Toxicology

Researchers are studying how local treatments for early-stage breast cancer affect patients' health and daily life over time. This research focuses on women with stage I to III breast cancer in China who receive surgery and may also have chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy before or after surgery. The study excludes those with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer and aims to understand both short- and long-term side effects such as tiredness, sleep problems, emotional distress, pain, and changes in heart or lung function and how these impact quality of life. Participants will undergo baseline assessments including medical history, reproductive history, body measurements, heart and lung function tests, routine laboratory tests, and collection of blood and tissue samples during surgery. These samples will be used for future research to identify biological markers related to treatment side effects. After starting treatment, participants will complete surveys about their symptoms, emotional well-being, stress, sleep quality, pain, and social support at multiple time points including one week, one month, three months, six months, twelve months, and then annually up to five years. The study uses secure electronic questionnaires for follow-up and collects detailed quality of life data without repeating biospecimen or clinical tests after baseline. Researchers will analyze changes over time to understand recovery patterns and support personalized care approaches. The main outcome measured is the quality of life using a standardized questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) at various time points up to five years after treatment begins.

Appalachian residents in Martin and Letcher Counties, Kentucky, face a serious drinking water crisis due to exposure to disinfection by-products (DBPs). These chemicals, including trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and chlorate, have been linked to health risks like bladder cancer and cardiovascular birth defects. The study aims to improve understanding, monitor changes, and reduce exposure to DBPs in these communities through a collaborative university-community effort. The research involves two main programs: a three-year Citizen Scientist Training Program where participants are trained and perform in-home sampling for DBPs, and a five-year Stakeholder Consultation Core Program involving quarterly meetings and discussions on DBPs. Both programs assess participants' experiences and contributions over time. Participants will be involved in ongoing assessments to track changes in environmental health literacy, attitudes, behaviors, and social network measures over five years. The study collects data at baseline and after five years to evaluate knowledge and behavioral changes related to DBP exposure. This long-term engagement includes educational and community activities aimed at reducing health risks from water contaminants.

Researchers are investigating the impact of low-level exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), specifically tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), on the health of community members in Martinsville, Indiana. The study focuses on understanding contamination from groundwater and indoor air in residential and commercial buildings, which may pose health risks including effects on visual and neurocognitive functions and cancer rates. The goal is to empower the community by involving members in environmental health decisions and addressing concerns related to chemical exposure. The study includes an educational campaign aimed at encouraging residents to participate in indoor air testing to identify contamination levels in homes and individuals. Researchers will collect data on contamination exposure, community awareness, and perceptions about health risks. This information will guide the development of targeted educational efforts to reduce exposure to VOCs. The campaign and data collection span multiple years to track changes in concerns, awareness, and willingness to have homes tested. Participants will be adults aged 18 to 99 living in Martinsville. The study involves assessing changes in environmental health concerns, awareness of chemical exposure, and willingness to participate in home testing over periods ranging from one to five years. Researchers will monitor health effects through evaluations of neurocognitive function and cancer incidence compared to broader regional data. The research aims to provide long-term monitoring and community support to mitigate exposure risks and improve health outcomes.

Researchers are investigating how exposure to ultrafine particulate matter (PM0.1) and noise pollution affects the risk of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders in adults aged 45 to 64 living in Kaunas City. This study combines an observational environmental-epidemiological component with an experimental clinical trial to assess whether lifestyle changes, specifically physical activity in green spaces and adherence to a Mediterranean diet, can reduce these health risks. The project is part of the international MARKOPOLO initiative and aims to provide new insights into environmental health impacts and preventive strategies. The clinical trial involves 180 participants randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group continuing usual habits, a physical activity group instructed to take daily 30-minute brisk walks in urban green spaces, and a Mediterranean diet group receiving dietary counseling and meal planning support. Physical activity is monitored using Fitbit wristband sensors. Participants undergo two clinic visits on Day 1 and Day 8, during which health measurements such as blood pressure, waist circumference, and body composition are taken, and blood samples are collected for detailed biomarker and omics analyses. Participants will wear wristband sensors for seven days to track physical activity, heart rate, and sleep quality. Clinical assessments include blood pressure, body measurements, and blood tests for metabolic, inflammatory, and molecular markers at the start and end of the study period. The research will evaluate changes in cardiovascular and metabolic health indicators after short-term lifestyle interventions and explore links between environmental exposures and health outcomes. The study duration is 48 months, with results aiming to support public health recommendations for reducing metabolic and cardiovascular disease burdens.

Snake bites affect thousands of Australians annually, but deaths are rare due to effective first aid and medical care. Current first aid methods in Australia use a pressure bandage immobilisation (PBI) technique, but questions have arisen about its effectiveness and potential harm when applied incorrectly. This research compares PBI with a simpler pressure pad (PP) technique used in other countries to see which better slows venom movement through the lymphatic system, providing important information to improve snake bite first aid. The study involves 24 healthy volunteers who will receive an injection of mock venom in their hand or foot. Participants will be assigned to receive either the PBI method, applying an elastic bandage at about 60mmHg pressure over the entire limb with immobilisation, the PP method using a pressure pad secured with an elastic bandage at similar pressure and immobilisation, or no first aid (control). Splints or slings will be used to immobilise the limb. Pressure accuracy is confirmed with specialized "smart" bandages and pressure measurement devices. Participants will be monitored using gamma camera imaging to track how quickly the mock venom reaches regional lymph nodes over a period lasting from 12 weeks up to 18 months. The study will assess the effectiveness of each first aid technique in slowing venom flow, aiming to provide evidence that could lead to improved recommendations for snake bite treatment in Australia. Safety and proper application of methods will be closely observed throughout the study.

This research investigates how antibiotics behave in the bodies of critically ill newborns, infants, and children up to 15 years old. It focuses on measuring the levels of several antibiotics, including amoxicillin-clavulanate, piperacillin-tazobactam, vancomycin, teicoplanin, meropenem, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin, to understand if current dosing schedules achieve the best antimicrobial effects. The study aims to provide insights into dosing effectiveness in pediatric intensive care settings. Participants receiving these antibiotics as part of their routine medical care will undergo blood sampling to measure drug concentrations. In some cases, urine sampling will also be performed, such as for those receiving ciprofloxacin. Blood samples are collected through arterial or intravenous lines other than the drug infusion line, with arterial lines preferred. The study monitors both initial doses and steady-state levels over an expected duration of two years. Throughout the study, researchers will collect blood and urine samples to evaluate antibiotic levels and their activity. This monitoring helps determine if dosing regimens achieve maximum antimicrobial effects at both first dose and steady state. The study involves patients admitted to pediatric intensive care units who are already receiving antibiotic treatments, with ongoing safety and efficacy assessments during the participation period.

Researchers are studying periodontitis, a bacterial infection that damages the tissues supporting teeth and can cause tooth loss. While mechanical cleaning removes bacterial deposits, it may not fully eliminate the harmful bacteria in severe cases. This trial aims to optimize antibiotic use by examining the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of amoxicillin-metronidazole (AMO+MET) and azithromycin (AZI) in patients with severe periodontitis, focusing on their presence in gingival fluid, saliva, and blood during and after treatment. The trial is a randomized, single-blind study with three groups involving 45 patients over 44 months. All patients receive mechanical cleaning in two sessions. One group takes 500mg amoxicillin plus 500mg metronidazole three times daily for 7 days, another group takes the same antibiotics for 3 days, and the last group takes 500mg azithromycin once daily for 3 days. Samples of gingival fluid, saliva, and blood are collected at days 0, 2, 4, and 8 to measure antibiotic concentrations. The microbiological effects on six bacteria are assessed at 3 and 6 months, with clinical results evaluated after 6 months. Participants will undergo periodontal exams, sample collections, and clinical follow-ups over approximately 8 months. Safety is monitored through recording all adverse events. The main outcome measure is the concentration of the antibiotics in various body fluids at specified times. This study helps understand how these antibiotics behave in the body when used alongside mechanical treatment for periodontitis.

The aPPPle pilot study aims to explore exposure to plant protection products (PPP) among operators, workers, and residents involved with apple orchards, focusing on substances acetamiprid, dithianon, and dodine. This study seeks to understand potential physiological effects by examining blood biomarkers and urine metabolites, particularly given that apple crop applications occur at higher altitudes, which may lead to increased exposure compared to ground-level applications. The study will help prepare for a larger main study by testing feasibility and generating initial results. Participants in the study are grouped as operators, workers, residents, or controls. Exposure to the substances is monitored during work or application periods, and urine samples are collected up to 48 hours after exposure. Blood and plasma samples are also analyzed from enrollment until seven days after application or work in the orchards. Controls provide samples at one time point for comparison. During the study, participants provide urine and blood samples to measure concentrations of the plant protection substances and their metabolites, as well as effect biomarkers indicating potential physiological changes. Samples are collected at various times depending on group assignment, and data on exposure levels and health effects are gathered. The study includes assessments of dermal and inhalative exposure and monitors metabolites in urine and biomarkers in blood to evaluate potential health impacts.

Researchers are working with the Ramapough Nation of northern New Jersey to support sustainable, tradition-centered farming practices aimed at improving food security, nutrition, and health in the community. This project also evaluates environmental contamination and its effects by measuring toxic substances and micronutrient levels in tribal members, alongside health conditions related to these exposures. The study builds on an existing partnership and community-based approaches to address these challenges. The study involves using the Munsee Three Sisters Medicinal farm, which grows crops on clean soil to provide nutrition-rich foods and healthy recipes. This intervention supports restoring healthy soil and plant production. Researchers also collect samples of soil, plants, and surface water from areas where community members live, recreate, and attend church, using citizen science methods. Participants provide information through in-person or online surveys covering demographics, health, food intake, nutrition, food security, and stress. Researchers perform physical measurements such as height, weight, body mass index, body circumference, and blood pressure at enrollment. They also collect urine and blood samples to measure contaminant burdens and micronutrient levels. Outcomes are tracked over about two years, including contaminant presence in water and bodies, micronutrient deficiencies, and health disorders.

Extreme heat events pose a serious health threat in Canada, as shown by the 2021 heat wave that caused over 600 deaths in Western Canada. Many heat-related deaths happen indoors and can be prevented. This research aims to evaluate whether sending tailored digital health messages from primary care providers to their patients can help at-risk individuals change their behavior to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses. The study focuses on improving community resilience and reducing health inequalities related to extreme heat, aligning with public health heat alert systems. Participants will be grouped by their primary care providers and randomly assigned to receive either personalized heat adaptation messages or general health promotion messages unrelated to heat. The intervention includes digital messages encouraging patients to create heat safety plans, form support groups with friends and neighbors, and access local cooling resources. When heat advisories occur, additional alerts will prompt patients to activate their plans. The study will follow participants for two years to assess behavior changes and health impacts. During the study, patients will complete surveys to report their heat adaptation behaviors, and their health data will be analyzed to track healthcare use related to heat events. Researchers will monitor the number of participants adopting heat safety behaviors after heatwaves and evaluate the intervention's effectiveness across different populations, including older adults and those with chronic illnesses. The goal is to enhance coordination between primary care and public health to improve responses to extreme heat and support vulnerable groups.