Variability in childhood allergy and asthma across ethnicity, language, and residency duration in El Paso, Texas: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We evaluated the impact of migration to the USA-Mexico border city of El Paso, Texas (USA), parental language preference, and Hispanic ethnicity on childhood asthma to differentiate between its social and environmental determinants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Allergy and asthma prevalence was surveyed among 9797 fourth and fifth grade children enrolled in the El Paso Independent School District. Parents completed a respiratory health questionnaire, in either English or Spanish, and a sub-sample of children received spirometry testing at their school. Here we report asthma and allergy outcomes across ethnicity and El Paso residency duration.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Asthma and allergy prevalence increased with longer duration of El Paso residency independent of ethnicity and preferred language. Compared with immigrants who arrived in El Paso after entering first grade (18%), lifelong El Paso residents (68%) had more prevalent allergy (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.32 - 2.24), prevalent asthma (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.24 - 2.46), and current asthma (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.37 - 2.95). Spirometric measurements (FEV₁/FVC and FEF_25-75) also declined with increasing duration of El Paso residency (0.16% and 0.35% annual reduction, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest that a community-wide environmental exposure in El Paso, delayed pulmonary development, or increased health of immigrants may be associated with allergy and asthma development in children raised there.</p

Identification of KIF3A as a Novel Candidate Gene for Childhood Asthma Using RNA Expression and Population Allelic Frequencies Differences

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with a strong genetic predisposition. A major challenge for candidate gene association studies in asthma is the selection of biologically relevant genes.Using epithelial RNA expression arrays, HapMap allele frequency variation, and the literature, we identified six possible candidate susceptibility genes for childhood asthma including ADCY2, DNAH5, KIF3A, PDE4B, PLAU, SPRR2B. To evaluate these genes, we compared the genotypes of 194 predominantly tagging SNPs in 790 asthmatic, allergic and non-allergic children. We found that SNPs in all six genes were nominally associated with asthma (p<0.05) in our discovery cohort and in three independent cohorts at either the SNP or gene level (p<0.05). Further, we determined that our selection approach was superior to random selection of genes either differentially expressed in asthmatics compared to controls (p = 0.0049) or selected based on the literature alone (p = 0.0049), substantiating the validity of our gene selection approach. Importantly, we observed that 7 of 9 SNPs in the KIF3A gene more than doubled the odds of asthma (OR = 2.3, p<0.0001) and increased the odds of allergic disease (OR = 1.8, p<0.008). Our data indicate that KIF3A rs7737031 (T-allele) has an asthma population attributable risk of 18.5%. The association between KIF3A rs7737031 and asthma was validated in 3 independent populations, further substantiating the validity of our gene selection approach.Our study demonstrates that KIF3A, a member of the kinesin superfamily of microtubule associated motors that are important in the transport of protein complexes within cilia, is a novel candidate gene for childhood asthma. Polymorphisms in KIF3A may in part be responsible for poor mucus and/or allergen clearance from the airways. Furthermore, our study provides a promising framework for the identification and evaluation of novel candidate susceptibility genes

The Temporal Expression of Osteopontin (SPP-1) in the Rodent Model of Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Potential Biomarker

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that osteopontin (OPN) mediates neutrophil infiltration into the liver in a rodent model of alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH). The objective of this study was to investigate the temporal and spatial pattern of hepatic OPN mRNA and protein expression during the progression of alcoholic liver disease. OPN mRNA and protein expression were evaluated using real time PCR, in situ hybridization, Western blot and immunohistochemistry respectively. ASH was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by feeding EtOH-containing Lieber-DeCarli diet for 6 weeks, followed by a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg, ip). Rats were sacrificed 2-, 12- and 24-hour post LPS injection. A progressive induction of OPN mRNA was observed that preceded hepatic neutrophil infiltration and the increase in OPN mRNA correlated with increases in OPN protein expression. OPN mRNA was localized primarily to the biliary epithelium. The data indicates that OPN is transcribed and translated within the biliary epithelium. These findings suggest a potential role of OPN as an early biomarker in predicting inflammatory liver diseases such as ASH. Copyright © by the Society of Toxicologic Pathology

Exploring opportunities for colorectal cancer screening and prevention in the context of diabetes self-management: an analysis of the 2010 National Health Interview Survey

Because diabetes is associated with increased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, it is important that people with diabetes receive CRC screenings according to guidelines. In addition, many diabetes self-care recommendations are associated with a reduced risk of CRC. This study aims to identify potential opportunities for enhancing CRC prevention within the context of diabetes management. Using data from 1,730 adults with diabetes aged 50–75 years who responded to the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, we calculated population estimates of behaviors consistent with US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for CRC screening and American Diabetes Association recommendations for diabetes care. We examined bivariate associations between CRC screening and selected diabetes self-care behaviors associated with CRC risk. Results were stratified by demographic characteristics. Thirty-nine percent of adults with diagnosed diabetes were not up-to-date with CRC screenings. Sixteen percent smoked and 2 % exceeded alcohol intake recommendations. Among those capable of exercise, 69 and 90 % did not meet aerobic exercise and resistance training recommendations, respectively. CRC screening was generally not associated with diabetes self-care behaviors. Among some demographic groups, CRC screening was associated with adequate aerobic activity, not smoking, and being overweight or obese. Many adults with diabetes do not follow guidelines for CRC screening or recommendations for diabetes care that may also reduce CRC risk. Thus, opportunities may exist to jointly promote CRC screening and prevention and diabetes self-management among adults with diabetes