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Objective: To use high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) to identify metabolic changes in military personnel associated with deployment to Balad, Iraq, or Bagram, Afghanistan. Methods: Pre- and post-deployment samples were obtained from the Department of Defense Serum Repository (DoDSR). HRM and bioinformatics were used to identify metabolic differences associated with deployment. Results: Differences at baseline (pre-deployment) between personnel deployed to Bagram compared with Balad or Controls included sex hormone and keratan sulfate metabolism. Deployment to Balad was associated with alterations to amino acid and lipid metabolism, consistent with inflammation and oxidative stress, and pathways linked to metabolic adaptation and repair. Difference associated with deployment to Bagram included lipid pathways linked to cell signaling and inflammation. Conclusions: Metabolic variations in pre- and post-deployment are consistent with deployment-associated responses to air pollution and other environmental stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A study was conducted using serum samples and high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) to test for changes in abundance of environmental chemicals in deployment in high-risk areas (Balad, Iraq; Bagram, Afghanistan). Methods: Pre and Post-deployment serum samples for deployment (cases) and matched controls stationed domestically were analyzed by HRM and bioinformatics for the relative abundance of 271 environmental chemicals. Results: Of the 271 chemicals, 153 were measurable in at least 80% of the samples in one of the pre- or post-deployment groups. Several pesticides and other chemicals were modestly elevated postdeployment in the Control as well as the Bagram and Balad samples. Similarly, small decreases were seen for some chemicals. Conclusion: These results using serum samples show that for the 271 environmental chemicals studied, 56% were detected and small differences occurred with deployment to high-risk areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A study was conducted to identify metabolic-related effects of benzo(ghi)perylene (BghiP) and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HpCDD), on primary human fibroblasts to verify biological associations previously found in occupational health research. Methods: Human lung fibroblasts were exposed to BghiP or HpCDD and extracts were analyzed with a metabolome-wide association study to test for pathways and metabolites altered relative to controls. Gene expression was measured by quantitative-real time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Metabolic perturbations in aminoacid, oxidative stress, and fatty-acid pathways were observed for BghiP and HpCDD. HpCDD but not BghiP exposure increased gene expression of the amino acid transporters SLC7A5 and SLC7A11. Conclusions: Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) or dioxins perturbs amino acid pathways at physiologically relevant concentrations with different mechanisms. These findings imply an effect on central homeostatic systems by environmental exposures which could have implications on disease susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a computational approach to link clinical outcomes with environmental exposures and molecular variations measured in Department of Defense (DOD) serum-repository samples. Methods: International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Division codes which corresponded to cardiopulmonary symptoms for service personnel were selected to test for associations with deployment-related inhalation hazards and metabolomics, micro-RNA, cytokine, plasma markers, and environmental exposure analyses for corresponding samples. xMWAS and Mummichog were used for integrative network and pathway analysis. Results: Comparison between 41 personnel exhibiting new cardio-pulmonary diagnoses after deployment start-date to 25 personnel exhibiting no symptoms identified biomarkers associated with cardiopulmonary conditions. Integrative network and pathway analysis showed communities of clinical, molecular, and environmental markers associated with fatty acid, lipid, nucleotide, and amino acid metabolism pathways. Conclusions: The current proof of principle study establishes a computational framework for integrative analysis of deployment- related exposures, molecular responses, and health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper provides an overview of our study that was designed to assess the health impact of environmental exposures to open pit burning in deployed troops. Methods: The rationale for the study and the structure of the research plan was laid out. An overview of each article in the supplement was provided. The cohort of deployed Service members was assessed for airborne exposure, relevant biomarkers, and health outcomes following deployment to Balad, Iraq, and/or Bagram, Afghanistan. Results: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposures were elevated, and serum biomarkers were statistically different posldeployment. Associations were noted between PAHs and dioxins and microRNAs. Some health outcomes were evident in deployers compared with nondeployers. Conclusions: Future research will examine the associations between demographic variables, smoking status, biomarker levels, and related health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]