High Prevalence Of Exposure Research Articles

Exploring Therapeutic Nature-Based Programs for Individuals Who Have Experienced Trauma: A Scoping Review

With the high prevalence of exposure to traumatic events, therapeutic programs that are focused on the recovery of individuals who have experienced trauma is necessary. Nature-based recreation and leisure programs have been found to be helpful for supporting mental health and wellbeing and are increasingly being used in therapeutic contexts. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine current research on the use of therapeutic nature-based activities being employed to support the recovery of individuals who have experienced trauma. This review utilized an established framework for conducting scoping reviews and a modified thematic analysis to gather and interpret relevant data. There were 25 studies included in this review, with three overarching themes being identified: nature experiences providing opportunities for respite and reprieve from trauma symptoms; building and improving connections and relationships to others; and supporting the development of positive intrapersonal outcomes. Gaps in the literature include a need for more diversity in the types of traumas being researched, the need to report more detailed information on the practitioner backgrounds and qualifications, as well as more descriptive information on program design and activities used to provide more insight into how interventions are delivered. Findings of this review are useful for practitioners to better understand the use of therapeutic nature-based programs for individuals who have experienced trauma.

Employment Factors Associated With Long Working Hours in France

The objectives of the study were to explore the employment factors associated with long working hours, known as a risk factor for various health outcomes. The study relied on the national representative data of the 2013 French working conditions survey and a study sample of 23,378 full-time employees. Long working hours were defined by the threshold of 48 hours a week following the European Working Time Directive. The prevalence of long working hours was higher among men (13.5%) than among women (8.5%). Employees of the private sector, with permanent work contract, in small companies, and men in the services had a higher prevalence of exposure. This prevalence increased with educational and occupational levels. Our findings may help decision-makers to define preventive strategies. More research is needed to improve our knowledge of the employment factors associated with long working hours, as there may be strong differences between countries.

Vernonia amygdalina Extract Reverts Hematological and Biochemical Alterations in Rats Exposed to N-Nitroso-N-Ethyl Urea

Environmental carcinogens or exogenous carcinogens includes chemical, biological, and physical agents that have the potential to increase cancer risk because of prolonged high prevalence of exposure. Exposure can be through the respiratory, digestive, cutaneous or other possible contamination routes. N-Nitroso-N-ethyl urea (NEU), an ethylating agent has been described as a very potent transplacental teratogen and carcinogen in rodents. Plants have been investigated to protect against the effect of environmental carcinogens due to their arrays of phytochemicals. 35Female albino rats of average ages 10weeks were rats exposed to freshly prepared 3 fractionated doses of 50 mg/kg N-Nitroso-N-ethyl urea dissolved in 1/15 M phosphate buffer, given intraperitoneally and treated with varying concentrations of Vernonia amygdalina leaf aqueous extracts. At the end of the test period, hematological and biochemical parameters were determined in blood samples. Compared to the control group, the NEU exposed rats treated group showed significances in several hematological parameters, including decreases in white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), and platelet (PLT) counts. Furthermore, in comparison to the control group, the NEU exposed rats showed significantly (p<0.05) increased blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-cholesterol), triacylglycerols levels and igh density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) level. The hematological and biochemical parameters in the NEU exposed rats treated group were similar to control group. V. amygdalina extract significantly (P<0.05) restored the hematological and biochemical parameters in N-Nitroso-N-ethyl urea exposed rats

PREVALENCIJA RAZLIČITIH OBLIKA NASILJA NAD ROMKINJAMA U ROMSKIM OBITELJIMA U IZOLIRANIM ROMSKIM NASELJIMA NA PODRUČJU MEĐIMURSKE ŽUPANIJE

PREVALENCE OF DIFFERENT FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ROMA WOMEN IN ROMA FAMILIES IN ISOLATED ROMA SETTLEMENTS ON THE TERRITORY OF MEĐIMURJE COUNTY ABSTRACT The subject of the research was the prevalence of various forms of violence against Roma women living in isolated Roma settlements in Međimurje County. The research was conducted by one-time research on the type of so-called draft »cross-section« at one point in time (spring 2020.) by survey method and on a random, proportional, stratified sample of 350 Roma women from 12 isolated Roma settlements in Međimurje County. There was a very high prevalence of exposure to all forms of domestic violence against women among Romani women, with 69,1% of Romani women surveyed saying they had experienced at least one form of violence (physical, psychological, sexual, and/or economic) at least once in their lives. By analyzing the collected responses on exposure to certain forms from each of the four groups of violence, new variables were formed by isolating all those Roma women who at least once or more often over time, and at least once experienced at least one form from each violence group. 61.,7% of Romani women have been exposed to some form of psychological violence at least once in their lives, 50.,3% of Romani women have been exposed to some form of physical violence at least once in their lives, 22.,3% of Romani women have been exposed to some form of economic violence at least once in their lives and to some form of sexual violence have been exposed 17.,1% of Roma women have been exposed to some form of sexual violence. The results showed that Romani women are extremely vulnerable due to the presence of several risk factors that go far beyond belonging to an ethnic minority or any other minority group. Key words: Roma women; Međimurje; gender violence; violence against women.

Abstract 4221: Aflatoxin exposure in a population-based representative sample of adults in Mexico in 2018

Abstract Importance: Southern Mexico and Guatemala, together represent the region with the highest liver cancer burden in the Americas. There is a higher burden of liver cancer in rural regions in eastern and southern Mexico and remarkably there is an equal number of cases in men and women. Reasons for this increased burden are not clear, but previous studies of food samples have found that contamination of maize with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent liver carcinogen, is common in the region while HBV and HCV seroprevalence is less than 0.5%. Few examinations of AFB1 levels in persons have been conducted. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of exposure and circulating levels AFB1 in a representative sample of adults living in five regions across Mexico. Study Design: We randomly selected a subsample of 955 adults ≥40 years who participated in Mexico’s National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018 (ENSANUT). These residents were from five states in eastern and southern Mexico and all provided a venous blood sample. We assessed AFB1 levels as pg AFB1-lys/µL in serum using mass spectrometry. The limits of detection and quantification were both 0.010 pg/μL. Results: The mean age of participants was 56 years (± SD 11.7) and 54% were female. The overall prevalence of AFB1-lys detection was 92% (95% confidence intervals; 95%CI 88, 94%). The region with the lowest prevalence, 88% (95%CI 78, 94%), was Chiapas and the region with the highest prevalence was Veracruz 95% (95%CI 84, 98). Median AFB1 was 0.127 pg AFB1-lys/µL (interquartile range; IQR 0.054, 0.446) with a range from 0.066 (IQR, 0.033, 0.147) in Yucatán to 0.476 (IQR, 0.199, 1.355) in Veracruz. AFB1 exposure levels were higher in persons aged ≥60 years, men, and participants living in rural areas. We observed decreasing levels of AFB1 exposure with increasing socioeconomic status. Conclusions: In a representative sample of adults in eastern and southern Mexico we observed a high prevalence of exposure to AFB1. For certain regions, AFB1 levels are comparable to those in Guatemala. These results suggest that AFB1 may be related to the increased burden of liver cancer in eastern and southern Mexico. Citation Format: Adriana Monge, Katherine McGlynn, Luis Santiago-Ruiz, Jose Maria Remes-Troche, Karina Hernandez-Flores, Salvador Villapando-Hernandez, Martin Romero, John Groopman, Martin Lajous. Aflatoxin exposure in a population-based representative sample of adults in Mexico in 2018. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4221.

Exposure of reproductive-aged pregnant and nonpregnant women to common environmental pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals: A cross-sectional survey at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital

CONTEXT: Exposure to environmental pollutants (EP) and Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is associated with several general negative health effects which compromise women's reproductive health, maternal, and neonatal outcomes. Unfortunately, many nonpregnant and pregnant women are unaware of their active exposure to these potentially slow-acting toxic substances, EPs, and EDCs. At any stage of life, and in the long-term minute exposures, there is no established safe level of exposure to these substances. Due to the potentially harmful effects on women in general, and to the pregnant and her unborn child in particular, it is important to establish the prevalence of their exposure.AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude (prevalence) of exposure among nonpregnant and pregnant women aged 18–49 years to common EPs/EDCs such as bisphenol A, pesticides, phthalates, and perfluorinated compounds among others.SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study was conducted at the Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study participants were nonpregnant and pregnant women, with low-risk singleton pregnancy, and had a prenatal checkup and eventual delivery at the Philippine General Hospital. After consent, women were asked to answer a survey focused on their sociodemographics and frequency of exposure to EP- and EDC-containing items.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Null hypotheses were rejected at 0.05 α-level of significance. The computer software STATA 13.1 was used for data analysis.RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-nine survey responses by women were analyzed. Possible EDC-containing household items (carpets, linoleum, upholstered, and stain-resistant furniture) are more prevalent in the homes of pregnant women compared to nonpregnant women. Pregnant women are also exposed to wallpapers compared to nonpregnant individuals. Nonpregnant women were 1.5 times more exposed to lotions. Unexposure to hand sanitizers is 1.3 times higher among pregnant individuals.CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in the prevalence of exposure to household EDC-containing items between pregnant and nonpregnant women, with pregnant women having a higher prevalence of exposure.

Posttraumatic Stress, Alcohol Use, and Alcohol Use Motives among Non-Hispanic Black/African American College Students: The Role of Emotion Regulation

Objective The associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, alcohol use, and alcohol use motives are well-established. Emotion regulation difficulties have been implicated in the association between PTSD symptoms and alcohol use. A dearth of empirical work, however, has examined these associations among Black/African American college students, a population with high prevalence of exposure to potentially traumatic events, PTSD symptomatology, and alcohol-related consequences. Methods This study examined PTSD symptoms, emotion regulation difficulties, and alcohol use severity and motives among a sample of Black/African American trauma-exposed college students (N = 282; 77.4% identified as female; M age = 22.36, SD = 4.71). Results PTSD symptom severity was related to alcohol use and coping and conformity motives for alcohol use through heightened emotion regulation difficulties. Findings were significant above and beyond the effects of trauma load (i.e., number of potentially traumatic event types experienced). Conclusions This study extends past work to an understudied population and contributes to groundwork for culturally informed interventions.

Artificial Nails and Long-lasting Nail Polish in Danish Hairdressers: Self-use, Occupational Exposure and Related Eczema.

Artificial nail modelling systems (ANMS), encompassing artificial nails and long-lasting nail polish, are sources of acrylate exposure in beauticians and users of ANMS. Hairdressers' exposure to ANMS from self-use and occupational exposure is currently unknown. In 2020 a questionnaire was sent to all hairdressers graduating during 2008 to 2018 in Denmark (n = 4,830). Self-use of ANMS was reported by 87.6% of respondents (1,251/1,428), and application of ANMS to others was reported by 22.1% (316/1,428). Of these, application to others was performed in a salon by 37.1% (109/294), privately by 51.0% (150/294) and in both settings by 11.9% (35/294). Compliance with glove use was seen in 23.0% (67/291) among those applying ANMS to others. Among hairdressers exposed to ANMS, 4.3% (52/1,218) reported ANMS-related hand eczema. Being a trained beautician (adjusted odds ratio 3.26, 95% confidence interval 1.06-9.99) and having had a positive patch-test to acrylates (adjusted odds ratio 7.70, 95% confidence interval 1.44-41.13) were associated with ANMS-related hand dermatitis. In conclusion, hairdressers have a high prevalence of exposure to ANMS and ANMS-related hand dermatitis. Compliance with glove use when applying ANMS to others is poor. Patch-testing with acrylates is valuable in the diagnostic work-up of hand eczema in hairdressers.

Pre- and post-natal exposure of children to organophosphate flame retardants: A nationwide survey in France.

The use of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) has been on the rise ever since many brominated flame retardants were banned, back in the 2000s. The objectives of this study are to describe the pre- and post-natal exposure of children to OPFRs, and to explore their possible determinants. A total of 259 children aged 3.5years and 388 mothers from the French ELFE mother-child cohort were included. Both pre- and post-natal exposure to OPFRs were assessed, using OPFR concentrations in the hair of pregnant women (in 2011) and their 3.5-year-old children (in 2014-2015) for 15 OPFRs, of which 9 were detected in>20% hair samples. The highest geometric means for pre-natal exposure were 272ng/g for tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), 69.7ng/g for ng/g for triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and 54.4ng/g for tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP). The highest geometric means for post-natal exposure were 249.6ng/g for TCPP, 85.3ng/g for TDCPP and 83.8ng/g for 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP). Correlations were found between both pre-natal exposures, and between pre-and post-natal exposures. No correlation was however found between pre-and post-natal exposures for any given OPFR. Pre-natal exposure to the 9 OPFRs was associated with pre-natal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers 209 (BDE209), and 47 (BDE47). Maternal BMI was associated with pre-natal exposure to OPFRs other than TBEP. Home renovation work prior to birth was also associated with pre-natal exposure to OPFRs, with the exception of EHDPP, tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) and triethyl phosphate (TEP). Determinants of post-natal exposure appeared more disparate across OPFRs; although both the type of flooring in children's rooms and pre-natal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers seem to be associated with post-natal exposure. Lastly, higher socioeconomic status appeared to be associated with lower exposure for several (though not all) OPFRs. The high prevalence of exposure to OPFRs suggests the need for studies to assess the health effects of OPFRs exposure, particularly on children.

Differential fat accumulation in early adulthood according to adolescent-BMI and heavy metal exposure.

Heavy metals such as Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg) can affect adipose tissue mass and function. Considering the high prevalence of exposure to heavy metals and obesity in Mexico, we aim to examine if exposure to Pb and Hg in adolescence can modify how fat is accumulated in early adulthood. This study included 100 participants from the ELEMENT cohort in Mexico. Adolescent Pb and Hg blood levels were determined at 14-16 years. Age- and sex-specific adolescent BMI Z-scores were calculated. At early adulthood (21-22 years), fat accumulation measurements were performed (abdominal, subcutaneous, visceral, hepatic, and pancreatic fat). Linear regression models with an interaction between adolescent BMI Z-score and Pb or Hg levels were run for each adulthood fat accumulation outcome with normal BMI as reference. In adolescents with obesity compared to normal BMI, as Pb exposure increased, subcutaneous (p-interaction=0.088) and visceral (p-interaction<0.0001) fat accumulation increases. Meanwhile, Hg was associated with subcutaneous (p-interaction=0.027) and abdominal (p-interaction=0.022) fat deposition among adolescents with obesity. Heavy metal exposure in adolescence may alter how fat is accumulated in later periods of life.

Predictors of Secondhand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras.

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure poses risks to pregnant women and children. Though smoking among pregnant women in many low- and middle-income countries is low, exposure to SHS might be higher. We examined the prevalence and predictors of SHS among pregnant women from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. Postpartum women 18+ years old who completed pregnancy in past 5 years were surveyed in health care and community settings. Data for 1,081 women indicated low tobacco use (1.0%-3.7%), frequent exposure to active smokers (29.0%-34.0%), often being close enough to breathe others' smoke (49.4%-66.5%), and most having smoke-free home policies (70.8%-76.2%). Women reporting unintended pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 2.00) and alcohol consumption (aOR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.34, 2.77) were more likely to be close enough to breathe others' smoke. Women with health problems during pregnancy (aOR: 1.48 95% CI 1.07, 2.06) were more likely to have home smoking policies. Tobacco use was associated with all SHS exposure outcomes. SHS exposure was high during pregnancy; women with higher risk variables, that is, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and unintended pregnancy were more likely to be exposed. Addressing SHS exposure in pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries can improve maternal health outcomes in vulnerable populations. The study results suggest a cluster of multiple risk factors associated with a high prevalence of exposure to SHS among pregnant women in LIMCs from Latin America and Caribbean Region. Interventions, regulations, and policies need to address specific high-risk factors to change behaviors and improve maternal and child health outcomes especially in vulnerable populations.

Exposição ao nível insuficiente de exercício físico entre pessoas idosas durante o distanciamento físico decorrente da pandemia por covid-19

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence of exposure to insufficient levels of physical exercise among older adults during the period of physical distancing because of covid-19 and analyse associated factors in the Federal District, Brazil. Method This is an epidemiologic survey with cross-sectional design and sample representative of a Brazilian state (n=745 older adults). Data were collected through a computer-based questionnaire. The outcome variable was practice of physical exercises during physical distancing (≥2/week and ≥30 minutes). To analyse data, associative procedures (binary logistic regression) were used. Results The prevalence of exposure to insufficient levels of physical exercise was 42.8%, which was associated to lack of physical activity prior to physical distancing (p&lt;0,001), lack of online physical activity lessons (p&lt;0,001) and exposure to sedentary behaviour during physical distancing (p=0,005). Conclusion Physical distancing has resulted in high prevalence of exposure to insufficient levels of physical exercise among older people, which can have deleterious health effects. Measures are needed to guide this population on strategies to maintain active habits during similar periods.

Interferon gamma protective against Sarcocystis neurona encephalitis in susceptible murine model

Sarcocystis neurona is the predominant etiological agent of the infectious equine neurologic disease, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), which is prevalent in the United States. A wealth of knowledge about S. neurona biology and its life cycle has accumulated over the last several decades. However, much remains unknown about the aberrant equine host’s immune response to S. neurona and the relatively high prevalence of exposure to the protozoa but relatively infrequent occurrence of clinical neurologic disease. Mouse models simulating EPM are commonly used to study the disease due to numerous challenges associated with studying the disease in horses. The critical role of the cytokine, interferon gamma (IFNγ), in protection against S. neurona encephalitis has been well established as Ifnγ−/− mice are highly susceptible to S. neurona encephalitis. However, there are discrepancies in the literature regarding S. neurona disease susceptibility in lymphocyte deficient mice, lacking T-lymphocytes and their associated Ifnγ production. In the current study, we investigated S. neurona encephalitis susceptibility in 2 genetically different strains of lymphocyte null mice, C57Bl/6 (B6).scid and Balb/c.scid. The B6.scid mouse was determined to be susceptible to S. neurona encephalitis as 100 % of infected mice developed neurologic disease within 60 days post infection (DPI). The Balb/c.scid mouse was nearly disease resistant as only 10 % of mice developed neurologic disease 60 DPI. Encephalitis was histologically demonstrable and S. neurona was identified in cerebellar samples collected from B6.scid but absent in Balb/c.scid mice. To further investigate the importance of T-lymphocyte derived Ifnγ, T- lymphocytes were adoptively transferred into B6.scid mice. The adoptive transfer of Ifnγ competent T- lymphocytes offered complete protection against S. neurona encephalitis but transfer of Ifnγ deficient T- lymphocytes did not with 100 % of these recipient mice succumbing to S. neruona encephalitis. Histological analysis of collected cerebellar samples confirmed the presences of S. neurona and encephalitis in recipient mice that developed neurologic disease. These studies show that the background strain is critical in studying SCID susceptibility to S. neurona disease and suggest a protective role of Ifnγ producing T- lymphocytes in S. neurona encephalitis susceptible mice.

Prevalence of handheld laser device use, exposure and associated injury.

This study assessed the use of and exposure to handheld laser devices by Canadians and the potential associated health risks. The 2019 Canadian Community Health Survey collected data from 12,397 Canadians on the prevalence of handheld laser exposure or use, and associated eye or skin injuries. In 2019, an estimated 12.4% (95% CI: 11.4% to 13.4%) of Canadians reported using a handheld laser device or being exposed to its beam in the previous year, and those between the ages of 12 and 17 represented 30.5% (95% CI: 26.6% to 34.4%) of users. The highest laser device use or exposure was among those with a university education (13.8%; 95% CI: 11.8% to 15.8%), and a significant trend was found over income categories (p < 0.0001). The highest prevalence of exposure or use involved laser pointers (69.4%; 95% CI: 65.4% to 73.4%), followed by laser toys (38.5%; 95% CI: 34.6% to 42.5%), laser torches (8.2%; 95% CI: 6.1% to 10.4%) and-lastly-search-and-rescue lasers (0.8%E; 95% CI: 0.3% to 1.2%). Overall, 0.7%E (95% CI: 0.2% to 1.2%) of Canadians reported discomfort or injury in the past 12 months. One-quarter (27.9%; 95% CI: 23.8% to 31.9%) of users had a laser beam intentionally directed toward their eyes or skin. Most users did not buy the device (56.3%; 95% CI: 52.1% to 60.5%), while 40.5% (95% CI: 36.2% to 44.7%) purchased it at a Canadian retail store or online (3.8%E; 95% CI: 2.6% to 5.0%). The prevalence of handheld laser device use and beam exposure was 12.4% (95% CI: 11.4% to 13.4%), representing approximately 3.9 million Canadians. While the number of reported injuries was low, ongoing surveillance helps assess the effectiveness of current risk management approaches for laser products.

No Evidence of O'nyong-nyong Viremia among Children with Febrile Illness in Kenya (2015-2018).

O'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV) is a little-known arbovirus causing intermittent, yet explosive, outbreaks in Africa. It is closely related to chikungunya virus, an emerging infectious disease. O'nyong-nyong virus causes a self-limited illness characterized by bilateral polyarthritis, rash, low-grade fever, and lymphadenopathy. In 1959, an extensive outbreak of ONNV occurred in East Africa, and decades later, another large outbreak was documented in Uganda in 1996. Limited evidence for interepidemic transmission is available, although serologic studies indicate a high prevalence of exposure. 1,045 febrile child participants in western and coastal Kenya were tested for the presence of ONNV using a multiplexed real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR assay. More than half of the participants had malaria parasitemia, and there was no evidence of active ONNV viremia in these participants. Further work is required to better understand the interepidemic circulation of ONNV and to reconcile evidence of high serologic exposure to ONNV among individuals in East Africa.

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the Lockdown on the Health and Living Conditions of Undocumented Migrants and Migrants Undergoing Legal Status Regularization.

Introduction: Undocumented migrants are at high risk of adverse consequences during crises because of a lack of access to essential securities and sources of support. This study aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the health and living circumstances of precarious migrants in Switzerland and to assess whether those undergoing legal status regularization fared better than undocumented migrants.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted during the COVID-19 lockdown in April–May 2020. Undocumented and recently regularized migrants taking part in an ongoing cohort study were asked to respond to an online questionnaire. A subsample was selected to undergo semi-directed phone interviews.Results: Overall, 117 of the 379 (30.9%) cohort study participants responded to the questionnaire. Seventeen interviews were conducted. Migrants faced cumulative and rapidly progressive difficulties in essential life domains. As a consequence, they showed high prevalence of exposure to COVID-19, poor mental health along with frequent avoidance of health care. Moreover, the loss of working hours and the related income overlapped with frequent food and housing insecurity. Around one participant in four had experienced hunger. Despite these unmet needs, half of the participants had not sought external assistance for reasons that differ by legal status. Both groups felt that seeking assistance might represent a threat for the renewal or a future application for a residency permit. While documented migrants were less severely affected in some domains by having accumulated more reserves previously, they also frequently renounced to sources of support.Conclusions: The cumulated difficulties faced by migrants in this period of crisis and their limited search for assistance highlight the need to implement trust-building strategies to bridge the access gap to sources of support along with policies protecting them against the rapid loss of income, the risk of losing their residency permit and the exposure to multi-fold insecurities.

Air pollution and neurological development in children.

Pregnancy and early childhood are periods with high plasticity in neurological development. Environmental perturbations during these sensitive windows can have lifelong developmental consequences. This review summarizes key findings relevant to the effects of air pollution on neurological development. Mounting evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution, both during pregnancy and childhood, is associated with childhood developmental outcomes ranging from changes in brain structures to subclinical deficits in developmental test scores, and, ultimately, developmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders or autism spectrum disorders. Although the biological mechanisms of effects remain to be elucidated, multiple pathways are probably involved and include oxidative stress, inflammation, and/or endocrine disruption. Given the alarming global increase in developmental disorders in recent years, and increased human exposures to pollution, it is critical to reduce personal and community-level exposures through tight collaboration of interdisciplinary and multi-level bodies including community partners, physicians, industry partners, policy makers, public health practitioners, and researchers. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Exposure to air pollution is associated with a range of childhood developmental complications. Biological mechanisms may include oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption.

Urinary parabens and their mixture in relation to fecundability among a cohort of women with prior pregnancy loss

Background/Aim: Parabens are antimicrobial preservatives with widespread exposure, and may affect endocrine function. Few studies have evaluated their influence on fecundability. Our aim was to determine the association between parabens and fecundability among a cohort of women with one or two prior pregnancy losses who were trying to conceive. Methods: The EAGeR trial followed women who were trying to conceive for up to 6 cycles. Six parabens (benzyl, butyl, ethyl, heptyl, methyl, propyl) and four paraben metabolites (OH-methyl, OH-ethyl, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid [4-HB] and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid [3,4-DHB]) were measured as pools combining three consecutive days of spot urine samples, at baseline, from 1185 women. Urinary creatinine was measured on day 1 of the pool. Fecundability, defined as time to pregnancy, was measured as number of menstrual cycles to achieve hCG positive pregnancy. Fecundability odds ratios (FORs) were determined by discrete-time survival analysis to model the association between fecundability and each chemical, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, creatinine, nulliparity and smoking, and accounting for left truncation (time trying prior to study enrollment). Quantile g-computation was used to estimate the effect of increasing all parabens by one quantile, in relation to fecundability. Results: Parabens were weakly (ethyl:heptyl rho -0.04) to highly (propyl:methyl rho 0.82) correlated with each other. Results were largely null in single chemical models, for example, butyl paraben FOR=0.99, 95% CI 0.95-1.03, per 1-log unit increase. Propyl paraben was marginally associated with reduced fecundability (FOR=0.96, 95% CI 0.92-1.01) and heptyl paraben with increased fecundability (FOR=1.15, 95% CI 1.00-1.33). Together as a mixture, parabens were not associated with fecundability (FOR=0.91, 95% CI 0.77-1.08).Conclusion: In single chemical models and as a mixture, most parabens were not associated with fecundability. While this is reassuring, given the high exposure prevalence, future studies should consider mixtures across endocrine disrupting chemical classes.

Ambient ultrafine particle concentrations and incidence of childhood cancers

BackgroundAmbient air pollution has been associated with childhood cancer. However, little is known about the possible impact of ambient ultrafine particles (<0.1 μm) (UFPs) on childhood cancer incidence. ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the association between prenatal and childhood exposure to UFPs and development of childhood cancer. MethodsWe conducted a population-based cohort study of within-city spatiotemporal variations in ambient UFPs across the City of Toronto, Canada using 653,702 singleton live births occurring between April 1, 1998 and March 31, 2017. Incident cases of 13 subtypes of paediatric cancers among children up to age 14 were ascertained using a cancer registry. Associations between ambient air pollutant concentrations and childhood cancer incidence were estimated using random-effects Cox proportional hazards models. We investigated both single- and multi-pollutant models accounting for co-exposures to PM2.5 and NO2. ResultsA total of 1,066 childhood cancers were identified. We found that first trimester exposure to UFPs (Hazard Ratio (HR) per 10,000/cm3 increase = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03–1.22) was associated with overall cancer incidence diagnosed before 6 years of age after adjusting for PM2.5, NO2, and for personal and neighborhood-level covariates. Association between UFPs and overall cancer incidence exhibited a linear shape. No statistically significant associations were found for specific cancer subtypes. ConclusionAmbient UFPs may represent a previously unrecognized risk factor in the aetiology of cancers in children. Our findings reinforce the importance of conducting further research on the effects of UFPs given their high prevalence of exposure in urban areas.

Psychosocial Problems Faced by Nurses in Caring for Patients with COVID 19: A Phenomenology Study

Introduction: The high prevalence of exposure to corona virus among health workers has a psychosocial impact on nurses in charge of isolation wards specifically for COVID-19 patients. Therefore, this study aims to explore the psychosocial problems faced by nurses in the isolation wards of COVID-19 patients at the referral hospital in Medan.Methods: A qualitative study design with a phenomenological approach was used, and participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data was obtained from 10 of these participants working in isolation wards and providing direct care to patients infected with corona virus. This was carried out through an in-depth face-to-face interview using internet facilities and the data was analyzed using colaizzi method.Results: The result showed that caring for patients confirmed with COVID-19 is a new challenge for nurses and the increase in the number of patients and health workers exposed to the virus had a psychosocial impact on them. Therefore, three themes were produced in this study, namely: (1) feeling of anxiety (2) feeling uncomfortable (3) boredom and fatigue.Conclusion: It was discovered that treating patients confirmed with COVID-19 has a psychosocial impact on nurses in isolation rooms. Therefore, this impact in nurses should be a major concern to help them cope with psychosocial problems, which will enable them provide professional nursing care to patients with COVID-19.