Estimating morning and evening commute period O3 concentration in Taiwan using a fine spatial-temporal resolution ensemble mixed spatial model with Geo-AI technology

Association of long-term ozone exposure with the incidence and progression of hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease: A national retrospective cohort study

Evidence suggests that ozone is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the associations of ozone exposure with the dynamic progression of these diseases among Asian population remain unknown. This study included 9,256,945 participants from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database between 2006 and 2021. Multimorbidity was defined as the coexistence of CKD and either hypertension or diabetes. The ordinary kriging method was used to estimate daily concentrations of ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, suspended fine particles, and suspended particles. Then, five-year average concentrations of pollutants were calculated. We performed multi-state survival models to analyze the association between ozone and dynamic progression of these diseases. During follow-up, 3,555,498 participants experienced hypertension, diabetes, or CKD; 656,515 experienced multimorbidity; and 792,555 died. Ozone exposure was significantly associated with incidence of the results in all transitions. The hazard ratios of each IQR (3.57 ppb) increment in ozone for the transition to incident disease were 1.016 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.014, 1.017], for the transition to death were 1.04 [95 % CI: 1.036, 1.043], for the transition to multimorbidity were 1.015 [95 % CI: 1.012, 1.017]. Furthermore, with each IQR increase of ozone, the hazard ratios for transition from the disease incidence to death and from multimorbidity to death were 1.03 [95 % CI: 1.026, 1.033] and 1.007 [95 % CI: 1.002, 1.013], respectively. Our results suggest long-term exposure to ozone might be an important determinant for the incidence and dynamic progression of hypertension, diabetes, and CKD in Taiwan.

Association between wet-bulb globe temperature with peptic ulcer disease in different geographic regions in a large Taiwanese population study

BACKGROUND

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common and important cause of morbidity worldwide, with a large impact on healthcare costs. Little research has been conducted on the association between wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and PUD. The aim of this study was to explore this association among different geographical regions of Taiwan in a large sample of participants.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. The study participants (n = 120,424) were enrolled from the Taiwan Biobank (TWB) and resided across northern, central, southern and eastern Taiwan. Self-reported questionnaires were used to ascertain the occurrence of PUD. Average WBGT values were recorded during working hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and the noon period (11:00 AM to 2:00 PM) for each participant at 1, 3, and 5 years before the TWB survey year. The association between WBGT and PUD was examined with logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The 1-year and 5-year noon WBGT values per 1℃ increase were significantly associated with a low prevalence of PUD in northern Taiwan (odds ratio [OR], 0.960, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.925-0.955; OR, 0.962, 95% CI, 0.929-0.997; respectively). In contrast, there were no significant associations between WBGT and PUD in central Taiwan. In southern Taiwan, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year WBGT values per 1℃ increase during the noon period (OR, 0.875, 95% CI, 0.873-0.909; OR, 0.860, 95% CI, 0.825-0.896; OR, 0.848, 95% CI, 0.812-0.885; respectively) and working period (OR, 0.852, 95% CI, 0.825-0.880; OR, 0.845, 95% CI, 0.816-0.876; OR, 0.832, 95% CI, 0.0.801-0.863; respectively) were significantly associated with a low prevalence of PUD. However, in eastern Taiwan, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year WBGT values per 1℃ increase during the noon period (OR, 1.074, 95% CI, 1.022-1.127; OR, 1.058, 95% CI, 1.013-1.104; OR, 1.058, 95% CI, 1.013-1.105; respectively), and the 3- and 5-year WBGT values per 1℃ increase during the working period were significantly associated with a high prevalence of PUD (OR, 1.049, 95% CI, 1.003-1.097; OR, 1.047, 95% CI, 1.001-1.095; respectively). Based on nonlinear trend analysis, WBGT was categorized into three groups for the noon period or work period, and the results were similar to and generally consistent with those in linear models.

CONCLUSION

The associations between WBGT and PUD differed across the geographical regions of Taiwan. In northern and southern Taiwan, increases in average WBGT values were significantly associated with a low prevalence of PUD. In addition, this relationship was much stronger in southern Taiwan than in northern Taiwan. Of note, there was a reverse relationship between WBGT and PUD during the noon and working periods in eastern Taiwan. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of WBGT on PUD.

Innovating Taiwan's greenhouse gas estimation: A case study of atmospheric methane using GeoAI-Based ensemble mixed spatial prediction model

This study addresses a gap in atmospheric greenhouse gas research, focusing on methane (CH4), a gas with a global warming potential 80 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2). Unlike prior studies that focus on emission sources and reduction strategies, this research emphasizes the spatiotemporal variations in atmospheric CH4 concentrations, providing new perspectives on global climate mitigation efforts. A novel GeoAI-based ensemble mixed spatial prediction model was developed, integrating multiple machine learning algorithms and considering various factors to accurately estimate CH4 concentrations across Taiwan. In the context of global net-zero emissions, this study offers a robust approach to assess spatial variations in CH4 concentrations, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of greenhouse gas reduction policies and climate strategies. Key factors influencing CH4 levels include aquaculture, livestock, transportation land use, wind speed, national CH4 emissions, net greenhouse gas emissions, population density, quarry sites, solar radiation, seasonal variations, residential areas, temples, CO2 removal levels, and primary pollutants (e.g., NO2, NOx, PM2.5, PM10, CO, CO2, SO2, and O3). Seasonal analysis revealed higher CH4 concentrations in spring and winter, and lower levels in summer and autumn. The model demonstrated high explanatory power with R2 values of 0.99, 0.82, 0.98, and 0.67 across training, testing, cross-validation, and external validation datasets. This study presents a model that enhances the understanding of the dynamic factors influencing methane concentration variations. The methodology developed in this research can serve as a reference for other regions and timeframes, potentially offering key insights for the formulation of effective global climate mitigation strategies.

Long-term exposure to air pollution and the risks of venous thromboembolism: a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To delineate the effects of exposure to air pollution on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

BACKGROUND

The association between air pollution and arterial occlusive diseases has been well reported in the literature. VTE is the third most common acute cardiovascular syndrome; however, its relationship with exposure to air pollution has been controversial.

METHODS

This study linked data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database with that from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. Patients who were first admitted for VTE between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2013, were analyzed. A time-stratified, case-crossover design was employed. Three different exposure periods were defined: exposure for 1 month, one quarter, and 1 year. Four control periods were designated for each exposure period. The association between exposure to air pollutants and the risk of VTE was tested using logistic regression analysis. Subgroup analyses were also performed, stratified by age, sex, type of VTE, the use of hormone therapy, and level of urbanization at the site of residence.

RESULTS

Exposures to particulate matter (PM) smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and those smaller than 10 µm (PM10) were associated with higher risks of VTE, with longer exposures associated with higher risk. The concentration of PM2.5 exposure for 1 month was linearly associated with a greater risk of VTE up to 28.0 µg/m3, beyond which there was no association. PM2.5 exposure for one quarter or 1 year remained significantly associated with higher risks of VTE at higher concentrations. The increased risk in VTE associated with exposure to PM2.5 was more prominent in older patients and in patients not under hormone therapy. Similar results were observed for PM10 exposures.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to PM, particularly PM2.5, leads to an increased risk of VTE, with possible accumulative effects. With increased PM production in industrializing countries, the effects of PM on VTE occurrence warrant further attention.

Association between wet-bulb globe temperature and kidney function in different geographic regions in a large Taiwanese population study

The worldwide prevalence and incidence rates of end-stage renal disease have been increasing, and the trend is pronounced in Taiwan. This is especially evident in southern Taiwan, where the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is consistently higher than in other regions. The association between kidney function and WBGT has not been fully investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and WBGT and variations in this association across different geographic regions in Taiwan. We used the Taiwan Biobank (TWB) to obtain data on community-dwelling individuals, linked these data with WBGT data obtained from the Central Weather Bureau and then processed the data using a machine learning model. WBGT data were recorded during the working period of the day from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These data were then compiled as 1-year, 3-year and 5-year averages, recorded prior to the survey year of the TWB of each participant. We identified 114 483 participants who had WBGT data during 2012-2020. Multivariable analysis showed that, in northern Taiwan, increases in 1- and 3-year averages of WBGT during the working period (β = -0.092, P = .043 and β = -0.193, P < .001, respectively) were significantly associated with low eGFR. In southern Taiwan, increases in 1-, 3- and 5-year averages of WBGT during the working period (β = -0.518, P < .001; β = -0.690, P < .001; and β = -0.386, P = .001, respectively) were gnificantly associated with low eGFR. These findings highlight the importance of heat protection for people working outdoors or in high-temperature environments as a measure to prevent negative impacts on kidney function. Moreover, we observed that in southern Taiwan, every 1°C increase in WBGT had a greater impact on the decrease in eGFR compared with other regions in Taiwan.

Sex differences in the association of long-term exposure to heat stress on kidney function in a large Taiwanese population study

The incidence and prevalence of dialysis in Taiwan are high compared to other regions. Consequently, mitigating chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the worsening of kidney function have emerged as critical healthcare priorities in Taiwan. Heat stress is known to be a significant risk factor for CKD and kidney function impairment. However, differences in the impact of heat stress between males and females remains unexplored. We conducted this retrospective cross-sectional analysis using data from the Taiwan Biobank (TWB), incorporating records of the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) during midday (11 AM-2 PM) and working hours (8 AM-5 PM) periods based on the participants' residential address. Average 1-, 3-, and 5-year WBGT values prior to the survey year were calculated and analyzed using a geospatial artificial intelligence-based ensemble mixed spatial model, covering the period from 2010 to 2020. A total of 114,483 participants from the TWB were included in this study, of whom 35.9% were male and 1053 had impaired kidney function (defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2). Multivariable analysis revealed that in the male participants, during the midday period, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year average WBGT values per 1 ℃ increase were significantly positively associated with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (odds ratio [OR], 1.096, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.002-1.199, p = 0.044 for 1 year; OR, 1.093, 95% CI = 1.000-1.196, p = 0.005 for 3 years; OR, 1.094, 95% CI = 1.002-1.195, p = 0.045 for 5 years). However, significant associations were not found for the working hours period. In the female participants, during the midday period, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year average WBGT values per 1 ℃ increase were significantly negatively associated with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (OR, 0.872, 95% CI = 0.778-0.976, p = 0.018 for 1 year; OR, 0.874, 95% CI = 0.780-0.978, p = 0.019 for 3 years; OR, 0.875, 95% CI = 0.784-0.977, p = 0.018 for 5 years). In addition, during the working hours period, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year average WBGT values per 1 ℃ increase were also significantly negatively associated with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (OR, 0.856, 95% CI = 0.774-0.946, p = 0.002 for 1 year; OR, 0.856, 95% CI = 0.774-0.948, p = 0.003 for 3 years; OR, 0.853, 95% CI = 0.772-0.943, p = 0.002 for 5 years). In conclusion, our results revealed that increased WBGT was associated with impaired kidney function in males, whereas increased WBGT was associated with a protective effect against impaired kidney function in females. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms underlying these sex-specific differences.

Impact assessment of spatial-temporal distribution of riverine dust on air quality using remote sensing data and numerical modeling

Soil erosion is a severe problem in Taiwan due to the steep terrain, fragile geology, and extreme climatic events resulting from global warming. Due to the rapidly changing hydrological conditions affecting the locations and the amount of transported sand and fine particles, timely impact evaluation and riverine dust control are difficult, particularly when resources are limited. To comprehend the impact of desertification in estuarine areas on the variation of air pollutant concentrations, this study utilized remote sensing technology coupled with an air pollutant dispersion model to determine the unit contribution of potential pollution sources and quantify the effect of riverine dust on air quality. The images of the downstream area of the Beinan River basin captured by Formosat-2 in May 2006 were used to analyze land use and land cover (LULC) composition. Subsequently, the diffusion model ISCST-3 based on Gaussian distribution was utilized to simulate the transport of PM across the study area. Finally, a mixed-integer programming model was developed to optimize resource allocation for dust control. Results reveal that sand deposition in specific river sections significantly influences regional air quality, owing to the unique local topography and wind field conditions. The present optimal plan model for regional air quality control further showed that after implementing engineering measures including water cover, revegetation, armouring cover, and revegetation, total PM concentrations would be reduced by 51%. The contribution equivalent calculation, using the air pollution diffusion model, was effectively integrated into the optimization model to formulate a plan for reducing riverine dust with limited resources based on air quality requirements.