Air pollution during pregnancy and placental adaptation in the levels of global DNA methylation.

Background: Health in early life is crucial for health later in life. Exposure to air pollution during embryonic and early-life development can result in placental epigenetic modification and foetus reprogramming, which can influence disease susceptibility in later life. Objectives: The aim of this paper was to investigate the placental adaptation in the level of global DNA methylation and differential gene expression in the methylation cycle in new-borns exposed to high fine particulate matter in the foetal stage.

Negative correlation of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and bone mineral density in postmenopausal Iranian women with vitamin D deficiency.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and bone status taking into account serum vitamin D levels in postmenopausal Iranian women.

Methods: During January 2015 and February 2016, a total of 488 postmenopausal Iranian women participated in this cross-sectional study, all of whom were not taking osteoporosis medication and were not suffering from any chronic disorder. Dual X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess bone mineral density (BMD) of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4).