International Journal of Environmental Health Research最新文献

This study employed a dual-method approach integrating bibliometric analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the relationship between air pollution and female reproductive traits. A bibliometric analysis of the Web of Science database (up to May 2025) identified a marked increase in research output after 2010, with China, the USA, and the UK as the leading contributors. The analysis highlighted key mechanistic themes, including oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and emerging interest in epigenetic mechanisms. Using MR to explore potential genetic links, we found that in individuals of European ancestry, genetically predicted exposure to PM2.5 was associated with a later age at first birth (AFB) and first live birth (AFLB). PM2.5-10 and PM10 were associated with AFB, while NOx was linked to later timing of AFLB, last live birth (ALLB), first sexual intercourse (AFS), and natural menopause (ANM) (all *p* < 0.05). In the African ancestry cohort, more limited but notable signals were observed: PM2.5-10 was associated with an earlier age at menarche (AAM), and NOx with later AFLB and ALLB. All findings were supported by sensitivity analyses showing no evidence of pleiotropy.

The expansion of irrigation in central Tunisia has reshaped landscapes, creating ecological conditions favourable to Phlebotomus sand flies and Leishmania transmission, thereby increasing leishmaniasis risk. To assess these dynamics, a geospatial classification and risk-indexing framework was developed that integrates remote sensing, supervised machine learning, and ecological reasoning on vector habitats. The analysis covered three Central Tunisian sites and their narrower environments - Gafsa, Kairouan, and Sidi Bouzid - from 1984 to 2020. Habitat clustering revealed marked spatial and temporal variability in land-cover composition. Low-risk habitats remained dominant, while irrigated high-suitability areas expanded progressively, particularly after the mid-1990s. Semi-natural habitats fluctuated, and very low-risk areas remained minimal. Ecotone analysis showed strong variability in transitional habitat edges, with peaks corresponding to increases in area-averaged risk indices. Territorial risk indices increased over time in all sites, reaching 0.470 in Gafsa (2012), 0.619 in Kairouan, and 0.507 in Sidi Bouzid (2020). These results indicate that irrigation-driven landscape changes enhance human - vector contact and transmission potential, underscoring the need to integrate irrigation practices into targeted, evidence-based vector management strategies.

Climate change poses one of the greatest current global health threats, and physicians will be central both in managing its clinical consequences and in advocating for systemic responses. This study assessed knowledge and perceptions of undergraduate medical students, from all six years of study, by gender and age through a cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study. Among the 484 participants, 95.7% affirmed the reality of climate change. Females expressed significantly greater concern (42.8% vs 25.5% p < 0.001), and stronger endorsement of its importance (49.1% vs. 39.1%, p < 0.001) compared to males. The majority recognized physicians' responsibility to inform both the public (84.9%) and policymakers (80.9%), while limited knowledge and lack of time were frequently reported barriers. Qualitative analysis of open-ended questions identified five themes on envisioned future physician roles: i. Increasing environmental health literacy; ii. Specialized prevention and treatment of climate-related illness; iii. Direct environmental protection adjustments in healthcare practices; iv. Advocacy for political action and v. Active citizenship. Medical students, especially females, display strong awareness and motivation to address climate-related health impacts. Embedding planetary health competencies in medical curricula and continuing education is essential to prepare future physicians as effective clinicians, communicators, and advocates in the era of climate crisis.

Global epidemic of diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder that includes insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, and chronic hyperglycemia. DM is known traditionally as lifestyle and genetic predisposition, but the role of environmental pollutants, especially pesticides, has increasingly been at the forefront of attention. Pesticides such as organophosphates, organochlorines, carbamates, and pyrethroids are strong endocrine disruptors, disturbing glucose homeostasis by inhibiting insulin signaling pathways, producing oxidative stress, and activating chronic inflammation. The pesticides enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species that causes mitochondrial impairment, β-cell apoptosis, and lipid peroxidation. It is worsened further by the mediators like TNF-α and IL-6 that have their activity enhanced via the pathways NF-κB and MAPK. Studies have shown an increased prevalence of DM associated with chronic pesticide exposure. The experimental studies support these findings and indicate that low-dose, long-term exposure impairs pancreatic β-cell function, decreases insulin secretion, and modifies adipokine profiles. This review highlights the biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in pesticide-induced diabetogenesis as described by epidemiological and in vivo studies. The conclusion underlined a critical need for regulatory policies and robust longitudinal studies to address the diabetogenic effects of pesticide residues in herbal formulations, ensuring safety and efficacy while safeguarding global metabolic health.

Veterinary pharmaceuticals widely used in aquaculture would finally enter into the environment, then adversely affect the "One-Health" trilogy (environmental, human, animal health). As a source-control measure for pharmaceutical pollution, the eco-pharmacovigilance (EPV) has been put in place to control discharge of medicinal products for human use. To further implement EPV for veterinary pharmaceuticals, it is necessary to examine the related anthropogenic activities among key stakeholders in veterinary pharmacovigilance, such as farmers. This study conducted a One-Health assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding EPV for aquaculture discharge of pharmaceuticals among 273 fish farmers in Wuhan, China. Mean knowledge score was 2.21 ± 1.29 out of 10. Most respondents expressed positive attitudes, but also lack of appropriate practices regarding aquaculture discharge of pharmaceutical contaminants and its EPV control. Concern about economy and input cost was identified as the top perceived barrier to eco-friendly use and disposal of veterinary pharmaceuticals, chosen by 26.7% respondents. Moreover, 62.3% farmers were aware of their responsibilities for reducing aquaculture discharge of veterinary pharmaceuticals, however, 45.1% tend to adopt a wait-and-see approach. Data emphasized an urgent need to provide related education and training. EPV measures for aquaculture discharge of pharmaceuticals should be implemented in an economical manner.

This study aims to quantify the impact of ambient temperature on the risk of herpangina in Japan. We compiled weekly time-series data on the incidence of herpangina and meteorological factors in all 47 Japanese prefectures (2005-2019). A space-time-stratified case-crossover design, combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model, was employed to estimate the relative risk (RR) of heat exposure across prefectures. A multivariate meta-analysis was conducted to obtain pooled estimates at the national level. Our analysis revealed a nonlinear, inverted U-shaped association between ambient temperature and the incidence of herpangina at the national level in Japan. Peak risk occurred at 24.3 °C, with an RR of 8.65 (95% confidence interval: 6.32-11.84) relative to the minimal risk. This association was predominantly driven by the immediate effects of high temperatures, with the risk persisting for up to four weeks. Our assessment demonstrates that high temperatures increase the risk of herpangina, highlighting the need for targeted preventive measures to mitigate the health impacts of global warming.

This study investigated the relationships among body weight perception (BWP), weight status, attitudes toward healthy nutrition, health perception, body appreciation, and dietary habits, including fad dieting in emerging adults. A total of 91 males and 274 females aged 18-25 completed a survey covering general characteristics, various scales, and anthropometric measurements. Results showed that 67.4% of the emerging adults had accurate body perception (ABP), while 32.6% had inaccurate body perception (IBP). Non-dieters were more likely to have ABP (44.7%) compared to IBP (17.3%) and fad dieters were more common in the ABP group (13.1%) versus the IBP group (9.6%) (p = 0.041). Participants who did not engage in Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors (UWCB) scored significantly higher on the Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN) and Body Appreciation Scale (BAS). Health perception (PHS) positively affected ASHN both directly (β = 0.402, p < 0.001) and indirectly (β = 0.455, p < 0.001) through BAS according to mediation analysis. The findings indicate that body perception, and body appreciation may influence dietary behaviors. ABP and IBP may not directly correlate with body image dissatisfaction, therefore ABP isn't a guarantee of healthy dietary choices. PHS, BAS and ASHN may play an active role on UWCB in conjunction with each other.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading global malignancy, yet the relationship between pesticide exposure and CRC risk remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the association between exposure to specific pesticide classes (fumigants, fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides) and the risk of colon, colorectal, and rectal cancers. A comprehensive search of international databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase) was conducted up to January 2025. Adjusted risk estimates were pooled using a fixed-effect model for CRC outcomes. Analysis of 32 studies revealed no significant associations between fumigants and CRC risk [colon: ES = 0.87, 95% CI (0.57-1.17); colorectal: ES = 0.92, 95% CI (0.67-1.17); rectal: ES = 1.04, 95% CI (0.54-1.54)]. Similarly, fungicides showed no significant associations [colon: ES = 0.83, 95% CI (0.62-1.03); colorectal: ES = 0.89, 95% CI (0.72-1.07); rectal: ES = 0.96, 95% CI (0.62-1.31)]. Herbicides also demonstrated no risk associations across CRC [colon: ES = 0.98, 95% CI (0.85-1.10); colorectal: ES = 0.98, 95% CI (0.85-1.10); rectal: ES = 0.98, 95% CI (0.85-1.10)]. However, insecticide exposure was associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer (ES = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.80-0.91), though no significant links were observed for colorectal or rectal cancers. No association was observed between exposure to fumigants, fungicides, or herbicides and the risk of CRC. Insecticides may confer a modest protective effect against colon cancer, though further mechanistic and epidemiological studies are warranted.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. New anticancer agents are required for treatment due to the inadequacy of current treatments and side effects of the drugs used. The medicinal plants stand out as important resources because they are natural and have few or no side effects. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of Micromeria fruticosa subsp. brachycalyx essential oil (MFEO) on proliferation, apoptosis, necrosis and proinflammation in lung cancer cells. For this purpose, different concentrations of MFEO were applied to lung cancer cells (A549), and the cell viability and proliferation were determined by MTT assay. Percentages of early apoptotic, late apoptotic and necrotic cells were determined by Annexin-V/PI staining in Flow cytometry (FACS). In addition, proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL8 levels were determined by ELISA method. Chemical characterization of MFEO was carried out by GC-MS and pulegon has been identified as the main component of MFEO. Consequently, it was determined that MFEO suppressed the proliferation and induced the apoptosis in A549 cells.

A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted with the objective of finding evidence on the contribution of microbial larvicides, Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus, in clinical malaria burden in Africa. A systematic literature search was carried out using databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and BASE, and Google, and Google Scholar search engines. All results were screened for duplicates and assessed for eligibility. Relevant data were extracted, and a quality assessment was performed using the CONSORT 2010 checklist, funnel plot, and Egger's regression test. Results show that 54 studies satisfied the eligibility criteria, and most were small-scale field trials. Most studies reported that Bti/Bs reduced the density of larvae of primary malaria vectors by 50%-100%. However, only 14 studies reported a subsequent reduction of malaria incidences, which was 31-62%. Furthermore, only one study evaluated the outcome of including Bti in a large-scale countrywide routine malaria control program, and it was in São Tomé and Príncipe. Overall, reviewed studies revealed a serious lack of Bti/Bs large-scale studies, and Bti/Bs inclusion in routine malaria control programs in most African countries. This impedes the formulation of evidence-based public health policies and frameworks for malaria elimination on the continent.