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Cytokine storm syndrome in patients with COVID-19 is mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines resulting in acute lung injury and multiorgan failure. Elevation in serum ferritin and D-dimer is observed in COVID-19 patients. To determine prognostic values of optimal serum cutoff with trajectory plots for both serum ferritin and D-dimer in COVID-19 patients with invasive ventilator dependence and in-hospital mortality. We used retrospective longitudinal data from the Cerner COVID-19 de-identified cohort. COVID-19 infected patients with valid repeated values of serum ferritin and D-dimer during hospitalization were used in mixed-effects logistic-regression models. Among 52,411 patients, 28.5% (14,958) had valid serum ferritin and 28.6% (15,005) D-dimer laboratory results. Optimal cutoffs of ferritin (714 ng/mL) and D-dimer (2.1 mg/L) revealed AUCs ≥ 0.99 for in-hospital mortality. Optimal cutoffs for ferritin (502 ng/mL) and D-dimer (2.0 mg/L) revealed AUCs ≥ 0.99 for invasive ventilator dependence. Optimal cutoffs for in-house mortality, among females, were lower in serum ferritin (433 ng/mL) and D-dimer (1.9 mg/L) compared to males (740 ng/mL and 2.5 mg/L, respectively). Optimal cutoffs for invasive ventilator dependence, among females, were lower in ferritin (270 ng/mL) and D-dimer (1.3 mg/L) compared to males (860 ng/mL and 2.3 mg/L, respectively). Optimal prognostic cutoffs for serum ferritin and D-dimer require considering the entire trajectory of laboratory values during the disease course. Females have an overall lower optimal cutoff for both serum ferritin and D-dimer. The presented research allows health professionals to predict clinical outcomes and appropriate allocation of resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially early recognition of COVID-19 patients needing higher levels of care.
Fares Qeadan; Benjamin Tingey; Lily Gu; Ashley Packard; Esther Erdei; Ali Saeed. Prognostic Values of Serum Ferritin and D-Dimer Trajectory in Patients with COVID-19. Viruses 2021, 13, 419 .
AMA StyleFares Qeadan, Benjamin Tingey, Lily Gu, Ashley Packard, Esther Erdei, Ali Saeed. Prognostic Values of Serum Ferritin and D-Dimer Trajectory in Patients with COVID-19. Viruses. 2021; 13 (3):419.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFares Qeadan; Benjamin Tingey; Lily Gu; Ashley Packard; Esther Erdei; Ali Saeed. 2021. "Prognostic Values of Serum Ferritin and D-Dimer Trajectory in Patients with COVID-19." Viruses 13, no. 3: 419.
Experts recommend reporting environmental exposure results back to research participants and communities, yet environmental health researchers need further guidance to improve the practice of reporting back. We present the results of a workshop developed to identify pertinent issues and areas for action in reporting back environmental health research results. Thirty-five attendees participated, brainstorming responses to the prompt: “What are some specific issues that are relevant to reporting back research results to individuals or the larger community?”, and then grouping responses by similarity and rating their importance. Based on a combined theoretical foundation of grounded theory and qualitative content analysis, we used concept mapping to develop a collective understanding of the issues. Visual maps of the participants’ responses were created using nonmetric multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. The resulting concept map provided a spatial depiction of five issue areas: Effective Communication Strategies, Community Knowledge and Concerns, Uncertainty, Empowering Action, and Institutional Review and Oversight (listed from highest to lowest rating). Through these efforts, we disentangled the complex issues affecting how and whether environmental health research results are reported back to participants and communities, by identifying five distinct themes to guide recommendations and action. Engaging community partners in the process of reporting back emerged as a unifying global theme, which could improve how researchers report back research results by understanding community context to develop effective communication methods and address uncertainty, the ability to act, and institutional concerns about beneficence and justice.
Erin Lebow-Skelley; Sarah Yelton; Brandi Janssen; Esther Erdei; Melanie A. Pearson. Identifying Issues and Priorities in Reporting Back Environmental Health Data. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 6742 .
AMA StyleErin Lebow-Skelley, Sarah Yelton, Brandi Janssen, Esther Erdei, Melanie A. Pearson. Identifying Issues and Priorities in Reporting Back Environmental Health Data. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (18):6742.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErin Lebow-Skelley; Sarah Yelton; Brandi Janssen; Esther Erdei; Melanie A. Pearson. 2020. "Identifying Issues and Priorities in Reporting Back Environmental Health Data." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 18: 6742.
Metals are suspected contributors of autoimmune disease among indigenous Americans. However, the association between metals exposure and biomarkers of autoimmunity is under-studied. In Nicaragua, environmental exposure to metals is also largely unexamined with regard to autoimmunity. We analyzed pooled and stratified exposure and outcome data from Navajo (n = 68) and Nicaraguan (n = 47) men of similar age and health status in order to characterize urinary concentrations of metals, compare concentrations with the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) male population, and examine the associations with biomarkers of autoimmunity. Urine samples were analyzed for metals via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Serum samples were examined for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) at 1:160 and 1:40 dilutions, using an indirect immunofluorescence assay and for specific autoantibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Logistic regression analyses evaluated associations of urinary metals with autoimmune biomarkers, adjusted for group (Navajo or Nicaraguan), age, and seafood consumption. The Nicaraguan men had higher urinary metal concentrations compared with both NHANES and the Navajo for most metals; however, tin was highest among the Navajo, and uranium was much higher in both populations compared with NHANES. Upper tertile associations with ANA positivity at the 1:160 dilution were observed for barium, cesium, lead, strontium and tungsten.
Madeleine K. Scammell; Caryn Sennett; Rebecca L. Laws; Robert L. Rubin; Daniel R. Brooks; Juan José Amador; Damaris López-Pilarte; Oriana Ramirez-Rubio; David J. Friedman; Michael D. McClean; Johnnye Lewis; Esther Erdei; Navajo Birth Cohort Study Team. Urinary Metals Concentrations and Biomarkers of Autoimmunity among Navajo and Nicaraguan Men. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 5263 .
AMA StyleMadeleine K. Scammell, Caryn Sennett, Rebecca L. Laws, Robert L. Rubin, Daniel R. Brooks, Juan José Amador, Damaris López-Pilarte, Oriana Ramirez-Rubio, David J. Friedman, Michael D. McClean, Johnnye Lewis, Esther Erdei, Navajo Birth Cohort Study Team. Urinary Metals Concentrations and Biomarkers of Autoimmunity among Navajo and Nicaraguan Men. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (15):5263.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMadeleine K. Scammell; Caryn Sennett; Rebecca L. Laws; Robert L. Rubin; Daniel R. Brooks; Juan José Amador; Damaris López-Pilarte; Oriana Ramirez-Rubio; David J. Friedman; Michael D. McClean; Johnnye Lewis; Esther Erdei; Navajo Birth Cohort Study Team. 2020. "Urinary Metals Concentrations and Biomarkers of Autoimmunity among Navajo and Nicaraguan Men." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 15: 5263.
Navajo Nation residents are at risk for exposure to uranium and other co-occurring metals found in abandoned mine waste. The Navajo Birth Cohort Study (NBCS) was initiated in 2010 to address community concerns regarding the impact of chronic environmental exposure to metals on pregnancy and birth outcomes. The objectives of this paper were to 1) evaluate maternal urine concentrations of key metals at enrollment and delivery from a pregnancy cohort; and 2) compare the NBCS to the US general population by comparing representative summary statistical values. Pregnant Navajo women (N=783, age range 14-45 years) were recruited from hospital facilities on the Navajo Nation during prenatal visits and urine samples were collected by trained staff in pre-screened containers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Environmental Health’s (NCEH) Division of Laboratory Sciences (DLS) analyzed urine samples for metals. Creatinine-corrected urine concentrations of cadmium decreased between enrollment (1st or 2nd trimester) and delivery (3rd trimester) while urine uranium concentrations were not observed to change. Median and 95th percentile values of maternal NBCS urine concentrations of uranium, manganese, cadmium, and lead exceeded respective percentiles for National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey (NHANES) percentiles for women (ages 14-45 either pregnant or not pregnant.) Median NBCS maternal urine uranium concentrations were 2.67 (enrollment) and 2.8 (delivery) times greater than the NHANES median concentration, indicating that pregnant Navajo women are exposed to metal mixtures and have higher uranium exposure compared to NHANES data for women. This demonstrates support for community concerns about uranium exposure and suggests a need for additional analyses to evaluate the impact of maternal metal mixtures exposure on birth outcomes.
Joseph H. Hoover; Esther Erdei; David Begay; Melissa Gonzales; Jeffery M. Jarrett; Po-Yung Cheng; Johnnye Lewis. Exposure to uranium and co-occurring metals among pregnant Navajo women. Environmental Research 2020, 190, 109943 .
AMA StyleJoseph H. Hoover, Esther Erdei, David Begay, Melissa Gonzales, Jeffery M. Jarrett, Po-Yung Cheng, Johnnye Lewis. Exposure to uranium and co-occurring metals among pregnant Navajo women. Environmental Research. 2020; 190 ():109943.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJoseph H. Hoover; Esther Erdei; David Begay; Melissa Gonzales; Jeffery M. Jarrett; Po-Yung Cheng; Johnnye Lewis. 2020. "Exposure to uranium and co-occurring metals among pregnant Navajo women." Environmental Research 190, no. : 109943.
The Navajo Nation (NN), a sovereign indigenous tribal nation in the Southwestern United States, is home to 523 abandoned uranium mines (AUMs). Previous health studies have articulated numerous human health hazards associated with AUMs and multiple environmental mechanisms/pathways (e.g., air, water, and soil) for contaminant transport. Despite this evidence, the limited modeling of AUM contamination that exists relies solely on proximity to mines and only considers single rather than combined pathways from which the contamination is a product. In order to better understand the spatial dynamics of contaminant exposure across the NN, we adopted the following established geospatial and computational methods to develop a more sophisticated environmental risk map illustrating the potential for AUM contamination: GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA), fuzzy logic, and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Eight criteria layers were selected for the GIS-MCDA model: proximity to AUMs, roadway proximity, drainage proximity, topographic landforms, wind index, topographic wind exposure, vegetation index, and groundwater contamination. Model sensitivity was evaluated using the one-at-a-time method, and statistical validation analysis was conducted using two separate environmental datasets. The sensitivity analysis indicated consistency and reliability of the model. Model results were strongly associated with environmental uranium concentrations. The model classifies 20.2% of the NN as high potential for AUM contamination while 65.7% and 14.1% of the region are at medium and low risk, respectively. This study is entirely a novel application and a crucial first step toward informing future epidemiologic studies and ongoing remediation efforts to reduce human exposure to AUM waste.
Yan Lin; Joseph Hoover; Daniel Beene; Esther Erdei; Zhuoming Liu. Environmental risk mapping of potential abandoned uranium mine contamination on the Navajo Nation, USA, using a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis approach. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2020, 27, 30542 -30557.
AMA StyleYan Lin, Joseph Hoover, Daniel Beene, Esther Erdei, Zhuoming Liu. Environmental risk mapping of potential abandoned uranium mine contamination on the Navajo Nation, USA, using a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis approach. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2020; 27 (24):30542-30557.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYan Lin; Joseph Hoover; Daniel Beene; Esther Erdei; Zhuoming Liu. 2020. "Environmental risk mapping of potential abandoned uranium mine contamination on the Navajo Nation, USA, using a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis approach." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 27, no. 24: 30542-30557.
Purpose: AIDs may disproportionately impact specific racial groups, but autoimmune (AID) prevalence information by minority racial group is sparse for many AIDs. The objective of this analysis was to supplement previously published AID prevalence rates by providing information on race rate ratios (minority race populations compared to Caucasian populations) in the United States. Preliminary to estimating race rate ratios, contemporary US-specific, health care utilization-based AID prevalence rates and female-to-male ratios were estimated and compared to previously published AID prevalence rates. Methods: We used a large national electronic medical record database of 52 million individuals to estimate age-adjusted direct standardized rates for 22 AIDs for 2010 through 2016 by gender, race, and US census division. These were compared to previously published estimates. Results: Female-to-male ratios were comparable with published studies. Almost all observed Multiracial AID rates were significantly higher than Caucasian rates, as well as 9 of 22 AID rates observed among Native Americans and 8 of 22 AID rates estimated among African-American patients. Regional variation was noted: highest African-American systemic lupus erythematosus rates were observed in the West North Central and South Atlantic divisions, highest African-American multiple sclerosis rates in the South Atlantic and Pacific divisions, and highest Native American rheumatoid arthritis rates in the West North Central, Mountain, and Pacific divisions. Conclusions: Substantial AID heterogeneity exists by race and by geographic area. An important research area is further exploring factors related to heterogeneity such as potential interactions between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors.
Melissa H. Roberts; Esther Erdei. Comparative United States autoimmune disease rates for 2010–2016 by sex, geographic region, and race. Autoimmunity Reviews 2019, 19, 102423 -102423.
AMA StyleMelissa H. Roberts, Esther Erdei. Comparative United States autoimmune disease rates for 2010–2016 by sex, geographic region, and race. Autoimmunity Reviews. 2019; 19 (1):102423-102423.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMelissa H. Roberts; Esther Erdei. 2019. "Comparative United States autoimmune disease rates for 2010–2016 by sex, geographic region, and race." Autoimmunity Reviews 19, no. 1: 102423-102423.
IntroductionAmerican Indians and Alaska Natives face disproportionately high rates of smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) is among the few Tribal Nations controlling commercial tobacco exposures in public and work places. We had an opportunity to explore effects of the new commercial tobacco-free policy (implemented in 2015) in an environmental health study (2014–2016) that collected information about commercial tobacco use and SHS prevalence and examined predictor variables of serum cotinine concentrations.MethodsSelf-reported survey data were used in quantile regression statistical modelling to explore changes in cotinine levels, based on smoking status, smokeless tobacco consumption and SHS exposure.ResultsFrom enrolled 225 adults, 51% (N=114) were current smokers. Among 88 non-tobacco users, 35 (40%) reported current SHS exposure. Significant differences in cotinine median concentrations were found among participants with and without current SHS exposure. Extremely high cotinine concentrations (~100 times larger than the median) were detected in some non-tobacco users. After implementing the new smoke-free air Tribal policy, cotinine decreased in participants with intermediate (3–15 ng/mL, non-tobacco users with SHS exposure) and high (>15 ng/mL, mainly tobacco users) cotinine levels showing association with an abatement of opportunities for SHS exposure. Significant predictors of cotinine levels were sampling year, current smoking and tobacco chewing. No gender differences were observed in cotinine.ConclusionsOur results show decrease in cotinine concentrations in CRST participants since implementation of their ‘Smoke-Free Clean Air Act’ in 2015.
Elena R. O'donald; Curtis P. Miller; Rae O'leary; Jennifer Ong; Bernadette Pacheco; Kathryne Foos; Kendra Enright; Marcia O'leary; Patricia Nez Henderson; Johnnye Lewis; Esther Erdei; Jeffrey A. Henderson. Active smoking, secondhand smoke exposure and serum cotinine levels among Cheyenne River Sioux communities in context of a Tribal Public Health Policy. Tobacco Control 2019, 1 .
AMA StyleElena R. O'donald, Curtis P. Miller, Rae O'leary, Jennifer Ong, Bernadette Pacheco, Kathryne Foos, Kendra Enright, Marcia O'leary, Patricia Nez Henderson, Johnnye Lewis, Esther Erdei, Jeffrey A. Henderson. Active smoking, secondhand smoke exposure and serum cotinine levels among Cheyenne River Sioux communities in context of a Tribal Public Health Policy. Tobacco Control. 2019; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElena R. O'donald; Curtis P. Miller; Rae O'leary; Jennifer Ong; Bernadette Pacheco; Kathryne Foos; Kendra Enright; Marcia O'leary; Patricia Nez Henderson; Johnnye Lewis; Esther Erdei; Jeffrey A. Henderson. 2019. "Active smoking, secondhand smoke exposure and serum cotinine levels among Cheyenne River Sioux communities in context of a Tribal Public Health Policy." Tobacco Control , no. : 1.
Specific autoantibodies were assessed among residents of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico chronically exposed to metal mixtures from uranium mine wastes and in drinking water supplies. Age and the extent of exposure to legacy waste from 100 abandoned uranium mine and mill sites were associated with antibodies to denatured DNA, previously known to be an early indicator of medication-induced autoimmunity. Surprisingly, autoantibodies to native DNA and/or chromatin were also linked to environmental exposure, specifically uranium consumption through drinking water for both men and women, while urinary arsenic was negatively associated with these autoantibodies in women. These findings suggest that contaminants derived from uranium mine waste enhanced development of autoantibodies in some individuals, while arsenic may be globally immunosuppressive with gender-specific effects. Specific autoantibodies may be a sensitive indicator of immune perturbation by environmental toxicants, an adverse effect not considered in current drinking water standards or regulatory risk assessment evaluations.
Esther Erdei; Chris Shuey; Bernadette Pacheco; Miranda Cajero; Johnnye Lewis; Robert L. Rubin. Elevated autoimmunity in residents living near abandoned uranium mine sites on the Navajo Nation. Journal of Autoimmunity 2019, 99, 15 -23.
AMA StyleEsther Erdei, Chris Shuey, Bernadette Pacheco, Miranda Cajero, Johnnye Lewis, Robert L. Rubin. Elevated autoimmunity in residents living near abandoned uranium mine sites on the Navajo Nation. Journal of Autoimmunity. 2019; 99 ():15-23.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsther Erdei; Chris Shuey; Bernadette Pacheco; Miranda Cajero; Johnnye Lewis; Robert L. Rubin. 2019. "Elevated autoimmunity in residents living near abandoned uranium mine sites on the Navajo Nation." Journal of Autoimmunity 99, no. : 15-23.
This review summarizes recent literature examining exposure to environmental metals in rural areas of the southwestern/mountain west region of the U.S. focusing on the range of exposures and exposure pathways unique to this region. Recent studies (2013–2018) indicated that exposures to arsenic (As), uranium (U), and cadmium (Cd) were the most commonly quantified metals in the study area. One or more of these three metals was analyzed in each study reviewed. The current review draws attention to the variety of exposure assessment methods, analytical tools, and unique non-occupational exposure pathways in this region. The reviewed studies identified potential sources of metal exposure including regulated and unregulated drinking water, particulate matter, and food items, and provided information about the levels of exposures experienced by populations through a variety of exposure assessment methods including spatial analysis methodologies. The findings suggest that exposure assessment methods could be further integrated with population studies to assess health effects of environmental metal exposure through pathways unique to southwestern and mountain west U.S.
Joseph Hoover; Esther Erdei; Jacob Nash; Melissa Gonzales. A Review of Metal Exposure Studies Conducted in the Rural Southwestern and Mountain West Region of the United States. Current Epidemiology Reports 2019, 6, 34 -49.
AMA StyleJoseph Hoover, Esther Erdei, Jacob Nash, Melissa Gonzales. A Review of Metal Exposure Studies Conducted in the Rural Southwestern and Mountain West Region of the United States. Current Epidemiology Reports. 2019; 6 (1):34-49.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJoseph Hoover; Esther Erdei; Jacob Nash; Melissa Gonzales. 2019. "A Review of Metal Exposure Studies Conducted in the Rural Southwestern and Mountain West Region of the United States." Current Epidemiology Reports 6, no. 1: 34-49.
A cross-sectional epidemiological study explored genetic susceptibility to oral precancer and cancer in Puerto Rico (PR). Three hundred three individuals with a benign oral condition, oral precancer (oral epithelial hyperplasia/hyperkeratosis, oral epithelial dysplasia), or oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) were identified via PR pathology laboratories. A standardized, structured questionnaire obtained information on epidemiological variables; buccal cells were collected for genetic analysis. Genotyping was performed using Taqman® assays. Allelic frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were evaluated in cytokine genes and genes influencing tumor metastasis. Risk estimates for a diagnosis of oral precancer or SCCA while having a variant allele were generated using logistic regression. Adjusted models controlled for age, gender, ancestry, education, smoking and alcohol consumption. Relative to persons with a benign oral lesion, individuals with homozygous recessive allelic variants of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) −238 A/G SNP had a reduced odds of having an oral precancer (ORadjusted = 0.15; 95% CI 0.03–0.70). The transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ-1 −509 C/T) polymorphism was inversely associated with having an oral SCCA among persons homozygous for the recessive variant (ORcrude = 0.27; 95% CI 0.09–0.79). The matrix metalloproteinase gene (MMP-1) variant, rs5854, was associated with oral SCCA; participants with even one variant allele were more likely to have oral SCCA (ORadjusted = 2.62, 95% CI 1.05–6.53) compared to people with ancestral alleles. Our exploratory analyses suggest that genetic alterations in immune system genes and genes with metastatic potential are associated with oral precancer and SCCA risk in PR.
Esther Erdei; Li Luo; Huiping Sheng; Erika Maestas; Kirsten A. M. White; Amanda Mackey; Yan Dong; Marianne Berwick; Douglas E. Morse. Cytokines and Tumor Metastasis Gene Variants in Oral Cancer and Precancer in Puerto Rico. PLoS ONE 2013, 8, e79187 .
AMA StyleEsther Erdei, Li Luo, Huiping Sheng, Erika Maestas, Kirsten A. M. White, Amanda Mackey, Yan Dong, Marianne Berwick, Douglas E. Morse. Cytokines and Tumor Metastasis Gene Variants in Oral Cancer and Precancer in Puerto Rico. PLoS ONE. 2013; 8 (11):e79187.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsther Erdei; Li Luo; Huiping Sheng; Erika Maestas; Kirsten A. M. White; Amanda Mackey; Yan Dong; Marianne Berwick; Douglas E. Morse. 2013. "Cytokines and Tumor Metastasis Gene Variants in Oral Cancer and Precancer in Puerto Rico." PLoS ONE 8, no. 11: e79187.
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the main etiologic factor associated with the development of melanoma and there is now strong evidence to support an increased risk of melanoma incidence with exposure to UVR emitting indoor tanning devices. Most frequent tanners have an appropriate knowledge of the health risks associated with indoor tanning but continue to tan despite these risks. A relatively large percentage of frequent indoor tanners display addictive behavior implicating the involvement of complex factors in the persistent desire to tan indoors. Genetic factors are thought to play a role in biological reward pathways that reinforce addictive behavior such as with alcohol or nicotine dependency. In addition, UVR is hypothesized to modify biological pathways, for example through the dopamine neurotransmitter system, to reinforce tanning behavior. No studies to date have examined variants in genes involved with dopamine regulation and drug metabolism with indoor tanning behavior and risk for melanoma. We examined the association of 68 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 5 dopamine receptor and drug metabolism genes in DNA from participants of the Skin Health Study, a study in Minnesota developed to assess the risk of melanoma with indoor tanning behavior. The Skin Health Study recruited individuals with cutaneous melanoma (cases) and without melanoma (controls) between the ages of 25-59 in Minnesota from 2004 to 2007. Detailed information on lifetime indoor tanning behavior was collected by interview that was partially self-administered and partially telephone-administered. DNA samples were obtained from mouthwash, and DNA was genotyped using the Illumina GoldenGate platform. The association of SNPs with melanoma was assessed by logistic regression in cases (n=894) and controls (n=799). Due to possible confounding of tanning behavior and melanoma, the association of SNPs with having ever or never tanned indoors was assessed in controls only. Participants with variants in the DRD2 dopamine receptor gene and the ANKK1 signaling gene were more likely to have ever tanned indoors compared to those without DRD2 and ANKK1 variants. Variants in DRD2 and ANKK1 were also associated with increased risks for melanoma (rs1003641 OR=1.18, CI: 1.01, 1.38; rs2734831 OR=1.17, CI 1.01, 1.35). The interactions of one ANKK1 SNP and 3 DRD2 SNPs with tanning behavior were significantly associated with risk for melanoma (p < 0.05 for all). These data suggest that variants in dopamine receptors could mediate tanning behavior that ultimately influences risk for melanoma. The DRD2 and ANKK1 alleles represent important genomic regions for further investigations to explore addictive tanning behavior. Citation Format: Kristina G. Flores, Esther Erdei, Li Luo, Kirsten A.M. White, Marianne Berwick, DeAnn Lazovich. The association of genetic variants in dopamine regulators with indoor tanning and melanoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Post-GWAS Horizons in Molecular Epidemiology: Digging Deeper into the Environment; 2012 Nov 11-14; Hollywood, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(11 Suppl):Abstract nr 49.
Kristina G. Flores; Esther Erdei; Li Luo; Kirsten A.M. White; Marianne Berwick; Deann Lazovich. Abstract 49: The association of genetic variants in dopamine regulators with indoor tanning and melanoma. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2012, 21, 49 -49.
AMA StyleKristina G. Flores, Esther Erdei, Li Luo, Kirsten A.M. White, Marianne Berwick, Deann Lazovich. Abstract 49: The association of genetic variants in dopamine regulators with indoor tanning and melanoma. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. 2012; 21 (11 Supplem):49-49.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKristina G. Flores; Esther Erdei; Li Luo; Kirsten A.M. White; Marianne Berwick; Deann Lazovich. 2012. "Abstract 49: The association of genetic variants in dopamine regulators with indoor tanning and melanoma." Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 21, no. 11 Supplem: 49-49.
Hispanics are known to be an extremely diverse and genetically admixed ethnic group. The lack of methodologies to control for ethnicity and the unknown admixture in complex study populations of Hispanics has left a gap in understanding certain cancer disparity issues. Incidence rates for oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) in Puerto Rico are among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. We conducted an epidemiological study to examine risk and protective factors, in addition to possible genetic susceptibility components, for oral cancer and precancer in Puerto Rico. We recruited 310 Puerto Rico residents who had been diagnosed with either an incident oral squamous cell carcinoma, oral precancer, or benign oral condition. Participants completed an in-person interview and contributed buccal cells for DNA extraction. ABI Biosystem Taqman™ primer sets were used for genotyping 12 ancestry informative markers (AIMs). Ancestral group estimates were generated using maximum likelihood estimation software (LEADMIX), and additional principal component analysis was carried out to detect population substructures. We used unconditional logistic regression to assess the contribution of ancestry to the risk of being diagnosed with either an oral cancer or precancer while controlling for other potential confounders. The maximum likelihood estimates showed that study participants had a group average ancestry contribution of 69.9% European, 24.5% African, and 5.7% detectable Native American. The African and Indigenous American group estimates were significantly higher than anticipated. Neither self-identified ethnicity nor ancestry markers showed any significant associations with oral cancer/precancer risk in our study. The application of ancestry informative markers (AIMs), specifically designed for Hispanics, suggests no hidden population substructure is present based on our sampling and provides a viable approach for the evaluation and control of ancestry in future studies involving Hispanic populations.
Esther Erdei; Huiping Sheng; Erika Maestas; Amanda Mackey; Kirsten A. White; Lin Li; Yan Dong; Justin Taylor; Marianne Berwick; Uglas E. Morse. Self-Reported Ethnicity and Genetic Ancestry in Relation to Oral Cancer and Pre-Cancer in Puerto Rico. PLOS ONE 2011, 6, e23950 .
AMA StyleEsther Erdei, Huiping Sheng, Erika Maestas, Amanda Mackey, Kirsten A. White, Lin Li, Yan Dong, Justin Taylor, Marianne Berwick, Uglas E. Morse. Self-Reported Ethnicity and Genetic Ancestry in Relation to Oral Cancer and Pre-Cancer in Puerto Rico. PLOS ONE. 2011; 6 (8):e23950.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsther Erdei; Huiping Sheng; Erika Maestas; Amanda Mackey; Kirsten A. White; Lin Li; Yan Dong; Justin Taylor; Marianne Berwick; Uglas E. Morse. 2011. "Self-Reported Ethnicity and Genetic Ancestry in Relation to Oral Cancer and Pre-Cancer in Puerto Rico." PLOS ONE 6, no. 8: e23950.
The incidence of melanoma is continuing to increase worldwide. UV exposure is a known risk factor for melanoma. Geographic location is known to influence UV exposure and the distribution of the incidence of melanoma. Furthermore, epidemiologic data suggest that gender and genetics may influence the distribution of melanoma on the body surface and histopathologic characteristics of the lesion. This article describes what is known about the impact of gender, ethnicity and geography on the progression of melanoma. Advanced-stage cutaneous melanoma has a median survival time of less than 1 year. Surgical removal, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies and a variety of immunotherapies have been utilized in the treatment of melanoma. Current treatment strategies and the results of recent clinical trials are also discussed in this article.
Esther Erdei; Salina M Torres. A new understanding in the epidemiology of melanoma. Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy 2010, 10, 1811 -1823.
AMA StyleEsther Erdei, Salina M Torres. A new understanding in the epidemiology of melanoma. Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy. 2010; 10 (11):1811-1823.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsther Erdei; Salina M Torres. 2010. "A new understanding in the epidemiology of melanoma." Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy 10, no. 11: 1811-1823.
Among New Mexican Hispanic women, breast cancer is detected at a more advanced stage than compared to Non-Hispanic White women. One central factor that has been little studied is the role of critical cytokines. We genotyped incident breast cancer cases and their age-, gender- and smoking-matched controls (N = 40 matched pairs) for 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes. We measured corresponding serum cytokine levels as well. Five cytokines (IL-1β, IL-5, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-2) were significantly associated with disease and based on their serum levels, concentrations were higher in the cases than in the controls. Disease odds ratios corresponding to one standard deviation change in log-transformed concentrations of these cytokines were 18.87, 4.10, 3.61, 3.27 and 2.52. Three most statistically significant SNPs were rs2069705, located in the promoter region of the interferon gamma gene (INF-γ); rs2243248, in the promoter of IL-4 (rs2243248); and rs1800925, in the promoter of the IL-13 gene. Increased serum cytokine levels at diagnosis are indicative for immunological alterations and possibly related to genetic susceptibility markers as well. These findings might guide us to understand the presence of SNPs in cytokine genes and serum concentrations among breast cancer patients and potentially in other cancers.
Esther Erdei; Huining Kang; Angela Meisner; Kirsten White; Gavin Pickett; Cynthia Baca; Melanie Royce; Marianne Berwick. Polymorphisms in cytokine genes and serum cytokine levels among New Mexican women with and without breast cancer. Cytokine 2010, 51, 18 -24.
AMA StyleEsther Erdei, Huining Kang, Angela Meisner, Kirsten White, Gavin Pickett, Cynthia Baca, Melanie Royce, Marianne Berwick. Polymorphisms in cytokine genes and serum cytokine levels among New Mexican women with and without breast cancer. Cytokine. 2010; 51 (1):18-24.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsther Erdei; Huining Kang; Angela Meisner; Kirsten White; Gavin Pickett; Cynthia Baca; Melanie Royce; Marianne Berwick. 2010. "Polymorphisms in cytokine genes and serum cytokine levels among New Mexican women with and without breast cancer." Cytokine 51, no. 1: 18-24.
Mutagen sensitivity is regarded as a genetic susceptibility phenotype for various cancers; it is cytogenetically based and probably involves a number of genes from different DNA repair pathways. This assay has been used in a number of laboratories in the field of epidemiology, where it has been investigated and appears to be a useful susceptibility biomarker for epidemiological studies assessing cancer risks at the population level. One concern about phenotypic assays, such as the mutagen sensitivity assay, has been that there could be wide variation in results depending on the timing of the assay (within individual variation), the individual performing the assay (within observer variation) and the laboratory where the assay has been performed (inter-laboratory variation). We conducted an inter-laboratory comparison study between the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and M. D. Anderson, in which we assessed all these concerns. We did not find any significant variation in any of the assays. The correlation was high for all tests. The good concordance rate between laboratories supports the continued use of the mutagen sensitivity assay by different laboratories, and demonstrates its potential to identify at-risk subgroups among normal individuals and cancer patients alike.
Esther Erdei; Sang-Joon Lee; Qingyi Wei; Li-E. Wang; Yan-S. Song; Dana Bovbjerg; Marianne Berwick. Reliability of mutagen sensitivity assay: an inter-laboratory comparison. Mutagenesis 2006, 21, 261 -264.
AMA StyleEsther Erdei, Sang-Joon Lee, Qingyi Wei, Li-E. Wang, Yan-S. Song, Dana Bovbjerg, Marianne Berwick. Reliability of mutagen sensitivity assay: an inter-laboratory comparison. Mutagenesis. 2006; 21 (4):261-264.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEsther Erdei; Sang-Joon Lee; Qingyi Wei; Li-E. Wang; Yan-S. Song; Dana Bovbjerg; Marianne Berwick. 2006. "Reliability of mutagen sensitivity assay: an inter-laboratory comparison." Mutagenesis 21, no. 4: 261-264.