There is evidence for a seasonal pattern of suicides with peaks in spring and early summer; however, only a limited number of studies has investigated whether daily changes in meteorological ...variables may trigger suicides.
Daily fatal suicide (N = 10,595) and meteorological data were available for four Bavarian cities and ten counties (Germany) for 1990–2006. City/county-specific immediate, delayed and cumulative effects of air temperature, sunshine duration, and cloud cover on suicides were analyzed using a time-stratified case-crossover approach; city/county-specific effects were then combined using random effects meta-analysis. Potential effect modifiers were specific weather conditions, personal or regional characteristics, and season.
A 5 °C increase in air temperature on the day before a suicide compared to the control days was associated with a 5.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6; 11.0) higher suicide risk. Further, the suicide risk was 6.5% (95% CI: 0.2; 13.3) higher on days with low/medium cloud cover (0–6 oktas) compared to days with high cloud cover (7–8 oktas). While daily changes in temperature were not associated with suicides in spring, we found a higher suicide risk in summer, autumn, and winter in association with temperature increases. The effects of cloud cover were strongest in summer and autumn and on days with temperature above the median (>8.8 °C). Sunshine duration was not associated with suicides.
We found a higher risk for suicides in association with short-term increases in air temperature on the day before the event compared to the control days and on days with low to medium cloud cover. This may highlight times when people are more likely to commit suicide.
Figure. Associations between meteorological variables and suicide risk. Display omitted
•Short-term increases in air temperature were associated with a higher suicide risk.•The suicide risk was higher on days with low/medium cloud cover compared to days with high cloud cover.•Effects of temperature and cloud cover were modified by season.•Our findings may highlight time periods when people are more likely to commit suicide.
Evidence on health effects of ultrafine particles (UFP) is still limited as they are usually not monitored routinely. The few epidemiological studies on UFP and (cause-specific) mortality so far have ...reported inconsistent results.
The main objective of the UFIREG project was to investigate the short-term associations between UFP and fine particulate matter (PM)<2.5μm (PM2.5) and daily (cause-specific) mortality in five European Cities. We also examined the effects of PM<10μm (PM10) and coarse particles (PM2.5–10).
UFP (20–100nm), PM and meteorological data were measured in Dresden and Augsburg (Germany), Prague (Czech Republic), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Chernivtsi (Ukraine). Daily counts of natural and cardio-respiratory mortality were collected for all five cities. Depending on data availability, the following study periods were chosen: Augsburg and Dresden 2011–2012, Ljubljana and Prague 2012–2013, Chernivtsi 2013–March 2014. The associations between air pollutants and health outcomes were assessed using confounder-adjusted Poisson regression models examining single (lag 0–lag 5) and cumulative lags (lag 0–1, lag 2–5, and lag 0–5). City-specific estimates were pooled using meta-analyses methods.
Results indicated a delayed and prolonged association between UFP and respiratory mortality (9.9% 95%-confidence interval: −6.3%; 28.8% increase in association with a 6-day average increase of 2750particles/cm3 (average interquartile range across all cities)). Cardiovascular mortality increased by 3.0% −2.7%; 9.1% and 4.1% 0.4%; 8.0% in association with a 12.4μg/m3 and 4.7μg/m3 increase in the PM2.5- and PM2.5–10-averages of lag 2–5.
We observed positive but not statistically significant associations between prolonged exposures to UFP and respiratory mortality, which were independent of particle mass exposures. Further multi-centre studies are needed investigating several years to produce more precise estimates on health effects of UFP.
•We investigated the associations between ultrafine and fine particles and (cause-specific) mortality in multiple locations.•The UFIREG study included cities from Central and Eastern European countries.•Results indicated a delayed and prolonged association between ultrafine particles and respiratory mortality.•PM2.5 and PM2.5–10 were associated with delayed increases in cardiovascular mortality.
•Longitudinal study in the general population with a large sample size.•The repeated measurements of metabolites strengthened statistical power.•Soot, coarse particles and NO2.were negatively ...associated with some phosphatidylcholines.•Physically inactive participants were more susceptible.
Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with cardiopulmonary diseases, while the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
To investigate changes in serum metabolites associated with long-term exposure to air pollution and explore the susceptibility characteristics.
We used data from the German population-based Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) S4 survey (1999–2001) and two follow-up examinations (F4: 2006–08 and FF4: 2013–14). Mass-spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics was used to quantify metabolites among serum samples. Only participants with repeated metabolites measurements were included in the current analysis. Land-use regression (LUR) models were used to estimate annual average concentrations of ultrafine particles, particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10), coarse particles (PMcoarse), fine particles, PM2.5 absorbance (a proxy of elemental carbon related to traffic exhaust, PM2.5abs), nitrogen oxides (NO2, NOx), and ozone at individuals’ residences. We applied confounder-adjusted mixed-effects regression models to examine the associations between long-term exposure to air pollution and metabolites.
Among 9,620 observations from 4,261 KORA participants, we included 5,772 (60.0%) observations from 2,583 (60.6%) participants in this analysis. Out of 108 metabolites that passed stringent quality control across three study points in time, we identified nine significant negative associations between phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and ambient pollutants at a Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) corrected p-value < 0.05. The strongest association was seen for an increase of 0.27 μg/m3 (interquartile range) in PM2.5abs and decreased phosphatidylcholine acyl-alkyl C36:3 (PC ae C36:3) concentrations percent change in the geometric mean: −2.5% (95% confidence interval: −3.6%, −1.5%).
Our study suggested that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with metabolic alterations, particularly in PCs with unsaturated long-chain fatty acids. These findings might provide new insights into potential mechanisms for air pollution-related adverse outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts, including increases in mental health problems, distress, interpersonal conflict, unemployment, loss of income, housing instability, and food ...insecurity. Veterans may be particularly vulnerable to such impacts given their burden of mental and physical health problems. Few existing measures assess pandemic impact, and none have been validated for use with Veterans. We developed such a measure (the Perceived Impact of the Pandemic Scale; PIPS) and examined its psychometric performance in a national sample of US Veterans. Survey data from 567 Veterans were collected between 12/2020 and 2/2021. To examine PIPS factor structure, split sample exploratory/confirmatory factor analyses (EFA/CFA) were conducted to identify and test the most plausible model among an initial set of 18 items. Based on tests of factor extraction and factor loadings, 15 items clearly loaded onto three distinct factors. Internal reliability of all factors was ω > 0.8 and CFA model fit was good (χ2(87) = 167.39, p < .001; SRMR = 0.068; RMSEA = 0.060 95% CI: 0.05, 0.07, CFI = 0.92). Mean factor scores were significantly positively correlated with measures of depression and loneliness, and negatively correlated with perceived social support. Results suggest the PIPS assesses three internally reliable factors comprised of perceived impact of the pandemic on interpersonal relationships, financial impact, and personal health and well-being. Construct validity with US Veterans was supported. The PIPS may be useful for examining the potentially disparate impact of pandemics on different populations. Research is needed to validate the PIPS in non-Veteran populations.
The pathophysiological pathways linking particulate air pollution to cardiovascular disease are still not fully understood. We examined the association between ambient air pollutants and blood ...markers of inflammation and coagulation/fibrinolysis in three potentially susceptible populations.
Three panels of non-smoking individuals were examined between 3/2007 and 12/2008: 1) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D, n=83), 2) with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT, n=104), and 3) with a potential genetic predisposition which could affect detoxifying and inflammatory pathways (n=87) defined by the null polymorphism for glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) in combination with a certain single nucleotide polymorphism on the C-reactive protein (CRP) or the fibrinogen gene. Study participants had blood drawn up to seven times every four to six weeks. In total, 1765 blood samples were analysed for CRP, interleukin (IL)-6, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), fibrinogen, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Hourly mean values of particulate air pollutants, particle number concentrations in different size ranges and gaseous pollutants were collected at fixed monitoring sites and individual 24hour averages calculated. Associations between air pollutants and blood markers were analysed for each panel separately and taking the T2D panel and the IGT panel together, using additive mixed models adjusted for long-term time trend and meteorology.
For the panel with potential genetic susceptibility, CRP and MPO increased for most lags, especially with the 5-day average exposure (% change of geometric mean and 95% confidence interval: 22.9% 12.0;34.7 for CRP and 5.0% 0.3;9.9 for MPO per interquartile range of PM2.5). Small positive associations were seen for fibrinogen while sCD40L, PAI-1 and IL-6 mostly decreased in association with air pollution concentrations. Except for positive associations for fibrinogen we did not see significant results with the two other panels.
Participants with potential genetic susceptibility showed a clear association between inflammatory blood biomarkers and ambient air pollutants. Our results support the hypothesis that air pollution increases systemic inflammation especially in susceptible populations which may aggravate atherosclerotic diseases and induce multi-organ damage.
•Three potentially susceptible groups based on clinical risk and genetic risk.•Genes in the detoxification process render subjects susceptible to air pollution.•Prediabetics were slightly more responsive to air pollution than diabetics.•Results confirm the hypothesis of a reaction to particle induced oxidative stress.
Experimental monitoring of blade vibration in turbomachinery is typically based on blade-mounted strain gauges. Their signals are used to derive vibration amplitudes which are compared to modal scope ...limits, including a safety factor. According to industrial guidelines, this factor is chosen conservatively to ensure safe operation of the machine. Within the experimental campaign with the open-test-case composite fan ECL5/CATANA, which is representative for modern lightweight Ultra High Bypass Ratio (UHBR) architectures, measurements close to the stability limit have been conducted. Investigation of phenomena like non-synchronous vibrations (NSV) and rotating stall require a close approach to the stability limit and hence demand for accurate (real-time) quantification of vibration amplitudes to ensure secure operation without exhaustive safety margins. Historically, short-time Fourier transforms of vibration sensors are used, but the complex nature of the mentioned coupled phenomena has an influence on amplitude accuracy, depending on evaluation parameters, as presented in a previous study using fast-response wall-pressure transducers. The present study investigates the sensitivity of blade vibration data to evaluation parameters for different spectral analysis methods and provides guidelines for fast and robust surveillance of critical vibration modes.
Knowledge of suicide rates and methods among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Veterans remains sparse. Age- and sex-specific suicide rates, methods, and trends were ...examined among AANHPI Veterans and were compared with findings reported for all Veterans.
For this population-based retrospective cohort study, average annual suicide rates (2005–2019) were computed in 2023 using population (U.S. Veterans Eligibility Trends and Statistics) and mortality (National Death Index NDI) data. The cohort included 416,454 AANHPI Veterans (356,146 males, 60,229 females) separated from military service and alive as of 1/1/2005. Suicide was determined from NDI underlying cause-of-death ICD-10 codes.
The age-adjusted average annual suicide rate among AANHPI Veterans increased 36.85% from 2005–2009 to 2015–2019 (2015–2019: 30.97/100,000). Relative to other ages, 2015–2019 suicide rates were highest among AANHPI Veterans 18–34 (overall: 53.52/100,000; males: 58.82/100,000; females: 32.24/100,000) and exceeded those of similarly aged Veterans in the overall Veteran population (overall: 44.71/100,000; males: 50.59/100,000; females: 19.24/100,000). The sex difference in suicide rates was lower among AANHPI Veterans than in Veterans overall (relative risk males to females=1.65 and 2.33, among those 18–54). Firearms were used less and suffocation more among AANHPI Veterans, relative to Veterans overall.
Suicide among AANHPI Veterans is an increasing public health concern, with younger males and females at particularly elevated risk. Lethal means safety strategies for AANHPI Veterans should consider distinctions in suicide methods compared to the overall Veteran population. Research is warranted to understand the lower magnitude sex difference in suicide rates among AANHPI Veterans.
Ankle-brachial index (ABI) has been linked to the risk of cardiovascular events. However, the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and abnormal ABI has not been fully investigated.
...This cross-sectional study involved 4544 participants from the KORA Study (2004–2008) in the region of Augsburg, Germany. Participants' residential annual mean concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were predicted with land-use regression models, and the traffic information was collected from geographic information systems. We applied multinomial logistic regression models to assess the effects of air pollution on the prevalence of low and high ABI, and quantile regression models to explore the non-monotonic relationship between air pollution and ABI. We also examined effect modification by individual characteristics.
Long-term exposure to PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10) and ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of low ABI, with the respective odds ratios (ORs) of 1.82 (95%CI: 1.11–2.97) and 1.59 (95%CI: 1.01–2.51) for a 5th to 95th percentile increment in pollutants. Positive associations with the prevalence of high ABI were observed for PM (e.g., PM10: OR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.07–2.50) and NO2 (OR = 1.84, 95%CI: 1.15–2.94). Quantile regression analyses revealed similar non-monotonic results. The effects of air pollution on having abnormal ABI were stronger in physically inactive, hypertensive, or non-diabetic participants.
Long-term exposure to PM and NO2 was associated with a higher prevalence of both low and high ABI, indicating the adverse effects of air pollution on atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in the lower extremities.
•Chronic exposure to air pollution increased the risk of atherosclerosis.•Chronic exposure to air pollution increased the risk of arterial stiffness.•Relationship between air pollution and ankle-brachial index was non-monotonic.•Physically inactive, hypertensive, or non-diabetic individuals were more susceptible to air pollution effects.
Evidence of short-term effects of ultrafine particles (UFP) on health is still inconsistent and few multicenter studies have been conducted so far especially in Europe.
Within the UFIREG project, we ...investigated the short-term effects of UFP and fine particulate matter (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm PM
) on daily cause-specific hospital admissions in five Central and Eastern European cities using harmonized protocols for measurements and analyses.
Daily counts of cause-specific hospital admissions focusing on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were obtained for Augsburg and Dresden (Germany), 2011-2012; Chernivtsi (Ukraine), 2013 to March 2014; and Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Prague (Czech Republic), 2012-2013. Air pollution and meteorologic data were measured at fixed monitoring sites in all cities. We analyzed city-specific associations using confounder-adjusted Poisson regression models and pooled the city-specific effect estimates using metaanalysis methods.
A 2,750 particles/cm
increase (average interquartile range across all cities) in the 6-day average of UFP indicated a delayed and prolonged increase in the pooled relative risk of respiratory hospital admissions (3.4% 95% confidence interval, -1.7 to 8.8%). We also found increases in the pooled relative risk of cardiovascular (exposure average of lag 2-5, 1.8% 0.1-3.4%) and respiratory (6-d average exposure, 7.5% 4.9-10.2%) admissions per 12.4 μg/m
increase (average interquartile range) in PM
.
Our findings indicated delayed and prolonged effects of UFP exposure on respiratory hospital admissions in Central and Eastern Europe. Cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions increased in association with an increase in PM
. Further multicenter studies are needed using harmonized UFP measurements to draw definite conclusions on health effects of UFP.
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