Raj Fadadu

All Publications

• Climate change and epigenetic biomarkers in allergic and airway diseases. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Cardenas, A., Fadadu, R., Bunyavanich, S. 2023

  Abstract

  Human epigenetic variation is associated with both environmental exposures and allergic diseases and can potentially serve as a biomarker connecting climate change with allergy and airway diseases. In this narrative review, we summarize recent human epigenetic studies examining exposure to temperature, precipitation, extreme weather events, and malnutrition to discuss findings as they relate to allergic and airway diseases. Temperature has been the most widely studied exposure, with the studies implicating both short-term and long-term exposure with epigenetic alterations and epigenetic aging. Few studies have examined natural disasters or extreme weather events. The studies available have reported differential DNA methylation of multiple genes and pathways, some of which were previously associated with asthma or allergy. Few studies have integrated climate-related events, epigenetic biomarkers, and allergic disease together. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed along with the collection of target tissues beyond blood samples, such as nasal and skin cells. Finally, global collaboration to increase diverse representation of study participants, particularly those most affected by climate injustice, and strengthen replication, validation, and harmonization of measurements will be needed to elucidate the impact of climate change on the human epigenome.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.09.011

  View details for PubMedID 37741554

• Epigenome-Wide Association Studies of Allergic Disease and the Environment. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Cardenas, A., Fadadu, R. P., Koppelman, G. H. 2023

  Abstract

  The epigenome is at the intersection of the environment, genotype, and cellular response. DNA methylation of cytosine nucleotides, the most studied epigenetic modification, has been systematically evaluated in human studies using untargeted epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) and shown to be both sensitive to environmental exposures and associated with allergic diseases. In this narrative review, we summarize findings from key EWAS previously conducted on this topic, interpret results from recent studies, and discuss the strengths, challenges, and opportunities regarding epigenetics research on the environment-allergy relationship. The majority of EWAS have systematically investigated select environmental exposures, during the prenatal and early childhood period, and allergic diseases mostly in leukocyte-isolated DNA and more recently in nasal cells. Overall, many studies found consistent DNA methylation associations across cohorts for certain exposures, such as smoking (e.g., AHRR gene), and allergic diseases (e.g., EPX gene). We recommend the integration of both environmental exposures and allergy or asthma within long-term prospective designs to strengthen causality as well as biomarker development. Future studies should collect paired target tissues to examine compartment-specific epigenetic response, incorporate genetic influences in DNA methylation (meQTL), replicate findings across diverse populations, and carefully interpret epigenetic signatures from bulk, target tissue or isolated cells.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.05.020

  View details for PubMedID 37295475

• Air Pollution and Health Care Use for Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV Fadadu, R. P., Chee, E., Jung, A., Chen, J. Y., Abuabara, K., Wei, M. L. 2023

  Abstract

  Increasing air pollution is common around the world, but the impacts of outdoor air pollution exposure on atopic dermatitis (AD) are unclear. We synthesized the current global epidemiologic evidence for air pollution exposure and associated medical visits for AD among adults and children. This review followed PRISMA guidelines, and searches were conducted on PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. The searches yielded 390 studies, and after screening, 18 studies around the world with at least 5,197,643 medical visits for AD were included for the final analysis. We found that exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5 ) [(10/11) of studies], particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10 ) (11/13), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) (12/14), and sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) (10/13) was positively associated with AD visits. Results were equivocal for ozone [(4/8) of studies reported positive association] and limited for carbon monoxide [(1/4) of studies reported positive association]. When stratifying results by patient age, patient sex, and season, we found that the associations with particulate matter, NO2 , and O3 may be affected by temperature. Exposure to selected air pollutants is associated with AD visits, and increasingly poor air quality may increase global health care use for AD.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/jdv.19193

  View details for PubMedID 37184289

• Association of Wildfire Air Pollution With Clinic Visits for Psoriasis JAMA NETWORK OPEN Fadadu, R. P., Green, M., Grimes, B., Jewell, N. P., Seth, D., Vargo, J., Wei, M. L. 2023; 6 (1): e2251553

  View details for DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.51553

  View details for Web of Science ID 001061797500009

  View details for PubMedID 36637821

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9857436

• Ultraviolet A radiation exposure and melanoma: a review. Melanoma research Fadadu, R. P., Wei, M. L. 2022; 32 (6): 405-410

  Abstract

  The incidence of cutaneous melanoma has been increasing worldwide, and melanoma disproportionately contributes to skin cancer mortality. The pathogenesis of melanoma involves genetic and environmental factors, and while the effects of ultraviolet B radiation on melanoma development are well researched, fewer studies have investigated the role of ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. We comprehensively reviewed cell, animal and epidemiology studies on the association between UVA exposure and melanomagenesis. UVA radiation has been found to have negative effects on melanocytes due to the induction of oxidative stress, dysregulation of gene transcription and creation of mutagenic photoproducts in DNA. Animal studies demonstrate adverse effects of UVA on melanocytes, including the development of melanoma. Epidemiology studies, of varying quality, that examined participants' exposure to tanning devices which use UVA radiation primarily found that UVA exposure increased the risk for melanoma. Some studies reported larger associations with increased frequency of device use, suggestive of a dose-response relationship. Overall, we found that many studies supported a positive association between UVA exposure and melanoma on both molecular and population levels. Understanding the role of UVA in the development of melanoma will inform the implementation of preventive health interventions, such as those related to sunscreen development and use and increasing restrictions on indoor tanning.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000857

  View details for PubMedID 36125897

• Increased epigenetic age acceleration in the hidradenitis suppurativa skin. Archives of dermatological research Lukac, D., Pagani, K., Collender, P. A., Fadadu, R. P., Cardenas, A., McGee, J. S. 2022

  Abstract

  Epigenetic (or DNA methylation) age is calculated based on methylation of certain cytosine-guanine (CpG) repeats, and it can accurately estimate one's chronologic age. Importantly, epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) is highly predictive of age-associated morbidity and all-cause mortality. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with significant systemic disease burden. Here, we performed a pilot study to calculate EAA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin samples using Illumina Infinium MethylationEpic BeadChip arrays. Our results demonstrated no significant difference in intrinsic EAA among HS compared to controls (-1.00years, p-value=0.52), significant increases in both extrinsic EAA (13.72years, p-value<0.001) and PhenoAge acceleration (7.72years, p-value=0.003), and asignificant decrease in GrimAge acceleration (-5.14years, p-value<0.001). Our findings suggest that the acceleration of epigenetic age in the HS skin may be associated with extrinsic immune-related changes and can potentially serve as a biomarker of the present and/or future disease burden in HS patients.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s00403-022-02432-1

  View details for PubMedID 36308559

• Association of Exposure to Wildfire Air Pollution With Exacerbations of Atopic Dermatitis and Itch Among Older Adults. JAMA network open Fadadu, R. P., Green, M., Jewell, N. P., Grimes, B., Vargo, J., Wei, M. L. 2022; 5 (10): e2238594

  View details for DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.38594

  View details for PubMedID 36287569

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9606843

• Dermatology Societies Should Explore Fossil Fuel Divestment. JAMA dermatology Fadadu, R. P., Williams, M. L., Rosenbach, M. 2022; 158 (10): 1121-1122

  View details for DOI 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.3902

  View details for PubMedID 36103168

• Associations between wildfire air pollution and online search interest for skin diseases and symptoms. JAAD international Fadadu, R. P., Chen, J. Y., Wei, M. L. 2022; 8: 128-130

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jdin.2022.06.014

  View details for PubMedID 35875399

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9305359

• Medical Students as Agents of Change in the Climate Crisis ACADEMIC MEDICINE Fadadu, R. P., Hampshire, K. N., Ndovu, A. M. 2022; 97 (8): 1104-1105

  View details for DOI 10.1097/ACM.0000000000004345

  View details for Web of Science ID 000834665000020

  View details for PubMedID 34380926

• Disparities in access for melanoma screening by region, specialty, and insurance: A cross-sectional audit study. JAAD international Cortez, J. L., Fadadu, R. P., Konda, S., Grimes, B., Wei, M. L. 2022; 7: 78-85

  Abstract

  Early detection of melanoma is critical for positive outcomes. However, access for the diagnosis of melanoma remains problematic for segments of the general population.To compare the rates of dermatology and family medicine practitioner acceptances for a public insurance (Medicaid) versus private insurance (Anthem Blue Cross) and clinic wait times for an appointment for a changing pigmented skin lesion concerning melanoma in rural and urban regions in California.Cross-sectional audit study between June 2017 and March 2019; scripted phone calls were made to dermatology and family medicine practices (FMPs).Family medicine and dermatology practices in both regions had significantly decreased acceptance of Medicaid. Dermatology practices had 11.3% to 13.0% Medicaid acceptance rates that were less than FMP rates of 28% to 36%. In both regions, FMP wait times were 2.4- to 3.2-fold longer for public versus private insurance; there were little differences in wait times for the 2 insurance types in dermatology practices, in both regions.Assessment of only 2 regions in the state of California.Delays at FMPs and insurance types limit access to melanoma screening in California for underserved segments of the general population, which has implications for melanoma outcomes and health policy.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jdin.2022.02.008

  View details for PubMedID 35373156

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8968658

• Epigenome-wide association study and epigenetic age acceleration associated with cigarette smoking among Costa Rican adults. Scientific reports Cardenas, A., Ecker, S., Fadadu, R. P., Huen, K., Orozco, A., McEwen, L. M., Engelbrecht, H., Gladish, N., Kobor, M. S., Rosero-Bixby, L., Dow, W. H., Rehkopf, D. H. 2022; 12 (1): 4277

  Abstract

  Smoking-associated DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures are reproducible among studies of mostly European descent, with mixed evidence if smoking accelerates epigenetic aging and its relationship to longevity. We evaluated smoking-associated DNAm signatures in the Costa Rican Study on Longevity and Healthy Aging (CRELES), including participants from the high longevity region of Nicoya.We measured genome-wide DNAm in leukocytes, tested Epigenetic Age Acceleration (EAA) from five clocks and estimates of telomere length (DNAmTL), and examined effect modification by the high longevity region.489 participants had a mean (SD) age of 79.4 (10.8) years, and 18% were from Nicoya. Overall, 7.6% reported currently smoking, 35% were former smokers, and 57.4% never smoked. 46 CpGs and five regions (e.g. AHRR, SCARNA6/SNORD39, SNORA20, and F2RL3) were differentially methylated for current smokers. Former smokers had increased Horvath's EAA (1.69-years; 95% CI 0.72, 2.67), Hannum's EAA (0.77-years; 95% CI 0.01, 1.52), GrimAge (2.34-years; 95% CI1.66, 3.02), extrinsic EAA (1.27-years; 95% CI 0.34, 2.21), intrinsic EAA (1.03-years; 95% CI 0.12, 1.94) and shorter DNAmTL (-0.04-kb; 95% CI -0.08, -0.01) relative to non-smokers. There was no evidence of effect modification among residents of Nicoya. Our findings recapitulate previously reported and novel smoking-associated DNAm changes in a Latino cohort.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41598-022-08160-w

  View details for PubMedID 35277542

• Epigenetic aging biomarkers and occupational exposure to benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL Van der Laan, L., Cardenas, A., Vermeulen, R., Fadadu, R. P., Hubbard, A. E., Phillips, R., Zhang, L., Breeze, C., Hu, W., Wen, C., Huang, Y., Tang, X., Smith, M. T., Rothman, N., Lan, Q. 2022; 158: 106871

  Abstract

  Epigenetic aging biomarkers are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We evaluated if occupational exposure to three established chemical carcinogens is associated with acceleration of epigenetic aging. We studied workers in China occupationally exposed to benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE) or formaldehyde by measuring personal air exposures prior to blood collection. Unexposed controls matched by age and sex were selected from nearby factories. We measured leukocyte DNA methylation (DNAm) in peripheral white blood cells using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip to calculate five epigenetic aging clocks and DNAmTL, a biomarker associated with leukocyte telomere length and cell replication. We tested associations between exposure intensity and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), defined as the residuals of regressing the DNAm aging biomarker on chronological age, matching factors and potential confounders. Median differences in EAA between exposure groups were tested using a permutation test with exact p-values. Epigenetic clocks were strongly correlated with age (Spearman r > 0.8) in all three occupational studies. There was a positive exposure-response relationship between benzene and the Skin-Blood Clock EAA biomarker: median EAA was -0.91 years in controls (n = 44), 0.78 years in workers exposed to <10 ppm (n = 41; mean benzene = 1.35 ppm; p = 0.034 vs. controls), and 2.10 years in workers exposed to ≥10 ppm (n = 9; mean benzene = 27.3 ppm; p = 0.019 vs. controls; ptrend = 0.0021). In the TCE study, control workers had a median Skin-Blood Clock EAA of -0.54 years (n = 71) compared to 1.63 years among workers exposed to <10 ppm of TCE (n = 27; mean TCE = 4.22 ppm; p = 0.035). We observed no evidence of EAA associations with formaldehyde exposure (39 controls, 31 exposed). Occupational benzene and TCE exposure were associated with increased epigenetic age acceleration measured by the Skin-Blood Clock. For TCE, there was some evidence of epigenetic age acceleration for lower exposures compared to controls. Our results suggest that some chemical carcinogens may accelerate epigenetic aging.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106871

  View details for Web of Science ID 000705001600005

  View details for PubMedID 34560324

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9084243

• Dietary fat intake during early pregnancy is associated with cord blood DNA methylation at IGF2 and H19 genes in newborns ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS Chiu, Y., Fadadu, R. P., Gaskins, A. J., Rifas-Shiman, S. L., Laue, H. E., Moley, K. H., Hivert, M., Baccarelli, A., Oken, E., Chavarro, J. E., Cardenas, A. 2021; 62 (7): 388-398

  Abstract

  Maternal fat intake during pregnancy affects fetal growth, but mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. We performed an exploratory study of the associations of fat consumption during pregnancy with cord blood DNA methylation of the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and H19 genes. We used data from 96 uncomplicated full-term pregnancies of mothers of whom majority had normal body mass index (BMI) (66%) in Project Viva, a prospective pre-birth cohort. We assessed maternal diet with validated food frequency questionnaires during the first and second trimesters and measured DNA methylation in segments of the IGF2- and H19-differentially methylated regions (DMRs) by pyrosequencing DNA extracted from umbilical cord blood samples. Mean (SD) age was 32.8 (4.1) years and prepregnancy BMI was 24.0 (4.4) kg/m2 . Mean DNA methylation was 56.3% (3.9%) for IGF2-DMR and 44.6% (1.9%) for H19-DMR. Greater first trimester intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fat (effect per 1% of calories at the expense of carbohydrates) was associated with lower DNA methylation of IGF2-DMR (-1.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.2%, -0.2%) and higher DNA methylation at H19-DMR (0.8%; 95% CI: 0.3%, 1.3%). On the other hand, greater first trimester intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fat was associated with lower DNA methylation of the H19-DMR (-4.3%; 95% CI: -7.9%, -0.8%). We did not find significant associations of IGF2 and H19 methylation with IGF2 cord blood levels. Our findings suggest that early prenatal fat intake (omega-3, omega-6, and saturated fatty acids) may influence DNA methylation at the IGF2 and H19 locus, which could impact fetal development and long-term health.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/em.22452

  View details for Web of Science ID 000679683500001

  View details for PubMedID 34288135

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8364885

• Association of Wildfire Air Pollution and Health Care Use for Atopic Dermatitis and Itch. JAMA dermatology Fadadu, R. P., Grimes, B., Jewell, N. P., Vargo, J., Young, A. T., Abuabara, K., Balmes, J. R., Wei, M. L. 2021; 157 (6): 658-666

  Abstract

  Air pollution is a worldwide public health issue that has been exacerbated by recent wildfires, but the relationship between wildfire-associated air pollution and inflammatory skin diseases is unknown.To assess the associations between wildfire-associated air pollution and clinic visits for atopic dermatitis (AD) or itch and prescribed medications for AD management.This cross-sectional time-series study assessed the associations of air pollution resulting from the California Camp Fire in November 2018 and 8049 dermatology clinic visits (4147 patients) at an academic tertiary care hospital system in San Francisco, 175 miles from the wildfire source. Participants included pediatric and adult patients with AD or itch from before, during, and after the time of the fire (October 2018 through February 2019), compared with those with visits in the same time frame of 2015 and 2016, when no large wildfires were near San Francisco. Data analysis was conducted from November 1, 2019, to May 30, 2020.Wildfire-associated air pollution was characterized using 3 metrics: fire status, concentration of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), and satellite-based smoke plume density scores.Weekly clinic visit counts for AD or itch were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were weekly numbers of topical and systemic medications prescribed for AD in adults.Visits corresponding to a total of 4147 patients (mean [SD] age, 44.6 [21.1] years; 2322 [56%] female) were analyzed. The rates of visits for AD during the Camp Fire for pediatric patients were 1.49 (95% CI, 1.07-2.07) and for adult patients were 1.15 (95% CI, 1.02-1.30) times the rate for nonfire weeks at lag 0, adjusted for temperature, relative humidity, patient age, and total patient volume at the clinics for pediatric patients. The adjusted rate ratios for itch clinic visits during the wildfire weeks were 1.82 (95% CI, 1.20-2.78) for the pediatric patients and 1.29 (95% CI, 0.96-1.75) for adult patients. A 10-μg/m3 increase in weekly mean PM2.5 concentration was associated with a 7.7% (95% CI, 1.9%-13.7%) increase in weekly pediatric itch clinic visits. The adjusted rate ratio for prescribed systemic medications in adults during the Camp Fire at lag 0 was 1.45 (95% CI, 1.03-2.05).This cross-sectional study found that short-term exposure to air pollution due to the wildfire was associated with increased health care use for patients with AD and itch. These results may provide a better understanding of the association between poor air quality and skin health and guide health care professionals' counseling of patients with skin disease and public health practice.

  View details for DOI 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.0179

  View details for PubMedID 33881450

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8060890

• Controlled human exposures to diesel exhaust: a human epigenome-wide experiment of target bronchial epithelial cells ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS Cardenas, A., Fadadu, R. P., Van der Laan, L., Ward-Caviness, C., Granger, L., Diaz-Sanchez, D., Devlin, R. B., Bind, M. 2021; 7 (1): dvab003

  Abstract

  Diesel exhaust (DE) is a major contributor to ambient air pollution around the world. It is a known human carcinogen that targets the respiratory system and increases risk for many diseases, but there is limited research on the effects of DE exposure on the epigenome of human bronchial epithelial cells. Understanding the epigenetic impact of this environmental pollutant can elucidate biological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of harmful DE-related health effects. To estimate the causal effect of short-term DE exposure on the bronchial epithelial epigenome, we conducted a controlled single-blinded randomized crossover human experiment of exposure to DE and used bronchoscopy and Illumina 450K arrays for data collection and analysis, respectively. Of the 13 participants, 11 (85%) were male and 2 (15%) were female, and 12 (92%) were White and one (8%) was Hispanic; the mean age was 26 years (SD = 3.8 years). Eighty CpGs were differentially methylated, achieving the minimum possible exact P-value of P = 2.44 × 10-4 (i.e. 2/213). In regional analyses, we found two differentially methylated regions (DMRs) annotated to the chromosome 5 open reading frame 63 genes (C5orf63; 7-CpGs) and unc-45 myosin chaperone A gene (UNC45A; 5-CpGs). Both DMRs showed increased DNA methylation after DE exposure. The average causal effects for the DMRs ranged from 1.5% to 6.0% increases in DNA methylation at individual CpGs. In conclusion, we found that short-term DE alters DNA methylation of genes in target bronchial epithelial cells, demonstrating epigenetic level effects of exposure that could be implicated in pulmonary pathologies.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/eep/dvab003

  View details for Web of Science ID 000674770100001

  View details for PubMedID 33859829

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8035831

• Bridge the Gap: Reducing Inequity in Hospital Readmissions for African American Patients with Heart Failure Through Quality Improvement Initiatives. Health equity Ornelas, C., Fadadu, R. P., Richardson, M. A., Agboghidi, O. H., Davis, J. D. 2021; 5 (1): 30-34

  Abstract

  Purpose: Heart failure (HF) disproportionately impacts African Americans. We evaluated existing quality improvement (QI) initiatives and patient and provider perceptions of barriers to HF care to develop equity-centered QI recommendations. Methods: We performed a literature review, interviewed providers and patients (N=11), and conducted a root cause analysis at a safety net hospital in San Francisco, California. Results: We have identified four elements to foster a more equitable HF care model: screening for social determinants of health, technological innovation, optimization of space, and implicit bias training. Conclusion: QI initiatives for HF should integrate health equity elements in their design and implementation.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/heq.2020.0082

  View details for PubMedID 33564738

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7868575

• Stress testing reveals gaps in clinic readiness of image-based diagnostic artificial intelligence models NPJ DIGITAL MEDICINE Young, A. T., Fernandez, K., Pfau, J., Reddy, R., Cao, N., von Franque, M. Y., Johal, A., Wu, B. V., Wu, R. R., Chen, J. Y., Fadadu, R. P., Vasquez, J. A., Tam, A., Keiser, M. J., Wei, M. L. 2021; 4 (1): 10

  Abstract

  Artificial intelligence models match or exceed dermatologists in melanoma image classification. Less is known about their robustness against real-world variations, and clinicians may incorrectly assume that a model with an acceptable area under the receiver operating characteristic curve or related performance metric is ready for clinical use. Here, we systematically assessed the performance of dermatologist-level convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on real-world non-curated images by applying computational "stress tests". Our goal was to create a proxy environment in which to comprehensively test the generalizability of off-the-shelf CNNs developed without training or evaluation protocols specific to individual clinics. We found inconsistent predictions on images captured repeatedly in the same setting or subjected to simple transformations (e.g., rotation). Such transformations resulted in false positive or negative predictions for 6.5-22% of skin lesions across test datasets. Our findings indicate that models meeting conventionally reported metrics need further validation with computational stress tests to assess clinic readiness.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41746-020-00380-6

  View details for Web of Science ID 000609629700001

  View details for PubMedID 33479460

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7820258

• Climate and health education for medical students CLINICAL TEACHER Fadadu, R. P., Jayaraman, T., Teherani, A. 2021; 18 (4): 362-364

  View details for DOI 10.1111/tct.13317

  View details for Web of Science ID 000595832800001

  View details for PubMedID 33280259

• Differences in the Estimation of Wildfire-Associated Air Pollution by Satellite Mapping of Smoke Plumes and Ground-Level Monitoring. International journal of environmental research and public health Fadadu, R. P., Balmes, J. R., Holm, S. M. 2020; 17 (21)

  Abstract

  Wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and intense in many countries, pose serious threats to human health. To determine health impacts and provide public health messaging, satellite-based smoke plume data are sometimes used as a proxy for directly measured particulate matter levels. We collected data on particulate matter <2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) concentration from 16 ground-level monitoring stations in the San Francisco Bay Area and smoke plume density from satellite imagery for the 2017-2018 California wildfire seasons. We tested for trends and calculated bootstrapped differences in the median PM2.5 concentrations by plume density category on a 0-3 scale. The median PM2.5 concentrations for categories 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 16, 22, 25, and 63 μg/m3, respectively, and there was much variability in PM2.5 concentrations within each category. A case study of the Camp Fire illustrates that in San Francisco, PM2.5 concentrations reached their maximum many days after the peak for plume density scores. We found that air pollution characterization by satellite imagery did not precisely align with ground-level PM2.5 concentrations. Public health practitioners should recognize the need to combine multiple sources of data regarding smoke patterns when developing public guidance to limit the health effects of wildfire smoke.

  View details for DOI 10.3390/ijerph17218164

  View details for PubMedID 33167314

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7663802

• Pediatric Workplace Learning Opportunities for Medical Students: Is Scribing a Win-Win? ACADEMIC PEDIATRICS Bachrach, L., Fadadu, R., Sharp, M., Irby, D. M. 2020; 21 (3): 580-582

  Abstract

  This study examined if preclerkship medical students would find it educational to scribe in a pediatric setting. Scribing promoted students' learning about pediatric clinical encounters enhanced their competency with electronic health record use, and moderately reduced attending physician documentation burden.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.acap.2021.01.013

  View details for Web of Science ID 000637989300016

  View details for PubMedID 33529738

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8026722

• Distinct mechanisms of microRNA sorting into cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicle subtypes. eLife Temoche-Diaz, M. M., Shurtleff, M. J., Nottingham, R. M., Yao, J., Fadadu, R. P., Lambowitz, A. M., Schekman, R. 2019; 8

  Abstract

  Extracellular vesicles (EVs) encompass a variety of vesicles secreted into the extracellular space. EVs have been implicated in promoting tumor metastasis, but the molecular composition of tumor-derived EV sub-types and the mechanisms by which molecules are sorted into EVs remain mostly unknown. We report the separation of two small EV sub-populations from a metastatic breast cancer cell line, with biochemical features consistent with different sub-cellular origins. These EV sub-types use different mechanisms of miRNA sorting (selective and non-selective), suggesting that sorting occurs via fundamentally distinct processes, possibly dependent on EV origin. Using biochemical and genetic tools, we identified the Lupus La protein as mediating sorting of selectively packaged miRNAs. We found that two motifs embedded in miR-122 are responsible for high-affinity binding to Lupus La and sorting into vesicles formed in a cell-free reaction. Thus, tumor cells can simultaneously deploy multiple EV species using distinct sorting mechanisms that may enable diverse functions in normal and cancer biology.

  View details for DOI 10.7554/eLife.47544

  View details for PubMedID 31436530

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6728143

• Trace Metal Content of Coal Exacerbates Air-Pollution-Related Health Risks: The Case of Lignite Coal in Kosovo. Environmental science & technology Kittner, N., Fadadu, R. P., Buckley, H. L., Schwarzman, M. R., Kammen, D. M. 2018; 52 (4): 2359-2367

  Abstract

  More than 6600 coal-fired power plants serve an estimated five billion people globally and contribute 46% of annual CO2 emissions. Gases and particulate matter from coal combustion are harmful to humans and often contain toxic trace metals. The decades-old Kosovo power stations, Europe's largest point source of air pollution, generate 98% of Kosovo's electricity and are due for replacement. Kosovo will rely on investment from external donors to replace these plants. Here, we examine non-CO2 emissions and health impacts by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze trace metal content in lignite coal from Obilic, Kosovo. We find significant trace metal content normalized per kWh of final electricity delivered (As (22.3 ± 1.7), Cr (44.1 ± 3.5), Hg (0.08 ± 0.010), and Ni (19.7 ± 1.7) mg/kWhe). These metals pose health hazards that persist even with improved grid efficiency. We explore the air-pollution-related risk associated with several alternative energy development pathways. Our analysis estimates that Kosovo could avoid 2300 premature deaths by 2030 with investments in energy efficiency and solar PV backed up by natural gas. Energy policy decisions should account for all associated health risks, as should multilateral development banks before guaranteeing loans on new electricity projects.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.est.7b04254

  View details for PubMedID 29301089

• Renewable Additives that Improve Water Resistance of Cellulose Composite Materials JOURNAL OF RENEWABLE MATERIALS Buckley, H. L., Touchberry, C. H., McKinley, J. P., Mathe, Z. S., Muradyan, H., Ling, H., Fadadu, R. P., Mulvihill, M. J., Amrose, S. E. 2017; 5 (1): 1-13

  View details for DOI 10.7569/JRM.2016.634109

  View details for Web of Science ID 000399649600001

• Electronic cigarette marketers manipulate antitobacco advertisements to promote vaping. Tobacco control Ramamurthi, D., Fadadu, R. P., Jackler, R. K. 2015

  View details for DOI 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052661

  View details for PubMedID 26546153