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Circadian Rhythm and Sleep, Lifestyle and Health

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 11252

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Eva Schernhammer

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Guest Editor

Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Interests: circadian phase: melatonin / cortisol as biomarkers for cancer risk; shift work: light exposure and cancer etiology; breast cancer: biomarkers, gene–environment interactions, and prevention; gastrointestinal tumors: etiology and prevention; Parkinson’s disease: associations with cancer etiology

Dr. Kyriaki Papantoniou

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Guest Editor

Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Interests: circadian phase; melatonin; shift work: light exposure and cancer etiology; meal timing; actigraphy; occupational epidemiology

Dr. Susanne Strohmaier

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Guest Editor

Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Interests: circadian phase; melatonin; shift work: prenatal and early life exposure; causal inference; biostatistical methods

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With sleep being recognized as the fourth major lifestyle factor driving chronic disease risk, besides body weight, physical activity, and smoking, and considering that sleep problems that have likely only increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to further explore the potential of sleep and the circadian system in healthy longevity and disease prevention. Great strides have been made over recent decades in deciphering the physiology and pathophysiology of sleep and the circadian system, including its molecular markers and genetic underpinning. However, more is still to be learned about the individual risk of disease among night shift workers, and the population at large, who are increasingly exposed to light at night and circadian and sleep disruption. This high prevalence of circadian disturbances and their consequences is characterized by advanced research methods. These include prospective longitudinal designs, case–control studies, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses and systematic reviews, innovative technologies (such as actigraphy and the use of wearables, exposome assessments, the application of omics, and other circadian biomarker assessments such as melatonin or cortisol), and the application of these methods and technologies in “special needs” groups, including clinical populations (including chronotherapy), deprived communities, children, and older people. Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue, especially those employing a high academic standard to fill gaps in our current understanding of the circadian system and health.

Prof. Dr. Eva S. Schernhammer
Dr. Kyriaki Papantoniou
Dr. Susanne Strohmaier
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

circadian phase
sleep
melatonin
cortisol
disease risk
light at night
clock genes
night work
actipgrahy
polisomnography

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 341 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rotating Night Shift Work and Bladder Cancer Risk in Women: Results of Two Prospective Cohort Studies

by Shahab Haghayegh, Yue Liu, Yin Zhang, Susanne Strohmaier, Kyriaki Papantoniou, Sarah Markt, Edward Giovannucci and Eva Schernhammer

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2202; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032202 - 26 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1513

Abstract

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States. Night shift work has previously been linked with cancer risk. Whether there is an association between rotating night shift work and bladder cancer in women has not been studied previously. Eligible participants in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS, n = 82,147, 1988–2016) and Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII, n = 113,630, 1989–2015) were prospectively followed and a total of 620 and 122 incident bladder cancer cases were documented during the follow-up of NHS and NHSII, respectively. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for bladder cancer incidence. We observed a significantly increased risk of bladder cancer among women with >5 years of night shift work history compared with women who never worked rotating night shifts in NHS (HR = 1.24; 95%CI = 1.01–1.54, p for trend = 0.06), but not in the pooled NHS and NHS II (HR = 1.18; 95%CI = 0.97–1.43, p for trend = 0.08). Secondary analyses stratified by smoking status showed no significant interaction (p = 0.89) between the duration of rotating night shift work and smoking status. In conclusion, our results did not provide strong evidence for an association between rotating night shift work and bladder cancer risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circadian Rhythm and Sleep, Lifestyle and Health)

15 pages, 1766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perceiving “Complex Autonomous Systems” in Symmetry Dynamics: Elementary Coordination Embedding in Circadian Cycles

by Chulwook Park, Jean Hwang, Jae Woong Ahn and Yu Jin Park

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010166 - 22 Dec 2022

Viewed by 994

Abstract

This study explored the biological autonomy and control of function in circumstances that assessed the presumed relationship of an organism with an environmental cycle. An understanding of this behavior appeals to the organism–environment system rather than just the organism. Therefore, we sought to uncover the laws underlying end-directed capabilities by measuring biological characteristics (motor synchrony) in an environmental cycle (circadian temperature). We found that the typical elementary coordination (bimanual) stability measure varied significantly as a function of the day–night temperature cycle. While circadian effects under artificially manipulated temperatures were not straightforward during the day–night temperature cycle, the circadian effect divided by the ordinary circadian rhythm remained constant during the day–night cycle. Our observation of this direct, robust relationship between the biological characteristics (body temperature and motor synchrony) and environmental processes (circadian temperature cycle) could mirror the adaptation of our biological system to the environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circadian Rhythm and Sleep, Lifestyle and Health)

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17 pages, 400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sleep Traits, Night Shift Work and Lung Cancer Risk among Women: Results from a Population-Based Case-Control Study in France (The WELCA Study)

by Emilie Cordina-Duverger, Shreeshti Uchai, Nastassia Tvardik, Régine Billmann, Diane Martin, Jean Trédaniel, Marie Wislez, Hélène Blons, Pierre Laurent-Puig, Martine Antoine, Pascal Guénel, Loredana Radoï and WELCA Study Group

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16246; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316246 - 04 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2576

Abstract

Circadian rhythm disruption due to night shift work and/or sleep disorders is associated with negative health outcomes including cancer. There is only scant evidence of an association with lung cancer, unlike breast and prostate cancer. We explore the role of sleep disorders and night shift work in lung cancer risk among women in a population-based case-control study, including 716 lung cancer cases and 758 controls. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with sleep duration per day (<7 h, 7–7.9 h, ≥8 h), a summary index of sleep disorders, chronotype, and night shift work exposure metrics. When compared to women with an average sleep duration of 7–7.9 h per day, the OR was 1.39 (95% CI 1.04–1.86) in long sleepers (≥8 h) and 1.16 (95% CI 0.86–1.56) in short sleepers (<7 h). Overall, lung cancer was not associated with the sleep disorder index, nor with night shift work, regardless of the duration of night work or the frequency of night shifts. However, elevated OR associated with the sleep disorder index were found in the subgroup of current smokers. The U-shaped association of lung cancer with sleep duration was more particularly pronounced among women who worked at night ≥5 years. Our findings suggested that sleep patterns are associated with lung cancer risk in women with a potential modifying effect by night shift work duration or tobacco smoking. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circadian Rhythm and Sleep, Lifestyle and Health)

19 pages, 880 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in DNA Methylation of Clock Genes in Obese Adolescents after a Short-Term Body Weight Reduction Program: A Possible Metabolic and Endocrine Chrono-Resynchronization

by Antonello E. Rigamonti, Valentina Bollati, Chiara Favero, Benedetta Albetti, Diana Caroli, Alessandra De Col, Silvano G. Cella and Alessandro Sartorio

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15492; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315492 - 22 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1792

Abstract

Circadian rhythms are generated by a series of genes, collectively named clock genes, which act as a self-sustained internal 24 h timing system in the body. Many physiological processes, including metabolism and the endocrine system, are regulated by clock genes in coordination with environmental cues. Loss of the circadian rhythms has been reported to contribute to widespread obesity, particularly in the pediatric population, which is increasingly exposed to chronodisruptors in industrialized society. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the DNA methylation status of seven clock genes, namely clock, arntl, per1-3 and cry1-2, in a cohort of chronobiologically characterized obese adolescents (n: 45: F/M: 28/17; age ± SD: 15.8 ± 1.4 yrs; BMI SDS: 2.94 [2.76; 3.12]) hospitalized for a 3-week multidisciplinary body weight reduction program (BWRP), as well as a series of cardiometabolic outcomes and markers of hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) function. At the end of the intervention, an improvement in body composition was observed (decreases in BMI SDS and fat mass), as well as glucometabolic homeostasis (decreases in glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and Hb1Ac), lipid profiling (decreases in total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides and NEFA) and cardiovascular function (decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate). Moreover, the BWRP reduced systemic inflammatory status (i.e., decrease in C-reactive protein) and HPA activity (i.e., decreases in plasma ACTH/cortisol and 24 h urinary-free cortisol excretion). Post-BWRP changes in the methylation levels of clock, cry2 and per2 genes occurred in the entire population, together with hypermethylation of clock and per3 genes in males and in subjects with metabolic syndrome. In contrast to the pre-BWRP data, at the end of the intervention, cardiometabolic parameters, such as fat mass, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, triglycerides and HDL-C, were associated with the methylation status of some clock genes. Finally, BWRP induced changes in clock genes that were associated with markers of HPA function. In conclusion, when administered to a chronodisrupted pediatric obese population, a short-term BWRP is capable of producing beneficial cardiometabolic effects, as well as an epigenetic remodeling of specific clock genes, suggesting the occurrence of a post-BWRP metabolic and endocrine chronoresynchronization, which might represent a “biomolecular” predictor of successful antiobesity intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circadian Rhythm and Sleep, Lifestyle and Health)

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14 pages, 1043 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Abnormal Regional Spontaneous Neural Activity and Functional Connectivity in Unmedicated Patients with Narcolepsy Type 1: A Resting-State fMRI Study

by Lanxiang Wu, Qingqing Zhan, Qian Liu, Suheng Xie, Sheng Tian, Liang Xie and Wei Wu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15482; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315482 - 22 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1247

Abstract

Background: Previous Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have mainly focused on cerebral functional alteration in processing different emotional stimuli in patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1), but were short of exploration of characteristic brain activity and its remote interaction patterns. This study aimed to investigate the spontaneous blood oxygen fluctuations at rest and to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric behavior. Method: A total of 18 unmedicated patients with NT1 and matched healthy individuals were recruited in a resting-state fMRI study. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were first analyzed using fractional low-frequency amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) to detect changes in local neural activity, and regions with group differences were taken as regions of interest (ROIs). Secondly, functional connectivity (FC) analysis was used to explore altered connectivity between ROIs and other areas. Lastly, the relationship between functional brain activity and neuropsychiatric behaviors was analyzed with correlation analysis. Results: fALFF analysis revealed enhanced neural activity in bilateral fusiform gyrus (FFG), right precentral gyrus, and left postcentral gyrus (PoCG) in the NT1 group. The patients indicated reduced activity in the bilateral temporal pole middle temporal gyrus (TPOmid), left caudate nucleus (CAU), left parahippocampus, left precuneus (PCUN), right amygdala, and right anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri. ESS score was negatively correlated with fALFF in the right FFG. The NT1 group revealed decreased connectivity between left TPOmid and right PoCG, the bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, medial, and right supramarginal gyrus. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was negatively correlated with FC of the left TPOmid with left putamen (PUT) in NT1. Compared with healthy controls (HCs), enhanced FC of the left CAU with right FFG was positively associated with MSLT-SOREMPs in patients. Furthermore, increased FC of the left PCUN with right PoCG was positively correlated with SDS score. Conclusions: We found that multiple functional activities related to the processing of emotional regulation and sensory information processing were abnormal, and some were related to clinical characteristics. fALFF in the left postcentral or right precentral gyrus may be used as a biomarker of narcolepsy, whereas fALFF in the right fusiform and the FC strength of the left temporal pole middle temporal gyrus with the putamen may be clinical indicators to assess the drowsiness severity of narcolepsy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circadian Rhythm and Sleep, Lifestyle and Health)

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Review

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13 pages, 25484 KiB

Open AccessReview

Current Perspective on the Role of the Circadian Clock and Extracellular Matrix in Chronic Lung Diseases

by Kameron Hahn and Isaac Kirubakaran Sundar

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2455; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032455 - 30 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2344

Abstract

The circadian clock is a biochemical oscillator that rhythmically regulates physiological and behavioral processes such as inflammation, immunity, and metabolism in mammals. Circadian clock disruption is a key driver for chronic inflammatory as well as fibrotic lung diseases. While the mechanism of circadian clock regulation in the lung has been minimally explored, some evidence suggests that the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway and subsequent extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in the lung may be controlled via a clock-dependent mechanism. Recent advancements in this area led us to believe that pharmacologically targeting the circadian clock molecules may be a novel therapeutic approach for treating chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Here, we update the current perspective on the circadian clock role in TGFβ1 signaling and extracellular matrix production during chronic lung diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circadian Rhythm and Sleep, Lifestyle and Health)

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