Publications by authors named "N Wauters"

Objective: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) primarily affects small vessels. Large-vessel involvement (LVI) is rare. We aimed to describe the characteristics of LVI, to identify associated risk factors, and to describe its therapeutic management.

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Background: Exposure to phthalate/DINCH metabolites can induce human reproductive toxicity, however, their endocrine-disrupting mechanisms are not fully elucidated.

Objective: To investigate the association between concentrations of phthalate/DINCH metabolites, serum kisspeptin, and reproductive hormones among European teenagers from three of the HBM4EU Aligned Studies.

Methods: In 733 Belgian (FLEHS IV study), Slovak (PCB cohort follow-up), and Spanish (BEA study) teenagers, ten phthalate and two DINCH metabolites were measured in urine by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

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Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rare and life-threatening condition characterized by the persistence of antiphospholipid antibodies and occurrence of multiple vascular occlusive events. CAPS currently remains a diagnostic challenge and requires urgent treatment. The diagnosis of CAPS is made difficult by classification criteria used as diagnostic criteria in clinical practice, knowledge derived from retrospective data and case reports, confounding clinical and biological features, and its rapid onset and mortality.

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Early puberty has been found to be associated with adverse health outcomes such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and hormone-dependent cancers. The decrease in age at menarche observed during the past decades has been linked to an increased exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Evidence for the association between PFAS and phthalate exposure and menarche onset, however, is inconsistent.

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Article Synopsis
  • PFAS exposure can affect human reproductive functions, influencing puberty timing and hormone levels, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear.
  • The study analyzed serum samples from 733 teenagers in Belgium, Slovakia, and Spain, measuring various PFAS compounds and reproductive hormones using advanced lab techniques.
  • Findings revealed sex-specific associations, with PFAS linked to higher testosterone levels in girls and lower follicle-stimulating hormone levels in boys, highlighting potential adverse effects on the reproductive axis due to PFAS exposure.
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