International journal of hygiene and environmental health最新文献

{"title":"Enhancing data interoperability in human biomonitoring studies: the HBM data toolkit","authors":"Ruben Peeters ,&nbsp;Laura Rodriguez Martin ,&nbsp;Fen Zhang ,&nbsp;Hanny Willems ,&nbsp;Liese Gilles ,&nbsp;Jan Theunis ,&nbsp;Jos Bessems ,&nbsp;Caio Mescouto Terra de Souza ,&nbsp;Stijn Baken ,&nbsp;Dirk Devriendt ,&nbsp;Eva Govarts","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114669","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114669","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Harmonization and aggregation of heterogeneous data from Human Biomonitoring (HBM) studies is critical to enhance the reliability of conclusions and move towards FAIR (i.e., Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data. We introduce the HBM Data Toolkit developed by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek - VITO) with the primary goal of optimizing data integrity and interoperability, key steps towards FAIR, while using flexible templates and ensuring data confidentiality. The HBM Data Toolkit was built in 2023–2024 and made available for stakeholders (via <span><span>https://hbm.vito.be/tools</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>) within the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC eu-parc.eu). The toolkit consists of 4 modules including data harmonization, data validation, derived variables, and summary statistics calculation. A Python package was created to interpret the templates, making validation and transformation possible. Using Pyodide and WebAssembly, the toolkit runs entirely in the web browser, enabling secure, local execution of Python code without uploading any data. In the validation module, input files in common format (i.e., Excel) were used to configure data templates, aligning with standards and formats as specified under the HBM4EU project (hbm4eu.eu) and PARC. The HBM Data Toolkit allows harmonized data storage in the Personal Exposure and Health (PEH) data platform. Formatted and validated HBM data were made compatible with the Monte Carlo Risk Assessment (MCRA) platform. In the derived variables calculation module, the toolkit also allows users to calculate imputed censored data and standardize/normalize the biomarker data. Furthermore, summary statistics (e.g., geometric mean, percentiles) can be calculated and further visualized in the European HBM dashboard and integrated into the Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring (IPCHEM). In conclusion, the current toolkit proves effective in advancing data quality, harmonization, and aggregation in HBM studies. With local execution, user-friendly codebooks, and standardized schemas, it supports a unified framework that enables consistent analysis and interpretation across diverse studies and datasets.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114669"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145046484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hygiene system modeling for toileting in schools","authors":"Jonny Crocker ,&nbsp;Jeffrey Walters ,&nbsp;Jenala Chipungu ,&nbsp;Jay Bhagwan ,&nbsp;Michel Dione ,&nbsp;Robert Dreibelbis ,&nbsp;Maria Corazon Dumlao ,&nbsp;A.S.G. Faruque ,&nbsp;Meriel Flint-O'Kane ,&nbsp;Om Prasad Gautam ,&nbsp;Ndeye Aissatou Lakhe ,&nbsp;Richard Muga ,&nbsp;Arundati Muralidharan ,&nbsp;Idrissa Ndiaye ,&nbsp;Moussa Sarr ,&nbsp;Matthew C. Freeman","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114667","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114667","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Hygienic toileting is associated with positive health outcomes; yet efforts to provide the necessary preconditions for this behavior, namely provision of anal cleansing materials, a well-maintained toilet facility, and handwashing, are often limited—especially in schools—by a complex set of determinants and upstream factors that hinder access to the materials and behavioral drivers required for effective practice. Systems thinking, and its associated tools, is one approach to understanding and developing interventions to address the complexity of an interconnected set of factors impacting hygiene program outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study modeled the interconnected factors influencing preconditions for hygienic toileting in schools using expert-based participatory systems modeling. Two global hygiene meetings were utilized to recruit participants for hygiene systems modeling, and to compare results across two distinct groups of model participants. Participants identified and prioritized hygiene system factors, created systems models, and performed structural analyses using influence maps and causal loop diagrams to compare key leverage points driving hygienic toileting in schools.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants prioritized nine factors. Three of the nine factors were found to be highly influential and to drive the core system dynamics across both groups of participants: WASH leadership, governance, and partnerships; resource mobilization; and human resource capacity.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Our study identified leverage points for system strengthening to deliver the preconditions for hygienic toileting in schools. Systems thinking should precede system strengthening to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources and to enhance the sustainability of outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114667"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between residential greenness and coronary heart disease: A proteomics and miRNA microarray analysis","authors":"Le Yang ,&nbsp;Qinfei Wei ,&nbsp;Jianhui Guo ,&nbsp;Xingyan Xu ,&nbsp;Li Zhu ,&nbsp;Zhiyu Zhang ,&nbsp;Jungu Zhou ,&nbsp;Yuting Dong ,&nbsp;Donghong Wei ,&nbsp;Yeying Wen ,&nbsp;Liuyan Zheng ,&nbsp;Shaowei Lin ,&nbsp;XiaoXu Xie ,&nbsp;Huangyuan Li ,&nbsp;Siying Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114675","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Greenness has been linked to cardiovascular disease. However, the specific biological mechanisms through which greenness impacts coronary heart disease (CHD) remain unclear. We aim to explore the underlying epigenetic mechanisms linking greenness and CHD by using proteomics and miRNA microarray. A total of 2387 participants were included in the population study, 816 of whom were diagnosed with CHD. Residential greenness exposure was characterized using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Generalized additive models and restricted cubic splines investigated the association between greenness and CHD. Mediation analysis examined whether cardiovascular metabolic risk factors (blood pressure, inflammation indicators, and glucose) mediated the association. After proteomics and miRNA microarray screening, Elisa and qRT-PCR validated selected proteins (THBS1, FCN3, and LTBP1) and miRNAs (miR-671-5p, miR-124-3p, and miR-379-5p) in CHD. Among these, LTBP1 and miR-379-5p showed significant differential expression (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and were examined as potential molecular mediators. Higher greenness exposure within a 1000-m area was associated with a lower risk of CHD (<em>OR</em>: 0.86, 95 % <em>CI</em>: 0.81, 0.92). Systolic blood pressure (6.32 % [95 % <em>CI</em>: 1.49 %, 13.12 %]), lymphocyte (10.98 % [95 % <em>CI</em>: 3.76 %, 22.00 %]), monocyte (9.94 % [95 % <em>CI</em>: 3.42 %, 20.87 %]), and fasting blood glucose (3.41 % [95 % <em>CI</em>: 0.56 %, 7.84 %]) mediated this association. LTBP1 and miR-379-5p were differentially expressed in CHD and mediated 7.19 % [95 % <em>CI</em>: 0.01 %, 23.37 %] and 20.03 % [95 % <em>CI</em>: 2.85 %, 69.71 %] of greenness effect on CHD, respectively. Combining the population study and experiments, we found that miR-379-5p and LTBP1 may jointly modulate vascular constriction and immune inflammation in the association between greenness and CHD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114675"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adolescent sleep disturbances and road traffic noise: a Swiss cohort study","authors":"Nekane Sandoval-Diez ,&nbsp;Danielle Vienneau ,&nbsp;Martin Röösli","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114681","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114681","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Sleep is essential for adolescents’ health, yet research on transportation noise and adolescent sleep is limited. This study investigated the relationship between night-time road traffic noise exposure and self-reported sleep disturbances in adolescents, considering individual factors like noise annoyance and sensitivity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cohort of 887 adolescents (mean age 14.03 ± 0.86 years) was recruited in Switzerland, with follow-up after one year. Night-time road traffic noise exposure (L_n) was modelled at the most exposed façade of participants' residences using three-dimensional propagation models. Sleep disturbances, noise annoyance, and sensitivity were assessed via self-report questionnaires. Associations were examined using mixed logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders and environmental co-exposures. Longitudinal changes were assessed using the interaction between L_n and follow-up time.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants' average L_n exposure was 44.6 ± 7.7 dB (range: 25.0–67.4). At baseline, 267 adolescents (30.3 %) reported being at least slightly annoyed by road traffic noise, and 205 (24.3 %) were highly noise sensitive. Higher L_n was associated with increased sleep disturbances, particularly at L_n ≥ 55 dB (OR vs Ln ≤ 44 dB = 2.43, 95 % CI: 1.20–4.91), and with higher odds of reporting at least slight annoyance (OR per interquartile range increase in L_n = 2.27, 95 % CI: 1.77–2.92). No changes in sleep outcomes were observed after one year in relation to noise exposure.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Road traffic noise was associated with increased self-reported sleep disturbances and noise annoyance in adolescents. These findings add to the growing evidence linking transportation noise to non-auditory health effects in youth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114681"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145217561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prenatal bisphenol analogues exposure, metabolites in breast milk and offspring anthropometric growth during infancy: The Wuhan twin birth cohort study","authors":"Hong Mei ,&nbsp;Liqin Hu ,&nbsp;Haoshuang Liu ,&nbsp;Neng Li ,&nbsp;Yunxia Li ,&nbsp;Jiali Xu ,&nbsp;Hailin Gu ,&nbsp;Feiyan Xiang ,&nbsp;Meng Yang ,&nbsp;Pan Yang ,&nbsp;Jianduan Zhang ,&nbsp;Han Xiao ,&nbsp;Aifen Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114678","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114678","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to explore the associations between trimester-specific prenatal bisphenol analogues (BPs) exposures and offspring growth during infancy. Additionally, it sought to evaluate the mediating effect of breast milk metabolites on this relationship.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The research examined the associations among bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS) levels collected from mothers during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters, breast milk metabolites when the offspring were 1 month old, and infant growth measurements at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age. General linear models (GLM), multiple logistic regression models, and generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to assess the relationships between BPs, breast milk metabolites and offspring growth. The mediation package was utilized to evaluate the mediating effect of breast milk metabolites.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant associations were observed between first-trimester BPA (BPA_1) and 369 breast milk metabolites, primarily influencing glycometabolism and lipid metabolism pathways. BPA_1 were positively associated with infants' growth and ZBMI trajectory. Breast milk metabolites were also correlated with growth measurements and trajectories, predominantly categorized as glycometabolites and lipids. A mediating role was identified for 10 breast milk metabolites in the relationship between prenatal BPA_1 and infants’ ZBMI at 12 months.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>First-trimester BPA exposure may promote early growth and high ZBMI trajectory, which are risk factors for obesity in later life. This study highlights BPA_1's impact on breast milk metabolites and first reports breast milk metabolites as mediators on relationship between prenatal BPA exposure and offspring growth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114678"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145215028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between urinary glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid concentrations and DNA damage biomarkers among rural populations in Taiwan","authors":"Miku Kono ,&nbsp;Wei-Hsiang Chang ,&nbsp;Nien-Chia Chen ,&nbsp;Jyun-Ming Chen ,&nbsp;Wei-Te Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114671","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114671","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The study aimed to investigate the association between glyphosate (GLY) exposure, using urinary GLY and its primary metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and the DNA damage biomarkers 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and N7-methylguanine (N7-MeG) in rural populations in Taiwan.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study was conducted with 368 participants from a rural area in Taiwan characterized by extensive agricultural activity. Urinary concentrations of GLY, AMPA, and the DNA damage biomarkers 8-OHdG and N7-MeG were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). GLY and AMPA concentrations were creatinine-adjusted (μg/g creatinine) and log₂ transformed. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the associations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Urinary GLY and AMPA were positively associated with the oxidative stress biomarker 8-OHdG and the DNA methylation biomarker N7-MeG. In linear regression models adjusted for age, gender, and occupation, the geometric mean ratios (GMR) per doubling of GLY and AMPA were 1.11 (95 % CI: 1.04–1.19) and 1.19 (95 % CI: 1.10–1.30) for 8-OHdG, and 1.10 (95 % CI: 1.03–1.18) and 1.16 (95 % CI: 1.08–1.26) for N7-MeG, respectively. The adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were 1.79 (95 % CI: 1.39–2.31) and 1.69 (95 % CI: 1.30–2.19) for high 8-OHdG, and 1.55 (95 % CI: 1.23–1.95) and 1.74 (95 % CI: 1.33–2.28) for high N7-MeG, per doubling of GLY and AMPA concentrations.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings indicate that urinary GLY and AMPA concentrations are positively associated with 8-OHdG and N7-MeG, implicating carcinogenic pathways of oxidative stress and DNA methylation. The results highlight the need for further research and regulatory considerations, particularly in agricultural communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114671"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145102681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting high exposure of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Korean adults using machine learning","authors":"Hyung Doo Kim ,&nbsp;Inho Hong ,&nbsp;Hwan-Cheol Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114674","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114674","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals with high persistence in the environment and biological systems, raising significant public health concerns. This study developed and evaluated machine learning (ML) models to predict high PFAS exposure among participants in the fourth cycle of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS). The study assessed the effectiveness of a Full model incorporating 64 variables and a Compact model incorporating 10 basic health metrics using six different ML algorithms: random forest (RF), gradient boosting machine (GBM), eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and K-nearest neighbors (KNN). The study revealed a robust performance across all algorithms, achieving a balanced accuracy of 82 %. Age was the most significant predictor, particularly in individuals aged &gt;45 years. Other critical predictors included serum mercury and serum lead levels in the Full model and hemoglobin levels, alanine aminotransferase, red blood cell counts, and platelet counts in the Compact model. Hence, these findings underscore the potential of ML in improving the identification and management of populations at risk for high PFAS exposure. Consequently, even minimal data sets can yield high predictive accuracy, as demonstrated by the Compact model.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114674"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145155098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Extreme weather and drinking water safety: impacts of the 2023 flood Hans in Norway","authors":"Anders Bekkelund,&nbsp;Petter Langlete,&nbsp;Carl Fredrik Nordheim,&nbsp;Tora Alexandra Ziesler,&nbsp;Elisabeth Henie Madslien,&nbsp;Susanne Hyllestad","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114677","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114677","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, challenging the provision of safe drinking water. In August 2023, the extreme flood event <em>Hans</em> severely affected infrastructure in south-eastern Norway. We assessed the impact on drinking water quality in 63 municipalities receiving red flood warnings, covering 138 water supply systems serving ∼845,000 people. Data on <em>E. coli</em>, <em>Clostridium perfringens</em> and intestinal enterococci were retrieved from 93 utilities that reported results before, during, and after the flood. In total, &gt;7000 water samples were analysed. Positive samples were more frequent in raw water (14.6 % <em>E. coli</em>, 32.2 % <em>C</em><em>lostridium</em> <em>perfringens</em>, 9.6 % enterococci) than in treated water (≤1.2 %). Significant correlations were observed between river flow and faecal indicator exceedances in both raw and treated water, particularly in the Drammen river basin. These findings indicate increased public health risk during extreme flooding and underscore the vulnerability of drinking water systems to climate-sensitive hazards. The results provide baseline data directly relevant for hazard identification and risk assessment in climate-resilient water safety planning and for implementing the European Drinking Water Directive (EU, 2020/2184).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114677"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145155096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Household air pollution exposure in adult women is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness: A cross-sectional study of the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network trial.","authors":"Lindsay J. Underhill ,&nbsp;Lisa de las Fuentes ,&nbsp;Laura Nicolaou ,&nbsp;Shakir Hossen ,&nbsp;Anaite Diaz-Artiga ,&nbsp;Ajay Pillarisetti ,&nbsp;Aris T. Papageorghiou ,&nbsp;Florien Ndagijimana ,&nbsp;Ghislaine Rosa ,&nbsp;Gurusamy Thangavel ,&nbsp;John P. McCracken ,&nbsp;Kalpana Balakrishnan ,&nbsp;Krishnendu Mukhopadhyay ,&nbsp;Kyle Steenland ,&nbsp;Lisa M. Thompson ,&nbsp;Lance A. Waller ,&nbsp;Maggie L. Clark ,&nbsp;Michael A. Johnson ,&nbsp;Sarada Garg ,&nbsp;Sankar Sambandam ,&nbsp;Victor G. Davila-Roman","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114649","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114649","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Biomass fuels used for cooking in LMICs contribute significantly to household air pollution (HAP), which has been associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and other pathways linked to atherosclerosis. We evaluate the association between HAP exposure and atherosclerosis by use of carotid artery ultrasound.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An exposure-response analysis was conducted using cross-sectional baseline data from 397 women aged 40–79 years from the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial in Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda. Participants underwent ultrasound evaluation of their carotid arteries to measure intima-media thickness (CIMT) and atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, 24-h personal exposures to particulate matter (PM_2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), and black carbon (BC) were assessed.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Mean 24-h PM_2.5 exposure was 119 μg/m³ (range 10–803), BC was 13 μg/m³ (range 1.1–72), and CO was 2.3 ppm (range 0–39). Mean and maximal unadjusted CIMT measurements were 0.64 ± 0.13 mm and 0.75 ± 0.14 mm, respectively. Prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques was 7.1 % (range: 0.8 %–11.6 % by country). In adjusted linear models, each 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 was associated with a 0.001 mm increase in mean CIMT (95 % CI: 0 to 0.002) and a 0.002 mm increase in maximal CIMT (95 % CI: 0 to 0.003). For CO, each 10 ppm increase was associated with a 0.04 mm increase in maximal CIMT (95 % CI: 0 to 0.08), with the highest quartile of CO exposure having 0.036 mm and 0.05 mm greater mean and maximal CIMT (95 % CI: 0.002 to 0.07; 0.01, 0.09), respectively, than the lowest quartile. No significant associations were found between BC and CIMT or between any exposures and carotid atherosclerotic plaque.</div></div><div><h3>Interpretation</h3><div>In this cross-sectional study, higher personal exposures to PM_2.5 and CO were associated with greater mean and maximal CIMT, a well-established biomarker of atherosclerosis, further supporting the association between HAP and cardiovascular disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114649"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144925885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of infection prevention interventions on neonatal bloodstream infections and mortality in Ethiopia","authors":"Friederike Lemm ,&nbsp;Hailemariam Gebrearegay Haileeyesus ,&nbsp;Kiros Weldegerima Gezahegn ,&nbsp;Simret Niguse Weldebirhan ,&nbsp;Shishay Abay Nigusse ,&nbsp;Amanuel Hadgu Berhe ,&nbsp;Niguse Tsegay Gebre ,&nbsp;Kibra Hailu Desta ,&nbsp;Eden Kassahun Gebreegziabher ,&nbsp;Kaleb Birhanu Bugudom ,&nbsp;Meskelu Kidu Weldetensae ,&nbsp;Mengistu Hagazi Tequare ,&nbsp;Kibrom Gebreselassie Desta ,&nbsp;Haileslassie Berhe ,&nbsp;Hailemichael Embafrash Berhe ,&nbsp;Monika Kasper-Sonnenberg ,&nbsp;Mulugeta Naizgi Gebremicael","doi":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114676","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114676","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in low-resource settings, yet most are preventable. However, few studies evaluated the effectiveness of multimodal interventions in preventing healthcare-associated BSIs (HA-BSIs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted an implementation study in a NICU in Northern Ethiopia from January to June 2024, using a pre-and post-intervention design. Multimodal prevention strategies consisted of infection prevention and control (IPC) training, the appointment of an IPC expert, in-house production of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), HA-BSI surveillance, and online IPC meetings. Follow-up interventions were implemented based on feedback from these meetings. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations between variables.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 151 clinically suspected HA-BSI episodes, 58.3 % were culture-positive. The baseline rate of HA-BSI was 333 episodes per 1000 hospital admissions. This rate significantly declined to 74 within two months (p &lt; 0.0001) and 96 episodes per 1000 by the end of the study (p &lt; 0.0001). HA-BSI-associated mortality decreased by 80 % (p &lt; 0.0001). Each additional hospital day increased HA-BSI risk by 10.5 % (odds ratio [OR]: 1.105, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.018–1.200; p &lt; 0.05), while a 100-g increase in birth weight improved the odds of successful antibiotic treatment by 15.2 % (OR: 1.152, 95 % CI: 1.055–1.257; p &lt; 0.01).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Cost-effective, multimodal IPC interventions can significantly reduce HA-BSIs and associated mortality in NICUs in low-resource settings. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term sustainability of these measures in LMICs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13994,"journal":{"name":"International journal of hygiene and environmental health","volume":"270 ","pages":"Article 114676"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145155095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}