International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

12 pages, 3782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of in Utero Exposure to Dicyclohexyl Phthalate on Rat Fetal Leydig Cells

by Xiaoheng Li^1,†, Xiaomin Chen^1,†, Guoxin Hu², Linxi Li¹, Huina Su¹, Yiyan Wang¹, Dongxin Chen¹, Qiqi Zhu¹, Chao Li¹, Junwei Li², Mingcang Wang³, Qingquan Lian^1,* and Ren-Shan Ge^1,*

¹ The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China

² Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China

³ Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Taizhou 317000, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030246 - 23 Feb 2016

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 5756

Abstract

Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) is one of the phthalate plasticizers. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of DCHP on fetal Leydig cell distribution and function as well as testis development. Female pregnant Sprague Dawley dams orally received vehicle (corn [...] Read more.

Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) is one of the phthalate plasticizers. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of DCHP on fetal Leydig cell distribution and function as well as testis development. Female pregnant Sprague Dawley dams orally received vehicle (corn oil, control) or DCHP (10, 100, and 500 mg/kg/day) from gestational day (GD) 12 to GD 21. At GD 21.5, testicular testosterone production, fetal Leydig cell number and distribution, testicular gene and protein expression levels were examined. DCHP administration produced a dose-dependent increase of the incidence of multinucleated gonocytes at ≥100 mg/kg. DCHP dose-dependently increased abnormal fetal Leydig cell aggregation and decreased fetal Leydig cell size, cytoplasmic size, and nuclear size at ≥10 mg/kg. DCHP reduced the expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes (including Star, Hsd3b1, and Hsd17b3) and testis-descent related gene Insl3 as well as protein levels of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD3B1) and insulin-like 3 (INSL3) at ≥10 mg/kg. DCHP significantly inhibited testicular testosterone levels at ≥100 mg/kg. The results indicate that in utero exposure to DCHP affects the expression levels of fetal Leydig cell steroidogenic genes and results in the occurrence of multinucleated gonocytes and Leydig cell aggregation. Full article

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19 pages, 2573 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heavy Metals in Surface Soils in the Upper Reaches of the Heihe River, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China

by Jianwei Bu^1,2

, Ziyong Sun^2,3,*, Aiguo Zhou^1,2,3, Youning Xu⁴, Rui Ma^2,3, Wenhao Wei¹ and Meng Liu^1,5

¹ Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

² Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

³ School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

⁴ Xi’an Center of Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Xi’an 710054, China

⁵ Faculty of Mechanical & Electronic Information, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030247 - 23 Feb 2016

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 5763

Abstract

The upper reaches of the Heihe River have been regarded as a hotspot for phytoecology, climate change, water resources and hydrology studies. Due to the cold-arid climate, high elevation, remote location and poor traffic conditions, few studies focused on heavy metal contamination of [...] Read more.

The upper reaches of the Heihe River have been regarded as a hotspot for phytoecology, climate change, water resources and hydrology studies. Due to the cold-arid climate, high elevation, remote location and poor traffic conditions, few studies focused on heavy metal contamination of soils have been conducted or reported in this region. In the present study, an investigation was performed to provide information regarding the concentration levels, sources, spatial distributions, and environmental risks of heavy metals in this area for the first time. Fifty-six surface soil samples collected from the study area were analyzed for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb concentrations, as well as TOC levels. Basic statistics, concentration comparisons, correlation coefficient analysis and multivariate analyses coupled with spatial distributions were utilized to delineate the features and the sources of different heavy metals. Risk assessments, including geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and potential ecological risk index, were also performed. The results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals have been increasing since the 1990s. The mean values of each metal are all above the average background values in the Qinghai Province, Tibet, China and the world, except for that of Cr. Of special note is the concentration of Cd, which is extremely elevated compared with all background values. The distinguished ore-forming conditions and well-preserved, widely distributed limestones likely contribute to the high Cd concentration. Heavy metals in surface soils in the study area are primarily inherited from parent materials. Nonetheless, anthropogenic activities may have accelerated the process of weathering. Cd presents a high background concentration level and poses a severe environmental risk throughout the whole region. Soils in Yinda, Reshui daban, Kekeli and Zamasheng in particular pose threats to the health of the local population, as well as that of livestock and wildlife. Full article

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17 pages, 593 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Importance of Macrophyte Quality in Determining Life-History Traits of the Apple Snails Pomacea canaliculata: Implications for Bottom-Up Management of an Invasive Herbivorous Pest in Constructed Wetlands

by Rita S. W. Yam^*

, Yen-Tzu Fan and Tzu-Ting Wang

Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030248 - 24 Feb 2016

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5040

Abstract

Pomacea canaliculata (Ampullariidae) has extensively invaded most Asian constructed wetlands and its massive herbivory of macrophytes has become a major cause of ecosystem dysfunctioning of these restored habitats. We conducted non-choice laboratory feeding experiments of P. canaliculata using five common macrophyte species in [...] Read more.

Pomacea canaliculata (Ampullariidae) has extensively invaded most Asian constructed wetlands and its massive herbivory of macrophytes has become a major cause of ecosystem dysfunctioning of these restored habitats. We conducted non-choice laboratory feeding experiments of P. canaliculata using five common macrophyte species in constructed wetlands including Ipomoea aquatica, Commelina communis, Nymphoides coreana, Acorus calamus and Phragmites australis. Effects of macrophytes on snail feeding, growth and fecundity responses were evaluated. Results indicated that P. canaliculata reared on Ipomoea had the highest feeding and growth rates with highest reproductive output, but all individuals fed with Phragmites showed lowest feeding rates and little growth with poorest reproductive output. Plant N and P contents were important for enhancing palatability, supporting growth and offspring quantity of P. canaliculata, whilst toughness, cellulose and phenolics had critically deterrent effects on various life-history traits. Although snail offspring quality was generally consistent regardless of maternal feeding conditions, the reduced growth and offspring quantity of the poorly-fed snails in constructed wetlands dominated by the less-palatable macrophytes could limit the invasive success of P. canaliculata. Effective bottom-up control of P. canaliculata in constructed wetlands should involve selective planting strategy using macrophytes with low nutrient and high toughness, cellulose and phenolic contents. Full article

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17 pages, 1221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Use of Carbonaceous Particle Exposure Metrics in Health Impact Calculations

by Henrik Olstrup^1,*, Christer Johansson^1,2

and Bertil Forsberg³

¹ Atmospheric Science Unit, Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, 11418 Stockholm, Sweden

² Environment and Health Administration, SLB, Box 8136, 104 20 Stockholm, Sweden

³ Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030249 - 24 Feb 2016

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 8392

Abstract

Combustion-related carbonaceous particles seem to be a better indicator of adverse health effects compared to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀. Historical studies are based on black smoke (BS), but more recent studies use absorbance (Abs), black carbon (BC) or elemental carbon (EC) [...] Read more.

Combustion-related carbonaceous particles seem to be a better indicator of adverse health effects compared to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀. Historical studies are based on black smoke (BS), but more recent studies use absorbance (Abs), black carbon (BC) or elemental carbon (EC) as exposure indicators. To estimate health risks based on BS, we review the literature regarding the relationship between Abs, BS, BC and EC. We also discuss the uncertainties associated with the comparison of relative risks (RRs) based on these conversions. EC is reported to represent a proportion between 5.2% and 27% of BS with a mean value of 12%. Correlations of different metrics at one particular site are higher than when different sites are compared. Comparing all traffic, urban and rural sites, there is no systematic site dependence, indicating that other properties of the particles or errors affect the measurements and obscure the results. It is shown that the estimated daily mortality associated with short-term levels of EC is in the same range as PM₁₀, but this is highly dependent on the EC to BS relationship that is used. RRs for all-cause mortality associated with short-term exposure to PM₁₀ seem to be higher at sites with higher EC concentrations, but more data are needed to verify this. Full article

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4 pages, 241 KiB

Open AccessComment

Comments on Melis et al. The Effects of the Urban Built Environment on Mental Health: A Cohort Study in a Large Northern Italian City. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2015, 12, 14898–14915

by Yan Kestens^1,2,*

, Basile Chaix³, Martine Shareck⁴ and Julie Vallée⁵

¹ Research Theme of Risks, Prevention and Health Promotion, Montreal University Research Center (CRCHUM), 850, Rue St.-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada

² Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, École de Santé Publique de l’Université de Montréal (ESPUM), 7101, Rue du Parc, Montréal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada

³ Inserm, UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Nemesis research team, 27 Rue Chaligny, 75571 Paris, France

⁴ Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK

⁵ Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR Géographie-Cités, 13 Rue du Four, 75006 Paris, France

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030250 - 24 Feb 2016

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4697

Abstract

In a recent paper by Melis and colleagues [1], exposure to certain built environment characteristics—urban density and accessibility to public transit—is found to be related to mental health, even more so among women, the elderly, and the residentially stable (interactions between built environment [...] Read more.

In a recent paper by Melis and colleagues [1], exposure to certain built environment characteristics—urban density and accessibility to public transit—is found to be related to mental health, even more so among women, the elderly, and the residentially stable (interactions between built environment and individual characteristics in relation to mental health have unfortunately not been tested statistically, which could have strengthened their demonstration).[...] Full article

2 pages, 225 KiB

Open AccessReply

Response to Kestens et al. Comments on Melis et al. The Effects of the Urban Built Environment on Mental Health: A Cohort Study in a Large Northern Italian City. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2015, 12, 14898–14915

by Giulia Melis^1,*

, Elena Gelormino², Giulia Marra¹, Elisa Ferracin³ and Giuseppe Costa³

¹ Environmental Heritage and Urban Redevelopment Unit, SiTI—Higher Institute on Territorial Systems for Innovation, via Boggio 61, 10138 Torino, Italy

² ASL Torino 5, Local Public Health Agency, Piazza S. Pellico 1, 10023 Chieri, Italy

³ SEPI Grugliasco, Epidemiology Service for ASL Torino 3, Local Public Health Agency, Via Sabaudia 164, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030251 - 24 Feb 2016

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2957

Abstract

The commentary from Kestens et al. [1] raises interesting issues about measuring contextual exposures and encourages new studies to incorporate them in their design: as a group of researchers, we strongly support their view and think that those useful reflections should be used [...] Read more.

The commentary from Kestens et al. [1] raises interesting issues about measuring contextual exposures and encourages new studies to incorporate them in their design: as a group of researchers, we strongly support their view and think that those useful reflections should be used as guidelines for future research.[...] Full article

1 pages, 220 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Dowling, R., et al. Spatial Associations between Contaminated Land and Socio Demographics in Ghana. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12, 13587–13601

by Russell Dowling^1,*

, Bret Ericson^1,†, Jack Caravanos^2,†, Patrick Grigsby¹ and Yaw Amoyaw-Osei³

¹ Pure Earth, Formerly Blacksmith Institute, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 860, New York, NY 10115, USA

² School of Public Health, City University of New York, 2180 Third Ave., New York, NY 10035, USA

³ Green Advocacy Ghana, P.O. Box SK 482, Sakumono Estates, Tema, Ghana

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030252 - 24 Feb 2016

Viewed by 3576

Abstract

The author wishes to make the following correction to this paper [1].[...] Full article

13 pages, 1036 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Heterogeneity in Direct Infectious Disease Transmission in a Compartmental Model

by Lingcai Kong^1,2,3

, Jinfeng Wang^1,3,4,*, Weiguo Han⁵

and Zhidong Cao⁶

¹ State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

² University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

³ Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Early-Warning on Infectious Disease, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China

⁴ Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing 210023, China

⁵ University Corporation for Atmospheric Research/Visiting Scientist Programs, 3090 Center Green Drive, Boulder, CO 80301, USA

⁶ State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030253 - 24 Feb 2016

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6732

Abstract

Mathematical models have been used to understand the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases and to assess the impact of intervention strategies. Traditional mathematical models usually assume a homogeneous mixing in the population, which is rarely the case in reality. Here, we construct a [...] Read more.

Mathematical models have been used to understand the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases and to assess the impact of intervention strategies. Traditional mathematical models usually assume a homogeneous mixing in the population, which is rarely the case in reality. Here, we construct a new transmission function by using as the probability density function a negative binomial distribution, and we develop a compartmental model using it to model the heterogeneity of contact rates in the population. We explore the transmission dynamics of the developed model using numerical simulations with different parameter settings, which characterize different levels of heterogeneity. The results show that when the reproductive number, R₀, is larger than one, a low level of heterogeneity results in dynamics similar to those predicted by the homogeneous mixing model. As the level of heterogeneity increases, the dynamics become more different. As a test case, we calibrated the model with the case incidence data for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Beijing in 2003, and the estimated parameters demonstrated the effectiveness of the control measures taken during that period. Full article

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9 pages, 1299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Degradation of Tetracyclines in Pig Manure by Composting with Rice Straw

by Rushan Chai^1,2, Lidong Huang³, Lingling Li¹, Gerty Gielen⁴, Hailong Wang⁵

and Yongsong Zhang^1,*

¹ Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China

² School of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China

³ Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China

⁴ Scion, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand

⁵ Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, School of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin’an 311300, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030254 - 24 Feb 2016

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6395

Abstract

A holistic approach was followed for utilizing tetracyclines (TCs)-contaminated pig manure, by composting this with rice straw in a greenhouse for CO₂ fertilization and composted residue application. After composting, the composted residues can be applied to cropland as a supplemental source of [...] Read more.

A holistic approach was followed for utilizing tetracyclines (TCs)-contaminated pig manure, by composting this with rice straw in a greenhouse for CO₂ fertilization and composted residue application. After composting, the composted residues can be applied to cropland as a supplemental source of synthetic fertilizers. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pig manure-rice straw composting on the degradation of TCs in pig manure. The results showed that greenhouse composting significantly accelerated the degradation of TCs. Contents (150 mg·kg⁻¹) of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) in the composting feedstock could be completely removed within 42 days for OTC and TC, and 14 days for CTC. However, in the control samples incubated at 25 °C in the dark, concentrations of OTC, TC and CTC only decreased 64.7%, 66.7% and 73.3%, respectively, after 49 days. The degradation rates of TCs in the composting feedstock were in the order of CTC > TC > OTC. During the composting process, CTC dissipated rapidly with the time required for 50% degradation (DT₅₀) and 90% degradation (DT₉₀) of 2.4 and 7.9 days, but OTC was more persistent with DT₅₀ and DT₉₀ values of 5.5 and 18.4 days. On the basis of the results obtained in this study, it could be concluded that pig manure-rice straw composting in a greenhouse can help to accelerate the degradation of TCs in pig manure and make composted residues safer for field application. This technology could be an acceptable practice for greenhouse farmers to utilize TCs-contaminated pig manure. Full article

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13 pages, 2029 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Forest Therapy on Coping with Chronic Widespread Pain: Physiological and Psychological Differences between Participants in a Forest Therapy Program and a Control Group

by Jin-Woo Han^1,†, Han Choi^1,†

, Yo-Han Jeon¹, Chong-Hyeon Yoon², Jong-Min Woo^1,3 and Won Kim^1,3,*

¹ Stress Research Institute, Inje University, Seoul 100-032, Korea

² Department of Rheumatology, Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, Catholic University, Uijeongbu 480-717, Korea

³ Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University School of Medicine, Seoul 100-032, Korea

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030255 - 24 Feb 2016

Cited by 118 | Viewed by 14215

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a two-day forest therapy program on individuals with chronic widespread pain. Sixty one employees of a public organization providing building and facilities management services within the Seoul Metropolitan area participated in the study. Participants were [...] Read more.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a two-day forest therapy program on individuals with chronic widespread pain. Sixty one employees of a public organization providing building and facilities management services within the Seoul Metropolitan area participated in the study. Participants were assigned to an experimental group (n = 33) who participated in a forest therapy program or a control group (n = 28) on a non-random basis. Pre- and post-measures of heart rate variability (HRV), Natural Killer cell (NK cell) activity, self-reported pain using the visual analog scale (VAS), depression level using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and health-related quality of life measures using the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) were collected in both groups. The results showed that participants in the forest therapy group, as compared to the control group, showed physiological improvement as indicated by a significant increase in some measures of HRV and an increase in immune competence as indicated by NK cell activity. Participants in the forest therapy group also reported significant decreases in pain and depression, and a significant improvement in health-related quality of life. These results support the hypothesis that forest therapy is an effective intervention to relieve pain and associated psychological and physiological symptoms in individuals with chronic widespread pain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green-Blue Space and Health: Advances in Methods, Technologies and Applications)

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12 pages, 286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparing for Completely Smoke-Free Mental Health Settings: Findings on Patient Smoking, Resources Spent Facilitating Smoking Breaks, and the Role of Smoking in Reported Incidents from a Large Mental Health Trust in England

by Harpreet Sohal^*, Lisa Huddlestone

and Elena Ratschen

UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies, Division of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030256 - 25 Feb 2016

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 7411

Abstract

Introduction: Despite high smoking prevalence and excessive smoking-related morbidity and mortality among people with mental disorder compared to the general population, smoking treatment is often neglected in mental health settings. The UK National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently issued [...] Read more.

Introduction: Despite high smoking prevalence and excessive smoking-related morbidity and mortality among people with mental disorder compared to the general population, smoking treatment is often neglected in mental health settings. The UK National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently issued public health guidance stipulating completely smoke-free mental health settings. This project evaluated existing smoking-related practices in preparation for guidance implementation. The objectives were to: audit the recording of smoking-related information and treatment provision; explore current arrangements relating to the facilitation of patient smoking; measure staff time spent and identify costs of facilitating smoking; and explore the role of smoking in smoking-related incidents. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted across four acute adult mental health wards, accommodating 16 patients each, over six months. It included a case-note audit, on-site observations, and a qualitative content analysis of incident reports. Results: Smoking status was recorded for less than half of the 290 patients admitted (138, 48%). Of those, 98 (71%) were recorded as current smokers, of whom 72 (74%) had received brief smoking cessation advice. Staff spent 6028 h facilitating smoking, representing an annual cost of £131,040 across four wards. Incident reports demonstrated that smoking facilitation was often central to the cause of incidences, triggered frustration in patients, and strained staff resources. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance and potential of implementing completely smoke-free policies using comprehensive pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tobacco Control 2015)

9 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Change in Body Mass Index and Its Impact on Incidence of Hypertension in 18–65-Year-Old Chinese Adults

by Qian Ren

, Chang Su, Huijun Wang, Zhihong Wang, Wenwen Du and Bing Zhang^*

National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030257 - 25 Feb 2016

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5728

Abstract

Aims: This study assessed change in body mass index (BMI) and its impact on the incidence of hypertension in 18- to 65-year-old Chinese adults. Methods: Two waves of data were collected in 2006 and 2011 by the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) [...] Read more.

Aims: This study assessed change in body mass index (BMI) and its impact on the incidence of hypertension in 18- to 65-year-old Chinese adults. Methods: Two waves of data were collected in 2006 and 2011 by the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) with samples drawn from nine provinces in China. The logistic regression model was used to examine the association between change in BMI and the incidence of hypertension, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confident interval (95% CI) were calculated. Results: The risk of incident hypertension increased as the quartile of the BMI difference value (D-value) increased in men (OR and 95% CI for the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile: 2.303, 1.560–3.401, respectively, p for trend < 0.001) and women (OR and 95% CI for the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile: 1.745, 1.199–2.540, respectively, p for trend = 0.004). Compared with non-overweight subjects in 2011, the ORs of incident hypertension were all significantly higher for overweight subjects, regardless of their overweight status at baseline (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, the results from this study provide unequivocal evidence that prevention of weight gain is likely to have a great impact on the incidence of hypertension in Chinese adults. Full article

14 pages, 2228 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reduction of Endogenous Melatonin Accelerates Cognitive Decline in Mice in a Simulated Occupational Formaldehyde Exposure Environment

by Yufei Mei^1,2,†, Chunli Duan^3,†, Xiaoxiao Li¹, Yun Zhao¹, Fenghua Cao¹, Shuai Shang¹, Shumao Ding¹, Xiangpei Yue², Ge Gao³, Hui Yang³, Luxi Shen², Xueyan Feng², Jianping Jia², Zhiqian Tong^2,* and Xu Yang^1,*

¹ Section of Environmental Biomedicine, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China

² Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China

³ Department of Neuobiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030258 - 29 Feb 2016

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6280

Abstract

Individuals afflicted with occupational formaldehyde (FA) exposure often suffer from abnormal behaviors such as aggression, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and in particular, cognitive impairments. Coincidentally, clinical patients with melatonin (MT) deficiency also complain of cognitive problems associated with the above mental disorders. Whether [...] Read more.

Individuals afflicted with occupational formaldehyde (FA) exposure often suffer from abnormal behaviors such as aggression, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and in particular, cognitive impairments. Coincidentally, clinical patients with melatonin (MT) deficiency also complain of cognitive problems associated with the above mental disorders. Whether and how FA affects endogenous MT metabolism and induces cognitive decline need to be elucidated. To mimic occupational FA exposure environment, 16 healthy adult male mice were exposed to gaseous FA (3 mg/m³) for 7 consecutive days. Results showed that FA exposure impaired spatial memory associated with hippocampal neuronal death. Biochemical analysis revealed that FA exposure elicited an intensive oxidative stress by reducing systemic glutathione levels, in particular, decreasing brain MT concentrations. Inversely, intraperitoneal injection of MT markedly attenuated FA-induced hippocampal neuronal death, restored brain MT levels, and reversed memory decline. At tissue levels, injection of FA into the hippocampus distinctly reduced brain MT concentrations. Furthermore, at cellular and molecular levels, we found that FA directly inactivated MT in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that MT supplementation contributes to the rescue of cognitive decline, and may alleviate mental disorders in the occupational FA-exposed human populations. Full article

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22 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Assessment of Fluoride Intake from Tea in the Republic of Ireland and its Implications for Public Health and Water Fluoridation

by Declan T. Waugh^1,*, William Potter², Hardy Limeback³ and Michael Godfrey⁴

¹ EnviroManagement Services, 11 Riverview, Dohertys Rd, Bandon, Co. Cork P72 YF10, Ireland

² Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, KEH M2225, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104-3189, USA

³ Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada

⁴ Bay of Plenty Environmental Health, 1416A Cameron Road, Tauranga 3012, New Zealand

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030259 - 26 Feb 2016

Cited by 80 | Viewed by 25178

Abstract

The Republic of Ireland (RoI) is the only European Country with a mandatory national legislation requiring artificial fluoridation of drinking water and has the highest per capita consumption of black tea in the world. Tea is a hyperaccumulator of fluoride and chronic fluoride [...] Read more.

The Republic of Ireland (RoI) is the only European Country with a mandatory national legislation requiring artificial fluoridation of drinking water and has the highest per capita consumption of black tea in the world. Tea is a hyperaccumulator of fluoride and chronic fluoride intake is associated with multiple negative health outcomes. In this study, fifty four brands of the commercially available black tea bag products were purchased and the fluoride level in tea infusions tested by an ion-selective electrode method. The fluoride content in all brands tested ranged from 1.6 to 6.1 mg/L, with a mean value of 3.3 mg/L. According to our risk assessment it is evident that the general population in the RoI is at a high risk of chronic fluoride exposure and associated adverse health effects based on established reference values. We conclude that the culture of habitual tea drinking in the RoI indicates that the total cumulative dietary fluoride intake in the general population could readily exceed the levels known to cause chronic fluoride intoxication. Evidence suggests that excessive fluoride intake may be contributing to a wide range of adverse health effects. Therefore from a public health perspective, it would seem prudent and sensible that risk reduction measures be implemented to reduce the total body burden of fluoride in the population. Full article

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13 pages, 984 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polymorphisms in Four Genes (KCNQ1 rs151290, KLF14 rs972283, GCKR rs780094 and MTNR1B rs10830963) and Their Correlation with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Han Chinese in Henan Province, China

by Kaiping Gao^1,*,†, Jinjin Wang^2,†, Linlin Li³, Yujia Zhai³, Yongcheng Ren³, Haifei You³, Bingyuan Wang³, Xuli Wu¹, Jianna Li¹, Zichen Liu¹, Xiong Li¹, Yaxin Huang¹, Xin-Ping Luo¹, Dongsheng Hu¹, Kinji Ohno⁴ and Chongjian Wang^3,*

¹ Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

² Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention, Preventive Medicine Research Evaluation Center, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450001, China

³ Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China

⁴ Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 4668550, Japan

^† The authors contributed equally to this work

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030260 - 26 Feb 2016

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 7083

Abstract

Genetic variants at KCNQ1 rs151290, KLF14 rs972283, GCKR rs780094 and MTNR1B rs10830963 have been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the results are contradictory in Chinese populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of these four [...] Read more.

Genetic variants at KCNQ1 rs151290, KLF14 rs972283, GCKR rs780094 and MTNR1B rs10830963 have been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the results are contradictory in Chinese populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of these four SNPs with T2DM in a large population of Han Chinese at Henan province, China. Seven-hundred-thirty-six patients with T2DM (cases) and Seven-hundred-sixty-eight healthy glucose-tolerant controls were genotyped for KCNQ1 rs151290, KLF14 rs972283, GCKR rs780094 and MTNR1B rs10830963. The association of genetic variants in these four genes with T2DM was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Genotypes and allele distributions of KCNQ1 rs151290 were significantly different between the cases and controls (p < 0.05). The AC and CC genotypes and the combined AC + CC genotype of rs151290 in KCNQ1 were associated with increases risk of T2DM before (OR = 1.482, 95% CI = 1.062–2.069; p = 0.021; OR = 1.544, 95% CI = 1.097–2.172, p = 0.013; and OR = 1.509, 95% CI = 1.097–2.077, p = 0.011, respectively) and after (OR = 1.539, 95% CI = 1.015–2.332, p = 0.042; OR = 1.641, 95% CI = 1.070–2.516, p = 0.023; and OR = 1.582, 95% CI = 1.061–2.358, p = 0.024; respectively) adjustment for sex, age, anthropometric measurements, biochemical indexes, smoking and alcohol consumption. Consistent with results of genotype analysis, the C allele of rs151290 in KCNQ1 was also associated with increased risk of T2DM (OR = 1.166, 95% CI = 1.004–1.355, p = 0.045). No associations between genetic variants of KLF14 rs972283, GCKR rs780094 or MTNR1B rs10830963 and T2DM were detected. The AC and CC genotypes and the C allele of rs151290 in KCNQ1 may be risk factors for T2DM in Han Chinese in Henan province. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Care and Diabetes)

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2 pages, 232 KiB

Open AccessComment

Comments on Meo et al. Association of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Radiation (RF-EMFR) Generated by Mobile Phone Base Stations with Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2015, 12, 14519–14528

by Seyed Alireza Mortazavi¹, Ghazal Mortazavi² and Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi^3,4,*

¹ Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, ShirazUniversity of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran

² Tangestan Health Network, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr 7551866897, Iran

³ Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), ShirazUniversity of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran

⁴ Medical Physics and Medical Engineering Department, School of Medicine, ShirazUniversity of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 7134845794, Iran

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030261 - 26 Feb 2016

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4957

Abstract

With great interest and enthusiasm, we have read the article by Meo et al. entitled “Association of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Radiation (RF-EMFR) Generated by Mobile Phone Base Stations with Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” that is [...] Read more.

With great interest and enthusiasm, we have read the article by Meo et al. entitled “Association of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Radiation (RF-EMFR) Generated by Mobile Phone Base Stations with Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” that is published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [1].[...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Care and Diabetes)

2 pages, 228 KiB

Open AccessReply

Response to Comments on Meo et al. Association of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Radiation (RF-EMFR) Generated by Mobile Phone Base Stations with Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2015, 12, 14519–14528

by Sultan Ayoub Meo^1,*, Yazeed Alsubaie¹, Zaid Almubarak¹

, Hisham Almutawa¹

, Yazeed AlQasem¹ and Rana Muhammed Hasanato²

¹ Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2925, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia

² Department of Clinical Bio-Chemistry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2925, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030262 - 26 Feb 2016

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5184

Abstract

We highly appreciate the readers’ interest [1] in our article [2] titled “Association of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Radiation (RF-EMFR) Generated by Mobile Phone Base Stations with Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” published in the International Journal [...] Read more.

We highly appreciate the readers’ interest [1] in our article [2] titled “Association of Exposure to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Radiation (RF-EMFR) Generated by Mobile Phone Base Stations with Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [2].[...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Health Care and Diabetes)

11 pages, 2801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Automated Collection of Real-Time Alerts of Citizens as a Useful Tool to Continuously Monitor Malodorous Emissions

by Magda Brattoli¹, Antonio Mazzone¹, Roberto Giua¹, Giorgio Assennato¹ and Gianluigi De Gennaro^1,2,*

¹ Apulia Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection, Corso Trieste 27, 70126 Bari, Italy

² Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030263 - 26 Feb 2016

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5835

Abstract

The evaluation of odor emissions and dispersion is a very arduous topic to face; the real-time monitoring of odor emissions, the identification of chemical components and, with proper certainty, the source of annoyance represent a challenge for stakeholders such as local authorities. The [...] Read more.

The evaluation of odor emissions and dispersion is a very arduous topic to face; the real-time monitoring of odor emissions, the identification of chemical components and, with proper certainty, the source of annoyance represent a challenge for stakeholders such as local authorities. The complaints of people, often not systematic and variously distributed, in general do not allow us to quantify the perceived annoyance. Experimental research has been performed to detect and evaluate olfactory annoyance, based on field testing of an innovative monitoring methodology grounded in automatic recording of citizen alerts. It has been applied in Taranto, in the south of Italy where a relevant industrial area is located, by using Odortel^® for automated collection of citizen alerts. To evaluate its reliability, the collection system has been integrated with automated samplers, able to sample odorous air in real time, according to the citizen alerts of annoyance and, moreover, with meteorological data (especially the wind direction) and trends in odor marker compounds, recorded by air quality monitoring stations. The results have allowed us, for the first time, to manage annoyance complaints, test their reliability, and obtain information about the distribution and entity of the odor phenomena, such that we were able to identify, with supporting evidence, the source as an oil refinery plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology, Data, and the Assessment of Atmospheric Exposure on Finer Scales)

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17 pages, 5195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Formulants in Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Disrupt Aromatase Activity in Human Cells below Toxic Levels

by Nicolas Defarge^1,3, Eszter Takács², Verónica Laura Lozano¹, Robin Mesnage^1,3, Joël Spiroux de Vendômois³, Gilles-Eric Séralini^1,3,* and András Székács²

¹ Institute of Biology, University of Caen Normandy, EA2608 and Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Environment MRSH, Esplanade de la Paix, CS 14032, Caen Cedex 5, France

² Agro-Environmental Research Institute, National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre, H-1022, Herman Ottó u. 15, Budapest, Hungary

³ CRIIGEN, 81 rue Monceau, 75008 Paris, France

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030264 - 26 Feb 2016

Cited by 169 | Viewed by 32246

Abstract

Pesticide formulations contain declared active ingredients and co-formulants presented as inert and confidential compounds. We tested the endocrine disruption of co-formulants in six glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH), the most used pesticides worldwide. All co-formulants and formulations were comparably cytotoxic well below the agricultural dilution [...] Read more.

Pesticide formulations contain declared active ingredients and co-formulants presented as inert and confidential compounds. We tested the endocrine disruption of co-formulants in six glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH), the most used pesticides worldwide. All co-formulants and formulations were comparably cytotoxic well below the agricultural dilution of 1% (18–2000 times for co-formulants, 8–141 times for formulations), and not the declared active ingredient glyphosate (G) alone. The endocrine-disrupting effects of all these compounds were measured on aromatase activity, a key enzyme in the balance of sex hormones, below the toxicity threshold. Aromatase activity was decreased both by the co-formulants alone (polyethoxylated tallow amine—POEA and alkyl polyglucoside—APG) and by the formulations, from concentrations 800 times lower than the agricultural dilutions; while G exerted an effect only at 1/3 of the agricultural dilution. It was demonstrated for the first time that endocrine disruption by GBH could not only be due to the declared active ingredient but also to co-formulants. These results could explain numerous in vivo results with GBHs not seen with G alone; moreover, they challenge the relevance of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) value for GBHs exposures, currently calculated from toxicity tests of the declared active ingredient alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endocrine Disruptors and Public Health)

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11 pages, 448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lower Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Sensitization among Children and Adolescents with a Two-Sided Migrant Background

by Sinja Alexandra Ernst^1,*, Roma Schmitz², Michael Thamm² and Ute Ellert²

¹ Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology—BIPS, Achterstraße 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany

² Robert Koch Institute, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101 Berlin, Germany

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030265 - 26 Feb 2016

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5953

Abstract

In industrialized countries atopic diseases have been reported to be less likely in children and adolescents with a migrant background compared to non-migrants. This paper aimed at both examining and comparing prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis and allergic sensitization to [...] Read more.

In industrialized countries atopic diseases have been reported to be less likely in children and adolescents with a migrant background compared to non-migrants. This paper aimed at both examining and comparing prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis and allergic sensitization to specific IgE antibodies in children and adolescents with and without a migrant background. Using data of the population-based German Health Interview and Examination Survey for children and adolescents (KiGGS;n = 17,450; 0–17 years), lifetime and 12-month prevalence of atopic diseases and point prevalence of 20 common allergic sensitizations were investigated among migrants compared to non-migrants. Multiple regression models were used to estimate the association of atopic disease and allergic sensitization with migrant background. In multivariate analyses with substantial adjustment we found atopic dermatitis about one-third less often (OR 0.73, 0.57–0.93) in participants with a two-sided migrant background. Statistically significant associations between allergic sensitizations and a two-sided migrant background remained for birch (OR 0.73, 0.58–0.90), soybean (OR 0.72, 0.54–0.96), peanut (OR 0.69, 0.53–0.90), rice (OR 0.64, 0.48–0.87), potato (OR 0.64, 0.48–0.85), and horse dander (OR 0.58, 0.40–0.85). Environmental factors and living conditions might be responsible for the observed differences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Migrant Health)

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15 pages, 3075 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Lead Release in a Simulated Lead-Free Premise Plumbing System Using a Sequential Sampling Approach

by Ding-Quan Ng¹ and Yi-Pin Lin^2,*

¹ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore

² Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030266 - 27 Feb 2016

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 7843

Abstract

In this pilot study, a modified sampling protocol was evaluated for the detection of lead contamination and locating the source of lead release in a simulated premise plumbing system with one-, three- and seven-day stagnation for a total period of 475 days. Copper [...] Read more.

In this pilot study, a modified sampling protocol was evaluated for the detection of lead contamination and locating the source of lead release in a simulated premise plumbing system with one-, three- and seven-day stagnation for a total period of 475 days. Copper pipes, stainless steel taps and brass fittings were used to assemble the “lead-free” system. Sequential sampling using 100 mL was used to detect lead contamination while that using 50 mL was used to locate the lead source. Elevated lead levels, far exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline value of 10 µg·L⁻¹, persisted for as long as five months in the system. “Lead-free” brass fittings were identified as the source of lead contamination. Physical disturbances, such as renovation works, could cause short-term spikes in lead release. Orthophosphate was able to suppress total lead levels below 10 µg·L⁻¹, but caused “blue water” problems. When orthophosphate addition was ceased, total lead levels began to spike within one week, implying that a continuous supply of orthophosphate was required to control total lead levels. Occasional total lead spikes were observed in one-day stagnation samples throughout the course of the experiments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lead: Risk Assessment and Health Effects)

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21 pages, 2381 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Appropriateness of Downscaled Climate Information for Projecting Risks of Salmonella

by Galina S. Guentchev^1,*, Richard B. Rood², Caspar M. Ammann¹, Joseph J. Barsugli³, Kristie Ebi⁴, Veronica Berrocal⁵, Marie S. O’Neill⁶, Carina J. Gronlund⁶, Jonathan L. Vigh⁷, Ben Koziol³ and Luca Cinquini⁸

¹ National Climate Predictions and Projections platform (NCPP), NCAR RAL CSAP, 3450 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80301, USA

² Department Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, University of Michigan, 525 Space Research Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143, USA

³ CIRES—NOAA/University of Colorado, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305-3328, USA

⁴ Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Health Sciences Building, Seattle, WA 98195, USA

⁵ Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA

⁶ Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA

⁷ NCAR JNT RAL, 3450 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80301, USA

⁸ NESII—NOAA/ESRL, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305-3328, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030267 - 29 Feb 2016

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6043

Abstract

Foodborne diseases have large economic and societal impacts worldwide. To evaluate how the risks of foodborne diseases might change in response to climate change, credible and usable climate information tailored to the specific application question is needed. Global Climate Model (GCM) data generally [...] Read more.

Foodborne diseases have large economic and societal impacts worldwide. To evaluate how the risks of foodborne diseases might change in response to climate change, credible and usable climate information tailored to the specific application question is needed. Global Climate Model (GCM) data generally need to, both, be downscaled to the scales of the application to be usable, and represent, well, the key characteristics that inflict health impacts. This study presents an evaluation of temperature-based heat indices for the Washington D.C. area derived from statistically downscaled GCM simulations for 1971–2000—a necessary step in establishing the credibility of these data. The indices approximate high weekly mean temperatures linked previously to occurrences of Salmonella infections. Due to bias-correction, included in the Asynchronous Regional Regression Model (ARRM) and the Bias Correction Constructed Analogs (BCCA) downscaling methods, the observed 30-year means of the heat indices were reproduced reasonably well. In April and May, however, some of the statistically downscaled data misrepresent the increase in the number of hot days towards the summer months. This study demonstrates the dependence of the outcomes to the selection of downscaled climate data and the potential for misinterpretation of future estimates of Salmonella infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Human Health)

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9 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between the First Occurrence of Allergic Rhinitis in Preschool Children and Air Pollution in Taiwan

by Hui-Ying Chung^1,2, Chia-Jung Hsieh¹, Chun-Chieh Tseng¹ and Lih-Ming Yiin^1,*

¹ Department of Public Health, Tzu Chi University, 701, Sec. 3, Zhongyang Rd., Hualien City 97062, Taiwan

² TCU Center for Value-Added Health Data Analysis and Application, 701, Sec. 3, Zhongyang Rd., Hualien City 97062, Taiwan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030268 - 27 Feb 2016

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5088

Abstract

The occurrence of allergic rhinitis (AR) may be significantly influenced by air pollution. This study examined the association between the first occurrence of AR in preschool children and the pre-incident levels of air pollutants in Taiwan. We identified 9960 eligible subjects from a [...] Read more.

The occurrence of allergic rhinitis (AR) may be significantly influenced by air pollution. This study examined the association between the first occurrence of AR in preschool children and the pre-incident levels of air pollutants in Taiwan. We identified 9960 eligible subjects from a systematic sampling cohort database containing 400,000 insureds of the National Health Insurance from 2007 to 2011 and matched them with the environmental monitoring data from 2006 to 2011 according to the locations of their clinics. Pre-incident levels were determined using the average concentrations of air pollutants one or two weeks prior to the AR diagnoses. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine any significant relationships between AR and specific air pollutants. The first AR incidence for Taiwanese preschool children, which increased with age, was 10.9% on average; boys appeared to have a higher percentage (14.2%) than girls (8.27%). Among the air pollutants, carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO_X) were significantly related to AR after adjusting for age and gender (p < 0.05). Because both pollutants are considered to be traffic emissions, this study suggests that traffic emissions in Taiwan need to be controlled to lower the prevalence of children’s AR. Full article

11 pages, 299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chitosan Coagulation to Improve Microbial and Turbidity Removal by Ceramic Water Filtration for Household Drinking Water Treatment

by Lydia S. Abebe^*, Xinyu Chen and Mark D. Sobsey

Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7431, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7431, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030269 - 27 Feb 2016

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 10883

Abstract

The use of porous ceramic filters is promoted globally for household water treatment, but these filters are ineffective in removing viruses from water. In order to increase virus removal, we combine a promising natural coagulant, chitosan, as a pretreatment for ceramic water filters [...] Read more.

The use of porous ceramic filters is promoted globally for household water treatment, but these filters are ineffective in removing viruses from water. In order to increase virus removal, we combine a promising natural coagulant, chitosan, as a pretreatment for ceramic water filters (CWFs) and evaluate the performance of this dual barrier water treatment system. Chitosan is a non-toxic and biodegradable organic polymer derived by simple chemical treatments from chitin, a major source of which is the leftover shells of crustacean seafoods, such as shrimp, prawns, crabs, and lobsters. To determine the effectiveness of chitosan, model test water was contaminated with Escherichia coli K011 and coliphage MS2 as a model enteric bacterium and virus, respectively. Kaolinite clay was used to model turbidity. Coagulation effectiveness of three types of modified chitosans was determine at various doses ranging from 5 to 30 mg/L, followed by flocculation and sedimentation. The pre-treated supernatant water was then decanted into the CWF for further treatment by filtration. There were appreciable microbial removals by chitosan HCl, acetate, and lactate pretreatment followed by CWF treatment, with mean reductions (95% CI) between 4.7 (±1.56) and 7.5 (±0.02) log₁₀ for Escherichia coli, and between 2.8 (±0.10) and 4.5 (±1.04) log₁₀ for MS2. Turbidity reduction with chitosan treatment and filtration consistently resulted in turbidities < 1 NTU, which meet turbidity standards of the US EPA and guidance by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO health-based microbial removal targets for household water treatment technology, chitosan coagulation achieved health protective targets for both viruses and bacteria. Therefore, the results of this study support the use of chitosan to improve household drinking water filtration processes by increasing virus and bacteria reductions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Microbial Pollution and Disinfection)

11 pages, 305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants on Metabolic Health among KOREAN Children during a 1-Year Follow-Up

by Hye Ah Lee¹

, Su Hyun Park¹

, Young Sun Hong², Eun Hee Ha¹ and Hyesook Park^1,*

¹ Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, 1071, Anyangcheon-ro, Yangcheon-ku, Seoul 158-710, Korea

² Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, 1071, Anyangcheon-ro, Yangcheon-ku, Seoul 158-710, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030270 - 29 Feb 2016

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 5775

Abstract

Previous evidence suggests the potential for adverse effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on metabolic health even at low-dose exposure levels common among the general population, but there is less evidence of these associations among children. Therefore, as part of a prospective cohort [...] Read more.

Previous evidence suggests the potential for adverse effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on metabolic health even at low-dose exposure levels common among the general population, but there is less evidence of these associations among children. Therefore, as part of a prospective cohort study, 214 children were measured for POPs exposure. After the 1-year follow-up, we assessed the effect of circulating POPs exposure among 158 children aged 7–9 years (at baseline) on the change of metabolic components of metabolic syndrome using multiple regression analysis. In addition, we calculated the continuous metabolic syndrome (cMetS) score and assessed the variation among individuals by POPs exposure. The concentrations of marker polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were significantly associated with increased change in diastolic blood pressure (BP) and triglyceride levels during a 1-year follow-up, after controlling for sex, age, household income, and change in body mass index. Total PCBs also showed a marginal association with increasing cMetS score from the baseline. Of the metabolic components, change in diastolic BP over time showed a notable association with specific PCBs, but no association with organochlorine pesticides. Here, we found that low-dose exposures to PCBs among children in the general population could negatively influence metabolic health, particularly diastolic BP. Increased disease sensitivity during childhood can continue to adulthood, thus, these results support the need for continuous assessment of the health impact of POPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endocrine Disruptors and Public Health)

11 pages, 1464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Gold Nanorods on Imprinted Genes Expression in TM-4 Sertoli Cells

by Beilei Yuan^1,2,†, Hao Gu^1,2,†, Bo Xu^1,2,†, Qiuqin Tang³, Wei Wu^1,2,4,*, Xiaoli Ji^1,2, Yankai Xia^1,2, Lingqing Hu⁴, Daozhen Chen⁴

and Xinru Wang^1,2,*

¹ State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China

² Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China

³ State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, China

⁴ State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214002, China

^† These authors contributed equally to the study and they should be regarded as joint first authors.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030271 - 1 Mar 2016

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4964

Abstract

Gold nanorods (GNRs) are among the most commonly used nanomaterials. However, thus far, little is known about their harmful effects on male reproduction. Studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that GNRs could decrease glycine synthesis, membrane permeability, mitochondrial membrane potential and disrupt blood-testis [...] Read more.

Gold nanorods (GNRs) are among the most commonly used nanomaterials. However, thus far, little is known about their harmful effects on male reproduction. Studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that GNRs could decrease glycine synthesis, membrane permeability, mitochondrial membrane potential and disrupt blood-testis barrier factors in TM-4 Sertoli cells. Imprinted genes play important roles in male reproduction and have been identified as susceptible loci to environmental insults by chemicals because they are functionally haploid. In this original study, we investigated the extent to which imprinted genes become deregulated in TM-4 Sertoli cells when treated with low dose of GNRs. The expression levels of 44 imprinted genes were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR in TM-4 Sertoli cells after a low dose of (10 nM) GNRs treatment for 24 h. We found significantly diminished expression of Kcnq1, Ntm, Peg10, Slc22a2, Pwcr1, Gtl2, Nap1l5, Peg3 and Slc22a2, while Plagl1 was significantly overexpressed. Additionally, four (Kcnq1, Slc22a18, Pwcr1 and Peg3) of 10 abnormally expressed imprinted genes were found to be located on chromosome 7. However, no significant difference of imprinted miRNA genes was observed between the GNRs treated group and controls. Our study suggested that aberrant expression of imprinted genes might be an underlying mechanism for the GNRs-induced reproductive toxicity in TM-4 Sertoli cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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17 pages, 938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Night-Time Noise Index Based on the Integration of Awakening Potential

by Junta Tagusari¹

, Tomoya Takashima¹, Satoshi Furukawa¹ and Toshihito Matsui^2,*

¹ Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8530, Japan

² Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030272 - 1 Mar 2016

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5688

Abstract

Sleep disturbance induced by night-time noise is a serious environmental problem that can cause adverse health effects, such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Night-time noise indices are used to facilitate the enforcement of permitted noise levels during night-time. However, existing night-time noise [...] Read more.

Sleep disturbance induced by night-time noise is a serious environmental problem that can cause adverse health effects, such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Night-time noise indices are used to facilitate the enforcement of permitted noise levels during night-time. However, existing night-time noise indices, such as sound exposure level (SEL), maximum sound level (L_Amax) and night equivalent level (L_night) are selected mainly because of practical reasons. Therefore, this study proposes a noise index based on neurophysiological determinants of the awakening process. These determinants have revealed that the potential on awakening is likely integrated into the brainstem that dominates wakefulness and sleep. From this evidence, a night-time noise index, N _awake,year, was redefined based on the integration of the awakening potential unit (p_unit ) estimated from the existing dose-response relationships of awakening. The newly-defined index considers the total number of awakenings and covers a wide-range and number of noise events. We also presented examples of its applicability to traffic noise. Although further studies are needed, it may reveal a reasonable dose-response relationship between sleep disturbance and adverse health effects and provide a consistent explanation for the risks of different sound sources where the characteristics of noise exposure are quite different. Full article

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14 pages, 301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study of Patients’ Willingness to Pay for a Cure of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Taiwan

by Yi-Ting Chen¹, Yung-Hsiang Ying^2,*

, Koyin Chang^3,* and Ya-Hui Hsieh³

¹ Hualien Buddhist Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Hualien City 970, Taiwan

² Department of Business Administration, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei City 106, Taiwan

³ Department of Healthcare Information and Management, Ming Chuan University; Taipei City 111, Taiwan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030273 - 1 Mar 2016

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4754

Abstract

Objectives: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the fastest growing causes of death worldwide. However, few studies, if any, have been conducted that have investigated patient profiles in Asia. This paper analyzes patient willingness to pay (WTP) as a function [...] Read more.

Objectives: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the fastest growing causes of death worldwide. However, few studies, if any, have been conducted that have investigated patient profiles in Asia. This paper analyzes patient willingness to pay (WTP) as a function of patient disease severity, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and smoking behavior in Taiwan. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using in-person interviews with COPD patients. A hypothetical scenario was designed and presented to ascertain each subject’s willingness to pay (WTP) for a cure for COPD. Methods: A survey of subjects with COPD was performed in Taiwan. The contingent valuation method (CVM) was employed to measure patient financial burden, which was analyzed along with covariates that included various types of health-related quality of life (HRQL), severity level, and demographic background. Multivariate regression and simulation methods were employed for analysis. Results: A total of 142 subjects were interviewed, with an average annual WTP of approximately $1422 USD (or 42,662.37 NTD, New Taiwan Dollars). The annual WTP for patients 55 years of age or younger, $5709.06, was the highest and equivalent to approximately one-third of Taiwan average annual personal income or quadruple the spending amount of the Taiwan National Bureau of Health Insurance (NBHI) for each COPD patient. Current cigarette smokers were willing to pay a substantially higher amount than former smokers and nonsmokers, which reflects a psychological desire for redemption in COPD patients. Conclusions: The results of this study provide directions for the relevant authorities regarding the alleviation of suffering as a result of COPD. Appropriate health promotion measures, such as measures to reduce tobacco usage, early diagnosis, and active treatment, may be necessary to contain the escalating costs related to COPD and to prevent this epidemic from worsening. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Health Economics)

13 pages, 859 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Application of the Multivariate Linear Mixed Model to the Analysis of Shoulder Complexity in Breast Cancer Patients

by Gholamreza Oskrochi^1,*, Emmanuel Lesaffre², Youssof Oskrochi³ and Delva Shamley⁴

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering an Mathematical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Wheatley Campus, Wheatley, Oxford OX33 1HX, UK

² Leuven Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics Centre (L-BioStat), Kapucijnenvoer 35 blok D, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium

³ Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, London W6 8RP, UK

⁴ Clinical Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Old Main Building, L51. Groote Schuur Hospital Observatory, Cape Town 7700, South Africa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030274 - 2 Mar 2016

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4982

Abstract

In this study, four major muscles acting on the scapula were investigated in patients who had been treated in the last six years for unilateral carcinoma of the breast. Muscle activity was assessed by electromyography during abduction and adduction of the affected and [...] Read more.

In this study, four major muscles acting on the scapula were investigated in patients who had been treated in the last six years for unilateral carcinoma of the breast. Muscle activity was assessed by electromyography during abduction and adduction of the affected and unaffected arms. The main principal aim of the study was to compare shoulder muscle activity in the affected and unaffected shoulder during elevation of the arm. A multivariate linear mixed model was introduced and applied to address the principal aims. The result of fitting this model to the data shows a huge improvement as compared to the alternatives. Full article

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14 pages, 637 KiB

Open AccessArticle

To What Extent is Drinking Water Tested in Sub-Saharan Africa? A Comparative Analysis of Regulated Water Quality Monitoring

by Rachel Peletz^1,*, Emily Kumpel¹, Mateyo Bonham¹, Zarah Rahman^2,† and Ranjiv Khush²

¹ The Aquaya Institute, Nairobi 00505, Kenya

² The Aquaya Institute, Larkspur, CA 94939, USA

^† Current address: Berkeley School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030275 - 2 Mar 2016

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 8133

Abstract

Water quality information is important for guiding water safety management and preventing water-related diseases. To assess the current status of regulated water quality monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa, we evaluated testing programs for fecal contamination in 72 institutions (water suppliers and public health agencies) [...] Read more.

Water quality information is important for guiding water safety management and preventing water-related diseases. To assess the current status of regulated water quality monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa, we evaluated testing programs for fecal contamination in 72 institutions (water suppliers and public health agencies) across 10 countries. Data were collected through written surveys, in-person interviews, and analysis of microbial water quality testing levels. Though most institutions did not achieve the testing levels specified by applicable standards or World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines, 85% of institutions had conducted some microbial water testing in the previous year. Institutions were more likely to meet testing targets if they were suppliers (as compared to surveillance agencies), served larger populations, operated in urban settings, and had higher water quality budgets (all p < 0.05). Our results indicate that smaller water providers and rural public health offices will require greater attention and additional resources to achieve regulatory compliance for water quality monitoring in sub-Saharan Africa. The cost-effectiveness of water quality monitoring should be improved by the application of risk-based water management approaches. Efforts to strengthen monitoring capacity should pay greater attention to program sustainability and institutional commitment to water safety. Full article

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7 pages, 1237 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Backcountry Travel Emergencies in Arctic Canada: A Pilot Study in Public Health Surveillance

by Stephanie K. Young¹, Taha B. Tabish², Nathaniel J. Pollock^3,*

and T. Kue Young⁴

¹ Institute for Circumpolar Health Research, Yellowknife, NT X1A 3X7, Canada

² Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre, Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0, Canada

³ Labrador Institute, Memorial University, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL A0P 1E0, Canada

⁴ School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030276 - 3 Mar 2016

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4647

Abstract

Residents in the Canadian Arctic regularly travel in remote, backcountry areas. This can pose risks for injuries and death, and create challenges for emergency responders and health systems. We aimed to describe the extent and characteristics of media-reported backcountry travel emergencies in two [...] Read more.

Residents in the Canadian Arctic regularly travel in remote, backcountry areas. This can pose risks for injuries and death, and create challenges for emergency responders and health systems. We aimed to describe the extent and characteristics of media-reported backcountry travel emergencies in two Northern Canadian territories (Nunavut and Northwest Territories). A case-series of all known incidents between 2004 and 2013 was established by identifying events in an online search of two media outlets, Nunatsiaq News and Northern News Services. We identified 121 incidents; these most commonly involved young men, and death occurred in just over 25% of cases. The territories differed in the seasonal patterns. News media provides a partial source of data to estimate the extent and characteristics of backcountry emergencies. This information is needed to improve emergency preparedness and health system responsiveness in the Arctic. Full article

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12 pages, 920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phosphate Adsorption from Membrane Bioreactor Effluent Using Dowex 21K XLT and Recovery as Struvite and Hydroxyapatite

by Tanjina Nur, Paripurnanda Loganathan, Jaya Kandasamy and Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran^*

Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, Sydney NSW 2007, Australia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030277 - 3 Mar 2016

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5810

Abstract

Discharging phosphate through wastewaters into waterways poses a danger to the natural environment due to the serious risks of eutrophication and health of aquatic organisms. However, this phosphate, if economically recovered, can partly overcome the anticipated future scarcity of phosphorus (P) resulting from [...] Read more.

Discharging phosphate through wastewaters into waterways poses a danger to the natural environment due to the serious risks of eutrophication and health of aquatic organisms. However, this phosphate, if economically recovered, can partly overcome the anticipated future scarcity of phosphorus (P) resulting from exhaustion of natural phosphate rock reserves. An experiment was conducted to determine the efficiency of removing phosphate from a membrane bioreactor effluent (pH 7.0–7.5, 20, 35 mg phosphate/L) produced in a water reclamation plant by adsorption onto Dowex 21K XLT ion exchange resin and recover the phosphate as fertilisers. The data satisfactorily fitted to Langmuir adsorption isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 38.6 mg·P/g. The adsorbed phosphate was quantitatively desorbed by leaching the column with 0.1 M NaCl solution. The desorbed phosphate was recovered as struvite when ammonium and magnesium were added at the molar ratio of phosphate, ammonium and magnesium of 1:1:1 at pH 9.5. Phosphate was also recovered from the desorbed solution as hydroxyapatite precipitate by adding calcium hydroxide to the solution at a phosphate to calcium molar ratio of 1:2 at pH 7.0. The P contents of struvite and hydroxyapatite produced were close to those of the respective commercial phosphate fertilisers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Systems Engineering)

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13 pages, 301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

SNP-SNP Interaction between TLR4 and MyD88 in Susceptibility to Coronary Artery Disease in the Chinese Han Population

by Dandan Sun^1,2,3, Liping Sun^1,2, Qian Xu^1,2, Yuehua Gong^1,2, Honghu Wang³, Jun Yang³ and Yuan Yuan^1,2,*

¹ Department of Tumor Etiology and Screening, Cancer Institute and General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China

² Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention, Liaoning Provincial Education Department, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China

³ Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030278 - 4 Mar 2016

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5030

Abstract

The toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent signaling pathway plays a role in the initiation and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated SNP–SNP interactions between the TLR4 and MyD88 genes in CAD susceptibility and assessed whether the effects of [...] Read more.

The toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent signaling pathway plays a role in the initiation and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated SNP–SNP interactions between the TLR4 and MyD88 genes in CAD susceptibility and assessed whether the effects of such interactions were modified by confounding risk factors (hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection). Participants with CAD (n = 424) and controls (n = 424) without CAD were enrolled. Polymerase chain restriction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed on genomic DNA to detect polymorphisms in TLR4 (rs10116253, rs10983755, and rs11536889) and MyD88 (rs7744). H. pylori infections were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the cardiovascular risk factors for each subject were evaluated clinically. The significant interaction between TLR4 rs11536889 and MyD88 rs7744 was associated with an increased CAD risk (p value for interaction = 0.024). In conditions of hyperglycemia, the interaction effect was strengthened between TLR4 rs11536889 and MyD88 rs7744 (p value for interaction = 0.004). In hyperlipidemic participants, the interaction strength was also enhanced for TLR4 rs11536889 and MyD88 rs7744 (p value for interaction = 0.006). Thus, the novel interaction between TLR4 rs11536889 and MyD88 rs7744 was related with an increased risk of CAD, that could be strengthened by the presence of hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia. Full article

12 pages, 2100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimating Temperature-Mortality Exposure-Response Relationships and Optimum Ambient Temperature at the Multi-City Level of China

by Qiang Zeng¹

, Guoxing Li^2,*, Yushan Cui¹, Guohong Jiang¹ and Xiaochuan Pan^2,*

¹ Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Huayue Road, Hedong District, Tianjin 300011, China

² Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030279 - 3 Mar 2016

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 6759

Abstract

Few studies have explored temperature–mortality relationships in China, especially at the multi-large city level. This study was based on the data of seven typical, large Chinese cities to examine temperature-mortality relationships and optimum temperature of China. A generalized additive model (GAM) was applied [...] Read more.

Few studies have explored temperature–mortality relationships in China, especially at the multi-large city level. This study was based on the data of seven typical, large Chinese cities to examine temperature-mortality relationships and optimum temperature of China. A generalized additive model (GAM) was applied to analyze the acute-effect of temperature on non-accidental mortality, and meta-analysis was used to merge data. Furthermore, the lagged effects of temperature up to 40 days on mortality and optimum temperature were analyzed using the distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM). We found that for all non-accidental mortality, high temperature could significantly increase the excess risk (ER) of death by 0.33% (95% confidence interval: 0.11%, 0.56%) with the temperature increase of 1 °C. Similar but non-significant ER of death was observed when temperature decreased. The lagged effect of temperature showed that the relative risk of non-accidental mortality was lowest at 21 °C. Our research suggests that high temperatures are more likely to cause an acute increase in mortality. There was a lagged effect of temperature on mortality, with an optimum temperature of 21 °C. Our results could provide a theoretical basis for climate-related public health policy. Full article

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9 pages, 287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Lunchtime Walk in Nature Enhances Restoration of Autonomic Control during Night-Time Sleep: Results from a Preliminary Study

by Valerie F. Gladwell^1,*

, Pekka Kuoppa², Mika P. Tarvainen^2,3

and Mike Rogerson¹

¹ Centre for Sports and Exercise Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK

² Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio 70211, Finland

³ Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, Kuopio 70029, Finland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030280 - 3 Mar 2016

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 9572

Abstract

Walking within nature (Green Exercise) has been shown to immediately enhance mental well-being but less is known about the impact on physiology and longer lasting effects. Heart rate variability (HRV) gives an indication of autonomic control of the heart, in particular vagal activity, [...] Read more.

Walking within nature (Green Exercise) has been shown to immediately enhance mental well-being but less is known about the impact on physiology and longer lasting effects. Heart rate variability (HRV) gives an indication of autonomic control of the heart, in particular vagal activity, with reduced HRV identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Night-time HRV allows vagal activity to be assessed whilst minimizing confounding influences of physical and mental activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a lunchtime walk in nature increases night-time HRV. Participants (n = 13) attended on two occasions to walk a 1.8 km route through a built or a natural environment. Pace was similar between the two walks. HRV was measured during sleep using a RR interval sensor (eMotion sensor) and was assessed at 1–2 h after participants noted that they had fallen asleep. Markers for vagal activity were significantly greater after the walk in nature compared to the built walk. Lunchtime walks in nature-based environments may provide a greater restorative effect as shown by vagal activity than equivalent built walks. Nature walks may improve essential recovery during night-time sleep, potentially enhancing physiological health. Full article

16 pages, 3122 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toxicity of Smokeless Tobacco Extract after 184-Day Repeated Oral Administration in Rats

by Chenlin Yu^1,2,†, Ziteng Zhang^1,†, Yangang Liu^1,†

, Ying Zong¹, Yongchun Chen¹, Xiuming Du¹, Jikuai Chen¹, Shijie Feng¹, Jinlian Hu¹, Shufang Cui^2,* and Guocai Lu^1,*

¹ Department of Health Toxicology, College of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China

² Laboratory Animal Centre, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030281 - 4 Mar 2016

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6371

Abstract

The use of smokeless tobacco (ST) is growing rapidly and globally. The consumption of ST is associated with an increased risk for developing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and myocardial infarction, and has led to many public health problems. It is very [...] Read more.

The use of smokeless tobacco (ST) is growing rapidly and globally. The consumption of ST is associated with an increased risk for developing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and myocardial infarction, and has led to many public health problems. It is very important to access the toxicity of ST. This experiment presents data from 184-day toxicology studies in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats designed to characterize the chronic effects of a smokeless tobacco extract (STE). The control group and treatment groups were matched for a range of nicotine levels. Animals were given STE by oral gavage with doses of 3.75 (low-dose), 7.50 (mid-dose) and 15.00 (high-dose) mg·nicotine/kg body weight/day for 184 days, followed by 30 days for recovery. Variables evaluated included body weights, feed consumption, clinical observations, clinical and anatomic pathology (including organ weights), and histopathology. Decreased body weights and organ weights (heart, liver and kidney) were found in animals in the mid-dose and high-dose groups. STE also showed moderate and reversible toxicity in esophagus, stomach, liver, kidney and lung. Full article

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16 pages, 309 KiB

Open AccessReview

Understanding Inequalities of Maternal Smoking—Bridging the Gap with Adapted Intervention Strategies

by Julie Boucher^1,* and Anne T. M. Konkle^1,2

¹ Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ontario, ON K1N 6N5, Canada

² School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, ON K1N 6N5, Canada

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030282 - 4 Mar 2016

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 8516

Abstract

Women who are generally part of socially disadvantaged and economically marginalized groups are especially susceptible to smoking during pregnancy but smoking rates are underreported in both research and interventions. While there is evidence to support the short-term efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) [...] Read more.

Women who are generally part of socially disadvantaged and economically marginalized groups are especially susceptible to smoking during pregnancy but smoking rates are underreported in both research and interventions. While there is evidence to support the short-term efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use in pregnancy, long-term abstinence rates are modest. Current health strategies and interventions designed to diminish smoking in pregnancy have adopted a simplified approach to maternal smoking—one that suggests that they have a similar degree of choice to non-pregnant smokers regarding the avoidance of risk factors, and overlooks individual predictors of non-adherence. As a result, interventions have been ineffective among this high-risk group. For this reason, this paper addresses the multiple and interacting determinants that must be considered when developing and implementing effective strategies that lead to successful smoking cessation: socioeconomic status (SES), nicotine dependence, social support, culture, mental health, and health services. Based on our review of the literature, we conclude that tailoring cessation programs for pregnant smokers may ultimately optimize NRT efficacy and reduce the prevalence of maternal smoking. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tobacco Control 2015)

14 pages, 2021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Superior Effects of Antiretroviral Treatment among Men Who have Sex with Men Compared to Other HIV At-Risk Populations in a Large Cohort Study in Hunan, China

by Shu Su^1,2, Xi Chen³, Limin Mao⁴, Jianmei He³, Xiuqing Wei³, Jun Jing⁵ and Lei Zhang^1,2,5,6,*

¹ Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia

² School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia

³ Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changsha 410005, Hunan, China

⁴ Center for Social Research in Health, Faculty of Arts and Social Science at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia

⁵ Comprehensive AIDS Research Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

⁶ Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030283 - 8 Mar 2016

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6041

Abstract

This study assesses association between CD4 level at initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) on subsequent treatment outcomes and mortality among people infected with HIV via various routes in Hunan province, China. Over a period of 10 years, a total of 7333 HIV-positive patients, [...] Read more.

This study assesses association between CD4 level at initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) on subsequent treatment outcomes and mortality among people infected with HIV via various routes in Hunan province, China. Over a period of 10 years, a total of 7333 HIV-positive patients, including 553 (7.5%) MSM, 5484 (74.8%) heterosexuals, 1164 (15.9%) injection drug users (IDU) and 132 (1.8%) former plasma donors (FPD), were recruited. MSM substantially demonstrated higher initial CD4 cell level (242, IQR 167–298) than other populations (Heterosexuals: 144 IQR 40–242, IDU: 134 IQR 38–224, FPD: 86 IQR 36–181). During subsequent long-term follow up, the median CD4 level in all participants increased significantly from 151 cells/mm³ (IQR 43–246) to 265 cells/mm³ (IQR 162–380), whereas CD4 level in MSM remained at a high level between 242 and 361 cells/mm³. Consistently, both cumulative immunological and virological failure rates (10.4% and 26.4% in 48 months, respectively) were the lowest in MSM compared with other population groups. Survival analysis indicated that initial CD4 counts ≤200 cells/mm³ (AHR = 3.14; CI, 2.43–4.06) significantly contributed to HIV-related mortality during treatment. Timely diagnosis and treatment of HIV patients are vital for improving CD4 level and health outcomes. Full article

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19 pages, 3372 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Patterns of Heat-Related Cardiovascular Mortality in the Czech Republic

by Aleš Urban^1,2,*, Katrin Burkart³, Jan Kyselý^1,4,5, Christian Schuster⁶, Eva Plavcová¹, Hana Hanzlíková^1,7, Petr Štěpánek^5,8 and Tobia Lakes⁶

¹ Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Boční II 1401, 14131 Prague 4, Czech Republic

² Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 12843 Prague 2, Czech Republic

³ Department of Environmental Health Science, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA

⁴ Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic

⁵ Global Change Research Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 986, 60300 Brno, Czech Republic

⁶ Department of Geography, Geoinformation Science Lab, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany

⁷ Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Boční II 1401, 14131 Prague 4, Czech Republic

⁸ Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Regional Office Brno, Kroftova 2578, 61667 Brno, Czech Republic

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030284 - 4 Mar 2016

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 11760

Abstract

The study examines spatial patterns of effects of high temperature extremes on cardiovascular mortality in the Czech Republic at a district level during 1994–2009. Daily baseline mortality for each district was determined using a single location-stratified generalized additive model. Mean relative deviations of [...] Read more.

The study examines spatial patterns of effects of high temperature extremes on cardiovascular mortality in the Czech Republic at a district level during 1994–2009. Daily baseline mortality for each district was determined using a single location-stratified generalized additive model. Mean relative deviations of mortality from the baseline were calculated on days exceeding the 90th percentile of mean daily temperature in summer, and they were correlated with selected demographic, socioeconomic, and physical-environmental variables for the districts. Groups of districts with similar characteristics were identified according to socioeconomic status and urbanization level in order to provide a more general picture than possible on the district level. We evaluated lagged patterns of excess mortality after hot spell occurrences in: (i) urban areas vs. predominantly rural areas; and (ii) regions with different overall socioeconomic level. Our findings suggest that climatic conditions, altitude, and urbanization generally affect the spatial distribution of districts with the highest excess cardiovascular mortality, while socioeconomic status did not show a significant effect in the analysis across the Czech Republic as a whole. Only within deprived populations, socioeconomic status played a relevant role as well. After taking into account lagged effects of temperature on excess mortality, we found that the effect of hot spells was significant in highly urbanized regions, while most excess deaths in rural districts may be attributed to harvesting effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Human Health)

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17 pages, 525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Integrated Watershed Management on Complex Interlinked Factors Influencing Health: Perceptions of Professional Stakeholders in a Hilly Tribal Area of India

by Sandeep S. Nerkar^1,2,*, Ashok J. Tamhankar^1,2,3

, Eva Johansson¹ and Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg¹

¹ Department of Public Health Sciences, Global Health—Health Systems and Policy, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-171 77, Sweden

² Department of Environmental Medicine, Indian Initiative for Management of Antibiotic Resistance, R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain 456010, India

³ N.G. Acharya and D.K. Marathe College, Chembur, Mumbai 400071, India

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030285 - 4 Mar 2016

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5800

Abstract

Lack of access to water has a significant impact on the health of people in tribal areas, where water in households as well as for productive purposes is essential for life. In resource-limited settings such as hilly tribal areas, implementation of an integrated [...] Read more.

Lack of access to water has a significant impact on the health of people in tribal areas, where water in households as well as for productive purposes is essential for life. In resource-limited settings such as hilly tribal areas, implementation of an integrated watershed management programme (IWMP) can have a significant impact on public health by providing a solution to water scarcity and related problems. The professional stakeholders in rural healthcare and development administration are important pillars of the system that implements various programmes and policies of government and non-government organizations, and act as facilitators for the improvement of public health in tribal areas. Information about the perceptions of these stakeholders on public health implications of the integrated watershed management programme is important in this context. A qualitative study was conducted using face to face semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders involved in healthcare provision, education and development administration. The transcripts of interviews and FGDs were analyzed using manifest and latent content analysis. The perceptions and experiences shared by healthcare and development administration stakeholders suggest that implementation of IWMP in tribal areas helps efficient water and agriculture management, which results in improved socio-economic conditions that lead to positive health outcomes. Full article

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11 pages, 581 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Depressive Mood and Testosterone Related to Declarative Verbal Memory Decline in Middle-Aged Caregivers of Children with Eating Disorders

by Ángel Romero-Martínez^*

, Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo and Luis Moya-Albiol

Department of Psychobiology, University of Valencia, Avenida Blasco Ibañez, 2146010 Valencia, Spain

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030286 - 4 Mar 2016

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4443

Abstract

Caring for children diagnosed with a chronic psychological disorder such as an eating disorder (ED) can be used as a model of chronic stress. This kind of stress has been reported to have deleterious effects on caregivers’ cognition, particularly in verbal declarative memory [...] Read more.

Caring for children diagnosed with a chronic psychological disorder such as an eating disorder (ED) can be used as a model of chronic stress. This kind of stress has been reported to have deleterious effects on caregivers’ cognition, particularly in verbal declarative memory of women caregivers. Moreover, high depressive mood and variations in testosterone (T) levels moderate this cognitive decline. The purpose of this study was to characterize whether caregivers of individuals with EDs (n = 27) show declarative memory impairments compared to non-caregivers caregivers (n = 27), using for this purpose a standardized memory test (Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test). Its purpose was also to examine the role of depressive mood and T in memory decline. Results showed that ED caregivers presented high depressive mood, which was associated to worse verbal memory performance, especially in the case of women. In addition, all caregivers showed high T levels. Nonetheless, only in the case of women caregivers did T show a curvilinear relationship with verbal memory performance, meaning that the increases of T were associated to the improvement in verbal memory performance, but only up to a certain point, as after such point T continued to increase and memory performance decreased. Thus, chronic stress due to caregiving was associated to disturbances in mood and T levels, which in turn was associated to verbal memory decline. These findings should be taken into account in the implementation of intervention programs for helping ED caregivers cope with caregiving situations and to prevent the risk of a pronounced verbal memory decline. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress Biomarkers)

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19 pages, 803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sports Facilities, Shopping Centers or Homes: What Locations are Important for Adults’ Physical Activity? A Cross-Sectional Study

by Marijke Jansen^1,*

, Dick Ettema¹, Frank Pierik² and Martin Dijst¹

¹ Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, Utrecht 3584 CS, The Netherlands

² Department of Urban Environment and Safety, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek/Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), P.O. Box 80015, Utrecht 3508 TA, The Netherlands

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030287 - 4 Mar 2016

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 6632

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is influenced by the built environment. However, little is known about the types of built environment where adults spend their time, and at what levels of PA they engage in those environments. Understanding the effect of the built environment on [...] Read more.

Physical activity (PA) is influenced by the built environment. However, little is known about the types of built environment where adults spend their time, and at what levels of PA they engage in those environments. Understanding the effect of the built environment on PA requires insight into PA behavior at different types of locations (e.g., home, work, shopping centers, and sports facilities). Therefore, this study describes where adults aged 45–65 years were active with moderate-to-vigorous intensity (MVPA), and examines associations of socio-demographic factors and neighborhood with MVPA at these locations. Participants’ (N = 308) PA was measured for seven days using accelerometers and GPS-devices. Adults spent most minutes of MVPA at home and work. Highest MVPA-ratios of total time spent at a location were achieved in sports facilities and during transport. Neighborhood characteristics and socio-demographic factors such as work status, health status and household structure, had significant effects on MVPA at various locations and on total MVPA. Understanding PA behavior at various locations may provide insights that allow professionals in different domains (e.g., health, landscaping, urban planning) to develop strategies to stimulate PA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impacts of the Built Environment on Public Health)

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11 pages, 423 KiB

Open AccessArticle

E-Cigarettes for Immediate Smoking Substitution in Women Diagnosed with Cervical Dysplasia and Associated Disorders

by Shirley A. James^1,*, Ellen M. Meier², Theodore L. Wagener², Katherine M. Smith³, Barbara R. Neas¹ and Laura A. Beebe¹

¹ Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA

² Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA

³ Oklahoma University Physicians, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030288 - 4 Mar 2016

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5850

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine if 31 women with cervical dysplasia and associated conditions exacerbated by smoking would be successful substituting cigarettes with their choice of either nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or electronic cigarettes (EC). Women received motivational interviewing and [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to determine if 31 women with cervical dysplasia and associated conditions exacerbated by smoking would be successful substituting cigarettes with their choice of either nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or electronic cigarettes (EC). Women received motivational interviewing and tried both NRT and ECs, choosing one method to use during a six-week intervention period. Daily cigarette consumption was measured at baseline, six, and 12 weeks, with differences analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Study analysis consisted only of women choosing to use ECs (29/31), as only two chose NRT. At the 12-week follow-up, the seven day point prevalence abstinence from smoking was 28.6%, and the median number of cigarettes smoked daily decreased from 18.5 to 5.5 (p < 0.0001). The median number of e-cigarette cartridges used dropped from 21 at the six-week follow-up to 12.5 at the 12-week follow-up. After initiating EC use, women at risk for cervical cancer were able to either quit smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Although a controlled trial with a larger sample size is needed to confirm these initial results, this study suggests that using ECs during quit attempts may reduce cigarette consumption. Full article

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12 pages, 769 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Vegetable Species Planted in Contaminated Soils and the Health Risk Assessment

by Hang Zhou¹, Wen-Tao Yang¹, Xin Zhou¹, Li Liu^1,2, Jiao-Feng Gu¹, Wen-Lei Wang³, Jia-Ling Zou¹, Tao Tian¹, Pei-Qin Peng¹ and Bo-Han Liao^1,*

¹ College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China

² Department of Environmental Science, Changsha Environmental Protection College, Changsha 410004, China

³ College of Science, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030289 - 4 Mar 2016

Cited by 392 | Viewed by 16602

Abstract

The objectives of the present study were to investigate heavy metal accumulation in 22 vegetable species and to assess the human health risks of vegetable consumption. Six vegetable types were cultivated on farmland contaminated with heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and As). [...] Read more.

The objectives of the present study were to investigate heavy metal accumulation in 22 vegetable species and to assess the human health risks of vegetable consumption. Six vegetable types were cultivated on farmland contaminated with heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and As). The target hazard quotient (THQ) method was used to assess the human health risks posed by heavy metals through vegetable consumption. Clear differences were found in the concentrations of heavy metals in edible parts of the different vegetables. The concentrations of heavy metals decreased in the sequence as leafy vegetables > stalk vegetables/root vegetables/solanaceous vegetables > legume vegetables/melon vegetables. The ability of leafy vegetables to uptake and accumulate heavy metals was the highest, and that of melon vegetables was the lowest. This indicated that the low accumulators (melon vegetables) were suitable for being planted on contaminated soil, while the high accumulators (leafy vegetables) were unsuitable. In Shizhuyuan area, China, the total THQ values of adults and children through consumption of vegetables were 4.12 and 5.41, respectively, suggesting that the residents may be facing health risks due to vegetable consumption, and that children were vulnerable to the adverse effects of heavy metal ingestion. Full article

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6 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Brief Up-Date of the Use of Sodium Oxybate for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

by Fabio Caputo^1,2,*

, Teo Vignoli³, Claudia Tarli⁴, Marco Domenicali², Giorgio Zoli¹, Mauro Bernardi²

and Giovanni Addolorato⁴

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, SS Annunziata Hospital, Cento, Ferrara 44042, Italy

² “G. Fontana” Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna 40130, Italy

³ Unit for Addiction Treatment, Department of Mental Health, Lugo, Ravenna 48022, Italy

⁴ Alcohol Use Disorders Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome 00168, Italy

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030290 - 5 Mar 2016

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6434

Abstract

The treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) with sodium oxybate (SMO) or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) was introduced in Italy and Austria more than 20 years and 15 years ago, respectively, and it is now widely employed to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and [...] Read more.

The treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) with sodium oxybate (SMO) or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) was introduced in Italy and Austria more than 20 years and 15 years ago, respectively, and it is now widely employed to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) and to maintain alcohol abstinence. These indications derive from its similar structure to the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA), exerting an ethanol-mimicking effect, because it binds to GABA_B receptors. Craving for, and abuse of, SMO remain a controversial issue; even though these unfavorable effects are evident in poly-drug addicted patients and in those with psychiatric diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. In addition, despite cases of severe intoxication and deaths being widely documented when GHB is used as “street drug”; its clinical use remains safe. Thus, the aim of the present review is to examine the role of SMO in the treatment of AUD, its possible implications in reducing alcohol consumption, and cases of abuse, and severe intoxication due to SMO during its clinical use in the treatment of AUD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Treating Alcoholism between Harm Reduction and Immediate Abstinence)

17 pages, 4011 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Distribution Characteristics and Trajectory Similarity Analysis of Tuberculosis in Beijing, China

by Lan Li^1,2,3, Yuliang Xi^1,2,3 and Fu Ren^1,2,3,4,*

¹ School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, 129 Luoyu Rd., Wuhan 430079, China

² Key Laboratory of GIS, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University, 129 Luoyu Rd., Wuhan 430079, China

³ Key Laboratory of Digital Mapping and Land information Application Engineering, National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, Wuhan University, 129 Luoyu Rd., Wuhan 430079, China

⁴ Collaborative Innovation Center of Geospatial Technology, Wuhan University, 129 Luoyu Rd., Wuhan 430079, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030291 - 7 Mar 2016

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 7236

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease with one of the highest reported incidences in China. The detection of the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of TB is indicative of its prevention and control conditions. Trajectory similarity analysis detects variations and loopholes in prevention and provides [...] Read more.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease with one of the highest reported incidences in China. The detection of the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of TB is indicative of its prevention and control conditions. Trajectory similarity analysis detects variations and loopholes in prevention and provides urban public health officials and related decision makers more information for the allocation of public health resources and the formulation of prioritized health-related policies. This study analysed the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of TB from 2009 to 2014 by utilizing spatial statistics, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and space-time scan statistics. Spatial statistics measured the TB incidence rate (TB patients per 100,000 residents) at the district level to determine its spatio-temporal distribution and to identify characteristics of change. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was used to detect global and local spatial autocorrelations across the study area. Purely spatial, purely temporal and space-time scan statistics were used to identify purely spatial, purely temporal and spatio-temporal clusters of TB at the district level. The other objective of this study was to compare the trajectory similarities between the incidence rates of TB and new smear-positive (NSP) TB patients in the resident population (NSPRP)/new smear-positive TB patients in the TB patient population (NSPTBP)/retreated smear-positive (RSP) TB patients in the resident population (RSPRP)/retreated smear-positive TB patients in the TB patient population (RSPTBP) to detect variations and loopholes in TB prevention and control among the districts in Beijing. The incidence rates in Beijing exhibited a gradual decrease from 2009 to 2014. Although global spatial autocorrelation was not detected overall across all of the districts of Beijing, individual districts did show evidence of local spatial autocorrelation: Chaoyang and Daxing were Low-Low districts over the six-year period. The purely spatial scan statistics analysis showed significant spatial clusters of high and low incidence rates; the purely temporal scan statistics showed the temporal cluster with a three-year period from 2009 to 2011 characterized by a high incidence rate; and the space-time scan statistics analysis showed significant spatio-temporal clusters. The distribution of the mean centres (MCs) showed that the general distributions of the NSPRP MCs and NSPTBP MCs were to the east of the incidence rate MCs. Conversely, the general distributions of the RSPRP MCs and the RSPTBP MCs were to the south of the incidence rate MCs. Based on the combined analysis of MC distribution characteristics and trajectory similarities, the NSP trajectory was most similar to the incidence rate trajectory. Thus, more attention should be focused on the discovery of NSP patients in the western part of Beijing, whereas the northern part of Beijing needs intensive treatment for RSP patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatio-temporal Frameworks for Infectious Disease Epidemiology)

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14 pages, 1922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of the Human Extrathoracic Deposition Fraction of Inhaled Particles Using a Polyurethane Foam Collection Substrate in an IOM Sampler

by Darrah K. Sleeth^1,*, Susan A. Balthaser¹, Scott Collingwood²

and Rodney R. Larson¹

¹ Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA

² Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030292 - 7 Mar 2016

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6441

Abstract

Extrathoracic deposition of inhaled particles (i.e., in the head and throat) is an important exposure route for many hazardous materials. Current best practices for exposure assessment of aerosols in the workplace involve particle size selective sampling methods based on particle penetration [...] Read more.

Extrathoracic deposition of inhaled particles (i.e., in the head and throat) is an important exposure route for many hazardous materials. Current best practices for exposure assessment of aerosols in the workplace involve particle size selective sampling methods based on particle penetration into the human respiratory tract (i.e., inhalable or respirable sampling). However, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has recently adopted particle deposition sampling conventions (ISO 13138), including conventions for extrathoracic (ET) deposition into the anterior nasal passage (ET₁) and the posterior nasal and oral passages (ET₂). For this study, polyurethane foam was used as a collection substrate inside an inhalable aerosol sampler to provide an estimate of extrathoracic particle deposition. Aerosols of fused aluminum oxide (five sizes, 4.9 µm–44.3 µm) were used as a test dust in a low speed (0.2 m/s) wind tunnel. Samplers were placed on a rotating mannequin inside the wind tunnel to simulate orientation-averaged personal sampling. Collection efficiency data for the foam insert matched well to the extrathoracic deposition convention for the particle sizes tested. The concept of using a foam insert to match a particle deposition sampling convention was explored in this study and shows promise for future use as a sampling device. Full article

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10 pages, 282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Maternal and Child Health Center (Posyandu) Availability with Child Weight Status in Indonesia: A National Study

by Helen Andriani^1,†

, Chu-Yung Liao^2,† and Hsien-Wen Kuo^1,3,4,*

¹ International Health Program, Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan

² Department of Early Childhood Educare, College of Health, Chung Chou University of Science and Technology, Changhua 510, Taiwan

³ Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan

⁴ School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030293 - 7 Mar 2016

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5776

Abstract

Little is known about the childhood obesity prevention and treatment practices of Maternal and Child Health services (Posyandu) in Indonesia or in other countries. The present study aims to assess the association of the availability of Posyandu with overweight and obesity [...] Read more.

Little is known about the childhood obesity prevention and treatment practices of Maternal and Child Health services (Posyandu) in Indonesia or in other countries. The present study aims to assess the association of the availability of Posyandu with overweight and obesity in children of different household wealth levels. This was a secondary analysis of data collected in the 2013 Riskesdas (or Basic Health Research) survey, a cross-sectional study, representative population-based data. Height and weight, the availability of Posyandu, and basic characteristics of the study population were collected from parents with children aged 0 to 5 years (n = 63,237). Non-availability of Posyandu significantly raised the odds of being obese (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06–1.21) and did not show a significant relationship in the odds for overweight (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.93–1.07). This relationship persisted after a full adjustment (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.07–1.25 and OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.96–1.13, respectively). There was effect modification by household wealth, which was stronger for obese children. The availability of Posyandu has a protective association with childhood obesity in Indonesia. Posyandu services are well placed to play an important role in obesity prevention and treatment in early life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Children, Adolescents and Nutrition)

17 pages, 629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pathological Internet Use and Risk-Behaviors among European Adolescents

by Tony Durkee^1,*

, Vladimir Carli¹, Birgitta Floderus², Camilla Wasserman^3,4, Marco Sarchiapone^3,5, Alan Apter⁶, Judit A. Balazs^7,8

, Julio Bobes⁹, Romuald Brunner¹⁰, Paul Corcoran¹¹, Doina Cosman¹², Christian Haring¹³, Christina W. Hoven^4,14, Michael Kaess¹⁰, Jean-Pierre Kahn¹⁵, Bogdan Nemes¹², Vita Postuvan¹⁶, Pilar A. Saiz⁹, Peeter Värnik¹⁷

and Danuta Wasserman¹

¹ National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of Mental Ill-Health (NASP), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-17177, Sweden

² Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-17177, Sweden

³ Department of Medicine and Health Science, University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy

⁴ Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA

⁵ National Institute for Migration and Poverty, Via San Gallicano, Roma 25/A, Italy

⁶ Feinberg Child Study Centre, Schneider Children’s Medical Centre, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 49202, Israel

⁷ Vadaskert Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital, Budapest 1021, Hungary

⁸ Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest 1064, Hungary

⁹ Department of Psychiatry, Center for Biomedical Research in the Mental Health Network (CIBERSAM), University of Oviedo, Oviedo 33006, Spain

¹⁰ Section for Disorders of Personality Development, Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69115, Germany

¹¹ National Suicide Research Foundation, Western Rd., Cork, Ireland

¹² Department of Clinical Psychology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Victor Babes Nr. 8, Cluj-Napoca 400000, Romania

¹³ Research Division for Mental Health, University for Medical Information Technology (UMIT), Klagenfurt, Innsbruck 6060, Austria

¹⁴ Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA

¹⁵ Department of Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Nancy, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy 54500, France

¹⁶ Slovene Center for Suicide Research, Andrej Marušič Institute, University of Primorska, Koper 6000, Slovenia

¹⁷ Centre of Behavioral and Health Sciences, Estonian-Swedish Mental Health & Suicidology Institute, Tallinn University, Tallinn 10120, Estonia

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030294 - 8 Mar 2016

Cited by 125 | Viewed by 20177

Abstract

Risk-behaviors are a major contributor to the leading causes of morbidity among adolescents and young people; however, their association with pathological Internet use (PIU) is relatively unexplored, particularly within the European context. The main objective of this study is to investigate the association [...] Read more.

Risk-behaviors are a major contributor to the leading causes of morbidity among adolescents and young people; however, their association with pathological Internet use (PIU) is relatively unexplored, particularly within the European context. The main objective of this study is to investigate the association between risk-behaviors and PIU in European adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted within the framework of the FP7 European Union project: Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE). Data on adolescents were collected from randomized schools within study sites across eleven European countries. PIU was measured using Young’s Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ). Risk-behaviors were assessed using questions procured from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS). A total of 11,931 adolescents were included in the analyses: 43.4% male and 56.6% female (M/F: 5179/6752), with a mean age of 14.89 ± 0.87 years. Adolescents reporting poor sleeping habits and risk-taking actions showed the strongest associations with PIU, followed by tobacco use, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. Among adolescents in the PIU group, 89.9% were characterized as having multiple risk-behaviors. The significant association observed between PIU and risk-behaviors, combined with a high rate of co-occurrence, underlines the importance of considering PIU when screening, treating or preventing high-risk behaviors among adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Suicide Prevention among Youth)

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13 pages, 653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Immunotoxicity Monitoring in a Population Exposed to Polychlorinated Biphenyls

by Hajo Haase^1,2

, Astrid Fahlenkamp³, Thomas Schettgen⁴

, Andre Esser⁴, Monika Gube⁴, Patrick Ziegler⁴

, Thomas Kraus⁴ and Lothar Rink^1,*

¹ Medical Faculty, Institute of Immunology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen D-52074, Germany

² Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Berlin Institute of Technology, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, Berlin D-13355, Germany

³ Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen D-52074, Germany

⁴ Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen D-52074, Germany

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030295 - 8 Mar 2016

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5583

Abstract

The relationship between polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) burden and several indicators of immune function was investigated as part of the HELPcB (Health Effects in High-Level Exposure to PCB) program, offering bio-monitoring to workers, relatives, and neighbors exposed to PCBs by a German transformers and [...] Read more.

The relationship between polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) burden and several indicators of immune function was investigated as part of the HELPcB (Health Effects in High-Level Exposure to PCB) program, offering bio-monitoring to workers, relatives, and neighbors exposed to PCBs by a German transformers and capacitors recycling company. The present retrospective observational study evaluates the correlation of plasma levels of total PCBs, five indicator congeners (28, 101, 138, 153, 180), and seven dioxin-like congeners (105, 114, 118, 156, 157, 167, 189) with several parameters of immune function. The cross-sectional study was performed immediately after the end of exposure (258 subjects), and one (218 subjects), and two (177 subjects) years later. At the first time point, measurements showed significant positive correlation between congeners with low to medium chlorination and the relative proportion of CD19 positive B-cells among lymphocytes, as well as a negative correlation of PCB114 with serum IgM, and of PCB 28 with suppressor T-cell and NK-cell numbers. Congeners with a high degree of chlorination, in particular PCB157 and 189, were positively associated with expression of the activation marker CD25 on T-cells in the cohort of the second time point. No associations between PCB levels and IFN-y production by T-cells and killing by NK-cells were found. In conclusion, there were several effects on the cellular composition of adaptive immunity, affecting both T- and B-cells. However, the values were not generally outside the reference ranges for healthy adult individuals and did not indicate overt functional immunodeficiency, even in subjects with the uppermost PCB burden. Full article

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13 pages, 695 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Risk Factors of Child Lead Poisoning in China: A Meta-Analysis

by You Li, Jian Qin, Xiao Wei, Chunhong Li, Jian Wang, Meiyu Jiang, Xue Liang, Tianlong Xia and Zhiyong Zhang^*

Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Shuangyong Road No.22, Nanning 530021, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030296 - 8 Mar 2016

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6712

Abstract

Background: To investigate the risk factors of child lead poisoning in China. Methods: A document retrieval was performed using MeSH (Medical subject heading terms) and key words. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the studies, and the pooled [...] Read more.

Background: To investigate the risk factors of child lead poisoning in China. Methods: A document retrieval was performed using MeSH (Medical subject heading terms) and key words. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the studies, and the pooled odd ratios with a 95% confidence interval were used to identify the risk factors. We employed Review Manager 5.2 and Stata 10.0 to analyze the data. Heterogeneity was assessed by both the Chi-square and I² tests, and publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger’s test. Results: Thirty-four articles reporting 13,587 lead-poisoned children met the inclusion criteria. Unhealthy lifestyle and behaviors, environmental pollution around the home and potential for parents’ occupational exposure to lead were risk factors of child lead poisoning in the pooled analyses. Our assessments yielded no severe publication biases. Conclusions: Seventeen risk factors are associated with child lead poisoning, which can be used to identify high-risk children. Health education and promotion campaigns should be designed in order to minimize or prevent child lead poisoning in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lead: Risk Assessment and Health Effects)

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11 pages, 638 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Slaughterhouses Fungal Burden Assessment: A Contribution for the Pursuit of a Better Assessment Strategy

by Carla Viegas^1,2,*

, Tiago Faria¹

, Mateus Dos Santos¹, Elisabete Carolino¹

, Raquel Sabino^1,3, Anita Quintal Gomes^1,4 and Susana Viegas^1,2

¹ Environment and Health Research Group, Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon 1990-096, Portugal

² Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon 1600-560, Portugal

³ Mycology Laboratory, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Lisbon 1649-016, Portugal

⁴ Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon, Lisbon 1649-028, Portugal

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030297 - 8 Mar 2016

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5263

Abstract

In slaughterhouses, the biological risk is present not only from the direct or indirect contact with animal matter, but also from the exposure to bioaerosols. Fungal contamination was already reported from the floors and walls of slaughterhouses. This study intends to assess fungal [...] Read more.

In slaughterhouses, the biological risk is present not only from the direct or indirect contact with animal matter, but also from the exposure to bioaerosols. Fungal contamination was already reported from the floors and walls of slaughterhouses. This study intends to assess fungal contamination by cultural and molecular methods in poultry, swine/bovine and large animal slaughterhouses. Air samples were collected through an impaction method, while surface samples were collected by the swabbing method and subjected to further macro- and micro-scopic observations. In addition, we collected air samples using the impinger method in order to perform real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) amplification of genes from specific fungal species, namely A. flavus, A. fumigatus and A. ochraceus complexes. Poultry and swine/bovine slaughterhouses presented each two sampling sites that surpass the guideline of 150 CFU/m³. Scopulariopsis candida was the most frequently isolated (59.5%) in poultry slaughterhouse air; Cladosporium sp. (45.7%) in the swine/bovine slaughterhouse; and Penicillium sp. (80.8%) in the large animal slaughterhouse. Molecular tools successfully amplified DNA from the A. fumigatus complex in six sampling sites where the presence of this fungal species was not identified by conventional methods. This study besides suggesting the indicators that are representative of harmful fungal contamination, also indicates a strategy as a protocol to ensure a proper characterization of fungal occupational exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Safety and Related Impacts on Health and the Environment)

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10 pages, 286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Effects of Irrigation with Reclaimed Water on the Content and Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soil

by Shibao Lu¹, Jianhua Wang^2,* and Liang Pei³

¹ School of Urban-rural Planning and Management, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou 310018, China

² State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100101, China

³ Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030298 - 8 Mar 2016

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5773

Abstract

Reclaimed water is an important resource for irrigation, and exploration in making full use of it is an important way to alleviate water shortage. This paper analyzes the effects of irrigation with reclaimed water through field trials on the content and distribution of [...] Read more.

Reclaimed water is an important resource for irrigation, and exploration in making full use of it is an important way to alleviate water shortage. This paper analyzes the effects of irrigation with reclaimed water through field trials on the content and distribution of heavy metals in both tomatoes and the soil. By exploring the effects of reclaimed water after secondary treatment on the content and distribution characteristics of heavy metals in tomatoes and the heavy metal balance in the soil-crop system under different conditions, the study shows that there are no significant differences in the heavy metal content when the quantity of reclaimed water for irrigation varies. Reclaimed water for short-term irrigation does not cause pollution to either the soil environment or the crops. Nor will it cause the accumulation of heavy metals, and the index for the heavy metal content is far below the critical value of the national standard, which indicates that the vegetables irrigated with reclaimed water during their growth turn out to be free of pollutants. The heavy metals brought into the soil by reclaimed water are less than that taken away by the crops. The input and output quantities have only small effects on the heavy metal balance in the soil. This paper provides a reference for the evaluation and safety control of irrigation with reclaimed water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Systems Engineering)

16 pages, 2021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mortality during a Large-Scale Heat Wave by Place, Demographic Group, Internal and External Causes of Death, and Building Climate Zone

by Lauren Joe^1,*, Sumi Hoshiko¹, Dina Dobraca¹, Rebecca Jackson², Svetlana Smorodinsky², Daniel Smith¹ and Martha Harnly¹

¹ Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA

² Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030299 - 9 Mar 2016

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 7862

Abstract

Mortality increases during periods of elevated heat. Identification of vulnerable subgroups by demographics, causes of death, and geographic regions, including deaths occurring at home, is needed to inform public health prevention efforts. We calculated mortality relative risks (RRs) and excess deaths associated with [...] Read more.

Mortality increases during periods of elevated heat. Identification of vulnerable subgroups by demographics, causes of death, and geographic regions, including deaths occurring at home, is needed to inform public health prevention efforts. We calculated mortality relative risks (RRs) and excess deaths associated with a large-scale California heat wave in 2006, comparing deaths during the heat wave with reference days. For total (all-place) and at-home mortality, we examined risks by demographic factors, internal and external causes of death, and building climate zones. During the heat wave, 582 excess deaths occurred, a 5% increase over expected (RR = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.08). Sixty-six percent of excess deaths were at home (RR = 1.12, CI 1.07–1.16). Total mortality risk was higher among those aged 35–44 years than ≥65, and among Hispanics than whites. Deaths from external causes increased more sharply (RR = 1.18, CI 1.10–1.27) than from internal causes (RR = 1.04, CI 1.02–1.07). Geographically, risk varied by building climate zone; the highest risks of at-home death occurred in the northernmost coastal zone (RR = 1.58, CI 1.01–2.48) and the southernmost zone of California’s Central Valley (RR = 1.43, CI 1.21–1.68). Heat wave mortality risk varied across subpopulations, and some patterns of vulnerability differed from those previously identified. Public health efforts should also address at-home mortality, non-elderly adults, external causes, and at-risk geographic regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Human Health)

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8 pages, 1155 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biodegradation of Phenol by Bacteria Strain Acinetobacter Calcoaceticus PA Isolated from Phenolic Wastewater

by Zhenghui Liu^1,2, Wenyu Xie^1,2,*, Dehao Li^1,2, Yang Peng¹, Zesheng Li² and Shusi Liu¹

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China

² Technology Research Center for Petrochemical Resources Clean Utilization of Guangdong Province, Maoming 525000, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030300 - 9 Mar 2016

Cited by 90 | Viewed by 8568

Abstract

A phenol-degrading bacterium strain PA was successfully isolated from the effluent of petrochemical wastewater. Based on its morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, the strain PA was characterized as a Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, nonmotile and short rod-shaped bacterium that utilizes phenol as a sole [...] Read more.

A phenol-degrading bacterium strain PA was successfully isolated from the effluent of petrochemical wastewater. Based on its morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, the strain PA was characterized as a Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, nonmotile and short rod-shaped bacterium that utilizes phenol as a sole carbon and energy source. 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that this strain is affiliated to Acinetobacter calcoaceticus in the group of Gammaproteobacteria. The strain was efficient in removing 91.6% of the initial 800 mg∙L⁻¹ phenol within 48 h, and had a tolerance of phenol concentration as high as 1700 mg∙L⁻¹. These results indicated that A. calcoaceticus possesses a promising potential in treating phenolic wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Systems Engineering)

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14 pages, 463 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Built Environment and Active Travel: Evidence from Nanjing, China

by Jianxi Feng

Department of Urban Planning and Design, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing 210093, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030301 - 8 Mar 2016

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6052

Abstract

Background: An established relationship exists between the built environment and active travel. Nevertheless, the literature examining the impacts of different components of the built environment is limited. In addition, most existing studies are based on data from cities in the U.S. and Western [...] Read more.

Background: An established relationship exists between the built environment and active travel. Nevertheless, the literature examining the impacts of different components of the built environment is limited. In addition, most existing studies are based on data from cities in the U.S. and Western Europe. The situation in Chinese cities remains largely unknown. Based on data from Nanjing, China, this study explicitly examines the influences of two components of the built environment—the neighborhood form and street form—on residents’ active travel. Methods: Binary logistic regression analyses examined the effects of the neighborhood form and street form on subsistence, maintenance and discretionary travel, respectively. For each travel purpose, three models are explored: a model with only socio-demographics, a model with variables of the neighborhood form and a complete model with all variables. Results: The model fit indicator, Nagelkerke’s ρ², increased by 0.024 when neighborhood form variables are included and increased by 0.070 when street form variables are taken into account. A similar situation can be found in the models of maintenance activities and discretionary activities. Regarding specific variables, very limited significant impacts of the neighborhood form variables are observed, while almost all of the characteristics of the street form show significant influences on active transport. Conclusions: In Nanjing, street form factors have a more profound influence on active travel than neighborhood form factors. The focal point of the land use regulations and policy of local governments should shift from the neighborhood form to the street form to maximize the effects of policy interventions. Full article

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29 pages, 394 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Meta-Analysis of Cardiac Mortality in Three Cohorts of Carbon Black Production Workers

by Peter Morfeld^1,2, Kenneth A. Mundt³, Linda D. Dell³, Tom Sorahan⁴ and Robert J. McCunney^5,6,*

¹ Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Preventive Research, University of Cologne, Cologne 50937, Germany

² Institute for Occupational Epidemiology and Risk Assessment of Evonik Industries, Essen 45128, Germany

³ Health Sciences, Ramboll Environ, Amherst, MA 01002, USA

⁴ Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

⁵ Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

⁶ Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030302 - 9 Mar 2016

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5796

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between airborne environmental particle exposure and cardiac disease and mortality; however, few have examined such effects from poorly soluble particles of low toxicity such as manufactured carbon black (CB) particles in the work place. We combined standardised mortality [...] Read more.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between airborne environmental particle exposure and cardiac disease and mortality; however, few have examined such effects from poorly soluble particles of low toxicity such as manufactured carbon black (CB) particles in the work place. We combined standardised mortality ratio (SMR) and Cox proportional hazards results from cohort studies of US, UK and German CB production workers. Under a common protocol, we analysed mortality from all causes, heart disease (HD), ischemic heart disease (IHD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Fixed and random effects (RE) meta-regression models were fit for employment duration, and for overall cumulative and lugged quantitative CB exposure estimates. Full cohort meta-SMRs (RE) were 1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79–1.29) for HD; 1.02 (95% CI 0.80–1.30) for IHD, and 1.08 (95% CI 0.74–1.59) for AMI mortality. For all three outcomes, meta-SMRs were heterogeneous, increased with time since first and time since last exposure, and peaked after 25–29 or 10–14 years, respectively. Meta-Cox coefficients showed no association with lugged duration of exposure. A small but imprecise increased AMI mortality risk was suggested for cumulative exposure (RE-hazards ratio (HR) = 1.10 per 100 mg/m³-years; 95% CI 0.92–1.31), but not for lugged exposures. Our results do not demonstrate that airborne CB exposure increases all-cause or cardiac disease mortality. Full article

17 pages, 915 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Sachet Water Consumption on Exposure to Microbe-Contaminated Drinking Water: Household Survey Evidence from Ghana

by Jim Wright^1,*

, Mawuli Dzodzomenyo²

, Nicola A. Wardrop¹, Richard Johnston³, Allan Hill⁴, Genevieve Aryeetey² and Richard Adanu²

¹ Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK

² Ghana School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra PO Box LG13, Ghana

³ Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation (JMP), Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health (PHE), World Health Organization, Geneva 1211 Switzerland

⁴ Social Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030303 - 9 Mar 2016

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 7807

Abstract

There remain few nationally representative studies of drinking water quality at the point of consumption in developing countries. This study aimed to examine factors associated with E. coli contamination in Ghana. It drew on a nationally representative household survey, the 2012−2013 Living Standards [...] Read more.

There remain few nationally representative studies of drinking water quality at the point of consumption in developing countries. This study aimed to examine factors associated with E. coli contamination in Ghana. It drew on a nationally representative household survey, the 2012−2013 Living Standards Survey 6, which incorporated a novel water quality module. E. coli contamination in 3096 point-of-consumption samples was examined using multinomial regression. Surface water use was the strongest risk factor for high E. coli contamination (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 32.3, p < 0.001), whilst packaged (sachet or bottled) water use had the greatest protective effect (RRR = 0.06, p < 0.001), compared to water piped to premises. E. coli contamination followed plausible patterns with digit preference (tendency to report values ending in zero) in bacteria counts. The analysis suggests packaged drinking water use provides some protection against point-of-consumption E. coli contamination and may therefore benefit public health. It also suggests viable water quality data can be collected alongside household surveys, but field protocols require further revision. Full article

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11 pages, 459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fungi from a Groundwater-Fed Drinking Water Supply System in Brazil

by Helena M.B. Oliveira¹, Cledir Santos²

, R. Russell M. Paterson³, Norma B. Gusmão¹

and Nelson Lima^3,*

¹ Department of Antibiotics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Morais Rego, 1235, Recife, Pernambuco 50670-901, Brazil

² Department of Chemical Sciences and Natural Resources, BIOREN-UFRO Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811-230, Chile

³ Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030304 - 9 Mar 2016

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 6840

Abstract

Filamentous fungi in drinking water distribution systems are known to (a) block water pipes; (b) cause organoleptic biodeterioration; (c) act as pathogens or allergens and (d) cause mycotoxin contamination. Yeasts might also cause problems. This study describes the occurrence of several fungal species [...] Read more.

Filamentous fungi in drinking water distribution systems are known to (a) block water pipes; (b) cause organoleptic biodeterioration; (c) act as pathogens or allergens and (d) cause mycotoxin contamination. Yeasts might also cause problems. This study describes the occurrence of several fungal species in a water distribution system supplied by groundwater in Recife—Pernambuco, Brazil. Water samples were collected from four sampling sites from which fungi were recovered by membrane filtration. The numbers in all sampling sites ranged from 5 to 207 colony forming units (CFU)/100 mL with a mean value of 53 CFU/100 mL. In total, 859 isolates were identified morphologically, with Aspergillus and Penicillium the most representative genera (37% and 25% respectively), followed by Trichoderma and Fusarium (9% each), Curvularia (5%) and finally the species Pestalotiopsis karstenii (2%). Ramichloridium and Leptodontium were isolated and are black yeasts, a group that include emergent pathogens. The drinking water system in Recife may play a role in fungal dissemination, including opportunistic pathogens. Full article

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12 pages, 296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Concurrent Heroin Use and Correlates among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clients: A 12-Month Follow-up Study in Guangdong Province, China

by Xiaofeng Luo^1,2, Peizhen Zhao³, Xiao Gong^1,2

, Lei Zhang⁴, Weiming Tang³, Xia Zou^1,2, Wen Chen^1,2 and Li Ling^1,2,*

¹ Faculty of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road II, Guangzhou 510080, China

² Sun Yat-sen Center for Migrant Health Policy, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Road II, Guangzhou 510080, China

³ Guangdong Center for Skin Guangdong Provincial Center for Skin Diseases and STIs Control, No. 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou 510091, China

⁴ The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030305 - 9 Mar 2016

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5324

Abstract

Objective: To assess concurrent heroin use and correlates among Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) clients in Guangdong Province, China. Method: Demographic and drug use data were collected with a structured questionnaire, and MMT information was obtained from the MMT clinic registration system [...] Read more.

Objective: To assess concurrent heroin use and correlates among Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) clients in Guangdong Province, China. Method: Demographic and drug use data were collected with a structured questionnaire, and MMT information was obtained from the MMT clinic registration system in Guangdong. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected status and urine morphine results were obtained from laboratory tests. Logistic regressions were employed to investigate the factors associated with concurrent heroin use. Results: Among the 6848 participants, 75% continued using heroin more than once during the first 12 months after treatment initiation. Concurrent heroin use was associated with inharmonious family relationship (OR (odds ratio) = 1.49, 95% CI (confidence intervals): 1.24–1.78), HIV positivity (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01–1.55), having multiple sex partners (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.07–1.69), having ever taken intravenous drugs (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69–0.95), higher maintenance dose (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01–1.28) and poorer MMT attendance (OR_<20% = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13–1.53; OR_20%– = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.14–1.54; OR_50%– = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.44–2.00). Among those who used heroin concurrently, the same factors, and additionally being older (OR_35– = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11–1.43; OR_≥45 = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.30–2.05) and female (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.28–2.00), contribute to a greater frequency of heroin use. Conclusions: Concurrent heroin use was prevalent among MMT participants in Guangdong, underscoring the urgent needs for tailored interventions and health education programs for this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Substance and Drug Abuse Prevention)

10 pages, 452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Global Evidence on the Association between POS Advertising Bans and Youth Smoking Participation

by Ce Shang^1,*

, Jidong Huang¹, Kai-Wen Cheng^1,2,3, Qing Li⁴ and Frank J. Chaloupka^1,2

¹ Institute for Health Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA

² Department of Economics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA

³ Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA

⁴ American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030306 - 9 Mar 2016

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 7832

Abstract

Background: Point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising has been linked to youth smoking susceptibility and experimental smoking. However, there is limited evidence of the association between POS advertising bans and youth smoking participation. This study aims to examine how such bans are associated with [...] Read more.

Background: Point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising has been linked to youth smoking susceptibility and experimental smoking. However, there is limited evidence of the association between POS advertising bans and youth smoking participation. This study aims to examine how such bans are associated with current smoking, daily smoking, and regular smoking (≥1 cigarettes per day) participation among youth. Methods: one to two waves (primarily one wave) of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey were conducted in 130 countries between 2007 and 2011. These surveys were linked to the WHO “MPOWER” data using country and year identifiers to analyze the association between POS advertising bans (a dichotomous measure of the existence of such bans) and smoking participation in the past month. Weighted logistic regressions were employed to analyze this association while controlling for age, gender, parents’ smoking status, 6 MPOWER policy scores, and GDP per capita. Results and Conclusions: We find that in countries with POS advertising bans, current smoking (OR = 0.73, p ≤ 0.1), daily smoking (OR = 0.70, p ≤ 0.1), and regular smoking (OR = 0.75, p ≤ 0.05) participation in the past month is significantly lower, suggesting that POS promotion bans can potentially reduce youth smoking. This study provides evidence to support the implementation of POS promotion regulations by the US FDA and implementation of the WHO FCTC guidelines regarding restrictions on tobacco POS promotion. Full article

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11 pages, 441 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adolescent Overweight and Obesity: Links to Socioeconomic Status and Fruit and Vegetable Intakes

by Jihyun You and Jina Choo^*

College of Nursing, Korea University, Anam-Dong, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul 137-705, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030307 - 9 Mar 2016

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 9298

Abstract

Whether adolescent overweight/obesity is linked to socioeconomic status (SES) and fruit and vegetable (F/V) intakes has not been confirmed. We aimed to determine whether there is an association between SES and adolescent overweight/obesity and to test the mediating effect of F/V intakes. This [...] Read more.

Whether adolescent overweight/obesity is linked to socioeconomic status (SES) and fruit and vegetable (F/V) intakes has not been confirmed. We aimed to determine whether there is an association between SES and adolescent overweight/obesity and to test the mediating effect of F/V intakes. This cross-sectional study included the data of 63,111 adolescents extracted from the 2013 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Overweight/obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥ 85th percentile, while F/V intakes were categorized as high (recommended levels: ≥1 fruit serving and ≥3 vegetable servings per day) versus low. Among girls, low SES (beta = 0.50, p < 0.001) and F/V intakes (beta = −0.17, p = 0.038) were both significantly associated with overweight/obesity; the former association was significantly mediated by F/V intakes (Sobel test: z = 2.00, p = 0.046). Among boys, neither SES nor F/V intakes was significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Adolescent overweight/obesity was significantly linked to low SES and F/V intakes among girls only; low SES indirectly increased the risk of overweight/obesity via low F/V intakes. Therefore, promoting F/V intakes for socially disadvantaged girls should be prioritized as a population-based strategy for preventing adolescent overweight/obesity in South Korea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Children, Adolescents and Nutrition)

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12 pages, 968 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Compensation for Adolescents’ School Mental Load by Physical Activity on Weekend Days

by Michal Kudláček^1,2,*

, Karel Frömel¹, Lukáš Jakubec¹ and Dorota Groffik³

¹ Faculty of Physical Culture, Institute of Active Lifestyle, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc 77111, Czech Republic

² Department of Leisure Studies, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc 77111, Czech Republic

³ The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice 40-065, Poland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030308 - 9 Mar 2016

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5865

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Increasing mental load and inadequate stress management significantly affect the efficiency, success and safety of the educational/working process in adolescents. The objective of this study is to determine the extent that adolescents compensate for their school mental load by physical [...] Read more.

Introduction and objective: Increasing mental load and inadequate stress management significantly affect the efficiency, success and safety of the educational/working process in adolescents. The objective of this study is to determine the extent that adolescents compensate for their school mental load by physical activity (PA) on weekend days and, thus, to contribute to the objective measurement of mental load in natural working conditions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2013 and April 2014. A set of different methods was employed—self-administered questionnaire (IPAQ-long questionnaire), objective measurements—pedometers, and accelerometers (ActiTrainers). They was distributed to 548 students from 17 high schools. Participants’ mental load was assessed based on the difference between PA intensity and/or physical inactivity and heart rate range. Results: The participants with the highest mental load during school lessons do not compensate for this load by PA on weekend days. Conclusions: Adolescents need to be encouraged to be aware of their subjective mental load and to intentionally compensate for this load by PA on weekend days. It is necessary to support the process of adopting habits by sufficient physical literacy of students, as well as teachers, and by changes in the school program. Full article

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21 pages, 967 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Risk Implications of Globalisation: An Exploratory Analysis of 105 Major Industrial Incidents (1971–2010)

by Matthias Beck

Queen’s Management School, Queen’s University Belfast, Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Rd., Belfast BT9 5EE, Northern Ireland, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030309 - 10 Mar 2016

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 7002

Abstract

This paper revisits work on the socio-political amplification of risk, which predicts that those living in developing countries are exposed to greater risk than residents of developed nations. This prediction contrasts with the neoliberal expectation that market driven improvements in working conditions within [...] Read more.

This paper revisits work on the socio-political amplification of risk, which predicts that those living in developing countries are exposed to greater risk than residents of developed nations. This prediction contrasts with the neoliberal expectation that market driven improvements in working conditions within industrialising/developing nations will lead to global convergence of hazard exposure levels. It also contradicts the assumption of risk society theorists that there will be an ubiquitous increase in risk exposure across the globe, which will primarily affect technically more advanced countries. Reviewing qualitative evidence on the impact of structural adjustment reforms in industrialising countries, the export of waste and hazardous waste recycling to these countries and new patterns of domestic industrialisation, the paper suggests that workers in industrialising countries continue to face far greater levels of hazard exposure than those of developed countries. This view is confirmed when a data set including 105 major multi-fatality industrial disasters from 1971 to 2000 is examined. The paper concludes that there is empirical support for the predictions of socio-political amplification of risk theory, which finds clear expression in the data in a consistent pattern of significantly greater fatality rates per industrial incident in industrialising/developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Safety and Related Impacts on Health and the Environment)

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13 pages, 289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Safe Disposal of Child Feces and Reported Diarrhea in Indonesia: Need for Stronger Focus on a Neglected Risk

by Aidan A. Cronin^1,*,†, Susy Katikana Sebayang^2,†, Harriet Torlesse^1,† and Robin Nandy¹

¹ UNICEF Indonesia, World Trade Center 6, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 31, Jakarta 12920, Indonesia

² Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Banyuwangi Campus, Jalan Wijaya Kusuma No 113, Banyuwangi 68414, Indonesia

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 310; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030310 - 11 Mar 2016

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 7272

Abstract

Indonesia still faces several challenges in the areas of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Diarrhea remains a major killer of children and it is important to understand the local diarrhea transmission pathways to prioritise appropriate WASH interventions to reduce diarrhea burden. This study [...] Read more.

Indonesia still faces several challenges in the areas of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Diarrhea remains a major killer of children and it is important to understand the local diarrhea transmission pathways to prioritise appropriate WASH interventions to reduce diarrhea burden. This study used a cross-sectional data set from a recent national household survey (the 2012 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey) to examine the associations between diarrhea in children aged less than 24 months with WASH interventions and population characteristics. Unsafe disposal of child feces was strongly associated with an increased odds of child diarrhea (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.18–1.82, p = 0.001). However, other WASH practices were not found to be associated. The findings underline the dangers of unsafe disposal of child feces and highlight the need for strengthening the related policies and program strategies and their implementation. Full article

15 pages, 807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Greenness and Birth Outcomes in a Range of Pennsylvania Communities

by Joan A. Casey^1,*

, Peter James², Kara E. Rudolph¹, Chih-Da Wu³ and Brian S. Schwartz^4,5,6

¹ Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health and Society Scholars Program, UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley, CA 94704, USA

² Departments of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA

³ Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City 60004, Taiwan

⁴ Departments of Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

⁵ Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

⁶ Center for Health Research, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA 17822, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030311 - 11 Mar 2016

Cited by 97 | Viewed by 9833

Abstract

Living in communities with more vegetation during pregnancy has been associated with higher birth weights, but fewer studies have evaluated other birth outcomes, and only one has been conducted in the Eastern United States, in regions with a broad range, including high levels, [...] Read more.

Living in communities with more vegetation during pregnancy has been associated with higher birth weights, but fewer studies have evaluated other birth outcomes, and only one has been conducted in the Eastern United States, in regions with a broad range, including high levels, of greenness. We evaluated associations between prenatal residential greenness and birth outcomes (term birth weight, small for gestational age, preterm birth, and low 5 min Apgar score) across a range of community types using electronic health record data from 2006–2013 from the Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania. We assigned greenness based on mother’s geocoded address using the normalized difference vegetation index from satellite imagery. We used propensity scores to restrict the study population to comparable groups among those living in green vs. less-green areas. Analyses were adjusted for demographic, clinical, and environmental covariates, and stratified by community type (city, borough, and township). In cities, higher greenness (tertiles 2–3 vs. 1) was protective for both preterm (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.61–0.99) and small for gestational age birth (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58–0.97), but not birth weight or Apgar score. We did not observe associations between greenness and birth outcomes in adjusted models in boroughs or townships. These results add to the evidence that greener cities might be healthier cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Environmental Health Inequalities – Proceedings from ISEE Conference 2015)

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1 pages, 221 KiB

Open AccessErratum

Erratum: Li, Z., et al. Smoking Prevalence and Associated Factors as well as Attitudes and Perceptions towards Tobacco Control in Northeast China. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12, 8606–8618

by International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Editorial Office

MDPI, Klybeckstrasse 64, Basel CH-4057, Switzerland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030312 - 11 Mar 2016

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3175

Abstract

We wish to make the following correction to the published paper [1].[...] Full article

12 pages, 454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Associations between Problematic Internet Use, Depressive Symptoms and Sleep Disturbance among Southern Chinese Adolescents

by Yafei Tan, Ying Chen, Yaogui Lu and Liping Li^*

Center for Injury Prevention Research, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030313 - 14 Mar 2016

Cited by 133 | Viewed by 13685

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to examine associations between problematic Internet use, depression and sleep disturbance, and explore whether there were differential effects of problematic Internet use and depression on sleep disturbance. A total of 1772 adolescents who participated in the [...] Read more.

The primary aim of this study was to examine associations between problematic Internet use, depression and sleep disturbance, and explore whether there were differential effects of problematic Internet use and depression on sleep disturbance. A total of 1772 adolescents who participated in the Shantou Adolescent Mental Health Survey were recruited in 2012 in Shantou, China. The Chinese version of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was used to evaluate the prevalence and severity of Internet addiction. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10), and other socio-demographic measures were also completed. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the mediating effect of problematic Internet use and depression on sleep disturbance. Among the participants, 17.2% of adolescents met the criteria for problematic Internet use, 40.0% were also classified as suffering from sleep disturbance, and 54.4% of students had depressive symptoms. Problematic Internet use was significantly associated with depressive symptoms and sleep disturbance. The correlation between depressive symptoms and sleep disturbance was highly significant. Both problematic Internet use (β = 0.014; Sobel test Z = 12.7, p < 0.001) and depression (β = 0.232; Sobel test Z = 3.39, p < 0.001) had partially mediating effects on sleep disturbance and depression was of greater importance for sleep disturbance than problematic Internet use. There is a high prevalence of problematic Internet use, depression and sleep disturbance among high school students in southern China, and problematic Internet use and depressive symptoms are strongly associated with sleep disturbance. This study provides evidence that problematic Internet use and depression have partially mediating effects on sleep disturbance. These results are important for clinicians and policy makers with useful information for prevention and intervention efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviors and Public Health)

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10 pages, 289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cross Section Study to Determine the Prevalence of Antibodies against HIV Infection among Hepatitis B and C Infected Individuals

by Geane L. Flores, Adilson J. De Almeida, Juliana C. Miguel, Helena M. Cruz, Moyra M. Portilho, Letícia De P. Scalioni, Vanessa A. Marques, Lia Laura Lewis-Ximenez, Elisabeth Lampe and Livia Melo Villar^*

Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030314 - 11 Mar 2016

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5505

Abstract

(1) Background: There are limited data regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among HIV [...] Read more.

(1) Background: There are limited data regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among HIV individuals; (2) Methods: A total of 409 patients (126 HBV+ and 283 HCV+) referred to the Brazilian Reference Laboratory for Viral Hepatitis from 2010 to 2013 donated serum samples. Anti-HIV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBcIgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-HCV antibodies were measured, and anti-HCV positive samples were tested for viral RNA and genotype; (3) Results: The anti-HIV antibody prevalence was 10.31% and 4.59% among HBV+ and HCV+ patients, respectively. The HCV mean (SD) viral load was log 5.14 ± 1.64 IU/mL, and genotype I was most prevalent (163/283). Anti-HBs and anti-HBc were detected in 40% and 26% of HCV+ individuals, respectively. Among the HBV+ population, the presence of anti-HIV antibodies was associated with male gender, marital status (married), tattoo, sexual orientation, sexual practices (oral sex and anal sex), history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), history of viral hepatitis treatment, and a sexual partner with hepatitis or HIV. For the HCV+ group, the presence of anti-HIV antibodies was associated with female gender, marital status (married), anal intercourse, previous history of STDs, and number of sexual partners; (4) Conclusion: A high prevalence of anti-HIV antibodies was found among individuals with HBV and HCV, showing the importance of education programmes towards HIV infection among HBV- and HCV-infected individuals. Full article

9 pages, 272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Survey of Accidental Hypothermia Knowledge among Navy Members in China and the Implications for Training

by Shuang Li

, Chen Qiu, Wenwen Shi, Yan Huang and Li Gui^*

Emergency Nursing Department, School of Nursing, 2nd Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030315 - 11 Mar 2016

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5370

Abstract

Objectives: Accidental hypothermia (AH) is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to significant morbidity and life-long effects. Navy personnel are always at a greater risk of AH due to frequent outdoor work, wilderness exposure, prolonged immobility and exhaustion. The purpose of [...] Read more.

Objectives: Accidental hypothermia (AH) is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to significant morbidity and life-long effects. Navy personnel are always at a greater risk of AH due to frequent outdoor work, wilderness exposure, prolonged immobility and exhaustion. The purpose of the survey was to assess Chinese Navy members’ awareness of AH and to make recommendations with regard to better measures for improving it. Methods: 111 Navy members completed a written questionnaire that was subsequently analyzed. Results: 30.6% of the respondents have experienced AH and 64.9% rated their knowledge of AH as “low” or “none”. Over half of them identified the initial symptom of AH as obvious shivering (69.4%) and apathy (45.0%). As for the aggravate symptoms, 60.9% chose the wrong answer of more obvious shivering instead of the right one—absence of shivering (5.4%). In the case of the treatment of mild AH, more than half of the respondents chose the wrong answers. Conclusions: This study suggests that the basic skills of recognition and treatment of AH are inadequate in the Chinese Navy. Further work is required to develop a systematical, comprehensive and corresponding education method that would promote correct actions during AH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Safety and Related Impacts on Health and the Environment)

14 pages, 585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Infants and Mothers in Benin and Potential Sources of Exposure

by Florence Bodeau-Livinec^1,2,*, Philippe Glorennec^1,3, Michel Cot^4,5, Pierre Dumas⁶, Séverine Durand^1,3, Achille Massougbodji^1,7, Pierre Ayotte^6,8 and Barbara Le Bot^1,3

¹ Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique, 35043 Rennes, France

² Inserm UMR 1153 Obstetrical, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (Epopé), Center for Epidemiology and Statistics Sorbonne Paris Cité, DHU Risks in Pregnancy, Paris Descartes University, 75014 Paris, France

³ Inserm UMR 1085, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (IRSET), 35000 Rennes, France

⁴ Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Mère et Enfant Face aux Infections Tropicales, 75006 Paris, France

⁵ Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes, 75006 Paris, France

⁶ Laboratoire de Toxicologie, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Québec, QC G1V 5B3, Canada

⁷ Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Bénin

⁸ Axe Santé des Populations et Pratiques Optimales en Santé, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 5B3, Canada

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030316 - 11 Mar 2016

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 7369

Abstract

Lead in childhood is well known to be associated with poor neurodevelopment. As part of a study on maternal anemia and offspring neurodevelopment, we analyzed blood lead level (BLL) with no prior knowledge of lead exposure in 225 mothers and 685 offspring 1 [...] Read more.

Lead in childhood is well known to be associated with poor neurodevelopment. As part of a study on maternal anemia and offspring neurodevelopment, we analyzed blood lead level (BLL) with no prior knowledge of lead exposure in 225 mothers and 685 offspring 1 to 2 years old from Allada, a semi-rural area in Benin, sub-Saharan Africa, between May 2011 and May 2013. Blood samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Environmental assessments in households and isotopic ratio measurements were performed for eight children with BLL > 100 µg/L. High lead levels (BLL > 50 µg/L) were found in 44% of mothers and 58% of children. The median BLL was 55.1 (interquartile range 39.2–85.0) and 46.6 (36.5–60.1) µg/L, respectively. Maternal BLL was associated with offspring’s consumption of piped water and animals killed by ammunition. Children’s BLL was associated with presence of paint chips in the house and consumption of animals killed by ammunition. In this population, with 98% of children still breastfed, children’s BLL was highly associated with maternal BLL on multivariate analyses. Environmental measures and isotopic ratios supported these findings. Offspring may be highly exposed to lead in utero and probably via breastfeeding in addition to lead paint exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lead: Risk Assessment and Health Effects)

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17 pages, 9757 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatially Analyzing the Inequity of the Hong Kong Urban Heat Island by Socio-Demographic Characteristics

by Man Sing Wong^1,2

, Fen Peng¹, Bin Zou^3,*, Wen Zhong Shi^1,2 and Gaines J. Wilson⁴

¹ Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

² Joint Spatial Information Research Laboratory between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China

³ School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China

⁴ Department of Biological Sciences, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX 78702, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030317 - 12 Mar 2016

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 9680

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that some disadvantaged socio-demographic groups face serious environmental-related inequities in Hong Kong due to the rising ambient urban temperatures. Identifying heat-vulnerable groups and locating areas of Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) inequities is thus important for prioritizing interventions to [...] Read more.

Recent studies have suggested that some disadvantaged socio-demographic groups face serious environmental-related inequities in Hong Kong due to the rising ambient urban temperatures. Identifying heat-vulnerable groups and locating areas of Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) inequities is thus important for prioritizing interventions to mitigate death/illness rates from heat. This study addresses this problem by integrating methods of remote sensing retrieval, logistic regression modelling, and spatial autocorrelation. In this process, the SUHI effect was first estimated from the Land Surface Temperature (LST) derived from a Landsat image. With the scale assimilated to the SUHI and socio-demographic data, a logistic regression model was consequently adopted to ascertain their relationships based on Hong Kong Tertiary Planning Units (TPUs). Lastly, inequity “hotspots” were derived using spatial autocorrelation methods. Results show that disadvantaged socio-demographic groups were significantly more prone to be exposed to an intense SUHI effect: over half of 287 TPUs characterized by age groups of 60+ years, secondary and matriculation education attainment, widowed, divorced and separated, low and middle incomes, and certain occupation groups of workers, have significant Odds Ratios (ORs) larger than 1.2. It can be concluded that a clustering analysis stratified by age, income, educational attainment, marital status, and occupation is an effective way to detect the inequity hotspots of SUHI exposure. Additionally, inequities explored using income, marital status and occupation factors were more significant than the age and educational attainment in these areas. The derived maps and model can be further analyzed in urban/city planning, in order to mitigate the physical and social causes of the SUHI effect. Full article

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9 pages, 1194 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Inflammation Response to DEHP through PPARγ in Endometrial Cells

by Qiansheng Huang^1,2,*, Huanteng Zhang^1,2, Ya-Jie Chen^1,2, Yu-Lang Chi^1,2 and Sijun Dong^1,2,*

¹ Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China

² Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station-NUEORS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315800, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030318 - 14 Mar 2016

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5290

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown the possible link between phthalates and endometrium-related gynecological diseases, however the molecular mechanism(s) behind this is/are still unclear. In the study, both primary cultured endometrial cells and an endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line (Ishikawa) were recruited to investigate [...] Read more.

Epidemiological studies have shown the possible link between phthalates and endometrium-related gynecological diseases, however the molecular mechanism(s) behind this is/are still unclear. In the study, both primary cultured endometrial cells and an endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line (Ishikawa) were recruited to investigate the effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) at human-relevant concentrations. The results showed that DEHP did not affect the viability of either type of cell, which showed different responses to inflammation. Primary cultured cells showed stronger inflammatory reactions than the Ishikawa cell line. The expression of inflammatory factors was induced both at the mRNA and protein levels, however the inflammation did not induce the progress of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as the protein levels of EMT markers were not affected after exposure to either cell type. Further study showed that the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) wereup-regulated after exposure. In all, our study showed that human-relevant concentrations of DEHP could elicit the inflammatory response in primary cultured endometrial cells rather than in Ishikawa cell line. PPARγ may act as the mediating receptor in the inflammation reaction. Full article

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21 pages, 4559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Conceptual Framework for the Assessment of Cumulative Exposure to Air Pollution at a Fine Spatial Scale

by Kihal-Talantikite Wahida^1,2, Cindy M. Padilla¹

, Zmirou-Navier Denis^1,2,3, Blanchard Olivier^1,2, Le Nir Géraldine⁴, Quenel Philippe^1,2 and Deguen Séverine^1,2,*

¹ School of Public Health (EHESP), Rennes, Cedex 35043, France

² INSERM U1085 IRSET (Research Institute in Environmental and Occupational Health), Rennes, Cedex 35000, France

³ Medical Department, Lorraine University, Nancy, Cedex 54052, France

⁴ Air Quality Monitoring Associations (AASQA), Airparif, Paris 75004, France

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030319 - 15 Mar 2016

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 8118

Abstract

Many epidemiological studies examining long-term health effects of exposure to air pollutants have characterized exposure by the outdoor air concentrations at sites that may be distant to subjects’ residences at different points in time. The temporal and spatial mobility of subjects and the [...] Read more.

Many epidemiological studies examining long-term health effects of exposure to air pollutants have characterized exposure by the outdoor air concentrations at sites that may be distant to subjects’ residences at different points in time. The temporal and spatial mobility of subjects and the spatial scale of exposure assessment could thus lead to misclassification in the cumulative exposure estimation. This paper attempts to fill the gap regarding cumulative exposure assessment to air pollution at a fine spatial scale in epidemiological studies investigating long-term health effects. We propose a conceptual framework showing how major difficulties in cumulative long-term exposure assessment could be surmounted. We then illustrate this conceptual model on the case of exposure to NO₂ following two steps: (i) retrospective reconstitution of NO₂ concentrations at a fine spatial scale; and (ii) a novel approach to assigning the time-relevant exposure estimates at the census block level, using all available data on residential mobility throughout a 10- to 20-year period prior to that for which the health events are to be detected. Our conceptual framework is both flexible and convenient for the needs of different epidemiological study designs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technology, Data, and the Assessment of Atmospheric Exposure on Finer Scales)

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10 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unmatched Case-Control Study on Late Presentation of HIV Infection in Santiago, Cape Verde (2004–2011)

by António L. Moreira¹, Inês Fronteira²

, Gonçalo Figueiredo Augusto² and Maria Rosario O. Martins^2,*

¹ Ministry of Health, Palácio do Governo, Várzea-Praia C.P. 47, Santiago-Cape Verde

² Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine-NOVA University of Lisbon (IHMT-UNL), Rua da Junqueira 100, Lisbon 1349-008, Portugal

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030320 - 15 Mar 2016

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6411

Abstract

Access to free antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Sub-Saharan Africa has been steadily increasing over the past decade. However, the success of large-scale ART programmes depends on timely diagnosis and early initiation of HIV care. This study characterizes late presenters to HIV care in [...] Read more.

Access to free antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Sub-Saharan Africa has been steadily increasing over the past decade. However, the success of large-scale ART programmes depends on timely diagnosis and early initiation of HIV care. This study characterizes late presenters to HIV care in Santiago (Cape Verde) between 2004 and 2011, and identifies factors associated with late presentation for care. We defined late presentation as persons presenting to HIV care with a CD4 count below 350 cells/mm³. An unmatched case-control study was conducted using socio-demographic and behavioural data of 368 individuals (191 cases and 177 controls) collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire, comparing HIV patients late and early presented to care. Logistic regression was performed to estimate odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Results show that 51.9% were late presenters for HIV. No differences were found in gender distribution, marital status, or access to health services between cases and controls. Participants who undertook an HIV test by doctor indication were more likely to present late compared with those who tested for HIV by their own initiative. Also, individuals taking less time to initiate ART are more likely to present late. This study highlights the need to better understand reasons for late presentation to HIV care in Cape Verde. People in older age groups should be targeted in future approaches focused on late presenters to HIV care. Full article

8 pages, 412 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation of the Efficacy of Selective Alpha-Blockers in the Treatment of Children with Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction—Preliminary Findings

by Paweł Kroll^1,*, Ewa Gajewska², Jacek Zachwieja³, Magdalena Sobieska² and Przemysław Mańkowski¹

¹ Pediatric Surgery and Urology Department, Neurourology Unit, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, ul. Szpitalna 27/33, Poznań 60-572, Poland

² Chair for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, ul. 28 Czerwca 135/147, Poznań 61-545, Poland

³ Pediatric Nephrology Department, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, ul. Szpitalna 27/33, Poznań 60-572, Poland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030321 - 15 Mar 2016

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4966

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of selective α1-blockers in children with neurogenic urinary tract dysfunctions and increased leak point pressure (LPP). 14 children from age 6 to 16 years with neurogenic urinary tract dysfunctions (neurogenic bladder) and LPP [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of selective α1-blockers in children with neurogenic urinary tract dysfunctions and increased leak point pressure (LPP). 14 children from age 6 to 16 years with neurogenic urinary tract dysfunctions (neurogenic bladder) and LPP > 40 cm H₂O were enrolled in the study. All patients received a selective α1-blocker (doxazosin) for 6–8 weeks with an initial dosage of 0.03 mg/kg. During the observation period the continuation of oral anticholinergics, Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC), observation of “urinary dryness” and urinary incontinence periods were recommended. Patients were scheduled for a follow-up visit and urodynamic investigation after 6–8 weeks after the doxazosin therapy was started. In 4 patients, urine leakage occurred at lower pressures; in 9 patients, no significant changes in urine leak point pressures were detected; in 3 patients, there was a significant increase in the bladder capacity; in one patient, deterioration in continence was noted. The differences both in LPP and LPV before and after the treatment were not statistically significant. Our observations are consistent with the conclusions from other studies and showed no evident efficacy of doxazosin in children with neurogenic bladder. Full article

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11 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Gender, Socioeconomic Status and Home Language on Primary School Children’s Reading Comprehension in KwaZulu-Natal

by Gabriela Völkel, Joseph Seabi^*, Kate Cockcroft

and Paul Goldschagg

Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030322 - 15 Mar 2016

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5625

Abstract

The current study constituted part of a larger, longitudinal, South African-based study, namely, The Road and Aircraft Noise Exposure on Children’s Cognition and Health (RANCH—South Africa). In the context of a multicultural South Africa and varying demographic variables thereof, this study sought to [...] Read more.

The current study constituted part of a larger, longitudinal, South African-based study, namely, The Road and Aircraft Noise Exposure on Children’s Cognition and Health (RANCH—South Africa). In the context of a multicultural South Africa and varying demographic variables thereof, this study sought to investigate and describe the effects of gender, socioeconomic status and home language on primary school children’s reading comprehension in KwaZulu-Natal. In total, 834 learners across 5 public schools in the KwaZulu-Natal province participated in the study. A biographical questionnaire was used to obtain biographical data relevant to this study, and the Suffolk Reading Scale 2 (SRS2) was used to obtain reading comprehension scores. The findings revealed that there was no statistical difference between males and females on reading comprehension scores. In terms of socioeconomic status (SES), learners from a low socioeconomic background performed significantly better than those from a high socioeconomic background. English as a First Language (EL1) speakers had a higher mean reading comprehension score than speakers who spoke English as an Additional Language (EAL). Reading comprehension is indeed affected by a variety of variables, most notably that of language proficiency. The tool to measure reading comprehension needs to be standardized and administered in more than one language, which will ensure increased reliability and validity of reading comprehension scores. Full article

9 pages, 270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Coverage in Medical, Nursing, and Paramedical Students: A Cross-Sectional, Multi-Centered Study in Greece

by Dimitrios Papagiannis¹

, Zoi Tsimtsiou², Ioanna Chatzichristodoulou³, Maria Adamopoulou⁴, Ilias Kallistratos⁵, Spyros Pournaras³, Malamatenia Arvanitidou² and George Rachiotis^1,*

¹ Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa 41222, Greece

² Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece

³ Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece

⁴ Department of Medical Laboratories, Molecular Virology Laboratory, Technological Institution of Athens, Athens 12243, Greece

⁵ School of Health Professions, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 57400, Greece

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030323 - 15 Mar 2016

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 7753

Abstract

Students of health professions are at high risk of hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection during their clinical training. The aim of this cross-sectional, multi-centered study was to investigate the HBV vaccination coverage in Greek medical, nursing, and paramedical students, to look into their [...] Read more.

Students of health professions are at high risk of hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection during their clinical training. The aim of this cross-sectional, multi-centered study was to investigate the HBV vaccination coverage in Greek medical, nursing, and paramedical students, to look into their attitudes towards the importance of vaccines and to reveal reasons associated with not being vaccinated. A self-completed, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 2119 students of health professions in Greece, during the academic year 2013–2014. The HBV vaccination coverage of students was high (83%), being higher among medical students (88.1%, vs. 81.4% among nursing and 80.1% among paramedical students; p < 0.001). The vast majority of them (95%) have been vaccinated during childhood. In addition, 30% of the unvaccinated students declared fear over HBV safety. Our results indicate that the healthcare students achieved higher reported immunization rates compared to the currently serving healthcare workers, but also to the students of the last decade. The fact that nursing and paramedical students have lower coverage figures underlines the importance of targeted interventions for the different subgroups of healthcare students in terms of educational programs and screening for HBV markers in order to increase HBV vaccination uptake. Full article

22 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Geography and Ambient Air Pollution with Urine Metal Concentrations in Six US Cities: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

by Yuanjie Pang^1,*

, Miranda R. Jones¹, Maria Tellez-Plaza^2,3, Eliseo Guallar^1,2,4,5, Dhananjay Vaidya⁴, Wendy S. Post^1,4,5, Joel D. Kaufman⁶

, Joseph A. Delaney⁷ and Ana Navas-Acien^1,2,5

¹ Departments of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

² Departments of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

³ Fundacion de Investigacion Hospital Clinico de Valencia INCLIVA, Valencia 46010, Spain

⁴ Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

⁵ Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

⁶ Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA

⁷ Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030324 - 15 Mar 2016

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5342

Abstract

We investigated the associations of urinary concentrations of antimony, cadmium, tungsten and uranium with geographic locations and with ambient air pollution in 304 adults in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis from six US cities. After adjustment for sociodemographics, body mass index, and smoking [...] Read more.

We investigated the associations of urinary concentrations of antimony, cadmium, tungsten and uranium with geographic locations and with ambient air pollution in 304 adults in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis from six US cities. After adjustment for sociodemographics, body mass index, and smoking status, urinary cadmium was the highest in Winston-Salem among all study sites (the geometric mean [GM] in Winston-Salem was 0.84 µg/L [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57–1.22]). The adjusted GMs of urinary tungsten and uranium were highest in Los Angeles (0.11 µg/L [95% CI 0.08–0.16] and 0.019 µg/L [95% CI 0.016–0.023], respectively). The adjusted GM ratio comparing fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) tertiles 2 and 3 with the lowest tertile were 1.64 (95% CI 1.05–2.56) and 3.55 (95% CI 2.24–5.63) for tungsten, and 1.18 (95% CI 0.94–1.48) and 1.70 (95% CI 1.34–2.14) for uranium. The results for tungsten remained similar after adjustment for study site. Urinary cadmium, tungsten and uranium concentrations differed by geographic locations in MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) communities. PM_2.5 levels could contribute to geographic differences in tungsten exposure. These findings highlight the need to implement preventive strategies to decrease toxic metal exposure and to evaluate the health effects of chronic exposure to those metals. Full article

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19 pages, 537 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on the Respiratory System Toxicity of Carbon Nanoparticles

by Maricica Pacurari^1,2,*, Kristine Lowe³, Paul B. Tchounwou^1,2

and Ramzi Kafoury^1,2

¹ Biology Department, College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA

² Research Center in Minority Institutions-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA

³ Biology Department, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030325 - 15 Mar 2016

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 8752

Abstract

The respiratory system represents the main gateway for nanoparticles’ entry into the human body. Although there is a myriad of engineered nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles/nanotubes (CNPs/CNTs) have received much attention mainly due to their light weight, very high surface area, durability, and their diverse [...] Read more.

The respiratory system represents the main gateway for nanoparticles’ entry into the human body. Although there is a myriad of engineered nanoparticles, carbon nanoparticles/nanotubes (CNPs/CNTs) have received much attention mainly due to their light weight, very high surface area, durability, and their diverse applications. Since their discovery and manufacture over two decades ago, much has been learned about nanoparticles’ interactions with diverse biological system models. In particular, the respiratory system has been of great interest because various natural and man-made fibrous particles are known to be responsible for chronic and debilitating lung diseases. In this review, we present up-to-date the literature regarding the effects of CNTs or carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the human respiratory system with respect to respiratory toxicity pathways and associated pathologies. This article is intended to emphasize the potentially dangerous effects to the human respiratory system if inadequate measures are used in the manufacture, handling, and preparation and applications of CNP or CNP-based products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Fate and Effect of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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13 pages, 439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Organizational Support Impacts on the Associations of Work-Family Conflict or Family-Work Conflict with Depressive Symptoms among Chinese Doctors

by Junhui Hao¹, Jiana Wang¹, Li Liu¹, Wei Wu² and Hui Wu^1,*

¹ Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110013, China

² AstraZeneca China Management Academy, 28th Floor, 2807 Room, China Resources Building, No. 286, Young Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110014, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030326 - 16 Mar 2016

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 7412

Abstract

As a common mental disorder, depressive symptoms had been studied extensively all over the world. However, positive resources for combating depressive symptoms among Chinese doctors were rarely studied. Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC) [...] Read more.

As a common mental disorder, depressive symptoms had been studied extensively all over the world. However, positive resources for combating depressive symptoms among Chinese doctors were rarely studied. Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC) with depressive symptoms among Chinese doctors. Meanwhile, the role of perceived organizational support (POS) in this association was explored at an organizational level. The investigation was conducted between March and April 2014. Questionnaires that measured WFC, FWC, depressive symptoms and POS were distributed to 1200 doctors in Shenyang, China. The final study subjects were 931 doctors (effective response rate: 77.6%). In all analyses, male and female doctors were analyzed separately because of possible gender differences. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to examine the moderating role of POS. Baron and Kenny’s technique and asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to explore the mediating role of POS on the associations of WFC or FWC with depressive symptoms. WFC and FWC had positive relations with depressive symptoms among doctors. POS played a partial mediating role on the correlation of FWC with depressive symptoms among male doctors, and POS played a partial mediating role on the correlation of WFC with depressive symptoms among female doctors. POS had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between WFC and depressive symptoms among doctors. WFC and FWC could aggravate doctors’ depressive symptoms, and POS, as an organizational resource, could fight against doctors’ depressive symptoms. When POS functioned as a mediator, FWC had a negative effect on POS, which could increase male doctors’ depressive symptoms, and WFC had a negative effect on POS, which could increase female doctors’ depressive symptoms. In the meantime, POS, as a moderator, could enhance the effects of WFC on depressive symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress, Human Health and Wellbeing)

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15 pages, 2813 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Infiltration in Low-Income Multifamily Housing before and after Building Energy Retrofits

by Maria Patricia Fabian^1,2,*, Sharon Kitman Lee¹, Lindsay Jean Underhill¹, Kimberly Vermeer³, Gary Adamkiewicz² and Jonathan Ian Levy^1,2

¹ Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health. 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA

² Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health. 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02115, USA

³ Urban Habitat Initiatives Inc., 328A Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030327 - 16 Mar 2016

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6244

Abstract

Secondhand exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in multifamily housing remains a health concern despite strong recommendations to implement non-smoking policies. Multiple studies have documented exposure to ETS in non-smoking units located in buildings with smoking units. However, characterizing the magnitude of ETS [...] Read more.

Secondhand exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in multifamily housing remains a health concern despite strong recommendations to implement non-smoking policies. Multiple studies have documented exposure to ETS in non-smoking units located in buildings with smoking units. However, characterizing the magnitude of ETS infiltration or measuring the impact of building interventions or resident behavior on ETS is challenging due to the complexities of multifamily buildings, which include variable resident behaviors and complex airflows between numerous shared compartments (e.g., adjacent apartments, common hallways, elevators, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, stack effect). In this study, building simulation models were used to characterize changes in ETS infiltration in a low income, multifamily apartment building in Boston which underwent extensive building renovations targeting energy savings. Results suggest that exterior wall air sealing can lead to increases in ETS infiltration across apartments, while compartmentalization can reduce infiltration. The magnitude and direction of ETS infiltration depends on apartment characteristics, including construction (i.e., level and number of exterior walls), resident behavior (e.g., window opening, operation of localized exhaust fans), and seasonality. Although overall ETS concentrations and infiltration were reduced post energy-related building retrofits, these trends were not generalizable to all building units. Whole building smoke-free policies are the best approach to eliminate exposure to ETS in multifamily housing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Indoor Environmental Quality: Exposures and Occupant Health)

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12 pages, 835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dose-Response Relationship between Cumulative Occupational Lead Exposure and the Associated Health Damages: A 20-Year Cohort Study of a Smelter in China

by Yue Wu^1,†

, Jun-Ming Gu^1,2,†, Yun Huang¹, Yan-Ying Duan¹, Rui-Xue Huang¹ and Jian-An Hu^1,*

¹ Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Central South University, 110# Xiang-ya Rd., Changsha 410078, Hunan, China

² Worker Hospital, Guangdong Shaoguan Smelter, Shaoguan 512024, Guangdong, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030328 - 16 Mar 2016

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 9477

Abstract

Long-term airborne lead exposure, even below official occupational limits, has been found to cause lead poisoning at higher frequencies than expected, which suggests that China’s existing occupational exposure limits should be reexamined. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1832 smelting workers from [...] Read more.

Long-term airborne lead exposure, even below official occupational limits, has been found to cause lead poisoning at higher frequencies than expected, which suggests that China’s existing occupational exposure limits should be reexamined. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1832 smelting workers from 1988 to 2008 in China. These were individuals who entered the plant and came into continuous contact with lead at work for longer than 3 months. The dose-response relationship between occupational cumulative lead exposure and lead poisoning, abnormal blood lead, urinary lead and erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) were analyzed and the benchmark dose lower bound confidence limits (BMDLs) were calculated. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between cumulative lead dust and lead fumes exposures and workplace seniority, blood lead, urinary lead and ZPP values. A dose-response relationship was observed between cumulative lead dust or lead fumes exposure and lead poisoning (p < 0.01). The BMDLs of the cumulative occupational lead dust and fumes doses were 0.68 mg-year/m³ and 0.30 mg-year/m³ for lead poisoning, respectively. The BMDLs of workplace airborne lead concentrations associated with lead poisoning were 0.02 mg/m³ and 0.01 mg/m³ for occupational exposure lead dust and lead fume, respectively. In conclusion, BMDLs for airborne lead were lower than occupational exposure limits, suggesting that the occupational lead exposure limits need re-examination and adjustment. Occupational cumulative exposure limits (OCELs) should be established to better prevent occupational lead poisoning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lead: Risk Assessment and Health Effects)

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10 pages, 1631 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes of Sand Fly Populations and Leishmania infantum Infection Rates in an Irrigated Village Located in Arid Central Tunisia

by Walid Barhoumi^1,2,3, Wasfi Fares¹, Saifedine Cherni¹, Mohamed Derbali¹, Khalil Dachraoui¹, Ifhem Chelbi¹, Marcelo Ramalho-Ortigao⁴, John C. Beier⁵ and Elyes Zhioua^1,*

¹ Laboratory of Vector Ecology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur BP 74, Tunis 1002, Tunisia

² Laboratory of Transmission, Control and Immunobiology of Infections, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia

³ Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Bizerte 7021, Tunisia

⁴ Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA

⁵ Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030329 - 16 Mar 2016

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6307

Abstract

The current spread of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) throughout arid areas of Central Tunisia is a major public health concern. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether the development of irrigation in arid bio-geographical areas in Central Tunisia have led [...] Read more.

The current spread of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) throughout arid areas of Central Tunisia is a major public health concern. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether the development of irrigation in arid bio-geographical areas in Central Tunisia have led to the establishment of a stable cycle involving sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius and Leishmania infantum, and subsequently to the emergence of ZVL. Sand flies were collected from the village of Saddaguia, a highly irrigated zone located within an arid bio-geographical area of Central Tunisia by using modified Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) light traps. Morphological keys were used to identify sand flies. Collected sand flies were pooled with up to 30 specimens per pool according to date and tested by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) DNA sequencing from positive pools was used to identify Leishmania spp. A total of 4915 sand flies (2422 females and 2493 males) were collected from Saddaguia in September and in October 2014. Morphological identification confirmed sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius to be predominant. PCR analysis followed by DNA sequencing indicated that 15 pools were infected with L. infantum yielding an overall infection rate of 0.6%. The majority of the infected pools were of sand fly species belonging to subgenus Larroussius. Intense irrigation applied to the arid bio-geographical areas in Central Tunisia is at the origin of the development of an environment capable of sustaining important populations of sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius. This has led to the establishment of stable transmission cycles of L. infantum and subsequently to the emergence of ZVL. Full article

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9 pages, 280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Environmental and Hereditary Influence on Development of Pituitary Tumors Using Dermatoglyphic Traits and Their Potential as Screening Markers

by Marina Gradiser¹, Martina Matovinovic Osvatic², Dario Dilber¹ and Ines Bilic-Curcic^3,*

¹ County Hospital Cakovec, I.G. Kovacica 1E, 40000 Cakovec, Croatia

² Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

³ Faculty of Medicine, University Josip JurajStrossmayer, Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030330 - 17 Mar 2016

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5292

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess environmental and hereditary influence on development of pituitary tumors using dermatoglyphic traits. The study was performed on 126 patients of both genders with pituitary tumors (60 non-functional and 66 functional pituitary tumor patients) in comparison [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to assess environmental and hereditary influence on development of pituitary tumors using dermatoglyphic traits. The study was performed on 126 patients of both genders with pituitary tumors (60 non-functional and 66 functional pituitary tumor patients) in comparison to the control group of 400 phenotypically healthy individuals. Statistical analysis of quantitative and qualitative traits of digito-palmar dermatoglyphics was performed, and hormonal status was determined according to the standard protocols. Although we did not find markers that could specifically distinguish functional from non-functional tumors, we have found markers predisposing to the development of tumors in general (a small number of ridges between triradius of both hands, a smaller number of ridges between the triradius of c–d rc R), those for endocrine dysfunction (increased number of arches and reduced number of whorls, difference of pattern distribution in the I3 and I4 interdigital space), and some that could potentially be attributed to patients suffering from pituitary tumors (small number of ridges for variables FRR 5, smaller number of ridges in the FRL 4 of both hands and difference of pattern distribution at thenar of I1 and I2 interdigital space). The usage of dermatoglyphic traits as markers of predisposition of pituitary tumor development could facilitate the earlier detection of patients in addition to standard methods, and possibly earlier treatment and higher survival rate. Finally, our results are consistent with the hypothesis about multifactorial nature of pituitary tumor etiology comprised of both gene instability and environmental factors. Full article

11 pages, 1387 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Life Course, Green Space and Health: Incorporating Place into Life Course Epidemiology

by Jamie Pearce^1,*

, Niamh Shortt¹, Esther Rind¹ and Richard Mitchell²

¹ Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland EH8 9XP, UK

² Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8RZ, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030331 - 17 Mar 2016

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 10960

Abstract

Researchers interested in the relationships between place and health have been slow to incorporate a life course perspective, probably due to the lack of readily available historical environmental data. This hinders the identification of causal relationships. It also restricts our understanding as to [...] Read more.

Researchers interested in the relationships between place and health have been slow to incorporate a life course perspective, probably due to the lack of readily available historical environmental data. This hinders the identification of causal relationships. It also restricts our understanding as to whether there are accumulative effects over the life course and if there are critical periods in people’s lives when places are particularly pertinent. This study considers the feasibility of constructing longitudinal data on the availability of urban green space. The suitability of various historical and contemporary data sources is considered, including paper maps, aerial photographs and tabular land use data. Measures of urban green space are created for all neighbourhoods across the Edinburgh region of Scotland at various points during the past 100 years. We demonstrate that it is feasible to develop such measures, but there are complex issues involved in doing so. We also test the utility of the measures via an analysis of how accessibility to green space might alter over the life course of both people, and their residential neighbourhoods. The findings emphasise the potential for utilising historical data to significantly enhance understanding of the relationships between nature and health, and between health and place more generally. We encourage researchers to use data from other locations to consider including a longitudinal perspective to examine relationships between people’s health and their environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green-Blue Space and Health: Advances in Methods, Technologies and Applications)

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18 pages, 2900 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Physiological and Agronomical Parameters of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Exposed to Cerium and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

by Luca Marchiol^1,*

, Alessandro Mattiello^1,†, Filip Pošćić^1,†

, Guido Fellet^1,†

, Costanza Zavalloni^1,2, Elvio Carlino³

and Rita Musetti¹

¹ DI4A—Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Animal Sciences—University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, I-33100 Udine, Italy

² Agriculture Studies Department, California State University Stanislaus, One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382, USA

³ IOM-CNR Laboratorio TASC, Area Science Park Basovizza, Bld MM, SS 14, Km 163.5, 34149 Trieste, Italy

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030332 - 17 Mar 2016

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 7885

Abstract

The aims of our experiment were to evaluate the uptake and translocation of cerium and titanium oxide nanoparticles and to verify their effects on the growth cycle of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Barley plants were grown to physiological maturity in soil enriched [...] Read more.

The aims of our experiment were to evaluate the uptake and translocation of cerium and titanium oxide nanoparticles and to verify their effects on the growth cycle of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Barley plants were grown to physiological maturity in soil enriched with either 0, 500 or 1000 mg·kg⁻¹ cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO₂) or titanium oxide nanoparticles (nTiO₂) and their combination. The growth cycle of nCeO₂ and nTiO₂ treated plants was about 10 days longer than the controls. In nCeO₂ treated plants the number of tillers, leaf area and the number of spikes per plant were reduced respectively by 35.5%, 28.3% and 30% (p ≤ 0.05). nTiO₂ stimulated plant growth and compensated for the adverse effects of nCeO₂. Concentrations of Ce and Ti in aboveground plant fractions were minute. The fate of nanomaterials within the plant tissues was different. Crystalline nTiO₂ aggregates were detected within the leaf tissues of barley, whereas nCeO₂ was not present in the form of nanoclusters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Fate and Effect of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials)

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15 pages, 593 KiB

Open AccessReview

Indicators for Monitoring Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: A Systematic Review of Indicator Selection Methods

by Stefanie Schwemlein, Ryan Cronk

and Jamie Bartram^*

Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030333 - 17 Mar 2016

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 10962

Abstract

Monitoring water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) is important to track progress, improve accountability, and demonstrate impacts of efforts to improve conditions and services, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Indicator selection methods enable robust monitoring of WaSH projects and conditions. However, selection methods [...] Read more.

Monitoring water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) is important to track progress, improve accountability, and demonstrate impacts of efforts to improve conditions and services, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Indicator selection methods enable robust monitoring of WaSH projects and conditions. However, selection methods are not always used and there are no commonly-used methods for selecting WaSH indicators. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review of indicator selection methods used in WaSH-related fields. We present a summary of indicator selection methods for environment, international development, and water. We identified six methodological stages for selecting indicators for WaSH: define the purpose and scope; select a conceptual framework; search for candidate indicators; determine selection criteria; score indicators against criteria; and select a final suite of indicators. This summary of indicator selection methods provides a foundation for the critical assessment of existing methods. It can be used to inform future efforts to construct indicator sets in WaSH and related fields. Full article

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11 pages, 2392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polyethyleneimine Capped Silver Nanoclusters as Efficient Antibacterial Agents

by Dong Xu^1,*,†, Qingyun Wang^1,†, Tao Yang¹, Jianzhong Cao¹, Qinlu Lin^1,*, Zhiqin Yuan²

and Le Li³

¹ National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and By-Products Further Processing, Central South University of Forestry & Technology, Changsha 410004, China

² State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China

³ Hunan Ehome Health Technology Inc., Buliding 6# 1715, LvDi Central Square, Yuelu District, Changsha 410023, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030334 - 18 Mar 2016

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 8587

Abstract

Development of efficient antibacterial agents is critical for human health. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-capped silver nanoclusters (PEI-AgNCs), based on the fact that nanoclusters normally have higher surface-to-volume ratios than traditional nanomaterials and PEI itself has [...] Read more.

Development of efficient antibacterial agents is critical for human health. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-capped silver nanoclusters (PEI-AgNCs), based on the fact that nanoclusters normally have higher surface-to-volume ratios than traditional nanomaterials and PEI itself has a strong antimicrobial capacity. We synthesized stable silver nanoclusters by altering PEI molecular weight from 0.6 kDa to 25 kDa and characterized them by UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The sizes of AgNCs were around 2 nm in diameter and were little influenced by the molecular weight of PEIs. The antibacterial abilities of the four PEI-AgNCs were explored on agar plate and in liquid systems. Our results revealed that the antibacterial activity of PEI-AgNCs is excellent and the reduction of PEI molecular weight could result in the increased antibacterial capacity of PEI-AgNCs. Such proposed new materials might be useful as efficient antibacterial agents in practical clinical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials-Based New Techniques, New Drugs, and Antibacterial Reagents)

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1 pages, 217 KiB

Open AccessErratum

Erratum: Li, M., et al. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Medical Students: Letter from China. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12, 13289–13294

by International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Editorial Office

MDPI, Klybeckstrasse 64, Basel CH-4057, Switzerland

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030335 - 18 Mar 2016

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3358

Abstract

We wish to make the following correction to the published paper [1].[...] Full article

19 pages, 5911 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Spatial and Temporal Variations of Water Quality for Agricultural Lands with Crop Rotation in China by Using a HYPE Model

by Yunxing Yin¹, Sanyuan Jiang², Charlotta Pers³

, Xiaoying Yang¹, Qun Liu⁴, Jin Yuan¹, Mingxing Yao¹, Yi He⁵, Xingzhang Luo^1,* and Zheng Zheng¹

¹ College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China

² Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Nanjing 210008, China

³ Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Norrkoping SE-601 76, Sweden

⁴ Zhumadian City Environmental Protection Bureau, Zhuamadian 463000, China

⁵ Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich , Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030336 - 18 Mar 2016

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6650

Abstract

Many water quality models have been successfully used worldwide to predict nutrient losses from anthropogenically impacted catchments, but hydrological and nutrient simulations with limited data are difficult considering the transfer of model parameters and complication of model calibration and validation. This study aims: [...] Read more.

Many water quality models have been successfully used worldwide to predict nutrient losses from anthropogenically impacted catchments, but hydrological and nutrient simulations with limited data are difficult considering the transfer of model parameters and complication of model calibration and validation. This study aims: (i) to assess the performance capabilities of a new and relatively more advantageous model, namely, Hydrological Predictions for the Environment (HYPE), that simulates stream flow and nutrient load in agricultural areas by using a multi-site and multi-objective parameter calibration method and (ii) to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) concentrations and loads with crop rotation by using the model for the first time. A parameter estimation tool (PEST) was used to calibrate parameters. Results show that the parameters related to the effective soil porosity were highly sensitive to hydrological modeling. N balance was largely controlled by soil denitrification processes. P balance was influenced by the sedimentation rate and production/decay of P in rivers and lakes. The model reproduced the temporal and spatial variations of discharge and TN/TP relatively well in both calibration (2006–2008) and validation (2009–2010) periods. Among the obtained data, the lowest Nash-Suttclife efficiency of discharge, daily TN load, and daily TP load were 0.74, 0.51, and 0.54, respectively. The seasonal variations of daily TN concentrations in the entire simulation period were insufficient, indicated that crop rotation changed the timing and amount of N output. Monthly TN and TP simulation yields revealed that nutrient outputs were abundant in summer in terms of the corresponding discharge. The area-weighted TN and TP load annual yields in five years showed that nutrient loads were extremely high along Hong and Ru rivers, especially in agricultural lands. Full article

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14 pages, 440 KiB

Open AccessReview

Salivary Cortisol Reactivity in Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care: An Integrative Review

by Evalotte Mörelius^1,*

, Hong-Gu He² and Shefaly Shorey²

¹ Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Division of Nursing Science, Linköping University, Norrköping 60174, Sweden

² Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030337 - 18 Mar 2016

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 9083

Abstract

Recently, more and more researchers have been using salivary cortisol reactivity to evaluate stress in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim of this integrative literature review was to summarize the evidence of interventions leading to a change in [...] Read more.

Recently, more and more researchers have been using salivary cortisol reactivity to evaluate stress in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim of this integrative literature review was to summarize the evidence of interventions leading to a change in salivary cortisol from the baseline in preterm infants in the NICU. The electronic databases of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for relevant studies. The inclusion criteria were studies with preterm infants exposed to an intervention evaluated by salivary cortisol reactivity before discharge from the NICU, which were published in English. In total, 16 studies were included. Eye-screening examination and heel lance provoked an increase in the salivary cortisol level. Music, prone position, and co-bedding among twins decreased the salivary cortisol level. Several studies reported a low rate of successful saliva sampling or did not use control groups. Future studies need to focus on non-painful interventions in order to learn more about salivary cortisol regulation in preterm infants. Moreover, these studies should use study designs comprising homogenous gestational and postnatal age groups, control groups, and reliable analysis methods that are able to detect cortisol in small amounts of saliva. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stress Biomarkers)

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15 pages, 440 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mitigating Physiological Responses to Layoff Threat: An Experimental Test of the Efficacy of Two Coping Interventions

by Tahira M. Probst^1,*

and Lixin Jiang²

¹ Department of Psychology, Washington State University Vancouver, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver, WA 98686, USA

² Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030338 - 18 Mar 2016

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 7296

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to assess real-time physiological reactions to the threat of layoffs and to determine whether the use of an emotion-focused vs. problem-focused coping intervention would be more efficacious in attenuating these physiological reactions. A 2 (coping intervention) [...] Read more.

The purpose of the current study was to assess real-time physiological reactions to the threat of layoffs and to determine whether the use of an emotion-focused vs. problem-focused coping intervention would be more efficacious in attenuating these physiological reactions. A 2 (coping intervention) × 4 (within-subjects time points) mixed experimental design was used to test the hypotheses. Eighty-four undergraduates participated in this laboratory experiment during which their galvanic skin response (GSR) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored. Analyses indicate that individuals instructed to utilize an emotion-focused coping strategy experienced a significantly greater decline in their GSR compared to those utilizing the problem-focused coping method. Results suggest organizations conducting layoffs might focus first on dealing with the emotional aftermath of downsizing before focusing on problem-solving tasks, such as resume writing and other traditional outplacement activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupational Stress, Human Health and Wellbeing)

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16 pages, 314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Work-Recreation Balance, Health-Promoting Lifestyles and Suboptimal Health Status in Southern China: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Shengwei Wu^1,2,†, Zhengzheng Xuan^1,2,†, Fei Li^1,2,†, Wei Xiao^1,†, Xiuqiong Fu³, Pingping Jiang^1,2, Jieyu Chen^1,2, Lei Xiang^1,2, Yanyan Liu^1,2, Xiaoli Nie^1,2, Ren Luo^1,2, Xiaomin Sun¹, Hiuyee Kwan^3,* and Xiaoshan Zhao^1,2,*

¹ School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China

² Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China

³ School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030339 - 19 Mar 2016

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 8548

Abstract

Suboptimal health status (SHS)—an intermediate state between health and illness—refers to functional somatic symptoms that are medically undiagnosed. Although SHS has become a great challenge for global public health, very little about its etiology and mechanisms are known. Work-recreation balance is a part [...] Read more.

Suboptimal health status (SHS)—an intermediate state between health and illness—refers to functional somatic symptoms that are medically undiagnosed. Although SHS has become a great challenge for global public health, very little about its etiology and mechanisms are known. Work-recreation balance is a part of work−life balance, and is related to stress which greatly influences health status. We therefore carried out a cross-sectional investigation between 2012 and 2013 within a clustered sample of 24,475 individuals aged 15−60 years from a population in southern China. In so doing, we hoped to illuminate the associations between work-recreation balance conditions, healthy lifestyles, and SHS. Work-recreation balance conditions were categorically defined by frequency (“rarely, sometimes, or always”). Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II) was used to evaluate the level of healthy lifestyles, and the medical examination report and Sub-Health Measurement Scale V1.0 (SHMS V1.0) were both used to evaluate health status. The ratio of SHS (46.3%) is higher than health status (18.4%) or disease status (35.3%). Overall, 4.9% of respondents reported the lowest level of work-recreation balance, and they scored lower on both the HPLP-II and SHMS V1.0 compared with those who frequently maintained a work-recreation balance. Significant association was found between work-recreation balance behaviors and healthy lifestyles (p < 0.001) after demographic adjustment. In comparison with those reporting a frequent work-recreation balance, individuals whose work-recreation balance was categorically “rare” were 1.69 times as likely to develop SHS (odds ratio (OR): 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49–1.92), and those with infrequent work-recreation balance (“sometimes”) were 1.71 times more likely to develop SHS (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.62–1.81). These findings suggest that work-recreation balance conditions are significantly associated with, and seem to be accurate behavioral indicia of a healthy lifestyle. Poor work-recreation balance is associated with increased risk for SHS; thus, a healthier lifestyle that maintains a work-recreation balance should be promoted in order to reduce the development of SHS or disease in southern China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behaviors and Public Health)

10 pages, 274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Sociodemographic and Perceived Environmental Factors with Public Bicycle Use among Taiwanese Urban Adults

by Yung Liao

Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, 162, Heping East Road Section 1, Taipei 106, Taiwan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030340 - 19 Mar 2016

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4820

Abstract

Background: This study examined the sociodemographic and perceived environmental factors associated with public bicycle use among Taiwanese urban adults. Methods: A random-digit-dialing telephone-based cross-sectional survey was administered to Taiwanese urban adults aged 20–64 years in 2015. Data on sociodemographic variables, perceived [...] Read more.

Background: This study examined the sociodemographic and perceived environmental factors associated with public bicycle use among Taiwanese urban adults. Methods: A random-digit-dialing telephone-based cross-sectional survey was administered to Taiwanese urban adults aged 20–64 years in 2015. Data on sociodemographic variables, perceived environmental factors (for attributes identified in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Environmental Module), and public bicycle use were obtained from 1002 adults in three cities. Adjusted logistic regression was used. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, the results showed that adults aged 20–29 years (odds ratio (OR) = 4.42) with a university degree or higher (OR = 2.03) were more likely to use public bicycles. In addition, adults living in Kaohsiung City were less likely to use public bicycles (OR = 0.24). Adults who saw people being active (OR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.05–2.86) and had positive aesthetic experiences of their environment (OR = 1.69) were more likely to use public bicycles. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that seeing physically active people and positive aesthetic perceptions of the environment are key factors for developing transportation policies and intervention strategies for promoting public bicycle use among Taiwanese urban adults. Full article

12 pages, 2178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Air Pollution on Hospital Emergency Room Visits for Respiratory Diseases: Urban-Suburban Differences in Eastern China

by Peng Liu¹, Xining Wang^2,†, Jiayin Fan^3,†, Wenxin Xiao^4,† and Yan Wang^1,*,†

¹ School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China

² Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan 250014, China

³ Shandong Experimental High School, Jinan 250001, China

⁴ School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030341 - 19 Mar 2016

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 7639

Abstract

A study on the relationships between ambient air pollutants (PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂) and hospital emergency room visits (ERVs) for respiratory diseases from 2013 to 2014 was performed in both urban and suburban areas of Jinan, a heavily [...] Read more.

A study on the relationships between ambient air pollutants (PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂) and hospital emergency room visits (ERVs) for respiratory diseases from 2013 to 2014 was performed in both urban and suburban areas of Jinan, a heavily air-polluted city in Eastern China. This research was analyzed using generalized additive models (GAM) with Poisson regression, which controls for long-time trends, the “day of the week” effect and meteorological parameters. An increase of 10 μg/m³ in PM_2.5, SO₂ and NO₂ corresponded to a 1.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7%, 2.1%), 1.2% (95% CI: 0.5%, 1.9%), and 2.5% (95%: 0.8%, 4.2%) growth in ERVs for the urban population, respectively, and a 1.5% (95%: 0.4%, 2.6%), 0.8% (95%: −0.7%, 2.3%), and 3.1% (95%: 0.5%, 5.7%) rise in ERVs for the suburban population, respectively. It was found that females were more susceptible than males to air pollution in the urban area when the analysis was stratified by gender, and the reverse result was seen in the suburban area. Our results suggest that the increase in ERVs for respiratory illnesses is linked to the levels of air pollutants in Jinan, and there may be some urban-suburban discrepancies in health outcomes from air pollutant exposure. Full article

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11 pages, 2498 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heavy Metal Accumulation is Associated with Molecular and Pathological Perturbations in Liver of Variola louti from the Jeddah Coast of Red Sea

by Saleh A. Mohamed^1,*, Mohamed F. Elshal¹, Taha A. Kumosani¹, Ahmad O. Mal², Youssri M. Ahmed¹, Yaaser Q. Almulaiky¹, Amer H. Asseri¹ and Mazin A. Zamzami¹

¹ Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science; Production of Bioproducts for Industrial Applications Research Group and Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

² Marine Biology Department, Faculty of Marine Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030342 - 21 Mar 2016

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5655

Abstract

Large amounts of waste water are discharged daily from the Jeddah Metropolitan Area into the Red Sea. Sewage draining into the Red Sea causes widespread chemical pollution that is toxic to aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent [...] Read more.

Large amounts of waste water are discharged daily from the Jeddah Metropolitan Area into the Red Sea. Sewage draining into the Red Sea causes widespread chemical pollution that is toxic to aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the extent of pollution and assess the presence of heavy metals in fish tissue and study their association with biological and biochemical alterations. The average concentrations of heavy metals found in hepatic tissues of Variola louti fish from the polluted area, namely Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn, were 1.74, 9.69, 47.48, 4020.01 and 229.47 µg/g liver, respectively, that were significantly higher than that of samples taken from reference area (0.24, 1.98, 20.12, 721.93, 129.21 µg/g liver, respectively). The fold change of heavy metals in fish from the polluted area with respect of that of the reference area followed the order Cd > Fe > Cr > Cu > Zn. Analysis of nuclear DNA revealed that hepatic tissues of fish samples from the polluted area showed a significant increase in apoptotic cells as detected by flow cytometry and formation DNA-ladder. In addition, hepatic sections from polluted area fishes showed more fibrotic changes and collagen deposition by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson’s trichrome staining, respectively, compared to samples taken from the reference area. Moreover, the electrophoretic patterns of proteins of liver of fishes caught at the polluted area showed different patterns of proteins from that of the reference with bands at 42, 130 and 140 kDa, which is in a good agreement with the molecular weight of collagen type III. In conclusion, there were significant changes in the tissues of fishes in the polluted area at the cellular and the molecular levels that may be associated with an accumulation of heavy metals. Assessment of fishes as a sensitive biomonitor for the pollution of surface waters that may affect general health of human and wild life is conceivable. Full article

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12 pages, 1295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

EQ-5D-5L in the General German Population: Comparison and Evaluation of Three Yearly Cross-Section Surveys

by Manuel B. Huber^1,*

, Peter Reitmeir¹, Martin Vogelmann² and Reiner Leidl^1,3

¹ German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute for Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Postfach 1129, Neuherberg 85758, Germany

² Wort & Bild Verlag Konradshöhe GmbH & Co. KG, Baierbrunn 82065, Germany

³ Munich Center of Health Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Ludwigstr. 28 RG, Munich 80539, Germany

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030343 - 21 Mar 2016

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 7387

Abstract

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a key measure for evaluating health status in populations. Using the recent EQ-5D-5L for measurement, this study analyzed quality of life results and their stability over consecutive population surveys. Three cross-section surveys for representative samples of the [...] Read more.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a key measure for evaluating health status in populations. Using the recent EQ-5D-5L for measurement, this study analyzed quality of life results and their stability over consecutive population surveys. Three cross-section surveys for representative samples of the general German population from 2012, 2013, and 2014 were evaluated using the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system and valuation by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Aggregated sample size reached 6074. The dimension with the highest prevalence of problems was pain/discomfort (31.7%). Compared with 2012 (59.3%), the percentage of participants in the best health state increased slightly in 2013 (63.4%) and 2014 (62%). Over the 3-year period, diabetes and heart disease had the strongest negative influence on mean VAS result. The number of reported chronic diseases cumulatively reduced mean VAS. Extreme problems in one or more dimensions were stated by only 0.1%–0.2% of patients. Of the potential 247 health states with a problem score ≥20, only six were observed in the aggregated sample. HRQoL results were fairly stable over the 3 years, but the share of the population with no problems was not. Results from the aggregated sample may serve as updated reference values for the general German population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chronic Diseases and Multimorbidity in Primary Care)

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16 pages, 751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Climate Change Policies Promote or Conflict with Subjective Wellbeing: A Case Study of Suzhou, China

by Miaomiao Liu¹, Yining Huang¹, Rosemary Hiscock²

, Qin Li³, Jun Bi^1,4,*, Patrick L. Kinney⁵ and Clive E. Sabel²

¹ State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210023, China

² School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK

³ Suzhou Environmental Science Research Institute, Suzhou 215007, China

⁴ Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Nanjing 210023, China

⁵ Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10023, USA

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030344 - 21 Mar 2016

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6998

Abstract

As public expectations for health rise, health measurements broaden from a focus on death, disease, and disability to wellbeing. However, wellbeing hasn’t been incorporated into the framework of climate change policy decision-making in Chinese cities. Based on survey data (n = 763) [...] Read more.

As public expectations for health rise, health measurements broaden from a focus on death, disease, and disability to wellbeing. However, wellbeing hasn’t been incorporated into the framework of climate change policy decision-making in Chinese cities. Based on survey data (n = 763) from Suzhou, this study used Generalized Estimation Equation approach to model external conditions associated with wellbeing. Then, semi-quantitative analyses were conducted to provide a first indication to whether local climate change policies promote or conflict with wellbeing through altering these conditions. Our findings suggested: (i) Socio-demographic (age, job satisfaction, health), psychosocial (satisfaction with social life, ontological security/resilience) and environmental conditions (distance to busy road, noise annoyance and range hoods in the kitchen) were significantly associated with wellbeing; (ii) None of existing climate change strategies in Suzhou conflict with wellbeing. Three mitigation policies (promotion of tertiary and high–tech industry, increased renewable energy in buildings, and restrictions on car use) and one adaption policy (increasing resilience) brought positive co–benefits for wellbeing, through the availability of high-satisfied jobs, reduced dependence on range hoods, noise reduction, and valuing citizens, respectively. This study also provided implications for other similar Chinese cities that potential consequences of climate change interventions for wellbeing should be considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Human Health)

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20 pages, 3461 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Nonlinear Trends and Non-Stationary Oscillations of Regional Precipitation in Xinjiang, Northwestern China, Using Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition

by Bin Guo^{1,2,3,4,*,†}

, Zhongsheng Chen^3,5,†, Jinyun Guo^1,2,*

, Feng Liu^1,†, Chuanfa Chen^1,2,*

and Kangli Liu¹

¹ College of Geodesy and Geomatics, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China

² State Key Laboratory of Mining Disaster Prevention and Control Co-founded by Shandong Province and Ministry of Science & Technology, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China

³ State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China

⁴ Key Laboratory of Surveying and Mapping Technology on Island and Reef, National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinfomation, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China

⁵ Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030345 - 21 Mar 2016

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6790

Abstract

Changes in precipitation could have crucial influences on the regional water resources in arid regions such as Xinjiang. It is necessary to understand the intrinsic multi-scale variations of precipitation in different parts of Xinjiang in the context of climate change. In this study, [...] Read more.

Changes in precipitation could have crucial influences on the regional water resources in arid regions such as Xinjiang. It is necessary to understand the intrinsic multi-scale variations of precipitation in different parts of Xinjiang in the context of climate change. In this study, based on precipitation data from 53 meteorological stations in Xinjiang during 1960–2012, we investigated the intrinsic multi-scale characteristics of precipitation variability using an adaptive method named ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD). Obvious non-linear upward trends in precipitation were found in the north, south, east and the entire Xinjiang. Changes in precipitation in Xinjiang exhibited significant inter-annual scale (quasi-2 and quasi-6 years) and inter-decadal scale (quasi-12 and quasi-23 years). Moreover, the 2–3-year quasi-periodic fluctuation was dominant in regional precipitation and the inter-annual variation had a considerable effect on the regional-scale precipitation variation in Xinjiang. We also found that there were distinctive spatial differences in variation trends and turning points of precipitation in Xinjiang. The results of this study indicated that compared to traditional decomposition methods, the EEMD method, without using any a priori determined basis functions, could effectively extract the reliable multi-scale fluctuations and reveal the intrinsic oscillation properties of climate elements. Full article

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23 pages, 352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health Risks Associated with Oil Pollution in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

by Jerome Nriagu^1,*, Emilia A. Udofia²

, Ibanga Ekong³ and Godwin Ebuk⁴

¹ Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA

² Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 13, Legon, Ghana

³ Department of Community Health, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

⁴ Department of Public Health Services, Akwa Ibom Ministry of Health Headquarters, P.M.B. 1030, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030346 - 21 Mar 2016

Cited by 94 | Viewed by 17755

Abstract

Background: Although there is considerable public concern about the environmental impacts of oil pollution in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, actual evidence on the pathological and psychological effects in the health of local communities is minimally known. We sought to associate the [...] Read more.

Background: Although there is considerable public concern about the environmental impacts of oil pollution in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, actual evidence on the pathological and psychological effects in the health of local communities is minimally known. We sought to associate the perspective measures of exposure to oil pollution with health outcomes (inventory of health symptoms and functional capacity limitations) and determine how emotional reactions to environmental risks moderate these health outcomes. Method: The study was conducted with 600 participants selected from five local government areas in Akwa Ibom State where oil pollution is rampant. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data on the respondents’ exposure to oil pollution, self-rated health and disease symptoms, perception of risk of exposure and emotional reactions to local oil pollution. Results: Most of the participants lived in areas with visible oil pollution and/or near gas flaring facilities and regularly suffered direct exposure to oil in their environment. High level of emotional distress was a part of everyone's life for the study population. Risk perception in the study area was mediated, to a large extent, by dreaded hazards (catastrophic fears of pipeline explosions and oil spill fire), visual cues (gas flares and smoke stacks) and chemosensory cues (off-flavor in drinking water). The exposure metrics were found to be significant predictors of the health effects and influencing factors (emotional reactions). Multi-levels models suggest that at the individual level, the demographic variables and direct contact with oil pollution were important mediators of functional capacity limitation. At the community level, emotional distress from fear of the sources of exposure was an important mediator of the health symptoms. Conclusions: This study documents high levels of disease symptoms and environmental distress (worry, annoyance and intolerance) associated with oil pollution in the Niger Delta areas of Nigeria. It highlights the need for some intervention to ameliorate the psychological distress associated with living under such environmental adversity. Full article

12 pages, 460 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Coarse Particles on Daily Mortality: A Case-Crossover Study in a Subtropical City, Taipei, Taiwan

by Meng-Hsuan Cheng^1,2, Hui-Fen Chiu³ and Chun-Yuh Yang^4,5,*

¹ Division of Pulmonary and Critical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan

² Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan

³ Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan

⁴ Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan

⁵ Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institute, Miaoli 350, Taiwan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030347 - 22 Mar 2016

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4904

Abstract

Many studies have examined the effects of air pollution on daily mortality over the past two decades. However, information on the relationship between levels of coarse particles (PM_2.5–10) and daily mortality is relatively sparse due to the limited availability of monitoring [...] Read more.

Many studies have examined the effects of air pollution on daily mortality over the past two decades. However, information on the relationship between levels of coarse particles (PM_2.5–10) and daily mortality is relatively sparse due to the limited availability of monitoring data. Furthermore, the results are inconsistent. In the current study, the association between coarse particle levels and daily mortality in Taipei, Taiwan’s largest city, which has a subtropical climate, was undertaken for the period 2006–2008 using a time-stratified case-crossover analysis. For the single pollutant model (without adjustment for other pollutants), PM_2.5–10 showed statistically significant association with total mortality both on warm and cool days, with an interquartile range increase associated with a 11% (95% CI = 6%–17%) and 4% (95% CI = 1%–7%) rise in number of total deaths, respectively. In two-pollutant models, PM_2.5–10 remained significant effects on total mortality after the inclusion of SO₂ and O₃ both on warm and cool days. We observed no significant associations between PM_2.5–10 and daily mortality from respiratory diseases both on warm and cool days. For daily mortality from circulatory diseases, the effect of PM_2.5–10 remained significant when SO₂ or O₃ was added in the regression model both on warm and cool days. Future studies of this type in cities with varying climates and cultures are needed. Full article

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13 pages, 2103 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting the Cytotoxic Potency of Cigarette Smoke by Assessing the Thioredoxin Reductase Inhibitory Capacity of Cigarette Smoke Extract

by Longjie Zhang^1,2, Min Ning¹, Yingbo Xu¹, Chenghui Wang¹, Guangshan Zhao², Qingqing Cao² and Jinsong Zhang^2,*

¹ Anhui Key Laboratory of Tobacco Chemistry, Technology Center, China Tobacco Anhui Industrial CO., LTD., Hefei 230088, China

² State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea & Food Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030348 - 21 Mar 2016

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4791

Abstract

The present study investigated the influence of the cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on mammalian thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity. TrxR is a selenoenzyme with a selenocysteine (Sec) residue exposed on the enzyme’s surface. This unique Sec residue is particularly susceptible to modification by numerous [...] Read more.

The present study investigated the influence of the cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on mammalian thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity. TrxR is a selenoenzyme with a selenocysteine (Sec) residue exposed on the enzyme’s surface. This unique Sec residue is particularly susceptible to modification by numerous types of electrophiles, leading to inactivation of TrxR and consequent cytotoxicity. Cigarette smoke contains various electrophiles, and the present study showed that CSE could inhibit intracellular TrxR through causing crosslinking and alkylation of TrxR1. TrxR inhibitory capacities of various CSEs were evaluated by using mouse-liver homogenate. Among the CSEs prepared from 18 commercial cigarette brands, TrxR inhibitory capacities of the maximum and the minimum had a 2.5-fold difference. Importantly, CSE’s inhibitory capacity greatly paralleled its cytotoxic potency in all cell lines used. Compared to cytotoxic assays, which have been widely used for evaluating cigarette toxicity but are not suitable for simultaneously examining a large number of cigarette samples, the present method was simple and rapid with a high-throughput feature and thus could be used as an auxiliary means to predict the cytotoxicity of a large number of cigarette samples, making it possible to extensively screen numerous agricultural and industrial measures that potentially affect cigarette safety. Full article

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9 pages, 1143 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enantioselective Determination of Polycyclic Musks in River and Wastewater by GC/MS/MS

by Injung Lee^1,2, Anantha-Iyengar Gopalan^2,3

and Kwang-Pill Lee^2,3,*

¹ Nakdong River Environment Research Center, National Institute of Environment Research, Gyoungbuk 717-873, Korea

² Department of Chemistry Graduate School, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea

³ Research Institute of Advanced Energy Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030349 - 22 Mar 2016

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5451

Abstract

The separation of chiral compounds is an interesting and challenging topic in analytical chemistry, especially in environmental fields. Enantioselective degradation or bioaccumulation has been observed for several chiral pollutants. Polycyclic musks are chiral and are widely used as fragrances in a variety of [...] Read more.

The separation of chiral compounds is an interesting and challenging topic in analytical chemistry, especially in environmental fields. Enantioselective degradation or bioaccumulation has been observed for several chiral pollutants. Polycyclic musks are chiral and are widely used as fragrances in a variety of personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, cosmetics and perfumes. In this study, the gas chromatographic separation of chiral polycyclic musks, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclo-penta-γ-2-benzopyrane (HHCB), 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydronaphthalene (AHTN), 6-acetyl-1,1,2,3,3,5-hexamethylindane (AHDI), 5-acetyl-1,1,2,6-tetramethyl-3-iso-propylindane (ATII), and 6,7-dihydro-1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-4(5H)-indanone (DPMI) was achieved on modified cyclodextrin stationary phase (heptakis (2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl-β-CD in DV-1701)). Separation techniques are coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS), as it provides the sensitivity and selectivity needed. River and wastewaters (influents and effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)) in the Nakdong River were investigated with regard to the concentrations and the enantiomeric ratios of polycyclic musks. HHCB was most frequently detected in river and wastewaters, and an enantiomeric enrichment was observed in the effluents of one of the investigated wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). We reported the contamination of river and wastewaters in Korea by chiral polycyclic musks. The results of this investigation suggest that enantioselective transformation may occur during wastewater treatment. Full article

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10 pages, 855 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Direct Quantification of Rare Earth Elements Concentrations in Urine of Workers Manufacturing Cerium, Lanthanum Oxide Ultrafine and Nanoparticles by a Developed and Validated ICP-MS

by Yan Li^1,2,†, Hua Yu^1,†

, Siqian Zheng¹, Yang Miao¹, Shi Yin¹, Peng Li^1,* and Ying Bian^1,*

¹ State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Av. Padre Tomás Pereira Taipa, Macau 999078, China

² Shanghai Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (SIOSH), 369 North Chengdu Road, Shanghai 200041, China

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030350 - 22 Mar 2016

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6429

Abstract

Rare earth elements (REEs) have undergone a steady spread in several industrial, agriculture and medical applications. With the aim of exploring a sensitive and reliable indicator of estimating exposure level to REEs, a simple, accurate and specific ICP-MS method for simultaneous direct quantification [...] Read more.

Rare earth elements (REEs) have undergone a steady spread in several industrial, agriculture and medical applications. With the aim of exploring a sensitive and reliable indicator of estimating exposure level to REEs, a simple, accurate and specific ICP-MS method for simultaneous direct quantification of 15 REEs (⁸⁹Y, ¹³⁹La, ¹⁴⁰Ce, ¹⁴¹Pr, ¹⁴⁶Nd, ¹⁴⁷Sm, ¹⁵³Eu, ¹⁵⁷Gd, ¹⁵⁹Tb, ¹⁶³Dy, ¹⁶⁵Ho, ¹⁶⁶Er, ¹⁶⁹Tm, ¹⁷²Yb and ¹⁷⁵Lu) in human urine has been developed and validated. The method showed good linearity for all REEs in human urine in the concentrations ranging from 0.001–1.000 μg∙L⁻¹ with r² > 0.997. The limits of detection and quantification for this method were in the range of 0.009–0.010 μg∙L⁻¹ and 0.029–0.037 μg∙L⁻¹, the recoveries on spiked samples of the 15 REEs ranged from 93.3% to 103.0% and the relative percentage differences were less than 6.2% in duplicate samples, and the intra- and inter-day variations of the analysis were less than 1.28% and less than 0.85% for all REEs, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of 15 REEs in 31 urine samples obtained from the control subjects and the workers engaged in work with manufacturing of ultrafine and nanoparticles containing cerium and lanthanum oxide. The results suggested that only the urinary levels of La (1.234 ± 0.626 μg∙L⁻¹), Ce (1.492 ± 0.995 μg∙L⁻¹), Nd (0.014 ± 0.009 μg∙L⁻¹) and Gd (0.023 ± 0.010 μg∙L⁻¹) among the exposed workers were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the levels measured in the control subjects. From these, La and Ce were the primary components, and accounted for 88% of the total REEs. Lanthanum comprised 27% of the total REEs while Ce made up the majority of REE content at 61%. The remaining elements only made up 1% each, with the exception of Dy which was not detected. Comparison with the previously published data, the levels of urinary La and Ce in workers and the control subjects show a higher trend than previous reports. Full article

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15 pages, 3303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Asphalt Pavement Construction: A Case Study in China

by Feng Ma^1,*, Aimin Sha¹, Ruiyu Lin¹, Yue Huang² and Chao Wang¹

¹ Key Laboratory Special Area Highway Engineering of Ministry of Education , Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China

² School of Civil Engineering, Liverpool John Moores University, Peter Jost Enterprise Centre, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13(3), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13030351 - 22 Mar 2016

Cited by 94 | Viewed by 12009

Abstract

In China, the construction of asphalt pavement has a significant impact on the environment, and energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from asphalt pavement construction have been receiving increasing attention in recent years. At present, there is no universal criterion for the [...] Read more.

In China, the construction of asphalt pavement has a significant impact on the environment, and energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from asphalt pavement construction have been receiving increasing attention in recent years. At present, there is no universal criterion for the evaluation of GHG emissions in asphalt pavement construction. This paper proposes to define the system boundaries for GHG emissions from asphalt pavement by using a process-based life cycle assessment method. A method for evaluating GHG emissions from asphalt pavement construction is suggested. The paper reports a case study of GHG emissions from a typical asphalt pavement construction project in China. The results show that the greenhouse gas emissions from the mixture mixing phase are the highest, and account for about 54% of the total amount. The second highest GHG emission phase is the production of raw materials. For GHG emissions of cement stabilized base/subbase, the production of raw materials emits the most, about 98%. The GHG emission for cement production alone is about 92%. The results indicate that any measures to reduce GHG emissions from asphalt pavement construction should be focused on the raw materials manufacturing stage. If the raw materials production phase is excluded, the measures to reduce GHG emissions should be aimed at the mixture mixing phase. Full article

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