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

Relative carbanion basicities as driving force for an intramolecular silyl migration of lithiated biphenyls

A solvent-dependent silyl migration of lithiated biphenyls is described, involving the intermediate formation of a pentacoordinated silicate complex. Differences in the relative basicities of the aryllithium intermediates are the possible driving force for this migration. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Catalytic Palladium Phosphination: Modular Synthesis of C1-Symmetric Biaryl-Based Diphosphines

International audienceA new family of C1-symmetric bis(diphenylphosphino)biphenyls have been prepared starting from readily available ortho,ortho′-dihalobiphenyl precursors by a palladium-catalyzed C–P coupling reaction. This process does not require the use of an additional ligand. To date, the synthesis of such diphosphines, by reaction of an intermediate biphenyldiyl dianion with ClPPh2, mainly afforded the undesired cyclic phosphafluorene derivative. So far, no synthetic pathway has been found to avoid this intramolecular reaction. Herein we report the first general and external-ligand-free palladium-catalyzed phosphination reaction that allows the synthesis of a wide variety of substituted ortho,ortho′-bis(diphenylphosphino)biphenyls. With the aim of illustrating the scope and efficiency of this methodology, we applied it to the establishment of a straightforward access to C1-symmetrical analogues of the most powerful ligands used in homogenous catalysis and extended it to more challenging substrates

Unusual phosphine oxidation: new triazolopyridyl-quinolyl phosphine oxide fluorescent dyes

3-(2-Pyridyl)-[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]quinolylphosphines suffer an unusual phosphine oxidation due to their special geometry that allows a s-donation of the nitrogen (N1) lone pair to phosphorus. This family of compounds behaves as strong fluorophores with high quantum yields

A physico-chemical investigation of fluorine-enriched quinolines

Quinoline derivatives bearing fluoroalkyl groups at both 2 and 4 positions are scarcely described in the literature. Nevertheless, the addition of fluorine onto the quinoline core might bring about new interesting physico-chemical properties. To confirm this hypothesis a homogenous series of 2,4-bis(fluoroalkyl)-substituted quinolines was synthesized under mild reaction conditions and their physico-chemical properties were thoroughly investigated by various techniques to illustrate their potential usefulness as new building blocks for applications ranging from organic chemistry to materials science

A Delphi Process to Optimize Quality and Performance of Drug Evaluation in Neonates

Background: Neonatal trials remain difficult to conduct for several reasons: in particular the need for study sites to have an existing infrastructure in place, with trained investigators and validated quality procedures to ensure good clinical, laboratory practices and a respect for high ethical standards. The objective of this work was to identify the major criteria considered necessary for selecting neonatal intensive care units that are able to perform drug evaluations competently. Methodology and Main Findings: This Delphi process was conducted with an international multidisciplinary panel of 25 experts from 13 countries, selected to be part of two committees (a scientific committee and an expert committee), in order to validate criteria required to perform drug evaluation in neonates. Eighty six items were initially selected and classified under 7 headings: "NICUs description - Level of care'' (21), "Ability to perform drug trials: NICU organization and processes (15), "Research Experience'' (12), "Scientific competencies and area of expertise'' (8), "Quality Management'' (16), "Training and educational capacity'' (8) and "Public involvement'' (6). Sixty-one items were retained and headings were rearranged after the first round, 34 were selected after the second round. A third round was required to validate 13 additional items. The final set includes 47 items divided under 5 headings. Conclusion: A set of 47 relevant criteria will help to NICUs that want to implement, conduct or participate in drug trials within a neonatal network identify important issues to be aware of. Summary Points: 1) Neonatal trials remain difficult to conduct for several reasons: in particular the need for study sites to have an existing infrastructure in place, with trained investigators and validated quality procedures to ensure good clinical, laboratory practices and a respect for high ethical standards. 2) The present Delphi study was conducted with an international multidisciplinary panel of 25 experts from 13 countries and aims to identify the major criteria considered necessary for selecting neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that are able to perform drug evaluations competently. 3) Of the 86 items initially selected and classified under 7 headings - "NICUs description - Level of care'' (21), "Ability to perform drug trials: NICU organization and processes (15), "Research Experience'' (12), "Scientific competencies and area of expertise'' (8), "Quality Management'' (16), "Training and educational capacity'' (8) and "Public involvement'' (6) - 47 items were selected following a three rounds Delphi process. 4) The present consensus will help NICUs to implement, conduct or participate in drug trials within a neonatal network.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant agreement no. 261060 (Global Research in Paediatrics Network - GRiP). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript