Modulation of thermogenesis and metabolic health:a built environment perspective

\u3cp\u3eLifestyle interventions, obviating the increasing prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, generally focus on nutrition and physical activity. Environmental factors are hardly covered. Because we spend on average more that 90% of our time indoors, it is, however, relevant to address these factors. In the built environment, the attention has been limited to the (assessment and optimization of) building performance and occupant thermal comfort for a long time. Only recently well-being and health of building occupants are also considered to some extent, but actual metabolic health aspects are not generally covered. In this review, we draw attention to the potential of the commonly neglected lifestyle factor ‘indoor environment’. More specifically, we review current knowledge and the developments of new insights into the effects of ambient temperature, light and the interaction of the two on metabolic health. The literature shows that the effects of indoor environmental factors are important additional factors for a healthy lifestyle and have an impact on metabolic health.\u3c/p\u3

Metaphors in Nanomedicine: The Case of Targeted Drug Delivery

International audienceThe promises of nanotechnology have been framed by a variety of metaphors, that not only channel the attention of the public, orient the questions asked by researchers, and convey epistemic choices closely linked to ethical preferences. In particular, the image of the 'therapeutic missile' commonly used to present targeted drug delivery devices emphasizes precision, control, surveillance and efficiency. Such values are highly praised in the current context of crisis of pharmaceutical innovation where military metaphors foster a general mobilization of resources from multiple fields of cutting-edge research. The missile metaphor, reminiscent of Paul Ehrlich's 'magic bullet', has framed the problem in simple terms: how to deliver the right dose in the right place at the right moment? Chemists, physicists and engineers who design multi-functional devices operating in vitro can think in such terms, as long as the devices are not actually operating through the messy environment of the body. A close look at what has been done and what remains to be done suggests that the metaphor of the "therapeutic missile" is neither sufficient, nor even necessary. Recent developments in nanomedicine suggest that therapeutic efficacy cannot be obtained without negotiating with the biological milieu and taking advantage of what it affords. An 'oïkological' approach seems more appropriate, more heuristic and more promising than the popular missile. It is based on the view of organism as an oikos that has to be carefully managed. The dispositions of nanocapsules have to be coupled with the affordances of the environment. As it requires dealing with nanoparticles as relational entities (defined by their potential for interactions) rather than as stable substances (defined by intrinsic properties) this metaphor eventually might well change research priorities in nanotechnology in general

The influence of LED lighting on thermal comfort, health and energy

Light is an important factor in creating a comfortable and pleasant environment. This does not solely depend on visual information, but also on non-visual effects of light like its influence on alertness, mood, sleep-wake rhythm and wellbeing (e.g. van Bommel, 2006). It is likely that light also plays a role in thermoregulation and may affect thermal comfort. Thermal comfort is a major factor regarding satisfaction with the indoor environment. However, the relation and interaction between light, thermoregulation and thermal comfort is not fully known. Light is a key factor to regulate the circadian system, thereby controlling core body- and skin temperature cycles (Cajochen et al., 2005). Bright light in the evening can increase both core body temperature and the distal to proximal skin temperature gradient (Kim and Tokura, 2007). Additionally, the hue of light seems to be able to alter thermal comfort. The environment may be perceived as warmer under reddish light and cooler under bluish light (Albers et al., 2014). Yet it is unknown whether these effects of lights are of practical significance to improve thermal comfort. Moreover, knowledge on the role of timing, duration, intensity and colour of the light exposure is missing. The main objective of this study is to investigate the relation between light, thermoregulation and thermal comfort. Furthermore, we will explore how this knowledge can contribute to comfortable and healthy buildings. Therefore, the effects of bright and dim light on thermoregulation, human energy expenditure, thermal comfort and alertness will be studied

Beter slapen: impact luchtkwaliteit en ventilatie op de slaapkwaliteit

Onderzoek in woningen laat zien dat de hoeveelheid verse luchttoevoer in slaapkamers vaak onvoldoende is. Door de relatief lange blootstellingsduur is een goede luchtkwaliteit in de slaapruimte (ook in bijvoorbeeld hotels en de gezondheidszorg) extra belangrijk. In het algemeen kan onvoldoende ventilatie leiden tot gezondheidsklachten. Daarnaast zijn er aanwijzingen dat luchtkwaliteit en de ventilatiehoeveelheid van invloed zijn op slaapkwaliteit. Hoe zit dit nu precies? En is het inderdaad zo dat de nachtrust positief te beïnvloeden is door meer te ventileren? We gaan in dit artikel op basis van bestaande studies in op de relatie tussen luchtkwaliteit, ventilatie en slaapkwaliteit en geven we aanbevelingen voor slaapkamerventilatie-eisen

A systematic approach to assessing indoor air quality of long term care facilities

Not much is known about the favourable indoor air quality in long term care facilities (LTCFs), where older adults suffering from dementia live. Older adults, especially those who suffer from dementia, are more sensible to the indoor environment. However, no special requirements for the indoor air in long term care facilities exist. Due to the decrease in cognition function, it is hard to evaluate comfort and health in this group. Nevertheless, infectious diseases are a persistent problem. Based on literature an assessment methodology has been developed to analyse LTCFs to determine if differences in building characteristics and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems influence the spread of airborne infectious diseases. The developed methodology is applied in seven long term care facilities in the Netherlands. After that, the methodology has been evaluated and its feasibility and applicability are discussed. From this study, it can be concluded that this method has potential to evaluate, compare LTCFs, and develop design guidelines for these buildings. However, some adjustments to the methodology are necessary to achieve this objective. Therefore, the relation between the indoor environment and infection risk is not yet analysed, but a consistent procedure to analyse this link is provided

Development of the environmental observation scale for the indoor visual environment

INTRODUCTION: Lighting and colors and contrast are known to have a positive effect on visual functioning of older adults. The highest estimated prevalence (±40%) of visual impairment in the Netherlands, has been found in nursing homes. An observation scale was developed to evaluate a healthy environment for the (visual impaired) nursing home resident. METHODOLOGIES: Based on the literature, environmental parameters of the Environmental Observation scale for the Visual Impaired (EOVI) were defined. In a two round Delphi study professionals determined the domains, and the items within these domains. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The domains of the scale are ‘illuminance’, ‘the use of color and contrast’ and ‘obstacles’. The scale evaluates common rooms of a nursing home ward and can be used to improve the environment. To reach content validity in total 27 items of the common rooms were judged by experts. Of common rooms 1 item was maintained, 16 were adjusted, 7 new items were added and three items were removed. CONCLUSION: The content validity for the domains and items was performed for the common rooms. To have a tool to evaluate visual performance conditions of nursing homes, the same procedure will be used for the corridors and bathrooms