Serum levels of per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances and methylation of DNA from peripheral blood.

Background: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are among numerous chemicals in the Per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) group, which are commonly present in various consumer and industrial products. These chemicals are recognized for their persistency, the ability to accumulate in biological systems and their documented adverse effects on human health. Previous research, which has primarily centered on global methylation patterns, has suggested that some effects of PFAS on human health may be linked to modifications in DNA methylation (DNAm).

Molecular Remodeling of the Sperm Proteome Following Varicocele Sclero-Embolization: Implications for Semen Quality Improvement.

Background: Varicocele is a common condition involving the dilation of veins in the scrotum, often linked to male infertility and testicular dysfunction. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular effects of successful varicocele treatment on sperm proteomes following percutaneous sclero-embolization.

Methods: High-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was performed for proteomic profiling of pooled sperm lysates from five patients exhibiting improved semen parameters before and after (3 and 6 months) varicocele sclero-embolization.

Plant-based dietary patterns and breast cancer risk in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC) study.

While previous literature suggests that plant-based diets may be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, evidence remains inconsistent. In this study, we investigated the association between adherence to plant-based diets and breast cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Overall plant-based diet index (PDI), healthful (hPDI), and unhealthful PDI (uPDI) were calculated, and multivariable Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of breast cancer for the three indices.

Exploring OR2H1-Mediated Sperm Chemotaxis: Development and Application of a Novel Microfluidic Device.

Microfluidic platforms have emerged as critical technologies for exploring sperm chemotaxis, providing precise gradient control, and facilitating in-depth behavioral assessment. We designed a novel, user-friendly microfluidic device that is optimized for human sperm morphology and motility. The device was validated using two well-established sperm chemoattractants, progesterone and bourgeonal, demonstrating its reliability and reproducibility.

GMMA-based vaccine candidates against invasive nontyphoidal salmonellosis elicit bactericidal antibodies against a panel of epidemiologically relevant .

Systemic disease caused by nontyphoidal (NTS) represents a major cause of death and morbidity, especially in young children in sub-Saharan Africa. No licensed vaccine is yet available, and an increase in antimicrobial resistance makes the development of a vaccine a global health priority. We are developing a bivalent formulation of Typhimurium and Enteritidis generalized modules for membrane antigens (GMMA)-based vaccine (iNTS-GMMA) and a trivalent formulation (iNTS-TCV) in which iNTS-GMMA is combined with the WHO-prequalified TYPHIBEV (Biological E, India) vaccine to prevent typhoid fever in addition to invasive NTS (iNTS) disease.

State of nature 2023 terrestrial and freshwater animal dataset for the United Kingdom and its constituent countries.

This article describes the terrestrial and freshwater animal trend data used in creating the 2023 State of Nature reports for the UK and its constituent countries. Trend data for long- (1970-2020/21) and short-term (2010-2020) periods have been calculated by fitting statistical models to measures of abundance (753 species) or occupancy (4979 species) across the UK. Trend data was also calculated for each constituent country: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales for reduced sets of species.

The role of negative incisional pressure in the prevention of surgical site complications in patients with median incisional hernia.

Background: A single-center retrospective study was conducted to investigate whether the prophylactic application of a single-use negative pressure wound therapy (sNPWT) dressing on closed surgical incisions following incisional hernia (IH) repair of the abdominal wall with meshes reduces the risk of surgical site occurrence (SSO) and the necessity for surgical reoperation.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 55 patients with incisional hernias classified as W2 (> 4-10 cm) or W3 (> 10 cm) according to the European Hernia Society classification, treated between 2013 and 2023. All patients underwent open surgical repair with mesh and were assigned to either a conventional flat dressing group (n = 34) or an sNPWT group using PICO 7 (n = 21).

Dietary intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and breast cancer risk: Evidence from the French E3N-Generations prospective cohort.

Background: While there is compelling evidence of the association between occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and risk of breast cancer (BC), findings on PAH dietary exposure are less consistent. The present study aims to evaluate the association between PAH dietary intake and BC risk.

Methods: The study included 67,879 women who completed a validated semi-quantitative dietary questionnaire (208 food items) from the E3N-Generations cohort study.

Secretory Profile Analysis of Human Granulosa Cell Line Following Gonadotropin Stimulation.

Granulosa cell (GC) differentiation, stimulated by FSH and LH, drives oocyte maturation and follicle development. FSH promotes GC proliferation, and LH triggers ovulation. In clinical practice, hCG is used to mimic LH.

Associations between dietary exposure to profiles of metalloestrogens and estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer risk in the French E3N cohort.

Metalloestrogens are ionic metals and metalloids that can activate estrogen receptor, and are suspected to play a role in breast cancer occurrence. This study explored the relationship between dietary exposure profiles to metalloestrogens and estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer (ERP-BC) risk among women in the French E3N cohort.A prospective study was conducted involving 66 722 women who completed a food frequency questionnaire in 1993.

A pH-Switchable System for On-Demand Solar Hydrogen Production.

Artificial solar-to-fuel conversion is a pivotal pathway toward a sustainable energy future. Molecular hydrogen H, with its clean energy potential, emerges as a promising candidate to replace fossil fuels. Nevertheless, the intermittent nature of solar irradiation presents a formidable obstacle.

Adherence to French dietary guidelines is associated with a reduced risk of mortality in the E3N French prospective cohort.

Background: Diet is a modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases which are the major causes of death worldwide. French dietary guidelines, updated in 2017, provide recommendations for a healthier diet. We aimed to study the association between adherence to these dietary guidelines and mortality in the E3N (Etude Epidémiologique auprès de femmes de l'Education Nationale) French cohort.

Associations between blood levels of persistent organic pollutants and oxidative stress biomarkers among women in France in the 90's.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a group of organic chemicals potentially toxic to human health. Induction of oxidative stress is one of the suspected mechanisms of action. The aims of this study were to model exposure-response functions between blood levels of a mixture of POPs and biomarkers of oxidative stress, to identify potential interactions between POPs, and to estimate the overall effect of the mixture.

Application of three statistical approaches to explore effects of dietary intake of multiple persistent organic pollutants on ER-positive breast cancer risk in the French E3N cohort.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a group of organic chemical compounds. Contradictory results have emerged in epidemiological studies attempting to elucidate their relationship with breast cancer risk. This study explored the relationship between dietary exposures to multiple POPs and ER-positive breast cancer risk in the French E3N cohort study, using three different approaches to handle multicollinearity among exposures.

Evidence of a positive association between dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and weight gain among women in the E3N prospective cohort.

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and dioxins are persistent organic pollutants found in food and known for their ability to bioaccumulate. Various animal studies have highlighted obesogenic effects related to the exposure to PCB and dioxins, nevertheless human studies have led to inconsistent results. The present study aims to investigate the associations between dietary intakes of PCB and dioxins and the risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity in the French E3N cohort (Étude Épidémiologique auprès de femmes de la mutuelle générale de l'Éducation Nationale).

Exposure to air pollutants and breast cancer risk: mediating effects of metabolic health biomarkers in a nested case-control study within the E3N-Generations cohort.

Background: Growing epidemiological evidence suggests an association between exposure to air pollutants and breast cancer. Yet, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study explored the mediating role of thirteen metabolic health biomarkers in the relationship between exposure to three air pollutants, i.

Association between fish consumption and mortality in the E3N French women's cohort.

Western studies have shown a non-linear association between fish consumption and mortality, which might be explained by exposure to chemical contaminants. This study aims to explore the associations between fish consumption or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and mortality within the prospective E3N French cohort, and to investigate the role of dietary exposure to contaminants in these associations. In the E3N cohort composed of 72,585 women, we assessed fish consumption and n-3 PUFA intake through a food questionnaire sent in 1993.

Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) dietary exposure is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

Aims/hypothesis: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between dietary exposures to dioxins, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

Methods: This prospective cohort study with a median 11.7 years of follow-up, included 318,416 individuals recruited in 21 centers in eight countries.

Adjuvanted Modified Bacterial Antigens for Single-Dose Vaccines.

Alum is the most used vaccine adjuvant, due to its safety, low cost and adjuvanticity to various antigens. However, the mechanism of action of alum is complex and not yet fully understood, and the immune responses elicited can be weak and antigen-dependent. While several antigens rapidly desorb from alum upon exposure to serum, phosphorylated proteins remain tightly bound through a ligand-exchange reaction with surface hydroxyls on alum.

Degree of food processing and breast cancer risk: a prospective study in 9 European countries.

Unlabelled: Recent epidemiological studies have suggested a positive association between ultra-processed food consumption and breast cancer risk, although some studies also reported no association. Furthermore, the evidence regarding the associations between intake of food with lower degrees of processing and breast cancer risk is limited. Thus, we investigated the associations between dietary intake by degree of food processing and breast cancer risk, overall and by breast cancer subtypes in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.

Consumption of milk and other dairy products and incidence of Parkinson's disease: a prospective cohort study in French women.

Previous studies showed positive associations between milk intake and Parkinson's disease (PD) in men but not in women, but few studies were available in women. Due to the long prodromal PD phase, reverse causation represents a major threat to investigations of diet in PD; cohort studies with a long follow-up are needed. We investigated associations between intake of milk and other dairy products with PD incidence in women from the E3N cohort study (1993-2018).