Faculty Bibliography

Exposure to arsenic affects millions of people globally. Changes in the epigenome may be involved in pathways linking arsenic to health or serve as biomarkers of exposure. This study investigated associations between prenatal and early-life arsenic exposure and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in adults, a biomarker of morbidity and mortality. DNA methylation was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and buccal cells from 40 adults (median age = 49 years) in Chile with and without high prenatal and early-life arsenic exposure. EAA was calculated using the Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, skin and blood, GrimAge, and DNA methylation telomere length clocks. We evaluated associations between arsenic exposure and EAA using robust linear models. Participants classified as with and without arsenic exposure had a median drinking water arsenic concentration at birth of 555 and 2 μg/l, respectively. In PBMCs, adjusting for sex and smoking, exposure was associated with a 6-year PhenoAge acceleration [B (95% CI) = 6.01 (2.60, 9.42)]. After adjusting for cell-type composition, we found positive associations with Hannum EAA [B (95% CI) = 3.11 (0.13, 6.10)], skin and blood EAA [B (95% CI) = 1.77 (0.51, 3.03)], and extrinsic EAA [B (95% CI) = 4.90 (1.22, 8.57)]. The association with PhenoAge acceleration in buccal cells was positive but not statistically significant [B (95% CI) = 4.88 (-1.60, 11.36)]. Arsenic exposure limited to early-life stages may be associated with biological aging in adulthood. Future research may provide information on how EAA programmed in early life is related to health.

We present a hierarchical integrated model of self-regulation in which executive function is the cognitive component of the model, together with emotional, behavioral, physiological, and genetic components. These five components in the model are reciprocally and recursively related. The model is supported by empirical evidence, primarily from a single longitudinal study with good measurement at each level of the model. We also find that the model is consistent with current thinking on related topics such as cybernetic theory, the theory of allostasis and allostatic load, and the theory of skill development in harsh and unpredictable environments, referred to as "hidden talents." Next, we present literature that the integrative processes are susceptible to environmental adversity, poverty-related risk in particular, while positive social interactions with caregivers (e.g., maternal sensitivity) would promote self-regulatory processes or mitigate the adverse effect of early risk on the processes. A hierarchical integrative model of self-regulation advances our understanding of self-regulatory processes. Future research may consider broader social contexts of the integrative self-regulation system, such as neighborhood/community contexts and structural racism. This can be an integral step to provide children with equitable opportunities to thrive, even among children living in socioeconomically and psychosocially disadvantaged environments.

Background: Electronic cigarettes (EC) have been proposed as a harm-reducing alternative in smokers with COPD. Racial and ethnic differences can affect the extent to which smokers in the general population switch from combustible cigarettes (CC) to EC. To help design a targeted intervention for smokers with COPD, we conducted a mixed methods study assessing the relationship between race/ethnicity and switching from CC to EC; and evaluated whether it is mediated by social norms, risk perception, and overall opinions of CC and EC.
Method(s): We recruited patients with COPD, aged 21 to 75, listed as current smokers in the NYU Langone Health electronic health record by phone, mail, and My Chart. Smokers who had moderate COPD (based on the COPD Assessment Test score (CAT)), who smoked >=5 CC a day at least 4 days a week and were interested in quitting were eligible. We randomized participants to EC or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for switching from CC. Over 12 weeks, participants received 5 counseling sessions and were asked about their COPD symptoms, CC use, NRT/EC use, and nicotine withdrawal symptoms. We used Ecological Momentary Assessment (four text messages/day) to assess current EC/NRT and CC use. We analyzed the influence of race and ethnicity on switching, considering social norms, risk perception, media influence and overall opinions of tobacco and EC as possible mediators. We conducted in-depth interviews to gain descriptive explanations of study experience and reasons for switching or lack thereof. We used chi squared tests to compare categorical variables and analysis of variance for continuous ones.
Result(s): Among the 48 participants, the average age was 60 (STD 8.2) years and 54% were female. Races/ethnicities were 8% Black; 8% Hispanic/Latino; 81% White; and 3% Other/Not Reported. There was a trend towards decreased dyspnea and COPD symptoms, as well as decreased CC use, in the EC arm compared to the NRT arm. We are still collecting the qualitative data on switching perceptions.
Conclusion(s): Understanding the extent to which racial and ethnic differences in switching from CC to EC can be attributed to social norms, risk perception, media influence, and overall opinions of tobacco and EC; may allow us to design a more effective, more engaging smoking cessation intervention