Characteristics and influencing factors of airborne microplastics in nail salons.

Airborne microplastic particles (MPs) are emerging contaminants. Although some studies have investigated the characteristics of indoor MPs in homes or offices, information regarding MPs in nail salons with potentially higher MP pollution is unavailable. In this study, we collected indoor and outdoor air samples from nail salons to analyze the concentrations, physical characteristics, and polymers of MPs and further assessed the exposure through inhalation and influencing factors. Our data displayed that the average indoor MP concentration was 46 ± 55 MPs/m3. The estimated average annual exposure to indoor MPs was 67,567 ± 81,782 MPs/year. The predominant shape and size of indoor MPs were fragment and <50 µm, respectively. The predominant polymer in indoor air was acrylic (27%), followed by rubber (21%), and polyurethane (13%). Air conditioner, nail treatment, ceiling and flooring with plastic materials, and number of occupants were factors affecting indoor MP concentrations. We concluded that MP pollution was more severe in nail salons and the physical characteristics and polymer compositions differed between nail salons and other indoor spaces reported in other studies. Air conditioner usage induced higher MP emission, and higher MP concentrations were observed in nail salons with plastic ceiling and flooring or more occupants.

Coprescription Trends in Western Medicine, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Dental Medicine among Older Adults in Taiwan from 1997 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: Coprescription is a potential medical problem for older adults that could induce polypharmacy and subsequent complications. In Taiwan, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is popular among the older adults. Investigating the coprescription trends in Western medicine, CHM and dental medicine is important to avoid possible polypharmacy. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID 2000) in Taiwan. Patients ≥ 60 years old who received coprescription of Western medicine, CHM and drugs for dental care from 1997 to 2013 were included. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated by a logistic regression model for evaluating the correlation between baseline characteristics and coprescription. RESULTS: A total of 266,034 patients were included for the analysis. Most patients receiving coprescriptions lived in the northern Taiwan and with a monthly income lower than 20,000 new Taiwan dollars. The trends in older adults using Western medicine alone or CHM alone decreased over time, but the cohort using dental medicine alone had the opposite result. Decreased trends in coprescription with age were noted. The trends in the proportion of coprescription and the number of days of coprescription increased with the calendar year. Increased trends in the proportion of patients with coprescription were also found, except for the cohort of patients who used both Western medicine and CHM. Patients who were female, and aged 70-79 years were prone to receive coprescription. CONCLUSIONS: Coprescription in older patients is not uncommon in Taiwan. Healthcare providers and policymakers should be aware of the complex coprescription pattern in the older adults.

Periodontitis and the subsequent risk of glaucoma: results from the real-world practice.

Periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease that can cause tooth loss and contribute to systemic inflammation. It is suggested that periodontitis may be associated with the development of glaucoma. Based on data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, a retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the risk of developing glaucoma in patients with periodontitis. The periodontitis cohort consisted of newly diagnosed adult patients (n = 194,090, minimum age = 20 years) between 2000 and 2012. The comparison group included age-, gender-, and diagnosis date-matched people without periodontitis (n = 194,090, minimum age = 20 years). Incident glaucoma was monitored until the end of 2013. Hazard ratios (HRs) with confidence intervals (CIs) were established based on the Cox proportional hazard models. The risk of developing glaucoma was higher in patients with periodontitis than those without periodontitis (31.2 vs. 23.3 patients per 10,000 person-years, with an adjusted HR of 1.26 [95% CI 1.21-1.32]). A high risk was evident even after stratifying by age (adjusted HRs = 1.34 [1.26-1.44] for ages 20-49, 1.24 [1.13-1.36] for ages ≥ 65, and 1.20 [1.12-1.29] for ages 50-64 years), sex (adjusted HRs = 1.33 [1.24-1.41] and 1.21 [1.14-1.28] for men and women, respectively), presence of comorbidity (adjusted HRs = 1.38 [1.29-1.47] and 1.18 [1.12-1.25] for without and with comorbidity, respectively), and corticosteroid use (adjusted HRs = 1.27 [1.21-1.33] and 1.21 [1.08-1.35] for without and with corticosteroid use, respectively). Specifically, patients with periodontitis exhibited a significantly high risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (adjusted HR = 1.31 [1.21-1.32]) but not for primary closed-angle glaucoma (adjusted HR = 1.05 [0.94-1.17]). People with periodontitis are at a greater risk of glaucoma than individuals without periodontitis. Ocular health should be emphasized for such patients, and the underlying mechanisms need further investigation.