Short-Term Effects of Lower Air Temperature and Cold Spells on Myocardial Infarction Hospitalizations in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Lower air temperature and cold spells have been associated with an increased risk of various diseases. However, the short-term effect of lower air temperature and cold spells on myocardial infarction (MI) remains incompletely understood. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of lower air temperature and cold spells on the risk of hospitalization for MI in Sweden. METHODS: This population-based nationwide study included 120,380 MI cases admitted to hospitals in Sweden during the cold season (October to March) from 2005 to 2019. Daily mean air temperature (1 km2 resolution) was estimated using machine learning, and percentiles of daily temperatures experienced by individuals in the same municipality were used as individual exposure indicators to account for potential geographic adaptation. Cold spells were defined as periods of at least 2 consecutive days with a daily mean temperature below the 10th percentile of the temperature distribution for each municipality. A time-stratified case-crossover design incorporating conditional logistic regression models with distributed lag nonlinear models using lag 0 to 1 (immediate) and 2 to 6 days (delayed) was used to evaluate the short-term effects of lower air temperature and cold spells on total MI, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). RESULTS: A decrease of 1-unit in percentile temperature at a lag of 2 to 6 days was significantly associated with increased risks of total MI, NSTEMI, and STEMI, with ORs of 1.099 (95% CI: 1.057-1.142), 1.110 (95% CI: 1.060-1.164), and 1.076 (95% CI: 1.004-1.153), respectively. Additionally, cold spells at a lag of 2 to 6 days were significantly associated with increased risks for total MI, NSTEMI, and STEMI, with ORs of 1.077 (95% CI: 1.037-1.120), 1.069 (95% CI: 1.020-1.119), and 1.095 (95% CI: 1.023-1.172), respectively. Conversely, lower air temperature and cold spells at a lag of 0 to 1 days were associated with decreased risks for MI. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide case-crossover study reveals that short-term exposures to lower air temperature and cold spells are associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for MI at lag 2 to 6 days.

Interaction between ambient CO and temperature or relative humidity on the risk of stroke hospitalization.

Although the independent effects of ambient CO, temperature or humidity on stroke have been confirmed, it is still unclear where there is an interaction between these factors and who is sensitive populations for these. The stroke hospitalization and ambient CO, temperature, humidity data were collected in 22 Counties and districts of Ningxia, China in 2014-2019. The lagged effect of ambient CO, temperature or humidity were analyze by the generalized additive model; the interaction were evaluated by the bivariate response surface model and stratified analysis with relative excessive risk (RERI). High temperature and CO levels had synergistic effects on hemorrhagic stroke (RERI = 0.05, 95% CI 0.033-0.086) and ischemic stroke (RERI = 0.035, 95% CI 0.006-0.08). Low relative humidity and CO were synergistic in hemorrhagic stroke (RERI = 0.192, 95% CI 0.184-0.205) and only in ischemic stroke in the elderly group (RERI = 0.056, 95% CI 0.025-0.085). High relative humidity and CO exhibited antagonistic effects on the risk of ischemic stroke hospitalization in both male and female groups (RERI = - 0.088, 95% CI - 0.151to - 0.031; RERI = - 0.144, 95% CI - 0.216 to - 0.197). Exposure to CO increases the risk of hospitalization related to hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. CO and temperature or humidity interact with risk of stroke hospitalization with sex and age differences.

Associations between short-term exposure to air pollution and thyroid function in a representative sample of the Korean population.

BACKGROUND: Disruption of thyroid function can profoundly affect various organ systems. However, studies on the association between air pollution and thyroid function are relatively scarce and most studies have focused on the long-term effects of air pollution among pregnant women. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the associations between short-term exposure to air pollution and thyroid function in the general population. METHODS: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015) were analyzed (n = 5,626). Air pollution concentrations in residential addresses were estimated using Community Multiscale Air Quality models. The moving averages of air pollution over 7 days were set as exposure variables through exploratory analyses. Linear regression and quantile g-computation models were constructed to assess the effects of individual air pollutants and air pollution mixture, respectively. RESULTS: A 10-ppb increase in NO2 (18.8-µg/m3 increase) and CO (11.5-µg/m3 increase) was associated with 2.43% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42, 4.48] and 0.19% (95% CI: 0.01, 0.36) higher thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, respectively. A 10-µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and a 10-ppb increase in O3 (19.6-µg/m3 increment) were associated with 0.87% (95% CI: 1.47, -0.27) and 0.59% (95% CI: 1.18, -0.001) lower free thyroxine (fT4) levels, respectively. A simultaneous quartile increase in PM2.5, NO2, O3, and CO levels was associated with lower fT4 but not TSH levels. CONCLUSIONS: As the subtle changes in thyroid function can affect various organ systems, the present results may have substantial public health implications despite the relatively modest effect sizes. Because this was a cross-sectional study, it is necessary to conduct further experimental or repeated-measures studies to consolidate the current results.

The SAFE study: Stress and fatigue control by exercise: Acute and long-term effects of aerobic exercise in lactating employed mothers.

BACKGROUND: Stress and fatigue experienced by lactating employed mothers can affect mothers' and babies' mental and physical health detrimentally. Aerobic exercise is known to control stress and fatigue, but the dosages of the exercises needed to maintain long-term effects are still under investigation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the acute and long-term effects of aerobic exercise on controlling stress and fatigue in lactating, employed mothers. METHODS: This randomized control study involved sixty lactating, employed mothers suffering from stress and fatigue. They were divided into two groups: Group A received five sessions of 30-minute aerobic training on a treadmill per week, in addition to lifestyle modification advice for six weeks. Group B received the same lifestyle routine advice for the same duration without being trained. Assessments of stress and fatigue levels were done before, after 6 weeks, and after 6 months from the baseline assessments using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), respectively. RESULTS: Post-six-week comparisons within and between both groups showed a significant decline in PSS-10 and FAS in group A compared with group B (p < 0.001); however, after six months of follow-up, there were statistically significant effects within groups only (p < 0.05) and no statistically significant difference between groups at both variables (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercises for 6 weeks can induce an acute but not long-term effect on stress and fatigue control in lactating-employed mothers. Future research is needed to tailor the exercise prescription needed to maintain training's long-term benefits.

Premature drug reduction after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation leading to worse depression in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Reduction of medication in Parkinson's disease (PD) following subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) has been recognized, but the optimal timing for medication adjustments remains unclear, posing challenges in postoperative patient management. Objective: This study aimed to provide evidence for the timing of medication reduction post-DBS using propensity score matching (PSM). Methods: In this study, initial programming and observation sessions were conducted over 1 week for patients 4-6 weeks postoperatively. Patients were subsequently categorized into medication reduction or non-reduction groups based on their dyskinesia evaluation using the 4.2-item score from the MDS-UPDRS-IV. PSM was employed to maintain baseline comparability. Short-term motor and neuropsychiatric symptom assessments for both groups were conducted 3-6 months postoperatively. Results: A total of 123 PD patients were included. Baseline balance in motor and non-motor scores was achieved between the two groups based on PSM. Short-term efficacy revealed a significant reduction in depression scores within the non-reduction group compared to baseline (P < 0.001) and a significant reduction compared to the reduction group (P = 0.037). No significant differences were observed in UPDRS-III and HAMA scores between the two groups. Within-group analysis showed improvements in motor symptoms, depression, anxiety, and subdomains in the non-reduction group, while the reduction group exhibited improvements only in motor symptoms. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the timing of medication reduction following DBS. Our findings suggest that early maintenance of medication stability is more favorable for improving neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Time series analysis in environmental epidemiology: challenges and considerations.

In environmental epidemiology, time series analyses represent a widely used statistical tool. However, though being commonly used, there is soften confusion regarding the specific requirements, such as which link function might be most appropriate, when or how to control for seasonality or how to account for lags. The present overview draws from experiences in other disciplines and discusses the proper execution of time series analyses based on considerations that are relevant in environmental epidemiology. Time series analysis in environmental epidemiology focuses on acute events caused by short-term changes in exposure. These exposures should be fairly wide-spread affecting a large number of persons, usually all inhabitants of a political entity. Pollutants in air or drinking water as well as meteorological factors serve as typical examples. Despite the many time series analyses performed world-wide, some health effects that would lend themselves to that approach are still under-explored. This would include also some neurological and psychiatric endpoints. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(6):704-16.

An update on the association between ambient short-term air pollution exposure and daily outpatient visits for conjunctivitis: a time-series study in Hangzhou, China.

Air pollution is a major public health problem that can lead to conjunctivitis. This study aimed to explore the associations between air pollutants and outpatient visits for conjunctivitis in Hangzhou, China. This study collected data on 50,772 patients with conjunctivitis and the concentrations of six air pollutants from February 1, 2014, to August 31, 2018. A time series analysis using a generalized additive model (GAM) was conducted. We found that the risk of conjunctivitis was related to the air pollutants PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3, which had concentration hysteresis effects. The risk of conjunctivitis increased by 1.009 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.003, 1.014), 1.011 (95% CI: 1.008, 1.015), 1.238 (95% CI: 1.186, 1.292), 1.028 (95% CI: 1.019, 1.038), and 1.013 (95% CI: 1.008, 1.017) for every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3 concentrations, respectively. The lag effects of SO2 and NO2 were stronger than those of particulate matter. Females exposed to PM10, PM2.5, SO2, and O3 had a higher risk of conjunctivitis than males, while males exposed to NO2 had a nearly identical risk of conjunctivitis as females. People aged 19-59 were more likely to suffer from conjunctivitis. The risk of conjunctivitis caused by PM10, SO2, and O3 was highest in the transitional season, while the risk caused by NO2 was highest in the winter season. In conclusion, females and middle-aged adults were at higher risk of conjunctivitis. People were more susceptible to conjunctivitis during the transitional season. These findings highlight the importance of atmospheric pollution governance and reference for public health measures.

Regional heterogeneity in short-term associations of meteorological factors, air pollution, and asthma hospitalizations in Guangxi, China.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify and evaluate the short-term and lag effects of environmental factors on asthma hospitalizations in different regions. STUDY DESIGN: The ecological study on asthma is performed in three regions of Guangxi, China, that are distinctly different in geography and climate. METHODS: We used distributed lag non-linear models to investigate the exposure-response-lag relationship between meteorological factors, air pollutants, and asthma hospital admissions across the three regions during 2015 (January 1 to December 31). RESULTS: Cold was an important meteorological factor affecting asthma. At lag 0, the relative risk (RR; 23°C as reference) of cold in the Northwest, Northeast, and South was 1.10 (10°C), 1.14 (8°C), and 1.30 (11°C), respectively. NO2 was identified as the most important air pollutant affecting asthma. The RR of asthma hospitalization increased by 10.9% (at lag 4), 8.1% (at lag 0), and 4.2% (at lag 2) for every 10 µg/m3 increase in NO2 concentration in the Northwest, Northeast, and South, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the three regions of Guangxi, there were differences in the dominant factors affecting asthma hospitalizations. Differences in geography can inform governments as to how to prepare the healthcare system to meet the expected peaks.

Short-term relation between air pollutants and hospitalizations for respiratory diseases: analysis by temporal association rules.

This study investigates the relation between exposure to critical air pollution events with multipollutant (CO, PM10, PM2.5, NO2, O3, and SO2) and hospitalizations for respiratory diseases in the metropolitan area of São Paulo (RMSP) and in the countryside and coastline, from 2017 to 2021. Data mining analysis by temporal association rules searched for frequent patterns of respiratory diseases and multipollutants associated with time intervals. In the results, pollutants PM10, PM2.5, and O3 showed high concentration values in the three regions, SO2 on the coast, and NO2 in the RMSP. Seasonality was similar between pollutants and between cities and concentrations significantly higher in winter, except for O3, which was present in warm seasons. Hospitalizations were recurrent during the transition from summer to colder periods. In approximately 35% of the total days with hospitalization greater than the annual average, one or more pollutants had a high concentration. The rules showed that PM2.5, PM10, and O3 pollutants are strongly associated with increased hospitalizations in the RMSP (PM2.5 and PM10 with 38.5% support and 77% confidence) and in Campinas (PM2.5 with 66.1% support and 94% confidence) and the pollutant O3 with maximum support of 17.5%. On the coast, SO2 was related to high hospitalizations (43.85% support and 80% confidence). The pollutants CO and NO2 were not associated with the increase in hospitalizations. The ratio delay indicates the pollutants that were associated with hospitalizations, having concentration remained above the limit for three days, oscillating in smaller hospitalizations on the 1st day and again higher on the 2nd and 3rd days of delay, in a decreasing way. In conclusion, high pollutant exposure is significantly associated with daily hospitalization for respiratory problems. The cumulative effect of air pollutants increased hospitalization in the following days, in addition to identifying the pollutants and which pollutant combinations are most harmful to health in each region.

Understanding the Effects of Widowhood on Health in China: Mechanisms and Heterogeneity.

This paper analyzes the impact of widowhood on the health of mid-aged and older individuals in China using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data. Our results show that widowhood significantly increases the risk of depression, chronic diseases, and body pain while reducing cognitive function, sleeping time, and daily activity functions. The effects on depression and daily functions are immediate, that on chronic diseases is lagged, and the effects on cognitive function and sleeping hours persist over time. We find that rural widows are particularly vulnerable to negative health outcomes due to their weaker economic positions, for whom widowhood leads to more grandchild care responsibility and corresponding workforce and social withdrawals. Moreover, rural widows' income loss is not compensated by children, either by co-residence or financial transfers, leading to reduced living standards. Overall, our findings suggest that China needs to strengthen economic security for older people, especially among rural women, in order to avoid significant negative consequences of widowhood.

Short-term effects of intravenous batroxobin in treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a propensity score-matched study.

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) can cause great panic in patients. Whether it is advantageous to add intravenous batroxobin in the treatment of SSNHL remains to be determined. This study aimed to compare the short-term efficacy of therapy combined with intravenous batroxobin and that without intravenous batroxobin in SSNHL patients. Methods: This retrospective study harvested the data of SSNHL patients hospitalized in our department from January 2008 to April 2021. The hearing levels on the admitted day (before treatment) and the discharge day were considered pre-treatment hearing and post-treatment hearing, respectively. The hearing gain was the difference value of pre-treatment hearing and post-treatment hearing. We used Siegel's criteria and the Chinese Medical Association of Otolaryngology (CMAO) criteria to evaluate hearing recovery. The complete recovery rate, overall effective rate, and hearing gain at each frequency were considered outcomes. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to balance the baseline characteristics between the batroxobin group and the non-batroxobin group. Sensitivity analysis was carried out in flat-type and total-deafness SSNHL patients. Results: During the study period, 657 patients with SSNHL were admitted to our department. Among them, a total of 274 patients met the enrolled criteria of our study. After PSM, 162 patients (81 in each group) were included in the analysis. Once the hospitalized treatment was completed, the patients would be discharged the next day. Logistic regression analysis of the propensity score-matched cohort indicated that both the complete recovery rates [Siegel's criteria, OR: 0.734, 95% CI: 0.368-1.466, p = 0.381; CMAO criteria, OR: 0.879, 95% CI: 0.435-1.777, p = 0.720] and the overall effective rates [Siegel's criteria and CMAO criteria, OR: 0.741, 95% CI: 0.399-1.378, p = 0.344] were not significantly different between the two treatment groups. Sensitivity analysis has shown similar results. For flat-type and total-deafness SSNHL patients, no significant difference was found in post-treatment hearing gain at each frequency between the two groups after PSM. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in short-term hearing outcomes between treatment with batroxobin and treatment without batroxobin in SSNHL patients by Siegel's and CMAO criteria after PSM. Future studies for better therapy regimens of SSNHL are still needed.

A meta-analysis of short-term and long-term effects of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in hepatectomy for liver cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis aimed to compare the short-term and long-term effects of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in hepatectomy for liver cancer. METHODS: The databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and major scientific websites were screened up to January 2023. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing fluorescence navigation-assisted and fluorescence-free navigation-assisted hepatectomy for liver cancer were included. Our meta-analysis comprises overall results and 2 subgroup analyses based on surgery type (laparoscopy and laparotomy). These estimates are presented as mean differences (MD) or odds ratio (OR) estimates with 95% CIs. RESULTS: We analyzed 16 studies that included 1260 patients with liver cancer. Our results showed that fluorescent navigation-assisted hepatectomy were significantly more shorter than fluorescence-free navigation-assisted hepatectomy in the following parameters: operative time [MD = -16.19; 95% CI: -32.27 to -0.11; p = 0.050], blood loss [MD = -107.90; 95% CI: -160.46 to -55.35; p < 0.001], blood transfusion [OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.72; p = 0.0002], hospital stay [MD = -1.60; 95% CI: -2.33 to -0.87; p < 0.001], and postoperative complications [OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.82; p = 0.002], The one-year disease-free survival rate [OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.64 to 5.02; p = 0.0002] was higher in the fluorescent navigation-assisted hepatectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging has good clinical value and can improve the short-term and long-term results of hepatectomy for liver cancer.

Towards an evolutionary approach to learning from assumptions: Lessons from the evaluation of Dancing with Parkinson's.

This paper highlights how learnings from exploring assumptions can be strengthened by taking an evolutionary approach to theory building and analysis. We discuss theory-driven evaluation applied to a community-based intervention implemented by Dancing With Parkinson's in Toronto, Canada, targeting Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative condition affecting movement. A major gap in the literature is understanding the mechanisms by which dance might make a difference in the daily lives of people living with PD. This study was an early exploratory evaluation to better understand mechanisms and short-term outcomes. Conventional thinking generally favors "permanent" over "transitory" changes, and "long-term" over "short-term" effects. Yet, for people living with degenerative conditions (and also people experiencing chronic pain and other chronic symptoms), transitory and short-term changes may be highly valued and welcomed relief. In order to study and link multiple longitudinal events to explore key linkages in the theory of change, we piloted the use of diaries, with brief entries filled out daily by participants. The aim was to better understand the short-term experiences of participants using their daily routines as a means of learning about potential mechanisms, what matters to participants, and to see if small effects could be observed on days when participants danced versus days when they did not dance and also longitudinally over several months. Our initial theoretical stance began with a view of dance as exercise and the well-established benefits of exercise; yet, we explored through the diary data collected, as well as client interviews and literature review, potential other mechanisms of dancing (such as group interaction, touch, stimulation by the music, and esthetics including "feeling lovely"). This paper does not develop a full, comprehensive theory of dance but moves towards a more comprehensive view that locates dance within the routine activities of participants' daily lives. We argue that given the challenges of evaluating complex interventions comprising multiple, interacting components, there is a need for an evolutionary learning process to understand heterogeneities in mechanisms -- what works for whom -- when faced with knowledge incompleteness in the theory of change.

Short-term effects of ambient particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10) on influenza-like illness in Guangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter (PM) has been linked to respiratory infections in a growing body of evidence. Studies on the relationship between ILI (influenza-like illness) and PM1 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤1 µm) are, however, scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PM on ILI in Guangzhou, China. METHODS: Daily ILI cases, air pollution records (PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and gaseous pollutants), and metrological data between 2014 and 2019 were gathered from Guangzhou, China. To estimate the risk of ILI linked with exposure to PM pollutants, a quasi-Poisson regression was used. Additionally, subgroup analyses stratified by gender, age and season were carried out. RESULTS: For each 10 µg/m3 increase of PM1 and PM2.5 over the past two days (lag01), and PM10 over the past three days (lag02), the relative risks (RR) of ILI were 1.079 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.050, 1.109), 1.044 (95% CI: 1.027, 1.062) and 1.046 (95% CI: 1.032, 1.059), respectively. The estimated risks for men and women were substantially similar. The effects of PM pollutants between male and female were basically equivalent. People aged 15-24 years old were more susceptive to PM pollutants. CONCLUSIONS: It implies that PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 are all risk factors for ILI, the health impacts of PM pollutants vary by particle size. Reducing the concentration of PM1 needs to be considered when generating a strategy to prevent ILI.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists' occupational exposure to inhalational anesthetic agents: a survey of anesthetic gas safety.

BACKGROUND: Anesthetic gases have been known to cause damage when inhaled over long periods of time. Modern safety measures have been put in place to reduce the risk to anesthesia providers, however there is continued lack of information on providers experiencing short term effects (lethargy, fatigue, headache, slowed cognitive ability, nausea, and mucosal irritation) thereby leading to long-term sequalae (sister chromatid exchanges, micronuclei, chromosomal aberrations, and comet assays). METHOD: A thirteen item, multiple choice survey was sent to 3,000 anesthesia providers, of which 463 completed the survey. A Chi-square test of independence was used to determine the association between gas exposure and participant self-reported symptoms. A Spearman's Correlation test was also utilized to interpret this data since both frequency of smelling gas and frequency of symptoms were ordinal variables for which Spearman's rho correlation was the appropriate measure of association. RESULTS: The major findings were that as the frequency of smelling anesthetic gas increased, so too did the frequency of self-reported headaches and fatigue. Spearman's rho = .148 and .092. P value = .002 and .049, respectively. CONCLUSION: There have been many efforts to decrease the risk of exposure of anesthesia providers to anesthetic gases. While there is a decrease in reported exposures, indications of possible long-term effects remain a concern in anesthesia providers. Potential implications of exposure could lead to chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, comet assays, spontaneous abortions, and genotoxic effects.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Underemployment on Workers' Health: Empirical Analysis from the China Labor Force Dynamics Survey.

Underemployment is a global problem. This study aimed to assess the short- and long-term effects of underemployment (hidden unemployment) on workers' health, using data from the China Labor-force Dynamic Survey (CLDS) 2016 and 2014. Indicators reflecting workers' self-rated health, mental health, prevalence of illness over time, and employment status were analyzed using logit regression models, propensity score matching methods, and instrumental variable methods. Empirical analyses showed that: (1) In the short-term, the impact on health is multidimensional, with underemployment significantly associated with a decline in workers' self-rated health, an increase in the propensity for depression, and an increase in the prevalence of illness over a certain period of time. (2) In the long-term, the experience of underemployment two years in the past is associated with a current decline in workers' mental health. That is, the negative effects of underemployment on workers' mental health persist and do not disappear rapidly over time. The results demonstrated that underemployment is detrimental to workers' health in the short- and long-term. In the context of epidemic prevention and control, the government and society should focus on this expanding group, establish labor protection mechanisms, and reduce the multiple effects of underemployment on workers' health.

The immediate and long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure.

The opioid epidemic has adversely affected neonates and children, yet the mechanisms by which it impacts this population are not well understood. Not only does prenatal opioid exposure result in short-term consequences shortly after birth, it also creates long-term sequelae that may predispose these children to physical, emotional, psychiatric, cognitive, and socioeconomic problems in the future. This article provides a scoping overview of the long-term effects of antenatal opioid exposure on neonates and children as well as quality improvement and research efforts to understand and mitigate this major public health concern.

Higher Daily Air Temperature Is Associated with Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length: KORA F3 and KORA F4.

Higher air temperature is associated with increased age-related morbidity and mortality. To date, short-term effects of air temperature on leukocyte telomere length have not been investigated in an adult population. We aimed to examine the short-term associations between air temperature and leukocyte telomere length in an adult population-based setting, including two independent cohorts. This population-based study involved 5864 participants from the KORA F3 (2004-2005) and F4 (2006-2008) cohort studies conducted in Augsburg, Germany. Leukocyte telomere length was assessed by a quantitative PCR-based method. We estimated air temperature at each participant's residential address through a highly resolved spatiotemporal model. We conducted cohort-specific generalized additive models to explore the short-term effects of air temperature on leukocyte telomere length at lags 0-1, 2-6, 0-6, and 0-13 days separately and pooled the estimates by fixed-effects meta-analysis. Our study found that between individuals, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in daily air temperature was associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length at lags 0-1, 2-6, 0-6, and 0-13 days (%change: -2.96 [-4.46; -1.43], -2.79 [-4.49; -1.07], -4.18 [-6.08; -2.25], and -6.69 [-9.04; -4.27], respectively). This meta-analysis of two cohort studies showed that between individuals, higher daily air temperature was associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length.

Data supporting the short-term health effects of temperature and air pollution in Valencia, Spain.

The data presented in this article is part in essence of a more extensive dataset aimed at evaluating patterns of change in the temperature-mortality relationship on population health in the city of Valencia, Spain on population health in the city of Valencia, Spain. The complete dataset was used in the framework of the European multi-city project PHASE (Public Health Adaptation Strategies to Extreme weather events) [1]. The data includes daily counts of all-cause mortality, excluding external causes and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. All-cause mortality is also classified by gender and age groups. Besides temperature, we included other meteorological variables and air pollutants from the PHASE dataset, as well as influenza epidemics. The variable Saharan dust events was also added. All these data were collected from public Governmental data repositories accessible under request. The dataset of this article provides a basis for comparison with similar models for time-series regression, allowing researchers to integrate additional model components without duplication of effort.