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Objective: Spatial clustering of undervaccination leads to increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. We identified spatial clustering of undervaccination patterns among children aged <24 months in Montana., Methods: We used Montana's immunization information system data to analyze deidentified vaccination records of children aged <24 months born from January 2015 through November 2017. We measured 3 outcomes that were not mutually exclusive: not completing the combined 7-vaccine series by age 24 months, having an undervaccination pattern indicative of parental hesitancy, and having an undervaccination pattern indicative of structural barriers to timely vaccination. Using geomasked residential addresses, we conducted separate Bernoulli spatial scans with a randomization P  < .01 to identify spatial clusters consisting of ≥100 children for each outcome and calculated the relative risk of having the undervaccination pattern inside versus outside the cluster., Results: Of 31 201 children aged <24 months included in our study, 11 712 (37.5%) had not completed the combined 7-vaccine series by age 24 months, and we identified 5 spatial clusters of this outcome across Montana. We identified 4 clusters of undervaccination patterns indicative of parental vaccine hesitancy, all in western Montana. The cluster with the largest relative risk (2.3) had a radius of 23.7 kilometers (n = 762 children, P  < .001). We also identified 4 clusters of undervaccination patterns indicative of structural barriers, with 3 of the largest clusters in eastern Montana., Conclusion: In Montana, different strategies to increase routine and timely childhood vaccination are needed in distinct areas of this large and predominantly rural state. Immunization information system data can pinpoint areas where interventions to increase vaccination uptake are needed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Plastic additives have adverse effects on human health. Children frequently use toys that contain various substances found in paints, plasticizers, and other materials, which heighten the risk of specific chemical exposure. Infants are particularly prone to chemical exposure through the "mouthing" behavior because of the possibility of placing toys in their mouths. Thus, this vulnerability should be considered during risk assessments of chemical exposure., Methods: This study performed a comprehensive analysis of the chemical components in various 84 plastic toys including "designated toys" (toys that may be harmful to infant health if in contact with their mouths: Article 78 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Food Sanitation Law by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare) such as dolls, balls, blocks, bathing toys, toy vehicles, pacifiers, and household items, purchased in the Japanese market by nontargeted and targeted analysis., Results: Plasticizers, flame retardants, and fragrances were the main compounds in almost all the toy products. The results showed that plastic products made in China tended to contain high levels of phthalate esters. In particular, hazardous plasticizers, such as diisodecyl, di-n-octyl, and diisononyl phthalates were detected above the regulatory limit (0.1%) in used products manufactured before regulations were passed in Japan. Furthermore, we detected alternative plasticizers, such as acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC; 52%), diisononyl adipate (DINA; 50%), and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT; 40%). ATBC was detected at high concentrations in numerous toy products. Thus, infants with free access to indoor plastic toys might be exposed to these chemicals., Conclusions: This study observed that the chemical profiles of toy products were dependent on the year of manufacture. Furthermore, the detection of currently regulated plasticizers in secondhand products manufactured before regulations were enforced, along with the increasing trend of using alternative substances to regulated phthalate esters in products, suggests the potential exposure of infants to these plasticizers through the use of toys. Therefore, regular fact-finding surveys should continue to be conducted for the risk assessment and safety management of domestic toy products.

In this study, we measured suspended particle concentrations during the screening of 4D movies (3 screens and 15 movies) and 2D movies (9 screens and 9 movies) in 3 movie theaters to obtain a more detailed understanding of the situation of suspended particle concentrations and adherent bacterial flora in 4D movie theaters, which have been introduced in increasing numbers in recent years. The adherent bacterial flora on the floor and mist outlet surfaces in the 4D movie theaters were collected and analyzed. During the movie showings, the concentrations of suspended particles in 4D movie theaters were significantly higher than those in 2D movie theaters ( p < 0.001). A significant increase in suspended particle concentrations due to 4D movie effects was also observed. The results of the α-diversity and β-diversity analyses indicate that the bacterial flora on the surfaces of mist outlets in 4D movie theaters are similar. Moreover, there are many closely related species, and the bacterial flora are rich and contain rare bacterial species. Many of the bacterial genera that are dominant in 4D theaters are suited to aqueous environments, and bacteria in the water supply system may have an impact on the indoor environment.

Objectives: In the U.S., vaccination coverage is lower in rural versus urban areas. Spatial accessibility to immunization services has been a suspected risk factor for undervaccination in rural children. Our objective was to identify whether geographic factors, including driving distance to immunization providers, were associated with completion of recommended childhood vaccinations., Methods: We analyzed records from Montana's immunization information system for children born 2015-2017. Using geolocated address data, we calculated distance in road miles from children's residences to the nearest immunization provider. A multivariable log-linked binomial mixed model was used to identify factors associated with completion of the combined 7-vaccine series by age 24 months., Results: Among 26,085 children, 16,503 (63.3%) completed the combined 7-vaccine series by age 24 months. Distance to the nearest immunization provider ranged from 0 to 81.0 miles (median = 1.7; IQR = 3.2), with the majority (92.1%) of children living within 10 miles of a provider. Long distances (>10 miles) to providers had modest associations with not completing the combined 7-vaccine series (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-0.99). After adjustment for other factors, children living in rural areas (measured by rural-urban commuting area) were significantly less likely to have completed the combined 7-vaccine series than children in metropolitan areas (aPR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.85-0.92)., Conclusions: Long travel distances do not appear to be a major barrier to childhood vaccination in Montana. Other challenges, including limited resources for clinic-based strategies to promote timely vaccination and parental vaccine hesitancy, may have greater influence on rural childhood vaccination., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Circadian rhythms and progression of cell differentiation are closely coupled in multicellular organisms. However, whether establishment of circadian rhythms regulates cell differentiation or vice versa has not been elucidated due to technical limitations. Here, we exploit high cell fate plasticity of plant cells to perform single-cell RNA sequencing during the entire process of cell differentiation. By analyzing reconstructed actual time series of the differentiation processes at single-cell resolution using a method we developed (PeakMatch), we find that the expression profile of clock genes is changed prior to cell differentiation, including induction of the clock gene LUX ARRYTHMO (LUX). ChIP sequencing analysis reveals that LUX induction in early differentiating cells directly targets genes involved in cell-cycle progression to regulate cell differentiation. Taken together, these results not only reveal a guiding role of the plant circadian clock in cell differentiation but also provide an approach for time-series analysis at single-cell resolution., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Comprehensive estimates of vaccination coverage and timeliness of vaccine receipt among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children in the United States are lacking. This study's objectives were to quantify vaccination coverage and timeliness, as well as the proportion of children with specific undervaccination patterns, among AI/AN and non-Hispanic White (NHW) children ages 0-24 months in Montana, a large and primarily rural U.S. state. Data from Montana's immunization information system (IIS) for children born 2015-2017 were used to calculate days undervaccinated for all doses of seven recommended vaccine series. After stratifying by race/ethnicity, up-to-date coverage at key milestone ages and the proportion of children demonstrating specific patterns of undervaccination were reported. Among n = 3,630 AI/AN children, only 23.1% received all recommended vaccine doses on-time (i.e., zero days undervaccinated), compared to 40.4% of n = 18,022 NHW children (chi-square p < 0.001). A greater proportion of AI/AN children were delayed at each milestone age, resulting in lower overall combined 7-vaccine series completion, by age 24 months (AI/AN: 56.6%, NHW: 64.3%, chi-square p < 0.001). As compared with NHW children, a higher proportion of AI/AN children had undervaccination patterns suggestive of structural barriers to accessing immunization services and delayed starts to vaccination. More than three out of four AI/AN children experienced delays in vaccination or were missing doses needed to complete recommended vaccine series. Interventions to ensure on-time initiation of vaccine series at age 2 months, as well initiatives to encourage completion of multi-dose vaccine series, are needed to reduce immunization disparities and increase vaccination coverage among AI/AN children in Montana., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates are lower in rural versus urban areas of the United States. Our objective was to identify the types of vaccination clinic settings where missed opportunities for HPV vaccine series initiation most frequently occurred in Montana, a large, primary rural U.S. state. We analyzed a limited dataset from Montana's immunization information system for adolescents who turned 11 years old in 2014-2017. Vaccination visits where the HPV vaccine was due but not administered were missed opportunities. We compared missed opportunities across six types of clinic settings, and calculated adjusted relative risks (RR) using a generalized estimating equation model. Among n = 47,622 adolescents, 53.9% of 71,447 vaccination visits were missed opportunities. After adjusting for sex, age, and rurality of clinic location, receiving vaccines in public health departments was significantly associated with higher risk of missed opportunities (aRR = 1.25, 95% confidence interval = 1.22-1.27, vs. private clinics). Receipt of vaccines in Indian Health Services and Tribal clinics was associated with fewer missed opportunities (aRR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.69-0.75, vs. private clinics). Our results indicate the need for interventions to promote HPV vaccine uptake in public health departments, which are a critical source of immunization services in rural and medically underserved areas of the U.S.

Background: In recent years, heated tobacco products (HTPs), which are widely used in Japan, have been sold by various brands using additives such as flavors. It has been reported that the components of mainstream smoke are different from those of conventional cigarettes. In this study, we established an analytical method for furans and pyridines in the mainstream smoke, which are characteristic of HTPs and particularly harmful among the generated components, and investigated the amount of component to which the smokers are exposed., Methods: We established a simple analytical method for simultaneous analysis of gaseous and particulate compounds in the mainstream smoke of HTPs (IQOS, glo, ploom S) in Japan by combining a sorbent cartridge and glass fiber filter (Cambridge filter pad (CFP)). Both the sorbent cartridge and CFP were extracted using 2-propanol and analyzed via GC-MS/MS to determine the concentration of furans and pyridines generated from each HTP., Results: The results showed that the levels of target furans such as furfural, 2-furanmethanol, 2(5H)-furanone, and 5-methylfurfural tended to be higher in the mainstream smoke of glo than in standard cigarettes (3R4F). Pyridine, which is generated at a high level in 3R4F as a combustion component, and 4-ethenylpyridine (EP), which is a known marker of environmental tobacco smoke, were detected. Among these components, 2-furanmethanol and pyridine are classified as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Therefore, it is possible that they will contribute to the health effects caused by use of HTPs., Conclusions: Using the new collection and analytical method for furans and pyridines in the mainstream smoke of HTPs, the level of each compound to which smokers are exposed could be clarified. By comprehensively combining information on the amount of ingredients and toxicity, it will be possible to perform a more detailed calculation of the health risks of using HTPs. In addition, the components detected in this study may be the causative substances of indoor pollution through exhaled smoke and sidestream smoke; therefore, environmental research on the chemicals generated from HTPs would be warranted in future studies., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Early childhood vaccination rates are lower in rural areas than those in urban areas of the U.S. This study's objective is to quantify vaccine timeliness and the prevalence of undervaccination patterns in Montana and to measure the associations between timeliness and series completion by age 24 months., Methods: Using records from January 2015 to November 2019 in Montana's centralized immunization information system, days undervaccinated were calculated for the combined 7-vaccine series. Undervaccination patterns indicative of certain barriers to vaccination, including parental vaccine hesitancy, were identified. Using multivariable log-linked binomial regression, the association between timing of vaccine delay and not completing the combined 7-vaccine series by age 24 months was assessed. Analyses were conducted in March 2020-August 2020., Results: Among 31,422 children, 38.0% received all vaccine doses on time; 24.3% received all doses, but some were received late; and 37.7% had not completed the combined 7-vaccine series. Approximately 18.7% had an undervaccination pattern suggestive of parental vaccine hesitancy, and 19.7% started all series but were missing doses needed for multidose series completion. Although falling behind on vaccinations at any age was associated with failing to complete the combined 7-vaccine series, being late at age 12-15 months had the strongest association (adjusted prevalence ratio=3.73, 95% CI=3.56, 3.91) compared with being on time at age 12-15 months., Conclusions: Fewer than 2 in 5 Montana children were fully vaccinated on time for the combined 7-vaccine series. To increase vaccination rates, initiatives to increase vaccine confidence and remind parents to complete vaccine series are needed., (Copyright © 2021 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this study, we developed a novel method for the collection of gaseous and particulate isocyanates in the air using di-n-butylamine (DBA)-coated glass fiber filters and a cation-exchange column (GFF&#95;SCX-DBA) sampler. Our method showed acceptable linearity, accuracy, and precision in the analysis of eleven kinds of isocyanates (ICA, MIC, EIC, PIC, PHI, 1,6-HDI, 2,4-TDI, 2,6-TDI, trans-IPDI, cis-IPDI, and 4,4'-MDI). And, some of them were detected in the air at the plant manufacturing isocyanates and spray polyurethane foam. Actually, 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI (11,000 ± 6600 and 5800 ± 3500 ng/m 3 , respectively) were detected at much higher levels than others at the plant manufacturing isocyanates, and the levels of these isocyanates were comparable with those obtained by using the commercial sampler. Furthermore, PHI and 4,4'-MDI (5800 ± 470 and 3500 ± 1100 ng/m 3 , respectively) were detected at a relatively higher concentration than the others in the place of spray polyurethane foam. Through this study, we realized that the concentration of isocyanates in various working places could be analyzed using our GFF&#95;SCX-DBA sampler. This method makes it possible to perform a rapid and simplified extraction operation in a shorter time than in the commercial sampler by combining the GFF and SCX samplers.

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is a component of airborne particulate matter in urban areas. However, their toxicities remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the oxidative and inflammatory potency of SOA derived from three different volatile organic compounds (α-pinene, m-xylene, and trimethylbenzene) using human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and macrophages (U937). In BEAS-2B cells, all types of SOA extracts increased the expression of the heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) and interleukin-8 (IL8) genes, a typical marker for oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, respectively. Among the three types of SOA, m-xylene-derived SOA showed the strongest induction of the HMOX1 and IL8 genes, and transcriptional activity via the antioxidant response element (ARE). A causal candidate for SOA induction of oxidative stress is 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ) because only this quinone compound increased the transcriptional activity via ARE among components tested in this study. Similar to the case of BEAS-2B cells, SOA extracts increased the expression of HMOX1 and IL8 genes in U937 cells, mainly through oxidative stress, but these responses in U937 cells were prolonged when compared with BEAS-2B cells. Together, these results show that SOA affects lung epithelial cells and macrophages mainly through oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting their contribution to the development of respiratory diseases.

Isocyanates are harmful semi-volatile organic compounds that are emitted from various consumer products like polyurethane foam-based mattresses. Although it is a concern that isocyanates might accumulate in indoor dust, causing infants and toddlers, in particular, to be exposed to them, little information is available on the levels of isocyanates in the indoor environment. In this study, we investigated the suitability of an analytical method for determining the presence and level of isocyanates in the indoor dust. The method we developed displayed acceptable linearity, accuracy, and precision in the analysis of eleven different isocyanates. By using this analytical method, we could detect five isocyanates (ICA, MIC, EIC, PIC, and PHI) and quantify three isocyanates (MIC, EIC, and PHI) in indoor dust collected in different houses. This study is the first to focus on the pollution of indoor dust by isocyanates, and the tested method is suitable for the estimation of the level of isocyanate exposure. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Because of the health effects of secondhand smoke, the Japanese government is trying to establish an effective law for total avoidance of secondhand smoke in indoor environments for tobacco-free Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games 2020, as requested by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Meanwhile, Philip Morris International has begun selling a new heat-not-burn tobacco, iQOS, which it claims is designed not to produce secondhand smoke. There is little scientific data, however, of the hazards and toxicity of iQOS. In this study, we evaluated several harmful compounds (nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide (CO) and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs)) in the mainstream smoke and fillers of iQOS, and compared their concentrations with those from conventional combustion cigarettes. The concentrations of nicotine in tobacco fillers and the mainstream smoke of iQOS were almost the same as those of conventional combustion cigarettes, while the concentration of TSNAs was one fifth and CO was one hundredth of those of conventional combustion cigarettes. These toxic compounds are not completely removed from the mainstream smoke of iQOS, making it necessary to consider the health effects and regulation of iQOS.

Air pollution continues to increase in East Asia, particularly in China, and is considered to cause serious health problems. In this study, we investigated the toxicological properties of particulate matter ≤2.5mm (PM2.5) collected in an urban area in China (Shenyang), focusing on inflammation and oxidative stress tightly linked to respiratory diseases. Exposure to PM2.5 significantly increased the expression levels of inflammatory (interleukin-1β and cyclooxygenase-2) and oxidative stress (heme oxygenase1) genes in the mouse macrophages. PM2.5-caused inflammatory response was strongly suppressed by endotoxin neutralizer (polymyxin B) and knock-out of toll-like receptor 4, while oxidative stress was not. On the other hand, an antioxidant (N-acetylcystein) suppressed oxidative stress, but not inflammatory response. These results suggest that PM2.5 in the atmospheric environment of China causes inflammation and oxidative stress in macrophages via separate pathways., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Asian sand dust (ASD) is known to exacerbate asthma, although its mechanism is not yet well understood. In this study, when the effects on inflammatory response by LPS present in ASD was investigated by measuring the gene expression of cytokines and chemokines in RAW264.7 cells treated with ASD and/or polymyxin B (PMB), the ASD effects were attenuated by PMB, but not completely. When an in vitro study was performed using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from WT, TLR2(-/-), TLR4(-/-), and MyD88(-/-) BALB/c mice and BMDMs from WT, TLR2(-/-), TLR4(-/-), TLR2/4(-/-), TLR7/9(-/-), and MyD88(-/-) C57BL/6J mice, cytokine (IL-6, IL-12) production in BMDMs was higher in ASD-stimulated TLR2(-/-) cells than in TLR4(-/-) cells, whereas it was lower or undetectable in TLR2/4(-/-) and MyD88(-/-) cells. These results suggest that ASD causes cytokine production predominantly in a TLR4/MyD88-dependent pathway. When WT and TLRs 2(-/-), 4(-/-), and MyD88(-/-) BALB/c mice were intratracheally challenged with OVA and/or ASD, ASD caused exacerbation of lung eosinophilia along with Th2 cytokine and eosinophil-relevant chemokine production. Serum OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 similar to WT was observed in TLRs 2(-/-), 4(-/-) mice, but not in MyD88(-/-) mice. The Th2 responses in TLR2(-/-) mice were attenuated remarkably by PMB. These results indicate that ASD exacerbates lung eosinophilia in a MyD88-dependent pathway. TLRs 2 and 4 signaling may be important in the increase in lung eosinophilia. Also, the TLR4 ligand LPS and TLR2 ligand like β-glucan may be strong candidates for exacerbation of lung eosinophilia., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: In addition to some electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), new heat-not-burn tobacco products Ploom and iQOS have recently begun to be sold by tobacco companies. These products are regulated differently in Japan, depending on whether the contents are liquid or tobacco leaf. Our objective was to estimate percentages of awareness and use of e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products among the Japanese population, including minors., Design and Setting: An internet survey (randomly sampled research agency panellists) with a propensity score adjustment for "being a respondent in an internet survey" using a nationally representative sample in Japan., Participants: A total of 8240 respondents aged 15-69 years in 2015 (4084 men and 4156 women)., Measurements: Adjusted percentages of awareness and use of e-cigarettes (nicotine or non-nicotine e-cigarettes) and heat-not-burn products among total participants; product types and percentages ever used among e-cigarettes ever users., Findings: Of respondents in Japan, 48% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47-49] were aware of e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products, 6.6% (95% CI = 6.1-7.1) had ever used, 1.3% (95% CI = 1.0-1.5) had used in the last 30 days and 1.3% (95% CI = 1.1-1.6) had experience of > 50 sessions. Seventy-two per cent (95% CI = 69-76) of ever users used non-nicotine e-cigarettes, while 33% (95% CI = 30-37) of them used nicotine e-cigarettes, which has the majority share world-wide; 7.8% (95% CI = 5.5-10.0) and 8.4% (95% CI = 6.1-10.7) of them used the new devices, Ploom and iQOS, respectively, with a relatively higher percentage among the younger population., Conclusions: Approximately half the respondents in a Japanese internet survey were aware of e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products, 6.6% had ever used. More than 70% of ever users used non-nicotine e-cigarettes, the sale of which is not legally prohibited, even to minors, in Japan, and 33% of them used nicotine e-cigarettes; 3.5% of never smoking men and 1.3% of never smoking women had ever used e-cigarettes. Corresponding figures for use in the last 30 days were 0.6% and 0.3%, predominantly non-nicotine e-cigarettes., (© 2015 Society for the Study of Addiction.)

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is well known as a ligand binding transcription factor regulating various biological effects. Previously we have shown that long-term exposure to estrogen in breast cancer cells caused not only down regulation of estrogen receptor (ER) but also overexpression of AhR. The AhR interacts with several cell signaling pathways associated with induction of tyrosine kinases, cytokines and growth factors which may support the survival roles of AhR escaping from apoptosis elicited by a variety of apoptosis inducing agents in breast cancer. In this study, we studied the anti-apoptotic role of AhR in different breast cancer cells when apoptosis was induced by exposure to UV light and chemotherapeutic agents. Activation of AhR by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in AhR overexpressing breast cancer cells effectively suppressed the apoptotic response induced by UV-irradiation, doxorubicin, lapatinib and paclitaxel. The anti-apoptotic response of TCDD was uniformly antagonized by the treatment with 3'methoxy-4'nitroflavone (MNF), a specific antagonist of AhR. TCDD's survival action of apoptosis was accompanied with the induction of well-known inflammatory genes, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and NF-κB subunit RelB. Moreover, TCDD increased the activity of the immunosuppressive enzyme indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO), which metabolizes tryptophan to kynurenine (Kyn) and mediates tumor immunity. Kyn also acts as an AhR ligand like TCDD, and kyn induced an anti-apoptotic response in breast cancer cells. Accordingly, our present study suggests that AhR plays a pivotal role in the development of breast cancer via the suppression of apoptosis, and provides an idea that the use of AhR antagonists with chemotherapeutic agents may effectively synergize the elimination of breast cancer cells., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A nationwide survey of indoor air quality in Japan was conducted using four types of diffusive samplers. Gaseous chemical compounds such as carbonyls, volatile organic compounds (VOC), acid gases, basic gases, and ozone were measured in indoor and outdoor air of 602 houses throughout Japan in winter and summer. Four kinds of diffusive samplers were used in this study: DSD-BPE/DNPH packed with 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine and trans-1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylene coated silica for ozone and carbonyls; VOC-SD packed with Carboxen 564 particles for volatile organic compounds; DSD-TEA packed with triethanolamine impregnated silica for acid gases; and DSD-NH3 packed with phosphoric acid impregnated silica for basic gases. These samplers are small and lightweight and do not require a power source, hence, it was possible to obtain a large number of air samples via mail from throughout Japan. Almost all compounds in indoor air were present at higher levels in summer than in winter. In particular, formaldehyde, toluene, and ammonia were strongly dependent on temperature, and their levels increased with temperature. The nitrogen dioxide concentration in indoor air particularly increased only during winter and was well correlated with the formic acid concentration (correlation coefficient=0.959). Ozone concentrations in indoor air were extremely low compared with the outdoor concentrations. Ozone flowing from outdoor air may be decomposed quickly by chemical compounds in indoor air; therefore, it is suggested that the indoor/outdoor ratio of ozone represents the ventilation of the indoor environment., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a major concern, because people on average spend the vast majority of their time indoors and they are repeatedly exposed to indoor air pollutants. In this study, to assess indoor air quality in Chiba City, gaseous chemical compounds were surveyed using four types of diffusive sampler., Methods: Gaseous chemical compounds such as carbonyls, volatile organic compounds (VOC), acid gases, basic gases, and ozone were measured in indoor and outdoor air of 50 houses throughout Chiba City in winter and summer. Four types of diffusive sampler were used in this study: DSD-BPE/DNPH packed with 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine and trans-1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylene-coated silica for ozone and carbonyls; VOC-SD packed with Carboxen 564 particles for volatile organic compounds; DSD-TEA packed with triethanolamine-impregnated silica for acid gases; and DSD-NH3 packed with phosphoric acid-impregnated silica for basic gases., Results: Almost all compounds in indoor air were detected at higher concentrations in summer than in winter. However, the nitrogen dioxide concentration in indoor air particularly increased only in winter, which well correlated with the formic acid concentration (correlation coefficient=0.974). The compound with the highest concentrations in indoor air was p-dichlorobenzene, with recorded levels of 13,000 μg m(-3) in summer and 1,100 μg m(-3) in winter in indoor air., Conclusions: p-Dichlorobenzene in summer and nitrogen dioxide in winter are detected at markedly high concentrations. Pollution control and continuous monitoring of IAQ are indispensable for human health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) requires member countries to implement measures aimed at reducing the demand for tobacco products. FCTC article 11 describes the important forms of health communication and packaging regulations. And this article recommends on large pictorial health warnings and encourages more effective forms of disclosure on constituents and emissions. Furthermore, article 11 recognizes the importance of the package as a promotional vehicle for tobacco companies and requires the removal of potentially misleading packaging information, including the terms "light" and "mild." The Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted guidelines for implementation of article 11 on "Packaging and labelling of Tobacco Products". Some countries, such as Canada, the U.S.A., Australia, EU countries etc. positively promoted tobacco control by implementing countermeasures such as the graphic health warning labels and plain packages. These countermeasures showed the significant effects of decreasing smoking rate and preventing smoking initiation in young people. Furthermore, these warning labels were effective for the literally challenged. However, the Japanese government has not implemented these countermeasures, and only limited texts are shown on Japanese tobacco packaging. Therefore, Japan should emulate approaches taken by other countries, and promote the tobacco control policy in accordance with FCTC.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are advertised as being safer than tobacco cigarettes products as the chemical compounds inhaled from e-cigarettes are believed to be fewer and less toxic than those from tobacco cigarettes. Therefore, continuous careful monitoring and risk management of e-cigarettes should be implemented, with the aim of protecting and promoting public health worldwide. Moreover, basic scientific data are required for the regulation of e-cigarette. To date, there have been reports of many hazardous chemical compounds generated from e-cigarettes, particularly carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and glyoxal, which are often found in e-cigarette aerosols. These carbonyl compounds are incidentally generated by the oxidation of e-liquid (liquid in e-cigarette; glycerol and glycols) when the liquid comes in contact with the heated nichrome wire. The compositions and concentrations of these compounds vary depending on the type of e-liquid and the battery voltage. In some cases, extremely high concentrations of these carbonyl compounds are generated, and may contribute to various health effects. Suppliers, risk management organizations, and users of e-cigarettes should be aware of this phenomenon.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are included in various environmental pollutants such as airborne particles and have been reported to induce a variety of toxic effects. On the other hand, PAH derivatives are generated from PAHs both through chemical reaction in the atmosphere and metabolism in the body.PAH derivatives have become known for their specific toxicities such as estrogenic/antiestrogenic activities and oxidative stress, and correlations between the toxicities and structures of PAH derivatives have been shown in recent studies. These studies are indispensable for demonstrating the health effects of PAH derivatives, since they would contribute to the comprehensive toxicity prediction of many kinds of PAH derivatives.

We report concentrations, enrichment factors, and hazard indicators of 11 metals (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, In, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soil and dust surface matrices from formal and informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling sites around Metro Manila, the Philippines, referring to soil guidelines and previous data from various e-waste recycling sites in Asia. Surface dust from e-waste recycling sites had higher levels of metal contamination than surface soil. Comparison of formal and informal e-waste recycling sites (hereafter, "formal" and "informal") revealed differences in specific contaminants. Formal dust contained a mixture of serious pollutant metals (Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn) and Cd (polluted modestly), quite high enrichment metals (Ag and In), and crust-derived metals (As, Co, Fe, and Mn). For informal soil, concentration levels of specific metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were similar among Asian recycling sites. Formal dust had significantly higher hazardous risk than the other matrices (p<0.005), excluding informal dust (p=0.059, almost significant difference). Thus, workers exposed to formal dust should protect themselves from hazardous toxic metals (Pb and Cu). There is also a high health risk for children ingesting surface matrices from informal e-waste recycling sites., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are carcinogenic/mutagenic, are generated by combustion of fossil fuels and also released through tanker or oilfield accident to cause a large scale environmental pollution. PAHs concentration in China is especially high in East Asia because of many kinds of generation sources such as coal heating systems, vehicles and factories without exhaust gas/particulate treatment systems. So, the atmospheric pollution caused by PAHs in China has been seriously concerned from the view point of health effects. Like yellow sand and sulfur oxide, PAHs exhausted in China are also transported to Japan. Additionally, strongly mutagenic nitrated PAHs (NPAHs), estrogenic/antiestrogenic PAH hydroxides (PAHOHs) and reactive oxygen species-producing PAH quinones (PAHQs) are formed from PAHs by the chemical reaction during the transport. Furthermore these PAHOHs and PAHQs are produced by the metabolism in animal body. In the biological activities caused by the above PAH derivatives, the structure-activity relationship was observed. In this review, our recent results on the generation of PAH derivatives by atmospheric transport and metabolism are reported. Also, the existing condition of PAHs as atmospheric pollutants is considered.

Airborne particulate matters contain many kinds of organic pollutants. Among them, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAH) and quinoid PAHs were reported to have several human health effects. We collected airborne particulates in Kitakyushu, Japan and Tieling, China in summer and winter, and analyzed the PAH and NPAH to evaluate the direct- and indirect-acting mutagenicities and generating activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs in Tieling were much higher than in Kitakyushu, with seasonal variations. The mutagenicity level was higher in winter while the ROS generation activity was higher in summer. These results suggest that concentrations of PAH and NPAH didn't correlate with mutagenicity and ROS generation activity. More studies are needed on the environmental behaviors of compounds other than PAHs and NPAHs, such as quinoid PAHs, and their biological activities.

The relics of disrupted satellite galaxies have been found around the Milky Way and Andromeda, but direct evidence of a satellite galaxy in the early stages of disruption has remained elusive. We have discovered a dwarf satellite galaxy in the process of being torn apart by gravitational tidal forces as it merges with a larger galaxy's dark matter halo. Our results illustrate the morphological transformation of dwarf galaxies by tidal interaction and the continued buildup of galaxy halos.

Dwarf galaxies have attracted increased attention in recent years, because of their susceptibility to galaxy transformation processes within rich galaxy clusters. Direct evidence for these processes, however, has been difficult to obtain, with a small number of diffuse light trails and intra-cluster stars being the only signs of galaxy disruption. Furthermore, our current knowledge of dwarf galaxy populations may be very incomplete, because traditional galaxy surveys are insensitive to extremely diffuse or compact galaxies. Aware of these concerns, we recently undertook an all-object survey of the Fornax galaxy cluster. This revealed a new population of compact members, overlooked in previous conventional surveys. Here we demonstrate that these 'ultra-compact' dwarf galaxies are structurally and dynamically distinct from both globular star clusters and known types of dwarf galaxy, and thus represent a new class of dwarf galaxy. Our data are consistent with the interpretation that these are the remnant nuclei of disrupted dwarf galaxies, making them an easily observed tracer of galaxy disruption.

Motivated by the recently improved knowledge on the kinematic and chemical properties of the Galactic metal-poor stars, we present the numerical simulation for the formation of the Galactic stellar halo to interpret the observational results. As a model for the Galaxy contraction, we adopt the currently standard theory of galaxy formation based on the hierarchical assembly of the cold dark matter fluctuations. We find, for the simulated stars with &sqbl0;Fe&solm0;H&sqbr0;