Reviews on Environmental Health最新文献

Introduction: Evidence of the adverse metabolic health effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is increasing. However, the impact of PFAS on cardiovascular diseases remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the impact of PFAS on the stroke risk.

Content: Databases were searched for studies published up to November 1, 2022, which report the association between stroke and exposure to at least one of four main PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA], perfluorooctanesulfonic acid [PFOS], perfluorononanoic acid [PFNA], and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid [PFHxS]). Data extraction and quality assessment were performed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Summary and outlook: Four studies were included in this systematic review. Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for incident stroke per 1-log unit increment in each serum PFAS were combined in the meta-analysis. The risk of development of stroke was not significantly associated with PFOA, PFOS, or PFNA exposure (PFOA: pooled odds ratio [OR]=1.001, 95 % confidence interval [CI]=0.975-1.028, p=0.934; PFOS: pooled OR=0.994, 95 % CI=0.972-1.017, p=0.601; PFNA: pooled OR=1.016, 95 % CI=0.920-1.123, p=0.752), whereas a moderately lower risk was associated with PFHxS exposure without statistical significance (pooled OR=0.953, 95 % CI=0.908-1.001, p=0.054). PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA exposure showed a neutral association, while PFHxS showed a possible inverse association with the risk of stroke. Therefore, this finding should be interpreted with caution. Further prospective observational studies with PFAS mixture analyses are warranted.

Exposure to PM_2.5 is the most significant air pollutant for health risk. The testosterone level in male is vulnerable to environmental toxicants. In the past, researchers focused more attention on the impacts of PM_2.5 on respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system, and few researchers focused attention on the reproductive system. Recent studies have reported that PM_2.5 involved in male testosterone biosynthesis disruption, which is closely associated with male reproductive health. However, the underlying mechanisms by which PM_2.5 causes testosterone biosynthesis disruption are still not clear. To better understand its potential mechanisms, we based on the existing scientific publications to critically and comprehensively reviewed the role and potential mechanisms of PM_2.5 that are participated in testosterone biosynthesis in male. In this review, we summarized the potential mechanisms of PM_2.5 triggering the change of testosterone level in male, which involve in oxidative stress, inflammatory response, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy and mitophagy, microRNAs (miRNAs), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. It will provide new suggestions and ideas for prevention and treatment of testosterone biosynthesis disruption caused by PM_2.5 for future research.

In 2017 an article was published on the unwillingness of the WHO to acknowledge the health effects associated with the use of wireless phones. It was thus stated that the WHO is 'A Hard Nut to Crack'. Since then, there has been no progress, and history seems to be repeating in that the European Union (EU) is following in the blind man's footsteps created by the WHO. Despite increasing evidence of serious negative effects from radiofrequency radiation on human health and the environment, the EU has not acknowledged that there are any risks. Since September 2017, seven appeals by scientists and medical doctors have been sent to the EU requesting a halt to the roll-out of the fifth generation of wireless communication (5G). The millimeter waves (MMW) and complex waveforms of 5G contribute massively harmful additions to existing planetary electromagnetic pollution. Fundamental rights and EU primary law make it mandatory for the EU to protect the population, especially children, from all kinds of harmful health effects of wireless technology. However, several experts associated with the WHO and the EU have conflicts of interest due to their ties to industry. The subsequent prioritizing of economic interests is resulting in human and planetary health being compromised. Experts must make an unbiased evaluation with no conflicts of interest. The seven appeals to the EU have included requests for immediate protective action, which have been ignored. On the issue of wireless radiation and the health of citizens, the EU seems to be another hard nut to crack.

Environmental pollution with heavy metals is widespread, thus increasing attention has been paid to their toxic effects. Recent studies have suggested that heavy metals may influence the expression of circadian clock genes. Almost all organs and tissues exhibit circadian rhythms. The normal circadian rhythm of an organism is maintained by the central and peripheral circadian clock. Thus, circadian rhythm disorders perturb normal physiological processes. Here, we review the effects of heavy metals, including manganese, copper, cadmium, and lead, on four core circadian clock genes, i.e., ARNTL, CLOCK, PER, and CRY genes.

Heat exhaustion (HE) is a common, yet obscure, heat-related illness that affects millions of people yearly and its burden is projected to rise due to climate change. A comprehensive literature synthesis is lacking despite previous studies on various HE aspects. This systematic review aims to fill this gap by identifying and synthesizing available evidence on the risk factors, symptoms, biomarkers, treatment options, and outcomes for HE. The review focused on HE during the Muslim (Hajj) pilgrimage where the condition is endemic. We conducted a structured search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, SCOPUS, and CINAHL databases. We summarized the data from eligible studies and synthesized them in narrative form using pooled descriptive statistics. Ten studies were included between 1980 and 2019, reporting over 1,194 HE cases. HE cases presented with elevated core temperature (up to 40°C) and mainly affected older males from the Middle East and North Africa region, with overweight individuals at a higher risk. Clinical symptoms included hyperventilation, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting, but not central nervous system disturbances. HE was associated with cardiac stress, and with water, electrolyte, and acid-base alterations. Cooling and hydration therapy were the primary management strategies, leading to a low mortality rate (pooled case fatality rate=0.11 % [95 % CI: 0.01, 0.3]). Most cases recovered within a few hours without complications. HE is associated with cardiac stress and changes in homeostasis, leading to distinct clinical symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of HE are crucial in reducing the risk of complications and mortality. The review provides insights into the pathophysiology and outcomes of HE, adding to the scarce literature on the subject. Prospero registration number: CRD42022325759.

Through the Mas receptor, angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] has been shown to have a key role in the development of lung inflammation. This systematic review (SR) sought to identify the relationship between lung damage brought on by exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) and the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas pathway. In this investigation, relevant keywords were used to search PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus (Elsevier), and Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science up to December 2022. Nine studies were chosen because they satisfied the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The majority of research concluded that exposure to CS increased the risk of lung damage. Smoking cigarettes is the main cause of COPD because it causes massive amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species to enter the lungs, which stimulate the production of inflammatory cytokines like IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as the invasion of inflammatory cells like neutrophils and macrophages. These findings support the renin-angiotensin system's (RAS) involvement in the pathophysiology of smoking-induced damage. Additionally, via stimulating pro-inflammatory mediators, aberrant RAS activity has been linked to lung damage. Lung inflammation's etiology has been shown to be significantly influenced by the protective known RAS arm ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas. In conclusion, these are important for informing policymakers to pass legislation limiting the use of smoking and other tobacco to prevent their harmful effects.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease, which is characterized by a decreased bone mass and deterioration of bone microstructure, resulting in increased bone fragility and a higher risk of fracture. The main pathological process of osteoporosis is the dynamic imbalance between bone absorption and bone formation, which can be caused by various factors such as air pollution. Particulate matter (PM)_2.5 refers to the fine particles in the atmosphere, which are small in volume and large in specific surface area. These particles are prone to carrying toxic substances and have negative effects on several extrapulmonary organs, including bones. In this review, we present relevant data from studies, which show that PM_2.5 is associated with abnormal bone turnover and osteoporosis. PM_2.5 may cause or aggravate bone loss by stimulating an inflammatory response, inducing oxidative damage, reducing estrogen efficiency by competitive binding to estrogen receptors, or endocrine disorder mediated by binding with aromatic hydrocarbon receptors, and affecting the synthesis of vitamin D to reduce calcium absorption. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in these processes are also summarized in this review.

Today, many health problems related to work have overshadowed workers and their families. In the meantime, chemicals are among the risk factors that have created many problems due to para-occupational exposure. In para-occupational exposures, family members are exposed to work pollutants transferred to the home environment. This study was conducted to investigate para-occupational exposure to chemicals. To conduct this systematic review, databases such as "Web of Science", "Google Scholar", "Scopus", and "SID" were used. Relevant articles in these databases were extracted by searching keywords such as "take-home exposure", "para-occupational exposure", and "chemicals" from 2000 to 2022. To extract the required data, all parts of the articles were reviewed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020). Among the 44 identified articles, 23 were selected as final articles, of which 10 were related to agriculture workers and their families, and 13 were related to other occupations. These studies mainly investigated para-occupational exposure to pesticides (14 studies) and metals (four studies). Also, contaminated work clothes, the washing place of contaminated clothes, and storage of working clothes, equipment, and chemicals were proposed as the main routes of contamination transmission. As a result of these para-occupational exposures, problems like neuro-behavioral disorders in children, end-stage renal disease, black gingival borders, and autism spectrum disorder were created or aggravated. Limiting the transmission routes and taking measures such as training and providing facilities like devoting places for washing and storing clothes in the workplaces can decrease this type of exposure.