, Manju Siju, Liya Susan Jose, Rohit Srivastava, Sunny Lin, Seema Handu, Sudha Murugesan, Mikelle Lloyd, Solange Madriz, Alisa Jenny, Kevin Thorn, Kimberly Calkins, Heidi Breeze-Harris, Susanna R. Cohen, Rakesh Ghosh, Dilys Walker
Summary: A statewide quality improvement program was implemented in Bihar, India to improve the quality of intrapartum care in public health facilities. Nurses participated in simulation sessions to enhance their clinical, teamwork, and communication skills. A digital, interactive, comic series starring Super Divya was developed to reinforce key concepts of simulation facilitation in a less formal and more engaging manner.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abdullah M. Madany, Heather K. Hughes, Paul Ashwood
Summary: This study investigated the effect of antibiotics administered to pregnant dams on offspring gut microbiome composition and metabolic capabilities, and how these changes in the microbiota may influence their immune responses in both the periphery and the brain. The results show that the antibiotic cocktail significantly altered the diversity and taxonomy of the offspring's gut microbiota. Additionally, the predicted metabolic pathways were also significantly changed. In response to LPS immune challenge, the brains of the offspring showed decreased levels of innate inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. These findings suggest that maternal antibiotic use can have long-lasting effects on the gut microbiome and neuroimmune responses of offspring.
Article
Neurosciences
Juan M. Tamayo, Destanie Rose, Jamie S. Church, Jared J. Schwartzer, Paul Ashwood
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interactions, communication skills, and repetitive behaviors. Maternal allergic asthma may increase the likelihood of a child being diagnosed with ASD. Using a mouse model, researchers examined the effects of allergic asthma on the fetal environment and inflammatory markers. The results showed that allergic asthma altered cytokine expression in the fetal environment, leading to homeostatic and neuroinflammatory changes in the fetal brain.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abdullah M. Madany, Heather K. Hughes, Paul Ashwood
Summary: The study demonstrates that maternal antibiotic administration alters the diversity, composition, and metabolic pathways of offspring's gut microbiota, which undergoes continuous transformation in early age after weaning.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
H. K. Hughes, R. J. Moreno, P. Ashwood
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a diverse neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication and social behavior, often accompanied by restricted and repetitive behaviors. The prevalence of ASD has been increasing in recent decades, and both genetic and environmental factors are believed to contribute to its etiology. This review explores the evidence of innate immune dysfunction in ASD, including abnormal cellular function, neuroinflammation, and microglial activation.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin Zhang, Chan Lu, Yuguo Li, Dan Norback, Padmini Murthy, Radim J. Sram, Qihong Deng
Summary: The rapid increase in food allergies in children may be associated with early-life exposure to high levels of indoor and outdoor air pollution in China. This study suggests that air pollution may be a new route of food sensitization and contributes to the first and second waves of allergy epidemics.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
D. J. Erchick, E. A. Hazel, J. Katz, A. C. C. Lee, M. Diaz, L. S. F. Wu, S. Yoshida, R. Bahl, C. Grandi, A. B. Labrique, M. Rashid, S. Ahmed, A. D. Roy, R. Haque, S. Shaikh, A. H. Baqui, S. K. Saha, R. Khanam, S. Rahman, R. Shapiro, R. Zash, M. F. Silveira, R. Buffarini, P. Kolsteren, C. Lachat, L. Huybregts, D. Roberfroid, L. Zeng, Z. Zhu, J. He, X. Qiu, S. H. Gebreyesus, K. Tesfamariam, D. Bekele, G. Chan, E. Baye, F. Workneh, K. P. Asante, E. B. Kaali, S. Adu-Afarwuah, K. G. Dewey, S. Gyaase, B. J. Wylie, B. R. Kirkwood, A. Manu, R. D. Thulasiraj, J. Tielsch, R. Chowdhury, S. Taneja, G. R. Babu, P. Shriyan, P. Ashorn, K. Maleta, U. Ashorn, C. Mangani, S. Acevedo-Gallegos, M. J. Rodriguez-Sibaja, S. K. Khatry, S. C. LeClerq, L. C. Mullany, F. Jehan, M. Ilyas, S. J. Rogerson, H. W. Unger, R. Ghosh, S. Musange, V. Ramokolo, W. Zembe-Mkabile, M. Lazzerini, M. Rishard, D. Wang, W. W. Fawzi, D. T. R. Minja, C. Schmiegelow, H. Masanja, E. Smith, J. P. A. Lusingu, O. A. Msemo, F. M. Kabole, S. N. Slim, P. Keentupthai, A. Mongkolchati, R. Kajubi, A. Kakuru, P. Waiswa, D. Walker, D. H. Hamer, K. E. A. Semrau, E. B. Chaponda, R. M. Chico, B. Banda, K. Musokotwane, A. Manasyan, J. M. Pry, B. Chasekwa, J. Humphrey, R. E. Black
Summary: The study aims to examine the prevalence of novel newborn types among 541,285 live births in 23 countries from 2000 to 2021. The results show variations in the prevalence of different newborn types across regions and studies, highlighting the need for further investigation into the mortality risks associated with these types and the implications for targeted interventions to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James Milner, Robert Hughes, Sourangsu Chowdhury, Roberto Picetti, Rakesh Ghosh, Shunmay Yeung, Jos Lelieveld, Alan D. Dangour, Paul Wilkinson
Summary: Research examines the potential health benefits of global decarbonization actions on children and young people in 16 cities worldwide. Modelling the effects of removing combustion-related emissions on air pollution levels and using exposure-response relationships, researchers estimated reductions in childhood asthma and adverse birth outcomes. Results show significant variations in the reduction of childhood asthma incidence and the impact on adverse birth outcomes across different cities.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Alejandra Benitez, Maya L. Petersen, Mark J. van Der Laan, Nicole Santos, Elizabeth Butrick, Dilys Walker, Rakesh Ghosh, Phelgona Otieno, Peter Waiswa, Laura B. Balzer
Summary: Cluster randomized trials (CRTs) are commonly used to evaluate interventions delivered to groups of participants. However, there are challenges in specifying the causal effect and understanding the performance of common methods for CRT analysis. This study presents a framework to define causal effects and provides an overview of CRT estimators. The results show that TMLE is a promising tool for CRT analysis.
STATISTICS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rakesh Ghosh, Susanna R. R. Cohen, Nidhi Subramaniam, Seema Handu, Divya Vincent, Mikelle Lloyd, Kevin Thorn, Heidi Breeze Harris, Alisa Jenny, Dilys Walker
Summary: This study developed a series of interactive digital storytelling comic episodes called 'The Adventures of Super Divya (SD)' to strengthen the knowledge, skills, confidence, and engagement of simulation educators. The results show that after watching the episodes, there was an increase in knowledge scores, and this knowledge was largely retained over a 10-month period.
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kassoum Kayentao, Rakesh Ghosh, Lamine Guindo, Caroline Whidden, Emily Treleaven, Calvin Chiu, Diego Lassala, Mohamed Bana Traore, Jessica Beckerman, Djoume Diakite, Aly Tembely, Ben Moulaye Idriss, Mohamed Berthe, Jenny X. Liu, Ari Johnson
Summary: Through proactive home visits, community health workers have made significant progress in improving access to antenatal care for pregnant women. Additionally, providing antenatal care and institutional delivery services by professional CHWs in upgraded primary care clinics without any fees can increase the utilization rates of these services.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Rakesh Ghosh, Olorunfemi Owa, Nicole Santos, Elizabeth Butrick, Gilda Piaggio, Mariana Widmer, Fernando Althabe, Zahaida Qureshi, Pisake Lumbiganon, Geetanjali Katageri, Dilys Walker
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the influence of biologic and pharmacologic risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) on the non-inferiority of heat-stable carbetocin (HSC) compared with oxytocin. The results showed that macrosomia, high parity, history of PPH, and induction/augmentation were risk factors for PPH. There was no difference in the effects of HSC and oxytocin for PPH among women who were neither induced nor augmented or among those who were induced or augmented.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
