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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Dec 2023The occurrence of orofacial Clefts (OFCs) is a congenital disease caused by many factors. According to recent studies, air pollution has a strong correlation with the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The occurrence of orofacial Clefts (OFCs) is a congenital disease caused by many factors. According to recent studies, air pollution has a strong correlation with the occurrence of OFCs. However, there are still some controversies about the current research results, and there is no relevant research to review the latest results in recent years.
OBJECTIVE
In this paper, the authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the correlation between ambient air pollution and the occurrence of neonatal OFCs deformity.
METHODS
We searched Pubmed, Web of science, and Embase databases from the establishment of the database to May 2023. We included observational studies on the relationship between prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), fine particulate matter 10 (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO) and the risk of cleft lip (CL), cleft palate (CP), cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P). the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. Funnel plot and Egger's regression were used to verify the publication bias. Random effect model or fixed effect model was used to estimate the combined relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI).
RESULTS
A total of eleven studies were included in this study, including four cohort studies and seven case-control studies, including 22,453 cases of OFCs. Ten studies had low risk of bias and only one study had high risk of bias. Three studies reported that PM was positively correlated with CL and CP, with a combined RR and 95%CI of 1.287(1.174,1.411) and 1.267 (1.105,1.454). Two studies reported a positive correlation between O and CL, with a combined RR and 95%CI of 1.132(1.047,1.225). Two studies reported a positive correlation between PM and CL, with a combined RR and 95%CI of 1.108 (1.017,1.206). No association was found between SO, CO, NO exposure during pregnancy and the risk of OFCs.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study showed that there was a significant statistical correlation between exposure to PM, PM, O and the risk of OFCs in the second month of pregnancy. Exposure assessment, research methods and mechanisms need to be further explored.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Air Pollutants; Cleft Lip; Cleft Palate; Air Pollution; Particulate Matter; Ozone; Sulfur Dioxide; Nitrogen Dioxide; Environmental Exposure
PubMed: 38041018
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06104-4 -
World Neurosurgery Feb 2024Low back pain (LBP) is a common pathology, and its high prevalence has led to the emergence of alternative options that have gained popularity without objective... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Low back pain (LBP) is a common pathology, and its high prevalence has led to the emergence of alternative options that have gained popularity without objective epidemiological evaluations. This work seeks to clarify the utility of ozone in the treatment of LBP.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted following the principles by PRISMA. The search included articles published up to June 2023. Each of the authors reviewed the abstract of the articles and applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS
A total of 28 articles were selected: 18 prospective randomized clinical studies, 3 systematic reviews plus meta-analysis, and 6 retrospective case series studies.
CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of LBP is complex. Advancements have been made in recent years from biomechanical and pathophysiological perspectives, but ozone therapy is not considered a treatment option. Techniques that involve the use of ozone fall into the category of empirical options. International guidelines for LBP exclude ozone therapy. It is advisable to conduct further studies under strict parameters to better evaluate its outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Low Back Pain; Ozone; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38013111
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.11.106 -
The Science of the Total Environment Feb 2024Indoor air quality is important for the health of building occupants, and public interest in controlling indoor airborne pathogens increased dramatically with the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Indoor air quality is important for the health of building occupants, and public interest in controlling indoor airborne pathogens increased dramatically with the COVID-19 pandemic. Pollutant concentrations can be controlled locally using portable air cleaners (sometimes called air purifiers), which allow occupants to apply air cleaning technology to meet their needs in the location and times that they find appropriate. This paper provides a systematic review of scientific literature that describes field studies of the effectiveness of portable air cleaners. Over 500 papers were considered, and 148 were reviewed in detail, to extract 35 specific research results (e.g., particulate removal performance) or characteristics (e.g., type of building). These were aggregated to provide an overview of results and approaches to this type of research, and to provide meta-analyses of the results. The review includes: descriptions of the geographical location of the research; rate of publications over time; types of buildings and occupants in the field study; types of air cleaner technology being tested; pollutants being measured; resulting pollutant removal effectiveness; patterns of usage and potential barriers to usage by occupants; and the potential for by-product emissions in some air cleaner technologies. An example result is that 83 of the 148 papers measured reductions in fine particulates (PM) and found a mean reduction of 49 % with standard deviation of 20 %. The aggregated results were approximately normally distributed, ranging from finding no significant reduction up to a maximum above 90 % reduction. Sixteen of the 148 papers considered gaseous pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone; 36 papers considered biological pollutants, such as bacteria, viruses, pollen, fungi, etc. An important challenge, common to several studies, is that occupants run the air cleaners for shorter periods and on low airflow rate settings, because of concerns about noise, drafts, and electricity cost, which significantly reduces air cleaning effectiveness.
Topics: Air Filters; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Environmental Pollutants; Pandemics; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 38008326
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168786 -
The Lancet. Planetary Health Nov 2023High-level exposure to indoor air pollutants (IAPs) and their corresponding adverse health effects have become a public concern in China in the past 10 years. However,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
High-level exposure to indoor air pollutants (IAPs) and their corresponding adverse health effects have become a public concern in China in the past 10 years. However, neither national nor provincial level burden of disease attributable to multiple IAPs has been reported for China. This is the first study to estimate and rank the annual burden of disease and the financial costs attributable to targeted residential IAPs at the national and provincial level in China from 2000 to 2017.
METHODS
We first did a systematic review and meta-analysis of 117 articles from 37 231 articles identified in major databases, and obtained exposure-response relationships for the candidate IAPs. The exposure levels to these IAPs were then collected by another systematic review of 1864 articles selected from 52 351 articles. After the systematic review, ten IAPs with significant and robust exposure-response relationships and sufficient exposure data were finally targeted: PM, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, radon, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and p-dichlorobenzene. The annual exposure levels in residences were then evaluated in all 31 provinces in mainland China continuously from 2000 to 2017, using the spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression model to analyse indoor originating IAPs, and the infiltration factor method to analyse outdoor originating IAPs. The disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to the targeted IAPs were estimated at both national and provincial levels in China, using the population attributable fraction method. Financial costs were estimated by an adapted human capital approach.
FINDINGS
From 2000 to 2017, annual DALYs attributable to the ten IAPs in mainland China decreased from 4620 (95% CI 4070-5040) to 3700 (3210-4090) per 100 000. Nevertheless, in 2017, IAPs still ranked third among all risk factors, and their DALYs and financial costs accounted for 14·1% (95% CI 12·3-15·6) of total DALYs and 3·45% (3·01-3·82) of the gross domestic product. Specifically, the rank of ten targeted IAPs in order of their contribution to DALYs in 2017 was PM, carbon monoxide, radon, benzene, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide, formaldehyde, toluene, and p-dichlorobenzene. The DALYs attributable to IAPs were 9·50% higher than those attributable to outdoor air pollution in 2017. For the leading IAP, PM, the DALYs attributable to indoor origins are 18·3% higher than those of outdoor origins.
INTERPRETATION
DALYs attributed to IAPs in China have decreased by 20·0% over the past two decades. Even so, they are still much higher than those in the USA and European countries. This study can provide a basis for determining which IAPs to target in various indoor air quality standards and for estimating the health and economic benefits of various indoor air quality control approaches, which will help to reduce the adverse health effects of IAPs in China.
FUNDING
The National Key Research and Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants; Carbon Monoxide; Sulfur Dioxide; Benzene; Nitrogen Dioxide; Formaldehyde; Cost of Illness; Particulate Matter; Radon; Ozone; Toluene
PubMed: 37940210
DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00215-2 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jan 2024Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are disproportionately affected by air pollution and its health burden, representing a global inequity. The COVID-19 pandemic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are disproportionately affected by air pollution and its health burden, representing a global inequity. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to investigate the impact of unprecedented lockdown measures on air pollutant concentrations globally. We aim to quantify air pollutant concentration changes across LMIC settings as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
METHODS
Searches for this systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out across five databases on 30th March 2022; MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Transport Research Information Documentation. Modelling and observational studies were included, as long as the estimates reflected city or town level data and were taken exclusively in pre-lockdown and lockdown periods. Mean percentage changes per pollutant were calculated and meta-analyses were carried out to calculate mean difference in measured ground-level observed concentrations for each pollutant (PROSPERO CRD42022326924).
FINDINGS
Of the 2982 manuscripts from initial searches, 256 manuscripts were included providing 3818 percentage changes of all pollutants. No studies included any countries from Sub-Saharan Africa and 34 % and 39.4 % of studies were from China and India, respectively. There was a mean percentage change of -37.4 %, -21.7 %, -54.6 %, -39.1 %, -48.9 %, 16.9 %, -34.9 %, -30.6 % and - 14.7 % for black carbon (BC), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), oxides of nitrogen (NO), ozone (O), particulate matter 10 (PM) and 2.5 (PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO), respectively. Meta-analysis included 100 manuscripts, providing 908 mean concentration differences, which showed significant reduction in mean concentration in all study settings for BC (-0.46 μg/m, PI -0.85; -0.08), CO (-0.25 mg/m, PI -0.44; -0.03), NO (-19.41 μg/m, PI -31.14; -7.68) and NO (-22.32 μg/m, PI -40.94; -3.70).
INTERPRETATION
The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis quantify and confirm the trends reported across the globe in air pollutant concentration, including increases in O. Despite the majority of global urban growth occurring in LMIC, there are distinct geographical gaps in air pollution data and, where it is available, differing approaches to analysis and reporting.
Topics: Humans; Developing Countries; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pandemics; COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Particulate Matter; Ozone; Nitric Oxide
PubMed: 37884141
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168110 -
The effect of the urban exposome on COVID-19 health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Environmental Research Jan 2024The global severity of SARS-CoV-2 illness has been associated with various urban characteristics, including exposure to ambient air pollutants. This systematic review... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The global severity of SARS-CoV-2 illness has been associated with various urban characteristics, including exposure to ambient air pollutants. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize findings from ecological and non-ecological studies to investigate the impact of multiple urban-related features on a variety of COVID-19 health outcomes.
METHODS
On December 5, 2022, PubMed was searched to identify all types of observational studies that examined one or more urban exposome characteristics in relation to various COVID-19 health outcomes such as infection severity, the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, COVID pneumonia, and mortality.
RESULTS
A total of 38 non-ecological and 241 ecological studies were included in this review. Non-ecological studies highlighted the significant effects of population density, urbanization, and exposure to ambient air pollutants, particularly PM. The meta-analyses revealed that a 1 μg/m increase in PM was associated with a higher likelihood of COVID-19 hospitalization (pooled OR 1.08 (95% CI:1.02-1.14)) and death (pooled OR 1.06 (95% CI:1.03-1.09)). Ecological studies, in addition to confirming the findings of non-ecological studies, also indicated that higher exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O), sulphur dioxide (SO), and carbon monoxide (CO), as well as lower ambient temperature, humidity, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and less green and blue space exposure, were associated with increased COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review has identified several key vulnerability features related to urban areas in the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The findings underscore the importance of improving policies related to urban exposures and implementing measures to protect individuals from these harmful environmental stressors.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Exposome; Pandemics; Air Pollutants; Environmental Pollutants; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 37852458
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117351 -
Current Environmental Health Reports Dec 2023Environmental exposures have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and acute coronary events, but their relationship with out-of-hospital... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Environmental exposures have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and acute coronary events, but their relationship with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains unclear. SCD is an important contributor to the global burden of cardiovascular disease worldwide.
RECENT FINDINGS
Current literature suggests a relationship between environmental exposures and cardiovascular disease, but their relationship with OHCA/SCD remains unclear. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Global Health. Of 5138 studies identified by our literature search, this review included 30 studies on air pollution, 42 studies on temperature, 6 studies on both air pollution and temperature, and 1 study on altitude exposure and OHCA/SCD. Particulate matter air pollution, ozone, and both hot and cold temperatures are associated with increased risk of OHCA/SCD. Pollution and other exposures related to climate change play an important role in OHCA/SCD incidence.
Topics: Humans; Temperature; Cross-Over Studies; Air Pollution; Particulate Matter; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollutants
PubMed: 37845484
DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00414-7 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023The potential influence of environmental factors, particularly air pollutants such as ozone (O), on the dynamics and progression of COVID-19 remains a significant... (Review)
Review
The potential influence of environmental factors, particularly air pollutants such as ozone (O), on the dynamics and progression of COVID-19 remains a significant concern. This study aimed to systematically review and analyze the current body of literature to assess the impact of short-term ozone exposure on COVID-19 transmission dynamics and disease evolution. A rigorous systematic review was conducted in March 2023, covering studies from January 2020 to January 2023 found in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO criteria, focusing exclusively on the effects of short-term ozone exposure on COVID-19. The literature search was restricted to English-language journal articles, with the inclusion and exclusion criteria strictly adhered to. Out of 4674 identified studies, 18 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, conducted across eight countries. The findings showed a varied association between short-term ozone exposure and COVID-19 incidence, severity, and mortality. Some studies reported a higher association between ozone exposure and incidence in institutional settings (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.00-1.13) compared to the general population (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.03). The present research identified a positive association between ozone exposure and both total and active COVID-19 cases as well as related deaths (coefficient for cases: 0.214; for recoveries: 0.216; for active cases: 0.467; for deaths: 0.215). Other studies also found positive associations between ozone levels and COVID-19 cases and deaths, while fewer reports identified a negative association between ozone exposure and COVID-19 incidence (coefficient: -0.187) and mortality (coefficient: -0.215). Conversely, some studies found no significant association between ozone exposure and COVID-19, suggesting a complex and potentially region-specific relationship. The relationship between short-term ozone exposure and COVID-19 dynamics is complex and multifaceted, indicating both positive and negative associations. These variations are possibly due to demographic and regional factors. Further research is necessary to bridge current knowledge gaps, especially considering the potential influence of short-term O exposure on COVID-19 outcomes and the broader implications on public health policy and preventive strategies during pandemics.
PubMed: 37830707
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11192670 -
Headache Oct 2023To systematically synthesize evidence from a broad range of studies on the association between air pollution and migraine. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To systematically synthesize evidence from a broad range of studies on the association between air pollution and migraine.
BACKGROUND
Air pollution is a ubiquitous exposure that may trigger migraine attacks. There has been no systematic review of this possible association.
METHODS
We searched for empirical studies assessing outdoor air pollution and any quantified migraine outcomes. We included short- and long-term studies with quantified air pollution exposures. We excluded studies of indoor air pollution, perfume, or tobacco smoke. We assessed the risk of bias with the World Health Organization's bias assessment instrument for air quality guidelines.
RESULTS
The final review included 12 studies with over 4,000,000 participants. Designs included case-crossover, case-control, time series, and non-randomized pre-post intervention. Outcomes included migraine-related diagnoses, diary records, medical visits, and prescriptions. Rather than pooling the wide variety of exposures and outcomes into a meta-analysis, we tabulated the results. Point estimates above 1.00 reflected associations of increased risk. In single-pollutant models, the percent of point estimates above 1.00 were carbon monoxide 5/5 (100%), nitrogen dioxide 10/13 (78%), ozone 7/8 (88%), PM 13/15 (87%), PM 2/2 (100%), black carbon 0/1 (0%), methane 4/6 (75%), sulfur dioxide 3/5 (60%), industrial toxic waste 1/1 (100%), and proximity to oil and gas wells 6/13 (46%). In two-pollutant models, 16/17 (94%) of associations with nitrogen dioxide were above 1.00; however, more than 75% of the confidence intervals included the null value. Most studies had low to moderate risks of bias. Where differences were observed, stronger quality articles generally reported weaker associations.
CONCLUSIONS
Balancing the generally strong methodologies with the small number of studies, point estimates were mainly above 1.00 for associations of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter with migraine. These results were most consistent for nitrogen dioxide.
Topics: Humans; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone
PubMed: 37795754
DOI: 10.1111/head.14632 -
Neurology Nov 2023Approximately 5 million fatalities occur annually due to stroke, along with its substantial effects on patient well-being and functional impairment. Research has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Approximately 5 million fatalities occur annually due to stroke, along with its substantial effects on patient well-being and functional impairment. Research has established a connection between extended exposure to air pollutants and ischemic stroke. However, the link between short-term exposure to air pollutants and stroke remains less definitive.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted on MEDLINE, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Sciences databases up until February 2023, without any language restrictions. The inclusion criteria encompassed observational or interventional studies that examined the correlation between short-term exposure to air pollutants (carbon monoxide [CO], sulfur dioxide [SO], nitrogen dioxide [NO], ozone [O]) and particulate matter with diameters of less than 1 µm, less than 2.5 µm, or less than 10 µm (PM, PM, and PM), with the incidence and mortality of ischemic stroke. Short-term exposure was defined as exposure occurring within 5 days of the onset of stroke.
RESULTS
A total of 18,035,408 cases of ischemic stroke were included in the analysis, derived from 110 observational studies. Asia accounted for most included studies, representing 58.8% of the total. By contrast, Europe and the Americas contributed 24.6% and 16.7% of the studies, respectively. Notably, none of the included studies were conducted in Africa. Stroke incidence was significantly associated with an increase in the concentration of NO (RR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.21-1.36), O (RR = 1.05; 95% CI 1.03-1.07), CO (RR = 1.26; 95% CI 1.21-1.32), SO (RR = 1.15; 95% CI 1.11-1.19), PM (RR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.06-1.12), PM (RR = 1.15; 95% CI 1.13-1.17), and PM (RR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.12-1.16). Moreover, an increase in the concentration of NO (RR = 1.33; 95% CI 1.07-1.65), SO (RR = 1.60; 95% CI 1.05-2.44), PM (RR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.04-1.15), and PM (RR = 1.02; 95% CI 1.00-1.04) was associated with an increase in stroke mortality.
DISCUSSION
There is a strong and significant correlation between gaseous and particulate air pollutants and the occurrence and mortality rates of stroke. This close temporal association underscores the importance of implementing global initiatives to develop policies aimed at reducing air pollution. By doing so, alleviate the burden of ischemic stroke and its consequences.
Topics: Humans; Ischemic Stroke; Nitrogen Dioxide; Environmental Exposure; Air Pollution; Air Pollutants; Particulate Matter; Stroke
PubMed: 37758483
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207856