From Thatcher to Trump and Brexit: my seven lessons learned after 28 years as Guardian economics editor | Larry Elliott | The Guardian

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New Climate Maps Show a Transformed United States | ProPublica

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Endocrine disrupting chemicals and male fertility: from physiological to molecular effects

In this present review, we summarized the reprotoxicity of some EDCs that might be associated with male infertility. Regulatory agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) conducted screening programs to assess the potential endocrine disrupting effects of various chemicals on human health and the environment. We discussed the mechanism of action in the hypothalamic–pituitary axis, the detrimental impact on testicular cells, spermatogenesis process and semen quality including total count, motility, and normal morphology. In addition to the damage of DNA integrity, we detailed their impact on epigenetic processes. These effects seem to be one of the reasons of hypofertility in men and it can explain a part of in vitro fertilization failures. The decline in male fertility has become a major public health issue, and exposure to EDCs is one of the factors that may contribute to this phenomenon. Therefore, it is important to minimize exposure to EDCs, both in the workplace and in the environment.

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Endocrine disruptors and female fertility: a review of pesticide and plasticizer effects - ScienceDirect

An ongoing interest in environmental exposures and female fertility has led to an increasing number of studies focusing on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Both natural and synthetic compounds have the ability to impact reproductive health by altering the structure and/or function of genes and proteins that facilitate normal ovarian and endometrial functions. This mini-review aims to summarize the effects of some of the most common EDCs on female fertility, including the effects of pesticides and plasticizer alternatives (phthalates, bisphenol A), based on available data in human studies. A literature search was performed using the key words “pesticides, fertility, reproduction, plasticizers, bisphenol A, phthalate, miscarriage, and in vitro fertilization.” The data supporting EDCs’ role in female infertility remain limited, but existing evidence suggests that exposure may have an adverse impact. Accumulating evidence in animal studies provides important insights into the mechanisms underlying EDC effects. As dose-response dynamics are better elucidated, understanding the effects of EDCs on female fertility will help in the development of guidelines for both industry and individuals.

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The Role of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Gestation and Pregnancy Outcomes - PMC

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances widely disseminated both in the environment and in daily-life products which can interfere with the regulation and function of the endocrine system. These substances have gradually entered the food chain, being frequently found in human blood and urine samples. This becomes a particularly serious issue when they reach vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, whose hormones are more unstable and vulnerable to EDCs. The proper formation and activity of the placenta, and therefore embryonic development, may get seriously affected by the presence of these chemicals, augmenting the risk of several pregnancy complications, including intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus, among others. Additionally, some of them also exert a detrimental impact on fertility, thus hindering the reproductive process from the beginning. In several cases, EDCs even induce cross-generational effects, inherited by future generations through epigenetic mechanisms. These are the reasons why a proper understanding of the reproductive and gestational alterations derived from these substances is needed, along with efforts to establish regulations and preventive measures in order to avoid exposition (especially during this particular stage of life).

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Roll Your Own Mastodon Starter Kits – CogDogBlog

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4 ways the tech we buy is designed to fail, and why you should be furious | ZDNET

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Profile of HTS leader al-Jolani

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HTS takes Aleppo

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