Review
Environmental Sciences
Hamed Jalilian, Kamran Najafi, Yahya Khosravi, Martin Roosli
Summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis found a weak, significant association between occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and the risk of ALS, while no association was observed with electric shocks. High heterogeneity and potential publication bias should be considered when interpreting the results.
REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Benedetta Tafuri, Giammarco Milella, Marco Filardi, Alessia Giugno, Stefano Zoccolella, Ludovica Tamburrino, Valentina Gnoni, Daniele Urso, Roberto De Blasi, Salvatore Nigro, Giancarlo Logroscino
Summary: This study investigates the usefulness of radiomics analysis on T1-weighted MRI in diagnosing and phenotyping ALS patients. Machine learning algorithms were used to distinguish ALS patients from controls and Classic from non-Classical ALS motor phenotypes with high accuracy.
EXPERT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Andrea Bellavia, Aisha S. Dickerson, Ran S. Rotem, Johnni Hansen, Ole Gredal, Marc G. Weisskopf
Summary: This study evaluated the joint and interactive effects of multiple risk factors on ALS, identifying potential synergistic and antagonistic mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Wu, Angela M. Malek, Jeanine M. Buchanich, Vincent C. Arena, Judith R. Rager, Ravi K. Sharma, John E. Vena, Todd Bear, Evelyn O. Talbott
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for ALS and found that high exposure to vinyl chloride, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, cyanide, cadmium, and carbon disulfide was associated with an increased risk of ALS. Additionally, residential air selenium showed an inverse association with ALS, while exposure to organic/chlorinated solvents was associated with ALS. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing surveillance of potential exposures for at-risk populations.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2024)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Guoqiang Zhang, E. Meng, Xin Zhou
Summary: Studies examining the relationship between environmental and occupational solvent exposure and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have produced conflicting findings. This meta-analysis presents the results of a comprehensive review on the correlation between solvent exposure and ALS. Thirteen relevant studies were identified, including two cohort studies and 13 case-control studies, with a total of 6365 ALS cases and 173,321 controls. The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between solvent exposure and ALS, with an odds ratio of 1.31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.54) and moderate heterogeneity (I-2 = 59.7%; p = 0.002). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses supported these findings, and no publication bias was detected. These results emphasize the importance of environmental and occupational solvent exposure as a risk factor for ALS.
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tommaso Filippini, Elizabeth E. Hatch, Marco Vinceti
Summary: ALS is a neurodegenerative disease with a fatal prognosis and unknown etiology. Some environmental risk factors, including exposure to magnetic fields, have been suggested. Recent studies have shown positive associations in occupationally-exposed populations, but the link with residential exposure is still debated. Advanced biostatistical tools have found limited evidence of a small association between residential exposure to magnetic fields and ALS.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Philippe Corcia, Pascal Lejeune, Patrick Vourc'h, Stephane Beltran, Anne-Sophie Piegay, Helene Blasco, Vincent Meininger
Summary: This study characterized the prototypical phenotype of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with PFN1 mutations and identified clinical indications for testing mutations in this gene. The main clinical findings for familial ALS linked to PFN1 were identified as pedigrees with over five cases, an onset age around 50 years, onset in the lower limbs, and the absence of cognitive impairment. The similarities with other ALS mutations prompt a review of ALS classifications based on both phenotype and genotype.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Thomas H. Julian, Sarah Boddy, Mahjabin Islam, Julian Kurz, Katherine J. Whittaker, Tobias Moll, Calum Harvey, Sai Zhang, Michael P. Snyder, Christopher McDermott, Johnathan Cooper-Knock, Pamela J. Shaw
Summary: Mendelian randomization studies on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis show a causal link between blood lipids and the disease risk, while factors like smoking and immune function require further investigation for confirmation. The use of high methodological standards and replication across different datasets are essential for reliable results in Mendelian randomization studies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elin Roos, Sebastian K. T. S. Warmlander, Jeremy Meyer, Sabrina B. Sholts, Juri Jarvet, Astrid Graslund, Per M. Roos
Summary: A case study in Kenya suggests a potential causal relationship between systemic exposure to potassium permanganate and the development of ALS. Analysis confirmed the presence of manganese, a known neurotoxicant, in the patient's system, raising concerns about the neurotoxicity and exposure routes of manganese in relation to ALS development.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Nimeshan Geevasinga, Mehdi Van den Bos, Parvathi Menon, Steve Vucic
Summary: ALS is characterized by progressive dysfunction of upper and lower motor neurons, with clinical heterogeneity in various phenotypes including primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, and flail arm/leg phenotypes. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive tool to explore motor cortex function and cortical excitability, playing an important role in ALS diagnosis, pathogenesis, and insights gained from genetic and variant forms of the disease.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Hannah C. Timmins, Steve Vucic, Matthew C. Kiernan
Summary: Identification of upper motor neuron involvement is crucial for diagnosing ALS, but it is often difficult to detect in the early stages of the disease. Recent research has uncovered new pathophysiological processes and diagnostic tools, such as TMS, that may help in the detection and treatment of ALS. Advances in genetics have also changed the understanding of ALS and its relationship to other neurodegenerative disorders.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Can Cui, Jiangwei Sun, Kyla A. McKay, Caroline Ingre, Fang Fang
Summary: This systematic review investigated the association between medication use and ALS risk, and found no strong evidence linking any medication use with the risk of ALS.
Article
Neurosciences
Shuangwu Liu, Yuying Zhao, Qingguo Ren, Dong Zhang, Kai Shao, Pengfei Lin, Ying Yuan, Tingjun Dai, Yongqing Zhang, Ling Li, Wei Li, Peiyan Shan, Xiangshui Meng, Qian Wang, Chuanzhu Yan
Summary: This study investigated amygdala abnormalities in ALS patients, revealing distinct patterns at different clinical disease stages and highlighting their impact on anxiety and cognitive dysfunction.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Grace X. Chen, Andrea 't Mannetje, Jeroen Douwes, Leonard H. van den Berg, Neil Pearce, Hans Kromhout, Bill Glass, Naomi Brewer, Dave J. McLean
Summary: The study found that working near solar power poles in the sun can cause low-frequency electrical stimulation, premature exposure to solar electron fields may lead to premature release of toxins from plants and fresh produce. Short-term or high-intensity electrical field exposure can accelerate premature skull opening, non-solidification analog shrinking.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Philippe Corcia, Christian Lunetta, Philippe Couratier, Patrick Vourc'h, Marta Gromicho, Claude Desnuelle, Marie-Helene Soriani, Susana Pinto, Mamede de Carvalho
Summary: The study found that PLS and ALS cases occurred in nine families, generally among first-degree relatives. Patients with both diseases exhibited typical disease characteristics, and genetic studies revealed mutations in specific genes in some patients. These results strongly support a phenotypic continuum between PLS and ALS.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Bernice Scholten, Lutzen Portengen, Anjoeka Pronk, Rob Stierum, George S. Downward, Jelle Vlaanderen, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: This study evaluates the exposure-response curve for benzene and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by integrating data across multiple evidence bases and using Bayesian meta-regression models. The results suggest that integrating different types of data can provide more precise risk estimates, although the heterogeneity between studies hampers interpretation of the results.
CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Sara De Matteis, Debbie Jarvis, Lucy Darnton, Dario Consonni, Hans Kromhout, Sally Hutchings, Steven S. Sadhra, David Fishwick, Roel Vermeulen, Lesley Rushton, Paul Cullinan
Summary: This large population-based study found an association between occupational exposure to pesticides and risk of COPD. The risk was particularly pronounced among non-smokers and individuals without asthma.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Felix M. Onyije, Ann Olsson, Friederike Erdmann, Corrado Magnani, Eleni Petridou, Jacqueline Clavel, Lucia Miligi, Audrey Bonaventure, Daniela Ferrante, Sara Piro, Susan Peters, Roel Vermeulen, Hans Kromhout, Joachim Schuz
Summary: This study investigated the association between parental occupational exposures and the risk of childhood leukemia. The findings suggest a possible link between high paternal occupational exposure to crystalline silica and childhood leukemia. However, there were no significant associations observed for other occupational carcinogens. More research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the mechanistic pathways.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Thomas Behrens, Calvin Ge, Roel Vermeulen, Benjamin Kendzia, Ann Olsson, Joachim Schuez, Hans Kromhout, Beate Pesch, Susan Peters, Luetzen Portengen, Per Gustavsson, Dario Mirabelli, Pascal Guenel, Daniele Luce, Dario Consonni, Neil E. Caporaso, Maria Teresa Landi, John K. Field, Stefan Karrasch, Heinz-Erich Wichmann, Jack Siemiatycki, Marie-Elise Parent, Lorenzo Richiardi, Lorenzo Simonato, Karl-Heinz Joeckel, Wolfgang Ahrens, Hermann Pohlabeln, Guillermo Fernandez-Tardon, David Zaridze, John R. McLaughlin, Paul A. Demers, Beata Swiatkowska, Jolanta Lissowska, Tamas Pandics, Eleonora Fabianova, Dana Mates, Vladimir Bencko, Lenka Foretova, Vladimir Janout, Paolo Boffetta, Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Francesco Forastiere, Kurt Straif, Thomas Bruening
Summary: Limited evidence exists regarding the exposure-effect relationship between lung-cancer risk and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) or nickel. This study found that occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and nickel was associated with lung-cancer risks, particularly in men. In men, the highest quartile of cumulative exposure to CR(VI) and nickel were both significantly associated with increased odds ratios for lung cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hilde Ridderseth, Dagrun Slettebo Daltveit, Bjorg Eli Hollund, Jorunn Kirkeleit, Hans Kromhout, Kirsti Kruger, Kari Aasbo, Magne Bratveit
Summary: This study aimed to assess short-term benzene exposure from common work tasks on offshore installations in Norway and identify determinants of exposure. The highest exposure was observed during pipeline inspection gauge (PIG) operation, and task-based benzene exposure declined annually from 2002 to 2018.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pauline Kiss, Myrna M. T. de Rooij, Gerard H. Koppelman, Jolanda Boer, Judith M. Vonk, Roel Vermeulen, Lenny Hogerwerf, Hendrika A. M. Sterk, Anke Huss, Lidwien A. M. Smit, Ulrike Gehring
Summary: This study found that adolescents living closer to livestock farms had lower lung function compared to those living farther away. There is an association between closer proximity to farms and poorer lung function.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hicham Zilaout, Remko Houba, Hans Kromhout
Summary: This study examines long-term trends in the variability of occupational exposure, specifically respirable dust and respirable quartz concentrations within the European industrial minerals sector. The European Industrial Minerals Association's Dust Monitoring Program (IMA-DMP) collected approximately 40,000 personal full-shift measurements since 2000. The study found that day-to-day variability played a major role, with within-worker variability higher for respirable quartz than for respirable dust. Meanwhile, between-worker variability decreased over time, but within-worker variability showed downward and upward temporal trends for both respirable dust and respirable quartz concentrations.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2023)
News Item
Oncology
Russell C. Cattley, Hans Kromhout, Meng Sun, Erik J. Tokar, Mohamed A-E Abdallah, Alison K. Bauer, Kendra R. Broadwater, Laura Campo, Emanuela Corsini, Keith A. Houck, Gaku Ichihara, Michiharu Matsumoto, Simone Morais, Jaroslav Mraz, Tetsuo Nomiyama, Kristen Ryan, Huizhong Shen, Takeshi Toyoda, Kirsi Vahakangas, Marianna G. Yakubovskaya, Il Je Yu, Nathan L. DeBono, Aline de Conti, Fatiha El Ghissassi, Federica Madia, Heidi Mattock, Elisa Pasqual, Eero Suonio, Roland Wedekind, Lamia Benbrahim-Tallaa, Mary K. Schubauer-Berigan
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ioannis Basinas, Tuula Liukkonen, Torben Sigsgaard, Nils T. Andersen, Jesper M. Vestergaard, Karen S. Galea, Martie van Tongeren, Ruth Wiggans, Barbara Savary, Wijnand Eduard, Henrik A. Kolstad, Anne Vested, Hans Kromhout, Vivi Schluenssen
Summary: The study aimed to develop a multinational Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) for wood dust exposure in Northern and Central European countries. The results showed an annual decline of approximately 8% in wood dust exposure and significant differences in exposure levels between countries, with the highest levels in the United Kingdom. The jobs with the highest predicted exposure were floor layers and tile setters, wood-products machine operators, and building construction labourers.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2023)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Keneth Masis-Leandro, Hans Kromhout, Berna van Wendel de Joode
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Johanna Feary, Valentina Quintero-Santofimio, James Potts, Roel Vermeulen, Hans Kromhout, Ben Knox-Brown, Andre F. S. Amaral
Summary: This study examined the association between small airways obstruction (SAO) and occupational exposures using data from the UK Biobank. The results showed a relationship between SAO and occupational exposures.
Article
Oncology
Joanne Kim, Maria E. Leon, Leah H. Schinasi, Isabelle Baldi, Pierre Lebailly, Laura E. Beane Freeman, Karl-Christian Nordby, Gilles Ferro, Alain Monnereau, Maartje Brouwer, Kristina Kjaerheim, Jonathan N. Hofmann, Kurt Straif, Hans Kromhout, Joachim Schuz, Kayo Togawa
Summary: This study aimed to examine the association between pesticide use and Hodgkin lymphoma. The results from the analysis of data from three agricultural cohorts showed no significant association between any of the active ingredients or chemical groups studied and Hodgkin lymphoma incidence.
CANCER CAUSES & CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mariana Simoes, Roel Vermeulen, Luetzen Portengen, Nicole Janssen, Anke Huss
Summary: This study found that maternal residential exposure to certain pesticides, such as fluroxypyr-meptyl, linuron, glufosinate-ammonium, vinclozolin, and picoxystrobin, in rural areas of the Netherlands is associated with adverse birth outcomes, including longer gestational age, lower birth weight, and higher risk of being large for gestational age.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maxime Turuban, Hans Kromhout, Javier Vila, Miquel Vallbona-Vistos, Isabelle Baldi, Michelle C. Turner
Summary: Personal RF-EMF measurements were conducted among workers in various occupations in Spain and France. Overall, RF-EMF exposure exceeding 1% of the ICNIRP standards was infrequent, although intermittent exposures exceeding 100% were observed among workers in some occupations.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniella van de Langenberg, Jelle Vlaanderen, Nina Berentzen, Hans Kromhout, Roel Vermeulen
Summary: Night-shift work is associated with an increased risk of using sleep medication and melatonin, but not with suboptimal sleep duration and quality.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2023)
