Cincinnati Childhood Allergy And Air Pollution Study Research Articles

Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Childhood Eczema Development and Allergic Sensitization in the CCAAPS Cohort

Eczema is very common and increasing in prevalence. Prospective studies investigating environmental and genetic risk factors for eczema in a birth cohort are lacking. We evaluated risk factors that may promote development of childhood eczema in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS) birth cohort (n=762) of infants with at least one atopic parent. Objective environmental exposure data were available for each participant. At annual physical examinations, children underwent skin prick tests (SPTs), eczema was diagnosed by a clinician, and DNA was collected. Among Caucasian children, 39% developed eczema by age 3. Children with a pet dog were significantly less likely to have eczema at age one (odds ratio (OR)=0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40-0.97) or at both ages 2 and 3 (OR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.30-0.97). This finding was most significant among children carrying the CD14-159C/T CC genotype. Carriers of the CD14-159C/T and IL4Ralpha I75V single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) had an increased risk of eczema at both ages 2 and 3 (OR=3.44, 95% CI: 1.56-7.57), especially among children who were SPT+. These results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of eczema in high-risk children and support a protective role for early exposure to dog, especially among those carrying the CD14-159C/T SNP. The results also demonstrate a susceptibility effect of the combination of CD14 and IL4Ralpha SNPs with eczema.

Associations between Multiple Environmental Exposures and Glutathione S-transferase P1 on Persistent Wheezing in a Birth Cohort

To determine the impact of environmental exposures (diesel exhaust particle [DEP], environmental tobacco smoke [ETS], and mold) that may contribute to oxidative stress on persistent wheezing in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS) birth cohort and to determine how the impact of these exposures is modified by the GST-P1 Ile105Val polymorphism. A land-use regression model was used to derive an estimate of each child's DEP exposure. ETS exposure was determined by questionnaire data. Each child's home was evaluated for visible mold by a trained professional. Children in the CCAAPS cohort were genotyped for the GST-P1 polymorphism (n = 570). Persistent wheezing was defined as wheezing at both 12 and 24 months. High DEP exposure conferred increased risk for wheezing phenotypes but only among the Val(105) allele carriers. Infants with multiple exposures were significantly more likely to persistently wheeze despite their genotype. There is evidence for an environmental effect of DEP among carriers of the GST-P1 Val(105) allele in the development of persistent wheezing in children. The protective effect of the GST-P1 Ile(105) genotype may be overwhelmed by multiple environmental exposures that converge on oxidative stress pathways.

A land-use regression model for estimating microenvironmental diesel exposure given multiple addresses from birth through childhood

The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS) is a prospective birth cohort whose purpose is to determine if exposure to high levels of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) during early childhood increases the risk for developing allergic diseases. In order to estimate exposure to DEP, a land-use regression (LUR) model was developed using geographic data as independent variables and sampled levels of a marker of DEP as the dependent variable. A continuous wind direction variable was also created. The LUR model predicted 74% of the variability in sampled values with four variables: wind direction, length of bus routes within 300 m of the sample site, a measure of truck intensity within 300 m of the sampling site, and elevation. The LUR model was subsequently applied to all locations where the child had spent more than eight hours per week from through age three. A time-weighted average (TWA) microenvironmental exposure estimate was derived for four time periods: 0–6 months, 7–12 months, 13–24 months, 25–36 months. By age two, one third of the children were spending significant time at locations other than home and by 36 months, 39% of the children had changed their residential addresses. The mean cumulative DEP exposure estimate increased from age 6 to 36 months from 70 to 414 μg/m 3-days. Findings indicate that using birth addresses to estimate a child's exposure may result in exposure misclassification for some children who spend a significant amount of time at a location with high exposure to DEP.

Environmental Exposures and Recurrent Nighttime Cough at Ages 1, 2, and 3: The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

The factors causing nighttime cough are uncertain, although some studies have suggested associations with environmental exposures. Hence, we evaluated the relationship of diesel exhaust particles (DEP), indoor mold, indoor endotoxin, and pet exposure on childhood recurrent nighttime cough using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Allergic Rhinitis in Three Year Old Children with High Exposure to Diesel Exhaust: The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Allergic Rhinitis in Three Year Old Children with High Exposure to Diesel Exhaust: The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Cotinine Level, CYP2A6 Polymorphism and Persistent Wheeze in Young Children: The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Cotinine Level, CYP2A6 Polymorphism and Persistent Wheeze in Young Children: The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

High Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Presence of IL4 Polymorphism (C-589T) Increases Risk of Infant Wheezing: the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

High Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Presence of IL4 Polymorphism (C-589T) Increases Risk of Infant Wheezing: the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Characterization of Diesel Exposure and Wheezing in Infants: the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Characterization of Diesel Exposure and Wheezing in Infants: the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Predictors of Physician Diagnosed Eczema at Age one: The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Predictors of Physician Diagnosed Eczema at Age one: The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Atopy as a Risk Factor for Habitual Snoring at Age 1 Year

To determine the prevalence of habitual snoring (HS) in 1-year-old children, and to assess the relationship between HS and atopic status in these children. Cross-sectional evaluation of a birth cohort selected from the population. Ohio and Kentucky River Valley communities. Children participating in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS) were recruited for this study. At age 1 year, the children were evaluated for atopic status and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire pertaining to their snoring frequency and that of their child. Children with HS (snoring three or more times per week) were compared to those who either did not snore or snored less than three times per week. Data were available on 681 of the 700 children participating in CCAAPS study. Of these 681 children (377 boys and 304 girls), 542 were white (80%), 118 were African American (17%), and 21 were biracial or Asian (3%). The mean age (+/- SD) of our cohort at the time of assessment for snoring was 13.7 +/- 2.6 months. Of the 681 children, 105 snored habitually (15%). There was a significant association between HS and the following: (1) positive atopic status (p = 0.005); (2) African-American race (p < 0.01); and (3) a history of snoring in the father (p < 0.01) or in the mother (p < 0.01). There was, however, no association between HS and ETS. We found a 15% prevalence of HS in 1-year-old children born to atopic parents and a significant association with positive atopic status.

Symptoms at Age One as Predictors of Aeroallergen Sensitization During Infancy: The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Symptoms at Age One as Predictors of Aeroallergen Sensitization During Infancy: The Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)

Estimating sampling frequency in pollen exposure assessment over time

A time series model was fitted to the pollen concentration data collected in the Greater Cincinnati area for the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS). A traditional time series analysis and temporal variogram approach were applied to the regularly spaced databases (collected in 2003) and irregularly spaced ones (collected in 2002), respectively. The aim was to evaluate the effect of the sampling frequency on the sampling precision in terms of inverse of standard error of the overall level of mean value across time. The presence of high autocorrelation in the data was confirmed and indicated some degree of temporal redundancy in the pollen concentration data. Therefore, it was suggested that sampling frequency could be reduced from once a day to once every several days without a major loss of sampling precision of the overall mean over time. Considering the trade-offs between sampling frequency and the possibility of sampling bias increasing with larger sampling interval, we recommend that the sampling interval should take values from 3 to 5 days for the pollen monitoring program, if the goal is to track the long-term average.

UNMIX modeling of ambient PM 2.5 near an interstate highway in Cincinnati, OH, USA

The “Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS)” is underway to determine if infants who are exposed to diesel engine exhaust particles are at an increased risk for atopy and atopic respiratory disorders, and to determine if this effect is magnified in a genetically at risk population. In support of this study, a methodology has been developed to allocate local traffic source contributions to ambient PM 2.5 in the Cincinnati airshed. As a first step towards this allocation, UNMIX was used to generate factors for ambient PM 2.5 at two sites near at interstate highway. Procedures adopted to collect, analyze and prepare the data sets to run UNMIX are described. The factors attributed to traffic sources were similar for the two sites. These factors were also similar to locally measured truck engine-exhaust enriched ambient profiles. The temporal variation of the factors was analyzed with clear differences observed between factors attributed to traffic sources and combustion-related regional secondary sources.

The Cincinnati childhood allergy and air pollution study (CCAAPS): Evaluation of respiratory symptoms at age 1

The Cincinnati childhood allergy and air pollution study (CCAAPS): Evaluation of respiratory symptoms at age 1

The cincinnati childhood allergy and air pollution study (CCAAPS): Evaluation of atopy at age one

Methods: CCAAPS enrollment criteria required at least one parent to have one or more positive skin prick tests (SPT) to a panel of common aeroallergens (meadow fescue, timothy, white oak, American elm, red cedar, maple mix, short ragweed, alternaria, aspergillus fumigatus, cladosporium, penicillium mix, dust mite mix, German cockroach, cat and dog). Follow up SPTs of the infants occurred at age one with the same allergen panel plus milk and egg.