Last data update: Jun 03, 2024. (Total: 46935 publications since 2009)
Records 1-7 (of 7 Records) |
Query Trace: Clark KA [original query] |
---|
Elucidating regulatory processes of intense physical activity by multi-omics analysis
Nakayasu ES , Gritsenko MA , Kim YM , Kyle JE , Stratton KG , Nicora CD , Munoz N , Navarro KM , Claborne D , Gao Y , Weitz KK , Paurus VL , Bloodsworth KJ , Allen KA , Bramer LM , Montes F , Clark KA , Tietje G , Teeguarden J , Burnum-Johnson KE . Mil Med Res 2023 10 (1) 48 BACKGROUND: Physiological and biochemical processes across tissues of the body are regulated in response to the high demands of intense physical activity in several occupations, such as firefighting, law enforcement, military, and sports. A better understanding of such processes can ultimately help improve human performance and prevent illnesses in the work environment. METHODS: To study regulatory processes in intense physical activity simulating real-life conditions, we performed a multi-omics analysis of three biofluids (blood plasma, urine, and saliva) collected from 11 wildland firefighters before and after a 45 min, intense exercise regimen. Omics profiles post- versus pre-exercise were compared by Student's t-test followed by pathway analysis and comparison between the different omics modalities. RESULTS: Our multi-omics analysis identified and quantified 3835 proteins, 730 lipids and 182 metabolites combining the 3 different types of samples. The blood plasma analysis revealed signatures of tissue damage and acute repair response accompanied by enhanced carbon metabolism to meet energy demands. The urine analysis showed a strong, concomitant regulation of 6 out of 8 identified proteins from the renin-angiotensin system supporting increased excretion of catabolites, reabsorption of nutrients and maintenance of fluid balance. In saliva, we observed a decrease in 3 pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increase in 8 antimicrobial peptides. A systematic literature review identified 6 papers that support an altered susceptibility to respiratory infection. CONCLUSION: This study shows simultaneous regulatory signatures in biofluids indicative of homeostatic maintenance during intense physical activity with possible effects on increased infection susceptibility, suggesting that caution against respiratory diseases could benefit workers on highly physical demanding jobs. |
The Wildland Firefighter Exposure and Health Effect (WFFEHE) Study: Rationale, design, and methods of a repeated-measures study
Navarro KM , Butler CR , Fent K , Toennis C , Sammons D , Ramirez-Cardenas A , Clark KA , Byrne DC , Graydon PS , Hale CR , Wilkinson AF , Smith DL , Alexander-Scott MC , Pinkerton LE , Eisenberg J , Domitrovich JW . Ann Work Expo Health 2021 66 (6) 714-727 The wildland firefighter exposure and health effect (WFFEHE) study was a 2-year repeated-measures study to investigate occupational exposures and acute and subacute health effects among wildland firefighters. This manuscript describes the study rationale, design, methods, limitations, challenges, and lessons learned. The WFFEHE cohort included fire personnel ages 18-57 from six federal wildland firefighting crews in Colorado and Idaho during the 2018 and 2019 fire seasons. All wildland firefighters employed by the recruited crews were invited to participate in the study at preseason and postseason study intervals. In 2019, one of the crews also participated in a 3-day midseason study interval where workplace exposures and pre/postshift measurements were collected while at a wildland fire incident. Study components assessed cardiovascular health, pulmonary function and inflammation, kidney function, workplace exposures, and noise-induced hearing loss. Measurements included self-reported risk factors and symptoms collected through questionnaires; serum and urine biomarkers of exposure, effect, and inflammation; pulmonary function; platelet function and arterial stiffness; and audiometric testing. Throughout the study, 154 wildland firefighters participated in at least one study interval, while 144 participated in two or more study interval. This study was completed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health through a collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Department of the Interior National Park Service, and Skidmore College. Conducting research in the wildfire environment came with many challenges including collecting study data with study participants with changing work schedules and conducting study protocols safely and operating laboratory equipment in remote field locations. Forthcoming WFFEHE study results will contribute to the scientific evidence regarding occupational risk factors and exposures that can impact wildland firefighter health over a season and across two wildland fire seasons. This research is anticipated to lead to the development of preventive measures and policies aimed at reducing risk for wildland firefighters and aid in identifying future research needs for the wildland fire community. |
Prevalence of Electronic Cigarette Use Among Adult Workers - United States, 2017-2018
Syamlal G , Clark KA , Blackley DJ , King BA . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021 70 (9) 297-303 Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) heat a liquid to produce an aerosol that usually contains nicotine, flavors, and other chemicals and that is inhaled by the user (1). E-cigarette aerosols generally have a lower number and level of harmful toxicants than conventional cigarettes; however, e-cigarette aerosols can contain harmful ingredients, including ultrafine particles, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals (1,2). The U.S. Surgeon General has determined that evidence is inadequate to conclude that use of e-cigarettes, in general, increases smoking cessation (3). During 2014–2016, an estimated 5.2 million U.S. workers were current e-cigarette users, and prevalence of e-cigarette use was higher among workers in certain industries and occupations (4). To estimate recent national prevalence of e-cigarette use among U.S. workers, CDC analyzed 2017–2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data for adults aged ≥18 years who were employed during the week before the interview. Among an estimated 156 million U.S. workers, 5.3 million (3.4%) were current e-cigarette users (i.e., “every day” or “some days” use), approximately one half of whom also currently used combustible tobacco products. Current e-cigarette use was highest among males, non-Hispanic Whites, those aged 18–24 years, those with no health insurance, those reporting poor or fair physical health, and those who currently used other tobacco products. Prevalence of e-cigarette use was highest among workers in the accommodation and food services industry and in food preparation and serving-related occupations. Continued surveillance of e-cigarette use in the United States, including among workers, is important to inform the development and implementation of evidence-based strategies to minimize population risks of use of e-cigarettes while continuing to explore their potential usefulness for cessation among adult cigarette smokers (2,3). To maximize the health of workers, employers can integrate comprehensive and effective tobacco cessation programs into workplace health promotion programs (4,5). |
Wildland firefighter exposure to smoke and COVID-19: A new risk on the fire line.
Navarro KM , Clark KA , Hardt DJ , Reid CE , Lahm PW , Domitrovich JW , Butler CR , Balmes JR . Sci Total Environ 2020 760 144296 Throughout the United States, wildland firefighters respond to wildfires, performing arduous work in remote locations. Wildfire incidents can be an ideal environment for the transmission of infectious diseases, particularly for wildland firefighters who congregate in work and living settings. In this review, we examine how exposure to wildfire smoke can contribute to an increased likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Human exposure to particulate matter (PM), a component of wildfire smoke, has been associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses; increasing the likelihood for adverse respiratory symptomology and pathology. In multiple epidemiological studies, wildfire smoke exposure has been associated with acute lower respiratory infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Co-occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and wildfire smoke inhalation may present an increased risk for COVID-19 illness in wildland firefighters due to PM based transport of SARS CoV-2 virus and up-regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE-2) (i.e. ACE-2 functions as a trans-membrane receptor, allowing the SARS-CoV-2 virus to gain entry into the epithelial cell). Wildfire smoke exposure may also increase risk for more severe COVID-19 illness such as cytokine release syndrome, hypotension, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Current infection control measures, including social distancing, wearing cloth masks, frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, frequent hand washing, and daily screening for COVID-19 symptoms are very important measures to reduce infections and severe health outcomes. Exposure to wildfire smoke may introduce additive or even multiplicative risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of disease in wildland firefighters. Thus, additional mitigative measures may be needed to prevent the co-occurrence of wildfire smoke exposure and SARS-CoV-2 infection. |
Work practices and respiratory health status of Appalachian coal miners with progressive massive fibrosis
Reynolds LE , Blackley DJ , Colinet JF , Potts JD , Storey E , Short C , Carson R , Clark KA , Laney AS , Halldin CN . J Occup Environ Med 2018 60 (11) e575-e581 OBJECTIVE: To characterize workplace practices and respiratory health among coal miners with large opacities consistent with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) who received care at a federally-funded black lung clinic network in Virginia. METHODS: Participants were interviewed about their workplace practices and respiratory health. Medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: Nineteen former coal miners were included. Miners reported cutting rock, working downwind of dust-generating equipment, non-adherence to mine ventilation plans (including dust controls), improper sampling of respirable coal mine dust exposures, working after developing respiratory illness, and suffering from debilitating respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent themes of suboptimal workplace practices contributing to development of PMF emerged during the interviews. Some of the practices reported were unsafe and unacceptable. Further research is needed to determine the prevalence of these factors and how best to address them. |
Strengthening the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program
Reynolds LE , Wolfe AL , Clark KA , Blackley DJ , Halldin CN , Laney AS , Storey E . J Occup Environ Med 2017 59 (4) e71 In 2014, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a final rule1 requiring the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to expand the coal workers’ health surveillance program (CWHSP). Since 1970, when it was established by the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, the CWHSP has offered chest radiographs to US coal miners—primarily those working underground—to detect coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) early and prevent it from progressing to disabling disease. The expansion of the CWHSP adds periodic lung function testing (spirometry) and respiratory health assessment questionnaires, and extends its coverage to include surface coal miners. This will permit the early detection of lung function impairment secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an important manifestation of coal mine dust lung disease that is not detected by chest radiography. | On October 24, 2016, in accordance with the MSHA rule, NIOSH published a final rule2 updating medical surveillance for coal miners. NIOSH collaborated with MSHA, mine operators, clinics, medical device manufacturers, and other stakeholders to develop a framework to meet its new mandate. All clinics participating in the CWHSP, including new spirometry clinics, must be approved by NIOSH to ensure clinic personnel are trained, equipment and procedures are standardized, and miners’ health information can be securely collected and transmitted to NIOSH. |
A road map toward a globally harmonized approach for occupational health surveillance and epidemiology in nanomaterial workers
Riediker M , Schubauer-Berigan MK , Brouwer DH , Nelissen I , Koppen G , Frijns E , Clark KA , Hoeck J , Liou SH , Ho SF , Bergamaschi E , Gibson R . J Occup Environ Med 2012 54 (10) 1214-23 OBJECTIVE: Few epidemiological studies have addressed the health of workers exposed to novel manufactured nanomaterials. The small current workforce will necessitate pooling international cohorts. METHOD: A road map was defined for a globally harmonized framework for the careful choice of materials, exposure characterization, identification of study populations, definition of health endpoints, evaluation of appropriateness of study designs, data collection and analysis, and interpretation of the results. RESULTS: We propose a road map to reach global consensus on these issues. The proposed strategy should ensure that the costs of action are not disproportionate to the potential benefits and that the approach is pragmatic and practical. CONCLUSIONS: We should aim to go beyond the collection of health complaints, illness statistics, or even counts of deaths; the manifestation of such clear endpoints would indicate a failure of preventive measures. |
- Page last reviewed:Feb 1, 2024
- Page last updated:Jun 03, 2024
- Content source:
- Powered by CDC PHGKB Infrastructure