Jacquelyn Y. Taylor

The EPIIC hypothesis: Intrapartum effects on the neonatal epigenome and consequent health outcomes

There are many published studies about the epigenetic effects of the prenatal and infant periods on health outcomes. However, there is very little knowledge regarding the effects of the intrapartum period (labor and birth) on health and epigenetic remodeling. Although the intrapartum period is relatively short compared to the complete perinatal period, there is emerging evidence that this time frame may be a critical formative phase for the human genome. Given the debates from the National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization regarding routine childbirth procedures, it is essential to establish the state of the science concerning normal intrapartum epigenetic physiology. EPIIC (Epigenetic Impact of Childbirth) is an international, interdisciplinary research collaboration with expertise in the fields of genetics, physiology, developmental biology, epidemiology, medicine, midwifery, and nursing. We hypothesize that events during the intrapartum period - specifically the use of synthetic oxytocin, antibiotics, and cesarean section - affect the epigenetic remodeling processes and subsequent health of the mother and offspring. The rationale for this hypothesis is based on recent evidence and current best practice.

Recruitment of Three Generations of African American Women Into Genetics Research

Successful outcomes for studies on health disparities depend on recruitment of research participants. Obtaining willing participants, protecting their rights, and acknowledging their contribution to research is as important as seeking answers to the study phenomena. Recruiting research participants can be an arduous process for investigators. Although literature has published participant recruitment methods, investigators sometimes underestimate the time and intensity required to attract eligible participants into research studies. This article reports on methods used to recruit 42 African American generational triads (grandmothers, mothers, and granddaughters) into a hypertension genetics study, the lessons learned, and suggestions for successful recruitment.

Interactions between metallopeptidase 3 polymorphism rs679620 and BMI in predicting blood pressure in African–American women with hypertension

BMI represents an internal metabolic and physiological environment that plays a key role in development of high blood pressure (BP) for many Americans. African–American women have a higher prevalence of high BP and being overweight than men or other ethnic groups. This study examines the genetic–environmental interaction effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms and BMI on BP among African–American women using 1418 African–American women and men from the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy study. A total of 403 tests of single nucleotide polymorphism–BMI interaction were conducted using methods of internal replication, cross-validation, and false discovery rate. One single nucleotide polymorphism (located in the ATP6B1 gene, rs2266917) passed adjustments for multiple testing and had a significant independent main effect (P = 0.0018) on diastolic BP among African–American women. A significant sex-specific interaction effect was found between MMP3_rs679620 and BMI in African–American women (P = 0.0009). MMP3_rs679620 (A–G polymorphism) encodes a Lys-Glu nonsynonymous variant at the 45th amino acid of metallopeptidase 3 and indicates a putative functional modification of metallopeptidase 3. These findings were not identified in African–American men. MMP3_rs679620 appears to have a protective effect on diastolic BP in women with high BMI. Surprisingly, MMP3_rs679620 had the opposite effect on women with low BMI, resulting in higher diastolic BP.

Genetic and Environmental Risks for High Blood Pressure Among African American Mothers and Daughters

Objective: To determine the relationship between genetic and environmental lifestyle factors (physical activity and sodium) on blood pressure (BP) among African-American women. Method: In this cross-sectional study involving 108 African-American mothers and daughters from a Midwestern area, investigators obtained BP measurements, information on minutes of physical activity, amount of sodium intake, and buccal swab saliva samples. Results: Of the 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the sodium bicarbonate cotransporter gene (SLC4A5), rs8179526 had a statistically significant interaction with cytosine/thymine (C/T) genotype by sodium status on systolic BP (SBP; p = .0077). For gene × physical activity interaction, 2 significant interactions (cytosine/adenine [C/A] genotype by physical activity and adenine/adenine [A/A] genotype by physical activity, p = .0107 and p = .0171, respectively) on SBP and 1 on diastolic BP (DBP; A/A genotype by physical activity, p = .0233) were found on rs1017783. Two significant guanine/adenine [G/A] genotype by physical activity interactions were found on rs6731545 for SBP and DBP (p = .0160 and p = .0492, respectively). Discussion: A gene × environmental interaction with rs8179526 has a protective effect on SBP in African-American women with high sodium intake. Participants with C/T genotype of rs8179526 who consumed greater than 2,300 mg of sodium had lower SBP than those who consumed less than recommended. Women with thymine/thymine (T/T) genotype of rs8179526 who consumed greater than 2,300 mg had lower SBP than those who consumed less. Awareness of both the protective and deleterious properties of rs8179526 in African-American women may one day assist in determining appropriate treatment plans.

Gene-Environment Interaction for Hypertension Among African American Women Across Generations

African American women have the highest prevalence of hypertension and obesity of any group in the United States. African American girls have the highest incidence of obesity of any groups of children in the nation, and diagnoses of hypertension have been rising among this group. Because both genetic heredity and body mass index (BMI) are important risk factors for hypertension, this study examined the gene-BMI interaction for hypertension across the lifespan in two generations of African American women. Participants comprised of 868 African American women in the parent cohort and 322 in the offspring cohort from the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network (HyperGEN) study, part of the Family Blood Pressure Program (FBPP). A total of 115 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were evaluated among the parent cohort and 491 among the offspring cohort for tests of SNP-BMI interaction using methods of false discovery rate (FDR; <.20) and examination of minor allele frequency (MAF; >.05) and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (>.10). One SNP (located in the CAPN 13 gene, rs1879282) passed adjustments for the multiple testing mentioned above and had a significant (p < .01) gene-BMI interaction on both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) among African American female offspring. The rs1879282 SNP is located on chromosome 2 on the calpain (CAPN) 13 gene, which is part of a family of cytosolic calcium-activated proteases involved in apoptosis, cell division, modulation of integrin—cytoskeletal interactions, and synaptic plasticity. This SNP was not available for testing in the African American parent cohort.

Classification and Correlates of Eating Disorders among Blacks: Findings from the National Survey of American Life

Objective. To assess classification adjustments and examine correlates of eating disorders among Blacks. Methods. The National Survey of American Life (NSAL) was conducted from 2001-2003 and consisted of adults (n=5,191) and adolescents (n=1,170). The World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI-World Health Organization 2004-modified) and DSM-IV-TR eating disorder criteria were used. Results. Sixty-six percent of African American and 59% Caribbean Black adults were overweight or obese, while 30% and 29% of adolescents were overweight or obese. Although lifetime rates of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa were low, binge eating disorder was high for both ethnic groups among adults and adolescents. Eliminating certain classification criteria resulted in higher rates of eating disorders for all groups. Conclusion. Culturally sensitive criteria should be incorporated into future versions of Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) classifications for eating disorders that consider within-group ethnic variations.

Sociocultural Differences and Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African American Men and Women

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine sociocultural factors that influence an informed decision about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among African American men and women. DESIGN Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING A medical center, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, and various social organizations and barbershops in a midwestern city of the United States. SAMPLE A purposive sample of African American women (n = 65) and African American men (n = 64) aged 50 years and older. METHODS Participants completed a self-administered survey. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Cultural identity, CRC beliefs, family support, and informed decision. FINDINGS Family support was positively related to CRC beliefs among participants, and CRC beliefs were positively related to an informed decision. However, among men, family support positively related to an informed decision about CRC screening. In addition, t-test results indicated that the men and women were significantly different. Family support predicted CRC beliefs among men (p < 0.01) and women (p < 0.01). CRC beliefs predicted CRC screening informed decisions among men (p < 0.01) and women (p < 0.05). However, the accounted variance was dissimilar, suggesting a difference in the impact of the predictors among the men and women. CONCLUSIONS Family support has a significant impact on CRC beliefs about CRC screening among African Americans. However, how men and women relate to the variables differs. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING To improve CRC screening rates, informed decision-making interventions for African Americans should differ for men and women and address family support, CRC beliefs, and elements of cultural identity.

Educating Future Nursing Scientists: Recommendations for Integrating Omics Content in PhD Programs

Preparing the next generation of nursing scientists to conduct high-impact, competitive, sustainable, innovative, and interdisciplinary programs of research requires that the curricula for PhD programs keep pace with emerging areas of knowledge and health care/biomedical science. A field of inquiry that holds great potential to influence our understanding of the underlying biology and mechanisms of health and disease is omics. For the purpose of this article, omics refers to genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, exposomics, microbiomics, and metabolomics. Traditionally, most PhD programs in schools of nursing do not incorporate this content into their core curricula. As part of the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Sciences Idea Festival for Nursing Science Education, a work group charged with addressing omics preparation for the next generation of nursing scientists was convened. The purpose of this article is to describe key findings and recommendations from the work group that unanimously and enthusiastically support the incorporation of omics content into the curricula of PhD programs in nursing. The work group also calls to action faculty in schools of nursing to develop strategies to enable students needing immersion in omics science and methods to execute their research goals.

ArticleSpecial Issue: Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science: PhD EducationEducating future nursing scientists: Recommendations for integrating omics content in PhD programs

Preparing the next generation of nursing scientists to conduct high-impact, competitive, sustainable, innovative, and interdisciplinary programs of research requires that the curricula for PhD programs keep pace with emerging areas of knowledge and health care/biomedical science. A field of inquiry that holds great potential to influence our understanding of the underlying biology and mechanisms of health and disease is omics. For the purpose of this article, omics refers to genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, exposomics, microbiomics, and metabolomics. Traditionally, most PhD programs in schools of nursing do not incorporate this content into their core curricula. As part of the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Sciences Idea Festival for Nursing Science Education, a work group charged with addressing omics preparation for the next generation of nursing scientists was convened. The purpose of this article is to describe key findings and recommendations from the work group that unanimously and enthusiastically support the incorporation of omics content into the curricula of PhD programs in nursing. The work group also calls to action faculty in schools of nursing to develop strategies to enable students needing immersion in omics science and methods to execute their research goals.

First trimester vitamin D status and placental epigenomics in preeclampsia among Northern Plains primiparas.

AIMS As maternal vitamin D status has been associated with preeclampsia, the purpose of this study was to determine variations in DNA methylation patterns and associated protein expression in placental genes regulating vitamin D metabolism. MAIN METHODS A convenience sample of 48 pregnant nulliparous women, including 11 later diagnosed with preeclampsia, were recruited in this prospective study. Using a case-control design in two groups of women, we administered a food frequency questionnaire to determine vitamin D dietary intake. Laboratory measures included serum vitamin D levels (25[OH]D), DNA methylation patterns and protein expression in placental genes regulating vitamin D metabolism (1α-hydroxylase, CYP27B1; vitamin D receptor, VDR; retinoid X receptor, RXR) from placental tissue collected at delivery among those diagnosed with preeclampsia and those who remained normotensive throughout pregnancy. KEY FINDINGS There were no significant differences in vitamin D dietary intake or mean serum 25[OH]D levels, although the proportion of women with deficient 25[OH]D levels was higher in the preeclampsia group (46%) than the normotensive group (20%). Placenta samples from women with preeclampsia also had increased DNA methylation of CYP27B1, VDR and RXR genes with lower protein expression levels limited to RXR. SIGNIFICANCE Hypermethylation of key placental genes involved in vitamin D metabolism suggests uncoupling of processes that may interfere with placentation and availability of vitamin D at the maternal-fetal interface.