Citations

AbstractBackgroundThere is limited information about the potential associations of multiple sclerosis (MS) and commonly used household chemicals.MethodsWe performed a case‐control study of exposures to common household chemicals during childhood in children with MS and healthy pediatric controls. Exposures to household products were collected from a comprehensive questionnaire (http://www.usnpmsc.org/Documents/EnvironmentalAssessment.pdf) completed by parents at the time of enrollment in the study. Cases included children diagnosed with MS or clinically isolated syndrome with at least two silent T2 bright lesions on MRI, recruited within 4 years of disease onset from 16 pediatric MS clinics in the USA. Multivariate analyses using logistic regression were adjusted for possible confounders including age, sex, race, ethnicity, mother's highest level of education, and urban versus rural living.ResultsQuestionnaire responses to household chemicals were available for 312 eligible cases (median age 15.7 years, 63% girls) and 490 healthy controls (median age 15.0, 57% girls). Exposure to rodenticides (odds ratio [OR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–3.26, P ≤ 0.001), weed control agents (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.36–2.92, P ≤ 0.001) and products for plant/tree disease control (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.54–4.82, P ≤ 0.001) anytime during childhood were associated with an increased risk for pediatric‐onset MS in adjusted and multiple comparisons analyses.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that exposure to specific household chemicals during early childhood is associated with the risk of developing pediatric‐onset MS. Future studies are needed to elucidate a causal relationship and the exact agents involved.

AbstractObjectiveAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be subtyped based on recurrent cytogenetic and molecular genetic abnormalities with diagnostic and prognostic significance. Although cytogenetic characterization classically involves conventional chromosome and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays, limitations of these techniques include poor resolution and the inability to precisely identify breakpoints.MethodWe evaluated whether an NGS‐based methodology that detects structural abnormalities and copy number changes using mate pair sequencing (MPseq) can enhance the diagnostic yield for patients with AML.ResultsUsing 68 known abnormal and 20 karyotypically normal AML samples, each recurrent primary AML‐specific abnormality previously identified in the abnormal samples was confirmed using MPseq. Importantly, in eight cases with abnormalities that could not be resolved by conventional cytogenetic studies, MPseq was utilized to molecularly define eight recurrent AML‐fusion events. In addition, MPseq uncovered two cryptic abnormalities that were missed by conventional cytogenetic studies. Thus, MPseq improved the diagnostic yield in the detection of AML‐specific structural rearrangements in 10/88 (11%) of cases analyzed.ConclusionUtilization of MPseq represents a precise, molecular‐based technique that can be used as an alternative to conventional cytogenetic studies for newly diagnosed AML patients with the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of hematologic malignancies.

While the literature regarding physicians’ childbearing experiences is growing, there are no studies documenting those of anesthesiologists. We surveyed a convenience sample of 72 female anesthesiologists to obtain pilot data. Sixty-six women completed the survey (91.7% response rate), reporting 113 total births from before 1990 to present. Of all birth experiences, proportions of respondents reporting parental leave, lactation facilities, and lactation duration as adequate were 52.3%, 45.2%, and 58.3%, respectively. Most mothers (51.8%) gave birth to their first child while they were trainees. The majority (94.9%) favored an official statement supporting parental leave. These results may serve as groundwork for larger studies.

AbstractBackgroundWe previously identified air quality as a risk factor of interest for pediatric multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this study is to more closely examine the association between the six criteria air pollutants and pediatric MS as well as identify specific areas of toxic release using data from the Toxic Release Inventory.MethodsPediatric MS cases (N = 290) and healthy controls (N = 442) were included as part of an ongoing case–control study. We used the National Emissions Inventory system to estimate particulate exposure by county of residence for each participant. Proximity to Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) sites was also assessed using ArcGIS mapping tools. Risk‐Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) classified counties at risk to exposure of environmental toxic releases.ResultsFine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and lead air emissions were associated with increased odds for pediatric MS (P < 0.01) for those residing within 20 miles of an MS center. Most study participants (75%) resided within 5 miles of at least one TRI site; however, the mean total pounds of stack air releases was higher for sites near MS cases (81,000 tons) compared to those near healthy controls (35,000 tons, P = 0.002). Average RSEI scores did not differ significantly between cases and controls.ConclusionOut of several air pollutants examined, we show that fine particulate matter and three other criteria pollutants (SO2, CO, and lead) were statistically associated with higher odds for pediatric MS.