PNPLA3, Obesity, and Heavy Alcohol Use in Cirrhosis Patients May Exert a Synergistic Increase Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk.

Background & Aims: In patients with cirrhosis, continued heavy alcohol consumption and obesity may increase risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We examined whether germline susceptibility to hepatic steatosis not only independently predisposes to HCC but may also act synergistically with other risk factors.

Methods: We analyzed data from 1911 patients in 2 multicenter prospective cohort studies in the United States.

Somatic mutations of esophageal adenocarcinoma: a comparison between Black and White patients.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the most common histological subtype of esophageal cancer in Western countries and shows poor prognosis with rapid growth. EAC is characterized by a strong male predominance and racial disparity. EAC is up to fivefold more common among Whites than Blacks, yet Black patients with EAC have poorer survival rates.

DNA methylation biomarkers distinguishing early-stage prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background: DNA methylation markers are considered robust diagnostic features in various cancer types, as epigenetic marks are commonly altered during cancer progression. Differentiation between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and early-stage prostate cancer (PCa) is clinically difficult, relying on the information of the patient's symptoms or levels of prostate-specific antigen.

Methods: A total of 42 PCa patients and 11 BPH patients were recruited.

Particulate matter exposure during pregnancy increases risk of childhood asthma: modified by gender and NRF2 genotype.

Background: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been known to develop asthma in children and the oxidative stress-related mechanisms are suggested. For the development of asthma, not only the exposure dose but also the critical window and the risk modifying factors should be evaluated.

Objective: We investigated whether prenatal exposure to PM10 increases the risk of childhood asthma and evaluated the modifying factors, such as gender and reactive oxidative stress-related gene.

Prenatal PM affects atopic dermatitis depending on maternal anxiety and gender: COCOA study.

Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) is increasing worldwide. Prenatal particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM) and maternal anxiety during pregnancy has been suggested as a potential causes of AD.

Prenatal PM exposure and vitamin D-associated early persistent atopic dermatitis via placental methylation.

Background: The effects of prenatal particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ranging from 0.1 μm to 2.5 μm (PM) and vitamin D on atopic dermatitis (AD) phenotypes have not been evaluated.

Thyroid cancer risks among medical radiation workers in South Korea, 1996-2015.

Background: Thyroid cancer rates, especially among children, are known to be increased by radiation exposure. However, little is known about the impact of chronic low-dose radiation exposure on thyroid cancer risk in adulthood. This study examined radiation effects on thyroid cancer rates as well as an overall evaluation of thyroid cancer risk among medical radiation workers.

Thyroid Radiation Dose to Patients from Diagnostic Radiology Procedures over Eight Decades: 1930-2010.

This study summarizes and compares estimates of radiation absorbed dose to the thyroid gland for typical patients who underwent diagnostic radiology examinations in the years from 1930 to 2010. The authors estimated the thyroid dose for common examinations, including radiography, mammography, dental radiography, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine, and computed tomography (CT). For the most part, a clear downward trend in thyroid dose over time for each procedure was observed.

Trends in Thyroid Cancer Incidence and Mortality in the United States, 1974-2013.

Importance: Thyroid cancer incidence has increased substantially in the United States over the last 4 decades, driven largely by increases in papillary thyroid cancer. It is unclear whether the increasing incidence of papillary thyroid cancer has been related to thyroid cancer mortality trends.

Objective: To compare trends in thyroid cancer incidence and mortality by tumor characteristics at diagnosis.

Changing Patterns in the Performance of Fluoroscopically Guided Interventional Procedures and Adherence to Radiation Safety Practices in a U.S. Cohort of Radiologic Technologists.

Objective: Information is limited on changes over time in the types of fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures performed and associated radiation safety practices used by radiologic technologists.

Materials And Methods: Our study included 12,571 U.S.

Historical Patterns in the Types of Procedures Performed and Radiation Safety Practices Used in Nuclear Medicine From 1945-2009.

The authors evaluated historical patterns in the types of procedures performed in diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine and the associated radiation safety practices used from 1945-2009 in a sample of U.S. radiologic technologists.

Maternal exposure to radiographic exams and major structural birth defects.

Background: An increasing number of radiologic exams are performed in the United States, but very few studies have examined the effects of maternal exposure to radiologic exams during the periconceptional period and birth defects.

Objectives: To assess the association between maternal exposure to radiologic exams during the periconceptional period and 19 categories of birth defects using a large population-based study of birth defects.

Methods: We studied 27,809 case mothers and 10,200 control mothers who participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and delivered between 1997 and 2009.

Maternal occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and major structural birth defects.

Background: Ionizing radiation (IR) is known to be carcinogenic and mutagenic, but little is known about the association between maternal occupational exposure to IR and birth defects.

Methods: We studied 38,009 mothers who participated in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study and delivered between 1997 and 2009. We assessed odds ratios [ORs] for the association between maternal occupations with potential exposure to IR and 39 birth defects.

Maternal exposure to brominated flame retardants and infant Apgar scores.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and other persistent organic pollutants have been associated with adverse health outcomes in humans and may be particularly toxic to the developing fetus. We investigated the association between in utero polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposures and infant Apgar scores in a cohort of Michigan residents exposed to PBB through contaminated food after an industrial accident. PBB and PCB concentrations were measured in serum at the time the women were enrolled in the cohort.