- Sleep and related disorders
- Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects
- Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection
- Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control
- Occupational Health and Performance
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Dietary Effects on Health
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research
- Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
- Radiation Dose and Imaging
- Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
- Workplace Health and Well-being
- Noise Effects and Management
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Environmental Justice and Health Disparities
- Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
Virginia Commonwealth University
2021-2025
Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center
2009-2021
University of South Carolina
2012-2021
Dorn Research Institute
2021
University of Georgia
2014
Research Network (United States)
2014
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2014
University of Charleston
2014
Center for Scientific Review
2014
National Institutes of Health
2014
Study Objectives:To evaluate the efficacy of a 12-week exercise training program for reducing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity and improving quality, to explore possible mechanisms by which may reduce OSA severity.
To determine whether the dietary inflammatory index (DII) is associated with or metabolic biomarkers and syndrome (MetSyn) among police officers.Cross-sectional data from Buffalo Cardio-Metabolic Occupational Police Stress study were derived saliva fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, long-term shiftwork histories, demographic, stress/depression, food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). Metabolic was defined using standard criteria.Officers in DII quartiles 2 to 4 more likely...
A large proportion of individuals affected by sleep disorders are untreated and susceptible to accidents, injuries, long-term sequelae (e.g., risk cardiovascular disease, cancer, psychiatric disorders), increased mortality risk. Few studies have examined the scope magnitude disorder diagnoses in United States (US) or factors influencing them. Veterans particularly vulnerable that elicit exacerbate disorders. This serial cross-sectional study characterized secular trends diagnosed among...
Comparisons of incidence and mortality rates are the metrics used most commonly to define cancer-related racial disparities. In US, particularly in South Carolina, these largely disfavor African Americans (AAs). Computed from readily available data sources, mortality-to-incidence rate ratio (MIR) provides a population-based indicator survival.South Carolina Central Cancer Registry Vital death were construct MIRs. ArcGIS 9.2 mapping software was map cancer MIRs by sex race for 8 Health...
Many of the symptoms Gulf War Illness (GWI) that include neurological abnormalities, neuroinflammation, chronic fatigue and gastrointestinal disturbances have been traced to chemical exposure. Though association subsequent evidences are strong, mechanisms connect exposure intestinal abnormalities remain unclear. Using an established rodent model Illness, we show caused significant dysbiosis in gut included increased abundance phylum Firmicutes Tenericutes, decreased Bacteroidetes. Several...
Sleep disturbances, chronotype and social jetlag (SJL) have been associated with increased risks for major chronic diseases that take decades to develop, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome cardiovascular disease. Potential relationships between poor sleep, SJL they relate risk factors disease not extensively investigated. This prospective study examined chronotype, sleep in relation both obesity elevated blood pressure among healthy young adults. objective measures (total time, onset...
The effects of nicotine on five behavioral and physiological measures were determined in four inbred mouse strains (BALB, C57BL, DBA C3H). In addition, the binding characteristics alpha-bungarotoxin, two ligands which appear to label different nicotinic receptors, measured seven discrete brain regions, as well whole brain. A number differences response found among strains. Whereas depressed open-field activity BALB, C57BL mice a dose-dependent manner, low doses increased locomotor C3H mice....
Background: Night work is associated with disrupted circadian rhythms, fatigue, accidents, and chronic disease. Melatonin secretion helps regulate sleep rhythms. Objective: Melatonin, disturbances, symptoms (sleep, mental) were compared among workers on permanent day, swing, night shifts. Methods: Urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) was measured in postwork postsleep samples. Disrupted melatonin production evaluated using the sleep:work 6-OHMS ratio. Wrist actigraphy characterized...
Background Shiftwork among health care workers impacts upon the safety and of both employees patients.
Elevated indoor air pollution levels due to the burning of biomass in developing countries are well established. Few studies have quantitatively assessed improved cookstoves and examined these measures relation health effects. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 79 Honduran women cooking with traditional or cookstoves. Carbon monoxide fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) were via personal monitoring. Pulmonary function respiratory symptoms ascertained. Finger-stick blood spot samples...
Shift workers are affected by diet- and inflammation-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer. We examined a dietary inflammatory index (DII) in relation to shift work from the National Health Nutrition Examination Survey data (2005 2010).The DII was calculated using 24-hour recall. categories included day workers, evening/night or rotating workers. General linear models were fit examine relationship between adjusted mean values.Among all specifically higher (ie,...
Insomnia is a common condition affecting more than third of the US population. However, link between insomnia symptoms and stroke understudied underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate relationship incidence stroke.
To explore the utility of exercise training for improving daytime functioning in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Forty-three sedentary and overweight/obese aged 18-55 years at least moderate-severity untreated OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 15) were randomized to 12 weeks moderate-intensity aerobic resistance (n = 27) or low-intensity stretching control treatment 16). As part a trial investigating efficacy on severity, was assessed before following intervention. Sleepiness, functional...
Shift workers suffer from a constellation of symptoms associated with disruption circadian rhythms including sleep abnormalities, and abnormal hormone secretion (e.g. melatonin, cortisol). Recent, but limited, evidence suggests that shift have elevated levels circulating white blood cells (WBCs) compared to their day working counterparts. Interestingly, recent reviews highlight the strong linkage between immune system which includes, is not limited to, cell populations functions. The these...
Sleep disruption has been associated with increased risks for several major chronic diseases that develop over decades. Differences in sleep/wake timing between work and free days can result the development of social jetlag (SJL), a misalignment person's preferred schedule imposed by his/her schedule. Only few studies have examined persistence SJL or sleep time. This prospective investigation characteristics 2-year period to evaluate whether poor were conditions during study period. measures...
The effects of occupational 60 Hz magnetic field and ambient light exposures on the pineal hormone, melatonin, were studied in 142 male electric utility workers Colorado, 1995-1996. Melatonin was assessed by radioimmunoassay its metabolite, 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS), post-work shift urine samples. Personal measured over 3 consecutive days using EMDEX C meters adapted with sensors. Two independent components exposure, intensity (geometric time weighted average) temporal stability...
Purpose : The relationship between cellular telephone use and excretion of the melatonin metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) was evaluated in two populations male electric utility workers (Study 1, n =149; Study 2, =77). Materials methods Participants collected urine samples recorded over 3 consecutive workdays. Personal 60-Hz magnetic field (MF) ambient light exposures were characterized on same days using EMDEX II meters. A repeated measures analysis used to assess effects use,...
Circadian disruption has been linked with inflammation, an established cancer risk factor. Per3 clock gene polymorphisms have also associated circadian and increased risk. Patients completed a questionnaire provided blood sample prior to undergoing colonoscopy (n = 70). Adjusted mean serum cytokine concentrations (IL-6, TNF-alpha, gamma-INF, IL-1ra, IL-1-beta, VEGF) were compared among patients high low scores for fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory), depressive symptoms (Beck...