Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine最新文献

Background and aims: Unhealthy eating behaviors, including eating fast, eating after satiety, skipping breakfast, and eating out are common among men aged 20-39 years. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to examine the association between self-reported eating habits and the prevalence of dyslipidemia.

Methods: The participants of this study were 38,233 men aged 20-39 years, whose food consumption frequency related information was collected through a questionnaire. Dyslipidemia was defined as total cholesterol (TC) ≥190 mg/dL, fasting triglyceride (TG) ≥150 mg/dL and non-fasting TG ≥175 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) <40 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥140 mg/dL. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated relative to healthy eating habits using logistic regression, after adjustment for age, study unit, and other potential confounding factors.

Results: Moderate and fast speeds were associated with a higher prevalence of reduced HDL-C (by 27% and 26%, respectively) compared to slow speeds. Eating after satiety was associated with a higher prevalence of elevated TC (by 16%) and elevated TG (by 11%), elevated LDL-C (by 21%). Breakfast eating of 1-4 times/week and <1 time/week were associated with a higher prevalence of elevated TC (by 11% and 16%, respectively) and elevated LDL-C (by 21% and 38%, respectively) compared to that of ≥5 times/week. Eating out of ≥5 times/week was associated with a 13% higher prevalence of elevated TG.

Conclusions: All of four unhealthy eating habits were associated with a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia in men aged 20-39 years.

Background: The second term Health Japan 21 aims at eliminating unwanted exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in society; however, the ambiguity of the term "unwanted exposure" complicates the evaluation of the program. In this study, we examined SHS exposure that occurred despite the efforts to avoid it (i.e. unavoidable SHS exposure) as a proxy for "unwanted SHS exposure".

Methods: Individuals aged 16-74 responded to a nationwide, Internet-based, self-reported survey. Frequency (daily/≥monthly) of SHS exposure in the past month was assessed for specific places (home/car/restaurant/cafe/bar/workplace/school/pachinko parlor) and any place. Unavoidable SHS was identified when respondents always tried to avoid but were exposed to SHS. The observed prevalence was compared to the target of Health Japan 21 ("Eliminate unwanted SHS exposure", =0%). Analyses were weighted to account for the selectivity of the Internet-based sample.

Results: Among overall (N = 25,672), those who always tried to avoid SHS (N = 14,971), and never smokers of combustible tobacco who always tried to avoid SHS (N = 10,416), the prevalence of daily SHS exposure was 12.4%, 5.7%, and 4.2%; ≥monthly SHS exposure was 34.0%, 21.4%, and 17.5%, respectively. Among never smokers, the adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) of daily unavoidable SHS exposure was significantly high in adolescents (age 16-19) (APR = 4.97, vs. age 60-74), less-educated individuals (APR = 2.37, vs. ≥some college education), and heated tobacco product (HTP) users (APR = 8.27, vs. nonusers). Among never smokers, daily unavoidable SHS exposure was highest in the home (3.4%), workplaces (2.3%), and pachinko parlors (1.3%); ≥monthly unavoidable SHS exposure was highest in workplaces (11.4%), restaurants/cafes/bars (10.0%), and the home (7.6%).

Conclusions: Daily unavoidable SHS exposure was disproportionately high among adolescents, less-educated individuals, and HTP users. The prevalence of unavoidable SHS exposure did not reach the national target in any of the assessed indoor places; home and workplace were the dominant sources of unavoidable SHS exposure. The lack of comprehensive smoke-free laws provides inadequate protection against SHS that cannot be complemented by individual efforts. The authorities must ensure smoke-free environments for all.

Background: There has been minimal research on the role of benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs) and how such events may offer protection from the insidious effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or later in life.

Objectives: This research aims to learn how BCEs and ACEs interact to affect adolescents' psychological distress.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey was conducted in three cities (Xuzhou, Nanjing, and Wuhan) in China from March 2021 to May 2021. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify the patterns of ACEs and BCEs. We adopted hierarchical multivariable regression to examine the influences of ACEs and BCEs on depression and suicidal ideation.

Results: To explore the relationship between childhood experience and suicidal ideation and depression, LCA revealed three patterns of ACEs: (1) emotional abuse (10.57%); (2) high ACEs (0.55%); and (3) low ACEs classes (88.88%). Adolescents with emotional abuse (depression: OR = 3.82, 95%CI = 2.80-5.22, P < 0.001; suicidal ideation: OR = 5.766, 95%CI = 3.97-8.38, P < 0.001) and high ACEs class (suicidal ideation: OR = 5.93, 95%CI = 1.19-29.66, P < 0.05) had an increased risk of psychological distress (reference: low ACEs). LCA revealed four patterns of BCEs: (1) relationship support (14.54%); (2) low BCEs (4.85%); (3) high BCEs (55.34%); and (4) high quality of life classes (25.28%). Adolescents with a high quality of life (depression: OR = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.05-0.16, P < 0.001; suicidal ideation: OR = 0.22, 95%CI = 0.12-0.40, P < 0.001) and high BCEs (depression: OR = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.03-0.09, P < 0.001; suicidal ideation: OR = 0.15, 95%CI = 0.09-0.26, P < 0.001) protected the mental health of adolescents (reference: low BCEs).

Conclusions: High ACEs and emotional abuse classes were significantly associated with poorer mental health symptoms, including suicidal ideation and depression. In contrast, high BCEs and high quality of life classes were associated with better mental health. These findings point out that it is more necessary to identify and support victims of ACEs, and it is urgent to increase BCEs in early childhood.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) employed personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, crucial to protecting themselves from infection. To highlight the efficacy of PPE in preventing environmental infection among HCWs, a systematic review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidance.

Methods: A search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted from January 2019 to April 2021 using pre-defined search terms. Articles were screened by three researchers. The approved papers were read in full and included in this review if relevance was mutually agreed upon. Data were extracted by study design and types of PPEs.

Results: 47 of 108 identified studies met the inclusion criteria, with seven reviews and meta-analyses, seven cohort, nine case-control, fifteen cross-sectional studies, four before and after, four case series, and one modeling studies. Wearing PPE offered COVID-19 protection in HCWs but required adequate training. Wearing surgical masks provided improved protection over cloth masks, while the benefit of powered air-purifying respirators is less clear, as are individual gowns, gloves, and/or face shields.

Conclusions: Wearing PPE, especially facial masks, is necessary among HCWs, while training in proper use of PPE is also important to prevent COVID-19 infection.

Background: Pacific islanders face drastic increase of obesity-related noncommunicable disease (NCD) due to lifestyle shifts of unhealthy diets and physical inactivity. To date, however, obesity related factors have not been well elucidated in Republic of Palau. This study aimed to investigate sociodemographic and behavioral factors related to obesity using the national level data in Palau.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, population-based study analyzing random sampling data of 2133 adults aged 25-64 years (of 20 thousand national population) from the WHO STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (STEPS) implemented between 2011 and 2013. Sociodemographic and behavioral factors were obtained by the STEPS standardized questionnaire for NCD risk factors plus the question on betel nut chewing because of its common behavior in Micronesian countries. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate multivariable odds ratio (OR) of general obesity (body mass index ≥30.0 kg/m²) and central obesity (waist circumference ≥90 cm in men and ≥80 cm in women).

Results: Means of body mass index, prevalence of general obesity and central obesity were higher in women (29.9 kg/m², 45.5% and 85.4%) than in men (29.3 kg/m², 40.4% and 67.6%). After adjusted by other potential factors, native Palauan (OR 4.4, 95% CI, 2.7-7.0 for men and 3.6, 2.3-5.6 for women), betel nut chewing (1.5, 1.1-2.1 for men and 1.6, 1.2-2.3 for women), men who work at government office (1.6, 1.2-2.1), women with higher household income (1.4, 1.0-1.8) were positively associated with general obesity, while frequent vegetable intake were inversely associated with it among women (0.71, 0.54-0.93). Similar associations were observed between the aforementioned factors and central obesity.

Conclusions: Native Palauan, people with betel nut chewing behavior, government employment and higher income appeared to be associated with obesity, while frequent vegetable consumption were inversely associated with obesity. Further interventions for prevention and control of obesity are necessary through the enhancing public relation activities to understand harmful health effects on betel nuts chewing and recommending domestic production of vegetables.

Background: Arsenic is a harmful heavy metal and a well-known developmental neurotoxicant. Previously, we have reported that gestational arsenic exposure resulted in impaired social behaviors in F1 and F2 male mice. However, little is known about the developmental arsenic exposure on anxiety-like behavior. This study aimed to detect the effect of gestational arsenic exposure on anxiety-like behavior and related gene expressions in 74-week-old F1 female mice.

Method: Pregnant C3H/HeN mice (F0) were given drinking water containing 85 ppm sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) from gestational day 8 to 18. The control mice were given tap water only. At 74-week-old, open field test was performed, then anxiety and apoptosis-related factors were determined by real_time RT_PCR and immunohistochemical analyses.

Results: The arsenite-exposed F1 female mice showed decreased center entry and center time in open field test. In addition, the number of grooming and fecal pallet was significantly increased in the arsenite-exposed F1 female mice compared to the control. Downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serotonin receptor (5HT1A) and upregulation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), interleukin 1 β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), caspase-3, Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax) were detected in the prefrontal cortex in the arsenite-exposed F1 female mice. Microglial marker ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1)-positive cells were increased in the arsenite-exposed F1 female mice. Moreover, a significantly increased plasma corticosterone level was observed in the arsenic-exposed F1 female mice.

Conclusions: This study suggested that gestational arsenic exposure induced anxiety-like behavior accompanied with dysregulation of neurological and immunological markers, neuroinflammatory responses, neuronal apoptosis, and decreased neurogenesis in the prefrontal cortex of F1 female mice.

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the accumulation patterns of objectively measured ambulatory activity (AA) variables in the Japanese middle-aged and elderly individuals and examine the relationship of these derivative patterns with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: A total of 1850 participants (66.1% women, mean age: 57.7 years) provided objectively assessed AA data using a uniaxial accelerometer. The number of steps, time accumulated in light-intensity AA (LIAA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity AA (MVAA), and the ratio of MVAA to total AA (LIAA + MVAA) were calculated. Latent profile analysis was used to identify groups of participants based on their distinct AA patterns. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of groups with MetS after adjusting for age, sex, alcohol intake, and cigarette smoking.

Results: Four distinct groups were identified: Group A had few steps and low levels of LIAA and MVAA; group B had a certain number of steps and recommended level of MVAA but low level of LIAA; group C had a certain number or more of steps, high level of LIAA, and recommended level of MVAA; group D had an extremely high number of steps and high levels of both LIAA and MVAA. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for MetS in groups B, C, and D relative to group A were 0.857 (0.611-1.201), 0.679 (0.500-0.922), and 0.434 (0.259-0.730), respectively. Groups C and D had significantly lower odds ratio of MetS compared to group A.

Conclusion: AA pattern involving a certain number or greater of steps accumulated through not only MVAA but also LIAA may help reduce the risk of MetS compared to inactive AA pattern.

Background: Zinc absorption and competition among gut bacteria have been reported in animal studies. Thus, gut bacteria may modify zinc availability in humans. Metabolism of intestinal bacteria is known to be necessary for the activation of several phytoconstituents in the body. For example, equol, a typical substance of soybean isoflavone, is produced by intestinal bacteria metabolizing daidzein and the enterotype is one of distinct ones among Japanese population. The difference in the intestinal microflora can modify the bioavailability of zinc. In this study, we examined urinary zinc concentrations in adult female equol producers (EQPs).

Methods: Urine samples from women participating in health examinations in Miyagi, Okinawa, Kyoto, Kochi, and Hokkaido prefectures were used; from total 17,484 samples, approximately 25 samples were randomly selected for each age group from 30 to 60 years per region (subsample: n = 520), and 520 samples with available urinary zinc concentration (determined by flame atomic absorption analysis) and enterobacterial type were analyzed. EQP was defined as log(equol/daidzein) ≥ -1.42, and urinary concentrations were corrected for creatinine concentration. Urinary zinc concentrations were compared by Student's t-test and multiple regression analyses.

Results: The geometric mean urinary zinc concentration (µg/g-Cr) was lower in EQP than in non-EQP (p = 0.0136 by t-test after logarithm transformation). On the other hand, there was no correlation between urinary zinc concentration with daidzein (r = -0.0495, P = 0.436) and equol concentrations (r = -0.0721, P = 0.256). There was a significant negative association between urinary zinc concentration and EQP (β = -0.392, P = 0.0311) after adjusting with other potential confounding variables, such as daidzein intake.

Conclusions: The results suggest that gut bacteria that produce equol are involved in the metabolism of zinc. Based on previous studies, the bacteria that affect the metabolism of both substances are thought to be Enterococcus. Future studies are expected to identify specific intestinal bacteria for zinc availability and understand individual differences in the effects of micronutrients.

Background: Existing researches have established a correlation between internet search data and the epidemics of numerous infectious diseases. This study aims to develop a prediction model to explore the relationship between the Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) epidemic trend in China and the Baidu search index.

Methods: Collect the number of new cases of PTB in China from January 2011 to August 2022. Use Spearman rank correlation and interaction analysis to identify Baidu keywords related to PTB and construct a PTB comprehensive search index. Evaluate the predictive performance of autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and ARIMA with explanatory variable (ARIMAX) models for the number of PTB cases.

Results: Incidence of PTB had shown a fluctuating downward trend. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient between the PTB comprehensive search index and its incidence was 0.834 (P < 0.001). The ARIMA model had an AIC value of 2804.41, and the MAPE value was 13.19%. The ARIMAX model incorporating the Baidu index demonstrated an AIC value of 2761.58 and a MAPE value of 5.33%.

Conclusions: The ARIMAX model is superior to ARIMA in terms of fitting and predicting accuracy. Additionally, the use of Baidu Index has proven to be effective in predicting cases of PTB.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly fluorinated organic compounds that have been widely used in industry during the past few decades. The main exposure routes for PFASs are thought to be the diet, drinking water, and dust. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs, members of the PFAS family) and the plasma eicosapentaenoic acid-to-arachidonic acid ratio (EPA/AA), a biological indicator of seafood intake, to determine whether seafood intake may represent a means of exposure to PFASs in the Japanese population.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study using 131 plasma samples collected from residents of Kyoto, Japan in 2013 and held in the Kyoto University biological sample bank. The concentrations of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), EPA, and AA were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and multiple linear regression was used to analyze the results.

Results: In multiple linear regression analyses with age and eGFR, PFOA showed a significant positive linear association with age (p = 0.0005); PFHpA showed a significant negative linear association with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; p = 0.0338); and PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFUnDA, and PFDoDA exhibited significant positive linear associations with EPA/AA (p = 0.0358, 0.0056, 0.0242, <0.0001, and <0.0001, respectively). Because only PFHpA and PFOA were associated with smoking, their concentrations were examined again with smoking variable included and neither showed an association with smoking habit. PFOA showed a significant linear association with EPA/AA ratio (p = 0.0072), but PFHpA did not (p = 0.051).

Conclusions: The plasma concentrations of PFOA, PFNA, PFUnDA and PFDoDA significantly associated with the EPA/AA ratio in residents of Kyoto.