Xuewei Li, Xiaodong Chen, Yixuan Zhang, Tonglei Zheng, Lvzhen Huang, Yan Li, Kai Wang
{"title":"Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure and the prevalence of myopia in adolescents: the mediating role of serum albumin.","authors":"Xuewei Li, Xiaodong Chen, Yixuan Zhang, Tonglei Zheng, Lvzhen Huang, Yan Li, Kai Wang","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00023","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The objective of this study was to investigate the potential link between myopia in adolescents and exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This investigation included 1971 subjects with accessible PFAS level data, myopia status, and associated variables from four cycles of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES). The investigation focused on specific PFAS compounds found in the serum, including perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), chosen for their frequent detection. Owing to the skewed nature of the PFAS level data, the PFAS levels were log-transformed (Ln-PFAS) prior to analysis. Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline modeling, subgroup analysis, and sensitivity analysis were used to examine the associations between exposure to PFASs and the onset of myopia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PFOA levels were significantly associated with myopia risk (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.05-1.69; P = 0.019). More specifically, with respect to the first quartile, the second quartile (OR<sub>Q2</sub>: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.16-2.46; P = 0.007), third quartile (OR<sub>Q3</sub>: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.03-2.03; P = 0.035), and highest quartile (OR<sub>Q4</sub>: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12-2.21; P = 0.010) of participants presented with increased myopia risk. Mediation analysis revealed that PFOA and myopia risk were partially mediated by serum albumin (ALB), with a mediation percentage of 22.48% (P = 0.008). A nonlinear inverted U-shaped relationship was identified between the level of PFOA and myopia risk (P for nonlinearity = 0.005).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest a potential link between exposure to PFOA and the likelihood of myopia development in young individuals and a mediating effect of serum ALB on this relationship. Notably, PFOA was identified as a key PFAS significantly contributing to the observed link between PFAS exposure and myopia risk. The potential threat of PFOA to myopia should be examined further.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"50"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12206666/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144505138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The increased risk of exposure to fine particulate matter for depression incidence is mediated by elevated TNF-R1: the Healthy Aging Longitudinal Study.","authors":"Ta-Yuan Chang, Ting-Yu Zhuang, Yun-Chieh Yang, Chih-Cheng Hsu, Wan-Ju Cheng","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00106","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Depression among older adults is an important public health issue, and air and noise pollution have been found to contribute to exacerbation of depressive symptoms. This study examined the association of exposure to air and noise pollutants with clinically-newly-diagnosed depressive disorder. The mediating role of individual pro-inflammatory markers was explored.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We linked National Health Insurance claim data with 2998 healthy community-dwellers aged 55 and above who participated in the Healthy Aging Longitudinal Study between 2009 and 2013. Newly diagnosed depressive disorder was identified using diagnostic codes from the medical claim data. Pollutants were estimated using nationwide land use regression, including PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub>, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and road traffic noise. Cox proportional hazard models were employed to examine the association between pollutants and newly developed depressive disorders. The mediating effect of serum pro-inflammatory biomarkers on the relationship was examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 2998 participants, 209 had newly diagnosed depressive disorders. In adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, one interquartile range increase in PM<sub>2.5</sub> (8.53 µg/m<sup>3</sup>) was associated with a 17.5% increased hazard of developing depressive disorders. Other air pollutants and road traffic noise were not linearly associated with depressive disorder incidence. Levels of serum tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 mediated the relationship between PM<sub>2.5</sub> and survival time to newly onset depressive disorder.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PM<sub>2.5</sub> is related to an increased risk of newly developed depressive disorder among middle-aged and older adults, and the association is partially mediated by the pro-inflammatory marker TNF-R1.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"49"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12206667/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144505140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Transport Personnel Health Cohort (TRAPHEAC): study protocol and methodological considerations.","authors":"Irina Guseva Canu, Viviane Fiona Mathilde Remy","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00127","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00127","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Only prospective cohort studies can capture changes in work conditions and their effects on health. Such studies are rare in bus drivers, despite their high rates of injuries and diseases. The three existing cohorts have limited exposure data, collected at baseline and thus uninformative on exposure and exposure-effect dynamics. Therefore, we aimed to develop the Swiss Transport Personnel Health Cohort (TRAPHEAC) and to anticipate and prevent potential bias.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To set up the study protocol, we first organized the stakeholder consultation and available data inventory. Second, we mapped the exposure-outcomes pairs to list the most prevalent occupational hazards, and conducted exposure measurement campaigns. Third, we built the Swiss Bus-Exposure Matrix for physical-chemical hazards and Bus-Ergonomics Matrix for visual and biomechanical constrains. These matrices contain 705 bus models operated in Switzerland since 1980 and enable assessing current and past exposure when merged with bus drivers' work histories.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We opted for an original study design combining prospective cohort part starting at 2024 and a retrospective part with nested case-control studies. Bus drivers will be invited through three complementary channels: unions, companies, and social media. The eligibility screening, information, and consent form signature and registration will be conducted using the study web-site modules. Registered bus drivers will first receive a comprehensive inclusion questionnaire, then a yearly follow-up questionnaire to assess and update the drivers' work histories. Validated self-reported questionnaires will be used for assessing additional health outcomes (e.g., stress, sleep problems, musculoskeletal disorders, burnout) and individual, occupational and live-style related factors (e.g., personality, ICT use, physical activity). Hospital records (with diagnosed diseases, diagnosis dates and treatments) centralized since 2000 by the Swiss Federal Statics Office will be used for assessing disease prevalence, incidence and case-control status. Advanced statistical analysis will be conducted to address etiological and methodological questions (e.g., individual and joint causal effects of multiple exposures and exposure components; time-varying exposure and outcome variables and confounders mixtures).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The yearly assessment of both exposure and health outcomes should enable capturing changes in work conditions and their effects on bus drivers' health and well-being over time and facilitate the tailoring, implementation and evaluation of preventive interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"57"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12301074/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144682226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Synergistic inhibition of autophagic flux and induction of apoptosis in cervical cancer cells by Mito-TEMPO and hyperthermia.","authors":"Yu-Mei Li, Qing-Li Zhao, Ryohei Ogawa, Tatsuji Mizukami, Yu Song, Zheng-Guo Cui, Jun-Ichi Saitoh, Kyo Noguchi","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00204","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hyperthermia (HT), while a cancer treatment approach, isn't always effective alone. Therefore, identifying hyperthermia enhancers is crucial. We demonstrated that Mito-TEMPO ([2-[(1-Hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) amino]-2-oxoethyl]-triphenylphosphanium, MT) acts as a potent thermosensitizer, promoting cell death in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cells were pretreated with 0.4 mM MT for 5 minutes, followed by exposure to hyperthermia (42 °C for 60 minutes). The impacts of MT/HT on cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, apoptosis-related proteins and autophagy, autophagy-related proteins expression were measured. The relationships between autophagy and apoptosis were further investigated using the specific autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) and the autophagy inducer rapamycin (Rapa).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The combined treatment reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increased ROS production. It also upregulated the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and downregulated anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 and MCL-1. As a result, Caspase-3 was activated. Additionally, the combined treatment upregulated the expression of p-PERK/PERK, ATF-4, CHOP proteins. Moreover, the combined treatment also increased the expression of LC3 II and p62, decreased expression of LAMP 1 and Cathepsin D and increased lysosomal pH, indicating coordinated changes in autophagy regulation. Notably, intensification of apoptosis induced by the combined treatment was observed with CQ, whereas attenuation was seen with Rapa.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>MT effectively enhanced HT-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. Elevated ER stress and interruption of autophagy flux are the possible underlying molecular mechanisms for this phenomenon. These findings suggested MT can act as a potential thermosensitizer, highlighting its versatility in cancer treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"67"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12436067/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145014175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Association between TV/DVD screen exposure time at age 1 and risk of chronic constipation at age 3: the Japan Environment and Children's Study.","authors":"Masashi Hotta, Satoyo Ikehara, Makiko Tachibana, Kazuko Wada, Junji Miyazaki, Tadashi Kimura, Ryo Kawasaki, Hiroyasu Iso","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.25-00109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic constipation is a long-term problem that decreases children's quality of life. Information and communication technology devices have developed rapidly in recent decades and have had various impacts on children. This prospective cohort study examined the association between television/digital versatile disc (TV/DVD) screen exposure time at age 1 and the risk of chronic constipation at age 3.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from 63,697 infants in the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS) were analyzed. We divided participants into five groups according to TV/DVD exposure time per day: no exposure (0 h), short exposure (<1 h), middle exposure (1.0-<2.0 h), long exposure (2.0-<4.0 h), and very long exposure (≥4 h). Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between TV/DVD exposure time and the risk of constipation. For logistic regression analysis, odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for sex, parents' education, household income, nursery school, feeding contents, and obesity. The interaction between the sexes was also examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of constipation for males, females, and all participants at age 3 was 9.3, 11.0, and 10.1%, respectively. The TV/DVD screen time distribution per day at age 1 was 10.6% for none, 34.1% for short, 29.9% for middle, 19.2% for long, and 6.2% for the very long exposure group. After adjusting for confounding factors, a dose-response pattern was identified between TV/DVD exposure time and constipation in all participants (p for trend < 0.001). The adjusted ORs increased progressively in the short (OR 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.27), middle (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11-1.35), long (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.24-1.52), and very long exposure groups (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.35-1.74). This association was not significantly different between the sexes (p for interaction = 0.36).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Longer TV/DVD exposure time at age 1 was associated with the risk of chronic constipation at age 3. Excessive screen exposure may need to be avoided from infancy to decrease the risk of chronic constipation in later years.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"80"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145298910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qian Yang, Lingling Zeng, Jinfa Huang, Jianxiong Wuliu, Hai Liang, Kaixian Deng
{"title":"Association between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and premature menopause: a nationally representative cross-sectional study in the United States.","authors":"Qian Yang, Lingling Zeng, Jinfa Huang, Jianxiong Wuliu, Hai Liang, Kaixian Deng","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.25-00031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Premature menopause, defined as natural menopause before age 40, is associated with diminished ovarian reserve. Despite growing concerns regarding environmental pollutants, no large-scale population-based studies have systematically examined the association between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites (UPAHMs) and premature menopause.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study analyzed 2001-2020 NHANES data, including urinary levels of six PAH metabolites: 1-naphthol (1-NAP), 2-naphthol (2-NAP), 3-fluorene (3-FLU), 2-fluorene (2-FLU), 1-phenanthrene (1-PHE), and 1-pyrene (1-PYR). Premature menopause was self-reported as natural menopause occurring before age 40. Multivariable logistic regression assessed UPAHMs' association with premature menopause, with restricted cubic splines (RCS) evaluating nonlinear trends. Subgroup analyses examined demographic interactions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 2,565 participants, 662 reported premature menopause. Multivariable logistic regression showed significant associations between elevated urinary levels of 1-NAP (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02, P = 0.02), 2-NAP (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02, P = 0.02), and 3-FLU (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05, P = 0.01) and increased risk of premature menopause. RCS analysis revealed significant nonlinear relationships for 2-NAP, 3-FLU, 2-FLU, 1-PHE, and 1-PYR with premature menopause risk. White participants showed greater susceptibility to UPAHMs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Elevated UPAHMs, particularly 1-NAP, 2-NAP, and 3-FLU, were linked to higher premature menopause risk, with nonlinear trends observed. White individuals demonstrated greater vulnerability, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to reduce PAH exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"32"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12062830/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143994243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inefficacy of neck cooling in suppressing core body temperature elevation during exercise in a hot environment: a randomized cross-over trial.","authors":"Kotaro Ishizuka, Chikage Nagano, Mai Togawa, Kentaro Kado, Keiichi Tajima, Kimiyo Mori, Seichi Horie","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00041","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neck cooling is a practical method for preventing heat-related illness, however, its effectiveness in general workers is not well established. This study aimed to assess the effects of neck cooling on core body temperature and other physiological markers during exercise in a hot environment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This randomized crossover trial was conducted from November 2023 to April 2024 at the Shared-Use Research Center at UOEH. Fourteen healthy adult males participated in the study under two conditions: with neck cooling (COOL) and without neck cooling (CON). All participants completed both conditions, and the order of condition assignment was determined by a random draw. Participants first rested for 10 minutes in a 28.0 °C, 50% relative humidity environment, followed by a rest in a 35.0 °C, 50% relative humidity environment for another 10 minutes. In the COOL condition, participants wore a neck cooler containing 1,200 g of ice while exercising at 50% Heart Rate Reserve on a bicycle ergometer for 20 minutes. Afterward, they rested for 15 minutes in the hot environment while still wearing the cooler.</p><p><strong>Main outcome measures: </strong>Core body temperature (rectal and esophageal), forehead skin temperature, and heart rate were continuously monitored and compared using a mixed model. Estimated sweat volume was calculated based on changes in body weight before and after the experiment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At the end of the rest period, no significant differences were observed between the COOL and CON conditions in rectal temperature (37.76 ± 0.18 °C versus 37.75 ± 0.24 °C, p = 0.9493), esophageal temperature (37.75 ± 0.30 °C versus 37.76 ± 0.23 °C, p = 0.7325), forehead skin temperature (36.87 ± 0.29 °C versus 36.88 ± 0.27 °C, p = 0.2160), or heart rate (104.18 ± 7.56 bpm versus 107.52 ± 7.40 bpm, p = 0.1035). Estimated sweat loss was similar between conditions (578 ± 175 g for CON versus 572 ± 242 g for COOL, p = 0.5066). While more participants felt cooler in the COOL condition, RPE showed no significant difference.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Neck cooling did not significantly affect core temperature or perceived exertion. Maintaining close contact with the skin at sufficiently low temperatures or utilizing cooling methods that prevent excessive negative feedback may be necessary to enhance the effectiveness of neck cooling.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"60"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12326267/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144752710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Re-evaluating the link between internet use during pregnancy and low birth weight in light of maternal mental health.","authors":"Nagahide Takahashi, Akemi Okumura, Chika Kubota, Kenji J Tsuchiya","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00191","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00191","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"62"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12358755/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144793806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Development of a new alternative method to inhalation exposure: intratracheal instillation studies using molecular dispersion.","authors":"Toshiki Morimoto, Chinatsu Nishida, Hiroto Izumi, Taisuke Tomonaga, Kazuma Sato, Yasuyuki Higashi, Ke-Yong Wang, Takuma Kojima, Kazuo Sakurai, Akihiro Moriyama, Jun-Ichi Takeshita, Kei Yamasaki, Hidenori Higashi, Kazuhiro Yatera, Yasuo Morimoto","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00142","DOIUrl":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Organic chemicals have been known to cause allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis; however, the possibility that they do not cause irreversible pulmonary fibrosis has not been considered. Polyacrylic acid (PAA), an organic chemical, has caused irreversible progressive pulmonary fibrosis in exposed workers, indicating its potential to induce pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. Although intratracheal instillation studies are commonly used for evaluating lung pathology, traditional methods face challenges with chemical substances, particularly nanoparticles, which tend to aggregate in suspension and prevent uniform pulmonary distribution. Such aggregation alters the qualitative and quantitative responses to lung injury, limiting accurate assessment of lung pathology. To overcome this limitation, we developed a 'molecular dispersion method' that uses pH modification to negative charges to PAA particles, maintaining their dispersion. Using this method, we investigated the effects of PAA on pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in a rat model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>F344 rats were intratracheally instilled with PAA using molecular dispersion (0.1 mg/rat, 1.0 mg/rat), PAA without molecular dispersion (1.0 mg/rat), and normal saline (control group). Rats were sacrificed at 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after exposure to examine inflammatory and fibrotic responses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PAA caused persistent increases in neutrophil influx in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 3 days to 1 month following instillation. In histopathological findings, the group with molecular dispersion had almost no inflammatory masses in the lung tissue compared to the group without molecular dispersion, and exhibited relatively uniform dispersion.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Intratracheal instillation of dispersed PAA induced neutrophil inflammation and fibrosis in the rat lung, suggesting that PAA might have pulmonary inflammogenicity and fibrogenicity. Intrapulmonary dispersion of PAA particles following intratracheal instillation studies using the molecular dispersion method was similar to that following inhalation studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"69"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12436071/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145033081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Estimated coverage of vaccines for children in Japan between 2011 and 2022: a descriptive study utilizing nationwide monthly market data.","authors":"Jun Miyata, Shingo Fukuma","doi":"10.1265/ehpm.25-00139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.25-00139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Japan lacks comprehensive reports on the nationwide voluntary vaccine coverage. The effectiveness of public subsidies in promoting vaccination has not been fully investigated. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the nationwide coverage of voluntary vaccines, compare it with that of national immunization program (NIP)-included vaccines, and investigate the effectiveness of public subsidies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We obtained nationwide monthly vaccine market data for rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus (DTaP-IPV), and mumps vaccines; estimated recipient numbers; and calculated coverage as the proportion of children from October 2011 to March 2022. Regarding the NIP-included vaccine, we compared vaccine coverage calculated from nationwide annual market data with that estimated by World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), using Bland-Altman analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The estimates of Hib and DTaP-IPV vaccine coverage derived from market data were slightly higher than the WHO/UNICEF estimates, with mean differences of 0.05 (95% CI: 0.02-0.07) for Hib and 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01-0.05) for DTaP-IPV. The coverage of the rotavirus vaccine gradually increased long before the implementation of national subsidies, reaching 0.9 in 2020. Hib vaccine coverage had already achieved 1.0 by January 2012. The coverage of the DTaP-IPV vaccine was approximately 0.6-0.8 in 2013, reaching 1.0 in 2014. The coverage of mumps vaccine increased gradually from 2011 to 2021.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite the possibility of overestimation, our estimates may serve as a valuable surrogate for actual vaccine coverage in Japan. An increasing trend in rotavirus and mumps vaccine coverage was observed when these vaccines were categorized as voluntary. Although vaccination policies differ from country to country, it would be beneficial to share findings on the impact of subsidies in Japan with other countries.</p>","PeriodicalId":11707,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine","volume":"30 ","pages":"79"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145250432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}