Publications by authors named "B Bleske"

Rising global concentrations of environmental microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) drive concerns for human exposure and health outcomes. Complementary methods for the robust detection of tissue MNPs, including pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, confirm the presence of MNPs in human kidney, liver and brain. MNPs in these organs primarily consist of polyethylene, with lesser but significant concentrations of other polymers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The pulmonary system represents a unique lipidomic environment as it contains cellular membrane-bound lipid species and a specialized reservoir of lipids in the airway epithelial lining fluid. As a major initial point of defense, airway lipids react to inhaled contaminants such as volatile organic compounds, oxides of nitrogen, or ozone (O), creating lipokine signaling that is crucial for both the initiation and resolution of inflammation within the lung. Dietary modulation of eicosanoids has gained increased attention in recent years for improvements to cardiovascular health.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how air pollution, specifically ozone exposure during pregnancy, affects maternal health by examining its impact on blood pressure and body temperature in a rat model.
  • Researchers observed that rats exposed to ozone experienced lower heart rates and body temperatures compared to those not exposed, alongside a slight increase in arterial blood pressure that continued until delivery.
  • The findings support the use of animal models to better understand cardiovascular issues related to air pollution during pregnancy, highlighting an area of concern for maternal and fetal health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rising global concentrations of environmental micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) drive concerns for human exposure and health outcomes. Applying pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) methods to isolate and quantify MNPs from human samples, we compared MNP accumulation in kidneys, livers, and brains. Autopsy samples from the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque, NM, collected in 2016 and in 2024, were digested for Py-GC/MS analysis of 12 polymers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The contribution of air pollution induced cardio-pulmonary damage on the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and other adverse outcomes of pregnancy has gained increased attention as epidemiological data continues to highlight spatiotemporal pregnancy trends related to air pollution exposure. However clinical mechanistic data surrounding gestational complications remains sparse, necessitating the need for the use of animal models to study these types of complications of pregnancy. The current study seeks to examine the real-time effects of mid-gestational ozone exposure on maternal blood pressure and body temperature through the use of radiotelemetry in a rat model.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF