Last data update: Apr 22, 2024. (Total: 46599 publications since 2009)
Records 1-7 (of 7 Records) |
Query Trace: Dutton ND [original query] |
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Using search-constrained inverse distance weight modeling for near real-time riverine flood modeling: Harris County, Texas, USA before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey
Berens AS , Palmer T , Dutton ND , Lavery A , Moore M . Nat Hazards (Dordr) 2020 105 (1) 277-292 Flooding poses a serious public health hazard throughout the world. Flood modeling is an important tool for emergency preparedness and response, but some common methods require a high degree of expertise or may be unworkable due to poor data quality or data availability issues. The conceptually simple method of inverse distance weight modeling offers an alternative. Using stream gauges as inputs, this study interpolated stream elevation via inverse distance weight modeling under 15 different model input parameter scenarios for Harris County, Texas, USA, from August 25th to September 15th, 2017 (before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey inundated the county). A digital elevation model was used to identify areas where modeled stream elevation exceeded ground elevation, indicating flooding. Imagery and observed high water marks were used to validate the models’ outputs. There was a high degree of agreement (between 79 and 88%) between imagery and model outputs of parameterizations visually validated. Quantitative validations based on high water marks were also positive, with a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency of in excess of.6 for all parameterizations relative to a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency of the benchmark of 0.56. Inverse distance weight modeling offers a simple, accurate method for first-order estimations of riverine flooding in near real-time using readily available data, and outputs are robust to some alterations to input parameters. |
Readiness for an increase in congenital Zika virus infections in the United States: Geographic distance to pediatric subspecialist care
Bertolli J , Holbrook J , Dutton ND , Jones B , Dowling NF , Peacock G . Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2018 13 (3) 1-11 OBJECTIVE: The study's purpose was to investigate readiness for an increase in the congenital Zika infection (CZI) by describing the distribution of pediatric subspecialists needed for the care of children with CZI. METHODS: We applied county-level subspecialist counts to US maps, overlaying the geocoded locations of children's hospitals to assess the correlation of hospital and subspecialist locations. We calculated travel distance from census tract centroids to the nearest in-state children's hospital by state (with/without > 100 reported adult Zika virus cases) and by regions corresponding to the likely local Zika virus transmission area and to the full range of the mosquito vector. Travel distance percentiles reflect the population of children 100 miles. CONCLUSION: The travel distance to pediatric subspecialty care varies widely by state and is likely to be an access barrier in some areas, particularly states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, which may have increasing numbers of CZI cases. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018 page 1 of 11). |
Liver Disease in a Residential Cohort With Elevated Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposures.
Clair HB , Pinkston CM , Rai SN , Pavuk M , Dutton ND , Brock G , Prough RA , Falkner KC , McClain CJ , Cave MC . Toxicol Sci 2018 164 (1) 39-49 Endocrine and metabolism disrupting chemicals (EDCs/MDCs) have been associated with environmental liver diseases including toxicant-associated steatohepatitis (TASH). TASH has previously been characterized by hepatocellular necrosis, disrupted intermediary metabolism, and liver inflammation. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental EDCs/MDCs associated with the genesis and progression of steatohepatitis in animal models and human liver injury in epidemiology studies. The cross-sectional Anniston Community Health Survey (ACHS) investigates ortho-substituted PCB exposures and health effects near a former PCB manufacturing complex. The rates of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were previously determined to be high in ACHS. In this study, 738 ACHS participants were categorized by liver disease status using the serum cytokeratin 18 biomarker. Associations between PCB exposures and mechanistic biomarkers of intermediary metabolism, inflammation, and hepatocyte death were determined. The liver disease prevalence was high (60.2%), and 80.7% of these individuals were categorized as having TASH. Sex and race/ethnicity differences were noted. TASH was associated with increased exposures to specific PCB congeners, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and liver necrosis. These findings are consistent with PCB-related steatohepatitis. SigmaPCBs was inversely associated with insulin resistance/production, leptin, and hepatocyte apoptosis, while other adipocytokines were increased. This is possibly the largest environmental liver disease study applying mechanistic biomarkers ever performed and the most comprehensive analysis of PCBs and adipocytokines. It provides insight into the mechanisms of PCB-related endocrine and metabolic disruption in liver disease and diabetes. In the future, associations between additional exposures and liver disease biomarkers will be evaluated in the ACHS and follow-up ACHS-II studies. |
Anniston Community Health Survey: Follow-up and dioxin analyses (ACHS-II) - methods
Birnbaum LS , Dutton ND , Cusack C , Mennemeyer ST , Pavuk M . Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016 23 (3) 2014-21 High serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been reported previously among residents of Anniston, Alabama, where a PCB production facility was located in the past. As the second of two cross-sectional studies of these Anniston residents, the Anniston Community Health Survey: Follow-Up and Dioxin Analyses (ACHS-II) will yield repeated measurements to be used to evaluate changes over time in ortho-PCB concentrations and selected health indicators in study participants. Dioxins, non-ortho PCBs, other chemicals, heavy metals, and a variety of additional clinical tests not previously measured in the original ACHS cohort will be examined in ACHS-II. The follow-up study also incorporates a questionnaire with extended sections on diet and occupational history for a more comprehensive assessment of possible exposure sources. Data collection for ACHS-II from 359 eligible participants took place in 2014, 7 to 9 years after ACHS. |
Are schools safe from indoor radon?
Foster S , Dent A , Bryant J , Tencza B , Adams E , Dutton ND . J Environ Health 2015 77 (10) 38-40 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) estimates approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributable to radon exposure (U.S. EPA, 2003). This number is approximately seven times greater than the number of lung cancer deaths due to secondhand smoke exposure and about twice as many deaths caused by drunk drivers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015; Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, 2013; National Cancer Institute, 2012). Despite these startling statistics, very few programs are in place to monitor or evaluate indoor radon levels in homes and public buildings in the U.S. Since radon gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, testing is the only way to determine its presence (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [ATSDR], 2012; U.S. EPA, 2003; U.S. Geological Survey, 1993). When testing reveals levels greater than 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), mitigation is recommended by U.S. EPA and several effective strategies for reducing indoor radon levels exist (American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, 2014; U.S. EPA, 2010). Given the absence of a national program for radon surveillance and the ubiquitous nature of radon gas, we have undertaken a series of activities to understand the extent to which indoor radon may be a risk for Americans, specifically for children attending public schools, in hopes of increasing awareness about the importance of radon testing. | In 2013, we began a study of the scope and extent of regular and standard radon testing programs in schools across the nation. We learned that many states have active radon testing and mitigation programs. For example, in the last eight years New Jersey has tested 1,705 (51%) public schools (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2014). We also learned, however, that laws and regulations for reducing radon in schools were scarce (Bernstein, 2013). Additionally, we were surprised to uncover the variations in requirements among different laws. Since our original inquiries, some states have lost funding to support their legislation. Other states have added language in support of testing or radon-resistant new construction practices (Environmental Law Institute, 2014). Policies for radon testing in schools and radon-resistant new construction continue to be uncommon and moving targets. |
Predictors of serum polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in Anniston residents
Pavuk M , Olson JR , Wattigney WA , Dutton ND , Sjodin A , Shelton C , Turner WE , Bartell SM . Sci Total Environ 2014 496 624-634 The Anniston Community Health Survey was a community-based cross-sectional study of Anniston, Alabama, residents who live in close proximity to a former PCB production facility to identify factors associated with serum PCB levels. The survey comprises 765 Anniston residents who completed a questionnaire interview and provided a blood sample for analysis in 2005-2007. Several reports based on data from the Anniston survey have been previously published, including associations between PCB exposure and diabetes and blood pressure. In this study we examine demographic, behavioral, dietary, and occupational characteristics of Anniston survey participants as predictors of serum PCB concentrations. Of the 765 participants, 54% were White and 45% were African-American; the sample was predominantly female (70%), with a mean age of 55 years. Serum PCB concentrations varied widely between participants (range for sum of 35 PCBs: 0.11-170.4ng/g wet weight). Linear regression models with stepwise selection were employed to examine factors associated with serum PCBs. Statistically significant positive associations were observed between serum PCB concentrations and age, race, residential variables, current smoking, and local fish consumption, as was a negative association with education level. Age and race were the most influential predictors of serum PCB levels. A small age by sex interaction was noted, indicating that the increase in PCB levels with age was steeper for women than for men. Significant interaction terms indicated that the associations between PCB levels and having ever eaten locally raised livestock and local clay were much stronger among African-Americans than among White participants. In summary, demographic variables and past consumption of locally produced foods were found to be the most important predictors of PCB concentrations in residents living in the vicinity of a former PCB manufacturing facility. |
Serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in participants of the Anniston Community Health Survey
Pavuk M , Olson JR , Sjodin A , Wolff P , Turner WE , Shelton C , Dutton ND , Bartell S . Sci Total Environ 2013 473-474c 286-297 Serum concentrations of 35 ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCBs) were measured in 765 adults from Anniston, Alabama, where PCBs were manufactured between 1929 and 1971. As part of the Anniston Community Health Survey (ACHS), demographic data, questionnaire information, and blood samples were collected from participants in 2005-2007. Forty-six percent of study participants were African-American, 70% were female, and the median age was 56 years. The median concentration of the sum of 35 PCB congeners (SigmaPCBs) was 528ng/g lipid, with a 90th percentile of 2600ng/g lipid, minimum of 17.0ng/g lipid, and maximum of 27,337ng/g lipid. The least square geometric mean SigmaPCBs was more than 2.5 times higher for African-American participants than for White participants (866ng/g lipid vs. 331ng/g lipid); this difference did not change materially after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and current smoking. In spite of large differences in absolute PCB levels, relative contributions of individual congeners to SigmaPCBs were quite similar between race groups. Nevertheless, while percent contributions to SigmaPCBs for most of the most abundant penta- to heptachlorobiphenyls were higher among African-Americans, the percentages were higher in Whites for the lower-chlorinated PCBs 28 and 74 and for octa- to decachlorinated PCBs. No major differences were observed in geometric mean SigmaPCBs between women and men when adjusted for age, race, BMI and current smoking (516ng/g lipid vs. 526ng/g lipid). Principal component analysis revealed groups of co-varying congeners that appear to be determined by chlorine substitution patterns. These congener groupings were similar between ACHS participants and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-04 sample of the general United States population, despite ACHS participants having serum concentrations of SigmaPCBs two to three times higher than those in comparable age and race groups from NHANES. |
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