Inflammatory effects of particulate matter air pollution

The Association Between Ambient Particulate Matter Exposure and Anemia in HIV/AIDS Patients

BACKGROUND

Anemia is common among HIV/AIDS patients, impacting prognosis. Particulate matter (PM) exposure is an understudied, potentially modifiable risk factor in this group.

METHODS

We gathered 36,266 hemoglobin (Hb) measurements from 6808 HIV/AIDS patients from the HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2021. We evaluated the relationship between Hb levels and short-term PM exposure using linear mixed-effects models. We used logistic regression to estimate the association of long-term PM exposure with baseline anemia prevalence and time-varying Cox models to estimate the association of long-term PM exposure with follow-up incidence of anemia. Mediation analysis explored the role of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the association between PM exposure and anemia.

RESULTS

For every 5 µg/m³ increase in 28-day average PM 1 , Hb levels decreased by 0.43 g/l. For a 10 µg/m³ increase in PM 2.5 , Hb decreased by 0.55 g/l; for the same increase in PM 10, Hb decreased by 0.35 g/l. A 5 µg/m³ increase in 1-year average PM 1 corresponded to a 7% higher prevalence of anemia at baseline, a 10 µg/m³ increase in PM 2.5 to 8% higher prevalence, and a 10 µg/m³ increase in PM 10 to 6% higher prevalence. These rises in average PM concentrations during follow-up were associated with increased incident anemia by 54% (PM 1 ), 72% (PM 2.5 ), and 51% (PM 10 ). CKD partially mediated the positive associations between PM exposure and the incidence of anemia.

CONCLUSION

PM exposure was associated with lower Hb levels and higher incidence of anemia in HIV/AIDS patients and CKD with mediating estimated effects in PM-induced anemia.

The impact of air pollution on influenza incidence in high-altitude regions: a time-stratified case-crossover study based on Qinghai Province

BACKGROUND

The unique characteristics of air pollution in high-altitude regions may significantly influence the transmission and incidence of influenza. However, current research on this phenomenon is limited, and further investigation is urgently needed.

METHODS

This study collected influenza outpatient data from Qinghai Province between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. We employed a time-stratified case-crossover design combined with conditional Poisson regression models to quantitatively analyze the relationship between air pollutants (PM2.5, SO2, NO2) and influenza incidence and explored the moderating role of temperature in this relationship. Additionally, stratified analyses were conducted to identify potential vulnerable populations.

RESULTS

The study results indicated that exposure to PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 was positively associated with the risk of influenza incidence. For every 10 µg/m³ increase in the concentration of PM2.5, SO2, and NO2, the percentage change in relative risk (RR) of influenza incidence was 0.35% (95% CI: 0.02%, 0.68%), 2.24% (95% CI: 1.42%, 3.06%), and 1.91% (95% CI: 1.16%, 2.67%), respectively. Under low-temperature conditions, the impact of pollutants other than O3 on influenza incidence was particularly pronounced. Children, the elderly, and individuals living at altitudes of 3000-3500 m were more sensitive to these pollutants.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed a close link between air pollution and influenza in high-altitude regions, with greater health risks under low-temperature conditions. The findings underscore the necessity of strengthening air quality monitoring and raising public awareness of environmental health.

Phlorofucofuroeckol-A: A Natural Compound with Potential to Attenuate Inflammatory Diseases Caused by Airborne Fine Dust

Background and Objectives: Persistent exposure to airborne fine dust (FD) particles contributing to air pollution has been linked to various human health issues, including respiratory inflammation, allergies, and skin diseases. We aimed to identify potential seaweed anti-inflammatory bioactive reagents and determine their effects on systemic inflammatory responses induced by FD particles. Materials and Methods: While exploring anti-inflammatory bioactive reagents, we purified compounds with potential anti-inflammatory effects from the seaweed extracts of Ecklonia cava, Ecklonia stolonifera, and Codium fragile. Structural analyses of the purified compounds siphonaxanthin (Sx), fucoxanthin (Fx), dieckol (Dk), and phlorofucofuroeckol-A (PFF-A) were performed using NMR and LC-MS/MS. Results: Notably, these compounds, especially PFF-A, showed significant protective effects against FD-induced inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 cells without cytotoxicity. Further investigation of inflammatory-associated signaling demonstrated that PFF-A inhibited IL-1β expression by modulating the NF-κB/MAPK signal pathway in FD-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, gene profiling revealed the early activation of various signature genes involved in the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines using gene profiling. Treatment with PFF-A markedly reduced the expression levels of pro-inflammatory and apoptosis-related genes and even elevated the Bmp gene families. Conclusions: These results suggested that PFF-A is a potential natural therapeutic candidate for managing FD-induced inflammatory response.

Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) - associated cognitive impairment and morbidity in humans and animal models: a systematic review

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) is one of the criteria air pollutants that (1) serve as an essential carrier of airborne toxicants arising from combustion-related events including emissions from industries, automobiles, and wildfires and (2) play an important role in transient to long-lasting cognitive dysfunction as well as several other neurological disorders. A systematic review was conducted to address differences in study design and various biochemical and molecular markers employed to elucidate neurological disorders in PM2.5 -exposed humans and animal models. Out of 340,068 scientific publications screened from 7 databases, 312 studies were identified that targeted the relationship between exposure to PM2.5 and cognitive dysfunction. Equivocal evidence was identified from pre-clinical (animal model) and human studies that PM2.5 exposure contributes to dementia, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, depression, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and neurodevelopment. In addition, there was substantial evidence from human studies that PM2.5 also was associated with Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, neuropathy, and brain tumors. The role of exposome in characterizing neurobehavioral anomalies and opportunities available to leverage the neuroexposome initiative for conducting longitudinal studies is discussed. Our review also provided some areas that warrant consideration, one of which is unraveling the role of microbiome, and the other role of climate change in PM2.5 exposure-induced neurological disorders.

Particulate matter, socioeconomic status, and cognitive function among older adults in China

BACKGROUND

Both air pollution and low socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with worse cognitive function. The extent to which low SES may compound the adverse effect of air pollution on cognitive function remains unclear.

METHODS

7,087 older adults aged 65 and above were included from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) and followed up in 4 waves during 2008-2018. Cognitive function was measured repeatedly at each wave using the modified Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Concentrations of particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) were evaluated using satellite-based spatiotemporal models. SES was measured based on five components and categorized into three levels (low, middle, and high). Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the association of PM and SES with cognitive function. Stratified analyses and effect modification by SES levels were further conducted.

RESULTS

Each 10 µg/m3 increase in PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 was associated with a 0.43 (95 % CI: -0.58, -0.27), 0.29 (95% CI: -0.37, -0.20), and 0.17 (95 % CI: -0.22, -0.13) unit decrease in MMSE scores, respectively. Lower SES was associated with worse cognitive function. Significant effect modifications were observed by SES, with the corresponding association of PM exposure being more pronounced among participants with a lower SES (p-interaction = 0.006, 0.001, and 0.006 for PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

SES is an important effect modifier, and lower SES may compound the detrimental effect of PM on cognitive health. This finding may have implications for identifying vulnerable populations and targeted interventions against air pollution.

Impact of Exposure to Environmental Particulate Matter on the Onset of Giant Cell Arteritis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM10) and the development of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and its ischemic complications.

METHODS

This was case-crossover study on consecutive patients who received a diagnosis of GCA in three hospitals in northern Italy between 2013 and 2021. The PM10 hourly and daily average concentrations, collected in the Italian monitoring network and archived by Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, were determined using European reference. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to determine patients' daily exposures to them. We employed conditional logistic regression to estimate the effect of exposure on GCA symptoms onset or ischemic complications.

RESULTS

We included 232 patients. A positive association was observed between exposure to PM10 and GCA risk, with an incremental odd of 27.1% (95% confidence interval 5.8-52.6) for every 10-μg/m3 increase in PM10 concentration within a 60-day period. We did not find any significant association for shorter periods or with ischemic complications. Subgroup analysis found a significantly higher incremental risk at a 60-day lag for patients ≥70 years old. Comparing patients who were chronically exposed to high PM10 levels (26.9 ± 13.8 μg/m3) to those who were not (11.9 ± 7.9 μg/m3) revealed that only in the former group was there an association between GCA onset and increased PM10 levels in the preceding 60 days.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to environmental PM10 in the preceding 60 days seems to be associated with an increased risk of developing GCA, especially in older individuals with prolonged exposure to high levels of air pollution.

Effect of Cu- and Fe- Isolated from Environmental Particulate Matter on Mitochondrial Dynamics in Human Colon CaCo-2 Cells

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is one of the most dangerous air pollutants of anthropogenic origin; it consists of a heterogeneous mixture of inorganic and organic components, including transition metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Although previous studies have focused on the effects of exposure to highly concentrated PM on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, emerging evidence supports a significant impact of air pollution on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by linking exposure to external stressors with conditions such as appendicitis, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. In general, it has been hypothesized that the main mechanism involved in PM toxicity consists of an inflammatory response and this has also been suggested for the GI tract. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of specific redox-active PM components, such as copper (Cu) and iron (Fe), in human intestinal cells focusing on ultrastructural integrity, redox homeostasis, and modulation of some mitochondrial-related markers. According to our results, exposure to Cu- and Fe-PM components and their combination induced ultrastructural alterations in the endoplasmic reticulum and in the mitochondria with an additive effect when combined. The increase in ROS and the loss of the mitochondrial mass in the cells exposed to PM indicates that mitochondria are a target of acute metal exposure. Furthermore, the gene expression and the protein levels of mitochondria dynamics markers were affected by the PM exposure. In particular, OPA1 increases at both gene and protein levels in all conditions while Mitofusin1 decreases significantly only in the presence of Fe. The increase in PINK expression is modulated by Fe, while Cu seems to affect mainly Parkin. Finally, a significant decrease in trans-epithelial resistance was also observed. In general, our study can confirm the correlation observed between pollution exposure areas and increased incidence of GI tract conditions.

Air Pollution's Hidden Toll: Links Between Ozone, Particulate Matter, and Adolescent Depression

Rising rates of depression among youth present a growing mental health crisis. Despite growing concerns regarding the risks of air pollution exposure on youth mental and physical health, associations between ambient air pollutants and depression have been largely overlooked in youth. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated associations between ozone, particulate matter, and depressive symptoms in adolescents across 224 Colorado census tracts (average age of 14.45 years, 48.8% female, 48.9% of minority race/ethnicity). Students in participating schools reported depressive symptoms and demographic information, and school addresses were used to compute ozone and particulate matter levels per census tract. Possible confounding variables, including sociodemographic and geographic characteristics, were also addressed. Exploratory analyses examined demographic moderators of these associations. Census tracts with higher ozone concentrations had a higher percentage of adolescents experiencing depressive symptoms. Particulate matter did not emerge as a significant predictor of adolescent depressive symptoms. Secondary analyses demonstrated that associations with ozone were moderated by racial/ethnic and gender compositions of census tracts, with stronger effects in census tracts with higher percentages of individuals with marginalized racial/ethnic and gender identities. Ultimately, this project strengthens our understanding of the interplay between air pollution exposures and mental health during adolescence.

Fine particulate matter and osteoporosis: evidence, mechanisms, and emerging perspectives

Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), has been recognized for its adverse effects on multiple organs beyond the lungs. Among these, the bone began to garner significant attention. This review covers epidemiological, animal, and cell studies on PM2.5 exposure and bone health as well as studies on PM2.5-induced diseases with skeletal complications. Emerging evidence from epidemiological studies indicates a positive association between PM2.5 exposure and the incidence of osteoporosis and fractures, along with a negative association with bone mineral density. Experimental studies have demonstrated that PM2.5 can disrupt the metabolic balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts through inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption, thereby triggering bone loss and osteoporosis. Additionally, this review proposes a secondary mechanism by which PM2.5 may impair bone homeostasis via pathological alterations in other organs, offering new perspectives on the complex interactions between environmental pollutants and bone health. In conclusion, this contemporary review underscores the often-overlooked risk factors of PM2.5 in terms of its adverse effects on bone and elucidates the mechanisms of both primary and secondary toxicity. Further attention should be given to exploring the molecular mechanisms of PM2.5-induced bone impairment and developing effective intervention strategies.

Subway Fine Particles (PM2.5 )-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Response Triggers Airway Epithelial Barrier Damage Through the TLRs/NF-κB-Dependent Pathway In Vitro

Subways are widely used in major cities around the world, and subway fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main source of daily PM2.5 exposure for urban residents. Exposure to subway PM2.5 leads to acute inflammatory damage in humans, which has been confirmed in mouse in vivo studies. However, the concrete mechanism by which subway PM2.5 causes airway damage remains obscure. In this study, we found that subway PM2.5 triggered release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 17E, tumor necrosis factor α, transforming growth factor β, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin from human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) in a dose-effect relationship. Subsequently, supernatant recovered from the subway PM2.5 group significantly increased expression of the aforementioned cytokines in BEAS-2B cells compared with the subway PM2.5 group. Additionally, tight junctions (TJs) of BEAS-2B cells including zonula occludens-1, E-cadherin, and occludin were decreased by subway PM2.5 in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, supernatant recovered from the subway PM2.5 group markedly decreased the expression of these TJs compared with the control group. Furthermore, inhibitors of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), as well as chelate resins (e.g., chelex) and deferoxamine, remarkably ameliorated the observed changes of cytokines and TJs caused by subway PM2.5 in BEAS-2B cells. Therefore, these results suggest that subway PM2.5 induced a decline of TJs after an initial ascent of cytokine expression, and subway PM2.5 altered expression of both cytokines and TJs by activating TLRs/NF-κB-dependent pathway in BEAS-2B cells. The metal components of subway PM2.5 may contribute to the airway epithelial injury.

Combined Effects of Air Pollution and Changes in Physical Activity With Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Dyslipidemia

BACKGROUND

Sedentary behavior elevates cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in patients with dyslipidemia. Increasing physical activity (PA) is recommended alongside pharmacological therapy to prevent CVD, though benefits across environmental conditions are unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed data from 113 918 newly diagnosed patients with dyslipidemia (2009-2012) without prior CVD, sourced from the Korea National Health Insurance Service. Ambient particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM10 levels were collected from the National Ambient Air Monitoring System in South Korea. Changes in PA, measured in metabolic equivalents of task-min/wk before and after dyslipidemia diagnosis, were evaluated for associations with air pollution levels and CVD risk using Cox proportional hazards regression. Patients were followed from January 1, 2013, until CVD onset, death, or December 31, 2021. Among patients exposed to low to moderate PM2.5 levels (≤25 μg/m3), increasing PA from inactive to ≥1000 metabolic equivalents of tasks-min/wk was associated with a lower risk of CVD (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.70-0.97]; P for trend=0.022). In high PM2.5 (>25 μg/m3) conditions, increasing PA from inactive and decreasing PA from ≥1000 metabolic equivalents of task-min/wk was associated with reduced (P for trend=0.010) and elevated (P for trend=0.028) CVD risks, respectively. For PM10, increased PA was linked to reduced CVD risk (P for trend=0.002) and decreased PA to elevated risk (P for trend=0.042) in low to moderate PM10 (≤50 μg/m3) conditions, though benefits diminished at high PM10 (>50 μg/m3) exposures.

CONCLUSIONS

Promoting PA, while considering the high potential cardiovascular risk associated with air pollution, may be an effective intervention against CVD in patients with dyslipidemia.

Environmental Risk Factors for Parkinson's Disease: A Critical Review and Policy Implications

The age-standardized prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) has increased substantially over the years and is expected to increase further. This emphasizes the need to identify modifiable risk factors of PD, which could form a logical entry point for the prevention of PD. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended reducing exposure to specific environmental factors that have been reported to be associated with PD, in particular pesticides, trichloroethylene (TCE), and air pollution. In this review we critically evaluate the epidemiological and biological evidence on the associations of these factors with PD and review evidence on whether these putative associations are causal. We conclude that when considered in isolation, it is difficult to determine whether these associations are causal, in large part because of the decades-long lag between relevant exposures and the incidence of manifest PD. However, when considered in tandem with evidence from complementary research lines (such as animal models), it is increasingly likely that these associations reflect harmful causal effects. Fundamentally, whilst we highlight some evidence gaps that require further attention, we believe the current evidence base is sufficiently strong enough to support our call for stronger policy action. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Harnessing Evolution and Biomimetics to Enhance Planetary Health: Kidney Insights

Planetary health encompasses the understanding that the long-term well-being of humanity is intrinsically linked to the health of global ecological systems. Unfortunately, current practices often overlook this principle, leading to a human-oriented (anthropocentric) worldview that has resulted in heightened greenhouse gas emissions, increased heat stress, lack of access to clean water, and pollution, threatening both the environment and health and survival of Homo sapiens and countless other species. One significant consequence of these environmental changes is the exacerbation of inflammatory and oxidative stressors, which not only contributes to common lifestyle diseases but also accelerates the aging process. We advocate for a shift away from our current anthropocentric frameworks to an approach that focuses on nature's solutions that developed from natural selection over the eons. This approach, which encompasses the field of biomimicry, may provide insights that can help protect against an inflammatory phenotype to mitigate physiological and cellular senescence and provide a buffer against environmental stressors. Gaining insights from how animals have developed ingenious approaches to combat adversity through the evolutionary process of natural selection not only provides solutions for climate change but also confronts the rising burden of lifestyle diseases that accumulate with age.

Causal effects of noise and air pollution on multiple diseases highlight the dual role of inflammatory factors in ambient exposures

BACKGROUND

Noise and air pollution are significant environmental threats with proven adverse health effects. However, the causality between these ambient exposures and disease is still largely unknown. This study aims to provide genetic evidence for this gap and investigates the dual role of inflammatory factors, emphasizing the need for integrated public health strategies.

METHODS

We included noise and air pollution as exposures, 91 inflammatory factors as mediators, and 26 diseases as outcomes. We explored causal relationships using Mendelian randomization. To ensure the reliability, we screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) closely associated with exposure as instrumental variables (IVs), and assessed the pleiotropy and heterogeneity of these IVs.

RESULTS

Our results suggest that "Hearing difficulty/problems with background noise" increases the risk of hypertension, bronchitis, and menopause; loud music exposure frequency increases the risk of bronchitis; noisy workplace raises the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, narcolepsy, and irritable bowel syndrome; NO2 increases the risk of myocardial infarction and chronic heart failure; NOx increases the risk of pneumonia and inflammatory diseases of female pelvic organs; and PM10 increases the risk of myocardial infarction, narcolepsy, and type 2 diabetes; PM2.5-10 increases the risk of developing pneumonia and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, we found that nine inflammatory factors play a mediating role, of which four play a mediating role in increasing the risk of morbidity and eight play a mediating role in protection against ambient exposures. Finally, we selected SNPs significantly associated with exposure and outcome for enrichment analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first genetic evidence linking noise and air pollution to various diseases, highlighting the dual mediating role of inflammatory factors. Our findings align with the "One Health" framework, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental and human health. Integrated public health strategies considering these complex biological responses are essential for promoting overall well-being.

Preoperative Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and Risk of Postoperative Complications: A Single Center Observational Cohort Bayesian Analysis

Background

While exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution (PM 2.5 ) is known to cause adverse health effects, its impact on postoperative outcomes in US adults remains understudied. Perioperative exposure to PM 2.5 may induce inflammation that interacts insidiously with the surgical stress response, leading to higher postoperative complications.

Methods

We conducted a single center, retrospective cohort study using data from 49,615 surgical patients living along Utah's Wasatch Front and who underwent elective surgical procedures at a single academic medical center from 2016-2018. Patients' addresses were geocoded and linked to daily Census-tract level PM 2.5 estimates. We hypothesized that elevated PM 2.5 concentrations in the week prior to surgery would be associated with an increase in a bundle of major postoperative complications. A hierarchical Bayesians regression model was fit adjusting for age, sex, season, neighborhood disadvantage, and the Elixhauser index of comorbidities.

Results

Postoperative complications increased in a dose-dependent manner with higher concentrations of PM 2.5 exposure, with a relative increase of 8% in the odds of complications (OR=1.082) for every 10ug/m 3 increase in the highest single-day 24-hr PM 2.5 exposure during the 7 days prior to surgery. For a 30 fold increase in PM 2.5 (1 ug/m 3 to 30ug/m 3 ) the odds of complication rose to over 27% (95%CI: 4%-55%). The association persisted after controlling for comorbidities and confounders; our inferences were robust to modeling choices and sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

In this large Utah cohort, exposure to elevated PM 2.5 concentrations in the week before surgery was associated with a dose-dependent increase in postoperative complications, suggesting a potential impact of air pollution on surgical outcomes. These findings merit replication in larger datasets to identify populations at risk and define the interaction and impact of different pollutants. PM 2.5 exposure is a potential perioperative risk factor and, given the unmitigated air pollution in urban areas, a global health concern.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Ethanol Extract from Hibiscus cannabinus L. Flower in Diesel Particulate Matter-Stimulated HaCaT Cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) is a very small particulate matter originating from cities, factories, and the use of fossil fuels in diesel vehicles. When DPM permeates the skin, it causes inflammation, leading to severe atopic dermatitis. Hibiscus cannabinus L. (Kenaf) seeds and leaves possess various beneficial properties, including anti-coagulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammation effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract of Hibiscus cannabinus L. flower (HCFE) in HaCaT cells stimulated with 100 μg/mL of DPM.

METHODS

The anthocyanin content of HCFE was analyzed, and its antioxidant capacity was investigated using the DPPH assay. After inducing inflammation with 100 ug/mL of DPM, the cytotoxicity of HCFE 25, 50, and 100 ug/mL was measured, and the inhibitory effect of HCFE on inflammatory mediators was evaluated.

RESULTS

Anthocyanin and myricetin-3-O-glucoside were present in HCFE and showed high antioxidant capacity. In addition, HCFE decreased the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, and MCP-1, and significantly reduced the gene expression of CXCL10, CCL5, CCL17, and CCL22, which are known to increase in atopic dermatitis lesions. Furthermore, HCFE reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and down-regulated the activation of NF-κB, MAPKs. Inhibition of the NLRP-3 inflammasome was observed in DPM-stimulated HaCaT cells. In addition, the restoration of filaggrin and involucrin, skin barrier proteins destroyed by DPM exposure, was confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that HCFE could be used to prevent and improve skin inflammation and atopic dermatitis through the regulation of inflammatory mediators and the inhibition of skin water loss.

Dynamics of the airway microbiome in response to exposure to particulate matter 2.5 in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Particulate matter (PM) and air pollution have been suggested to be associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), contributing significantly to global respiratory disease-related mortality. This study aimed to investigate whether seasonal exposure to PM influences dysbiosis in the respiratory microbiota of patients with COPD.

METHODS

Sputum samples were collected four times over 1 year from 102 patients with COPD, and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed. The dynamics of the airway microbiota were analyzed depending on PM exposure levels and season.

RESULTS

The PM-low exposure group had higher α-diversity compared to the PM-high exposure group, particularly noted in spring. Some bacterial groups, including seven species such as Treponema socranskii, were more abundant in the low exposure group. Additionally, the bacterial community structure in summer significantly differed from that in other seasons, with significantly increased α-diversity in this season. The difference in the airway microbiome due to PM exposure was prominent in patients with moderate COPD.

CONCLUSIONS

PM exposure may influence changes in the sputum microbiome depending on exposure levels and seasonal variations. Our results suggest that airway microbiomes could vary with PM exposure according to seasonal trends.

Anti-pneumoconiosis effect of schisantherin A in PMA-induced A549 cells and SiO2/TiO2nanoparticles-induced acute pulmonary injury in mice

There has been significant global interest in respiratory health driven by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and severe environmental pollution. This study explored the potential of schisantherin A (SchA), a compound derived from Schisandra chinensis, to protect against acute pneumoconiosis. We assessed the effects of SchA on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated A549 alveolar epithelial cells and SiO2/TiO2-induced pulmonary injury in mice. In A549 cells, SchA significantly decreased pro-inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and interleukin (IL)-8 levels. SchA-mediated reduction in inflammatory mediators was associated with the downregulation of PMA-stimulated nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling activation. In SiO2/TiO2-induced lung-injured mice, SchA administration significantly reduced MUC5AC production in lung tissue. SchA administration significantly downregulated the overexpression of NK-κB and the subsequent production of COX-2, iNOS, and NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes. It significantly suppressed expected increases in total cell numbers and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and IL-1β in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in SiO2/TiO2-stimulated mice. In contrast, the SiO2/TiO2-mediated decrease in IL-10 levels was significantly improved by SchA treatment. These fundamental results can be used to develop potential treatments involving SchA for acute pneumoconiosis.

Spatial associations of daily PM2.5 concentration with cardiovascular and pulmonary morbidity in Korea

Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and poses significant public health risks worldwide. This study evaluated the short-term effects of PM2.5 on hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, with additional analyses to identify vulnerable populations based on regional characteristics. The present study analyzed data from 249 Korean communities between 2006 and 2021. Data on daily hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service. Data on PM2.5 concentrations were sourced from air quality modeling. Additional data on regional characteristics, including the regional deprivation index, proportion of elderly residents, education levels, and greenness levels, were also collected. We used case time series analysis to assess the associations between PM2.5 concentrations and hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and explored effect modification by regional characteristics with stratified analyses. The mean numbers of daily cardiovascular admissions and respiratory admissions were 5.68 ± 5.46 and 6.46 ± 8.03, respectively. The mean PM2.5 concentrations were 23.58 ± 13.66 μg/m3. A10 μg/m³ increment in daily PM2.5 concentration was associated with increase of cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalization by 0.94% (95% CI: 0.84%, 1.04%) and 1.43% (95% CI: 1.34%, 1.52%), respectively. Regional characteristics analysis showed significant disparities, with higher risks for hospital admissions in areas with lower deprivation and low greenness. This study highlights the significant short-term health impacts of PM2.5 on respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions in Korean communities. The findings underscore the critical role of regional and demographic factors in modulating these effects, identifying socio-economic areas, age structure of the population, lower education levels, and low greenness as key vulnerability factors.

What matters beyond particle matter?: Examining air pollution's synergistic effects on bodies and health through Bio3Science in Medellin

Scientific literature on the health effects of air pollution is diverse, and broadly acknowledges the importance of human experience and social and economic precarity as modifying factors. Still, the inclusion of the embodied experience of air pollution has been limited. Also, the health effects of pollution are often studied at the group or population level, without adequately considering individual difference. This paper uses a Bio3Science framework, which integrates biology, biography, and biosphere, to explore how air pollution affects residents in Medellín, Colombia. By using qualitative research on individual experiences of air pollution (biography) to probe the intersection of individual health (biology) and environment (biosphere), we illustrate how pollution shapes lived rhythms at multiple scales. Our findings emphasize that air pollution's health impacts extend beyond measurable pollutants to include the complex synergies of smoke, noise, stress, and disruptions to daily life. This comprehensive approach provides a nuanced understanding of how air pollution materially shapes the lives of individuals and communities, advocating for research models that capture the subtle, everyday experiences often overlooked by traditional group or population-level analyses.

Short term air pollution exposure during pregnancy and associations with maternal immune markers

BACKGROUND

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy has been associated with numerous adverse pregnancy, birth, and child health outcomes. One proposed mechanism underlying these associations is maternal immune activation and dysregulation. We examined associations between PM2.5 and NO2 exposure during pregnancy and immune markers within immune function groups (TH1, TH2, TH17, Innate/Early Activation, Regulatory, Homeostatic, and Proinflammatory), and examined whether those associations changed across pregnancy.

METHODS

In a pregnancy cohort study (n = 290) in Rochester, New York, we measured immune markers (using Luminex) in maternal plasma up to 3 times during pregnancy. We estimated ambient PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations at participants' home addresses using a spatial-temporal model. Using mixed effects models, we estimated changes in immune marker concentrations associated with interquartile range increases in PM2.5 (2.88 μg/m3) and NO2 (7.82 ppb) 0-6 days before blood collection, and assessed whether associations were different in early, mid, and late pregnancy.

RESULTS

Increased NO2 concentrations were associated with higher maternal immune markers, with associations observed across TH1, TH2, TH17, Regulatory, and Homeostatic groups of immune markers. Furthermore, the largest increases in immune markers associated with each 7.82 ppb increase in NO2 concentration were in late pregnancy (e.g., IL-23 = 0.26 pg/ml, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.46) compared to early pregnancy (e.g., IL-23 = 0.08 pg/ml, 95% CI = -0.11, 0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Results were suggestive of NO2-related immune activation. Increases in effect sizes from early to mid to late pregnancy may be due to changes in immune function over the course of pregnancy. These findings provide a basis for immune activation as a mechanism for previously observed associations between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and reduced birthweight, fetal growth restriction, and pregnancy complications.

Exposure to household air pollution and childhood multimorbidity risk in Jimma, Ethiopia

Background

Childhood multimorbidity, characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of multiple medical conditions in children, is a global concern. Notably, exposure to household air pollution has been linked to various health issues, particularly affecting vulnerable segments of the population residing in poorly ventilated homes. However, evidence regarding the impact of household air pollution on the risk of multimorbidity in low-income settings remains scarce. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between household air pollution and childhood multimorbidity in Jimma, Ethiopia.

Methods

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from 280 children under the age of five who lived in households using solid fuel (n = 140) and clean fuel (n = 140). The Demographic Health Survey morbidity questionnaire was used to collect information from mothers about common childhood illnesses. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the relationship between the use of solid fuel for cooking in households and the likelihood of childhood multimorbidity. In addition, Poisson regression estimation was used to determine if exposure to solid fuel could increase the number of morbidities.

Results

The overall prevalence of childhood multimorbidity was 34.3% [95% CI: 0.29-0.40]. Among these cases, 23.9% were among children from solid fuel user households, whereas about 10.4% were from clean fuel user households. Adjusted for all possible socioeconomic, demographic, water, sanitation, hygiene, and health care covariates, children living in solid fuel user households had more than three times the odds of childhood multimorbidity compared to children living in clean fuel user households (AOR = 3.14, 95% CI [1.42-6.95], p < 0.001). Moreover, household air pollution from solid fuel use was positively associated with an increased number of individual morbidity conditions, with an adjusted β coefficient of 0.46 (IRR = 1.58, 95% CI [1.17-2.13], p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Solid fuel use was an independent predictor of childhood morbidity risk. Efficient policies and strategies, such as the integration of environmental regulation policies into the healthcare system aimed at the reduction of harmful air pollutants and their adverse health effects on children, need to be implemented.

High altitude air pollution and respiratory disease: Evaluating compounded exposure events and interactions

Today, air pollution remains a significant issue, particularly in high-altitude areas where its impact on respiratory disease remains incompletely explored. This study aims to investigate the association between various air pollutants and outpatient visits for respiratory disease in such regions, specifically focussing on Xining from 2016 to 2021. By analysing over 570,000 outpatient visits using a time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression, we assessed the independent effects of pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO, as well as their interactions. The evaluation of interactions employed measures such as relative excess odds due to interaction (REOI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP), and synergy index (S). We also conducted a stratified analysis to identify potentially vulnerable populations. Our findings indicated that exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and CO significantly increased outpatient visits for respiratory disease, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.40 % (95 % CI: 2.05 %, 2.74 %), 1.07 % (0.98 %, 1.16 %), 3.86 % (3.23 %, 4.49 %), 4.45 % (4.14 %, 4.77 %), and 6.37 % (5.70 %, 7.04 %), respectively. However, exposure to O3 did not show a significant association. We found significant interactions among PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and CO, where combined exposure further exacerbated the risk of respiratory diseases. For example, in the combination of PM2.5 and SO2, the REOI, AP, and S were 0.07 (95 % CI: 0.06, 0.09), 0.07 (0.06, 0.07), and 1.07 (1.05, 1.09), respectively. Additionally, elderly individuals and females were more sensitive to these pollutants, but no statistically significant interaction effects were observed between different age and gender groups. In conclusion, our study highlights the strong link between air pollution and respiratory disease in high-altitude areas, with combined pollutant exposure posing an even greater risk. It underscores the need for enhanced air quality monitoring and public awareness campaigns, particularly to protect vulnerable populations like the elderly and females.

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy and preterm birth in Brazil

Ambient air pollution is a significant environmental risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth. However, the impact of different pollutants across various regions and trimesters of pregnancy has not been fully investigated in Brazil. This study aimed to examine the associations between exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and O3 during different trimesters of pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth across five regions of Brazil. We used logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (OR) of preterm birth associated with PM2.5, NO2, and O3 adjusting for potential confounders such as maternal age, education, and socioeconomic status. Our study included over 9.9 million live births from 2001 to 2018, with data obtained from the Ministry of Health in Brazil. On average, for each 1-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, we estimated a 0.26 % (95 % CI: 0.08-0.44 %) increase in the risk of preterm birth nationally in the first trimester. For NO2, each 1ppb increase was associated with a percentage increase in preterm birth risk of 7.26 % (95 % CI: 4.77-9.74 %) in the first trimester, 8.05 % (95 % CI: 5.73-10.38 %) in the second trimester, and 7.48 % (95 % CI: 5.25-9.72 %) in the third trimester. For O3, each 1ppb increase was associated with a percentage increase in preterm birth risk of 1.24 % (95 % CI: 0.29-2.18 %) in the first trimester, 1.51 % (95 % CI: 0.60-2.41 %) in the second trimester, and 0.72 % (95 % CI: -0.18-1.62 %) in the third trimester. This study highlights the significant impact of ambient air pollution on preterm birth risk in Brazil, with significant regional variations. Our findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to mitigate the effects of air pollution on pregnancy outcomes, particularly in the most affected regions.

Cordyceps militaris Grown on Germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis (GRC) Encapsulated in Chitosan Nanoparticle (GCN) Suppresses Particulate Matter (PM)-Induced Lung Inflammation in Mice

Cordyceps militaris grown on germinated Rhynchosia nulubilis (GRC) exerts various biological effects, including anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and immune-regulatory effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of GRC encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (CN) against particulate matter (PM)-induced lung inflammation. Optimal CN (CN6) (CHI: TPP w/w ratio of 4:1; TPP pH 2) exhibited a zeta potential of +22.77 mV, suitable for GRC encapsulation. At different GRC concentrations, higher levels (60 and 120 mg/mL) led to increased negative zeta potential, enhancing stability. The optimal GRC concentration for maximum entrapment (31.4 ± 1.35%) and loading efficiency (7.6 ± 0.33%) of GRC encapsulated in CN (GCN) was 8 mg/mL with a diameter of 146.1 ± 54 nm and zeta potential of +30.68. In vivo studies revealed that administering 300 mg/kg of GCN significantly decreased the infiltration of macrophages and T cells in the lung tissues of PM-treated mice, as shown by immunohistochemical analysis of CD4 and F4/80 markers. Additionally, GCN ameliorated PM-induced lung tissue damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and alveolar septal hypertrophy. GCN also decreased total cells and neutrophils, showing notable anti-inflammatory effects in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from PM-exposed mice, compared to GRC. Next the anti-inflammatory properties of GCN were further explored in PM- and LPS-exposed RAW264.7 cells; it significantly reduced PM- and LPS-induced cell death, NO production, and levels of inflammatory cytokine mRNAs (IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2). GCN also suppressed NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways by reducing levels of p-NF-κB, p-ERK, and p-c-Jun proteins, indicating its potential in managing PM-related inflammatory lung disease. Furthermore, GCN significantly reduced PM- and LPS-induced ROS production. The enhanced bioavailability of GRC components was demonstrated by an increase in fluorescence intensity in the intestinal absorption study using FITC-GCN. Our data indicated that GCN exhibited enhanced bioavailability and potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in cells and in vivo, making it a promising candidate for mitigating PM-induced lung inflammation and oxidative stress.

Associations between C-reactive protein and individual symptoms of depression in a lower-middle income country

BACKGROUND

Data on associations between inflammation and depressive symptoms largely originate from high income population settings, despite the greatest disease burden in major depressive disorder being attributed to populations in lower-middle income countries (LMICs).

AIMS

We assessed the prevalence of low-grade inflammation in adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in Pakistan, an LMIC, and investigated associations between peripheral C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and depressive symptoms.

METHOD

This is a secondary analysis of two randomised controlled trials investigating adjunctive immunomodulatory agents (minocycline and simvastatin) for Pakistani adults with TRD (n = 191). Logistic regression models were built to assess the relationship between pre-treatment CRP (≥ or <3 mg/L) and individual depressive symptoms measured using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Descriptive statistics and regression were used to assess treatment response for inflammation-associated symptoms.

RESULTS

High plasma CRP (≥3 mg/L) was detected in 87% (n = 146) of participants. Early night insomnia (odds ratio 2.33, 95% CI 1.16-5.25), early morning waking (odds ratio 2.65, 95% CI 1.29-6.38) and psychic anxiety (odds ratio 3.79, 95% CI 1.39-21.7) were positively associated, while gastrointestinal (odds ratio 0.38, 95% CI 0.14-0.86) and general somatic symptoms (odds ratio 0.34, 95% CI 0.14-0.74) were negatively associated with inflammation. Minocycline, but not simvastatin, improved symptoms positively associated with inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of inflammation in this LMIC sample with TRD was higher than that reported in high income countries. Insomnia and anxiety symptoms may represent possible targets for personalised treatment with immunomodulatory agents in people with elevated CRP. These findings require replication in independent clinical samples.

Particulate matter 2.5 accelerates aging: Exploring cellular senescence and age-related diseases

Exposure to Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) accelerates aging, causing declines in tissue and organ function, and leading to diseases such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and musculoskeletal disorders. PM2.5 is a major environmental pollutant and an exogenous pathogen in air pollution that is now recognized as an accelerator of human aging and a predisposing factor for several age-related diseases. In this paper, we seek to elucidate the mechanisms by which PM2.5 induces cellular senescence, such as genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction, and age-related diseases. Our goal is to increase awareness among researchers within the field of the toxicity of environmental pollutants and to advocate for personal and public health initiatives to curb their production and enhance population protection. Through these endeavors, we aim to promote longevity and health in older adults.

Long-term air pollution exposure and incident physical disability in older US adults: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Disability is a key marker of overall physical health in older adults and is often preceded by chronic disease. Although air pollution is a well recognised risk factor for multiple chronic diseases, its association with physical disability has not been well characterised. We investigated the associations of air pollutants with physical disability in a large cohort representative of older adults in the USA.

METHODS

We used biennial data on incident activities of daily living (ADL) disability collected from respondents of the Health and Retirement Survey between 2000 and 2016. As part of the Environmental Predictors of Cognitive Health and Aging study, we estimated 10-year average PM2·5, PM10-2·5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) concentrations at participant residences before each survey using spatiotemporal prediction models. We used a time-varying, weighted Cox model to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for incident physical disability per interquartile increase of air pollution with detailed adjustments for confounders.

FINDINGS

Among 15 411 respondents aged 65 years and older (mean age 70·2 [SD 6·5] years; 55% female, 45% male), 48% of respondents reported newly having ADL disability during a mean follow-up of 7·9 years (SD 4·7). In fully adjusted models, we found greater risks of ADL disability associated with higher concentrations of PM2·5 (HR 1·03 per 3·7 μg/m³ [95% CI 0·99-1·08], p=0·16), PM10-2·5 (1·05 per 4·9 μg/m³ [1·00-1·11], p=0·022), and NO2 (1·03 per 7·5 ppb [0·99-1·08]. p=0·064), although not all these associations were statistically significant. In contrast, O3 was associated with a lower risk of ADL disability (0·95 per 3·7 ppb [0·91-1·00], p=0·030). In a multi-pollutant model, associations were similar to the single-pollutant models for PM10-2·5 (1·05 per 4·9 μg/m³ [1·00-1·11], p=0·041) and O3 (0·94 per 3·7 ppb [0·88-1·01], p=0·083).

INTERPRETATION

Our findings suggest that air pollution might be an underappreciated risk factor for physical disability in later life, although additional research is needed.

FUNDING

National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and National Institute on Aging.

Different effects of air pollutant concentrations on influenza A and B in Sichuan, China

BACKGROUND

The detrimental effects of air pollution on the respiratory system are well documented. Previous research has established a correlation between air pollutant concentration and the frequency of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness. However, studies investigating the variations in infection among different influenza subtypes remain sparse. We aimed to determine the correlation between air pollutant levels and different influenza subtypes in Sichuan Province, China.

METHODS

A generalized additive model and distributed lag nonlinear model were employed to assess the association between air pollutants and influenza subtypes, utilizing daily influenza data obtained from 30 hospitals across 21 cities in Sichuan Province. The analysis considered the temporal effects and meteorological factors. The study spanned from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. To provide a more precise evaluation of the actual impact of air pollution on different subtypes of influenza, we also performed subgroup analyses based on factors such as gender, age, and geography within the population.

RESULTS

During the investigation, 17,462 specimens from Sichuan Province tested positive for influenza. Among these, 12,607 and 4855 were diagnosed with Flu A and B, respectively. The related risk of influenza A infection significantly increased following exposure to PM2.5 on Lag2 days (RR=1.008, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.000-1.016), SO2 and CO on Lag1 days (RR=1.121, 95 % CI: 1.032-1.219; RR=1.151, 95 % CI: 1.030-1.289), and NO2 on Lag0 day (RR=1.089, 95 % CI: 1.035-1.145). PM10 and SO2 levels on Lag0 day, PM2.5 levels on Lag1 day, and CO levels on Lag6 day, with a reduced risk of influenza B (RR=0.987, 95 % CI: 0.976-0.997; RR=0.817, 95 % CI: 0.676-0.987; RR=0.979, 95 % CI: 0.970-0.989; RR=0.814, 95 % CI: 0.561-0.921).

CONCLUSION

The findings from the overall population and subgroup analyses indicated that the impact of air pollutant concentrations on influenza A and B is inconsistent, with influenza A demonstrating greater susceptibility to these pollutants. Minimizing the levels of SO2, CO, NO2, and PM2.5 can significantly decrease the likelihood of contracting influenza A. Analyzing the influence of environmental contaminants on different influenza subtypes can provide insights into seasonal influenza trends and guide the development of preventive and control strategies.

Toxicological evaluation of primary particulate matter emitted from combustion of aviation fuel

Recently, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends and novel combustion technologies have been introduced to reduce aircraft engine emissions. However, there is limited knowledge about the impact of combustion technology and fuel composition on toxicity of primary Particulate Matter (PM) emissions, comparable to regulated non-volatile PM (nvPM). In this study, primary PM was collected on filters using a standardised approach, from both a Rich-Quench-Lean (RQL) combustion rig and a bespoke liquid fuelled Combustion Aerosol Standard (CAST) Generator burning 12 aviation fuels including conventional Jet-A, SAFs, and blends thereof. The fuels varied in aromatics (0-25.2%), sulphur (0-3000 ppm) and hydrogen (13.43-15.31%) contents. Toxicity of the collected primary PM was studied in vitro utilising Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) exposure of lung epithelial cells (Calu-3) in monoculture and co-culture with macrophages (differentiated THP-1 cells). Cells were exposed to PM extracted from filters and nebulised from suspensions using a cloud-based ALI exposure system. Toxicity readout parameters were analysed 24 h after exposure. Results showed presence of genotoxicity and changes in gene expression at dose levels which did not induce cytotoxicity. DNA damage was detected through Comet assay in cells exposed to CAST generated samples. Real-Time PCR performed to investigate the expression profile of genes involved in oxidative stress and DNA repair pathways showed different behaviours after exposure to the various PM samples. No differences were found in pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 secretion. This study indicates that primary PM toxicity is driven by wider factors than fuel composition, highlighting that further work is needed to substantiate the full toxicity of aircraft exhaust PM inclusive of secondary PM emanating from numerous engine technologies across the power range burning conventional Jet-A and SAF.

Switching indoor fuels and the incidence of physical-psychological-cognitive multimorbidity: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

In developing countries, including China, solid-fuel-based heating and cooking is common. For older people, the multimorbidity prevalence is exceptionally high. Nevertheless, studies on the associations of indoor solid fuels use, especially switching fuels types, on multimorbidity in middle-aged and older people is scarce.

METHODS

Data from five waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used in this study. Indoor fuels were classified as solid or clean fuels. Physical-psychological-cognitive multimorbidity (PPC-multimorbidity) was defined as the simultaneous presence of three disease types (physical illness, psychological disorders, cognitive impairment). Using Cox proportional risk models, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were calculated to investigate the associations of heating- and cooking-related baseline indoor fuels and switching indoor fuels with PPC-multimorbidity incidence.

RESULTS

In the heating (n=3121, mean age=56.55 years, male proportion=54.25 %) and cooking (n=3574, mean age=56.67 years, male proportion=52.94 %) analyses, 75.07 % and 45.64 % of the participants used solid fuels at baseline, and 564 (18.07 %) and 613 (17.15 %) PPC-multimorbidity cases were diagnosed during follow-up, respectively. Participants with baseline heating- and cooking-based solid fuels use had greater PPC-multimorbidity incidences [HRs (95 % CIs): 1.23 (0.98, 1.55) and 1.44 (1.21, 1.73)], respectively. Additionally, combined baseline heating- and cooking-based solid fuels use was associated with even greater PPC-multimorbidity incidence [HR (95 % CI): 1.55 (1.18, 2.04)]. Persistent solid fuels use obviously increased the PPC-multimorbidity incidence [HRs (95 % CIs): 2.43 (1.67, 3.55) for heating and 2.63 (2.03, 3.40) for cooking]. Moreover, switching from solid to clean fuels was associated with a significantly decreased PPC-multimorbidity incidence [HRs (95 % CIs): 0.27 (0.20, 0.35) for heating and 0.36 (0.28, 0.46) for cooking].

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term solid-fuels use is associated with an increased PPC-multimorbidity incidence, and switching to cleaner fuels is associated with a decreased PPC-multimorbidity incidence in adults aged ≥45 years.

Association between air pollution and bone mineral density: a Mendelian randomization study

Introduction

The association of air pollution with bone mineral density (BMD) has attracted increasing attention. However, establishing a causal relationship remains uncertain.

Methods

We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study employing PM2.5, PM2.5-10, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, and nitrogen oxides as exposures and BMD as the outcome to explore the causality between air pollution and the occurrence of decreased BMD.

Results

By employing the IVW method, we identified a negative causality between air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, and nitrogen oxides) and BMD.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that PM2.5, PM10 and nitrogen oxides exposure may contribute to decreased BMD.

Cystic fibrosis pathogens persist in the upper respiratory tract following initiation of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor therapy

Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) therapy has revolutionized the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) for most affected individuals but the effects of treatment on sinus microbiota are still unknown. Changes to the airway microbiota in CF are associated with disease state and alterations to the bacterial community after ETI initiation may require changes to clinical management regimens. We collected sinus swab samples from the middle meatus in an observational study of 38 adults with CF and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) from 2017 to 2021 and captured the initiation of ETI therapy. We performed 16S and custom amplicon sequencing to characterize the sinus microbiota pre- and post-ETI. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to estimate total bacterial abundance. Sinus samples from people with CF (pwCF) clustered into three community types, dependent on the dominant bacterial organism: a Pseudomonas-dominant, Staphylococcus-dominant, and mixed dominance cluster. Shannon's diversity index was low and not significantly altered post-ETI. Total bacterial load was not significantly lowered post-ETI. Pseudomonas spp. abundance was significantly reduced post-ETI, but eradication was not observed. Staphylococcus spp. became the dominant organism in most individuals post-ETI and we showed the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the sinus both pre- and post-ETI. We also demonstrated that the sinus microbiome is predictive of the presence of Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Serratia spp. in the sputum. Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp., including MRSA, persist in the sinuses of pwCF after ETI therapy, indicating that these pathogens will continue to be important in CF airway disease management in the era of highly effective modulator therapies (HEMT).IMPORTANCEHighly effective modulator therapies (HEMT), such as elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), for cystic fibrosis (CF) have revolutionized patient care and quality of life for most affected individuals. The effects of these therapies on the microbiota of the airways are still unclear, though work has already been published on changes to microbiota in the sputum. Our study presents evidence for reduced relative abundance of Pseudomonas spp. in the sinuses following ETI therapy. We also show that Staphylococcus spp. becomes the dominant organism in the sinus communities of most individuals in this cohort after ETI therapy. We identified methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the sinus microbiota both pre- and post-therapy. These findings demonstrate that pathogen monitoring and treatment will remain a vital part of airway disease management for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) in the era of HEMT.

Sustainability of new energy vehicles from a battery recycling perspective: A bibliometric analysis

In recent years, new energy vehicles (NEVs) have taken the world by storm. A large number of NEV batteries have been scrapped, and research on NEV battery recycling is important for promoting the sustainable development of NEVs. Battery recycling is an important aspect of the sustainable development of NEVs. In this study, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the current status of research on NEV battery recycling from a new perspective using bibliometric methods and visualization software. This study shows that research targeting the recycling of NEV batteries is growing rapidly, and collaborative networks exist among researchers from different countries, institutions, and fields. The focus of research has shifted from lead-acid batteries to lithium batteries, and the supply chain and circular economy related to NEV battery recycling is an emerging research hotspot. Based on our analysis, we propose that the government should establish policies to improve the recycling networks at the collection stage and provide subsidies to attract consumers. Enterprises should develop low-cobalt and cobalt-free technologies, utilize green solvents, and develop new battery swap modes. The establishment of an information platform is conducive to the further development of collaborative networks.

Impact of Respiratory Dust on Health: A Comparison Based on the Toxicity of PM2.5, Silica, and Nanosilica

Respiratory dust of different particle sizes in the environment causes diverse health effects when entering the human body and makes acute or chronic damage through multiple systems and organs. However, the precise toxic effects and potential mechanisms induced by dust of different particle sizes have not been systematically summarized. In this study, we described the sources and characteristics of three different particle sizes of dust: PM2.5 (<2.5 μm), silica (<5 μm), and nanosilica (<100 nm). Based on their respective characteristics, we further explored the main toxicity induced by silica, PM2.5, and nanosilica in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we evaluated the health implications of respiratory dust on the human body, and especially proposed potential synergistic effects, considering current studies. In summary, this review summarized the health hazards and toxic mechanisms associated with respiratory dust of different particle sizes. It could provide new insights for investigating the synergistic effects of co-exposure to respiratory dust of different particle sizes in mixed environments.

Effect of a Combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KC3 and Leonurus japonicus Extracts in Respiratory Discomfort: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

The increased global prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in recent years has caused a substantial public health burden. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KC3 and Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (LJH) extracts can alleviate respiratory symptoms and improve lung function in vitro and in vivo. However, the clinical efficacy and safety profile of this combination in patients with respiratory diseases remain unclear. Therefore, this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of L. plantarum KC3 and LJH extracts in adults with respiratory discomfort. This mixture was termed 'CKDB-315'. Participants, randomly assigned to the CKDB-315 or placebo groups, were treated for 12 weeks. Assessments included the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT). The CKDB-315 group showed considerably improved SGRQ and CAT scores compared with the placebo group. Secondary outcomes, including dyspnea, pulmonary function, total antioxidant status, and inflammatory cytokine levels, were consistent with the primary outcomes. Exploratory analyses of the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid contents revealed the potential mechanisms underlying the effects of CKDB-315. Finally, safety analysis indicated that CKDB-315 was well tolerated and caused few adverse events. Our findings indicate that CKDB-315 is a promising therapeutic option for respiratory discomfort in adults.

Airborne Aluminum as an Underestimated Source of Human Exposure: Quantification of Aluminum in 24 Human Tissue Types Reveals High Aluminum Concentrations in Lung and Hilar Lymph Node Tissues

Aluminum (Al) is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust, and humans are exposed to Al through sources like food, cosmetics, and medication. So far, no comprehensive data on the Al distribution between and within human tissues were reported. We measured Al concentrations in 24 different tissue types of 8 autopsied patients using ICP-MS/MS (inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry) under cleanroom conditions and found surprisingly high concentrations in both the upper and inferior lobes of the lung and hilar lymph nodes. Al/Si ratios in lung and hilar lymph node samples of 12 additional patients were similar to the ratios reported in urban fine dust. Histological analyses using lumogallion staining showed Al in lung erythrocytes and macrophages, indicating the uptake of airborne Al in the bloodstream. Furthermore, Al was continuously found in PM2.5 and PM10 fine dust particles over 7 years in Upper Austria, Austria. According to our findings, air pollution needs to be reconsidered as a major Al source for humans and the environment.

Viral respiratory infections and air pollution: A review focused on research in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced an interest in the relationship between air pollution and respiratory viral infections, indicating that their burden can be increased under poor air quality. This paper reviews the pathways through which air pollutants can enhance susceptibility to such infections and aggravate their clinical course and outcome. It also summarizes the research exploring the links between various viral infections and exposure to solid and gaseous pollution in Poland, a region characterized by poor air quality, especially during a heating season. The majority of studies focused on concentrations of particulate matter (PM; 86.7%); the other pollutants, i.e., BaP, benzene, CO, NOx, O3, and SO2, were studied less often and sometimes only in the context of a particular infection type. Most research concerned COVID-19, showing that elevated levels of PM and NO2 correlated with higher morbidity and mortality, while increased PM2.5 and benzo[a]pyrene levels were related to worse clinical course and outcome in hospitalized, regardless of age and dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant. PM10 and PM2.5 levels were also associated with the incidence of influenza-like illness and, along with NO2 concentrations, with a higher rate of children's hospitalizations due to lower respiratory tract RSV infections. Higher levels of air pollutants also increased hospitalization due to bronchitis (PM, NOx, and O3) and emergency department admission due to viral croup (PM10, PM2.5, NOx, CO, and benzene). Although the conducted studies imply only correlations and have other limitations, as discussed in the present paper, it appears that improving air quality through reducing combustion processes in energy production in Poland should be perceived as a part of multilayered protection measures against respiratory viral infections, decreasing the healthcare costs of COVID-19, lower tract RSV infections, influenza, and other respiratory viral diseases prevalent between autumn and early spring, in addition to other health and climate benefits.

Comprehending particulate matter dynamics in transit-oriented developments: Traffic as a generator and design as a captivator

In Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), the close integration of residential structures with community activities and traffic heightens residents' exposure to traffic-related pollutants. Despite traffic being a primary source of particulate matter (PM), the compact design of TODs, together with the impact of urban heat island (UHI), increases the likelihood of trapping emitted PM from traffic, leading to heightened exposure of TOD residents to PM. Although PM originates from two distinct sources in road traffic, exhaust and non-exhaust emissions (NEE), current legislation addressing traffic-related PM from non-exhaust emissions sources remains limited. This paper focuses on two TOD typologies in Manchester City-Manchester Piccadilly and East Didsbury-to understand the roles of TOD traffic as a PM generator and TOD place design as a PM container and trapper. The investigation aims to establish correlations between street design canyon ratios, vehicular Speed, and PM10/PM2.5, providing design guidance and effective traffic management strategies to control PM emissions within TODs. Through mapping the canyon ratio and utilising the Breezometer API for PM monitoring, the paper revealed elevated PM levels in both TOD areas, exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, particularly for PM2.5. Correlation analysis between canyon configuration and PM2.5/PM10 highlighted the importance of considering building heights and avoiding the creation of deep canyons in TOD design to minimise the limited dispersion of PM. Leveraging UK road statistics and the PTV Group API for vehicle speed calculations, the paper studied the average speeds on the TOD roads concerning PM. Contrary to conventional assumption, the correlation analyses have revealed a noteworthy association shift between vehicular speed and PM concentrations. A positive correlation existed between speed increase and PM increases on arterial roads. However, a negative correlation emerged on main, collector, and local streets, indicating that PM levels rise for both PM10 and PM2.5 as Speed decreases. These findings challenge the traditional assumption that higher Speed leads to increased emissions, highlighting the potential impact of NEE on PM concentrations. This paper calls for thorough design considerations and traffic management strategies in TOD, especially in dense areas, considering building height, optimising traffic flow, and enhancing compromised air quality associated with vehicular emissions.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Air Pollution among Medical Students

Background: Air pollution has emerged as a global public health concern. Specifically, in Medellín, Colombia, episodes of elevated air pollution have been documented. Medical students' knowledge of air pollution is paramount for implementing future interventions directed toward patients. The aim of this research was to delineate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding air pollution among medical students at a private university in Medellín. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 352 medical students was conducted. A questionnaire was administered, generating scores ranging from 0 to 100, where a higher score signified better knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Data were analyzed using frequencies, summary measures, non-parametric tests, and linear regression. Results: In total, 31% rated the education received at the university on the relationship between health and air quality as fair to poor, and 81% perceived the air quality in the city as poor. The knowledge score was 77.8 (IQR 71.1-85.6), with 90% acknowledging that exposure to air pollution increases the risk of various diseases. The attitudes score was 82.1 (IQR 71.8-87.2), and 25.9% believed that air pollution is a multifactorial problem, rendering their actions ineffective. In terms of practices, the score was 50 (IQR 42.9-57.1), indicating that students either did not employ protective measures against pollution or used inappropriate practices such as masks or air purifiers. Regression analysis revealed no association between knowledge and practices. Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore that medical students possess commendable knowledge regarding the health effects of air pollution. However, their adoption of inappropriate practices for self-protection is evident. The lack of correlation between knowledge and practices highlights the necessity of educational initiatives to be complemented by regulatory and cultural interventions.

A, Sarma DK, Verma V, Nagpal R, Mohania D, Tiwari R, Kumar M. Deciphering the complex interplay of risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A comprehensive review

The complex and multidimensional landscape of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a major global concern. Despite several years of extensive research, the precise underlying causes of T2D remain elusive, but evidence suggests that it is influenced by a myriad of interconnected risk factors such as epigenetics, genetics, gut microbiome, environmental factors, organelle stress, and dietary habits. The number of factors influencing the pathogenesis is increasing day by day which worsens the scenario; meanwhile, the interconnections shoot up the frame. By gaining deeper insights into the contributing factors, we may pave the way for the development of personalized medicine, which could unlock more precise and impactful treatment pathways for individuals with T2D. This review summarizes the state of knowledge about T2D pathogenesis, focusing on the interplay between various risk factors and their implications for future therapeutic strategies. Understanding these factors could lead to tailored treatments targeting specific risk factors and inform prevention efforts on a population level, ultimately improving outcomes for individuals with T2D and reducing its burden globally.

Airborne Exposure to Pollutants and Mental Health: A Review with Implications for United States Veterans

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Inhalation of airborne pollutants in the natural and built environment is ubiquitous; yet, exposures are different across a lifespan and unique to individuals. Here, we reviewed the connections between mental health outcomes from airborne pollutant exposures, the biological inflammatory mechanisms, and provide future directions for researchers and policy makers. The current state of knowledge is discussed on associations between mental health outcomes and Clean Air Act criteria pollutants, traffic-related air pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although associations between airborne pollutants and negative physical health outcomes have been a topic of previous investigations, work highlighting associations between exposures and psychological health is only starting to emerge. Research on criteria pollutants and mental health outcomes has the most robust results to date, followed by traffic-related air pollutants, and then pesticides. In contrast, scarce mental health research has been conducted on exposure to heavy metals, jet fuel, and burn pits. Specific cohorts of individuals, such as United States military members and in-turn, Veterans, often have unique histories of exposures, including service-related exposures to aircraft (e.g. jet fuels) and burn pits. Research focused on Veterans and other individuals with an increased likelihood of exposure and higher vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes is needed. Future research will facilitate knowledge aimed at both prevention and intervention to improve physical and mental health among military personnel, Veterans, and other at-risk individuals.

Exposure to urban particulate matter (UPM) impairs mitochondrial dynamics in BV2 cells, triggering a mitochondrial biogenesis response

World Health Organisation data suggest that up to 99% of the global population are exposed to air pollutants above recommended levels. Impacts to health range from increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease to chronic respiratory conditions, and air pollution may contribute to over 7 million premature deaths a year. Additionally, mounting evidence suggests that in utero or early life exposure to particulate matter (PM) in ambient air pollution increases the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment with obvious lifelong consequences. Identifying brain-specific cellular targets of PM is vital for determining its long-term consequences. We previously established that microglial-like BV2 cells were particularly sensitive to urban (U)PM-induced damage including reactive oxygen species production, which was abrogated by a mitochondrially targeted antioxidant. Here we extend those studies to find that UPM treatment causes a rapid impairment of mitochondrial function and increased mitochondrial fragmentation. However, there is a subsequent restoration of mitochondrial and therefore cell health occurring concomitantly with upregulated measures of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial load. Our data highlight that protecting mitochondrial function may represent a valuable mechanism to offset the effects of UPM exposure in the neonatal brain. KEY POINTS: Air pollution represents a growing risk to long-term health especially in early life, and the CNS is emerging a target for airborne particulate matter (PM). We previously showed that microglial-like BV2 cells were vulnerable to urban (U)PM exposure, which impaired cell survival and promoted reactive oxygen species production. Here we find that, following UPM exposure, BV2 mitochondrial membrane potential is rapidly reduced, concomitant with decreased cellular bioenergetics and increased mitochondrial fission. However, markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial mass are subsequently induced, which may represent a cellular mitigation strategy. As mitochondria are more vulnerable in the developing brain, exposure to air pollution may represent a greater risk to lifelong health in this cohort; conversely, promoting mitochondrial integrity may offset these risks.

Emissions from plastic incineration induce inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired bioenergetics in primary human respiratory epithelial cells

Inhalation exposure to plastic incineration emissions (PIEs) is a problem of increasing human relevance, as plastic production and waste creation have drastically increased since mainstream integration during the 20th century. We investigated the effects of PIEs on human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) to understand if such exposures cause damage and dysfunction to respiratory epithelia. Primary HNECs from male and female donors were cultured at air-liquid interface (ALI), and 16HBE cells were cultured on coverslips. Smoke condensates were generated from incineration of plastic at flaming (640°C) and smoldering (500°C) temperatures, and cells were subsequently exposed to these materials at 5-50 μg/cm2 concentrations. HNECs were assessed for mitochondrial dysfunction and 16HBE cells for glutathione oxidation in real-time analyses. HNEC culture supernatants and total RNA were collected at 4-h postexposure for cytokine and gene expression analysis, and results show that PIEs can acutely induce inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in HNECs, and that incineration temperature modifies biological responses. Specifically, condensates from flaming and smoldering PIEs significantly increased HNEC secretion of cytokines IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-13, as well as expression of xenobiotic metabolism pathways and genes such as CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 at 5 and 20 μg/cm2 concentrations. Only 50 μg/cm2 flaming PIEs significantly increased glutathione oxidation in 16HBEs, and decreased respiration and ATP production in HNEC mitochondria. Impact Statement: Our data reveal the impact of incineration temperatures on biological outcomes associated with PIE exposures, emphasizing the importance of temperature as a factor when evaluating respiratory disease associated with PIEs exposure.

Environmental pollution and extreme weather conditions: insights into the effect on mental health

Environmental pollution exposures, including air, soil, water, light, and noise pollution, are critical issues that may implicate adverse mental health outcomes. Extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and droughts, may also cause long-term severe concerns. However, the knowledge about possible psychiatric disorders associated with these exposures is currently not well disseminated. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the impact of environmental pollution and extreme weather conditions on mental health, focusing on anxiety spectrum disorders, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and depression. In air pollution studies, increased concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 were the most strongly associated with the exacerbation of anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression symptoms. We provide an overview of the suggested underlying pathomechanisms involved. We highlight that the pathogenesis of environmental pollution-related diseases is multifactorial, including increased oxidative stress, systematic inflammation, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and epigenetic dysregulation. Light pollution and noise pollution were correlated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, the impact of soil and water pollution is discussed. Such compounds as crude oil, heavy metals, natural gas, agro-chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers), polycyclic or polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), solvents, lead (Pb), and asbestos were associated with detrimental impact on mental health. Extreme weather conditions were linked to depression and anxiety spectrum disorders, namely PTSD. Several policy recommendations and awareness campaigns should be implemented, advocating for the advancement of high-quality urbanization, the mitigation of environmental pollution, and, consequently, the enhancement of residents' mental health.

Paeoniflorin attenuates particulate matter-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis through activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Particulate matter (PM), the main component of air pollutants, emerges as a research hotspot, especially in the area of respiratory diseases. Paeoniflorin (PAE), known as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, has been reported to alleviate acute lung injury (ALI). However, the effect of PAE on PM-induced ALI and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear yet. In this study, we established the PM-induced ALI model using C57BL/6J mice and BEAS-2B cells to explore the function of PAE. In vivo, mice were intraperitoneally injected with PAE (100 mg/kg) or saline 1 h before instilled with 4 mg/kg PM intratracheally and were euthanized on the third day. For lung tissues, HE staining and TUNEL staining were used to evaluate the degree of lung injury, ELISA assay was used to assess inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress level, Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were applied to explore the role of pyroptosis and Nrf2 signaling pathway. In vitro, BEAS-2B cells were pretreated with 100 μM PAE before exposure to 200 μg/ml PM and were collected after 24h for the subsequent experiments. TUNEL staining, ROS staining, and western blotting were conducted to explore the underlying mechanisms of PAE on PM-induced ALI. According to the results, PAE can attenuate the degree of PM-induced ALI in mice and reduce PM-induced cytotoxicity in BEAS-2B cells. PAE can relieve PM-induced excessive oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis. Additionally, PAE can also activate Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of Nrf2 signaling pathway can impair the protective effect of PAE by aggravating oxidative stress and pyroptosis. Our findings demonstrate that PAE can attenuate PM-induced ALI by inhibiting oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, which is mediated by Nrf2 signaling pathway.

An explicit review and proposal of an integrated framework system to mitigate the baffling complexities induced by road dust-associated contaminants

Road dust-associated contaminants (RD-AC) are gradually becoming a much thornier problem, as their monotonous correlations render them carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic. While many studies have examined the harmful effects of road dust on both humans and the environment, few studies have considered the co-exposure risk and gradient outcomes given the spatial extent of RD-AC. In this spirit, this paper presents in-depth elucidation into the baffling complexities induced by both major and emerging contaminants of road dust through a panorama-to-profile up-to-date review of diverse studies unified by the goal of advancing innovative methods to mitigate these contaminants. The paper thoroughly explores the correlations between RD-AC and provides insights to understand their potential in dispersing saprotrophic microorganisms. It also explores emerging challenges and proposes a novel integrated framework system aimed at thermally inactivating viruses and other pathogenic micro-organisms commingled with RD-AC. The main findings are: (i) the co-exposure risk of both major and emerging contaminants add another layer of complexity, highlighting the need for more holistic framework strategies, given the geospatial morphology of these contaminants; (ii) road dust contaminants show great potential for extended prevalence and severity of viral particles pollution; (iii) increasing trend of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) in road dust, with studies conducted solely in China thus far; and (iv) substantial hurdle exists in acquiring data concerning acute procedural distress and long-term co-exposure risk to RD-ACs. Given the baffling complexities of RD-ACs, co-exposure risk and the need for innovative mitigation strategies, the study underscore the significance of establishing robust systems for deep road dust contaminants control and future research efforts while recognizing the interconnectivity within the contaminants associated with road dust.

The effects and potential mechanisms of essential metals on the associations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with blood cell-based inflammation markers

BACKGROUND

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well-acknowledged pro-inflammatory chemicals, but their associations with blood cell-based inflammatory biomarkers need further investigation. Moreover, the effects and mechanisms of essential metals on PAH-related inflammation remain poorly understood.

OBJECTS

To elucidate the associations of PAHs on inflammatory biomarkers, as well as the effects and mechanisms of essential metals on these associations.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1388 coke oven workers. We analyzed the modification effects of key essential metal(s) on PAHs-inflammatory biomarkers associations. To explore the possible mechanisms from an inflammation perspective, we performed a bioinformatic analysis on the genes of PAHs and essential metals obtained from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) and performed a mediation analysis.

RESULTS

We observed associations of PAHs and essential metals with lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) (P < 0.05). PAH mixtures were inversely associated with LMR (βQGC-index = -0.18, P < 0.001), with 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-Pyr) being the most prominent contributor (weight = 63.37%), whereas a positive association between essential metal mixtures and LMR was observed (βQGC-index = 0.14, P < 0.001), with tin being the most significant contributor (weight = 51.61%). An inverse association of 1-OH-Pyr with LMR was weakened by increased tin exposure (P < 0.05). The CTD database showed that PAHs and tin compounds co-regulated 22 inflammation-associated genes, but they regulated most genes in opposite directions. Further identified the involvement of oxidative stress and mediation analysis showed that the mediation effect of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) on 1-OH-Pyr-LMR association presented heterogeneity between low and high tin tertile groups (I2 = 37.84%).

CONCLUSION

1-OH-Pyr and tin were significantly associated with LMR. Modification effects indicated that the inverse association of 1-OH-Pyr with LMR was mitigated with an increase in tin. The mediation effect of 8-OHdG on the inverse association of 1-OH-Pyr with LMR may be partially dependent on tin.

Gene Expression and Metabolome Analysis Reveals Anti-Inflammatory Impacts of 11,17diHDoPE on PM10-Induced Mouse Lung Inflammation

Oxylipins, the metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids, are vital in regulating cell proliferation and inflammation. Among these oxylipins, specialized pro-resolving mediators notably contribute to inflammation resolution. Previously, we showed that the specialized pro-resolving mediators isomer 11,17dihydroxy docosapentaenoic acid (11,17diHDoPE) can be synthesized in bacterial cells and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in mammalian cells. This study investigates the in vivo impact of 11,17diHDoPE in mice exposed to particulate matter 10 (PM10). Our results indicate that 11,17diHDoPE significantly mitigates PM10-induced lung inflammation in mice, as evidenced by reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and pulmonary inflammation-related gene expression. Metabolomic analysis reveals that 11,17diHDoPE modulates inflammation-related metabolites such as threonine, 2-keto gluconic acid, butanoic acid, and methyl oleate in lung tissues. In addition, 11,17diHDoPE upregulates the LA-derived oxylipin pathway and downregulates arachidonic acid- and docosahexaenoic acid-derived oxylipin pathways in serum. Correlation analyses between gene expression and metabolite changes suggest that 11,17diHDoPE alleviates inflammation by interfering with macrophage differentiation. These findings underscore the in vivo role of 11,17diHDoPE in reducing pulmonary inflammation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for respiratory diseases.