Publications by authors named "F A Harden"

Unlabelled: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been widely used and detected in human matrices. Evidence that PFAS exposure may be associated with adverse human reproductive health effects exists, however, data is limited. The use of a human matrix such as follicular fluid to determine chemical exposure, along with reproductive data will be used to investigate if there is a relationship between PFAS exposure and human fertility.

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The objective of the study was to determine the human serum elimination half-life of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) adjusted for ongoing exposure in subjects moving from a higher exposure region (North America) to a lower exposure region (Australia). The study population was comprised of exchange students and long-term visitors from North America moving to Brisbane, Australia (N = 27) and local residents (N = 23) who were followed by repeated serum sampling every other month. The local residents were sampled to adjust for ongoing exposure in Australia.

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Objectives: Ultrasound has an established role in the diagnostic pathway for children with suspected appendicitis. Relevant clinical information can influence the diagnostic probability and reporting of ultrasound findings. A Bayesian network (BN) is a directed acyclic graph (DAG) representing variables as nodes connected by directional arrows permitting visualisation of their relationships.

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Background: Emerging scientific evidence suggests that exposure to environmental pollutants is associated with negative effects on fecundity as measured by time to pregnancy (TTP).

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of the literature on the association between selected endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and fecundity as measured by TTP in humans. Compounds included in this review are: brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as hexabromocyclododecane, tetrabromobiphenol A and polybrominated diphenyl ethers; organophosphates flame retardants (OPFRs); and phthalates.

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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) were used intensively as flame retardants, worldwide. They have been detected in human serum samples and PBDEs have been found to be elevated in young children. Commercial Penta- and Octa-PBDE mixtures were banned in Australia in 2005, while HBCDD was banned worldwide in 2013.

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