2024
Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their influence on inflammatory biomarkers in pregnancy: Findings from the LIFECODES cohort
Siwakoti R, Harris S, Ferguson K, Hao W, Cantonwine D, Mukherjee B, McElrath T, Meeker J. Prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their influence on inflammatory biomarkers in pregnancy: Findings from the LIFECODES cohort. Environment International 2024, 194: 109145. PMID: 39550829, DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109145.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchC-reactive proteinNested case-control study of preterm birthCase-control study of preterm birthInflammatory biomarkersIL-10TNF-aInterquartile range increaseNested case-control studyStudy of preterm birthPre-pregnancy BMIQuantile-based g-computation approachIL-6Prenatal PFAS exposureInflammatory processPregnancy plasma samplesMeasurement of inflammatory biomarkersBirth outcomesLinear mixed modelsInverse associationRange increaseMaternal raceMaternal demographicsTNF-a levelsAdverse pregnancyAfrican AmericansAssociations of maternal blood metal concentrations with plasma eicosanoids among pregnant women in Puerto Rico
Kim C, Cathey A, Park S, Watkins D, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Associations of maternal blood metal concentrations with plasma eicosanoids among pregnant women in Puerto Rico. The Science Of The Total Environment 2024, 928: 172295. PMID: 38588744, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172295.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdverse birth outcomesSex-specific associationsBirth outcomesBlood metal concentrationsMetal concentrationsPregnant womenInfant sexEicosanoid profileMetal exposurePlasma eicosanoidsWeeks of pregnancyDecreased concentrations of CdConcentrations of CdConcentrations of CuEffect modificationRegulating inflammatory responsesBirth cohortAssessed associationsAssociated with increased concentrationsPregnancy outcomesFemale fetusesEffect sizeInflammatory activitySignificant associationInflammatory response
2023
Adverse birth outcomes are associated with circulating matrix metalloproteinases among pregnant women in Puerto Rico
Kim C, Cathey A, Watkins D, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Adverse birth outcomes are associated with circulating matrix metalloproteinases among pregnant women in Puerto Rico. Journal Of Reproductive Immunology 2023, 159: 103991. PMID: 37454540, PMCID: PMC10726844, DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103991.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBirth outcomesMatrix metalloproteinasesFetal sexPregnant womenFemale fetusesNewborn lengthVisit 3Associated with increased odds of preeclampsiaVisit 1Impact of matrix metalloproteinasesCustomized Luminex assayGestational diabetes mellitusOdds of preeclampsiaAdverse birth outcomesAssociated with increased oddsGestational ageHealthy pregnancyMale fetusesUterine remodelingLuminex assayLogistic regression modelsDiabetes mellitusStudy visitsInverse associationExtracellular matrix
2022
Maternal blood metal concentrations are associated with C-reactive protein and cell adhesion molecules among pregnant women in Puerto Rico
Kim C, Cathey A, Watkins D, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Maternal blood metal concentrations are associated with C-reactive protein and cell adhesion molecules among pregnant women in Puerto Rico. Environmental Epidemiology 2022, 6: e214. PMID: 35975168, PMCID: PMC9374188, DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000214.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVascular cell adhesion moleculeC-reactive proteinLevels of C-reactive proteinAssociated with C-reactive proteinCell adhesion moleculesAdverse birth outcomesIntercellular adhesion moleculeFetal sexAdhesion moleculesBirth outcomesPregnant womenLinear mixed effects modelsVisit 3Visit 1Maternal C-reactive proteinCustomized Luminex assaySignificant associationBlood samplesPositive associationPrenatal metal exposureWeeks gestationLuminex assayMale fetusesBirth cohortAssessed associationsBiomarkers of Exposure to Phthalate Mixtures and Adverse Birth Outcomes in a Puerto Rico Birth Cohort
Cathey A, Watkins D, Rosario Z, Vélez C, Mukherjee B, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Biomarkers of Exposure to Phthalate Mixtures and Adverse Birth Outcomes in a Puerto Rico Birth Cohort. Environmental Health Perspectives 2022, 130: 037009. PMID: 35333099, PMCID: PMC8953418, DOI: 10.1289/ehp8990.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSpontaneous preterm birthPreterm birthFetal sexGestational agePregnancy outcomesBirth outcomesBayesian kernel machine regressionPhthalate metabolitesRisk of early deliveryAssociated with increased odds of PTBOdds of preterm birthPhthalate mixtureReduced gestational ageIndividual phthalate metabolitesMeasures of birth weightAssociated with increased riskPhthalate metabolite mixturesAdverse birth outcomesAssociated with increased oddsPuerto Rico TestsiteEnvironmental risk scoreEarly deliveryBirth weightPregnancy cohortLongitudinal pregnancy cohortMaternal blood metal concentrations are associated with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) among pregnant women in Puerto Rico
Kim C, Cathey A, Watkins D, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Maternal blood metal concentrations are associated with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) among pregnant women in Puerto Rico. Environmental Research 2022, 209: 112874. PMID: 35123972, PMCID: PMC10443181, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112874.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBlood metal concentrationsAdverse birth outcomesMetal concentrationsAssociated with matrix metalloproteinasesMatrix metalloproteinasesBirth outcomesFetal sexHealthy pregnancyLinear mixed effects modelsUterine remodelingPregnant womenFemale fetusesExposure to heavy metalsHeavy metal exposureCustomized Luminex assayFetal sex effectLevels of inflammatory cytokinesTrimester of pregnancyBlood metal levelsMetal levelsHeavy metalsMetal exposureMeasured blood concentrationsLuminex assayMale fetusesMaternal Metals/Metalloid Blood Levels Are Associated With Lipidomic Profiles Among Pregnant Women in Puerto Rico
Kim C, Ashrap P, Watkins D, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Maternal Metals/Metalloid Blood Levels Are Associated With Lipidomic Profiles Among Pregnant Women in Puerto Rico. Frontiers In Public Health 2022, 9: 754706. PMID: 35096734, PMCID: PMC8790322, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.754706.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdverse birth outcomesBlood levelsPlasmenyl-phosphatidylcholinesLipidomic profilesBirth outcomesPlasmenyl phosphatidylethanolamineWeeks of pregnancyPlasma lipidomic profilesMultiple comparisonsLipid sub-classesHeavy metal exposurePolyunsaturated fatty acidsPregnant womenShotgun lipidomicsMetal exposureImportant signaling pathwaysAssessed associationsBiomarker profilesAssociated with lipidEarly detectionBirth cohortDiagnostic toolExposure to manganeseSignaling pathwayFalse discovery rate
2021
Performance of Urine, Blood, and Integrated Metal Biomarkers in Relation to Birth Outcomes in a Mixture Setting
Ashrap P, Watkins D, Mukherjee B, Rosario Pabón Z, Vélez Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Performance of Urine, Blood, and Integrated Metal Biomarkers in Relation to Birth Outcomes in a Mixture Setting. ISEE Conference Abstracts 2021, 2021 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2021.o-to-080.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBirth outcomesMetal biomarkersPerformance of urine, blood, and integrated metal biomarkers in relation to birth outcomes in a mixture setting
Ashrap P, Watkins D, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Performance of urine, blood, and integrated metal biomarkers in relation to birth outcomes in a mixture setting. Environmental Research 2021, 200: 111435. PMID: 34097892, PMCID: PMC8403638, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111435.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEnvironmental risk scoreIntraclass correlation coefficientBirth outcomesBody mass indexWeighted quantile sumOdds ratio of preterm birthSecond-hand smoke exposurePre-pregnancy body mass indexOdds of preterm birthAssociated with birth outcomesIncreased odds of preterm birthPractice study designHealth effectsPreterm birthMaternal educationIncreased oddsOdds ratioSmoke exposureStudy designMaternal ageMass indexArea under the curveRisk scoreLogistic regressionConfidence intervalsIndividual and joint effects of phthalate metabolites on biomarkers of oxidative stress among pregnant women in Puerto Rico
Cathey A, Eaton J, Ashrap P, Watkins D, Rosario Z, Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Mukherjee B, Meeker J. Individual and joint effects of phthalate metabolites on biomarkers of oxidative stress among pregnant women in Puerto Rico. Environment International 2021, 154: 106565. PMID: 33882432, PMCID: PMC9923976, DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106565.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBayesian kernel machine regressionPhthalate metabolitesEnvironmental risk scoreBiomarkers of oxidative stressPregnant womenPhthalate mixtureBayesian kernel machine regression analysisEffects of phthalate metabolitesOxidative stressIndividual phthalate metabolitesLipid oxidative stressUrinary biomarker measurementsKernel machine regressionAdverse birth outcomesPuerto Rico TestsiteOxidative stress biomarkersChemical fractionationContamination threatLongitudinal birth cohortPhthalate compoundsLinear mixed effects modelsBirth outcomesOxidative stress mechanismsStudy visitsPhthalate exposurePsychosocial status modifies the effect of maternal blood metal and metalloid concentrations on birth outcomes
Ashrap P, Aker A, Watkins D, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón Z, Vélez-Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Psychosocial status modifies the effect of maternal blood metal and metalloid concentrations on birth outcomes. Environment International 2021, 149: 106418. PMID: 33548848, PMCID: PMC7897320, DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106418.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdverse birth outcomesPsychosocial statusBirth outcomesBody mass indexPsychosocial stressPreterm birthOdds ratioAssociated with adverse birth outcomesPre-pregnancy body mass indexSecond-hand smoke exposurePrenatal psychosocial stressPregnant womenBlood metalsClusters of womenEffects of psychosocial stressPuerto Rico TestsiteIncreased odds ratioSocial supportPerceived stressMaternal educationAdverse associationOverall preterm birthLow birth weightSpontaneous preterm birthCohort study
2020
Exposures to Phthalate Mixtures are Associated with Adverse Birth Outcomes in a Puerto Rico Pregnancy Cohort
Cathey A, Watkins D, Rosario Z, Velez C, Mukherjee B, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Exposures to Phthalate Mixtures are Associated with Adverse Birth Outcomes in a Puerto Rico Pregnancy Cohort. ISEE Conference Abstracts 2020, 2020 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2020.virtual.p-1095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMaternal blood metal and metalloid concentrations in association with birth outcomes in Northern Puerto Rico
Ashrap P, Watkins D, Mukherjee B, Boss J, Richards M, Rosario Z, Vélez-Vega C, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Maternal blood metal and metalloid concentrations in association with birth outcomes in Northern Puerto Rico. Environment International 2020, 138: 105606. PMID: 32179314, PMCID: PMC7198231, DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105606.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBayesian kernel machine regressionShorter gestational agePreterm birthGestational ageEnvironmental risk scoreBirth outcomesMetal concentrationsNon-essential metal(loid)sHigher risk of preterm birthRisk of preterm birthLow-level prenatal lead exposureInterquartile rangeOdds of preterm birthAssociated with higher risk of preterm birthRisk scoreEffects of metalsPredictors of birth outcomesAssociated with birth outcomesBayesian kernel machine regression modelsBirthweight z-scoreAssociated with adverse birth outcomesAssociated with higher riskAdverse birth outcomesKernel machine regressionPuerto Rico Testsite
2019
Interactions between chemicals and non-chemical stressors: The modifying effect of life events on the association between triclocarban, phenols and parabens with gestational length in a Puerto Rican cohort
Aker A, McConnell R, Loch-Caruso R, Park S, Mukherjee B, Rosario Z, Vélez-Vega C, Huerta-Montanez G, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. Interactions between chemicals and non-chemical stressors: The modifying effect of life events on the association between triclocarban, phenols and parabens with gestational length in a Puerto Rican cohort. The Science Of The Total Environment 2019, 708: 134719. PMID: 31785910, PMCID: PMC6957748, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134719.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLife eventsLinear regression modelsMultiple linear regression modelNegative life eventsPresence of negative life eventsPsychosocial stress measuresAdverse birth outcomesPregnancy cohort studyRegression modelsEffects of psychosocial stressPsychosocial factorsNon-chemical stressorsBirth outcomesEffects of life eventsCohort studyPsychosocial stressPositive LEsPositive life eventsExposure biomarkersSignificant modifiersPrenatal exposureSignificant interactionWomenAssociationRate of eventsA repeated measures study of phenol, paraben and Triclocarban urinary biomarkers and circulating maternal hormones during gestation in the Puerto Rico PROTECT cohort
Aker A, Ferguson K, Rosario Z, Mukherjee B, Alshawabkeh A, Calafat A, Cordero J, Meeker J. A repeated measures study of phenol, paraben and Triclocarban urinary biomarkers and circulating maternal hormones during gestation in the Puerto Rico PROTECT cohort. Environmental Health 2019, 18: 28. PMID: 30940137, PMCID: PMC6444601, DOI: 10.1186/s12940-019-0459-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUrinary biomarkersAssociated with adverse birth outcomesAdverse birth outcomesPregnant womenBirth outcomesAdverse outcomesSerum hormonesStudy visitsParaben biomarkersThyroid hormonesParaben exposurePercent changeHormoneBiomarker concentrationsMaternal hormonesBiomarkersOutcomesVisitsAssociationExposureGestationRandom interceptPregnancyThyroid
2018
The associations between prenatal exposure to triclocarban, phenols and parabens with gestational age and birth weight in northern Puerto Rico
Aker A, Ferguson K, Rosario Z, Mukherjee B, Alshawabkeh A, Cordero J, Meeker J. The associations between prenatal exposure to triclocarban, phenols and parabens with gestational age and birth weight in northern Puerto Rico. Environmental Research 2018, 169: 41-51. PMID: 30412856, PMCID: PMC6347499, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.10.030.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAssociated with gestational ageGestational ageOdds of SGAInfant sexBirth outcomesStudy visitsVisit 1Odds of preterm birthOdds of LGAAssociated with adverse birth outcomesBirthweight z-scoreBiomarker concentrationsAdverse birth outcomesPuerto Rico TestsitePreterm birthPregnant womenBirth weightUrinary biomarker concentrationsExposure biomarkersLogistic regression modelsVisit 3SGADecreased oddsZ-scoreCalculate odds
2017
Thyroid hormone parameters during pregnancy in relation to urinary bisphenol A concentrations: A repeated measures study
Aung M, Johns L, Ferguson K, Mukherjee B, McElrath T, Meeker J. Thyroid hormone parameters during pregnancy in relation to urinary bisphenol A concentrations: A repeated measures study. Environment International 2017, 104: 33-40. PMID: 28410473, PMCID: PMC5497503, DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.04.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsThyroid hormone parametersHormonal parametersStudy visitsCases of preterm birthInterquartile rangeSupply of thyroid hormonesNormal birth outcomesUrinary bisphenol A concentrationsNested case-control studyThyrotropin (TSHContext of pregnancyUrinary BPA concentrationsUrinary bisphenol ACase-control studyIn vitro studiesPreterm birthTSH levelsMultivariate linear regression modelPregnant womenFetal developmentFree T4Visit 3Measures analysisBirth outcomesPregnancy
2016
Repeated measures analysis of associations between urinary bisphenol-A concentrations and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnancy
Ferguson K, Cantonwine D, McElrath T, Mukherjee B, Meeker J. Repeated measures analysis of associations between urinary bisphenol-A concentrations and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnancy. Reproductive Toxicology 2016, 66: 93-98. PMID: 27751756, PMCID: PMC5125888, DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.10.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInterquartile range increaseBisphenol AOxidative stressRange increaseUrinary bisphenol A concentrationsC-reactive proteinBiomarkers of inflammationIL-6 concentrationsAdverse birth outcomesPrimary mechanism of actionAssociated with significant increasesRepeated measures analysisBisphenol A exposureBiomarkers of oxidative stressBisphenol A concentrationsMechanism of actionPregnant womenFetal developmentImpact pregnancyInflammation markersBirth outcomesOxidative stress biomarkersIL-6BPA exposurePregnancy
2015
Phthalate metabolites and bisphenol-A in association with circulating angiogenic biomarkers across pregnancy
Ferguson K, McElrath T, Cantonwine D, Mukherjee B, Meeker J. Phthalate metabolites and bisphenol-A in association with circulating angiogenic biomarkers across pregnancy. Placenta 2015, 36: 699-703. PMID: 25913709, PMCID: PMC4441857, DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.04.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSFlt-1 to PlGF ratioSFlt-1Biomarkers of angiogenesisPhthalate metabolitesPlGF ratioPlacental developmentSoluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1Tyrosine kinase-1Placental growth factorUrinary DEHP metabolitesProspective birth cohortAdverse birth outcomesCase-control populationDelivered pretermGestational ageAngiogenic biomarkersExposure to phthalatesUrinary biomarkersDEHP metabolitesBirth outcomesPlasma biomarkersPregnancyPlGFAssociated with decreases
2014
Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women: A Repeated Measures Analysis
Ferguson K, McElrath T, Chen Y, Mukherjee B, Meeker J. Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women: A Repeated Measures Analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives 2014, 123: 210-216. PMID: 25402001, PMCID: PMC4348741, DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1307996.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUrinary phthalate metabolitesPhthalate metabolitesMono-n-butyl phthalateBiomarkers of oxidative stressBirth outcomesNested case-control study of preterm birthCase-control study of preterm birthPhthalate exposureStudy of preterm birthStudy of birth outcomesOxidative stressPopulation of pregnant womenNested case-control studyStudy population of pregnant womenAdverse birth outcomesUrine samplesMarkers of oxidative stressRepeated measures analysisHealth end pointsAssociated with significantly higher concentrationsDi(2-ethylhexyl) phthalatePreterm birthPregnant womenMono-n-butylLinear mixed models