August 2022 Member Publications

  1. Feehan J, Hariharan R, Buckenham T, Handley C, Bhatnagar A, Baba SP, de Courten B. Carnosine as a potential therapeutic for the management of peripheral vascular disease. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2022 Jul 16:S0939-4753(22)00295-2. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.07.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35973888.
    Impact statement: The aim of this research is to evaluate the potential role of carnosine in the management of peripheral vascular disease. We found that carnosine may have a role as an adjunct treatment for peripheral vascular disease alongside typical exercise and surgical interventions, and may be used in high risk individuals to aid in the prevention of atherogenesis.
  2. Benowitz NL, Goniewicz ML, Halpern-Felsher B, Krishnan-Sarin S, Ling PM, O'Connor RJ, Pentz MA, Robertson RM, Bhatnagar A. Tobacco product use and the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19: current understanding and recommendations for future research. Lancet Respir Med. 2022 Sep;10(9):900-915. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00182-5. Epub 2022 Aug 16. PMID: 35985357; PMCID: PMC9381032.
    Impact statement: Results from epidemiological studies of the effects of cigarette smoking on SARS-CoV-2 infection are conflicting, and further research is needed to establish whether or not smoking affects susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  3. Ye F, Sun C, Xie Y, Wang B, Cai L. Editorial: Medical Application and Radiobiology Research of Particle Radiation. Front Public Health. 2022 Jul 22;10:955116. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.955116. PMID: 35942260; PMCID: PMC9356341.
    Impact statement: Applications of particle radiation technology has been extensively applied in the medical and biological fields. Proper protection from radiation has been a top priority ever since the recognition of the harmful effects of radiation on the human. In this Research Topic, we invited scientists studying high-energy charged particles either for cancer treatment or for radiobiology research, with 15 articles including a total of 92 authors, to discuss for the radiotherapy for cancers, radiation protection and radiation biology research advance. This editorial was and also briefly introduced the contents of the fifteen publications, with a hope to set the stage for delving further in deciphering the crucial link between cancer radiotherapy and radiation protection.
  4. Dai X, Wang K, Fan J, Liu H, Fan X, Lin Q, Chen Y, Chen H, Li Y, Liu H, Chen O, Chen J, Li X, Ren D, Li J, Conklin DJ, Wintergerst KA, Li Y, Cai L, Deng Z, Yan X, Tan Y. Nrf2 transcriptional upregulation of IDH2 to tune mitochondrial dynamics and rescue angiogenic function of diabetic EPCs. Redox Biol. 2022 Aug 28;56:102449. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102449. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36063728.
    Impact statement: This study reveals novel actions of the transcription factor Nrf2 in protecting proangiogenic endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) functions by regulating mitochondrial dynamics via upregulating IDH2 expression in both human diabetics and murine model of diabetes. This study fills the gaps in knowledge about why and how EPC dysfunction occurs in diabetes, and it provides the scientific groundwork for developing new therapies for diabetic patients with ischemic vascular diseases.
  5. Blair LK, Warner ET, James P, Hart JE, VoPham T, Barnard ME, Newton JD, Murthy DJ, Laden F, Tamimi RM, DuPre NC. Exposure to natural vegetation in relation to mammographic density in a Massachusetts-based clinical cohort. Environ Epidemiol. 2022 Jul 19;6(4):e216. doi: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000216. PMID: 35975164; PMCID: PMC9374192.
    Impact Statement: We examined the association between greenness and mammographic density-a strong breast cancer risk factor-to determine whether greenness influences breast tissue composition independent of lifestyle factors. We found greenness exposures were not associated with mammographic density. Prior observations of a protective association between greenness and breast cancer may not be driven by differences in breast tissue composition, as measured by mammographic density, but rather other mechanisms.
  6. Habil MR, Salazar-González RA, Doll MA, Hein DW. Differences in β-naphthylamine metabolism and toxicity in Chinese hamster ovary cell lines transfected with human CYP1A2 and NAT2*4, NAT2*5B or NAT2*7B N-acetyltransferase 2 haplotypes. Arch Toxicol. 2022 Aug 30. doi: 10.1007/s00204-022-03367-2. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36040704.
    Impact statement: β-naphthylamine (BNA) is an important arylamine carcinogen that is classified as a Group 1 human urinary bladder carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate BNA metabolism and toxicity in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with human CYP1A2 and either human N-acetyltransferase 2 alleles NAT2*4 (rapid acetylator allele), NAT2*5B (common slow acetylator allele in Europe), or NAT2*7B (common slow acetylator allele in Asia). The study showed that NAT2 genetic polymorphisms modulate BNA N-acetylation and its associated mutagenicity and DNA damage and further suggests that heterogeneity within the "slow" NAT2 acetylator phenotype should be incorporated into cancer risk studies among the individuals exposed to BNA.
  7. Cheryl L. Woods-Giscombe, Edilma L. Yearwood, Dave Ngugi, Lilian Bravo, Patty R. Wilson, Pamela Minarik, Jada Brooks, Tamar Rodney, Shaquita Starks, Mia Pasini, Mary Louise Tatum, Vicki Hines Martin. Honoring the past and charting the future: The International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses' commitment to advance diversity and equity in mental health care, Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 2022, ISSN 0883-9417
    Impact statement: The International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses is committed as an organization and as members to continue addressing health disparities for improvement of mental health outcomes in underserved communities. As a committee, we recognize significant mental health disparities exist within populations, such as racially and ethnically diverse and LGBTQ+ communities. We will continue addressing health disparities in our research and initiatives and work collaboratively to push the profession forward by introducing innovative strategies for promoting mental health workforce diversity.
  8. Tracy EP, Nair R, Rowe G, Beare JE, Beyer A, LeBlanc AJ. Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction Reverses Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Hyperfission in Aging-Induced Coronary Microvascular Disease. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2022 Aug 26. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00311.2022. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36018760.
    Impact Statement: This study details how the mitochondria in small vessels from the heart become dysfunctional as a result of aging alone, and that this dysfunction can lead to mismanaged blood flow. When old rats were treated with an infusion of regenerative cells from adipose tissue, or fat, the mitochondria exhibit positive effects, similar to the youth phenotype, and this results in improved vascular function.
  9. Tracy EP, Dukes M, Beare J, Rowe G, Nair R, LeBlanc AJ. Stromal Vascular Fraction Restores Vasodilatory Function by Reducing Oxidative Stress in Aging-Induced Coronary Microvascular Disease. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2022 Aug 11. doi: 10.1089/ars.2021.0249. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35950616.
    Impact Statement: In advancing age, even without comorbidities, there is a shift in reactive oxygen species balance in the circulation and that leads the body more susceptible to the onset of cardiovascular disease. This study demonstrates that a cell therapy derived from adipose tissue can tip the balance back to a more youthful phenotype and also elicit improved vascular reactivity to circulating catecholamines. This renders the aging heart more resistant and impervious to heart disease.
  10. Amraotkar AR, Bushau-Sprinkle AM, Keith RJ, Hamorsky KT, Palmer KE, Gao H, Rai SN, Bhatnagar A. Pre-Existing Comorbidities Diminish the Likelihood of Seropositivity after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel). 2022 Aug 20;10(8):1363. doi: 10.3390/vaccines10081363. PMID: 36016250; PMCID: PMC9416221.
    Impact Statement: The impact of chronic health conditions (CHCs) on serostatus post-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination is unknown. The presence of any CHC, especially chronic kidney disease or autoimmune disease, increased the likelihood of seronegative status among individuals who were fully vaccinated to SAR-CoV-2. These results will help develop appropriate guidelines for booster doses and targeted vaccination programs.
  11. Lee S, Zhang Y, Newhams M, Novak T, Thomas PG, Mourani PM, Hall MW, Loftis LL, Cvijanovich NZ, Tarquinio KM, Schwarz AJ, Weiss SL, Thomas NJ, Markovitz B, Cullimore ML, Sanders RC, Zinter MS, Sullivan JE, Halasa NB, Bembea MM, Giuliano JS, Typpo KV, Nofziger RA, Shein SL, Kong M, Coates BM, Weiss ST, Lange C, Su HC, Randolph AG; PALISI Pediatric Intensive Care Influenza (PICFlu) Investigators and the TOPMed Investigators. DDX58 is Associated with Susceptibility to Severe Influenza Virus Infection in Children and Adolescents. J Infect Dis. 2022 Aug 20:jiac350. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiac350. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35986912.
    Impact Statement: Seasonal influenza virus infection causes a range of disease severity, including lower respiratory tract infection with respiratory failure. We evaluated the association of common variants in interferon (IFN) regulatory genes with susceptibility to critical influenza infection in children. We focused specifically on interferon regulatory genes, as they are the host’s first defense against influenza invasion. This manuscript shows evidence associating common gene variants in DDX58 (RIG-I gene) with disease susceptibility for severe influenza infection in children. Retinoic acid–inducible gene I (RIG-I) may be essential for preventing life-threatening influenza-associated disease.
  12. Smith T, Holm RH, Yeager R, Moore JB 4th, Rouchka EC, Sokoloski KJ, Elliott EM, Talley D, Arora V, Moyer S, Bhatnagar A. Combining Community Wastewater Genomic Surveillance with State Clinical Surveillance: A Framework for SARS-CoV-2 Public Health Practice. Food Environ Virol. 2022 Aug 18:1–7. doi: 10.1007/s12560-022-09531-2. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35982363; PMCID: PMC9387882.
    Impact Statement: This study aimed to develop a framework for combining community wastewater surveillance with state clinical surveillance for the confirmation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants within the community and to provide recommendations on how to expand on such research and apply the findings in public health responses. This paper presents evidence that complementary wastewater and clinical testing are cost-effectively enhanced when used in combination, as they provide a strong tool for a joint public health framework.
  13. Zierold KM, Sears CG, Myers JV, Brock GN, Zhang CH, Sears L. Exposure to coal ash and depression in children aged 6-14 years old. Environ Res. 2022 Aug 6;214(Pt 3):114005. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35944620.
    Impact Statement: Children living near coal power plants and coal ash storage sites may be at increased risk for neurobehavioral problems due to known neurotoxic metals contained in coal ash. Indoor air was sampled in 280 homes of children living within 10 miles of a coal burning power plant and results indicated that 43% of children had coal ash in the home. These children were at increased risk of a depressive disorder compared to children without coal ash in the home. Results indicate an increased risk for depression in children exposed to coal ash in the home.