Long-term Exposure Research Articles

Assessment of long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution: An exposure framework.

Exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with morbidity and mortality, making it an important public health concern. Emissions from motorized traffic are a common source of air pollution but evaluating the contribution of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) emissions to health risks is challenging because it is difficult to disentangle the contribution of individual air pollution sources to exposure contrasts in an epidemiological study. This paper describes a new framework to identify whether air pollution differences reflect contrasts in TRAP exposures. Because no commonly measured pollutant is entirely specific to on-road motor vehicles, this exposure framework combined information on pollutants, spatial scale (i.e., geographic extent), and exposure assessment methods and their spatial scale to determine whether the estimated effect of air pollution in a given study was related to differences in TRAP. The exposure framework extended beyond the near-road environment to include differences in exposure to TRAP at neighborhood resolution ( ≤ 5 km) across urban, regional, and national scales. It also embedded a stricter set of criteria to identify studies that provided the strongest evidence that exposure contrasts were related to differences in traffic emissions. Application of the framework to the transparent selection of epidemiological studies for a systematic review produced insights on assessing and improving comparability of TRAP exposure measures, particularly for indirect measures such as distances from roads. It also highlighted study design challenges related to the duration of measurements and the structure of epidemiological models. This manuscript describes a new exposure framework to identify studies of traffic-related air pollution, a case study of its application in an HEI systematic review, and its implications for exposure science and air pollution epidemiology experts. It identifies challenges and provides recommendations for the field going forward. It is important to bring this information to the attention of researchers in air pollution exposure science and epidemiology because applying the broader lessons learned will improve the conduct and reporting of studies going forward.

Effects of exposure to outdoor light at night on blood lipids in China: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Previous studies have reported that a potential association between exposure to outdoor light at night (LAN) and diseases. However, there is no evidence regarding the impacts of outdoor LAN exposure on lipid metabolism in humans. This study aims to evaluate the associations between outdoor LAN exposure and the prevalence of dyslipidemia, using a nationwide sample of 10,894 adults aged ≥ 45 years from 150 investigated sites across China in 2011-2012. Outdoor LAN exposure was assessed by using satellite imaging data. The prevalence ratio (PR) was calculated. The present study found that a per-quintile LAN exposure was positively associated with the prevalence of high LDL-cholesterol (PR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04-1.16), high triglyceride (PR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03-1.12), low HDL-cholesterol (PR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.08-1.16), and dyslipidemia (PR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03-1.09). The fifth quintile of LAN exposure was associated with a significantly increased prevalence of dyslipidemia (PR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.07-1.35) compared with the first quintile of exposure. Long-term exposure to outdoor LAN was positively associated with dyslipidemia prevalence. Public policies aimed at reducing light pollution at night, guided by the spatial distribution patterns, could lessen the adverse effects.

Micro-structure and Macro-performance: Surface Layer Evolution of Concrete under Long-term Exposure in Harsh Plateau Climate

Micro-structure and Macro-performance: Surface Layer Evolution of Concrete under Long-term Exposure in Harsh Plateau Climate

Cotranscriptional splicing is required in the cold to produce COOLAIR isoforms that repress Arabidopsis FLC

Plants use seasonal cold to time the transition to reproductive development. Short- and long-term cold exposure is registered via parallel transcriptional shutdown and Polycomb-dependent epigenetic silencing of the Arabidopsis thaliana major flowering repressor locus FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). The cold-induced antisense transcripts (COOLAIR) determine the dynamics of FLC transcriptional shutdown, but the thermosensory mechanisms are still unresolved. Here, through a forward genetic screen, we identify a mutation that perturbs cold-induced COOLAIR expression and FLC repression. The mutation is a hypomorphic allele of SUPPRESSORS OF MEC-8 AND UNC-52 1 (SMU1), a conserved subunit of the spliceosomal B complex. SMU1 interacts in vivo with the proximal region of nascent COOLAIR and RNA 3' processing/cotranscriptional regulators and enhances COOLAIR proximal intron splicing to promote specific COOLAIR isoforms. SMU1 also interacts with ELF7, an RNA Polymerase II Associated Factor (Paf1) component and limits COOLAIR transcription. Cold thus changes cotranscriptional splicing/RNA Pol II functionality in an SMU1-dependent mechanism to promote two different isoforms of COOLAIR that lead to reduced FLC transcription. Such cotranscriptional mechanisms are emerging as important regulators underlying plasticity in gene expression.

Long-term exposure to ambient benzene and brain disorders among urban adults

Long-term exposure to ambient benzene and brain disorders among urban adults

Exposure to air pollution and non-neoplastic digestive system diseases: findings from the China health and retirement longitudinal study

ObjectivesIncreasing concern about air pollution’s impact on public health underscores the need to understand its effects on non-neoplastic digestive system diseases (NNDSD). This study explores the link between air pollution and NNDSD in China.MethodsWe conducted a national cross-sectional study using 2015 data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), involving 13,046 Chinese adults aged 45 and above from 28 provinces. Satellite-based spatiotemporal models estimated participants’ exposure to ambient particulate matter (3-year average). An analysis of logistic regression models was conducted to estimate the association between air pollutants [particulate matter with a diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) or ≤10 μm (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO)] and NNDSD. Interaction analyses were conducted to examine potential modifiers of these associations.ResultsThe prevalence of NNDSD among participants was 26.29%. After adjusted for multivariate factors, we observed a 6% [odd ratio (OR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94, 1.19], 23% (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.38), 26% (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.41), 30% (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.46), 13% (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.27) and 27% (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.43) increase in NNDSD risk with an interquartile range increase in PM2.5 (23.36 μg/m3), PM10 (50.33 μg/m3), SO2 (17.27 μg/m3), NO2 (14.75 μg/m3), O3 (10.80 μg/m3), and CO (0.42 mg/m3), respectively. Interaction analyses showed that PM2.5, SO2, and O3 had stronger effects on NNDSD risk among older adults, highly educated individuals, smokers, and married people, respectively.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that long-term exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, O3, and CO is positively associated with NNDSD risk in Chinese adults aged 45 and above. Implementing intervention strategies to enhance air quality is essential for reducing the burden of NNDSD.

Collembola growth in heavy metal-contaminated soils.

Collembola play a key role in soil ecosystems by decomposing organic matter. Most of them inhabit the upper layers of the soil and are susceptible to contamination present in the pore water. These arthropods serve as model organisms in ecotoxicology for short and long-term exposure. This study aimed to assess the toxicity of three heavy metals (lead [Pb], cadmium [Cd], and copper [Cu]) using the springtail species Folsomia candida as the test organism, with mortality and growth inhibition as the measure of toxicity. We hypothesised that increasing metal concentrations in the soil would correspond to a growth reduction of Collembola. Each heavy metal was tested at a minimum of eight increasing concentrations in six replications. Twenty 10-12-day-old individuals were introduced into each test container filled with contaminated or control soil and incubated for 14 days. The test endpoints included growth inhibition determined by comparing F. candida growth rates in contaminated soil with those in control soil, as well as mortality rates. The EC50 values (mg/kg) for heavy metals were as follows: Cd = 66.89, Cu = 791.01, Pb = 10075.48. Our findings suggest that growth inhibition is a reliable indicator of Collembola toxicity to heavy metals.

Combined Effect of Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity on Skin Aging Phenotypes in the Era of Climate Change: Results From an Indian Cohort Study.

Background: There is no doubt that global warming, with its extreme heat events, is having an increasing impact on human health. Heat is not independent of ambient temperature but acts synergistically with relative humidity (RH) to increase the risk of several diseases, such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Although the skin is the organ in direct contact with the environment, it is currently unknown whether skin health is similarly affected. Objective: While mechanistic studies have demonstrated the mechanism of thermal aging, this is the first epidemiological study to investigate the effect of long-term exposure to heat index (HI) as a combined function of elevated ambient temperature and RH on skin aging phenotypes in Indian women. Methods: The skin aging phenotypes of 1510 Indian women were assessed using the Score of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Skin Aging (SCINEXA™) scoring tool. We used data on ambient temperature and RH, combined into an HI with solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and air pollution (particulate matter <2.5 µm [PM2.5]; nitrogen dioxide [NO2]) from secondary data sources with a 5-year mean residential exposure window. An adjusted ordinal multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the effects of HI on skin aging phenotypes. Results: HI increased pigmentation such as hyperpigmented macula on the forehead (odds ratios [OR]: 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 1.54) and coarse wrinkles such as crow's feet (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.30) and under-eye wrinkles (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.47). These associations were robust to the confounding effects of solar UVR and age. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat, as indicated by high HI, contributes to skin aging phenotypes. Conclusion: Thus, ambient temperature and RH are important factors in assessing the skin aging exposome.

A diffusion tensor imaging-based multidimensional study of brain structural changes after long-term high-altitude exposure and their relationships with cognitive function

BackgroundBrain structure changes after long-term adaptation to the high-altitude environment; however, related studies are few, results are in consistent, and long-term effects on cognitive function and pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to investigate the damage to white matter fiber tracts and correlations between brain structural abnormalities and cognitive function.MethodsForty healthy Han people living on the high-altitude and 40 healthy Han people living on the plains were enrolled in this study and underwent magnetic resonance imaging, emotional state assessment, and cognitive function tests. The sex, age, education level, and social status of the two groups were not different. The tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) method was used to analyze the DTI parameters of the white matter fiber tracts of the two groups. Moreover, the partial correlation method (age and sex as covariates) was used to analyze the correlations between the intergroup differences in the DTI parameters and a series of clinical indicators of emotional state and cognitive function. Two-sample t tests, Mann-Whitney U test, generalized linear model, or chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis.ResultsCompared with those individuals in the plain group, the scores on the PSQI, SDS, SAS, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 of individuals in the high-altitude group were higher, while the scores on the DST-Backwards, MoCA, and MMSE in the high-altitude group were lower. The fractional anisotropy (FA) value of the body of the corpus callosum in the high-altitude group was lower than that in the plain group. The FA value of the body of the corpus callosum in the plain group was negatively correlated with the Logical Memory, while no significant correlation was found in the high-altitude group.ConclusionThis study revealed that long-term exposure to a high-altitude environment could lead to a series of changes in sleep, emotion, and cognitive function and irreversible damage to the white matter microstructure of the body of the corpus callosum, which is the related brain region responsible for logical memory. The absence of logical memory impairment in the healthy Han Chinese population living on the high-altitude in this study may be due to the existence of adaptive compensation after long-term high-altitude exposure.

Proteomic signatures of ambient air pollution and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank.

Air pollution has been linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the underlying mechanisms characterized by perturbations in the circulating proteome profile are largely unknown. Therefore, we included 51,357 participants from the UK Biobank with 2941 plasma proteins measured in blood samples collected between 2006 and 2010, measurements of annual fine particular matter <2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and follow-up data on NAFLD (743 incident cases occurred over a median follow-up of 13.6 years). Multiple linear regression was used to identify proteins associated with PM2.5 and NO2. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess associations of PM2.5 and NO2 and identified proteins with incident NAFLD. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore the mediation role of proteins in the associations between air pollution and incident NAFLD. After adjusting for selected covariates, PM2.5 (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.57, 95%CI:1.27, 5.21, per ln increase) and NO2 (HR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.10, 1.84, per ln increase) were positively associated with incident NAFLD. We identified 138 proteins associated with PM2.5 (92 positively, 46 inversely, FDR <0.05) and 143 with NO2 (100 positively, 43 inversely). Of the proteins that were significantly associated with both PM2.5 and NO2, 93 (79 positively, 14 inversely) and 79 (69 positively, 10 inversely) were significantly associated with incident NAFLD. Furthermore, 84 PM2.5-associated proteins and 66 NO2-associated proteins significantly mediated the corresponding association between air pollutants and incident NAFLD, with the proportion of mediation effects ranging from 3.2 % to 27.3 % for PM2.5 and 2.6 % to 20.8 % for NO2, respectively. Of note, the majority of significant mediating proteins were enriched in pathways of cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor. Our findings suggested that long-term exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD partially by perturbating circulating proteins involved in pathways of inflammation and immunity responses.

Microgravity and Human Body: Unraveling the Potential Role of Heat-Shock Proteins in Spaceflight and Future Space Missions

In recent years, the increasing number of long-duration space missions has prompted the scientific community to undertake a more comprehensive examination of the impact of microgravity on the human body during spaceflight. This review aims to assess the current knowledge regarding the consequences of exposure to an extreme environment, like microgravity, on the human body, focusing on the role of heat-shock proteins (HSPs). Previous studies have demonstrated that long-term exposure to microgravity during spaceflight can cause various changes in the human body, such as muscle atrophy, changes in muscle fiber composition, cardiovascular function, bone density, and even immune system functions. It has been postulated that heat-shock proteins (HSPs) may play a role in mitigating the harmful effects of microgravity-induced stress. According to past studies, heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are upregulated under simulated microgravity conditions. This upregulation assists in the maintenance of the proper folding and function of other proteins during stressful conditions, thereby safeguarding the physiological systems of organisms from the detrimental effects of microgravity. HSPs could also be used as biomarkers to assess the level of cellular stress in tissues and cells exposed to microgravity. Therefore, modulation of HSPs by drugs and genetic or environmental techniques could prove to be a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce the negative physiological consequences of long-duration spaceflight in astronauts.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Inhaled Ultrafine Particles on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Air pollution contributes to up to 60% of premature mortality worldwide by worsening cardiovascular conditions. Ultrafine particles (UFPs) may negatively affect cardiovascular outcomes, and epidemiological studies have linked them to short- and long-term blood pressure (BP) imbalance. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the short- and long-term effects of UFP exposure on systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure. Eligibility criteria were established using the Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study Design (PECOS) model, and literature searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for studies published between 1 January 2013 and 9 October 2024. Risk of Bias (RoB) was assessed following World Health Organization (WHO) instructions. Separate meta-analyses were performed for the short- and long-term effects of UFP exposure on SBP and DBP. Additionally, we analyzed SBP and DBP imbalances across different timespans following short-term exposure. Results: The results showed an increase in BP during short-term UFP exposure, which returned to baseline values after a few hours. Changes in SBP were greater than in DBP following both short- and long-term exposure. Prolonged exposure to UFPs is associated with increased SBP and concurrently low DBP values. Chronic exposure to UFPs may lead to a persistent increase in SBP, even without a concurrent increase in DBP. Conclusions: The findings presented here highlight that UFPs may contribute to worsening cardiovascular outcomes in vulnerable populations living in air-polluted areas.

Long-Term Air Pollution Exposure and Severity of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Data from the IPF-PRO Registry.

While exposure to air pollution is a known risk factor for adverse pulmonary outcomes, its impact in individuals with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is less well understood. To investigate the effects of long-term exposure to air pollution on disease severity and progression in patients with IPF and to determine whether genomic factors, such as MUC5B promoter polymorphism or telomere length, modify these associations. We performed analyses at enrollment and after one year of follow-up in the IPF-PRO Registry, a prospective observational registry that enrolled individuals with IPF at 46 US sites from June 2014 to October 2018. Five-year average pollution exposures (PM2.5, NO2, O3) prior to enrollment date were estimated at participants' residential addresses with validated national spatio-temporal models. Multivariable regression models estimated associations between pollution exposure and physiologic measurements (FVC, DLCO, supplemental oxygen use at rest) and quality of life measurements (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ], EuroQoL, Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire) at enrollment. Cox proportional hazard models estimated associations between pollutants and a composite outcome of death, lung transplant, or >10% absolute decline in FVC % predicted in the year after enrollment. Models were adjusted for individual-level and spatial confounders, including proxies for disease onset. Gene-environment interactions with MUC5B and telomere length were assessed. Of 835 participants, 94% were non-Hispanic Whites, 76% were male, mean (SD) age was 70 (7.7) years. In fully adjusted analyses, higher PM2.5 exposure was associated with worse quality of life per SGRQ activity score (3.48 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64, 6.32] per 2µg/m3 PM2.5) and EuroQoL scores (-0.04 [95%CI -0.06, -0.01] per 2µg/m3 PM2.5), and lower FVC % predicted and lower DLCO% predicted at enrollment. Each 3 parts per billion difference in O3 exposure was associated with a 1.57% [95% CI 0.15, 2.98] higher FVC % predicted at enrollment, although this effect was attenuated in multi-pollutant models. There was no association between NO2 and enrollment measures, between pollution exposure and one-year outcomes, or evidence for gene-environment interactions. In the IPF-PRO Registry, long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with worse quality of life and lung function at enrollment, but not with short-term disease progression or mortality. There was no evidence of effect modification by interaction of genomic factors with pollution. The reason for the unexpected relationship between O3 exposure and higher FVC is unclear.

Air pollution and skin aging

Air pollution is a leading environmental health risk worldwide, with detrimental effects not only on human health but also on skin aging. This review explores the link between air pollution and skin aging, focusing on the harmful effects of particulate matter (PM) and other pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitrogen oxides (NO2), and ozone (O3). These pollutants penetrate the skin, inducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which accelerates the degradation of collagen and elastin in the extracellular matrix. This contributes to premature aging, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and inflammatory skin conditions. The smallest fractions of PM, particularly PM2.5, are the most harmful, causing significant cellular damage. Long-term exposure to these pollutants also disrupts the skin's microbiome, leading to dysbiosis and further weakening the skin's protective barrier. Current therapeutic strategies focus on protecting the skin using antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E, as well as probiotics and moisturizers that support the skin's natural defenses. Sunscreens also play a vital role in protecting the skin from UV-induced oxidative stress, further mitigating pollution-related damage. This review highlights the importance of developing comprehensive skincare regimens that target both pollution-induced oxidative stress and the maintenance of a healthy skin barrier. It also emphasizes the need for further research into personalized approaches to counteract the aging effects of air pollution on the skin.

Abstract 4118766: Lower Winter and Higher Summer Temperatures Increase the Risk of Hospitalization With Aortic Aneurysm or Aortic Dissection

Background: Seasonal variation in aortic dissection incidence are well-documented. This study utilized a high-resolution surface temperature model and state-specific administrative medical data to investigate the relationship between long-term exposure to winter and summer temperature averages and hospitalization rates for aortic aneurysm or dissection. Methods: Using data from the 2000-2016 State Inpatient Databases (SID), 265,795 hospitalizations with a principal diagnosis of aortic aneurysm or dissection for residents of 19 U.S. states were identified via ICD-9 and 10 codes. Daily surface temperature data, extracted from Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Daymet weather model on a 1-km grid, were aggregated to zip codes to match SID's spatial resolution. Linear regressions, adjusted for demographics, comorbidities (including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, smoking, and genetic disorders), air pollution, and neighborhood socioeconomic status, estimated absolute changes in annual hospitalization rates associated with variations in winter and summer temperature averages. Nonlinear exposure-effect relationships were assessed using penalized cubic splines with at most nine degrees of freedom. Results: Each Celsius degree decrease in winter and increase in summer was associated with 19.0 (95% CI: 17.5, 20.8, p&lt;0.001) and 10.4 (95% CI: 8.0, 12.7, p&lt;0.001) additional hospitalizations per one million person-years, respectively. These statistically significant associations were consistent across subgroups, including thoracic vs. abdominal and aneurysm vs. dissection. Further analysis revealed that cooler-than-average winter temperatures consistently correlated with increased hospitalization rates for overall aortic aneurysms or dissections and their subtypes. Conclusion: Colder winter and hotter summer temperatures significantly increase the risk of hospitalization for aortic aneurysm or dissection. This emphasizes the importance of understanding how environmental factors contribute to aortic disease.

Abstract 4124226: Long-term exposure to air pollutants and incidence of cardiovascular disease events and mortality in The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution (MESA Air)

Introduction: Exposure to ambient air pollution may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease events and mortality, but prior publications have primarily included administrative cohorts with outcomes that have not been individually reviewed and with air pollution estimates created without cohort-specific exposure monitoring. Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a multi-site cohort study designed specifically to prospectively collect and adjudicate cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. MESA Air recruited additional participants into sub-cohorts for enhanced air pollution variation and sample size. Research Question: The aim of this analysis was to characterize the relationship between long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and all-cause mortality and CVD events. Methods: Air pollution exposure was assessed using address history with a purpose-built exposure model incorporating cohort-specific monitoring including measurement and validation at participant homes. We used Cox models to assess the risk of rolling 2-year average exposures on all cause-mortality and on a composite CVD endpoint (definite angina, probable angina with revascularization, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis or other CVD death, resuscitated cardiac arrest, and stroke). Models were stratified for baseline hazard by age, sub-cohort, and recruitment year and were additionally adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, field center, smoking/second-hand smoke, pack-years, physical activity, education, income, neighborhood socioeconomic status, and statin use. Results: MESA Air participants were aged 44-87 years at enrollment between 2000 and 2007; follow-up averaged 14 years. 6,915 participants had follow-up for events, NO 2 exposure, and covariate information. We observed 1,442 deaths and 985 CVD events. The interquartile range over all 2-year averages was 10.5-23.1 ppb for NO 2 and 10.1-14.9 µ/m 3 for PM 2.5 . The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for a 10 ppb increment in NO 2 was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.64) for all-cause mortality and 1.16 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.42) for incident CVD events. The aHR for a 5 µg/m 3 increment in PM 2.5 was 1.20 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.46) for all-cause mortality and 1.15 (95% CI: 0.95, 1.39) for incident CVD events Conclusions: These results add to growing literature demonstrating an association between air pollution exposure, mortality, and CVD in a cohort with well-characterized clinical endpoints and cohort-specific exposure assessment.

Accelerated Hydrothermal Aging and Degradation Mechanism of PE100 Butt-Fusion Welded Joint

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines are extensively utilized in energy transportation in the ocean. However, long-term exposure to water can alter the performance of HDPE, potentially leading to pipeline accidents. This study focuses on simulating the aging characteristics of PE100 polyethylene pipeline butt-fusion welded joints (B-FWJs) in water using hydrothermal accelerated aging experiments at various temperature gradients. The performance of the B-FWJ after hydrothermal aging was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), oxidation induction time (OIT), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy, and mechanical testing. Furthermore, this study analyzed the performance characteristics and changes in the micro-molecular chains of an HDPE B-FWJ pipeline following hydrothermal aging. An investigation was conducted into the effects of hydrothermal aging temperature and duration on the physical and chemical characteristics of HDPE B-FWJ, and the aging mechanism under hydrothermal aging conditions was explored. The results indicate that increasing hydrothermal aging temperature leads to a more significant decrease in the mechanical properties of the B-FWJ. These findings contribute to understanding the aging behavior of PE100 pipelines in the joint section and offer insights to mitigate the risks associated with the aging of and damage to B-FWJ pipelines in the ocean.

Abstract 4129036: Air pollution and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence in a Pooled Analysis of 6 U.S. Cohorts

Introduction/Background: Long term air pollution is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence, however the effects at low levels in the US are unknown. Research Questions/Hypothesis: To assess the effect of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution CVD incidence (myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, and all CVD) in a pooled analysis of epidemiological cohorts. Materials and Methods: We harmonized data from six cohorts (Cardiovascular Health Study, Nurses’ Health Study II, Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, and Reasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke Study, Sister Study, and Women’s Health Initiative) with both CVD incidence data and extensive covariate information. We predicted time-varying two-year average concentrations of particulate matter &lt;2.5 microns (PM 2.5 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) from 1990-2019 at participant residential addresses using validated regionalized spatio-temporal models, combining spatio-temporal universal kriging and partial least squares regression with inputs from monitoring data from regulatory and researcher-deployed networks, satellite remote-sensing data and chemical transport modeling. Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for individual and area-level information, including smoking status, socio-economic factors, anthropometry, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other clinical variables. Results: Our analysis included over 300,000 participants and 10,229 incident CVD events. The median residential concentration of PM 2.5 was 10.1 µg/m 3 and NO 2 was 9.3 ppb. A 5 µg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 was not significantly associated with a higher hazard ratio for all outcomes: 1.03 (95%CI: 0.96, 1.10) for CVD incidence, 1.03 (95%CI 0.93, 1.15) for MI, and 1.00 (95%CI 0.90, 1.10) for stroke. We found that a 10ppb increase in NO 2 was associated with a 1.06 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.11) higher hazard ratio for CVD, 1.07 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.11) for MI, and 1.02 (95%CI 0.96, 1.09) for stroke. Conclusions: In this analysis of a large, pooled cohort with excellent exposure, outcome, and covariate information, we found an association of NO 2 exposure—considered a surrogate for traffic-related air pollution—with CVD incidence and MI. Associations with particulate matter were not statistically significant, but could not exclude a small increased risk. We are extending this analysis to include 6 additional cohorts and an additional 700,000 participants to allow for generation of a highly resolved concentration-response function.

SERCA Modulators Reveal Distinct Signaling and Functional Roles of T Lymphocyte Ca2+ Stores

The allosteric SERCA (Sarcoplasmic/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase) activator CDN1163 has been recently added to the group of pharmacological tools for probing SERCA function. We chose to investigate the effects of the compound on T lymphocyte Ca2+ stores, using the well-described Jurkat T lymphocyte as a reliable cell system for Ca2+ signaling pathways. Our study identified the lowest concentrations of the SERCA inhibitors thapsigargin (TG) and 2,5-di-(tert butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (tBHQ) capable of releasing Ca2+, permitting the differentiation of the TG-sensitive SERCA 2b Ca2+ store from the tBHQ-sensitive SERCA 3 Ca2+ store. We proceeded to test the effects of CDN1163 on Ca2+ stores, examining specific actions on the SERCA 2b and SERCA 3 Ca2+ pools using our low-dose SERCA blocker regimen. In contrast to previous work, we find CDN1163 exerts complex time-sensitive and SERCA isoform-specific actions on Ca2+ stores. Surprisingly, short-term exposure (0–30 min) to CDN1163 perturbs T cell Ca2+ stores by suppressing Ca2+ uptake with diminished Ca2+ release from the SERCA 2b-controlled store. Concomitantly, we find evidence for a SERCA-activating effect of CDN1163 on the SERCA-3 regulated store, given the observation of increased Ca2+ release inducible by low-dose tBHQ. Intriguingly, longer-term (&gt;12 h) CDN1163 exposure reversed this pattern, with increased Ca2+ release from SERCA 2b-regulated pools yet decreased Ca2+ release responses from the tBHQ-sensitive SERCA 3 pool. Indeed, this remodeling of SERCA 2b Ca2+ stores with longer-term CDN1163 exposure also translated into the compound’s ability to protect Jurkat T lymphocytes from TG but not tBHQ-induced growth suppression.

Ambient air pollution exposure and incidence of cataract surgery: The prospective 3City-Alienor study.

Cataract, the leading cause of blindness worldwide, is a multifactorial disease involving oxidative stress mechanisms. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between air pollution exposure and the incidence of cataract surgery. The 3C-Alienor study is a population-based cohort of residents of Bordeaux, France, aged 65 years or more, recruited in 1999-2000 and followed every 2-3 years until 2017. Cataract surgery was self-reported and checked at slit-lamp by trained professionals. Average air pollution exposure (particulate matter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), nitrogen dioxide (NO2)) in the 10 years preceding baseline was estimated at the participants' geocoded residential address, using temporally adjusted land use regression. Associations of 10-year average air pollution exposure with incidence of cataract were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for confounders. The study included 829 subjects without cataract surgery prior to inclusion; the mean age at inclusion was 72.6 years (standard deviation (SD): 4.2) and 61% were women. The median (Interquartile-range (IQR)) follow-up duration was 14.1 (6.4) years during which 507 participants underwent cataract surgery. Exposure to a concentration ≥40 μg/m3 of NO2 (the current regulatory limit value in Europe) was associated with incident cataract surgery (HR = 1.46, CI (1.16, 1.84), p = 0.001). No statistically significant association was found with PM2.5 and BC. Long-term exposure to a NO2 concentration ≥ 40 μg/m3 was associated with an increased incidence of cataract surgery. Complying with current European air pollution standards could reduce cataract surgery costs and improve population quality of life.