bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between bisphenol A exposure and cardiometabolic outcomes: a longitudinal approach
Authors: Costa S A , Severo M , Lopes C , Torres D 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Increased cardiometabolic risk is associated with abnormalities in blood biomarkers profile and adiposity measurements. Some substances found in the food matrix or the environment, called endocrine-disrupting chemicals, may impair cardiometabolic health in the yearly and later stages of life. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a food contaminant that migrates from food contact materials and may act as an endocrine disruptor, negatively affecting human health. The present work aims to assess the longitudinal association between BPA exposure and cardiometabolic outcomes.

Methods
Data from the four waves of the Portuguese population-based birth cohort Generation XXI were used (n = 3138). Dietary data were collected by 3-d food diaries, using the FoodEx2 classification system to describe the reported foods. BPA daily exposure was estimated using a random forest model, combining dietary information with urinary BPA measured in 24-h urine from a subsample, used to predict the remaining sample’s BPA exposure. The generalised least squares model was used to test the associations between BPA and cardiometabolic outcomes.

Results
Blood insulin and HOMA-IR presented a significant longitudinal association with BPA daily exposure after adjustment for important variables and energy (0.06 SD(0.03, 0.09); 0.05 SD(0.02, 0.08) respectively). The same findings were observed for fat mass and waist circumference (0.03 SD(0.01, 0.06); 0.06 SD(0.04, 0.08), respectively). For z-BMI, a significant cross-sectional and longitudinal association was found (0.03 SD(0.01, 0.04); 0.02 SD(0.00, 0.04), respectively).

Conclusions
This was the first study assessing the association between BPA exposure and health outcomes from childhood to adolescence. We found an association between BPA exposure and an increased blood insulin level, insulin resistance, fat mass percentage, waist circumference and z-score of body mass index. Our results point to the need to reduce exposure to BPA in the early stages of life.

Key messages
• BPA exposure was estimated using direct and indirect methods.
• BPA can impair cardiometabolic outcomes from the early stages of life, such as higher blood insulin level, insulin resistance, fat mass, waist circumference, and body mass index.
Dietary inflammatory potential: a comprehensive approach to the inclusion of flavonoids
Authors: Martins S , Correia D , Carvalho C , Costa S A , Lopes C , Torres D 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) has been widely used to estimate dietary inflammation. However, most studies do not consider the six classes of flavonoids (6F) included in the original DII. This study aimed to develop two new tools, the Complete-DIP (CDIP) and Short-DIP (SDIP), to estimate the Energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Potential (DIP) in adults while exploring the benefit of including the 6F. An open-access reference population (RP) was created from the Global Dietary Database (GDD) to calculate DIP. CDIP considered 38 food parameters (FP), whereas SDIP excluded the 6F and considered 32 FP. CDIP and SDIP were estimated for 3501 participants aged 18-84 from the IAN-AF. FP intake z-scores were calculated using FPs from the RP. Centred percentiles were multiplied by the FP’s inflammatory effects (IE) to obtain FP-specific DIP, which were then summed to achieve the individual DIP. IE were retrieved from the literature. Lower DIP values indicated more anti-inflammatory diets. Linear regressions assessed the association between sociodemographic factors and diet quality (measured with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)) with DIP. Pearson’s test evaluated the correlation between CDIP and SDIP. The mean and standard deviation for CDIP and SDIP were 0.00±2.17 and 0.02±1.74, respectively. Men had more pro-inflammatory diets than women using CDIP (β = 0.354[95%CI:0.209,0.499]), but this effect was not statistically significant when using the SDIP. Older adults had more anti-inflammatory diets than adults (CDIP: β=-0.668[95%CI:-0.850,-0.486]; SDIP: β=-0.548[95%CI:-0.529,-0.076]). Participants with lower diet quality (Q1 of HEI vs Q4) had higher DIP (CDIP: β = 2.309[95%CI:2.116,2.502]; SDIP: β = 2.185[95%CI:2.037,2.334]). A very strong correlation between the CDIP and the SDIP was observed (r = 0.94). Results suggest that CDIP and SDIP may be equally successful in estimating dietary inflammation. However, the advantage of adding the 6F to evaluate the DIP needs further research.

Key messages
• This study created two open-access energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory potentials (DIP), with and without flavonoids.
• Results suggest that flavonoids may not be essential for accurate DIP estimations.
Correlates of food insecurity among university students in a low socioeconomic area
Authors: Dehove H , Mofakhami M , Julia C , Peneau S , Bellicha A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of food insecurity (FI) is high and suggested to be growing among university students, with potential detrimental effects on their health status and academic performances. This cross-sectional study aims to identify the socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle factors associated with FI among university students in a disadvantaged area.

Methods
An anonymous online survey was conducted from Nov 2022 to Jan 2023 among students enrolled at University Sorbonne Paris Nord, located in a low socioeconomic area in France. FI was assessed with one question distinguishing 2 levels of FI: quantitative (i.e. not having enough to eat) and qualitative (i.e. not having the desired food). This abstract focused on quantitative FI. To improve the representativeness of the sample compared to the total student population of the university, sample weights were used according to gender, study level and speciality, whether they were undergoing initial training or not, or obtained their baccalaureate abroad or not. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with FI.

Results
A total of 5068 students provided valid answers (20% of the target population), 66% of whom were women, and 12% and 36% reported quantitative and qualitative FI, respectively. Being a man, an undergraduate, having obtained a baccalaureate abroad, not living in the family home, not receiving food from family, having no household food-heating facilities, reporting financial difficulties, relying on food charity and eating alone on a regular basis were positively associated with quantitative FI (P &lt; 0.0001). Those reporting quantitative FI were more likely to report academic difficulties.

Conclusions
This study shows a high prevalence of FI in this student population and identifies several associated factors. Identifying students at greater risk of FI is an important first step to design and evaluate public health interventions.

Key messages
• The different socio-economic backgrounds of university students imply important food insecurity disparities among them.
• University students present several factors associated with food insecurity, which should be considered when addressing food insecurity in this population.
Veggies4myHeart – educational project to promote vegetable knowledge and consumption in preschoolers
Authors: Novo R , Edra J , Vieito L , Simões Dias S , Lages M , Guarino M P , Braga-Pontes C 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Vegetable consumption among children is below recommended. Given the critical role of vegetable consumption in health promotion, it is essential to identify effective strategies to promote this intake. The Veggies4myHeart project aims to increase vegetable knowledge and consumption in preschool children through nutrition education strategies (NES). Veggies4myHeart is a prospective longitudinal study with children aged 2 to 6 years who attend preschools in the Leiria district. A questionnaire was applied to the parents to characterize the sample. NES were used: children’s story, digital game, vegetable-themed sticker booklet and the food wheel. The intervention consisted of 5 food education sessions, each focusing on one selected vegetable (lettuce, carrot, red cabbage, cucumber, and tomato). Sessions to assess knowledge and consumption of vegetables were held pre-and post-intervention. Knowledge was evaluated through a taxonomic categorization questionnaire. Consumption was assessed by recording the number of portions of each vegetable consumed. Wilcoxon test was used to compare pre-and post-intervention vegetable knowledge and consumption. ANOVA test was used to compare NES. Between 2018 and 2024, 649 children (52,5% female, mean age 4,36 ± 0,942) from 17 preschools participated. After the intervention, there was a statistically significant increase in vegetable knowledge (p &lt; 0,001) and a statistically significant increase in the consumption of vegetables (p &lt; 0,001). There are statistically significant differences between NES, with the digital game having greater vegetable knowledge (p &lt; 0,001) and consumption (p &lt; 0,001) than the others. The Veggies4myHeart project effectively increased vegetable knowledge and consumption in preschoolers. It is essential to continue the intervention to promote consumption and familiarity with vegetables, as well as the involvement of parents and preschool teachers, due to their prominent role as models for acquiring healthy eating habits.

Key messages
• The NES used proved useful, contributing to increased knowledge and consumption of vegetables.
• The Veggies4myHeart project is an asset for preschool-aged children to become familiar with vegetables.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle’s behaviours of school-aged children in Portugal
Authors: Rito A , Figueira I , Mendes S , Buoncristiano M , Williams J 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 pandemic impacted children’s daily routines. Based on this, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nutrition and Childhood Obesity in collaboration with WHO Regional Office for Europe coordinated the study about the impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle’s behaviours of school-age children in Europe, where 17 Member States participated, including Portugal.

Methods
Cross-sectional study was conducted within the sixth round of COSI Portugal, following a WHO common methodological protocol, during 2021-2022 school year. A national representative sample of families with children 6-8 years old were included and asked to report on variables comparing two periods: pre and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results
5139 families participated. 11.4% reported a worsening of their perceived wealth and the percentage of fathers and mothers working full- or part-time decreased (74.6% to 68.7% and 70.6% to 59.6%, respectively) during pandemic. Children’s consumption of sweets (19.4%), savoury snacks (13.8%), fruit (11.9%) and vegetables (7.1%) increased, and sugary soft drinks (13.8%) decreased during pandemic. Family behaviours with the highest increases during pandemic were “eating together as a family” (35.4%), “cooking meals together with your child” (33.6%), “buying food in large quantities” (33.6%) and “eating home-cooked meals” (29.1%). Approximately, one in four parents reported children’s physical activity decreased and almost one in two reported an increase in recreational screen time. Parents who perceived their child as overweight during pandemic doubled (f7.9% to 14.6%). Children’s well-being behaviours that worsened more during pandemic were “having fun with friends” (44.3%), “got on well at school” (27.9%), “feel full of energy” (23.8%) and “feel fit and well” (22.2%).

Conclusions
These observations underscore the need to “build back better” post-pandemic with a focus on preventing and controlling childhood obesity and its determinants.

Key messages
• Portuguese children experienced negative impacts of the pandemic in their lifestyle behaviours, particularly on their physical health and well-being, with a report of a poorer socioeconomic situation.
• This study and its findings give us a first-of-its-kind view into the physical and mental outcomes of the pandemic on school-aged children with a focus on the long-term, high-risk disease of obesity
Heat-related risk in outdoor workers in the context of climate change: a systematic review
Authors: Rossi M F , Pulvirenti A , Leone R , Gualano M R , Borrelli I , Santoro P E , Moscato U 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Climate change is one of the paramount challenges in the current global health setting. From an occupational health perspective, outdoor workers are amongst the most vulnerable populations to climate change and heat-related risk. A systematic review was performed, aiming to assess heat-related health outcomes in outdoor workers.

Methods
The research query was structured using the Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICO) model, and including synonyms and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for the following keywords: “outdoor workers”, “climate change”, and “occupational risk”. The systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements, screening three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus).

Results
After duplicate removal and title and abstract screening, the final screening by full-text resulted in 10 included studies. The included studies were performed mostly on construction (included in 5 studies, 50.0%) and agriculture (in 5 studies, 50.0%) workers. Eight studies (80.0%) had a majority of male workers, while one (10.0%) had a majority of female workers, and one study (10.0%) did not report on the gender ratio. Four of the included studies (40.0%) reported a high prevalence of heat-related symptoms, ranging from 64.0% to 90.3% of workers. Three studies (30.0%) showcased a prevalence of heat-related symptoms in less than 50% of workers (ranging from 11.6% to 47.5%). Three studies (30.0%) evaluated odds ratio, highlighting an increased odds ratio of heat-related symptoms in outdoor workers.

Conclusions
This systematic review highlights heat-related stress in outdoor workers as an important occupational risk. Mitigation and prevention strategies should be developed and implemented at a company, national, and supra-national level, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of outdoor workers worldwide.

Key messages
• A systematic review was performed to assess risks related to climate change in outdoor workers. Heat-related symptoms were reported with a high prevalence, ranging from 64.0% to 90.3% of workers.
• Mitigation and prevention strategies should be developed and implemented at a company, national, and supra-national level, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of outdoor workers worldwide.
Accounting for adaptation when projecting climate change impacts on health: a review of methods
Authors: Cordiner R , Wan K , Hajat S , Macintyre H 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Exposure to high and low temperatures can cause harm to health. Temperature related health effects are likely to increase in the future, due to global warming, unless populations can adapt to a warming environment. Adaptation occurs through multiple mechanisms, however, the amount that populations may adapt to rising temperatures is unclear. There are currently a variety of methods used to include adaptation in projections, but it is unclear how underlying assumptions are made and whether they are based on evidence. With increasing interest from decisionmakers around implementation of adaptation strategies, an important step in responding to climate change will be to understand how adaptation can statistically be incorporated when estimating future health burdens. A systematic scoping review was conducted to identify all quantitative methods to include adaptation in studies projecting future temperature-related health impacts under climate change. Approaches employed in studies were coded into methodological categories. Advantages and disadvantages of each method were also explored, along with the empirical basis for model assumptions. Eight methodological categories were identified from the included fifty-nine studies. More recent methods of including adaptation in projections use a combination of approaches or modelling adaptation based on specific adaptation strategies or socioeconomic conditions. The most used approaches in the literature to model adaptation are heat threshold shifts and reductions in the exposure-response slope. Just under 20% of studies were categorised as using an empirical basis for statistical assumptions. Including adaptation in projections considerably reduced the projected temperature-mortality burden in the future. Researchers should ensure that all future impact assessments include adaptation uncertainty in projections and assumptions are based on empirical evidence where possible.

Key messages
• Including adaptation in future projections considerably affects temperature-related mortality numbers.
• All future impact assessments should include adaptation uncertainty and assumptions should be based on evidence where possible.
A systematic review of health outcomes of public transport use by older adults
Authors: Dilian O , Beckers C , Davidovitch N , Martens K 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background and Aim
Public transport use has been linked to several health benefits in the general population, and is crucial for older adults’ mobility, due to an age-related decline in mobility, and particularly the ability to use other transport modes. The objective of this systematic review is to determine what is known about the physical and mental health outcomes of public transport use by older adults and to identify remaining gaps in the literature.

Methods
Five electronic databases were searched in April 2023, with an update in January 2024: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ageline and Transport Research International Documentation (TRID). Included were studies that were in English, contained a measure of public transport use as exposure, and any health outcome, including mental or physical health, physical or cognitive function, morbidity, or mortality, among people aged ≥ 60 years.

Results
Of a total of 2247 unique records that were screened, the full text of 20 was assessed for eligibility and 11 were identified as eligible. Citation search identified two additional studies, amounting to a total of 13 included studies. Significant health outcomes described in assessed studies were decreased obesity and depressive symptoms, and to a lesser extent increased gait speed and cognitive function.

Conclusions
Initial evidence suggests a positive impact of public transport use on obesity, depressive symptoms, gait and cognitive function, although available research was limited in context and methodology. Further research should focus on determining causality between public transport use and health, and be conducted in more diverse contexts. Transport and urban planners, as well as policymakers, should consider the implications of public transport on the health and independence of older adults.

Key messages
• Public transport use is linked to reduced obesity and depression among older adults. Links with other health outcomes were reported in several studies, but evidence is scarce.
• Current research is limited in terms of quantity, scope, and design. Future research should be conducted in wider contexts, encompass a broader range of health outcomes, and address reverse causality.
Isolation of Shewanella algae from blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in Northwestern Adriatic Sea
Authors: Rubini S , Massella E , Bertasi B , Mangeri L , Dell’Orfano G , Russo S , Sampieri M , Tiralongo F , Taddei R 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is one of the last reported invasive species that have colonized the Italian coasts, in particular the lagoons of the northern Adriatic Sea. Their massive presence is compromising shellfish farming, causing a serious economic crisis among the valley populations. To limit the economic damage, blue crabs have been introduced as human food in the Italian markets. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological contamination of blue crab as potential risk to human health. From July 2023 to April 2024, 72 blue crabs were collected in coastal lagoons and 5-6 nm from the coast of the Emilia Romagna Region. Microbiological analysis revealed Shewanella algae as one of the most commonly identified microorganisms (18/72, 25%). Shewanella was isolated on Chromagar Vibrio™ and TCBS after an enrichment step in Alkaline Saline Peptone Water. Colony morphology, Gram stain, and biochemical tests (oxidase, catalase) sustained Shewanella identification, later confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS (MALDI Biotyper® Sirius, Bruker Daltonics). S. algae is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic microorganism widely distributed in seawater, freshwater, and soil. In humans, it is considered an opportunistic pathogen, especially in people with impaired immune systems. Shewanellosis has been strongly associated with seawater exposure and typically arises in hot months. Clinical manifestations include skin and soft tissue infections, otitis media, keratitis, biliary tract infections, vertebral discitis, and bloodstream infections. Notably, in the last years, S. algae infections have increased globally, even in healthy young people. The present study suggests blue crabs as a potential source of S. algae throughout the year. The increasing identification of S. algae in marine waters worldwide, as well as in marine-derived foods like blue crabs, underscores the growing importance of S. algae as an emerging pathogen and its impact on public health.

Key messages
• Shewanella algae is an opportunistic pathogen, increasingly isolated in marine water and seafood.
• Blue crab is an invasive species that has recently conolonised the Italian coasts.