Mode of birth and DNA methylation at birth, in childhood, and in adolescence: Uncovering the relationship using ALSPAC data.

Mode of birth has been linked to offspring health. Changes in DNA methylation (DNAm) may represent a potential mechanism; however, findings are heterogeneous and limited to early infancy. This preregistered study examined whether mode of birth (vaginal birth compared with elective or emergency cesarean section) affects DNAm at birth, in childhood, and adolescence and whether these effects are modified by the postnatal care environment, specifically by breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding. Using data from 876 mother-infant dyads from the U.K. Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, we examined differentially methylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine dinucleotides and regions associated with mode of birth. DNAm was quantified using Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450 K BeadChip in cord blood (at birth) and in peripheral blood (at 7 and 15-17 years). Analyses controlled for maternal age, education, smoking during pregnancy, child sex, gestational week at birth, and batch effects. We also examined interactions of mode of birth with breastfeeding practices and mother-infant bonding. In cord blood, two cytosine-phosphate-guanine dinucleotides (cg05230316; cg13230077) were linked to mode of birth (pFDR < .050). DNAm in childhood or adolescence was not statistically associated with mode of birth (pFDR > .050), and breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding were not moderators (p > .050). Overall, findings suggest mode of birth may have a small effect on cord blood DNAm, but these effects may not persist into later developmental stages. Other postnatal influences should be considered, and further investigation is needed to address study limitations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Maternal postpartum depressive symptoms: The predictive role of objective and subjective birth experience and hair glucocorticoids.

BACKGROUND: Having a negative childbirth experience is a known risk-factor for developing postpartum depression (PPD). Alterations of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis have been discussed as a potential underlying mechanism. However, research on the association between negative birth experiences and long-term integrated glucocorticoids (GCs) is lacking. This study aimed to examine whether objective and subjective birth experience predicted long-term GCs and PPD symptoms. METHODS: Measures of objective and subjective birth experience, PPD symptoms, and hair strands for the assessment of hair cortisol concentrations (HairF), hair cortisone concentrations (HairE), and HairF/HairE ratio, were provided eight weeks after childbirth by 235 mothers participating in the study DREAMHAIR. RESULTS: A negative objective birth experience predicted a higher HairF/HairE ratio but was not associated with HairF or HairE. The subjective birth experience did not explain additional variance in hair GCs but was a significant predictor for PPD symptoms. A higher HairF/HairE ratio predicted PPD symptoms when controlling for prepartum depressive symptoms and number of lifetime traumatic events. LIMITATIONS: Analyses were based on a relatively homogeneous sample and women reported in general positive birth experiences and low levels of depressive symptoms. Therefore, results should be applied to the broader population with caution. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that negative objective birth experience is associated with an altered HairF/HairE ratio, which in turn, seems to be a promising biomarker to identify women at risk for developing PPD. A negative subjective birth experience may be less critical for alterations of the HPA-axis but remains an essential risk factor for PPD.

Estudio de mutaciones en neoplasias mieloproliferativas Philadelphia negativas en un hospital público chileno / Search for mutations in patients with Philadelphia negative myeloproliferative neoplasms in a public hospital in Chile

BACKGROUND: Philadelphia negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-MPN) are clonal disorders whose pathogenesis has been elucidated in recent years, creating diagnostic and prognostic algorithms. AIM: To study JAK2, CALR y MPL gene mutations in patients with Ph-MPN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional observational study of patients with MPN (2015-2019), reviewing clinical, demographic and laboratory data. JAK2, CALR and MPL gene mutations were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results: We studied 72 patients. Fifty percent had essential thrombocythemia (ET), 26.4% had polycythemia vera (PV) and 23.6% had primary myelofibrosis (PM). Bone marrow biopsy was available in 76.5%. At diagnosis, the mean age was 65.5 years and 61% were symptomatic. A thrombotic event was the most frequent problem in 20% and 25% had splenomegaly. There were statistically significant differences in hematological parameters between the different MPNs. JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in 61.1%. Only 19 JAK2 V617F negative patients were available for CALR and MPL mutation studies, identifying 10 triple negative cases. Kaplan Meier curves showed a median survival of 88 months, being similar in the three MPNs. Causes of death in 20 patients were thrombotic complications in 30%, disease progression in 25%, infection in 20%, other neoplasms in 15% and other causes in 10%. CONCLUSIONS: The presentation and frequency of JAK2 V617F, CALR and MPL mutations in our cohort was similar to those reported in other studies for ET and PM. JAK2 V617F mutation was lower for PV. No significant differences between the three MPNs were observed for overall survival. We could not assess the prognostic value of the mutations.

[Search for mutations in patients with Philadelphia negative myeloproliferative neoplasms in a public hospital in Chile]. / Estudio de mutaciones en neoplasias mieloproliferativas Philadelphia negativas en un hospital público chileno.

BACKGROUND: Philadelphia negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-MPN) are clonal disorders whose pathogenesis has been elucidated in recent years, creating diagnostic and prognostic algorithms. AIM: To study JAK2, CALR y MPL gene mutations in patients with Ph-MPN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional observational study of patients with MPN (2015-2019), reviewing clinical, demographic and laboratory data. JAK2, CALR and MPL gene mutations were analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: We studied 72 patients. Fifty percent had essential thrombocythemia (ET), 26.4% had polycythemia vera (PV) and 23.6% had primary myelofibrosis (PM). Bone marrow biopsy was available in 76.5%. At diagnosis, the mean age was 65.5 years and 61% were symptomatic. A thrombotic event was the most frequent problem in 20% and 25% had splenomegaly. There were statistically significant differences in hematological parameters between the different MPNs. JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in 61.1%. Only 19 JAK2 V617F negative patients were available for CALR and MPL mutation studies, identifying 10 triple negative cases. Kaplan Meier curves showed a median survival of 88 months, being similar in the three MPNs. Causes of death in 20 patients were thrombotic complications in 30%, disease progression in 25%, infection in 20%, other neoplasms in 15% and other causes in 10%. CONCLUSIONS: The presentation and frequency of JAK2 V617F, CALR and MPL mutations in our cohort was similar to those reported in other studies for ET and PM. JAK2 V617F mutation was lower for PV. No significant differences between the three MPNs were observed for overall survival. We could not assess the prognostic value of the mutations.

Percepciones de la enfermedad y hábitos de vida saludable en personas con enfermedades crónicas / Illness perceptions and healthy life habits in people with chronic disease

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar las percepciones de la enfermedad que se asocian con hábitos de vida saludable en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas en Medellín y municipios aledaños. Método: Estudio prospectivo correlacional basado en la aplicación del cuestionario breve de percepciones de la enfermedad (BIPQ), cuestionario de la salud del paciente (PHQ-9), cuestionario de ansiedad generalizada (GAD-7) y un cuestionario de hábitos de vida saludable. Participaron 51 pacientes con diferentes enfermedades crónicas: migraña, cáncer de seno, diabetes, artritis reumatoide, enfermedad cardiovascular e hipertensión arterial primaria. La evaluación de los hábitos de vida saludable se llevó a cabo tres meses después. Resultados: Se encontró que en promedio los participantes comprenden su enfermedad (M = 8,09, D.T. = 2,48), perciben que sus acciones (M = 7,06, D.T. = 2,79) y el tratamiento (M = 7,89, D.T. = 2,69) la controlan y que esta tiene un carácter crónico (M = 7,49, D.T. = 3,16); que hay correlaciones entre los hábitos de vida saludables (HVS) con la percepción de consecuencias de forma negativa, y la identidad y preocupación emocional de manera positiva (p < 0,05). Además, que una relación lineal entre las consecuencias (Beta = 0,391) y la preocupación emocional por la enfermedad (Beta = 0,311) con los HVS, F (5, 45) = 2,707, p < 0,05. Las proporciones de depresión y ansiedad en la muestra fueron similares a las de la población general. Conclusiones: La percepción de que una enfermedad tiene consecuencias negativas y la preocupación por esta lleva a la implementación de comportamientos saludables.

Abstract Objective: This paper aims to assess illness perceptions associated with healthy lifestyle habits in patients with chronic diseases in Medellin and surrounding municipalities. Method: A prospective correlational study was conducted using a brief illness perceptions questionnaire (BIPQ), a patient's health questionnaire (PHQ-9), a generalized anxiety questionnaire (GAD-7) and a healthy habits questionnaire. 51 patients with different chronic diseases were sampled, illness such as: migraine, breast cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and primary arterial hypertension. The assessment of healthy lifestyle habits (HLH) was done three months later. Results: It was found, as a result, that people with chronic diseases understand their illness (M = 8.09, S.D. = 2.48); some of them perceive that their actions (M = 7.06, S.D. = 2.79) and others perceive that their treatment (M = 7.89, S.D. = 2.69) control their diseases and that they have a chronic nature (M = 7.49, S.D. = 3.16). Significant correlations were found between HLH and the perception of consequences in a negative way, and the emotional identity and concern in a positive way (p < 0.05). A linear relationship was found between consequences (Beta = 0.391) and the emotional concern (Beta = 0.311) for the disease with HLH, F (5. 45) = 2.707, p < 0.05. The proportion of depression and anxiety in the sample was similar to general population. Conclusions: The perception that a disease has negative consequences and the concern for it leads to the implementation of healthy behaviors.

Effect of collection methods on combustion particle physicochemical properties and their biological response in a human macrophage-like cell line.

In vitro studies are a first step toward understanding the biological effects of combustion-derived particulate matter (cdPM). A vast majority of studies expose cells to cdPM suspensions, which requires a method to collect cdPM and suspend it in an aqueous media. The consequences of different particle collection methods on particle physiochemical properties and resulting biological responses are not fully understood. This study investigated the effect of two common approaches (collection on a filter and a cold plate) and one relatively new (direct bubbling in DI water) approach to particle collection. The three approaches yielded cdPM with differences in particle size distribution, surface area, composition, and oxidative potential. The directly bubbled sample retained the smallest sized particles and the bimodal distribution observed in the gas-phase. The bubbled sample contained ∼50% of its mass as dissolved species and lower molecular weight compounds, not found in the other two samples. These differences in the cdPM properties affected the biological responses in THP-1 cells. The bubbled sample showed greater oxidative potential and cellular reactive oxygen species. The scraped sample induced the greatest TNFα secretion. These findings have implications for in vitro studies of air pollution and for efforts to better understand the underlying mechanisms.

Application of a Quartz Crystal Microbalance to Measure the Mass Concentration of Combustion Particle Suspensions.

Researchers studying the biological effects of combustion particles typically rely on suspending particles in de-ionized (DI) water, buffer, and/or media prior to in vitro or in vivo experiments. However, the hydrophobic nature of combustion particles makes it difficult to obtain well-suspended, evenly dispersed mixtures, which also makes it difficult to obtain equivalent dosing and endpoint comparisons. This study explored the use of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to measure the mass concentration of combustion particle suspensions. It compared the QCM mass concentration to that estimated by placing a known mass of combustion particles in DI water. It also evaluated the effect of drop volume and combustion particle type on QCM measurements. The results showed that QCM is a promising direct method for measuring suspended combustion particle mass concentrations, and it is particularly effective for quantifying concentrations of difficult-to-suspend particles and for combustion particles placed in polystyrene containers, which can lead to substantial particle losses.

Effects of fuel components and combustion particle physicochemical properties on toxicological responses of lung cells.

The physicochemical properties of combustion particles that promote lung toxicity are not fully understood, hindered by the fact that combustion particles vary based on the fuel and combustion conditions. Real-world combustion-particle properties also continually change as new fuels are implemented, engines age, and engine technologies evolve. This work used laboratory-generated particles produced under controlled combustion conditions in an effort to understand the relationship between different particle properties and the activation of established toxicological outcomes in human lung cells (H441 and THP-1). Particles were generated from controlled combustion of two simple biofuel/diesel surrogates (methyl decanoate and dodecane/biofuel-blended diesel (BD), and butanol and dodecane/alcohol-blended diesel (AD)) and compared to a widely studied reference diesel (RD) particle (NIST SRM2975/RD). BD, AD, and RD particles exhibited differences in size, surface area, extractable chemical mass, and the content of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Some of these differences were directly associated with different effects on biological responses. BD particles had the greatest surface area, amount of extractable material, and oxidizing potential. These particles and extracts induced cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1B1 enzyme mRNA in lung cells. AD particles and extracts had the greatest total PAH content and also caused CYP1A1 and 1B1 mRNA induction. The RD extract contained the highest relative concentration of 2-ring PAHs and stimulated the greatest level of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) cytokine secretion. Finally, AD and RD were more potent activators of TRPA1 than BD, and while neither the TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 nor the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) affected CYP1A1 or 1B1 mRNA induction, both inhibitors reduced IL-8 secretion and mRNA induction. These results highlight that differences in fuel and combustion conditions affect the physicochemical properties of particles, and these differences, in turn, affect commonly studied biological/toxicological responses.

Legal Knowledge as a Tool for Social Change: La Mesa por la Vida y la Salud de las Mujeres as an Expert on Colombian Abortion Law.

In May 2006, Colombia's Constitutional Court liberalized abortion, introducing three circumstances under which the procedure would not be considered a crime: (1) rape or incest; (2) a risk to the woman's health or life; and (3) fetal malformations incompatible with life. Immediately following the court's ruling, known as Sentence C-355, members of La Mesa por la Vida y Salud de las Mujeres (hereinafter La Mesa) began to mobilize to ensure the decision's implementation, bearing in mind the limited impact that the legal framework endorsed by the court has had in other countries in the region. We argue that La Mesa's strategy is an innovative one in the field of legal mobilization insofar as it presumes that law can be shaped not just by public officials and universities but also by social actors engaged in the creation and diffusion of legal knowledge. In this regard, La Mesa has become a legal expert on abortion by accumulating knowledge about the multiple legal rules affecting the practice of abortion and about the situations in which these rules are to be applied. In addition, by becoming a legal expert, La Mesa has been able to persuade health providers that they will not risk criminal prosecution or being fired if they perform abortions. We call this effect of legal mobilization a "pedagogical effect" insofar as it involves the production of expertise and appropriation of knowledge by health professionals. We conclude by discussing La Mesa's choice to become a legal expert on abortion as opposed to recruiting academics to do this work or encouraging women to produce and disseminate this knowledge.

Coupling between Chemical and Meteorological Processes under Persistent Cold-Air Pool Conditions: Evolution of Wintertime PM2.5 Pollution Events and N2O5 Observations in Utah's Salt Lake Valley.

The Salt Lake Valley experiences severe fine particulate matter pollution episodes in winter during persistent cold-air pools (PCAPs). We employ measurements throughout an entire winter from different elevations to examine the chemical and dynamical processes driving these episodes. Whereas primary pollutants such as NOx and CO were enhanced twofold during PCAPs, O3 concentrations were approximately threefold lower. Atmospheric composition varies strongly with altitude within a PCAP at night with lower NOx and higher oxidants (O3) and oxidized reactive nitrogen (N2O5) aloft. We present observations of N2O5 during PCAPs that provide evidence for its role in cold-pool nitrate formation. Our observations suggest that nighttime and early morning chemistry in the upper levels of a PCAP plays an important role in aerosol nitrate formation. Subsequent daytime mixing enhances surface PM2.5 by dispersing the aerosol throughout the PCAP. As pollutants accumulate and deplete oxidants, nitrate chemistry becomes less active during the later stages of the pollution episodes. This leads to distinct stages of PM2.5 pollution episodes, starting with a period of PM2.5 buildup and followed by a period with plateauing concentrations. We discuss the implications of these findings for mitigation strategies.

Predicting emissions from oil and gas operations in the Uinta Basin, Utah.

UNLABELLED: In this study, emissions of ozone precursors from oil and gas operations in Utah's Uinta Basin are predicted (with uncertainty estimates) from 2015-2019 using a Monte-Carlo model of (a) drilling and production activity, and (b) emission factors. Cross-validation tests against actual drilling and production data from 2010-2014 show that the model can accurately predict both types of activities, returning median results that are within 5% of actual values for drilling, 0.1% for oil production, and 4% for gas production. A variety of one-time (drilling) and ongoing (oil and gas production) emission factors for greenhouse gases, methane, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are applied to the predicted oil and gas operations. Based on the range of emission factor values reported in the literature, emissions from well completions are the most significant source of emissions, followed by gas transmission and production. We estimate that the annual average VOC emissions rate for the oil and gas industry over the 2010-2015 time period was 44.2E+06 (mean) ± 12.8E+06 (standard deviation) kg VOCs per year (with all applicable emissions reductions). On the same basis, over the 2015-2019 period annual average VOC emissions from oil and gas operations are expected to drop 45% to 24.2E+06 ± 3.43E+06 kg VOCs per year, due to decreases in drilling activity and tighter emission standards. IMPLICATIONS: This study improves upon previous methods for estimating emissions of ozone precursors from oil and gas operations in Utah's Uinta Basin by tracking one-time and ongoing emission events on a well-by-well basis. The proposed method has proven highly accurate at predicting drilling and production activity and includes uncertainty estimates to describe the range of potential emissions inventory outcomes. If similar input data are available in other oil and gas producing regions, then the method developed here could be applied to those regions as well.

Low-wind/high particulate matter episodes in the Calexico/Mexicali region.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently classifies Imperial County, CA, as a nonattainment area for PM10 (particulate matter [PM] < or = 10 microm in diameter), and this region suffers from high rates of chronic bronchitis and childhood asthma. Although high annual and daily average PM levels can have negative health and economic effects, recent studies have identified an association between adverse health effects and short-term PM spikes of tens of micrograms per cubic meter. This study identified PM episodes in Calexico/Mexicali that involve PM concentration spikes with concentrations up to 10 times greater than those reported to cause adverse health effects. These episodes appear to be relatively common during the winter months, are associated with wind speeds below 2 m/sec and stable boundary level heights below 500 m, and can comprise a large portion of the 24-hr PM levels. The organic composition of the PM10 samples collected during the low-wind/ high-PM episodes differed from that collected at other times. However, a preliminary source attribution identified only one significant difference between the source classes: agricultural burning accounted for 6.7% of organic-fraction PM10 for low-wind/high-PM episodes versus 0.25% at other times. This preliminary source attribution also revealed that motor vehicles were the most important relative contributor to organic PM10.

Examen oftalmológico en estudiantes de odontología y su relación con el uso de la lámpara de fotocurado / Ophthalmologic examination in dental school students and its relationship with the use of dental curing light

Objetivo: Se determinó el diagnóstico oftalmológico de estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad del Valle (Cali, Colombia), y se compararon los hallazgos de la valoración oftalmológica entre un grupo de estudiantes previamente expuestos, y otro de estudiantes no expuestos al uso de la lámpara de fotocurado en la práctica clínica. Métodos: Se aplicó una encuesta por entrevista acerca de posibles patologías, accidentes y variables relacionadas con daño ocular, entre ellas el uso de la lámpara de fotocurado. Adicional a esta, a cada estudiante se le practicó un electroretinograma, una fotografía de fondo de ojo y un examen oftalmológico completo. Resultados: No se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el daño ocular y la exposición a la lámpara, pero se observó una tendencia a un mayor porcentaje de estudiantes de noveno semestre que presentaron algún tipo de daño ocular, comparado con los estudiantes de quinto semestre. Conclusiones: Es importante continuar promoviendo y profundizando el conocimiento acerca de medidas de bioseguridad en estudiantes de odontología, docentes, auxiliares y pacientes, así como dar continuidad a trabajos interdisciplinarios como éste, en el cual se trabajó de manera complementaria con oftalmólogos. Se recomienda realizar estudios posteriores a la misma población después de un periodo de tiempo mayor a dos años.(AU)

Objective: We determined the ophthalmic diagnostic of dental students at the University del Valle (Cali, Colombia), andcompared the findings of ophthalmologic evaluation in a group of students previously exposed to the use of the curing light in clinical practice, and other group of students not exposed to it. Methods: It was implemented a survey by interview to report possible diseases, accidents and variables related to ocular pathology, including the use of curing lamp. Additional to this, it was performed an electroretinography, a photograph of eye fundus and a complete ophthalmological examination to each student. Results: It was not found a statistically significant association between injury and exposure to the lamp, but there was a trend towards a higher percentage of ninthsemester students who presented some kind of ocular pathology, compared with students coursing fifth semester. Conclusion: It is important to continue promoting and increasing knowledge about biosafety standards in dental students, dentists, assistants and patients, and give continuity to interdisciplinary work like this, which worked in a complementary manner with ophthalmologists. Further studies are recommended in the same population, after a period longer than two years.(AU)