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Katz DSW, Zigler CM, Bhavnani D, Balcer-Whaley S, Matsui EC. Pollen and viruses contribute to spatio-temporal variation in asthma-related emergency department visits. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 257:119346. [PMID: 38838752 PMCID: PMC11268730 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma exacerbations are an important cause of emergency department visits but much remains unknown about the role of environmental triggers including viruses and allergenic pollen. A better understanding of spatio-temporal variation in exposure and risk posed by viruses and pollen types could help prioritize public health interventions. OBJECTIVE Here we quantify the effects of regionally important Cupressaceae pollen, tree pollen, other pollen types, rhinovirus, seasonal coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza on asthma-related emergency department visits for people living near eight pollen monitoring stations in Texas. METHODS We used age stratified Poisson regression analyses to quantify the effects of allergenic pollen and viruses on asthma-related emergency department visits. RESULTS Young children (<5 years of age) had high asthma-related emergency department rates (24.1 visits/1,000,000 person-days), which were mainly attributed to viruses (51.2%). School-aged children also had high rates (20.7 visits/1,000,000 person-days), which were attributed to viruses (57.0%), Cupressaceae pollen (0.7%), and tree pollen (2.8%). Adults had lower rates (8.1 visits/1,000,000 person-days) which were attributed to viruses (25.4%), Cupressaceae pollen (0.8%), and tree pollen (2.3%). This risk was spread unevenly across space and time; for example, during peak Cuppressaceae season, this pollen accounted for 8.2% of adult emergency department visits near Austin where these plants are abundant, but 0.4% in cities like Houston where they are not; results for other age groups were similar. CONCLUSIONS Although viruses are a major contributor to asthma-related emergency department visits, airborne pollen can explain a meaningful portion of visits during peak pollen season and this risk varies over both time and space because of differences in plant composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S W Katz
- The Department of Population Health and Data Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, United States; The School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, United States.
| | - Corwin M Zigler
- The Department of Statistics and Data Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - Darlene Bhavnani
- The Department of Population Health and Data Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - Susan Balcer-Whaley
- The Department of Population Health and Data Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - Elizabeth C Matsui
- The Department of Population Health and Data Sciences, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, United States
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2
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Ashraf A, ElDin NB, Rostom Y, El-Zeany BA, Sedik GA. Novel RP-HPLC-DAD approach for simultaneous determination of chlorphenoxamine hydrochloride and caffeine with their related substances. BMC Chem 2024; 18:133. [PMID: 39030644 PMCID: PMC11264915 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-024-01238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Ensuring the quality control of active pharmaceutical ingredients is crucial for drug products being introduced into the market. Even for established drugs, it is necessary to maintain a cutting-edge impurity control system. To analyze caffeine and chlorphenoxamine hydrochloride in their binary mixture, as well as theophylline and chlorphenoxamine N-oxide as related substances, a reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography combined with a diode array detector system was created. The chromatographic separation was conducted using a C18 X-select Waters® column. The mobile phase consisted of 20.0 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate modified to pH 3 with o-phosphoric acid and methanol. A gradient elution program was adopted at a flow rate of 1.3 mL/min and detected at a wavelength of 222 nm. The present methodology demonstrates a concentration ranging from 2-60, 1-80, 0.5-20 to 0.4-20 µg/mL for chlorphenoxamine hydrochloride, caffeine, chlorphenoxamine N-Oxide and theophylline, respectively. Chlorphenoxamine N-Oxide, being an impurity of chlorphenoxamine was prepared by refluxing intact drug with 5% H2O2 for 24 h at 100 °C. One of the objectives of the analytical community is to promote the adoption of green analysis methods, which involve the development of environmentally friendly techniques. The levels of greenness and whiteness were evaluated using four specific tools: Eco-Scale System, GAPI, AGREE, and RGB tool. Furthermore, we have evaluated the greenness of the analytical method presented and compared its performance and greenness to that of the approach described in the literature. In this study, results from CPX and CAF analysis were compared to those obtained in a previous study. The result shows that there is no notable variation in precision and accuracy. The proposed method was validated in accordance with the requirements of ICH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Ashraf
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Norhan Badr ElDin
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Yasmin Rostom
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Badr A El-Zeany
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Ghada A Sedik
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
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3
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Matte T, Lane K, Tipaldo JF, Barnes J, Knowlton K, Torem E, Anand G, Yoon L, Marcotullio P, Balk D, Constible J, Elszasz H, Ito K, Jessel S, Limaye V, Parks R, Rutigliano M, Sorenson C, Yuan A. NPCC4: Climate change and New York City's health risk. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2024. [PMID: 38922909 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
This chapter of the New York City Panel on Climate Change 4 (NPCC4) report considers climate health risks, vulnerabilities, and resilience strategies in New York City's unique urban context. It updates evidence since the last health assessment in 2015 as part of NPCC2 and addresses climate health risks and vulnerabilities that have emerged as especially salient to NYC since 2015. Climate health risks from heat and flooding are emphasized. In addition, other climate-sensitive exposures harmful to human health are considered, including outdoor and indoor air pollution, including aeroallergens; insect vectors of human illness; waterborne infectious and chemical contaminants; and compounding of climate health risks with other public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence-informed strategies for reducing future climate risks to health are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Matte
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn Lane
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jenna F Tipaldo
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy and CUNY Institute for Demographic Research, New York, New York, USA
| | - Janice Barnes
- Climate Adaptation Partners, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kim Knowlton
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emily Torem
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gowri Anand
- City of New York, Department of Transportation, New York, New York, USA
| | - Liv Yoon
- School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Peter Marcotullio
- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, New York, USA
| | - Deborah Balk
- Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Baruch College and also CUNY Institute for Demographic Research, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Hayley Elszasz
- City of New York, Mayors Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kazuhiko Ito
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sonal Jessel
- WE ACT for Environmental Justice, New York, New York, USA
| | - Vijay Limaye
- Natural Resources Defense Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robbie Parks
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mallory Rutigliano
- New York City Mayor's Office of Management and Budget, New York, New York, USA
| | - Cecilia Sorenson
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ariel Yuan
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA
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Shabnum J, Ahmad SS, Noor MJ. Spatial variance and estimation of nitrogen dioxide levels as a contributing factor to asthma epidemiology in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1208. [PMID: 37707628 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11758-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Asthma prevalence and morbidity are increasing rapidly worldwide, especially in developing countries. Previous studies have shown nitrogen dioxide as an important contributor to asthma prevalence along with extreme temperatures, relative humidity, and land use change. The present study aimed to assess the asthma epidemiology and association of nitrogen dioxide, temperature, and land use as a contributing factor for increasing asthma prevalence in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Secondary data related to the frequency of asthmatics hospital visits were analyzed to figure out the hotspots of asthma by using Getis ord Gi* statistics in ArcGIS 10.2. Moreover, intraurban variation of nitrogen dioxide concentration was analyzed by passive sampling method and its association with the rate of asthmatics hospital visits in Rawalpindi, Pakistan was also researched. Results revealed the random distribution of disease with significant hotspots along with spatial variability of nitrogen dioxide in urban and rural locations. Indoor and outdoor levels of nitrogen dioxide exceed the national and world health organization standards on asthma high risk areas especially in winter season. Congested housing with poor ventilation, unplanned urbanization, cold temperature, and unclean fuel use are revealed as strong determinants of asthma prevalence in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Extensive monitoring and interventions are needed for the reduction of both indoor and outdoor nitrogen dioxide levels to overcome the increasing rate of asthma prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javairia Shabnum
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
| | - Sheikh Saeed Ahmad
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Mehwish Jamil Noor
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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5
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Rai A, Adeyeye T, Insaf T, Muscatiello N. Assessing the Effect of Precipitation on Asthma Emergency Department Visits in New York State From 2005 to 2014: A Case-Crossover Study. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2023GH000849. [PMID: 37711363 PMCID: PMC10499370 DOI: 10.1029/2023gh000849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The Earth's precipitation patterns are changing, and regional precipitation is expected to continue to increase in New York State (NYS). Heavy precipitation may negatively affect asthma prevalence through its effect on seasonally varying allergens. We employed a threshold analysis using a time-stratified semi-symmetric bi-directional case-crossover study design to assess the effect of increase in precipitation on asthma (ICD-9 code 493.xx, N = 970,903) emergency department (ED) visits between 2005 and 2014 during non-winter months in NYS. Spatially contiguous gridded meteorological data from North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) were utilized. We used conditional logistic regression models and stratified the analyses by seasons. During non-winter months, we found a small, statistically significant risk of asthma ED visits for precipitation levels above 50 mm, with differences by season. These results suggest that heavy precipitation may be related to an increased risk of asthma ED visits. Gridded meteorological estimates provide a means of addressing the gaps in exposure classification, and these findings provide opportunities for further research on interactions with aeroallergens and meteorological conditions in the context of climate and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjita Rai
- Center for Environmental HealthNew York State Department of HealthAlbanyNYUSA
| | - Temilayo Adeyeye
- Center for Environmental HealthNew York State Department of HealthAlbanyNYUSA
- School of Public HealthUniversity at AlbanyRensselaerNYUSA
| | - Tabassum Insaf
- School of Public HealthUniversity at AlbanyRensselaerNYUSA
- Bureau of Cancer EpidemiologyNew York State Department of HealthAlbanyNYUSA
| | - Neil Muscatiello
- Center for Environmental HealthNew York State Department of HealthAlbanyNYUSA
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6
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Lappe BL, Ebelt S, D'Souza RR, Manangan A, Brown C, Saha S, Harris D, Chang HH, Sole A, Scovronick N. Pollen and asthma morbidity in Atlanta: A 26-year time-series study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 177:107998. [PMID: 37290290 PMCID: PMC10600739 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared to many environmental risk factors, the relationship between pollen and asthma is understudied, including how associations may differ by pollen type and between subgroups, and how associations may be changing over time. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the association between ambient pollen concentrations and emergency department (ED) visits for asthma and wheeze in Atlanta, Georgia during 1993-2018. We estimated overall associations for 13 individual pollen taxa, as well as associations by decade, race, age (5-17, 18-64, 65+), and insurance status (Medicaid vs non-Medicaid). METHODS Speciated pollen data were acquired from Atlanta Allergy & Asthma, a nationally certified pollen counting station. ED visit data were obtained from individual hospitals and from the Georgia Hospital Association. We performed time-series analyses using quasi-Poisson distributed lag models, with primary analyses assessing 3-day (lag 0-2 days) pollen levels. Models controlled for day of week, holidays, air temperature, month, year, and month-by-year interactions. RESULTS From 1993 to 2018, there were 686,259 ED visits for asthma and wheeze in the dataset, and the number of ED visits increased over time. We observed positive associations of asthma and wheeze ED visits with nine of the 13 pollen taxa: trees (maple, birch, pine, oak, willow, sycamore, and mulberry), two weeds (nettle and pigweed), and grasses. Rate ratios indicated 1-8% increases in asthma and wheeze ED visits per standard deviation increases in pollen. In general, we observed stronger associations in the earliest period (1993-2000), in younger people, and in Black patients; however, results varied by pollen taxa. CONCLUSIONS Some, but not all, types of pollen are associated with increased ED visits for asthma/wheeze. Associations are generally higher in Black and younger patients and appear to have decreased over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke L Lappe
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stefanie Ebelt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Rohan R D'Souza
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Arie Manangan
- Climate and Health Program, Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Claudia Brown
- Climate and Health Program, Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shubhayu Saha
- Climate and Health Program, Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA; Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington DC, USA
| | - Drew Harris
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Howard H Chang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adam Sole
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Noah Scovronick
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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7
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Crimmins TM, Vogt E, Brown CL, Dalan D, Manangan A, Robinson G, Song Y, Zhu K, Katz DSW. Volunteer-contributed observations of flowering often correlate with airborne pollen concentrations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2023:10.1007/s00484-023-02506-3. [PMID: 37330426 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-023-02506-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing airborne pollen concentrations is crucial for supporting allergy and asthma management; however, pollen monitoring is labor intensive and, in the USA, geographically limited. The USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) engages thousands of volunteer observers in regularly documenting the developmental and reproductive status of plants. The reports of flower and pollen cone status contributed to the USA-NPN's platform, Nature's Notebook, have the potential to help address gaps in pollen monitoring by providing real-time, spatially explicit information from across the country. In this study, we assessed whether observations of flower and pollen cone status contributed to Nature's Notebook can serve as effective proxies for airborne pollen concentrations. We compared daily pollen concentrations from 36 National Allergy Bureau (NAB) stations in the USA with flowering and pollen cone status observations collected within 200 km of each NAB station in each year, 2009-2021, for 15 common tree taxa using Spearman's correlations. Of 350 comparisons, 58% of correlations were significant (p < 0.05). Comparisons could be made at the largest numbers of sites for Acer and Quercus. Quercus demonstrated a comparatively high proportion of tests with significant agreement (median ρ = 0.49). Juglans demonstrated the strongest overall coherence between the two datasets (median ρ = 0.79), though comparisons were made at only a small number of sites. For particular taxa, volunteer-contributed flowering status observations demonstrate promise to indicate seasonal patterns in airborne pollen concentrations. The quantity of observations, and therefore, their utility for supporting pollen alerts, could be substantially increased through a formal observation campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M Crimmins
- USA National Phenology Network, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Arizona, 1311 E 4th St., Suite 325, Tucson, AZ, 84721, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Vogt
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Claudia L Brown
- Climate and Health Program, Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dan Dalan
- Allergy & Immunology, Waterloo, IA, USA
| | - Arie Manangan
- Climate and Health Program, Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Guy Robinson
- Department of Natural Sciences, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA
- Louis Calder Biological Station, Armonk, NY, USA
| | - Yiluan Song
- Department of Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Institute for Global Change Biology and School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kai Zhu
- Institute for Global Change Biology and School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel S W Katz
- School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Mani K, Miller R, Lin J, Shahani J, Jariwala S. Trends in seasonal pollen and asthma-related morbidity among adults and children in a U.S. high-density urban center, 2001-2020. J Asthma 2023; 60:784-793. [PMID: 35758000 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2022.2094804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the long-term trends in pollen counts and asthma-related emergency department visits (AREDV) in adult and pediatric populations in the Bronx. METHODS Daily values of adult and pediatric AREDV were retrospectively obtained from three major Bronx hospitals using ICD-10 codes and pollen counts were obtained from the Armonk station from 2001-2020. Wilcoxon Ranked Sum was applied to compare median values, while Spearman correlation was employed to examine the association between these variables, for both decades and each season. RESULTS The median value of pediatric AREDV increased by 200% from the 1st to 2nd decade (p < 0.001) and AREDV peak shifted from predominantly the spring season in the 1st decade to the fall and winter seasons in the 2nd decade. Seasonal patterns were consistent over 20 years with summer AREDV lower than all other seasons (9 vs. 17 per day) (p < 0.001). Spring tree pollen peaks were correlated with AREDV peaks (rho = 0.34) (p < 0.001). Tree pollen exceeding 100 grains/m3 corresponded to a median of 19.0 AREDVs while all other tree pollen (0 - 99 grains/m3) corresponded to a median of 15.0 AREDVs (p < 0.001). AREDVs sharply declined in 2020, coinciding with the emergence of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Pollen and AREDVs peak earlier in the spring and are more strongly interconnected, while asthma rates among children are rapidly rising, particularly in the fall and winter. These findings can advise targeted awareness campaigns for better management of asthma related morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Mani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Raphael Miller
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Department of Allergy and Immunology, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Juan Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, The Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Sunit Jariwala
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
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Kumar R, Gaur S, Agarwal M, Menon B, Goel N, Mrigpuri P, Spalgais S, Priya A, Kumar K, Meena R, Sankararaman N, Verma A, Gupta V, Sonal, Prakash A, Safwan MA, Behera D, Singh A, Arora N, Prasad R, Padukudru M, Kant S, Janmeja A, Mohan A, Jain V, Nagendra Prasad K, Nagaraju K, Goyal M. Indian Guidelines for diagnosis of respiratory allergy. INDIAN JOURNAL OF ALLERGY, ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.4103/0972-6691.367373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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10
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Nitschke M, Dear KBG, Venugopal K, Lyne KMR, Jersmann HPA, Simon DL, Spurrier N. Association between grass, tree and weed pollen and asthma health outcomes in Adelaide, South Australia: a time series regression analysis. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e066851. [PMID: 36414301 PMCID: PMC9723903 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aim to establish daily risk estimates of the relationships between grass, tree and weed pollen and asthma health outcomes. DESIGN Time series regression analysis of exposure and health outcomes using interaction by month to determine risk estimates all year round. SETTING Metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. PARTICIPANTS Health outcomes for asthma are based on 15 years of hospital admissions, 13 years emergency presentations and ambulance callouts. In adults (≥18 years), there were 10 381 hospitalisations, 26 098 emergency department (ED) presentations and 11 799 ambulance callouts and in children (0-17 years), 22 114, 39 813 and 3774, respectively. OUTCOME MEASURES The cumulative effect of 7 day lags was calculated as the sum of the coefficients and reported as incidence rate ratio (IRR) related to an increase in 10 grains of pollen/m3. RESULTS In relation to grass pollen, children and adults were disparate in their timing of health effects. Asthma outcomes in children were positively related to grass pollen in May, and for adults in October. Positive associations with weed pollen in children was seen from February to May across all health outcomes. For adults, weed pollen-related health outcomes were restricted to February. Adults were not affected by tree pollen, while children's asthma morbidity was associated with tree pollen in August and September. In children, IRRs ranged from 1.14 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.21) for ED presentations for tree pollen in August to 1.98 (95% CI 1.06 to 3.72) for weed pollen in February. In adults, IRRs ranged from 1.28 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.62) for weed pollen in February to 1.31 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.57) for grass pollen in October. CONCLUSION Monthly risk assessment indicated that most pollen-related asthma health outcomes in children occur in the colder part of the year, while adults are affected in the warm season. The findings indicate a need for year-round pollen monitoring and related health campaigns to provide effective public health prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Nitschke
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- SA Health Department for Health and Wellbeing, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Kamalesh Venugopal
- Prevention and Population Health, Wellbeing SA, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Katrina Margaret Rose Lyne
- Health Protection and Licensing Services, SA Health Department for Health and Wellbeing, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Hubertus Paul Anton Jersmann
- Thoracic Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David Leslie Simon
- Health Protection and Licensing Services, SA Health Department for Health and Wellbeing, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nicola Spurrier
- SA Health Department for Health and Wellbeing, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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11
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Hu Y, Cheng J, Liu S, Tan J, Yan C, Yu G, Yin Y, Tong S. Evaluation of climate change adaptation measures for childhood asthma: A systematic review of epidemiological evidence. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156291. [PMID: 35644404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change (GCC) is widely accepted as the biggest threat to human health of the 21st century. Children are particularly vulnerable to GCC due to developing organ systems, psychological immaturity, nature of daily activities, and higher level of per-body-unit exposure. There is a rising trend in the disease burden of childhood asthma and allergies in many parts of the world. The associations of CC, air pollution and other environmental exposures with childhood asthma are attracting more research attention, but relatively few studies have focused on CC adaptation measures and childhood asthma. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap and conducted the first systematic review on CC adaptation measures and childhood asthma. We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science using a set of MeSH terms and related synonyms, and identified 20 eligible studies included for review. We found that there were a number of adaptation measures proposed for childhood asthma in response to GCC, including vulnerability assessment, improving ventilation and heating, enhancing community education, and developing forecast models and early warning systems. Several randomized controlled trials show that improving ventilation and installing heating in the homes appear to be an effective way to relieve childhood asthma symptoms, especially in winter. However, the effectiveness of most adaptation measures, except for improving ventilation and heating, have not been explored and quantified. Given more extreme weather events (e.g., cold spells and heatwaves) may occur as climate change progresses, this finding may have important implications. Evidently, further research is urgently warranted to evaluate the impacts of CC adaptation measures on childhood asthma. These adaptation measures, if proven to be effective, should be integrated in childhood asthma control and prevention programs as GCC continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabin Hu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shijian Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianguo Tan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Meteorology and Health (Shanghai Meteorological Service), Shanghai, China
| | - Chonghuai Yan
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangjun Yu
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Yin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shilu Tong
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Institute of Environment and Population Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
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12
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Idrose NS, Lodge CJ, Erbas B, Douglass JA, Bui DS, Dharmage SC. A Review of the Respiratory Health Burden Attributable to Short-Term Exposure to Pollen. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127541. [PMID: 35742795 PMCID: PMC9224249 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect millions worldwide and pose a significant global public health burden. Over the years, changes in land use and climate have increased pollen quantity, allergenicity and duration of the pollen season, thus increasing its impact on respiratory disease. Many studies have investigated the associations between short-term ambient pollen (i.e., within days or weeks of exposure) and respiratory outcomes. Here, we reviewed the current evidence on the association between short-term outdoor pollen exposure and thunderstorm asthma (TA), asthma and COPD hospital presentations, general practice (GP) consultations, self-reported respiratory symptoms, lung function changes and their potential effect modifiers. The literature suggests strong evidence of an association between ambient pollen concentrations and almost all respiratory outcomes mentioned above, especially in people with pre-existing respiratory diseases. However, the evidence on sub-clinical lung function changes, COPD, and effect modifiers other than asthma, hay fever and pollen sensitisation are still scarce and requires further exploration. Better understanding of the implications of pollen on respiratory health can aid healthcare professionals to implement appropriate management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Sabrina Idrose
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia; (N.S.I.); (C.J.L.); (D.S.B.)
- Centre for Food and Allergy Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Caroline J. Lodge
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia; (N.S.I.); (C.J.L.); (D.S.B.)
| | - Bircan Erbas
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Jo A. Douglass
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia;
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Dinh S. Bui
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia; (N.S.I.); (C.J.L.); (D.S.B.)
| | - Shyamali C. Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia; (N.S.I.); (C.J.L.); (D.S.B.)
- Centre for Food and Allergy Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-383-440-737
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13
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Li L, Hao D, Li X, Chen M, Zhou Y, Jurgens D, Asrar G, Sapkota A. Satellite-based phenology products and in-situ pollen dynamics: A comparative assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111937. [PMID: 34464616 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing climate variability and change is impacting pollen exposure dynamics among sensitive populations. However, pollen data that can provide beneficial information to allergy experts and patients alike remains elusive. The lack of high spatial resolution pollen data has resulted in a growing interest in using phenology information that is derived using satellite observations to infer key pollen events including start of pollen season (SPS), timing of peak pollen season (PPS), and length of pollen season (LPS). However, it remains unclear if the agreement between satellite-based phenology information (e.g. start of season: SOS) and the in-situ pollen dynamics vary based on the type of satellite product itself or the processing methods used. To address this, we investigated the relationship between vegetation phenology indicator (SOS) derived from two separate sensor/satellite observations (MODIS, Landsat), and two different processing methods (double logistic regression (DLM) vs hybrid piecewise logistic regression (HPLM)) with in-situ pollen season dynamics (SPS, PPS, LPS) for three dominant allergenic tree pollen species (birch, oak, and poplar) that dominate the springtime allergy season in North America. Our results showed that irrespective of the data processing method (i.e. DLM vs HPLM), the MODIS-based SOS to be more closely aligned with the in-situ SPS, and PPS while upscaled Landsat based SOS had a better precision. The data products obtained using DLM processing methods tended to perform better than the HPLM based methods. We further showed that MODIS based phenology information along with temperature and latitude can be used to infer in-situ pollen dynamic for tree pollen during spring time. Our findings suggest that satellite-based phenology information may be useful in the development of early warning systems for allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linze Li
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Hubei, 430079, China; Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, 20740, USA
| | - Dalai Hao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, College Park, MD, 20740, USA; State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing Science, Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xuecao Li
- College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Min Chen
- Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, College Park, MD, 20740, USA; Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Yuyu Zhou
- Department of Geology and Atmosphere Sciences, Iowa State University, IA, 50014, USA
| | - Dawn Jurgens
- Aerobiology Research Laboratories, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ghassam Asrar
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, 21046, USA
| | - Amir Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, 20740, USA.
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14
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Clemons R, Kong M, Jawad K, Feygin Y, Caperell K. The Impact of Converting a Power Plant from Coal to Natural Gas on Pediatric Acute Asthma. J Asthma 2022; 59:2441-2448. [PMID: 35038390 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2021.2022159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Air pollutants play a pivotal role in the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms. As cleaner air initiatives are increasingly being implemented, it is important to appraise how these changes relate to acute pediatric asthma. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of a Gas and Electric Company's transition from using coal to natural gas as their fuel source on pediatric asthma-related illnesses in Louisville, KY.Methods: Data were collected for children 2-17 years old from a large regional healthcare system, for which an asthma-related primary diagnosis was present between April 1, 2013 and April 1, 2018. Using an interrupted time series design, we analyzed monthly rates of asthma-related visits to urgent care (UC) and emergency departments (ED). Segmented Poisson regression models were used to assess whether the power company's transition was associated with changes in trends of asthma-related visits.Results: There were a total of 7,735 subjects who met inclusion criteria. Prior to the complete factory transition from coal to natural gas, the mean monthly rate for asthma-related visits was 163.9. After the transition, we observed a significant decrease to a mean monthly rate of 100.3 asthma-related visits (p < 0.001). In addition, the proportion of inpatient (23.7% vs. 30.5%, p < 0.001) visits significantly increased, while ED & UC (76.3 vs. 69.5%, p < 0.001) were significantly decreased.Conclusion: Converting an electrical power plant from coal to natural gas lead to a profound and sustained decrease in pediatric acute asthma exacerbation in Louisville, KY.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Clemons
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Maiying Kong
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville, Louisville, United States
| | - Kahir Jawad
- School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Biostatistics, University of Louisville, Louisville, United States
| | - Yana Feygin
- School of Public Health and Information Sciences, Biostatistics, University of Louisville, Louisville, United States
| | - Kerry Caperell
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, United States
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15
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Atanasio A, Franklin MC, Kamat V, Hernandez AR, Badithe A, Ben LH, Jones J, Bautista J, Yancopoulos GD, Olson W, Murphy AJ, Sleeman MA, Orengo JM. Targeting immunodominant Bet v 1 epitopes with monoclonal antibodies prevents the birch allergic response. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 149:200-211. [PMID: 34126155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blocking the major cat allergen, Fel d 1, with mAbs was effective in preventing an acute cat allergic response. OBJECTIVES This study sought to extend the allergen-specific antibody approach and demonstrate that a combination of mAbs targeting Bet v 1, the immunodominant and most abundant allergenic protein in birch pollen, can prevent the birch allergic response. METHODS Bet v 1-specific mAbs, REGN5713, REGN5714, and REGN5715, were isolated using the VelocImmune platform. Surface plasmon resonance, x-ray crystallography, and cryo-electron microscopy determined binding kinetics and structural data. Inhibition of IgE-binding, basophil activation, and mast cell degranulation were assessed via blocking ELISA, flow cytometry, and the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis mouse model. RESULTS REGN5713, REGN5714, and REGN5715 bind with high affinity and noncompetitively to Bet v 1. A cocktail of all 3 antibodies, REGN5713/14/15, blocks IgE binding to Bet v 1 and inhibits Bet v 1- and birch pollen extract-induced basophil activation ex vivo and mast cell degranulation in vivo. Crystal structures of the complex of Bet v 1 with immunoglobulin antigen-binding fragments of REGN5713 or REGN5715 show distinct interaction sites on Bet v 1. Cryo-electron microscopy reveals a planar and roughly symmetrical complex formed by REGN5713/14/15 bound to Bet v 1. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm the immunodominance of Bet v 1 in birch allergy and demonstrate blockade of the birch allergic response with REGN5713/14/15. Structural analyses show simultaneous binding of REGN5713, REGN5714, and REGN5715 with substantial areas of Bet v 1 exposed, suggesting that targeting specific epitopes is sufficient to block the allergic response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Li-Hong Ben
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Tarrytown, NY
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16
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The Relationship between Aeroallergen Sensitization and Chronic Cough in School-Aged Children from General Population. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5513611. [PMID: 34840976 PMCID: PMC8616696 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5513611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective Determining sensitivity to allergens is an essential step in diagnosing children with allergic diseases. Chronic cough has remained poorly understood with causative triggers. The purpose of our study was to shed light on the relationship between sensitization to aeroallergens and chronic cough. Methods This population-based study examined children (aged 7 years to 13 years) between June and July 2016. The 1,259 children, 72 of whom (5.7%) had a chronic cough, and 1,187 of whom (94.3%) did not (controls), completed the questionnaire, but 1,051 children completed skin prick tests (SPTs) with eight aeroallergens. Results There were positive SPT results to at least 1 allergen in 549 children (52.2%). Sensitization to house dust mite (HDM) was most common (chronic cough = 46.9%; controls = 47.2%), followed by pollen (chronic cough = 21.9%; controls = 16.5%) in both groups, but there was no difference in allergic profile and sensitization to aeroallergen (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). Multivariable analysis with adjustment for confounding indicated that children who were in sensitization to pollen had an increased risk of chronic cough (aOR = 2.387; 95% CI: 1.115 to 5.111; P = 0.025). Multivariable analysis with adjustment for confounding indicated that children who were exposed to current smoking (aOR = 4.442; 95% CI: 1.831 to 10.776; P = 0.001) and mold (aOR = 1.988; 95% CI: 1.168 to 3.383; P = 0.011) were associated with chronic cough. Conclusion Sensitization to pollen should be considered as a potential contributing factor to the development of chronic cough in school-aged children.
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17
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Everhart RS, Dempster KW, Withers D, Mazzeo SE, Corona R, Thacker LR, Schechter MS. Adaptations to the RVA Breathes clinical trial due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2021; 24:100871. [PMID: 34805614 PMCID: PMC8592848 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2021.100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RVA Breathes, a community program to improve asthma management and care coordination among children living in a low-income, urban area, is being evaluated in a randomized clinical trial. In March 2020, RVA Breathes was converted to a remote program due to the COVID-19 pandemic; this report provides an update on the modifications made to the RVA Breathes trial. Additionally, given that families in the program have been disproportionally impacted by both COVID-19 and significant social unrest at both the local and national level, strategies used to enroll and engage families in the trial who bore disproportionately high burdens during this time period are outlined. Remote sessions (telephone or video) for families enrolled in the program prior to the onset of COVID-19 began in April 2020; enrollment of new families began remotely in July 2020 using adapted consent procedures. Baseline, intervention, and follow-up sessions were delivered either via the telephone or video depending upon family preference. Strategies were implemented to engage caregivers and children in completing measures over the telephone or video versus in person. Tangible intervention materials and participant payments were dropped off at family homes using contactless procedures. Our team was able to adapt and safely continue a large, community-based clinical trial, despite the increased health risks and social isolation mandates from the pandemic, by transitioning to a remote format. Challenges remain in determining whether RVA Breathes as a remote program has had the same impact on child asthma as the face-to-face interventions that comprised its original format.
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18
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Lu CW, Fu J, Liu XF, Chen WW, Hao JL, Li XL, Pant OP. Air pollution and meteorological conditions significantly contribute to the worsening of allergic conjunctivitis: a regional 20-city, 5-year study in Northeast China. LIGHT, SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS 2021; 10:190. [PMID: 34535628 PMCID: PMC8448737 DOI: 10.1038/s41377-021-00630-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
This study is the first to explore the potential associations among allergic conjunctivitis (AC), air pollution, and meteorological conditions in Northeast China. Data of meteorology, ambient atmospheric pollutants, and the incidence of allergic conjunctivitis (IAC) in prefecture-level cities between the years 2014 and 2018 are analyzed. The results show an increasing trend in the AC of average growth rate per annum 7.6%, with the highest incidence in the provincial capitals. The IAC is positively correlated with atmospheric pollutants (i.e., PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, NO2, and O3) and meteorological factors (i.e., air temperature and wind speed), but negatively correlated with relative humidity. These results suggest that the IAC is directly proportional to pollution level and climatic conditions, and also the precedence of air pollution. We have further obtained the threshold values of atmospheric pollutants concentration and meteorological factors, a turning point above which more AC may be induced. Compared with the air quality standard advised by China and the World Health Organization (WHO), both thresholds of PM10 (70 μg m-3) and PM2.5 (45 μg m-3) are higher than current standards and pose a less environmental risk for the IAC. SO2 threshold (23 μg m-3) is comparable to the WHO standard and significantly lower than that of China's, indicating greater environmental risks in China. Both thresholds of NO2 (27 μg m-3) and O3 (88 μg m-3) are below current standards, indicating that they are major environmental risk factors for the IAC. Our findings highlight the importance of atmospheric environmental protection and reference for health-based amendment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Wei Lu
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Jing Fu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China
| | - Xiu-Fen Liu
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Wei-Wei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China.
| | - Ji-Long Hao
- The Department of Ophthalmology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xiao-Lan Li
- Institute of Atmospheric Environment, China Meteorological Administration, Shenyang, 110166, China
| | - Om Prakash Pant
- Dhangadhi Netralaya Eye Hospital, Dhangadhi, 3, Kailali, Nepal
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19
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Demoly P, Bos C, Vidal C. Worsening of chronic house-dust-mite-induced respiratory allergies: An observational survey in three European countries. World Allergy Organ J 2021; 14:100563. [PMID: 34306302 PMCID: PMC8271175 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2021.100563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although respiratory allergies to house dust mites (HDMs) can often be controlled with symptomatic medications, some patients do not achieve satisfactory disease control. Objective To assess fortnightly fluctuations (notably worsening and/or exacerbations) in disease parameters among patients taking only symptomatic medications for HDM allergy. Methods In a 13-month, observational, multicenter survey of adults with a self-reported history of poorly controlled, moderate-to-severe, physician-diagnosed HDM respiratory allergy in France, Italy, and Spain, fortnightly telephone interviews were used to gather information on medication use, symptoms, the disease burden, and medical consultations from late May 2012 to early July 2013. Results A total of 313 patients completed the study (n = 114 in Italy, 92 in France, and 107 in Spain). Although most participants reported improvements in symptoms, a substantial minority (ranging from 12% to 44% per fortnightly telephone interview in 2012 and from 16% to 37% in 2013) complained of worsening. A few study participants did not improve at any time in the study: 4% overall, and 2%, 2%, and 7% in Italy, France and Spain, respectively. A change in the weather and/or contact with other allergens were the most frequent self-reported reasons for worsening, although the answer “I don't know” was also prominent. Conclusion In a 13-month survey of patients with HDM allergy in Italy, France, and Spain, the participants’ symptom status fluctuated significantly — illustrating the complexity of this condition. Although most participants reported improvements, the “never-improver” profile warrants further investigation. More prominence could be given to symptom control and a low exacerbation risk as treatment goals in allergic rhinitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Demoly
- Allergy Division, Pulmonology Department, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Sorbonne Université, UMR-S 1136 INSERM, IPLESP, Equipe EPAR, Paris, France
| | | | - Carmen Vidal
- Allergy Service, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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20
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Abstract
Human-caused climate change could impact respiratory health, including asthma and allergies, through temperature-driven increases in airborne pollen, but the long-term continental pollen trends and role of climate change in pollen patterns are not well-understood. We measure pollen trends across North America from 1990 to 2018 and find increases in pollen concentrations and longer pollen seasons. We use an ensemble of climate models to test the role of climate change and find that it is the dominant driver of changes in pollen season length and a significant contributor to increasing pollen concentrations. Our results indicate that human-caused climate change has already worsened North American pollen seasons, and climate-driven pollen trends are likely to further exacerbate respiratory health impacts in coming decades. Airborne pollen has major respiratory health impacts and anthropogenic climate change may increase pollen concentrations and extend pollen seasons. While greenhouse and field studies indicate that pollen concentrations are correlated with temperature, a formal detection and attribution of the role of anthropogenic climate change in continental pollen seasons is urgently needed. Here, we use long-term pollen data from 60 North American stations from 1990 to 2018, spanning 821 site-years of data, and Earth system model simulations to quantify the role of human-caused climate change in continental patterns in pollen concentrations. We find widespread advances and lengthening of pollen seasons (+20 d) and increases in pollen concentrations (+21%) across North America, which are strongly coupled to observed warming. Human forcing of the climate system contributed ∼50% (interquartile range: 19–84%) of the trend in pollen seasons and ∼8% (4–14%) of the trend in pollen concentrations. Our results reveal that anthropogenic climate change has already exacerbated pollen seasons in the past three decades with attendant deleterious effects on respiratory health.
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21
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Saha S, Vaidyanathan A, Lo F, Brown C, Hess JJ. Short term physician visits and medication prescriptions for allergic disease associated with seasonal tree, grass, and weed pollen exposure across the United States. Environ Health 2021; 20:85. [PMID: 34289856 PMCID: PMC8296728 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00766-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While year-round exposure to pollen is linked to a large burden of allergic diseases, location-specific risk information on pollen types and allergy outcomes are limited. We characterize the relationship between acute exposure to tree, grass and weed pollen taxa and two allergy outcomes (allergic rhinitis physician visit and prescription allergy medication fill) across 28 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) in the United States. METHODS We obtained daily pollen data from National Allergy Bureau (NAB) monitors at these 28 MSAs for 2008-2015. We revised the NAB guidelines to classify taxa-specific pollen severity each day. Daily information on allergic rhinitis and prescribed allergy medications for individuals with employer-based health insurance from the IBM MarketScan Research database for these MSAs. We combined the daily pollen and health data for each MSA into a longitudinal dataset. We conducted a MSA-specific conditional quasi-Poisson regression analysis to assess how different levels of pollen concentration impact the health outcomes, controlling for local air pollution, meteorology and Influenza-like illness (ILI). We used a random effects meta-analysis to produce an overall risk estimate for each pollen type and health outcome. RESULTS The seasonal distribution of pollen taxa and associated health impacts varied across the MSAs. Relative risk of allergic rhinitis visits increased as concentrations increased for all pollen types; relative risk of medication fills increased for tree and weed pollen only. We observed an increase in health risk even on days with moderate levels of pollen concentration. 7-day average concentration of pollen had stronger association with the health outcomes compared to the same-day measure. Controlling for air pollution and ILI had little impact on effect estimates. CONCLUSION This analysis expands the catalogue of associations between different pollen taxa and allergy-related outcomes across multiple MSAs. The effect estimates we present can be used to project the burden of allergic disease in specific locations in the future as well inform patients with allergies on impending pollen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhayu Saha
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, GA, 30341, Atlanta, USA.
| | - Ambarish Vaidyanathan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, GA, 30341, Atlanta, USA
| | - Fiona Lo
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Claudia Brown
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, GA, 30341, Atlanta, USA
| | - Jeremy J Hess
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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22
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Tiwari A, Wang AL, Li J, Lutz SM, Kho AT, Weiss ST, Tantisira KG, McGeachie MJ. Seasonal Variation in miR-328-3p and let-7d-3p Are Associated With Seasonal Allergies and Asthma Symptoms in Children. ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2021; 13:576-588. [PMID: 34212545 PMCID: PMC8255344 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2021.13.4.576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNA molecules of around 18-22 nucleotides that are key regulators of many biologic processes, particularly inflammation. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of circulating miRs from asthmatic children with seasonal variation in allergic inflammation and asthma symptoms. METHODS We used available small RNA sequencing on blood serum from 398 children with mild-to-moderate asthma from the Childhood Asthma Management Program. We used seasonal asthma symptom data at the study baseline and allergen affection status from baseline skin prick tests as primary outcomes. We identified differentially expressed (DE) miRs between pairs of seasons using DESeq2. Regression analysis was used to identify associations between allergy status to specific seasonal allergens and DE miRs in 4 seasons and between seasonal asthma symptom data and DE miRs. We performed pathway enrichment analysis for target genes of the DE miRs using DAVID. RESULTS After quality control, 398 samples underwent differential analysis between the 4 seasons. We found 52 unique miRs from a total of 81 DE miRs across seasons. Further investigation of the association between these miRs and sensitization to seasonal allergens using skin prick tests revealed that 26 unique miRs from a total of 38 miRs were significantly associated with a same-season allergen. Comparison between seasonal asthma symptom data revealed that 2 of these 26 miRs also had significant associations with asthma symptoms in the same seasons: miR-328-3p (P < 0.03) and let-7d-3p (P < 0.05). Enrichment analysis showed that the most enriched pathway clusters were Rap1, Ras, and MAPK signaling pathways. CONCLUSION Our results show seasonal variation in miR-328-3p and let-7d-3p are significantly associated with seasonal asthma symptoms and seasonal allergies. These indicate a potentially protective role for let-7d-3p and a deleterious role for miR-328-3p in asthmatics sensitized to mulberry. Further work will determine whether these miRs are drivers or results of the allergic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshul Tiwari
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alberta L Wang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jiang Li
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sharon M Lutz
- PRecisiOn Medicine Translational Research (PROMoTeR) Center, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alvin T Kho
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Computational Health Informatics Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott T Weiss
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelan G Tantisira
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael J McGeachie
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Paudel B, Chu T, Chen M, Sampath V, Prunicki M, Nadeau KC. Increased duration of pollen and mold exposure are linked to climate change. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12816. [PMID: 34140579 PMCID: PMC8211740 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92178-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pollen and molds are environmental allergens that are affected by climate change. As pollen and molds exhibit geographical variations, we sought to understand the impact of climate change (temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2), precipitation, smoke exposure) on common pollen and molds in the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the largest urban areas in the United States. When using time-series regression models between 2002 and 2019, the annual average number of weeks with pollen concentrations higher than zero increased over time. For tree pollens, the average increase in this duration was 0.47 weeks and 0.51 weeks for mold spores. Associations between mold, pollen and meteorological data (e.g., precipitation, temperature, atmospheric CO2, and area covered by wildfire smoke) were analyzed using the autoregressive integrated moving average model. We found that peak concentrations of weed and tree pollens were positively associated with temperature (p < 0.05 at lag 0–1, 0–4, and 0–12 weeks) and precipitation (p < 0.05 at lag 0–4, 0–12, and 0–24 weeks) changes, respectively. We did not find clear associations between pollen concentrations and CO2 levels or wildfire smoke exposure. This study’s findings suggest that spore and pollen activities are related to changes in observed climate change variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibek Paudel
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Theodore Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Meng Chen
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Vanitha Sampath
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Mary Prunicki
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kari C Nadeau
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University School of Medicine and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Pollen Exposure and Associated Healthcare Utilization: A Population-based Study Using HMO Data in the Washington, DC Area. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2021; 18:1642-1649. [PMID: 33794139 PMCID: PMC8522299 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202008-976oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Most studies of the healthcare utilization impact of pollen exposure have focused on emergency department visits or hospital admissions. However, other frequent but lower cost services—phone calls and e-mails to providers and office visits—may also be affected. Objectives: The objective of our study was to estimate the impact of tree and grass pollen exposures on respiratory-related healthcare utilization across a range of medical services, including calls and e-mails to providers, nonurgent face-to-face visits, urgent and emergent care visits, and hospitalizations. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of daily tree and grass pollen counts linked to electronic health records of Kaiser Permanente beneficiaries in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area for 2013–2014. Results: The proportion of Kaiser Permanente beneficiaries with respiratory-related healthcare utilization was significantly greater (for P ⩽ 0.05) given a 1 standard deviation increase in same-day pollen exposure. For tree pollen, a 1 standard deviation increase in same-day pollen exposure was associated with relative increases in utilization ranging from 1.77% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07–4.17%) for urgent and emergent care visits to 12.84% (95% CI, 11.02–14.65%) for provider calls/e-mails. For grass pollen exposure, a 1 standard deviation increase in same-day pollen exposure was associated with relative increases in utilization ranging from 1.42% (95% CI, 0.39–2.46) for provider face-to-face visits to 11.09% (95% CI, 9.26–12.92) for provider calls/e-mails. Conclusions: Increased pollen exposure was associated with increases in healthcare utilization across a range of services, with relatively higher increases in provider calls/e-mails and lower increases in emergent or acute care. If climate change increases intensity and geographic scope of pollen exposure as predicted and if this study’s estimates of association of peak pollen exposure on healthcare utilization are generalizable, then the impact of climate change on healthcare utilization may be significant.
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25
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Nolte H, Waserman S, Ellis AK, Biedermann T, Würtzen PA. Treatment Effect of the Tree Pollen SLIT-Tablet on Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis During Oak Pollen Season. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2021; 9:1871-1878. [PMID: 33548518 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2021.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Birch, alder, hazel, and oak are members of the birch homologous group based on cross-reactivity toward the birch pollen allergen Betula verrucosa 1. Theoretically, allergy to these tree pollens may be treated by immunotherapy with one representative allergen extract. OBJECTIVE To evaluate post hoc whether treatment of birch pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with a standardized tree sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)-tablet containing birch pollen extract reduces symptoms and symptom-relieving medication use during the oak pollen season (OPS). METHODS In a randomized, multinational, double-blind trial (EudraCT-2015-004821-15), 634 participants (ages 12-65 years) received daily tree SLIT-tablet (12 SQ-Bet) or placebo before and during tree pollen season (alder/hazel plus birch pollen season [BPS]). Symptom-relieving medication was allowed. The primary end point was the average total combined score (sum of rhinoconjunctivitis daily symptom score and daily medication score) during BPS. Outcomes during the OPS (excluding overlapping BPS days) were analyzed post hoc. RESULTS Relative improvements in average total combined score, daily symptom score, and daily medication score with the tree SLIT-tablet versus placebo during the OPS were 25%, 22%, and 32%, respectively (all P < .001). Significant correlations were observed between birch and oak serum immunoglobulin E (sIgE) at baseline (r = 0.86) and between birch and oak IgG4 after treatment (r = 0.72). Oak sIgE and IgG4 kinetics in response to tree SLIT-tablet treatment were similar to birch. CONCLUSIONS The tree SLIT-tablet leads to significant improvement of rhinoconjunctivitis outcomes during the OPS, supporting the clinical relevance of immunological cross-reactivity toward birch and oak allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan Waserman
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Anne K Ellis
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Tilo Biedermann
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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26
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Bernstein DI, Würtzen PA, DuBuske L, Blaiss MS, Ellis AK, Weber RW, Nolte H. Allergy to oak pollen in North America. Allergy Asthma Proc 2021; 42:43-54. [PMID: 33404388 DOI: 10.2500/aap.2021.42.200089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: Oak pollen is an important allergen in North America. The genus Quercus (oak) belongs to the family Fagaceae under the order Fagales. Objective: The objective of this article was to narratively review the oak pollen season, clinical and epidemiologic aspects of allergy to oak pollen, oak taxonomy, and oak allergen cross-reactivity, with a focus on the North American perspective. Methods: A PubMed literature review (no limits) was conducted. Publications related to oak pollen, oak-related allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis, and oak-related allergic asthma were selected for review. Results: Oak species are common throughout the United States and contribute up to 50% to overall atmospheric pollen loads. Mean peak oak pollen counts can reach >2000 grains/m³. The start of the oak pollen season generally corresponds to the seasonal shift from winter to spring based on latitude and elevation, and may begin as early as mid February. The duration of the season can last > 100 days and, in general, is longer at lower latitudes. In the United States, ∼30% of individuals with allergy are sensitized to oak. The oak pollen season correlates with increased allergic rhinitis symptom-relieving medication use and asthma-related emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Oak falls within the birch homologous group. Extensive immunologic cross-reactivity has been demonstrated between oak pollen and birch pollen allergens, and, more specifically, their major allergens Que a 1 and Bet v 1. The cross-reactivity between oak and birch has implications for allergy immunotherapy (AIT) because guidelines suggest selecting one representative allergen within a homologous group for AIT, a principle that would apply to oak. Conclusion: Allergy to oak pollen is common in North America and has a substantial clinical impact. Oak pollen allergens are cross-reactive with birch pollen allergens, which may have implications for AIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- David I. Bernstein
- From the Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Lawrence DuBuske
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C
| | | | - Anne K. Ellis
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard W. Weber
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado; and
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27
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De Roos AJ, Kenyon CC, Zhao Y, Moore K, Melly S, Hubbard RA, Henrickson SE, Forrest CB, Diez Roux AV, Maltenfort M, Schinasi LH. Ambient daily pollen levels in association with asthma exacerbation among children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 145:106138. [PMID: 32961469 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds can trigger asthma exacerbation in sensitized individuals. However, there are gaps in knowledge about the effects, such as the relative risks from different plant taxa and threshold levels of effect. We aimed to describe the local association between pollen and asthma exacerbation among children in the City of Philadelphia, and to evaluate whether effects are modified by children's characteristics and clinical factors (e.g., child's age, race/ethnicity, comorbidities). We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study of pediatric (age <18 years) asthma exacerbation, with cases identified through electronic health records (EHR) of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) health system from March through October in the years 2011-2016. Daily pollen counts were obtained from the local National Allergy Bureau certified pollen counter. We applied conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between the pollen level (vs. none detected) and odds of asthma exacerbation, adjusting for temperature, relative humidity, and holidays. We estimated same-day exposure effects, as well as effects from exposure lagged by up to 5 days. There were 35,040 asthma exacerbation events during the study period, with the majority occurring among black, non-Hispanic children (81.8%) and boys (60.4%). We found increased odds of asthma exacerbation among Philadelphia children in association with tree pollen, both for total tree pollen and most individual tree types. Increased odds from total tree pollen were observed at the lowest levels studied (≤5 grains/m3, unlagged, OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.10), and exhibited a positive exposure-response pattern of effect; tree pollen levels above 1000 grains/m3 (unlagged) were associated with 64% increased odds of asthma exacerbation (95% CI: 1.45, 1.84). Grass pollen was associated with asthma exacerbation only at levels above the 99th percentile (52 grains/m3), which occurred, on average, two days per year during the study period (with 2-day lag, OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.60). There was an inverse association (reduced asthma exacerbation) with ragweed pollen that was consistent across analyses. Pollen from other weeds was associated with increased odds of asthma exacerbation, without a clear exposure-response pattern (2-day lag, significant increases ranging from 8% to 19%). Increased odds from tree pollen and weeds (other than ragweed) were higher among children with allergic rhinitis. While there are known benefits from urban vegetation for human health, there are risks as well. It is important to note, however, that pollen is released during a limited time frame each year, and advisories informed by local data can enable susceptible individuals to avoid outdoor exposure on high-risk days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneclaire J De Roos
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3215 Market St, 6(th) floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
| | - Chén C Kenyon
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, United States
| | - Yuzhe Zhao
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3600 Market St, 7th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Kari Moore
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3600 Market St, 7th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Steve Melly
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3600 Market St, 7th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Rebecca A Hubbard
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 604 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Sarah E Henrickson
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, United States
| | - Christopher B Forrest
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, United States
| | - Ana V Diez Roux
- Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3600 Market St, 7th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Mitchell Maltenfort
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, United States
| | - Leah H Schinasi
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3215 Market St, 6(th) floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
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28
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Kim KR, Han MJ, Oh JW. Forecast for Pollen Allergy: A Review from Field Observation to Modeling and Services in Korea. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2020; 41:127-141. [PMID: 33228869 DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Pollen, a major causal agent of respiratory allergy, is mainly affected by weather conditions. In Korea, pollen and weather data are collected by the national observation network. Forecast models and operational services are developed and provided based on the national pollen data base. Using the pollen risk forecast information will help patients with respiratory allergy to improve their lives. Changes in temperature and CO2 concentration by climate change affect the growth of plants and their capacity of producing more allergenic pollens, which should be considered in making the future strategy on treating allergy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyu Rang Kim
- High Impact Weather Research Department, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, 7 Jukheon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do 25457, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mae Ja Han
- High Impact Weather Research Department, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, 153 Gyeongchun-ro, Guri 11923, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Won Oh
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, 153 Gyeongchun-ro, Guri 11923, Republic of Korea; Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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29
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Katz DSW, Batterman SA. Urban-scale variation in pollen concentrations: A single station is insufficient to characterize daily exposure. AEROBIOLOGIA 2020; 36:417-431. [PMID: 33456131 PMCID: PMC7810344 DOI: 10.1007/s10453-020-09641-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological analyses of airborne allergenic pollen often use concentration measurements from a single station to represent exposure across a city, but this approach does not account for the spatial variation of concentrations within the city. Because there are few descriptions of urban-scale variation, the resulting exposure measurement error is unknown but potentially important for epidemiological studies. This study examines urban scale variation in pollen concentrations by measuring pollen concentrations of 13 taxa over 24-hr periods twice weekly at 25 sites in two seasons in Detroit, Michigan. Spatio-temporal variation is described using cumulative distribution functions and regression models. Daily pollen concentrations across the 25 stations varied considerably, and the average quartile coefficient of dispersion was 0.63. Measurements at a single site explained 3-85% of the variation at other sites, depending on the taxon, and 95% prediction intervals of pollen concentrations generally spanned one to two orders of magnitude. These results demonstrate considerable heterogeneity of pollen levels at the urban scale, and suggest that the use of a single monitoring site will not reflect pollen exposure over an urban area and can lead to sizable measurement error in epidemiological studies, particularly when a daily time-step is used. These errors might be reduced by using predictive daily pollen levels in models that combine vegetation maps, pollen production estimates, phenology models and dispersion processes, or by using coarser time-steps in the epidemiological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S W Katz
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Environmental Health Sciences, 1415 Washington Heights Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Stuart A Batterman
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Environmental Health Sciences, 1415 Washington Heights Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Ziska LH. An Overview of Rising CO₂ and Climatic Change on Aeroallergens and Allergic Diseases. ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2020; 12:771-782. [PMID: 32638558 PMCID: PMC7346998 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2020.12.5.771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
There are a number of implications of climate change in regard to human health. Among these, the role of rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) and temperature in aeroallergen exposure and associated changes in the start, duration and intensity of the pollen season, and associated consequences in aeroallergens and allergic disease are a primary concern. This review is intended to provide a synopsis of CO₂ and climate factors associated with likely changes in aeroallergen biology (indoor and outdoor), including changes in the demography of flowering plants, pollen seasonality, aeroallergen production, and potential biotic and abiotic interactions. These factors, in turn, are compared to clinical trials that have linked aeroallergens to allergic disease and associated health impacts. Finally, suggestions to address unmet needs and critical knowledge gaps are offered. Such recommendations are not meant to be inclusive, but to serve as a spur for the additional research and resources that will be necessary to acquire a better understanding of climate change, CO₂, aeroallergens and associated allergic diseases. Such resources will be critical to derive time-relevant scientific and policy solutions that will minimize public health consequences in a changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis H Ziska
- Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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31
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Sorensen CJ, Salas RN, Rublee C, Hill K, Bartlett ES, Charlton P, Dyamond C, Fockele C, Harper R, Barot S, Calvello-Hynes E, Hess J, Lemery J. Clinical Implications of Climate Change on US Emergency Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities. Ann Emerg Med 2020; 76:168-178. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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32
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Residential Links to Air Pollution and School Children with Asthma in Vilnius (Population Study). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56070346. [PMID: 32668717 PMCID: PMC7404686 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56070346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Many studies have been carried out on the negative health effects of exposure to PM10, PM 2.5, NO2, CO, SO2 and B[a]P for small populations. The main purpose of this study was to explore the association of air pollution to diagnosis of asthma for the whole huge population of school children between 7–17 years in Vilnius (Lithuania) using geographical information system analysis tools. Material and Methods: In the research, a child population of 51,235 individuals was involved. From this large database, we identified children who had asthma diagnosis J45 (ICD-10 AM). Residential pollution concentrations and proximity to roads and green spaces were obtained using the ArcGIS spatial analysis tool from simulated air pollution maps. Multiple stepwise logistic regression was used to explore the relation between air pollution concentration and proximity between the roads and green spaces where children with asthma were living. Further, we explored the interaction between variables. Results: From 51,235 school children aged 7–17 years, 3065 children had asthma in 2017. We investigated significant associations, such as the likelihood of getting sick with age (odds ratio (OR) = 0.949, p < 0.001), gender (OR = 1.357, p = 0.003), NO2 (OR = 1.013, p = 0.019), distance from the green spaces (OR = 1.327, p = 0.013) and interactions of age × gender (OR = 1.024, p = 0.051). The influence of gender on disease is partly explained by different age dependency slopes for boys and girls. Conclusions: According to our results, younger children are more likely to get sick, more cases appended on the lowest age group from 7 to 10 years (almost half cases (49.2%)) and asthma was respectively nearly twice more common in boys (64.1%) than in girls (35.9%). The risk of asthma is related to a higher concentration of NO2 and residence proximity to green spaces.
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Sapkota A, Dong Y, Li L, Asrar G, Zhou Y, Li X, Coates F, Spanier AJ, Matz J, Bielory L, Breitenother AG, Mitchell C, Jiang C. Association Between Changes in Timing of Spring Onset and Asthma Hospitalization in Maryland. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e207551. [PMID: 32663309 PMCID: PMC7339136 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.7551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Ongoing climate change is affecting the health of communities across the globe. While direct consequences, including morbidity and mortality tied to increases in the frequency of extreme weather events, have received significant attention, indirect health effects, particularly those associated with climate change-driven disruptions in ecosystems, are less understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate how ongoing changes in the timing of spring onset related to climate change are associated with rates of asthma hospitalization in Maryland. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study of 29 257 patients with asthma used general additive (quasi Poisson) and mixed-effect (negative binomial) models to investigate the association between changes in the timing of spring onset, detected using satellite observations, and the risk of asthma hospitalization in Maryland from 2001 to 2012. Data analysis was conducted from January 2016 to March 2019. EXPOSURES Phenology data, derived from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, were used to calculate location-specific median dates for start of season from 2001 to 2012. How the start of season for a given year and location deviated from the long-term average was calculated and categorized as very early, early, normal, or late. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Daily asthma hospitalization in Maryland during the spring season (ie, March to May). RESULTS There were 108 358 total asthma hospitalizations during the study period, of which 29 257 (27.0%; 14 379 [49.1%] non-Hispanic black patients; 17 877 [61.1%] women) took place during springtime. In the unadjusted model, very early (incident rate ratio [IRR], 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07-1.28) and late (IRR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.00-1.15) onset of spring were associated with increased risk of asthma hospitalization. When the analysis was adjusted for extreme heat events and concentrations of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm, the risk remained significant for very early spring onset (IRR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20) but not for late spring onset (IRR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.97-1.11). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These results suggest that ongoing changes in the timing of spring onset, which are related to climate variability and change, are associated with asthma hospitalization. Given the high burden of allergic diseases and the number of individuals sensitized to tree pollen, these findings serve as a wake-up call to public health and medical communities regarding the need to anticipate and adapt to the ongoing changes in the timing and severity of the spring allergy season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park
| | - Yan Dong
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Linze Li
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ghassem Asrar
- Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, College Park, Maryland
| | - Yuyu Zhou
- Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames
| | - Xuecao Li
- Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames
| | - Frances Coates
- Aerobiology Research Laboratories, Nepean, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Leonard Bielory
- Department of Medicine, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University, Nutley, New Jersey
- Center for Environmental Prediction, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Allison G. Breitenother
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park
- Environmental Health Bureau, Maryland Department of Health, Baltimore
| | - Clifford Mitchell
- Environmental Health Bureau, Maryland Department of Health, Baltimore
| | - Chengsheng Jiang
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park
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Kenyon CC, Hill DA, Henrickson SE, Bryant-Stephens TC, Zorc JJ. Initial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric asthma emergency department utilization. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2020; 8:2774-2776.e1. [PMID: 32522565 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.05.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chén C Kenyon
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
| | - David A Hill
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Sarah E Henrickson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Tyra C Bryant-Stephens
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Joseph J Zorc
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa
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Fernández-González M, Álvarez-López S, González-Fernández E, Jesús Aira M, Rodríguez-Rajo FJ. Cross-reactivity between the Betulaceae family and fallout in the real atmospheric aeroallergen load. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 715:136861. [PMID: 32040996 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Betulaceae family is a dominant tree pollen type in the atmosphere at Northwest Spain, being a major cause of allergenic rhinitis or asthma symptoms. Alnus pollen cause symptoms in the 9-20% of the total hay fever sufferers mean while the 41.89% of patients present a positive skin-prick-test for Betula allergens. Aln g1 and Bet v1 aeroallergens belong to PR-10 protein family and are associated to cross-reactivity processes. Airborne pollen and aeroallergens from Alnus and Betula were sampled during their Main Pollen Season from 2016 to 2019. Pollen sampling was conducted by means of a Hirst volumetric trap and aeroallergens were sampled using a Multi Vial Cyclone Sampler. Alnus flowering took place from January to February, with an average duration of 44 days. Betula bloom occurred from April to May with an average pollen season of 33 days. The major innovation of our study was the first detection of Aln g1 allergens in the atmosphere by using Bet v1 antibodies. This fact verified the cross-reactivity between the main allergens of Betula and Alnus pollen. Along the study period, an average of 18 days/year and 14 days/year with high potential risk of allergy due to Alnus pollen and allergen respectively, was registered. For Betula an average of 16 days/year with high potential risk of allergy due to pollen and 22 days for allergen was registered. The main consequence of the successive bloom of both trees would be the so-called "priming effect". Urban population sensitized to Betula pollen could suffer allergic symptoms during winter (as a consequence of Alnus), and in spring with the manifestation of higher symptoms under low birch pollen grain levels in the atmosphere. The traditional information to prevent allergies, such as the airborne pollen concentrations, should be combined with the data of aeroallergen to identify the real allergenic load in the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernández-González
- Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Pole of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain.
| | | | | | - Ma Jesús Aira
- Department of Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Shin JY, Han MJ, Cho C, Kim KR, Ha JC, Oh JW. Allergenic Pollen Calendar in Korea Based on Probability Distribution Models and Up-to-Date Observations. ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2020; 12:259-273. [PMID: 32009321 PMCID: PMC6997285 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2020.12.2.259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The pollen calendar is the simplest forecasting method for pollen concentrations. As pollen concentrations are liable to seasonal variations due to alterations in climate and land-use, it is necessary to update the pollen calendar using recent data. To attenuate the impact of considerable temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations on the pollen calendar, it is essential to employ a new methodology for its creation. METHODS A pollen calendar was produced in Korea using data from recent observations, and a new method for creating the calendar was proposed, considering both risk levels and temporal resolution of pollen concentrations. A probability distribution was used for smoothing concentrations and determining risk levels. Airborne pollen grains were collected between 2007 and 2017 at 8 stations; 13 allergenic pollens, including those of alder, Japanese cedar, birch, hazelnut, oak, elm, pine, ginkgo, chestnut, grasses, ragweed, mugwort and Japanese hop, were identified from the collected grains. RESULTS The concentrations of each pollen depend on locations and seasons due to large variability in species distribution and their environmental condition. In the descending order of concentration, pine, oak and Japanese hop pollens were found to be the most common in Korea. The pollen concentrations were high in spring and autumn, and those of oak and Japanese hop were probably the most common cause of allergy symptoms in spring and autumn, respectively. High Japanese cedar pollen counts were observed in Jeju, while moderate concentrations were in Jeonju, Gwangju and Busan. CONCLUSIONS A new methodology for the creation of a pollen calendar was developed to attenuate the impact of large temporal and spatial variability in pollen concentrations. This revised calendar should be available to the public and allergic patients to prevent aggravation of pollen allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Young Shin
- Applied Meteorology Research Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Seogwipo, Korea
| | - Mae Ja Han
- Applied Meteorology Research Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Seogwipo, Korea
| | - Changbum Cho
- Applied Meteorology Research Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Seogwipo, Korea
| | - Kyu Rang Kim
- Applied Meteorology Research Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Seogwipo, Korea.
| | - Jong Chul Ha
- Applied Meteorology Research Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Seogwipo, Korea
| | - Jae Won Oh
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Chalfin A, Danagoulian S, Deza M. More sneezing, less crime? Health shocks and the market for offenses. JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS 2019; 68:102230. [PMID: 31585379 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2019.102230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A large literature points out that exposure to criminal victimization has far-reaching effects on public health. What remains surprisingly unexplored is that role that health shocks play in explaining aggregate fluctuations in offending. This research finds novel evidence that crime is sensitive to health shocks. We consider the responsiveness of crime to a pervasive and common health shock which we argue shifts costs and benefits for offenders and victims: seasonal allergies. Leveraging daily variation in city-specific pollen counts, we present evidence that violent crime declines in U.S. cities on days in which the local pollen count is unusually high and that these effects are driven by residential violence. While past literature suggests that property crimes have more instrumental motives, require planning, and hence are particularly sensitive to permanent changes in the cost and benefits of crime, we find that violence may be especially sensitive to health shocks.
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Ouyang Y, Yin Z, Li Y, Fan E, Zhang L. Associations among air pollutants, grass pollens, and daily number of grass pollen allergen-positive patients: a longitudinal study from 2012 to 2016. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2019; 9:1297-1303. [PMID: 31513736 DOI: 10.1002/alr.22389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Grass pollen is the most prevalent sensitizing aeroallergen to cause respiratory allergies in northern China. Air pollutants have a substantial effect on respiratory health and some pollens. This study aimed to investigate relationships among airborne grass pollen, air pollutants and allergic diseases, in order to determine their effects on patients with grass pollen allergies in Beijing, China, during the period from 2013 to 2016. METHODS Data regarding autumnal grass pollens and air pollutants measured in Beijing from 2012 to 2016 were obtained from local governmental agencies. Patient data regarding specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) analyses from 2013 to 2016 were obtained from the Department of Allergy in Beijing Tongren Hospital. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to assess associations between the daily number of grass pollen allergen-positive patients and the following parameters: 3 clinically-relevant grass pollen genera (Artemisia, Humulus, and Chenopodium) and inhalable pollutants. RESULTS Correlation analysis indicated that the daily number of grass pollen-positive patients was significantly associated with the peak period of grass pollens, as well as pollutants SO2 and NOx. Moreover, concentrations of air pollutants (eg, ozone, oxides of nitrogen [NOx ], and SO2 ) were consistently and significantly associated with concentrations of grass pollens; particulate matter 2.5 µm in diameter was negatively associated with Artemisia and Chenopodium pollens. CONCLUSION Grass pollens exhibited substantial impact on allergic disease morbidity. Air pollutants impacted allergic disease and grass pollen. Thus, public health and clinical approaches to anticipate and reduce allergic disease morbidity from pollen and pollutants are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhui Ouyang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Allergy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Affiliated to the Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoyin Yin
- Beijing Weather Information Service, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Erzhong Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Luo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Department of Allergy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Affiliated to the Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
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Caillaud DM, Martin S, Ségala C, Evrard B, Adrouche N. Relationship between pollen concentrations and short-acting β 2-agonist bronchodilator sales in central France: a daily time-series analysis over a 5-year period. Eur Respir J 2019; 54:13993003.00271-2019. [PMID: 31073083 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00271-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Denis M Caillaud
- Service de Pneumologie-Allergologie, Hôpital Gabriel Montpied, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | | | - Bertrand Evrard
- Service d'Immunologie, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, INRA, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Nihade Adrouche
- Service de Pneumologie-Allergologie, Hôpital Gabriel Montpied, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Katz DSW, Dzul A, Kendel A, Batterman SA. Effect of intra-urban temperature variation on tree flowering phenology, airborne pollen, and measurement error in epidemiological studies of allergenic pollen. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 653:1213-1222. [PMID: 30759561 PMCID: PMC6402594 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Temperature gradients in cities can cause inter-neighborhood differences in the timing of pollen release. However, most epidemiological studies examining allergenic pollen utilize daily measurements from a single pollen monitoring station with the implicit assumption that the measured time series of airborne pollen concentrations applies across the study areas, and that the temporal mismatch between concentrations at the counting station and elsewhere in the study area is negligible. This assumption is tested by quantifying temperature using satellite imagery, observing flowering times of oak (Quercus) and mulberry (Morus) trees at multiple sites, and collecting airborne pollen. Epidemiological studies of allergenic pollen are reviewed and temperatures within their study areas are quantified. In this one-year study, peak oak flowering time was well explained by average February nighttime temperature (R2 = 0.94), which varied by 6 °C across Detroit. This relationship was used to predict flowering phenology across the study region. Peak flowering ranged from April 20-May 13 and predicted a substantial portion of relative airborne oak pollen concentrations in Detroit (R2 = 0.46) and at the regional pollen monitoring station (R2 = 0.61). The regional pollen monitoring station was located in a cooler outlying area where peak flowering occurred around May 12 and peak pollen concentrations were measured on May 15. This provides evidence that the timing of pollen release varies substantially within a metropolitan area and challenges the assumption that pollen measurements at a single location are representative of an entire city. Across the epidemiological studies, 50% of study areas were not within 1 °C (equal to a lag or lead of 4 days in flowering time) of temperatures at the pollen measurement location. Epidemiological studies using a single pollen station as a proxy for pollen concentrations are prone to significant measurement error if the study area is climatically variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S W Katz
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Andrew Dzul
- Lakeshore Ear, Nose, and Throat, Saint Claire Shores, MI, USA
| | - Amber Kendel
- Lakeshore Ear, Nose, and Throat, Saint Claire Shores, MI, USA
| | - Stuart A Batterman
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Rice MB, Li W, Wilker EH, Gold DR, Schwartz J, Zanobetti A, Koutrakis P, Kloog I, Washko GR, O'Connor GT, Mittleman MA. Association of outdoor temperature with lung function in a temperate climate. Eur Respir J 2019; 53:13993003.00612-2018. [PMID: 30578386 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00612-2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Acute exposure to cold dry air is a trigger of bronchoconstriction, but little is known about how daily outdoor temperature influences lung function.We investigated associations of temperature from a model using satellite remote sensing data with repeated measures of lung function among 5896 participants of the Framingham Heart Study Offspring and Third Generation cohorts residing in the Northeastern US. We further tested if temperature modified previously reported associations between pollution and lung function. We constructed linear mixed-effects models, and assessed departures from linearity using penalised splines.In fully adjusted linear models, 1-, 2- and 7-day average temperatures were all associated with lower lung function: each 5°C higher previous-week temperature was associated with a 20 mL lower (95% CI -34---6) forced expiratory volume in 1 s. There was significant effect modification by season: negative associations of temperature and lung function were present in winter and spring only. Negative associations between previous-day fine particulate matter and lung function were present during unseasonably warm but not unseasonably cool days, with a similar pattern for other pollutants.We speculate that temperature-related differences in lung function may be explained by behavioural changes on relatively warm days, which may increase outdoor exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary B Rice
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Dept of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wenyuan Li
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Diane R Gold
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel Schwartz
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Itai Kloog
- Dept of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - George R Washko
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Dept of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,The NHLBI's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - George T O'Connor
- The NHLBI's Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA.,Pulmonary Center, Dept of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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A Multi-Pollutant Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) Based on Short-Term Respiratory Effects in Stockholm, Sweden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16010105. [PMID: 30609753 PMCID: PMC6339148 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this study, an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for Stockholm is introduced as a tool to capture the combined effects associated with multi-pollutant exposure. Public information regarding the expected health risks associated with current or forecasted concentrations of pollutants and pollen can be very useful for sensitive persons when planning their outdoor activities. For interventions, it can also be important to know the contribution from pollen and the specific air pollutants, judged to cause the risk. The AQHI is based on an epidemiological analysis of asthma emergency department visits (AEDV) and urban background concentrations of NOx, O₃, PM10 and birch pollen in Stockholm during 2001⁻2005. This analysis showed per 10 µg·m⁻3 increase in the mean of same day and yesterday an increase in AEDV of 0.5% (95% CI: -1.2⁻2.2), 0.3% (95% CI: -1.4⁻2.0) and 2.5% (95% CI: 0.3⁻4.8) for NOx, O₃ and PM10, respectively. For birch pollen, the AEDV increased with 0.26% (95% CI: 0.18⁻0.34) for 10 pollen grains·m⁻3. In comparison with the coefficients in a meta-analysis, the mean values of the coefficients obtained in Stockholm are smaller. The mean value of the risk increase associated with PM10 is somewhat smaller than the mean value of the meta-coefficient, while for O₃, it is less than one fifth of the meta-coefficient. We have not found any meta-coefficient using NOx as an indicator of AEDV, but compared to the mean value associated with NO₂, our value of NOx is less than half as large. The AQHI is expressed as the predicted percentage increase in AEDV without any threshold level. When comparing the relative contribution of each pollutant to the total AQHI, based on monthly averages concentrations during the period 2015⁻2017, there is a tangible pattern. The AQHI increase associated with NOx exhibits a relatively even distribution throughout the year, but with a clear decrease during the summer months due to less traffic. O₃ contributes to an increase in AQHI during the spring. For PM10, there is a significant increase during early spring associated with increased suspension of road dust. For birch pollen, there is a remarkable peak during the late spring and early summer during the flowering period. Based on monthly averages, the total AQHI during 2015⁻2017 varies between 4 and 9%, but with a peak value of almost 16% during the birch pollen season in the spring 2016. Based on daily mean values, the most important risk contribution during the study period is from PM10 with 3.1%, followed by O₃ with 2.0%.
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Neumann JE, Anenberg SC, Weinberger KR, Amend M, Gulati S, Crimmins A, Roman H, Fann N, Kinney PL. Estimates of Present and Future Asthma Emergency Department Visits Associated With Exposure to Oak, Birch, and Grass Pollen in the United States. GEOHEALTH 2019; 3:11-27. [PMID: 31106285 PMCID: PMC6516486 DOI: 10.1029/2018gh000153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Pollen is an important environmental cause of allergic asthma episodes. Prior work has established a proof of concept for assessing projected climate change impacts on future oak pollen exposure and associated health impacts. This paper uses additional monitor data and epidemiologic functions to extend prior analyses, reporting new estimates of the current and projected future health burden of oak, birch, and grass pollen across the contiguous United States. Our results suggest that tree pollen in the spring currently accounts for between 25,000 and 50,000 pollen-related asthma emergency department (ED) visits annually (95% confidence interval: 14,000 to 100,000), roughly two thirds of which occur among people under age 18. Grass pollen in the summer season currently accounts for less than 10,000 cases annually (95% confidence interval: 4,000 to 16,000). Compared to a baseline with 21st century population growth but constant pollen, future temperature and precipitation show an increase in ED visits of 14% in 2090 for a higher greenhouse gas emissions scenario, but only 8% for a moderate emissions scenario, reflecting projected increases in pollen season length. Grass pollen, which is more sensitive to changes in climatic conditions, is a primary contributor to future ED visits, with the largest effects in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southern Great Plains regions. More complete assessment of the current and future health burden of pollen is limited by the availability of data on pollen types (e.g., ragweed), other health effects (e.g., other respiratory disease), and economic consequences (e.g., medication costs).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kate R. Weinberger
- Department of EpidemiologyBrown University School of Public HealthProvidenceRIUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Neal Fann
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle ParkNorth CarolinaUSA
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Abstract
This article on exposome and asthma focuses on the interaction of patients and their environments in various parts of their growth, development, and stages of life. Indoor and outdoor environments play a role in pathogenesis via levels and duration of exposure, with genetic susceptibility as a crucial factor that alters the initiation and trajectory of common conditions such as asthma. Knowledge of environmental exposures globally and changes that are occurring is necessary to function effectively as medical professionals and health advocates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahila Subramanian
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, CWRU School of Medicine, 9500 Euclid Avenue/A90, Cleveland, OH 4419, USA
| | - Sumita B Khatri
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, CWRU School of Medicine, 9500 Euclid Avenue/A90, Cleveland, OH 4419, USA.
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Ienca M, Ferretti A, Hurst S, Puhan M, Lovis C, Vayena E. Considerations for ethics review of big data health research: A scoping review. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204937. [PMID: 30308031 PMCID: PMC6181558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Big data trends in biomedical and health research enable large-scale and multi-dimensional aggregation and analysis of heterogeneous data sources, which could ultimately result in preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic benefit. The methodological novelty and computational complexity of big data health research raises novel challenges for ethics review. In this study, we conducted a scoping review of the literature using five databases to identify and map the major challenges of health-related big data for Ethics Review Committees (ERCs) or analogous institutional review boards. A total of 1093 publications were initially identified, 263 of which were included in the final synthesis after abstract and full-text screening performed independently by two researchers. Both a descriptive numerical summary and a thematic analysis were performed on the full-texts of all articles included in the synthesis. Our findings suggest that while big data trends in biomedicine hold the potential for advancing clinical research, improving prevention and optimizing healthcare delivery, yet several epistemic, scientific and normative challenges need careful consideration. These challenges have relevance for both the composition of ERCs and the evaluation criteria that should be employed by ERC members when assessing the methodological and ethical viability of health-related big data studies. Based on this analysis, we provide some preliminary recommendations on how ERCs could adaptively respond to those challenges. This exploration is designed to synthesize useful information for researchers, ERCs and relevant institutional bodies involved in the conduction and/or assessment of health-related big data research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Ienca
- Health Ethics and Policy Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Agata Ferretti
- Health Ethics and Policy Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Samia Hurst
- Institute for Ethics, History and the Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Milo Puhan
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Lovis
- Division of Medical Information Sciences, Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Effy Vayena
- Health Ethics and Policy Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Trinh P, Jung TH, Keene D, Demmer RT, Perzanowski M, Lovasi G. Temporal and spatial associations between influenza and asthma hospitalisations in New York City from 2002 to 2012: a longitudinal ecological study. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e020362. [PMID: 30269061 PMCID: PMC6169763 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether asthma hospitalisations of children and adults in the five boroughs of New York City are correlated with influenza hospitalisations temporally and spatially. DESIGN A longitudinal ecological study. INCLUSION CRITERIA We reviewed the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System's records of hospitalisations in Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island from 2002 to 2012. All hospitalisations with a primary diagnosis of either asthma or influenza were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. METHODS A time-series regression analysis was performed using aggregate monthly counts of influenza hospitalisations as predictors of asthma hospitalisations. Time-series regression models were also applied to different age groups and boroughs to examine the magnitude of influenza and asthma correlations across strata. The per cent excess risk was also calculated across age groups and boroughs. RESULTS Time-series analysis of the overall population revealed a significant positive correlation between influenza and asthma hospitalisations (p=0.011). When stratifying by age, there was a significant positive correlation between asthma and influenza hospitalisations for individuals 18 and older (p<0.01), and no significant correlation found for age groups younger than 18. Percentages of excess risk of influenza-related asthma hospitalisations also increased with increasing age with adults 18-44, 45-64 and 65+ having excess risk percentages of 2.9%, 3.4% and 4%, respectively. Time-series analysis by location revealed positive significant correlations between asthma and influenza hospitalisations in Brooklyn (p=0.03) and Manhattan (p<0.01). Manhattan and Brooklyn had a 2.5% and 1.6%, respectively, percentage of excess risk of influenza-related asthma hospitalisations. CONCLUSION Influenza and asthma hospitalisations are significantly associated at the population level among adults. These associations vary by age and geographical location. Influenza prevention strategies targeting adult populations, particularly individuals living in Manhattan and Brooklyn, have the potential for meaningful reduction of influenza-related asthma hospitalisations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Trinh
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Tae Hyun Jung
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Danya Keene
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ryan T Demmer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Matthew Perzanowski
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Gina Lovasi
- Department of Epidemiology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Witonsky J, Abraham R, Toh J, Desai T, Shum M, Rosenstreich D, Jariwala SP. The association of environmental, meteorological, and pollen count variables with asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations in the Bronx. J Asthma 2018; 56:927-937. [PMID: 30207818 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2018.1514627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To better understand how meteorological variables, air quality variables, and pollen counts collectively contribute to asthma-related emergency department visits (AREDV) and asthma-related hospitalizations (ARH) among pediatric and adult patients in the New York City borough of the Bronx. Methods: The numbers of daily adult and pediatric AREDV and ARH from 2001 to 2008 were obtained from three Bronx hospitals. After removing outliers, interpolating missing data, and standardizing variable values by scaling the data using z-scores, data were analyzed using Spearman rank tests and linear regression models for the full year and each season. Results: There were a total of 42,065 AREDV and 1,664 ARH at both Bronx hospitals. With the exception of a spring peak in AREDVs, AREDVs and ARHs follow a cyclical pattern, climbing in the fall, plateauing in the winter, dropping in the spring, and reaching a low in the summer. Among the 11 air quality, meteorological, and pollen count variables, temperature and tree pollen made the greatest contribution to AREDV with scaled coefficients of -0.337 and 0.311 respectively; equating to an additional AREDV for every 5.0-unit decrease in temperature and an additional AREDV for every 186.0-unit increase in tree pollen. These two variables were confirmed to have independent associations with AREDV prior to the data interpolation. Grass pollen was also found to have a relatively large contribution to AREDV during the summer with a scaled coefficient of 0.314, equating to an additional AREDV for every 2.3-unit increase in grass pollen. Conclusion: There are distinct peaks of increased AREDVs that are closely associated with increased tree pollen counts in the spring and decreasing temperatures in the fall. Early anticipation of these air quality, meteorological, and pollen factor changes based on ongoing surveillance could potentially guide clinical practice and minimize AREDVs in the Bronx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Witonsky
- a Department of Pediatrics, University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA ; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Ryan Abraham
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Jennifer Toh
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Tulsi Desai
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Mili Shum
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - David Rosenstreich
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
| | - Sunit P Jariwala
- b Division of Allergy/Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine ; Bronx , NY , USA
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Karatzas K, Katsifarakis N, Riga M, Werchan B, Werchan M, Berger U, Pfaar O, Bergmann KC. New European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology definition on pollen season mirrors symptom load for grass and birch pollen-induced allergic rhinitis. Allergy 2018; 73:1851-1859. [PMID: 29791010 DOI: 10.1111/all.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for allergic rhinitis and its clinical efficacy in clinical trials depends on the effective determination of pollen allergen exposure time periods. We evaluate pollen data from Germany to examine the new definitions on pollen season and peak pollen period start and end as proposed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in a recently published Position Paper. The aim was to demonstrate the ability of these definitions to mirror symptom loads for grass and birch pollen-induced allergic rhinitis based on real-life data. METHODS Data coming from four pollen monitoring stations in the Berlin and Brandenburg area in Germany and for 3 years (2014-2016) were used to investigate the correlation of season definitions, birch and grass pollen counts and total nasal symptom and mediation scores as reported by patients in "Patients Hay fever Diaries" (PHDs). After the identification of pollen periods on the basis of the EACCI criteria, a statistical analysis was employed, followed by a detailed graphical investigation. RESULTS The analysis revealed that the definitions of pollen season as well as peak pollen period start and end as proposed by the EAACI are correlated to symptom loads for grass and birch pollen-induced allergic rhinitis reported by patients in PHDs. CONCLUSION Based on our analysis, the validity of the EAACI definitions on pollen season is confirmed. Their use is recommended in future clinical trials on AIT as well as in daily routine for optimal patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Karatzas
- Environmental Informatics Research Group; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Aristotle University; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - N. Katsifarakis
- Environmental Informatics Research Group; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Aristotle University; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - M. Riga
- Environmental Informatics Research Group; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Aristotle University; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - B. Werchan
- German Pollen Information Service Foundation; Berlin Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Department of Dermatology; Venerology and Allergology; Berlin Germany
| | - M. Werchan
- German Pollen Information Service Foundation; Berlin Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Department of Dermatology; Venerology and Allergology; Berlin Germany
| | - U. Berger
- Aerobiology and Pollen Information Research Unit; Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - O. Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery; Universitätsmedizin Mannheim; Medical Faculty Mannheim; Heidelberg University; Mannheim Germany
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology; Wiesbaden Germany
| | - K.-C. Bergmann
- German Pollen Information Service Foundation; Berlin Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Department of Dermatology; Venerology and Allergology; Berlin Germany
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50
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Erbas B, Jazayeri M, Lambert KA, Katelaris CH, Prendergast LA, Tham R, Parrodi MJ, Davies J, Newbigin E, Abramson MJ, Dharmage S. Outdoor pollen is a trigger of child and adolescent asthma emergency department presentations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergy 2018; 73:1632-1641. [PMID: 29331087 DOI: 10.1111/all.13407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of increased asthma exacerbations associated with climatic changes such as thunderstorm asthma, interest in establishing the link between pollen exposure and asthma hospital admissions has intensified. Here, we systematically reviewed and performed a meta-analysis of studies on pollen and emergency department (ED) attendance. METHODS A search for studies with appropriate search strategy in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL was conducted. Each study was assessed for quality and risk of bias. The available evidence was summarized both qualitatively and meta-analysed using random-effects models when moderate heterogeneity was observed. RESULTS Fourteen studies were included. The pollen taxa investigated differed between studies, allowing meta-analysis only of the effect of grass pollen. A statistically significant increase in the percentage change in the mean number of asthma ED presentations (MPC) (pooled results from 3 studies) was observed for an increase in 10 grass pollen grains per cubic metre of exposure 1.88% (95% CI = 0.94%, 2.82%). Time series studies showed positive correlations between pollen concentrations and ED presentations. Age-stratified studies found strongest associations in children aged 5-17 years old. CONCLUSION Exposure to ambient grass pollen is an important trigger for childhood asthma exacerbations requiring ED attendance. As pollen exposure is increasingly a problem especially in relation to thunderstorm asthma, studies with uniform measures of pollen and similar analytical methods are necessary to fully understand its impact on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Erbas
- School of Psychology and Public Health; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - M. Jazayeri
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - K. A. Lambert
- School of Psychology and Public Health; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - C. H. Katelaris
- Department of Medicine, Immunology and Allergy; Campbelltown Hospital; Western Sydney University; Campbelltown NSW Australia
| | - L. A. Prendergast
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - R. Tham
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - M. J. Parrodi
- School of Psychology and Public Health; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. Australia
| | - J. Davies
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation; Queensland University of Technology; South Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - E. Newbigin
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - M. J. Abramson
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine; Monash University; Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - S. C. Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. Australia
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