Indoor Airborne Microbiome and Endotoxin: Meteorological Events and Occupant Characteristics Are Important Determinants

Airborne bacteria and endotoxin may affect asthma and allergies. However, there is limited understanding of the environmental determinants that influence them. This study investigated the airborne microbiomes in the homes of 1038 participants from five cities in Northern Europe: Aarhus, Bergen, Reykjavik, Tartu, and Uppsala. Airborne dust particles were sampled with electrostatic dust fall collectors (EDCs) from the participants' bedrooms. The dust washed from the EDCs' clothes was used to extract DNA and endotoxin. The DNA extracts were used for quantitative polymerase chain (qPCR) measurement and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while endotoxin was measured using the kinetic chromogenic limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. The results showed that households in Tartu and Aarhus had a higher bacterial load and diversity than those in Bergen and Reykjavik, possibly due to elevated concentrations of outdoor bacterial taxa associated with low precipitation and high wind speeds. Bergen-Tartu had the highest difference (ANOSIM R = 0.203) in β diversity. Multivariate regression models showed that α diversity indices and bacterial and endotoxin loads were positively associated with the occupants' age, number of occupants, cleaning frequency, presence of dogs, and age of the house. Further studies are needed to understand how meteorological factors influence the indoor bacterial community in light of climate change

Father's environment before conception and asthma risk in his children: a multi-generation analysis of the Respiratory Health In Northern Europe study

Whereas it is generally accepted that maternal environment plays a key role in child health, emerging evidence suggests that paternal environment before conception also impacts child health. We aimed to investigate the association between children's asthma risk and parental smoking and welding exposures prior to conception.; In a longitudinal, multi-country study, parents of 24 168 offspring aged 2-51 years provided information on their life-course smoking habits, occupational exposure to welding and metal fumes, and offspring's asthma before/after age 10 years and hay fever. Logistic regressions investigated the relevant associations controlled for age, study centre, parental characteristics (age, asthma, education) and clustering by family.; Non-allergic early-onset asthma (asthma without hay fever, present in 5.8%) was more common in the offspring with fathers who smoked before conception {odds ratio [OR] = 1.68 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18-2.41]}, whereas mothers' smoking before conception did not predict offspring asthma. The risk was highest if father started smoking before age 15 years [3.24 (1.67-6.27)], even if he stopped more than 5 years before conception [2.68 (1.17-6.13)]. Fathers' pre-conception welding was independently associated with non-allergic asthma in his offspring [1.80 (1.29-2.50)]. There was no effect if the father started welding or smoking after birth. The associations were consistent across countries.; Environmental exposures in young men appear to influence the respiratory health of their offspring born many years later. Influences during susceptible stages of spermatocyte development might be important and needs further investigation in humans. We hypothesize that protecting young men from harmful exposures may lead to improved respiratory health in future generations

Copy of rough plan shewing explorations by Mr Winnecke [cartographic material] /

Map of Northern Territory and Central Australia showing the tracks of Charles Winnecke with relief shown by hachures and spot heights.; Includes signature: G.W. Goyder Sur. General.; Also available in an electronic version via the Internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-rm1248; Copy 3 lacks 2 southern sheets.Explorations by Mr Winneck

Women with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing are less likely to be diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea than men.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowWomen are often underrepresented at sleep clinics evaluating sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The aim of the present study was to analyze gender differences in sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment in men and women with similar symptoms of SDB.Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) provided information about snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), BMI and somatic diseases at baseline (1999-2001) and follow-up (2010-2012) from 4962 men and 5892 women. At follow-up participants were asked whether they had a diagnosis of and/or treatment for sleep apnea.Among those with symptoms of SDB (snoring and EDS), more men than women had been given the diagnosis of sleep apnea (25% vs. 14%, p < 0.001), any treatment (17% vs. 11%, p = 0.05) and CPAP (6% vs. 3%, p = 0.04) at follow-up. Predictors of receiving treatment were age, BMI, SDB symptoms at baseline and weight gain, while female gender was related to a lower probability of receiving treatment (adj. OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.3-0.5). In both genders, the symptoms of SDB increased the risk of developing hypertension (adj OR, 95% CI: 1.5, 1.2-1.8) and diabetes (1.5, 1.05-2.3), independent of age, BMI, smoking and weight gain.Snoring females with daytime sleepiness may be under-diagnosed and under-treated for sleep apnea compared with males, despite running a similar risk of developing hypertension and diabetes.Norwegian Research Council Icelandic Research Council Aarhus universitet Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation Estonian Science Foundatio

The effect of infectious burden on the prevalence of atopy and respiratory allergies in Iceland, Estonia, and Sweden

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldBACKGROUND: Epidemiologic reports on the effect of microbe exposure on the development of atopy and allergic asthma are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: The study investigates the association between serologic markers of infections and occurrence of atopy, allergic asthma, and rhinitis among adults in Iceland, Sweden, and Estonia. METHODS: Individuals (n = 1249; mean age, 42 years) from Iceland, Sweden, and Estonia underwent a structured interview and blood sampling. Specific IgE was measured against 4 allergens, and IgG antibodies were measured against Helicobacter pylori, Toxoplasmosis gondii, hepatitis A virus, herpes simplex virus 1, Chlamydia pneumoniae, EBV, and cytomegalovirus. RESULTS: Nonatopic subjects more often had positive serology for Helicobacter pylori, herpes simplex virus 1, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and cytomegalovirus. Having a low number

Maternal and paternal tuberculosis is associated with increased asthma and respiratory symptoms in their offspring : a study from Northern Europe

Background: Given the profound impact of tuberculosis (TB) on immunity and given murine studies suggesting that infections may influence immunity across generations, we hypothesize that parental TB might impact health and disease in future offspring. Objective: This study investigated the impact of maternal and paternal TB on offspring asthma and respiratory symptoms. Methods: We included data from the third follow-up of the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe study (RHINE). Information on own asthma status, asthma-like symptoms and other respiratory symptoms, as well as information about parental TB and asthma, were collected using standardized questionnaires. The associations between parental TB and RHINE participants' asthma and respiratory symptoms were analyzed using multiple logistic regression, with adjustment for parental education, smoking habits and asthma. Results: Of 8,323 study participants, 227 (2.7%) reported only paternal TB, 282 (3.4%) only maternal TB, and 33 (0.4%) reported that both parents had TB. We found a higher risk of asthma (aOR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.05-1.57) in offspring with a history of parental TB as compared to offspring without parental TB., Parental TB was significantly associated with allergic asthma in offspring (aOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.29-2.05), while no significant association between parental TB and asthma without allergy (aOR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.76-1.32) in offspring was observed. Conclusion: Results from this study indicate that parental TB might be a risk factor for offspring's asthma and respiratory symptoms. We raise the hypothesis that the immunological impact of infections might be transmitted to influence offspring phenotype in humans

Occupational exposure and new-onset asthma in a population-based study in Northern Europe (RHINE).

To access publisher's full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field.OBJECTIVES: In a large population-based study among adults in northern Europe the relation between occupational exposure and new-onset asthma was studied. METHODS: The study comprised 13 284 subjects born between 1945 and 1973, who answered a questionnaire 1989-1992 and again 1999-2001. Asthma was defined as 'Asthma diagnosed by a physician' with reported year of diagnose. Hazard ratios (HR), for new-onset adult asthma during 1980-2000, were calculated using a modified job-exposure matrix as well as high-risk occupations in Cox regression models. The analyses were made separately for men and women and were also stratified for atopy. RESULTS: During the observation period there were 429 subjects with new-onset asthma with an asthma incidence of 1.3 cases per 1000 person-years for men and 2.4 for women. A significant increase in new-onset asthma was seen for men exposed to plant-associated antigens (HR = 3.6; 95% CI [confidence interval] = 1.4-9.0), epoxy (HR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.3-4.5), diisocyanates (HR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.2-3.7) and accidental peak exposures to irritants (HR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.3-4.7). Both men and women exposed to cleaning agents had an increased asthma risk. When stratifying for atopy an increased asthma risk were seen in non-atopic men exposed to acrylates (HR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.4-7.5), epoxy compounds (HR = 3.6; 95% CI = 1.6-7.9), diisocyanates and accidental peak exposures to irritants (HR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.2-7.2). Population attributable risk for occupational asthma was 14% for men and 7% for women. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study showed that men exposed to epoxy, diisocyanates and acrylates had an increased risk of new-onset asthma. Non-atopics seemed to be at higher risk than atopics, except for exposure to high molecular weight agents. Increased asthma risks among cleaners, spray painters, plumbers, and hairdressers were confirmed.Icelandic Research Council Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation Vardal Foundation for Health Care and Allergic Research Swedish Association Against Asthma and Allergy Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research Bror Hjerpstedt Foundation Norwegian Research Council 135773/330 Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association Danish Lung Association Estonian Science Foundation 435

Occupational exposure and new-onset asthma in a population-based study in Northern Europe (RHINE)

OBJECTIVES: In a large population-based study among adults in northern Europe the relation between occupational exposure and new-onset asthma was studied. METHODS: The study comprised 13 284 subjects born between 1945 and 1973, who answered a questionnaire 1989-1992 and again 1999-2001. Asthma was defined as 'Asthma diagnosed by a physician' with reported year of diagnose. Hazard ratios (HR), for new-onset adult asthma during 1980-2000, were calculated using a modified job-exposure matrix as well as high-risk occupations in Cox regression models. The analyses were made separately for men and women and were also stratified for atopy. RESULTS: During the observation period there were 429 subjects with new-onset asthma with an asthma incidence of 1.3 cases per 1000 person-years for men and 2.4 for women. A significant increase in new-onset asthma was seen for men exposed to plant-associated antigens (HR = 3.6; 95% CI [confidence interval] = 1.4-9.0), epoxy (HR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.3-4.5), diisocyanates (HR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.2-3.7) and accidental peak exposures to irritants (HR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.3-4.7). Both men and women exposed to cleaning agents had an increased asthma risk. When stratifying for atopy an increased asthma risk were seen in non-atopic men exposed to acrylates (HR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.4-7.5), epoxy compounds (HR = 3.6; 95% CI = 1.6-7.9), diisocyanates and accidental peak exposures to irritants (HR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.2-7.2). Population attributable risk for occupational asthma was 14% for men and 7% for women. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study showed that men exposed to epoxy, diisocyanates and acrylates had an increased risk of new-onset asthma. Non-atopics seemed to be at higher risk than atopics, except for exposure to high molecular weight agents. Increased asthma risks among cleaners, spray painters, plumbers, and hairdressers were confirmed

Cardiovascular disease mortality trends in Latvia between 2009 and 2019

Kardiovaskulārās slimības (KVS) ir biežākais nāves cēlonis Latvijā, kas, salīdzinājumā ar citām Rietumu pasaules valstīm, uzrāda salīdzinoši augstākus KVS mirstības rādītājus. Svarīgi ir pareizi identificēt šos nāves iemeslus un analizēt ikgadējos mirstības rādītājus, lai spētu saprast un izvērtēt, cik lietderīgi ir bijuši ieguldījumi veselības aprūpē, un cik efektīvi ir bijuši sasniegumi ne tikai KVS ārstēšanā, bet arī to prevencijā, kas rezultātā ļautu turpmāk spriest par izmaiņām vai uzlabojumiem veselības nozarē. Pētījuma mērķis bija izpētīt KVS izraisītas mirstības tendences Latvijā laika posmā no 2009. līdz 2019. gadam, kurā tika analizēti dati par 175 354 nāves gadījumu skaitu, kas iegūti no Veselības statistikas datubāzes. Atbilstoši pētījuma mērķim un uzdevumiem, kardiovaskulārā mirstība tika analizēta starp Latvijas lielāko pilsētu un reģionu teritorijām, pēc biežākajiem KVS nāves cēloņiem, aplūkojot atšķirības gan starp dzimumiem, gan vecuma grupām. KVS mirstība Latvijā laika periodā no 2009. līdz 2019. gadam ir palielinājusies. Galvenie KVS nāves iemesli Latvijā ir išēmiskas sirds slimības un cerebrovaskulāras slimības, no kurām šo diagnožu apakšgrupām kā biežākie nāves cēloņi ir hroniska išēmiska sirds slimība un išēmisks insults. Teritoriālā skatījumā mirstības rādītāji no KVS ir augstāki Latvijas lielāko pilsētu teritorijās, bet zemāki valsts reģionos, taču reģionu skatījumā ar izteikti KVS augstāku mirstību izceļas Latgales reģions, kaut gan straujākais mirstības rādītāju kāpums šajā laika periodā novērots Vidzemes reģionā. Pilsētu skatījumā visaugstākā mirstība konstatēta Rēzeknē. Vērtējot KVS mirstību starp dzimumiem no 2009. līdz 2019. gadam, Latvijā sieviešu vidū ir izteikti augstāka mirstība nekā vīriešu. Mirstība sirds išēmisko slimību dēļ starp dzimumiem ir līdzīga, bet sievietēm ir konstatēta izteikti augstāka mirstība no insulta. No 2009. līdz 2019. gadam Latvijā kopumā visaugstākā mirstība un straujākais mirstības pieaugums ir grupā pēc 60 gadu vecuma. Atslēgas vārdi: kardiovaskulāras slimības, kardiovaskulārā mirstība, mirstības tendences, mirstība Latvijā.Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most common cause of death in Latvia, and show relatively higher CVD mortality rates comparing with other Western countries. In order to understand and assess effectiveness of the health care system’s financing and the progress made in both treatment as well as prevention of CVD to be able to decide on further improvements or changes in health care sector it is important to identify correctly these causes of death and to analyse the annual mortality rates. The aim of the study was to explore data of mortality rates caused by CVD in Latvia between 2009 and 2019. The study has analysed data on 175 354 cases of death caused by CVD obtained from the Health Statistics Database. According to the aim and tasks of the study, tendencies of cardiovascular mortality have been analyzed comparing data of most common causes of CVD between largest cities and other regions of Latvia, and seeking for differences between genders and age groups. Findings of the study show that CVD mortality in Latvia has increased in the period 2009. - 2019. The main causes of CVD death in Latvia are ischemic heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, of which chronic ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke are the most common causes of death in the subgroups of these diagnoses. From a territorial point of view, it was observed that mortality rates from the CVD are higher in the territories of the largest cities , but lower in the regions of the country, but between the regions with significantly higher mortality of CVD, Latgale region stands out, although the sharpest increase in mortality rates during this time period was observed in Vidzeme region. In the view of cities, the highest mortality was observed in Rezekne. When assessing CVD mortality by gender in 2009- 2019, there is a significantly higher mortality rate among females. Mortality due to ischemic heart disease is similar for both genders, but females have a considerably higher mortality rate from stroke. Comparing data between different age groups from 2009 to 2019, the highest mortality and the sharpest increase in mortality was recorded in the group of the age of 60 and older. Keywords: cardiovascular diseases, cardiovascular mortality, mortality trendrs, mortality in Latvia