Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine最新文献

Background: Air pollution-induced systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are hypothesized to be the major biological mechanisms underlying pathological outcomes. We examined the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in 2199 general middle-aged Korean population residing in metropolitan areas.

Methods: Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured. Daily concentrations of a series of air pollutants (particulate matter [PM]₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃) were predicted using the Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system, and participant-level pollutant exposure was determined using geocoded residential addresses. Short-term exposure was defined as the 1- to 7-day moving averages.

Results: The multivariable-adjusted linear models controlling for the sociodemographic, lifestyle, temporal, and meteorological factors identified positive associations of PM with IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and 8-OHdG levels; SO₂ with IL-10 levels, CO with IL-1β, IL-10, and TNF-α levels; and O₃ with IL-1β, IL-8, and 8-OHdG levels. O₃ levels were inversely associated with IL-10 levels. For each pollutant, the strongest associations were observed for the 7-day average PM and CO with IL-1β (per 10-µg/m³ increase in PM₁₀: 2.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6-4.8; per 10-µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5: 6.4%, 95% CI = 2.4-10.5; per 0.1-ppm increase in CO: 3.3%, 95% CI = 0.3-6.5); the 2-day average SO₂ with IL-10 levels (per 1-ppb increase in SO₂: 1.1%, 95% CI = 0.1-2.1); and the 7-day average O₃ with IL-8 levels (per 1-ppb increase in O₃: 1.3%, 95% CI = 0.7-1.9).

Conclusions: Short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants may induce oxidative damage and pro-inflammatory roles, together with counter-regulatory anti-inflammatory response.

Background: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is one of the major per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The role of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in PFOA toxicokinetics is unknown.

Methods: In this study, two ABC transporters, ABCB1 and ABCB4, were examined in mice with single intravenous PFOA administration (3.13 µmol/kg). To identify candidate renal PFOA transporters, we used a microarray approach to evaluate changes in gene expression of various kidney transporters in Abcb4 null mice.

Results: Biliary PFOA concentrations were lower in Abcb4 null mice (mean ± standard deviation: 0.25 ± 0.12 µg/mL) than in wild-type mice (0.87 ± 0.02 µg/mL). Immunohistochemically, ABCB4 expression was confirmed at the apical region of hepatocytes. However, renal clearance of PFOA was higher in Abcb4 null mice than in wild-type mice. Among 642 solute carrier and ABC transporters, 5 transporters showed significant differences in expression between wild-type and Abcb4 null mice. These candidates included two major xenobiotic transporters, multidrug resistance 1 (Abcb1) and organic anion transporter 3 (Slc22a8). Abcb1 mRNA levels were higher in Abcb4 null mice than in wild-type mice in kidney. In Abcb4 null mice, Abcb1b expression was enhanced in proximal tubules immunohistochemically, while that of Slc22a8 was not. Finally, in Abcb1a/b null mice, there was a significant decrease in the renal clearance of PFOA (0.69 ± 0.21 vs 1.1 mL ± 0.37/72 h in wild-type mice). A homology search of ABCB1 showed that several amino acids are mutated in humans compared with those in rodents and monkeys.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that, in the mouse, Abcb4 and Abcb1 are excretory transporters of PFOA into bile and urine, respectively.

Background: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are pervasive synthetic compounds, prompting investigations into their intricate interactions with lifestyle factors and health indicators because of their enduring environmental presence and bioaccumulation. This study aimed to explore the effects of the oxidative balance score (OBS) and PFAS on liver-related indices.

Methods: Twenty dietary and lifestyle factors were used to calculate the OBS. The serum concentrations of PFASs were measured, and their sum was calculated for analysis. The levels of liver markers were also evaluated. Linear regression models and interaction analyses were used to assess the associations between OBS, PFAS concentrations, and liver indices.

Results: The results revealed an inverse association between high OBS and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid concentration, as well as the sum of PFAS concentrations. OBS was positively associated with liver markers. The PFAS concentrations were positively associated with total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Interaction analyses revealed significant interactions between OBS and specific PFASs for alkaline phosphatase (interaction P < 0.05). Possible interactions were also found between OBS and specific PFASs for ALT, and AST levels (interaction P < 0.10).

Conclusions: This study clarified the association between total PFAS and OBS. This association was significant mainly for diet-related OBS. PFAS and OBS are associated with liver-related indicators in the blood.

Background: Itai-itai disease is the most severe case of chronic cadmium (Cd) toxicity, which was endemic in Cd-polluted areas in the Jinzu River basin in Toyama prefecture, Japan. Akita prefecture also has Cd-polluted areas, but there have been no cases of "itai-itai disease".

Case presentation: An elderly female farmer with Cd nephropathy residing in a Cd-polluted area in the northern part of the Akita prefecture was identified through hospital-based screening at Akita Rosai Hospital in Odate city. She had chronic renal failure with a high Cd exposure level and advanced renal tubular dysfunction. The shortening of height, bone deformities and fractures, abnormal bone metabolism suggesting osteomalacia, and renal anemia were also noted. Therefore, "itai-itai disease", similar to cases in the Jinzu River basin, was suspected.

Conclusion: This is the first case of "itai-itai disease" in a Cd-polluted area in Akita prefecture.

Background: Poor oral hygiene, generally manifesting as dental caries, gingivitis, or periodontitis, is a common chronic condition among both children and adults worldwide and has been reportedly associated with hypertension and arterial stiffness mainly in adult patients. However, these associations have not been well-studied in children and adults in the general population. Therefore, we conducted this cross-sectional study to clarify the associations between oral hygiene indices and high blood pressure (BP)/hypertension and arterial stiffness as assessed by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in children along with their mothers. The association between maternal oral hygiene and high BP in children was also examined based on the hypothesis that maternal awareness of oral hygiene is related to their children's oral hygiene.

Methods: This study was conducted as an Adjunct Study of the Aichi Regional Sub-Cohort of the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Participating children (n = 220, 85-104 months old) and their mothers (n = 217, 29-52 years old) underwent dental/intra-oral examination and BP and CAVI assessment. High BP in children and hypertension in mothers were diagnosed according to corresponding American guidelines. Logistic regression analysis or analysis of covariance was used to examine the associations of poor oral hygiene indices with BP and CAVI.

Results: Maternal dental caries ≥1 was associated with their hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-6.61). Maternal dental plaque ≥1/3 was associated with maternal hypertension and children's high BP (aOR, 95% CI: 4.71, 1.33-16.73 and 5.67, 1.22-25.04, respectively). Maximum pocket depth ≥4 mm was associated with children's high BP (aOR: 6.85, 95% CI: 1.24-38.01). No associations were observed between oral hygiene indices and CAVI in children; however, there was a significant association between dental plaque and CAVI in mothers (F = 5.62, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: The small sample size, especially the case number, made it necessary to refrain from drawing unambiguous conclusion. The hypothesis that warrants further investigation based on the present study results is that poor oral hygiene is associated with high BP in children and hypertension and arterial stiffness in mothers, and maternal oral hygiene is associated with high BP in children.

Background: Mammographic density (MD) is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer. Air pollution is a major public health concern and a recognized carcinogen. We aim to investigate the association between MD and exposure to specific air pollutants (SO₂, CO, NO, NO₂, NO_x, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and O₃) in premenopausal females.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, carried out in Spain, included 769 participants who attended their gynecological examinations. Hourly concentrations of the pollutants were extracted from the Air Quality Monitoring System of Madrid City over a 3-year period. Individual long-term exposure to pollutants was assessed by geocoding residential addresses and monitoring stations, and applying ordinary kriging to the 3-year annual mean concentrations of each pollutant to interpolate the surface of Madrid. This exposure variable was categorized into quartiles. In a first analysis, we used multiple linear regression models with the log-transformed percent MD as a continuous variable. In a second analysis, we used MD as a dichotomous variable ("high" density (MD > 50%) vs. "low" density (MD ≤ 50%)) and applied multiple logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs). We also analyzed the correlation among the pollutants, and performed a principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality of this set of eight correlated pollutants into a smaller set of uncorrelated variables (principal components (PCs)). Finally, the initial analyses were applied to the PCs to detect underlying patterns of emission sources.

Results: The first analysis detected no association between MD and exposure to any of the pollutants. The second analysis showed non-statistically significant increased risks (OR_Q4; IC95%) of high MD were detected in women with higher exposure to SO₂ (1.50; 0.90-2.48), and PM_2.5 (1.27; 0.77-2.10). In contrast, non-significant ORs < 1 were found in all exposure quartiles for NO (OR_Q2 = 0.72, OR_Q3 = 0.68, OR_Q4 = 0.78), and PM₁₀ (OR_Q2 = 0.69, OR_Q3 = 0.82, OR_Q4 = 0.72). PCA identified two PCs (PC1: "traffic pollution" and PC2: "natural pollution"), and no association was detected between MD and proximity to these two PCs.

Conclusions: In general, our results show a lack of association between residential exposure to specific air pollutants and MD in premenopausal females. Future research is needed to confirm or refute these findings.

Background: With the increasing occurrence of extreme temperature events due to climate change, the attention has been predominantly focused on the effects of heat waves and cold spells on morbidity and mortality. However, the influence of these temperature extremes on blood parameters has been overlooked.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study involving 2,752 adult blood donors in Tianjin, China, between January 18, 2013, and June 25, 2021. The generalized additive mixed model was used to investigate the effects and lagged effects of heat waves and cold spells on six blood parameters of blood donors, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), hematocrit (HCT), and platelet count (PLT). Subgroup analyses were stratified by sex, age, and BMI.

Results: Heat waves and cold spells are associated with changes in blood parameters, particularly HB and PLT. Heat waves increased HB and PLT, while cold spells increased HB and decreased PLT. The effect of heat waves is greater than that of cold spells. The largest effect of heat waves on HB and PLT occurred at lag1 with 2.6 g/L (95% CI: 1.76 to 3.45) and lag7 with 9.71 × 10^9/L (95% CI: 6.26 to 13.17), respectively, while the largest effect of cold spells on HB and PLT occurred at lag0 with 1.02 g/L (95% CI: 0.71 to 1.33) and lag2 with -3.85 × 10^9/L (95% CI: -5.00 to -2.70), respectively. In subgroup analysis, the effect of cold spells on ALT was greater in the 40-49 age group.

Conclusion: We indicated that heat waves and cold spells can impact hemoglobin and platelet counts in the human body. These findings provide evidence linking heat waves or cold spells to diseases and may reduce health risks caused by extreme temperature events.

Background: Stair climbing is a readily available form of physical activity with potential cardiovascular benefits. This study aimed to investigate the association between stair climbing and numerous modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used data from 7282 Japanese people (30-84 years) residing in Suita City, Osaka. CVD risk factors and stair climbing frequency were assessed during the Suita Study health examination. Logistic regressions were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for CVD risk factors across stair climbing frequencies.

Results: After adjustment for age, sex, lifestyle, and medical conditions, stair climbing >60% of the time, compared to <20% of the time, was inversely associated with obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and stress: ORs (95% CIs) = 0.63 (0.53, 0.75), 0.81 (0.69, 0.96), 0.48 (0.41, 0.55), and 0.67 (0.58, 0.78), respectively (p-trends < 0.05).

Conclusion: Stair climbing was inversely associated with obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and stress; suggesting a potential role for cardiovascular disease prevention.

Background: Dehydration, a risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, is common in summer; however, the incidence of ischemic diseases is not necessarily higher in summer. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the relationships between serum osmolarity, hematocrit, daily non-alcohol drink (NAD) intake and factors such as season and age as risk factors for dehydration.

Method: Participants (703 women and 306 men) in the follow-up survey, in 2012 and 2013, of the Kobe Orthopedic and Biomedical Epidemiologic (KOBE) Study, consisting of healthy individuals living in Kobe, Japan, were categorized into two groups based on the examination month: the warmer and colder seasons. Multivariate analyses were conducted to examine disparities in serum osmolarity, hematocrit, and NAD intake between these two groups.

Results: The colder season was found to be negatively correlated with serum osmolarity and NAD intake, but positively correlated with hematocrit, even after adjusting for relevant factors. Age was independently associated with serum osmolarity, but not with hematocrit and NAD intake.

Conclusions: This study suggests that intra-vascular volume depletion is more likely in the colder season despite lower serum osmolarity compared to the warmer season. Age-related increases in serum osmolarity without a corresponding rise in water intake may contribute to this. These findings support the importance of addressing dehydration in the colder season, particularly in older adults.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are global contaminants. Seafood consumption is a possible PFAS exposure route to humans while the isomer specific analysis has not been conducted.

Methods: Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluoroheptane sulfonate (PFHpS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) were investigated in residents of Kyoto, Japan (n = 51). The relationship between plasma PFAS and seafood consumption biomarker, the ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (EPA/AA) was examined by multiple regression analysis.

Results: Linear PFOS concentrations showed a significant positive correlation with the EPA/AA ratio in plasma samples (β = 6.80, p = 0.0014). Linear PFHpS was marginally associated with EPA/AA ratio (β = 0.178, p = 0.0874). Branched PFOS isomers and PFHxS had no associations with EPA/AA ratios.

Conclusion: Seafood intake may be a significant exposure pathway for PFAS, such as PFOS but the isomers differ.