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Frontiers in Public Health 2024Street greenery may have a profound effect on residents' active travel (AT), a mode of transportation involving walking and cycling. This study systematically reviewed...
BACKGROUND
Street greenery may have a profound effect on residents' active travel (AT), a mode of transportation involving walking and cycling. This study systematically reviewed the scientific evidence on the effects of street greenery on active travel.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was performed using keywords and references in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. The review included studies that met the following criteria: (1) Study design: experimental studies, cross sectional studies, (2) Participants: individuals of all ages, (3) Exposure variables: street greenery, including street vegetation (e.g., trees, shrubs, and lawns), (4) Outcomes: active travel behaviors (walking, cycling), (5) Article type: peer-reviewed articles, (6) Search time window: from the inception of relevant electronic literature database until 21 June 2023, (7) Geographic scope: worldwide; (8) Language: articles in English.
RESULTS
Twenty-six cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. These studies employed objective metrics for assessing street greenery and varied methodologies to measure AT, including 14 using subjective measurements (like self-reported surveys), 10 using objective data (such as mobile app analytics), and two studies combined both approaches. This review identifies a generally positive impact of street greenery on active travel in various aspects. However, the extent of this influence varies with factors such as temporal factors (weekdays vs. weekends), demographic segments (age and gender), proximity parameters (buffer distances), and green space quantification techniques. Street greenness promotes active travel by enhancing environmental esthetics, safety, and comfort, while also improving air quality, reducing noise, and fostering social interactions. In addition, the study suggests that variables like weather, seasonality, and cultural context may also correlate with the effectiveness of street greenery in encouraging active travel.
CONCLUSION
Street greenery positively influences active travel, contributing to public health and environmental sustainability. However, the findings also indicate the need for more granular, experimental, and longitudinal studies to better understand this relationship and the underlying mechanisms. These insights are pivotal for urban planners and policymakers in optimizing green infrastructure to promote active transportation, taking into account local demographics, socio-economic factors, and urban design.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Travel; Walking; Transportation; Self Report
PubMed: 38481839
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1337804 -
Eco-Environment & Health Dec 2023Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) pollution has become a pressing global environmental issue, with growing concerns regarding its impact on human health. However, evidence... (Review)
Review
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) pollution has become a pressing global environmental issue, with growing concerns regarding its impact on human health. However, evidence on the effects of MNPs on human health remains limited. This paper reviews the three routes of human exposure to MNPs, which include ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. It further discusses the potential routes of translocation of MNPs in human lungs, intestines, and skin, analyses the potential impact of MNPs on the homeostasis of human organ systems, and provides an outlook on future research priorities for MNPs in human health. There is growing evidence that MNPs are present in human tissues or fluids. Lab studies, including animal models and human-derived cell cultures, revealed that MNPs exposure could negatively affect human health. MNPs exposure could cause oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, disruption of internal barriers like the intestinal, the air-blood and the placental barrier, tissue damage, as well as immune homeostasis imbalance, endocrine disruption, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Limitedly available epidemiological studies suggest that disorders like lung nodules, asthma, and blood thrombus might be caused or exacerbated by MNPs exposure. However, direct evidence for the effects of MNPs on human health is still scarce, and future research in this area is needed to provide quantitative support for assessing the risk of MNPs to human health.
PubMed: 38435355
DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.002 -
Heliyon Feb 2024The average global temperature is rising due to anthropogenic emissions. Hence, a systematic approach was used to examine the projected impacts of rising global... (Review)
Review
The average global temperature is rising due to anthropogenic emissions. Hence, a systematic approach was used to examine the projected impacts of rising global temperatures on heatwaves in India and provide insights into mitigation and adaptation strategies. With over 24,000 deaths attributed to heatwaves from 1992 to 2015, there is an urgent need to understand India's vulnerabilities and prepare adaptive strategies under various emission scenarios.This situation is predicted to worsen as heatwaves become more frequent, intense, and long-lasting. Severe heatwaves can exacerbate chronic health conditions, vector-borne diseases, air pollution, droughts and other socio-economic pressures causing higher mortality and morbidity. Heatwaves with severe consequences have increased and are expected to become more frequent in Indian climatic and geographical conditions. As per the future projection studies, the temperature could rise ±1.2 C to ±3.5 C and will start reducing by the end of 2050. The study also provides data from the research that employs climatic models and statistical approaches for a more precise characterization of heat extremes and improved projections. Also, the study appraises the past, present and future heatwave trend projections. Most of these studies compute future projections using the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) models and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP). Limited systematic reports have been found using CMIP6, whereas the best-suited and widely used method was the RCP8.5. The study findings will aid in identifying the zones most susceptible to heatwave risk and provide actionable projections for policymakers to examine the existing evidence for developing proper planning and policy formulation, considering the future climate and temperature projections.
PubMed: 38434018
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26431 -
The Science of the Total Environment Apr 2024Synthetic musks (SMs) have served as cost-effective substitutes for natural musk compounds in personal care and daily chemical products for decades. Their widespread use... (Review)
Review
Synthetic musks (SMs) have served as cost-effective substitutes for natural musk compounds in personal care and daily chemical products for decades. Their widespread use has led to their detection in various environmental matrices, raising concerns about potential risks. Despite numerous studies on SM levels in different natural environments, a systematic review of their contemporary presence is lacking. This review aims to address this gap by summarising recent research developments on SMs in diverse natural environments, including river water, lake water, seawater, estuarine water, groundwater, snow, meltwater, sediments, aquatic suspended matter, soils, sands, outdoor air, and atmospheric particulate matter. Covering the period from 2010 to 2023, the review focuses on four SM categories: nitro, polycyclic, macrocyclic, and alicyclic. It systematically examines their sources, occurrences, concentrations, spatial and temporal variations, and fate. The literature reveals widespread detection of SMs in the natural environment (freshwater and sediments in particular), with polycyclic musks being the most studied group. Both direct (e.g., wastewater discharges) and indirect (e.g., human recreational activities) sources contribute to SM presence. Levels of SMs vary greatly among studies with higher levels observed in certain regions, such as sediments in Southeast Asia. Spatial and temporal variations are also evident. The fate of SMs in the environment depends on their physicochemical properties and environmental processes, including bioaccumulation, biodegradation, photodegradation, adsorption, phase exchange, hydro-dilution effects. Biodegradation and photodegradation can decrease SM levels, but may produce more persistent and eco-toxic products. Modelling approaches have been employed to analyse SM fate, especially for indirect processes like photodegradation or long-distance atmospheric transport. Future studies should further investigate the complex fate if SMs and their environmental influence. This review enhances understanding of SM status in the natural environment and supports efforts to control environmental contamination.
Topics: Humans; Fresh Water; Wastewater; Biodegradation, Environmental; Seawater; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Benzopyrans; Tetrahydronaphthalenes
PubMed: 38432391
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171344 -
The Science of the Total Environment May 2024Respiratory disease transmission in indoor environments presents persistent challenges for health authorities, as exemplified by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This... (Review)
Review
Respiratory disease transmission in indoor environments presents persistent challenges for health authorities, as exemplified by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This underscores the urgent necessity to investigate the dynamics of viral infection transmission within indoor environments. This systematic review delves into the methodologies of respiratory infection transmission in indoor settings and explores how the quality of indoor air (IAQ) can be controlled to alleviate this risk while considering the imperative of sustainability. Among the 2722 articles reviewed, 178 were retained based on their focus on respiratory viral infection transmission and IAQ. Fifty eight articles delved into SARS-CoV-2 transmission, 21 papers evaluated IAQ in contexts of other pandemics, 53 papers assessed IAQ during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and 46 papers examined control strategies to mitigate infectious transmission. Furthermore, of the 46 papers investigating control strategies, only nine considered energy consumption. These findings highlight clear gaps in current research, such as analyzing indoor air and surface samples for specific indoor environments, oversight of indoor and outdoor parameters (e.g., temperature, relative humidity (RH), and building orientation), neglect of occupancy schedules, and the absence of considerations for energy consumption while enhancing IAQ. This study distinctly identifies the indoor environmental conditions conducive to the thriving of each respiratory virus, offering IAQ trade-offs to mitigate the risk of dominant viruses at any given time. This study argues that future research should involve digital twins in conjunction with machine learning (ML) techniques. This approach aims to enhance IAQ by analyzing the transmission patterns of various respiratory viruses while considering energy consumption.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollution, Indoor; Pandemics; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Temperature; Viruses
PubMed: 38432379
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171308 -
Global Spine Journal Feb 2024Systematic review.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the available evidence related to dose-dependent effectiveness (i.e., bone fusion) and morbidity of osteobiologics used in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).
METHODS
Studies with more than 9 adult patients with degenerated/herniated cervical discs operated for one-to four-levels ACDF reporting used osteobiologics doses, fusion rates at six months or later, and related comorbidities were included. PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials, and Cochrane were searched through September 2021. Data extracted in spread sheet and risk of bias assessed using MINORS and Rob-2.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies were selected and sub-grouped into BMP and non-BMP osteobiologics. For the 10 BMP studies, doses varied from 0.26 to 2.1 mg in 649 patients with fusion rates of 95.3 to 100% at 12 months. For other osteobiologics, each of six studies reported one type of osteobiologic in certain dose/concentration/volume in a total of 580 patients with fusion rates of 6.8 to 96.9% at 12 months. Risk of bias was low in three of the 13 non-randomized (18.75%) and in all the three randomized studies (100%).
CONCLUSIONS
Taking into account the inconsistent reporting within available literature, for BMP usage in ACDF, doses lower than 0.7 mg per level can achieve equal successful fusion rates as higher doses, and there is no complication-free dose proved yet. It seems that the lower the dose the lower the incidence of serious complications. As for non-BMP osteobiologics the studies are very limited for each osteobiologic and thus conclusions must be drawn individually and with caution.
PubMed: 38421331
DOI: 10.1177/21925682231195766 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Apr 2024Air pollution is an environmental stimulus that may predispose pregnant women to preterm rapture of membrane (PROM). However, the relationship of maternal exposure to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Air pollution is an environmental stimulus that may predispose pregnant women to preterm rapture of membrane (PROM). However, the relationship of maternal exposure to air pollutants and PROM is still unclear. To investigate the relationship between the long-term and short-term maternal exposure to air pollution and PROM. We searched all studies published in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to February 2024. The studies provided quantitative effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals, for the impact of short-term (<30 days) or long-term (≥30 days) maternal exposure to air pollutants on PROM, preterm PROM (PPROM) or term PROM (TPROM). The odds ratio (OR), risk ratio (RR), or hazard ratio (HR), with 95% confidence intervals was extracted, and RR or HR were deemed as OR because of the low prevalence of PROM. Fixed- or random-effects meta-analyses performed. In total, 17 relevant studies were included. Maternal exposure to PM in the second trimester increases the risk of PROM (pooled OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.05-1.26). Maternal exposure to PM, NO, NO, CO and SO during pregnancy and short-term maternal exposure to PM, NO, SO and O also associate with PROM occurrence. The results of the study show that both long-term maternal exposure in the second or third trimester and short-term maternal exposure to ambient air pollution can increase the risk of PROM.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Air Pollutants; Maternal Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Air Pollution; Premature Birth; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 38417606
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123611 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024The need exists to better understand how to comprise fluid teams-teams that are assembled on short notice, from members with little to no familiarity, who come together...
The need exists to better understand how to comprise fluid teams-teams that are assembled on short notice, from members with little to no familiarity, who come together to carry out a time-limited task, and then disband. Due to the ever-increasing complexity of the modern workplace, the demand for these types of fluid teams is growing in task domains such as the military, aviation, healthcare, and industry. The aim of this paper is to review the team composition literature to shed light on composition considerations for forming fluid teams.
PubMed: 38410408
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1302022 -
EClinicalMedicine Mar 2024Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption continues to increase worldwide. However, evidences from meta-analyses are limited regarding the effects on cardiovascular events...
BACKGROUND
Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption continues to increase worldwide. However, evidences from meta-analyses are limited regarding the effects on cardiovascular events (CVEs).
METHODS
A meta-analysis was performed to assess the dose-response relationship of UPF consumption and CVEs risk (including the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular causes, and myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, coronary intervention). Databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched for observational studies published in English language up to October 24, 2023. Generalized least squares regression and restricted cubic splines were used to estimate the linear/nonlinear relationship. PROSPERO CRD 42023391122.
FINDINGS
Twenty studies with 1,101,073 participants and 58,201 CVEs cases with a median follow-up of 12.2 years were included. A positive linear relationship between UPF intake and CVEs risk was identified. In addition, positive correlation between coronary heart disease and UPF consumption in terms of daily serving and daily energy proportion. No significant association of UPF consumption with the risk of cerebrovascular disease was observed. Briefly, 10% increase of UPF by daily weight proportion was associated with a 1.9% increase of CVEs risk (RR = 1.019; 95% CI, 1.007-1.031; = 0.002), an additional daily serving corresponding to 2.2% CVEs risk increase (RR = 1.022; 95% CI, 1.013-1.031; < 0.001), and 10% increase by daily energy proportion corresponding to 1.6% CVEs risk increase (RR = 1.016; 95% CI, 1.002-1.030; = 0.022).
INTERPRETATION
UPF consumption were associated with a higher risk of CVEs in the positive linear relationship. Our findings highlight the importance of minimizing UPF consumption for cardiovascular health and might be help to pursue public health policies in control of UPF consumption.
FUNDING
This work was supported by the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province (2023-ZDLSF-22), the Innovative Talent Support Program of Shaanxi Province (2022KJXX-106), and the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province (2023-YBSF-424).
PubMed: 38389712
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102484 -
European Journal of Orthodontics Apr 2024Initial caries lesion (ICLs) adjacent to orthodontic brackets are the most common side effect of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The reported prevalence is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Initial caries lesion (ICLs) adjacent to orthodontic brackets are the most common side effect of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The reported prevalence is uncertain and varies considerably across studies, from 27% to 97%.
OBJECTIVES
This paper was designed to evaluate and synthesize the available evidence on the prevalence and incidence rates of ICLs in relation to orthodontic treatment. Selection criteria: The review (Prospero protocol CRD42023412952) included randomized and non-randomized clinical trials of interventions, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies, published after 1990 on the prevalence or incidence of ICLs during or after orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. Search methods: Pubmed, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched from 1990 until 01 May 2023. The risk of bias assessment was performed with RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tool and the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Data collection and analysis: The proportion of individuals with ICLs, reported as the number/percentage of individuals/teeth with ICLs or mean number of ICLs per subject, were used to synthesize results.
RESULTS
The search yielded a total of 468 papers; 21 studies were included in the systematic review, 2 of which were not included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence rate [95%CI] of ICLs was 0.57% [0.48; 0.65] in 1448 patients, 0.22% [0.14; 0.33] in 11583 teeth, with a mean number of lesions equal to 2.24 [1.79; 2.70] in 484 patients evaluated. The incidence rate of new carious lesions developed during orthodontic treatment was 0.48% [0.33; 0.63] in 533 patients, 0.15% [0.08; 0.26] in 1890 teeth with a mean number of ICLs equal to 2.29 [1.12; 3.46] in 208 patients evaluated.
LIMITATIONS
Although the high number of included studies and the overall good quality, there was a significant heterogeneity in the collected data.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence and incidence rates of ICLs in subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment are quite high and raise some concerns in terms of risk assessment of orthodontic treatment. ICLs represent an alarming challenge for both patients and professionals. Effective caries prevention strategies during treatment need to be considered and implemented where appropriate.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Dental Caries; Dental Care
PubMed: 38387465
DOI: 10.1093/ejo/cjae008