Exposure to source-specific air pollution in residential areas and its association with dementia incidence: a cohort study in Northern Sweden.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between source-specific ambient particulate air pollution concentrations and the incidence of dementia. The study encompassed 70,057 participants from the Västerbotten intervention program cohort in Northern Sweden with a median age of 40 years at baseline. High-resolution dispersion models were employed to estimate source-specific particulate matter (PM) concentrations, such as PM and PM from traffic, exhaust, and biomass (mainly wood) burning, at the residential addresses of each participant.

External exposome and all-cause mortality in European cohorts: the EXPANSE project.

Background: Many studies reported associations between long-term exposure to environmental factors and mortality; however, little is known on the combined effects of these factors and health. We aimed to evaluate the association between external exposome and all-cause mortality in large administrative and traditional adult cohorts in Europe.

Methods: Data from six administrative cohorts (Catalonia, Greece, Rome, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands, totaling 27,913,545 subjects) and three traditional adult cohorts (CEANS-Sweden, EPIC-NL-the Netherlands, KORA-Germany, totaling 57,653 participants) were included.

Long-term ambient air pollution and coronary atherosclerosis: Results from the Swedish SCAPIS study.

Background And Aims: Despite firm evidence for an association between long-term ambient air pollution exposure and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, results from epidemiological studies on the association between air pollution exposure and atherosclerosis have not been consistent. We investigated associations between long-term low-level air pollution exposure and coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis in the large Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImaging Study (SCAPIS, n = 30 154), a random general population sample.

Disentangling associations between multiple environmental exposures and all-cause mortality: an analysis of European administrative and traditional cohorts.

Background: We evaluated the independent and joint effects of air pollution, land/built environment characteristics, and ambient temperature on all-cause mortality as part of the EXPANSE project.

Methods: We collected data from six administrative cohorts covering Catalonia, Greece, the Netherlands, Rome, Sweden, and Switzerland and three traditional cohorts in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany. Participants were linked to spatial exposure estimates derived from hybrid land use regression models and satellite data for: air pollution [fine particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), black carbon (BC), warm season ozone (O)], land/built environment [normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), distance to water, impervious surfaces], and ambient temperature (the mean and standard deviation of warm and cool season temperature).

Socioeconomic per-case costs of stroke, myocardial infarction, and preterm birth attributable to air pollution in Sweden.

Background: Incident cases of stroke, myocardial infarction, and preterm birth have established exposure-response functions associated with air pollution. However, there are no studies reporting detailed costs per case for these health outcomes that are adapted to the cost-benefit tools that guide the regulation of air pollution.

Objectives: The primary objective was to establish non-fatal per-case monetary estimates for stroke, myocardial infarction, and preterm birth attributable to air pollution in Sweden, and the secondary objective was to ease the economic evaluation process of air pollution morbidity effects and their inclusion in cost-benefit assessments.

A regional comparison of children's blood cadmium, lead, and mercury in rural, urban and industrial areas of six European countries, and China, Ecuador, and Morocco.

Objectives: The authors aimed to evaluate whether blood cadmium (B-Cd), lead (B-Pb) and mercury (B-Hg) in children differ regionally in 9 countries, and to identify factors correlating with exposure.

Material And Methods: The authors performed a cross-sectional study of children aged 7-14 years, living in 2007-2008 in urban, rural, or potentially polluted ("hot spot") areas (ca. 50 children from each area, in total 1363 children) in 6 European and 3 non-European countries.

Are doctors using more preventive medication for cardiovascular disease? A Swedish cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite decreasing mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are persistent inequities in mortality between socioeconomic groups. Primary preventative medications reduce mortality in CVD; thus, inequitable treatments will contribute to unequal outcomes. Physicians might contribute to inequality by prescribing preventative medication for CVD to themselves in a biased manner.

Traffic noise in the bedroom in association with markers of obesity: a cross-sectional study and mediation analysis of the respiratory health in Northern Europe cohort.

Background: Previous research suggests an association between road traffic noise and obesity, but current evidence is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the association between nocturnal noise exposure and markers of obesity and to assess whether sleep disturbance might be a mediator in this association.

Methods: We applied data from the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) cohort.

Long-term residential exposure to source-specific particulate matter and incidence of diabetes mellitus - A cohort study in northern Sweden.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) incidence have been assessed in connection with air pollution exposure in several studies; however, few have investigated associations with source-specific local emissions. This study aims to estimate the risk of DM incidence associated with source-specific air pollution in a Swedish cohort with relatively low exposure. Individuals in the Västerbotten intervention programme cohort were followed until either a DM diagnosis or initiation of treatment with glucose-lowering medication occurred.

Using Distributed Lag Non-Linear Models to Estimate Exposure Lag-Response Associations between Long-Term Air Pollution Exposure and Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease.

Long-term air pollution exposure increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, but little is known about the temporal relationships between exposure and health outcomes. This study aims to estimate the exposure-lag response between air pollution exposure and risk for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke incidence by applying distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs). Annual mean concentrations of particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.

Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution and presence and progression of carotid artery plaques - A northern Sweden VIPVIZA cohort study.

Aims: To estimate the association between long-term exposure to particulate air pollution and sub-clinical atherosclerosis based on the existence of plaque and the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).

Methods: Visualization of asymptomatic atherosclerotic disease for optimum cardiovascular prevention (VIPVIZA) is a randomised controlled trial integrated within the Västerbotten Intervention Programme, an ongoing population-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme in northern Sweden. Individuals aged 40, 50, or 60 years with one or more conventional CVD risk factors in Umeå municipality were eligible to participate.

Symptoms and oxylipins in plasma before and after exposure to rooms in which individuals have both experienced and not experienced building-related symptoms - an exploratory study.

The aim of this study was to investigate if there are differences in symptom ratings and plasma concentrations of oxylipins as a measure of acute inflammation between individuals with building-related symptoms (BRS) and referents during exposure to rooms where people experienced BRS and rooms where they did not experience BRS. Medically examined individuals with BRS and healthy, age and sex matched referents working in the same building were exposed for 60 min. Ratings of symptoms and collection of blood to measure oxylipins in plasma were performed before and after each exposure.

Long-Term Residential Exposure to Particulate Matter and Its Components, Nitrogen Dioxide and Ozone-A Northern Sweden Cohort Study on Mortality.

This study aims to estimate the mortality risk associated with air pollution in a Swedish cohort with relatively low exposure. Air pollution models were used to estimate annual mean concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM), primary emitted carbonaceous particles (BC/pOC), sea salt, chemically formed particles grouped as secondary inorganic and organic aerosols (SIA and SOA) as well as ozone (O) and nitrogen dioxide (NO).

Overall health impacts of a potential increase in cycle commuting in Stockholm, Sweden.

Aims: To estimate the overall health impact of transferring commuting trips from car to bicycle.

Methods: In this study registry information on the location of home and work for residents in Stockholm County was used to obtain the shortest travel route on a network of bicycle paths and roads. Current modes of travel to work were based on travel survey data.

Air pollution, physical activity and ischaemic heart disease: a prospective cohort study of interaction effects.

Objective: To assess a possible interaction effect between physical activity and air pollution on first incidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Umeå, Northern Sweden.

Does Physical Activity Modify the Association between Air Pollution and Recurrence of Cardiovascular Disease?

We aimed to assess a possible interaction effect between physical activity and particulate air pollution exposure on recurrence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke. We followed 2221 adult participants comprising first time IHD (1403) and stroke (818) cases from the Västerbotten Intervention Program between 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2013. During mean follow-up times of 5.

Potential for reduced premature mortality by current and increased bicycle commuting: a health impact assessment using registry data on home and work addresses in Stockholm, Sweden.

Objectives: The study aims to make use of individual data to estimate the impact on premature mortality due to both existing commuter bicycling and the potential impact due to increased physical activity through shifting transport mode from car commuting to bicycling.

Methods: Using registry data on home and work addresses for the population of Stockholm County the shortest bicycling route on a network of bicycle paths and roads was retrieved. Travel survey data were used to establish current modes of commuting.

Potential Effects on Travelers' Air Pollution Exposure and Associated Mortality Estimated for a Mode Shift from Car to Bicycle Commuting.

This study aims to use dispersion-modeled concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and black carbon (BC) to estimate bicyclist exposures along a network of roads and bicycle paths. Such modeling was also performed in a scenario with increased bicycling. Accumulated concentrations between home and work were thereafter calculated for both bicyclists and drivers of cars.

Correction: Correction: Estimating duration-distance relations in cycle commuting in the general population.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Correction: Estimating duration-distance relations in cycle commuting in the general population.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Inequalities in early childhood mortality in Myanmar - Association between parents' socioeconomic status and early childhood mortality.

Background: Despite global achievements in reducing early childhood mortality, disparities remain. There have been empirical studies of inequalities conducted in low- and middle-income countries. However, there have been no epidemiological studies on socioeconomic inequalities and early childhood survival in Myanmar.

Dampness, mould, onset and remission of adult respiratory symptoms, asthma and rhinitis.

Study Question: Is dampness and indoor mould associated with onset and remission of respiratory symptoms, asthma and rhinitis among adults?

Materials And Methods: Associations between dampness, mould and mould odour at home and at work and respiratory health were investigated in a cohort of 11 506 adults from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia. They answered a questionnaire at baseline and 10 years later, with questions on respiratory health, home and work environment.

Results: Baseline water damage, floor dampness, mould and mould odour at home were associated with onset of respiratory symptoms and asthma (OR 1.

Associations between repeated measure of plasma perfluoroalkyl substances and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals that may affect components of metabolic risk through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor but epidemiological data remain scarce and inconsistent.

Objective: To estimate associations between repeated measurements of the main PFAS in plasma and total cholesterol, triglycerides and hypertension among the control subjects from a population-based nested case-control study on diabetes type 2 in middle-aged women and men.

Methods: Participants (n = 187) were free of diabetes at both baseline and follow-up visits to the Västerbotten Intervention Programme, 10 years apart: during 1990 to 2003 (baseline) and 2001 to 2013 (follow-up).