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Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jan 2016Exposure to ambient air pollution has been clearly linked to adverse reproductive outcome and fecundation index, but its effects on male semen quality are still... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Exposure to ambient air pollution has been clearly linked to adverse reproductive outcome and fecundation index, but its effects on male semen quality are still uncertain. In this study, we reviewed information from ten studies to get the qualitative evidence of the influence of the ambient air pollution on sperm quality and collected data from six of the ten studies to conduct meta-analysis. The original studies classified participants into different exposure levels and the highest and lowest expose levels were chosen as high expose and low expose groups, respectively. The random-effect model was used in the meta-analysis with the weight mean difference (WMD) as the measure indicator. The WMDs (95% confidence intervals, CIs) of sperm volume, sperm count, semen concentration, sperm progressive motility, total motility, and normal morphology were 0.09 (-0.04, 0.23), 0.46 (-4.47, 5.39), -8.21 (-20.38, 3.96), -7.76 (-16.26, 0.74), -7.61 (-16.97, 1.74) and -3.40 (-7.42, 0.62), respectively. In conclusion, although the differences are not statistically significant between the two groups, the overall trends and evidence from this review indicate the chronic exposure to ambient pollutants at high level may alter men sperm quality.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Male; Models, Theoretical; Particulate Matter; Reproduction; Semen Analysis; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 26552539
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.10.044 -
Environmental Research Dec 2023Recent studies have indicated that air pollution (AP) has harmful effects on hearing and ear diseases such as Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL). The purpose of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Recent studies have indicated that air pollution (AP) has harmful effects on hearing and ear diseases such as Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of exposure to AP on SSHL incidence. Valid electronic databases were searched to retrieve studies published until December 1, 2022, using appropriate keywords. The result of the search was 1146 studies, and after screening according to the defined criteria, in total 8 studies were obtained. The risk of bias (ROB) in the studies and their quality were assessed. Finally, the meta-analysis with a significance level of 5% was performed. The findings revealed that the mean level of SO, CO, NO, and PM in the patient group was more than that of the control group, and p-values were 0.879, 0.144, 0.077, and 0.138, respectively. There was an indirect relation between air pollutants and SSHL, and PM showed a significant effect (p < 0.05). Given the limited research and the use of different statistical methods, more research is suggested to confirm this association and to determine the mechanisms by which AP exposure may cause SSHL.
Topics: Humans; Hearing Loss, Sudden; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
PubMed: 37838197
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117392 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2021Pressure ulcers (also known as pressure injuries) are localised injuries to the skin or underlying soft tissue, or both, caused by unrelieved pressure, shear or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pressure ulcers (also known as pressure injuries) are localised injuries to the skin or underlying soft tissue, or both, caused by unrelieved pressure, shear or friction. Foam surfaces (beds, mattresses or overlays) are widely used with the aim of preventing pressure ulcers.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of foam beds, mattresses or overlays compared with any support surface on the incidence of pressure ulcers in any population in any setting.
SEARCH METHODS
In November 2019, we searched the Cochrane Wounds Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Ovid MEDLINE (including In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid Embase and EBSCO CINAHL Plus. We also searched clinical trials registries for ongoing and unpublished studies, and scanned reference lists of relevant included studies as well as reviews, meta-analyses and health technology reports to identify additional studies. There were no restrictions with respect to language, date of publication or study setting.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials that allocated participants of any age to foam beds, mattresses or overlays. Comparators were any beds, mattresses or overlays.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
At least two review authors independently assessed studies using predetermined inclusion criteria. We carried out data extraction, 'Risk of bias' assessment using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool, and the certainty of the evidence assessment according to Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations methodology. If a foam surface was compared with surfaces that were not clearly specified, then the included study was recorded and described but not considered further in any data analyses.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 29 studies (9566 participants) in the review. Most studies were small (median study sample size: 101 participants). The average age of participants ranged from 47.0 to 85.3 years (median: 76.0 years). Participants were mainly from acute care settings. We analysed data for seven comparisons in the review: foam surfaces compared with: (1) alternating pressure air surfaces, (2) reactive air surfaces, (3) reactive fibre surfaces, (4) reactive gel surfaces, (5) reactive foam and gel surfaces, (6) reactive water surfaces, and (7) another type of foam surface. Of the 29 included studies, 17 (58.6%) presented findings which were considered at high overall risk of bias.
PRIMARY OUTCOME
pressure ulcer incidence Low-certainty evidence suggests that foam surfaces may increase the risk of developing new pressure ulcers compared with (1) alternating pressure (active) air surfaces (risk ratio (RR) 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86 to 2.95; I = 63%; 4 studies, 2247 participants), and (2) reactive air surfaces (RR 2.40, 95% CI 1.04 to 5.54; I = 25%; 4 studies, 229 participants). We are uncertain regarding the difference in pressure ulcer incidence in people treated with foam surfaces and the following surfaces: (1) reactive fibre surfaces (1 study, 68 participants); (2) reactive gel surfaces (1 study, 135 participants); (3) reactive gel and foam surfaces (1 study, 91 participants); and (4) another type of foam surface (6 studies, 733 participants). These had very low-certainty evidence. Included studies have data on time to pressure ulcer development for two comparisons. When time to ulcer development is considered using hazard ratios, the difference in the risk of having new pressure ulcers, over 90 days' follow-up, between foam surfaces and alternating pressure air surfaces is uncertain (2 studies, 2105 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Two further studies comparing different types of foam surfaces also reported time-to-event data, suggesting that viscoelastic foam surfaces with a density of 40 to 60 kg/m may decrease the risk of having new pressure ulcers over 11.5 days' follow-up compared with foam surfaces with a density of 33 kg/m (1 study, 62 participants); and solid foam surfaces may decrease the risk of having new pressure ulcers over one month's follow-up compared with convoluted foam surfaces (1 study, 84 participants). Both had low-certainty evidence. There was no analysable data for the comparison of foam surfaces with reactive water surfaces (one study with 117 participants). Secondary outcomes Support-surface-associated patient comfort: the review contains data for three comparisons for this outcome. It is uncertain if there is a difference in patient comfort measure between foam surfaces and alternating pressure air surfaces (1 study, 76 participants; very low-certainty evidence); foam surfaces and reactive air surfaces (1 study, 72 participants; very low-certainty evidence); and different types of foam surfaces (4 studies, 669 participants; very low-certainty evidence). All reported adverse events: the review contains data for two comparisons for this outcome. We are uncertain about differences in adverse effects between foam surfaces and alternating pressure (active) air surfaces (3 studies, 2181 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and between foam surfaces and reactive air surfaces (1 study, 72 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Health-related quality of life: only one study reported data on this outcome. It is uncertain if there is a difference (low-certainty evidence) between foam surfaces and alternating pressure (active) air surfaces in health-related quality of life measured with two different questionnaires, the EQ-5D-5L (267 participants) and the PU-QoL-UI (233 participants). Cost-effectiveness: one study reported trial-based cost-effectiveness evaluations. Alternating pressure (active) air surfaces are probably more cost-effective than foam surfaces in preventing pressure ulcer incidence (2029 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence suggests uncertainty about the differences in pressure ulcer incidence, patient comfort, adverse events and health-related quality of life between using foam surfaces and other surfaces (reactive fibre surfaces, reactive gel surfaces, reactive foam and gel surfaces, or reactive water surfaces). Foam surfaces may increase pressure ulcer incidence compared with alternating pressure (active) air surfaces and reactive air surfaces. Alternating pressure (active) air surfaces are probably more cost-effective than foam surfaces in preventing new pressure ulcers. Future research in this area should consider evaluation of the most important support surfaces from the perspective of decision-makers. Time-to-event outcomes, careful assessment of adverse events and trial-level cost-effectiveness evaluation should be considered in future studies. Trials should be designed to minimise the risk of detection bias; for example, by using digital photography and by blinding adjudicators of the photographs to group allocation. Further review using network meta-analysis will add to the findings reported here.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Air; Bedding and Linens; Beds; Bias; Female; Gels; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Pressure Ulcer; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Viscoelastic Substances
PubMed: 34097765
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013621.pub2 -
Environmental Science & Technology Jul 2023Mobile ambient air quality monitoring is rapidly changing the current paradigm of air quality monitoring and growing as an important tool to address air quality and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mobile ambient air quality monitoring is rapidly changing the current paradigm of air quality monitoring and growing as an important tool to address air quality and climate data gaps across the globe. This review seeks to provide a systematic understanding of the current landscape of advances and applications in this field. We observe a rapidly growing number of air quality studies employing mobile monitoring, with low-cost sensor usage drastically increasing in recent years. A prominent research gap was revealed, highlighting the double burden of severe air pollution and poor air quality monitoring in low- and middle-income regions. Experiment-design-wise, the advances in low-cost monitoring technology show great potential in bridging this gap while bringing unique opportunities for real-time personal exposure, large-scale deployment, and diversified monitoring strategies. The median value of unique observations at the same location in spatial regression studies is ten, which can be used as a rule-of-thumb for future experiment design. Data-analysis-wise, even though data mining techniques have been extensively employed in air quality analysis and modeling, future research can benefit from exploring air quality information from nontabular data, such as images and natural language.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Environmental Monitoring; Air Pollution; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 37343238
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06310 -
Journal of the European Academy of... Oct 2023Increasing air pollution is common around the world, but the impacts of outdoor air pollution exposure on atopic dermatitis (AD) are unclear. We synthesized the current... (Review)
Review
Increasing air pollution is common around the world, but the impacts of outdoor air pollution exposure on atopic dermatitis (AD) are unclear. We synthesized the current global epidemiologic evidence for air pollution exposure and associated medical visits for AD among adults and children. This review followed PRISMA guidelines, and searches were conducted on PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE databases. The searches yielded 390 studies, and after screening, 18 studies around the world assessing at least 5,197,643 medical visits for AD in total were included for the final analysis. We found that exposure to particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in diameter (PM ) [(10/11) of studies], particulate matter ≤10 μm in diameter (PM ) (11/13), nitrogen dioxide (NO ) (12/14) and sulfur dioxide (SO ) (10/13) was positively associated with AD visits. Results were equivocal for ozone [(4/8) of studies reported positive association] and limited for carbon monoxide [(1/4) of studies reported positive association]. When stratifying results by patient age, patient sex and season, we found that the associations with particulate matter, NO and O may be affected by temperature. Exposure to selected air pollutants is associated with AD visits, and increasingly poor worldwide air quality may increase global healthcare use for AD.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Dermatitis, Atopic; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Particulate Matter; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 37184289
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19193 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jun 2021Stillbirth has a great impact on contemporary and future generations. Increasing evidence show that ambient air pollution exposure is associated with stillbirth.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Stillbirth has a great impact on contemporary and future generations. Increasing evidence show that ambient air pollution exposure is associated with stillbirth. However, previous studies showed inconsistent findings. To clarify the effect of maternal air pollution exposure on stillbirth, we searched for studies examining the associations between air pollutants, including particulate matter (diameter ≤ 2.5 μm [PM] and ≤10 μm [PM]) and gaseous pollutants (sulfur dioxide [SO], nitrogen dioxide [NO], carbon monoxide [CO] and ozone [O]), and stillbirth published in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library until December 11, 2020. The pooled effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and the heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q test and I statistic. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's tests. Of 7546 records, 15 eligible studies were included in this review. Results of long-term exposure showed that maternal third trimester PM and CO exposure (per 10 μg/m increment) increased the odds of stillbirth, with estimated odds ratios (ORs) of 1.094 (95% CI: 1.008-1.180) and 1.0009 (95% CI: 1.0001-1.0017), respectively. Entire pregnancy exposure to PM was also associated with stillbirth (OR: 1.103, 95% CI: 1.074-1.131). A 10 μg/m increment in O in the first trimester was associated with stillbirth, and the estimated OR was 1.028 (95% CI: 1.001-1.055). Short-term exposure (on lag day 4) to O was also associated with stillbirth (OR: 1.002, 95% CI: 1.001-1.004). PM, SO and NO exposure had no significant effects on the incidence of stillbirth. Additional well-designed cohort studies and investigations regarding potential biological mechanisms are warranted to elaborate the suggestive association that may help improve intergenerational inequality.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Environmental Exposure; Epidemiologic Studies; Female; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Pregnancy; Stillbirth; Sulfur Dioxide
PubMed: 33689950
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116752 -
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual... Aug 2022To compare the burden of age-related eye diseases among adults exposed to higher versus lower levels of ambient air pollutants. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
To compare the burden of age-related eye diseases among adults exposed to higher versus lower levels of ambient air pollutants.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched for relevant articles until September 30, 2021. Inclusion criteria included studies of adults, aged 40+ years, that provided measures of association between the air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide [CO], sulfur dioxide, ozone [O3], particulate matter [PM] less than 2.5 µm in diameter [PM2.5], and PM less than 10 µm in diameter [PM10]) and the age-related eye disease outcomes of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or cataract. Pooled odds ratio (OR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis model. PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42021250078.
RESULTS
A total of eight studies were included in the review. Consistent evidence for an association was found between PM2.5 and glaucoma, with four of four studies reporting a positive association. The pooled OR for each 10-µg/m3 increase of PM2.5 on glaucoma was 1.18 (95% CI, 0.95-1.47). Consistent evidence was also found for O3 and cataract, with three of three studies reporting an inverse association. Two of two studies reported a null association between PM2.5 and cataract, while one of one studies reported a positive association between PM10 and cataract. One of one studies reported a positive relationship between CO and AMD. Other relationships were less consistent between studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence suggests there may be an association between some air pollutants and cataract, AMD, and glaucoma.
Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Cataract; Environmental Exposure; Glaucoma; Humans; Ozone; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 35960515
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.9.17 -
Public Health Feb 2023This study aimed to provide evidence of the associations between pre- and post-birth and adulthood air pollution exposure with telomere length. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to provide evidence of the associations between pre- and post-birth and adulthood air pollution exposure with telomere length.
STUDY DESIGN
The databases of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched up to June 1st, 2022 in order to include relevant observational studies and perform a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
The random-effects meta-analysis was grouped by air pollutant and exposure window (pre- and post-birth and adulthood) to evaluate the summary effect estimate. Cochran's Q and I statistics were used to evaluate the heterogeneity among the included studies. The quality of individual studies was evaluated using the national toxicology program/office of health assessment and translation risk of bias rating tool.
RESULTS
We identified 18 studies, covering 8506 children and 2263 adults from multiple countries. We found moderate evidence that particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM) exposure during the entire pregnancy (-0.043, 95% CI: -0.067, -0.018), nitrogen dioxide (NO) exposure during the first trimester (-0.016, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.027, -0.005), long-term adulthood PM exposure were associated with shortening telomere length. Mild to high between-study heterogeneity was observed for the most tested air pollutant-telomere length combinations in different exposure windows.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis provides the evidence which strongly supports that prenatal PM and NO exposures were related to reduced telomere length, while prenatal sulfur dioxide (SO) and carbon monoxide (CO) exposures, childhood PM, particulate matter less than 10 μm (PM), NO exposures and short-term adulthood PM and PM exposures were not associated with telomere length. Further high-quality studies are needed to elaborate our suggestive associations.
Topics: Child; Adult; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Particulate Matter; Telomere
PubMed: 36642039
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.11.022 -
Neurotoxicology May 2023As the amount of air pollution and human exposure has increased, the effects on human health have become an important public health issue. A field of growing interest is... (Review)
Review
As the amount of air pollution and human exposure has increased, the effects on human health have become an important public health issue. A field of growing interest is how air pollution exposure affects brain structure and function underlying cognitive deficits and if structural and connectivity changes mediate the relationship between the two. We conducted a systematic review to examine the literature on air pollution, brain structure and connectivity, and cognition studies. Eleven studies matched our inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis. Results suggest significant associations between air pollution and decreased volumes of specific brain structures, cortical thickness and surface area such as in the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobe, as well as the weakening of functional connectivity pathways, largely the Default Mode (DMN) and Frontal Parietal (FPN) networks, as detected by fMRI. Associations between air pollution and cognitive outcomes were found in most of the studies (n = 9), though some studies showed stronger associations than others. For children & adolescents, these deficiencies largely involved heavy reasoning, problem solving, and logic. For young and middle-aged adults, the associations were mostly seen for executive function and visuospatial cognitive domains. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to consolidate findings on the associations among air pollution, brain structure, and cognitive function. In the future, it will be important to conduct further longitudinal studies that follow children who have been exposed at a young age and examine associations with brain structure and cognition throughout adulthood.
Topics: Adult; Middle Aged; Child; Adolescent; Humans; Brain; Cognition Disorders; Cognition; Air Pollution; Brain Mapping; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37001821
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.03.006 -
International Journal of Public Health 2023We report results of a systematic review on the health effects of long-term traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and diabetes in the adult population. An expert Panel... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
We report results of a systematic review on the health effects of long-term traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and diabetes in the adult population. An expert Panel appointed by the Health Effects Institute conducted this systematic review. We searched the PubMed and LUDOK databases for epidemiological studies from 1980 to July 2019. TRAP was defined based on a comprehensive protocol. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed. Confidence assessments were based on a modified Office for Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) approach, complemented with a broader narrative synthesis. We extended our interpretation to include evidence published up to May 2022. We considered 21 studies on diabetes. All meta-analytic estimates indicated higher diabetes risks with higher exposure. Exposure to NO was associated with higher diabetes prevalence (RR 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02; 1.17 per 10 μg/m), but less pronounced for diabetes incidence (RR 1.04; 95% CI: 0.96; 1.13 per 10 μg/m). The overall confidence in the evidence was rated moderate, strengthened by the addition of 5 recently published studies. There was moderate evidence for an association of long-term TRAP exposure with diabetes.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Environmental Exposure; Diabetes Mellitus; Incidence; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 37325174
DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1605718