Publications by authors named "Simons E"

Introduction: Throughout the perinatal period children are exposed to complex mixtures, including indoor chemicals such as phthalates, and biological agents. However, few studies focus on interactions between early-life co-exposures to shed light on how co-exposures modify their individual effects. Therefore, our study aims to assess whether early-life exposure to pets and related biological agents, namely pet allergens and endotoxin, modifies the association between di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and asthma and wheeze in preschoolers to gain insight into interactions.

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  • The review covers the genetic and epigenetic factors related to food allergies, including their inheritance and the advantages and limitations of study methods.
  • Genome-wide association studies have identified 16 significant genetic variants linked to food allergies, often overlapping with other allergic conditions.
  • The article emphasizes the importance of integrating genetic and epigenetic data for understanding disease mechanisms and suggests future implications for predicting food allergy risks and responses to treatment.
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Background: Many patients do not receive a comprehensive medication reconciliation, mostly owing to limited resources. We hence need an approach to identify those patients at the emergency department (ED) who are at increased risk for clinically relevant discrepancies.

Objective: The aim of our study was to develop and externally validate a prediction model to identify patients at risk for at least 1 clinically relevant medication discrepancy upon ED presentation.

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Plasmodesmata are membranous nanopores that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent plant cells and enable the cell-to-cell trafficking of nutrients, macromolecules, as well as invading viruses. Plasmodesmata play fundamental roles in the regulation of intercellular communication, contributing to plant development, environmental responses, and interactions with viral pathogens. Discovering plasmodesmal localization of plant or viral proteins could provide useful functional information about the protein and is important for understanding the mechanisms of plant-virus interactions.

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Introduction: Anaphylaxis is an acute life-threatening allergy, most commonly provoked by food, venom, or drugs. There is limited data regarding differences in symptomatology between anaphylaxis provoked by different triggers. This study aimed to assess sociodemographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, and management of anaphylaxis, according to triggers in adults.

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Background: The primary concern with prolonged hospitalization following birth is the risk of acquiring hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) caused by opportunistic bacteria, which can alter the early establishment of gut microbiota.

Objective: To assess the association between postpartum hospital length of stay (LOS) and the composition of gut microbiota at 3 and 12 months of age according to birth mode.

Methods: In total, 1313 Canadian infants from the CHILD Cohort Study were involved in this study.

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  • This study explored the relationship between current human milk feeding (HMF) and infant immune biomarker profiles in a cohort of 605 infants from Canada.
  • Results indicated that infants currently receiving HMF had higher levels of specific immune-related biomarkers compared to those who weren't.
  • The findings suggest that HMF status is important for immune development, but the duration and exclusivity of HMF did not significantly correlate with the biomarkers measured.
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  • * Researchers focused on five subdivisions of the primate amygdala in macaques, baboons, and humans, identifying distinct types of excitatory and inhibitory neurons, including specific interneurons.
  • * Findings reveal the molecular diversity of amygdalar neuron types, which may enhance current understanding of how these brain circuits affect cognition and mental health, particularly in relation to nonhuman primate models.
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  • * The study assesses the effects of prenatal and postnatal stress and depression on DNA methylation in newborns and 12-month-old children using the CHILD cohort, measuring stress and depression at multiple time points.
  • * Results showed significant associations between both prenatal and postnatal stress/depression and changes in DNA methylation at specific CpG sites in the newborn's cord blood and in blood from 12-month-old children, suggesting a biological impact of maternal mental health on child development.
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  • - The CHILD Cohort Study is a long-term Canadian research project tracking the health and development of infants from pregnancy until adulthood, focusing on how early life environments affect disease outcomes like asthma and developmental issues.
  • - The study involves detailed measurements and data collection including biological samples, environmental assessments, and psychosocial factors, with a strong participant retention rate over the years.
  • - A sub-cohort was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to examine its impact on families, and the next major assessment phase will occur from 2022 to 2025, contributing valuable insights into chronic diseases and health complexities.
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Background: Previous guidelines recommend prompt epinephrine administration, followed by observation in the emergency department (ED). The need for transfer in all cases of anaphylaxis has recently been challenged.

Objective: To evaluate the need for additional ED treatment among children with anaphylaxis who received prehospital epinephrine.

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  • The study examined how breastfeeding and microbial colonization in infants are related to respiratory health, specifically asthma risk, by analyzing data from over 2,200 children.
  • Researchers discovered that early cessation of breastfeeding can lead to the early introduction of certain harmful microbes linked to immune issues and asthma, while extended breastfeeding supports healthier microbial development.
  • The findings emphasize the significance of prolonged breastfeeding for better respiratory health in children and point to potential new targets for interventions aimed at preventing asthma.
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  • The study investigates the impact of the human milk microbiota (HMM) on the long-term health of children, particularly focusing on asthma and allergic conditions like atopy.
  • Researchers followed 885 mothers and their children from birth to age 5, linking HMM composition to the mothers' genetics and children's health outcomes.
  • Findings suggest that certain bacterial communities in human milk, especially decreased diversity and increased Lawsonella, are correlated with higher rates of childhood atopy and asthma, highlighting the genetic influence on HMM composition.
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  • This study explores the relationship between maternal genetics, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and respiratory health in infants fed human milk.
  • Researchers quantified 19 HMOs from 980 mothers and identified genetic markers linked to HMOs on several chromosomes, including notable findings on chromosomes 19 and 3.
  • The study suggests that certain HMOs may help reduce the risk of respiratory issues, like recurrent wheezing, in preschoolers, depending on their genetic predispositions.
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Objective: To review the self-reported costs of urology residency applications from 2019 to 2023 and examine the impact of Society of Academic Urologists (SAU) policy changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic on these costs.

Methods: Data from the Texas Seeking Transparency in Applications to Residency (STAR) survey were used to evaluate costs incurred by fourth-year urology residency applicants from U.S.

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Clathrin-mediated endocytosis has characteristic features in neuronal dendrites and presynapses, but how membrane proteins are internalized along the axon shaft remains unclear. We focused on clathrin-coated structures and endocytosis along the axon initial segment (AIS) and their relationship to the periodic actin-spectrin scaffold that lines the axonal plasma membrane. A combination of super-resolution microscopy and platinum-replica electron microscopy on cultured neurons revealed that AIS clathrin-coated pits form within "clearings", circular areas devoid of actin-spectrin mesh.

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  • Maternal smoking adversely affects newborn health, but its impact has not been fully quantified using cord blood DNA methylation (DNAm) scores; this study explores the connection in White European and South Asian populations.
  • Researchers examined CpG sites related to maternal smoking in two White European birth cohorts and developed an epigenetic score that predicts smoking exposure, validated in an independent cohort.
  • The epigenetic score correlated with higher smoking levels during pregnancy and was linked to smaller birth size and lower birth weight in newborns, particularly in the South Asian cohort.
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Background: HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant contributor to illness and death, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we conducted a qualitative assessment to understand Client and Healthcare Provider Perspectives on Differential Service Delivery Models in Uganda. The purpose was to establish strengths and weaknesses within the services delivery models, inform policy and decision-making, and to facilitate context specific solutions.

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  • Dysanapsis is the mismatch between airway size and lung size that can lead to COPD risk; it first appears early in life.
  • Researchers analyzed genetic factors linked to dysanapsis through a genome-wide association study involving over 11,000 adults.
  • They found specific genetic variants and developed a genetic risk score that correlated with obstructive lung function in both children and adults, suggesting dysanapsis may connect genetic factors to lung health issues across a person's life.
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Background: Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation (DNAm) in cord blood, are an important biological marker of how external exposures during gestation can influence the in-utero environment and subsequent offspring development. Despite the recognized importance of DNAm during gestation, comparative studies to determine the consistency of these epigenetic signals across different ethnic groups are largely absent. To address this gap, we first performed epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of gestational age (GA) using newborn cord blood DNAm comparatively in a white European (n = 342) and a South Asian (n = 490) birth cohort living in Canada.

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