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Gohlke JM, Harris MH, Roy A, Thompson TM, DePaola M, Alvarez RA, Anenberg SC, Apte JS, Demetillo MAG, Dressel IM, Kerr GH, Marshall JD, Nowlan AE, Patterson RF, Pusede SE, Southerland VA, Vogel SA. Response to "Comment on 'State-of-the-Science Data and Methods Need to Guide Place-Based Efforts to Reduce Air Pollution Inequity'". Environ Health Perspect 2024; 132:38002. [PMID: 38512316 PMCID: PMC10956668 DOI: 10.1289/ehp14705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia M. Gohlke
- Environmental Defense Fund, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Ananya Roy
- Environmental Defense Fund, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Susan C. Anenberg
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Joshua S. Apte
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - Isabella M. Dressel
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Gaige H. Kerr
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Julian D. Marshall
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Regan F. Patterson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sally E. Pusede
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Veronica A. Southerland
- Environmental Defense Fund, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Gohlke JM, Harris MH, Roy A, Thompson TM, DePaola M, Alvarez RA, Anenberg SC, Apte JS, Demetillo MAG, Dressel IM, Kerr GH, Marshall JD, Nowlan AE, Patterson RF, Pusede SE, Southerland VA, Vogel SA. State-of-the-Science Data and Methods Need to Guide Place-Based Efforts to Reduce Air Pollution Inequity. Environ Health Perspect 2023; 131:125003. [PMID: 38109120 PMCID: PMC10727036 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently enacted environmental justice policies in the United States at the state and federal level emphasize addressing place-based inequities, including persistent disparities in air pollution exposure and associated health impacts. Advances in air quality measurement, models, and analytic methods have demonstrated the importance of finer-scale data and analysis in accurately quantifying the extent of inequity in intraurban pollution exposure, although the necessary degree of spatial resolution remains a complex and context-dependent question. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this commentary were to a) discuss ways to maximize and evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to reduce air pollution disparities, and b) argue that environmental regulators must employ improved methods to project, measure, and track the distributional impacts of new policies at finer geographic and temporal scales. DISCUSSION The historic federal investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Biden Administration's commitment to Justice40 present an unprecedented opportunity to advance climate and energy policies that deliver real reductions in pollution-related health inequities. In our opinion, scientists, advocates, policymakers, and implementing agencies must work together to harness critical advances in air quality measurements, models, and analytic methods to ensure success. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13063.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M. Gohlke
- Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Maria H. Harris
- Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Ananya Roy
- Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Mindi DePaola
- Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Ramón A. Alvarez
- Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Susan C. Anenberg
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Joshua S. Apte
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | - Isabella M. Dressel
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Gaige H. Kerr
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Julian D. Marshall
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Aileen E. Nowlan
- Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Regan F. Patterson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sally E. Pusede
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Veronica A. Southerland
- Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Sarah A. Vogel
- Environmental Defense Fund, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Parker MK, Misyak SA, Gohlke JM, Hedrick VE. Cross-sectional measurement of adherence to a proposed sustainable and healthy dietary pattern among United States adults using the newly developed Planetary Health Diet Index for the United States. Am J Clin Nutr 2023; 118:1113-1122. [PMID: 37742929 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary choices are an important avenue for improving food system sustainability. The Planetary Health Diet was proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission as a reference healthy and sustainable dietary pattern. OBJECTIVES To assess adherence to the Planetary Health Diet among United States adults, this study developed and evaluated the Planetary Health Diet Index for the United States (PHDI-US), adapted from the original PHDI validated in the Brazilian population. METHODS The PHDI-US has 16 components with scores ranging between 0 and 150, and higher scores indicate better adherence to the Planetary Health Diet. Cross-sectional dietary data from 4741 participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018 were used to assess the validity and reliability of the PHDI-US. RESULTS Validity and reliability tests were acceptable overall: principal component analysis identified 6 components; total PHDI-US and Healthy Eating Index-2015 scores were positively associated (β = 0.67, standard error = 0.03, P <0.0001; R2 = 0.39); concurrent-criterion validity analyses identified significantly lower scores among males, everyday smokers, and younger adults; and the Cronbach's α value was 0.54. The average PHDI-US score was 46.7 out of 150, indicating that the diets of United States adults were far from meeting Planetary Health Diet recommendations. Based on component PHDI-US scores, many United States adults may be able to enhance the quality and sustainability of their diets by increasing intake of plant-based foods, including whole grains, nuts and peanuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, and reducing intake of animal-based foods, including red and processed meats. CONCLUSIONS The PHDI-US is a new tool that can assess adherence to the Planetary Health Diet and identify key aspects of United States adults' diets that could be altered to potentially improve dietary sustainability and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly K Parker
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Sarah A Misyak
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Valisa E Hedrick
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Ramesh B, Callender R, Zaitchik BF, Jagger M, Swarup S, Gohlke JM. Adverse Health Outcomes Following Hurricane Harvey: A Comparison of Remotely-Sensed and Self-Reported Flood Exposure Estimates. Geohealth 2023; 7:e2022GH000710. [PMID: 37091294 PMCID: PMC10120588 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Remotely sensed inundation may help to rapidly identify areas in need of aid during and following floods. Here we evaluate the utility of daily remotely sensed flood inundation measures and estimate their congruence with self-reported home flooding and health outcomes collected via the Texas Flood Registry (TFR) following Hurricane Harvey. Daily flood inundation for 14 days following the landfall of Hurricane Harvey was acquired from FloodScan. Flood exposure, including number of days flooded and flood depth was assigned to geocoded home addresses of TFR respondents (N = 18,920 from 47 counties). Discordance between remotely-sensed flooding and self-reported home flooding was measured. Modified Poisson regression models were implemented to estimate risk ratios (RRs) for adverse health outcomes following flood exposure, controlling for potential individual level confounders. Respondents whose home was in a flooded area based on remotely-sensed data were more likely to report injury (RR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.27-1.77), concentration problems (1.36, 95% CI: 1.25-1.49), skin rash (1.31, 95% CI: 1.15-1.48), illness (1.29, 95% CI: 1.17-1.43), headaches (1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.16), and runny nose (1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.11) compared to respondents whose home was not flooded. Effect sizes were larger when exposure was estimated using respondent-reported home flooding. Near-real time remote sensing-based flood products may help to prioritize areas in need of assistance when on the ground measures are not accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balaji Ramesh
- College of Public HealthThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
| | | | - Benjamin F. Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMDUSA
| | | | - Samarth Swarup
- Biocomplexity InstituteUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesvilleVAUSA
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Department of Population Health SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
- Environmental Defense FundWashingtonDCUSA
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Young HA, Kolivras KN, Krometis LAH, Marcillo CE, Gohlke JM. Examining the association between safe drinking water act violations and adverse birth outcomes in Virginia. Environ Res 2023; 218:114977. [PMID: 36463994 PMCID: PMC9901941 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In 1974, the United States established the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to protect consumers from potential exposure to drinking water contaminants associated with health risks. Each contaminant is assigned a health-based standard meant to reflect the maximum level at which an adverse human health outcome is unlikely; measurements beyond that level have greater potential to result in adverse health outcomes. Although there is extensive research on human health implications following water contaminant exposure, few studies have specifically examined associations between fetal health and municipal drinking water violations. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess whether SDWA drinking water violations are associated with fetal health outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and term-low birth weight (tLBW), in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Singleton births (n = 665,984) occurring between 2007 and 2015 in Virginia were geocoded and assigned to a corresponding estimated water service area. Health-based (HB) and monitoring and reporting (MR) violations for 12 contaminants were acquired from the US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, with exposure defined at the approximate service area level to limit exposure misclassification. A logistic regression model for each birth outcome assessed potential relationships with SDWA violations. When examining the association between individual MR violations and birth outcomes, Nitrate-Nitrite (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.18, P = 0.01) was positively associated with PTB and the total coliform rule was negatively associated with tLBW (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.87, 1.00, P = 0.04). These findings indicate that a lack of regular monitoring and reporting by water providers (resulting in monitoring and reporting violations) may be concealing health-based violations as these health concerns cannot be revealed without testing, suggesting a need for additional technical, managerial, and financial support to enable often-underfunded water systems to adhere to monitoring and reporting requirements meant to protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly A Young
- Department of Geography, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States.
| | | | - Leigh-Anne H Krometis
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States
| | - Cristina E Marcillo
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States
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Dietrich AM, Yao W, Gohlke JM, Gallagher DL. Environmental risks from consumer products: Acceptable drinking water quality can produce unacceptable indoor air quality with ultrasonic humidifier use. Sci Total Environ 2023; 856:158787. [PMID: 36116655 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The commonly used consumer product of an ultrasonic humidifier (e.g., cool mist humidifier) emits fine particles containing metals from tap water used to fill the humidifier. The objectives are: 1) predict emitted indoor air inhalable metal concentrations produced by an ultrasonic humidifier filled with tap-water containing As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Pb in 33 m3 or 72 m3 rooms with varying air exchange rates; 2) calculate daily ingestion and 8-h inhalation average daily dose (ADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) for adults and children (aged 0.25-6 yr); and 3) quantify deposition in respiratory tract via multi-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model. Mass concentrations of indoor air metals increase proportionally with aqueous metal concentrations in fill water, and are inversely related to ventilation. Inhalation-ADDs are 2 magnitudes lower than ingestion-ADDs, using identical water quality for ingestion and fill-water. However, in the 33 m3, low 0.2/h ventilated room, inhalation-HQs are >1 for children and adults, except for Pb. HQ inhalation risks exceed ingestion risks at drinking water regulated levels for As, Cd, Cr, and Mn. MPPD shows greater dose deposits in lungs of children than adults, and 3 times greater deposited doses in a 33 m3 vs 72 m3 room. Rethinking health effects of drinking water and consumer products to broaden consideration of multiple exposure routes is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Dietrich
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
| | - Wenchuo Yao
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Daniel L Gallagher
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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7
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Mendrinos A, Ramesh B, Ruktanonchai CW, Gohlke JM. Poultry Concentrated Animal-Feeding Operations on the Eastern Shore, Virginia, and Geospatial Associations with Adverse Birth Outcomes. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10102016. [PMID: 36292462 PMCID: PMC9602095 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10102016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Concentrated animal-feeding operations (CAFOs) emit pollution into surrounding areas, and previous research has found associations with poor health outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate if home proximity to poultry CAFOs during pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). This study includes births occurring on the Eastern Shore, Virginia, from 2002 to 2015 (N = 5768). A buffer model considering CAFOs within 1 km, 2 km, and 5 km of the maternal residence and an inverse distance weighted (IDW) approach were used to estimate proximity to CAFOs. Associations between proximity to poultry CAFOs and adverse birth outcomes were determined by using regression models, adjusting for available covariates. We found a −52.8 g (−95.8, −9.8) change in birthweight and a −1.51 (−2.78, −0.25) change in gestational days for the highest tertile of inverse distance to CAFOs. Infants born with a maternal residence with at least one CAFO within a 5 km buffer weighed −47 g (−94.1, −1.7) less than infants with no CAFOs within a 5 km buffer of the maternal address. More specific measures of exposure pathways via air and water should be used in future studies to refine mediators of the association found in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Mendrinos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Balaji Ramesh
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Corrine W. Ruktanonchai
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
- Correspondence:
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McKnight MX, Kolivras KN, Buttling LG, Gohlke JM, Marr LC, Pingel TJ, Ranganathan S. Associations Between Surface Mining Airsheds and Birth Outcomes in Central Appalachia at Multiple Spatial Scales. Geohealth 2022; 6:e2022GH000696. [PMID: 36284528 PMCID: PMC9587347 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A considerable body of research exists outlining ecological impacts of surface coal mining, but less work has explicitly focused on human health, and few studies have examined potential links between health and surface coal mining at fine spatial scales. In particular, relationships between individual birth outcomes and exposure to air contaminants from coal mining activities has received little attention. Central Appalachia (portions of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, USA), our study area, has a history of resource extraction, and epidemiologic research notes that the region experiences a greater level of adverse health outcomes compared to the rest of the country that are not fully explained by socioeconomic and behavioral factors. The purpose of this study is to examine associations between surface mining and birth outcomes at four spatial scales: individual, Census tract, county, and across county-sized grid cells. Notably, this study is among the first to examine these associations at the individual scale, providing a more direct measure of exposure and outcome. Airsheds were constructed for surface mines using an atmospheric trajectory model. We then implemented linear (birthweight) and logistic (preterm birth [PTB]) regression models to examine associations between airsheds and birth outcomes, which were geocoded to home address for individual analyses and then aggregated for areal unit analyses, while controlling for a number of demographic variables. This study found that surface mining airsheds are significantly associated with PTB and decreased birthweight at all four spatial scales, suggesting that surface coal mining activities impact birth outcomes via airborne contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly X. McKnight
- Department of GeographyVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Korine N. Kolivras
- Department of GeographyVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Lauren G. Buttling
- Department of Population Health SciencesVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Department of Population Health SciencesVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Linsey C. Marr
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Thomas J. Pingel
- Department of GeographyVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Shyam Ranganathan
- Department of StatisticsVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAUSA
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Ramesh B, Jagger MA, Zaitchik BF, Kolivras KN, Swarup S, Yang B, Corpuz BG, Gohlke JM. Estimating changes in emergency department visits associated with floods caused by Tropical Storm Imelda using satellite observations and syndromic surveillance. Health Place 2022; 74:102757. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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10
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Moon KE, Wang S, Bryant K, Gohlke JM. Environmental Heat Exposure Among Pet Dogs in Rural and Urban Settings in the Southern United States. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:742926. [PMID: 34676256 PMCID: PMC8525463 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.742926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With advancing global climate change, heat-related illnesses and injuries are anticipated to become more prevalent for humans and other species. Canine hyperthermia is already considered an important seasonal emergency. Studies have been performed on the risk factors for heat stroke in canine athletes and military working dogs; however there is limited knowledge on environmental risk factors for the average pet dog. This observational study explores variation in individually experienced environmental temperatures of pet dogs (N = 30) in rural and urban environments in central Alabama. Temperature data from dogs and their owners was collected using wearable personal thermometers. Demographic data on the dogs was collected using a brief survey instrument completed by their owners. Dogs included in the study varied in signalment, activity level, and home environment. Linear mixed effects regression models were used to analyze repeated measure temperature and heat index values from canine thermometers to explore the effect of environmental factors on the overall heat exposure risk of canine pets. Specifically, the heat exposures of dogs were modeled considering their owner's experienced temperatures, as well as neighborhood and local weather station measurements, to identify factors that contribute to the heat exposure of individual dogs, and therefore potentially contribute to heat stress in the average pet dog. Results show hourly averaged temperatures for dogs followed a diurnal pattern consistent with both owner and ambient temperature measurements, except for indoor dogs whose recordings remained stable throughout the day. Heat index calculations showed that owners, in general, had more hours categorized into the National Weather Station safe category compared to their dogs, and that indoor dogs had a greater proportion of hours categorized as safe compared to outdoor dogs. Our results suggest that the risk of the average pet dog to high environmental heat exposure may be greater than traditional measures indicate, emphasizing that more localized considerations of temperature are important when assessing a dog's environmental risk for heat-related injury or illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Moon
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Suwei Wang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Translational Biology, Medicine and Health (TBMH), Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Kaya Bryant
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,College of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL, United States
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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Yao W, Gallagher DL, Gohlke JM, Dietrich AM. Children and adults are exposed to dual risks from ingestion of water and inhalation of ultrasonic humidifier particles from Pb-containing water. Sci Total Environ 2021; 791:148248. [PMID: 34139495 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Room-sized ultrasonic humidifiers are exposure pathways to aerosolized metals, with dose positively associated with increased concentrations of metals in fill water. This study innovatively quantifies water ingestion along with inhalation doses from humidifiers for 10-1000 μg/L dissolved lead (Pb) in tap water. The subsequent indoor air Pb concentrations, average daily doses, and inhalation deposited respiratory fractions were predicted under four room scenarios for 3-mo, 12-mo, 28-mo, and 6-yr children and adults. Elevated blood Pb levels (BLLs) in children were modeled using USEPA's Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) model. Indoor air Pb exceeds the USEPA ambient air standard of 0.15 μg/m3 when humidifier fill water contains 33 μg/L Pb in the small room of 33.5 m3 and 0.2 h-1 air exchange rate (AER). For this room, ~40-46% inhaled Pb-containing humidifier particles deposit in children's respiratory tracts; inhaling humidifier particles from ≥500 μg/L Pb water results in >1 μg/dL BLL in 2-7 yr children. For adults, ~23% of particles deposit in the respiratory tract; 8-h inhalation exposure with ≥17 μg/L Pb water exceeds the California EPA reproductive toxicity guideline of 0.5 μg/day. Larger rooms and higher AER decrease Pb inhalation exposure under the same water Pb concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchuo Yao
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Daniel L Gallagher
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Andrea M Dietrich
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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Wang S, Richardson MB, Evans MB, Johnson E, Threadgill-Matthews S, Tyson S, White KL, Gohlke JM. A community-engaged approach to understanding environmental health concerns and solutions in urban and rural communities. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1738. [PMID: 34560866 PMCID: PMC8464125 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11799-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Focus groups and workshops can be used to gain insights into the persistence of and potential solutions for environmental health priorities in underserved areas. The objective of this study was to characterize focus group and workshop outcomes of a community-academic partnership focused on addressing environmental health priorities in an urban and a rural location in Alabama between 2012 and 2019. Methods Six focus groups were conducted in 2016 with 60 participants from the City of Birmingham (urban) and 51 participants from Wilcox County (rural), Alabama to discuss solutions for identified environmental health priorities based on previous focus group results in 2012. Recorded focus groups were transcribed and analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Four follow-up workshops that included written survey instruments were conducted to further explore identified priorities and determine whether the priorities change over time in the same urban (68 participants) and rural (72 participants) locations in 2018 and 2019. Results Consistent with focus groups in 2012, all six focus groups in 2016 in Birmingham identified abandoned houses as the primary environmental priority. Four groups listed attending city council meetings, contacting government agencies and reporting issues as individual-level solutions. Identified city-level solutions included city-led confiscation, tearing down and transferring of abandoned property ownership. In Wilcox County, all six groups agreed the top priority was drinking water quality, consistent with results in 2012. While the priority was different in Birmingham versus Wilcox County, the top identified reason for problem persistence was similar, namely unresponsive authorities. Additionally, individual-level solutions identified by Wilcox County focus groups were similar to Birmingham, including contacting and pressuring agencies and developing petitions and protesting to raise awareness, while local policy-level solutions identified in Wilcox County included government-led provision of grants to improve septic systems, and transparency in allocation of funds. Workshops in 2018 and 2019 further emphasized water quality as the top priority in Wilcox County, while participants in Birmingham transitioned from abandoned houses as a top priority in 2018 to drinking water quality as a new priority in 2019. Conclusions Applying a community-engaged approach in both urban and rural locations provided better understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges for identifying potential interventions for environmental health priorities in both locations. Results can help inform future efforts to address locally defined environmental health issues and solutions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11799-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwei Wang
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0395, USA
| | - Molly B Richardson
- Division of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Mary B Evans
- Center for the Study of Community Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Ethel Johnson
- West Central Alabama Community Health Improvement League, Camden, AL, 36726, USA
| | | | | | - Katherine L White
- Center for the Study of Community Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 205 Duck Pond Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0395, USA.
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Wang S, Johnson E, Tyson S, Gohlke JM. Heat-Health Behavior Change During Summer 2020 in African American Alabama Residents. Am J Public Health 2021; 111:1443-1447. [PMID: 34464195 PMCID: PMC8489622 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
To investigate how heat-health behaviors changed in summer 2020 compared with previous summers, our community-academic partnership conducted telephone surveys to collect data on cooling behaviors, safety concerns, and preferences for cooling alternatives for 101 participants living in Alabama. Participants indicating they would visit cooling centers declined from 23% in previous summers to 10% in summer 2020. The use of cooling centers and other public spaces may be less effective in reducing heat-related illness because of safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic and police brutality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwei Wang
- Suwei Wang and Julia M. Gohlke are with the Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg. Suwei Wang is also with the Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Ethel Johnson is with the Central Alabama Community Health Improvement League, Camden. Sheila Tyson is with Friends of West End, Birmingham, AL
| | - Ethel Johnson
- Suwei Wang and Julia M. Gohlke are with the Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg. Suwei Wang is also with the Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Ethel Johnson is with the Central Alabama Community Health Improvement League, Camden. Sheila Tyson is with Friends of West End, Birmingham, AL
| | - Sheila Tyson
- Suwei Wang and Julia M. Gohlke are with the Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg. Suwei Wang is also with the Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Ethel Johnson is with the Central Alabama Community Health Improvement League, Camden. Sheila Tyson is with Friends of West End, Birmingham, AL
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Suwei Wang and Julia M. Gohlke are with the Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg. Suwei Wang is also with the Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Ethel Johnson is with the Central Alabama Community Health Improvement League, Camden. Sheila Tyson is with Friends of West End, Birmingham, AL
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Ramesh B, Jagger MA, Zaitchik B, Kolivras KN, Swarup S, Deanes L, Gohlke JM. Emergency department visits associated with satellite observed flooding during and following Hurricane Harvey. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2021; 31:832-841. [PMID: 34267308 PMCID: PMC8448911 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00361-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Flooding following heavy rains precipitated by hurricanes has been shown to impact the health of people. Earth observations can be used to identify inundation extents for subsequent analysis of health risks associated with flooding at a fine spatio-temporal scale. OBJECTIVE To evaluate emergency department (ED) visits before, during, and following flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 in Texas. METHODS A controlled before and after design was employed using 2016-2018 ED visits from flooded and non-flooded census tracts. ED visits between landfall of the hurricane and receding of flood waters were considered within the flood period and post-flood periods extending up to 4 months were also evaluated. Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted rate ratios for total and cause specific ED visits. RESULTS Flooding was associated with increased ED visits for carbon monoxide poisoning, insect bite, dehydration, hypothermia, intestinal infectious diseases, and pregnancy complications. During the month following the flood period, the risk for pregnancy complications and insect bite was still elevated in the flooded tracts. SIGNIFICANCE Earth observations coupled with ED visits increase our understanding of the short-term health risks during and following flooding, which can be used to inform preparedness measures to mitigate adverse health outcomes and identify localities with increased health risks during and following flooding events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balaji Ramesh
- Department of Geography, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin Zaitchik
- Morton K. Blaustein Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Korine N Kolivras
- Department of Geography, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Samarth Swarup
- Biocomplexity Institute and Initiative, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Lauren Deanes
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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15
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Wang S, Wu CYH, Richardson MB, Zaitchik BF, Gohlke JM. Characterization of heat index experienced by individuals residing in urban and rural settings. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2021; 31:641-653. [PMID: 33597724 PMCID: PMC8273073 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-021-00303-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Heatwave warning systems rely on forecasts made for fixed-point weather stations (WS), which do not reflect variation in temperature and humidity experienced by individuals moving through indoor and outdoor locations. We examined whether neighborhood measurement improved the prediction of individually experienced heat index in addition to nearest WS in an urban and rural location. Participants (residents of Birmingham, Alabama [N = 89] and Wilcox County, Alabama [N = 88]) wore thermometers clipped to their shoe for 7 days. Shielded thermometers/hygrometers were placed outdoors within participant's neighborhoods (N = 43). Nearest WS and neighborhood thermometers were matched to participant's home address. Heat index (HI) was estimated from participant thermometer temperature and WS humidity per person-hour (HI[individual]), or WS temperature and humidity, or neighborhood temperature and humidity. We found that neighborhood HI improved the prediction of individually experienced HI in addition to WS HI in the rural location, and neighborhood heat index alone served as a better predictor in the urban location, after accounting for individual-level factors. Overall, a 1 °C increase in HI[neighborhood] was associated with 0.20 °C [95% CI (0.19, 0.21)] increase in HI[individual]. After adjusting for ambient condition differences, we found higher HI[individual] in the rural location, and increased HI[individual] during non-rest time (5 a.m. to midnight) and on weekdays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwei Wang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Translational Biology, Medicine and Health (TBMH), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Connor Y H Wu
- Department of Geospatial Informatics, Troy University, Troy, AL, USA
| | - Molly B Richardson
- Division of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Benjamin F Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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16
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Wang S, Richardson MB, Wu CY, Zaitchik BF, Gohlke JM. Effect of an Additional 30 Minutes Spent Outdoors during Summer on Daily Steps and Individually Experienced Heat Index. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E7558. [PMID: 33080822 PMCID: PMC7589302 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Spending time outdoors is associated with increased physical activity; however, high ambient temperature/humidity, together with built environment features in urban versus rural environments, may influence physical activity. We conducted an intervention trial with 89 urban and 88 rural participants performing normal activities on Days 1-2 (baseline) and spending an additional 30 min outdoors on Days 3-7 (intervention) in the summer. Participants wore a pedometer with real-time visual feedback to track daily steps taken and a thermometer clipped to their shoe to track temperatures experienced individually. Hygrometer-thermometers were deployed in participants' neighborhoods to collect finer resolution ambient heat indexes in addition to regional weather station measurements. Using linear mixed effects models and adjusting for ambient conditions and individual-level factors, participants on average walked 637 (95%CI (83, 1192)) more steps and had a 0.59 °C (95%CI (0.30, 0.88)) lower daily mean individually experienced heat index during intervention days compared to baseline days. The intervention benefit of increased physical activity was greater in rural residents who were less active at baseline, compared to urban residents. Our results suggest adding a small amount of additional time outdoors may improve physical activity without increasing participants' heat exposure, even during summer in a humid subtropical climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwei Wang
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health (TBMH), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Molly B. Richardson
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA;
| | - Connor Y.H. Wu
- Department of Geospatial Informatics, Troy University, Troy, AL 36082, USA;
| | - Benjamin F. Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA;
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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17
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Carter AW, Zaitchik BF, Gohlke JM, Wang S, Richardson MB. Methods for Estimating Wet Bulb Globe Temperature From Remote and Low-Cost Data: A Comparative Study in Central Alabama. Geohealth 2020; 4:e2019GH000231. [PMID: 32490302 PMCID: PMC7240860 DOI: 10.1029/2019gh000231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Heat stress is a significant health concern that can lead to illness, injury, and mortality. The wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index is one method for monitoring environmental heat risk. Generally, WBGT is estimated using a heat stress monitor that includes sensors capable of measuring ambient, wet bulb, and black globe temperature, and these measurements are combined to calculate WBGT. However, this method can be expensive, time consuming, and requires careful attention to ensure accurate and repeatable data. Therefore, researchers have attempted to use standard meteorological measurements, using single data sources as an input (e.g., weather stations) to calculate WBGT. Building on these efforts, we apply data from a variety of sources to calculate WBGT, understand the accuracy of our estimated equation, and compare the performance of different sources of input data. To do this, WBGT measurements were collected from Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Trackers installed in three locations in Alabama. Data were also drawn from local weather stations, North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS), and low cost iButton hygrometers. We applied previously published equations for estimating natural wet bulb temperature, globe temperature, and WBGT to these diverse data sources. Correlation results showed that WBGT estimates derived from all proxy data sources-weather station, weather station/iButton, NLDAS, NLDAS/iButton-were statistically indistinguishable from each other, or from the Kestrel measurements, at two of the three sites. However, at the same two sites, the addition of iButtons significantly reduced root mean square error and bias compared to other methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabel W. Carter
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Benjamin F. Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Department of Population Health SciencesVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Suwei Wang
- Department of Population Health SciencesVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Molly B. Richardson
- Division of Preventive MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamALUSA
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18
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Richardson MB, Chmielewski C, Wu CYH, Evans MB, McClure LA, Hosig KW, Gohlke JM. The effect of time spent outdoors during summer on daily blood glucose and steps in women with type 2 diabetes. J Behav Med 2019; 43:783-790. [PMID: 31677087 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-019-00113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated changes in glycemic control following a small increase in time spent outdoors. Women participants with type 2 diabetes (N = 46) wore an iBUTTON temperature monitor and a pedometer for 1 week and recorded their morning fasting blood glucose (FBG) daily. They went about their normal activities for 2 days (baseline) and were asked to add 30 min of time outdoors during Days 3-7 (intervention). Linear mixed effects models were used to test whether morning FBG values were different on days following intervention versus baseline days, and whether steps and/or heat exposure changed. Results were stratified by indicators of good versus poor glycemic control prior to initiation of the study. On average, blood glucose was reduced by 6.1 mg/dL (95% CI - 11.5, - 0.6) on mornings after intervention days after adjusting for age, BMI, and ambient weather conditions. Participants in the poor glycemic control group (n = 16) experienced a 15.8 mg/dL decrease (95% CI - 27.1, - 4.5) in morning FBG on days following the intervention compared to a 1.6 mg/dL decrease (95%CI - 7.7, 4.5) for participants in the good glycemic control group (n = 30). Including daily steps or heat exposure did not attenuate the association between intervention and morning FBG. The present study suggests spending an additional 30 min outdoors may improve glycemic control; however, further examination with a larger sample over a longer duration and determination of mediators of this relationship is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly B Richardson
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | | | - Connor Y H Wu
- Department of Geospatial Informatics, Troy University, Troy, AL, USA
| | - Mary B Evans
- Center for the Study of Community Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Leslie A McClure
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn W Hosig
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Center for Public Health Practice and Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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Milazzo MJ, Gohlke JM, Gallagher DL, Scott AA, Zaitchik BF, Marr LC. Potential for city parks to reduce exposure to BTEX in air. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2019; 21:40-50. [PMID: 30426129 PMCID: PMC6643974 DOI: 10.1039/c8em00252e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) are hazardous air pollutants commonly found in outdoor air. Several studies have explored the potential of vegetation to mitigate BTEX in outdoor air, but they are limited to a northern temperate climate and their results lack consensus. To investigate this subject in a subtropical climate, we deployed passive air samplers for two weeks in parks and outside nearby residences at four locations: three in an urban area and one in a rural area in Alabama, USA. All BTEX concentrations were below health-based guidelines and were comparable to those found in several other studies in populated settings. Concentrations of TEX, but not benzene, were 3-39% lower in parks than at nearby residences, and the differences were significant. Site type (park vs. residential) was a significant predictor of TEX concentrations, while distance to the nearest major road was a significant predictor of BTX concentrations. In and around two of the parks, toluene : benzene ratios fell outside the range expected for vehicular emissions (p < 0.01), suggesting that there were additional, industrial sources of benzene near these two locations. The ratio of m-,p-xylene : ethylbenzene was high at all locations except one residential area, indicating that BTEX were freshly emitted. Concentrations of individual BTEX compounds were highly correlated with each other in most cases, except for locations that may have been impacted by nearby industrial sources of benzene. Results of this study suggest that parks can help reduce exposure to TEX by a modest amount in some situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Milazzo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.
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20
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Wu CYH, Zaitchik BF, Swarup S, Gohlke JM. Influence of the spatial resolution of the exposure estimate in determining the association between heat waves and adverse health outcomes. Ann Am Assoc Geogr 2019; 109:875-886. [PMID: 31555750 PMCID: PMC6760669 DOI: 10.1080/24694452.2018.1511411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Area-level estimates of temperature may lead to exposure misclassification in studies examining associations between heat waves and health outcomes. Our study compared the association between heat waves and preterm birth (PTB) or non-accidental death (NAD) using exposure metrics at varying levels of spatial resolution: ZIP codes, 12.5 km, and 1 km. METHOD Using geocoded residential addresses on birth (1990-2010) and death (1997-2010) records from Alabama, USA, we implemented a time-stratified case-crossover design to examine the association between heat waves and PTB or NAD. ZIP code- and 12.5 km heat wave indices (HIs) were derived using air temperatures from Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). We downscaled NLDAS-2 data, using land surface temperatures (LST) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) product, to estimate fine spatial resolution HIs (1 km). RESULTS The association between heat waves and PTB or NAD was significant and positive using ZIP code-, 12.5 km, and 1 km exposure metrics. Moreover, results show that these three-exposure metric analyses produced similar effect estimates. Urban heat islands were evident with the 1 km metric. When analyses were stratified by rurality, we found associations in urban areas were more positive than in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS Comparing results of models with a varying spatial resolution of the exposure metric allows for examination of potential bias associated with exposure misclassification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Y H Wu
- Department of Social Sciences and Leadership, College of Arts and Sciences, Troy University, Troy, AL 36082, USA
| | - Benjamin F Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Samarth Swarup
- Network Dynamics Simulation Science Laboratory, Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Richardson MB, Li P, Gohlke JM, Allison DB. Effects of Indoor Thermal Environment on Human Food Intake, Productivity, and Comfort: Pilot, Randomized, Crossover Trial. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2018; 26:1826-1833. [PMID: 30426700 PMCID: PMC6580845 DOI: 10.1002/oby.22328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE It was hypothesized that exposure to mild temperatures above the human thermoneutral zone would decrease caloric intake in a sedentary office environment. METHODS Women (n = 25) were randomized in a crossover design to perform seated office work for 7 hours in a thermoneutral condition (control, 19°C-20°C) and a condition above the thermoneutral zone (warm, 26°C-27°C). Food intake was estimated by weight and bomb calorimetry, peripheral temperature by thermal imaging, and thermal comfort and productivity by questionnaires. Mixed effects models were used to examine the effects of thermal condition on caloric intake. RESULTS Participants ate, on average, 357 kcal less in the warm condition, adjusting for BMI and peripheral temperature (P = 0.0219). According to the survey results at midday (after 3.5 hours of exposure), 96% of the participants in the warm condition reported being comfortable (n = 24) compared with 32% in the control condition (n = 8). More participants reported being as productive or more productive than usual in the warm condition (n = 22, 88%) than in the control condition (n = 12, 48%). CONCLUSIONS This line of research is worthy of further exploration. Untightening climate control toward warmer conditions during summer to increase comfort and productivity while decreasing caloric intake may prove both effective and comfortable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly B. Richardson
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Biostatistics, UAB, Birmingham, AL
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
| | - David B. Allison
- Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
- Corresponding Author Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, 1025 E 7th St, PH 111, Bloomington, IN 47405, (812) 855-1250,
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Wu CYH, Zaitchik BF, Gohlke JM. Heat waves and fatal traffic crashes in the continental United States. Accid Anal Prev 2018; 119:195-201. [PMID: 30048841 PMCID: PMC6675573 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2018.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A better understanding of how heat waves affect fatal traffic crashes will be useful to promote awareness of drivers' vulnerability during an extreme heat event. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS We applied a time-stratified case-crossover design to examine associations between heat waves and fatal traffic crashes during May-September of 2001-2011 in the continental United States (US). Heat waves, defined as the daily mean temperature >95% threshold for ≥2 consecutive days, were derived using gridded 12.5 km2 air temperatures from Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). Dates and locations of fatal traffic crash records were acquired from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). RESULTS Results show a significant positive association between fatal traffic crashes and heat waves with a 3.4% (95% CI: 0.9, 5.9%) increase in fatal traffic crashes on heat wave days versus non-heat wave days. The association was more positive for 56-65 years old drivers [8.2% (0.3, 16.7%)] and driving on rural roadways [6.1% (2.8, 9.6%)]. Moreover, a positive association was only present when the heat wave days were characterized by no precipitation [10.9% (7.3%, 14.6%)] and medium or high solar radiation [24.6% (19.9%, 29.5%) and 19.9% (15.6%, 24.4%), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS These findings are relevant for developing targeted interventions for these driver groups and driving situations to efficiently reduce the negative effects of heat waves on fatal traffic crashes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Y H Wu
- Department of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Troy University, Troy, AL, 36082, USA.
| | - Benjamin F Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
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Nelson JR, Schwartz TS, Gohlke JM. Influence of maternal age on the effects of seleno-l-methionine in the model organism Daphnia pulex under standard and heat stress conditions. Reprod Toxicol 2018; 75:1-9. [PMID: 29128604 PMCID: PMC5836502 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 10/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Selenium deficiency and toxicity increase the risk of adverse developmental and reproductive outcomes; however, few multi-stressor studies have evaluated the influence of maternal age on organic selenium dose-response and additional stressors over the life course. While multi-stressor research in mammalian models is time-consuming and expensive, use of alternative models can efficiently produce screening data for prioritizing research in mammalian systems. As a well-known eco-toxicological model, Daphnia pulex, may offer advantages in screening for impacts of multi-stressor exposures. We evaluated the influence of maternal age on the effects of seleno-methionine (SeMet) for lifespan, reproduction, and heat-stress resistance in D. pulex. Our results show effects of SeMet-treatment and maternal age, where the highest SeMet-treatment had reduced lifespan and absence of reproduction, and where Daphnia from late life broods had increased resistance to heat-induced stress. Further analysis suggests an additional interactive effect between maternal age and SeMet treatment on time to first reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan R Nelson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL, 35294, United States.
| | - Tonia S Schwartz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn AL, 36849, United States.
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, United States.
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24
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Wu CYH, Evans MB, Wolff PE, Gohlke JM. Environmental Health Priorities of Residents and Environmental Health Professionals: Implications for Improving Environmental Health Services in Rural Versus Urban Communities. J Environ Health 2017; 80:28-36. [PMID: 31777405 PMCID: PMC6880953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Previous research has suggested differences between public and professional understanding of the field of environmental health (EH) and the role of EH services within urban and rural communities. This study investigated EH priority differences between 1) rural and urban residents and 2) residents and EH professionals, and presents quantitative and qualitative methods for establishing locality-specific EH priorities. Residents (N = 588) and EH professionals (N = 63) in Alabama identified EH priorities via a phone or online survey. We categorized rurality of participant residences by rural-urban commuting area codes and population density, and tested whether or not EH priorities were different between urban and rural residents. Built environment issues, particularly abandoned houses, and air pollution were high priorities for urban residents-whereas, water and sanitation issues, and paper mill-related pollution were high priorities in rural communities. EH professionals ranked food safety and water and sanitation issues as higher priorities than residents did. Results highlight the importance of urbanicity on environmental risk perception and the utility of simple and inexpensive engagement methods for understanding these differences. Differences between residents and EH professionals suggest improving stakeholder participation in local-level EH decision making might lead to greater awareness of EH services, which might in turn improve support and effectiveness of those services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Y H Wu
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech
| | - Mary B Evans
- Center for the Study of Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Paul E Wolff
- Survey Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech
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25
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Jian Y, Wu CYH, Gohlke JM. Effect Modification by Environmental Quality on the Association between Heatwaves and Mortality in Alabama, United States. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:E1143. [PMID: 28956828 PMCID: PMC5664644 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14101143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown that heatwaves are associated with increased mortality. However, it remains unclear whether the associations between heatwaves and mortality are modified by the environmental quality. Methods: We used the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Quality Index (EQI) and its five domain indices (air, water, land, built, and sociodemographic) to represent the cumulative environmental quality. We applied a time-stratified case-crossover design to analyze the disparities in the association between heatwaves and non-accidental deaths (NAD) among counties with different environmental qualities, in metropolitan areas in Alabama (AL), United States. Results: We found significant associations between heatwaves and NAD and a significant effect modification of this relationship by EQI. There were higher odds ratios in counties with the worst cumulative environmental qualities compared to counties with the best cumulative environmental qualities. For example, the percent change in odds ratio (mean and (95% CI)) between heatwave days and non-heatwave days was -10.3% (-26.6, 9.6) in counties with an overall EQI of 1 (the best overall environment) and 13.2% (4.9, 22.2) in counties with an overall EQI of 3 (the worst overall environment). Among the five domains, air quality had the strongest effect modification on the association. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that the associations between heatwaves and NAD vary among areas with different environmental qualities. These findings suggest that integration of air quality and heatwave warning systems may provide greater protection to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Jian
- Informatics Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Connor Y H Wu
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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26
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Kuras ER, Richardson MB, Calkins MM, Ebi KL, Hess JJ, Kintziger KW, Jagger MA, Middel A, Scott AA, Spector JT, Uejio CK, Vanos JK, Zaitchik BF, Gohlke JM, Hondula DM. Opportunities and Challenges for Personal Heat Exposure Research. Environ Health Perspect 2017; 125:085001. [PMID: 28796630 PMCID: PMC5783663 DOI: 10.1289/ehp556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental heat exposure is a public health concern. The impacts of environmental heat on mortality and morbidity at the population scale are well documented, but little is known about specific exposures that individuals experience. OBJECTIVES The first objective of this work was to catalyze discussion of the role of personal heat exposure information in research and risk assessment. The second objective was to provide guidance regarding the operationalization of personal heat exposure research methods. DISCUSSION We define personal heat exposure as realized contact between a person and an indoor or outdoor environment that poses a risk of increases in body core temperature and/or perceived discomfort. Personal heat exposure can be measured directly with wearable monitors or estimated indirectly through the combination of time-activity and meteorological data sets. Complementary information to understand individual-scale drivers of behavior, susceptibility, and health and comfort outcomes can be collected from additional monitors, surveys, interviews, ethnographic approaches, and additional social and health data sets. Personal exposure research can help reveal the extent of exposure misclassification that occurs when individual exposure to heat is estimated using ambient temperature measured at fixed sites and can provide insights for epidemiological risk assessment concerning extreme heat. CONCLUSIONS Personal heat exposure research provides more valid and precise insights into how often people encounter heat conditions and when, where, to whom, and why these encounters occur. Published literature on personal heat exposure is limited to date, but existing studies point to opportunities to inform public health practice regarding extreme heat, particularly where fine-scale precision is needed to reduce health consequences of heat exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP556.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan R Kuras
- Center for Policy Informatics, Arizona State University , Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts , Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Molly B Richardson
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Miriam M Calkins
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kristie L Ebi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jeremy J Hess
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kristina W Kintziger
- Department of Public Health, University of Tennessee , Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Meredith A Jagger
- Public Health Division, Oregon Health Authority , Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Ariane Middel
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Anna A Scott
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - June T Spector
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christopher K Uejio
- Department of Geography, Florida State University , Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Jennifer K Vanos
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California , San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Benjamin F Zaitchik
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - David M Hondula
- Center for Policy Informatics, Arizona State University , Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona, USA
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27
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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28
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Portier CJ, Armstrong BK, Baguley BC, Baur X, Belyaev I, Bellé R, Belpoggi F, Biggeri A, Bosland MC, Bruzzi P, Budnik LT, Bugge MD, Burns K, Calaf GM, Carpenter DO, Carpenter HM, López-Carrillo L, Clapp R, Cocco P, Consonni D, Comba P, Craft E, Dalvie MA, Davis D, Demers PA, De Roos AJ, DeWitt J, Forastiere F, Freedman JH, Fritschi L, Gaus C, Gohlke JM, Goldberg M, Greiser E, Hansen J, Hardell L, Hauptmann M, Huang W, Huff J, James MO, Jameson CW, Kortenkamp A, Kopp-Schneider A, Kromhout H, Larramendy ML, Landrigan PJ, Lash LH, Leszczynski D, Lynch CF, Magnani C, Mandrioli D, Martin FL, Merler E, Michelozzi P, Miligi L, Miller AB, Mirabelli D, Mirer FE, Naidoo S, Perry MJ, Petronio MG, Pirastu R, Portier RJ, Ramos KS, Robertson LW, Rodriguez T, Röösli M, Ross MK, Roy D, Rusyn I, Saldiva P, Sass J, Savolainen K, Scheepers PTJ, Sergi C, Silbergeld EK, Smith MT, Stewart BW, Sutton P, Tateo F, Terracini B, Thielmann HW, Thomas DB, Vainio H, Vena JE, Vineis P, Weiderpass E, Weisenburger DD, Woodruff TJ, Yorifuji T, Yu IJ, Zambon P, Zeeb H, Zhou SF. Differences in the carcinogenic evaluation of glyphosate between the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). J Epidemiol Community Health 2016; 70:741-5. [PMID: 26941213 PMCID: PMC4975799 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2015-207005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xaver Baur
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Igor Belyaev
- Cancer Research Institute, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Robert Bellé
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR8227, Roscoff, France
| | | | - Annibale Biggeri
- Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research, University of Florence, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Bruzzi
- National Cancer Research Institute, San Martino—IST Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Merete D Bugge
- STAMI, National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Gloria M Calaf
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
| | - David O Carpenter
- Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Richard Clapp
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pierluigi Cocco
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Dario Consonni
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Comba
- Department of Environment and Primary Prevention, IstitutoSuperiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Craft
- Environmental Defense Fund, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Center for Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Devra Davis
- Environmental Health Trust, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA and The Hebrew University Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Paul A Demers
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Anneclaire J De Roos
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jamie DeWitt
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Lin Fritschi
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Caroline Gaus
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | | | - Johnni Hansen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Michael Hauptmann
- Biostatistics Branch, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wei Huang
- Faculty of Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking Univ School of Public Health, Beijing, China
| | - James Huff
- National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - C W Jameson
- CWJ Consulting, LLC, Cape Coral, Florida, USA
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, London, UK
| | | | - Hans Kromhout
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcelo L Larramendy
- National Council of Scientific and Technological Research, National University of La Plata, Argentina
| | - Philip J Landrigan
- Arnhold Institute for Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,New York, USA
| | - Lawrence H Lash
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Charles F Lynch
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Corrado Magnani
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | | | | | - Enzo Merler
- Department of Prevention, Occupational Health Unit, National Health Service, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Miligi
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, ISPO-Cancer Prevention and Research Institute, Florence, Italy
| | - Anthony B Miller
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Dario Mirabelli
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, University of Turin and CPO-Piemonte, Torino, Italy
| | - Franklin E Mirer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, City University of New York School of Public Health, USA
| | - Saloshni Naidoo
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Melissa J Perry
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Maria Grazia Petronio
- Health and Environment-Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority-Empoli, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Pirastu
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza Rome University, Italy
| | - Ralph J Portier
- Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Kenneth S Ramos
- Center for Applied Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Larry W Robertson
- Iowa Superfund Research Program and the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Theresa Rodriguez
- Center for Research in Health, Work and Environment (CISTA), National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN-León), León, Nicaragua
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Associated Institute of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matt K Ross
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, USA
| | - Deodutta Roy
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Paulo Saldiva
- Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jennifer Sass
- Natural Resources Defense Council and George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Kai Savolainen
- Nanosafety Research Centre, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Consolato Sergi
- Department of Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ellen K Silbergeld
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Martyn T Smith
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Bernard W Stewart
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South WalesAustralia
| | - Patrice Sutton
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fabio Tateo
- Istituto di Geosceinze e Georisorse (CNR), Padova, Italy
| | | | - Heinz W Thielmann
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg and Faculty of Pharmacy, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - David B Thomas
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Harri Vainio
- Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - John E Vena
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Paolo Vineis
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elisabete Weiderpass
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-Based Cancer Research, Oslo, Norway; Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and Genetic Epidemiology Group, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.
| | | | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Il Je Yu
- Institute of Nanoproduct Safety Research, Hoseo University, Asan, The Republic of Korea
| | | | - Hajo Zeeb
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Shu-Feng Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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29
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Portier CJ, Armstrong BK, Baguley BC, Baur X, Belyaev I, Bellé R, Belpoggi F, Biggeri A, Bosland MC, Bruzzi P, Budnik LT, Bugge MD, Burns K, Calaf GM, Carpenter DO, Carpenter HM, López-Carrillo L, Clapp R, Cocco P, Consonni D, Comba P, Craft E, Dalvie MA, Davis D, Demers PA, De Roos AJ, DeWitt J, Forastiere F, Freedman JH, Fritschi L, Gaus C, Gohlke JM, Goldberg M, Greiser E, Hansen J, Hardell L, Hauptmann M, Huang W, Huff J, James MO, Jameson CW, Kortenkamp A, Kopp-Schneider A, Kromhout H, Larramendy ML, Landrigan PJ, Lash LH, Leszczynski D, Lynch CF, Magnani C, Mandrioli D, Martin FL, Merler E, Michelozzi P, Miligi L, Miller AB, Mirabelli D, Mirer FE, Naidoo S, Perry MJ, Petronio MG, Pirastu R, Portier RJ, Ramos KS, Robertson LW, Rodriguez T, Röösli M, Ross MK, Roy D, Rusyn I, Saldiva P, Sass J, Savolainen K, Scheepers PTJ, Sergi C, Silbergeld EK, Smith MT, Stewart BW, Sutton P, Tateo F, Terracini B, Thielmann HW, Thomas DB, Vainio H, Vena JE, Vineis P, Weiderpass E, Weisenburger DD, Woodruff TJ, Yorifuji T, Yu IJ, Zambon P, Zeeb H, Zhou SF. Differences in the carcinogenic evaluation of glyphosate between the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). J Epidemiol Community Health 2016. [PMID: 26941213 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2015-207005.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xaver Baur
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Igor Belyaev
- Cancer Research Institute, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Robert Bellé
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR8227, Roscoff, France
| | | | - Annibale Biggeri
- Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research, University of Florence, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Bruzzi
- National Cancer Research Institute, San Martino-IST Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Merete D Bugge
- STAMI, National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Gloria M Calaf
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
| | - David O Carpenter
- Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, Rensselaer, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Richard Clapp
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pierluigi Cocco
- Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Dario Consonni
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Comba
- Department of Environment and Primary Prevention, IstitutoSuperiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Craft
- Environmental Defense Fund, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie
- Center for Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Devra Davis
- Environmental Health Trust, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA and The Hebrew University Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Paul A Demers
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Anneclaire J De Roos
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jamie DeWitt
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Lin Fritschi
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Caroline Gaus
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | | | - Johnni Hansen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Michael Hauptmann
- Biostatistics Branch, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wei Huang
- Faculty of Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Peking Univ School of Public Health, Beijing, China
| | - James Huff
- National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - C W Jameson
- CWJ Consulting, LLC, Cape Coral, Florida, USA
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, London, UK
| | | | - Hans Kromhout
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcelo L Larramendy
- National Council of Scientific and Technological Research, National University of La Plata, Argentina
| | - Philip J Landrigan
- Arnhold Institute for Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Lawrence H Lash
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Charles F Lynch
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Corrado Magnani
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | | | | | - Enzo Merler
- Department of Prevention, Occupational Health Unit, National Health Service, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Miligi
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, ISPO-Cancer Prevention and Research Institute, Florence, Italy
| | - Anthony B Miller
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Dario Mirabelli
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, University of Turin and CPO-Piemonte, Torino, Italy
| | - Franklin E Mirer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, City University of New York School of Public Health, USA
| | - Saloshni Naidoo
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Melissa J Perry
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Maria Grazia Petronio
- Health and Environment-Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority-Empoli, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Pirastu
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza Rome University, Italy
| | - Ralph J Portier
- Department of Environmental Sciences, School of the Coast & Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Kenneth S Ramos
- Center for Applied Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Larry W Robertson
- Iowa Superfund Research Program and the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Theresa Rodriguez
- Center for Research in Health, Work and Environment (CISTA), National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN-León), León, Nicaragua
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Associated Institute of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matt K Ross
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, USA
| | - Deodutta Roy
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Paulo Saldiva
- Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jennifer Sass
- Natural Resources Defense Council and George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Kai Savolainen
- Nanosafety Research Centre, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Consolato Sergi
- Department of Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ellen K Silbergeld
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Martyn T Smith
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Bernard W Stewart
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, New South Wales Australia
| | - Patrice Sutton
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Fabio Tateo
- Istituto di Geosceinze e Georisorse (CNR), Padova, Italy
| | | | - Heinz W Thielmann
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg and Faculty of Pharmacy, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - David B Thomas
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Harri Vainio
- Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - John E Vena
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Paolo Vineis
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elisabete Weiderpass
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-Based Cancer Research, Oslo, Norway; Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and Genetic Epidemiology Group, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Il Je Yu
- Institute of Nanoproduct Safety Research, Hoseo University, Asan, The Republic of Korea
| | | | - Hajo Zeeb
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Shu-Feng Zhou
- College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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Hudson SL, Doke DA, Gohlke JM. The effect of a low iron diet and early life methylmercury exposure in Daphnia pulex. Food Chem Toxicol 2016; 89:112-9. [PMID: 26806633 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Iron (Fe) deficiency increases risk for adverse health outcomes in humans; however little is known about the potential interaction with methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. Studies testing multiple stressor hypotheses are expensive and time consuming in mammalian model systems; therefore, determining relevance of alternative models is important. Daphnia pulex were fed standard or low-Fe diets of freshwater algae, Ankistrodesmus falcatus. MeHgCl (1600 ng/L) or vehicle was added to culture media for 24 h during early life, and the combinatorial effects of a low-Fe diet and MeHg exposure on lifespan, maturation time, and reproduction were evaluated. Lipid storage effects were measured using image analysis of Oil Red O staining and triacylglyceride quantification. Our results show a dose-dependent reduction in lifespan in D. pulex fed low Fe diets. Lipid analysis suggests an interactive effect of diet and MeHg exposure, with MeHg exposure increasing lipid storage in D. pulex fed a low-Fe diet. These findings suggest the effects of dietary iron intake and early life MeHg exposure in D. pulex may be mediated by changes in energetics that result in differential lipid storage. Therefore, lipid storage in D. pulex may be a useful screen for detecting long-term effects of multiple stressors early in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherri L Hudson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Dzigbodi A Doke
- Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University for Development Studies, Wa, Ghana
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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Chan MPL, Weinhold RS, Thomas R, Gohlke JM, Portier CJ. Environmental Predictors of US County Mortality Patterns on a National Basis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137832. [PMID: 26629706 PMCID: PMC4668104 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has found that mortality rates are positively correlated with social inequalities, air pollution, elevated ambient temperature, availability of medical care and other factors. This study develops a model to predict the mortality rates for different diseases by county across the US. The model is applied to predict changes in mortality caused by changing environmental factors. A total of 3,110 counties in the US, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, were studied. A subset of 519 counties from the 3,110 counties was chosen by using systematic random sampling and these samples were used to validate the model. Step-wise and linear regression analyses were used to estimate the ability of environmental pollutants, socio-economic factors and other factors to explain variations in county-specific mortality rates for cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), all causes combined and lifespan across five population density groups. The estimated models fit adequately for all mortality outcomes for all population density groups and, adequately predicted risks for the 519 validation counties. This study suggests that, at local county levels, average ozone (0.07 ppm) is the most important environmental predictor of mortality. The analysis also illustrates the complex inter-relationships of multiple factors that influence mortality and lifespan, and suggests the need for a better understanding of the pathways through which these factors, mortality, and lifespan are related at the community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa P. L. Chan
- Environmental Sciences Program, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL, 62026, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Robert S. Weinhold
- Independent Researcher and Journalist, Colorado City, CO, 81019, United States of America
| | - Reuben Thomas
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 85736, United States of America
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States of America
| | - Christopher J. Portier
- National Center for Environmental Health and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, United States of America
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Gohlke JM. Life Cycle Analysis and Global Environmental Health Issues. J Health Pollut 2015; 5:1-2. [PMID: 30524770 PMCID: PMC6221496 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-5-9.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
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Bernhard MC, Li P, Allison DB, Gohlke JM. Corrigendum: Warm Ambient Temperature Decreases Food Intake in a Simulated Office Setting: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Nutr 2015; 2:36. [PMID: 26583082 PMCID: PMC4632037 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2015.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article on p. 20 in vol. 2, PMID: 26322311.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C Bernhard
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, AL , USA ; Office of Energetics and Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, AL , USA
| | - Peng Li
- Office of Energetics and Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, AL , USA
| | - David B Allison
- Office of Energetics and Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, AL , USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Office of Energetics and Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, AL , USA ; Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine , Blacksburg, VA , USA
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Bernhard MC, Li P, Allison DB, Gohlke JM. Warm Ambient Temperature Decreases Food Intake in a Simulated Office Setting: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Nutr 2015; 2:20. [PMID: 26322311 PMCID: PMC4500895 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2015.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We hypothesized that exposure to temperatures above the thermoneutral zone (TNZ) would decrease food intake in young adults in a sedentary office environment over a 2-h period. METHODS Participants wearing standardized clothing were randomized to perform routine office work in the TNZ, considered control (19-20°C), or above the TNZ considered warmer (26-27°C) using a parallel-group design (n = 11 and 9, respectively). Thermal images of the inner canthus of their eye and middle finger nail bed, representing proxies of core and peripheral temperatures, respectively, were taken at baseline, first, and second hour during this lunchtime study. Heat dissipation was estimated using peripheral temperature. General linear models were built to examine the effects of thermal treatment on caloric intake and potential mediation by heat dissipation. Researchers conducted the trial registered as NCT02386891 at Clinicaltrials.gov during April to May 2014. RESULTS During the 2-h stay in different ambient temperatures, the participants in the control conditions ate 99.5 kcal more than those in the warmer conditions; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Female participants ate about 350 kcal less than the male participants (p = 0.024) in both groups and there was no significant association between caloric intake and participant's body mass index (BMI). After controlling for thermal treatment, gender and BMI, the participant's peripheral temperature was significantly associated with caloric intake (p = 0.002), suggesting a mediating effect. Specifically, for every 1°C increase in peripheral temperature suggesting increased heat dissipation, participants ate 85.9 kcal less food. CONCLUSION This pilot study provided preliminary evidence of effects of thermal environment on food intake. It suggests that decreased food intake in the experimental (warmer) environment is potentially mediated through thermoregulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C. Bernhard
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Office of Energetics and Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Peng Li
- Office of Energetics and Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David B. Allison
- Office of Energetics and Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Office of Energetics and Nutrition Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Bernhard MC, Kent ST, Sloan ME, Evans MB, McClure LA, Gohlke JM. Measuring personal heat exposure in an urban and rural environment. Environ Res 2015; 137:410-8. [PMID: 25617601 PMCID: PMC4355189 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have linked heat waves to adverse health outcomes using ambient temperature as a proxy for estimating exposure. The goal of the present study was to test a method for determining personal heat exposure. An occupationally exposed group (urban groundskeepers in Birmingham, AL, USA N=21), as well as urban and rural community members from Birmingham, AL (N=30) or west central AL (N=30) wore data logging temperature and light monitors clipped to the shoe for 7 days during the summer of 2012. We found that a temperature monitor clipped to the shoe provided a comfortable and feasible method for recording personal heat exposure. Ambient temperature (°C) recorded at the nearest weather station was significantly associated with personal heat exposure [β 0.37, 95%CI (0.35, 0.39)], particularly in groundskeepers who spent more of their total time outdoors [β 0.42, 95%CI (0.39, 0.46)]. Factors significantly associated with lower personal heat exposure include reported time indoors [β -2.02, 95%CI (-2.15, -1.89)], reported income>20K [β -1.05, 95%CI (-1.79, -0.30)], and measured % body fat [β -0.07, 95%CI (-0.12, -0.02)]. There were significant associations between income and % body fat with lower indoor and nighttime exposures, but not with outdoor heat exposure, suggesting modifications of the home thermal environment play an important role in determining overall heat exposure. Further delineation of the effect of personal characteristics on heat exposure may help to develop targeted strategies for preventing heat-related illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C Bernhard
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Shia T Kent
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, UAB, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | | | - Mary B Evans
- Center for the Study of Community Health, School of Public Health, UAB, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Leslie A McClure
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, UAB, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Porter TR, Kent ST, Su W, Beck HM, Gohlke JM. Spatiotemporal association between birth outcomes and coke production and steel making facilities in Alabama, USA: a cross-sectional study. Environ Health 2014; 13:85. [PMID: 25342170 PMCID: PMC4223752 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-13-85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has shown exposure to air pollution increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes, although the effects of residential proximity to significant industrial point sources are less defined. The objective of the current study was to determine whether yearly reported releases from major industrial point sources are associated with adverse birth outcomes. METHODS Maternal residence from geocoded Alabama birth records between 1991 and 2010 were used to calculate distances from coke and steel production industries reporting emissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Logistic regression models were built to determine associations between distance or yearly fugitive emissions (volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and metals) from reporting facilities and preterm birth or low birth weight, adjusting for covariates including maternal age, race, payment method, education level, year and parity. RESULTS A small but significant association between preterm birth and residential proximity (≤5.0 km) to coke and steel production facilities remained after adjustment for covariates (OR 1.05 95% CI: 1.01,1.09). Above average emissions from these facilities of volatile organic compounds during the year of birth were associated with low birth weight (OR 1.17 95% CI: 1.06, 1.29), whereas metals emissions were associated with preterm birth (OR 1.07 95% CI: 1.01, 1.14). CONCLUSIONS The present investigation suggests fugitive emissions from industrial point sources may increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes in surrounding neighborhoods. Further research teasing apart the relationship between exposure to emissions and area-level deprivation in neighborhoods surrounding industrial facilities and their combined effects on birth outcomes is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis R Porter
- />Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
- />Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112 USA
| | - Shia T Kent
- />Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Wei Su
- />Center for the Study of Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Heidi M Beck
- />Center for the Study of Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- />Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
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Doke DA, Hudson SL, Dawson JA, Gohlke JM. Effects of early life exposure to methylmercury in Daphnia pulex on standard and reduced food ration. Reprod Toxicol 2014; 49:219-25. [PMID: 25263226 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
As a well-known eco-toxicological model organism, Daphnia pulex may also offer advantages in human health research for assessing long-term effects of early life exposures to coupled stressors. Here, we examine consequences of early life exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) under standard and reduced food ration. We exposed Daphnia for 24h in early life to varying concentrations of methylmercury(II) chloride (0, 200, 400, 800 and 1600ng/L) and thereafter kept Daphnia on either a standard or a reduced food ration. The data suggests an additive effect of MeHg concentration and food ration on decreasing lifespan, although MeHg concentration does not affect survival linearly. Food ration and MeHg concentration were predictive of reduced reproduction, and there is some evidence of an interaction (p=0.048). Multi-stressor work in alternative model systems may be useful for prioritizing research, taking into account potential antagonistic, additive or synergistic effects that nutritional status may have on chemical toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dzigbodi A Doke
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Sherri L Hudson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - John A Dawson
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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Allison DB, Antoine LH, Ballinger SW, Bamman MM, Biga P, Darley-Usmar VM, Fisher G, Gohlke JM, Halade GV, Hartman JL, Hunter GR, Messina JL, Nagy TR, Plaisance EP, Powell ML, Roth KA, Sandel MW, Schwartz TS, Smith DL, Sweatt JD, Tollefsbol TO, Watts SA, Yang Y, Zhang J, Austad SN. Aging and energetics' 'Top 40' future research opportunities 2010-2013. F1000Res 2014; 3:219. [PMID: 25324965 PMCID: PMC4197746 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.5212.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As part of a coordinated effort to expand our research activity at the interface of Aging and Energetics a team of investigators at The University of Alabama at Birmingham systematically assayed and catalogued the top research priorities identified in leading publications in that domain, believing the result would be useful to the scientific community at large. OBJECTIVE To identify research priorities and opportunities in the domain of aging and energetics as advocated in the 40 most cited papers related to aging and energetics in the last 4 years. DESIGN The investigators conducted a search for papers on aging and energetics in Scopus, ranked the resulting papers by number of times they were cited, and selected the ten most-cited papers in each of the four years that include 2010 to 2013, inclusive. RESULTS Ten research categories were identified from the 40 papers. These included: (1) Calorie restriction (CR) longevity response, (2) role of mTOR (mechanistic target of Rapamycin) and related factors in lifespan extension, (3) nutrient effects beyond energy (especially resveratrol, omega-3 fatty acids, and selected amino acids), 4) autophagy and increased longevity and health, (5) aging-associated predictors of chronic disease, (6) use and effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), (7) telomeres relative to aging and energetics, (8) accretion and effects of body fat, (9) the aging heart, and (10) mitochondria, reactive oxygen species, and cellular energetics. CONCLUSION The field is rich with exciting opportunities to build upon our existing knowledge about the relations among aspects of aging and aspects of energetics and to better understand the mechanisms which connect them.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B. Allison
- Office of Energetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Lisa H. Antoine
- Office of Energetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Scott W. Ballinger
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Marcas M. Bamman
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Cell, Developmental, & Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, USA
| | - Peggy Biga
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Victor M. Darley-Usmar
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Gordon Fisher
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Human Studies, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Ganesh V. Halade
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Medicine – Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - John L. Hartman
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Gary R. Hunter
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Human Studies, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Joseph L. Messina
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, USA
| | - Tim R. Nagy
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Eric P. Plaisance
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Human Studies, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Mickie L. Powell
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Kevin A. Roth
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Michael W. Sandel
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Tonia S. Schwartz
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Daniel L. Smith
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - J. David Sweatt
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Trygve O. Tollefsbol
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Stephen A. Watts
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Yongbin Yang
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Steven N. Austad
- Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
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Crider KG, Maples EH, Gohlke JM. Incorporating occupational risk in heat stress vulnerability mapping. J Environ Health 2014; 77:16-22. [PMID: 25185323 PMCID: PMC4211285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Both obesity and strenuous outdoor work are known risk factors for heat-related illness (HRI). These risk factors may be compounded by more and longer periods of extreme heat in the southeastern U.S. To quantify occupational risk and investigate the possible predictive value of a GIS-based tool, a weighted occupation-based metabolic equivalent (MET) index was created. The correlation between current MET-weighted employment rates or obesity rates and 2012 HRI report rates in Alabama were then determined. With the current dataset, results indicate occupational and obesity rates may explain some of the geographical variation seen in HRI report rates, although results are not statistically significant with this limited dataset. Mapping occupational and physiological risk factors with HRI rates may be useful for environmental and occupational health professionals to identify "hotspots" that may require special attention.
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Kent ST, McClure LA, Zaitchik BF, Smith TT, Gohlke JM. Heat waves and health outcomes in Alabama (USA): the importance of heat wave definition. Environ Health Perspect 2014; 122:151-8. [PMID: 24273236 PMCID: PMC3914868 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1307262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A deeper understanding of how heat wave definition affects the relationship between heat exposure and health, especially as a function of rurality, will be useful in developing effective heat wave warning systems. OBJECTIVE We compared the relationships between different heat wave index (HI) definitions and preterm birth (PTB) and nonaccidental death (NAD) across urban and rural areas. METHODS We used a time-stratified case-crossover design to estimate associations of PTB and NAD with heat wave days (defined using 15 HIs) relative to non-heat wave control days in Alabama, USA (1990-2010). ZIP code-level HIs were derived using data from the North American Land Data Assimilation System. Associations with heat wave days defined using different HIs were compared by bootstrapping. We also examined interactions with rurality. RESULTS Associations varied depending on the HI used to define heat wave days. Heat waves defined as having at least 2 consecutive days with mean daily temperatures above the 98th percentile were associated with 32.4% (95% CI: 3.7, 69.1%) higher PTB, and heat waves defined as at least 2 consecutive days with mean daily temperatures above the 90th percentile were associated with 3.7% (95% CI: 1.1, 6.3%) higher NAD. Results suggest that significant positive associations were more common when relative-compared with absolute-HIs were used to define exposure. Both positive and negative associations were found in each rurality stratum. However, all stratum-specific significant associations were positive, and NAD associations with heat waves were consistently positive in urban strata but not in middle or rural strata. CONCLUSIONS Based on our findings, we conclude that a relative mean-temperature-only heat wave definition may be the most effective metric for heat wave warning systems in Alabama.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shia T Kent
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, and
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Fitzgerald TP, Gohlke JM. Contaminant levels in Gulf of Mexico reef fish after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as measured by a fishermen-led testing program. Environ Sci Technol 2014; 48:1993-2000. [PMID: 24401096 DOI: 10.1021/es4051555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The BP oil disaster posed a significant threat to the U.S. seafood industry. Invertebrates (shrimp, oyster, crab) and other nearshore species comprised the majority of postspill testing by federal and state agencies. Deeper water finfish were sampled less frequently, despite population ranges that overlapped with affected waters. We report on a voluntary testing program with Gulf of Mexico commercial fishermen to ensure the safety of their catch. Seven species of reef fish were tested for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, several metals, and a constituent of Corexit 9500A and 9527A dispersants. Only two of 92 samples had detectable levels of benzo(a)pyrene-equivalents (a combined measure of carcinogenic potency across 7 different PAHs), which were still below federal safety thresholds. PAH ratios for these samples suggest pyrogenic (not petrogenic) contamination - indicating potential sources other than Deepwater Horizon. Metals were largely absent (cadmium, lead) or consistent with levels previously reported (mercury, arsenic). One notable exception was tilefish, which showed mercury concentrations lower than expected. We did not detect dispersant in any of our samples, indicating that it was not present in these species during the study period. Our findings suggest minimal risk to public health from these seafoods as a result of the disaster; however, the most contaminated areas were not sampled through this program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P Fitzgerald
- Oceans Program, Environmental Defense Fund, 1875 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20009, United States
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Kent ST, McClure LA, Zaitchik BF, Gohlke JM. Area-level risk factors for adverse birth outcomes: trends in urban and rural settings. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2013; 13:129. [PMID: 23759062 PMCID: PMC3688345 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-13-129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant and persistent racial and income disparities in birth outcomes exist in the US. The analyses in this manuscript examine whether adverse birth outcome time trends and associations between area-level variables and adverse birth outcomes differ by urban-rural status. METHODS Alabama births records were merged with ZIP code-level census measures of race, poverty, and rurality. B-splines were used to determine long-term preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) trends by rurality. Logistic regression models were used to examine differences in the relationships between ZIP code-level percent poverty or percent African-American with either PTB or LBW. Interactions with rurality were examined. RESULTS Population dense areas had higher adverse birth outcome rates compared to other regions. For LBW, the disparity between population dense and other regions increased during the 1991-2005 time period, and the magnitude of the disparity was maintained through 2010. Overall PTB and LBW rates have decreased since 2006, except within isolated rural regions. The addition of individual-level socioeconomic or race risk factors greatly attenuated these geographical disparities, but isolated rural regions maintained increased odds of adverse birth outcomes. ZIP code-level percent poverty and percent African American both had significant relationships with adverse birth outcomes. Poverty associations remained significant in the most population-dense regions when models were adjusted for individual-level risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Population dense urban areas have heightened rates of adverse birth outcomes. High-poverty African American areas have higher odds of adverse birth outcomes in urban versus rural regions. These results suggest there are urban-specific social or environmental factors increasing risk for adverse birth outcomes in underserved communities. On the other hand, trends in PTBs and LBWs suggest interventions that have decreased adverse birth outcomes elsewhere may not be reaching isolated rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shia T Kent
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Ryals Public Health Building 530, 1665 University Ave, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Leslie A McClure
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Ryals Public Health Building 327, 1665 University Ave, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Ben F Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 327 Olin Hal 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Ryals Public Health Building 530, 1665 University Ave, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
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Abstract
High temperatures and heat waves are related but not synonymous concepts. Heat waves, generally understood to be acute periods of extreme warmth, are relevant to a wide range of stakeholders because of the impacts that these events have on human health and activities and on natural environments. Perhaps because of the diversity of communities engaged in heat wave monitoring and research, there is no single, standard definition of a heat wave. Experts differ in which threshold values (absolute versus relative), duration and ancillary variables to incorporate into heat wave definitions. While there is value in this diversity of perspectives, the lack of a unified index can cause confusion when discussing patterns, trends, and impacts. Here, we use data from the North American Land Data Assimilation System to examine patterns and trends in 15 previously published heat wave indices for the period 1979-2011 across the Continental United States. Over this period the Southeast region saw the highest number of heat wave days for the majority of indices considered. Positive trends (increases in number of heat wave days per year) were greatest in the Southeast and Great Plains regions, where more than 12 % of the land area experienced significant increases in the number of heat wave days per year for the majority of heat wave indices. Significant negative trends were relatively rare, but were found in portions of the Southwest, Northwest, and Great Plains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany T. Smith
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Benjamin F. Zaitchik
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Julia M. Gohlke
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL 35294
| | - David B Allison
- Office of Energetics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham AL 35294
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Gohlke JM, Dhurandhar EJ, Correll CU, Morrato EH, Newcomer JW, Remington G, Nasrallah HA, Crystal S, Nicol G, Allison DB. Recent advances in understanding and mitigating adipogenic and metabolic effects of antipsychotic drugs. Front Psychiatry 2012; 3:62. [PMID: 22754543 PMCID: PMC3385013 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2012.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although offering many benefits for several psychiatric disorders, antipsychotic drugs (APDs) as a class have a major liability in their tendency to promote adiposity, obesity, and metabolic dysregulation in an already metabolically vulnerable population. The past decade has witnessed substantial research aimed at investigating the mechanisms of these adverse effects and mitigating them. On July 11 and 12, 2011, with support from 2 NIH institutes, leading experts convened to discuss current research findings and to consider future research strategies. Five areas where significant advances are being made emerged from the conference: (1) methodological issues in the study of APD effects; (2) unique characteristics and needs of pediatric patients; (3) genetic components underlying susceptibility to APD-induced metabolic effects; (4) APD effects on weight gain and adiposity in relation to their acute effects on glucose regulation and diabetes risk; and (5) the utility of behavioral, dietary, and pharmacological interventions in mitigating APD-induced metabolic side effects. This paper summarizes the major conclusions and important supporting data from the meeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL, USA
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Gohlke JM, Doke D, Tipre M, Leader M, Fitzgerald T. A review of seafood safety after the deepwater horizon blowout. Environ Health Perspect 2011; 119:1062-9. [PMID: 21561832 PMCID: PMC3237364 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1103507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 04/29/2011] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Deepwater Horizon (DH) blowout resulted in fisheries closings across the Gulf of Mexico. Federal agencies, in collaboration with impacted Gulf states, developed a protocol to determine when it is safe to reopen fisheries based on sensory and chemical analyses of seafood. All federal waters have been reopened, yet concerns have been raised regarding the robustness of the protocol to identify all potential harmful exposures and protect the most sensitive populations. OBJECTIVES We aimed to assess this protocol based on comparisons with previous oil spills, published testing results, and current knowledge regarding chemicals released during the DH oil spill. METHODS We performed a comprehensive review of relevant scientific journal articles and government documents concerning seafood contamination and oil spills and consulted with academic and government experts. RESULTS Protocols to evaluate seafood safety before reopening fisheries have relied on risk assessment of health impacts from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposures, but metal contamination may also be a concern. Assumptions used to determine levels of concern (LOCs) after oil spills have not been consistent across risk assessments performed after oil spills. Chemical testing results after the DH oil spill suggest PAH levels are at or below levels reported after previous oil spills, and well below LOCs, even when more conservative parameters are used to estimate risk. CONCLUSIONS We recommend use of a range of plausible risk parameters to set bounds around LOCs, comparisons of post-spill measurements with baseline levels, and the development and implementation of long-term monitoring strategies for metals as well as PAHs and dispersant components. In addition, the methods, results, and uncertainties associated with estimating seafood safety after oil spills should be communicated in a transparent and timely manner, and stakeholders should be actively involved in developing a long-term monitoring strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Gohlke
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294 USA.
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Gohlke JM, Thomas R, Woodward A, Campbell-Lendrum D, Prüss-Üstün A, Hales S, Portier CJ. Estimating the global public health implications of electricity and coal consumption. Environ Health Perspect 2011; 119:821-6. [PMID: 21339091 PMCID: PMC3114817 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.119-821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The growing health risks associated with greenhouse gas emissions highlight the need for new energy policies that emphasize efficiency and low-carbon energy intensity. OBJECTIVES We assessed the relationships among electricity use, coal consumption, and health outcomes. METHODS Using time-series data sets from 41 countries with varying development trajectories between 1965 and 2005, we developed an autoregressive model of life expectancy (LE) and infant mortality (IM) based on electricity consumption, coal consumption, and previous year's LE or IM. Prediction of health impacts from the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) integrated air pollution emissions health impact model for coal-fired power plants was compared with the time-series model results. RESULTS The time-series model predicted that increased electricity consumption was associated with reduced IM for countries that started with relatively high IM (> 100/1,000 live births) and low LE (< 57 years) in 1965, whereas LE was not significantly associated with electricity consumption regardless of IM and LE in 1965. Increasing coal consumption was associated with increased IM and reduced LE after accounting for electricity consumption. These results are consistent with results based on the GAINS model and previously published estimates of disease burdens attributable to energy-related environmental factors, including indoor and outdoor air pollution and water and sanitation. CONCLUSIONS Increased electricity consumption in countries with IM < 100/1,000 live births does not lead to greater health benefits, whereas coal consumption has significant detrimental health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Gohlke
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
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Gohlke JM, Stockton PS, Sieber S, Foley J, Portier CJ. AhR-mediated gene expression in the developing mouse telencephalon. Reprod Toxicol 2009; 28:321-8. [PMID: 19465110 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2009.05.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2009] [Revised: 05/05/2009] [Accepted: 05/15/2009] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesize that TCDD-induced developmental neurotoxicity is modulated through an AhR-dependent interaction with key regulatory neuronal differentiation pathways during telencephalon development. To test this hypothesis we examined global gene expression in both dorsal and ventral telencephalon tissues in E13.5 AhR-/- and wildtype mice exposed to TCDD or vehicle. Consistent with previous biochemical, pathological and behavioral studies, our results suggest TCDD initiated changes in gene expression in the developing telencephalon are primarily AhR-dependent, as no statistically significant gene expression changes are evident after TCDD exposure in AhR-/- mice. Based on a gene regulatory network for neuronal specification in the developing telencephalon, the present analysis suggests differentiation of GABAergic neurons in the ventral telencephalon is compromised in TCDD exposed and AhR-/- mice. In addition, our analysis suggests Sox11 may be directly regulated by AhR based on gene expression and comparative genomics analyses. In conclusion, this analysis supports the hypothesis that AhR has a specific role in the normal development of the telencephalon and provides a mechanistic framework for neurodevelopmental toxicity of chemicals that perturb AhR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Gohlke
- Environmental Systems Biology Group, Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, RTP, NC 27709, USA
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Gohlke JM, Thomas R, Zhang Y, Rosenstein MC, Davis AP, Murphy C, Becker KG, Mattingly CJ, Portier CJ. Genetic and environmental pathways to complex diseases. BMC Syst Biol 2009; 3:46. [PMID: 19416532 PMCID: PMC2680807 DOI: 10.1186/1752-0509-3-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2009] [Accepted: 05/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenesis of complex diseases involves the integration of genetic and environmental factors over time, making it particularly difficult to tease apart relationships between phenotype, genotype, and environmental factors using traditional experimental approaches. RESULTS Using gene-centered databases, we have developed a network of complex diseases and environmental factors through the identification of key molecular pathways associated with both genetic and environmental contributions. Comparison with known chemical disease relationships and analysis of transcriptional regulation from gene expression datasets for several environmental factors and phenotypes clustered in a metabolic syndrome and neuropsychiatric subnetwork supports our network hypotheses. This analysis identifies natural and synthetic retinoids, antipsychotic medications, Omega 3 fatty acids, and pyrethroid pesticides as potential environmental modulators of metabolic syndrome phenotypes through PPAR and adipocytokine signaling and organophosphate pesticides as potential environmental modulators of neuropsychiatric phenotypes. CONCLUSION Identification of key regulatory pathways that integrate genetic and environmental modulators define disease associated targets that will allow for efficient screening of large numbers of environmental factors, screening that could set priorities for further research and guide public health decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Gohlke
- Environmental Systems Biology Group, Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Reuben Thomas
- Environmental Systems Biology Group, Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Yonqing Zhang
- Gene Expression and Genomics Unit, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Michael C Rosenstein
- Department of Bioinformatics, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Old Bar Harbor Road, Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA
| | - Allan P Davis
- Department of Bioinformatics, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Old Bar Harbor Road, Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA
| | - Cynthia Murphy
- Department of Bioinformatics, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Old Bar Harbor Road, Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA
| | - Kevin G Becker
- Gene Expression and Genomics Unit, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Carolyn J Mattingly
- Department of Bioinformatics, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Old Bar Harbor Road, Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA
| | - Christopher J Portier
- Environmental Systems Biology Group, Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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Thomas R, Gohlke JM, Stopper GF, Parham FM, Portier CJ. Choosing the right path: enhancement of biologically relevant sets of genes or proteins using pathway structure. Genome Biol 2009; 10:R44. [PMID: 19393085 PMCID: PMC2688935 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2009-10-4-r44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2008] [Revised: 03/19/2009] [Accepted: 04/24/2009] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A method is proposed that finds enriched pathways relevant to a studied condition using the measured molecular data and also the structural information of the pathway viewed as a network of nodes and edges. Tests are performed using simulated data and genomic data sets and the method is compared to two existing approaches. The analysis provided demonstrates the method proposed is very competitive with the current approaches and also provides biologically relevant results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuben Thomas
- Environmental Systems Biology Group, Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, RTP, NC 27709, USA
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