Caregiver restrictions on child access to tobacco in the home and home Smoking/Vaping bans among Black/African American women caregivers who smoke and live in Resource-limited, rural areas.

Objective: This study examined relationships between home smoking/vaping bans and caregiver restrictions on child access to tobacco in the home among rural, Black/African American caregivers who smoke.

Methods: Data were from the baseline survey of a randomized trial conducted in 2020-2022 among caregivers who smoke cigarettes and/or little cigars/cigarillos (N = 188). Logistic regressions examined associations between independent variables (tobacco product-specific and comprehensive home smoking/vaping bans) and dependent variables (caregiver keeps tobacco in the home; among caregivers with tobacco at home, caregiver restricts child tobacco access at home) Models were adjusted for caregiver tobacco use, income, and additional covariates based on stepwise selection.

DNA methylation of the Lamin A/C gene is associated with congenital heart disease.

Background: Prior studies report associations of maternal serum Lamin A, encoded by the LMNA gene, with fetal congenital heart disease (CHD). It is unknown whether DNA methylation (DNAm) of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites in LMNA impacts the CHD susceptibility.

Methods: We investigated the associations of LMNA DNAm with CHD using publicly available data of CHD cases (n = 197) and controls (n = 134) from the Gene Expression Omnibus repository.

Changes in Capacity Building and Sustained Implementation Among a Statewide Coalition to Address Racial/Ethnic COVID-19 Disparities.

This article describes Arkansas Community Engagement Alliance Against COVID-19 Disparities (CEAL) Coalition initiatives and changes in measures of organizational capacity and sustainability via two waves of surveys. The Arkansas CEAL Coalition used several initiatives to address racial/ethnic COVID-19 disparities by building the capacity of community-based organizations and businesses to increase COVID-19 protective behaviors among their clients. Our study can inform future strategies that use a community-engaged coalition structure to reduce disparities among communities that suffer disproportionately from COVID-19.

Tuberculosis and Risk of Emphysema among US Adults in the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study Cohort, 1971-1992.

(1) Background: History of TB is a known risk factor for long-term respiratory impairment affecting lung functions in both restrictive and obstructive lung disease. (2) Methods: We analyzed data from the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS), a longitudinal study conducted on a noninstitutionalized adult US population aged 25-74 years. Approximately 93 percent of the original NHANES I cohort was successfully traced by the end of the survey period and was available for analysis.

Temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 genome and detection of variants of concern in wastewater influent from two metropolitan areas in Arkansas.

Although SARS-CoV-2 can cause severe illness and death, a percentage of the infected population is asymptomatic. This, along with other factors, such as insufficient diagnostic testing and underreporting due to self-testing, contributes to the silent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and highlights the importance of implementing additional surveillance tools. The fecal shedding of the virus from infected individuals enables its detection in community wastewater, and this has become a valuable public health tool worldwide as it allows the monitoring of the disease on a populational scale.

Erratum: Electronic cigarette use and its association with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome among never cigarette smokers.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18332/tid/142579.].

Electronic cigarette use and its association with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome among never cigarette smokers.

Introduction: Although smoking is a strong risk factor for lung diseases including asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS), studies are needed to examine the association between e-cigarettes and asthma, COPD, and ACOS. This study evaluated the association between e-cigarette use and self-reported diagnosis of asthma, COPD, and ACOS using a large nationally representative sample of adults aged ≥18 years in the United States.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2016 to 2018 were used to examine self-reported information on current e-cigarette use, demographic variables, and asthma and COPD status among never cigarette smokers (n=8736).

Electronic cigarette use and its association with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome among never cigarette smokers.

Introduction: Although smoking is a strong risk factor for lung diseases including asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS), studies are needed to examine the association between e-cigarettes and asthma, COPD, and ACOS. This study evaluated the association between e-cigarette use and self-reported diagnosis of asthma, COPD, and ACOS using a large nationally representative sample of adults aged ≥18 years in the United States.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2016 to 2018 was used to examine self-reported information on current e-cigarette use, demographic variables, and asthma and COPD status among never cigarette smokers (n=8736).

Paternal genetic variants and risk of obstructive heart defects: A parent-of-origin approach.

Previous research on risk factors for obstructive heart defects (OHDs) focused on maternal and infant genetic variants, prenatal environmental exposures, and their potential interaction effects. Less is known about the role of paternal genetic variants or environmental exposures and risk of OHDs. We examined parent-of-origin effects in transmission of alleles in the folate, homocysteine, or transsulfuration pathway genes on OHD occurrence in offspring.

DNA methylation inhibition in myeloma: Experience from a phase 1b study of low-dose continuous azacitidine in combination with lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor azacytidine (aza) may reactivate pathways associated with plasma cell differentiation, cell cycle control, apoptosis, and immune recognition and thereby restore sensitivity to lenalidomide (len) and dexamethasone (dex) in relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). We aimed to develop an aza regimen that reaches epigenetically active levels 8 times in 28 days with less bone marrow toxicity than the myeloid malignancy standard of 7 consecutive doses to enable safe combination with len. Aza was escalated from 30 mg/m once a week up to a predefined maximum of 50 mg/m twice a week in combination with GFR-adjusted len (≥ 60 mL/min: 25 mg, 3059 mL/min: 10 mg) day 1 to 21 every 28 days and dex 40 mg once a week followed by a limited expansion study to a total N of 23 at the highest tolerated dose.

Characterization of Electronic Cigarette Warning Statements Portrayed in YouTube Videos.

Introduction: In 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required that electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) manufacturers, packagers, importers, distributors, and retailers display an addictive or alternate warning statement on e-cigarette visual advertisements. Few studies have investigated the FDA-mandated and other warnings on social media. This study examined the prevalence and content of warning statements in e-cigarette-related YouTube videos.

Association of PARP1-specific polymorphisms and haplotypes with non-small cell lung cancer subtypes.

Objective: The carcinogenesis role of PARP1 in lung cancer is still not clear. Analysis at allelic levels cannot fully explain the function of PARP1 on lung cancer. Our study aims to further explore the relation between PARP1 haplotypes and lung cancer.

Document Oriented Graphical Analysis and Prediction.

In general, small-mid size research laboratories struggle with managing clinical and secondary datasets. In addition, faster dissemination, correlation and prediction of information from available datasets is always a bottleneck. To address these challenges, we have developed a novel approach, Document Oriented Graphical Analysis and Prediction (DO-GAP), a hybrid tool, merging strengths of Not only SQL (NoSQL) document oriented and graph databases.

Consumption of Vitamin K and Vitamin A Are Associated With Reduced Risk of Developing Emphysema: NHANES 2007-2016.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprising of emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common chronic respiratory diseases that impart a huge economic and clinical burden. Factors other than smoking and air pollutants can cause inflammation and emphysematous changes in the lung airspaces or alveoli have been understudied. Using a cross-sectional study design, we assessed the association of dark green vegetables, vitamin K and Vitamin A with emphysema status among adults at U.

Crop burning and the prevalence of asthma and COPD emergency department treatments in a rural Arkansas county.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of crop burning on the prevalence of asthma and COPD emergency department (ED) treatments in a rural Arkansas county.

Methods: Administrative datasets listing ED treatments for asthma and COPD obtained from the Arkansas Hospital Discharge Dataset System for the calendar years 2014-2016 were used in this semi-ecological study. Primary diagnosis codes (ICD-9: 490-496 and ICD-10: J40-J47) were used to identify patients who were diagnosed with asthma and COPD.

The difference between hypertension determined by self-report versus examination in the adult population of the USA: Continuous NHANES 1999-2016.

Background: Studies have considered the validity of self-reported hypertension relative to hypertension detected by examination; no study has explored trends in the difference between these two measures. Our objective was to calculate these differences overtime within subpopulations of the USA.

Methods: We included non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1999 to 2016, in the analysis (N = 44 333).

Using Machine Learning to Predict Progression in the Gastric Precancerous Process in a Population from a Developing Country Who Underwent a Gastroscopy for Dyspeptic Symptoms.

Background: Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Morbidity and mortality from gastric cancer may be decreased by identification of those that are at high risk for progression in the gastric precancerous process so that they can be monitored over time for early detection and implementation of preventive strategies.

Method: Using machine learning, we developed prediction models for gastric precancerous progression in a population from a developing country with a high rate of gastric cancer who underwent gastroscopies for dyspeptic symptoms.

The Association between Salt and Potential Mediators of the Gastric Precancerous Process.

Background: The process by which salt affects the gastric precancerous process has not been adequately studied in humans.

Methods: We investigated the effects of salt on gastric inflammation, epithelial damage, the density of infection, and gastric epithelial cell proliferation, all of which may be mediators between salt and gastric precancerous/cancerous lesions. These potential mediators were measured using gastric biopsies as: (a) the density of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells (gastric inflammation), (b) mucus depletion (gastric epithelial damage), and (c) the severity of infection.

Association between Dietary Salt Intake and Progression in the Gastric Precancerous Process.

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Studies investigating the effect of salt on gastric cancer have mainly used self-reported measures, which are not as accurate as sodium/creatinine ratios because individuals may not know the amount of salt in their food. Using data from a prospective cohort study, we investigated the effect of salt intake on progression to gastric precancerous lesions.

Genome-wide tracts of homozygosity and exome analyses reveal repetitive elements with Barrets esophagus/esophageal adenocarcinoma risk.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is most commonly seen as the condition in which the normal squamous epithelium lining of the esophagus is replaced by goblet cells. Many studies show that BE is a predisposing factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a particularly lethal cancer. The use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to map BE/EAC genes has previously provided insufficient genetic information to fully characterize the heterogeneous nature of the disease.

PARP1 Is Up-Regulated in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Tissues in the Presence of the Cyanobacterial Toxin Microcystin.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major form of lung cancer, with adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) being its major subtypes. Smoking alone cannot completely explain the lung cancer etiology. We hypothesize that altered lung microbiome and chronic inflammatory insults in lung tissues contribute to carcinogenesis.

Germline Genetic Variants in TEK, ANGPT1, ANGPT2, MMP9, FGF2 and VEGFA Are Associated with Pathologic Complete Response to Bevacizumab in Breast Cancer Patients.

Background: We previously reported improved pathologic complete response (pCR) in a prospective phase II study using neoadjuvant bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone in breast cancer patients (41% vs. 25%, p = 0.0291).

2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo(4,5-b) pyridine (PhIP) induces gene expression changes in JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways related to inflammation, diabetes and cancer.

Background: 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo(4,5-b)pyridine (PhIP), a heterocyclic aromatic amine (HCA) formed in meat that is cooked at high temperatures and then ingested, can potentially be retained in human adipose tissues.

Methods: To determine if PhIP is bioactive in the adipocyte, we exposed a human adipocyte cell line,HepG2 and Caco-2 cells to low dose PhIP. Uptake and retention of PhIP was determined and cytotoxicity was assessed by the TUNEL assay.