A5081851661- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Energy and Environment Impacts
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Noise Effects and Management
- Urban Green Space and Health
- Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
- Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
- Recycling and Waste Management Techniques
- Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting
- Health disparities and outcomes
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Urban Heat Island Mitigation
- Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
- Impact of Light on Environment and Health
- Cancer Research and Treatment
- Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
Hasselt University
2016-2025
Sciensano (Belgium)
2019-2025
Institut Scientifique de Santé Publique
2022
Centre for Science and Environment
2017
Abstract Particle transfer across the placenta has been suggested but to date, no direct evidence in real-life, human context exists. Here we report presence of black carbon (BC) particles as part combustion-derived particulate matter placentae using white-light generation under femtosecond pulsed illumination. BC is identified all screened placentae, with an average (SD) particle count 0.95 × 10 4 (0.66 ) and 2.09 (0.9 per mm 3 for low high exposed mothers, respectively. Furthermore,...
Rationale: Ambient air pollution, including black carbon, entails a serious public health risk because of its carcinogenic potential and as climate pollutant. To date, an internal exposure marker for carbon particles that have cleared from the systemic circulation into urine does not exist.Objectives: develop validate novel method to measure in label-free way urine.Methods: We detected urinary load 289 children (aged 9–12 yr) using white-light generation under femtosecond pulsed laser...
BackgroundDevelopmental processes in the placenta and fetal brain are shaped by same biological signals. Recent evidence suggests that adaptive responses of to maternal environment may influence central nervous system development.ObjectivesWe studied association between utero exposure fine particle air pollution with a diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) placental expression genes implicated neural development.MethodsExpression 10 target brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway were...
Thyroid hormones are critical for fetal development and growth. Whether prenatal exposure to fine particle air pollution (≤ 2.5 μm; PM2.5) affects thyroid function what the impact is on birth weight in normal healthy pregnancies have not been studied yet.We of third-trimester PM2.5 maternal their mediating role weight.We measured levels free (FT3, FT4) thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) cord blood (n = 499) 431) collected after delivery from mother-child pairs enrolled between February 2010...
The ENVIRONAGE birth cohort is supported by the European Research Council [ERC-2012-StG.310898], and funds of Flemish Scientific council [FWO, G.0.733.15.N]. Bianca Cox, Janneke Hogervorst Karen Vrijens have a postdoctoral fellowship from Foundation - Flanders (FWO).
Abstract Background Mental health disorders appear as a growing problem in urban areas. While common mental are generally linked to demographic and socioeconomic factors, little is known about the interaction with environment. With urbanization, more people exposed environmental stressors potentially contributing increased stress impairing health. It therefore important identify features of environment that affect city dwellers. The aim this study was define associations combined long-term...
Studies often evaluate mental health and well-being in association with individual behaviours although evaluating multiple that co-occur real life may reveal important insights into the overall association. Also, underlying pathways of how lifestyle might affect our are still under debate. Here, we studied mediation different or factors on its effect core markers ageing: telomere length (TL) mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNAc).In this study, 6054 adults from 2018 Belgian Health Interview...
Abstract Background Recent studies showed that air pollution might play a role in the etiology of mental disorders. In this study we evaluated association between and self-rated health possible mediating effect physical activity association. Methods 2008, 2013 2018 Belgian Health Interview Survey (BHIS) enrolled 16,455 participants who completed following dimensions: psychological distress, suboptimal vitality, suicidal ideation, depressive generalized anxiety disorder health. Annual...
Currently, we lack crucial knowledge on how the physicochemical properties of particles affect cellular health, resulting in an important gap our understanding human toxicity microplastics (MPs). Our aim was to evaluate impact size and shape MPs uptake intracellular effects a epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell line. Spherical (200 nm 2 µm) fibre-/fragment-shaped (8.9 ± 10.1 µm by 1.14 0.97 polystyrene (PS-MPs) were used study their potential induce redox mitochondrial stress...
The placenta plays a crucial role in fetal growth and development through adaptive responses to perturbations of the maternal environment. We investigated association between placental 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NTp), biomarker oxidative stress, exposure air pollutants during various time windows pregnancy. measured 3-NTp levels 330 mother-newborn pairs enrolled Environmental Influence on Ageing Early Life (ENVIRONAGE) Study, Belgian birth cohort study (2010–2013). Daily concentrations particulate...
Particulate matter with a diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) affects human fetal development during pregnancy. Oxidative stress is putative mechanism by which PM2.5 may exert its effects. Leptin (LEP) an energy-regulating hormone involved in growth and development.We investigated placental tissue whether DNA methylation of the LEP promoter associated oxidative/nitrosative biomarker 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NTp) involved.LEP status 361 placentas from ENVIRONAGE birth cohort was assessed using...
BackgroundExposure to particulate air pollution has been linked with risk of carcinogenesis. Damage repair pathways might have long-term adverse health effects. We aimed investigate the association prenatal exposure placental mutation rate and DNA methylation key genes.MethodsThis cohort study used data from ongoing ENVironmental Influence ON early AGEing (ENVIRONAGE) birth cohort, which enrols pairs mothers neonates (singleton births only) at East-Limburg Hospital (Genk, Belgium). Placental...
Abstract Background Cognitive performances of schoolchildren have been adversely associated with both recent and chronic exposure to ambient air pollution at the residence. In addition, growing evidence indicates that green space is a wide range health benefits. Therefore, we aimed investigate if surrounding residence improves cognitive performance primary while taking into account exposure. Methods tests were administered repeatedly total 307 aged 9-12y, living in Flanders, Belgium...
Abstract Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants representing a concern for human health. MNPs have been detected in placentas, indicating that during pregnancy maternal exposure may lead to placental transfer foetal exposure, with potential adverse effects on early-life development. However, comprehensive risk assessment (RA) framework, specific is lacking. Here, we propose novel roadmap assist the development of an health RA MNPs. This designed based...
Ultrafine particles (<100 nm) are ubiquitous present in the air and may contribute to adverse cardiovascular effects. Exposure pollutants can alter miRNA expression, which affect downstream signaling pathways. miRNAs both intracellular extracellular environment. In adults, miR-222 miR-146a were identified as associated with particulate matter exposure. However, there is little evidence of molecular effects ambient pollution children. This study examined whether exposure fine ultrafine (PM)...
Although a growing body of research has shown that exposure to nature restorative effects on human health, the potential beneficial nature-based interventions in working environment are still underexplored. We performed randomized controlled study with program during hours. enrolled employees, participants into two groups being an intervention and control group. Twice week for three consecutive weeks, group participated activities 2 h. The primary outcomes were cognitive performance, burnout...