Urban air and tobacco smoke as conditions that increase the risk of oxidative stress and respiratory response in youth

Passive smoking and insomnia in rural Chinese nonsmoking housewives: An environmental and genetic perspective

Active smoking has been a risk factor for insomnia, however, little is known about the effect of passive smoking on insomnia. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are potential contents in tobacco smoke. We aimed to investigate the association between passive smoking exposure and insomnia, plus the modification effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to PAHs metabolism. A cross-sectional study with 392 nonsmoking women was conducted in a rural area of Shanxi Province, China. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the information on passive smoking exposure, insomnia and other health-related factors via face-to-face interviews. We simultaneously collected participants' hair samples to measure the concentrations of 26 PAHs. Whole blood samples were collected to test 9 SNPs related to PAHs metabolism. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between passive smoking and insomnia, as well as the relation between passive smoking and PAHs concentrations. We further examined the potential interaction effects between passive smoking and SNPs on insomnia. 118 (30.1 %) were exposed to passive smoking and 128 (32.7 %) suffered from insomnia. Passive smoking nearly doubled the probability of insomnia with adjusted odds ratio and 95 % confidence interval of (1.99: 1.16, 3.39). Dose-response association between passive smoking and insomnia was observed by passive smoking frequency (P trend < 0.001). Among the 7 PAHs measured with detection rates > 70 %, no specific PAH was detected to be associated with passive smoking exposure after Bonferroni correction. The mutant genotypes of CYP1B1 (rs1056836), AHR (rs2066853), and AHRR (rs2292596) were detected to have synergetic effects with passive smoking on insomnia after multivariate adjustment. We found a positive association between passive smoking status and insomnia among nonsmoking women. This association could be modified by SNPs related to PAHs metabolism. PAHs might not be the environmentally potential mechanism involved in the insomnia caused by tobacco smoke exposure.

Exploring the relationships between ground-measured particulate matter and satellite-retrieved aerosol parameters in China

In this study, the PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations from 367 cities in China were integrated with MODIS-retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom exponent (AE) data to explore the relationship between ground-measured surface particle concentrations and remote-sensing aerosol parameters. The impact of meteorological and topographical factors and seasonality were also taken into consideration and the partial least squares (PLS) regression model was adopted to evaluate the effects of surface particulate matter (PM) concentration and meteorological factors on the variation of aerosol parameters. PM concentrations and aerosol parameters all presented strong spatial disparity and seasonal patterns in China. After implementation of stringent clean air actions and policies, both the ground-measured and satellite-retrieved aerosol parameters revealed that the concentrations of suspended particles in China's cities declined dramatically from 2015 to 2018. The PM/AOD ratio showed conspicuous south-north and west-east differences. The ratio was strongly correlated to meteorological and topographic factors, and it tended to be higher in arid and less polluted regions. Moreover, the dominant factors affecting seasonal PM/AOD ratios varied among China's five regions. The correlations of daily PM-AOD were always strong in southwest China and in basin terrain (e.g., Sichuan Basin and Tarim Basin). In contrast, the PM-AOD correlation was found to be negative in some cities on the Tibetan Plateau because local relative humidity makes a greater contribution to AOD variation. Since the climate is arid and the ratio of coarse particles (e.g., PM₁₀) is much higher, PM tended to have a significantly negative correlation with AE in northwestern cities. Whereas in many southern cities, PM was positively correlated with AE because of the area's high relative humidity and aerosol hygroscopic properties.

A Biomonitoring Pilot Study in Workers from a Paints Production Plant Exposed to Pigment-Grade Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)

Among particulate matter composing paints, titanium dioxide (TiO2) forms about 20% of the final suspension. Although TiO2 is broadly used in many applications, TiO2 powders represent an established respiratory hazard for workers with long-term exposure. In 35 workers of a paints production plant (15 exposed and 20 not exposed), we assessed pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-17), surfactant protein D (SP-D) and Krebs von den Lungen-6 glycoprotein (KL-6) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). In urine samples, we measured 8-isoprostane (Isop) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) as biomarkers of oxidative stress, and Titanium (Ti-U) as a biomarker of exposure. Health status, habits and occupational history were recorded. Airborne respirable dusts and Ti were quantified. Particle number concentration and average diameter (nm) were detected by a NanoTracer™ monitoring device. Ti was measurable in filters collected at the respiratory breathing zone (0.11−0.44 µg/m3 8-h TWA). IL-1β and IL-10 values were significantly higher in exposed workers, whereas SP-D was significantly lower (p < 0.001). KL-6 was significantly higher in workers than in controls (p < 0.01). MDA levels were significantly increased in exposed workers and were positively correlated with Ti-U. Exposure to TiO2 in paint production is associated with the subtle alterations of lung pathobiology. These findings suggest the need for an integrated approach relying on both personal exposure and biomarker assessment to improve the hazard characterisation in occupational settings.

A comprehensive evaluation of aerosol extinction apportionment in Beijing using a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer

An aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) was used to measure the chemical composition of non-refractory submicron particles (NR-PM₁) in Beijing from 2012 to 2013. The average concentration of NR-PM₁ was 56 μg·m^-3, with higher value of 106 μg·m^-3 when Beijing was influenced by air masses from south in winter. Organics was the primary chemical component with a concentration of 26 μg·m^-3, accounting for 46% of the total NR-PM₁. The ratio of NO₃^-/SO₄^2- was utilized to identify the relative contribution of stationary and traffic related resource to PM pollution. When NR-PM₁ concentration was between 50 and 200 μg·m^-3, NO₃^-/SO₄^2-was larger than 1, indicating traffic resource contributed more than stationary resource during the aerosol growth. A new method was developed to calculate aerosol extinction coefficient (σ) as a function of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and the mixing layer height (MLH). σ derived from the new method showed a statistically significant correlation with that obtained from traditional method, which was calculated using visibility (y = 0.99x + 85 R² = 0.69). Multiple linear regressions in dependence of chemical component were performed to evaluate light extinction apportionment. Under the overall condition, NR-PM₁ contributed about 88% to the whole aerosol light extinction; organics, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, black carbon contributed 30%, 6%, 24%, 26% and 6% of the NR-PM₁ light extinction, respectively. By further comparing the light extinction apportionment under the different dominated air masses, we concluded that the organics and ammonium sulfate contributed more in polluted days (36% and 23%) than that in clean days (21% and 21%). Mass ratio (MR) between NR-PM₁ and black carbon (MR = mass_NR-PM1/mass_BC) was used to identify black carbon aging degree, and the result showed that aerosol mass extinction efficiency increased rapidly after MR reached about 7 in the process of black carbon aging.

Oxidative damage mediates the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and lung function

BACKGROUND

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is related to decreased lung function. However, whether oxidative damage is involved in this relationship remains unclear. This study was aimed to explore the potential mediating role of oxidative DNA or lipid damage in the association between PAH exposure and lung function.

METHODS

The urinary levels of monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites (OH-PAHs) and lung function parameters were measured among 3367 participants from the baseline of the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort. Urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-isoprostane (8-iso-PGF2α) were determined to evaluate the individuals' oxidative DNA and lipid damage degrees, respectively. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the associations of urinary OH-PAHs, 8-OHdG and 8-iso-PGF2α with lung function parameters. Mediation analysis was further conducted to assess the potential role of oxidative damage in the association between urinary OH-PAHs and lung function.

RESULTS

Each one-percentage increase in the sum of urinary OH-PAHs, high-molecular-weight or low-molecular-weight OH-PAHs (ƩOH-PAHs, ƩHMW OH-PAH or ƩLMW OH-PAHs, respectively) was associated with a 0.2152-, 0.2076- or 0.1985- ml decrease in FEV₁, and a 0.1891-, 0.2195- or 0.1634- ml decrease in FVC, respectively. Additionally, significantly positive dose-response relationships of ƩOH-PAHs, ƩHMW OH-PAH and ƩLMW OH-PAHs with urinary 8-OHdG or 8-iso-PGF2α, as well as an inverse dose-response relationship between urinary 8-OHdG and FVC, were observed (all P for trend < 0.05). Mediation analysis indicated that urinary 8-OHdG mediated 14.22% of the association between ƩHMW OH-PAH and FVC.

CONCLUSION

Higher levels of oxidative DNA damage might be involved in the decreased levels of FVC caused by high-molecular-weight PAH exposure.

Influence of Second-Hand Smoke and Prenatal Tobacco Smoke Exposure on Biomarkers, Genetics and Physiological Processes in Children-An Overview in Research Insights of the Last Few Years

Children are commonly exposed to second-hand smoke (SHS) in the domestic environment or inside vehicles of smokers. Unfortunately, prenatal tobacco smoke (PTS) exposure is still common, too. SHS is hazardous to the health of smokers and non-smokers, but especially to that of children. SHS and PTS increase the risk for children to develop cancers and can trigger or worsen asthma and allergies, modulate the immune status, and is harmful to lung, heart and blood vessels. Smoking during pregnancy can cause pregnancy complications and poor birth outcomes as well as changes in the development of the foetus. Lately, some of the molecular and genetic mechanisms that cause adverse health effects in children have been identified. In this review, some of the current insights are discussed. In this regard, it has been found in children that SHS and PTS exposure is associated with changes in levels of enzymes, hormones, and expression of genes, micro RNAs, and proteins. PTS and SHS exposure are major elicitors of mechanisms of oxidative stress. Genetic predisposition can compound the health effects of PTS and SHS exposure. Epigenetic effects might influence in utero gene expression and disease susceptibility. Hence, the limitation of domestic and public exposure to SHS as well as PTS exposure has to be in the focus of policymakers and the public in order to save the health of children at an early age. Global substantial smoke-free policies, health communication campaigns, and behavioural interventions are useful and should be mandatory.

Tobacco Smoke Exposure, Urban and Environmental Factors as Respiratory Disease Predictors in Italian Adolescents

Risk monitoring in childhood is useful to estimate harmful health effects at later stages of life. Thus, here we have assessed the effects of tobacco smoke exposure and environmental pollution on the respiratory health of Italian children and adolescents using spirometry and the forced oscillation technique (FOT). For this purpose, we recruited 188 students aged 6–19 years living in Chivasso, Italy, and collected from them the following data: (1) one filled out questionnaire; (2) two respiratory measurements (i.e., spirometry and FOT); and (3) two urine tests for Cotinine (Cot) and 15-F_2t-Isoprostane (15-F_2t-IsoP) levels. We found a V-shape distribution for both Cotinine and 15-F_2t-IsoP values, according to age groups, as well as a direct correlation (p = 0.000) between Cotinine and tobacco smoke exposure. These models demonstrate that tobacco smoke exposure, traffic, and the living environment play a fundamental role in the modulation of asthma-like symptoms (p = 0.020) and respiratory function (p = 0.007). Furthermore, the results from the 11–15-year group indicate that the growth process is a protective factor against the risk of respiratory disease later in life. Lastly, the FOT findings highlight the detrimental effects of tobacco smoke exposure and urbanization and traffic on respiratory health and asthma-like symptoms, respectively. Overall, monitoring environmental and behavioral factors in childhood can provide valuable information for preventing respiratory diseases in adulthood.

Contribution of sociodemographic, occupational, lifestyle and dietary characteristics to the oxidative stress microenvironment in adipose tissue

The present study was conceived on the basis of the few previous reports suggesting a potential relevance of the oxidative stress microenvironment in the adipose tissue, a biological matrix which is closely related to the development of several chronic pathologies. Thus, our aim was to describe the levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and markers of oxidative damage in adipose tissue samples from a Spanish cohort, as well as their main sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary predictors. The study was conducted in a subsample (n = 271 adults) of GraMo cohort, recruited in Granada (Southern Spain). A face-to-face questionnaire was used to gather data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, dietary habits, health status, and perceived exposure to chemicals. We analyzed adipose tissue levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity, and glutathione cycle biomarkers. Potential predictors of oxidative stress markers were assessed using stepwise multivariable linear regression analyses. SOD and TBARS levels were mainly related to sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, while the components of the glutathione cycle and HO-1 were predominantly associated with dietary habits. Men showed significantly lower levels of oxidative stress levels than women. In the regression models including only women, the use of oral contraceptive and hormonal therapy was associated with lower levels of oxidative stress, while the number of children was positively associated with increased oxidative biomarkers. Our results suggest that adipose tissue is potentially important matrix for the assessment of oxidative stress, which can be affected by specific environmental factors. These findings might be relevant for public health.

Bisphenol A, Tobacco Smoke, and Age as Predictors of Oxidative Stress in Children and Adolescents

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate bisphenol A (BPA) and its role in the induction of oxidative stress and confirm the same for tobacco smoke.

METHODS

A total of 223 young, healthy students (7-19 years old) were recruited in Chivasso, Italy. A spot of urine of each subject was analyzed to quantify BPA, cotinine, and 15F2t-isoprostane.

RESULTS

BPA showed a slight increase of concentration proportional with increasing age, even though the 11-14 years age group had slightly lower results, inducing a V-shape. The same trend was observed for 15F2t-isoprostane and cotinine. The result of piecewise linear robust regression shows a break point of the effect of BPA on 15F2t-isoprostane at 6 ng/mg CREA (p < 0.001). At higher levels, 15F2t-isoprostane shows an exponential increase by more than threefold for each one-log unit of BPA. An increase of oxidative stress due to BPA was observed, but only from 6 ng/mg of CREA up. Passive tobacco smoke is also able to induce an increase in oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

Prevention against BPA and passive tobacco smoke represents an important tool for promoting the highest health standard.

Wood dust and urinary 15-F2t isoprostane in Italian industry workers

Wood dust is one of the most common occupational exposures, with about 3.6 million of workers in the wood industry in Europe. Wood particles can deposit in the nose and the respiratory tract and cause adverse health effects. Occupational exposure to wood dust has been associated with malignant tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The induction of oxidative stress and the generation of reactive oxygen species through activation of inflammatory cells could have a role in the carcinogenicity of respirable wood dust. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of urinary 15-F_2t isoprostane (15-F_2t-IsoP), a biomarker of oxidative stress and peroxidation of lipids, in 123 wood workers compared to 57 unexposed controls living in Tuscany region, Italy. 15-F_2t-IsoP generation was measured by ELISA. The main result of the present study showed that a statistically significant excess of this biomarker occurred in the workers exposed to 1.48 mg/m³ of airborne wood dust with respect to the unexposed controls. The overall mean ratio (MR) between the workers exposed to wood dust and the controls was 1.36, 95% Confidence Interval (C.I.) 1.18-1.57, after correction for age and smoking habits. A significant increment of 15-F_2t-IsoP (43%) was observed in the smokers as compared to the non-smokers. The urinary excretion of 15-F_2t-IsoP was significantly associated with co-exposure to organic solvents, i.e., MR of 1.41, 95% C.I. 1.17-1.70, after adjustment for age and smoking habits. A 41% excess was observed in long-term wood workers, 95% C.I. 1.14-1.75. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the level of 15-F_2t-IsoP was linearly correlated to the length of exposure, regression coefficient (β) = 0.244 ± 0.002 (SE). The overall increment by exposure group persisted after stratification for smoking habits. For instance, in smokers, a 53% excess was detected in the wood workers as compared to the controls, 95% C.I. 1.23-1.91. Our data support the hypothesis that oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation can have a role in the toxicity of wood dust F₂-IsoP measure can be a tool for the evaluation of the effectiveness of targeted interventions aimed to reduce exposures to environmental carcinogens.

The Asti Study: The Induction of Oxidative Stress in A Population of Children According to Their Body Composition and Passive Tobacco Smoking Exposure

Obesity and exposure to second-hand tobacco smoking (SHS) may influence oxidative stress (OS) levels, especially in children. This study investigated body composition and SHS influence on OS induction in the paediatric population. The first purpose was identifying an appropriate BMI standard for adiposity assessment in OS investigations. Secondly, SHS and obesity were analysed as inductors of OS. The epidemiologic sample involved 330 children. Three BMI (body mass index) references (IOTF, CDC, and WHO) and an impedentiometric scale supplied body-composition measurements. Partecipants filled out a questionnaire and provided urinary samples for biomarker quantifications: isoprostane (15-F2t IsoP) and cotinine as OS and SHS biomarker, respectively. Obesity prevalence changed over different BMI references (14%, 21%, and 34% for IOTF, CDC, and WHO, respectively). Obese children, by IOTF, showed an increase of 56% in 15-F2t IsoP compared to those normal weight (p = 0.020). Children belonging to the third and the fourth cotinine quartile compared to those of the first quartile had higher 15-F2t IsoP (1.45 ng/mg, 95% CI: 1.06⁻1.97, p = 0.020 and 2.04 ng/mg, 95% CI: 1.55⁻2.69, p < 0.0001, respectively). Obesity assessment in children requires appropriate BMI reference depending on research field. Both SHS exposure and obesity may increase OS in children.

Environmental and behavioral determinants affecting the association of airway macrophages carbon load with distance to major roads and traffic density

Biomarkers are promising indicators to evaluate human exposure to air pollutants and to predict the health outcomes. Area of Airway macrophages that is occupied by Black Carbon could be used as a biomarker of personal long term exposure to traffic related air pollution. Association of airway macrophages carbon load with weighted average distance and environmental and subject-specific behavior are considered in this study. Sputum samples were taken from 160 healthy adult women and airway macrophages carbon load (AMCL) were determined in 93 subjects, which represent a success rate of 62% in sputum induction. Nearest distance of the subjects to major roads and average weighted distance were calculated for each subject. A questionnaire was field according to general and behavioral characteristics of the participants. There was not any significant difference (P-value >0.05) between induced and non-induced subjects. Subjects with indoor kitchen without separation wall, passive smokers and those with longer presence time in high traffic streets showed higher carbon area. Weighted average distance had a better association (β = -0.186, 95%CI: -0.139, -0.230, P-value = 0.00) with AMCL than nearest distance to major roads (β = -0.155, 95%CI: -0.109, -0.201, P-value = 0.19). Association of Weighted average distance with AMCL was interrupted in subjects with a garage connected to house environment, those with IK kitchen, those with a hood above the stove and passive smokers. The findings indicated that more generation and distribution of indoor air pollutants can completely enhance the internal exposure and indoor pollution has the same importance as outdoor pollution.

Determination of adjusted reference intervals of urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress in healthy adults using GAMLSS models

In this study we aimed at identifying main demographic, laboratory and environmental factors influencing the level of urinary biomarkers (DNA-derived 8-oxodG and lipid membrane-derived 8-isoprostane), and deriving their adjusted 95% reference intervals (RI) in a sample of healthy people from the general population. Data from 281 healthy subjects from the Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases survey were used in this study. Generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS) were used to find determinants of the biomarkers among gender, age, season and distance from collection (DFC), and to predict their RI. The RI of the biomarkers stratified by season and adjusted for DFC showed a slight statistically significant decrease in the biomarkers at the increasing DFC in two seasons, except the 8-oxodG during the warm season: median levels at the min and max values of DFC were (ng/mgcreat) 7.0–1.1 in the cold and 3.9–3.9 in the warm seasons for 8-oxodG, 0.7–0.2 in the cold and 1.3–0.6 in the warm seasons for 8-isoprostane. Both the biomarkers should be evaluated in association with the DFC and season in large epidemiological studies. The (semi)parametric GAMLSS method is a useful and flexible technique, which makes it possible to estimate adjusted RI.

Urban air quality and associations with pediatric multiple sclerosis

Background

We previously identified air quality as a risk factor of interest for pediatric multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this study is to more closely examine the association between the six criteria air pollutants and pediatric MS as well as identify specific areas of toxic release using data from the Toxic Release Inventory.

Methods

Pediatric MS cases (N = 290) and healthy controls (N = 442) were included as part of an ongoing case-control study. We used the National Emissions Inventory system to estimate particulate exposure by county of residence for each participant. Proximity to Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) sites was also assessed using ArcGIS mapping tools. Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) classified counties at risk to exposure of environmental toxic releases.

Results

Fine particulate matter (PM _2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO ₂), and lead air emissions were associated with increased odds for pediatric MS (P < 0.01) for those residing within 20 miles of an MS center. Most study participants (75%) resided within 5 miles of at least one TRI site; however, the mean total pounds of stack air releases was higher for sites near MS cases (81,000 tons) compared to those near healthy controls (35,000 tons, P = 0.002). Average RSEI scores did not differ significantly between cases and controls.

Conclusion

Out of several air pollutants examined, we show that fine particulate matter and three other criteria pollutants (SO ₂, CO, and lead) were statistically associated with higher odds for pediatric MS.

Characterization of respiratory infection viruses in hospitalized children from Naples province in Southern Italy

Most acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children are due to viral etiology, and represent an important cause of mortality and morbidity in children <5 years old in developing countries. The pathogens that cause ARIs vary geographically and by season, and viruses serve a major role. In the present study, the distribution of the seven respiratory viruses that are more prevalent in Southern European countries were retrospectively analyzed in a Southern Italy Hospital, that centralizes pediatric diseases from the Naples province. Viruses were categorized by a FilmArray Respiratory Panel, and demonstrated no substantial differences in sex, age and seasonal viruses distribution. However, all the investigated viruses had a higher detection rate in the surrounding municipalities than in the metropolitan area of Naples. In recent years, the association between air pollution and respiratory infections has become an increasing public health concern. The data in this study support this association in the surrounding areas of Naples extensively contaminated by environmental toxic agents. In these areas, characterization of the epidemiology of ARIs is required to implement a prevention and control program.

An Ensemble Spatiotemporal Model for Predicting PM2.5 Concentrations

Although fine particulate matter with a diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) has a greater negative impact on human health than particulate matter with a diameter of <10 μm (PM10), measurements of PM2.5 have only recently been performed, and the spatial coverage of these measurements is limited. Comprehensively assessing PM2.5 pollution levels and the cumulative health effects is difficult because PM2.5 monitoring data for prior time periods and certain regions are not available. In this paper, we propose a promising approach for robustly predicting PM2.5 concentrations. In our approach, a generalized additive model is first used to quantify the non-linear associations between predictors and PM2.5, the bagging method is used to sample the dataset and train different models to reduce the bias in prediction, and the variogram for the daily residuals of the ensemble predictions is then simulated to improve our predictions. Shandong Province, China, is the study region, and data from 96 monitoring stations were included. To train and validate the models, we used PM2.5 measurement data from 2014 with other predictors, including PM10 data, meteorological parameters, remote sensing data, and land-use data. The validation results revealed that the R² value was improved and reached 0.89 when PM10 was used as a predictor and a kriging interpolation was performed for the residuals. However, when PM10 was not used as a predictor, our method still achieved a CV R² value of up to 0.86. The ensemble of spatial characteristics of relevant factors explained approximately 32% of the variance and improved the PM2.5 predictions. The spatiotemporal modeling approach to estimating PM2.5 concentrations presented in this paper has important implications for assessing PM2.5 exposure and its cumulative health effects.

Increased levels of the oxidative stress biomarker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α in wastewater associated with tobacco use

Wastewater analysis has been demonstrated to be a complementary approach for assessing the overall patterns of drug use by a population while the full potential of wastewater-based epidemiology has yet to be explored. F₂-isoprostanes are a prototype wastewater biomarker to study the cumulative oxidative stress at a community level. In this work, 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α (8-iso-PGF_2α) was analysed in raw 24 h-composite wastewater samples collected from 4 Norwegian and 7 other European cities in 2014 and 2015. Using the same samples, biomarkers of alcohol (ethyl sulfate) and tobacco (trans-3′-hydroxycotinine) use were also analysed to investigate any possible correlation between 8-iso-PGF_2α and the consumption of the two drugs. The estimated per capita daily loads of 8-iso-PGF_2α in the 11 cities ranged between 2.5 and 9.9 mg/day/1000 inhabitants with a population-weighted mean of 4.8 mg/day/1000 inhabitants. There were no temporal trends observed in the levels of 8-iso-PGF_2α, however, spatial differences were found at the inter-city level correlating to the degree of urbanisation. The 8-iso-PGF_2α mass load was found to be strongly associated with that of trans-3′-hydroxycotinine while it showed no correlation with ethyl sulfate. The present study shows the potential for 8-iso-PGF_2α as a wastewater biomarker for the assessment of community public health.

Effects of PM2.5 and NO2 on the 8-isoprostane and lung function indices of FVC and FEV1 in students of Ahvaz city, Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between PM_2.5 and NO₂ pollutants and oxidative stress marker (8-isoprostane) and lung function tests (FVC and FEV₁) in healthy children who were living and studying in three different areas of Ahvaz city including A₁: Naderi site with high traffic, A₂: Alavi Alley site with average traffic, and A₃: Ein 2 site with low traffic (a rural area on the suburb of Ahvaz). 30 students in the 12-13 year-old range were selected from each studied zone (1, 2 and 3 sites) during three months of year. Of each student, one sample was taken every two weeks to measure 8-isoprostane of exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Air pollution data were collected from three air quality monitoring stations. Also, the relationship between air pollution and 8-isoprostane as well as lung function tests were determined using generalized estimating equations (GEE). The mean concentration of PM_2.5 and NO₂ in A₁, A₂ and A₃ areas were 116, 92 and 45 (μg/m³) also 77, 53 and 14 (ppb) respectively. Among all studied students, there was a significant correlation between the increase of mean concentration of PM_2.5 and NO₂ in 1-4 before sampling day, increased 8-isoprostane concentration and decreased FEV₁, while there was no significant correlation between them and decreased FVC. In A₁ site, an increase in IQR (13 μg/m³) PM_2.5 and IQR (6.5 ppb) NO₂ on 1-4 days before sampling was associated with 0.38 unit (95% CI: 0.11, 0.65) and 1.1 unit (95% CI: 0.85, 1.35) increase in 8-isoprostane concentration, also decreased 121 ml and 190 ml FEV₁, respectively. Results showed that the short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution can decrease the values of lung function indices and increase the oxidative stress. It may adversely affect children's lungs.

Measurement and health risk assessment of PM2.5, flame retardants, carbonyls and black carbon in indoor and outdoor air in kindergartens in Hong Kong

Indoor air pollution is closely related to children's health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dechlorane plus (DP) transmitted through indoor PM_2.5 and dust, along with carbonyl compounds and black carbon (BC) aerosol were analysed in five Hong Kong kindergartens. The results showed that 60% of the median PM_2.5 levels (1.3×10¹ to 2.9×10¹μg/m³ for indoor; 9.5 to 8.8×10¹μg/m³ for outdoor) in the five kindergartens were higher than the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (2.5×10¹μg/m³). Indoor PM_2.5 mass concentrations were correlated with outdoor PM_2.5 in four of the kindergartens. The PBDEs (0.10-0.64ng/m³ in PM_2.5; 0.30-2.0×10²ng/g in dust) and DP (0.05-0.10ng/m³ in PM_2.5; 1.3-8.7ng/g in dust) were detected in 100% of the PM_2.5 and dust samples. Fire retardant levels in the air were not correlated with the levels of dust in this study. The median BC concentrations varied by >7-fold from 8.8×10²ng/m^-3 to 6.7×10³ng/m^-3 and cooking events might have caused BC concentrations to rise both indoors and outdoors. The total concentrations of 16 carbonyls ranged from 4.7×10¹μg/m³ to 9.3×10¹μg/m³ indoors and from 1.9×10¹μg/m³ to 4.3×10¹μg/m³ outdoors, whilst formaldehyde was the most abundant air carbonyl. Indoor carbonyl concentrations were correlated with outdoor carbonyls in three kindergartens. The health risk assessment showed that hazard indexes (HIs) HIs of non-cancer risks from PBDEs and DPs were all lower than 0.08, whilst non-cancer HIs of carbonyl compounds ranged from 0.77 to 1.85 indoors and from 0.50 to 0.97 outdoors. The human intake of PBDEs and DP through inhalation of PM_2.5 accounted for 78% to 92% of the total intake. The cancer hazard quotients (HQs) of formaldehyde ranged from 4.5E-05 to 2.1E-04 indoors and from 1.9E-05 to 6.2E-05 outdoors. In general, the indoor air pollution in the five Hong Kong kindergartens might present adverse effects to children, although different schools showed distinct pollution levels, so indoor air quality might be improved through artificial measures. The data will be useful to developing a feasible management protocol for indoor environments.

The empirical correlations between PM2.5, PM10 and AOD in the Beijing metropolitan region and the PM2.5, PM10 distributions retrieved by MODIS

We observed PM2.5, PM10 concentration, aerosol optical depth (AOD), and Ångström exponents (α) in three typical stations, the Beijing city, the Xianghe suburban and the Xinglong background station in the Beijing metropolitan region, from 2009 to 2010, synchronously. The annual means of PM2.5 (PM10) were 62 ± 45 (130 ± 88) μg m(-3) and 79 ± 61 (142 ± 96) μg m(-3) in the city and suburban region, which were much higher than the regional background (PM2.5: 36 ± 29 μg m(-3)). The annual means of AOD were 0.53 ± 0.47 and 0.54 ± 0.46 and 0.24 ± 0.22 in the city, suburban and the background region, respectively. The annual means of Ångström exponents were 1.11 ± 0.31, 1.09 ± 0.31 and 1.02 ± 0.31 in three typical stations. Meanwhile, the rates of PM2.5 accounting for PM10 were 44%-54% and 46%-70% in the city and suburban region during four seasons. The pollution of fine particulate was more serious in winter than other seasons. The linear regression functions of PM2.5 (y) and ground-observed AOD (x) were similarly with high correlation coefficient in the three typical areas, which were y = 74x + 18 (R(2) = 0.58, N = 337, in the City), y = 80x + 25 (R(2) = 0.55, N = 306, in the suburban) and y = 87x + 9 (R(2) = 0.64, N = 350, in the background). The functions of PM10 (y) and ground-observed AOD (x) were y = 112x + 57 (R(2) = 0.54, N = 337, in the city) and y = 114x + 68 (R(2) = 0.47, N = 304, in the suburban). But the functions had large differences in four seasons. The correlations between PM2.5, PM10 and MODIS AOD were similar with the correlations between PM2.5, PM10 and the ground-observed AOD. With MODIS C6 AOD, the distributions of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration were retrieved by the seasonal functions. The absolute retrieval errors of seasonal PM2.5 distribution were less than 5 μg m(-3) in the pollutant city and suburb, and less than 7 μg m(-3) in the clean background.

Air pollution, aeroallergens and admissions to pediatric emergency room for respiratory reasons in Turin, northwestern Italy

Background

Air pollution can cause respiratory symptoms or exacerbate pre-existing respiratory diseases, especially in children. This study looked at the short-term association of air pollution concentrations with Emergency Room (ER) admissions for respiratory reasons in pediatric age (0–18 years).

Methods

Daily number of ER admissions in a children’s Hospital, concentrations of urban-background PM_2.5, NO₂, O₃ and total aeroallergens (Corylaceae, Cupressaceae, Gramineae, Urticaceae, Ambrosia, Betula) were collected in Turin, northwestern Italy, for the period 1/08/2008 to 31/12/2010 (883 days). The associations between exposures and ER admissions were estimated, at time lags between 0 and 5 days, using generalized linear Poisson regression models, adjusted for non-meteorological potential confounders.

Results

In the study period, 21,793 ER admissions were observed, mainly (81 %) for upper respiratory tract infections. Median air pollution concentrations were 22.0, 42.5, 34.1 μg/m³ for urban-background PM_2.5, NO₂, and O₃, respectively, and 2.9 grains/m³ for aeroallergens. We found that ER admissions increased by 1.3 % (95 % CI: 0.3-2.2 %) five days after a 10 μg/m³ increase in NO₂, and by 0.7 % (95 % CI: 0.1-1.2 %) one day after a 10 grains/m³ increase in aeroallergens, while they were not associated with PM_2.5 concentrations. ER admissions were negatively associated with O₃ and aeroallergen concentrations at some time lags, but these association shifted to the null when meteorological confounders were adjusted for in the models.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings confirm adverse short-term health effects of air pollution on the risk of ER admission in children and encourage a careful management of the urban environment to health protection.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3376-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The inhibitory mechanism of Cordyceps sinensis on cigarette smoke extract-induced senescence in human bronchial epithelial cells

OBJECTIVES

Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible growth arrest induced either by telomere shortening (replicative senescence) or stress. The bronchial epithelial cell is often injured by inhaled toxic substances, such as cigarette smoke. In the present study, we investigated whether exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) induces senescence of bronchial epithelial cells; and Cordyceps sinensis mechanism of inhibition of CSE-induced cellular senescence.

METHODS

Human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE cells) cultured in vitro were treated with CSE and/or C. sinensis. p16, p21, and senescence-associated-galactosidase activity were used to detect cellular senescence with immunofluorescence, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), PI3K/AKT/mTOR and their phosphorylated proteins were examined to testify the activation of signaling pathway by ROS fluorescent staining and Western blotting. Then, inhibitors of ROS and PI3K were used to further confirm the function of this pathway.

RESULTS

Cellular senescence was upregulated by CSE treatment, and C. sinensis can decrease CSE-induced cellular senescence. Activation of ROS/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was enhanced by CSE treatment, and decreased when C. sinensis was added. Blocking ROS/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway can attenuate CSE-induced cellular senescence.

CONCLUSION

CSE can induce cellular senescence in human bronchial epithelial cells, and ROS/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway may play an important role in this process. C. sinensis can inhibit the CSE-induced senescence.

Oxidative Stress in Youth and Adolescents With Elevated Body Mass Index Exposed to Secondhand Smoke

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to investigate the relationships between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and oxidative stress in a group of youth and adolescents with elevated body mass index.

METHODS

Participants in this cross sectional study were healthy nonsmoking youth and adolescents ages 9 to 18 years old. Three-quarters of the participants were either overweight or obese. SHS exposure was determined by survey and hair nicotine level. Markers of oxidation were total antioxidant capacity and protein malondialdehyde adducts (MDA).

RESULTS

Ninety subjects were studied; adequate hair samples were available for 86. The mean hair nicotine level was 0.75ng/mg, the median was 0.58ng/mg and the range was 0.09-2.88ng/mg. There was a significant relationship between MDA and the three survey questions regarding smoke exposure ([mother smokes, r = 0.29, P = .006], [smoker lives in the home, r = 0.31, P = .004], and [number of smokers in the home, r = 0.36, P = .002]). There was a significant positive relationship between log-hair nicotine and MDA (Pearson r = 0.233, P = .031), which remained significant after controlling for age, sex, race, and method of insurance. No relationship was found between log-hair nicotine and total antioxidant capacity. However, there was a significant relationship between number of smokers in the home (r = 0.24, P = .042) and total antioxidant capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated a significant positive relationship hair nicotine level and MDA in a group of youth with a high proportion of overweight/obese subjects.

IMPLICATIONS

We have shown a significant relationship between objectively measured SHS exposure and one marker of oxidative stress in a sample of youth and adolescents with a high proportion of overweight/obese subjects, and who were nonsmokers with relatively low tobacco exposure. This finding remains significant after controlling for age, sex, race, and type of medical insurance. Since the cardiovascular effects of SHS exposure are related to oxidative stress, this finding adds to our knowledge that the sequence of deleterious effects of tobacco exposure on the cardiovascular system begins long before clinical disease is evident.

Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries-part I: CO₂ and comfort assessment

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in nurseries is an emerging case-study. Thus, this study, as the Part I of the larger study "Children's exposure to indoor air in urban nurseries", aimed to: i) evaluate nurseries' indoor concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2), a global IAQ indicator, in class and lunch rooms; ii) assess indoor comfort parameters-temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH); and iii) analyse them according to guidelines and references for IAQ, comfort and children's health. Indoor continuous measurements were performed. Non-compliances with guidelines were found in comfort parameters, which could cause discomfort situations and also microbial proliferation. Exceedances in CO2 concentrations were also found and they were caused by poor ventilation and high classroom occupation. More efficient ventilation and control of comfort parameters, as well as to reduce occupation by reviewing Portuguese legislation on that matter, would certainly improve IAQ and comfort in nurseries and consequently safeguard children's health.