Environmental Health Sciences Research Articles

Chemical Workers Union Consortium Trains Trainers in Disaster Response While Building Both Resiliency in Disasters and Preparedness

This paper studies disaster training work of one of the original grantees of the Worker Training Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: The International Chemical Workers Union Council (ICWUC) and its consortium of unions and national organizations. The consortium developed disaster train-the-trainer curriculum in English and in Spanish, so worker trainers would be poised to do training during, after, and in prevention of disasters. This paper reviews the program and its impact on affected communities – with both a historical perspective and with interviews of 20 of those who were trained to be disaster response trainers. At least half the trainees actively trained at one or more disaster sites provided important information to keep community residents safer and to help them build resilience in their communities. Other trainers have used their knowledge to improve their workplaces during a disaster or to help prevent mold contamination and other post-disaster hazards in underserved neighborhoods.

Multi-tissue profiling of oxylipins reveal a conserved up-regulation of epoxide:diol ratio that associates with white adipose tissue inflammation and liver steatosis in obesity

BackgroundObesity drives maladaptive changes in the white adipose tissue (WAT) which can progressively cause insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MASLD). Obesity-mediated loss of WAT homeostasis can trigger liver steatosis through dysregulated lipid pathways such as those related to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-derived oxylipins. However, the exact relationship between oxylipins and metabolic syndrome remains elusive and cross-tissue dynamics of oxylipins are ill-defined. MethodsWe quantified PUFA-related oxylipin species in the omental WAT, liver biopsies and plasma of 88 patients undergoing bariatric surgery (female N=79) and 9 patients (female N=4) undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery, using UPLC-MS/MS. We integrated oxylipin abundance with WAT phenotypes (adipogenesis, adipocyte hypertrophy, macrophage infiltration, type I and VI collagen remodelling) and the severity of MASLD (steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis) quantified in each biopsy. The integrative analysis was subjected to (i) adjustment for known risk factors and, (ii) control for potential drug-effects through UPLC-MS/MS analysis of metformin-treated fat explants ex vivo. FindingsWe reveal a generalized down-regulation of cytochrome P450 (CYP)-derived diols during obesity conserved between the WAT and plasma. Notably, epoxide:diol ratio, indicative of soluble epoxide hydrolyse (sEH) activity, increases with WAT inflammation/fibrosis and hepatic steatosis and T2DM. Increased 12,13-EpOME:DiHOME in WAT and liver is a marker of worsening metabolic syndrome in patients with obesity. InterpretationThese findings suggest a dampened sEH activity and a possible role of fatty acid diols during metabolic syndrome in major metabolic organs such as WAT and liver. They also have implications in view of the clinical trials based on sEH inhibition for metabolic syndrome. FundingWellcome Trust (PS3431_WMIH); Duke-NUS (Intramural Goh Cardiovascular Research Award (Duke-NUS-GCR/2022/0020); National Medical Research Council (OFLCG22may-0011); National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Z01 ES025034); NIHR-Imperial Biomedical Research Centre

Inspiring basic and applied research in genome integrity mechanisms: Dedication to Samuel H. Wilson.

This Special Issue (SI) of Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis (EMM), entitled "Inspiring Basic and Applied Research in Genome Integrity Mechanisms," is to update the community on recent findings and advances on genome integrity mechanisms with emphasis on their importance for basic and environmental health sciences. This SI includes two research articles, one brief research communication, and four reviews that highlight cutting edge research findings and perspectives, from both established leaders and junior trainees, on DNA repair mechanisms. In particular, the authors provided an updated understanding on several distinct enzymes (e.g., DNA polymerase beta, DNA polymerase theta, DNA glycosylase NEIL2) and the associated molecular mechanisms in base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, and microhomology-mediated end joining of double-strand breaks. In addition, genome-wide sequencing analysis or site-specific mutational signature analysis of DNA lesions from environmental mutagens (e.g., UV light and aflatoxin) provide further characterization and sequence context impact of DNA damage and mutations. This SI is dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Samuel H. Wilson from the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health.

Demystifying the impact of educational leadership on teachers’ subjective well-being: A bibliometric analysis and literature review

This study aims to offer a review of research on the impact of leadership on shaping teachers’ subjective well-being, utilizing metadata from the Web of Science. The study utilized bibliometric analysis techniques to showcase the prominent researchers and countries, along with their collaborative networks and the field's scientific foundations. Narrative reviews of the main themes across the entire corpus and h-classics publications provided further insights into the topic. The findings indicate a consistent growth in research activity within this field over the last decade. The foundations of research in this field have been primarily rooted in educational research, psychology, management, environmental health, and health sciences. The literature consistently emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership in influencing teachers’ well-being, recognizing effective school leadership as crucial for shaping their professional experiences. Supportive leadership is particularly highlighted for fostering a positive work environment and enhancing teachers’ subjective well-being, with various leadership styles influencing overall life and job satisfaction, motivation, and mental health.

Abstract 830: Michigan cancer and research on the environment study (MI-CARES) cohort: Baseline methods and participant characteristics

Abstract Michigan has a long history of adverse environmental exposures, many of which are still ongoing, like the Flint water crisis, extreme air pollution burden, and widespread PFAS exposure. Michigan is also home to a diverse population of Latinx, Black, White, and Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) Americans. Because minority populations are underrepresented in environment and cancer research despite being at greater risk of being exposed to environmental hazards and having worse cancer outcomes, Michigan is uniquely positioned for studying the associations between environmental exposures and cancer risk. In June 2022, the Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study (MI-CARES) began recruitment with a goal of establishing a cohort of over 100,000 Michiganders to examine these associations. Any Michigander aged 18-49 is eligible to enroll in MI-CARES. By focusing on this age range, we will capture exposures during important windows of susceptibility prior to the onset of most cancers.While recruitment is open to all state-wide, efforts are focused on six environmental injustice hotspots, identified using the MiEJScreen tool, a relative summary score capturing pollution burden and population vulnerability: the metro areas of Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Flint, Lansing, Detroit, and Bay City-Saginaw.MI-CARES will enroll equal numbers of Black, Latinx, MENA, and White participants. To support participation in diverse communities, study materials are available in Arabic, English, and Spanish. MI-CARES has employed a multifaceted community engagement strategy and is recruiting from these communities directly and with the help of community partners. An incentive of $10 is also provided to participants who successfully complete the questionnaire.To democratize participation, MI-CARES enrollment can be completely remote, but in-person and paper-based enrollment is available. Enrollment includes a baseline questionnaire, consent for data linkage, and annual follow-up surveys. Participants are also asked to provide saliva and blood spot samples via a mailed at-home biospecimen collection kit. Biospecimens will be analyzed for environmental exposures like heavy metals and for intermediate cancer markers including inflammation, cellular aging, immune function, and altered metabolism. Participant data will be linked to neighborhood-level exposure databases, administrative databases like cancer registries and death indices, and to the Michigan Neonatal Biobank. More than 4,000 Michiganders have enrolled in MI-CARES. Data on initial cohort members including environmental exposure history and demographic characteristics will be presented. MI-CARES is part of the Cohorts for Environmental Exposures and Cancer Risk (CEECR) consortium, which is funded by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences. Citation Format: Lilah Khoja, Maxwell Salvatore, Minh Tung Phung, Isabella De Sa, Heatherlun Uphold, Justin Colacino, Alison M. Mondul, Bhramar Mukherjee, Dana Dolinoy, Celeste Leigh Pearce. Michigan cancer and research on the environment study (MI-CARES) cohort: Baseline methods and participant characteristics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 830.

Abstract 859: Development of non-smoking lung cancers by indoor carcinogenic aerosols through epigenetic reprogramming of lung stem cells: Bioinformatics and artificial intelligence analysis

Abstract Several scientific studies discovered the toxic effects of indoor aerosols on different organs’ adult stem cells of the human body. The most importantly, the indoor toxic aerosols comprised of numerous carcinogens namely, sodium dodecyl sulfate, phthalic acids from floor cleaners, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylenes, from air fresheners, Hydramethylnon, Pyrethrins, imiprothrin, cypermethrin, tetramethrin, prallethrin and permethrin from ant and roach Killer. However, there was a lack of analysis revealing the mechanism of toxic effects and epigenetic reprogramming of human lung stem cells and development of non-smoking lung cancers. In this study, we analyzed the toxic effects of these chemicals and the mechanism of epigenetic reprograming on lung epithelial cells using Comparative Toxico-genomics Database (CTD), database of Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Google search browser with generative artificial intelligence (AI) and other biological informatics methods (Reactome, Cytoscape PSICQUIC services, and ChEMBL database). We observed from CTD analysis that the chemical gene interactions as risk factors from indoor aerosols showed transcriptionally highly expressed of 31 common genes, by phthalic acids, sodium dodecyl sulfate, from the total of 1347 genes, 107 common genes by formaldehyde, acetaldehyde from the total of 4193 genes and all other toxic ingredients of indoor aerosols. The epigenetic mechanism of histone modifications (H3K4me3, H3K9me3, H3K27me3, H3K27ac, H3K36me3, H3K4me1, Hsa-mir-1301 of lung epithelial, and miRNAs have been revealed by NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Mapping Consortium and the lung tissue arrays were analyzed with AI and matplotlib program. The heterogenic adult stem cell reprogramming is regulated by epigenetic bivalent histone modifications at transcript starts sequences (TSS) of target genes and our current study revealed that CD44, CD80, ALDH2, ALDH3A1, ALDH3B2 are epigenetically reprogrammed with close interaction of other genes by these toxic ingredients of indoor aerosols. Therefore, our results are significant for the carcinogenic effects of indoor aerosols causing for development of lung cancer epigenetically, which may give a clue for the prevention and treatment of nonsmoking lung cancer. Citation Format: Juan Anderson, Mariah Delgado, Malcolm Lovett, Maya Saunders, Geovannie Lake, Samuel Darko, Rose M. Stiffin, Ayivi Huisso, Marilyn Sherman, Latoya Appleton, Amalya Mihnea, Swarnava Das, Mohammad M. Algahtani, Ravi Vadapalli, Biswarup Basu, Arunima Biswas, Noor Neha, Madhumita Das, Marco A. Ruiz, Mayur Doke, Jayanta K. Das. Development of non-smoking lung cancers by indoor carcinogenic aerosols through epigenetic reprogramming of lung stem cells: Bioinformatics and artificial intelligence analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 859.

Her Parasites: A poetic ecospiritual perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic and nature's intelligence

In this transdisciplinary perspective, I present my initial ecospiritual thinking about the COVID-19 pandemic in a poem, titled Her Parasites. I identify with other thinkers – both those in science and not – who articulated ecophilosophical musings about the pandemic in various ways, some of whom were met with mockery and censure. In the hope that it will inspire openness and a sense of curiosity, I draw on metaphysical insights from Vedic treatises and the literature on environmental decline, zoonotic epidemiology, health science, animal agriculture, animal ethics, and animal sentience to explain my poem’s philosophical and ecological framework. I focus on the scientific knowledge of epidemics caused by viruses that transcend species boundaries, why cross-species hopping occurs, and the nature (and incredible intelligence) of such viruses. I invite readers to consider ancient Vedic principles that articulate the rationale for living harmoniously with other sentient beings and entities. Considering the unseen metaphysical association between the pandemic and animal cruelty explained through the Vedic laws of Karmā, I present the possibility that one of the lessons Mother Earth might have wanted the Homo sapiens species to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic is its need to alter its diet. I end with a discussion on the possibility and value of this change. The downplaying or denial of animal sentience (strategies to overcome the psychological discomfort of incongruence between loving animals and eating them, as described in social psychology), is a barrier to this change. However, observed through a Vedic lens, this cognitive dissonance suggests that the Homo sapiens species is innately humane, the realisation of which might hold the key to this dietary change.

Published research on the human health implications of climate change between 2012 and 2021: cross sectional study

ObjectiveTo better understand the state of research on the effects of climate change on human health, including exposures, health conditions, populations, areas of the world studied, funding sources, and publication...

Suspect Screening Analysis of Pooled Human Serum Samples Using GC × GC/TOF-MS.

Humans interact with thousands of chemicals. This study aims to identify substances of emerging concern and in need of human health risk evaluations. Sixteen pooled human serum samples were constructed from 25 individual samples each from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' Clinical Research Unit. Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) × GC/time-of-flight (TOF)-mass spectrometry (MS) in a suspect screening analysis, with follow-up confirmation analysis of 19 substances. A standard reference material blood sample was also analyzed through the confirmation process for comparison. The pools were stratified by sex (female and male) and by age (≤45 and >45). Publicly available information on potential exposure sources was aggregated to annotate presence in serum as either endogenous, food/nutrient, drug, commerce, or contaminant. Of the 544 unique substances tentatively identified by spectral matching, 472 were identified in females, while only 271 were identified in males. Surprisingly, 273 of the identified substances were found only in females. It is known that behavior and near-field environments can drive exposures, and this work demonstrates the existence of exposure sources uniquely relevant to females.

Broadening the Environmental Lens to Include Social and Structural Determinants of Women's Health Disparities.

Due to the physical, metabolic, and hormonal changes before, during, and after pregnancy, women-defined here as people assigned female at birth-are particularly susceptible to environmental insults. Racism, a driving force of social determinants of health, exacerbates this susceptibility by affecting exposure to both chemical and nonchemical stressors to create women's health disparities. To better understand and address social and structural determinants of women's health disparities, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) hosted a workshop focused on the environmental impacts on women's health disparities and reproductive health in April 2022. This commentary summarizes foundational research and unique insights shared by workshop participants, who emphasized the need to broaden the definition of the environment to include upstream social and structural determinants of health. We also summarize current challenges and recommendations, as discussed by workshop participants, to address women's environmental and reproductive health disparities. The challenges related to women's health equity, as identified by workshop attendees, included developing research approaches to better capture the social and structural environment in both human and animal studies, integrating environmental health principles into clinical care, and implementing more inclusive publishing and funding approaches. Workshop participants discussed recommendations in each of these areas that encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, clinicians, funders, publishers, and community members. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12996.

An Exploration of Student-Student Connectedness and its Relationship to Learning in One Environmental Health Science Course, National University of Lesotho

An Exploration of Student-Student Connectedness and its Relationship to Learning in One Environmental Health Science Course, National University of Lesotho

Engaged and Reflexive Sociology for Environmental Health1

The article examines my environmental health work for nearly four decades with many environmental activists and organizations, as well as scientists and government officials. I discuss how I have merged research and advocacy, while mentoring many students and colleagues on how to do that. I discuss my efforts to conduct transdisciplinary work that crosses social sciences, environmental health science, environmental justice, social movement studies, and science and technology studies, while centering that work on community‐based participatory research. I examine my ability to do the practical work of serving public health and the broader social good, while also developing theoretical and analytical concepts along the way. I discuss the importance of continually being reflective about these many areas of work, both personal reflexivity and reflexive, evaluative discussions with collaborators.

Qualitative communication research with environmental health scientists and stakeholders

Abstract Effective research translation and science communication are necessary for successful implementation of environmental health initiatives to improve public health. The Community Engagement Core (CEC) of the Center for Oceans and Human Health and Climate Change Interactions in the southeastern United States conducted a trio of qualitative studies to assess perceptions, experiences, and training needs relative to science communication and research translation of investigators and stakeholders. Interview transcripts were coded using open and axial coding and analyzed for emergent themes. (1) Interviews were conducted with 13 Center investigators. Most preferred in-person and written communication channels and felt comfortable communicating uncertain findings to the public despite no formal training. They asked for training on plain language messaging for communities, assessment of audience needs, and formatting research findings for various groups. (2) Interviews were conducted with 13 CEC stakeholders to learn more about their research translation needs, communication and dissemination tactics, and experiences interacting with scientists. Findings indicated the need for collaborative scientist-stakeholder training to include plain language development, communication evaluation, and audience engagement. (3) Follow-up interviews with 7 stakeholders examined specific topics of understanding, trust, and access and how those can become barriers or facilitators of public engagement with environmental activities. Findings showed the public may have limited understanding of scientific processes, establishing trust takes time, and ensuring access should be incorporated into all programs. Together, these analyses demonstrate the importance of engaging investigators and partners on all aspects of research. This presentation is relevant to other partner-engaged research and provides insights on practices for equitable and effective stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Key messages • Effective research translation and science communication are necessary for successful implementation of water resources management initiatives. • Qualitative research is important for assessing perceptions, experiences, and training needs relative to science communication and research translation for researchers and community partners.

Seminar: Extracellular Vesicles as Mediators of Environmental Stress in Human Disease.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane-bound particles containing a variety of RNA types, DNA, proteins, and other macromolecules, are now appreciated as an important means of communication between cells and tissues, both in normal cellular physiology and as a potential indicator of cellular stress, environmental exposures, and early disease pathogenesis. Extracellular signaling through EVs is a growing field of research for understanding fundamental mechanisms of health and disease and for the potential for biomarker discovery and therapy development. EVs are also known to play important roles in mediating the effects of exposure to environmental stress. This seminar addresses the application of new tools and approaches for EV research, developed in part through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Extracellular RNA Communication Program, and reflects presentations and discussions from a workshop held 27-28 September 2021 by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) on "Extracellular Vesicles, Exosomes, and Cell-Cell Signaling in Response to Environmental Stress." The panel of experts discussed current research on EVs and environmental exposures, highlighted recent advances in EV isolation and characterization, and considered research gaps and opportunities toward identifying and characterizing the roles for EVs in environmentally related diseases, as well as the current challenges and opportunities in this field. The authors discuss the application of new experimental models, particularly organ-on-chip (OOC) systems and in vitro approaches and how these have the potential to extend findings in population-based studies of EVs in exposure-related diseases. Given the complex challenges of identifying cell-specific EVs related to environmental exposures, as well as the general heterogeneity and variability in EVs in blood and other accessible biological samples, there is a critical need for rigorous reporting of experimental methods and validation studies. The authors note that these efforts, combined with cross-disciplinary approaches, would ensure that future research efforts in environmental health studies on EV biomarkers are rigorous and reproducible. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12980.

Serum and follicular fluid metabolome and markers of ovarian stimulation.

What metabolic pathways and metabolites in the serum and follicular fluid are associated with peak estradiol levels and the number of mature oocytes? In the serum metabolome, mostly fatty acid and amino acid pathways were associated with estradiol levels and mature oocytes while in the follicular fluid metabolome, mostly lipid, vitamin, and hormone pathways were associated with peak estradiol levels and mature oocytes. Metabolomics has identified several metabolic pathways and metabolites associated with infertility but limited data are available for ovarian stimulation outcomes. A prospective cohort study of women undergoing IVF from 2009 to 2015. A total of 125 women undergoing a fresh IVF cycle at a fertility clinic in the Northeast United States who provided a serum and follicular fluid sample. Untargeted metabolomics profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry in two chromatography columns (C18 and hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC)). The main ovarian stimulation outcomes were peak serum estradiol levels and number of mature oocytes. We utilized adjusted generalized linear regression models to identify significant metabolic features. Models were adjusted for age,BMI, initial infertility diagnosis, and ovarian stimulation protocol. We then conducted pathway analysis using mummichog and metabolite annotation using level-1 evidence. In the serum metabolome, 480 and 850 features were associated with peak estradiol levels in the C18 and HILIC columns, respectively. Additionally, 437 and 538 features were associated with mature oocytes in the C18 and HILIC columns, respectively. In the follicular fluid metabolome, 752 and 929 features were associated with peak estradiol levels in the C18 and HILIC columns, respectively, Additionally, 993 and 986 features were associated with mature oocytes in the C18 and HILIC columns, respectively. The most common pathways associated with peak estradiol included fatty acids (serum and follicular fluid), hormone (follicular fluid), and lipid pathways (follicular fluid). The most common pathways associated with the number of mature oocytes retrieved included amino acids (serum), fatty acids (serum and follicular fluid), hormone (follicular fluid), and vitamin pathways(follicular fluid). The vitamin D3 pathway had the strongest association with both ovarian stimulation outcomes in the follicularfluid. Four and nine metabolites were identified using level-1 evidence (validated identification) in the serum and follicular fluid metabolomes, respectively. Our sample was majority White and highly educated and may not be generalizable to thewider population. Additionally, residual confounding is possible and the flushing medium used in the follicular fluid could have diluted our results. The pathways and metabolites identified by our study provide novel insights into the biologicalmechanisms in the serum and follicular fluid that may underlie follicular and oocyte development, which could potentially be used to improve ovarian stimulation outcomes. This work was supported by the following grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30-ES019776, R01-ES009718, R01-ES022955, P30-ES000002, R00-ES026648, and T32-ES012870), and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases(P30DK046200). The authors have no competing interests to disclose. N/A.

Health Science Students' Perceptions of Hand Hygiene Education and Practice in a South African University: Introducing the University Hand Hygiene Improvement Model.

Hand hygiene serves as a critical preventative measure against the spread of acquired infections in healthcare facilities and is an integral component of patient safety programs. While healthcare students in training are typically introduced to the principles underlying hand hygiene, the translation of this understanding into practice is often lacking, and compliance has remained low. This study aimed to evaluate health science students' in biomedical sciences, chiropractic and emergency medical care, environmental health, complementary medicine, medical imaging and radiation sciences, nursing, optometry, podiatry, and sports and movement studies perceptions regarding hand hygiene education (knowledge and attitude) and practice at a university in South Africa. Consenting students were asked to complete an online questionnaire that tested their knowledge, practices, and skills in handwashing. The ANOVA analysis results suggested significant differences in hand hygiene scores across departments and years of study. The multiple regression analyses confirmed these findings, suggesting that the department of study significantly influenced all aspects of hand hygiene, while the year of study affected hand hygiene skills, and age group influenced hand hygiene practices. Based on these findings, a conceptual model, the University Hand Hygiene Improvement Model (UHHIM), was proposed to enhance the teaching and learning of hand hygiene at the university level. The model underscores the necessity of targeted education, continuous monitoring, and feedback, and the pivotal roles of hand hygiene facilitators and student participation in enhancing hand hygiene behaviors.

Application of flipped classroom combined with case-based learning in Introduction to Environmental Health Science.

To explore the effect of flipped classroom combined with case-based learning in Introduction to Environmental Health Science for the Master of Public Health (MPH). The MPH Master's class of 2022 was selected as the experimental group at Guilin Medical University from September to December 2022, and the flipped classroom combined with the case-based learning was adopted. The class of 2021 was the control group, and we taught them with the traditional teaching method. A self-designed questionnaire and academic performance were used to evaluate the teaching effects of the two groups. There was no difference in the paper score between grades 2022 and 2021, and the design question score of grade 2022 was higher than that of grade 2021. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The students in grade 2022 had a high overall recognition of the teaching effect of the flipped classroom combined with case-based learning in Introduction to Environmental Health Science. The teaching method of the flipped classroom combined with case-based learning is more suitable than the traditional teaching method in the Introduction to Environmental Health Science for MPH. It can stimulate the independent learning ability of MPH students and improve their ability to use knowledge and an innovative spirit.

TICBase: Integrated Resource for Data on Drug and Environmental Chemical Interactions with Mammalian Drug Transporters.

Environmental health science seeks to predict how environmental toxins, chemical toxicants, and prescription drugs accumulate and interact within the body. Xenobiotic transporters of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) superfamilies are major determinants of the uptake and disposition of xenobiotics across the kingdoms of life. The goal of this study was to integrate drug and environmental chemical interactions of mammalian ABC and SLC proteins in a centralized, integrative database. We built upon an existing publicly accessible platform-the "TransPortal"-which was updated with novel data and searchable features on transporter-interfering chemicals from manually curated literature data. The integrated resource TransPortal-TICBase (https://transportal.compbio.ucsf.edu) now contains information on 46 different mammalian xenobiotic transporters of the ABC- and SLC-type superfamilies, including 13 newly added rodent and 2 additional human drug transporters, 126 clinical drug-drug interactions, and a more than quadrupled expansion of the initial in vitro chemical interaction data from 1,402 to 6,296 total interactions. Based on our updated database, environmental interference with major human and rodent drug transporters occurs across the ABC- and SLC-type superfamilies, with kinetics indicating that some chemicals, such as the ionic liquid 1-hexylpyridinium chloride and the antiseptic chlorhexidine, can act as strong inhibitors with potencies similar or even higher than pharmacological model inhibitors. The new integrated web portal serves as a central repository of current and emerging data for interactions of prescription drugs and environmental chemicals with human drug transporters. This archive has important implications for predicting adverse drug-drug and drug-environmental chemical interactions and can serve as a reference website for the broader scientific community of clinicians and researchers.

Suppression of environmental health scientists: real-world examples as a basis for action

Pressures on epidemiologists, toxicologists, and on public health scientists to suppress their work are known to occur worldwide. In this article, we share six stories from environmental health scientists about the pressures they faced in their jobs after bringing public health problems to light. The method used to document each of the stories was to invite scientists who attended meetings of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology to tell their own stories of having experienced research suppression. We then extracted the salient features of each experience into a coherent story, providing references as corroboration where possible. The specific purpose in going public with the six stories presented in this article is to open a conversation to better equip colleagues to stand up to pressures to suppress their work. By publicly sharing the pressures experienced by these scientists in attempts to suppress their scientific work, including intimidation, harassment, threats and/or bullying, other scientists may be better able to withstand such pressures. In the absence of a larger collection of stories, we are unable to identify common approaches taken against suppression. It appears that a focus on scientific excellence and tenacity are two major factors likely to have contributed to the ability to withstand pressure. We encourage others to tell their stories. Bringing examples of these instances to attention will make them familiar enough to be less intimidating should others experience anything similar. Additional documented experiences will expand the base of stories and thus help colleagues to withstand the pressures wielded by special interests. Shining a light on these pressures will remove barriers, not only to advancing the science, but also to protecting the public interest.

Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and poor olfaction in women.

It is unclear whether regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with poor olfaction in older adults. We selected 4020 participants, aged 50 to 79years in 2018, from 36,492 eligible participants in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Sister Study, according to their self-reported olfaction status. Of these, 3406 women completed the 12-item Brief Smell Identification Test. We defined poor olfaction as a test score ≤9 in the primary analysis. We then estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from weighted logistic models, accounting for the study design, missing exposures/outcomes, and covariates. Overall, NSAID use was not associated with poor olfaction. However, we found evidence for potential multiplicative interactions. Specifically, the OR comparing regular versus never use of aspirin was 1.8 (95% CI, 1.1-3.2) among women who had not regularly used nonaspirin NSAIDs, while the corresponding OR was 0.8 (95% CI, 0.5-1.2) among nonaspirin NSAID users (P for interaction=0.016). Similar results were seen for ibuprofen alone versus ibuprofen with other NSAID use (P for interaction=0.010). Among women using either drug alone, associations with poor olfaction increased with increasing duration and cumulative dose. Post hoc analyses showed that the interactions could not be readily explained by potential biases. Other NSAIDs were not associated with olfaction. Long-term regular use of aspirin or ibuprofen was associated with poor olfaction among women who never regularly used other types of NSAIDs. These preliminary findings warrant independent confirmation.