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Nanomaterials (NMs) are in high demand for a wide range of practical applications; however, comprehensively understanding the toxicity of these materials is a complex challenge, due to the limited availability of epidemiological evidence on the human health effects arising from workplace exposures. The aim of this work is to assess whether and how urinary metal concentrations could be reliable and useful in NM biomonitoring. In the framework of "NanoExplore Project" [EU LIFE17 Grant ENV/GR/000285], 43 not-exposed subjects and 40 exposed workers were recruited to measure exposure to NMs (PCN and LDSA) in the proximity of the workstations and biological biomarkers (urinary metal concentrations-Aluminum (Al), Silica (Si), Titanium (Ti), and Chromium (Cr); urinary OS biomarkers-TAP, Isop, and MDA). The results showed that Si and Ti were directly associated with NM exposure (both PCN and LDSA), as well as with OS biomarkers, especially in exposed workers. Moreover, the mediation analyses showed that Si could account for about 2.8% in the relationship between LDSA and OS biomarkers, possibly by decreasing OS antioxidant defenses in exposed people. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that occupational exposure to mixtures containing NMs can represent an underestimated hazard for exposed people, increasing the body burden and the oxidative balance.
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BACKGROUND: Today, nanomaterials are broadly used in a wide range of industrial applications. Such large utilization and the limited knowledge on to the possible health effects have raised concerns about potential consequences on human health and safety, beyond the environmental burden. Given that inhalation is the main exposure route, workers exposed to nanomaterials might be at risk of occurrence of respiratory morbidity and/or reduced pulmonary function. However, epidemiological evidence regarding the association between cumulative exposure to nanomaterials and respiratory health is still scarce. This study focused on the association between cumulative exposure to nanomaterials and pulmonary function among 136 workers enrolled in the framework of the European multicentric NanoExplore project. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that, independently of lifelong tobacco smoking, ethnicity, age, sex, body mass index and physical activity habits, 10-year cumulative exposure to nanomaterials is associated to worse FEV1 and FEF25 - 75%, which might be consistent with the involvement of both large and small airway components and early signs of airflow obstruction. We further explored the hypothesis of a mediating effect via airway inflammation, assessed by interleukin (IL-)10, IL-1ß and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), all quantified in the Exhaled Breath Condensate of workers. The mediation analysis results suggest that IL-10, TNF-α and their ratio (i.e., anti-pro inflammatory ratio) may fully mediate the negative association between cumulative exposure to nanomaterials and the FEV1/FVC ratio. This pattern was not observed for other pulmonary function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Safeguarding the respiratory health of workers exposed to nanomaterials should be of primary importance. The observed association between cumulative exposure to nanomaterials and worse pulmonary function parameters underscores the importance of implementing adequate protective measures in the nanocomposite sector. The mitigation of harmful exposures may ensure that workers can continue to contribute productively to their workplaces while preserving their respiratory health over time.
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Exposición por Inhalación , Pulmón , Nanoestructuras , Exposición Profesional , Humanos , Masculino , Nanoestructuras/toxicidad , Femenino , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Adulto , Exposición por Inhalación/efectos adversos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pulmón/efectos de los fármacos , Pulmón/fisiopatología , Pulmón/inmunología , Neumonía/inducido químicamente , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Citocinas/metabolismo , Contaminantes Ocupacionales del Aire/toxicidad , Europa (Continente)RESUMEN
The existing evidence on the association between greenness and respiratory outcomes remains inconclusive. We aimed at systematically summarizing existing literature on greenness exposure and respiratory outcomes in European children and adolescents, with a preliminary attempt to qualify the distribution of dominant tree species across different geographical areas and bioclimatic regions. Overall, 4049 studies were firstly identified by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, GreenFile and CAB direct, up to 29 August 2023. Eighteen primary studies were included in the systematic review and six were meta-analyzed. No overall significant association was observed between the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, assessed within 500-m buffers (i.e. NDVI-500), and the odds of asthma for 0.3-increase in the exposure (OR: 0.97, 95% CI from 0.53 to 1.78). Similarly, an overall exposure to the NDVI-300 highest tertile, as compared to the lowest tertile, was not significantly associated with asthma (OR: 0.65, 95% CI from 0.22 to 1.91): heterogeneity among studies was significant (p = 0.021). We delineated some key elements that might have mostly contributed to the lack of scientific consensus on this topic, starting from the urgent need of harmonized approaches for the operational definition of greenness. Additionally, the complex interplay between greenness and respiratory health may vary across different geographical regions and climatic conditions. At last, the inconsistent findings may reflect the heterogeneity and complexity of this relationship, rather than a lack of scientific consensus itself. Future research should compare geographical areas with similar bioclimatic parameters and dominant or potentially present vegetation species, in order to achieve a higher inter-study comparability.
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Asma , Europa (Continente)/epidemiología , Humanos , Adolescente , Niño , Asma/epidemiología , Exposición a Riesgos AmbientalesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Understanding the natural history of abnormal spirometric patterns at different stages of life is critical to identify and optimise preventive strategies. We aimed to describe characteristics and risk factors of restrictive and obstructive spirometric patterns occurring before 40 years (young onset) and between 40 and 61 years (mid-adult onset). METHODS: We used data from the population-based cohort of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). Prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were assessed longitudinally at baseline (ECRHS1, 1993-1994) and again 20 years later (ECRHS3, 2010-2013). Spirometry patterns were defined as: restrictive if FEV1/FVC≥LLN and FVC<10th percentile, obstructive if FEV1/FVCAsunto(s)
Asma
, Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica
, Persona de Mediana Edad
, Adulto Joven
, Humanos
, Adulto
, Espirometría
, Pruebas de Función Respiratoria
, Asma/complicaciones
, Factores de Riesgo
, Volumen Espiratorio Forzado
, Capacidad Vital
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Objective: Office workers spend typically more than two-thirds of their working time sitting and this negative behaviour could have been increased during the pandemic. Low levels of Physical Activity (PA) can have detrimental effects on health, well-being, and Quality of Life (QoL), as well as on the oxidative stress burden. Our aim was to evaluate the role of moderate PA remotely administered in modulating the bio-molecular profile and the QoL of a group of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The 26 subjects recruited were sampled at the beginning of the study (T0), after 3 months of remotely administered training (T1), and 3 months after the suspension of the online workouts (T2). Each of the three times, subjects filled out a questionnaire and provided a spot urine sample for the quantification of oxidative stress (15-F2t-Isoprostane, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), and Total Antioxidant Power (TAP)) and inflammatory biomarkers (Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10). Results: The PA administration resulted in a significant decrease in 15-F2t-Isoprostane (p = 0.02) and TAP (p = 0.019). A significant increase in TAP was observed between T1 and T2 (p = 0.044). Conclusion: A PA-based health promotion strategy could be a valuable intervention in the working environment to promote the well-being of an ageing workforce, especially for white collars.
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The increased awareness about possible health effects arising from micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) pollution is driving a huge amount of studies. Many international efforts are in place to better understand and characterize the hazard of MNPs present in the environment. The literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology in two different databases (PubMed and Embase). The selection of articles was carried out blind, screening titles and abstracts according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. In general, these studies rely on the methodology already in use for assessing hazard from nanomaterials and particles of concern. However, only a limited number of studies have so far directly measured human exposure to MNPs and examined the relationship between such exposure and its impact on human health. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of research on biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and genotoxicity that have been explored in relation to MNPs exposure, using human, cellular, animal, and plant models. Both in-vitro and in-vivo models suggest an increased level of oxidative stress and inflammation as the main mechanism of action (MOA) leading to adverse effects such as chronic inflammation, immunotoxicity and genotoxicity. With the identification of such biological endpoints, representing critical key initiating events (KIEs) towards adaptive or adverse outcomes, it is possible to identify a panel of surrogate biomarkers to be applied and validated especially in occupational settings, where higher levels of exposure may occur.
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Daño del ADN , Microplásticos , Animales , Humanos , Biomarcadores , Inflamación/inducido químicamente , Estrés OxidativoRESUMEN
The current evidence on nanomaterial toxicity is mostly derived from experimental studies making it challenging to translate it into human health risks. We established an international cohort (N = 141 workers) within the EU-LIFE project "NanoExplore" to address possible health effects from occupational exposures to nanomaterials. We used a handheld direct-reading optical particle counter to measure airborne nanoparticle number concentrations (PNC) and lung-deposited surface areas (LDSAs). Airborne particles were characterized by TEM and SEM-EDAX. We assessed oxidative/nitrosative stress with a panel of biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) (8-isoprostane, malondialdehyde, nitrotyrosine), inflammation (high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-10) and KL-6 (considered as biomarker of interstitial lung fibrosis) and urine (total antioxidant power (TAP), 8-isoprostane, and malondialdehyde). Exhaled breath sampled in gas-sampling bags were assessed for oxidative potential. These biomarkers were quantified pre-shift at the beginning of the workweek and post-shift the 4th day. Relationships between airborne nanoparticle concentration and biomarkers were assessed by multiple linear regression with log-transformed exposure and biomarker concentrations adjusted for potential confounders. We found a positive dose-response relationship for three inflammation biomarkers (IL-10, IL-1ß and TNF-α) in EBC with both PNC and LDSA. A negative dose-response relationship was observed between PNC and TAP. This study suggests that occupational exposures to nanoparticles can affect the oxidative balance and the innate immunity in occupationally exposed workers. However, owing to the intrinsic variability of biomarkers, the observed changes along with their health significance should be assessed in a long-term perspective study.
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Nanoestructuras , Exposición Profesional , Humanos , Interleucina-10 , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa , Biomarcadores , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Antioxidantes , InflamaciónRESUMEN
During pregnancy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) may physiologically increase due to changes and growth of mother and fetal tissues. Consequently, oxidative stress (OS) may occur and be involved in the onset of pregnancy and newborn complications. Among exogenous antioxidant sources, diet is a cost-effective prevention strategy supporting the health of mothers and newborns; however, there is still a lack of nutritional education during pregnancy interviews. This review aims to systematically summarize the knowledge on the association between OS and diet during pregnancy. Four electronic databases (PubMed Central, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Food Science and Technology Abstracts) were searched on 22 December 2022. Among 4162 records, 13 original articles were finally included. Overall, 80% of the studies considered dietary patterns as exposure and 60% of them assessed the association with malondialdehyde levels in blood and urine. Three studies analyzed the influence of daily intakes of fruit and vegetables on different OS biomarkers (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine). Among studies exploring dietary fat intakes (39%), 80% focused on polyunsaturated fatty acids, finding a positive association with glutathione peroxidase, biopirryn and isoprostane levels, respectively. Four studies analyzed vitamin intakes and 50% of them in association with 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine.
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Nanotechnology applications are fast-growing in many industrial fields. Consequently, health effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) should be investigated. Within the EU-Life project NanoExplore, we developed a harmonized protocol of an international multicenter prospective cohort study of workers in ENM-producing companies. This article describes the development of the protocol, sample size calculation, data collection and management procedures and discusses its relevance with respect to research needs. Within this protocol, workers' ENM exposure will be assessed over four consecutive working days during the initial recruitment campaign and the subsequent follow-up campaigns. Biomonitoring using noninvasive sampling of exhaled breath condensate (EBC), exhaled air, and urine will be collected before and after 4-day exposure monitoring. Both exposure and effect biomarkers, will be quantified along with pulmonary function tests and diagnosed diseases reported using a standardized epidemiological questionnaire available in four languages. Until now, this protocol was implemented at seven companies in Switzerland, Spain and Italy. The protocol is well standardized, though sufficiently flexible to include company-specific conditions and occupational hygiene measures. The recruitment, to date, of 140 participants and collection of all data and samples, enabled us launching the first international cohort of nanotechnology workers. All companies dealing with ENMs could join the NanoExplore Consortium, apply this harmonized protocol and enter in the cohort, concieved as an open cohort. Its protocol meets all requirements of a hypotheses-driven prospective study, which will assess and reassess effects of ENM exposure on workers' health by updating the follow-up of the cohort. New hypothesis could be also considered.
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Nanoestructuras , Exposición Profesional , Humanos , Estudios Prospectivos , Exposición Profesional/análisis , Nanotecnología , Nanoestructuras/toxicidad , Monitoreo Biológico , Estudios Multicéntricos como AsuntoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: air pollution is a complex mixture; novel multipollutant approaches could help understanding the health effects of multiple concomitant exposures to air pollutants. AIM: to assess the relationship of long-term air pollution exposure with the prevalence of respiratory/allergic symptoms and diseases in an Italian multicenter study using single and multipollutant approaches. METHODS: 14420 adults living in 6 Italian cities (Ancona, Pavia, Pisa, Sassari, Turin, Verona) were investigated in 2005-2011 within 11 different study cohorts. Questionnaire information about risk factors and health outcomes was collected. Machine learning derived mean annual concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and mean summer concentrations of O3 (µg/m3) at residential level (1-km resolution) were used for the period 2013-2015. The associations between the four pollutants and respiratory/allergic symptoms/diseases were assessed using two approaches: a) logistic regression models (single-pollutant models), b) principal component logistic regression models (multipollutant models). All the models were adjusted for age, sex, education level, smoking habits, season of interview, climatic index and included a random intercept for cohorts. RESULTS: the three-year average (± standard deviation) pollutants concentrations at residential level were: 20.3 ± 6.8 µg/m3 for PM2.5, 29.2 ± 7.0 µg/m3 for PM10, 28.0 ± 11.2 µg/m3 for NO2, and 70.9 ± 4.3 µg/m3 for summer O3. Through the multipollutant models the following associations emerged: PM10 and PM2.5 were related to 14-25% increased odds of rhinitis, 23-34% of asthma and 30-33% of night awakening; NO2 was related to 6-9% increased odds of rhinitis, 7-8% of asthma and 12% of night awakening; O3 was associated with 37% increased odds of asthma attacks. Overall, the Odds Ratios estimated through the multipollutant models were attenuated when compared to those of the single-pollutant models. CONCLUSIONS: this study enabled to obtain new information about the health effects of air pollution on respiratory/allergic outcomes in adults, applying innovative methods for exposure assessment and multipollutant analyses.
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Contaminantes Atmosféricos , Contaminación del Aire , Asma , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Contaminantes Ambientales , Rinitis , Adulto , Humanos , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Contaminación del Aire/estadística & datos numéricos , Asma/epidemiología , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/estadística & datos numéricos , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Hipersensibilidad , Italia/epidemiología , Dióxido de Nitrógeno/análisis , Material Particulado/análisis , Trastornos Respiratorios/epidemiología , Enfermedades Respiratorias/epidemiología , Rinitis/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: occupational exposure to vapours, gases, dusts and fumes (VGDF) plays an important role in the development and exacerbation of respiratory diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible association of occupational exposure to airborne pollutants and chronic respiratory diseases. DESIGN: multicase-control study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: cases of chronic respiratory diseases and controls from the Italian multicentric study Gene Environment Interaction in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: the occurrence of rhinitis, asthma, chronic bronchitis/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma severity, spirometry data, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were examined in relation to chronic and acute occupational exposures to airborne pollutants using multiple regression models. RESULTS: 2,943 subjects were enrolled in the study. Regularm exposure to VGDF was associated with a higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis/COPD (OR 1.40, 95%CI 0.98-1.99), especially in those also having asthma (OR 1.80, 95%CI 1.14-2.85), a lower prevalence of remittent asthma (OR 0.53, 95%CI 0.29-0.96) and, in those with asthma, an increased activity of the disease (severity score) (OR 1.77, 95%CI 1.20-2.60). No associations were observed between occupational exposure and prevalence of rhinitis, spirometry and FeNO data. Finally, an association was found between acute exposure to airborne pollutants (occupational and non-occupational) and the respiratory diseases investigated, in particular active asthma and asthma associated chronic bronchitis/BPCO. CONCLUSIONS: these data confirm a significant role of occupational exposure to airborne pollutants on respiratory health, underlying the importance of workplace exposure prevention, in particular for more susceptible subjects, as those with respiratory diseases.
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Asma , Bronquitis Crónica , Contaminantes Ambientales , Enfermedades Profesionales , Exposición Profesional , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica , Trastornos Respiratorios , Rinitis , Humanos , Bronquitis Crónica/epidemiología , Bronquitis Crónica/etiología , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Italia/epidemiología , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/epidemiología , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/etiología , Asma/epidemiología , Asma/etiología , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Lugar de Trabajo , GasesRESUMEN
Inflammation is a comprehensive set of physiological processes that an organism undertakes in response to a wide variety of foreign stimuli, such as viruses, bacteria, and inorganic particles. A key role is played by cytokines, protein-based chemical mediators produced by a broad range of cells, including the immune cells recruited in the inflammation site. The aim of this systematic review is to compare baseline values of pro/anti-inflammatory biomarkers measured in Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC) in healthy, non-smoking adults to provide a summary of the concentrations reported in the literature. We focused on: interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C reactive protein (CRP). Eligible articles were identified in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL. Due to the wide differences in methodologies employed in the included articles concerning EBC sampling, storage, and analyses, research protocols were assessed specifically to test their adherence to the ATS/ERS Task Force guidelines on EBC. The development of reference intervals for these biomarkers can result in their introduction and use in both research and clinical settings, not only for monitoring purposes but also, in the perspective of future longitudinal studies, as predictive parameters for the onset and development of chronic diseases with inflammatory aetiology.
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Pruebas Respiratorias , Citocinas , Adulto , Biomarcadores , Pruebas Respiratorias/métodos , Proteína C-Reactiva/análisis , Citocinas/metabolismo , Espiración , Humanos , InflamaciónRESUMEN
Recent studies have examined how the environment can influence obesity in young people. The research findings are conflicting: in some studies, green spaces have shown a protective association with obesity and urbanization has turned out to worsen this condition, while other studies contradicted these results. The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between greenness, urbanization, and weight status among Italian adolescents. Student data (11-13 years old) on weight and height, physical activity (PA), and demographic characteristics were extracted from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey in Piedmont, Northwest of Italy. Data on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and urbanization were obtained from satellite images and the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT). A multilevel regression model was used to assess the association between NDVI, urbanization, and obesity, controlling for PA. Students living in greener areas reported a lower likelihood of being obese [OR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.56, p = 0.007], while students living in areas with a higher level of urbanization showed a significantly increased risk of obesity [OR = 2.3, 95% CI:1.14-4.6, p = 0.02]. Living surrounded by higher amounts of greenness and lower levels of urbanization may positively influence health status through lower risk of obesity among youth.
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Obesidad , Urbanización , Adolescente , Índice de Masa Corporal , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Humanos , Obesidad/epidemiología , Instituciones AcadémicasRESUMEN
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-1ß, 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-1ß 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.
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Formaldehyde (FA) is a ubiquitous toxic chemical employed worldwide due to its disinfectant and preservative properties. Despite being classified as a human carcinogen, FA is still employed as formalin in pathology wards as standard fixative. We evaluated its relationship with the formation of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes on 57 pathologists and 48 controls and the risk/protective role played by several genetic polymorphisms. All subjects were assessed for SCEs and genotyped for the most common cancer-associated gene polymorphisms: CYP1A1 exon 7 (A > G), CYP1A1*2A (T > C), CYP2C19*2 (G > A), GSTT1 (presence/absence), GSTM1 (presence/absence), GSTP1 (A > G), XRCC1 (G399A), XRCC1 (C194T), XRCC1 (A280G), XPC exon 15 (A939C), XPC exon 9 (C499T), TNFα - 308 G > A), IL10 - 1082 (G > A), and IL6 - 174 (G > C). Air-FA concentration was assessed through passive personal samplers. Pathologists, exposed to 55.2 µg/m3 of air-FA, showed a significantly higher SCEs frequency than controls, exposed, respectively, to 18.4 µg/m3. Air-FA was directly correlated with SCEs frequency and inversely with the replication index (RI). Regression models showed FA exposure as a significant predictor in developing SCEs, while did not highlight any role of the selected polymorphisms. Our study confirms the role of low air-FA levels as genotoxicity inductor, highlighting the importance to define exposure limits that could be safer for exposed workers.
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Citocromo P-450 CYP1A1 , Exposición Profesional , Daño del ADN , Formaldehído/toxicidad , Humanos , Linfocitos , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Intercambio de Cromátides Hermanas , Proteína 1 de Reparación por Escisión del Grupo de Complementación Cruzada de las Lesiones por Rayos XRESUMEN
Residential greenness exposure has been reported to positively impact health mainly by reducing overweight/obesity risk, improving mental health and physical activity. Less is known on biological pathways involved in these health benefits. We aimed to investigate the association between multisite greenness exposure and oxidative stress in children and explore the potential mediating role of physical activity in this association. This cross-sectional study involved 323 healthy subjects (8-11 y) from five schools in Asti (Italy). Children's parents filled a questionnaire providing the residential address, parental education, and physical activity frequency. Oxidative stress was quantified in spot urine by isoprostane (15-F2t-IsoP) using ELISA technique. Residential and scholastic greenness were defined by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in buffers with 100, 250, 300, 500 and 1000 m radii, and vegetated portion was also estimated. Multisite exposures were derived accounting for NDVI around home and school, weighted for time spent in each location. Linear mixed models, age-adjusted, with schools as random intercept, tested the association between 500 m-radius buffer multisite grenness variables and log (15-F2t-IsoP), reporting decreased oxidative stress per interquartile range (IQR) increase in multisite NDVI (ß: 012, 95%CI -0.240 to 0.004) and multisite vegetated portion (ß: 0.14, 95%CI -0.270 to -0.006). The mediation analysis did not support the hypothesis that physical activity frequency could mediate these associations. Multisite greenness exposure is associated with decreased oxidative stress in children and our data did not support the mediating role of physical activity.
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Ejercicio Físico , Estrés Oxidativo , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Humanos , Obesidad , Instituciones AcadémicasRESUMEN
Introduction: Adolescence is a critical period of life, and the level of wellbeing acquired during this stage might have an influence on health status in adulthood. The wellbeing of adolescents is associated with both biological and environmental determinants. To date, few studies have evaluated the effect of exposure to urban green spaces (i.e., greenness) on adolescents' wellbeing. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the association between exposure to greenness and the wellbeing of adolescents, accounting for the level of urbanization surrounding schools. Methods: In the frame of the 2018 Italian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC), we analyzed cross-sectional data from the Piedmont Region. Exposure to greenness was quantified by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Schools were geocoded, and a fixed buffer (radius 1,500 m) centered on each school was then built to enable average NDVI calculations. Adolescents' wellbeing was assessed by self-reported psychological, somatic, and psychosomatic health complaints as follows. Respondents were asked how often, in the last 6 months, they had experienced: (a) headache, (b) stomachache, (c) backache, (d) dizziness, (e) feeling low, (f) irritability or bad temper, (g) feeling nervous, and (h) difficulties getting to sleep using the HBSC Symptom Checklist (HBSC-SCL), an eight-item tool. Multivariable, multilevel logistic regression models tested the association between exposure to NDVI and psychosomatic, somatic, and psychological health complaints, one at a time, using schools as a random intercept. Results: In total, 2065 subjects (47.6% girls) aged 11 (48.4%) and 13 (51.6%) years were involved. Greenness was found to be inversely associated with reported psychosomatic (OR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.53-0.98) and psychological health complaints (OR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49-0.92) in boys only, adjusting for age, urbanization level, and socioeconomic status, and stratifying by gender. Discussion: Our results support the implementation of future policies for urban environmental design supporting the increase of green spaces, as suggested by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Ansiedad , Emociones , Masculino , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Adolescente , Estudios Transversales , Estudiantes/psicologíaRESUMEN
Physical activity may benefit health by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the selection of suitable exercise-induced oxidative stress biomarkers is still challenging. This study aimed at systematically summarizing the available evidence on exercise-induced oxidative stress measured in urine and/or saliva. Two meta-analyses including the most frequently quantified biomarkers of oxidative stress, namely, urinary isoprostane and DNA oxidation products, were performed. Three electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL) were interrogated. Among 4479 records, 43 original articles were included in the systematic review and 11 articles were included in meta-analysis I and II, respectively. We observed a pooled trend of increase of urinary isoprostanes in response to physical activity (+0.95, 95% CI: -0.18; 2.09). In comparison with aerobic exercise, anaerobic training determined a greater induction of isoprostanes (+5.21, 95% CI: 2.76; 7.66, p < 0.0001), which were markedly increased after vigorous physical activity (+6.01, 95% CI: 1.18; 10.84, p < 0.001) and slightly decreased in response to exercise interventions protracted over time (e.g., months) (-1.19, 95% CI: -2.25; -0.12, p < 0.001). We recommend the most integrative approach of oxidative stress multi-marker panels in response to physical activity instead of selecting one preferential biomarker to quantify physical activity-induced oxidative stress in humans.
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Despite the toxicity and health risk characteristics of formaldehyde (FA), it is currently used as a cytological fixative and the definition of safe exposure levels is still a matter of debate. Our aim was to investigate the alterations in both oxidative and inflammatory status in a hospital working population. The 68 workers recruited wore a personal air-FA passive sampler, provided a urine sample to measure 15-F2t-Isoprostane (15-F2t-IsoP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and a blood specimen to measure tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα). Subjects were also genotyped for GSTT1 (Presence/Absence), GSTM1 (Presence/Absence), CYP1A1 exon 7 (A > G), and IL6 (-174, G > C). Workers were ex post split into formalin-employers (57.3 µg/m3) and non-employers (13.5 µg/m3). In the formalin-employers group we assessed significantly higher levels of 15-F2t-IsoP, MDA and TNFα (<0.001) in comparison to the non-employers group. The air-FA levels turned out to be positively correlated with 15-F2t-IsoP (p = 0.027) and MDA (p < 0.001). In the formalin-employers group the MDA level was significantly higher in GSTT1 Null (p = 0.038), GSTM1 Null (p = 0.031), and CYP1A1 exon 7 mutation carrier (p = 0.008) workers, compared to the wild type subjects. This study confirms the role of FA in biomolecular profiles alterations, highlighting how low occupational exposure can also result in measurable biological outcomes.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a marker of type-2 inflammation used both to support diagnosis of asthma and follow up asthma patients. The associations of FeNO with lung function decline and bronchodilator (BD) response have been studied only scarcely in large populations. OBJECTIVES: To study the association between FeNO and a) retrospective lung function decline over 20 years, and b) lung function response to BD among asthmatic subjects compared with non-asthmatic subjects and with regards to current smoking and sex. METHODS: Longitudinal analyses of previous lung function decline and FeNO level at follow-up and cross-sectional analyses of BD response and FeNO levels in 4257 participants (651 asthmatics) from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. RESULTS: Among asthmatic subjects, higher percentage declines of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were associated with higher FeNO levels (p = 0.001 for both) at follow-up. These correlations were found mainly among non-smoking individuals (p = 0.001) and females (p = 0.001) in stratified analyses.Percentage increase in FEV1 after BD was positively associated with FeNO levels in non-asthmatic subjects. Further, after stratified for sex and smoking separately, a positive association was seen between FEV1 and FeNO levels in non-smokers and women, regardless of asthma status. CONCLUSIONS: We found a relationship between elevated FeNO and larger FEV1 decline over 20 years among subjects with asthma who were non-smokers or women. The association between elevated FeNO levels and larger BD response was found in both non-asthmatic and asthmatic subjects, mainly in women and non-smoking subjects.