Particulate matter exposure during pregnancy is associated with birth weight, but not gestational age, 1962-1992: a cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Exposure to air pollutants is suggested to adversely affect fetal growth, but the evidence remains inconsistent in relation to specific outcomes and exposure windows.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using birth records from the two major maternity hospitals in Newcastle upon Tyne in northern England between 1961 and 1992, we constructed a database of all births to mothers resident within the city. Weekly black smoke exposure levels from routine data recorded at 20 air pollution monitoring stations were obtained and individual exposures were estimated via a two-stage modeling strategy, incorporating temporally and spatially varying covariates. Regression analyses, including 88,679 births, assessed potential associations between exposure to black smoke and birth weight, gestational age and birth weight standardized for gestational age and sex.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant associations were seen between black smoke and both standardized and unstandardized birth weight, but not for gestational age when adjusted for potential confounders. Not all associations were linear. For an increase in whole pregnancy black smoke exposure, from the 1^st(7.4 μg/m³) to the 25^th(17.2 μg/m³), 50^th(33.8 μg/m³), 75^th(108.3 μg/m³), and 90^th(180.8 μg/m³) percentiles, the adjusted estimated decreases in birth weight were 33 g (SE 1.05), 62 g (1.63), 98 g (2.26) and 109 g (2.44) respectively. A significant interaction was observed between socio-economic deprivation and black smoke on both standardized and unstandardized birth weight with increasing effects of black smoke in reducing birth weight seen with increasing socio-economic disadvantage.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings of this study progress the hypothesis that the association between black smoke and birth weight may be mediated through intrauterine growth restriction. The associations between black smoke and birth weight were of the same order of magnitude as those reported for passive smoking. These findings add to the growing evidence of the harmful effects of air pollution on birth outcomes.</p

Recommendations for quantitative cerebral perfusion MRI using multi‐timepoint arterial spin labeling: Acquisition, quantification, and clinical applications

Accurate assessment of cerebral perfusion is vital for understanding the hemodynamic processes involved in various neurological disorders and guiding clinical decision-making. This guidelines article provides a comprehensive overview of quantitative perfusion imaging of the brain using multi-timepoint arterial spin labeling (ASL), along with recommendations for its acquisition and quantification. A major benefit of acquiring ASL data with multiple label durations and/or post-labeling delays (PLDs) is being able to account for the effect of variable arterial transit time (ATT) on quantitative perfusion values and additionally visualize the spatial pattern of ATT itself, providing valuable clinical insights. Although multi-timepoint data can be acquired in the same scan time as single-PLD data with comparable perfusion measurement precision, its acquisition and postprocessing presents challenges beyond single-PLD ASL, impeding widespread adoption. Building upon the 2015 ASL consensus article, this work highlights the protocol distinctions specific to multi-timepoint ASL and provides robust recommendations for acquiring high-quality data. Additionally, we propose an extended quantification model based on the 2015 consensus model and discuss relevant postprocessing options to enhance the analysis of multi-timepoint ASL data. Furthermore, we review the potential clinical applications where multi-timepoint ASL is expected to offer significant benefits. This article is part of a series published by the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Perfusion Study Group, aiming to guide and inspire the advancement and utilization of ASL beyond the scope of the 2015 consensus article

Bio-hybrid materials for immunoassay-based sensing of cortisol

Sol–gel encapsulation has been used as the basis for detecting cortisol by an immunoassay approach. Previous research showed that antibodies immobilized in the pores of a sol–gel derived silica were able to bind cortisol and be used as an immunosensor. However, this approach was not effective when measuring cortisol levels in human serum because of interference from other fluorescence sources. The present paper describes a protocol which overcomes these limitations and enables sol–gel immunoassays to effectively measure cortisol in human serum over the physiological range of cortisol blood concentrations in an adult (2–28 μg/dL). The method involves a standard additions approach in which various amounts of cortisol are added to the serum. The cortisol concentration values obtained with our sol–gel immunoassay were typically within 10% of the values obtained by traditional analytical methods. The protocol presented here represents a significant contribution to sol–gel sensing and immunoassays in particular, because of the ability to detect an analyte in human serum. In addition, this work reports the first comparison between results from a sol–gel immunosensor and an alternative immuno-binding method for analyte detection

Bio-hybrid materials for immunoassay-based sensing of cortisol

Sol–gel encapsulation has been used as the basis for detecting cortisol by an immunoassay approach. Previous research showed that antibodies immobilized in the pores of a sol–gel derived silica were able to bind cortisol and be used as an immunosensor. However, this approach was not effective when measuring cortisol levels in human serum because of interference from other fluorescence sources. The present paper describes a protocol which overcomes these limitations and enables sol–gel immunoassays to effectively measure cortisol in human serum over the physiological range of cortisol blood concentrations in an adult (2–28 μg/dL). The method involves a standard additions approach in which various amounts of cortisol are added to the serum. The cortisol concentration values obtained with our sol–gel immunoassay were typically within 10% of the values obtained by traditional analytical methods. The protocol presented here represents a significant contribution to sol–gel sensing and immunoassays in particular, because of the ability to detect an analyte in human serum. In addition, this work reports the first comparison between results from a sol–gel immunosensor and an alternative immuno-binding method for analyte detection

An analysis of interprovincial migration in Vietnam from 1989 to 2009

BACKGROUND: In Vietnam, reports either present general patterns of internal migration or the migration characteristics of specific subgroups. Reports are often based on small numbers and do not examine the relationships between socioeconomic factors and migration. Different reports classify migrant populations differently, presenting difficulties for researchers and policymakers to gain a consistent picture of migration (particularly of interprovincial migration) and limiting the ability of policymakers to plan services appropriately. This study describes the characteristics of all migrants in Vietnam, focusing on interprovincial migrants, and examines age and sex trends and correlations among in-migration, urbanization, and individual income.Methods: We analyzed data from the 15% sample survey in the 2009 Population and Housing Census, the 3% sample in the 1999 national census, the 5% sample in the 1989 national census, and selected data from the 2008 Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey. Logistic regression was used to identify socioeconomic factors related to migration.Results: In 2009, of 6.7 million internal migrants (approximately 6.5% of the total population), 3.4 million were interprovincial migrants. Three notable trends were observed between 1989 and 2009: (i) the total population is characterized by increasing proportions of migrants; (ii) the proportion of female migrants is growing; and (iii) the average age of migrants is decreasing. Socioeconomic factors related to interprovincial migration include provincial economic status (monthly income per capita: OR = 4.62, p = 0.005) and urbanization (proportion of urban population: OR = 3.47, p = 0.019), suggesting that provinces with high monthly income per capita and urbanization are more likely to have higher rates of in-migration. Conclusion: These findings reflect the effects of unequally growing labor markets in Vietnamese provinces on migration, and are suggestive of infrastructure improvemen and public service needs in these areas. Analysis of migration can provide useful information for planning health and social services and for policymaking for national economic development