It has been hypothesized that air pollution and ambient noise might impact neurocognitive function. Early studies mostly investigated the associations of air pollution and ambient noise exposure with ...cognitive development in children. More recently, several studies investigating associations with neurocognitive function, mood disorders, and neurodegenerative disease in adult populations were published, yielding inconsistent results. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current evidence on air pollution and noise effects on mental health in adults. We included studies in adult populations (≥18 years old) published in English language in peer-reviewed journals. Fifteen articles related to long-term effects of air pollution and eight articles on long-term effects of ambient noise were extracted. Both exposures were separately shown to be associated with one or several measures of global cognitive function, verbal and nonverbal learning and memory, activities of daily living, depressive symptoms, elevated anxiety, and nuisance. No study considered both exposures simultaneously and few studies investigated progression of neurocognitive decline or psychological factors. The existing evidence generally supports associations of environmental factors with mental health, but does not suffice for an overall conclusion about the independent effect of air pollution and noise. There is a need for studies investigating simultaneously air pollution and noise exposures in association mental health, for longitudinal studies to corroborate findings from cross-sectional analyses, and for parallel toxicological and epidemiological studies to elucidate mechanisms and pathways of action.
To compare COVID-19-induced stress and coping in families with and without children diagnosed with developmental disorders or chronic conditions.
In this mixed-method design study, an online survey ...collected information on parental stress levels before and during COVID-19, sources of stress, and coping strategies using open-ended questions. Qualitative answers were categorized thematically. Multiple linear regression models were built for the association between changes in stress levels (during-before COVID-19) and sources of stress for parents of children of both groups.
Answers of 1,827 parents were analyzed; of these, 186 (9.75%) had children with diagnosed problems. Changes in stress levels during vs. before COVID-19 were associated with the age of the parent, changes in working conditions, a total number of stressors, and distance learning of children. Stronger associations were found for parents of children with diagnoses. For example, for distance learning, the standardized beta (β) was 0.68 (95% confidence interval 0.37; 1.00) for parents of children without problems and β = 0.73 (0.43; 1.03) for those with problematic children.
Parents of children with developmental disorders need specific attention in a pandemic.
•Long-term air pollution (PM10) exposure was associated with higher fat mass index and lower lean mass index in children and adolescents.•Estimates from longitudinal analyses investigating ...associations between environmental exposures and changes in body composition over an average of 4 years, were positive for PM10 for certain conditions but not for other exposures.•Railway and road-traffic noise exposures were not associated with body composition, both in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
While long-term air pollution and noise exposure has been linked to increasing cardiometabolic disease risk, potential effects on body composition remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations of long-term air pollution, noise and body composition.
We used repeated data from the LEAD (Lung, hEart, sociAl, boDy) study conducted in Vienna, Austria. Body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), fat mass index (FMI; z-score), and lean mass index (LMI; z-score) were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at the first (t0; 2011-ongoing) and second (t1; 2017-ongoing) examinations. Annual particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations were estimated with the GRAMM/GRAL model (2015–2021). Day-evening-night (Lden) and night-time (Lnight) noise levels from transportation were modeled for 2017 following the European Union Directive 2002/49/EC. Exposures were assigned to residential addresses. We performed analyses separately in children/adolescents and adults, using linear mixed-effects models with random participant intercepts and linear regression models for cross-sectional and longitudinal associations, respectively. Models were adjusted for co-exposure, lifestyle and sociodemographics.
A total of 19,202 observations (nt0 = 12,717, nt1 = 6,485) from participants aged 6–86 years (mean age at t0 = 41.0 years; 52.9 % female; mean PM10 = 21 µg/m3; mean follow-up time = 4.1 years) were analyzed. Among children and adolescents (age ≤ 18 years at first visit), higher PM10exposure was cross-sectionally associated with higher FMI z-scores (0.09 95 % Confidence Interval (CI): 0.03, 0.16) and lower LMI z-scores (−0.05 95 % CI: −0.10, −0.002) per 1.8 µg/m3. Adults showed similar trends in cross-sectional associations as children, though not reaching statistical significance. We observed no associations for noise exposures. Longitudinal analyses on body composition changes over time yielded positive associations for PM10, but not for other exposures.
Air pollution exposure, mainly PM10, was cross-sectionally and longitudinally associated with body composition in children/adolescents and adults. Railway/road-traffic noise exposures showed no associations in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
The aim of this study was to describe the factors that affect the normal dental development of preschool children in Latvia, and to investigate sources that mothers use to get information on ...children's oral health.
A cross-sectional study was performed in two kindergartens in Latvia (cluster sampling). The study sample comprised 141 child-mother pairs of preschool children aged 4-7 years. The dental situation of all children was assessed including evaluation by an orthodontist and a speech therapist, and mothers of children filled out the survey on oral health-related habits and information about it.
We described individually factors related to orthodontal situations, children's speech problems, and factors that can affect tongue thrust. We investigated relationships between sources of mothers' information and oral health-related behaviors using univariate (Kruskal-Wallis test, a chi-squared test, a Fisher test, or Cramer's V test) and multivariate analyses. We built a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for the demographic and oral health-related factors to investigate the factors associated with tongue thrust. Results of multiple logistic regression were presented with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
In total, 36.9% of children grazed vegetables several times a week, and 61.0% cleaned their teeth twice a day. Of mothers, 12% did not receive any information about child dental care from their general physician, and 23.4% found the received information insufficient. A total of 43.3% of mothers received oral health-related information from friends, and it was significantly related to less carbonated water (
< 0.01), more help during teeth cleaning (
= 0.03), starting cleaning teeth in earlier age (
= 0.03), and more frequent visits to a child dentist (
= 0.03).
A lack of knowledge was found to be prominent in mothers of kindergarten children in Latvia, and most of them received information not from official sources such as their general physician. This can be related to some problems in oral health behaviors and oral health-related diseases. Communication among dental health specialists, state authorities, and families is crucial for the improvement of children's dental situation.
Insulin pump therapy represents an alternative to multiple daily injections and can improve glycemic control and quality of life (QoL) in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. We aimed to explore ...the differences and factors related to the T1DM-specific QoL of such patients in Latvia. A mixed-method cross-sectional study on 87 adult T1DM patients included 20 pump users and 67 users of injections who participated in the quantitative part of the study; 8 pump users and 13 injection users participated in the qualitative part. Patients were invited to participate using a dedicated digital platform. Their QoL and self-management habits were assessed using specially developed questionnaires adapted to Latvian conditions. Multiple logistic regression models were built to investigate the association between social and self-management factors and patients' QoL. In addition, qualitative analysis of answers was performed. Insulin pump users were younger, had higher incomes, and reported higher T1DM expenses than users of multiple daily injections. There were no differences in self-management between the groups; Total QoL differed at the 0.1 significance level. In fully adjusted multiple logistic regression models, the most important factor that increased Total QoL was lower T1DM-related expenses (odds ratio, OR 7.02 95% confidence interval 1.29; 38.0). Men and those with more years of living with T1DM had better QoL (OR 9.62 2.20; 42.1 and OR 1.16 1.05; 1.29, respectively), but the method of administration was not significantly associated with QoL (OR 7.38 0.87; 62.9). Qualitative data supported the results of quantitative analysis. QoL was the main reason to use an insulin pump, while the expense was the main reason to avoid the use of it or to stop using it. Reimbursement policies thus should be considered to enable patients to choose the more convenient method for themselves.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The loss of a pet may be stressful to the owner. The main objectives of this study were to compare the levels of stress and to explore the correlates of QOL of healthy adults who currently own or who ...have just lost their dog.
The study sample contained 110 current, and 103 bereaved dog owners, all females, who lost their dogs due to euthanasia. QOL was assessed with the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and divided into four major domains-Physical, Psychological, Relationship, and Environmental. Demographic variables, stress, health behaviors, and social support from family, friends, and significant other were included in multivariate analysis.
Stress levels were significantly higher in bereaved owners. QOL in three of the four domains (Physical, Psychological, and Relationship) of current owners were significantly better than among bereaved owners. Stress was significantly associated with these three domains of QOL. Quality of life was found to be positively associated with social support. Age was related directly only to current owners' QOL.
The results suggest that a loss of a dog is associated with stress for the bereaved owner and reduced physical, psychological, and relationship QOL. Lack of social support in the case of death of a companion animal has a strong effect on owners' grief reactions.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Ophthalmologists treat diabetic macular edema before cataract surgery to reduce possible complications. Despite improvements in diagnostic techniques, whether cataract surgery per se causes the ...progression of diabetic retinopathy with macular edema remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of phacoemulsification on the central retina and its correlation with diabetes compensation as well as changes in the retina before surgery.
Thirty-four type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery were included in this prospective longitudinal study. Of them, 29.4% had macular edema before surgery, and 70.6% had a normal macular structure. All patients underwent ophthalmic examinations, including optical coherence tomography angiography, at baseline and at one and three months after surgery. The Mann-Whitney test was performed to compare the area of the foveal avascular zone, perimeter of the foveal avascular zone, and mean vascular density in the para- and perifoveal deep and superficial capillary plexuses. All parameters were measured before and at one and three months after surgery. Multiple linear regression models with adjustments for glycated hemoglobin and duration of diabetes mellitus were constructed to assess the association between the area of the foveal avascular zone and diabetic macular edema.
Significant differences in the area of the foveal avascular zone, perimeter of the foveal avascular zone, and perifoveal density in the deep capillary plexus were observed at all three time points. In the fully adjusted linear regression model, those without diabetic macular edema had a reduced probability for changes in the foveal avascular zone at one and three months after surgery (effect estimate
= -0.20 95% CI -0.31; -0.09 and
= -0.13 -0.22; -0.03 for one and three months, respectively) compared with those with diabetic macular edema.
Cataract surgery itself does not cause significant and permanent increase in diabetic macular edema three months post-surgery. On the contrary, in a group with diabetic macular edema before the surgery, central retinal thickness tended to stabilize three months after surgery. If the duration of diabetes is shorter and diabetes is better compensated, the possibility of changes in the foveal avascular zone is reduced.
Objectives
Though natural phytoestrogen (PE) is a major factor in health authorities’ considerations regarding soy-based infant formula (SBIF), missing their concentrations may interfere with ...parents' informed decision.
Methods
We performed an Internet survey investigating soy-related knowledge of parents. We built multiple logistic regression models adjusted for personal covariates for the association between parental knowledge on PE and children intake of SBIF and checked the effect of having children ≤ 2 years old on this association.
Results
We enrolled 304 parents, 48.3% men, mean age 33.8 (standard deviation, SD 4.9), mostly with higher education. Of them, 76% had children under two years of age. Mean parental knowledge on PE was 9.83 (SD 3.28) from 20 possible points. Parental knowledge on PE reduced children's intake of SBIF (odds ratio, OR = 0.85 95% confidence interval 0.70; 1.02). Stronger inverse association was found for parents with children ≤ 2 comparing with those with older children (OR = 0.85 0.67; 1.09 and OR = 0.68 0.39; 1.18, respectively), although these differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusions
Adding PE content to information on SBIF may support informed decision.
Investigations of adverse effects of air pollution (AP) and ambient noise on cognitive functions are apparently scarce, and findings seem to be inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the ...associations of long-term exposure to AP and traffic noise with cognitive performance. At the second examination of the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study (2006-2008), cognitive performance was evaluated in 4086 participants. Long-term residential exposure to size-specific particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) with land use regression, to and traffic noise (weighted 24-h (L
DEN
) and nighttime (L
NIGHT
) means), was assessed according to the European Union (EU) Directive 2002/49/EC. Multiple regression models were calculated for the relationship of environmental exposures with a global cognitive score (GCS) and in five cognitive subtests, using single- and two-exposure models. In fully adjusted models, several AP metrics were negatively associated with four of five subtests and with GCS. For example, an interquartile range increase in PM
2.5
was correlated with verbal fluency, labyrinth test, and immediate and delayed verbal recall. A 10 dB(A) elevation in L
DEN
and L
NIGHT
was associated with GCS. Similar but not significant associations were found for the cognitive subtests. In two-exposure models including noise and air pollution simultaneously, the associations did not change markedly for air pollution, but attenuated numerically for noise. Long-term exposures to AP and traffic noise are negatively correlated with subtests related to memory and executive functions. There appears to be little evidence for mutual confounding.
Background. Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, is associated with reversible airway obstruction and hyperresponsiveness to triggers; clinical symptoms include wheezing, episodic ...cough, shortness of breath, and increased mucous production. Ambient or outdoor environmental exposure to ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides has been well documented to exacerbate asthma. Children appear to be most vulnerable to the harmful effects of ambient air pollutants. As their lungs are not completely developed, children may experience greater exposure to environmental pollutants than adults and the higher doses of varied composition may remain in their lungs for a greater duration. Altogether, the negative effects of air pollutants on pulmonary function place children at a greater risk of air pollutant-induced exacerbation of asthma for the duration of their lives. Objectives. The aim of this review was to assess recently published literature regarding the influence of air pollution on asthma in children. Methods. For this work, we reviewed articles found in PubMed using the key words "outdoor air pollution, asthma, and children" which were published between 2006 and 2009. Only those articles that had a full version available in PubMed were analyzed. Results. We reviewed studies published between 2006 and 2009 examining the effect of outdoor air pollution on asthma in children. In total, we evaluated 25 articles; of these, 9 were published in 2006, 3 in 2007, 8 in 2008, and 5 in 2009. Of these 25 studies, 1 was a clinical trial, 6 were cross-sectional, 4 were case-control (2 with a case-crossover design), 12 were cohort prospective, and 2 were cohort retrospective studies with varied follow-up times ranging from 10 days to 7 years. The ages of children also differed, ranging from birth to 18 years of age. Conclusions. All studies reviewed in this work indicate that outdoor air pollution affects the appearance and exacerbation of asthma in children. Although these findings are of great interest, the limitations of noted works make future investigations of the effect of air pollution on asthma in children essential.
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