Publicaties
Effects of exposure to environmental factors on obesity-related growth parameters and leptin (LEP) methylation in children. KU Leuven
The prevalence of childhood obesity is rapidly increasing. Therefore, gaining more information on the role of environmental parameters is key. With overexpression of leptin (encoded by LEP) in obesity, LEP methylation might be altered by environmental exposures. This study aims to assess effects of ambient air pollution and nearby greenness on obesity-related growth and LEP methylation in early childhood. We monitored 120 mother-child pairs from ...
Hazardous Effects of Pesticides on Human Health. KU Leuven
Pesticides, a major group of biocides, are designed to control harmful and/or unwanted organisms [...].
Differential pulmonary toxicity and autoantibody formation in genetically distinct mouse strains following combined exposure to silica and diesel exhaust particles KU Leuven
Inhalation of airborne particulate matter, such as silica and diesel exhaust particles, poses serious long-term respiratory and systemic health risks. Silica exposure can lead to silicosis and systemic autoimmune diseases, while DEP exposure is linked to asthma and cancer. Combined exposure to silica and DEP, common in mining, may have more severe effects. This study investigates the separate and combined effects of occupational-level silica and ...
HBM4EU E-waste study: Assessing persistent organic pollutants in blood, silicone wristbands, and settled dust among E-waste recycling workers in Europe. KU Leuven Universiteit Antwerpen
E-waste recycling is an increasingly important activity that contributes to reducing the burden of end-of-life electronic and electrical apparatus and allows for the EU's transition to a circular economy. This study investigated the exposure levels of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in workers from e-waste recycling facilities across Europe. The concentrations of seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and eight polybrominated ...
Development and validation of a human bronchial epithelial spheroid model to study respiratory toxicity in vitro KU Leuven
The use of laboratory animals in research has been extensively criticized. While most of the critique has been centered around the ethical aspect, also the economic and scientific aspects have been frequently mentioned as points of concern. As a result, the use of alternative methods has gradually become more enticing. The most used alternatives to laboratory animals are the 2D monolayer cell cultures. However, the limited translatability of ...
Intention to leave, depersonalisation and job satisfaction in physicians and nurses: a cross-sectional study in Europe KU Leuven
The European healthcare sector faces a significant shortage of healthcare workers. Assessing the prevalence of this issue and understanding its direct and indirect determinants are essential for formulating effective recruitment programs and enhancing job retention strategies for physicians and nurses. A multicentric cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 381 physicians and 1351 nurses recruited from eight European hospitals in Belgium, ...
HBM4EU chromates study - PFAS exposure in electroplaters and bystanders. KU Leuven
The study aims to reveal the exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in workers in different industry sectors with exposures to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The PFAS exposure of in total 172 individuals from 4 countries was assessed by the determination of 8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and 4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids in plasma samples. The participants were 52 chrome plating workers, 43 welders, 3 surface treating workers and 74 ...
BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION IN THE WORKING POPULATION WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: A CONCEPT ANALYSIS KU Leuven
OBJECTIVE: To identify the essential attributes of biopsychosocial rehabilitation for chronic low back pain in the working population. DESIGN: A concept analysis was conducted according to the 8-step method of Walker and Avant. This framework provides a clear concept and theoretical and operational definitions. METHODS: Five databases were searched, followed by a systematic screening. Subsequently, attributes, illustrative cases, antecedents, ...
Exposure of children to brominated flame retardants and heavy metals in Morocco: Urine and blood levels in association with global cytosine and adenine methylation KU Leuven
Persistent pollutants, namely brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and heavy metals, are compounds that are added to a wide range of products and materials for preventing ignition, increasing the functionality of materials or improving their performance, e.g. electric conductivity. The exposure of children might consequently be inferred, through indoor dust and hand-to-mouth or toy-chewing behaviors. The current study is aimed at assessing the ...