Formative research projects are designed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and cost of potential methods and approaches for the Study in the future. The University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center Study Center is participating in five formative research projects.
1) Prospective Analysis of PBDE and BPA in Breast Milk, Blood, and Urine
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are synthetic chemicals used as flame retardants in a wide variety of plastic and foam products, and Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in plastics and resins. Both chemicals have been detected in human breast milk. The goals of this project are to determine the ideal timing and sample type for estimating infants’ exposure to these environmental contaminants. This project will enroll current Study participants.
Lead Investigator: Arnold Schecter, M.D.
Co-Investigator: Natalie Thiex, Ph.D.; Post Doc Fellow, South Dakota State University
2) Repository Analysis of PBDE and BPA in Breast Milk, Blood, and Urine
The purpose of this project is to compare contaminant concentrations between mothers’ body fluids and the fetus, using the media of blood, urine, and breast milk, which represent body burden. This project will use stored biological samples from previous Study participants.
Lead Investigator: Arnold Schecter, M.D.
Co-Investigator: Natalie Thiex, Ph.D.; Post Doc Fellow, South Dakota State University
3) House Dust Sampling and Analysis for Phthalates
Phthalates are plasticizers that are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products to impart flexibility and durability. The most dangerous phthalates were banned in the U.S. from plastic bottles and food containers in the 1980’s, and more recently in children’s toys and even dog toys. Phthalate chemicals persist in the environment and have been detected in blood samples from humans, but the most important routes of exposure are unknown. This project will evaluate house dust as a potential exposure medium for phthalates.
Principal Investigator: John Vasselli, M.S.
4) House Dust Sampling and Analysis for Mold
The most common method of analysis for mold (or more generically fungi) in the home is culture based; however, molecular (DNA) based techniques can provide information about fungi down to the species level more efficiently and accurately. This project will employ a new molecular technique to identify fungi in house dust.
Lead Investigator: Matt Nonnenmann, Ph.D.
5) Tools for Screening Pulmonary Function in the National Children’s Study
It is difficult to evaluate lung function objectively in preschool children. This project will evaluate two measures of lung function: pulmonary function testing (exhaling into a tube) and a brief parent questionnaire, the Asthma Health Screening Survey. We will examine the quality, reliability, and validity of the data collected in preschool children (3-5 years of age) from Paris, Texas and San Antonio, Texas.
Lead Investigator: Pamela Wood, M.D.; Pediatrician and Associate Professor, UT Health Sciences Center San Antonio
Co-Investigator: Debra Cherry, M.D.