Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on births and induced abortions in Southern Sweden: a register-based study.

Background: Pandemics are linked with declining birth rates, but little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced childbearing decisions. We aimed to investigate the associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and reproductive decisions, specifically to identify potential changes in the frequency of deliveries and induced abortions in Skåne, Sweden.

Methods: Using the Skåne Healthcare Register, we identified women aged 15-45 years who had at least one pregnancy-related care visit registered between 1 January 2013 and 11 November 11 2021.

Estimated Transfer of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Maternal Serum to Breast Milk in Women Highly Exposed from Contaminated Drinking Water: A Study in the Ronneby Mother-Child Cohort.

Background: Infancy perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure from breastfeeding is partially determined by the transfer efficiencies (TEs) of PFAS from maternal serum into breast milk. However, to our knowledge there are no studies of such TEs in highly exposed populations.

Objectives: We estimated the TEs of PFAS from maternal serum into colostrum and breast milk in a cohort of women with a wide range of PFAS exposures.

Changes in perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in human milk over the course of lactation: A study in Ronneby mother-child cohort.

Background: Little is known about how PFAS concentrations in human milk change over the course of lactation, although this is an important determinant of cumulative infant exposure from breastfeeding.

Objective: To estimate changes in PFAS concentrations in human milk over the course of lactation in a population with a wide range of exposure from background-to high-exposed.

Methods: We measured PFAS concentrations in colostrum and mature milk samples from women in the Ronneby Mother-Child Cohort.

Exposure to Unconventional Oil and Gas Development and All-cause Mortality in Medicare Beneficiaries.

Little is known about whether exposure to unconventional oil and gas development is associated with higher mortality risks in the elderly and whether related air pollutants are exposure pathways. We studied a cohort of 15,198,496 Medicare beneficiaries (136,215,059 person-years) in all major U.S.

Early-life exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances in relation to serum adipokines in a longitudinal birth cohort.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure has been linked to metabolic health outcomes such as obesity, and changes in adipokine hormones may be one of the underlying biological mechanisms. We prospectively evaluated the associations between prenatal and early childhood exposures to PFASs and adipokines in children.

Material And Methods: PFAS concentrations were measured in serum samples collected at birth, 18 months, and 5 and 9 years, and adiponectin, leptin, leptin receptor, and resistin were measured in serum samples collected at birth and 9 years.

Serum vaccine antibody concentrations in adults exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A birth cohort in the Faroe Islands.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly persistent in the environment and may cause depressed immune function. Previous studies have linked PFAS exposure to lower vaccine responses in children, but research in adults is limited. Therefore, the present study evaluated the associations between exposure to PFASs and serum antibody concentrations in adults vaccinated at age 28 years in the Faroe Islands.

Early-life associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and serum lipids in a longitudinal birth cohort.

Background: Exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may affect metabolic outcomes, including lipid concentrations in the blood. However, few studies have evaluated potential associations between PFASs and lipids longitudinally.

Objectives: We estimated associations between PFAS and lipid concentrations at birth and at several points in childhood.

A spatiotemporal ensemble model to predict gross beta particulate radioactivity across the contiguous United States.

Particulate radioactivity, a characteristic of particulate matter, is primarily determined by the abundance of radionuclides that are bound to airborne particulates. Exposure to high levels of particulate radioactivity has been associated with negative health outcomes. However, there are currently no spatially and temporally resolved particulate radioactivity data for exposure assessment purposes.

Predicting Monthly Community-Level Domestic Radon Concentrations in the Greater Boston Area with an Ensemble Learning Model.

Inhaling radon and its progeny is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, previous studies of the health effects of residential exposure to radon in the United States were commonly based on a county-level temporally invariant radon model that was developed using measurements collected in the mid- to late 1980s. We developed a machine learning model to predict monthly radon concentrations for each ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) in the Greater Boston area based on 363,783 short-term measurements by Spruce Environmental Technologies, Inc.

Unconventional oil and gas development and ambient particle radioactivity.

Unconventional oil and natural gas development (UOGD) expanded extensively in the United States from the early 2000s. However, the influence of UOGD on the radioactivity of ambient particulate is not well understood. We collected the ambient particle radioactivity (PR) measurements of RadNet, a nationwide environmental radiation monitoring network.

Ambient particle radioactivity and gestational diabetes: A cohort study of more than 1 million pregnant women in Massachusetts, USA.

Background: Exposure to ionizing radiation increases the risk of chronic metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Internal ionizing radiation from inhaled radioactive aerosol may contribute to the associations between fine particulate matter (PM) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: We used the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records to study 1,061,937 pregnant women from 2001 to 2015 with a singleton pregnancy without pre-existing diabetes.

Exposure to Particle Beta Radiation in Greater Massachusetts and Factors Influencing Its Spatial and Temporal Variability.

Particle radioactivity is a property of airborne particles caused by the presence of naturally occurring or anthropogenic radionuclides. Recent studies have found associations between particle radioactivity and adverse health outcomes, including changes in blood pressure and lung function. However, the spatiotemporal distribution of particle radioactivity and factors influencing its variability have not been extensively studied.

The Role of Ambient Particle Radioactivity in Inflammation and Endothelial Function in an Elderly Cohort.

Background: The mechanisms by which exposure to particulate matter might increase risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are not fully known. However, few existing studies have investigated the potential role of particle radioactivity. Naturally occurring radionuclides attach to particulate matter and continue to release ionizing radiation after inhalation and deposition in the lungs.

Short-term exposure to ambient particle gamma radioactivity is associated with increased risk for all-cause non-accidental and cardiovascular mortality.

Background: Recent studies have found that particulate matter (PM) attached radioactivity was associated with certain adverse health effects including increased blood pressure and lung dysfunction. However, there has been no investigation on the direct effect of PM radioactivity on mortality.

Methods: Exposures to ambient PM gamma activities were determined using U.

Short-term ambient particle radioactivity level and renal function in older men: Insight from the Normative Aging Study.

Background: Whole-body and thoracic ionizing radiation exposure are both associated with the development of renal dysfunction. However, whether low-level environmental radiation from air pollution affects renal function remains unknown.

Objectives: We investigated the association of particle radioactivity (PR) with renal function defined by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Normative Aging Study.

County-level radon exposure and all-cause mortality risk among Medicare beneficiaries.

Background: Radon is an inert gas formed from the decay of naturally-occurring materials in the earth's crust. It infiltrates into homes from soil, water, and construction materials. Its decay products are radionuclides, which attach to ambient particles.

Effect modification of ambient particle mortality by radon: A time series analysis in 108 U.S. cities.

Numerous studies have reported a positive association between ambient fine particles and daily mortality, but little is known about the particle properties or environmental factors that may contribute to these effects. This study assessed potential modification of radon on PM (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm)-associated daily mortality in 108 U.

Associations Between Ambient Particle Radioactivity and Blood Pressure: The NAS (Normative Aging Study).

Background: The cardiovascular effects of low-level environmental radiation exposures are poorly understood. Although particulate matter (PM) has been linked to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and elevated blood pressure (BP), the properties promoting its toxicity remain uncertain. Addressing a knowledge gap, we evaluated whether BP increased with higher exposures to radioactive components of ambient PM, herein referred to as particle radioactivity (PR).