Digital Commons Network^™

Floral Trait Diversity Supports Multiple Pollination Systems Across Urban Habitats In One Of The World's Greenest Cities, Ana Paula Sales De Araujo Franco, Maxwell Da Rosa Oliveira, Evaldo Benedito De Souza, Ingrid Lohani Degering Brand, Marcus Paulo Goncalves Rosa, Bruno Henrique Dos Santos Ferreira, Maria Rosângela Sigrist

Turkish Journal of Botany

Green cities comprise a variety of habitats subject to different levels of anthropogenic pressure, ranging from completely unvegetated areas to vast green spaces such as linear parks. In this scenario, cities can support different ecological processes and ecosystem functions, which vary qualitatively and quantitatively between different habitat types along the urbanization gradient. Specifically, green spaces and ruderal plants can support pollination services in urban ecosystems, providing food resources (e.g., nectar, pollen, oil), reproduction supports (copulation sites), and nesting sites for pollinators. As a result, plant species and their floral resources are important for pollinator diversity and the maintenance of the …

Ground-Based Modeling Of Deep-Space Risks To The Spleen And Intestine In Mice, Edith Nathalie Pineda Sotomayor

Theses and Dissertations

Deep-space missions, such as those planned for the cis-lunar space and Mars, pose unique challenges to astronaut health due to prolonged microgravity (MG) exposure and low-dose chronic irradiation (CIR). Understanding the impact of these stressors on secondary lymphoid tissues, such as the spleen and intestine, is crucial for ensuring crewmembers' well-being, given the impracticality of conducting this research with human samples. Using a ground-based facility, we exposed C57BL/6 female and male mice to CIR (1.74 Gy at a dose rate of 0.0029 Gy/h) and/or simulated MG (SMG) via hind limb unloading (HLU) for one month. Spleen and intestinal tissues were …

Pollen Loads Of Insects Caught In Cultivated Fields Of Oilseed Pennycress, Frank Forcella, Ellinor Sheik, Michael Zavada, Mark Bernards

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Although many insects are known to be associated with the floral canopies of oilseed pennycress (Thlaspi arvense), those that carry the crop’s pollen are unknown. During early spring of 2024 insects associated with pennycress flowers in Illinois and Minnesota were captured in sweep nets, frozen, sorted by species, and sonicated to remove pollen. Pollen grains were counted, and pollen loads per individual insect were calculated. Members of the orders Diptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera accounted for 66%, 16%, and 14% of the 850 insects examined, but these same orders were responsible, respectively, for 18%, 3%, and 78% of the …

Sensory And Chemical Characterization Of Upcycled Pomace- And Whey-Based Piquette Beverages, Dean G. Hauser, Rahul Sen, Scott R. Lafontaine, Chris Gerling, Luann M. Preston-Wisley, Timothy A. Demarsh, Samuel D. Alcaine

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Upcycling, or utilizing materials that would otherwise go to waste, enables the creation of novel products that offer sustainability advantages and generate additional value. This study evaluates the feasibility of producing alcoholic beverages using yogurt acid whey (YAW) and grape pomace (GP), byproducts of the dairy and wine industries, respectively, and compares them to commercial grape pomace beverages (piquettes) in terms of sensory attributes and chemical composition. Two YAW-GP piquettes were produced, and five commercial piquettes were obtained. Sugars and organic acids were quantified using HPLC-RID, and semi-quantitative volatile composition was determined using HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS. Descriptive analysis was conducted using a …

The Economic Burden Of Covid-19 In A Region With Stringent Response Measures: A Case Study Of Taiwan, Elise Chia-Hui Tan, Fei-Yuan Hsiao, Ming-Chin Yang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a significant economic burden globally, particularly in regions with stringentresponse measures. This study aimed to assess the economic impact of COVID-19 in Taiwan, focusing on both directand indirect costs. A cost-of-illness analysis was conducted, utilizing data from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control(CDC), national databases, epidemiological studies, and economic surveys. The analysis included both direct costs (e.g.,hospital admissions, outpatient care) and indirect costs (e.g., productivity losses due to long COVID, absenteeism, caregiving duties). The study encompassed Taiwan's population of 23.2 million, with particular attention to age-specific impacts on economic outcomes. The total economic burden of …

Global Research Trends On Avocado Oil And Its Fatty Acid Composition: A Bibliometric Review, Ahmad Kamrullah Aras, Abdul Rohman

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The high content of unsaturated fatty acids in avocado oil (Persea americana) has prompted in-depth exploration across research subjects. This study uses bibliometric analysis to assess global research trends on avocado oil and its fatty acid composition from 2004 to 2024. The search string retrieved 255 articles from the Scopus database and then analyzed using R BibliometriX and VOSviewer software. These tools analyze descriptive structures and collaborative patterns and create network data maps. For comparison, we separated the data into two research periods, namely 2004-2013 and 2014-2024. There was a significant increase in the number of publications, with …

Obesity Severity And Cancer Screening In Us Adults, Florina Corpodean, Michael Kachmar, Shengping Yang, Michael W. Cook, Philip R. Schauer, Vance L. Albaugh

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Amino Acids And Cart Distinguish A-Β+ Ketosis-Prone Diabetes From Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes During Hyperglycemic Crises, Farook Jahoor, Jean W Hsu, Kelly R Keene, W Frank Peacock, Xiaofang Huang, Danielle Guffey, Jinyoung Byun, Rasmus Bennet, Ake Lernmark, Mustafa Tosur, Ashok Balasubramanyam

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Context: When clinically stable, patients with A-β+ ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD) manifest unique markers of amino acid metabolism. Biomarkers differentiating KPD from type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) during hyperglycemic crises would accelerate diagnosis and management.

Objective: Compare serum metabolomics of KPD, T1D, and T2D patients during hyperglycemic crises, and utilize classification and regression tree (CART) modeling to distinguish these forms of diabetes.

Methods: At an urban hospital emergency center, adults with KPD, T1D, and T2D during hyperglycemic crises with or without diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and healthy controls, underwent comparisons of serum metabolite and hormonal profiles and CART analyses. …

Clinical Applications Of Probiotics: A Comprehensive Review Of Benefits And Challenges, Riyam Wissam Hassan

Maaen Journal for Medical Sciences

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that help balance microbes in intestines and promote growth beneficial bacteria, they vary between bacteria, yeasts, and fungi and they are helpful to human health when taken in adequate and suitable amounts. In addition to maintaining intestinal health and help with digestion and absorption, also inhibiting development and preventing spread of harmful microorganisms. It exists in different forms, in the intestines and in the foods, products fermented, and in the pharmaceutical supplements. Because human health depends largely on the interaction between humans and these microorganisms known as probiotics, it has found that these organisms have vital …

Natural Pigment-Mediated Photodynamic Antimicrobial Technology : Mechanisms And Food Applications, Lei Zhao, Wenli Jiang, Qingshan Shen, Jingxuan Ke, Yanli Ma, Lifang Zhang

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

Photodynamic antimicrobial technology (PDT ),as a non-thermal physical bactericidal method,has received increasing attention due to its high efficiency,low residue,and lack of resistance induction.Natural pigments,as food-grade photosensitizers exhibit excellent optical responsiveness and biocompatibility.Studies have shown that curcumin,chlorophylls,and porphyrin-based pigments exhibit favorable photodynamic antimicrobial efficacy in various food matrices including fruits,vegetables,meat,and drinking water.The author summarizes the photodynamic antimicrobial mechanisms of representative natural pigments,and analyzes the effects of light parameters,photosensitizer concentrations,and food matrices on photodynamic antimicrobial efficacy.Furthermore,the recent progress of PDT applications in fruit and vegetable surface disinfection,drinking water sterilization,and smart packaging is reviewed,with a focus on the role of nanocarriers and composite …

Research Progress In Aflatoxin Degradation Technologies For Edible Oils, Huishuai Li, Zhenning Li, Yu Xie, Yunfeng Zou, Shaojun Li

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

Aflatoxin (AF),a notorious contaminant,has been a persistent challenge to the safety of edible oils.Prolonged exposure to low doses or acute consumption of high amounts of AF may induce serious health issues.Currently,no method can completely eliminate AF from edible oils.Therefore,it is crucial to explore strategies for reducing AF levels in edible oils.The measures to degrade AF from edible oils were reviewed,mainly including physical methods (such as high-temperature treatment,ray irradiation,and adsorption ),chemical methods (such as ammonia fumigation and ozone oxidation ),and biological methods (such as microbial degradation ).In addition,this paper analyzed and discussed the principles,advantages,shortcomings,and safety of various degradation methods.Furthermore,it made an …

Optimization Of Fermentation Conditions For The Removal Of Zearalenone From Corn Gluten Feed By Aspergillus Niger Fs10, Mengying Wu, Yang Yang, Jinyao Wang, Yongli Ye, Li’Na Sheng, Jian Ji, Xiulan Sun

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to determine the optimal solid-state fermentation conditions for the removal of zearalenone (ZEN ) from corn gluten feed by Aspergillus niger (A.niger ) FS10.[Method ] With the removal rate of ZEN as the indicator,single-factor experiments and response surface method were employed to optimize the key fermentation parameters (inoculation volume-to-mass ratio,fermentation temperature,fermentation duration,and solid-to-liquid ratio ).Furthermore,changes in mass fractions of key nutritional components in corn gluten feed before and after solid-state fermentation under the optimal conditions were analyzed.[Result ] The optimal fermentation conditions were established as follows:an inoculation volume-to-mass ratio of 120 μL∶1 g,a fermentation temperature …

Effect Of Caffeine Energy Blending Formula On Mood, Xiaorui Wang, Mengzhen Jia, Tian Yuan, Zhigang Liu

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to investigate the effect of the energy blending formula with caffeine as the major component on mood improvement.[Method ] A total of 240 participants were assigned into an experimental group and a control group,with 120 participants in each group.The experimental group consumed the drink containing energy blending formula with caffeine as the major component,and the control group consumed the same flavor drink without this energy blending formula.The Profile of Mood States (POMS ) scale was used to assess mood states.Participants completed the scale at four time points:before consumption and at 30,60,and 90 min post-consumption.[Result ] …

Effects Of Cooking Processes On Texture And Umami Retention Of Ruditapes Philippinarum, Peipei Yu, Shuhan Yang, Qixing Jiang, Pei Gao, Xiaojuan Yu, Pengyi Li, Yi Sun, Chunye Li

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to explore the quality and umami changes of Ruditapes philippinarum during cooking.[Method ] The cooking loss rate,texture,amino acid nitrogen,free amino acids,flavor nucleotides,glycogen,and sensory quality of Ruditapes philippinarum were measured after cooking (at 85,90,95,and 100 ℃ for 1,2,3,4,and 5 min ).[Result ] At the same cooking temperature,the cooking loss rate and hardness of Ruditapes philippinarum increased with the increase in cooking time.At the cooking temperatures of 90 and 95 ℃,the mass fractions of amino acid nitrogen in Ruditapes philippinarum generally presented a decreasing trend as the cooking time increased within 1 to 5 min.At the same …

Effects Of Cutting Size And Steaming/Boiling Time On The Quality Of Colored Mashed Potatoes, Yuqing Che, Chi Chi, Yu Dong, Tiancang Na

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study explored the effects of steaming/boiling time and cutting size on the color,texture,starch structure,and anthocyanin mass fraction of red and purple potatoes before and after cooking,aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the processing of colored mashed potatoes.[Method ] Red and purple potatoes were taken as the research objects.They were cut into three different sizes (30 mm× 30 mm× 10 mm,20 mm× 20 mm× 10 mm,and 16 mm× 16 mm× 10 mm ) and steamed or boiled for five time periods (0,3,5,7,and 10 min ).The color parameters (including surface brightness L*,red-green value a*,and yellow-blue value b*),texture properties …

Application Potential Of Ellagic Acid In Functional Food, Lu Sun, Yan Dong, Qiming Miao, Jiayuan Wu, Shengquan Mi

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

Ellagic acid,a natural polyphenol,exists widely in plants and fruit tissue.It is mainly absorbed in the stomach and small intestine and produces multiple urolithins such as urolithin M 5 and urolithin M 6 under the metabolism of intestinal flora.With antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,anti-tumor,anti-aging,antimicrobial,blood glucose-lowering and other pharmacological effects,ellagic acid have important application and research value in the fields of functional food and medicine.The extraction methods,metabolism mechanisms,and pharmacological effects of ellagic acid and its application in functional food were reviewed.The difficulties in the application of ellagic acid in functional food were elucidated,and the future research focus was put forward.This review aims to provide a theoretical …

Selenium Biofortification Strategy Utilizing Liquid Culture Of Tremella Aurantialba Mycelia And Analysis Of Its Nutrient Composition, Ya’Na Zhang, Jing Zhang, Ruipeng Yu, Mengmeng Xu, Lei Chen, Zhenghua Gu, Guiyang Shi, Zhongyang Ding

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to establish an efficient selenium biofortification strategy based on the liquid culture of Tremella aurantialba (T.aurantialba ) mycelia to enhance its selenium enrichment capacity.[Method ] The changes of growth phenotype,metabolic behavior,and selenium enrichment characteristics of T.aurantialba mycelia were analyzed during the Na 2SeO 3-induced selenium biofortification process in liquid culture.[Result ] Addition of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg Na 2SeO 3 promoted mycelium growth,whereas Na 2SeO 3 with the mass fraction exceeding 10 mg/kg significantly inhibited the growth of T.aurantialba mycelia,with the inhibitory effect intensifying as Na 2SeO 3 mass fraction increased.Therefore,5 mg/kg and 10 …

Effects Of Combined Ultrasonication And Lactic Acid Bacteria Treatment On Nutritional Quality And In Vitro Simulated Digestibility Characteristics Of Rice During The Germination Process, Qingsong Zhu, Shuang Ren, Yalan Chen, Jing Zhu, Shuangying Jiao

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study explores the nutritional quality of germinated rice,aiming to develop its medicinal value.[Method ] Five varieties of rice (‘Shuijing 3’ ‘Zhiyou 151’ ‘Chunyou 167’ ‘9 You 418’,and ‘Ningxiangjing 9’) were treated with ultrasonic waves,and then lactic acid bacteria and fermentation liquid were used instead of water as the culture medium for rice germination.The effects of combined ultrasonication and lactic acid bacteria treatment on the levels of total starch,amylose,resistant starch,and soluble protein of rice during the germination process were investigated.The structural changes were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy,and the estimated glycemic index (eGI) …

Effects Of Low-Pressure Electrostatic Field-Assisted Freezing At Different Field Strengths On The Quality Of Sea Buckthorn Leaves, Xiaoyue Dong, Tongliga Dong, Jinwei Te, Xiukuan Wang, Qian Hao, Meishu Miao, Xueyan Yun

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aimed to investigate the effects of different freezing preservation techniques on the quality of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides ) leaves.[Method ] A low-voltage electrostatic field (LVEF ) pretreatment was applied during the freezing process of sea buckthorn leaves,and its effects on freezing characteristics and bioactive compound retention were evaluated.Field strengths at 0,20,40,and 60 cm from the discharge plate were compared with conventional freezing in terms of freezing rate,water loss rate,bioactive compound retention rate,and antioxidant activity of sea buckthorn leaves.The optimized and conventionally frozen leaves were subsequently used to prepare sea buckthorn leaf yogurt,with plain yogurt (NY) …

Baking Degree Discrimination And Quality Prediction Of Tieguanyin Oolong Tea Based On Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Lizhu Huang, Yun Bian, Zhenfeng Li, Xianfeng Li, Chunfang Song

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to assess the quality of Tieguanyin oolong tea during the baking process.[Method ] Near-infrared spectroscopy was used for non-destructive detection of Tieguanyin oolong tea during the baking process and chemometrics was employed to analyze the changes in the intrinsic quality of the Tieguanyin oolong tea.Spectral preprocessing and dimensionality reduction were conducted for the near-infrared spectral data.Support vector machine (SVM ) and back propagation neural network (BPNN ) were adopted to construct discrimination models for the baking degree of Tieguanyin oolong tea.Combining the near-infrared spectral data with intrinsic quality data,partial least squares regression (PLSR ) was …

Enhanced Expression Of Pepc Promotes The Synthesis Of 4-Hydroxyisoleucine By Corynebacterium Glutamicum, Chuhan Hu, Feng Shi

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to achieve the efficient biosynthesis of 4-hydroxyisoleucine (4-HIL ) in Corynebacterium glutamicum (C.glutamicum ).[Method ] The isoleucine (Ile) inducible promoters (PbrnFEN) of varying strengths were used to dynamically upregulate the expression of the isoleucine dioxygenase (IDO ) gene ido and the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb ) gene vgb.On this basis,constitutive promoters of different strengths were employed to enhance the expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC ) gene ppc and the pyruvate carboxylase gene pyc.[Result ] Among the recombinant strains harboring different P brnFEN promoters,strain C.glutamicum SN-I 7V7 (SN-I 7V7) was selected.After 144 h of fermentation with …

Metagenomic Characterization Of Gut Microbiota In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Microbial Signatures And Modulation By Anti-Inflammatory Diet And Probiotics, Marysol Valencia-Buitrago, Rodrigo Dias Oliveira-Carvalho, Valbert Cardoso, Jessica Triviño-Valencia, Luisa Matilde Salamanca-Duque, Vanessa Martínez-Díaz, Jovanny Zabaleta, Narmer Fernando Galeano-Vanegas, Carlos Andrés Naranjo-Galvis

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasingly associated with alterations in gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and immune dysregulation. However, integrative studies exploring these mechanisms in Latin American populations are lacking. Objective: To characterize gut microbiota profiles in Colombian children with ASD and evaluate the effects of two microbiota-targeted interventions, an anti-inflammatory diet and a probiotic formulation, on microbial diversity and taxonomic composition. Methods: In a two-phase study, shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed on fecal samples from 23 children with ASD and 7 typically developing (TD) controls. In the second phase, 17 children with ASD were randomized to receive a 12-week …

Evaluation Of Dietary Additives On Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola Lalandi) Gut And Skin Health And Disease Resistance Against Photobacterium Damselae Subsp. Damselae, Md Reaz Chaklader, Lindsey Woolley, Chelsea Woods, Frances Stephens, Richard Smullen, Gavin Partridge

Fisheries Research Articles

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of five dietary additives in improving growth performance, gut and skin health and disease resistance against Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae (Pdd) in yellowtail kingfish (YTK) (Seriola lalandi). The additives were top-coated onto a commercial diet. The five additives evaluated were brewer’s yeast (BY), a yeast-based mannan oligosaccharide (MOS), a polyphenol product, a monoglyceride product and a combination of MOS and a superoxide dismutase (SOD) product. The monoglyceride and polyphenol products were trialled at both a low and high inclusion level. Diets were fed to YTK in triplicate tanks for 55 days. The …

Bonding With Earth: Hyperbole, Metaphor, Or Fanciful Teleology?, George Conesa

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

At a mere glance, the notion that humans could (should strive for?) bond emotionally with an entire planet, Earth, sounds hyperbolic at best and psychologically unsound at worst. For although humans might be motivated to act in ways that pass for “bonding,” perhaps assisted by intentions and sentiments to care for a whole planet, the question remains: Which notion of Earth are they really investing all their emotions in? Important to psychologists would be to inquire whether incomplete, idealized, oversimplified, or fantastic notions of “Earth,” or bonding, turn out to be transference-love-like, platonic, overidealized forms of affect, which seldom develop …

Low Energy Availability Prevalence, Dietary Habits, And Sleep In Female Army Rotc Cadets, Hannah K. Eberhardt, Brandon D. Willingham, Matthew F. Brisebois, Patrick G. Saracino

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(6): 1030-1046, 2025. Low energy availability (LEA) results in numerous health and performance decrements. While a high prevalence of LEA and sleep disturbance has been observed in male Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets, no data exists in females. This study aimed to determine LEA prevalence, dietary habits, and sleep quantity and quality in female U.S. ROTC cadets. Following an overnight fast, ten cadets (22±4 yrs, 166.0±6.1 cm, 67.1±9.1 kg, 26.1±6.2% body fat, 49.2±4.8 kg fat-free mass (FFM)) had their body composition and resting metabolic rate measured. Validated questionnaires assessed LEA symptoms and sleep. …

Observations On Predation Of The Flatback Turtle Natator Depressus By The Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylus Porosus At A Major Rookery In Northern Australia, Casper Avenant, James Gee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Context: We examined predation by the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) on the flatback turtle (Natator depressus), an Australian endemic, at Cape Domett, a significant nesting site in Cambridge Gulf, northern Australia, where crocodile populations have recovered since legislative protection was implemented in the 1970s. Aims: The investigation aimed to document crocodile predation on flatback turtles across hatchling and adult life stages, assess predation strategies, and evaluate ecological impacts on this genetically distinct turtle stock. Methods: Conducted over three Austral winters (2021–2023), the study utilised infrared videography, unmanned aerial vehicles, and beach patrols to observe predation events in a population of …

Interactions Between Staphylococcus Aureus And Corynebacterium Species In The Context Of Chronic Rhinosinusitis, Joshua Tucker Huffines

All ETDs from UAB

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex inflammatory disease affecting the upper respiratory tract (URT) for a large portion of the populace, leading to significant economic burdens. Staphylococcus aureus is considered as a significant contributor to CRS inflammation through the production of toxins regulated through quorum sensing (QS). Microbiome studies have characterized the microbial communities present in the healthy URT and in CRS. These studies show that the genus Corynebacterium is associated with the healthy URT, decreased in CRS, and has a negative correlation with S. aureus regardless of health status. A few studies have partially characterized a mechanism to explain …

Breath Acetone As A Biomarker For Concussion, Allyn Abadie

All ETDs from UAB

Concussions represent a critical public health concern, affecting millions annually yet remain challenging to diagnose and manage. Concussions involve a range of often invisible signs and symptoms. Traditional assessments rely heavily on subjective symptom reporting, with limited objective data which may complicate return-to-play decisions. Objective physiological biomarkers are needed to complement traditional methods, detect subtle disruptions, and improve decision-making. Following concussion, the brain undergoes a neurometabolic cascade involving disrupted glucose utilization, ionic imbalances, neurotransmitter release, and reduced cerebral blood flow. This cascade creates a metabolic crisis, potentially shifting energy metabolism toward alternative substrates such as ketones. Breath acetone, a measurable …

The Role Of The Glycerol Metabolism Regulator Glpr On Pseudomonas Aeruginosa’S Physiology, Nicholas Jordan Evans

All ETDs from UAB

Chronic infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in people with cystic fibrosis. P. aeruginosa persists in the CF lung through adaptations, including altering the expression of metabolic genes to acquire nutrients that are abundant in the CF airway. Glycerol in the airway is imported and metabolized by proteins encoded in the glp regulon, which is regulated in part by GlpR. The loss of GlpR was previously shown to increase biofilm development in a P. aeruginosa CF isolate compared to a wound isolate. In the first half of this work, we investigated the influence that …

Air Pollution And Environmental Injustice Are Related To Respiratory Complications In Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease, Kelsey M. Maclin

All ETDs from UAB

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetically inherited blood disorder affecting people of African descent. SCD is characterized by painful episodes and an acute lung injury known as acute chest syndrome (ACS). Patients with SCD have a life expectancy <19 years compared to Blacks without SCD. There is minimal research investigating air pollution and health complications in SCD. The aims of this research were to investigate whether pulmonary function is affected by exposure to ambient air pollution, whether higher air pollution concentrations are associated with hospitalizations for ACS, and whether environmental injustice impacts the respiratory health of children and young adults with SCD. Air pollution data on the criteria air pollutants (CAPs) was obtained from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Patient health data were obtained from Children’s Hospital of Alabama electronic medical records. Logistic regression, distributed lag non-linear regression, Granger Causality, and Getis-Ord Gi* hot spot analysis were used to analyze our data. The EPA’s EJScreen tool was used as a measure of exposure to environmental injustice. ArcGIS was used to map the EJScreen data. Exposure to short-term air pollution is significantly associated with a reduction in pulmonary function in children and young adults with SCD. Children and young adults exposed to a one-unit increase in the monthly average concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) experienced an increase in the odds of having abnormal pulmonary function. We observed the trends of each criteria air pollutant in our study to be closely aligned with the trends in the hospitalizations for ACS. Most of our study participants with a history of ACS lived in areas burdened by greater environmental injustices. Specifically, the hot spots for ACS overlapped with the hot spots for PM2.5. Unequal exposure to environmental injustices leads to increases in hospitalizations for respiratory complications in individuals with SCD. Reductions in air pollution could be greatly beneficial to the pulmonary function and overall respiratory health of individuals with SCD. Further research is needed to examine associations between air pollution and hospitalizations for ACS in individuals with SCD.