Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Eric Garshick, Carrie A. Redlich, Anna Korpak, Andrew K. Timmons, Nicholas L. Smith, Karen Nakayama, Coleen P. Baird, Paul Ciminera, Farrah Kheradmand, Vincent S. Fan, Jaime E. Hart, Petros Koutrakis, Ware Kuschner, Octavian Ioachimescu, Michael Jerrett, Phillipe R. Montgrain, Susan P. Proctor, Emily S. Wan, Christine H. Wendt, Cherry Wongtrakool, Paul D. Blanc
Summary: Exposures to burn pit smoke and military occupational VGDF (dusts or fumes) during deployment were associated with an increased odds of chronic respiratory symptoms among US Veterans.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sashika D. Warnasuriya, Dhanushka Udayanga, Dimuthu S. Manamgoda, Charles Biles
Summary: Environmental bioindicators are species or communities used to assess the quality of the environment, and fungi are particularly important due to their wide distribution and sensitivity. This review explores the use of fungi as indicators to assess the quality of air, water, and soil. Fungi are utilized as tools for both biomonitoring and mycoremediation, and advancements in genetic engineering have further enhanced their application. Mycoindicators are emerging tools for early detection of environmental contaminants, supporting pollution mitigation efforts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christina M. Eckhardt, Haotian Wu
Summary: Inhaled environmental exposures from tobacco smoking and air pollution contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation in the lungs, accelerating lung aging and impairing critical repair mechanisms. Interventions to minimize exposure are crucial for improving lung health, while further research into therapies to prevent premature lung aging is needed.
CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Md Omar Faruque, Judith M. Vonk, Ute Bultmann, H. Marike Boezen
Summary: The study found an inverse association between airborne occupational exposures and inflammation at baseline, but no effect of occupational exposures on inflammation was found at follow-up. Further details of occupational exposures, such as duration and cumulative exposures, need to be included in future studies to investigate the relationship between airborne occupational exposures and inflammatory biomarkers.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2021)
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
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tyler J. S. Smith, Alexander P. Keil, Jessie P. Buckley
Summary: This review discusses how epidemiologic studies have used observational data to estimate the effects of potential interventions on early-life environmental exposures. The findings suggest a growing interest in estimating intervention effects on early-life environmental exposures, as they are directly related to possible public health actions. Future studies can link research questions to specific hypothetical interventions to build on existing work.
CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Md Omar Faruque, H. Marike Boezen, Hans Kromhout, Roel Vermeulen, Ute Bultmann, Judith M. Vonk
Summary: High exposure to biological dust was associated with a higher risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms, while high exposure to pesticides was associated with an increased risk of all respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction. Control measures should be implemented to reduce pesticide exposure among workers.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jianghong Liu, Lea Ghastine, Phoebe Um, Elizabeth Rovit, Tina Wu
Summary: Environmental exposures such as heavy metals, noise pollution, light pollution, second-hand smoke, and air pollution have been shown to have detrimental effects on various aspects of sleep health. While there is growing empirical evidence supporting the association between these exposures and sleep problems, the relationship between light exposure and sleep remains unclear and requires further investigation to elucidate the exact mechanisms of action.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie Kim, Hillary Hollinger, Elizabeth G. Radke
Summary: This study created a systematic evidence map of environmental epidemiological studies examining environmental contaminant exposures with 'omics to characterize the extent of available studies for future research needs. The study identified over 10,000 studies from scientific databases and 84 studies considered PECO-relevant after full-text review. Various contaminants were investigated in epidemiological studies that used epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Rebekah Boyd, Hannah McMullen, Halil Beqaj, David Kalfa
Summary: Congenital heart disease (CHD), the most common congenital abnormality, has unknown causes. Understanding the complex relationship between genetics and environmental exposures is crucial for studying the development of CHD. Previous population-level studies have focused on maternal environmental exposures, but few have investigated the interplay between multiple exposures. This review examines the literature on maternal and paternal prenatal exposures and proposes using the exposome framework to identify synergy between exposures. Mechanistic pathways linking prenatal environmental exposures to CHD development are also proposed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marine Savoure, Emeline Lequy, Jean Bousquet, Jie Chen, Kees de Hoogh, Marcel Goldberg, Danielle Vienneau, Marie Zins, Rachel Nadif, Benedicte Jacquemin
Summary: The study found that long-term residential exposure to PM2.5, BC, and NO2 was significantly associated with an increase in the prevalence of current rhinitis in French adults. Among air pollutants, BC may be of particular interest in relation to rhinitis.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pieter Coenen, Henk F. van der Molen
Summary: This systematic review with meta-analysis identified various work-related exposures associated with PTSD, mainly involving individuals in the military and first responder occupations. The study quantified the contribution of these exposures to PTSD and highlighted the importance of developing preventive interventions and occupational health guidelines.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guoao Li, Jianjun Liu, Huanhuan Lu, Wenlei Hu, Mingjun Hu, Jialiu He, Wanjun Yang, Zhenyu Zhu, Jinliang Zhu, Hanshuang Zhang, Huanhuan Zhao, Fen Huang
Summary: This study aimed to explore individual air pollution exposure evaluation and the association between multiple environmental factors and obesity among adult residents in rural areas of China. The results showed that air pollution was positively associated with obesity, while green space had a protective effect on obesity. The study suggested improving air quality and increasing green space to alleviate the burden of disease caused by obesity.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Haotian Wu, Christina M. M. Eckhardt, Andrea A. A. Baccarelli
Summary: A substantial proportion of disease risk for common complex disorders is attributable to environmental exposures and pollutants. Recent research has shown the impact of environmental pollutants on the human genome and epigenome through epigenetic modifications. Furthermore, other molecular processes, such as the production of extracellular vesicles, epitranscriptomic changes, and mitochondrial changes, have also been identified as mechanisms through which the environment can exert its effects.
NATURE REVIEWS GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tanmoy Mondal, Christopher A. Loffredo, Tomas Trnovec, Lubica Palkovicova Murinova, Zarish Noreen, Thomas Nnanabu, Kamil Conka, Beata Drobna, Somiranjan Ghosh
Summary: This study investigates the effects of early-life PCB exposures on gene expression in young children. The results indicate significant alterations in several pathogenetic pathways, with an overall downregulation of selected genes. The downregulation of the LEPR gene is directly correlated with exposure variables, while gender and ethnicity also influence gene expression. This research highlights the importance of biomarker-based approaches in studying the genetic susceptibility to the effects of PCBs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Assiya Kussainova, Olga Bulgakova, Akmaral Aripova, Zumama Khalid, Rakhmetkazhi Bersimbaev, Alberto Izzotti
Summary: This review discusses the role of mitochondrial miRNAs in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, with a particular focus on their association with radon exposure.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alessandra Pulliero, Deborah Traversi, Elena Franchitti, Martina Barchitta, Alberto Izzotti, Antonella Agodi
Summary: Environmental pollutants can affect the diversity of microbiota, which has significant implications for overall organism health. Changes in microbiota are associated with the progression of diseases in high-risk individuals, and epigenetic modifications are influenced by microbiota metabolites. Monitoring environmental stimuli to maintain a balanced microbiota presents a novel approach for disease prevention.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Giuseppe Valacchi, Erika Pambianchi, Simona Coco, Alessandra Pulliero, Alberto Izzotti
Summary: Epigenetic alterations are important in carcinogenesis, with microRNAs playing a role in protecting cells against genotoxic damages. While the effects of environmental pollutants on lung tissue have been well investigated, more research is needed to understand their impact on skin tissue. Our study found that exposure to diesel fumes, ozone, and UV light caused specific patterns of microRNA alterations in skin, with each pollutant affecting different cellular mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessandra Pulliero, Simona Iodice, Angela Cecilia Pesatori, Luisella Vigna, Zumama Khalid, Valentina Bollati, Alberto Izzotti
Summary: The study found an inverse association between long-term PM10 exposure and DNA adduct levels in adults with an unhealthy BMI, possibly due to an atypical reaction to airborne pollutants in this population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. De Angelis, A. Piciocchi, M. Bugani, S. Rossi, M. Lastilla, R. Vento, A. Autore, N. Sebastiani, S. Palomba, V. Manno, S. Battilomo, S. Belmonte, A. Pulliero, A. Izzotti
Summary: The study found that the mortality and hospitalization risks of Italian soldiers deployed in Iraq were lower compared to the general population, and there was no correlation between cancer occurrence and biomonitoring markers.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Fabio Girardi, Veronica Di Carlo, Charles Stiller, Gemma Gatta, Ryan R. Woods, Otto Visser, Brigitte Lacour, Thomas C. Tucker, Michel P. Coleman, Claudia Allemani
Summary: This study provides comprehensive data on global trends in population-based survival for childhood brain tumors. The researchers used a revised version of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer and estimated survival rates for different histology groups. The findings have important implications for public health.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Alberto Izzotti
Article
Oncology
Elena Demuru, Silvia Rossi, Leonardo Ventura, Luigino Dal Maso, Stefano Guzzinati, Alexander Katalinic, Sebastien Lamy, Valerie Jooste, Corrado Di Benedetto, Roberta De Angelis
Summary: Comparable indicators on complete cancer prevalence are needed in Europe. Two alternative approaches, empirical indices derived from European registries and pre-calculated indices derived from US-SEER cancer registries, were compared to standard estimates using data from 62 registries in 27 countries. Empirical estimates differ little from standard estimates for elderly-diagnosed tumors, but may underestimate complete prevalence for early-onset cancers. SEER estimates are comparable to standard ones for most cancers, even derived from short time series, but longer observations are needed for certain cancers with remarkable differences in incidence and prognosis between European and US populations.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Federica Toffolutti, Stefano Guzzinati, Angela De Paoli, Silvia Francisci, Roberta De Angelis, Emanuele Crocetti, Laura Botta, Silvia Rossi, Sandra Mallone, Manuel Zorzi, Gianfranco Manneschi, Ettore Bidoli, Alessandra Ravaioli, Francesco Cuccaro, Enrica Migliore, Antonella Puppo, Margherita Ferrante, Cinzia Gasparotti, Maria Gambino, Giuliano Carrozzi, Fabrizio Stracci, Maria Michiara, Rossella Cavallo, Walter Mazzucco, Mario Fusco, Paola Ballotari, Giuseppe Sampietro, Stefano Ferretti, Lucia Mangone, Roberto Vito Rizzello, Michael Mian, Giuseppe Cascone, Lorenza Boschetti, Rocco Galasso, Daniela Piras, Maria Teresa Pesce, Francesca Bella, Pietro Seghini, Anna Clara Fanetti, Pasquala Pinna, Diego Serraino, Luigino Dal Maso
Summary: This study utilized national cancer registry data to calculate limited duration prevalence and estimate indicators of cancer cure. The results showed disparities in the cure rates and prevalence between male and female patients, with relatively high cure rates for certain common types of cancer.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Irena Velkova, Martina Pasino, Zumama Khalid, Paola Menichini, Emanuele Martorana, Alberto Izzotti, Alessandra Pulliero
Summary: Ferroptosis is a cell death pathway triggered by an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant production, which plays an emerging role in tumorigenesis. It is regulated at three levels: iron metabolism, the antioxidant response, and lipid metabolism. Epigenetic dysregulation, involving microRNA mutations, is a hallmark of human cancer, and microRNAs have been found to modulate cancer growth and development through the ferroptosis pathway. This review summarizes the mechanism of ferroptosis initiation, the potential role of microRNAs in controlling this process, and the impact of treatments on ferroptosis in cancer.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Serena Varesano, Alessandra Pulliero, Emanuele Martorana, Gabriele Pizzino, Gabriele Raciti, Simona Coco, Valerio Gaetano Vellone, Alberto Izzotti
Summary: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44, affecting more than 500,000 women each year. The aim of the proposed study is to implement routine diagnostics of HPV precancerous cervical lesions by introducing new molecular diagnostic tools. MicroRNA analysis panel can improve early diagnosis, understand the nature of the lesion, and improve the clinical management of patients with HPV precancerous cervical lesions.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Patrizia Spigaglia, Fabrizio Barbanti, Elena Angela Pia Germinario, Enrico Maria Criscuolo, Giovanni Bruno, Lupe Sanchez-Mete, Barbara Porowska, Vittoria Stigliano, Fabio Accarpio, Andrea Oddi, Ilaria Zingale, Silvia Rossi, Roberta De Angelis, Alessia Fabbri
Summary: This study analyzed enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) isolates from colorectal biopsies of individuals with colorectal cancer (CRC), pre-cancerous lesions (pre-CRC), or healthy intestines, and evaluated environmental factors that could contribute to CRC development and affect gut microbiota composition. The study found that a particular ETBF type, denominated C, was prevalent in pre-CRC patients, while a different type, denominated F, was detected in a CRC patient. ETBF isolates from pre-CRC or CRC patients exhibited a specific pattern of the B. fragilis pathogenicity island (BFPAI) region and showed higher antibiotic resistance compared to isolates from healthy individuals.
