International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Labeled, Parallel Group Trial of Sildenafil in Alcohol-Associated Erectile Dysfunction: The Impact on Psychosocial Outcomes

by Alexander M. Ponizovsky, Lev Averbuch, Ira Radomislensky and Alexander Grinshpoon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2510-2525; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092510 - 23 Sep 2009

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 13032

Abstract

To examine the effect of sildenafil on erectile dysfunction (ED) and psychosocial outcomes in alcohol-dependent (AD) men, 108 men with these diagnoses were randomly assigned to either take sildenafil (50 mg) as add-on to standard treatment for AD, or the same treatment without [...] Read more.

To examine the effect of sildenafil on erectile dysfunction (ED) and psychosocial outcomes in alcohol-dependent (AD) men, 108 men with these diagnoses were randomly assigned to either take sildenafil (50 mg) as add-on to standard treatment for AD, or the same treatment without sildenafil, for 12 weeks. Only 50 patients in sildenafil group and 51 in control group twice completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and a battery of self-report questionnaires. IIEF scores and psychosocial functioning, self-esteem and support from friends improved only for sildenafil-treated patients (P < 0.001). The high effect sizes suggest that the observed benefits are unlikely to be a placebo effect, although their unspecific nature could not be ruled out. In men with ED associated with AD, sildenafil improves both ED and psychosocial outcomes. Further placebo-controlled clinical trial is warranted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alcohol and Public Health)

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467 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development, Methodology and Potential of the New Universal Visual Scoring System (UniViSS) for Caries Detection and Diagnosis

by Jan Kühnisch, Inka Goddon, Susanne Berger, Helga Senkel, Katharina Bücher, Thomas Oehme, Reinhard Hickel and Roswitha Heinrich-Weltzien

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2500-2509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092500 - 23 Sep 2009

Cited by 47 | Viewed by 25313

Abstract

Given the limitations of adjunct caries detection and diagnostic tools, e.g., imperfect validity and reproducibility, as well as the difficulties in controlling all possible confounding factors, the need for an objective visual caries detection and diagnosis system has become evident. Our work has [...] Read more.

Given the limitations of adjunct caries detection and diagnostic tools, e.g., imperfect validity and reproducibility, as well as the difficulties in controlling all possible confounding factors, the need for an objective visual caries detection and diagnosis system has become evident. Our work has therefore aimed at systematizing caries lesions with the Universal Visual Scoring System (UniViSS) for occlusal and smooth surface lesions, which can be used for primary and permanent teeth, as well as under clinical, epidemiological, public health and laboratory conditions. Besides the description of the development and methodology of UniViSS, it is shown that UniViSS allows an accurate and reproducible classification of caries lesions on occlusal surfaces. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Context and Cardiovascular Risk Modification in Two Regions of Ontario, Canada: A Photo Elicitation Study

by Jan E. Angus, Ellen Rukholm, Isabelle Michel, Sylvie Larocque, Lisa Seto, Jennifer Lapum, Katherine Timmermans, Renée Chevrier-Lamoureux and Robert P. Nolan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2481-2499; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092481 - 17 Sep 2009

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 12419

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases, which include coronary heart diseases (CHD), remain the leading cause of death in Canada and other industrialized countries. This qualitative study used photo-elicitation, focus groups and in-depth interviews to understand health behaviour change from the perspectives of 38 people who were [...] Read more.

Cardiovascular diseases, which include coronary heart diseases (CHD), remain the leading cause of death in Canada and other industrialized countries. This qualitative study used photo-elicitation, focus groups and in-depth interviews to understand health behaviour change from the perspectives of 38 people who were aware of their high risk for CHD and had received information about cardiovascular risk modification while participating in a larger intervention study. Participants were drawn from two selected regions: Sudbury and District (northern Ontario) and the Greater Toronto Area (southern Ontario). Analysis drew on concepts of place and space to capture the complex interplay between geographic location, sociodemographic position, and people‟s efforts to understand and modify their risk for CHD. Three major sites of difference and ambiguity emerged: 1) place and access to health resources; 2) time and food culture; and 3) itineraries or travels through multiple locations. All participants reported difficulties in learning and adhering to new lifestyle patterns, but access to supportive health resources was different in the two regions. Even within regions, subgroups experienced different patterns of constraint and advantage. In each region, “fast” food and traditional foods were entrenched within different temporal and social meanings. Finally, different and shifting strategies for risk modification were required at various points during daily and seasonal travels through neighbourhoods, to workplaces, or on vacation. Thus health education for CHD risk modification should be place-specific and tailored to the needs and resources of specific communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular Diseases and Public Health)

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60 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Degradation of Phenanthrene by Using Sphingomonas sp. GY2B Immobilized in Calcium Alginate Gel Beads

by Xue-Qin Tao, Gui-Ning Lu, Jie-Ping Liu, Ting Li and Li-Ni Yang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2470-2480; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092470 - 16 Sep 2009

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 12729

Abstract

The strain Sphingomonas sp. GY2B is a high efficient phenanthrene-degrading strain isolated from crude oil contaminated soils that displays a broad-spectrum degradation ability towards PAHs and related aromatic compounds. This paper reports embedding immobilization of strain GY2B in calcium alginate gel beads and [...] Read more.

The strain Sphingomonas sp. GY2B is a high efficient phenanthrene-degrading strain isolated from crude oil contaminated soils that displays a broad-spectrum degradation ability towards PAHs and related aromatic compounds. This paper reports embedding immobilization of strain GY2B in calcium alginate gel beads and the rapid degradation of phenanthrene by the embedded strains. Results showed that embedded immobilized strains had high degradation percentages both in mineral salts medium (MSM) and 80% artificial seawater (AS) media, and had higher phenanthrene degradation efficiency than the free strains. More than 90% phenanthrene (100 mg·L^-1) was degraded within 36 h, and the phenanthrene degradation percentages were >99.8% after 72 h for immobilized strains. 80% AS had significant negative effect on the phenanthrene degradation rate (PDR) of strain GY2B during the linear-decreasing stage of incubation and preadsorption of cells onto rice straw could improve the PDR of embedded strain GY2B. The immobilization of strain GY2B possesses a good potential for application in the treatment of industrial wastewater containing phenanthrene and other related aromatic compounds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradability and Environmental Sciences)

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118 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Rated Health: Inequalities and Potential Determinants

by Evangelos C. Alexopoulos and Mary Geitona

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2456-2469; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092456 - 15 Sep 2009

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 11732

Abstract

Understanding social inequalities in health is of great importance; it provides the conceptual frame for investigating the social factors that affect health, together with empirical evidence for improving population health. Individual and socioeconomic data, disease related conditions and self rated health (SRH) ratings [...] Read more.

Understanding social inequalities in health is of great importance; it provides the conceptual frame for investigating the social factors that affect health, together with empirical evidence for improving population health. Individual and socioeconomic data, disease related conditions and self rated health (SRH) ratings were collected from a representative sample of 1,000 participants in order to study health inequalities in Greece. 20.8% of men and 37.2% of women reported poor health status. Significant inequalities in SRH were observed. Strong associations of poor SRH with gender, age, insurance coverage and chronic diseases were identified. Social insurance scheme captured partly the effects of educational level, income and residence area in SRH in multivariate analysis. Respondents under chronic treatment and those suffering from cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neurological/psychiatric disorders exhibited the highest risk of reporting poor SRH. Our findings provide decision-makers with insights into how to manage health inequalities by prioritizing preventive measures and consequently, progress towards the fair distribution of healthcare resources. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Uncertainty in Exposure Estimation on the Exposure-Response Relation between 1,3-Butadiene and Leukemia

by John J. Graff, Nalini Sathiakumar, Maurizio Macaluso, George Maldonado, Robert Matthews and Elizabeth Delzell

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2436-2455; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092436 - 11 Sep 2009

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 11443

Abstract

Abstract: In a follow-up study of mortality among North American synthetic rubber industry workers, cumulative exposure to 1,3-butadiene was positively associated with leukemia. Problems with historical exposure estimation, however, may have distorted the association. To evaluate the impact of potential inaccuracies in exposure [...] Read more.

Abstract: In a follow-up study of mortality among North American synthetic rubber industry workers, cumulative exposure to 1,3-butadiene was positively associated with leukemia. Problems with historical exposure estimation, however, may have distorted the association. To evaluate the impact of potential inaccuracies in exposure estimation, we conducted uncertainty analyses of the relation between cumulative exposure to butadiene and leukemia. We created the 1,000 sets of butadiene estimates using job-exposure matrices consisting of exposure values that corresponded to randomly selected percentiles of the approximate probability distribution of plant-, work area/job group-, and year specific butadiene ppm. We then analyzed the relation between cumulative exposure to butadiene and leukemia for each of the 1,000 sets of butadiene estimates. In the uncertainty analysis, the point estimate of the RR for the first non zero exposure category (>0–<37.5 ppm-years) was most likely to be about 1.5. The rate ratio for the second exposure category (37.5–<184.7 ppm-years) was most likely to range from 1.5 to 1.8. The RR for category 3 of exposure (184.7–<425.0 ppm-years) was most likely between 2.1 and 3.0. The RR for the highest exposure category (425.0+ ppm-years) was likely to be between 2.9 and 3.7. This range off RR point estimates can best be interpreted as a probability distribution that describes our uncertainty in RR point estimates due to uncertainty in exposure estimation. After considering the complete probability distributions of butadiene exposure estimates, the exposure-response association of butadiene and leukemia was maintained. This exercise was a unique example of how uncertainty analyses can be used to investigate and support an observed measure of effect when occupational exposure estimates are employed in the absence of direct exposure measurements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Epidemiology)

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Open AccessArticle

Alcohol Consumption and Development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Population-Based Study

by Lokendra Thakur, Marija Kojicic, Sweta J. Thakur, Matthew S. Pieper, Rahul Kashyap, Cesar A. Trillo-Alvarez, Fernandez Javier, Rodrigo Cartin-Ceba and Ognjen Gajic

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2426-2435; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092426 - 10 Sep 2009

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 13284

Abstract

This retrospective population-based study evaluated the effects of alcohol consumption on the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Alcohol consumption was quantified based on patient and/or family provided information at the time of hospital admission. ARDS was defined according to American-European consensus [...] Read more.

This retrospective population-based study evaluated the effects of alcohol consumption on the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Alcohol consumption was quantified based on patient and/or family provided information at the time of hospital admission. ARDS was defined according to American-European consensus conference (AECC). From 1,422 critically ill Olmsted county residents, 1,357 had information about alcohol use in their medical records, 77 (6%) of whom developed ARDS. A history of significant alcohol consumption (more than two drinks per day) was reported in 97 (7%) of patients. When adjusted for underlying ARDS risk factors (aspiration, chemotherapy, high-risk surgery, pancreatitis, sepsis, shock), smoking, cirrhosis and gender, history of significant alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of ARDS development (odds ratio 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.2). This population-based study confirmed that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with higher risk of ARDS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alcohol and Public Health)

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Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Dietary Beef, Fat, and Pork and Alcoholic Cirrhosis

by Francis Stephen Bridges

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2417-2425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092417 - 10 Sep 2009

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 11602

Abstract

Nanji and French [1] investigated the relationship between per-caput consumption of total fat, beef, and pork and for alcohol consumption and rates of mortality for cirrhosis for 16 countries for 1965. The present study reports significant and positive associations for 1996 and 2003 [...] Read more.

Nanji and French [1] investigated the relationship between per-caput consumption of total fat, beef, and pork and for alcohol consumption and rates of mortality for cirrhosis for 16 countries for 1965. The present study reports significant and positive associations for 1996 and 2003 between the following: alcohol consumption and cirrhosis mortality, pork consumption and cirrhosis mortality, the product of alcohol and pork consumption and the product of alcohol and fat consumption. These supportive associations may represent a relationship between the risk of alcoholic cirrhosis and some heretofore unknown dietary or environmental factor related to conditions of pork or fat consumption. Limitations of the study design are discussed. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Motivations for Alcohol Use among Men Aged 16-30 Years in Sri Lanka

by Bilesha Perera and Mohammad Torabi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2408-2416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092408 - 8 Sep 2009

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 10477

Abstract

Psychometric properties of a new scale that measures motivations towards alcohol use were examined using a sample of 412 male alcohol users in Sri Lanka aged 16-30 years. In addition, associations between drinking motives and drinking frequency were explored. Confirmatory factor analysis showed [...] Read more.

Psychometric properties of a new scale that measures motivations towards alcohol use were examined using a sample of 412 male alcohol users in Sri Lanka aged 16-30 years. In addition, associations between drinking motives and drinking frequency were explored. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that a 3-factor model consisting of the factors personal enjoyment, tension reduction, and social pressure fit the data well. Overall, tension-reduction motivation was found to be prominent in the context of young males’ drinking behavior in Sri Lanka. Associations between stress and alcohol use among young males warrant further investigations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alcohol and Public Health)

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Open AccessArticle

Temperature Effect on Water Extractability of Cadmium, Copper, Lead and Zinc from Composted Organic Solid Wastes of South-West Nigeria

by Iheoma M. Adekunle

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2397-2407; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092397 - 7 Sep 2009

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 8268

Abstract

The effect of temperature changes (10 to 80 °C) on water-extractable metal (Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb) concentrations of composted wastes of Nigerian origin was investigated in batch extraction experiments. Metal concentrations were measured using a calibrated atomic absorption spectrophometer after acid digestions. [...] Read more.

The effect of temperature changes (10 to 80 °C) on water-extractable metal (Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb) concentrations of composted wastes of Nigerian origin was investigated in batch extraction experiments. Metal concentrations were measured using a calibrated atomic absorption spectrophometer after acid digestions. Results showed that the water-extractable metal fractions (I) did not exceed 10% of total metal concentrations of the bulk composts, which corresponded to 0.30 to 6.63% for Zn, 0.09 to 7.51% for Pb, 1.83 to 9.29% for Cu and 0.67 to 9.23% for Cd. Water extractable metal fraction showed positive correlations (r = 0.137 to 0.917*; p* < 0.01) for Cu, Cd and Pb in most cases but negative for Zn (–0.067 to –0.445). Simulations revealed that a steady temperature rise from 0.1 to 1.5 °C might increase I by 0.13 to 168% for all the metals, although stability to gradual temperature rise was demonstrated in some instances. The study revealed that the degree of temperature effect on water extractability of heavy metals from the bulk composts was dependent on metal type, compost formulation and waste type. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Life Years at Risk: A Population Health Measure from a Prevention Perspective

by Yuejen Zhao and Rosalyn Malyon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2387-2396; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092387 - 3 Sep 2009

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 10250 | Correction

Abstract

This paper aims to present life years at risk (LYAR), a new measure of population health needs for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, which classifies health outcomes by care type and distinguishes between positive and negative outcomes. It is determined by the probability [...] Read more.

This paper aims to present life years at risk (LYAR), a new measure of population health needs for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, which classifies health outcomes by care type and distinguishes between positive and negative outcomes. It is determined by the probability of ill-health event, population size and life years lost, based on expected incidence, prevalence and mortality. The LYAR consists of two components: the observed LYAR, available using disability adjusted life years, and the avoided LYAR. Three examples are given to illustrate the calculation and application of the measure. The advantages, disadvantages and policy implications are also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Epidemiology)

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Open AccessArticle

A U.S. Partnership with India and Poland to Track Acute Chemical Releases to Serve Public Health

by Perri Zeitz Ruckart, Maureen Orr, Anna Pałaszewska-Tkacz, Aruna Dewan and Vikas Kapil

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2375-2386; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092375 - 3 Sep 2009

Viewed by 8723

Abstract

We describe a collaborative effort between the U.S., India, and Poland to track acute chemical releases during 2005-2007. In all three countries, fixed facility events were more common than transportation-related events; manufacturing and transportation/ warehousing were the most frequently involved industries; and equipment [...] Read more.

We describe a collaborative effort between the U.S., India, and Poland to track acute chemical releases during 2005-2007. In all three countries, fixed facility events were more common than transportation-related events; manufacturing and transportation/ warehousing were the most frequently involved industries; and equipment failure and human error were the primary contributing factors. The most commonly released non-petroleum substances were ammonia (India), carbon monoxide (U.S.) and mercury (Poland). More events in India (54%) resulted in victims compared with Poland (15%) and the U.S. (9%). The pilot program showed it is possible to successfully conduct international surveillance of acute hazardous substances releases with careful interpretation of the findings. Full article

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Environmental Determinants of Asthma among School Children Aged 13-14 in and around Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa

by Kidi Rose Maluleke and Zeleke Worku

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2354-2374; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092354 - 3 Sep 2009

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 10206

Abstract

Asthma has become a public health issue since the 1960’s. Factors associated with asthma are environmental and genetic. This study is based on a random sample of 742 students aged 13-14 attending various schools at Polokwane, in the Province of Limpopo in South [...] Read more.

Asthma has become a public health issue since the 1960’s. Factors associated with asthma are environmental and genetic. This study is based on a random sample of 742 students aged 13-14 attending various schools at Polokwane, in the Province of Limpopo in South Africa. Survey logistic regression and multi-level analyses were used for data analysis. The study identifies three key determinants of asthma at the district, school and individual levels. The study shows that persistent cough (OR = 4.01), exposure to smoke at the household level (OR = 2.39) and lack of access to flush toileta at the household level (OR = 1.89) are key predictors of asthma in children. Variability at the level of districts accounts for 46% of total variance. Variability at the level of schools accounts for 33% of total variance. Full article

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Open AccessReview

Herpes Zoster Associated Hospital Admissions in Italy: Review of the Hospital Discharge Forms

by Giovanni Gabutti, Carlotta Serenelli, Alessandra Cavallaro and Pietro Ragni

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2344-2353; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092344 - 2 Sep 2009

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 10755

Abstract

In Italy a specific surveillance system for zoster does not exist, and thus updated and complete epidemiological data are lacking. The objective of this study was to retrospectively review the national hospital discharge forms database for the period 1999-2005 using the code ICD9-CM053. [...] Read more.

In Italy a specific surveillance system for zoster does not exist, and thus updated and complete epidemiological data are lacking. The objective of this study was to retrospectively review the national hospital discharge forms database for the period 1999-2005 using the code ICD9-CM053. In the period 1999-2005, 35,328 hospital admissions have been registered with annual means of 4,503 hospitalizations and 543 day-hospital admissions. The great part of hospitalizations (61.9%) involved subjects older than 65 years; the mean duration of stay was 8 days. These data, even if restricted to hospitalizations registered at national level, confirm the epidemiological impact of shingles and of its complications. Full article

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135 KiB

Open AccessReview

Biophilia: Does Visual Contact with Nature Impact on Health and Well-Being?

by Bjørn Grinde and Grete Grindal Patil

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(9), 2332-2343; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph6092332 - 31 Aug 2009

Cited by 419 | Viewed by 71959

Abstract

It is concluded that an environment devoid of Nature may act as a "discord", i.e., have a negative effect. While the term mismatch is used for any difference between present living conditions and the environment of evolutionary adaptation, discords are mismatches with a [...] Read more.

It is concluded that an environment devoid of Nature may act as a "discord", i.e., have a negative effect. While the term mismatch is used for any difference between present living conditions and the environment of evolutionary adaptation, discords are mismatches with a potentially undesirable impact on health or quality of life. The problem is partly due to the visual absence of plants, and may be ameliorated by adding elements of Nature, e.g., by creating parks, by offering a view through windows, and by potted plants. The conclusion is based on an evaluation of some fifty relevant empirical studies. Full article

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, Volume 6, Issue 9 (September 2009) – 15 articles , Pages 2332-2525

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