Showing papers by "Christina Wang published in 2023"
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors examined associations between maternal serum PFAS and sex steroid hormones at three time points during pregnancy and found that PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA may disrupt androgenic and estrogenic pathways in pregnancy in a sexdependent manner.
Abstract: Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants that may act as endocrine disruptors in utero, but the specific endocrine pathways are unknown. We examined associations between maternal serum PFAS and sex steroid hormones at three time points during pregnancy. Pregnant women participating in the Understanding Pregnancy Signals and Infant Development (UPSIDE) study contributed biospecimens, questionnaire, and medical record data in each trimester (n = 285). PFAS (including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)) were analyzed in second-trimester serum samples by high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Total testosterone [TT], free testosterone [fT], estrone [E1], estradiol [E2], and estriol [E3]) were measured by LC-MS/MS in serum samples from each trimester. Linear mixed models with random intercepts were used to examine associations between log-transformed PFAS concentrations and hormone levels, adjusting for covariates, and stratifying by fetal sex. Results are presented as the mean percentage difference (Δ%) in hormone levels per ln-unit increase in PFAS concentration. In adjusted models, PFHxS was associated with higher TT (%Δ = 20.0, 95%CI: 1.7, 41.6), particularly among women carrying male fetuses (%Δ = 15.3, 95%CI: 1.2, 30.7); this association strengthened as the pregnancy progressed. PFNA (%Δ = 7.9, 95%CI: 3.4, 12.5) and PFDA (%Δ = 7.2, 95%CI: 4.9, 9.7) were associated with higher fT, with associations again observed only in women carrying male fetuses. PFHxS was associated with higher levels of E2 and E3 in women carrying female fetuses (%Δ = 13.2, 95%CI: 0.5, 29.1; %Δ = 17.9, 95%CI: 3.2, 34.8, respectively). No associations were observed for PFOS and PFOA. PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA may disrupt androgenic and estrogenic pathways in pregnancy in a sex-dependent manner.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and multi-kinase inhibitors (MKI) on male reproductive capacity were evaluated in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and the preliminary descriptive data analysis suggests that both ICI and MKI may affect semen morphology and motility, sperm concentration, and LH and FSH levels.
Abstract: e16528 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been shown to improve overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) as compared to previous therapy with multi-kinase inhibitors (MKI). However, little is known about the effects of these drugs on male reproductive capacity and the current data regarding effects of MKI and ICI therapies on gonadal function and fertility are both limited and conflicting. We sought to evaluate effects of MKI and ICI on male reproductive function in patients with RCC. Methods: Male patients with RCC receiving MKI or ICI for a period of at least 3 months were identified. Inclusion criteria included age ≤ 50 years, no prior history of chemotherapy, and no prior history of medical or surgical conditions that would affect spermatogenesis such as hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or vasectomies. Patients were instructed to abstain from ejaculation 2 to 7 days prior to study collection. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), morning testosterone, and a semen analysis was obtained for each patient and analyzed. Results: Of 10 patients, 5 (50%) were on ICI and 5 (50%) were on MKI. Of the patients on ICI, 2 (40%) exhibited abnormal semen morphology, motility, and sperm concentration. Of the patients on ICI, one exhibited elevated LH and FSH levels and one exhibited elevated LH levels only. Of the patients on MKI, 2 (40%) exhibited abnormal semen morphology, motility, and sperm concentration. One patient on MKI exhibited elevated LH and FSH levels. All patients had normal testosterone levels. Conclusions: Our preliminary descriptive data analysis suggests that both ICI and MKI may affect semen morphology and motility, sperm concentration, and LH and FSH levels, but does not affect testosterone levels. Due to the currently limited sample size, abnormal semen analysis and hormone levels may be attributable to confounding factors, such as performance status, the metastatic disease itself, comorbidities, etc. Study recruitment and analysis are ongoing.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors examined associations between prenatal estrogens and testosterone and sex-typical play in The Infant Development and the Environment Study (TIDES), a multicenter pregnancy cohort.
TL;DR: In this paper , a transdermal approach to male contraception raises novel considerations regarding adherence with the daily gel, as well as concern about the potential transfer of the gel and the contraceptive hormones to the female partner.
TL;DR: A logic model framework for community nutrition education is proposed in this paper , which can align the scope of expertise of dietitians including in medical nutrition therapy (MNT) using low-dose kidney therapy (low-dose MNT) to expand to the community nutrition efforts and includes food preparation skills.
DOI•
27 Mar 2023
TL;DR: In this paper , the compositions of chromitites and dunites from the Moho transition zone (MTZ) of the Coto block of the Zambales ophiolite, Philippines, were used to investigate the geodynamic transition from anhydrous to hydrous magmatism during subduction initiation (SI).
Abstract: The compositions of chromitites and dunites from Moho transition zone (MTZ) of the Coto block of the Zambales ophiolite, Philippines, are used to investigate the geodynamic transition from anhydrous to hydrous magmatism during subduction initiation (SI). Chromite grains in the chromitites have Cr# values [100 × Cr/(Cr + Al)] and TiO2 contents ∼35–50 and 0.05–0.30 wt.%, respectively, intermediate between those of chromite in typical MORB‐like lavas (Cr#, ∼20–60; TiO2, ∼0.6–1.7 wt.%) and boninites (Cr#, ∼70–85; TiO2, <0.4 wt.%). Olivine grains in the dunites have δ7Li values varying from ∼−2‰ to +21‰ with most between +10‰ and +15‰, beyond that of normal mantle (+4 ± 2‰) but comparable to those of some arc lavas (up to +12‰). The data set indicates that parental magmas of the high‐Al chromitites originated from hydrated harzburgitic mantle sources and formed temporally between MORB‐like and boninitic magmatism during SI, resulting from the early stage of flux melting in the Zambales proto‐forearc mantle. Modeling of Li diffusion reveals that the MTZ cooled down at a minimum rate of 0.1°C/yr in order to preserve the large δ7Li variation of olivine in the dunites, comparable to the thermal conditions below ultra‐slow to slow spreading ridges. Such a stage of transitional magmatism, although displaying notable slab contributions, took place at a sluggish period of slab rollback and asthenospheric upwelling, leading to a trough level of heat flow and magma production during the entire course of SI.
TL;DR: In this article , the authors examined the associations between exposure to cadmium exposure and reduced androgen production during pregnancy and found that higher exposure was associated with lower serum total testosterone and serum free testosterone.
Abstract: Cadmium exposure has been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. One possible mechanism is endocrine disruption. Studies of non-pregnant adults suggest that cadmium impacts androgen production; here, we examined these associations during pregnancy. Participants in the Understanding Pregnancy Signals and Infant Development (UPSIDE) cohort provided biospecimens and questionnaire data in each trimester (n = 272). We quantified urinary cadmium, serum total testosterone (TT), estrone, estradiol, and estriol and serum free testosterone (fT). In adjusted longitudinal models, we examined sex steroid concentrations across pregnancy in relation to specific gravity-adjusted, ln-transformed cadmium concentrations. Additionally, we examined trimester-specific associations and stratified models by fetal sex. Results are presented as percent change (%∆) in hormone concentrations. In longitudinal models, higher cadmium concentrations were associated with lower fT across pregnancy (%∆ = −5.19, 95%CI: −8.33, −1.93), with no differences in other hormones observed. In trimester-specific models, higher cadmium concentrations were associated with lower TT in trimester 2 (%∆ = −15.26, 95%CI: −25.15, −4.06) and lower fT in trimester 3 (%∆ = −14.35, 95%CI: −19.75, −8.59). Associations with TT were stronger in pregnancies carrying female fetuses. Maternal cadmium exposure may be associated with reduced testosterone in pregnancy. Additional work is necessary to understand how alterations in gestational testosterone activity may impact pregnancy and child health.