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Papers by Christopher Coe

Research paper thumbnail of Diffusion Tensor Imaging–Based Characterization of Brain Neurodevelopment in Primates

Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), 2013

Primate neuroimaging provides a critical opportunity for understanding neurodevelopment. Yet the ... more Primate neuroimaging provides a critical opportunity for understanding neurodevelopment. Yet the lack of a normative description has limited the direct comparison with changes in humans. This paper presents for the first time a cross-sectional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study characterizing primate brain neurodevelopment between 1 and 6 years of age on 25 healthy undisturbed rhesus monkeys (14 male, 11 female). A comprehensive analysis including region-of-interest, voxel-wise, and fiber tract--based approach demonstrated significant changes of DTI properties over time. Changes in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) exhibited a heterogeneous pattern across different regions as well as along fiber tracts. Most of these patterns are similar to those from human studies yet a few followed unique patterns. Overall, we observed substantial increase in FA and AD and a decrease in RD for white matter (WM) along with similar yet smaller changes in gray matter (GM). We further observed an overall posterior-to-anterior trend in DTI property changes over time and strong correlations between WM and GM development. These DTI trends provide crucial insights into underlying age-related biological maturation, including myelination, axonal density changes, fiber tract reorganization, and synaptic pruning processes.

Research paper thumbnail of Population variation in neuroendocrine activity is associated with behavioral inhibition and hemispheric brain structure in young rhesus monkeys

Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), 2014

Population variation in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity and reactivity was assessed... more Population variation in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity and reactivity was assessed in a healthy sample of 48 juvenile rhesus monkeys. Cluster analysis of the HPA profiles revealed four distinct neuroendocrine phenotypes based on six indices of HPA functioning. Behavioral reactivity was also evaluated in response to novel stimuli, and revealed marked differences between animals in the highest-and lowest-cortisol clusters. Specifically, animals in the highcortisol cluster showed larger stress-induced cortisol responses and blunted feedback sensitivity to dexamethasone. They were also emotionally reactive, displayed more aggressive behaviors, and were less likely to approach novel objects. In contrast, monkeys in the low-cortisol cluster were more likely to approach and explore novel objects. Representative animals with high or low cortisol profiles were scanned with Magnetic Resonance Imaging to evaluate structural differences in global and regional gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes. Monkeys with higher cortisol reactivity evinced less hemispheric brain asymmetry, due to decreased GM in the right hemisphere. Stress reactivity was inversely related to global GM and positively related to total cerebrospinal fluid volume. This inverse relationship was also observed in several stress-sensitive

Research paper thumbnail of Maturational Trajectories of Cortical Brain Development through the Pubertal Transition: Unique Species and Sex Differences in the Monkey Revealed through Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), 2010

Characterizing normal brain development in the rhesus macaque is a necessary prerequisite for est... more Characterizing normal brain development in the rhesus macaque is a necessary prerequisite for establishing better nonhuman primate models of neuropathology. Structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained on 37 rhesus monkeys (20 Male, 17 Female) between 10 and 64 months of age. Effects of age and sex were analyzed with a cross-sectional design. Gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes were determined for total brain and major cortical regions using an automatic segmentation and parcellation pipeline. Volumes of major subcortical structures were evaluated. Unlike neural maturation in humans, GM volumes did not show a postpubertal decline in most cortical regions, with the notable exception of the prefrontal cortex. Similar to humans, WM volumes increased through puberty with less change thereafter. Caudate, putamen, amygdala, and hippocampus increased linearly as did the corpus callosum. Males and females showed similar maturational patterns, although males had significantly larger brain volumes. Females had a proportionately larger caudate, putamen, and hippocampus, whereas males had both an absolute and relatively larger corpus callosum. The authors discuss the possible implications of these findings for research using the rhesus macaque as a model for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Research paper thumbnail of Allostatic load in parents of children with developmental disorders: Moderating influence of positive affect

Journal of Health Psychology, Jan 8, 2013

This study examines whether parents of children with developmental disorders (DD) are at risk for... more This study examines whether parents of children with developmental disorders (DD) are at risk for elevated allostatic load (AL) relative to control parents, and whether positive affect moderates difference in risk. Thirty-eight parents of children with DD and 38 matched comparison parents were analyzed. Regression analyses revealed a significant interaction between parent status and AL level: parents of children with DD had lower AL when they had higher positive affect, whereas no such association was evident for comparison parents. The findings suggest that promoting greater positive affect may lower health risks among parents of children with DD.

Research paper thumbnail of Neonatal iron status is impaired by maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy

Journal of Perinatology, Mar 20, 2014

Objective-Maternal iron needs increase 6-fold during pregnancy, but obesity interferes with iron ... more Objective-Maternal iron needs increase 6-fold during pregnancy, but obesity interferes with iron absorption. We hypothesized that maternal obesity impairs fetal iron status. Study Design-316 newborns with risk factors for infantile iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were studied to examine obesity during pregnancy and neonatal iron status. Erythrocyte iron was assessed by cord blood hemoglobin (Hb), zinc protoporphyrin/heme (ZnPP/H) and reticulocyte-ZnPP/H and storage iron by serum ferritin. Results-Women with body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 , as compared with non-obese women, delivered larger offspring with higher reticulocyte-ZnPP/H, and lower serum ferritin concentrations (p<0.05 for both). With increasing BMI, estimated body iron was relatively lower (mg/kg) and the ratio of total Hb-bound iron (mg)/total body iron (mg) increased. Maternal diabetes compromised infant iron status, but multivariate analysis demonstrated that obesity was an independent predictor. Users may view, print, copy, and download text and data-mine the content in such documents, for the purposes of academic research, subject always to the full Conditions of use:

Research paper thumbnail of Educational Status, Anger, and Inflammation in the MIDUS National Sample: Does Race Matter?

Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Feb 26, 2015

Background-Racial differences in anger frequency and expression styles have been found. Further, ... more Background-Racial differences in anger frequency and expression styles have been found. Further, African Americans receive fewer health benefits from higher education than Whites. Purpose-To investigate racial differences in how anger moderates the association between education and inflammation. Methods-Midlife in the U.S. (MIDUS) participants (N = 1,200; 43.0% male; 18.5% African American) provided education and anger data via survey assessments. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fibrinogen were determined from a fasting blood sample following an overnight clinic visit. Results-African Americans reported higher anger-out, IL-6, and fibrinogen and lower angercontrol than Whites. Anger-out predicted higher IL-6 and fibrinogen among African Americans with higher education, whereas trait anger and anger-out predicted lower fibrinogen among Whites with higher education. Anger-out marginally predicted higher IL-6 in less educated Whites. Conclusions-Findings underscore racial differences in the benefits and consequences of educational attainment, and how social inequities and anger are manifest in inflammatory physiology.

Research paper thumbnail of Maternal Cortisol Levels and Behavior Problems in Adolescents and Adults with ASD

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Nov 5, 2009

Using daily diary methods, mothers of adolescents and adults with ASD (n = 86) were contrasted wi... more Using daily diary methods, mothers of adolescents and adults with ASD (n = 86) were contrasted with a nationally representative comparison group of mothers of similarly-aged unaffected children (n = 171) with respect to the diurnal rhythm of cortisol. Mothers of adolescents and adults with ASD were found to have significantly lower levels of cortisol throughout the day. Within the ASD sample, the son or daughter's history of behavior problems interacted with daily behavior problems to predict the morning rise of the mother's cortisol. A history of elevated behavior problems moderated the effect of behavior problems the day before on maternal cortisol level. Implications for interventions for both the mother and the individual with ASD are suggested.

Research paper thumbnail of Childhood socioeconomic status, comorbidity of chronic kidney disease risk factors, and kidney function among adults in the midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study

BMC Nephrology, 2020

Background There is a lack of empirical effort that systematically investigates the clustering of... more Background There is a lack of empirical effort that systematically investigates the clustering of comorbidity among known risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and elevated inflammation) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and how different types of comorbidity may link differently to kidney function among healthy adult samples. This study modeled the clustering of comorbidity among risk factors, examined the association between the clustering of risk factors and kidney function, and tested whether the clustering of risk factors was associated with childhood SES. Methods The data were from 2118 participants (ages 25–84) in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study. Risk factors included obesity, elevated blood pressure (BP), high total cholesterol levels, poor glucose control, and increased inflammatory activity. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated from serum creatinine, calculated with the CKD-EPI formula. The clustering of comorbidity am...

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep quality following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: longitudinal trajectories and biobehavioral correlates

Bone marrow transplantation, 2014

The present study examined changes in sleep quality following hematopoietic stem cell transplanta... more The present study examined changes in sleep quality following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and investigated associations with biobehavioral factors. Individuals undergoing HSCT for hematologic malignancies (N=228) completed measures of sleep quality and psychological symptoms pre-transplant and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post transplant. Circulating inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) were also assessed. Sleep quality was poorest at 1 month post transplant, improving and remaining relatively stable after 3 months post transplant. However, approximately half of participants continued to experience significant sleep disturbance at 6 and 12 months post transplant. Mixed-effects linear regression models indicated that depression and anxiety were associated with poorer sleep quality, while psychological well-being was associated with better sleep. Higher circulating levels of IL-6 were also linked with poorer sleep. Subject-level fixed effects models demonstrated that among...

Research paper thumbnail of Educational Status, Anger, and Inflammation in the MIDUS National Sample: Does Race Matter?

Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2015

Background-Racial differences in anger frequency and expression styles have been found. Further, ... more Background-Racial differences in anger frequency and expression styles have been found. Further, African Americans receive fewer health benefits from higher education than Whites. Purpose-To investigate racial differences in how anger moderates the association between education and inflammation. Methods-Midlife in the U.S. (MIDUS) participants (N = 1,200; 43.0% male; 18.5% African American) provided education and anger data via survey assessments. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fibrinogen were determined from a fasting blood sample following an overnight clinic visit. Results-African Americans reported higher anger-out, IL-6, and fibrinogen and lower angercontrol than Whites. Anger-out predicted higher IL-6 and fibrinogen among African Americans with higher education, whereas trait anger and anger-out predicted lower fibrinogen among Whites with higher education. Anger-out marginally predicted higher IL-6 in less educated Whites. Conclusions-Findings underscore racial differences in the benefits and consequences of educational attainment, and how social inequities and anger are manifest in inflammatory physiology.

Research paper thumbnail of Just how bad negative affect is for your health depends on culture

Psychological science, 2014

Pressman, conclude that across the globe negative emotions are bad for one's health. Yet, just ho... more Pressman, conclude that across the globe negative emotions are bad for one's health. Yet, just how bad negative emotions are for health depends on culture. In U.S. American contexts, negative feelings are construed as the individual's responsibility and as harmful. In Japanese contexts, negative feelings are construed as rooted in relationships and as natural. Using six clinically-relevant measures and two representative samples, we tested the hypothesis that negative affect is more strongly associated with poor health in the U.S. (n = 1,741) than in Japan (n = 988). Negative affect more strongly predicted poor health in the U.S. than in Japan for multi-item assessments of physical health (chronic conditions, physical functioning) and mental health (psychological well-being, self-esteem). There were no differences for single-item

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of anger and ill health in two cultures: an examination of inflammation and cardiovascular risk

Psychological science, 2015

Expression of anger is associated with biological health risk (BHR) in Western cultures. However,... more Expression of anger is associated with biological health risk (BHR) in Western cultures. However, recent evidence documenting culturally divergent functions of the expression of anger suggests that its link with BHR may be moderated by culture. To test this prediction, we examined large probability samples of both Japanese and Americans using multiple measures of BHR, including pro-inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) and indices of cardiovascular malfunction (systolic blood pressure and ratio of total to HDL cholesterol). We found that the link between greater expression of anger and increased BHR was robust for Americans. As predicted, however, this association was diametrically reversed for Japanese, among whom greater expression of anger predicted reduced BHR. These patterns were unique to the expressive facet of anger and remained after we controlled for age, gender, health status, health behaviors, social status, and reported experience of negative emoti...

Research paper thumbnail of Increased Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Production by Peripheral Blood Leukocytes from TCDD-Exposed Rhesus Monkeys

Toxicological Sciences, 2001

Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associated... more Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associated with a dose-dependent increase in the incidence and severity of endometriosis in the rhesus monkey. Studies also suggest that immune mechanisms participate in TCDD-mediated toxicity and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Thirteen years after TCDD treatment was terminated, we characterized the phenotypic distribution of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from TCDD-exposed and -unexposed rhesus monkeys and determined the ability of these cells to produce cytokines and exert cytolytic activity against NK and T-cell-sensitive cell lines. We also determined whether elevated serum levels of TCDD, dioxin-like PHAH congeners, and triglycerides correlated with changes in PBMC phenotype or function. For all animals, TCDD exposure correlated with increased PBMC tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-␣) secretion in response to stimulation by T-cell mitogen and decreased cytolytic activity against NK-sensitive target cells. Furthermore, increased production of this cytokine by PHA-stimulated leukocytes was associated with elevated serum triglyceride levels. Leukocyte TNF-␣ secretion in response to viral antigen and PBMC production of interferon gamma (IFN␥), IL-6, and IL-10 following exposure to mitogen or antigen were unaffected by previous TCDD treatment. Although TCDD exposure was not associated with changes in PBMC surface antigen expression, elevated serum concentrations of TCDD, 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran and 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl correlated with increased numbers of CD3؉/ CD25-and CD3-/CD25؉ leukocytes and enhanced secretion of TNF-␣ by mitogen-stimulated PBMC. These findings indicate that TCDD-exposed rhesus monkeys with endometriosis exhibit long-term alterations in systemic immunity associated with elevated serum levels of specific PHAH congeners.

Research paper thumbnail of Subjective and Objective Hierarchies and Their Relations to Psychological Well-Being: A U.S/Japan Comparison

Social psychological and personality science, 2014

Hierarchy can be conceptualized as objective social status (e.g., education level) or subjective ... more Hierarchy can be conceptualized as objective social status (e.g., education level) or subjective social status (i.e., one's own judgment of one's status). Both forms predict well-being. This is the first investigation of the relative strength of these hierarchy-well-being relationships in the U.S. and Japan, cultural contexts with different normative ideas about how social status is understood and conferred. In probability samples of Japanese (N=1027) and U.S. (N=1805) adults, subjective social status more strongly predicted life satisfaction, positive affect, sense of purpose, and self acceptance in the U.S. than in Japan. In contrast, objective social status more strongly predicted life satisfaction, positive relations with others, and self acceptance in Japan than in the U.S. These differences reflect divergent cultural models of self. The emphasis on independence characteristic of the U.S. affords credence to one's own judgment (subjective status) and the interdepend...

Research paper thumbnail of Effectiveness of Nasal Irrigation for Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Fatigue in Patients with Gulf War Illness: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Contemporary clinical trials, Jan 24, 2015

Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 1 in 7 returned Persian Gulf War veterans. Quality-of-life impact ... more Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 1 in 7 returned Persian Gulf War veterans. Quality-of-life impact is large; there is no cure. Chronic sinus symptoms and fatigue are common. Nasal irrigation with saline (NI-S) or xylitol (NI-X) improve sinus symptoms and fatigue in the general population. This trial will assess the effect of S-NI and X-NI on sinus and fatigue symptoms, economic outcomes and pro-inflammatory milieu among participants with GWI. 75 participants (age 35 to 65years, 25 in each of three arms) with GWI will be recruited from the Veteran's Administration and the community. They will use routine care for sinus symptoms and fatigue and be randomized to continued usual care alone or additional therapy with NI-S or NI-X. Participants will be able to adjust specific elements of the NI procedure. The primary outcome (Sinonasal Outcome Test, SNOT-20) and other self-reported assessments will occur at baseline, 8 and 26weeks; lab assessment of pro-inflammatory cellular and cytokin...

Research paper thumbnail of Culture, inequality, and health: evidence from the MIDUS and MIDJA comparison

Culture and Brain, 2015

This article seeks to forge scientific connections between three overarching themes (culture, ine... more This article seeks to forge scientific connections between three overarching themes (culture, inequality, health). Although the influence of cultural context on human experience has gained notable research prominence, it has rarely embraced another large arena of science focused on the influence social hierarchies have on how well and how long people live. That literature is increasingly focused psychosocial factors, working interactively with biological and brain-based mechanisms, to account for why those with low socioeconomic standing have poorer health. Our central question is whether and how these processes might vary by cultural context. We draw on emerging findings from two parallel studies, Midlife in

Research paper thumbnail of Brain volumetric and microstructural correlates of executive and motor performance in aged rhesus monkeys

Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 2012

The aged rhesus macaque exhibits brain atrophy and behavioral deficits similar to normal aging in... more The aged rhesus macaque exhibits brain atrophy and behavioral deficits similar to normal aging in humans. Here we studied the association between cognitive and motor performance and anatomic and microstructural brain integrity measured with 3T magnetic resonance imaging in aged monkeys. About half of these animals were maintained on moderate calorie restriction (CR), the only intervention shown to delay the aging process in lower animals. T1-weighted anatomic and diffusion tensor images were used to obtain gray matter (GM) volume and fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), respectively. We tested the extent to which brain health indexed by GM volume, FA, and MD were related to executive and motor function, and determined the effect of the dietary intervention on this relationship. We hypothesized that fewer errors on the executive function test and faster motor response times would be correlated with higher volume, higher FA, and lower MD in frontal areas that mediate ...

Research paper thumbnail of Increased Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Production by Peripheral Blood Leukocytes from TCDD-Exposed Rhesus Monkeys

Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro- dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associat... more Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro- dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associated with a dose-dependent increase in the incidence and severity of endometriosis in the rhesus monkey. Studies also suggest that immune mechanisms participate in TCDD-mediated toxicity and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Thirteen years after TCDD treatment was termi- nated, we characterized the phenotypic distribution of peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Research paper thumbnail of Early childhood stress is associated with elevated antibody levels to herpes simplex virus type 1

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2009

It is well known that children need solicitous parenting and a nurturing rearing environment to e... more It is well known that children need solicitous parenting and a nurturing rearing environment to ensure their normal behavioral development. Early adversity often negatively impacts emotional and mental well-being, but it is less clearly established how much the maturation and regulation of physiological systems is also compromised. The following research investigated the effect of 2 different types of adverse childhood experiences, early deprivation through institutionalization and physical abuse, on a previously unexplored outcome: the containment of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The presence of HSV-specific antibody in salivary specimens was determined in 155 adolescents, including 41 postinstitutionalized, 34 physically-abused, and 80 demographically-similar control youth. Across 4 school and home days, HSV antibody was higher in both postinstitutionalized and physically-abused adolescents when compared with control participants. Because the prevalence of HSV infection was similar ...

Research paper thumbnail of Microbial–Mammalian Cometabolites Dominate the Age-associated Urinary Metabolic Phenotype in Taiwanese and American Populations

Journal of Proteome Research, 2013

Understanding the metabolic processes associated with aging is key to developing effective manage... more Understanding the metabolic processes associated with aging is key to developing effective management and treatment strategies for age-related diseases. We investigated the metabolic profiles associated with age in a Taiwanese and an American population. 1 H NMR spectral profiles were generated for urine specimens collected from the Taiwanese Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS; n= 857; age 54-91 years) and the Mid-Life in the USA study (MIDUS II; n= 1148; age 35-86 years). Multivariate and univariate linear projection methods revealed some common age-related characteristics in urinary metabolite profiles in the American and Taiwanese populations, as well as some distinctive features. In both cases, two metabolites--4cresyl sulfate (4CS) and phenylacetylglutamine (PAG)-were positively associated with age. In addition, creatine and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) were negatively correlated with age in both populations (p<4×10 -6 ). These age-associated gradients in creatine and HMB reflect decreasing muscle mass with age. The systematic increase in PAG and 4CS was confirmed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Both are products of concerted microbial-mammalian host co-metabolism and indicate an age-related association with the balance of host-microbiome metabolism.

Research paper thumbnail of Diffusion Tensor Imaging–Based Characterization of Brain Neurodevelopment in Primates

Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), 2013

Primate neuroimaging provides a critical opportunity for understanding neurodevelopment. Yet the ... more Primate neuroimaging provides a critical opportunity for understanding neurodevelopment. Yet the lack of a normative description has limited the direct comparison with changes in humans. This paper presents for the first time a cross-sectional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study characterizing primate brain neurodevelopment between 1 and 6 years of age on 25 healthy undisturbed rhesus monkeys (14 male, 11 female). A comprehensive analysis including region-of-interest, voxel-wise, and fiber tract--based approach demonstrated significant changes of DTI properties over time. Changes in fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) exhibited a heterogeneous pattern across different regions as well as along fiber tracts. Most of these patterns are similar to those from human studies yet a few followed unique patterns. Overall, we observed substantial increase in FA and AD and a decrease in RD for white matter (WM) along with similar yet smaller changes in gray matter (GM). We further observed an overall posterior-to-anterior trend in DTI property changes over time and strong correlations between WM and GM development. These DTI trends provide crucial insights into underlying age-related biological maturation, including myelination, axonal density changes, fiber tract reorganization, and synaptic pruning processes.

Research paper thumbnail of Population variation in neuroendocrine activity is associated with behavioral inhibition and hemispheric brain structure in young rhesus monkeys

Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), 2014

Population variation in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity and reactivity was assessed... more Population variation in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity and reactivity was assessed in a healthy sample of 48 juvenile rhesus monkeys. Cluster analysis of the HPA profiles revealed four distinct neuroendocrine phenotypes based on six indices of HPA functioning. Behavioral reactivity was also evaluated in response to novel stimuli, and revealed marked differences between animals in the highest-and lowest-cortisol clusters. Specifically, animals in the highcortisol cluster showed larger stress-induced cortisol responses and blunted feedback sensitivity to dexamethasone. They were also emotionally reactive, displayed more aggressive behaviors, and were less likely to approach novel objects. In contrast, monkeys in the low-cortisol cluster were more likely to approach and explore novel objects. Representative animals with high or low cortisol profiles were scanned with Magnetic Resonance Imaging to evaluate structural differences in global and regional gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes. Monkeys with higher cortisol reactivity evinced less hemispheric brain asymmetry, due to decreased GM in the right hemisphere. Stress reactivity was inversely related to global GM and positively related to total cerebrospinal fluid volume. This inverse relationship was also observed in several stress-sensitive

Research paper thumbnail of Maturational Trajectories of Cortical Brain Development through the Pubertal Transition: Unique Species and Sex Differences in the Monkey Revealed through Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), 2010

Characterizing normal brain development in the rhesus macaque is a necessary prerequisite for est... more Characterizing normal brain development in the rhesus macaque is a necessary prerequisite for establishing better nonhuman primate models of neuropathology. Structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained on 37 rhesus monkeys (20 Male, 17 Female) between 10 and 64 months of age. Effects of age and sex were analyzed with a cross-sectional design. Gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes were determined for total brain and major cortical regions using an automatic segmentation and parcellation pipeline. Volumes of major subcortical structures were evaluated. Unlike neural maturation in humans, GM volumes did not show a postpubertal decline in most cortical regions, with the notable exception of the prefrontal cortex. Similar to humans, WM volumes increased through puberty with less change thereafter. Caudate, putamen, amygdala, and hippocampus increased linearly as did the corpus callosum. Males and females showed similar maturational patterns, although males had significantly larger brain volumes. Females had a proportionately larger caudate, putamen, and hippocampus, whereas males had both an absolute and relatively larger corpus callosum. The authors discuss the possible implications of these findings for research using the rhesus macaque as a model for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Research paper thumbnail of Allostatic load in parents of children with developmental disorders: Moderating influence of positive affect

Journal of Health Psychology, Jan 8, 2013

This study examines whether parents of children with developmental disorders (DD) are at risk for... more This study examines whether parents of children with developmental disorders (DD) are at risk for elevated allostatic load (AL) relative to control parents, and whether positive affect moderates difference in risk. Thirty-eight parents of children with DD and 38 matched comparison parents were analyzed. Regression analyses revealed a significant interaction between parent status and AL level: parents of children with DD had lower AL when they had higher positive affect, whereas no such association was evident for comparison parents. The findings suggest that promoting greater positive affect may lower health risks among parents of children with DD.

Research paper thumbnail of Neonatal iron status is impaired by maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy

Journal of Perinatology, Mar 20, 2014

Objective-Maternal iron needs increase 6-fold during pregnancy, but obesity interferes with iron ... more Objective-Maternal iron needs increase 6-fold during pregnancy, but obesity interferes with iron absorption. We hypothesized that maternal obesity impairs fetal iron status. Study Design-316 newborns with risk factors for infantile iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were studied to examine obesity during pregnancy and neonatal iron status. Erythrocyte iron was assessed by cord blood hemoglobin (Hb), zinc protoporphyrin/heme (ZnPP/H) and reticulocyte-ZnPP/H and storage iron by serum ferritin. Results-Women with body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 , as compared with non-obese women, delivered larger offspring with higher reticulocyte-ZnPP/H, and lower serum ferritin concentrations (p<0.05 for both). With increasing BMI, estimated body iron was relatively lower (mg/kg) and the ratio of total Hb-bound iron (mg)/total body iron (mg) increased. Maternal diabetes compromised infant iron status, but multivariate analysis demonstrated that obesity was an independent predictor. Users may view, print, copy, and download text and data-mine the content in such documents, for the purposes of academic research, subject always to the full Conditions of use:

Research paper thumbnail of Educational Status, Anger, and Inflammation in the MIDUS National Sample: Does Race Matter?

Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Feb 26, 2015

Background-Racial differences in anger frequency and expression styles have been found. Further, ... more Background-Racial differences in anger frequency and expression styles have been found. Further, African Americans receive fewer health benefits from higher education than Whites. Purpose-To investigate racial differences in how anger moderates the association between education and inflammation. Methods-Midlife in the U.S. (MIDUS) participants (N = 1,200; 43.0% male; 18.5% African American) provided education and anger data via survey assessments. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fibrinogen were determined from a fasting blood sample following an overnight clinic visit. Results-African Americans reported higher anger-out, IL-6, and fibrinogen and lower angercontrol than Whites. Anger-out predicted higher IL-6 and fibrinogen among African Americans with higher education, whereas trait anger and anger-out predicted lower fibrinogen among Whites with higher education. Anger-out marginally predicted higher IL-6 in less educated Whites. Conclusions-Findings underscore racial differences in the benefits and consequences of educational attainment, and how social inequities and anger are manifest in inflammatory physiology.

Research paper thumbnail of Maternal Cortisol Levels and Behavior Problems in Adolescents and Adults with ASD

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Nov 5, 2009

Using daily diary methods, mothers of adolescents and adults with ASD (n = 86) were contrasted wi... more Using daily diary methods, mothers of adolescents and adults with ASD (n = 86) were contrasted with a nationally representative comparison group of mothers of similarly-aged unaffected children (n = 171) with respect to the diurnal rhythm of cortisol. Mothers of adolescents and adults with ASD were found to have significantly lower levels of cortisol throughout the day. Within the ASD sample, the son or daughter's history of behavior problems interacted with daily behavior problems to predict the morning rise of the mother's cortisol. A history of elevated behavior problems moderated the effect of behavior problems the day before on maternal cortisol level. Implications for interventions for both the mother and the individual with ASD are suggested.

Research paper thumbnail of Childhood socioeconomic status, comorbidity of chronic kidney disease risk factors, and kidney function among adults in the midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study

BMC Nephrology, 2020

Background There is a lack of empirical effort that systematically investigates the clustering of... more Background There is a lack of empirical effort that systematically investigates the clustering of comorbidity among known risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and elevated inflammation) of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and how different types of comorbidity may link differently to kidney function among healthy adult samples. This study modeled the clustering of comorbidity among risk factors, examined the association between the clustering of risk factors and kidney function, and tested whether the clustering of risk factors was associated with childhood SES. Methods The data were from 2118 participants (ages 25–84) in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study. Risk factors included obesity, elevated blood pressure (BP), high total cholesterol levels, poor glucose control, and increased inflammatory activity. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated from serum creatinine, calculated with the CKD-EPI formula. The clustering of comorbidity am...

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep quality following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: longitudinal trajectories and biobehavioral correlates

Bone marrow transplantation, 2014

The present study examined changes in sleep quality following hematopoietic stem cell transplanta... more The present study examined changes in sleep quality following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and investigated associations with biobehavioral factors. Individuals undergoing HSCT for hematologic malignancies (N=228) completed measures of sleep quality and psychological symptoms pre-transplant and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post transplant. Circulating inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) were also assessed. Sleep quality was poorest at 1 month post transplant, improving and remaining relatively stable after 3 months post transplant. However, approximately half of participants continued to experience significant sleep disturbance at 6 and 12 months post transplant. Mixed-effects linear regression models indicated that depression and anxiety were associated with poorer sleep quality, while psychological well-being was associated with better sleep. Higher circulating levels of IL-6 were also linked with poorer sleep. Subject-level fixed effects models demonstrated that among...

Research paper thumbnail of Educational Status, Anger, and Inflammation in the MIDUS National Sample: Does Race Matter?

Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2015

Background-Racial differences in anger frequency and expression styles have been found. Further, ... more Background-Racial differences in anger frequency and expression styles have been found. Further, African Americans receive fewer health benefits from higher education than Whites. Purpose-To investigate racial differences in how anger moderates the association between education and inflammation. Methods-Midlife in the U.S. (MIDUS) participants (N = 1,200; 43.0% male; 18.5% African American) provided education and anger data via survey assessments. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fibrinogen were determined from a fasting blood sample following an overnight clinic visit. Results-African Americans reported higher anger-out, IL-6, and fibrinogen and lower angercontrol than Whites. Anger-out predicted higher IL-6 and fibrinogen among African Americans with higher education, whereas trait anger and anger-out predicted lower fibrinogen among Whites with higher education. Anger-out marginally predicted higher IL-6 in less educated Whites. Conclusions-Findings underscore racial differences in the benefits and consequences of educational attainment, and how social inequities and anger are manifest in inflammatory physiology.

Research paper thumbnail of Just how bad negative affect is for your health depends on culture

Psychological science, 2014

Pressman, conclude that across the globe negative emotions are bad for one's health. Yet, just ho... more Pressman, conclude that across the globe negative emotions are bad for one's health. Yet, just how bad negative emotions are for health depends on culture. In U.S. American contexts, negative feelings are construed as the individual's responsibility and as harmful. In Japanese contexts, negative feelings are construed as rooted in relationships and as natural. Using six clinically-relevant measures and two representative samples, we tested the hypothesis that negative affect is more strongly associated with poor health in the U.S. (n = 1,741) than in Japan (n = 988). Negative affect more strongly predicted poor health in the U.S. than in Japan for multi-item assessments of physical health (chronic conditions, physical functioning) and mental health (psychological well-being, self-esteem). There were no differences for single-item

Research paper thumbnail of Expression of anger and ill health in two cultures: an examination of inflammation and cardiovascular risk

Psychological science, 2015

Expression of anger is associated with biological health risk (BHR) in Western cultures. However,... more Expression of anger is associated with biological health risk (BHR) in Western cultures. However, recent evidence documenting culturally divergent functions of the expression of anger suggests that its link with BHR may be moderated by culture. To test this prediction, we examined large probability samples of both Japanese and Americans using multiple measures of BHR, including pro-inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) and indices of cardiovascular malfunction (systolic blood pressure and ratio of total to HDL cholesterol). We found that the link between greater expression of anger and increased BHR was robust for Americans. As predicted, however, this association was diametrically reversed for Japanese, among whom greater expression of anger predicted reduced BHR. These patterns were unique to the expressive facet of anger and remained after we controlled for age, gender, health status, health behaviors, social status, and reported experience of negative emoti...

Research paper thumbnail of Increased Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha Production by Peripheral Blood Leukocytes from TCDD-Exposed Rhesus Monkeys

Toxicological Sciences, 2001

Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associated... more Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associated with a dose-dependent increase in the incidence and severity of endometriosis in the rhesus monkey. Studies also suggest that immune mechanisms participate in TCDD-mediated toxicity and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Thirteen years after TCDD treatment was terminated, we characterized the phenotypic distribution of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from TCDD-exposed and -unexposed rhesus monkeys and determined the ability of these cells to produce cytokines and exert cytolytic activity against NK and T-cell-sensitive cell lines. We also determined whether elevated serum levels of TCDD, dioxin-like PHAH congeners, and triglycerides correlated with changes in PBMC phenotype or function. For all animals, TCDD exposure correlated with increased PBMC tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-␣) secretion in response to stimulation by T-cell mitogen and decreased cytolytic activity against NK-sensitive target cells. Furthermore, increased production of this cytokine by PHA-stimulated leukocytes was associated with elevated serum triglyceride levels. Leukocyte TNF-␣ secretion in response to viral antigen and PBMC production of interferon gamma (IFN␥), IL-6, and IL-10 following exposure to mitogen or antigen were unaffected by previous TCDD treatment. Although TCDD exposure was not associated with changes in PBMC surface antigen expression, elevated serum concentrations of TCDD, 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran and 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl correlated with increased numbers of CD3؉/ CD25-and CD3-/CD25؉ leukocytes and enhanced secretion of TNF-␣ by mitogen-stimulated PBMC. These findings indicate that TCDD-exposed rhesus monkeys with endometriosis exhibit long-term alterations in systemic immunity associated with elevated serum levels of specific PHAH congeners.

Research paper thumbnail of Subjective and Objective Hierarchies and Their Relations to Psychological Well-Being: A U.S/Japan Comparison

Social psychological and personality science, 2014

Hierarchy can be conceptualized as objective social status (e.g., education level) or subjective ... more Hierarchy can be conceptualized as objective social status (e.g., education level) or subjective social status (i.e., one's own judgment of one's status). Both forms predict well-being. This is the first investigation of the relative strength of these hierarchy-well-being relationships in the U.S. and Japan, cultural contexts with different normative ideas about how social status is understood and conferred. In probability samples of Japanese (N=1027) and U.S. (N=1805) adults, subjective social status more strongly predicted life satisfaction, positive affect, sense of purpose, and self acceptance in the U.S. than in Japan. In contrast, objective social status more strongly predicted life satisfaction, positive relations with others, and self acceptance in Japan than in the U.S. These differences reflect divergent cultural models of self. The emphasis on independence characteristic of the U.S. affords credence to one's own judgment (subjective status) and the interdepend...

Research paper thumbnail of Effectiveness of Nasal Irrigation for Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Fatigue in Patients with Gulf War Illness: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Contemporary clinical trials, Jan 24, 2015

Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 1 in 7 returned Persian Gulf War veterans. Quality-of-life impact ... more Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 1 in 7 returned Persian Gulf War veterans. Quality-of-life impact is large; there is no cure. Chronic sinus symptoms and fatigue are common. Nasal irrigation with saline (NI-S) or xylitol (NI-X) improve sinus symptoms and fatigue in the general population. This trial will assess the effect of S-NI and X-NI on sinus and fatigue symptoms, economic outcomes and pro-inflammatory milieu among participants with GWI. 75 participants (age 35 to 65years, 25 in each of three arms) with GWI will be recruited from the Veteran's Administration and the community. They will use routine care for sinus symptoms and fatigue and be randomized to continued usual care alone or additional therapy with NI-S or NI-X. Participants will be able to adjust specific elements of the NI procedure. The primary outcome (Sinonasal Outcome Test, SNOT-20) and other self-reported assessments will occur at baseline, 8 and 26weeks; lab assessment of pro-inflammatory cellular and cytokin...

Research paper thumbnail of Culture, inequality, and health: evidence from the MIDUS and MIDJA comparison

Culture and Brain, 2015

This article seeks to forge scientific connections between three overarching themes (culture, ine... more This article seeks to forge scientific connections between three overarching themes (culture, inequality, health). Although the influence of cultural context on human experience has gained notable research prominence, it has rarely embraced another large arena of science focused on the influence social hierarchies have on how well and how long people live. That literature is increasingly focused psychosocial factors, working interactively with biological and brain-based mechanisms, to account for why those with low socioeconomic standing have poorer health. Our central question is whether and how these processes might vary by cultural context. We draw on emerging findings from two parallel studies, Midlife in

Research paper thumbnail of Brain volumetric and microstructural correlates of executive and motor performance in aged rhesus monkeys

Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 2012

The aged rhesus macaque exhibits brain atrophy and behavioral deficits similar to normal aging in... more The aged rhesus macaque exhibits brain atrophy and behavioral deficits similar to normal aging in humans. Here we studied the association between cognitive and motor performance and anatomic and microstructural brain integrity measured with 3T magnetic resonance imaging in aged monkeys. About half of these animals were maintained on moderate calorie restriction (CR), the only intervention shown to delay the aging process in lower animals. T1-weighted anatomic and diffusion tensor images were used to obtain gray matter (GM) volume and fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), respectively. We tested the extent to which brain health indexed by GM volume, FA, and MD were related to executive and motor function, and determined the effect of the dietary intervention on this relationship. We hypothesized that fewer errors on the executive function test and faster motor response times would be correlated with higher volume, higher FA, and lower MD in frontal areas that mediate ...

Research paper thumbnail of Increased Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Production by Peripheral Blood Leukocytes from TCDD-Exposed Rhesus Monkeys

Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro- dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associat... more Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro- dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associated with a dose-dependent increase in the incidence and severity of endometriosis in the rhesus monkey. Studies also suggest that immune mechanisms participate in TCDD-mediated toxicity and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Thirteen years after TCDD treatment was termi- nated, we characterized the phenotypic distribution of peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Research paper thumbnail of Early childhood stress is associated with elevated antibody levels to herpes simplex virus type 1

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2009

It is well known that children need solicitous parenting and a nurturing rearing environment to e... more It is well known that children need solicitous parenting and a nurturing rearing environment to ensure their normal behavioral development. Early adversity often negatively impacts emotional and mental well-being, but it is less clearly established how much the maturation and regulation of physiological systems is also compromised. The following research investigated the effect of 2 different types of adverse childhood experiences, early deprivation through institutionalization and physical abuse, on a previously unexplored outcome: the containment of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The presence of HSV-specific antibody in salivary specimens was determined in 155 adolescents, including 41 postinstitutionalized, 34 physically-abused, and 80 demographically-similar control youth. Across 4 school and home days, HSV antibody was higher in both postinstitutionalized and physically-abused adolescents when compared with control participants. Because the prevalence of HSV infection was similar ...

Research paper thumbnail of Microbial–Mammalian Cometabolites Dominate the Age-associated Urinary Metabolic Phenotype in Taiwanese and American Populations

Journal of Proteome Research, 2013

Understanding the metabolic processes associated with aging is key to developing effective manage... more Understanding the metabolic processes associated with aging is key to developing effective management and treatment strategies for age-related diseases. We investigated the metabolic profiles associated with age in a Taiwanese and an American population. 1 H NMR spectral profiles were generated for urine specimens collected from the Taiwanese Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study (SEBAS; n= 857; age 54-91 years) and the Mid-Life in the USA study (MIDUS II; n= 1148; age 35-86 years). Multivariate and univariate linear projection methods revealed some common age-related characteristics in urinary metabolite profiles in the American and Taiwanese populations, as well as some distinctive features. In both cases, two metabolites--4cresyl sulfate (4CS) and phenylacetylglutamine (PAG)-were positively associated with age. In addition, creatine and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) were negatively correlated with age in both populations (p<4×10 -6 ). These age-associated gradients in creatine and HMB reflect decreasing muscle mass with age. The systematic increase in PAG and 4CS was confirmed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Both are products of concerted microbial-mammalian host co-metabolism and indicate an age-related association with the balance of host-microbiome metabolism.