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Asian sand dust (ASD), a significant desert sand dust, contains sub-2.5 µm fine particles and adversely affects human health, particularly exacerbating respiratory diseases. Despite this, the intricate physiological responses triggered by inhaled ASD particles remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to comprehensively examine the respiratory effects of ASD, focusing on the spatial distribution of inhaled ASD fine particles within the lungs and the immediate physiological responses they incite. Intratracheal administration of ASD fine particles in mice resulted in efficient phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages (AMs), leading to subsequent neutrophilic inflammation. A subset of ASD-phagocytosed AMs underwent necroptosis, releasing interleukin-1α (IL-1α), causing an increase in chemokines and neutrophils. These responses occurred rapidly within hours of exposure, with endotoxin in ASD particles contributing to the process. Despite variations in desert sand dust composition based on collection locale and timing, this study’s findings provide a foundational basis for understanding the biological effects of desert sand dust. Insights gained into the biological responses to desert sand dust hold promise for developing preventive measures such as air purifiers, and therapeutic agents such as IL-1α neutralizing antibodies, antibacterial agents and cell death inhibitors for human diseases associated with such environmental exposures.

Several empirical studies have linked subway and ambient particle exposure to toxicity, pro-inflammatory responses, and vascular dysfunction. However, the health effects of pollutants generated from varying sources, particularly when combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are still unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the characteristic health effects of iron oxide particles (the main components of subway particles) in comparison with urban aerosols (UA) and vehicle exhaust particles (VEP), alone and in combination with LPS. This study revealed that iron oxides caused a more significant reduction in human umbilical vein endothelial cell viability, increased lactate dehydrogenase release, and decreased the production of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, a fibrinolytic modulator, and endothelin-1, a vasoconstrictor, compared to those by VEP and UA at marginally toxic and toxic concentrations. While VEP and UA induced an increase in interleukin (IL)-6 production, iron oxides, particularly Fe3O4, increased IL-8 production at slightly toxic and non-cytotoxic concentrations. In addition, co-exposure of all particles and LPS at non-cytotoxic concentrations promoted pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and IL-8) production relative to exposure to the particles alone. Interestingly, the tendency towards either coagulation or fibrinolytic conditions was dependent on the concentration of exposed particles at the same LPS concentration. Furthermore, increases in inflammation, neutrophil and lymphocyte recruitment around blood vessels, and edema were observed in murine lungs exposed to a combination of iron oxides and LPS compared to those in mice exposed to iron oxide alone. Thus, iron oxide-rich subway particulate poses more health risks than outdoor ambient particles since they can significantly impair endothelial function, particularly through gross cellular and vascular homeostatic protein damage, and induce exacerbated inflammatory responses during co-exposure. These findings provide novel empirical evidence for epidemiological studies seeking mechanisms responsible for the observed health impact of transport- and occupational-related exposures on vascular dysfunction.

Abstract Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) are very small (typically

Abstract The air quality in Upper Northern Thailand (UNT) deteriorates during seasonal vegetation fire events, causing adverse effects especially on respiratory health outcomes. This study aimed to quantitatively estimate respiratory morbidity from vegetation fire smoke exposure, and to assess the impact of a burning ban enforced in 2016 on morbidity burden in UNT. We computed daily population exposure to fire-originated PM10 and estimated its health burden during a 5-year period from 2014 to 2018 using daily fire-originated PM10 concentration and the concentration–response function for short-term exposure to PM10 from vegetation fire smoke and respiratory morbidity. In subgroups classified as children and older adults, the health burden of respiratory morbidity was estimated using specific effect coefficients from previous studies conducted in UNT. Finally, we compared the health burden of respiratory morbidity before and after burning ban enforcement. Approximately 130,000 hospital visits for respiratory diseases were estimated to be attributable to fire-originated PM10 in UNT from 2014 to 2018. This estimation accounted for 1.3% of total hospital visits for respiratory diseases during the 5-year period, and 20% of those during burning events. Age-specific estimates revealed a larger impact of PM10 in the older adult group. The number of hospital visits for respiratory diseases attributable to fire-originated PM10 decreased from 1.8% to 0.5% after the burning ban policy was implemented in the area. Our findings suggest that PM10 released from vegetation fires is a health burden in UNT. The prohibition of the burning using regulatory measure had a positive impact on respiratory morbidity in this area.

Measures for protecting against PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5 µm), which exacerbates respiratory diseases, have not been established. The present study investigated the effects of extracts of curry powder and its components on pro-inflammatory responses, extracellular and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, induced by the PM2.5 component, DEP (diesel exhaust particles). Airway epithelial cells were exposed to DEP in the presence of curry powder, or its major and/or anti-inflammatory components, clove and turmeric. Curry powder, clove, and turmeric inhibited DEP-induced IL-6 release and extracellular ROS; in the absence of clove and turmeric, these effects of curry powder were mild but similar. Among the other curry spices, cinnamon decreased IL-6 and extracellular ROS, and coriander decreased IL-6 alone. This is the first report on the protective effects of extracts of curry powder and its components, against PM2.5-induced airway inflammation, which may be partly through inhibition of extracellular ROS.

Although polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic, the effects of oxidized PAHs on health and biological responses remain unclear. In this study, we examined the in vitro effects of varying concentrations of pyrene, a type of PAH, and its quinone forms, namely 4,5-pyrenequinone (PyQ) and 1,8-PyQ + 1,6-PyQ, on human lung epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. We evaluated cell viability, apoptosis, and the production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Exposure to 1 μM 4,5-PyQ or 1,8-PyQ + 1,6-PyQ increased the cellular activity. At 3 µM, 4,5-PyQ increased the number of late apoptotic and/or necrotic cells compared with those in the control, whereas 1,8-PyQ + 1,6-PyQ increased the number of dead cells. Exposure to 4,5-PyQ at 10 µM decreased IL-6 production and exposure to both 4,5-PyQ and 1,8-PyQ + 1,6-PyQ at 3 or 10 µM decreased IL-8 production. sICAM-1 production was increased after 1,8-PyQ + 1,6-PyQ exposure at 10 µM. In the presence of cells, 4,5-PyQ and 1,8-PyQ + 1,6-PyQ increased ROS production significantly in a concentration-dependent manner; similar results were observed with 1,8-PyQ + 1,6-PyQ without cells. Overall, our results suggest that oxidized PAHs induce stronger respiratory toxicity/inflammatory responses than PAHs.

Genotyping evidence that supports the interruption of endemic measles virus (MV) transmission is one of the essential criteria to be verified in achieving measles elimination. In Japan since 2014, MV genotype analyses have been performed for most of the measles cases in prefectural public health institutes nationwide. With this strong molecular epidemiological data, Japan was verified to have eliminated measles in March, 2015. However, even in the postelimination era, sporadic cases and small outbreaks of measles have been detected repeatedly in Japan. This study investigated the nationwide molecular epidemiology of MV between 2008 and 2017. The 891 strains in the total period between 2008 and 2017 belonged to seven genotypes (D5, D4, D9, H1, G3, B3, and D8) and 124 different MV sequence variants, based on the 450-nucleotide sequence region of the N gene (N450). The 311 MV strains in the postelimination era between 2015 and 2017 were classified into 1, 7, 8, and 32 different N450 sequence variants in D9, H1, B3, and D8 genotypes, respectively. Analysis of the detection period of the individual N450 sequence variants showed that the majority of MV strains were detected only for a short period. However, MV strains, MVs/Osaka.JPN/29.15/ [D8] and MVi/Hulu Langat.MYS/26.11/ [D8], which are named strains designated by World Health Organization (WHO), have been detected in many cases over 2 or 3 years between 2015 and 2017. The WHO-named strains have circulated worldwide, causing outbreaks in many countries. Epidemiological investigation revealed repeated importation of these WHO-named strains into Japan. To demonstrate the elimination status (interruption of endemic transmission) in situations with repeated importation of the same strains is challenging. Nevertheless, the detailed sequence analysis of individual MV strains and chronological analysis of these strains provided sufficient evidence to show that Japan has still maintained its measles elimination status in 2017.

Background: The elderly population has been the primary target of intervention to prevent heat-related illnesses. According to the literature, the highest risks have been observed among the elderly in the temperature–mortality relationship. However, findings regarding the temperature–morbidity relationship are inconsistent. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association of temperature with ambulance dispatches due to acute illnesses, stratified by age group. Specifically, we explored the optimum temperature, at which the relative health risks were found to be the lowest, and quantified the health risk associated with higher temperatures among different age groups. Methods: We used the data for ambulance dispatches in Fukuoka, Japan, during May and September from 2005 to 2012. The data were grouped according to age in 20-year increments. We explored the pattern of the association of ambulance dispatches with temperature using a smoothing spline curve to identify the optimum temperature for each age group. Then, we applied a distributed lag nonlinear model to estimate the risks of the 85th–95th percentile temperature relative to the overall optimum temperature, for each age group. Results: The relative risk of ambulance dispatches at the 85th and 95th percentile temperature for all ages was 1.08 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.12] and 1.12 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.16), respectively. In comparison, among age groups, the optimum temperature was observed as 25.0°C, 23.2°C, and 25.3°C for those aged 0–19, 60–79, and ≥80, respectively. The optimum temperature could not be determined for those aged 20–39 and 40–59. The relative risks of high temperature tended to be higher for those aged 20–39 and 40–59 than those for other age groups. Conclusions: We did not find any definite difference in the effect of high temperature on ambulance dispatches for different age groups. However, more measures should be taken for younger and middle-aged people to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Family caregivers of patients with terminal-stage cancer have numerous roles as caregivers, which can influence their anticipatory grief. The purpose of this study was to clarify how talking to family caregivers of patients with terminal illness using the narrative approach can influence such caregivers’ process of anticipatory grief. We conducted the narrative approach as an intervention with two family caregivers several times and qualitatively analyzed their narratives. The results indicated that these family caregivers had two primary roles—family member and caregiver—and that family caregivers felt trapped in their caregiver role. The narrative approach helped them transition into the role needed for coping with the loss.

Patients with marked calcification of the basal ganglia and cerebellum have traditionally been referred to as having Fahr’s disease, but the nomenclature has been criticized for including heterogeneous etiology. We describe 3 patients with idiopathic bilateral striatopallidodentate calcinosis (IBSPDC). The patients were a 24-year-old man with mental deterioration, a 57-year-old man with parkinsonism and dementia, and a 76-year-old woman with dementia and mild parkinsonism. The former 2 patients showed severe calcification of the basal ganglia and cerebellum, and the latter patient showed severe calcification of the cerebellum. We found significantly increased levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg), using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the CSF of all these 3 patients. The increased levels of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mg reflect the involvement of metabolism of several metals and/or metal-binding proteins during the progression of IBSPDC. More numerous patients with IBSPDC should be examined in other races to clarify the common mechanism of the disease and to investigate the specific treatment.

A restauração de florestas ciliares temsido recomendada como a melhor estratégiavisando à proteção dos recursos hídricos e àrecuperação da biodiversidade. No entanto, quasenada se conhece sobre o papel hidrológico dasflorestas plantadas e seus efeitos protetores.O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisarcomparativamente alguns modelos de plantio demata ciliar em região de cerrado, para verificar sediferem quanto ao seu papel na interceptação daágua das chuvas e em sua influência na umidadedo solo, com reflexos sobre a função protetora dafloresta. Foram coletados, durante cinco meses,dados pluviométicos no interior de quatro modelosde plantio aos dezessete anos (um plantio mistocom espécies de cerrado e três plantios puros,com Pinus elliottii, Tapirira guianensis eAnadenanthera falcata) e em área aberta paracomparação. Para análises de umidade, foramcoletadas amostras compostas da camada superficialdo solo (0 a 20 cm) em cada uma das parcelas.Houve variação na porcentagem da água daschuvas interceptada pelas copas entre os diferentesmodelos, com o maior valor no plantio puro deTapirira guianensis (30,8%), espécie latifoliadaperenifólia e com a maior densidade de árvores.No outro extremo, o plantio de Anadenantherafalcata, uma espécie caducifólia de folhas muitopequenas, reteve apenas 12,5% da água daschuvas. A umidade do solo, como era esperado,foi inversamente proporcional à interceptação.Não se observou correlação entre a biomassaflorestal e a interceptação ou umidade do solo.Riparian forest restoration has beenreported as the most efficient strategy to protectwater resources and to recover biodiversity.However, few is known about the hydrologicalfunctioning of the planted forests and theirprotective effect. Some different riparian forestrestoration models were analized 17 years afterplanting, to verify the hypothesis that differentforest structure and composition are correlated todifferent hydrological processes. Rain interceptionalong five months and soil humidity (0-20 cm)were analyzed under a mixed stand with nativespecies, three pure stands (Pinus elliottii, Tapiriraguianensis and Anadenanthera falcata) and alsoin an open area (control). The highest interceptionrate (30.8%) was observed in the pure stand ofTapirira guianensis, which is evergreen and hasthe highest density. On the opposite, the deciduousstand of Anadenanthera falcata intercepted only12.5% of the precipitation. Soil humidity, as expected,was inversely proportional to the interception.No correlation was observed between basal area(biomass) and interception or soil humidity.

A restauração de florestas ciliares tem sido recomendada como a melhor estratégia visando à proteção dos recursos hídricos e à recuperação da biodiversidade. No entanto, quase nada se conhece sobre o papel hidrológico das florestas plantadas e seus efeitos protetores. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar comparativamente alguns modelos de plantio de mata ciliar em região de cerrado, para verificar se diferem quanto ao seu papel na interceptação da água das chuvas e em sua influência na umidade do solo, com reflexos sobre a função protetora da floresta. Foram coletados, durante cinco meses, dados pluviométicos no interior de quatro modelos de plantio aos dezessete anos (um plantio misto com espécies de cerrado e três plantios puros, com Pinus elliottii, Tapirira guianensis e Anadenanthera falcata) e em área aberta para comparação. Para análises de umidade, foram coletadas amostras compostas da camada superficial do solo (0 a 20 cm) em cada uma das parcelas. Houve variação na porcentagem da água das chuvas interceptada pelas copas entre os diferentes modelos, com o maior valor no plantio puro de Tapirira guianensis (30,8%), espécie latifoliada perenifólia e com a maior densidade de árvores. No outro extremo, o plantio de Anadenanthera falcata, uma espécie caducifólia de folhas muito pequenas, reteve apenas 12,5% da água das chuvas. A umidade do solo, como era esperado, foi inversamente proporcional à interceptação. Não se observou correlação entre a biomassa florestal e a interceptação ou umidade do solo.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de dois anos do monitoramento mensal das concentrações de sedimentos em suspensão, turbidez, cor aparente, oxigênio dissolvido e da temperatura das águas dos rios Paraibuna e Paraitinga, no Estado de São Paulo. Os valores médios encontrados para os dois rios foram, respectivamente - conyentração de sedimentos em suspensão: 13,0 mg.L- e 35,9 mgL1 ; turbidez: 20 FTU e 39 FTU; cor aparente: 95 UPC e 153 UPC; temperatura da água: l 7,2ºC e l 9,6ºC e oxigênio dissolvido: 9,3 mgL1 e 8,6 mg.L-1. Os maiores valores de sedimentos em suspensão, turbidez e cor na água do rio Paraitinga são indicadores de processos erosivos mais intensos nesta bacia hidrográfica. A diferença no uso e ocupação do solo é condição importante para estes resultados. A bacia hidrográfica do rio Paraitinga encontra-se ocupada majontariamente por pastagens desradadas, enquanto a bacia do rio Paraibuna esta melhor protegida por remanescentes de floresta natural. O clima mais quente, o maior tempo de residência da água na rede de canais da bacia e a ausência de matas ciliares contribuem para que as temperaturas da água sejam mais elevadas no rio Paraitinga. As maiores concentrações de oxigênio no rio Paraibuna são conseqüências das menores temperaturas da água e da maior capacidade de aeração, resultado de quedas d'água e corredeiras em grande quantidade ao longo do curso d'água.

RESUMO Embora exista uma crença generalizada de que plantar florestas aumenta a água dos rios e a quantidade de chuva, a ciência tem demonstrado que, na escala de microbacia hidrográfica: 1) a proporção da chuva anual que se torna recurso hídrico renovável é inversamente proporcional à biomassa arbórea e 2) mais floresta não significa mais chuva na mesma bacia. Ecossistemas naturais abertos como campos e savanas são, portanto, mais eficientes que florestas como geradores de recurso hídrico renovável e plantar árvores não aumenta a produção de água, embora melhore sua qualidade e contribua para regulação da vazão ao longo do ano. Uma vez preservados os ecossistemas naturais, adotar práticas de cultivo e conservação do solo que aumentem a infiltração da chuva em toda a bacia, trará contribuição maior do que o plantio de florestas para assegurar a vazão dos rios mesmo nos meses de estiagem, proporcionando os serviços ecossistêmicos dependentes dessa água.

ABSTRACT Competition for soil water is one of the major processes that drive the assembly of plant communities, particularly in regions subjected to long dry seasons. The relationship between plant density and soil water competition has strong, but poorly understood, practical implications for population dynamics, restoration and conservation. We planted seedlings of the pioneer legume tree Senegalia polyphylla in containers and assessed the effects of plant density on their resistance to water stress. We completely eliminated the above-ground parts (stem and shoots) of randomly selected plants at 60-days post-planting in order to create three different densities of seedlings. We saturated the soil of the remaining seedlings and then deprived them of additional water until all seedlings died. We assessed the time elapsed from water suppression to wilting and death of individual plants. We found a strong negative relationship between plant density and time to wilting or death. Seedlings survived water stress 80% longer when density was reduced by two-thirds. Planting in lower densities or reducing density by thinning should be considered as strategies to enhance resistance to water stress in drought-prone regions.