Increase in Organochlorine Contaminant Levels in Major Water Sources of the United States in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Organochlorine contaminants, such as triclosan (TCS), are present in major water sources across the United States. These antimicrobial compounds are widely used as multipurpose ingredients in everyday consumer products. They can be ingested or absorbed through the skin and are found in human blood, breast milk, and urine samples. Studies have shown that the increased use of antimicrobial agents leads to their presence and persistence in the ecosystem, particularly in soil and watersheds. Many studies have highlighted emerging concerns associated with the overuse of TCS, including dermal irritations, a higher incidence of antibacterial-related allergies, microbial resistance, disruptions in the endocrine system, altered thyroid hormone activity, metabolism, and tumor metastasis and growth. Organochlorine contaminant exposures play a role in inflammatory responsiveness, and any unwarranted innate response could lead to adverse outcomes. The capacity of TCS and other organochlorine contaminants to induce inflammation, resulting in persistent and chronic inflammation, is linked to various pathologies, such as cardiovascular disease and several types of cancers. Chronic inflammation presents a severe consequence of exposure to these antimicrobial agents, as any changes could result in the loss of immune competence. Organochlorine contaminant levels were established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2019-2020 and have consistently increased in response to the novel coronavirus (nCoV) (COVID-19) pandemic. Our previous research examined the overuse of products containing triclosan (TCS), which led to an increase in total trihalomethane (TTHM) levels affecting the quality of our water supply. We also investigated the impact of the FDA ban that now requires pre-market approval. To comprehend the consequences of excessive antimicrobial use on water quality, we conducted an analysis of the levels of total trichloromethane (chloroform), a byproduct of free chlorine added to TCS, in primary water sources in metropolitan areas across the United States in 2019-2020. We repeated this analysis after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021-2022 to examine its correlation with organochlorine exposure. Our study found that the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the increased use of antimicrobial products, has significantly raised the levels of total trihalomethanes compared to those reported in water quality reports from 2019-2020, in contrast to the reports from 2021-2022.

Enhancing Cybersecurity through Cloud Computing Solutions in the United States

This study investigates how cybersecurity can be enhanced through cloud computing solutions in the United States. The motive for this study is due to the rampant loss of data, breaches, and unauthorized access of internet criminals in the United States. The study adopted a survey research design, collecting data from 890 cloud professionals with relevant knowledge of cybersecurity and cloud computing. A machine learning approach was adopted, specifically a random forest classifier, an ensemble, and a decision tree model. Out of the features in the data, ten important features were selected using random forest feature importance, which helps to achieve the objective of the study. The study’s purpose is to enable organizations to develop suitable techniques to prevent cybercrime using random forest predictions as they relate to cloud services in the United States. The effectiveness of the models used is evaluated by utilizing validation matrices that include recall values, accuracy, and precision, in addition to F1 scores and confusion matrices. Based on evaluation scores (accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 scores) of 81.9%, 82.6%, and 82.1%, the results demonstrated the effectiveness of the random forest model. It showed the importance of machine learning algorithms in preventing cybercrime and boosting security in the cloud environment. It recommends that other machine learning models be adopted to see how to improve cybersecurity through cloud computing.

A Collaborative Service to the Community: A COVID Vaccine Clinic Provided by a Mid-State University

The opportunity to offer immediate service to a local community in need of an additional COVID Vaccine Clinic was welcomed by the School of Nursing (SON) at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). This opportunity not only opened a door by providing a much-needed community service but also afforded students an enriching opportunity to enhance their clinical skills in a venue not always recognized as an available or accessible resource. A COVID Vaccine Clinic was planned in collaboration with the School of Nursing, University Health Services, and the County Health Department to provide COVID vaccines to the Middle Tennessee area. A multidisciplinary committee met weekly to organize the COVID Vaccine Clinic opening this opportunity to the community two days per week. During the initial COVID Vaccine Clinic planning committee meetings, a variety of roles and responsibilities were identified to ensure the clinic would be planned, coordinated, and organized as efficiently as possible. When the clinic opened, weekly meetings continued to identify issues such as supply distribution problems, procedures related to various aspects of care, and debriefings describing the activities of each clinic day to note any areas in need of improvements. The School of Nursing Lobby, located on the MTSU campus, was the designated area chosen for the clinic. Many faculty and students along with numerous campus volunteers worked together enabling thousands of members of the community to receive vaccinations. The interdisciplinary experience was a success and served to bring positive learning outcomes to all members of the faculty and students involved.

Anticancer Activity of Peganum harmala and Haloxylon salicornicum Leaf Extracts on Lung Cancer A549 and Prostate Cancer PC-3 Cell Lines

Cancer is a worldwide disease that ranks as the second-largest cause of death after cardiovascular disease. In 2019, the estimated number of cancer deaths was around 10 million worldwide and 600,000 in the United States. Due to the high side effects of the available treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a demand for alternative treatments has been a goal for scientists with less toxicity and side effects. Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide and the leading cause of death in the United States. In addition, prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men after lung cancer. Natural sources discovered to have therapeutic medicinal properties against human diseases are the plants Peganum harmala and Haloxylon salicornicum. The aim of this study is to test the anticancer activity of leaf extracts of Peganum harmala and Haloxylon salicornicum on lung cancer (A549) and prostate cancer (PC3) cell lines. The anticancer activity of P. harmala and H. salicornicum was studied using the assays: crystal violet viability, lipid peroxidation, and caspase-3 techniques, which were evaluated in vitro on two human cancer cell lines. The results of the study showed that both plants’ extracts reduced the viability of both cancer cell lines, which depended on the concentration of the extract. Also, P. harmala showed more potent activity against both types of cancer than H. salicornicum. P. harmala and H. salicornicum decreased the lipid peroxidation that induces cancer as well as increased the expression of caspase-3, which causes apoptosis and cell death. This study concluded that P. harmala and H. salicornicum leaf extracts showed significant anticancer properties, which might be due to the presence of phytochemicals, including flavonoids and phenolics.

Developing Blue Spots Model for Tennessee Using GIS, and Advanced Data Analytics: Literature Review

Climate change and global warming results in natural hazards, including flash floods. Flash floods can create blue spots;areas where transport networks (roads, tunnels, bridges, passageways) and other engineering structures within them are at flood risk. The economic and social impact of flooding revealed that the damage caused by flash floods leading to blue spots is very high in terms of dollar amount and direct impacts on people’s lives. The impact of flooding within blue spots is either infrastructural or social, affecting lives and properties. Currently, more than 16.1 million properties in the U.S are vulnerable to flooding, and this is projected to increase by 3.2% within the next 30 years. Some models have been developed for flood risks analysis and management including some hydrological models, algorithms and machine learning and geospatial models. The models and methods reviewed are based on location data collection, statistical analysis and computation, and visualization (mapping). This research aims to create blue spots model for the State of Tennessee using ArcGIS visual programming language (model) and data analytics pipeline.

Antibacteria Activity of Peganum harmala and Haloxylon salicornicum Leaves Extracts

The use of antibiotics in humans and animals has been marked as a significant step in health due to their effectiveness in controlling and treating bacterial infections. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have been identified as risk factors for bacterial resistance since microorganisms adapt and develop mechanisms to defend against antibiotics. According to the Centers for Disease Protection and Control (CDC), around 23,000 individuals die every year in the United States due to antibiotic resistance complications. As a result, a demand for alternative treatments has been a goal for scientists as the microbes adapt to selective pressure. The aim of this study is to test the antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of Peganum harmala and Haloxylon salicornicum on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria on various mediums. The results of the study showed that both P. harmala and H. salicornicum inhibited the bacterial growth in two different media. The results were also compared with different common antibiotics used in both human’s and animal’s fields and showed a promising outcome as alternative antibiotics.

Interactions of Aurein with Model Membranes and Antimalarials

Aurein is a cationic antimicrobial peptide, rich in phenylalanine residues. Although the peptide has been extensively studied, its mechanism of action is not fully understood and has not been established. This project is focused on studying the interactions of aurein with model biological membranes and antimalarials using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), fluorescence, dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. FTIR data revealed conformational changes to the secondary structure of the peptide in the presence of the model membranes. The strongest interactions of aurein were found with DOPC and lipid raft systems. Fluorescence data revealed some differences in the mechanism of interaction between aurein and lipid rafts. Topographical analysis was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images of the peptide with its lipid rafts showed a change in surface roughness suggesting a different mechanism of interaction. DLS data in agreement with FTIR confirmed that aurein interacts differently with the lipid rafts. The results gathered from this study provided new insights on the interaction of aurein. On the other hand, drug-drug interaction issues continue to present a major dilemma for the clinician caring for complex patients such as those infected with infectious disease. This study has examined the interaction of aurein with quinine, primaquine, and chloroquine. Significant interactions between aurein and antimalarials occured at a higher concentration of antimalarials. Interactions between aurein and anti-malarials reveal a strong interaction between aurein and primaquine. Interactions between aurein and quinine or chloroquine were found to be weak and negligible. FTIR, TGA, and DSC may be used in a complementary way to gain insights into the possible drug-drug interactions involving aurein. These studies are needed to initiate in vivo controlled interaction studies between antibiotics and antimalarials.

The Application of Analytical Techniques to Alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, as well as non-motor symptoms including cognitive impairment and mood disorders. A hallmark of PD is the accumulation of alpha-synuclein, a presynaptic neuronal protein that aggregates to form Lewy bodies, leading to neuronal dysfunction and cell death. The study of alpha-synuclein and its pathological forms is crucial for understanding the etiology of PD and developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Analytical techniques play a pivotal role in elucidating the structure, function, and aggregation mechanisms of alpha-synuclein. Biochemical methods such as Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are employed to detect and quantify alpha-synuclein in biological samples, offering insights into its expression levels and post-translational modifications. Imaging techniques like immunohistochemistry and positron emission tomography (PET) allow for the visualization of alpha-synuclein aggregates in tissue samples and in vivo, respectively, facilitating the study of its spatial distribution and progression in PD Spectroscopic methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, provide detailed structural information on alpha-synuclein and its isoforms, aiding in the identification of conformational changes associated with aggregation. Emerging techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) and single-molecule fluorescence enable high-resolution structural analysis and real-time monitoring of alpha-synuclein aggregation dynamics, respectively. The application of these analytical techniques has significantly advanced our understanding of the pathophysiological role of alpha-synuclein in PD. They have contributed to the identification of potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and the evaluation of therapeutic interventions targeting alpha-synuclein aggregation. Despite technical limitations and challenges in clinical translation, ongoing advancements in analytical methodologies hold promise for improving the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of Parkinson’s disease through a deeper understanding of alpha-synuclein pathology.

Impacts of Micro- and Nano-Plastics on Soil Properties and Plant Production in Agroecosystems: A Mini-Review

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are tiny plastic particles resulting from plastic product degradation. Soil MNPs have been identified as potential influential factors affecting various soil properties and crop biomass productivity. This mini-review provides a synthesis of recent findings concerning their effects on soil physicochemical properties, microorganisms, organic carbon content, soil nutrients, greenhouse gas emissions, soil fauna, and their impacts on plant ecophysiology, growth, and production. The results indicate that MNPs may markedly impede soil aggregation ability, increase porosity, decrease soil bulk density, enhance water retention capacity, influence soil pH and electrical conductivity, and escalate soil water evaporation. Exposure to MNPs may predominantly induce changes in soil microbial composition, reducing the diversity and complexity of microbial communities and microbial activity while enhancing soil organic carbon stability, influencing soil nutrient dynamics, and stimulating organic carbon decomposition and denitrification processes, leading to elevated soil respiration and methane emissions, and potentially decreasing soil nitrous oxide emission. Additionally, MNPs may adversely affect soil fauna, diminish seed germination rates, promote plant root growth, yet impair plant photosynthetic efficacy and biomass productivity. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the impacts and mechanistic foundations of MNPs. Future research avenues are suggested to further explore the impacts and economic implications.

Targeting AMPKa1 Gene in PC3 Cells by Triphenylmethanol Derivatives

Epidemiological studies indicate that treatment with metformin, an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, reduces the incidence of cancers. Activation of AMPK has also been reported to oppose tumor progression in diverse types of cancers and offers promising cancer therapy. Furthermore, AMPK is a primary regulator of energy metabolism and has also been implicated in cell cycle progression, angiogenesis, cell transformation, migration, and cancer. We have recently synthesized novel flavonoids, namely, triphenylmethanol derivatives (TPMs), but the effectiveness of the TPMs on the activity of AMPK remains unclear. We hypothesized that the novel TPMs would inhibit cancer cell proliferation through the activation of AMPK isoforms in cells. The effects of TPMs on prostate cells (PC-3) were investigated. Cells were exposed to TPMs for either 12 or 24 hr. at the respective doses of 0, 25, 50 100, and 200 µM based on the cell viability studies by the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole) (MTT) assay. The results indicate that cells exposed to the respective doses of TPMs increased both phospho- and total-AMPKα1 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The effects of the increases for the phospho- and total-AMPKα in cells were greater for the 24-hr than the 12-hr. incubation. Further studies are currently going on to elucidate the specificities of the said insults in increasing the phospho- and total-AMPKα activities and for the other respective isoforms.

Effects of Supplemental Glutamine and Lysine on Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens

The optimum levels of Lysine and Glutamine needed for growth performance and maintenance of the chicken broilers were evaluated in a randomized 3 × 4 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. The battery cages measured 99 × 66 × 25 cm that can be sufficient for 5 birds. Day old Chicken broilers totaling 180 were assigned to dietary treatments comprising of 3 concentrations of Lysine (0.85, 1.14, and 1.42) each in combination with 4 concentrations of Glutamine (0, 1, 2, and 3). Each dietary treatment was replicated 3 times and each replication had 5 birds. The birds were given feed and water ad libitum with a 23-hour light regimen for a period of 4 weeks. Then, the experimental birds were evaluated for body weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion in order to determine their optimum requirement for dietary Lysine and Glutamine. Based on the findings of this study, the highest performance was observed in birds fed the diet supplemented with 1.42 lysine and 1% glutamine, but the highest improvement in feed conversion was observed in diet contain 1.14 and 1.42 with 1% and 3% glutamine, respectively. Birds fed 1.42 lysine and 1% glutamine had the highest total body weight gain and feed consumption. The lysine requirements in the diet for Chicken are between 1.14 and 1.42 with glutamine level of 1%.

Cytotoxicity, Toxicity and Anticancer Activity of Manuka Honey, Saudi’s Honey and Peganum harmala Plant against Cancer Cells

Cancer occurs when the body’s cells grow beyond the usual control. Normal body cells multiply in a controlled manner and undergo apoptosis when the body no longer needs them. Different types of cancers exist, and the common ones include breast, cervical, prostate, lung, colon, and skin cancers. Several factors have been associated with cancers, and these factors include poor dieting, exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation, weak immune system, and genetics. Cancer presents an enormous health threat in the modern world and thus the need to identify an effective treatment. The conventional treatments used in the management of cancer include chemotherapy and physiotherapy. These forms of cancer treatments usually have enormous side effects on the subjects. In this respect, an alternative form of treatment would be effective in managing cancer patients. A substantial number of natural products have been observed to be effective in the management of cancer. These natural products include plants and other natural substances such as honey. This study focuses on the efficiency of natural products in the treatment of cancer. Also, the anticancer effects of Peganum harmala, Manuka honey, and Saudi honey will be analyzed. Bee honey and Peganum harmala have been traditionally used in the treatment of cancer. The extracts from Peganum harmala plant have also been shown to exhibit divers’ antitumor effects similar to the mode of action of a vast number of anticancer agents. These established hypotheses thus give the rationale for this study. In this experiment, extracts were obtained from Peganum harmala leaves and exposed to cervical, lung, and prostate cancer cells. Similarly, solutions of Manuka honey and Saudi honey were exposed to the cervical, lung, and prostate cancer cells. The experiment duration was 24 hours, which obtained results were recorded and analyzed. Peganum harmala extracts inhibit cancer cell growth at different and achievable concentrations. Manuka honey highly inhibits the growth of HeLa cancer cells while Saudi honey highly inhibits the growth of A549 cells. Peganum harmala can form an effective treatment for managing several types of cancers. Manuka Honey can be applied as an effective treatment for managing cervical cancer while Saudi honey can form an effective treatment for managing lung cancers.

Incidence of Personal Care Products in Surface Water of Middle Tennessee Urban and Rural Sub-Watersheds

Personal care products (PCPs) are stable and are recognized as important chemicals of emerging concern in freshwater resources in the United States (US), including surface water. Although little is known about the bio acces-sibility or biodegradation of these chemicals in the environment. Their primary source of entry into water bodies includes activities such as bathing and showering as well as improper disposal of unused personal care products. We conducted a study to monitor the incidence of personal care products in two rivers (surface water) in Middle Tennessee. The objectives were to determine the incidence of personal care products in surface water of urban and rural sub-watersheds. Secondly, to identify the most frequently detected PCPs in the rivers monitored in the sub-watershed. Water samples were collected from the Cumberland River and Collins River. These rivers represented surface water drained by urban and rural watersheds respectively in Middle Tennessee. The surface water samples were analyzed for the presence of personal care products using GC-MS. During sampling, water quality parameters of interest were collected in-situ with a multi-parameter data-sonde. Low-level concentration of compounds containing PCPs was detected in the two rivers monitored. Personal care products detected included the active ingredients in perfumes (Docosane, Heptadecane, Methyl hexadecanoate, and Undecane), antiperspirants (Octadecanol, and Pentadecalactone), skin conditioners (Cyclotrisiloxane, Isohexyl palmitate, Methyl palmitate, and Cedrol), and shampoos (1-Hexadecanol, Hexadecanoic acid, and Nonanal).

Drinking Water Disparities in Tennessee: The Origins and Effects of Toxic Heavy Metals

Several toxic metals, commonly present in drinking water, are believed to play important roles in the development of cancerous tumors. Although the US Safe Drinking Water Act requires drinking water to meet health standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, violations occur regularly. In this study, we have investigated the role of the two predominant toxic heavy metals identified in the drinking water sources in Tennessee: copper and lead. We have analyzed the levels of copper and lead, as well as the total water hardness among different counties of Tennessee, with different socioeconomic backgrounds. We determined that the effects of lead and copper in drinking water were random, although counties with typically lower average household incomes typically had higher levels of the metals. The contaminant levels were found to remain below the threshold established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Tennessee. Water from the Cumberland River was harder than water obtained from other rivers in Tennessee. Furthermore, the total hardness of water did not correlate with the average household income of the various counties.

Do All Prostate Cancers Behave the Same?

Two different immunohistochemical types suggestive of Large Cell Neuroendocrine (NE) carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma in a patient with known diffusely metastatic, hormone refractory prostate carcinoma are rarities. Interestingly, our patient had documented history of exposure to Agent Orange during his time of service. The use of routinely used immunohistochemical stains for pathological diagnosis was a challenge in this case, though throughout his disease course, the diagnosis was confirmed as Adenocarcinoma of prostate with biopsies from all various sites of metastases. Systemic chemotherapy has been historically suboptimal in management of aggressively behaved prostate carcinomas. Finding any association of Agent Orange as a causative etiology and improving diagnosis and management of such aggressive hormone refractory prostate carcinoma need further investigations.

Spectrochemical Analysis of Bottled and Tap Water from Selected Counties of Middle Tennessee, USA

A total of 37 elements were determined in tap and bottled water samples from six counties of Middle Tennessee (USA) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The overarching goal of the study is to dispel the myth that bottled water is better than tap water or vice versa. Other parameters analyzed were pH, conductivity, and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). The results were compared with the Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) reported by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). The concentrations of phosphorus, silicon, fluoride, and chloride conformed to the established values by US-EPA maximum contaminant level corresponding value. The level of Aluminum (Al), Boron (B), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lithium (Li), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Titanium (Ti), Vanadium (V), and Zinc (Zn) conformed to the established values by governmental agencies (USEPA). Heavy metals such as Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), and Silver (Ag) were detected in the tap water of the urban (Davidson) and urbanizing (Rutherford and Williamson) counties;suggesting that rural counties had a less heavy metal concentration in their drinking water sources than urban counties (P < 0.05). However, the values were below the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).

Total Trihalomethane Levels in Major Watersheds across the United States

Trihalomethanes, such as chloroform, bromoform, dibromo(chloro)methane, and bromo(dichloro)methane, are present in the major watersheds across the United States. These chemicals play an important role in the development of cancer, have adverse reproductive outcomes, and were found to be present above the threshold established by the Environmental Protection Agency. To understand the impact of socioeconomic background on the quality of water and possible disparities, we have analyzed the levels of total trihalomethanes in the metropolitan areas in the major watersheds across the United States, in 2018, as they correlated to average household incomes. Our study found that Arkansas, Nevada, and Rhode Island demonstrated higher than federally mandated levels of total trihalomethanes in their watersheds. The median annual household and per capita incomes of the three states (Arkansas, Nevada, and Rhode Island) were lower than the national average. In addition, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin, which had higher median income levels, demonstrated the lowest total trihalomethane levels across the United States.

Effects of planting dates, densities, and varieties on ecophysiology of pigeonpea in the Southeastern United States

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is an important legume crop widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates of the world. Interest in this crop is growing in many countries because of its multiple uses as a source of food, feed, fuel, and fertilizer. However, the performance of pigeonpea in Southeastern US has not been well investigated. We conducted an experiment in Nashville, Tennessee to test the effects of two planting dates, three densities, and four varieties on pigeonpea ecophysiology that included leaf photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, water use efficiency (WUE), leaf area index (LAI) and soil respiration. Results indicated that the plants in the late planting plots had higher photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration. There were significant differences in the levels of leaf photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, WUE and LAI among all four varieties. W3 and G1 showed higher photosynthetic rate and LAI than W1, and W3 had higher WUE than G2 and W1. Planting densities had no significant effect on all variables studied. This study indicated that late planting of variety G1 or W3 resulted in higher WUE and yield, but did no significant influence soil CO2 emission.

The Effect of Trihalomethanes in Contaminating the Major Watersheds of Middle Tennessee

We have analyzed the contamination of the three major watersheds in Middle Tennessee (Middle Cumberland River Watershed, Stones River Watershed, and Harpeth River Watershed) by trihalomethanes, such as chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform. These chemicals play an important role in the develop-ment of cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes, and were found to be present above the threshold established by the Environmental Protection Agency. Certain portions of each watershed were found to be contaminated by the trihalomethanes, and deemed un-healthy. The household incomes in the major areas in the three watershed regions were also examined to determine a possible relationship with the level of water contamination. We concluded that income did not necessarily relate to water quality. Specific areas within each watershed that had lower average household incomes were found to have a higher concentration of the trihalomethanes in their drinking water, while other high-income areas were also affected by unhealthy water. However, these effects were random, and the level of contamination remained below the guidelines regulated by the State of Tennessee.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency in Northeast Tennessee

Background: The role of vitamin D in population subgroups throughout the world continues to be a topic of interest among researchers. Current evidence demonstrates that treating vitamin D deficiency plays a significant role in improving mortality in hospitalized patients, reducing hospital length of stay, and boosting innate immune system. Vitamin D levels vary with age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and geographical area. The purpose of this study is to evaluate vitamin D levels in a cohort of patients in Northeast Tennessee. Study: This institutional review board-approved, retrospective study evaluated vitamin D levels of patients obtained from Mcleod Cancer and Blood Center. Vitamin D levels were collected over a 2-year period and classified as deficient (<20 ng/mL), insufficient (20 - 30 ng/mL), or replete (>30 ng/mL). Data were then stratified based on patient characteristics (age, gender, body mass index (BMI), race, seasons, and place of residence) and compounds of vitamin D (D2 and D3). Results: There were 2011 individuals included, with only 44.3% having replete levels and 21.4% with levels less than 20 ng/mL. Females with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to have levels below 20 ng/ml compared to males (18.6% vs. 23%, respectively, p = 0.003). Regarding BMI, the highest levels were reported in normal weight and overweight. With regards to age, advanced age (≥70) was associated with the highest levels and most replete patients. Winter months were associated with the lowest levels of vitamin D. Higher vitamin D levels were found in individuals over 70 years, normal weight and overweight category. Conclusion: Testing vitamin D levels in high-risk groups becomes of utmost importance in areas with longer winter months, obese and underweight patients. Vitamin D levels should be routinely tested and treated in vulnerable populations.