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Highlights: [•] PAHs were detected in the cooking exhaust from the fat-rich food samples. [•] The major PAHs generated by grilling were phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene. [•] The percentage of 5- to 7-rings PAHs increased as the particle diameter decreased. [•] Most of PAHs generated were concentrated in particles with diameters of <0.43μm. [•] More than 90% of the PAHs emitted by grilling would reach the alveolar region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Graphene nanosheets were produced onto wire rods. [•] RGO and VACNT-O were evaluated and compared as supercapacitor electrode. [•] RGO and VACNT-O have structural and electrochemical properties quite similars. [•] The materials present good specific capacitance, energy storage and power delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives In Japan, approximately 7000 smear-positive tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported in 2014. According to the law, such patients must be isolated in a TB ward until they become at least sputum smear-negative. However, there are some recalcitrant patients who are difficult to isolate because of problematic behaviors. This study was conducted to characterize recalcitrant TB patients and determine why they left the hospitals and how they were followed up after they left. Study design Cross-sectional study. Methods We sent a self-administered questionnaire to the hospitals in Japan with over 11 TB isolation beds, asking about recalcitrant TB inpatients from April 2013 through March 2014, in terms of demographic information, the reasons why they left, and how they were followed up. Results A total of 38 recalcitrant patients were reported, of whom 15 (39.5%) self-discharged, eight (21.0%) were discharged, and 15 (39.5%) were transferred. Thirty-three (86.8%) were males. The main reason (52.6%) why the patients were considered recalcitrant was related to psychiatric problems. However, nine (23.6%) patients physically assaulted or insulted the staff members. Thirty-six (94.7%) were able to continue anti-TB treatment after they left the original hospital. Conclusion Although the number of recalcitrant TB patients who were abusive was small, there should be TB facilities with law enforcement officials readily available to enforce isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with a significant number of deaths. Much of the evidence associating air pollution with adverse effects is from North American and Europe, partially due to incomplete data in other regions limiting location specific examinations. The aim of the current paper is to leverage satellite derived air quality data to examine the relationship between ambient particulate matter and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Asia. Six cohorts from the Asia Cohort Consortium provided residential information for participants, recruited between 1991 and 2008, across six countries (Bangladesh, India, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). Ambient particulate material (PM 2·5) levels for the year of enrolment (or 1998 if enrolled earlier) were assigned utilizing satellite and sensor-based maps. Cox proportional models were used to examine the association between ambient air pollution and all-cause and cause-specific mortality (all cancer, lung cancer, cardiovascular and lung disease). Models were additionally adjusted for urbanicity (representing urban and built characteristics) and stratified by smoking status in secondary analyses. Country-specific findings were pooled via random-effects meta -analysis. More than 300,000 participants across six cohorts were included, representing more than 4-million-person years. A positive relationship was observed between a 5 µg/m (Dockery et al., 1993) increase in PM 2·5 and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1·06, 95 % CI: 0.99, 1·13). The additional adjustment for urbanicity resulted in increased associations between PM 2.5 and mortality outcomes, including all-cause mortality (1·04, 95 % CI: 0·97, 1·11). Results were generally similar regardless of whether one was a current, never, or ex-smoker. Using satellite and remote sensing technology we showed that associations between PM 2.5 and all-cause and cause-specific Hazard Ratios estimated are similar to those reported for U.S. and European cohorts. This project was supported by the Health Effects Institute. Grant number #4963-RFA/18–5. Specific funding support for individual cohorts is described in the Acknowledgements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]