Health disparities associated with exposure to animal feeding operations, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, USA.

Despite growing evidence of health risks posed by animal feeding operations (AFOs) including concentrated AFOs (CAFOs), few studies have explored the associated disproportionate health burdens. We investigated risk of cause-specific mortality associated with AFO/CAFOs and related disparities for North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (2000-2020). We estimated associations between AFO/CAFO exposure and mortality (anemia, asthma, COPD, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, and kidney disease) using logistic regression.

Metrics of Urbanicity and Rurality in US-Based Epidemiologic Studies of Ambient Temperature and Health: A Scoping Review.

Background: The impacts of environmental health risk factors, including temperature, vary across urban and rural areas. Application of different metrics of rurality and urbanicity can yield different risk characterizations. We aimed to identify, describe, and quantify how urban/rural metrics are used in epidemiologic studies of ambient temperature and health across the United States (US).

Critical window of gestational greenspace exposure for the risk of low birth weight.

Many studies link average residential greenspace exposure during pregnancy to birthweight changes, but evidence on critical timing for low birthweight is limited. Furthermore, coarse aggregations of exposure levels throughout pregnancy may obscure complex exposure-response relationships. This case-control study using the birth data ( = 788,275) in three US states examined the associations between the ZIP code-level weekly enhanced vegetation index (EVI) levels during gestational weeks 0-39 and term low birthweight (TLBW).

Disparities in exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and other animal feeding operations across multiple states in USA.

Background: Animal feeding operations (AFOs), including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), pose significant environmental degradation and health risks. These facilities are often disproportionately located in disadvantaged communities, however, findings are inconsistent.

Objective: We investigated disparities in AFO/CAFO exposure across seven US states, focusing on variables related to environmental justice (EJ) and at-risk populations.

Overdiagnosis of dental caries in South Korea: a pseudo-patient study.

Background: To evaluates the tendency of South Korean dentists to over-diagnose clinically healthy teeth in pseudo-patients.

Methods: We conducted a pseudo-patient, cross-sectional study in 196 private dental clinics with 58 pseudo-patients in South Korea between August and December 2018. Trained pseudo-patients with no previous oral diseases, including dental caries, diagnosed by two experienced dentists, were sent to each dental clinic.

Effects of ambient temperature on mental and neurological conditions in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Emerging research has suggested a link between ambient temperature and mental and neurological conditions such as depression and dementia. This systematic review aims to summarize the epidemiological evidence on the effects of ambient temperature on mental and neurological conditions in older adults, who may be more vulnerable to temperature-related health effects compared to younger individuals.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid/Embase, Web of Science, and Ovid/PsycINFO on July 17, 2023, and updated on July 31, 2024.

Exposure to particulate matter and ozone, locations of regulatory monitors, and sociodemographic disparities in the city of Rio de Janeiro: Based on local air pollution estimates generated from machine learning models.

South America is underrepresented in research on air pollution exposure disparities by sociodemographic factors, although such disparities have been observed in other parts of the world. We investigated whether exposure to and information about air pollution differs by sociodemographic factors in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the second most populous city in Brazil with dense urban areas, for 2012-2017. We developed machine learning-based models to estimate daily levels of O, PM, and PM using high-dimensional datasets from satellite remote sensing, atmospheric and land variables, and land use information.

Temperature, Crime, and Violence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Heat is known to affect many health outcomes, but more evidence is needed on the impact of rising temperatures on crime and/or violence.

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis regarding the influence of hot temperatures on crime and/or violence.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluated the relationship between increase in temperature and crime and/or violence for studies across the world and generated overall estimates.

Disparities in exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and risk of adverse birth outcomes in Pennsylvania, USA.

Background: Previous studies have linked exposure to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) with various health outcomes. However, relatively few studies evaluated the impacts of CAFOs on adverse birth outcomes, despite significant public health concerns regarding maternal and child health.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study investigated the risk of adverse birth outcomes associated with CAFOs exposure and evaluated disparities in exposure to CAFOs and associated health outcomes.

Associations Between Gestational Residential Radon Exposure and Term Low Birthweight in Connecticut, USA.

Background: Studies suggest biologic mechanisms for gestational exposure to radiation and impaired fetal development. We explored associations between gestational radon exposure and term low birthweight, for which evidence is limited.

Methods: We examined data for 68,159 singleton full-term births in Connecticut, United States, 2016-2018.

A systematic review of animal feeding operations including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) for exposure, health outcomes, and environmental justice.

Background: Despite growing literature on animal feeding operations (AFOs) including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), research on disproportionate exposure and associated health burden is relatively limited and shows inconclusive findings.

Objective: We systematically reviewed previous literature on AFOs/CAFOs, focusing on exposure assessment, associated health outcomes, and variables related to environmental justice (EJ) and potentially vulnerable populations.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of databases (MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science) and performed citation screening.

The Relationship between High-Intensity Physical Activity and Traumatic Dental Injury among Young Adults in South Korea.

Materials And Methods: This study analyzed data collected from the 5th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V:2010-2012). The total number of participants in the 5th KNAHANES was 5,383 young adults aged 19-39 years, selected from 25,534 participants. Logistic regression analysis was performed using socioeconomic status (sex, age, education level, and income), physical activity intensity (vigorous and moderate), frequency of vigorous and moderate physical activity (days per week), and traumatic dental injuries due to exercise.

ToF-SIMS evaluation of PEG-related mass peaks and applications in PEG detection in cosmetic products.

Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are used in industrial, medical, health care, and personal care applications. The cycling and disposal of synthetic polymers like PEGs pose significant environmental concerns. Detecting and monitoring PEGs in the real world calls for immediate attention.

Usefulness of the heart rate variability test in predicting intradialytic hypotension in patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis.

Background: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is the primary complication of haemodialysis (HD); however, its diverse pathophysiology and inconsistent definitions complicate its prediction. Despite attempts using the heart rate variability (HRV) test for IDH prediction, studies on its usefulness for predicting IDH diagnosed per the nadir 90 criterion are lacking. We aimed to evaluate HRV test efficacy and reproducibility in predicting IDH based on the nadir 90 criterion.

Oral habits and temporomandibular joint disorders according to stress levels among military personnel in South Korea: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Military personnel suffer from stress-induced temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). No previous studies have evaluated the oral habits and TMD in military personnel based on their stress levels.

Objectives: To examine the correlation between oral habits and TMD based on stress levels.

Associations between traumatic dental injuries due to violence and various drinking behaviors in Korea: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: Various patterns of alcohol consumption are associated with trauma and violence. The aim of this study was to assess the association between traumatic dental injuries (TDI) due to violence and different patterns of alcohol consumption in Korean adults.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with representative sample of Korean adults.

Clinical outcomes of colistin methanesulfonate sodium in correlation with pharmacokinetic parameters in critically ill patients with multi-drug resistant bacteria-mediated infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Colistin is a viable option for multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria emerged from inappropriate antibiotic use. Nonetheless, suboptimal colistin concentrations and nephrotoxicity risks hinder its clinical use. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate clinical outcomes in correlation with pharmacokinetic differences and infection types in critically ill patients on intravenous colistin methanesulfornate sodium (CMS).

Distributions of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PCNs in coastal sediments collected from major industrial bays in South Korea.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) were assessed in coastal sediments from industrial bays in South Korea to evaluate the pollution levels and their environmental impact. The mean sediment concentrations of Σ PCDD/Fs, Σ PCBs, and Σ PCNs were 198 ± 140, 3427 ± 7037, and 85 ± 336 pg/g dw, respectively. Generally, pollutant concentrations in the inner bay were higher than those in the outer bay, indicating the influence of industrial emissions and harbor activities.

Interdental cleaning and periodontal status among older Koreans: Findings from KNHANES VII.

Objective: To assess the association between the usage of interdental cleaning and periodontal status among older people in Korea.

Background: In order to maintain oral health in older people, it is very important to use interdental cleaning devices. However, there is a lack of research on periodontal status and interdental cleaning device use in older people.

Molecular detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry.

Detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is crucial in environmental mitigation and remediation of these persistent pollutants. We demonstrate that time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is a viable technique to analyze and identify these substances at parts per trillion (ppt) level in real field samples without complicated sample preparation due to its superior surface sensitivity. Several representative PFAS compounds, such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluoheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and real-world groundwater samples collected from monitoring wells installed around at a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Southern California were analyzed in this work.

Microscale Electrochemical Corrosion of Uranium Oxide Particles.

Understanding the corrosion of spent nuclear fuel is important for the development of long-term storage solutions. However, the risk of radiation contamination presents challenges for experimental analysis. Adapted from the system for analysis at the liquid-vacuum interface (SALVI), we developed a miniaturized uranium oxide (UO)-attached working electrode (WE) to reduce contamination risk.

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in relation to environmental justice related variables in Wisconsin, United States.

Background: The growth of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) has caused significant environmental detriments and raised concerns regarding environmental justice with CAFOs exposure.

Objective: This study examined environmental disparities in exposure to CAFOs with several environmental justice related variables and considered exposure intensity.

Methods: We obtained data on permitted CAFOs (July 2021) from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Revealing the Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Effect on the Biofilm Formation of Diatom sp. Using Multimodal Imaging.

Diatoms contribute to carbon fixation in the oceans by photosynthesis and always form biofouling organized by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in the marine environment. Bacteria-produced quorum-sensing signal molecules N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) were found to play an important role in the development of sp. in previous studies, but the EPS composition change was unclear.

Reducing the matrix effect in mass spectral imaging of biofilms using flow-cell culture.

The interactions between soil microorganisms and soil minerals play a crucial role in the formation and evolution of minerals and the stability of soil aggregates. Due to the heterogeneity and diversity of the soil environment, the under-standing of the functions of bacterial biofilms in soil minerals at the microscale is limited. A soil mineral-bacterial biofilm system was used as a model in this study, and it was analyzed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to acquire molecular level information.

Air Pollution and Acute Kidney Injury in the U.S. Medicare Population: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Background: Recent studies have reported the association between air pollution exposure and reduced kidney function. However, it is unclear whether air pollution is associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Objectives: To address this gap in knowledge, we investigated the effect estimates of long-term exposures to fine particulate matter [PM in aerodynamic diameter ()], nitrogen dioxide (), and ozone () on the risk of first hospital admission for AKI using nationwide Medicare data.