Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and thyroid hormone measurements in dried blood spots and neonatal characteristics: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Pediatric thyroid diseases have been increasing in recent years. Environmental risk factors such as exposures to chemical contaminants may play a role but are largely unexplored. Archived neonatal dried blood spots (DBS) offer an innovative approach to investigate environmental exposures and effects.

OBJECTIVE

In this pilot study, we applied a new method for quantifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to 18 archived DBS from babies born in California from 1985-2018 and acquired thyroid hormone measurements from newborn screening tests. Leveraging these novel data, we evaluated (1) changes in the concentrations of eight PFAS over time and (2) the relationship between PFAS concentrations, thyroid hormone concentrations, and neonatal characteristics to inform future research.

METHODS

PFAS concentrations in DBS were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Summary statistics and non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate temporal changes in PFAS concentrations and relationships between PFAS concentrations, thyroid hormone concentrations, and neonatal characteristics.

RESULTS

The concentration and detection frequencies of several PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, and PFOSA) declined over the assessment period. We observed that the timing of specimen collection in hours after birth was related to thyroid hormone but not PFAS concentrations, and that thyroid hormones were related to some PFAS concentrations (PFOA and PFOS).

IMPACT STATEMENT

This pilot study examines the relationship between concentrations of eight per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), thyroid hormone levels, and neonatal characteristics in newborn dried blood spots (DBS) collected over a period of 33 years. To our knowledge, 6 of the 22 PFAS we attempted to measure have not been quantified previously in neonatal DBS, and this is the first study to examine both PFAS and thyroid hormone concentrations using DBS. This research demonstrates the feasibility of using newborn DBS for quantifying PFAS exposures in population-based studies, highlights methodological considerations in the use of thyroid hormone data for future studies using newborn DBS, and indicates potential relationships between PFAS concentrations and thyroid hormones for follow-up in future research.

Can COVID-19 pandemic worsen previous neurological/psychiatric diseases?

Introduction

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been affecting the world since January 2020. Although its pathogenesis is primarily directed to the respiratory tract, other organs may be affected, including the nervous system. It has also been shown that the social context (confinement, lack of treatment) has affected neurological patients during this period. The aim of the study it was to assess the subjective worsening of neurological/psychiatric diseases in the context of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic.

Methods

Three groups of neurological/psychiatric patients were included: Patients who had symptomatic COVID-19 (n = 89), patients who had asymptomatic COVID-19 (n = 40), and a control group (n = 47), consisting of neurological/psychiatric patients without a history of SARS-Cov-2 infection.

Results

30.7% of the included individuals considered that their basal pathology had worsened during the study period. This feeling was significantly more frequent (P = 0.01) in patients with symptomatic COVID-19 (39.3%) than in patients of the other 2 groups (21.8%). Worsening was not related to the severity of COVID-19. The neurological conditions that significantly worsened after COVID-19, comparing symptomatic COVID-19 with the other 2 groups, were demyelinating and degenerative diseases.

Conclusions

These results confirmed the impact of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic on patients with neurological/psychiatric diseases. Confinement, lack of medical care, and the threat of diagnosis are surely contributing factors. Although the finding of a higher frequency of worsening in symptomatic COVID-19 patients may be related to greater anxiety/depression in this group of patients, we cannot exclude the role of direct affectation of the nervous system by the virus or damage due to neuroinflammation.

Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among firefighters/paramedics of a US fire department: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

We estimate the point seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the frontline firefighter/paramedic workforce of a South Florida fire department located in the epicentre of a State outbreak.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was used to estimate the point seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a rapid immunoglobulin (Ig)M-IgG combined point-of-care lateral flow immunoassay among frontline firefighters/paramedics collected over a 2-day period, 16-17 April 2020. Fire department personnel were emailed a survey link assessing COVID-19 symptoms and work exposures the day prior to the scheduled drive-through antibody testing at a designated fire station. Off-duty and on-duty firefighter/paramedic personnel drove through the fire station/training facility in their personal vehicles or on-duty engine/rescue trucks for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing.

RESULTS

Among the 203 firefighters/paramedics that make up the fire department workforce, 18 firefighters/paramedics (8.9%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, of which 8 firefighters/paramedics (3.9%) were IgG positive only, 8 (3.9%) were IgM positive only and 2 (0.1%) were IgG/IgM positive. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the serological test is estimated to be 33.2% and the negative predictive value is 99.3%. The average number of COVID-19 case contacts (ie, within 6 feet of an infected person (laboratory-confirmed or probable COVID-19 patient) for ≥15 min) experienced by firefighters/paramedics was higher for those with positive serology compared with those with negative (13.3 cases vs 7.31 cases; p=0.022). None of the antibody positive firefighters/paramedics reported receipt of the annual influenza vaccine compared with firefighters/paramedics who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (0.0% vs 21.0%; p=0.027).

CONCLUSION

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 IgM-IgG antibody testing documented early-stage and late-stage infection in a firefighter workforce providing insight to a broader medical surveillance project on return to work for firefighters/paramedics. Given the relatively low PPV of the serological test used in this study back in April 2020, caution should be used in interpreting test results.

Characterizing Objective and Self-Reported Levels of Physical Activity Among Florida Firefighters Across Weight Status Category: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Background: Firefighters suffer from a disproportionally high burden of chronic diseases that could be prevented from regular bouts of physical activity (PA). The goal(s) of this pilot study were to (a) describe typical PA levels in professional paid firefighters, and (b) assess their ability to estimate their own levels of PA. Methods: A repeated measures study design was used to assess self-reported and objectively measured levels of PA from a non-probabilistic sample of firefighters (n = 18) over 1 week. Objective measures of PA, measured by accelerometry were defined as the number of minutes spent in sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Firefighters completed a follow-up questionnaire recording their self-reported levels of PA. Results: Obese (body mass index [BMI] > 30 kg/m²) firefighters spent 8,033 ± 2,543 minutes/week in sedentary activity, overweight (BMI = 25-29 kg/m²) firefighters 6,533 ± 1,587 minutes/week, and healthy weight (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) firefighters 5,846 ± 1,160 minutes/week. The difference in self-reported weekly minutes spent in light, moderate, and vigorous activity and objectively measured minutes in activity was calculated. Healthy weight firefighters reported the least difference (1,924 minutes/week), followed by the overweight (3,884 minutes/week) and obese (5,749 minutes/week). Conclusion/Application to Practice: Firefighters poorly estimated their true level of PA compared with their objectively measured PA and obese firefighters reported the greatest inconsistency. Occupational health nurses should aim to support firefighters in achieving PA levels that assist firefighters to achieve a healthy weight and educate them about what it means to be engaged in each level of PA.

Characterising near misses and injuries in the temporary agency construction workforce: qualitative study approach

OBJECTIVES

To understand and characterise the construct of 'near misses' from the perspective of temporary construction workers and to describe the safety and health risks associated with and contributing to near misses and injuries in temporary workers in the construction industry.

METHODS

Six semistructured language-sensitive (ie, English and Spanish) focus group discussions were conducted with workers (n=43) employed with temporary staffing agencies in South Florida. This convenience sample completed a demographic questionnaire prior to the focus group discussion. A general inductive approach was used to examine near misses in the construction industry and the unique safety and health concerns of temporary workers.

RESULTS

Four broad themes describing near misses, reporting practices and workplace safety hazards in the construction industry were derived from the group discussions: (1) non-standard workers in the construction industry draw a clear distinction between near misses and injury and believe their best protections from both occur at the worker level; (2) social network structure on construction worksites is an effective way to protect workers against injury and near misses; (3) safety and health priorities and policies at the organisational level differ from those at the worker level, which contributes to workplace injury; and (4) reporting of safety concerns and near misses is influenced by injury severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Temporary workers in the construction industry are familiar with near misses but have limited resources to protect themselves against potential health and safety hazards. These non-standard workers addressed unique barriers to staying safe at work and identified potential improvements.

Musculoskeletal Pain Is Impacted by Job Tasks in Temporary Construction Workers Hired Through Construction Staffing Agencies

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Abstract P3-14-17: Results of a novel neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer

Background: Achieving a pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been associated with improved disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The Residual Cancer Burden Score (RCB) method is a useful tool that predicts DFS and OS after NAC. We present the results of pts with either triple negative or HER2 positive breast cancer treated with a novel NAC. Methods: 34 pts with localized breast cancer >1 cm with HER2+ (N = 19) or triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) (N = 15) were treated with this novel regimen consisting first of TEC (docetaxel 75 mg/m2, epirubicin 80 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2) + PEG Filgrastim x 4 cycles. Following the 4th course, TNBC patients received 4 additional TEC cycles if they achieved CR by MRI, or were switched to a non cross-resistant regimen (vinorelbine, bevacizumab, capecitabine) if they had < CR. HER2+ pts received TEC x4 followed by docetaxel + trastuzumab x 4. RCB score was used to measure pathologic response. Pretreament PET scan was done and repeated after course 1 in order to correlate with RCB. Results: Median age was 56 (58 for Her2+ and 49 for TNBC). RCB = 0 (pCR) was achieved in 76%, while only 1 responded poorly (RCB = 3). There was no significant difference in the pCR rate between Her2+ and TNBC patients (74% vs 80% respectively), but there was a difference in the rate of pCR without DCIS and invasive cancer between these two (see table, p = 0.034). Pts with SUV drop > 5% after 1st TEC had 84% pCR while none with < 5% achieved pCR (p = 0.001). Comparison of our results with other NAC regimens reported in the literature is summarized in the table below:

ProtocolpCR (no invasive)pCR(no invasive and no DCIS)RCB 0-1Auxilio Cancer Center HER2+/TNBC74%/80%37%/73%79%/80%I-Spy trial 1 HER2+/TNBC45%/35%N/A61%/40%GeparQuinto HER2+/TNBCN/A45%/38.4%N/ANSABP B-40 TNBC51%N/AN/ANeoAltto HER2+47%N/AN/ANeoSphere HER2+39%N/AN/AMDACC FEC+trastuzumab HER2+60%N/AN/A

Conclusions: This novel chemotherapy approach results in a high pCR rate and RCB 0-1, which have been associated with improved clinical outcomes. Early PET can predict pCR. Although sample size is modest, results are encouraging and deserve further evaluation.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-14-17.

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells from patients with severe forms of chromoblastomycosis induce CD4+ T cell activation in vitro

Dendritic cells (DCs) have been described as initiators and modulators of the immune response. Recently we have shown a predominant production of interleukin-10 cytokine, low levels of interferon-gamma and inefficient T cell proliferation in patients with severe forms of chromoblastomycosis. Chromoblastomycosis starts with subcutaneous inoculation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi into tissue where DCs are the first line of defence against this microorganism. In the present study, the interaction of F. pedrosoi and DCs obtained from patients with chromoblastomycosis was investigated. Our results showed that DCs from patients exhibited an increased expression of human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR) and co-stimulatory molecules. In the presence of conidia, the expression of HLA-DR and CD86 was up-regulated by DCs from patients and controls. Finally, we demonstrate the reversal of antigen-specific anergy and a T helper type 1 response mediated by DCs incubated with F. pedrosoi conidea.

The Native Hawaiian Health Professions Scholarship program's impact on the community of Ko'olau Loa: a program report

The Native Hawaiian Health Professions Scholarship was established as one component of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act of 1988, which was later reauthorized as the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act of 1992. The Scholarship program was designed to develop Native Hawaiian primary health care professionals who would return to work in Native Hawaiian communities. To ensure this, scholarship recipients fulfill their scholarship agreement by working in medically unserved and underserved communities throughout Hawai'i. Since 1991, 121 scholarships have been awarded to Native Hawaiians training in different primary care professions including medicine, dentistry, nursing, midwifery, social work, and public health. Although the service obligation is attached to the scholarship as a means of "paying back," the intent is to provide an opportunity for graduates to establish a sense of social responsibility for the communities most in need. One of the communities benefiting from this program is Ko'olau Loa, a community that spans from Ka'a'awa to Pupukea on Windward O'ahu. Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship recipients, Kehau Santiago, Michele Shimizu, and Stephany Vaioleti live and continue to serve in the very community in which they fulfilled their service obligations. This article focuses on how the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program--in particular, the three scholars--affected Ko'olau Loa.

Fine-needle aspiration of cytomegalovirus sialadenitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: pitfalls of diff-quik staining

A case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) sialadenitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is reported. Although a diagnosis of CMV sialadenitis can be established on Diff-Quik-stained slides, the characteristic viral changes are the best appreciated on slides stained by the Papanicolaou (Pap) technique. Differential pitfalls are discussed. It needs to be stressed that clinically unsuspected diagnosis of CMV infection may uncover congenital or acquired defects of cellular immunity, and particularly AIDS. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2000;22:101-103.

A 31-year-old woman with lupus erythematosus and fatal multisystem complications

A 31-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with respiratory and renal symptoms followed by abdominal pain and seizure. Clinical diagnoses of lupus pneumonitis, nephritis, vasculitis, and cerebritis were made. The patient had a progressively downhill course with pancytopenia and hemolysis treated with aggressive immunosuppressive therapy and extended plasmapheresis. Lupus pneumonitis leading to diffuse alveolar damage was the immediate cause of death. Diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis was seen in the biopsy, and the autopsy demonstrated thrombotic microangiopathy. Extra-renal complications of lupus and response to therapy are discussed in the format of a Tulane Clinicopathologic Conference.