Publications by authors named "Col Timothy M Mallon"
Objective: The aim of this study was to identify serum microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers that indicate deployment-associated exposures in service members at military installations with open burn pits. Another objective was to determine detection rates of miRNAs in Department of Defense Serum Repository (DoDSR) samples with a high-throughput methodology.
Methods: Low-volume serum samples (n = 800) were profiled by miRNA-capture isolation, pre-amplification, and measurement by a quantitative PCR-based OpenArray platform.
Objective: The aim of this study was to test the utility of high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) for analysis of nutritional status and health indicators in military personnel.
Methods: Serum samples from 400 military personnel were obtained from the Department of Defense Serum Repository (DoDSR) and analyzed for metabolites related to nutrition and health status. Metabolic profile organization was studied using modulated modularity clustering (MMC).
Objective: The objectives were: 1) measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in 100 μL of human serum and 2) assess PAH and PCDD/PCDF as markers of burn pit exposures during military deployments.
Methods: PAHs and PCDDs/PCDFs were analyzed in 100 μL serum samples collected pre- and post-deployment from 200 persons deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan (CASE); 200 persons not deployed (CONTROL) with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
Results: Naphthalene was found in ∼83% of the samples and was statistically different between post-deployment CASE personnel and pre-deployment.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum samples from the Department of Defense Serum Repository (DoDSR) are of sufficient quality to detect microRNAs (miRNAs), cytokines, immunoglobulin E (IgE), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Methods: MiRNAs were isolated and quantified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array. Cytokines and chemokines related to inflammation were measured using multiplex immunoassays.
Objective: A pilot study was conducted to test the feasibility of using Department of Defense Serum Repository (DoDSR) samples to study health and exposure-related effects.
Methods: Thirty unidentified human serum samples were obtained from the DoDSR and analyzed for normal serum metabolites with high-resolution mass spectrometry and serum levels of free benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Metabolic associations with BaP were determined using a metabolome-wide association study (MWAS) and metabolic pathway enrichment.
Objectives: The objective was to apportion the sources of the ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran concentrations measured at Joint Base Balad in Iraq.
Methods: Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to the data to obtain the chemical profiles and contribution time series of the PAHs, PCDDs, and PCDFs. Conditional probability function (CPF) analyses were performed to assess the source directionality relative to the monitoring sites.
Objective: This paper provides an overview of our study that was designed to assess the health impact of environmental exposures to open pit burning in deployed troops.
Methods: The rationale for the study and the structure of the research plan was laid out. An overview of each article in the supplement was provided.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to use ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) concentrations measured at Joint Base Balad in Iraq in 2007 to identify the sources of these species and their spatial patterns.
Methods: The ratios of the measured species were compared with literature data for likely emission sources. Using the multiple site measurements on specific days, contour maps have been drawn using inverse distance weighting (IDW).
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) for measure of internal exposure and effect biomarkers from deployment-related environmental hazards.
Methods: HRM provides extensive coverage of metabolism and data relevant to a broad spectrum of environmental exposures. This review briefly describes the analytic platform, workflow, and recent applications of HRM as a prototype environmental exposure surveillance system.
Objective: The aim of this study is to use high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) to identify metabolic pathways and networks associated with tobacco use in military personnel.
Methods: Four hundred deidentified samples obtained from the Department of Defense Serum Repository were classified as tobacco users or nonusers according to cotinine content. HRM and bioinformatic methods were used to determine pathways and networks associated with classification.
Objective: This study assessed the long-term health impact of environmental exposures associated with open pit burning in deployed US service members.
Methods: Two hundred individuals deployed to Balad, Iraq, and Bagram, Afghanistan, with known exposure to open pits, were matched to 200 non-deployed service members. Both cohorts were observed for adverse health outcomes after returning from deployment.
Article Synopsis
- The research project aimed to showcase how the Department of Defense Serum Repository can be useful for studying environmental exposures during military deployments.
- The study reviewed the history of deployment exposure tracking and highlighted the need for validated biomarkers found in blood samples, comparing deployed service members with non-deployed controls.
- The findings indicated the discovery of new serum biomarkers linked to deployment exposures, though their connection to health outcomes was only weakly established, suggesting more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.