Last data update: Apr 29, 2024. (Total: 46658 publications since 2009)
Records 1-30 (of 136 Records) |
Query Trace: Parks S [original query] |
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Urinary biomonitoring of glyphosate exposure among male farmers and nonfarmers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) study
Chang VC , Ospina M , Xie S , Andreotti G , Parks CG , Liu D , Madrigal JM , Ward MH , Rothman N , Silverman DT , Sandler DP , Friesen MC , Beane Freeman LE , Calafat AM , Hofmann JN . Environ Int 2024 187 108644 Glyphosate is the most widely applied herbicide worldwide. Glyphosate biomonitoring data are limited for agricultural settings. We measured urinary glyphosate concentrations and assessed exposure determinants in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture (BEEA) study. We selected four groups of BEEA participants based on self-reported pesticide exposure: recently exposed farmers with occupational glyphosate use in the last 7 days (n = 98), farmers with high lifetime glyphosate use (>80th percentile) but no use in the last 7 days (n = 70), farming controls with minimal lifetime use (n = 100), and nonfarming controls with no occupational pesticide exposures and no recent home/garden glyphosate use (n = 100). Glyphosate was quantified in first morning void urine using ion chromatography isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry. We estimated associations between urinary glyphosate concentrations and potential determinants using multivariable linear regression. Glyphosate was detected (≥0.2 µg/L) in urine of most farmers with recent (91 %) and high lifetime (93 %) use, as well as farming (88 %) and nonfarming (81 %) controls; geometric mean concentrations were 0.89, 0.59, 0.46, and 0.39 µg/L (0.79, 0.51, 0.42, and 0.37 µg/g creatinine), respectively. Compared with both control groups, urinary glyphosate concentrations were significantly elevated among recently exposed farmers (P < 0.0001), particularly those who used glyphosate in the previous day [vs. nonfarming controls; geometric mean ratio (GMR) = 5.46; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 3.75, 7.93]. Concentrations among high lifetime exposed farmers were also elevated (P < 0.01 vs. nonfarming controls). Among recently exposed farmers, glyphosate concentrations were higher among those not wearing gloves when applying glyphosate (GMR = 1.91; 95 % CI: 1.17, 3.11), not wearing long-sleeved shirts when mixing/loading glyphosate (GMR = 2.00; 95 % CI: 1.04, 3.86), applying glyphosate exclusively using broadcast/boom sprayers (vs. hand sprayer only; GMR = 1.70; 95 % CI: 1.00, 2.92), and applying glyphosate to crops (vs. non-crop; GMR = 1.72; 95 % CI: 1.04, 2.84). Both farmers and nonfarmers are exposed to glyphosate, with recency of occupational glyphosate use being the strongest determinant of urinary glyphosate concentrations. Continued biomonitoring of glyphosate in various settings is warranted. |
Understanding three approaches to reporting sudden unexpected infant death in the USA
Erck Lambert AB , Parks S , Bergman K , Cottengim C , Woster A , Shaw E , Ma H , Heitmann R , Riehle-Colarusso T , Shapiro-Mendoza C . Inj Prev 2024 INTRODUCTION: In the USA each year, there are approximately 3400 sudden unexpected infant (<1 year of age) deaths (SUID) which occur without an obvious cause before an investigation. SUID includes the causes of death (COD) undetermined/unknown, sleep-related suffocation/asphyxia and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); these are often called SUID subtypes. Three common ways SUID subtypes are grouped (SUID subtype groups) include International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Codes, SUID Case Registry Categories or Child Death Review (CDR)-Assigned Causes. These groups are often used to monitor SUID trends and characteristics at the local, state and national levels. We describe and compare the characteristics of these three SUID subtype groups. DISCUSSION: SUID subtype groups are distinct and not directly interchangeable. They vary in purpose, strengths, limitations, uses, history, data years available, population coverage, assigning entity, guidance documentation and information available to assign subtypes. CONCLUSION: Making informed decisions about which SUID subtype group to use is important for reporting statistics, increasing knowledge of SUID epidemiology and informing prevention strategies. |
Global VAX: A U.S. contribution to global COVID-19 vaccination efforts, 2021-2023
Dahl BA , Tritter B , Butryn D , Dahlke M , Browning S , Gelting R , Fleming M , Ortiz N , Labrador J , Novak R , Fitter D , Bell E , McGuire M , Rosenbaum R , Pulwer R , Wun J , McCaffrey A , Chowdhury M , Parks N , Cunningham M , Mounts A , Curry D , Richardson D , Grant G . Vaccine 2024 In December 2021 the U.S. Government announced a new, whole-of-government $1.8 billion effort, the Initiative for Global Vaccine Access (Global VAX) in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Using the foundation of decades of U.S. government investments in global health and working in close partnership with local governments and key global and multilateral organizations, Global VAX enabled the rapid acceleration of the global COVID-19 vaccine rollout in selected countries, contributing to increased COVID-19 vaccine coverage in some of the world's most vulnerable communities. Through Global VAX, the U.S. Government has supported 125 countries to scale up COVID-19 vaccine delivery and administration while strengthening primary health care systems to respond to future health crises. The progress made by Global VAX has paved the way for a stronger global recovery and improved global health security. |
Evaluation of a non-dispersive infrared spectrometer for quantifying organic and elemental carbon in diesel particulate matter
Parks DA , Zhao Y , Griffiths PR , Miller AL . Aerosol Sci Technol 2024 Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a common and well-known health hazard in the mining environment. The regulatory method for monitoring both the organic and elemental carbon (OC, EC) portions of DPM is a laboratory-based thermal-optical method with a typical turnaround time of one week. In order to evaluate exposure levels and take corrective action prior to overexposure, a portable real-time device capable of quantifying both OC and EC is needed. To that end, researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) designed and tested the feasibility of a device based on bandpass optical filters that target key infrared wavelengths associated with DPM and its spectroscopic baseline. The resulting device, referred to here as a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) spectrometer could serve as the basis of a cost-effective, field-portable alternative to the laboratory thermal-optical method. The limits of quantification (LOD) indicate that the NDIR spectrometer can quantify EC, OC, and TC provided they are present at 20, 37, and 46 μg/m3 or more, respectively. In the event that the NDIR spectrometer is integrated with a sampler and filter tape the LOD is estimated to be reduced to 13, 7, and 10 μg/m3 for EC, OC, and TC, respectively. These LOD estimates assume a face velocity of 59 cm/s and a sampling time of 30 min. ©, This work was authored as part of the Contributor's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 USC. 105, no copyright protection is available for such works under US Law. |
Inaccurately reported statin use affects the assessing of lipid profile measures and their association with coronary artery disease risk
Ivanova AA , Gardner MS , Kusovschi JD , Parks BA , Schieltz DM , Bareja A , McGarrah RW 3rd , Kraus WE , Kuklenyik Z , Pirkle JL , Barr JR . Clin Chem 2024 70 (3) 528-537 BACKGROUND: Lipid profiling is central for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk assessment. Nonadherence or unreported use of lipid-lowering drugs, particularly statins, can significantly complicate the association between lipid profile measures and CAD clinical outcomes. By combining medication history evaluation with statin analysis in plasma, we determined the effects of inaccurately reported statin use on lipid profile measures and their association with CAD risk. METHODS: We compared medication history of statin use with statin concentration measurements, by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, in 690 participants undergoing coronary angiography (63 ± 11 years of age). Nominal logistic regression was employed to model CAD diagnosis with statin measurements, phenotypic, and lipid profile characteristics. RESULTS: Medication history of statin use was confirmed by statin assay for 81% of the patients. Surprisingly, statins were detected in 46% of patients without statin use records. Nonreported statin use was disproportionately higher among older participants. Stratifying samples by statin history resulted in underestimated LDL-lipid measures. Apolipoprotein B concentrations had a significant inverse CAD association, which became nonsignificant upon re-stratification using the statin assay data. CONCLUSIONS: Our study uncovered prominent discrepancies between medication records and actual statin use measured by mass spectrometry. We showed that inaccurate statin use assessments may lead to overestimation and underestimation of LDL levels in statin user and nonuser categories, exaggerating the reverse epidemiology association between LDL levels and CAD diagnosis. Combining medication history and quantitative statin assay data can significantly improve the design, analysis, and interpretation of clinical and epidemiological studies. |
Characteristics of sudden unexpected infant deaths on shared and nonshared sleep surfaces
Erck Lambert AB , Shapiro-Mendoza CK , Parks SE , Cottengim C , Faulkner M , Hauck FR . Pediatrics 2024 OBJECTIVES: Describe characteristics of sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) occurring on shared or nonshared sleep surfaces. METHODS: We examined SUID among residents of 23 US jurisdictions who died during 2011 to 2020. We calculated frequencies and percentages of demographic, sleep environment, and other characteristics by sleep surface sharing status and reported differences of at least 5% between surface sharing and nonsharing infants. RESULTS: Of 7595 SUID cases, 59.5% were sleep surface sharing when they died. Compared with nonsharing infants, sharing infants were more often aged 0 to 3 months, non-Hispanic Black, publicly insured, found supine, found in an adult bed or chair/couch, had a higher number of unsafe sleep factors present, were exposed to maternal cigarette smoking prenatally, were supervised by a parent at the time of death, or had a supervisor who was impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of death. At least 76% of all SUID had multiple unsafe sleep factors present. Among surface-sharing SUID, most were sharing with adults only (68.2%), in an adult bed (75.9%), and with 1 other person (51.6%). Surface sharing was more common among multiples than singletons. CONCLUSIONS: Among SUID, surface sharing and nonsharing infants varied by age at death, race and ethnicity, insurance type, presence of unsafe sleep factors, prenatal smoke exposure, and supervisor impairment. Most SUID, regardless of sleep location, had multiple unsafe sleep factors present, demonstrating the need for comprehensive safe sleep counseling for every family at every encounter. |
Parks, trails, and greenways for physical activity: A Community Guide systematic economic review
Jacob V , Reynolds JA , Chattopadhyay SK , Hopkins DP , Brown DR , Devlin HM , Barrett A , Berrigan D , Crespo CJ , Heath GW , Brownson RC , Cuellar AE , Clymer JM , Chriqui JF . Am J Prev Med 2024 INTRODUCTION: This systematic economic review examined the cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness of park, trail, and greenway infrastructure interventions to increase physical activity or infrastructure use. METHODS: The search period covered the date of inception of publications databases through February 2022. Inclusion was limited to studies that reported cost-benefit or cost-effectiveness outcomes and were based in the United States and other high-income countries. Analyses were conducted during March 2022 through December 2022. All monetary values reported are in 2021 U.S. dollars. RESULTS: The search yielded 1 study based in the United States and 7 based on other high-income countries, with 1 reporting cost-effectiveness and 7 reporting cost-benefit outcomes. The cost-effectiveness study based in the United Kingdom reported $23,254 per disability-adjusted life year averted. The median benefit to cost ratio was 3.1 (Interquartile Interval: 2.9 to 3.9) based on 7 studies. DISCUSSION: The evidence shows that economic benefits exceed the intervention cost of park, trail, and greenway infrastructure. Given large differences in the size of infrastructure, intervention cost and economic benefits varied substantially across studies. There was insufficient number of studies to determine cost-effectiveness of these interventions. |
Considerations for defining homelessness in public health data collection
Meehan AA , Waddell CJ , Marx GE , Clarke KEN , Bratcher A , Montgomery MP , Marcus R , Ramirez V , Mosites E . Public Health Rep 2023 333549231215850 Public health problems cannot be addressed without timely and accurate data. However, data that provide insight into populations that may be at disproportionate risk for disease, including people experiencing homelessness, are insufficiently captured. Although the associations between homelessness and disease have been well documented,1-6 data on housing status are not universally or consistently collected in routine public health data.7 Improving collection of data on housing status in public health data collection efforts is necessary to address health disparities among people experiencing homelessness and advance health equity research and practice. | Collecting data related to homelessness and disease is complicated for several reasons, but one of the most salient reasons is that defining homelessness is challenging. Several federal agencies use their own definitions to identify people who might be eligible for assistance programs, creating confusion about which definition should be used for public health purposes. In addition, definitions of homelessness at federal agencies have changed over time, further complicating the collection of homelessness data. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence8; this definition includes both people with a primary nighttime residence of a public or private place not meant for human habitation (eg, cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings) and people residing in temporary shelters (eg, emergency homeless shelter, transitional housing). The US Department of Education (DOE) uses a broader lens, defining homelessness to include school-aged children whose housing situation meets the HUD criteria for homelessness while also including those who share housing with other people by doubling up or couch surfing; those who live in motels, hotels, or trailer parks; and those who are abandoned at hospitals.9 |
Reducing cancer risk through primary prevention activities among children: A demonstration project
Tai E , Chovnick G , Momin B , Townsend JS , Holman DM , Siegel D , House M . J Public Health Manag Pract 2023 CONTEXT: Opportunities to reduce the risk of cancer, including cervical, liver, and skin cancer, start early in life. To encourage adoption of primary prevention activities in childhood to reduce cancer risk later in life, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a demonstration project with 3 National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) recipients. PROGRAM: Iowa, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB), and Pennsylvania NCCCP recipients implemented evidence-based primary prevention activities for cervical, liver, and skin cancer among children using health care provider education, patient education, and policy development. IMPLEMENTATION: Iowa implemented an announcement approach to improve provider education on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Pennsylvania focused on patient education for reducing skin cancer risk and both provider and patient education for liver cancer prevention. NPAIHB created a sun safety intervention for tribal organizations, including a policy guide, media materials, and patient education. RESULTS: In Iowa, health care providers taking the announcement approach reported significantly higher mean scores on a posttest compared with a pretest regarding perceptions about HPV vaccination, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions related to vaccination. Pennsylvania integrated sun safety education and sunscreen dispenser programs as a health and wellness initiative in 8 state parks and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources incorporated the program in its Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Plan. Pennsylvania also implemented health care provider education on the primary prevention of liver cancer through hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening and hepatitis B vaccination. The NPAIHB skin cancer policy guide was created and distributed for use to all 43 federally recognized tribes of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho served by NPAIHB. DISCUSSION: The identification, dissemination, and implementation of these efforts can serve as best practices for future childhood primary prevention programs. NCCCP recipients and public health professionals can use health care provider education, patient education, and policy development to reduce future risk for cervical, liver, and skin cancer among children. |
Do Aedes triseriatus respect state boundaries?: A paucity of La Crosse Virus in the South Carolina Appalachian Mountains
Gual-Gonzalez L , Dye-Braumuller K , Warner A , Bunting T , Bryant D , Connelly R , Burkhalter K , Nolan MS . Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2023 Background: La Crosse virus is an important endemic public health concern in the North Carolina Appalachian Mountains; however, human incidence is not commonly noted in this region on the South Carolina side of the mountain range border. No relevant studies have been performed in South Carolina evaluating mosquito vector populations for La Crosse virus (LACV) infection; thus, a pilot mosquito surveillance study was executed in summer 2020. Material and Methods: Vector surveillance occurred at five South Carolina state parks bordering neighboring state endemic counties from May to August 2020. Collections were approved by the state park authority, as noted in Permit No. N-8-20. Results: All three competent mosquito vectors were collected during the study duration; however, these vectors were collected in low abundance: Aedes triseriatus (4.5% of all collected mosquitos); Aedes albopictus (2.0%); Aedes japonicus (1.4%). Principal mosquito vector specimens, Ae. triseriatus, were sent to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing of LACV by real-time reverse transcription PCR-all were negative. Discussion: While entomologic evidence suggests low transmission risk for this arbovirus in the South Carolina Appalachian Mountain region, further eco-epidemiologic investigations are warranted to understand this endemicity variance within a relatively small geographic area. |
Inferring school district learning modalities during the COVID-19 pandemic with a hidden Markov model
Panaggio MJ , Fang M , Bang H , Armstrong PA , Binder AM , Grass JE , Magid J , Papazian M , Shapiro-Mendoza CK , Parks SE . PLoS One 2023 18 (10) e0292354 During the COVID-19 pandemic, many public schools across the United States shifted from fully in-person learning to alternative learning modalities such as hybrid and fully remote learning. In this study, data from 14,688 unique school districts from August 2020 to June 2021 were collected to track changes in the proportion of schools offering fully in-person, hybrid and fully remote learning over time. These data were provided by Burbio, MCH Strategic Data, the American Enterprise Institute's Return to Learn Tracker and individual state dashboards. Because the modalities reported by these sources were incomplete and occasionally misaligned, a model was needed to combine and deconflict these data to provide a more comprehensive description of modalities nationwide. A hidden Markov model (HMM) was used to infer the most likely learning modality for each district on a weekly basis. This method yielded higher spatiotemporal coverage than any individual data source and higher agreement with three of the four data sources than any other single source. The model output revealed that the percentage of districts offering fully in-person learning rose from 40.3% in September 2020 to 54.7% in June of 2021 with increases across 45 states and in both urban and rural districts. This type of probabilistic model can serve as a tool for fusion of incomplete and contradictory data sources in order to obtain more reliable data in support of public health surveillance and research efforts. |
Attitudes toward COVID-19 illness and COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women: a cross-sectional multicenter study during August-December 2020 (preprint)
Battarbee AN , Stockwell MS , Varner M , Newes-Adeyi G , Daugherty M , Gyamfi-Bannerman C , Tita AT , Vorwaller K , Vargas C , Subramaniam A , Reichle L , Galang RR , Powers E , Lucca-Susana M , Parks M , Chen TJ , Razzaghi H , Dawood FS . medRxiv 2021 2021.03.26.21254402 Objective Evaluate pregnant women’s attitudes toward COVID-19 illness and vaccination and identify factors associated with vaccine acceptability.Study Design Cross-sectional survey among pregnant women enrolled in a prospective COVID-19 cohort study in Salt Lake City, UT, Birmingham, AL, and New York, NY, August 9– December 10, 2020. Women were eligible if they were 18-50 years old and <28 weeks of gestation. Upon enrollment, women completed surveys regarding concerns about COVID-19 illness and likelihood of getting COVID-19 vaccine if one were available during pregnancy. Vaccine acceptability was defined as a response of “very likely” or “somewhat likely” on a 4-point Likert scale. Factors associated with vaccine acceptability were assessed with multivariable logistic regression.Results Of 939 pregnant women eligible for the main cohort study, 915 (97%) consented to participate. Among these 915 women, 39% self-identified as White, 23% Black, 33% Hispanic, and 4% Other. Sixty-two percent received an influenza vaccine last season. Seventy-two percent worried about getting sick with COVID-19. If they were to get sick, 92% worried about harm to their pregnancy and 80% about harm to themselves. Only 41% reported they would get a vaccine. Of women who were unlikely to get vaccinated, the most frequently cited concern was vaccine safety for their pregnancy (82%). Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women had lower odds of accepting a vaccine compared with non-Hispanic White women (adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 0.4, 95%CI 0.2–0.6 for both). Receipt of influenza vaccine during the previous season was associated with higher odds of vaccine acceptability (aOR 2.1, 95%CI 1.5-3.0).Conclusion Although most pregnant women worried about COVID-19 illness, <50% were willing to get vaccinated during pregnancy. Racial and ethnic disparities in plans to accept COVID-19 vaccine highlight the need to prioritize strategies to address perceived barriers among groups at high risk for COVID-19.Competing Interest StatementAll authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf and declare: no support from any organization for the submitted work; author CGB has an unrestricted grant from SMFM/AMAG to study prematurity.Funding StatementFunding: This study was funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through Contract # 75D30120C08150 with Abt Associates.Author DeclarationsI confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.YesThe details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:Centralized Institutional Review Board approval was obtained (IRB-AAAT1906), and informed consent was obtained from all participants. The Columbia University Medical Center IRB served as the centralized IRB for this study.All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived.YesI understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).YesI have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable.YesData will automatically be sequestered by site. |
Deer management generally reduces densities of nymphal Ixodes scapularis, but not prevalence of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto
Martin AM , Buttke D , Raphael J , Taylor K , Maes S , Parise CM , Ginsberg HS , Cross PC . Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023 14 (5) 102202 Human Lyme disease-primarily caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) in North America-is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Research on risk mitigation strategies during the last three decades has emphasized methods to reduce densities of the primary vector in eastern North America, the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis). Controlling white-tailed deer populations has been considered a potential method for reducing tick densities, as white-tailed deer are important hosts for blacklegged tick reproduction. However, the feasibility and efficacy of white-tailed deer management to impact acarological risk of encountering infected ticks (namely, density of host-seeking infected nymphs; DIN) is unclear. We investigated the effect of white-tailed deer density and management on the density of host-seeking nymphs and B. burgdorferi s.s. infection prevalence using surveillance data from eight national parks and park regions in the eastern United States from 2014-2022. We found that deer density was significantly positively correlated with the density of nymphs (nymph density increased by 49% with a 1 standard deviation increase in deer density) but was not strongly correlated with the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.s. infection in nymphal ticks. Further, while white-tailed deer reduction efforts were followed by a decrease in the density of I. scapularis nymphs in parks, deer removal had variable effects on B. burgdorferi s.s. infection prevalence, with some parks experiencing slight declines and others slight increases in prevalence. Our findings suggest that managing white-tailed deer densities alone may not be effective in reducing DIN in all situations but may be a useful tool when implemented in integrated management regimes. |
Associations between breastfeeding and post-perinatal infant deaths in the U.S.
Ware JL , Li R , Chen A , Nelson JM , Kmet JM , Parks SE , Morrow AL , Chen J , Perrine CG . Am J Prev Med 2023 65 (5) 763-774 INTRODUCTION: Initiation of breastfeeding has been associated with reduced post-perinatal infant mortality. Although most states have initiatives to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, no analysis of the association of breastfeeding and infant mortality has been conducted at the state and regional level. To understand the associations between breastfeeding and post-perinatal infant mortality, the initiation of breastfeeding with post-perinatal infant mortality was analyzed by geographic region and individual states within each region. METHODS: This study was a prospective cohort analysis linking US national birth and post-perinatal infant death data for nearly 10 million infants born in 2016-2018, who were then followed for one year after birth and analyzed in 2021-2022. RESULTS: 9,711,567 live births and 20,632 post-perinatal infant deaths from 48 states and District of Columbia were included in the analysis. The overall adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for breastfeeding initiation with post-perinatal infant mortality was 0.67 (0.65-0.69, p<0.0001) for days 7-364. All 7 US geographic regions had significant reductions in post-perinatal infant deaths associated with breastfeeding initiation; Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions had the largest reductions with AOR=0.56 (0.51-0.61, p<0.001; 0.50-0.63, p<0.001, respectively), while the Southeast had the smallest reduction with AOR=0.79 (0.75-0.84, p<0.001). Statistically significant results were noted for 35 individual states for reduction in total post-perinatal infant deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Although regional and state variation in the magnitude of the association of breastfeeding and infant mortality exists, the consistency of reduced risk, together with existing literature, suggests breastfeeding promotion and support may be a strategy to reduce infant mortality in the United States. |
Neutralizing antibody responses to messenger RNA coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines versus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection among pregnant women and vaccine-induced antibody transfer to infants
Dawood FS , Tita A , Stockwell MS , Newes-Adeyi G , Wielgosz K , Gyamfi-Bannerman C , Battarbee A , Reichle L , Thornburg N , Ellington S , Galang RR , Vorwaller K , Vargas CY , Morrill T , Parks M , Powers E , Gibson M , Varner M . Open Forum Infect Dis 2023 10 (5) ofad204 BACKGROUND: Early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trials excluded pregnant women, resulting in limited data about immunogenicity and maternal-fetal antibody transfer, particularly by gestational timing of vaccination. METHODS: In this multicenter observational immunogenicity study, pregnant and nonpregnant women receiving COVID-19 vaccines were prospectively enrolled. Participants had sera collected before vaccination, at 14-28 days after each vaccine dose, at delivery (umbilical cord and peripheral), and from their infants at 3 and 6 months. Geometric mean titers (GMTs) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ID(50) neutralizing antibody (nAb) against D614G-like viruses were compared by participant characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 23 nonpregnant and 85 pregnant participants (trimester of first vaccine dose: 10 first, 47 second, 28 third) were enrolled. Ninety-three percent (76/82 with blood samples) of pregnant participants had detectable SARS-CoV-2 nAb after 2 vaccine doses, but GMTs (95% confidence intervals) were lower in pregnant participants than nonpregnant participants (1722 [1136-2612] vs 4419 [2012-9703]; P = .04). By 3 and 6 months, 28% and 74% of infants, respectively, of vaccinated participants had no detectable nAb to D614G-like viruses. Among the 71 pregnant participants without detectable nAb before vaccination, cord blood GMTs at delivery were 5-fold higher among participants vaccinated during the third versus first trimester, and cord blood nAb titers appeared inversely correlated with weeks since first vaccine dose (R(2) = 0.06, P = .06). CONCLUSIONS: Though most pregnant women develop nAb after 2 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, this analysis suggests that infant protection from maternal vaccination varies by gestational timing of vaccination and wanes. Additional prevention strategies such as caregiver vaccination may warrant consideration to optimize infant protection. |
Risk factors for suffocation and unexplained causes of infant deaths
Parks SE , DeSisto CL , Kortsmit K , Bombard JM , Shapiro-Mendoza CK . Pediatrics 2023 151 (1) BACKGROUND: Observational studies have improved our understanding of the risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome, but separate examination of risk for sleep-related suffocation and unexplained infant deaths has been limited. We examined the association between unsafe infant sleep practices and sudden infant deaths (sleep-related suffocation and unexplained causes including sudden infant death syndrome). METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study using 2016 to 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Controls were liveborn infants from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System; cases were from the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Case Registry. We calculated risk factor prevalence among cases and controls and crude and adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: We included 112 sleep-related suffocation cases with 448 age-matched controls and 300 unexplained infant death cases with 1200 age-matched controls. Adjusted odds for sleep-related suffocation ranged from 18.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.8-51.3) among infants not sharing a room with their mother or caregiver to 1.9 (95% CI: 0.9-4.1) among infants with nonsupine sleep positioning. Adjusted odds for unexplained death ranged from 7.6 (95% CI: 4.7-12.2) among infants not sharing a room with their mother or caregiver to 1.6 (95% CI: 1.1-2.4) among nonsupine positioned infants. COCLUSIONS: We confirmed previously identified risk factors for unexplained infant death and independently estimated risk factors for sleep-related suffocation. Significance of associations for suffocation followed similar patterns but was of larger magnitude. This information can be used to improve messaging about safe infant sleep. |
Sudden unexpected infant deaths: 2015-2020
Shapiro-Mendoza CK , Woodworth KR , Cottengim CR , Erck Lambert AB , Harvey EM , Monsour M , Parks SE , Barfield WD . Pediatrics 2023 151 (4) OBJECTIVE: Although the US infant mortality rate reached a record low in 2020, the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rate increased from 2019. To understand if the increase was related to changing death certification practices or the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we examined sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) rates as a group, by cause, and by race and ethnicity. METHODS: We estimated SUID rates during 2015 to 2020 using US period-linked birth and death data. SUID included SIDS, unknown cause, and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. We examined changes in rates from 2019 to 2020 and assessed linear trends during prepandemic (2015-2019) using weighted least squares regression. We also assessed race and ethnicity trends and quantified COVID-19-related SUID. RESULTS: Although the SIDS rate increased significantly from 2019 to 2020 (P < .001), the overall SUID rate did not (P = .24). The increased SIDS rate followed a declining linear trend in SIDS during 2015 to 2019 (P < .001). Other SUID causes did not change significantly. Our race and ethnicity analysis showed SUID rates increased significantly for non-Hispanic Black infants from 2019 to 2020, widening the disparities between these two groups during 2017 to 2019. In 2020, <10 of the 3328 SUID had a COVID-19 code. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnositic shifting likely explained the increased SIDS rate in 2020. Why the SUID rate increased for non-Hispanic Black infants is unknown, but warrants continued monitoring. Interventions are needed to address persistent racial and ethnic disparities in SUID. |
Mediation of an association between neighborhood socioeconomic environment and type 2 diabetes through the leisure-time physical activity environment in an analysis of three independent samples
Moon KA , Nordberg CM , Orstad SL , Zhu A , Uddin J , Lopez P , Schwartz MD , Ryan V , Hirsch AG , Schwartz BS , Carson AP , Long DL , Meeker M , Brown J , Lovasi GS , Adhikari S , Kanchi R , Avramovic S , Imperatore G , Poulsen MN . BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2023 11 (2) INTRODUCTION: Inequitable access to leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) resources may explain geographic disparities in type 2 diabetes (T2D). We evaluated whether the neighborhood socioeconomic environment (NSEE) affects T2D through the LTPA environment. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted analyses in three study samples: the national Veterans Administration Diabetes Risk (VADR) cohort comprising electronic health records (EHR) of 4.1 million T2D-free veterans, the national prospective cohort REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) (11 208 T2D free), and a case-control study of Geisinger EHR in Pennsylvania (15 888 T2D cases). New-onset T2D was defined using diagnoses, laboratory and medication data. We harmonized neighborhood-level variables, including exposure, confounders, and effect modifiers. We measured NSEE with a summary index of six census tract indicators. The LTPA environment was measured by physical activity (PA) facility (gyms and other commercial facilities) density within street network buffers and population-weighted distance to parks. We estimated natural direct and indirect effects for each mediator stratified by community type. RESULTS: The magnitudes of the indirect effects were generally small, and the direction of the indirect effects differed by community type and study sample. The most consistent findings were for mediation via PA facility density in rural communities, where we observed positive indirect effects (differences in T2D incidence rates (95% CI) comparing the highest versus lowest quartiles of NSEE, multiplied by 100) of 1.53 (0.25, 3.05) in REGARDS and 0.0066 (0.0038, 0.0099) in VADR. No mediation was evident in Geisinger. CONCLUSIONS: PA facility density and distance to parks did not substantially mediate the relation between NSEE and T2D. Our heterogeneous results suggest that approaches to reduce T2D through changes to the LTPA environment require local tailoring. |
Neighborhood deprivation and privilege: An examination of racialized-economic segregation and preterm birth, Florida 2019
Phillips-Bell GS , Mohamoud YA , Kirby RS , Parks SE , Cozier YC , Shapiro-Mendoza CK . J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2023 The Black-White disparity in preterm birth persists and is not fully explained by individual-level social, behavioral, or clinical risk factors. Consequently, there is increasing emphasis on understanding the role of structural and area-level factors. Racialized-economic segregation measured as the index of concentration at the extremes (ICE) simultaneously captures extremes of deprivation and privilege. Our objective was to examine associations between preterm birth (PTB) and the index of concentration at the extremes (ICE). In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed 193,957 Florida birth records from 2019 linked to 2015-2019 census tract data from the American Community Survey. We assessed PTB (< 37 weeks gestation) by subtypes: (1) early (< 34 weeks) and late (34-36 weeks) and (2) spontaneous and indicated (i.e., provider-initiated) deliveries. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for three ICE measures: (1) ICE_INC: income, (2) INC_INC + WB: income + race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White vs. Black), and (3) INC_INC + WH: income + race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White vs. Hispanic). Results. For ICE_INC and INC_INC + WB, aORs for residing in the worst-off vs. best-off areas were 1.25 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.46) and 1.21 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.37) for early PTB, respectively, and 1.16 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.28) to 1.22 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.34) for indicated PTB. In conclusion, deprivation captured by ICE was associated with increased odds of early or indicated PTB. Eliminating PTB disparities may require a multifaceted approach that includes addressing the interplay between income and race/ethnicity in residential areas. |
Glyphosate Exposure and Urinary Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Agricultural Health Study.
Chang VC , Andreotti G , Ospina M , Parks CG , Liu D , Shearer JJ , Rothman N , Silverman DT , Sandler DP , Calafat AM , Beane Freeman LE , Hofmann JN . J Natl Cancer Inst 2023 115 (4) 394-404 BACKGROUND: Glyphosate is the most widely applied herbicide worldwide, and its use has been associated with increased risks of certain hematopoietic cancers in epidemiologic studies. Animal and in vitro experiments suggest that glyphosate may induce oxidative stress, a key characteristic of carcinogens; however, evidence in human populations remains scarce. We investigated associations between glyphosate exposure and urinary oxidative stress biomarkers in the Biomarkers of Exposure and Effect in Agriculture study, a molecular epidemiologic subcohort in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS: This analysis included 268 male farmers selected based on self-reported recent and lifetime occupational glyphosate use and 100 age- and geography-matched male non-farmers. Concentrations of glyphosate and oxidative stress biomarkers (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG], 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α [8-isoprostane], and malondialdehyde [MDA]) were quantified in first-morning-void urine. We performed multivariable linear regression to evaluate associations of urinary glyphosate and self-reported glyphosate use with each oxidative stress biomarker. RESULTS: Urinary glyphosate concentrations were positively associated with levels of 8-OHdG (highest vs. lowest glyphosate quartile; geometric mean ratio [GMR]=1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.03-1.28, Ptrend=.02) and MDA (GMR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.03-1.40, Ptrend=.06) overall. Among farmers reporting recent glyphosate use (last 7 days), use in the previous day was also associated with significantly increased 8-OHdG and MDA levels. Compared with non-farmers, we observed elevated 8-isoprostane levels among farmers with recent, high past 12-month, or high lifetime glyphosate use. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings contribute to the weight of evidence supporting an association between glyphosate exposure and oxidative stress in humans and may inform evaluations of the carcinogenic potential of this herbicide. |
Integrated Quantitative Targeted Lipidomics and Proteomics Reveal Unique Fingerprints of Multiple Metabolic Conditions.
Ivanova AA , Rees JC , Parks BA , Andrews M , Gardner M , Grigorutsa E , Kuklenyik Z , Pirkle JL , Barr JR . Biomolecules 2022 12 (10) Aberrations in lipid and lipoprotein metabolic pathways can lead to numerous diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, and cancer. The integration of quantitative lipid and lipoprotein profiling of human plasma may provide a powerful approach to inform early disease diagnosis and prevention. In this study, we leveraged data-driven quantitative targeted lipidomics and proteomics to identify specific molecular changes associated with different metabolic risk categories, including hyperlipidemic, hypercholesterolemic, hypertriglyceridemic, hyperglycemic, and normolipidemic conditions. Based on the quantitative characterization of serum samples from 146 individuals, we have determined individual lipid species and proteins that were significantly up- or down-regulated relative to the normolipidemic group. Then, we established protein-lipid topological networks for each metabolic category and linked dysregulated proteins and lipids with defined metabolic pathways. To evaluate the differentiating power of integrated lipidomics and proteomics data, we have built an artificial neural network model that simultaneously and accurately categorized the samples from each metabolic risk category based on the determined lipidomics and proteomics profiles. Together, our findings provide new insights into molecular changes associated with metabolic risk conditions, suggest new condition-specific associations between apolipoproteins and lipids, and may inform new biomarker discovery in lipid metabolism-associated disorders. |
Review of filters for air sampling and chemical analysis in mining workplaces
Chow JC , Watson JG , Wang X , Abbasi B , Reed WR , Parks D . Minerals 2022 12 (10) 1314 This review considers the use of filters to sample air in mining workplace environments for dust concentration measurement and subsequent analysis of hazardous contaminants, especially respirable crystalline silica (RCS) on filters compatible with wearable personal dust monitors (PDM). The review summarizes filter vendors, sizes, costs, chemical and physical properties, and information available on filter modeling, laboratory testing, and field performance. Filter media testing and selection should consider the characteristics required for mass by gravimetry in addition to RCS quantification by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) or Raman spectroscopic analysis. For mass determination, the filters need to have high filtration efficiency (≥99% for the most penetrable particle sizes) and a reasonable pressure drop (up to 16.7 kPa) to accommodate high dust loading. Additional requirements include: negligible uptake of water vapor and gaseous volatile compounds; adequate particle adhesion as a function of particle loading; sufficient particle loading capacity to form a stable particle deposit layer during sampling in wet and dusty environments; mechanical strength to withstand vibrations and pressure drops across the filter; and appropriate filter mass compatible with the tapered element oscillating microbalance. FTIR and Raman measurements require filters to be free of spectral interference. Furthermore, because the irradiated area does not completely cover the sample deposit, particles should be uniformly deposited on the filter. |
An introduction to the Marburg virus vaccine consortium, MARVAC
Cross RW , Longini IM , Becker S , Bok K , Boucher D , Carroll MW , Díaz JV , Dowling WE , Draghia-Akli R , Duworko JT , Dye JM , Egan MA , Fast P , Finan A , Finch C , Fleming TR , Fusco J , Geisbert TW , Griffiths A , Günther S , Hensley LE , Honko A , Hunegnaw R , Jakubik J , Ledgerwood J , Luhn K , Matassov D , Meshulam J , Nelson EV , Parks CL , Rustomjee R , Safronetz D , Schwartz LM , Smith D , Smock P , Sow Y , Spiropoulou CF , Sullivan NJ , Warfield KL , Wolfe D , Woolsey C , Zahn R , Henao-Restrepo AM , Muñoz-Fontela C , Marzi A . PLoS Pathog 2022 18 (10) e1010805 The emergence of Marburg virus (MARV) in Guinea and Ghana triggered the assembly of the MARV vaccine "MARVAC" consortium representing leaders in the field of vaccine research and development aiming to facilitate a rapid response to this infectious disease threat. Here, we discuss current progress, challenges, and future directions for MARV vaccines. |
Detection of neutralizing antibodies against Zika virus in wild nonhuman primates in Rwanda
Umuhoza T , Makio A , Hunsperger E , Mudakikwa A , Muvunyi R , Nziza J , Widdowson MA . J Wildl Dis 2022 58 (4) 939-942 The range of nonhuman primate (NHP) species involved in Zika virus (ZIKV) sylvatic transmission is not known. We tested 97 NHP archived sera, collected from 2006 to 2016 in Rwandan National Parks, for neutralizing antibodies to ZIKV. Serum from one olive baboon (Papio anubis) was positive for ZIKV antibodies. |
Evaluation of practice-based programs to increase use of trails among youth from under-resourced communities
Brown David R , Berrigan David , Do Van , Hill Michael A , Reed Julian A . Med Sci Sports Exerc 2022 54 233-234 Racial and ethnic disparities exist in physical activity (PA) among youth. Trail use can help children and youth get PA and confer additional health benefits. US Forest Service data shows disparities in trail use by race/ethnicity. The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research set out to address disparities in trail use (and thereby related disparities in PA and obesity). | | PURPOSE: Originally, this project was twofold: to review the scientific published peer reviewed literature (findings published previously), and non-published “grey” literature (findings reported here) to identify effective programs to increase use of trails among youth from under-resourced communities. Youth trails use programs that were evaluated using experimental methods were not located. | | METHODS: A review of grey literature for youth trail use programs was conducted searching websites, government/organizational reports, success stories, conference proceedings, and leads from subject matter experts. Internet search terms included trails, programs, youth, low income, under-resourced, race/ethnic groups). Inclusion criteria were that a program must 1. be US based and ongoing ≥3 yrs., 2. focused on youth ≤18 yrs., 3. designed to reach youth from diverse racial/ethnic groups or whose families are low-income, 4. include trail use (walking, hiking, or biking), and 5. have evaluation data (e.g., participation rates by demographic characteristics, program satisfaction, psychosocial outcomes (e.g., self-esteem)). | | RESULTS: Of 39 programs located, 9 met inclusion criteria. These 9 programs were implemented in diverse communities (low income, under-resourced, some with no parks). Two of the 9 programs were school based (predominantly Title 1) programs. However, 2 are 1-week programs only, 1 was offered during the summer only and 2 during the school year only. Although, all programs included some type of evaluation data, only 1 program that estimated calories burned per bike miles ridden, evaluated health outcomes directly relevant to childhood obesity. | | CONCLUSIONS: Programs exist for increasing trail use among youth from diverse and under-resourced communities. Research is needed to document program effectiveness, so health professionals can more effectively advance trail use as a health enhancing behavior among youth. |
Breastfeeding and post-perinatal infant deaths in the United States, A national prospective cohort analysis
Li R , Ware J , Chen A , Nelson JM , Kmet JM , Parks SE , Morrow AL , Chen J , Perrine CG . Lancet Reg Health Am 2022 5 BACKGROUND: Reducing infant mortality is a major public health goal. The potential impact of breastfeeding on infant deaths is not well studied in the United States (US). METHODS: We analyzed linked birth-death certificates for 3,230,500 US births that occurred in 2017, including 6,969 post-perinatal deaths from 7-364 days of age as the primary outcome, further specified as late-neonatal (7-27 days) or post-neonatal (28-364 days) deaths. The primary exposure was 'ever breastfed' obtained from birth certificates. Multiple logistic regression examined associations of ever breastfeeding with post-perinatal deaths and specific causes of deaths, controlling for maternal and infant factors. FINDINGS: We observed an adjusted reduced odds ratio (AOR)= 074 with 95% confidence intervals (CI)=070-079 for the association of breastfeeding initiation with overall infant deaths (7-364 days), AOR=060 (054-067) for late-neonatal deaths, and AOR=081 (076-087) for post-neonatal deaths. In race/ethnicity-stratified analysis, significant associations of breastfeeding initiation with reduced odds of overall infant deaths were observed for Hispanics [AOR=064 (055-074)], non-Hispanic Whites [AOR=075 (069-081)], non-Hispanic Blacks [AOR=083 (075-091)], and non-Hispanic Asians [AOR=051 (036-072)]. Across racial/ethnic groups, effect sizes for late-neonatal deaths were consistently larger than those for post-neonatal deaths. Significant effects of breastfeeding initiation were observed for deaths due to infection [AOR=081(069-094)], Sudden Unexpected Infant Death [AOR=085 (078-092)], and necrotizing enterocolitis [AOR=067 (049-090)]. INTERPRETATION: Breastfeeding initiation is significantly associated with reduced odds of post-perinatal infant deaths in multiple racial and ethnic groups within the US population. These findings support efforts to improve breastfeeding in infant mortality reduction initiatives. |
Effect of the ABCA1 agonist CS-6253 on amyloid- and lipoprotein metabolism in cynomolgus monkeys
Noveir SD , Kerman BE , Xian H , Meuret C , Smadi S , Martinez AE , Johansson J , Zetterberg H , Parks BA , Kuklenyik Z , Mack WJ , Johansson JO , Yassine HN . Alzheimers Res Ther 2022 14 (1) 87 BACKGROUND: Inducing brain ATP-binding cassette 1 (ABCA1) activity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models is associated with improvement in AD pathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the ABCA1 agonist peptide CS-6253 on amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) and lipoproteins in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of cynomolgus monkeys, a species with amyloid and lipoprotein metabolism similar to humans. METHODS: CS-6253 peptide was injected intravenously into cynomolgus monkeys at various doses in three different studies. Plasma and CSF samples were collected at several time points before and after treatment. Levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), lipoprotein particles, apolipoproteins, and Aβ were measured using ELISA, ion-mobility analysis, and asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation (AF4). The relationship between the change in levels of these biomarkers was analyzed using multiple linear regression models and linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Following CS-6253 intravenous injection, within minutes, small plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles were increased. In two independent experiments, plasma TG, apolipoprotein E (apoE), and Aβ42/40 ratio were transiently increased following CS-6253 intravenous injection. This change was associated with a non-significant decrease in CSF Aβ42. Both plasma total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels were reduced following treatment. AF4 fractionation revealed that CS-6253 treatment displaced apoE from HDL to intermediate-density- and low density-lipoprotein (IDL/LDL)-sized particles in plasma. In contrast to plasma, CS-6253 had no effect on the assessed CSF apolipoproteins or lipids. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with the ABCA1 agonist CS-6253 appears to favor Aβ clearance from the brain. |
Developing a granular scale environmental burden index (EBI) for diverse land cover types across the contiguous United States
Owusu C , Flanagan B , Lavery AM , Mertzlufft CE , McKenzie BA , Kolling J , Lewis B , Dunn I , Hallisey E , Lehnert EA , Fletcher K , Davis R , Conn M , Owen LR , Smith MM , Dent A . Sci Total Environ 2022 838 155908 Critical to identifying the risk of environmentally driven disease is an understanding of the cumulative impact of environmental conditions on human health. Here we describe the methodology used to develop an environmental burden index (EBI). The EBI is calculated at U.S. census tract level, a finer scale than many similar national-level tools. EBI scores are also stratified by tract land cover type as per the National Land Cover Database (NLCD), controlling for urbanicity. The EBI was developed over the course of four stages: 1) literature review to identify potential indicators, 2) data source acquisition and indicator variable construction, 3) index creation, and 4) stratification by land cover type. For each potential indicator, data sources were assessed for completeness, update frequency, and availability. These indicators were: (1) particulate matter (PM2.5), (2) ozone, (3) Superfund National Priority List (NPL) locations, (4) Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) facilities, (5) Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) facilities, (6) recreational parks, (7) railways, (8) highways, (9) airports, and (10) impaired water sources. Indicators were statistically normalized and checked for collinearity. For each indicator, we computed and summed percentile ranking scores to create an overall ranking for each tract. Tracts having the same plurality of land cover type form a 'peer' group. We re-ranked the tracts into percentiles within each peer group for each indicator. The percentile scores were combined for each tract to obtain a stratified EBI. A higher score reveals a tract with increased environmental burden relative to other tracts of the same peer group. We compared our results to those of related indices, finding good convergent validity between the overall EBI and CalEnviroScreen 4.0. The EBI has many potential applications for research and use as a tool to develop public health interventions at a granular scale. |
Participation in survey research among mothers with a recent live birth: A comparison of mothers with living versus deceased infants - Findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2016-2019
Kortsmit K , Shulman H , Smith RA , Shapiro-Mendoza CK , Parks SE , Folger S , Whiteman M , Harrison L , Cox S , Christiansen-Lindquist L , Barfield WD , Warner L . Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2022 36 (6) 827-838 BACKGROUND: Despite high infant mortality rates in the United States relative to other developed countries, little is known about survey participation among mothers of deceased infants. OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in survey response, contact and cooperation rates for mothers of deceased versus. living infants at the time of survey mailing (approximately 2-6 months postpartum), overall and by select maternal and infant characteristics. METHODS: We analysed 2016-2019 data for 50 sites from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a site-specific, population-based surveillance system of mothers with a recent live birth. We assessed differences in survey participation between mothers of deceased and living infants. Using American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) standard definitions and terminology, we calculated proportions of mothers who participated and were successfully contacted among sampled mothers (weighted response and contact rates, respectively), and who participated among contacted mothers (weighted cooperation rate). We then constructed multivariable survey-weighted logistic regression models to examine the adjusted association between infant vital status and weighted response, contact and cooperation rates, within strata of maternal and infant characteristics. RESULTS: Among sampled mothers, 0.3% (weighted percentage, n = 2795) of infants had records indicating they were deceased at the time of survey mailing and 99.7% (weighted percentage, n = 344,379) did not. Mothers of deceased infants had lower unadjusted weighted response (48.3% vs. 56.2%), contact (67.9% vs. 74.3%) and cooperation rates (71.1% vs. 75.6%). However, after adjusting for covariates, differences in survey participation by infant vital status were reduced. CONCLUSIONS: After covariate adjustment, differences in PRAMS participation rates were attenuated. However, participation rates among mothers of deceased infants remain two to four percentage points lower compared with mothers of living infants. Strategies to increase PRAMS participation could inform knowledge about experiences and behaviours before, during and shortly after pregnancy to help reduce infant mortality. |
The small HDL particle hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease
Martinez AE , Weissberger G , Kuklenyik Z , He X , Meuret C , Parekh T , Rees JC , Parks BA , Gardner MS , King SM , Collier TS , Harrington MG , Sweeney MD , Wang X , Zlokovic BV , Joe E , Nation DA , Schneider LS , Chui HC , Barr JR , Han SD , Krauss RM , Yassine HN . Alzheimers Dement 2022 19 (2) 391-404 We propose the hypothesis that small high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by virtue of their capacity to exchange lipids, affecting neuronal membrane composition and vascular and synaptic functions. Concentrations of small HDLs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were measured in 180 individuals ≥60 years of age using ion mobility methodology. Small HDL concentrations in CSF were positively associated with performance in three domains of cognitive function independent of apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status, age, sex, and years of education. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between levels of small HDLs in CSF and plasma. Further studies will be aimed at determining whether specific components of small HDL exchange across the blood, brain, and CSF barriers, and developing approaches to exploit small HDLs for therapeutic purposes. |
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