Probing the anharmonicity of vibrational polaritons with double-quantum two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy.

Strong coupling between the molecular vibrations and electromagnetic fields of light confined to an infrared cavity leads to the formation of vibro-polaritons - quasi-particles thought to provide the means to control the rates of chemical reactions inside a dark cavity. Despite the mechanisms indicating how vibrational coupling to the vacuum fields can affect the reaction rates are still not well understood, it has been recently demonstrated that the formation of the polariton states alters the ultrafast relaxation dynamics of the strongly coupled system. The relaxation dynamics in molecules, which is known to be important for the chemical reactivity, is directed by anharmonic couplings involving multiple intra- and inter-molecular vibrational degrees of freedom.

Contributions of maternal prenatal infection and antibiotic exposure to offspring infection and risk for allergic respiratory conditions through age 5.

Objectives: To determine if maternal prenatal infection increases risk of offspring postnatal infections through age 5 or diagnosis of respiratory allergy at age 5, independent of prenatal/postnatal antibiotic exposure. To evaluate if frequency of offspring infections mediates an association between prenatal infection and respiratory allergy at age 5.

Study Design: Secondary data analyses were performed from the Child Health and Development Studies (CHDS), a prospective, longitudinal birth cohort that enrolled pregnant women from 1959 to 1966 (N = 19,044 live births).

Early Intervention services in the era of genomic medicine: setting a research agenda.

Newborn genomic sequencing (NBSeq) has the potential to substantially improve early detection of rare genetic conditions, allowing for pre-symptomatic treatment to optimize outcomes. Expanding conceptions of the clinical utility of NBSeq include earlier access to behavioral early intervention to support the acquisition of core motor, cognitive, communication, and adaptive skills during critical windows in early development. However, important questions remain about equitable access to early intervention programs for the growing number of infants identified with a genetic condition via NBSeq.

In utero exposure to antihistamines and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a multigenerational cohort.

Background: Growing evidence suggests that liver disease originates in early life. Antihistamines cross the placenta and are frequently prescribed to pregnant women to treat nausea and vomiting, as well as allergy and asthma symptoms. Exposure to antihistamines in utero may impact the developing liver by reprogramming or inducing epigenetic changes in fetal hepatocytes.

Sex-specific DNA methylation signatures of autism spectrum disorder in newborn blood.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder comprises a group of neurodevelopmental conditions currently diagnosed by behavioral assessment in childhood, although neuropathology begins during gestation. A poorly understood male bias for ASD diagnosis is thought to be due to both biological sex differences and cultural biases against female diagnosis of ASD. Identification of molecular biomarkers of ASD likelihood in newborns would provide more objective screening and early intervention.