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International Journal of Dermatology Aug 2022
Topics: Humans; Light; Skin; Sunlight; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 34817887
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16019 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2016Obesity is a significant burden on global healthcare due to its high prevalence and associations with chronic health conditions. In our animal studies, ongoing exposure... (Review)
Review
Obesity is a significant burden on global healthcare due to its high prevalence and associations with chronic health conditions. In our animal studies, ongoing exposure to low dose ultraviolet radiation (UVR, found in sunlight) reduced weight gain and the development of signs of cardiometabolic dysfunction in mice fed a high fat diet. These observations suggest that regular exposure to safe levels of sunlight could be an effective means of reducing the burden of obesity. However, there is limited knowledge around the nature of associations between sun exposure and the development of obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction, and we do not know if sun exposure (independent of outdoor activity) affects the metabolic processes that determine obesity in humans. In addition, excessive sun exposure has strong associations with a number of negative health consequences such as skin cancer. This means it is very important to "get the balance right" to ensure that we receive benefits without increasing harm. In this review, we detail the evidence around the cardiometabolic protective effects of UVR and suggest mechanistic pathways through which UVR could be beneficial.
Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Obesity; Risk Factors; Sunlight; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 27727191
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13100999 -
Arthritis Care & Research Feb 2022To examine associations between sunlight exposure and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) using general population data in Quebec, Canada.
OBJECTIVE
To examine associations between sunlight exposure and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) using general population data in Quebec, Canada.
METHODS
A random sample of 7,600 individuals (including 786 subjects who were ACPA positive and 201 self-reported rheumatoid arthritis [RA] cases) from the CARTaGENE cohort was studied cross-sectionally. All subjects were nested in 4 census metropolitan areas, and mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for ACPA positivity related to sunlight exposure, adjusting for sun-block use, industrial fine particulate matter (PM ) exposures, smoking, age, sex, French Canadian ancestry, and family income. We also performed sensitivity analyses excluding subjects with RA, defining ACPA positivity by higher titers, and stratifying by age and sex.
RESULTS
The adjusted ORs and 95% CIs did not suggest conclusive associations between ACPA and sunlight exposure or sun-block use, but robust positive relationships were observed between industrial PM emissions and ACPA (OR 1.19 per μg/m [95% CI 1.03-1.36] in primary analyses).
CONCLUSION
We did not see clear links between ACPA and sunlight exposure or sun-block use, but we did note positive associations with industrial PM . Future studies of sunlight and RA (or ACPA) should take air pollution exposures into account.
Topics: Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Quebec; Sunlight
PubMed: 32961027
DOI: 10.1002/acr.24448 -
Nutrition Reviews Aug 2007
Review
Topics: Environmental Exposure; Epidemiologic Methods; Humans; Skin Neoplasms; Sunlight; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin D
PubMed: 17867377
DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2007.tb00347.x -
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy Jun 1996To review the role of sunlight in skin aging and skin cancer formation, and to provide guidelines on the use of sunscreens to minimize the adverse effects of sun damage. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To review the role of sunlight in skin aging and skin cancer formation, and to provide guidelines on the use of sunscreens to minimize the adverse effects of sun damage.
DATA SOURCES
A MEDLINE search of applicable articles on ultraviolet (UV) radiation, melanoma, sunscreens, and skin cancer, evaluating both human and animal studies. Published and unpublished original research as well as clinical experience were also used.
DATA SYNTHESIS
The interaction of UV radiation and skin type plays a central role in melanoma formation. Mortality from melanoma is highest in geographic locations near the equator, where UV intensity is greatest. The incidence of melanomas in light-complected individuals (skin types I-III) is several times higher than those with darker skin types (types IV-VI), even in similar geographic regions. The UVB portion of the spectrum appears to be primarily responsible for skin cancer formation and photoaging, while short wave UVA rays play a significant contributing role. Regular sunscreen use has been shown to reduce the formation of precancerous actinic keratoses (AK) lesions by 36%. A dose-response relationship has also been found between the amount of sunscreen used and AK formation.
CONCLUSIONS
Sunscreens have now been shown to reduce the carcinogenic effects of sunlight in humans. Patients should be advised of the long-term consequences of sun exposure and the benefits of regular sunscreen use.
Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Skin Aging; Skin Neoplasms; Sunlight; Sunscreening Agents; Ultraviolet Rays; United States
PubMed: 8792954
DOI: 10.1177/106002809603000615 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Feb 2022Linked article: Souedi et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 186:266-273. The sun is the main source of exposure people have to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Sun exposure has some...
Linked article: Souedi et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 186:266-273. The sun is the main source of exposure people have to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Sun exposure has some health benefits but also some adverse effects (for example sunburn and skin cancer). Studies about the link between UVR exposure and long-term health outcomes have used a number of different ways to try and accurately measure how much UVR individuals have been exposed to. We set out to study how accurate three different ways of measuring exposure to UVR were over 6 months: (1) ambient UVR levels, (2) self-reported time spent outdoors, and (3) a statistical formula. The participants in this study were employees who worked either indoors or outdoors in Catalunya - Spain during the summer and winter months. Using a wristwatch with a dosimeter (a device made specifically to measure solar UVR levels) we measured each of the participants UVR levels daily during their working hours. Using a statistical formula, we calculated the daily dose of solar UVR each participant received by including their measured levels (from the dosimeter), the general ambient UVR levels of that day, and self-reported time spent outdoors. We then compared the results. Of our 39 participants, not surprisingly, we noted that the levels of UVR were higher for outdoor workers and during the summer. We discovered that the calculated levels and the self-reported time spent outdoors (methods 2 and 3) were more accurate than measuring general ambient UVR levels (method 1) alone. These results will be helpful to researchers who are deciding which are the best methods to use in future studies about the health effects of UVR exposure.
Topics: Humans; Self Report; Skin Neoplasms; Sunburn; Sunlight; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 35103991
DOI: 10.1111/bjd.20912 -
Australian and New Zealand Journal of... Oct 2021To inform skin cancer prevention policies and campaigns, we investigated changes over time in sun protection behaviours, sunburn, sun exposure and shade availability in...
OBJECTIVE
To inform skin cancer prevention policies and campaigns, we investigated changes over time in sun protection behaviours, sunburn, sun exposure and shade availability in public spaces among people living in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, between 2003 and 2016.
METHODS
We analysed cross-sectional data from the NSW Population Health Survey collected in 2003, 2007, 2014 and 2016, which included approximately 15,000 respondents of all ages in each year. Logistic regression models were used to analyse overall changes over time and for different age, sex and sociodemographic groups.
RESULTS
The use of sunscreen and protective clothing and the availability of shade increased between 2003 and 2016, but sunburn and sun exposure during peak times of ultraviolet radiation also increased. In subgroup analyses, there was no improvement in sun protection behaviours among adolescents and increases in sunburn and sun exposure were observed only among adults, particularly women and in areas with less social disadvantage.
CONCLUSIONS
Sun protection behaviours have improved over time among some population subgroups, but over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation remains prevalent. Implications for public health: Skin cancer prevention initiatives that specifically target adolescents and sun exposure during peak times are needed to help reduce population skin cancer risk.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; New South Wales; Protective Clothing; Skin Neoplasms; Sunburn; Sunlight; Sunscreening Agents; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 34028925
DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13112 -
Biology Letters Nov 2021Body temperature can strongly influence fitness. Some Sun-exposed ectotherms thermoregulate by adjusting body posture according to the Sun's position. In these species,...
Body temperature can strongly influence fitness. Some Sun-exposed ectotherms thermoregulate by adjusting body posture according to the Sun's position. In these species, body elongation should reduce the risk of heat stress by allowing the exposure of a smaller body area to sunlight. Therefore, selection should favour more elongated bodies in Sun-exposed than in Sun-protected species. Diurnal orb-web spider species that sit on their webs are more likely to be Sun-exposed, on average, than nocturnal or diurnal shelter-building species. We measured the body elongation of orb-web spiders (Araneae, Araneidae) across 1024 species and classified them as Sun-protected or exposed based on the literature. We found that Sun-exposed species evolved more elongate bodies than Sun-protected ones. Further, we built a model combining traditional heat transfer models with models of thermoregulatory postures in orb-web spiders and meteorological data. The model indicates that body elongation in large orb-web spiders decreases the risk of high body temperatures. Overall, our results suggest that Sun exposure influenced the evolution of body shapes of orb-web spiders.
Topics: Animals; Predatory Behavior; Spiders; Sunlight
PubMed: 34753293
DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0369 -
Anticancer Research Mar 2016Humans evolved in sunlight and had depended on sunlight for its life giving properties that was appreciated by our early ancestors. However, for more than 40 years the... (Review)
Review
Humans evolved in sunlight and had depended on sunlight for its life giving properties that was appreciated by our early ancestors. However, for more than 40 years the lay press and various medical and dermatology associations have denounced sun exposure because of its association with increased risk for skin cancer. The goal of this review is to put into perspective the many health benefits that have been associated with exposure to sunlight, ultraviolet A (UVA) ultraviolet B (UVB), visible and infrared radiation.
Topics: Animals; Health; Humans; Infrared Rays; Light; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Sunlight; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin D
PubMed: 26977036
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Cancer Education : the... Aug 2023Chronic sun exposure and sunburns are the main preventable causes of skin cancer. Due to the nature of their work, physical education teachers are at high risk for...
Chronic sun exposure and sunburns are the main preventable causes of skin cancer. Due to the nature of their work, physical education teachers are at high risk for occupational skin cancer. This descriptive, cross-sectional study analyzes primary and secondary physical education teachers in Andalusia, Spain. All participants were invited to monitor their ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure using individual biologic dosimeters and record their photoprotection practices over 3 workdays. The teachers spent an average of 2.7 h outdoors and the mean personal UV radiation exposure was 309.9 J/m per day, a value three times higher than international recommendations. Based on the photoprotection diary, it was determined that classes held outdoors were not scheduled outside the hours with the highest UV index and that the percentage of participants who followed the photoprotective practices of remaining in the shade or wearing a hat during outdoor lessons were less than 20% and 60%, respectively. The results on sun exposure and photoprotection practices show a need for organizational and educational intervention strategies to mitigate sun exposure and increase compliance with photoprotection measures to reduce skin cancer risk among these workers and promote early diagnosis of the disease.
Topics: Humans; Sunlight; Physical Education and Training; Spain; Cross-Sectional Studies; Schools; Skin Neoplasms; Ultraviolet Rays; Sunscreening Agents
PubMed: 36701024
DOI: 10.1007/s13187-022-02242-z