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Background: The exposome is defined as the totality of environmental exposures from conception onwards. It calls for providing a holistic view of environmental exposures and their effects on human health by evaluating multiple environmental exposures simultaneously during critical periods of life. Objective: We evaluated the association of the urban exposome with birth weight. Methods: We estimated exposure to the urban exposome, including the built environment, air pollution, road traffic noise, meteorology, natural space, and road traffic (corresponding to 24 environmental indicators and 60 exposures) for nearly 32,000 pregnant women from six European birth cohorts. To evaluate associations with either continuous birth weight or term low birth weight (TLBW) risk, we primarily relied on the DeletionSubstitution-Addition (DSA) algorithm, which is an extension of the stepwise variable selection method. Second, we used an exposure- byexposure exposome-wide association studies (ExWAS) method accounting for multiple hypotheses testing to report associations not adjusted for co exposures. Results: The most consistent statistically significant associations were observed between increasing green space exposure estimated as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and increased birth weight and decreased TLBW risk. Furthermore, we observed statistically significant associations among presence of public bus line, land use Shannon's Evenness Index, and traffic density and birth weight in our DSA analysis. Conclusion: This investigation is the first large urban exposome study of birth weight that tests many environmental urban exposures. It confirmed previously reported associations for NDVI and generated new hypotheses for a number of built-environment exposures. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3971, Introduction The exposome is defined as the totality of environmental exposures from conception onwards (Wild 2005, 2012). This definition aims to provide a holistic view of environmental exposures and their [...]

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, neurodegenerative motor neuron disease. Although an early diagnosis is crucial to provide adequate care and improve survival, patients with ALS experience a significant diagnostic delay. This study aimed to use real-world data to describe the clinical profile and timing between symptom onset, diagnosis, and relevant outcomes in ALS. Retrospective and multicenter study in 5 representative hospitals and Primary Care services in the SESCAM Healthcare Network (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain). Using Natural Language Processing (NLP), the clinical information in electronic health records of all patients with ALS was extracted between January 2014 and December 2018. From a source population of all individuals attended in the participating hospitals, 250 ALS patients were identified (61.6% male, mean age 64.7 years). Of these, 64% had spinal and 36% bulbar ALS. For most defining symptoms, including dyspnea, dysarthria, dysphagia and fasciculations, the overall diagnostic delay from symptom onset was 11 (6–18) months. Prior to diagnosis, only 38.8% of patients had visited the neurologist. In a median post-diagnosis follow-up of 25 months, 52% underwent gastrostomy, 64% non-invasive ventilation, 16.4% tracheostomy, and 87.6% riluzole treatment; these were more commonly reported (all Ps < 0.05) and showed greater probability of occurrence (all Ps < 0.03) in bulbar ALS. Our results highlight the diagnostic delay in ALS and revealed differences in the clinical characteristics and occurrence of major disease-specific events across ALS subtypes. NLP holds great promise for its application in the wider context of rare neurological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on DNA sequences of fragments of the mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes we provide a first assessment of genetic variability of Iberian treefrog populations that have been historically allocated to Hyla arborea, partly as subspecies H. a. molleri. Our data from 147 specimens and 33 populations confirm strong divergence between these frogs and Central European H. arborea but relatively low differentiation across their range, supporting their status as a separate species, H. molleri. Preliminary phylogeographic data indicate a possible weak genetic differentiation of populations from the northern coast of the region of Galicia. We suggest inclusion of nuclear markers and an extension of the sampling into the coastal regions of Asturias and Cantabria, as well as the identification of the contact zone between H. molleri and H. arborea in either the Spanish Basque country or in France, as priorities for future research on this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic variability and the potential distribution under past (Last Glacial Maximum; LGM (MIROC and CCSM simulations)) and present conditions were studied for the anguid Hyalosaurus koellikeri, using analyses of two mitochondrial (ND1 and ND2) and one nuclear (PRLR) gene and species distribution modelling (SDM) including 19 geographical coordinates, covering most of its distribution range. Unexpectedly, the genetic results show that H. koellikeri presents a very low level of variability both in the mitochondrial and nuclear genes studied. The present predicted distribution of H. koellikeri revealed a large potential distribution in both north and eastwards directions, with suitable areas predicted in places where the species has never been reported before, as for instance the Rif Mountains in Morocco, as well as into most parts of northern Algeria and Tunisia. The LGM distribution is even larger compared to the present, with a continuous predicted distribution from Morocco to Tunisia, and even into Libya under the MIROC simulation. The results of the genetic and SDM analyses suggest that the now isolated populations from Debdou and Tlemcen have probably been in contact during the LGM, but its absence from both present and past predicted suitable areas is still a mystery. Hyalosaurus koellikeri depends mainly on closed deciduous forests (typically Cedrus atlantica and Quercus sp.) and open deciduous shrubland with high amounts of annual rainfall. The results of this study and the absence of recent sightings of the species outside the core distribution might indicate a regression of the species. Hence, a reevaluation of the conservation status of the species seems warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolving evidence suggests that vegetation surrounding schools is beneficial to children's academic performance, however vehicle emissions are adversely related. Little is known about concurrent impacts of vegetation and vehicle emissions on academic performance. This study examined associations of vegetation and vehicle emissions near urban Australian primary schools with children's academic performance. Vegetation within schoolyards and Euclidean buffers (100, 300 and 1000 m) was assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Weighted road density (WRD) was computed for each buffer as a vehicle emissions proxy. Cross-sectional associations and mediating pathways between vegetation and vehicle emissions and standardized average academic scores in Literacy (Reading, Writing, Language Conventions) and Mathematics for Grades 3 and 5 attending 3745 primary schools in urban areas (population ≥10,000) of Australia in 2018 were assessed using generalised linear models adjusted for school socio-educational status. Significant positive associations were found between vegetation and Reading in Grades 3 and 5, Mathematics in Grade 3 (all buffers), Writing in Grade 3 (100 and 300 m), and Language Conventions in Grades 3 and 5 (most buffers). Increased vehicle emissions were negatively associated with Reading and Mathematics in Grades 3 and 5 (most buffers), and Language Conventions in Grade 3 (300 and 1000 m) and Grade 5 (100–1000 m). Within 300 m, vehicle emissions partially mediated associations between vegetation with Mathematics in Grade 3 (proportion mediated, 21%), Reading and Language Conventions in Grade 5 (15%, 37% respectively). Our findings contribute to growing evidence that vegetation around primary schools is associated with higher achievement in Literacy and Mathematics, with partial mediation by vehicle emissions. Future studies should conduct on-site measurement of vehicle emissions and audit vegetation around schools to confirm findings and inform urban/school planners and school leaders on designing and modifying school environments to support learning. • Exposures were examined across diverse geographic and climatic regions of Australia. • Vegetation around schools was associated with literacy and mathematics scores. • Vehicle emissions were inversely associated with literacy and mathematics scores. • Vehicle emissions mediated some associations of vegetation with literacy and maths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]