Search Results (6)

Exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an established risk factor for skin cancer. Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-mediated immune dysregulation has emerged as a key mechanism for the detrimental effects of acute and chronic UV exposure and skin cancer in mice. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the TLR4 gene have been reported to increase or decrease susceptibility to various cancers in other organs. There is limited information on TLR4 SNPs and susceptibility to human keratinocyte carcinomas. The study’s objective is to test the association between TLR4 SNPs and the risk of developing keratinocyte carcinomas. Skin cancer patients and controls at the University of Alabama at Birmingham completed a cross-sectional survey on personal and family history of skin cancer as well as on sunscreen use and tanning proneness. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from participants, and DNA was extracted to genotype the TLR4 SNPs. Descriptive analytics were used to describe the cohort. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between TLR4 SNPs and skin cancer risk. The sample consisted of a cohort of 93 skin cancer patients over the age of 50 and 94 controls; 33.3% of cases and 44.7% of controls were females; 12.9% of cases and 17% of controls had a TLR4 SNP. The most common SNP was D299G/T399I in 9.7% of skin cancer patients and 13.8% of controls. We did not find a statistically significant association between the D299G/T399I SNP and skin cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.11, 1.07, p = 0.065) adjusting for age, sex, eye color, actinic keratosis, sunscreen use and reapplication, and family history of skin cancer. Based on our findings from our limited cohort of participants, we found some protective effect for the TLR4 SNP for skin cancer, which was not statistically significant. Validation of these findings in a larger cohort is warranted. Full article

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the United States disproportionally affects people who are homeless. This disparity is a critical concern that needs to be addressed to improve the health of individuals who are homeless. The connections between a history of homelessness, i.e., its duration and frequency, and CVD risk are not well understood. The present study sought to investigate how a history of homelessness is correlated with CVD risk factors in a sample of homeless persons in the Deep South. This study recruited participants who were homeless from two local adult homeless shelters in Birmingham, AL. Participants (n = 61) underwent interviews, physical measurements, and a capillary blood draw. Their mean age was 47 years, and 82% were men. Results showed the duration of homelessness was positively associated with several CVD risk factors (diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein). However, there was no significant association between frequency of homelessness and any CVD risk factors. To get the more accurate estimate of CVD risk in this population, future research should incorporate additional risk factors related to homelessness and seek to develop a robust strategy to collect an accurate history of homelessness. Full article

Air pollution is responsible for a wide range of health effects in exposed populations. Variations in local air pollution can affect local population health outcomes. The strict regulations imposed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic (‘lockdowns’) resulted in a unique situation where human mobility was limited significantly, resulting in improved air quality in several major cities. The main goal of this study was to investigate if lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted air quality in Birmingham, Alabama—a city with a history of high air pollution levels—with a focus on PM_2.5 (Particulate Matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm) and NO₂ (Nitrogen dioxide). Daily air pollutant and traffic data were obtained for the Birmingham Metropolitan Area for the period January to October 2020, and previous years. Mean PM_2.5 and NO₂ concentrations and traffic volumes during the official city/state lockdown period (24 March to 30 April 2020) were compared to pre- and post-lockdown means. The mean PM_2.5 and NO₂ concentrations during the lockdown did not significantly differ from that of the pre- or post-lockdown periods. However, NO₂ significantly decreased even after the lockdown order was removed, with the mean decreasing significantly compared to pre-lockdown and lockdown periods. Both PM_2.5 and NO₂ annual means in 2020 were significantly lower than the annual means in 2019, indicating the occurrence of significant changes over the longer term that were not limited by defined lockdown periods. Traffic significantly increased after the lockdown order was removed but did not correlate with the two pollutants studied. Therefore, we conclude that the Stay at Home/lockdown regulations and other COVID-19 restrictions had an impact on the air quality of Birmingham Alabama; although these lockdown impacts varied for each pollutant and were not limited only by the official lockdown dates/periods. Full article

Criminal-legal involved women experience significant barriers to preventive cervical care, and consequently there is a higher incidence of cervical cancer in this population. The purpose of this study is to identify variables that may facilitate abnormal Pap follow-up among criminal-legal involved women living in community settings. The study included n = 510 women with criminal-legal histories, from three U.S. cities—Birmingham, AL; Kansas City, KS/MO; Oakland, CA. Participants completed a 288-item survey, with questions related to demographics, social advantages, provider communication, and reasons for missing follow-up care. There were n = 58 women who reported abnormal Pap testing, and n = 40 (69%) received follow-up care. Most women received either repeat Pap/HPV testing (n = 15, 38%), or colposcopy and/or biopsy (n = 14, 35%). Women who did not follow-up (n = 15, 26%) cited that they forgot (n = 8, 53%), were uninsured (n = 3, 20%), or were reincarcerated (n = 3, 20%). In a multivariate analysis, both having a primary care provider (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.3–16.0) and receiving specific provider communication about follow-up (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.1–13.2) were independent predictors for abnormal Pap follow-up. Interventions that offer linkages to providers in the community or ensure abnormal Pap care plans are communicated effectively may mitigate the disparate incidence of cervical cancer among criminal-legal involved women. Full article

Prior to the introduction of newborn screening, Phenylketonuria (PKU) was a devastating disorder with affected individuals usually committed to a life in care in large institutions (asylums). Newborn screening only began after it was shown that those with PKU could be treated with a modified diet and could subsequently lead normal lives. The first production of a diet and the demonstration of its effectiveness was thus a key milestone in the history of both PKU and newborn screening, and took place in Birmingham, UK, in 1951. The pioneers were a two-year-old girl called Sheila Jones, her mother Mary, and three dedicated professionals at Birmingham Children’s Hospital: Evelyn Hickmans, John Gerrard and Horst Bickel. Together, they changed the course of PKU for those across the world. This review summarises the history and achievements of this team who opened the door to PKU treatment and the introduction of newborn screening. Full article

Environmental justice is a rising social movement throughout the world. Research is beginning to define the movement and address the disparities that exist among communities exposed to pollution. North Birmingham, a community made up of six neighborhoods in Jefferson County, Alabama, in the United States, is a story of environmental injustice. Heavy industry, including the 35th Avenue Superfund Site, has caused significant environmental pollution over time, leaving residents concerned that their health and well-being are at risk from continued exposure. For years, pollution has impacted the community, and residents have fought and challenged industry and government. The United States (U.S.) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) in Alabama have historically played a role in working with the community regarding their health concerns. In this manuscript, we describe a city entrenched in environmental injustice. We provide the history of the community, the responsible parties named for the contamination, the government’s involvement, and the community’s response to this injustice. Through this manuscript, we offer insight into a global concern that challenges local communities on a daily basis. Full article