Environmental Public Health Commons^™

From Crisis To Action: Investigation, Research, And Response In The Rio Grande Valley Following The Anencephaly Cluster Of 1990-1991, Jonathan Hebert, Miguel Lopez, Padmanabhan Rengasamy

MEDI 9331 Scholarly Activities Clinical Years

The 1990-1991 birth defect cluster of anencephaly in the Rio Grande Valley has had lasting effects on Texas public health and birth defect prevention nationwide. The purpose of this study is to clearly illuminate public health efforts to investigate, identify, and combat the rise of anencephaly and other neural tube defects (NTDs) in the Rio Grande Valley and other border counties following the 1990-1991 cluster, as well as to report the findings of each branch of environmental, infectious, and genetic investigation into the possible causes of the disaster. Information was gathered via a literature review and from other sources including …

Contraceptive Hormone Influences On The Role Of Primary Reinforcement And Reinforcer-Enhancement In Nicotine Self-Administration, Kathleen Robin Mcnealy

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Hormonal contraceptives contain a synthetic estrogen (e.g., ethinyl estradiol/EE) and/or a synthetic progestin (e.g., levonorgestrel/LEVO) and can exacerbate nicotine intake. However, whether altered intake reflects changes in nicotine reinforcement or enhancement by nicotine of co-occurring reinforcers is unknown. This reinforcer-enhancement effect is evidenced in rats when nicotine self-administration is increased by the presence of a visual stimulus (VS) reinforcer. This dissertation examined the effects of EE and LEVO on nicotine reinforcement and reinforcer-enhancement in ovary-intact female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were implanted with a jugular catheter and assigned to receive daily injections of EE (Vehicle, 0.125 [Low], or 0.18 [High] μg/day; …

Going Green In Dermatology, Rahib K. Islam, Victoria T. Tong, Shari R. Lipner

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Spread Of Tuberculosis Cases In The Highlands And Coastal Areas Of Padang, Rapitos Sidiq, Indang Dewata, Heldi Heldi, Nurhasan Syah, Linda Handayuni, Al Asyary

Kesmas

The current tuberculosis (TB) worldwide situation is very concerning in terms of the number of cases and the death toll, as well as the environmental factors that contribute to its transmission. This has driven policy decisions that aim to enhance contemporary TB control efforts. This study aimed to map the pattern of TB spread based on geographic location, particularly in the highland and coastal areas of Padang City, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. This study employed a quantitative descriptive analysis using secondary data from 6 primary health care (PHC) from April 2022 to March 2023, comprising 896 cases. Data analysis was …

Associations Between Atmospheric Ozone, Pm2.5 And Prevalence Of Diabetes In Georgia, United States, Kingsley A. Kalu, Jingjing Yin, Atin Adhikari

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Objective:

This study examines the association between two air pollutants (PM_2.5 and ozone), and the prevalence of adult diabetes mellitus in relation to various confounding factors.

Methods:

We collected diabetes prevalence data from the 2015 County Health Ranking and Georgia Health Data Hub. A negative binomial regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between the county-level dependent variable “adult diabetes” (for adults aged> 18 years diagnosed with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes) and two independent county-level variables: percentage of days ³ NAAQS for ozone and PM_2.5 concentration levels while controlling for confounders.

Results:

At the county …

Exploring The Relationship Between Psychiatric Illness And Dermatological Disorders: A Narrative Review, Alan D. Kaye, Rahib K. Islam, Abigayle M. Castine, Grace C. Wester, William T. Barham, Catherine G. Nguyen, Elena Plakotaris, Bradley Dorius, Julian Kim, Patricia Griffin, Amber Edinoff, Sahar Shekoohi, Giustino Varrassi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

The interplay between psychiatric conditions and dermatological disorders is complex and multifaceted, often resulting in significant challenges for both diagnosis and treatment. This narrative review examines associations between specific psychiatric conditions, trichotillomania, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and various dermatological disorders. The present investigation delves into pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentations, and management strategies of these comorbid conditions. Psychiatric disorders can exacerbate dermatological conditions through mechanical trauma, medication side effects, and stress-induced exacerbations, while dermatological disorders can lead to significant psychiatric morbidity. The biopsychosocial approach, emphasizing the importance of integrated care involving dermatologists and mental health professionals, is crucial …

Celebrating World Cancer Day: Innovative Biological Approaches To Cancer And Their Alignment With Sustainable Development Goals (Sdgs), Hamed Kioumarsi, Bolin Liu

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Development Of The Navigation Guide Evidence-To-Decision Framework For Environmental Health: Version 1.0, Nicholas Chartres, Max T. Aung, Sustan L. Norris, Courtney Cooper, Lia A. Bero, Roger Chou, Devon C. Payne-Sturges, Wendy E. Wagner, Jessica W. Reyes, Lisa M. Askie, Daniel A. Axelrad, Deysi Flores Vigo, Jill E. Johnston, Juleen Lam, Keeve E. Nachman, Eva Rehfuess, Rachel Rothschild, Patrice Sutton, Lauren Zeise, Tracey J. Woodruff

Articles

Environmental exposures, including widespread industrial pollution, impact human health and are amplified in more highly exposed communities. Policy and regulatory frameworks for making decisions and recommendations on interventions to mitigate or prevent exposures tend to narrowly focus on exposure and some health-related data related to risks. Typically, such frameworks do not consider other factors, including essentiality, health equity, and distribution of benefits and costs. Further, decisions and recommendations lack transparency regarding how they were developed. We developed the Navigation Guide Evidence-to-Decision Framework for Environmental Health (E2DFEH) to provide a structured and transparent framework incorporating a range of scientific information and …

Exploring The Pathogen Profiles Of Ancient Feces, Drew Capone, David Holcomb, Amanda Lai, Karl Reinhard, Joe Brown

Karl Reinhard Publications

Analysis of ancient desiccated feces – termed paleofeces or coprolites – can unlock insights into the lives of ancient people. We collected desiccated feces from caves in the Rio Zape Valley in Mexico (725-920 CE). First, we extracted DNA with methods previously optimized for paleofeces. Then, we applied highly sensitive modern molecular tools (i.e., PCR pre-amplification followed by multi-parallel qPCR) to assess the presence of 30 enteric pathogens. We detected ≥1 pathogen associated gene in each of the ten samples and a mean of 3.9 pathogens per sample. The targets detected included Blastocystis spp. (n=7), atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (n=7), …

Nutritional, Phytochemical, And Antimicrobial Properties Of Carica Papaya Leaves: Implications For Health Benefits And Food Applications, Rajni Choudhary, Ravinder Kaushik, Ansab Akhtar, Suvendu Manna, Jyoti Sharma, Aarti Bains

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Papaya leaves (PLs) are known for their therapeutic benefits and traditional use in treating inflammation, infections, and various health conditions. Rich in bioactive compounds, PLs are studied for their potential applications in functional foods. This study analyzed their nutritional, phytochemical, structural, thermal, and antimicrobial properties to evaluate their role as a health-promoting ingredient. METHODS: Phytochemicals were quantified spectrophotometrically and identified via GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Mineral content was determined using ICP-OES. Structural and thermal properties were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, and calorimetry, and antimicrobial activity was tested via the agar well diffusion method. …

Lung-Delivered Il-10 Mitigates Lung Inflammation Induced By Repeated Endotoxin Exposures In Male Mice, Aaron Schwab, Todd A. Wyatt, Oliver Schanze, Amy J. Nelson, Angela Gleason, Michael J. Duryee, Deanna Mosley, Geoffrey M. Thiele, Ted R. Mikuls, Jill A. Poole

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

Therapies capable of resolving inflammatory lung disease resulting from high-consequence occupational/environmental hazards are lacking. This study seeks to determine the therapeutic potential of direct lung-delivered interleukin (IL)-10 following repeated lipopolysaccharide exposures. C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally instilled with LPS (10 μg) and treated with IL-10 (1 μg) or vehicle control for 3 days. Lung cell infiltrates were enumerated by flow cytometry. Lung sections were stained for myeloperoxidase (MPO), CCR2, vimentin, and post-translational protein citrullination (CIT) and malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde (MAA) modifications. Lung function testing and longitudinal in vivo micro-CT imaging were performed. Whole lungs were profiled using bulk RNA sequencing. IL-10 treatment reduced …

Lung Disease In Relation To Unique Monocyte-Macrophage Subpopulations Induced By Combined Inhalant Endotoxin And Collagen-Induced Arthritis, Jill A. Poole, Aaron Schwab, Geoffrey M. Thiele, Todd A. Wyatt, Amy J. Nelson, Oliver Schanze, Angela Gleason, Michael J. Duryee, Bryant England, Ted R. Mikuls

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

BACKGROUND: Lung disease is the most overrepresented cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Animal studies have demonstrated potentiated autoimmunity, arthritis, and profibrotic/inflammatory lung disease with a combination of airborne exposures and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a model that recapitulates features of RA-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). As patients with RA-ILD demonstrate unique circulating monocyte subpopulations, this study aims to characterize lung infiltrating monocytes/macrophages in a mouse model of RA-ILD and determine whether reducing these cells mitigates the development of lung disease.

METHODS: Autoimmune-prone DBA/1J mice received intranasal inhalation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) daily for up to 5 weeks and CIA induction. …

Elucidating The Adverse Effects Of Chronic Pfos Exposure On Gastrointestinal Pathology And Colorectal Cancer, Jerika Durham

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked to a number of detrimental health effects, including an elevated risk of cancer. One "long-chain" subtype of PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), has a long elimination half-life and a significant propensity for bioaccumulation. Because PFOS is commonly found in drinking water, the gastrointestinal system absorbs it at a high rate. Recent studies demonstrate that PFAS exposures promote intestinal inflammation and gut barrier dysfunction. However, how a long-term PFOS exposure affects colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is not known. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to understand how …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Targeted Deletion Of Cxcl1 In Mscs Regulates Osteogenesis And Suppresses Bone-Metastatic Prostate Cancer, Catherine S. Johnson, Diane L. Costanzo-Garvey, Julio C. Valencia, Sanjana Rajgopal, Theodore Reed, Emma R. Brannon, Jeremy S. Frieling, Deanna Mosley, Todd A. Wyatt, Elijah F. Edmondson, Kabhilan Mohan, Grinu Mathew, Leah M. Cook

Journal Articles: Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health

Bone metastasis continues to be the greatest challenge in treating patients with prostate cancer despite ongoing research. In bone, prostate cancer tumors hijack normal bone remodeling processes to drive cancer progression. However, it is unclear how these interactions drive bone-metastatic prostate cancer growth in the bone environment. To understand the mechanisms associated with bone-metastatic prostate cancer regulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), we previously identified that bone-metastatic prostate cancer induces MSC expression of the pro-inflammatory chemokine CXCL8 and its mouse functional homologue Cxcl1. To date, there has been little to no information about the role of CXCL1/8 in MSC biology …

Intersection Between Individual, Household, Environmental And System Level Factors In Defining Risk And Resilience For Children In Kenya’S Asal: A Qualitative Study, Esther Chongwo, Barack Aoko, Martha Kaniala, Moses Wesala, Phillis Magoma, Eunice Njoroge, Susan Nyamanya, Joyce Marangu, Anil Khamis, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Introduction: Children growing up in arid and semi-arid regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face heightened risks, often resulting in poor developmental outcomes. In Kenya, the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) exhibit the lowest health and developmental indicators among children. Despite these risks, some children grow up successfully and overcome the challenges. However, there is limited comprehensive data on sources of risks and resilience in these children, particularly research that incorporates community perspectives and indigenous knowledge. Systematic documentation of factors influencing child outcomes is crucial for understanding the overall burden, informing policy and implementing targeted interventions. This study aimed at …

Adaptation For Whom? Understanding The Impacts Of Dyke Policies On Small-Scale Farmers In Ca Mau Province Of Vietnam, Nguyen Minh Quang, Nguyen Van Minh, Nguyen Vo Chau Ngan, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Low-lying deltas worldwide are extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise. As the risks of climate-induced flooding become increasingly clear, the thirst for infrastructure-driven adaptation increases. This highlights a patent need to understand the impacts of engineering adaptation solutions, especially those targeting built structures such as dykes and sluices, on farmers from a bottom-up, farmer-centred perspective. The study addresses this call by examining cases where dyke policies, while successful in some dimensions, have undermined small-scale farmer livelihoods in Ca Mau ― Vietnam’s southernmost rural province. It identifies areas in need of attention and adds empirical data related to this group of farmers. …

Lead Bioaccessibility And Commonly Measured Soil Characteristics (Detroit, Mi, Usa) Phase Ii, Conor T. Gowan, Sabrina R. Good, Allison R. Harris, Patrick Crouch, Shawn P. Mcelmurry

Open Data at Wayne State

Urban soil contaminated with anthropogenic sources of Pb is a major contributor to child Pb exposure. To assess the Pb risk in urban areas, composite samples were collected from 142 voluntary privately owned 142 residential parcels in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, Michigan. Samples were collected at two time periods, before and after treatment applied for those denoted as treatment sites. Samples were collected from areas covered with turf grass on the parcels from the front, middle and rear sections. Soils were collected with a bulb planter at approximately 10cm depth and were cleaned with a tap water-Liquinox detergent solution …

All-Terrain Vehicle Injuries Among Youth: A Multidimensional Analysis Of Injury Patterns In West Virginia And Safety Laws Across High-Fatality States, Sabrina Chyann Beal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pose significant injury risks, particularly among youth. These powerful machines are widely used across recreational and rural settings. West Virginia consistently ranks among the top five states for ATV-related deaths and injuries. Safety equipment and requirements are often not followed nor enforced, causing children and adolescents to be the most vulnerable group because they tend to not wear safety equipment such as helmets, ride on roadways, carry passengers, and operate oversized ATVS. This study examined ATV injury patterns from the WVU Medicine Trauma Registry and ATV laws across the five states with the highest reported fatalities. This …

Constitutionalizing Climate Rights, Mark P. Nevitt

Faculty Articles

This Essay proceeds in three Parts. In Part I, I describe and analyze which states have climate and environmental amendments within their state constitutions. Here, I focus on three states (Hawaii, Montana, and Pennsylvania) that have comparably strong Green Amendments and have experienced litigation in recent years enforcing these constitutional provisions. I describe and analyze three cases: Navahine F. v. Hawaii Department of Transportation (Hawaii), Held v. Montana (Montana), and Robinson Township (Pennsylvania). I argue that these three decisions—all of which enjoyed varying degrees of success—will spur greater efforts to constitutionalize state environmental rights. Indeed, there are grassroot efforts within …