Janet L Rothers

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Journals/Publications

• Rothers, J. L., Stern, D., Lohman, I. C., Wright, A. L., DeVries, A., Vercelli, D., & Halonen, M. (2018). Maternal prenatal cytokine production and risk for asthma among children of non-asthmatic mothers. American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology.
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  Rothers, J. L., Stern, D. A., Lohman, I. C., Spangenberg, A., Wright, A. L., DeVries, A., ... Halonen, M. (2018). Maternal cytokine profiles during pregnancy predict asthma in children of mothers without asthma. American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology, 59(5), 592-600. https://doi.org/10.1165/rcmb.2017-0410OC
• DeVries, A., Wlasiuk, G., Miller, S., Bosco, A., Stern, D., Lohman, I. C., Rothers, J. L., Jones, A., Nicodemus-Johnson, J., Vasquez, M., Curtin, J., Simpson, A., Custovic, A., Jackson, D., Gern, J., Lemanske, R., Guerra, S., Wright, A. L., Ober, C., , Halonen, M., et al. (2017). Epigenome-wide analysis identifies SMAD3 methylation at birth to asthma in children of asthmatic mothers. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol..
• Vercelli, D., Halonen, M., Ober, C., Wright, A. L., Guerra, S., Lemanske, R., Gern, J., Jackson, D., Custovic, A., Simpson, A., Curtin, J., Vasquez, M., Nicodemus-Johnson, J., Jones, A., Rothers, J. L., Lohman, I. C., Stern, D., Bosco, A., Miller, S., , Wlasiuk, G., et al. (2017). Epigenome-wide analysis identifies SMAD3 methylation at birth to asthma in children of asthmatic mothers. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol., 140, 534-542.
• Carr, T. F., Beamer, P. I., Rothers, J., Stern, D. A., Gerald, L. B., Rosales, C. B., Van Horne, Y. O., Pivniouk, O. N., Vercelli, D., Halonen, M., Gameros, M., Martinez, F. D., & Wright, A. L. (2016). Prevalence of Asthma in School Children on the Arizona-Sonora Border. The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice, 5(1), 114-120.e2.
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  Mexican-born children living in the United States have a lower prevalence of asthma than other US children. Although children of Mexican descent near the Arizona (AZ)-Sonora border are genetically similar, differences in environmental exposures might result in differences in asthma prevalence across this region.
• Oren, E., Rothers, J., Stern, D. A., Morgan, W. J., Halonen, M., & Wright, A. L. (2015). Cough during infancy and subsequent childhood asthma. Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 45(9), 1439-46.
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  Wheezing in infancy has been associated with subsequent asthma, but whether cough similarly influences asthma risk has been little studied. We sought to determine whether prolonged cough and cough without cold in the first year of life are associated with childhood asthma.
• Halonen, M., Lohman, I. C., Stern, D. A., Ellis, W. L., Rothers, J., & Wright, A. L. (2013). Perinatal tumor necrosis factor-α production, influenced by maternal pregnancy weight gain, predicts childhood asthma. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 188(1), 35-41.
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  PMID: 23590270;PMCID: PMC3735244;Abstract: Rationale: Innate immune responses marked by increases in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a have been associated with asthma butwhether such alterations are evident before symptoms is not yet clear. Objectives: To determine if prevalence of childhood asthma or asthma-related traits is predicted by perinatal innate immune status and if maternal factors related to pregnancy influence asthma prevalence and innate immune status. Methods: In the Tucson Infant Immune Study (a nonselected birth cohort), presence of eczema and wheezing in the child's first year and physician-diagnosed asthma through age 9 and asthma in the parents was obtained from parent-completed questionnaires. TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 were measured in supernatants of LPSstimulatedperipheral bloodmononuclear cells at birthand3months as was TNF-α in plasma. TNF-α single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped by Sequenom. Percent predicted FEV1/FVC was measured at age 9. Maternal weight gain during pregnancy and prepregnancy weight were ascertained from medical records. Measurements and Main Results: Infants with persistently elevated LPS-induced TNF-α at birth and 3 months were at increased risk for childhood asthma (odds ratio [OR], 4.1; confidence interval [CI], 1.9- 8.8; n=233; P=0.0003) and had decreased FEV1/FVC ratios at age 9. Children with mothers in the top tertile for pregnancy weight gain hadincreased risk for asthma (OR, 3.4; CI, 1.7-6.9;n=225; P=0.001) and persistently elevated TNF-α in early life (OR, 2.9; CI, 1.4-8.2; n= 195; P = 0.013). These relations were independent of maternal asthma and rhinitis. Conclusions: Persistently elevated LPS-induced TNF-α production early in life acts as a predictive biomarker for childhood asthma, and excess pregnancy weight gain in the mother seems to contribute to both.
• Sevgican, U., Rothers, J., Stern, D. A., Lohman, I. C., & Wright, A. L. (2012). Predictors of neonatal production of IFN-γ and relation to later wheeze. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 129(2), 567-568.e1.
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  PMID: 22036249;PMCID: PMC3268855;
• Custovic, A., Rothers, J., Stern, D., Simpson, A., Woodcock, A., Wright, A. L., Nicolaou, N. C., Hankinson, J., Halonen, M., & Martinez, F. D. (2011). Effect of day care attendance on sensitization and atopic wheezing differs by Toll-like receptor 2 genotype in 2 population-based birth cohort studies. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 127(2), 390-397.e9.
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  PMID: 21281869;PMCID: PMC3075116;Abstract: Background: Variation in the Toll-like receptor 2 gene (TLR2/-16934) is associated with allergic diseases among farmers' children but not among children not living on farms. Objective: To test the hypothesis that the same genetic variant conferring protection in the farming environment is associated with reduced risk of developing allergic phenotypes among urban children attending day care in early life. Methods: In 2 population-based birth cohorts (Manchester, United Kingdom, Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study [MAAS]; Tucson, Ariz, Tucson Infant Immune Study [IIS]), participants were recruited prenatally and followed prospectively (MAAS: 3, 5, 8 and 11 years; IIS: 1, 2, 3 and 5 years). We assessed allergic sensitization and atopic wheezing at each follow-up. Results: A total of 727 children participated in Manchester and 263 in Tucson. We found no significant associations between TLR2/-16934 and sensitization and atopic wheeze in either cohort. However, a different pattern emerged when we explored the interaction between TLR2/-16934 and day care attendance on these outcomes. We found a significant interaction between day care and TLR2/-16934 on the development of sensitization in the longitudinal model in MAAS in that children carrying the T allele who attended day care were less likely to be sensitized than those who did not attend day care, whereas among AA homozygotes, the association tended to be in the opposite direction. In a longitudinal model in IIS, we found a significant interaction between day care attendance and TLR2/-16934 on the development atopic wheezing. Significant interactions between TLR2/-16934 and day care were maintained when adjusting for socioeconomic status. Conclusion: The effect of day care on sensitization and atopic wheezing may differ among children with different variants of the TLR2 gene. © 2010 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
• Rothers, J., Halonen, M., Stern, D. A., Lohman, I. C., Mobley, S., Spangenberg, A., Anderson, D., & Wright, A. L. (2011). Adaptive cytokine production in early life differentially predicts total IgE levels and asthma through age 5 years. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 128(2), 397-402.e2.
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  PMID: 21683432;PMCID: PMC3149723;Abstract: Background: Although it has been postulated that allergic disease is associated with a predominance of TH2 cells, whether IgE levels and asthma might differ in their relation to early-life cytokine production is not known. Objective: We sought to assess the relationship between first-year adaptive immune cytokine production with asthma and total IgE levels through age 5 years in a nonselected birth cohort. Methods: Mitogen (concanavalin A/phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate)-stimulated IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IFN-γ levels were measured in supernatants from cord blood mononuclear cells and PBMCs at birth, 3 months, and 12 months. Total serum IgE levels and physician-diagnosed active asthma were assessed at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years. Longitudinal models that adjust for both TH1 and TH2 cytokine production were used to determine relations of outcomes. Results: Relations of cytokines to total IgE levels and asthma were strikingly different. Total IgE levels through age 5 years were positively associated with 12-month IL-4 (P < .001), IL-5 (P < .001), and IL-13 (P = .02) levels when adjusted for IFN-γ levels and inversely associated with 12-month IFN-γ levels after IL-4 adjustment (P = .01). Active asthma through age 5 years was positively associated with 3-month IL-13 levels adjusted for IFN-γ (odds ratio, 2.6; P < .001) and inversely associated with 3-month IFN-γ levels adjusted for IL-13 (odds ratio, 0.5; P = .001). These relations were strongest for nonatopic asthma. Conclusion: Total IgE levels and active asthma through age 5 years are associated with adaptive cytokine production in early life, although relations vary temporally and with regard to the relative importance of individual cytokines. © 2011 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
• Rothers, J., Wright, A. L., Stern, D. A., Halonen, M., & Camargo Jr., C. A. (2011). Cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with aeroallergen sensitization in children from Tucson, Arizona. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 128(5), 1093-1099.e5.
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  PMID: 21855975;PMCID: PMC3205280;Abstract: Background: The association between vitamin D status at birth and childhood allergic outcomes is uncertain. The desert climate of Tucson offers a unique setting for studying the health effects of higher exposure to vitamin D. Objective: To assess the relationship between cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and allergic outcomes through age 5 years. Methods: Cord blood 25(OH)D levels were measured in 219 participants in the Tucson Infant Immune Study, a population-based birth cohort. Plasma total IgE and specific IgE levels to 6 aeroallergens were measured at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years. Skin prick test (SPT) positivity (wheal diameter ≥3 mm) and physician-diagnosed active allergic rhinitis and asthma were assessed at age 5 years. Longitudinal models were used to assess the relationship between 25(OH)D and IgE levels. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship of 25(OH)D level with SPT positivity, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Results: The median cord blood 25(OH)D level was 64 nmol/L (interquartile range, 49-81 nmol/L). Relative to the reference group (50-74.9 nmol/L), both low (
• Chase, P. B., Hansen, K. L., Rothers, J., Biros, M. H., & Cartwright, C. P. (2010). Nucleic-Acid Amplification Testing of Urine vs. Patient Complaint-Driven Evaluation. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 38(5), 572-577.
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  PMID: 18462909;Abstract: The present pilot study compared the ability of a conventional patient complaint-driven approach to that of nucleic-acid amplification testing (NAAT) of urine to identify those individuals among an adult, urban, Emergency Department (ED) population infected with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). Urine for NAAT was collected for testing after individuals had completed a questionnaire and before being seen by a physician. A total of 614 subjects were enrolled, and complete physical examinations were performed on 348 (56.6%) individuals, with women being significantly more likely to receive such an evaluation (odds ratio [OR] 3.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.96-4.86); p < 0.001). A total of 153 (24.9%) of the study cohort tested positive for a least one sexually transmitted disease (STD), and only a reported history of STD (OR 1.74; 95% CI (1.18-2.57); p = 0.005) and a history of a new sexual partner in the last 3 months (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.13-2.82); p = 0.012) were predictive of a positive STD test. NAAT of urine samples on patients who did not receive a complete physical examination resulted in a 33% (51/153) increase in diagnostic yield in this cohort of ED attendees. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Su, Y., Rothers, J., Stern, D. A., Halonen, M., & Wright, A. L. (2010). Relation of early antibiotic use to childhood asthma: Confounding by indication?. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 40(8), 1222-1229.
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  PMID: 20545705;Abstract: Background Findings from studies of the relation between early antibiotic use and subsequent asthma have been inconsistent, which may be attributable to methodologic issues. Objective Our objective was to assess the impact of confounding by indication on the relation of early antibiotic use to childhood asthma through age 5 in a non-selected birth cohort (n=424). Methods Oral antibiotic use was assessed by frequent nurse interviews in the first 9 months of life. Physician-diagnosed active asthma and eczema were assessed by questionnaire at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, and were considered as ever asthma or ever eczema if positive at any age. Allergen-specific IgE was assessed in plasma at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years. Confounding by indication was investigated by considering the relation of asthma to antibiotic use while controlling for the number of illness visits to a physician in early life. Results There was no statistically significant relation of early antibiotic use with physician-diagnosed eczema or allergen-specific IgE. A dose-response relation was evident for antibiotic use with ever asthma (odds ratio [OR]=1.5, P=0.047). Ever asthma also increased significantly with the number of illness visits to a physician (P
• Ingram, M., Sabo, S., Rothers, J., Wennerstrom, A., & Guernsey, J. (2008). Community health workers and community advocacy: Addressing health disparities. Journal of Community Health, 33(6), 417-424.
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  PMID: 18584315;Abstract: The Community Health Worker model is recognized nationally as a means to address glaring inequities in the burden of adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States. This study explored Arizona CHW involvement in advocacy beyond the individual patient level into the realm of advocating for community level change as a mechanism to reduce the structural underpinnings of health disparities. A survey of CHWs in Arizona found that CHWs advocate at local, state and federal political levels as well as within health and social service agencies and business. Characteristics significantly associated with advocacy include employment in a not for profit organization, previous leadership training, and a work environment that allows flexible work hours and the autonomy to start new projects at work. Intrinsic characteristics of CHWs associated with advocacy include their belief that they can influence community decisions, self perception that they are leaders in the community, and knowledge of who to talk to in their community to make change. Community-level advocacy has been identified as a core CHW function and has the potential to address structural issues such as poverty, employment, housing, and discrimination. Agencies utilizing the CHW model could encourage community advocacy by providing a flexible working environment, ongoing leadership training, and opportunities to collaborate with both veteran CHWs and local community leaders. Further research is needed to understand the nature and impact of CHW community advocacy activities on both systems change and health outcomes. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
• Rothers, J., Stern, D. A., Spangenberg, A., Lohman, I. C., Halonen, M., & Wright, A. L. (2007). Influence of early day-care exposure on total IgE levels through age 3 years. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 120(5), 1201-1207.
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  PMID: 17854882;Abstract: Background: Early day care is inversely associated with asthma and atopy in later childhood, but its association with early immunologic markers of asthma risk is not known. Objective: We sought to assess the relation of day care by 3 months to total IgE levels through age 3 years. Methods: Day care was assessed prospectively among 362 nonselected infants enrolled in the Infant Immune Study. Children were categorized based on day-care status by 3 months of age as follows: no day care, day care inside the home with other children, day care outside the home with no other children, or day care outside the home with other children. Total IgE levels were measured in blood obtained at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months. Relations between day care and IgE levels were assessed at each age and longitudinally, with stratification by maternal asthma and atopy. Results: Day care by 3 months was associated with decreased IgE levels through age 3 years (coefficient: -0.19 log IU/mL, P = .001). The greatest effect was evident for children cared for outside the home. Stratified analyses indicated that the relation existed primarily among children who had atopic or asthmatic mothers. Day-care entry after 3 months showed no relation with IgE levels. Conclusion: Day-care attendance by 3 months is associated with decreased total IgE levels in the first 3 years of life in children of mothers who are atopic, asthmatic, or both. Clinical implications: Early day-care exposure can reduce IgE levels, which in turn might reflect a reduced risk of allergic disease in predisposed children. © 2007 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Poster Presentations

• Rodriguez, N., Sasse, S., Nunez, C., Lockwood, B., Lelli, L., Etcitty, J., Lee, M., Chico-Jarillo, T., Begay, A., Becenti, M., Adams, M., Baldwin, J., Rothers, J. L., Williamson, H., & Armin, J. S. (2020, October). Refining a breast and cervical cancer screening program for Native American women with disabilities. American Association for Cancer Research, The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. virtual.
• Rothers, J. L., Fleiner, M., & Gephart, S. M. (2017, April). GutCheckNEC as predictor of NEC and relations with pediatric early warning scores. NEC Symposium. University of California, Davis: NEC Society.
• DeVries, A., Wlasiuk, G., Miller, S., Bosco, A., Stern, D., Lohman, I. C., Rothers, J. L., Jones, A., Nicodemus-Johnson, J., Curtin, J., Simpson, A., Custovic, A., Jackson, D., Gern, J., Lemanske, R., Guerra, S., Wright, A. L., Ober, C., Halonen, M., & Vercelli, D. (2016, Spring). Neonatal SMAD3 promoter hypermethylation predicts asthma in children of asthmatic mothers from three birth cohorts. International Conference, American Thoracic Society, San Francisco, CA.
• DeVries, A., Wlasiuk, G., Miller, S., Bosco, A., Stern, D., Nicodemus-Johnson, J., Jones, A., Rothers, J. L., Lohman, I. C., Wright, A. L., Ober, C., Halonen, M., & Vercelli, D. (2015, Spring). Neonatal epigenetic predictors of childhood asthma map to immunoregulatory and pro-inflammatory pathways. International Conference, American Thoracic Society.