The Impact of Occupational Exposures on the Risk of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic pulmonary disorder of unknown etiology that is characterized by a usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Previous meta-analyses have reported associations between occupational exposures and IPF, but higher-quality studies have been published in recent years, doubling the number of studied patients. To provide a contemporary and comprehensive assessment of the relationship between occupational exposures and IPF.

Biomonitoring California Protocol for Following up on Elevated Levels of Urinary Arsenic.

Objectives: to develop and implement a follow-up protocol for Biomonitoring California study participants with elevated levels of urinary arsenic, particularly inorganic forms.

Methods: We selected 20 μg/L as the level of concern for urinary arsenic; samples with arsenic ≥20 μg/L were speciated. Participants with elevated inorganic arsenic were notified of their level and invited to participate in a telephone survey to help determine possible exposure sources.

A mass-balance approach to evaluate arsenic intake and excretion in different populations.

Unless a toxicant builds up in a deep compartment, intake by the human body must on average balance the amount that is lost. We apply this idea to assess arsenic (As) exposure misclassification in three previously studied populations in rural Bangladesh (n = 11,224), Navajo Nation in the Southwestern United States (n = 619), and northern Chile (n = 630), under varying assumptions about As sources. Relationships between As intake and excretion were simulated by taking into account additional sources, as well as variability in urine dilution inferred from urinary creatinine.

The impact of prenatal and early-life arsenic exposure on epigenetic age acceleration among adults in Northern Chile.

Exposure to arsenic affects millions of people globally. Changes in the epigenome may be involved in pathways linking arsenic to health or serve as biomarkers of exposure. This study investigated associations between prenatal and early-life arsenic exposure and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in adults, a biomarker of morbidity and mortality.

Benzene exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies.

Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprises a heterogeneous group of cancers with unresolved aetiology, although risk factors include environmental exposures to toxic chemicals. Although the ubiquitous pollutant benzene is an established leukemogen, its potential to cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma has been widely debated. We aimed to examine the potential link between benzene exposure and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in humans by evaluating a wide array of cohort and case-control studies using electronic systematic review.

Exposure to arsenic at different life-stages and DNA methylation meta-analysis in buccal cells and leukocytes.

Background: Arsenic (As) exposure through drinking water is a global public health concern. Epigenetic dysregulation including changes in DNA methylation (DNAm), may be involved in arsenic toxicity. Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of arsenic exposure have been restricted to single populations and comparison across EWAS has been limited by methodological differences.

Formaldehyde and Brain Disorders: A Meta-Analysis and Bioinformatics Approach.

While there is significant investigation and investment in brain and neurodegenerative disease research, current understanding of the etiologies of illnesses like Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and brain cancer remains limited. Environmental exposure to the pollutant formaldehyde, an emerging neurotoxin widely used in industry, is suspected to play a critical role in mediating these disorders, although findings are limited and inconsistent. Focusing on highly exposed groups, we performed a meta-analysis of human epidemiological studies of formaldehyde and neurodegenerative disease (N =  19) or brain tumors (N = 12).

Arsenic and Obesity: a Review of Causation and Interaction.

Purpose Of Review: Arsenic is associated with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other outcomes that are also related to obesity. These similar effects raise the possibility that arsenic plays a role in obesity causation. They also raise the possibility that obesity may be an important effect modifier of arsenic-caused disease.

Prospective cohort study of respiratory effects at ages 14 to 26 following early life exposure to arsenic in drinking water.

Background: We previously reported chronic respiratory effects in children who were then 7-17 years of age in Matlab, Bangladesh. One group of children had been exposed to high concentrations of arsenic in drinking water in utero and early childhood (average 436 µg/L), and the other group of children were never known to have been exposed to >10 µg/L. The exposed children, both males and females, had marked increases in chronic respiratory symptoms.

A State-of-the-Science Review of Arsenic's Effects on Glucose Homeostasis in Experimental Models.

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has more than doubled since 1980. Poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity are among the primary risk factors. While an estimated 70% of cases are attributed to excess adiposity, there is an increased interest in understanding the contribution of environmental agents to diabetes causation and severity.

Socioeconomic status and the association between arsenic exposure and type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Evaluate whether arsenic-related diabetes risks differ between people of low and high socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods: We used data collected between October 2007-December 2010 from a population-based cancer case-control study (N = 1301) in Northern Chile, an area with high arsenic water concentrations (>800 µg/L) and comprehensive records of past exposure. Information on lifetime exposure and potential confounders were obtained using structured interviews, questionnaires, and residential histories.

Age at Exposure to Arsenic in Water and Mortality 30-40 Years After Exposure Cessation.

Arsenic in drinking water is known to cause cancer and noncancer diseases, but little is known about its association with age at exposure. Here, we investigated age at arsenic exposure and mortality in Antofagasta, Chile, 30-40 years after a distinct period of very high water arsenic concentrations (1958-1970). We calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) comparing Antofagasta with the rest of Chile for 2001-2010 by sex and age at potential first exposure.

Obesity and increased susceptibility to arsenic-related type 2 diabetes in Northern Chile.

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has nearly doubled since 1980. Elevated body mass index (BMI) is the leading risk factor for T2D, mediated by inflammation and oxidative stress. Arsenic shares similar pathogenic processes, and may contribute to hyperglycemia and β-cell dysfunction.

Risk of cardiovascular disease associated with exposure to abacavir among individuals with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analyses of results from 17 epidemiologic studies.

Objectives: Abacavir's potential to cause cardiovascular disease (CVD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) is debated. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess CVD risk from recent and cumulative abacavir exposure.

Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Web of Science, abstracts from Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, and International AIDS Society/AIDS Conferences and bibliographies of review articles to identify research studies published through 2018 on CVD risk associated with abacavir exposure among PLWH.

The association between community-associated Staphylococcus aureus colonization and disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: Colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is a well-defined risk factor for disease in hospitals, which can range from minor skin infections to severe, systemic diseases. However, the generalizability of this finding has not been thoroughly investigated outside of the hospital environment. We aimed to assess the role of S.

Sit-stand workstations and impact on low back discomfort: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sit-stand workstations are proposed solutions to reduce sedentary time at work. Numerous companies are using them to mitigate health concerns such as musculoskeletal discomfort.

Objective: To review the literature on sit-stand workstations and low back discomfort.

Lung, Bladder, and Kidney Cancer Mortality 40 Years After Arsenic Exposure Reduction.

Background: Region II in northern Chile (population 442 570) experienced a sudden major increase in arsenic water concentrations in 1958 in the main city of Antofagasta, followed by a major reduction in exposure when an arsenic removal plant was installed in 1970. It provides a unique opportunity to study latency effects of exposure to arsenic, and this is the first study with mortality data up to 40 years after exposure reduction.

Methods: We previously identified high mortality rates in Region II up to the year 2000.

The impact of BMI on non-malignant respiratory symptoms and lung function in arsenic exposed adults of Northern Chile.

Background: Elevated body mass index (BMI) and arsenic are both associated with cancer and with non-malignant lung disease. Using a unique exposure situation in Northern Chile with data on lifetime arsenic exposure, we previously identified the first evidence of an interaction between arsenic and BMI for the development of lung cancer.

Objectives: We examined whether there was an interaction between arsenic and BMI for the development of non-malignant lung disease.

Associations between arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT) and N-6 adenine-specific DNA methyltransferase 1 (N6AMT1) polymorphisms, arsenic metabolism, and cancer risk in a chilean population.

Inter-individual differences in arsenic metabolism have been linked to arsenic-related disease risks. Arsenic (+3) methyltransferase (AS3MT) is the primary enzyme involved in arsenic metabolism, and we previously demonstrated in vitro that N-6 adenine-specific DNA methyltransferase 1 (N6AMT1) also methylates the toxic inorganic arsenic (iAs) metabolite, monomethylarsonous acid (MMA), to the less toxic dimethylarsonic acid (DMA). Here, we evaluated whether AS3MT and N6AMT1 gene polymorphisms alter arsenic methylation and impact iAs-related cancer risks.

Maternal perchlorate exposure in pregnancy and altered birth outcomes.

Background: At high medicinal doses perchlorate is known to decrease the production of thyroid hormone, a critical factor for fetal development. In a large and uniquely exposed cohort of pregnant women, we recently identified associations between environmental perchlorate exposures and decreased maternal thyroid hormone during pregnancy. Here, we investigate whether perchlorate might be associated with birthweight or preterm birth in the offspring of these women.

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a meta-analysis accounting for exposure levels.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most commonly used selective herbicides in the world. A number of epidemiology studies have found an association between 2,4-D exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) but these results are inconsistent and controversial. A previous meta-analysis found no clear association overall but did not specifically examine high-exposure groups.

Steinmaus and Smith Respond to "Proximity to Gasoline Stations and Childhood Leukemia".

Benzene is an established cause of adult leukemia, but its role in childhood leukemia is less clear. In a recent meta-analysis, we identified associations of childhood leukemia with occupational and household product benzene exposure and traffic-related pollution. Residential proximity to gasoline stations or automobile repair facilities may be another source of benzene, and in 3 studies assessing these sources, we identified a summary relative risk of 1.

Hypertension among adults exposed to drinking water arsenic in Northern Chile.

Background: A growing number of studies have identified an association between exposure to inorganic arsenic and hypertension. However, results have not been consistent across studies. Additional studies are warranted, given the global prevalence of both arsenic exposure and morbidity attributable to hypertension.

High risks of lung disease associated with early-life and moderate lifetime arsenic exposure in northern Chile.

Background: Arsenic in drinking water has been associated with increases in lung disease, but information on the long-term impacts of early-life exposure or moderate exposure levels are limited.

Methods: We investigated pulmonary disease and lung function in 795 subjects from three socio-demographically similar areas in northern Chile: Antofagasta, which had a well-described period of high arsenic water concentrations (860μg/L) from 1958 to 1970; Iquique, which had long-term arsenic water concentrations near 60μg/L; and Arica, with long-term water concentrations ≤10μg/L.

Results: Compared to adults never exposed >10μg/L, adults born in Antofagasta during the high exposure period had elevated odds ratios (OR) of respiratory symptoms (e.