Does enhanced educational intervention reduce breakthrough infection and mental health problems via improving acceptance of COVID-19 booster shots in Chinese non-healthcare workers: A randomized controlled trial?

Background: Despite vaccination and booster shots proving more effective than workplace measures in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, hesitancy towards compulsory booster shots remains. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an enhanced educational intervention program in improving the acceptance of COVID-19 booster shots and reducing breakthrough infections among non-healthcare workers in Hong Kong.

Methods: In this 9-month randomized controlled trial (RCT), workers were randomly allocated to either the intervention or control group.

Association of health locus of control with anxiety and depression and mediating roles of health risk behaviors among college students.

We aimed to assess the association of health locus of control with anxiety and depression, and explore the mediating effects of health risk behaviors. A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used among Chinese college students. Logistic regression models were used to explore the associations of health locus of control with anxiety and depression.

Association of sitting time with cardiovascular events among manual and non-manual workers: a prospective cohort study (PURE-China).

Background: Prolonged sitting time is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population. However, it is unclear how these risks differ across occupational groups. This study aimed to investigate the association between sitting time and CVD in manual and non-manual workers among Chinese adults.

Associations of maternal PM2.5 exposure with preterm birth and miscarriage in women undergoing fertilization: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Excessive exposure to PM2.5 can be detrimental to reproductive health. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential associations between ambient PM2.

Increased health risk from co-exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Epidemiological insight from e-waste workers in Hong Kong.

The alarming surge in electronic waste (e-waste) in Hong Kong has heightened concerns regarding occupational exposure to a myriad of pollutants. Among these, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates (PAEs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are prevalent and known for their harmful effects, including the induction of oxidative stress and DNA damage, thereby contributing to various diseases. This study addresses gaps in knowledge by investigating exposure levels of these pollutants-measured via hydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAHs), phthalate metabolites (mPAEs), and PFASs-in urine from 101 e-waste workers and 100 office workers.

Individual-level noise exposure and its association with sleep quality and duration: A cross-sectional study using real-time data.

As urban populations grow, the problem of noise pollution becomes more significant. The limited number of epidemiological studies linking individual-level dynamic noise exposure to sleep highlights a gap in our understanding of how individual-level noise exposure impact sleep quality and duration. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hong Kong, and portable noise sensors were used to record participants' real-time noise exposure.

Achievement of recommended targets for cardiovascular disease prevention in adults with diabetes in 38 low- and middle-income countries.

Background: Implementation of guideline recommendations for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in people with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is unclear. We assessed the achievement of CVD prevention targets among patients with diabetes in LMICs.

Methods: We pooled nationally representative cross-sectional surveys from 38 LMICs.

Associations of smoking status with carotid atherosclerosis: Mediated role of blood indexes and blood pressure.

Background And Aims: We aimed to assess the relationship between smoking status and carotid atherosclerosis (CA) with different manifestations and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods And Results: A total of 60,655 middle-aged and elderly participants were recruited. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of smoking, various blood indexes [i.

Urinary metals and their associations with DNA oxidative damage among e-waste recycling workers in Hong Kong.

Recycling electronic waste (e-waste) poses risks of metal exposure, potentially leading to health impairments. However, no previous study has focused on this issue in Hong Kong. Therefore, from June 2021 to September 2022, this study collected urine samples from 101 e-waste workers and 100 office workers in Hong Kong to compare their urinary levels of metals using ICP-MS.

Association of residential greenness with incident allergic rhinitis among adults: A prospective analysis of UK Biobank.

Background: Limited studies have assessed the impact of residential greenness exposure on allergic rhinitis in adults, and its relationship with ambient air pollutants remains unknown.

Objective: To investigate the association of residential greenness with allergic rhinitis incidence and explore the mediation effects of ambient air pollutants in adults using data from a prospective cohort study in UK Biobank.

Methods: Greenness was defined as the area-weighted mean of greenness coverage based on the land used data from the Generalized Land Use Database for England (GLUD) 2005 in the UK Biobank.

Achievement of Guideline-Recommended Targets for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in 38 Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries.

Background: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of achieving the secondary prevention targets recommended in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 38 low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: We pooled nationally representative cross-sectional surveys from 38 LMICs between 2013 and 2020. Treatment, metabolic and lifestyle targets were assessed for individuals with a self-reported history of CVD according to WHO's recommendations.

Behavioral counseling for cardiovascular disease prevention in 36 low-income and middle-income countries.

Background: Given the substantial prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), evaluation of behavioral counseling for prevention of CVD is important.

Methods: We pooled nationally representative cross-sectional surveys from 36 LMICs between 2013 and 2020. The population was divided into three groups according to CVD risk: the potential risk group, the risk group and the CVD group.

Estimated daily intake and cumulative risk assessment of organophosphate esters and associations with DNA damage among e-waste workers in Hong Kong.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are extensively used as additives in various products, including electronic equipment, which becomes e-waste when obsolete. Nevertheless, no study has evaluated OPEs exposure levels and the related health risks among e-waste workers in Hong Kong. Therefore, 201 first-spot morning urine samples were collected from 101 e-waste workers and 100 office workers to compare eight urinary OPE metabolites (mOPEs) levels in these groups.

Associations of perceived built environment characteristics using NEWS questionnaires with all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular diseases: The prospective urban rural epidemiology (PURE)-China study.

Background: Despite increased literature focusing on the role of the built environment (BE) in health, few cohort studies have quantitatively analyzed neighborhood walkability environment in relation to the risk of death and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This longitudinal study aimed at evaluating the association between perceived BE attributeswith mortality and major CVD based on the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study in China (PURE-China).

Methods: The PURE-China study recruited 47,931 participants aged 35-70 years from 12 provinces of China between 2005 and 2009.

Assessing Neurobehavioral Alterations Among E-waste Recycling Workers in Hong Kong.

Background: E-waste workers in Hong Kong are handling an unprecedented amount of e-waste, which contains various neurotoxic chemicals. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate the neurological health status of e-waste workers in Hong Kong. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of neurobehavioral alterations and to identify the vulnerable groups among Hong Kong e-waste workers.

Associations of dietary copper intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality: findings from the Chinese Perspective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE-China) Study.

Background: Previous in vitro and animal experiments have shown that copper plays an important role in cardiovascular health. Dietary copper is the main source of copper in the human body and the association between dietary copper and cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the associations of dietary copper intake with the risk of major cardiovascular disease incidence, cardiovascular disease mortality, and all-cause mortality in Chinese adults.

Socioeconomic disparity in mortality and the burden of cardiovascular disease: analysis of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE)-China cohort study.

Background: Although socioeconomic inequality in cardiovascular health has long been a public health focus, the differences in cardiovascular-disease burden and mortality between people with different socioeconomic statuses has yet to be adequately addressed. We aimed to assess the effects of socioeconomic status, measured via three socioeconomic-status indicators (ie, education, occupation, and household wealth and a composite socioeconomic-status disparity index, on mortality and cardiovascular-disease burden (ie, incidence, mortality, and admission to hospital) in China.

Methods: For this analysis, we used data from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE)-China cohort study, which enrolled adults aged 35-70 years from 115 urban and rural areas in 12 provinces in China between Jan 1, 2005, and Dec 31, 2009.

Association of preserved ratio impaired spirometry with mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is prevalent within the general population. Increased mortality has been reported among subjects with PRISm, but the evidence has never been summarised. This systematic review aims to synthesise evidence on the association between PRISm and the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory-related mortality.

Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Mortality: Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common metabolic disorder that results from the increasing prevalence of obesity, which has been an increasing concern in recent years. Previous evidence indicated that MetS was associated with mortality; however, different definitions of MetS were used. In 2005, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III updated the definition of MetS, which has since been widely adopted.

How People's COVID-19 Induced-Worries and Multiple Environmental Exposures Are Associated with Their Depression, Anxiety, and Stress during the Pandemic.

This study investigates how people's perceived COVID-19 risk, worries about financial hardship, job loss, and family conflicts, and exposures to greenspace, PM, and noise (in people's residential neighborhoods and daily activity locations) are related to their depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a two-day activity-travel diary, a questionnaire, and real-time air pollutant and noise sensors, a survey was conducted to collect data from 221 participants living in two residential neighborhoods of Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. Linear regression was conducted to explore the relationships.

Association between matched chronotype and poor mental health among shift workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Nearly 0.7 billion workers are involved in the shift work system, leading to concerns about its potential impacts on the large-scale population mental health. This study aimed to synthesise evidence of the associations between matched chronotype and the risk of poor mental health among shift workers.