Nevin Manimala

J Environ Sci (China). 2025 May;151:652-666. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2024.04.024. Epub 2024 Apr 26.

ABSTRACT

Studying the spatiotemporal distribution and transboundary transport of aerosols, NO₂, SO₂, and HCHO in typical regions is crucial for understanding regional pollution causes. In a 2-year study using multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy in Qingdao, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Kunming, we investigated pollutant distribution and transport across Eastern China-Ocean, Tibetan Plateau-Central and Eastern China, and China-Southeast Asia interfaces. First, pollutant distribution was analyzed. Kunming, frequently clouded and misty, exhibited consistently high aerosol optical depth throughout the year. In Qingdao and Shanghai, NO₂ and SO₂, as well as SO₂ in Xi’an, increased in winter. Elevated HCHO in summer in Shanghai and Xi’an, especially Xi’an, suggests potential ozone pollution issues. Subsequently, pollutant transportation across interfaces was studied. At the Eastern China-Ocean interface, the gas transport flux was the largest among other interfaces, with the outflux exceeding the influx, especially in winter and spring. The input of pollutants from the Tibetan Plateau to central-eastern China was larger than the output in winter and spring, with SO₂ having the highest transport flux in winter. The pollution input from Southeast Asia to China significantly exceeded the output, with spring and winter inputs being 3.22 and 3.03 times the output, respectively. Lastly, the transportation characteristics of a pollution event at Kunming were studied. During this period, pollutants were transported from west to east, with the maximum SO₂ transport flux at an altitude of 2.87 km equaling 27.74 µg/(m²·s). It is speculated that this pollution was caused by the transport from Southeast Asian countries to Kunming.

PMID:39481970 | DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2024.04.024

J Environ Sci (China). 2025 May;151:640-651. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2024.04.019. Epub 2024 Apr 21.

ABSTRACT

Majority of carbon emissions originate from fossil energy consumption, thus necessitating calculation and monitoring of carbon emissions from energy consumption. In this study, we utilized energy consumption data from Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality for the years 2000 to 2019 to estimate their statistical carbon emissions. We then employed nighttime light data to downscale and infer the spatial distribution of carbon emissions at the county level within the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration. Furthermore, we analyzed the spatial pattern of carbon emissions at the county level using the coefficient of variation and spatial autocorrelation, and we used the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model to analyze the influencing factors of carbon emissions at this scale. The results of this study are as follows: (1) from 2000 to 2019, the overall carbon emissions in the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration showed an increasing trend followed by a decrease, with an average annual growth rate of 4.24%. However, in recent years, it has stabilized, and 2012 was the peak year for carbon emissions in the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration; (2) carbon emissions exhibited significant spatial clustering, with high-high clustering observed in the core urban areas of Chengdu and Chongqing and low-low clustering in the southern counties of the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration; (3) factors such as GDP, population (Pop), urbanization rate (Ur), and industrialization structure (Ic) all showed a significant influence on carbon emissions; (4) the spatial heterogeneity of each influencing factor was evident.

PMID:39481969 | DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2024.04.019

JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2024 Oct 31;10:e53673. doi: 10.2196/53673.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a global age-related disease. It has been reported that over half of the Chinese male population aged 70 years or older are experiencing BPH. Solid fuel, which is the major source of household air pollution, has been reportedly associated with several adverse events, including sex hormone disorders. Due to the certain relationship between sex hormone levels and prostate disease, the relationship between solid fuel use and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) suggestive of BPH (LUTS/BPH) deserves further exploration.

OBJECTIVE: This study mainly aimed to investigate the association between solid fuel use and LUTS/BPH.

METHODS: The data used in this study were obtained from the West China Natural Population Cohort Study. Household energy sources were assessed using questionnaires. LUTS/BPH was evaluated based on participant self-reports. We performed propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce the influence of bias and unmeasured confounders. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI of LUTS/BPH for the solid fuel group compared with the clean fuel group were calculated. We also conducted stratified analyses based on BMI, metabolic syndrome, waist to hip ratio, drinking status, smoking status, and age.

RESULTS: A total of 5463 participants were included in this study, including 399 solid fuel users and 5064 clean fuel users. After PSM, the solid fuel group included 354 participants, while the clean fuel group included 701 participants. Solid fuel use was positively correlated with LUTS/BPH before and after PSM (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.31-2.15 and OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.35-2.44, respectively). In stratified analyses, the OR of the nonsmoking group was higher than that of the smoking group (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.56-4.20 and OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.99-2.18, respectively). Similarly, the OR of the nondrinking group was higher than that of the drinking group (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.46-4.99 and OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01-2.17, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: A positive correlation between solid fuel use and LUTS/BPH was observed. The results suggest that improving fuel structure for household cooking and other household needs can possibly help reduce the risk of LUTS/BPH.

PMID:39481119 | DOI:10.2196/53673

JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Oct 31;13:e63761. doi: 10.2196/63761.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sexual minority men are disproportionately affected by methamphetamine use, with recent studies suggesting an increase in use specifically among Black sexual minority men. Black sexual minority men face unique structural barriers to achieving optimal health. Given its harmful effects, and in light of existing health disparities, an increase in methamphetamine use among Black sexual minority men poses a significant public health concern.

OBJECTIVE: The Health Impacts and Struggles to Overcome the Racial Discrimination of Yesterday (HISTORY) study is investigating the potential impacts of exposure to the census tract-level structural racism and discrimination (SRD) on methamphetamine use among Black sexual minority men in Atlanta, Georgia, and will identify intervention targets to improve prevention and treatment of methamphetamine use in this population.

METHODS: This study uses a mixed methods and multilevel design over a 5-year period and incorporates participatory approaches. Individual-level quantitative data will be collected from a community-based cohort of Black sexual minority men (N=300) via periodic assessment surveys, ecological momentary assessments, and medical record abstractions. Census tract-level measures of SRD will be constructed using publicly available administrative data. Qualitative data collection will include longitudinal, repeated in-depth interviews with a subset (n=40) of study participants. Finally, using a participatory group model-building process, we will build on our qualitative and quantitative data to generate causal maps of SRD and methamphetamine use among Black sexual minority men, which in turn will be translated into actionable recommendations for structural intervention.

RESULTS: Enrollment in the HISTORY study commenced in March 2023 and is anticipated to be completed by November 2024.

CONCLUSIONS: The HISTORY study will serve as a crucial background upon which future structural interventions can be built, to mitigate the effects of methamphetamine use and SRD among Black sexual minority men.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/63761.

PMID:39481101 | DOI:10.2196/63761

J Med Internet Res. 2024 Oct 31;26:e57040. doi: 10.2196/57040.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The concept of health literacy (HL) is constantly evolving, and social determinants of health (SDoH) have been receiving considerable attention in public health scholarship. Since a 1-size-fits-all approach for HL fails to account for multiple contextual factors and as a result poses challenges in improving literacy levels, there is a need to develop a deeper understanding of the current state of HL and digital health literacy (DHL) research.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined scholars’ conceptualization and scope of work focused on HL and DHL.

METHODS: Using a search string, investigators (N=2042) focusing on HL, DHL, or both were identified from the grantee websites of the National Institutes of Health RePORTER (RePORT Expenditures and Results) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The investigators were emailed a survey via Qualtrics. Survey questions examined the focus of work; whether the investigators studied HL/DHL in combination with other SDoH; the frameworks, definitions, and approaches used; and research settings. We analyzed survey data using SPSS Statistics version 28 and descriptive analysis, including frequencies and percentages, was conducted. Chi-square tests were performed to explore the association between the focus of work, settings, and age groups included in the investigators’ research.

RESULTS: A total of 193 (9.5%) of 2042 investigators responded to the online survey. Most investigators (76/153, 49.7%) were from public health, 83/193 (43%) reported their research focused on HL alone, 46/193 (23.8%) mentioned DHL, and 64/193 (33.2%) mentioned both. The majority (133/153, 86.9%) studied HL/DHL in combination with other SDoH, 106/135 (78.5%) conducted HL/DHL work in a community setting, and 100/156 (64.1%) reported not using any specific definition to guide their work. Digital tools (89/135, 65.9%), plain-language materials (82/135, 60.7%), and visual guides (56/135, 41.5%) were the top 3 approaches used. Most worked with adults (131/139, 94.2%) and all races and ethnicities (47/121, 38.8%).

CONCLUSIONS: HL and DHL research largely considered SDoH. Multiple HL tools and approaches were used that support the examination and improvement of literacy and communication surrounding health care issues.

PMID:39481097 | DOI:10.2196/57040

J Med Internet Res. 2024 Oct 31;26:e58066. doi: 10.2196/58066.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a significant cause of mortality in women. Although screening has reduced cervical cancer mortality, screening rates remain suboptimal. Electronic health interventions emerge as promising strategies to effectively tackle this issue.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of electronic health interventions in cervical cancer screening.

METHODS: On December 29, 2023, we performed an extensive search for randomized controlled trials evaluating electronic health interventions to promote cervical cancer screening in adults. The search covered multiple databases, including MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. These studies examined the effectiveness of electronic health interventions on cervical cancer screening. Studies published between 2013 and 2022 were included. Two independent reviewers evaluated the titles, abstracts, and full-text publications, also assessing the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on subjects, intervention type, and economic level. The Mantel-Haenszel method was used within a random-effects model to pool the relative risk of participation in cervical cancer screening.

RESULTS: A screening of 713 records identified 14 articles (15 studies) with 23,102 participants, which were included in the final analysis. The intervention strategies used in these studies included short messaging services (4/14), multimode interventions (4/14), phone calls (2/14), web videos (3/14), and internet-based booking (1/14). The results indicated that electronic health interventions were more effective than control interventions for improving cervical cancer screening rates (relative risk [RR] 1.464, 95% CI 1.285-1.667; P<.001; I²=84%), cervical cancer screening (intention-to-treat) (RR 1.382, 95% CI 1.214-1.574; P<.001; I²=82%), and cervical cancer screening (per-protocol; RR 1.565, 95% CI 1.381-1.772; P<.001; I²=74%). Subgroup analysis revealed that phone calls (RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.40-2.38), multimode (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.26-2.08), SMS (RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.14-1.73), and video- and internet-based booking (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-1.51) interventions were superior to usual care. In addition, electronic health interventions did not show a statistically significant improvement in cervical cancer screening rates among women with HPV (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.95-1.45). Electronic health interventions had a greater impact on improving cervical cancer screening rates among women in low- and middle-income areas (RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.27-1.79). There were no indications of small study effects or publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS: Electronic health interventions are recommended in cervical cancer screening programs due to their potential to increase participation rates. However, significant heterogeneity remained in this meta-analysis. Researchers should conduct large-scale studies focusing on the cost-effectiveness of these interventions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42024502884; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=502884.

PMID:39481096 | DOI:10.2196/58066

Chem Rev. 2024 Oct 31. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00438. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) has become a pivotal method for investigating the structural and dynamic properties of proteins. The versatility and sensitivity of mass spectrometry (MS) made the technique the ideal companion for HDX, and today HDX-MS is addressing a growing number of applications in both academic research and industrial settings. The prolific generation of experimental data has spurred the concurrent development of numerous computational tools, designed to automate parts of the workflow while employing different strategies to achieve common objectives. Various computational methods are available to perform automated peptide searches and identification; different statistical tests have been implemented to quantify differences in the exchange pattern between two or more experimental conditions; alternative strategies have been developed to deconvolve and analyze peptides showing multimodal behavior; and different algorithms have been proposed to computationally increase the resolution of HDX-MS data, with the ultimate aim to provide information at the level of the single residue. This review delves into a comprehensive examination of the merits and drawbacks associated with the diverse strategies implemented by software tools for the analysis of HDX-MS data.

PMID:39481095 | DOI:10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00438

JCO Glob Oncol. 2024 Oct;10:e2400097. doi: 10.1200/GO.24.00097. Epub 2024 Oct 31.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Women with pathogenic variants (PVs) in breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) associated genes are candidates for cancer risk-reducing strategies. Limited information is available regarding risk-reducing surgeries (RRS) among Hispanics. The aim of this study was to describe the uptake of RRS in an international real-world experience of Hispanic women referred for genetic cancer risk assessment (GCRA) and to identify factors affecting uptake.

METHODS: Between July 1997 and December 2019, Hispanic women, living in the United States or in Latin America, enrolled in the Clinical Cancer Genomics Community Research Network registry were prospectively included. Demographic characteristics and data regarding RRS were obtained from chart reviews and patient-reported follow-up questionnaires. Median follow-up was 41 months.

RESULTS: Among 1,736 Hispanic women referred for GCRA, 27.2% women underwent risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM), 25.5% risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) and, 10.7% both surgeries. Among BRCA carriers, rates of RRM and RRSO were 47.6% and 56.7%, respectively. In the multivariate analyses, being a carrier of a BC susceptibility gene (odds ratio [OR], 3.44), personal history of BC (OR, 6.22), living in the US (OR, 3.90), age ≤50 years (OR, 1.68) and, family history of BC (OR, 1.56) were associated with a higher likelihood of undergoing RRM. Carrying an OC susceptibility gene (OR, 6.72) was associated with a higher likelihood of undergoing RRSO.

CONCLUSION: The rate of RRS among Hispanic women is suboptimal. PV carriers, women with personal history of cancer, and those with a family history of cancer were more likely to have RRS, with less uptake outside the US. Understanding personal and systemic factors influencing uptake may enable interventions to increase risk appropriate uptake of RRS.

PMID:39481075 | DOI:10.1200/GO.24.00097

JCO Glob Oncol. 2024 Oct;10:e2400249. doi: 10.1200/GO-24-00249. Epub 2024 Oct 31.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Cancer recurrence is an important long-term outcome of cancer survivors that is often not routinely collected and recorded by population-based registries. In this study, we review population-based studies to determine the current availability, landscape, and infrastructure of long-term outcomes, particularly metastatic recurrence, in women initially diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer (MBC).

METHODS: We reviewed the literature to identify studies that used population-based registry data to examine the distribution of metastatic recurrence in women diagnosed with non-MBC. Data on outcomes and methods of ascertainment were extracted. Registry infrastructure including sources and funding was also reviewed.

RESULTS: A total of 23 studies from 11 registries in eight countries spanning Europe, North America, and Oceania were identified and included in the review. Most studies were retrospective in nature and collected recurrence data only for ad hoc studies rather than as part of their routine registration. Definition of recurrence and data sources varied considerably across studies: the cancer-free time interval between the start of follow-up and risk window ranged from the diagnosis of primary tumor (n = 7) to 6 months from diagnosis (n = 1); the start of follow-up differed between initial diagnosis (n = 16) and treatment (n = 7).

CONCLUSION: Cancer surveillance should encompass outcomes among survivors for research and monitoring. Studies are underway, but more are needed. Cancer registries should be supported to routinely collect recurrence data to allow complete evaluation of MBC as an outcome to be conducted and inform health care providers and researchers of the prognosis of both nonmetastatic and metastatic patients with breast cancer.

PMID:39481072 | DOI:10.1200/GO-24-00249

Neurology. 2024 Nov 26;103(10):e210027. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000210027. Epub 2024 Oct 31.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence, timing, and type of new cancer diagnosis among patients with cryptogenic stroke.

METHODS: We used data from the ARCADIA trial, which enrolled patients with cryptogenic stroke and atrial cardiopathy. Participants were prospectively followed, and serious adverse events were assessed every 3 months or sooner if investigators were alerted between visits to an event. Kaplan-Meier statistics were used to estimate the cumulative incidence of a cancer diagnosis within the first year after randomization.

RESULTS: Among 878 participants without baseline history of cancer, 13 (1.5%) were diagnosed with incident cancer in the year after randomization, comprising 12 solid cancers (3 prostate, 2 breast, 2 gastrointestinal, and 5 other primary sites) and 1 hematologic cancer (non-Hodgkin lymphoma). The cumulative incidences of a cancer diagnosis were 0% at 3 months, 0.6% (95% CI 0.2%-1.5%) at 6 months, and 2.0% (95 CI 1.1%-3.4%) at 1 year. The median time from index stroke to cancer diagnosis was 261 days (interquartile range 183-358).

DISCUSSION: In a multicenter cryptogenic stroke cohort with prospective follow-up, the 1-year cumulative incidence of a cancer diagnosis was 2%. This rate may be an underestimation because of the clinical trial population and exclusion of cancers diagnosed immediately after stroke.

TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03192215. Registered June 20, 2017. First patient enrolled February 1, 2018.

PMID:39481070 | DOI:10.1212/WNL.0000000000210027