Environmental Health Sciences Research Articles

Training the Next Generation of Journal Contributors: A Case Study at Environmental Health Perspectives

Many scientific societies sponsor programs that help early career researchers (ECRs) establish themselves in their fields. Journals, too, are involving ECRs in both ad hoc and routine operations, to provide members of the next generation of scientists with working knowledge of how scientific manuscripts traverse the gauntlet from editorial evaluation through peer review and publication. With this article, Science Editor launches a new series focusing on ECRs in scientific publishing. The series begins with a case study of the ECR Initiative1 at Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), a leading journal in the fields of environmental health sciences including toxicology, environmental epidemiology, and exposure science. The EHP editorial team hopes that sharing their experience will benefit other journals, publishers, and organizations implementing or exploring similar programs. The team also hopes to encourage open conversations about challenges faced, participant experiences, and best practices for recruiting and engaging participants. EHP, which is published with the support of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS; part of the National Institutes of Health), launched its ECR Initiative mid-pandemic, in the spring of 2021. To build a team dedicated to developing, maintaining, and leading ECR-focused activities, as one of its first steps, EHP engaged an advisory panel of ECRs in the environmental health sciences. EHP defines ECRs as graduate students or researchers having fewer than 3–5 years of professional experience since their terminal degree or postdoctoral training. This definition allows individuals with a variety of career paths to self-identify as ECRs. Candidates for the advisory panel […]

PIWI-Interacting RNA (piRNA) and Epigenetic Editing in Environmental Health Sciences.

PURPOSEOF REVIEW: The epigenome modulates gene expression in response to environmental stimuli. Modifications to the epigenome are potentially reversible, making them a promising therapeutic approach to mitigate environmental exposure effects on human health. This review details currently available genome and epigenome editing technologies and highlights ncRNA, including piRNA, as potential tools for targeted epigenome editing. RECENT FINDINGS: Zinc finger nuclease (ZFN), transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) associated nuclease (CRISPR/Cas) research has significantly advanced genome editing technology, with broad promise in genetic research and targeted therapies. Initial epigenome-directed therapies relied on global modification and suffered from limited specificity. Adapted from current genome editing tools, zinc finger protein (ZFP), TALE, and CRISPR/nuclease-deactivated Cas (dCas) systems now confer locus-specific epigenome editing, with promising applicability in the field of environmental health sciences. However, high incidence of off-target effects and time taken for screening limit their use. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT: ncRNA serve as a versatile biomarker with well-characterized regulatory mechanisms that can easily be adapted to edit the epigenome. For instance, the transposon silencing mechanism of germline PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNA) could be engineered to specifically methylate a given gene, overcoming pitfalls of current global modifiers. Future developments in epigenome editing technologies will inform risk assessment through mechanistic investigation and serve as potential modes of intervention to mitigate environmentally induced adverse health outcomes later in life.

Erratum: Invited Perspective: Identifying Childhood Lead Exposure Hotspots for Action.

Vol. 130, No. 8 ErratumOpen AccessErratum: Invited Perspective: Identifying Childhood Lead Exposure Hotspots for Actionis correction ofInvited Perspective: Identifying Childhood Lead Exposure Hotspots for Action Adrienne S. Ettinger Adrienne S. Ettinger https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0200-8677 Search for more papers by this author Published:16 August 2022CID: 089001https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11966AboutSectionsPDF ToolsDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InReddit In the sixth sentence of the seventh paragraph the words “Additional limitations include” were repeated.EHP regrets the error.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesInvited Perspective: Identifying Childhood Lead Exposure Hotspots for ActionJul 27, 2022, 12:00:00 AMEnvironmental Health Perspectives Vol. 130, No. 8 August 2022Metrics Downloaded 206 times About Article Metrics Publication History Manuscript received3 August 2022Manuscript accepted3 August 2022Originally published16 August 2022 Financial disclosuresPDF download License information EHP is an open-access journal published with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. All content is public domain unless otherwise noted. Note to readers with disabilities EHP strives to ensure that all journal content is accessible to all readers. However, some figures and Supplemental Material published in EHP articles may not conform to 508 standards due to the complexity of the information being presented. If you need assistance accessing journal content, please contact [email protected]. Our staff will work with you to assess and meet your accessibility needs within 3 working days.

Mapping emergency department asthma visits to identify poor-quality housing in New Haven, CT, USA: a retrospective cohort study

SummaryBackgroundHousing conditions are a key driver of asthma incidence and severity. Previous studies have shown increased emergency department visits for asthma among residents living in poor-quality housing. Interventions to improve housing conditions have been shown to reduce emergency department visits for asthma, but identification and remediation of poor housing conditions is often delayed or does not occur. This study evaluates whether emergency department visits for asthma can be used to identify poor-quality housing to support proactive and early intervention.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of children and adults living in and around New Haven, CT, USA, who were seen for asthma in an urban, tertiary emergency department between March 1, 2013, and Aug 31, 2017. We geocoded and mapped patient addresses to city parcels, and calculated a composite estimate of the incidence of emergency department use for asthma for each parcel (Nv × Np/log2[P], where Nv is the estimated mean number of visits per patient, Np is the number of patients, and P is the estimated population). To determine whether parcel-level emergency department use for asthma was associated with public housing inspection scores, we used regression analyses, adjusting for neighbourhood-level and individual-level factors contributing to emergency department use for asthma. Public housing complex inspection scores were obtained from standardised home inspections, which are conducted every 1–3 years for publicly funded housing. We used a sliding-window approach to estimate how far in advance of a failed inspection the model could identify elevated use of emergency departments for asthma, using the city-wide 90th percentile as a cutoff for elevated incidence.Findings119429 asthma-related emergency department visits from 6366 unique patients were included in the analysis. Mean patient age was 32·4 years (SD 12·8); 3836 (60·3%) patients were female, 2530 (39·7%) were male, 3461 (57·2%) were Medicaid-insured, and 2651 (41·6%) were Black. Incidence of emergency department use for asthma was strongly correlated with lower housing inspection scores (Pearson’s r=−0·55 [95% CI −0·70 to −0·35], p=3·5 × 10−6), and this correlation persisted after adjustment for patient-level and neighbourhood-level demographics using a linear regression model (r=−0·54 [−0·69 to −0·33], p=7·1 × 10−6) and non-linear regression model (r=−0·44 [−0·62 to −0·21], p=3·8 × 10−4). Elevated asthma incidence rates were typically detected around a year before a housing complex failed a housing inspection.InterpretationEmergency department visits for asthma are an early indicator of failed housing inspections. This approach represents a novel method for the early identification of poor housing conditions and could help to reduce asthma-related morbidity and mortality.FundingHarvard-National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Center for Environmental Health.

Integrating Multiscale Geospatial Environmental Data into Large Population Health Studies: Challenges and Opportunities.

Quantifying the exposome is key to understanding how the environment impacts human health and disease. However, accurately, and cost-effectively quantifying exposure in large population health studies remains a major challenge. Geospatial technologies offer one mechanism to integrate high-dimensional environmental data into epidemiology studies, but can present several challenges. In June 2021, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) held a workshop bringing together experts in exposure science, geospatial technologies, data science and population health to address the need for integrating multiscale geospatial environmental data into large population health studies. The primary objectives of the workshop were to highlight recent applications of geospatial technologies to examine the relationships between environmental exposures and health outcomes; identify research gaps and discuss future directions for exposure modeling, data integration and data analysis strategies; and facilitate communications and collaborations across geospatial and population health experts. This commentary provides a high-level overview of the scientific topics covered by the workshop and themes that emerged as areas for future work, including reducing measurement errors and uncertainty in exposure estimates, and improving data accessibility, data interoperability, and computational approaches for more effective multiscale and multi-source data integration, along with potential solutions.

Preconception vitamin D and miscarriage in a prospective cohortstudy.

Is preconception vitamin D level associated with the risk of miscarriage? Preconception vitamin D levels are not associated with the risk of miscarriage in a population of women conceiving naturally. In humans, low vitamin D has been associated with prolonged menstrual cycles, delayed ovulation and a lower probability of conception. Animal and in vitro data indicate that vitamin D may affect implantation. This prospective time-to-pregnancy study included 362 women who were trying to conceive naturally between 2008 and 2015. This study included participants who had been trying to conceive naturally for 3 months or less at enrollment and aged 30-44 years. A preconception blood sample was collected and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured. Women who conceived (N = 362) were at risk of a miscarriage from the day of a reported positive pregnancy test until either a participant-reported pregnancy loss or 20 weeks post day of last menstrual period, whichever came first. Gestational age was defined by ovulation. Time to miscarriage (days) or censoring was modeled using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Multiple imputation was performed for missing covariates and missing day of ovulation. The mean age was 33 years (SD: 3.0 years). Mean 25(OH)D was lower among those who reported their race as African-American and those with a higher BMI. After adjustment for age, race, BMI, education, exercise, alcohol and caffeine intake, compared to the referent group (30-<40 ng/ml), the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI for those with a low 25(OH)D level (<30 ng/ml) was 1.10 (CI: 0.62, 1.91). Among participants with a higher 25(OH)D level (≥40 ng/ml), the HR was 1.07 (CI: 0.62, 1.84). This study was limited by a 25(OH)D measurement at only a single time point. A large percentage of women in this study had sufficient vitamin D levels, which may have limited our power to detect an effect of deficiency. Women in this study were older (30-44 years), and predominantly reported their race as White which may limit generalizability. The findings of this study do not suggest an association between preconception vitamin D and miscarriage. Future research should focus on women at greater risk for miscarriage or in populations at risk for vitamin D deficiency or on supplementation. This research was supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Z01ES103333). This research was also supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under award numbers R00HD079659 and R01HD067683. The authors have no conflicts of interest. N/A.

Estimating monthly global ground-level NO2 concentrations using geographically weighted panel regression

Predicting long-term ground-level nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is important globally to support environmental and public health research and to provide information to governments and society for air pollution control policies. The ozone monitoring instrument (OMI), onboard Aura Satellite, detects monthly global tropospheric column amounts (TrCA) of NO2 molecules. However, the relationship between the ground-level NO2 concentration and TrCA of NO2 molecules remains elusive because NO2 molecules in the air are not evenly distributed vertically. We use geographically weighted panel regression (GWPR) to examine the relationship between satellite-derived data, measured ground-level NO2 concentrations, and several controlling meteorological variables from January 2015 to October 2021. The GWPR can analyze unbalanced panel data and capture the spatial variability of the relationship. Based on the GWPR estimation, 82 monthly global ground-level NO2 concentrations are predicted from January 2015 to October 2021. The GWPR is reliable, as indicated by the 10-fold cross-validation. The accuracy of the raster prediction of global ground-level NO2 from January 2015 to October 2021 is 69.61%. The coefficient of correlation, root mean square error and mean absolute error between globally predicted and measured ground-level NO2 are 0.838, 7.84 μg/m3 and 4.07 μg/m3, respectively, while the mean of globally measured ground-level NO2 is 19.47 μg/m3. Overall, this research provides critical basic data to environmental and public health science and valuable information for governments and societies to make more reasonable policies.

Associations of maternal anthropometrics with newborn anogenital distance and the 2:4 digit ratio.

Are maternal anthropometrics associated with anogenital distance (AGD) and 2:4 digit ratio (2:4D) in newborns? Select maternal anthropometrics indicative of obesity or increased adiposity are associated with elongated AGD in daughters. Excessive maternal weight or adiposity before or in early pregnancy may impact child reproductive, and other hormonally mediated, development. AGD and 2:4D are proposed markers of in utero reproductive development. This study includes 450 mother/newborn dyads participating in the Illinois Kids Development Study (I-KIDS), a prospective pregnancy cohort from Champaign-Urbana, IL, USA. Participants included in the current study enrolled between 2013 and 2018. Most mothers in this study were college-educated (82%) and non-Hispanic White (80%), and 55% were under- or normal weight before pregnancy. Pregnant women aged 18-40 years reported pre-pregnancy weight and height to calculate pre-pregnancy BMI. At 8-15 weeks gestation, we measured waist and hip circumference, and evaluated weight, % body fat, visceral fat level, % muscle and BMI using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Within 24 h of birth, we measured newborn 2nd and 4th left/right digits to calculate the 2:4D. In daughters, we measured AGDAF (anus to fourchette) and AGDAC (anus to clitoris). In sons, we measured AGDAS (anus to scrotum) and AGDAP (anus to base of the penis). Select maternal anthropometrics were positively associated with AGD in newborn daughters, but not sons. For example, AGDAC was 0.73 mm (95% CI: 0.15, 1.32) longer for every interquartile range (IQR) increase in pre-pregnancy BMI and 0.88 mm (95% CI: 0.18, 1.58) longer for every IQR increase in hip circumference, whereas AGDAF was 0.51 mm (95% CI: 0.03, 1.00) and 0.56 mm (95% CI: 0.03, 1.09) longer for every IQR increase in hip and waist circumference, respectively. Quartile analyses generally supported linear associations, but additional strong associations emerged in Q4 (versus Q1) of maternal % body fat and visceral fat levels with AGDAC. In quartile analyses, we observed only a few modest associations of maternal anthropometrics with 2:4D, which differed by hand (left versus right) and newborn sex. Although there is always the possibility of spurious findings, the associations for both measures of female AGD were consistent across multiple maternal anthropometric measures, which strengthens our conclusions. Our study sample was racially and ethnically homogenous, educated and relatively healthy, so our study may not be generalizable to other populations. Additionally, we may not have been powered to identify some sex-specific associations, especially for 2:4D. Increased maternal weight and adiposity before and in early pregnancy may lengthen the female AGD, which warrants further investigation. This publication was made possible by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIH/NIEHS) grants ES024795 and ES022848, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grant R03HD100775, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant RD83543401 and National Institute of Health Office of the Director grant OD023272. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the official views of the US EPA or NIH. Furthermore, the US EPA does not endorse the purchase of any commercial products or services mentioned in the publication. This project was also supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Michigan AgBioResearch. The authors declare no competing interests. N/A.

Well Played: Using Game App Data to Assess Wildfire Smoke and Cognitive Performance

Well Played: Using Game App Data to Assess Wildfire Smoke and Cognitive Performance

Effectiveness of interventions to improve drinking water, sanitation, and handwashing with soap on risk of diarrhoeal disease in children in low-income and middle-income settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis

SummaryBackgroundEstimates of the effectiveness of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions that provide high levels of service on childhood diarrhoea are scarce. We aimed to provide up-to-date estimates on the burden of disease attributable to WASH and on the effects of different types of WASH interventions on childhood diarrhoea in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, we updated previous reviews following their search strategy by searching MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and BIOSIS Citation Index for studies of basic WASH interventions and of WASH interventions providing a high level of service, published between Jan 1, 2016, and May 25, 2021. We included randomised and non-randomised controlled trials conducted at household or community level that matched exposure categories of the so-called service ladder approach of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for WASH. Two reviewers independently extracted study-level data and assessed risk of bias using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and certainty of evidence using a modified Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We analysed extracted relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs using random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regression models. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42016043164.Findings19 837 records were identified from the search, of which 124 studies were included, providing 83 water (62 616 children), 20 sanitation (40 799 children), and 41 hygiene (98 416 children) comparisons. Compared with untreated water from an unimproved source, risk of diarrhoea was reduced by up to 50% with water treated at point of use (POU): filtration (n=23 studies; RR 0·50 [95% CI 0·41–0·60]), solar treatment (n=13; 0·63 [0·50–0·80]), and chlorination (n=25; 0·66 [0·56–0·77]). Compared with an unimproved source, provision of an improved drinking water supply on premises with higher water quality reduced diarrhoea risk by 52% (n=2; 0·48 [0·26–0·87]). Overall, sanitation interventions reduced diarrhoea risk by 24% (0·76 [0·61–0·94]). Compared with unimproved sanitation, providing sewer connection reduced diarrhoea risk by 47% (n=5; 0·53 [0·30–0·93]). Promotion of handwashing with soap reduced diarrhoea risk by 30% (0·70 [0·64–0·76]).InterpretationWASH interventions reduced risk of diarrhoea in children in LMICs. Interventions supplying either water filtered at POU, higher water quality from an improved source on premises, or basic sanitation services with sewer connection were associated with increased reductions. Our results support higher service levels called for under SDG 6. Notably, no studies evaluated interventions that delivered access to safely managed WASH services, the level of service to which universal coverage by 2030 is committed under the SDG.FundingWHO, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

The Impact of Natural Disasters on Maternal Health: Hurricanes Irma and María in Puerto Rico.

The PROTECT research Center funded by the NIH’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program was launched in 2010 to explore the impact of exposure to pollutants on the high rate of premature births in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and María devastated the archipelago, which caused: collapse of the electrical system, collapse of the communication system, limited access to clean water, food, gas, and health services, destruction of public (e.g., hospitals) and private property (e.g., houses) and more than 4500 deaths. Pregnant and postpartum individuals are especially vulnerable to natural disasters. They face difficulty obtaining adequate pre- and post-natal care, are exposed to increased risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, and giving birth to low birth weight babies during and after disasters and are also more likely to suffer physical and mental health problems compared to the general population during and after disasters. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to PROTECT participants who were pregnant during hurricanes Irma or Maria or who became pregnant shortly after in order to identify hurricane-related sources of stress and other adverse effects. This paper is based on the answers to the open-ended question at the end of the questionnaire where participants were asked to share their experiences during and after the hurricanes. Among the 375 participants who completed the survey, 76 answers to the open-ended question were considered due to data saturation. The answers to the open-ended question were transcribed into a document in order to facilitate the coding process. The transcribed text was analyzed first to identify emerging categories and then coded to identify common themes as well as divergence among participants. The following themes were identified: pregnancy and birth challenges, lack of access to basic services, housing conditions, stressful working conditions, concerns about health, concerns about their children, and positive or protective aspects. The results indicate how the disruption in access to basic services has a unique impact on the physical and mental health of pregnant and post-partum women in an emergency situation. These findings point to the potential benefit of developing specific protocols designed for emergency preparedness aimed at this population, which can inform healthcare providers and community organizations in case of future events.

Challenging the "old boys club" in academia: Gender and geographic representation in editorial boards of journals publishing in environmental sciences and public health.

In light of global environmental crises and the need for sustainable development, the fields of public health and environmental sciences have become increasingly interrelated. Both fields require interdisciplinary thinking and global solutions, which is largely directed by scientific progress documented in peer-reviewed journals. Journal editors play a critical role in coordinating and shaping what is accepted as scientific knowledge. Previous research has demonstrated a lack of diversity in the gender and geographic representation of editors across scientific disciplines. This study aimed to explore the diversity of journal editorial boards publishing in environmental science and public health. The Clarivate Journal Citation Reports database was used to identify journals classified as Public, Environmental, and Occupational (PEO) Health, Environmental Studies, or Environmental Sciences. Current EB members were identified from each journal's publicly available website between 1 March and 31 May 2021. Individuals' names, editorial board roles, institutional affiliations, geographic locations (city, country), and inferred gender were collected. Binomial 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the proportions of interest. Pearson correlations with false discovery rate adjustment were used to assess the correlation between journal-based indicators and editorial board characteristics. Linear regression and logistic regression models were fitted to further assess the relationship between gender presence, low- and middle-income country (LMIC) presence and several journal and editor-based indicators. After identifying 628 unique journals and excluding discontinued or unavailable journals, 615 journal editorial boards were included. In-depth analysis was conducted on 591 journals with complete gender and geographic data for their 27,772 editors. Overall, the majority of editors were men (65.9%), followed by women (32.9%) and non-binary/other gender minorities (0.05%). 75.5% journal editorial boards (n = 446) were composed of a majority of men (>55% men), whilst only 13.2% (n = 78) demonstrated gender parity (between 45-55% women/gender minorities). Journals categorized as PEO Health had the most gender diversity. Furthermore, 84% of editors (n = 23,280) were based in high-income countries and only 2.5% of journals (n = 15) demonstrated economic parity in their editorial boards (between 45-55% editors from LMICs). Geographically, the majority of editors' institutions were based in the United Nations (UN) Western Europe and Other region (76.9%), with 35.2% of editors (n = 9,761) coming solely from the United States and 8.6% (n = 2,373) solely from the United Kingdom. None of the editors-in-chief and only 27 editors in total were women based in low-income countries. Through the examination of journal editorial boards, this study exposes the glaring lack of diversity in editorial boards in environmental science and public health, explores the power dynamics affecting the creation and dissemination of knowledge, and proposes concrete actions to remedy these structural inequities in order to inform more equitable, just and impactful knowledge creation.

The Role of Cooling Centers in Protecting Vulnerable Individuals from Extreme Heat.

The Role of Cooling Centers in Protecting Vulnerable Individuals from Extreme Heat.

Community Empowerment During the Covid 19 Pandemic, Through Assistance for Vulnerable Communities (Interprofessional Collaboration/Interprofessional Education Approach)

This community empowerment activity is carried out in the form of mentoring for the people of Bedagung Village, Panekan District, Magetan Regency, East Java. The people of Bedagung Village, Panekan District, Magetan Regency, are very anxious and afraid of the ferocity of the Covid-19 Non-Natural Disaster. Besides they face natural disasters of landslides and cyclones every year, they are currently facing the ferocity of the Covid 19 pandemic. Bedagung village is located on the slopes of a mountain so it is very prone to natural disasters, landslides. Based on these problems, the role of academics is needed to improve preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction, through community empowerment. Community empowerment is very much needed through the assistance of Interprofession Collaboration (IPC) and Interprofession Education (IPE) approaches with Disaster Mitigation And Training (DMT). The purpose of empowering community assistance is to realize a Healthy Village through preparedness and disaster risk reduction in dealing with the threat of natural disasters and non-natural disasters (Covid-19). Methods to achieve the goal with the Golden Triangle, namely: 1) apply research and expertise; 2) build university cooperation; 3) apply IPC and IPE from 5 (five) professions, namely the profession of Midwife, Nurse, Electromedical Engineering, Environmental Health and management science. Parties involved in this activity: 1) Magetan Regency Government; 2) Bedagung Village Government; 3) Community health center; 4) Disaster Preparedness Village Team; and 5) Regional Disaster Management Agency. Activities carried out to achieve the objectives include: 1) classical material; 2) field practice; 3) follow-up implementation. The time for empowerment activities is 6 months. Outputs: 1) Journal publications; 2) publication through mass media; 3) Intellectual Property Rights; 4) update the Village Disaster Risk map; 5) the establishment of a Destanasif Task Force (Comprehensive Disaster Resilient Village); 6) have a Volunteer certificate and a trainer certificate; 7) training module with ISBN.

Abstract 5830: Carcinogenic effects of metal and metalloids through epigenetic reprogramming of human bone marrow stem cells: The bioinformatics database analysis

Abstract Many scientific studies showed that the carcinogenic effects of environmental contamination of several metal and metalloids on bone marrow stem cells of human body. These carcinogens include, Cadmium, Mercury, Chromium, Aluminum, Nickel and Arsenic. However, there was no such analysis for elucidating the mechanism of carcinogenic effects and epigenetic reprogramming of human bone marrow stem cells. In this study, we analyzed the carcinogenic effects of mentioned carcinogens, and the mechanism of epigenetic reprogramming using NIH Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET), Comparative Toxico-genomics Database (CTD), AACR Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE) database, database of Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and other bioinformatics database. We found from CTD analysis that the chemical gene interactions showed highly expressed of 272 common genes with miR140 by Cadmium, Mercury from total 3704 genes (approximately 7% affected genes). The AACR GENIE database analysis showed CDKN3, is associated with bone cancer (2 clinical data), HDAC7, TP53, MAPK3K1, MAP2K2 (8 clinical data) found among 272 genes regulated by Cadmium and Mercury. The CTD analysis showed the chemical gene interactions of highly expressed of 102 common genes with miR140 by Chromium, Mercury from a total of 1406 genes; 268 common genes with CD84, CD226 by Mercury, Nickel from a total of 5032 genes; 103 common genes with CD226 by Aluminum, Mercury from a total of 2556 genes; 248 common genes by Arsenic, Mercury from total 5508 genes. Among these 5508 genes, 248 common genes with ALDHA1, 247 common genes with CD40, 248 common genes with CD44, 247 common genes with CD423, 247 common genes with miR10A by Arsenic, Mercury from total 2556 genes. The epigenetic mechanisms of histone modifications (H3K9me3, H3K27me3, H3K27ac, H3K36me3, H3K4me1, H3K4me3 of B cells, hemopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal bone marrow, and chondrocyte stem cells and miRNAs) and these carcinogens have been revealed by the database of EHP, NIEHS, the NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Mapping Consortium, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), and U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) database. Our previous study reported that the regulation of epigenetic bivalent histone modifications at transcript starts sequences (TSS) of target genes for heterogenic adult stem cells (CSCs)reprogramming and our current bioinformatics analysis revealed that TP53 is epigenetically reprogrammed with close interaction of thirteen genes by these carcinogens. Therefore, it is important to find the actual epigenetic mechanism both genomic and epigenomic transcriptional regulation and carcinogenic effects of these carcinogens on bone marrow stem cells, and our current study revealed this important relationship. Citation Format: Benedrica Solomon, Richgena Sturrup, Jada Dixon, Kiyona Jackson, Biancaliz Cruz, Charlissia Ferguson, Taylor Walker, Ralph Elisson, Nathan Harris, Jesennia Bonilla, Rose Mary Stiffin, Marilyn Sherman, Alessandra Manzon, Swarnava Das, Madhumita Das, Jayanta Kumar Das. Carcinogenic effects of metal and metalloids through epigenetic reprogramming of human bone marrow stem cells: The bioinformatics database analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5830.

Dietary Patterns, Socioeconomic Status, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in the Sister Study

ObjectivesHigher diet quality is associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with measures of diet quality. However, few studies have investigated whether the association between diet quality and T2D differs by SES. MethodsWe used prospective cohort data from 41,280 Sister Study participants aged 35 to 74 years who enrolled in 2003–2009 and were followed until September 2017. The alternate Mediterranean diet (aMED), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), alternative Healthy Eating Index (aHEI), and Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015)] scores were calculated using baseline data from a 110-item Block food frequency questionnaire previously validated in women. SES was evaluated by individual and neighborhood levels. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a census-based index was used to define neighborhood SES. Incident T2D was defined based on self-reported physician’s diagnosis of T2D or use of anti-diabetic medications on annual follow-up questionnaires. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models with age as the primary time scale. Effect modification was evaluated by stratification and including an interaction term in statistical models. ResultsInverse associations between dietary pattern scores and incident T2D were observed across all four dietary indices after adjustment for potential confounders (aMED: aHRQ4vsQ1: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.56, 0.72; DASH: aHRQ4vsQ1: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.62; aHEI: aHRQ4vsQ1: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.61; aHEI-2015: HRQ4vsQ1: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.69). The inverse association between all four dietary indices and T2D risk was most pronounced among women with higher education and income. The inverse association between HEI-2015 and T2D risk was strongest among women with lower ADI (low ADI aHRQ4vsQ1: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.61; high ADI aHRQ4vsQ1: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.58, 0.85; pinteraction: 0.003). Estimates from aMED, DASH, and aHEI models were similar. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that healthy eating patterns may reduce the risk of T2D and may have a greater impact among participants with higher individual SES and lower neighborhood deprivation. Funding SourcesNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences T32 from NIH-NIGMS

Maternal Periconceptional Stressors, Mediterranean Diet Adherence, and Child Outcomes

ObjectivesTo evaluate the relationships between maternal periconceptional Mediterranean diet adherence and 1) maternal periconceptional BMI, 2) subsequent maternal depression during pregnancy, 3) prenatal inflammatory cytokine IL-17A, 4) child birthweight, and 5) child weight-for-height at ages 0–8 years in African American, Hispanic and White mother-child dyads from the Newborn Epigenetics STudy (NEST).MethodsFood frequency questionnaires were used to estimate periconceptional Mediterranean diet adherence in mothers. Maternal depression during pregnancy was assessed using the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Weight and height were measured in children between birth and age 8 years. Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between maternal adherence to a Mediterranean diet, inflammatory cytokines and pregnancy and postnatal outcomes, adjusted for education, maternal age at delivery, maternal smoking, gestational age, age and sex of child, breastfeeding, parity, maternal BMI.ResultsAdherence to a Mediterranean diet varied widely by ethnicity with > 55% of White mothers reporting high adherence during the periconceptional period, compared to 22% of Hispanic mothers, and 18% of African American mothers (P < 0.05). Higher adherence to this diet was associated with lower risk of depressive mood (β = −0.45, p = 0.02) and pre-pregnancy obesity (β = −0.29, p = 0.05). Higher maternal adherence to this diet pattern was also associated with lower body weight at birth, that was maintained to ages 3–5 and 6–8 years—these associations were most apparent in White children (3–5 years: β = −2.9, p = 0.02; 6–8 years: β = −3.99, p = 0.01). Higher diet adherence was associated with lower levels of prenatal IL-17A levels in African American mother-child dyads (β = 0.21, p = 0.03).ConclusionsOur data suggest that maternal Mediterranean diet adherence provides a potent avenue by which effects of prenatal stressors on maternal and fetal outcomes can be mitigated to reduce ethnic disparities in childhood obesity.Funding SourcesThis research was funded by grants from the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Association Between Healthy Dietary Patterns and Markers of Oxidative Stress

ObjectivesOxidative stress is involved in chronic disease etiology and the aging process and is related to antioxidant intake. However, less is known about the relationship between dietary patterns and markers of oxidative stress. We assessed cross-sectionally the association between healthy dietary patterns [alternate Mediterranean diet (aMED), Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), alternative Healthy Eating Index (aHEI), and Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015)] and urinary F2-isoprostanes (8-iso-PGF2α and 8-iso-PGF2α-M), which are established biomarkers of oxidative stress. MethodsData were obtained from 844 premenopausal and 454 postmenopausal women participating in the Sister Study who had urinary samples analyzed for F2-isoprostanes. Responses from a 110-item validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline were used to calculate dietary pattern scores. Concentrations of 8-iso-PGF2α and its metabolite (8-iso-PGF2α-M) were measured by GC/MS for samples from premenopausal women and LC/MS for samples from postmenopausal women. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate associations between aMED, DASH, aHEI, and HEI-2015 and urinary F2-isoprostanes among pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women separately. ResultsAmong premenopausal women, we observed significant inverse associations between the four dietary indices and mean 8-iso-PGF2α (aMED βQ4vsQ1: –0.15, 95% CI: –0.25, –0.05; DASH βQ4vsQ1: –0.15, 95% CI: –0.25, –0.25; aHEI βQ4vsQ1: –0.15, 95% CI: –0.25, –0.05; HEI-2015 βQ4vsQ1: –0.17, 95% CI: –0.27, –0.07). These associations were modified by age, education, income, and BMI, though there was no evidence of statistical interaction. In a sensitivity analysis, estimates did not substantially differ by the presence or absence of chronic disease. Among postmenopausal women, aHEI was associated with mean 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-iso-PGF2α-M (β8-iso-PGF2α: –0.003, 95% CI: –0.01, –0.005, β8-iso-PGF2α-M: –0.003, 95% CI: –0.01, –0.005). No other significant findings were observed among postmenopausal women. ConclusionsHealthy dietary patterns may be associated with reduced oxidative stress, particularly among premenopausal women. Funding SourcesNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Avon Foundation, T32 from NIH-NIGMS.

0043 Job Loss, Financial Hardship, and Sleep during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Differences by Sex/Gender and Race/Ethnicity

IntroductionIn the United States (US), health and financial consequences of COVID-19 have disproportionately impacted minoritized groups. Yet, few US studies have investigated COVID-related financial loss/consequences and sleep health disparities.MethodsTo investigate differences by sex/gender and race/ethnicity in cross-sectional associations between both job/business loss and substantial financial hardship (SFH) with sleep health, we used data collected from 12/2020 to 2/2021 among 4,726 men and women in the nationally representative COVID-19 Unequal Racial Burden (CURB) Study (N=5,500 American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latino, Multiracial, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NH/PI), and non-Hispanic (NH)-White adults). Participants reported job/business loss since the start of the pandemic (yes, no) and SFH (e.g., unable to pay for housing costs). Poor sleep health was defined as concurrence of self-reported fair/poor sleep quality, non-restorative sleep, sleep problems, and difficulty falling asleep in the past week. Adjusting for sociodemographic and health characteristics and receipt of financial assistance, weighted Poisson regression with robust variance estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) for poor sleep overall, by sex/gender, and by race/ethnicity.ResultsMen and women equally reported both job/business loss (20%) and SFH (11% men and 12% women). Minoritized racial/ethnic groups except Asians most frequently reported job/business loss (20%-25% vs. 16% Asian, 13% NH-White) and SFH (11%-15% vs. 9% NH-White, 5% Asian). Poor sleep health was more prevalent among women (21%) than men (14%) and among AI/AN, NH/PI, and Multiracial adults (each 22% vs. 11%-19% remaining racial/ethnic groups). Both job/business loss and SFH were associated with a higher prevalence of poor sleep health, overall. Compared to women, men had stronger associations for both job/business loss (PRmen=1.80 [95% CI:1.39,2.33], PRwomen=1.23 [1.01,1.50]; pinteraction=0.01) and SFH (PRmen=4.46 [3.18,6.26]), PRwomen= 1.82 [1.45,2.30]; pinteraction=0.01). For job/business loss, associations were strongest among Asians (PR=2.07 [1.32,3.23] vs. PR range=0.88-1.89; pinteraction=0.09).ConclusionCOVID-19 related job/business loss and financial hardship were both associated with poorer sleep health, and associations for job/business loss were strongest among men and Asian adults.Support (If Any)Divisions of Intramural Research: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Z1AES103325[CLJ]) and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health (NIH); National Institute on Aging, NIH (P30 AG015272[ALS])

0189 High Levels of Sleep Disturbance across Early Childhood Increases Cardiometabolic Disease Risk Index in Early Adolescence: Longitudinal Sleep Analysis Using the HOME Study

Abstract Introduction Sleep is a predictor of cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk, and new evidence links early childhood sleep to later CMD risk. This study examines the impact of early childhood sleep duration, bedtime timing, and sleep disturbance on a CMD risk score in early adolescence. Methods Within the Health Outcomes and Measures of Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort study, we assessed sleep patterns among 346 children using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire from ages 2 to 8 years. We calculated cardiometabolic risk scores ate age 12 for 183 of these children from visceral adiposity area, blood pressure, fasting serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations. We used a group-based semi-parametric mixture model to identify distinct trajectories in sleep duration, bedtime timing, and sleep disturbance for the entire sample. We then examined the associations between sleep trajectories and CMD risk score using general linear models for children with a CMD risk score, using both an unadjusted model (no covariates) and an adjusted model (adjusting for child pubertal stage, child sex, duration of breastfeeding, household income, and maternal education). Results Three sleep trajectories emerged for bedtime timing (late timing, medium timing, and early timing) and for sleep disturbance (high, medium, and low), and two for sleep duration (high and low). In the unadjusted model, we found significant differences in CMD risk scores by trajectories of sleep disturbance. Children in the ‘high’ trajectory had higher CMD risk scores (Least Square Mean=1.51; 95% CI: 0.39, 2.64) than those in the ‘low’ trajectory (Least Square Mean =-0.51; 95% CI: -1.16, 0.15; p=.002) and ‘medium’ trajectory (Least Square Mean=-0.15; 95% CI: -1.14, 0.85; p=.03). These findings only approached significance after adjusting for covariates. No significant differences in CMD risk were observed for bedtime timing or total sleep time trajectories in the unadjusted or adjusted models. Conclusion In this cohort, parent-reported sleep disturbance in early childhood was associated with more adverse cardiometabolic profiles in early adolescence. Our findings suggest that trials to reduce CMD risk via sleep interventions – which have been conducted in adolescents and adults – may be implemented too late. Support (If Any) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences grants PO1 ES11261, R01 ES014575, R01 ES020349, R01 ES027224, R01 ES025214.