Based on the obesity paradox, people with a normal body mass index (BMI) may have a higher risk of mortality than those with a BMI that falls within the obese range. Despite the availability of other ...anthropometric measures, obesity is commonly evaluated based on BMI. A body shape index (ABSI) and body roundness index (BRI) have recently been proposed as new anthropometric measures that are calculated with height, weight, and waist circumference. This study investigated the associations between the traditional and new body composition indices and arterial stiffness using the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Overall, 3512 individuals (1228 men and 2284 women) were enrolled and were divided into two groups according to BMI. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between baPWV and body composition. baPWV was significantly associated with ABSI (β = 0.087, p = 0.002), visceral adipose tissue (VAT; β = 0.081, p = 0.002), and the visceral/subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT/SAT) ratio (β = 0.108, p < 0.001) in non-obese men. In non-obese women, baPWV was significantly associated with several variables but not the VAT/SAT ratio. Similarly, baPWV was significantly associated with BMI (β = 0.103, p = 0.038), BRI (β = 0.104, p = 0.036), VAT (β = 0.167, p = 0.001), and the VAT/SAT ratio (β = 0.106, p = 0.028) in obese women. ABSI can be used with high accuracy to evaluate fat distribution in non-obese men to predict arterial stiffness. However, the BRI should be used in addition to BMI to assess the body composition of women more accurately. ABSI and the BRI can be used to identify predictors of vascular remodeling or organic vascular dysfunction.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
A full congener-specific determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was conducted for street dusts in some areas in northern Vietnam. Total 209 PCB concentrations (median and range) of 14 ...(2.2–120), 11 (6.6–32), and 0.25 (0.10–0.97) ng g−1 were measured in the street dusts from an industrial park, an urban area, and a rural commune, respectively, suggesting environmental loads of PCBs related to industrialization and urbanization in northern Vietnam. PCB patterns of street dusts from the industrial park were dominated by lightly chlorinated homologs (tri- and tetra-CBs), while more highly chlorinated homologs (penta- and hexa-CBs) were the major contributors to total PCBs in the urban samples, indicating different emission sources. Linear correlations of log-transformed sum of 7 indicator congeners with total PCBs and sum of dioxin-like PCBs were observed. PCB-11, an inadvertently produced congener of pigment manufacturing processes, was detected in all the samples with more elevated proportions in the urban and rural areas than industrial park. Our results have revealed complex emission sources of PCBs in the study areas, including both historical (e.g., the past usage of imported PCB-containing oils and old electric equipment) and current sources such as releases from industrial activities and increasing use of new consumer products. Occupationally exposed persons (e.g., street sweepers, street vendors, and traffic policemen) and children in the urban and industrial areas were estimated to receive much higher doses of dust-bound PCBs than general population, suggesting the need for appropriate protection conditions.
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•Concentrations of 209 PCBs were determined in street dusts from northern Vietnam.•PCB levels in industrial and urban samples were significantly higher than rural ones.•Street dusts exhibited different patterns of PCBs between study areas.•PCB-11 was among the most abundant congeners in all the street dust samples.•Street dusts contributed about 2% to total DI of PCBs by occupationally exposed groups.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Contamination levels and temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and some alternative brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were examined in a dated sediment core from the deepest part ...of the Beppu Bay, southwestern Japan. PBDEs were found in the upper layers of 0–15 cm depth at concentrations ranging from 5200 to 32,600 pg g−1 with the peak estimated at 1995. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) was the most abundant congener, accounting for 96% in average of total PBDEs. The vertical profile of BDE-209 observed in our sediment core generally agreed with the historical pattern of domestic demand of commercial deca-BDE mixtures in Japan, and perfectly matched with maximum stock of these products (i.e., 42,000 tons in 1995). Among alternative BFRs, only decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), a replacement of deca-BDE, was found at significant levels with concentrations of 69–850 pg g−1 in sediment layers dated between 1991 and 2011. Ratios of DBDPE to BDE-209 gradually increased during this period, implying opposite trends of these two compounds and the role of DBDPE as a deca-BDE’s alternative. The occurrence of deca-BDE components in sediments may pose medium risk to benthic aquatic life, while the ecological risk of other PBDE homologs and DBDPE was negligible.
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•PBDEs and DBDPE were examined in a sediment core from Beppu Bay, Japan.•BDE-209 was the most predominant congener in all the sediment layers.•BDE-209 concentrations peaked at the mid-1990s, then decreased and kept constantly.•DBDPE/BDE-209 ratios gradually increased during 1991–2011.•No serious ecological risk of PBDEs and DBDPE was estimated.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Contamination levels and profiles of mono- to deca-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were characterized in a sediment core dated in 1954–2011 from Beppu Bay, southwestern Japan, providing a comprehensive ...and detailed picture on the environmental occurrence, temporal trends, and emission sources of these pollutants in the study area. Concentrations of total PCBs in the core ranged from 3.5 to 150 (median 15) ng g−1 dry weight and exhibited depth profile matching with Japanese PCB production and emission patterns (i.e., drastically increasing from the early 1960s, peaking in 1970, and then rapidly decreasing). Origin of PCBs in the studied samples largely associated with Kanechlor mixtures (e.g., KC-300 and KC-400), especially for sediment layers dated between the mid-1960s and early 1970s (i.e., the intensive PCB production period in Japan). In addition, dechlorination and weathering signals and emerging inputs of PCBs were also observed in deeper and shallower sediment segments with notable proportions of some unique congeners such as CB-47/48/51 and CB-11, respectively. Historical fluxes of PCBs in our samples showed quite similar vertical shape as concentrations. In the context of national implementation for complete treatment of PCB-containing waste until 2024, further investigations on spatiotemporal trends and environmental loads of PCBs in Japan are necessary.
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•Mono- to deca-CBs were measured in a sediment core from Beppu Bay, Japan.•Depth profiles of total PCBs exhibited Japanese PCB production history (peaks in 1970).•Kanechlor mixtures (notably KC-300 and 400) were major PCB sources in 1960s–1970s.•Partial dechlorination signals were observed with abundance of CB-47/48/51 in 1950s.•The occurrence of mono-CBs, CB-11, and CB-209 may reflect novel sources.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Concentrations and congener-specific profiles of total 209 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in settled dust samples collected from end-of-life vehicle (ELV) processing, urban, and ...rural areas in northern Vietnam. Concentrations of total 209 PCBs, seven indicator congeners, and twelve dioxin-like PCBs decreased in the order: ELV working > ELV living ≈ urban > rural dusts. Penta- and hexa-CBs dominated the homolog patterns in all the samples with higher proportions in the ELV dusts compared to the urban and rural house dusts. The abundance and pattern of PCBs in the ELV dusts suggest on-going emissions of these compounds related to processing of vehicular oils and lubricants containing PCBs, whereas the presence of PCBs in the urban and rural house dusts indicate long-time releases. However, levels of some PCBs identified as by-products of pigment manufacturing (e.g., PCB-11 and PCB-209) were higher in the urban house dusts than those from other locations, resulting from human activities utilizing paints and pigments. Daily intake doses (ID), non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ), and lifetime cancer risk (CR) of PCBs through dust ingestion were estimated for ELV workers and residents in the studied areas. The workers and children in the ELV sites were estimated to be at higher risk of PCB exposure, however almost all of the HQ < 1 and CR < 10−4 indicate no serious risk related to dust-bound PCBs.
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•Informal end-of-life vehicle processing activities were potential PCB sources.•Σ209PCBs were higher in the ELV dusts than normal house dusts.•Concentrations of PCB-11 were higher in the urban house dusts.•ELV workers and children were at higher risk of exposure to dust-bound PCBs.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
► OCPs residue in foodstuffs collected from traditional markets in Indonesia were determined. ► Several OCPs were only detected in fatty foodstuffs at very low concentration. ► OCPs residue in ...foodstuffs were far below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) as established by WHO/FAO. ► The estimated daily intake (EDI) was far below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) as established by FAO/WHO.
A total 23 of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) residues were determined in five groups of foodstuffs, i.e.: vegetables (carrot, potato, cucumber, corn, and onion), rice, pulses (green bean and soybean), nuts (peanut), and fish (milkfish), which collected from traditional markets in three big cities of Indonesia; Jakarta, Bogor, and Yogyakarta. OCPs were only detected in fatty foodstuffs, such as soybean, peanut, and milkfish. The concentration of HCB (expressed as ngg−1 on a whole basis), ΣDrins, ΣDDTs, ΣHeptachlors, and ΣHCHs were in the range of <0.3–0.74ngg−1, <0.03–0.42ngg−1, <0.02–0.41ngg−1, <0.03–0.14ngg−1, and <0.03–0.06ngg−1, respectively, which were far below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) as established by FAO/WHO. These very low concentrations of OCPs residues in foodstuffs indicated that OCPs were used only in past time and no recent input into the environment. Furthermore, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of HCB, ΣDDTs, ΣDrins, ΣHeptachlors, and ΣHCHs in five group foodstuffs, which were 60% of total daily diet of Indonesian, were 0.09ngkg−1 bw d−1, 0.04ngkg−1 bw d−1, 0.01ngkg−1 bw d−1, 0.003ngkg−1 bw d−1, and 0.002ngkg−1 bw d−1, respectively. These results were far below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) as established by FAO/WHO, which indicated that consumption of foodstuffs from Indonesia were at little risk to human health in term of OCPs at present.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), and unsubstituted/methylated polycyclic aromatic ...hydrocarbons (PAHs/Me-PAHs) were simultaneously monitored in the air samples collected from Vietnamese urban and vehicular waste processing areas by using polyurethane foam-based passive air sampling (PUF–PAS) method. Concentrations (pg m−3) of organic pollutants decreased in the order: PAHs (median 29,000; range 5100–100,000) > Me-PAHs (6000; 1000–33,000) > PCBs (480; 170–1100) > PBDEs (11; 5.3–86) > NBFRs (0.20; n. d. – 51) > BB-153 (n.d.). The difference in total PCB and PBDE concentrations between the urban and waste processing air samples was not statistically significant. Meanwhile, levels of PAHs, Me-PAHs, benzo apyrene equivalents (BaP-EQs), and toxic equivalents of dioxin-like PCBs (WHO-TEQs) were much higher in the waste processing sites. This is the first report on the abundance of mono- and di-CBs (notably CB-11) in the air from a developing country, suggesting their roles as emerging and ubiquitous air pollutants. Our results have indicated potential sources of specific organic pollutants such as dioxin-like PCBs, PAHs, and Me-PAHs from improper treatment of end-of-life vehicles and other vehicle related materials (e.g., waste oils and rubber tires), as well as current emission of PCBs and PBDEs in the urban area in Vietnam. Further atmospheric monitoring studies should be conducted in this developing country that cover both legacy and emerging contaminants with a focus on areas affected by rapid urbanization and informal waste processing activities.
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•PCBs, BFRs, and PAHs were comprehensively monitored in Vietnamese air samples.•Concentrations of pollutants decreased: PAHs > Me-PAHs > PCBs > PBDEs > NBFRs.•The abundance of mono- and di-CBs (notably CB-11) was found in Vietnamese air.•BaP-EQs and WHO-TEQs were higher in waste processing sites than urban sites.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) have been recognized as global environmental pollutants. Although PFOS and PFOA have been detected in tap water from Japan and several ...other countries, very few studies have examined the fate, especially removal, of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in drinking water treatment processes. In this study, we analyzed PFOS and PFOA at every stages of drinking water treatment processes in several water purification plants that employ advanced water treatment technologies. PFOS and PFOA concentrations did not vary considerably in raw water, sand filtered water, settled water, and ozonated water. Sand filtration and ozonation did not have an effect on the removal of PFOS and PFOA in drinking water. PFOS and PFOA were removed effectively by activated carbon that had been used for less than one year. However, activated carbon that had been used for a longer period of time (>1 year) was not effective in removing PFOS and PFOA from water. Variations in the removal ratios of PFOS and PFOA by activated carbon were found between summer and winter months.
► Sand filtration and ozonation had no effect on the removal of PFOS and PFOA. ► PFOS and PFOA were removed by fresh activated carbon effectively. ► Activated carbon that had been used for several years cannot remove PFOS and PFOA. ► The current water treatment processes do not completely remove PFOS and PFOA. ► We analyzed PFOS and PFOA at every stage of drinking water treatment processes.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Oral condition and number of teeth were investigated by questionnaire in the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC Study). The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of ...the tooth number measure by comparing the self-reported number of teeth with the number of teeth determined at clinical dental examination.
A self-administered questionnaire and dental examination were performed by 1275 participants of a company medical examination who requested dental check-up and 377 subjects of the J-MICC study. The validity of the tooth number measure was assessed by comparing the self-reported number of teeth with that determined at clinical examination. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated to quantitatively evaluate the validity.
In males, the mean clinically-examined and self-reported numbers of teeth were 26.5 and 24.8 teeth, respectively. In females, the mean clinically-examined and self-reported numbers of teeth were 26.4 and 25.5 teeth, respectively. There was a tendency toward underestimation of the number of natural teeth by self-reporting. A significant correlation was observed between the clinically-examined and self-reported numbers of teeth in total (ρ = 0.69) and both males (ρ = 0.70) and females (ρ = 0.67).
The self-reported oral health variables were valid and reflected clinical status. Further revision of the question on the remaining tooth in the questionnaire improves the validity of self-reported number of teeth.
The acquisition of a high bone density at a young age is a strategy to prevent fractures/falls later in life. We therefore decided to investigate the increases in cortical thickness (CoTh) and ...trabecular bone density (TBD) of children.
Subjects comprised 1314 students (678 boys and 636 girls) aged between 12 and 18 years. Lifestyle factors were examined with a self-administered questionnaire (sleep times, exercise habits, and calcium intake). Bone growth was assessed based on CoTh and TBD using an ultrasonic bone densitometer. Height, weight, and body fat percentage were also measured.
Increases in CoTh and TBD occurred earlier in girls than in boys. Calcium intake was not sufficient at any of the ages examined, and sleep times were shorter than those recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. Increases in CoTh and TBD occurred subsequent to increases in height. Although increases in CoTh were observed with age in both sexes, TBD increased in boys until the age of 17 years and in girls until the age of 15 years. At 18 years of age, the young adult mean value was greater than 100% for CoTh but lower than 100% for TBD. A multivariate analysis identified age, body mass index (BMI), and exercise as independent positive factors for CoTh, while body fat percentage was an independent negative factor. Age and BMI were independent positive factors for TBD in both sexes, whereas body fat percentage was a positive factor in boys only.
The study found that CoTH and TBD varied with age and differed in increase in boys and girls; related factors of bone increase could also be found. The results of this study may contribute to the acquisition of high bone density in children and adolescents.
•We investigated the bone growth of children.•Subjects comprised 1314 students (678 boys and 636 girls) aged between 12 and 18 years.•Using an ultrasonic bone densitometer capable of measuring cortical bone thickness and trabecular bone density•Ultrasonic bone measurement can be used to provide health guidance to create strong bones.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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