Acoustic Quality and Health in Urban Environments – The SALVE Project

Background sounds of urban regions have been a concern of architecture and construction engineering for years. In the context of health research however, sound has been restricted to the health risk factor noise, thus reduced to sound decibel levels. Accordingly, noise mitigation measures aim exclusively at the reduction of noise level below a certain threshold. Soundscapes on the other hand, comprise all acoustic events of the natural, physical and human environment, which are determined by sound level, frequency, time and space. Soundscape Ecology which includes the study of spatio-temporal heterogeneity of sounds in different landscapes, provides a suitable methodical approach to analyse the relationships between soundscapes, the built environment and human health. This paper presents SALVE (Acoustic Quality and Health in Urban Environments), a two year interdisciplinary pilot project that started in October 2018 and involves the disciplines of public health and spatial planning. The project aims at the identification of criteria for health-promoting soundscapes in cities. By making year long direct and automated auditory measurements of a robust landuse sample in the city of Bochum, located in the highly urbanized Ruhr Area of Germany, one of the largest multi-seasonal urban soundscape datasets will be generated. These data will be merged with health data from the longitudinal, population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall (HNR) study. Spatio-statistical models will be further developed to analyse health effects of different types of soundscapes in urban neighborhoods. The project serves as a starting point for an innovative and comprehensive approach to understanding the effects of sound quality on urban public health beyond noise protection. Additionally, knowledge will be gained for the development of solution based health-promoting strategies in spatial planning

Long-term air pollution and traffic noise exposures and mild cognitive impairment in older adults : a cross-sectional analysis of the Heinz Nixdorf recall study

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) describes the intermediate state between normal cognitive aging and dementia. Adverse effects of air pollution (AP) on cognitive functions have been proposed, but investigations of simultaneous exposure to noise are scarce. Objectives: We analyzed the cross-sectional associations of long-term exposure to AP and traffic noise with overall MCI and amnestic (aMCI) and nonamnestic (naMCI) MCI. Methods: At the second examination of the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, cognitive assessment was completed in 4,086 participants who were 50–80 years old. Of these, 592 participants were diagnosed as having MCI (aMCI, n = 309; naMCI, n = 283) according to previously published criteria using five neuropsychological subtests. We assessed long-term residential concentrations for size-fractioned particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides with land use regression, and for traffic noise [weighted 24-hr (LDEN) and night-time (LNIGHT) means]. Logistic regression models adjusted for individual risk factors were calculated to estimate the association of environmental exposures with MCI in single- and two-exposure models. Results: Most air pollutants and traffic noise were associated with overall MCI and aMCI. For example, an interquartile range increase in PM2.5 and a 10 A-weighted decibel [dB(A)] increase in LDEN were associated with overall MCI as follows [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)]: 1.16 (1.05, 1.27) and 1.40 (1.03, 1.91), respectively, and with aMCI as follows: 1.22 (1.08, 1.38) and 1.53 (1.05, 2.24), respectively. In two-exposure models, AP and noise associations were attenuated [e.g., for aMCI, PM2.5 1.13 (0.98, 1.30) and LDEN 1.46 (1.11, 1.92)]. Conclusions: Long-term exposures to air pollution and traffic noise were positively associated with MCI, mainly with the amnestic subtype

which marker is best for prediction? Pooled analysis of four German population-based cohort studies and comparison with a nationwide cohort study

Objective To compare the association between different anthropometric measurements and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to assess their predictive ability in different regions of Germany. Methods Data of 10 258 participants from 4 prospective population-based cohorts were pooled to assess the association of body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR) with incident T2DM by calculating HRs of the crude, adjusted and standardised markers, as well as providing receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Differences between HRs and ROCs for the different anthropometric markers were calculated to compare their predictive ability. In addition, data of 3105 participants from the nationwide survey were analysed separately using the same methods to provide a nationally representative comparison. Results Strong associations were found for each anthropometric marker and incidence of T2DM. Among the standardised anthropometric measures, we found the strongest effect on incident T2DM for WC and WHtR in the pooled sample (HR for 1 SD difference in WC 1.97, 95% CI 1.75 to 2.22, HR for WHtR 1.93, 95% CI 1.71 to 2.17 in women) and in female DEGS participants (HR for WC 2.24, 95% CI 1.91 to 2.63, HR for WHtR 2.10, 95% CI 1.81 to 2.44), whereas the strongest association in men was found for WHR among DEGS participants (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.89 to 2.78). ROC analysis showed WHtR to be the strongest predictor for incident T2DM. Differences in HR and ROCs between the different markers confirmed WC and WHtR to be the best predictors of incident T2DM. Findings were consistent across study regions and age groups (<65 vs ≥65 years). Conclusions We found stronger associations between anthropometric markers that reflect abdominal obesity (ie, WC and WHtR) and incident T2DM than for BMI and weight. The use of these measurements in risk prediction should be encouraged

Genome-wide mapping of genetic determinants influencing DNA methylation and gene expression in human hippocampus

Emerging evidence emphasizes the strong impact of regulatory genomic elements in neurodevelopmental processes and the complex pathways of brain disorders. The present genome-wide quantitative trait loci analyses explore the cis-regulatory effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on DNA methylation (meQTL) and gene expression (eQTL) in 110 human hippocampal biopsies. We identify cis-meQTLs at 14,118 CpG methylation sites and cis-eQTLs for 302 3'-mRNA transcripts of 288 genes. Hippocampal cis-meQTL-CpGs are enriched in flanking regions of active promoters, CpG island shores, binding sites of the transcription factor CTCF and brain eQTLs. Cis-acting SNPs of hippocampal meQTLs and eQTLs significantly overlap schizophrenia-associated SNPs. Correlations of CpG methylation and RNA expression are found for 34 genes. Our comprehensive maps of cis-acting hippocampal meQTLs and eQTLs provide a link between disease-associated SNPs and the regulatory genome that will improve the functional interpretation of non-coding genetic variants in the molecular genetic dissection of brain disorders

HDAC9 is implicated in atherosclerotic aortic calcification and affects vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype.

Aortic calcification is an important independent predictor of future cardiovascular events. We performed a genome-wide association meta-analysis to determine SNPs associated with the extent of abdominal aortic calcification (n = 9,417) or descending thoracic aortic calcification (n = 8,422). Two genetic loci, HDAC9 and RAP1GAP, were associated with abdominal aortic calcification at a genome-wide level (P &lt; 5.0 × 10-8). No SNPs were associated with thoracic aortic calcification at the genome-wide threshold. Increased expression of HDAC9 in human aortic smooth muscle cells promoted calcification and reduced contractility, while inhibition of HDAC9 in human aortic smooth muscle cells inhibited calcification and enhanced cell contractility. In matrix Gla protein-deficient mice, a model of human vascular calcification, mice lacking HDAC9 had a 40% reduction in aortic calcification and improved survival. This translational genomic study identifies the first genetic risk locus associated with calcification of the abdominal aorta and describes a previously unknown role for HDAC9 in the development of vascular calcification

Struktureller und sozio-demographischer Wandel der Arbeitswelt und Änderung der beruflichen Mobilität in Deutschland 1980-2010

Der Wandel der Arbeitswelt und die Entwicklung der beruflichen Mobilität ist unter gesundheits- und präventionspolitischen Gesichtspunkten wegen einer möglichen Emergenz neuer Belastungsarten und der Einwanderung von Personen in belastungsintensive Berufe von Bedeutung. Bislang fehlt allerdings eine gemeinsame Analyse dieser Einflüsse. Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, den demographischen und strukturellen Wandel der Arbeitswelt sowie die Änderung der beruflichen Mobilität anhand ausgewählter Indikatoren zu beschreiben. Wir fokussieren dabei auf sozio-demographische Kennzahlen und analysieren die Mobilität interbetrieblich (Wechsel der Arbeitgeber), interberuflich (Wechsel in andere Berufe), intersektoral (Wechsel in andere Branche) sowie interregional (Wechsel in ein anderes Bundesland). Datengrundlage ist die Stichprobe der Integrierten Arbeitsmarktbiografien des Instituts für Arbeits-markt- und Berufsforschung. Bei dem sogenannten Regionalfile handelt sich um eine ca. 2 % Stich-probe aus der Grundgesamtheit der integrierten Erwerbsbiographien. Für den Zeitraum 1980 bis 2010 verdeutlichen die Auswertungen einen durchgreifenden sozio-demographischen und strukturellen Wandel der Arbeitswelt. Während sich in der Mehrzahl der Wirtschaftsgruppen eine Abnahme der Beschäftigung zeigt, gewinnen die ohnehin schon beschäftigungsstarken Branchen wie das Kredit- und Versicherungsgewerbe und die Erziehungs-, Sozial- und Gesundheitseinrichtungen weiter an Bedeutung. Es zeigt sich eine bedeutende Zunahme des Anteils der Frauen, der Teilzeittätigkeit, sowie eine Alterung und Qualifizierung in nahezu allen Wirtschaftsgruppen. Dabei erfasst der Wandel die Wirtschaftsgruppen und besonders die Berufe unterschiedlich stark. Gleichzeitig kann auch 2010 von typischen Frauenberufen mit Beschäftigungsanteilen von über 95 % gesprochen werden, etwa bei KindergärtnerInnen und SprechstundenhelferInnen. Die berufliche Mobilität hat im Hinblick auf alle betrachteten Mobilitätskennziffern zugenommen. Während sozialversicherungspflichtig Beschäftigte im Jahr 1990 rechnerisch in 28 verschiedenen Betrieben arbeiteten (pro 100 Beschäftigungsjahre), waren es 2010 bereits 34. Die Änderungen fallen im Zeitraum 1990 bis 2000 größer aus als von 2000 zu 2010. Altersadjustiert bleibt eine kontinuierliche Zunahme der Betriebs-, Berufs und Branchenwechsel erhalten, während bei der räumlichen Mobilität über Bundesländer kein Trend beobachtet werden kann. Bei allen Kennziffern ist die berufliche Mobilität bei Jüngeren besonders ausgeprägt. Berufsspezifisch finden sich besonders auffällige Änderungen für Frauen mit Schweißer-, Post-, Verkehrs- und Industrieberufe; für Männer bei Kassierern und Friseuren. Diese Berufe sind dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Risiko für Betriebswechsel im Jahr 2010 im Vergleich zu 1990 um mindestens 30 % erhöht war. Die erzielten Ergebnisse können durch die Datenbasis beeinflusst sein. Z.B. sind geringfügig Beschäftigte erst seit 1999 in das gesetzliche Meldesystem eingeschlossen. Zudem ist eine Analyse der Ursachen der beruflichen Mobilität - etwa eine erhöhte Wechselbereitschaft oder erzwungene Wechsel - aufgrund der Datengrundlage nicht möglich

Neighbourhood socio-economic status and positive affectivity among older residents in Germany: a cross-sectional analysis with data from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study

Background: Physical and social neighbourhood characteristics can vary according to the neighbourhood socio-economic status (SES) and influence residents’ perceptions, behaviours and health outcomes both positively and negatively. Neighbourhood SES has been shown to be predictive of mental health, which is relevant for healthy ageing and prevention of dementia or depression. Positive affectivity (PA) is an established indicator of mental health and might indicate a positive emotional response to neighbourhood characteristics. In this study, we focussed on the association of neighbourhood SES with PA among older residents in Germany and considered social integration and environmental perceptions in this association. Methods: We used questionnaire-based data of the ongoing population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study for our cross-sectional analysis, complemented by secondary data on social welfare rates in the neighbourhood of residents’ address. PA was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in 2016. Linear regression models were performed to estimate the associations and adjusted for socio-demographic variables. Results: Higher social welfare rates were associated with lower PA scores. The strongest negative association from the crude model (b = -1.916, 95%-CI [-2.997, -0.835]) was reduced after controlling for socio-demographic variables (b = -1.429, 95%-CI [-2.511, -0.346]). Social integration factors (b = -1.199, 95%-CI [-2.276, -0.121]) and perceived environmental factors (b = -0.875, 95%-CI [-1.971, 0.221]) additionally diminished the association of social welfare rates with PA in the full model (b = -0.945, 95%-CI [-2.037, 0.147]). Conclusion: Our results suggest that neighbourhoods have an influence on the occurrence and the extent of PA. Public health interventions that address socio-economic disadvantage in the neighbourhood environment could be an effective and far-reaching way to reduce the risk of depression and depressive symptoms due to low PA in older residents