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It has been hypothesized that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to depletion of plasma folate and B 12 vitamin, but few studies have investigated effects of other parameters of solar and geomagnetic activity (SGA). We investigated the association between four SGA parameters—interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), sunspot number (SSN), K p index, and ground shortwave solar radiation (SWR)—and three plasma B-complex vitamins—folate, B 6 , and B 12 —in 910 participants from the Normative Aging Study (NAS) between 1998 and 2017. Mixed-effects regression models were used for 1- to 28-moving day averages of SGA exposure, adjusted for covariates. We compared the impact of SGA in individuals under higher and lower B-complex supplementation (> or < 50th quartile). Our findings show that increases in solar activity variables IMF and SSN were found to be significantly associated with decreases in B 12 vitamin. IMF and SSN were associated with decrease in folate levels, especially in individuals under higher levels of B-complex supplementation. No associations were found for SWR and K p index. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrated the detrimental impact of solar activity on plasma B 12 and folate in a large cohort. These findings have clinical implications during periods of high solar activity.

Background Exposure to ionizing radiation has been associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In light of recent work showing an association between ambient particulate matter (PM) gross β-activity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among pregnant women, we examined pregnancy glucose levels in relation to PM gross β-activity to better understand this pathway. Methods Our study included 103 participants receiving prenatal care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. PM gross β-activity was obtained from US Environmental Protection Agency’s RadNet program monitors, and blood glucose levels were obtained from the non-fasting glucose challenge test performed clinically as the first step of the 2-step GDM screening test. For each exposure window we examined (i.e., moving average same-day, one-week, first-trimester, and second-trimester PM gross β-activity), we fitted generalized additive models and adjusted for clinical characteristics, socio-demographic factors, temporal variables, and PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ). Subgroup analyses by maternal age and by body mass index were also conducted. Results An interquartile range increase in average PM gross β-activity during the second trimester of pregnancy was associated with an increase of 17.5 (95% CI: 0.8, 34.3) mg/dL in glucose concentration. Associations were stronger among younger and overweight/obese participants. Our findings also suggest that the highest compared to the lowest quartile of one-week exposure was associated with 17.0 (95% CI: − 4.0, 38.0) mg/dL higher glucose levels. No associations of glucose were observed with PM gross β-activity during same-day and first-trimester exposure windows. PM 2.5 was not associated with glucose levels during any exposure window in our data. Conclusions Exposure to higher levels of ambient PM gross β-activity was associated with higher blood glucose levels in pregnant patients, with implications for how this novel environmental factor could impact pregnancy health.

We examined the effect of annual exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and ozone (O 3 ), on the rate of first hospitalization with a PD-related diagnosis (hospitalization with PD) among Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries (2001-2016). Machine learning-derived annual air pollution concentrations were linked to residential ZIP codes. For each exposure, we fitted four models: 1) traditional outcome stratification, 2) marginal structural, 3) doubly robust, and 4) generalized propensity score matching Poisson regression models, adjusted for sociodemographic and meteorological confounders and long-term trends. Among 49,121,026 beneficiaries, incidence rate ratios of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.10), 1.07 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.08), and 1.03 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.05) for an interquartile range increase in PM 2.5 (3.72 µg/m 3 ), NO 2 (13.84 ppb), and O 3 (10.09 ppb), respectively, were estimated from doubly robust models. Results were similar across modeling approaches. In this nationwide study, higher air pollution exposure increased the rate of hospitalizations with PD.

BackgroundPersonal care products (PCPs) are an important source of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) linked to adverse reproductive health outcomes.ObjectiveWe evaluated EDC-associated PCP use and acculturation among Asian women.MethodsOur study included 227 foreign-born Chinese women ages 18–45 seeking obstetrics-gynecology care at community health centers (Boston, MA). Acculturation was measured by English-language use, length of US residence, and age at US entry. Self-reported use of PCPs (crème rinse/conditioner, shampoo, perfume/cologne, bar soap/body wash, liquid hand soap, moisturizer/lotion, colored cosmetics, sunscreen, and nail polish) in the last 48 h was collected. Latent class analysis was used to identify usage patterns. We also conducted multivariable logistic to determine the cross-sectional associations of acculturation measures and the use of individual PCP types.ResultsThose who used more PCP types, overall and by each type, tended to be more acculturated. Women who could speak English had 2.77 (95% CI: 1.10–7.76) times the odds of being high PCP users compared to their non-English speaking counterparts. English-language use was associated with higher odds of using perfume/cologne and nail polish.SignificanceOur findings give insight about EDC-associated PCP use based on acculturation status, which can contribute to changes in immigrant health and health disparities.

The radioactive component of particulate matter (PM), particle radioactivity (PR), can continue to emit radiation after inhalation. While PR has been associated with other adverse pregnancy outcomes, no studies have examined the association with fetal growth. Our retrospective cohort included singleton pregnancies that underwent obstetric ultrasounds at an academic medical center in Massachusetts from 2011 through 2016. PR was represented by particle gross β-activity estimated from an ensemble model and was assigned based on residential zip code. We considered the cumulative (conception until date of fetal growth measurement) and first 16 weeks of gestation PR exposure windows. Standardized z-scores were constructed for biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference, femur length (FL), abdominal circumference (AC), and birth weight. We used linear mixed regression models adjusted for PM ≤2.5 μm exposure, maternal sociodemographic factors, meteorological variables, and long-term trends. Among 9404 pregnancies, an interquartile range increase in cumulative PR exposure was associated with reduced BPD (−0.06 [95% CI: −0.12, −0.01] z-score) and FL (−0.06 [95% CI: −0.12, −0.01] z-score) in scans conducted before 24 weeks’ gestation, with increased AC (0.05 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.09]) in scans conducted on or after 24 weeks’ gestation, and with lower birth weight (-0.05 [95% CI: −0.11, −0.001] z-score). The first 16 weeks of gestation was not a critical exposure window. Prenatal PR was associated with fetal growth, with associations generally negative before 24 weeks’ gestation and positive later in pregnancy. Our findings bring awareness to a novel environmental exposure.

Exposure to ionizing radiation has been associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In light of recent work showing an association between ambient particulate matter (PM) gross [beta]-activity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among pregnant women, we examined pregnancy glucose levels in relation to PM gross [beta]-activity to better understand this pathway. Our study included 103 participants receiving prenatal care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. PM gross [beta]-activity was obtained from US Environmental Protection Agency's RadNet program monitors, and blood glucose levels were obtained from the non-fasting glucose challenge test performed clinically as the first step of the 2-step GDM screening test. For each exposure window we examined (i.e., moving average same-day, one-week, first-trimester, and second-trimester PM gross [beta]-activity), we fitted generalized additive models and adjusted for clinical characteristics, socio-demographic factors, temporal variables, and PM with an aerodynamic diameter [less than or equai to] 2.5 [mu]m (PM.sub.2.5). Subgroup analyses by maternal age and by body mass index were also conducted. An interquartile range increase in average PM gross [beta]-activity during the second trimester of pregnancy was associated with an increase of 17.5 (95% CI: 0.8, 34.3) mg/dL in glucose concentration. Associations were stronger among younger and overweight/obese participants. Our findings also suggest that the highest compared to the lowest quartile of one-week exposure was associated with 17.0 (95% CI: - 4.0, 38.0) mg/dL higher glucose levels. No associations of glucose were observed with PM gross [beta]-activity during same-day and first-trimester exposure windows. PM.sub.2.5 was not associated with glucose levels during any exposure window in our data. Exposure to higher levels of ambient PM gross [beta]-activity was associated with higher blood glucose levels in pregnant patients, with implications for how this novel environmental factor could impact pregnancy health.

Background radiation is an environmental risk factor for human diseases that is often overlooked. This dissertation focuses on two major ionizing radiation exposures that occur naturally at chronic and low doses, particle radioactivity (the radioactive property of particulate matter in the air) and solar activity (changes on the Sun’s surface), and their association with fetal outcomes. The association of particle radioactivity with ultrasound fetal growth parameters was investigated in the first chapter, and solar activity was considered as the exposure of interest in the second chapter. Lastly, the third chapter explores and discusses the association found between solar activity and live births. Overall, particle radioactivity and solar activity were found to be harmful to fetal growth, though the direction and magnitude of their associations varied by exposure. There was also evidence that solar activity exposure may be related to fewer live births, with at least some of which were through pregnancy losses. Future work is needed to understand the clinical and public health implications of the findings.

To quantitatively evaluate the retinal microvasculature in human subjects with retinal venous occlusions (RVO) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Retrospective, cross-sectional, observational case series. Sixty subjects (84 eyes) were included (20 BRVO, 14 CRVO, 24 unaffected fellow eyes, and 26 controls). OCTA was performed on a prototype, spectral domain-OCTA system in the 3x3mm central macular region. Custom software was used to quantify morphology and density of retinal capillaries using four quantitative parameters. The vasculature of the segmented retinal layers and nonsegmented whole retina were analyzed. Fractal dimension (FD), vessel density (VD), skeletal density (SD), and vessel diameter index (VDI) within the segmented retinal layers and nonsegmented whole retina vasculature. Nonsegmented analysis of RVO eyes demonstrated significantly lower FD (1.64±0.01 vs 1.715±0.002; p<0.001), VD (0.32±0.01 vs 0.432±0.002; p<0.001), and SD (0.073±0.004 vs 0.099±0.001; p<0.001) compared to controls. Compared to the fellow eye, FD, VD and SD were lower (p<0.001), and VDI was higher (p<0.001). FD, VD, and SD progressively decreased as the extent (or type) of RVO increased (control vs BRVO vs CRVO; p<0.001). In the unaffected fellow eye FD, VD and SD showed significant differences when compared to control eyes or affected RVO eyes (p<0.001). Quantitative OCTA of the central 3x3mm macular region demonstrates significant differences in capillary density and morphology among subjects with BRVO and CRVO compared to controls or unaffected fellow eyes in all vascular layers. The unaffected fellow eyes also demonstrate significant differences when compared to controls. OCTA allows for noninvasive, layer-specific, quantitative evaluation of RVO-associated microvascular changes.

Citrus is a globally important, perennial fruit crop whose rhizosphere microbiome is thought to play an important role in promoting citrus growth and health. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of the structural and functional composition of the citrus rhizosphere microbiome. We use both amplicon and deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing of bulk soil and rhizosphere samples collected across distinct biogeographical regions from six continents. Predominant taxa include Proteobacteria , Actinobacteria , Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes . The core citrus rhizosphere microbiome comprises Pseudomonas , Agrobacterium , Cupriavidus , Bradyrhizobium , Rhizobium , Mesorhizobium , Burkholderia , Cellvibrio , Sphingomonas , Variovorax and Paraburkholderia , some of which are potential plant beneficial microbes. We also identify over-represented microbial functional traits mediating plant-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions, nutrition acquisition and plant growth promotion in citrus rhizosphere. The results provide valuable information to guide microbial isolation and culturing and, potentially, to harness the power of the microbiome to improve plant production and health. Research on plant root-associated microbial communities may help develop more efficient or sustainable crop production methods. Here the authors analyse the citrus rhizosphere microbiome, using both amplicon and deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing of samples collected across six continents.

Chronological age is a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19. Previous findings indicate that epigenetic age could be altered in viral infection. However, the epigenetic aging in COVID-19 has not been well studied. In this study, DNA methylation of the blood samples from 232 healthy individuals and 413 COVID-19 patients is profiled using EPIC methylation array. Epigenetic ages of each individual are determined by applying epigenetic clocks and telomere length estimator to the methylation profile of the individual. Epigenetic age acceleration is calculated and compared between groups. We observe strong correlations between the epigenetic clocks and individual’s chronological age ( r  > 0.8, p  < 0.0001). We also find the increasing acceleration of epigenetic aging and telomere attrition in the sequential blood samples from healthy individuals and infected patients developing non-severe and severe COVID-19. In addition, the longitudinal DNA methylation profiling analysis find that the accumulation of epigenetic aging from COVID-19 syndrome could be partly reversed at late clinic phases in some patients. In conclusion, accelerated epigenetic aging is associated with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and developing severe COVID-19. In addition, the accumulation of epigenetic aging from COVID-19 may contribute to the post-COVID-19 syndrome among survivors. Age is a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease. Here the authors perform DNA methylation analyses in whole blood from COVID-19 patients using established epigenetic clocks and telomere length estimators, and describing correlations between epigenetic aging and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease.