Epidemiology Commons^™

Molecular Study Of Thyroid Cancer In World Trade Center Responders, M. A. Van Gerwen, S. Tuminello, G. J. Riggins, T. B. Mendes, M. Donovan, E. K. Benn, E. Genden, J. M. Cerutti, E. Taioli

Journal Articles

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Thyroid cancer incidence is higher in World Trade Center (WTC) responders compared with the general population. It is unclear whether this excess in thyroid cancer is associated with WTC-related exposures or if instead there is an over-diagnosis of malignant thyroid cancer among WTC first responders due to enhanced surveillance and physician bias. To maximize diagnostic yield and determine the false positive rate for malignancy, the histological diagnoses of thyroid cancer tumors from WTC responders and age, gender, and histology matched non-WTC thyroid cancer cases were evaluated using biomarkers of malignancy. Using …

Dietary Inflammatory Index (Dii) And Risk Of Prostate Cancer In A Case–Control Study Among Black And White Us Veteran Men, A. C. Vidal, T. Oyekunle, L. E. Howard, N. Shivappa, A. De Hoedt, J. C. Figueiredo, E. Taioli, J. H. Fowke, P. H. Lin, S. J. Freedland, +1 Additional Author

Journal Articles

© 2019, Springer Nature America, Inc. Background: We hypothesized a pro-inflammatory diet would be associated with higher prostate cancer (PC) risk. Methods: We prospectively recruited incident PC cases (n = 254) and controls (n = 328) at the Durham Veteran Affairs, from 2007 to 2018. From a self-completed 61-item Food Frequency Questionnaire, we calculated dietary inflammatory index (DII ® ) scores with and without supplements. We examined the association between DII scores with and without supplements and overall PC risk using logistic regression and risk of low-grade PC (grade group 1) and high-grade PC (grade group 2–5) with multinomial logistic …

Maternal Characteristics Associated With Injury-Related Infant Death In West Virginia, 2010-2014, Wilson A. Koech, Toni M. Rudisill, Ian R. H. Rockett

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Although injury-related deaths have been documented among children and adult populations, insufficient attention has been directed towards injury-related infant deaths. The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate maternal and infant characteristics associated with injury-related infant deaths in West Virginia. Birth and infant mortality data for 2010–2014 were sourced from the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, Charleston. Relative risk was calculated using log-binomial regression utilizing generalized estimating equations. Maternal characteristics associated with injury-related infant mortality in West Virginia were race/ethnicity ( = 7.48, p = .03), and smoking during pregnancy (, p < .00). Risk of a Black Non-Hispanic infant suffering an injury-related death was 4.0 (95% CL 1.7, 9.3) times that of infants of other races/ethnicities. Risk of an infant dying from an injury-related cause, if the mother smoked during pregnancy, was 2.9 (95% CL 1.6, 5.0) times the risk of such a death if maternal smoking status during pregnancy is unknown or no smoking, controlling for race/ethnicity. This study provides important information to public health stakeholders at both the state and local levels in designing interventions for partial reduction or prevention of injury-related infant mortality in West Virginia.

Association Between Cellphone Use While Driving Legislation And Self-Reported Behaviour Among Adult Drivers In Usa: A Cross-Sectional Study, Toni Marie Rudisill, Motao Zhu, Haitao Chu

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Objectives Cellphone use behaviours can vary demographically in the USA. This study examined whether legislation restricting cellphone use while driving was associated with lower self-reported hand-held cellphone conversations or texting behaviours among adult drivers of different ages (19–24, 25–39, 40–59,≥60 years), sex, race/ethnicity (white non-Hispanic, black non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Other) or rurality (urban, rural). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting USA. Participants Individuals ≥19 years of age who indicated they were a current driver and participated in the 2011– 2014 Traffic Safety Culture Index Surveys (n=9706). Primary outcome The exposure was the presence of a hand-held calling or texting ban applicable to all …

A Quality Improvement Assessment Of The Delivery Of Mental Health Services Among Wtc Responders Treated In The Community, M. Bellehsen, J. Moline, R. Rasul, K. Bevilacqua, S. Schneider, J. Kornrich, R. M. Schwartz

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Increased Incidence Of Thyroid Cancer Among World Trade Center First Responders: A Descriptive Epidemiological Assessment, S. Tuminello, M. A. Van Gerwen, E. Genden, M. Crane, W. Lieberman-Cribbin, E. Taioli

Journal Articles

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. An increased incidence of thyroid cancer among 9/11 rescue workers has been reported, the etiology of which remains unclear but which may, at least partly, be the result of the increased medical surveillance this group undergoes. This study aimed to investigate thyroid cancer in World Trade Center (WTC) responders by looking at the demographic data and questionnaire responses of thyroid cancer cases from the Mount Sinai WTC Health Program (WTCHP). WTCHP thyroid cancer tumors were of a similar size (p = 0.4), and were diagnosed at a similar age (p = …

Change In Quality Of Life After A Cancer Diagnosis Among A Nationally Representative Cohort Of Older Adults In The Us, R. M. Schwartz, K. A. Ornstein, B. Liu, N. Alpert, K. G. Bevilacqua, E. Taioli

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

The Evidence Of Human Exposure To Glyphosate: A Review, C. Gillezeau, M. Van Gerwen, R. M. Shaffer, I. Rana, L. Zhang, L. Sheppard, E. Taioli

Journal Articles

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: Despite the growing and widespread use of glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide and desiccant, very few studies have evaluated the extent and amount of human exposure. Objective: We review documented levels of human exposure among workers in occupational settings and the general population. Methods: We conducted a review of scientific publications on glyphosate levels in humans; 19 studies were identified, of which five investigated occupational exposure to glyphosate, 11 documented the exposure in general populations, and three reported on both. Results: Eight studies reported urinary levels in 423 occupationally and para-occupationally exposed subjects; 14 studies reported …

Transfer Of Extracellular Vesicle-Associated-Rnas Induces Drug Resistance In Alk-Translocated Lung Adenocarcinoma, H. H. Kwok, Z. Ning, P. W. Chong, T. S. Wan, M. H. Ng, G. Y. Ho, M. S. Ip, D. C. Lam

Journal Articles

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocation is an actionable mutation in lung adenocarcinoma. Nonetheless tumour consists of heterogeneous cell subpopulations with diverse phenotypes and genotypes, and cancer cells can actively release extracellular vesicles (EVs) to modulate the phenotype of other cells in the tumour microenvironment. We hypothesized that EVs derived from a drug-resistant subpopulation of cells could induce drug resistance in recipient cells. We have established ALK-translocated lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and subclones. The subclones have been characterized and the expression of EV-RNAs determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The effects of …

Hippocratic Values In An Era Of Nuclear Asymmetry: Should U.S. Public Health Prepare For Nuclear War With North Korea?, George A. Gellert

Journal of Health Ethics

Objectives: Advancements in North Korean nuclear weapons have heightened tensions and increased risk for nuclear war. U.S. public health agencies are investing resources in nuclear attack preparation. Analyses assess the impact and value of existing protective public health strategies for limited nuclear exchange.

Methods: Projections of fatality/injury from a North Korean nuclear strike within North Asia and explosive impact mapping are used to assess the potential impact of an attack on major U.S. urban centers.

Results: A nuclear strike on the 20 largest U.S. urban centers would place 38.1% of Americans at risk. With 1-3 missiles of 250 kiloton yield …

Effect Of Abo Blood Group On Asymptomatic, Uncomplicated And Placental Plasmodium Falciparum Infection: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Abraham Degarege, Merhawi T. Gebrezgi, Consuelo M. Beck-Sague, Mats Wahlgren, Luiz Carlos De Mattos, Purnima Madhivanan

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Malaria clinical outcomes vary by erythrocyte characteristics, including ABO blood group, but the effect of ABO blood group on asymptomatic, uncomplicated and placental Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) infection remains unclear. We explored effects of ABO blood group on asymptomatic, uncomplicated and placental falciparum infection in the published literature.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Articles in Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane Library published before February 04, 2017 were searched without restriction. Studies were included if they reported P. falciparum infection incidence or prevalence, …

Vaccination Coverage And Awareness Of Hepatitis B Virus Among Healthcare Students At A University In Cyprus, Zoe Roupa, Maria Noula, Evi A. Farazi, Antonis Stylianides, Christos Papaneophytou

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Introduction: The risk for healthcare students to get infected by transmitting infectious viruses, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), in a hospital setting is extremely high through exposure to blood and/or body secretions.

Aim: The aim of this work was to evaluate both the vaccination history of healthcare students at a University in Cyprus and their serologic immunity against HBV. In addition, we assessed their knowledge and behaviors towards the transmission and prevention of hepatitis B (HB).

Results: Total amount of 168 students participated in this study and more than 50% of them provided complete documentation of vaccination history against HBV. …

Awareness Of Human Papilloma Virus And Cervical Cancer Prevention Among Cypriot Female Healthcare Workers, Andria Christodoulou, Jirayr Ajzajian, Dejun Su, Hongmei Wang, Zoe Roupa, Evi A. Farazi

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Background: Cervical cancer incidence varies around the world with the highest rates in Eastern Africa and the lowest rates in Western Asia. In Cyprus, a small Mediterranean island, cervical cancer incidence was 6.4 per 100,000 in 2013. HPV is an established risk factor for cervical cancer with HPV-16 and HPV-18 being the most common carcinogenic strains. Cervical cancer is preventable through primary (HPV vaccination) and secondary (Pap and HPV tests) prevention. These prevention methods should be promoted, however, in order to design a cancer prevention programme and the awareness and characteristics of populations should be investigated so that prevention programmes …

The Risk Of New-Onset Epilepsy And Refractory Epilepsy In Older Adult Stroke Survivors, Jorge G. Burneo, Tresah C. Antaya, Britney N. Allen, Andrea Belisle, Salimah Z. Shariff, Gustavo Saposnik

Neuroepidemiology Research Unit Project Summaries

Research Summary: Key Findings

• Stroke is a common cause of epilepsy in older adults, but little is known about stroke-related epilepsy or its outcomes in this population.
• 1.1% of older adult stroke survivors developed epilepsy in this study, of whom 12.9% developed refractory epilepsy, indicating that this population is particularly responsive to treatment.
• Over 85% of deaths in this population are not due to stroke or epilepsy.

Prevalence Of Alcohol Use: A National Survey Of Deaf Adults In The United States, Poorna Kushalnagar, Traciann Hoglind, Abbi N. Simons, Debra Guthmann

JADARA

Objective: Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances in the United States. Alcohol consumption has been linked to several sociodemographic and social characteristics in the general population. Research is needed to understand the prevalence of and characteristics related to alcohol use in Deaf adults. Our study purpose was to determine nation-wide prevalence of alcohol use and investigate characteristics related to alcohol consumption in Deaf adults in the United States.

Methods: Secondary data were drawn from the Health Information National Trends in American Sign Language (HINTS-ASL). Self-reported data from 1272 Deaf adults (56% female) were used to …

Interventions To Increase Completion Of Hepatitis B Vaccination In People Who Inject Drugs: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Stacy Tressler, Ruchi Bhandari

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Abstract

Increases in opioid misuse and injection drug use have resulted in a rise in acute cases of hepatitis B. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized studies to determine the effect (pooled odds ratio) of interventions to increase hepatitis B vaccination completion in people who inject drugs (PWID). Odds ratios from the included studies were combined to create a pooled odds ratio (OR) using the Inverse Heterogeneity Model. Eleven studies met the eligibility criterion of having a randomized intervention to increase hepatitis B virus vaccination completion among PWID. The odds of vaccine completion in the intervention group …

Mapping Of Lymphatic Filariasis In Loiasis Areas: A New Strategy Shows No Evidence For Wuchereria Bancrofti Endemicity In Cameroon, Samuel Wanji, Mathias Eyong Esum, Abdel Jelil Njouendou, Amuam Andrew Mbeng, Patrick W Chounna Ndongmo, Raphael Awah Abong, Jerome Fru, Fanny F. Fombad, Gordon Takop Nchanji, Glory Ngongeh, Narcisse V. Ngandjui, Peter Ivo Enyong, Helen Storey, Kurt C. Curtis, Kerstin Fischer, Joseph R. Fauver, Daphne Lew, Charles W. Goss, Peter U. Fischer

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Mapping of lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by Wuchereria bancrofti largely relies on the detection of circulating antigen using ICT cards. Several studies have recently shown that this test can be cross-reactive with sera of subjects heavily infected with Loa loa and thus mapping results in loiasis endemic areas may be inaccurate.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In order to develop an LF mapping strategy for areas with high loiasis prevalence, we collected day blood samples from 5,001 subjects residing in 50 villages that make up 6 health districts throughout Cameroon. Antigen testing using Filarial Test Strip (FTS, a novel platform that uses …

Improving Socioeconomic Status May Reduce The Burden Of Malaria In Sub Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Abraham Degarege, Kristopher Fennie, Dawit Degarege, Shasank Chennupati, Purnima Madhivanan

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: A clear understanding of the effects of housing structure, education, occupation, income, and wealth on malaria can help to better design socioeconomic interventions to control the disease. This literature review summarizes the relationship of housing structure, educational level, occupation, income, and wealth with the epidemiology of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. The protocol for this study is registered in PROSPERO (ID=CRD42017056070), an international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews. On January 16, 2016, available literature was searched in PubMed, Embase, …

Next-Generation Sequencing Of Hiv-1 Single Genome Amplicons, Gustavo H. Kijak, Eric Sanders-Buell, Phuc Pham, Elizabeth A. Harbolick, Celina Oropeza, Anne Marie O'Sullivan, Meera Bose, Charmagne G. Beckett, Mark Milazzo, Merlin L. Robb, Sheila A. Peel, Paul T. Scott, Nelson L. Michael, Adam W. Armstrong, Jerome H. Kim, David Brett-Major, Sodsai Tovanabutra

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

The analysis of HIV-1 sequences has helped understand the viral molecular epidemiology, monitor the development of antiretroviral drug resistance, and design candidate vaccines. The introduction of single genome amplification (SGA) has been a major advancement in the field, allowing for the characterization of multiple sequences per patient while preserving linkage among polymorphisms in the same viral genome copy. Sequencing of SGA amplicons is performed by capillary Sanger sequencing, which presents low throughput, requires a high amount of template, and is highly sensitive to template/primer mismatching. In order to meet the increasing demand for HIV-1 SGA amplicon sequencing, we have developed …

Using "Outbreak Science" To Strengthen The Use Of Models During Epidemics., Caitlin Rivers, Jean-Paul Chretien, Steven Riley, Julie A. Pavlin, Alexandra Woodward, David Brett-Major, Irina Maljkovic Berry, Lindsay Morton, Richard G. Jarman, Matthew Biggerstaff, Michael A. Johansson, Nicholas G. Reich, Diane Meyer, Michael R. Snyder, Simon Pollett

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Infectious disease modeling has played a prominent role in recent outbreaks, yet integrating these analyses into public health decision-making has been challenging. We recommend establishing ‘outbreak science’ as an inter-disciplinary field to improve applied epidemic modeling.