Pregnancy-related maternal physiological adaptations and fetal chemical exposure

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The Loccisano model considered the fetus as one compartment.

“The model considered the fetus as one compartment, and concluded that more studies are needed to better model the various factors affecting chem­ icals during pregnancy, such as possible changes in renal reabsorption of PFAS.”

• cites Loccisano et al., 2013 sourceDisputed

  The Methods section (Gestation model–physiology; page not provided) explicitly describes three fetal compartments, contrary to the claim that the fetus was modeled as one compartment. The Discussion does call for more data on renal resorption, but that does not support the compartment claim. (LLM, conf=0.94)

  Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

Fetuses of different sexes respond differently to changes in the intrauterine milieu: male fetuses prioritize growth, whereas female fetuses show increased adaptability and higher reserve capacity.

“In addition, fetuses of different sexes respond differently; while male fetuses prioritize growth, the females show increased adaptability and higher reserve capacity.”

• cites Meakin et al., 2021 sourceSupported
• cites Teulings et al., 2020 sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction and Discussion (Main findings; page numbers unavailable) describe sex differences in placental development and vascular resistance, supporting the general point that fetal sex matters. They do not say that males prioritize growth or that females have greater adaptability or reserve capacity; the reference title about growth and survival does not establish those specific claims. (LLM, conf=0.86)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

Gestational diabetes is associated with disorders of placental insufficiency, such as hypertension in pregnancy and stillbirth, which could be explained by endothelial dysfunction of women with the metabolic syndrome.

“Gestational diabetes is also associated with disorders of placental insufficiency, such as hypertension in pregnancy and stillbirth, which could be explained by the endothelial dysfunction of women with the metabolic syndrome (Rosenstein et al., 2012; Yang et al., 2022).”

• cites Rosenstein et al., 2012 sourcePartly supported

  The Comment section (page not provided) reports that women with gestational diabetes were more likely to experience stillbirth after 35 weeks. The paper does not establish an association with hypertension in pregnancy or identify placental insufficiency or endothelial dysfunction in metabolic syndrome as an explanation. (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Yang et al., 2022 sourcePartly supported

  The Mechanism and Predictive Markers section (Figure 1; page not provided) links gestational diabetes to placental ischemia, vascular endothelial injury, and preeclampsia with hypertension. The Introduction also describes an association between gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. The passages do not establish the claimed association with stillbirth or specifically explain these outcomes through endothelial dysfunction in women with metabolic syndrome. (LLM, conf=0.85)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

Gestational diabetes is associated with high aerobic fetal metabolism and hypoxia, stimulating the placenta to increase angiogenesis, resulting in increased number of capillaries; placentas also show abnormal endocrine function, increased inflammation, and changes in placental transporters.

“Gestational diabetes is associated with high aerobic fetal metabolism and hypoxia, stimulating the placenta to in­ crease angiogenesis, resulting in increased number of capillaries. The placentas also show abnormal endocrine function, increased inflam­ mation, and changes in placental transporters (Bedell et al., 2021; Denison et al., 2010; Gaither et al., 1999; Segura et al., 2017”

• cites Bedell et al., 2021 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Denison et al., 2010 sourcePartly supported

  Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 1 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Gaither et al., 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Placental differences dependent on fetal sex are numerous, and there are many mechanisms that could be involved in explaining how fetuses of different sexes are affected differently by prenatal EDC exposure.

“However, the placental differences dependent on fetal sex are numerous, and there are many mechanisms that could be involved in explaining how fetuses of different sexes are affected differently by prenatal EDC exposure (Braun et al., 2022).”

• cites Braun et al., 2022 sourcePartly supported

  The Background sections “The dynamic placental transcriptome” and “How does sex manifest in the human placenta?” describe numerous fetal-sex-dependent placental differences and potential mechanisms involving gene expression and hormones (page numbers unavailable). The passages do not connect those mechanisms specifically to differing fetal effects of prenatal endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

Throughout gestation placental function is influenced by fetal sex, resulting in sex-specific immunological and hormonal signaling, as well as sex-specific metabolism.

“Throughout gestation placental function is influenced by fetal sex, resulting in sex-specific immunological and hormonal signaling, as well as sex-specific metabolism (Braun et al., 2022).”

• cites Braun et al., 2022 sourceSupported

May combine two claims.

Exposure in utero to thalidomide caused severe malformations, and even fetal demise - effects that were not detected in the adult women taking the drug.

“Exposure in utero to thalidomide caused severe malformations, and even fetal demise - effects that were obviously not detected in the adult women taking the drug (Vargesson, 2015).”

• cites Vargesson, 2015 sourceSupported

May combine two claims.

Limited trophoblast invasion leads to inadequate placentation and a shallow placenta, with less frequent transformation of peripheral and deeper myometrial parts of the spiral arteries and development of atherosis.

“A limited trophoblast invasion leads to inadequate placentation and a shallow placenta, with features illustrated in Fig. 3. The peripheral parts as well as the deeper myometrial parts of the spiral arteries are less often transformed and develop atherosis, a feature with many similar­ ities to atherosclerotic lesions (Pitz et al., 2021).”

• cites Pitz et al., 2021 sourcePartly supported

  The Acute Atherosis Etiology section (page unavailable) links poor spiral-artery remodeling to acute atherosis and says the lesions share morphological features with early atherosclerosis. It also says atherosis is mainly found downstream at the tips of decidual spiral arteries, whereas the major remodeling problems occur upstream in the myometrium; atherosis can occur without remodeling defects. The source therefore does not support the claim that the less-transformed peripheral and deeper myometrial parts themselves generally develop atherosis. (LLM, conf=0.87)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

Consequently, blood flows at a higher rate towards the villi, probably damaging the terminal branches, causing inflammation and stress later seen in the placenta, and likely playing a role in the development of maternal symptoms seen in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

“Consequently, the blood flows at a higher rate towards the villi, probably damaging the terminal branches, causing the inflammation and stress later seen in the placenta, likely playing a role in the development of the maternal symptoms seen in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (Burton et al.,”

• cites Burton et al., 2019 sourceSupported

May combine two claims.

Bisphenol A exposure is linked to altered methylation profiles in the human placenta and lower birth weight.

“Also, bisphenol A has been linked to altered methylation profiles in the human placenta, as well as lower birth weight (Nahar et al., 2015; Troisi et al., 2014).”

• cites Nahar et al., 2015 sourceSupported
• cites Troisi et al., 2014 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Concentrations in fetal tissues, normalized to maternal serum or placenta levels, were lower in pregnancies with female fetus, pregnancies with placental insufficiency, and pregnancies that ended earlier.

“The concentrations in fetal tissues, normalized to maternal serum or placenta levels, were lower in pregnancies with female fetus, pregnancies with placental insufficiency, and pregnancies that ended earlier (Bjorvang et al., 2021).”

• cites Bjorvang et al., 2021 sourcePartly supported

  Section 3.5 reports lower fetal tissue:maternal serum ratios with placental insufficiency, higher ratios for several chemicals in male than female fetuses, and positive associations between gestational age and several ratios during weeks 36–41. The comparisons by these three factors used maternal serum ratios, not tissue:placenta ratios, and the findings did not apply to every measured chemical or tissue. (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

Compared to adult liver, fetal liver is immature in its capacity to metabolize xenobiotics; it expresses a different set of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, and the total amount of cytochrome P450 activity in fetal liver is significantly lower than in adult liver.

“Compared to adult liver, fetal liver is immature in its capacity to metabolize xenobiotics; it expresses a different set of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, and the total amount of cytochrome P450 activity in fetal liver is significantly lower than in adult liver (Hakkola et al., 1998; Robinson et al., 2020).”

• cites Hakkola et al., 1998 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Robinson et al., 2020 sourcePartly supported

  Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

Although DDT and PCBs have been globally restricted through the Stockholm Convention, they are still commonly detected in biomonitoring samples including human fetuses.

“Although DDT and PCBs have been globally restricted through the Stockholm Convention, they are still, half a cen­ tury later, commonly detected in biomonitoring samples including human fetuses (Bjorvang et al., 2021).”

• cites Bjorvang et al., 2021 sourceSupported

May combine two claims.

Zota et al. found a significant correlation between fetal liver burden of PBDE and expression of CYP1A1, but no correlation to any other studied CYPs.

“Zota et al. found significant correlation between fetal liver burden of PBDE and expression of CYP1A1 , but no correlation to any other studied CYPs (Zota et al., 2018).”

• cites Zota et al., 2018 sourcePartly supported

  The Results report a positive association between fetal-liver PBDE levels and CYP1A1 expression, but its 95% confidence interval in the full sample includes 1 (OR 2.36, 95% CI 0.98–5.68); it was significant in the analysis restricted to never-smokers. The Results also describe a suggestive, non-significant association with liver CYP2J2, so saying there was no correlation with any other studied CYP overstates the finding. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.90)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

The largest study included 85 fetuses, while the median sample size of the reported studies was 44.

“The largest study included 85 fetuses (Zota et al., 2018), while the median sample size of the reported studies was 44 (Table 1).”

• cites Zota et al., 2018 sourcePartly supported

  The Study Population section reports two cohorts of 36 and 50 women, and the Cytochrome P450 mRNA expression section reports 84 fetal-liver samples examined. These passages establish a study of roughly the stated size but do not substantiate exactly 85 fetuses. The median of 44 is attributed to the citing paper’s Table 1, not to Zota et al. (LLM, conf=0.82)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The Loccisano model concluded that more studies are needed to better model factors affecting chemicals during pregnancy, such as possible changes in renal reabsorption of PFAS.

“The model considered the fetus as one compartment, and concluded that more studies are needed to better model the various factors affecting chem­ icals during pregnancy, such as possible changes in renal reabsorption of PFAS.”

• cites Loccisano et al., 2013 sourcePartly supported

  The Discussion (Gestation and Lactation Models; page not provided) calls for more kinetic data during pregnancy, including data on renal resorption of PFAAs, to improve model predictions. But the Methods (Gestation model–physiology; page not provided) describes fetal plasma, rest-of-body, and amniotic-fluid compartments—not the fetus as a single compartment. (LLM, conf=0.86)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Hypertensive pregnancy disorders affect 10% of pregnancies.

“hypertensive pregnancy disorders 10% (Cameron et al., 2022)”

• cites Cameron et al., 2022 sourcePartly supported

  The Methods and Results section (page unavailable) reports new-onset hypertensive disorders in 2019 at 83.9 per 1,000 rural live births and 77.2 per 1,000 urban live births—about 8%, not 10%. The study covers US live births, so it does not establish a 10% figure for pregnancies generally. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Loccisano et al. developed a human p-PBTK model for PFOS and PFOA based on earlier adult human models.

“For example, Loccisano et al. developed a human p-PBTK model for PFOS and PFOA based on earlier adult human models (Loccisano et al., 2013).”

• cites Loccisano et al., 2013 sourceSupported

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The method of pregnancy termination can vary from mechanical to pharmaceutical, and the possible impact of the method on chemicals in the collected samples has not been assessed.

“The method of pregnancy termination can vary from mechanical to pharmaceutical, and the possible impact of the method on chemicals in the collected samples has not been assessed.”

May combine two claims.

Samples representing the first half of pregnancy are often collected from elective pregnancy terminations, and studies covering the latter half are typically based on tissues collected during autopsies of stillborn infants and neonatal deaths.

“Samples representing the first half of pregnancy are often collected from elective pregnancy terminations, and the studies covering the latter half of the pregnancy are typically based on tissues collected during au­ topsies of stillborn infants and neonatal deaths (Table 1).”

May combine two claims.

Half of the studies mentioned some maternal physiological factors, but their role in fetal exposure levels were considered only in a few studies.

“Half of the studies mentioned some maternal physiological factors, but their role in fetal exposure levels were considered only in a few studies.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Another common feature of fetal chemical exposure studies is the reported large variation between studied individual fetuses.

“Another common feature is the reported large variation between studied individual fetuses.”

May combine two claims.

Older studies (1969-2007) were conducted with tissues collected from stillbirth and perinatal autopsies, covering the latter half of pregnancy and first weeks of life, whereas newer studies (2009-2018) focused on elective pregnancy terminations, primarily covering the first trimester.

“The older studies (1969 -2007) were conducted with tissues collected from stillbirth and perinatal autopsies, and therefore covered the latter half of pregnancy and the first weeks of life, whereas the newer studies (2009 -2018) focused on elective preg­ nancy terminations, primarily covering the first trimester of pregnancy (Table 1).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The most-often studied fetal organ is the liver.

“The most-often studied fetal organ is the liver.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In many cases, samples were anonymized and associated information was limited to fetal age and sex.

“In many cases, samples were ano­ nymized and associated information was limited to fetal age and sex (Table 1).”

May combine two claims.

Direct assessment of chemical exposure in human fetuses is challenging, so most research measures maternal exposure.

“However, direct assessment in human fetuses is challenging, so most research measures maternal exposure.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Placental function, fetal sex, and pregnancy complications may further modify fetal chemical exposure.

“Moreover, placental function, fetal sex, and pregnancy complications may further modify these exposures.”

May combine two claims.

Prenatal life is a susceptible window of development during which chemical exposures can permanently alter fetal development, leading to an increased likelihood of disease later in life.

“Prenatal life represents a susceptible window of development during which chemical exposures can permanently alter fetal development, leading to an increased likelihood of disease later in life.”

• cites Ghassabian et al., 2022 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

The review reveals major knowledge gaps in factors affecting fetal chemical exposure, highlighting the need to develop more sophisticated tools for chemical health risk assessment in fetuses.

“Our review reveals major knowledge gaps in factors affecting fetal chemical exposure, highlighting the need to develop more sophisticated tools for chemical health risk assessment in fetuses.”

May combine two claims.

Gestational diabetes is characterized by increased insulin resistance and insufficient beta-cell insulin production.

“Another common pregnancy complication is gestational diabetes, characterized by increased insulin resistance and insufficient beta-cell insulin production (Szlapinski et al., 2021).”

• cites Szlapinski et al., 2021 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Maternal phthalate exposure is associated with imprinting of IGF2 in the placenta and low birth weight.

“Associations have been found between maternal phthalate exposure, imprinting of IGF2 in the placenta, and low birth weight (Zhao et al., 2015, 2016).”

• cites Zhao et al., 2015, 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

As entire cells can pass the placental barrier, it is likely that EDCs pass the barrier too.

“As entire cells can pass the barrier, it is likely that EDCs pass the barrier too.”

May combine two claims.

As the smooth muscle cells of the spiral arteries are replaced by trophoblasts, they become non-responsive to vasoconstricting substances, offering the fetus an unconditional supply of oxygen and nutrition, but also exposing it to other substances present in the maternal circulation.

“As the smooth muscle cells of the vessel walls are replaced by trophoblasts, they become non-responsive to vasoconstricting substances. This offers the fetus an unconditional supply of oxygen and nutrition, but also exposes it to other substances present in the maternal circulation (Cunningham, 2022).”

• cites Cunningham, 2022Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Physiological (mal)adaptation is likely to alter the fetal chemical burden, adding a further layer of complexity to studies assessing associations between maternal chemical exposure and fetal development and post-natal health.

“In addition, physiological (mal)adaptation is likely to alter the fetal chemical burden, adding a further layer of complexity to studies assessing associations between maternal chemical exposure and fetal development and post-natal health.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The placenta plays a major role as a barrier, as well as enabling waste disposal, gas exchange, and nutrient supply.

“The placenta is one of the most essential maternal organs for the fetus, playing a major role as a barrier, as well as enabling waste disposal, gas exchange, and nutrient supply.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Pregnancy complications widen the variation in physiological adaptations even more.

“In addition, pregnancy complications widen the variation even more.”

May combine two claims.

It is a challenge to demonstrate a causal mode of action in humans, and in practice data has to be collected by combining multiple lines of evidence.

“It is a challenge to demonstrate a causal mode of action in humans, and in practice data has to be collected by combining multiple lines of evidence.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Many pregnant women suffer from common pregnancy complications associated with altered placental function.

“In summary, many pregnant women suffer from common pregnancy complications associated with altered placental function.”

May combine two claims.

Overall, pregnant women are more sensitive to chemical exposure than non-pregnant women due to the physiological changes, more prone to develop pregnancy-related complications due to the exposure, and almost certainly even more vulnerable when pregnancy complications are already present.

“Overall, pregnant women are more sensitive to chemical exposure than non-pregnant women due to the physiological changes, more prone to develop pregnancy-related complications due to the exposure, and almost certainly even more vulnerable when pregnancy complications are already present (Gomez-Roig et al., 2021).”

• cites Gomez-Roig et al., 2021 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

In fetal and neonatal deaths, causes of death may relate to severe malformations or chromosomal abnormalities, but are also often findings compatible with live births, such as placental insufficiency, intrauterine growth restriction, and infection.

“In the case of fetal and neonatal deaths, causes of death may relate to severe malformations or chromosomal abnormalities, but are also often findings that can be compatible with live births too, such as placental insufficiency, intrauterine growth re­ striction, and infection (Varli et al., 2008).”

• cites Varli et al., 2008 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Developing organisms are uniquely susceptible to perturbations like chemical exposures, and protecting fetuses will require studies addressing toxicity specifically in fetuses.

“In summary, developing organisms are uniquely susceptible to perturbations like chemical exposures, and protecting fetuses will require studies addressing toxicity specifically in fetuses.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The systematic summary presented normal ranges of these parameters across normal pregnancy, excluding women with pregnancy-related complications or conditions.

“The ambitious work also presented the normal range of these parameters across normal pregnancy, excluding women with any pregnancy-related complications or conditions (Abduljalil et al., 2012).”

• cites Abduljalil et al., 2012 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The accuracy of all PBPK models is highly dependent on the information that it is based upon.

“The accuracy of all PBPK models is highly dependent on the information that it is based upon.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Varying storage conditions, the type of plastics and instruments used in sampling, or the laboratory environment as a whole are unlikely to significantly impact levels of persistent chemicals in the sample.

“In addition, varying storage conditions, the type of plastics and instruments used in sampling, or the laboratory environment as a whole are unlikely to significantly impact their levels in the sample.”

May combine two claims.

More rapidly metabolized chemicals, like many plastic additives such as bisphenols and phthalates, are more difficult to capture due to their fast kinetics; their levels can vary widely depending on the environment and exposure of the subject on any given day.

“In contrast, more rapidly metabolized chemicals, like many plastic additives such as bisphenols and phthalates, are more difficult to capture due to their fast kinetics. Their levels can vary widely depending on the environment and expo­ sure of the subject on any given day.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Considering the continued growth of the chemical industry, the amount of chemicals the fetus is exposed to is likely to increase.

“Considering the continued growth of the chemical industry, both in terms of diversity and volume of chemicals, the amount of chemicals the fetus is exposed to is likely to increase.”

May combine two claims.

It is likely that differing placental vascular resistance between pregnancies with female and male fetuses, the impact of maternal pregnancy complications often present in cases of intrauterine fetal demise, as well as dysfunction of the vasculature in placental insufficiency, may have played a role in how fetal sex and placental function affected fetal organ exposure.

“However, it is likely that the differing placental vascular resistance between pregnancies with female and male fetuses, the impact of maternal pregnancy com­ plications that are often present in cases of intrauterine fetal demise, as well as the dysfunction of the vasculature in placental insufficiency, may have played a role (Figs. 2 and 3).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Factors such as maternal health and placental function should be taken into consideration when fetal chemical exposure is modelled.

“Nevertheless, when viewed together, these observations suggest that factors such as maternal health and placental function should be taken into consideration when fetal chemical exposure is modelled.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

If the physicochemical properties of the chemical substance are well characterized, parameters affecting exposure as well as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion are known, and accurate data on the concentration of the chemical in different compartments of the biological system is available for validation purposes, then it is likely that a good model can be developed.

“If the physicochemical properties of the chemical substance are well characterized, parameters affecting exposure as well as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion are known, and accurate data on the concentration of the chemical in different compartments of the biological system (in this case: the preg­ nant woman) is available for validation purposes, then it is likely that a”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

P-PBPK models were developed in the 1980s based on values measured in pregnant rodents, and human models started emerging a decade later.

“P-PBPK models were developed in the 1980s based on values measured in pregnant rodents, and human models started emerging a decade later (Lu et al., 2012).”

• cites Lu et al., 2012Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Since pregnancy causes substantial changes in physiology, specific PBPK models for pregnancy (p-PBPK models) have been developed.

“Since pregnancy causes substantial changes in physiology (Figs. 1 -2), specific PBPK models for pregnancy have been developed (so called p-PBPK models).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Pregnancy causes substantial changes in physiology.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Non-linear accumulation of chemicals to organs could depend on changes in fetal blood flow patterns during development.

“This non-linear accumulation of chemicals to organs could for example depend on changes in fetal blood flow patterns during development (Fig. 2).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Sharma et al. developed a p-PBPK model for bisphenol A where the fetal compartment also encompassed organs like brain, liver, and kidney.

“Sharma et al. developed a p-PBPK model for bisphenol A where the fetal compartment also encompassed organs like brain, liver, and kidney (Sharma et al., 2018).”

• cites Sharma et al., 2018 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Validation of models on rapidly-metabolized compounds will remain challenging due to differing lifestyle variables just prior to sampling in biomonitoring studies and functional genetic variations in metabolizing enzymes in different populations.

“Although the model by Sharma showed good potential, the authors acknowledged that validation of models on rapidly-metabolized com­ pounds will remain challenging due not only to differing lifestyle vari­ ables just prior sampling in biomonitoring studies, but also functional genetic variations in metabolizing enzymes in different populations.”

• cites Sharma et al., 2018 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Exposure to adverse environments, such as malnutrition or toxic chemicals, can permanently shape the developing organs of the fetus, changing post-natal growth trajectory and conferring differing susceptibility to disease later in life.

“Exposure to adverse environments, be it malnutrition or toxic chemicals, can permanently shape the developing organs of the fetus in a way that changes post-natal growth trajectory and confers differing susceptibility to disease later in life.”

• cites Barker et al., 1986 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Gestational diabetes affects 14% of all pregnancies.

“gestational diabetes affects 14% of all pregnancies (Wang et al., 2022)”

• cites Wang et al., 2022 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The main challenge of human p-PBPK models is the validation process.

“The main challenge of the p-PBPK models in humans is the validation process.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The Sharma model predicted higher mid-gestation exposure in the fetal liver, in agreement with some observational studies.

“The model predicted higher mid-gestation exposure in the fetal liver in agreement with some observational studies.”

• cites Sharma et al., 2018 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

These studies establish that variation in chemical concentration between individuals is very high and not often explained by gestational length or maternal exposure levels.

“ii) the variation in chemical concentration between individuals is very high, and not often explained by gestational length or maternal exposure levels.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: A handful of studies have measured chemical concentrations in human fetal tissues collected from elective pregnancy terminations or autopsies of stillborn infants.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The concept of prenatal life as a defining, sensitive window of development has become well established since David Barker presented his hypothesis of adult heart disease being linked to poor nutrition during fetal development in the 1980s.

“Since David Barker presented his hypothesis of adult heart disease being linked to poor nutrition during fetal development in the 1980s, the concept of prenatal life as a defining, sensitive window of development has become well established (Barker et al., 1986).”

• cites Barker et al., 1986 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source