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Results for “Urban environment”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1979

Intestinal disease and the urban environment.

Factors in the urban environments of highly industralized societies are important causes of disease. This review examines urban diseases of small and large intestine. The urban environment is pervaded by chemicals including drugs, food additives, pesticides, industrial products, etc., which are potential causes of disease. Examples of typical urban, as contrasted with rural, intestinal disease are considered in terms of differing etiological factors. Urban intestinal disease is examined from the following standpoints: the population at risk; the chemical agents to which the population is exposed; a model for the physiology of distribution and metabolism of chemicals in relation to the alimentary tract; the application of this model to treatment of an industrial disease; a major urban disease of the alimentary tract, carcinoma of the colon, considered in terms of this model; approaches to characterizing, identifying, and controlling urban intestinal disease.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed2025

Cumulative Genetic Risk for Asthma Contributes to Disease Severity in Children with Asthma living in Urban Environments.

BACKGROUND: Childhood-onset asthma is highly heritable, with nearly 200 risk loci identified in genome-wide association studies. Aggregated polygenic risk scores can be used to quantify genetic predisposition to asthma, but their power to predict asthma severity in multi-ancestral groups has not been determined. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine the predictive power of biobank-derived asthma polygenic risk scores in children with asthma living in urban environments. METHODS: We generated polygenic risk scores for asthma, derived from a large-scale genome-wide association meta-analysis, in four multi-ancestry asthma study cohorts of children living in urban environments. We assessed genetic predictions across different subphenotypes of asthma and tested for associations between genetic asthma risk and measures of asthma severity. RESULTS: Genetic asthma prediction was significantly stronger for more symptomatic asthma phenotypes (P<0.001). Polygenic risk scores were significantly higher in difficult-to-control vs. easy-to-control asthma (P=0.02). Genetic risk was also significantly associated with more frequent exacerbations (P=0.03), higher blood eosinophil levels (P=0.01), and lower lung function (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Cumulative genetic risk for asthma is associated with disease severity and exacerbation risk in children with asthma living in urban environments.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1979

A methodology for determining high risk components in urban environments.

A method of data collection and analysis is proposed for identifying environmental indicators significant to community health. The methods were applied to a study of child mortality in the city of Cali, Colombia. Pridit analysis (principal component analysis of ridits) is described. The methods have potential usefulness for monitoring and health care planning.

Colombia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparison of chronic respiratory diseases in an agricultural versus urban environment (author's transl)].

A longitudinal investigation was conducted simultaneously in Normandy and in the West-Paris region. Based on more than 2000 subjects in Normandy and 1500 in the Paris (St. Lazare) area, the frequency of a bronchial syndrome was established as 21 and 26% respectively; obstructive respiratory failure, 4 and 2% respectively; and restrictive respiratory failure, 1%. The typical elements of risk (tobacco, age, socio-professional sphere) reappear in this study. Alcoholism also seems to be a contributing factor. In a longitudinal investigation, the study of new cases which are in progress will help to identify the onset of the disease and its facilitating circumstances. In the future, the study of the flow-volume curve should be included in epidemiological investigations.

France↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative results of total detections and detection in a group of patients with high risk for tuberculosis in an urban environment].

In the territory of 5 anti-TBC dispensaries in the area of Bucharest 2 circumscriptions have been selected at random in which radiophotographic detection was to be carried out integrally and 2 other circumscriptions were selected for the investigation of groups at high risk of developing tuberculosis. All the new cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis that have been recorded, through all the methods in these 20 circumscriptions in 1973 were analized retrospectively and the reasons appeared that had determined their existence was mentioned or was ommitted on the occasion of previous investigations. These reasons were correlated with the data concerning the method for detection that had been employed, according to the indications of the tuberculosis dispensaries. In view of the evaluation of the degree of real covering of the population in integral rf investigations, the team of the Institute of Phtysiology investigated representative lots of population from each dispensary and checked the catagraphy of the population in the field, house-by-house. It was noted that 20--21% of the subjects that had been programmed for the integral rf examination (according to catagraphic criteria) were absent when the checking in the field, that should have been programmed, were not included in the catagraphy. On the basis of this study the methodology for radiophotographic detection for groups with risk of developing tuberculosis was established.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

The arthritic in an urban environment.

Ninety-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthrosis were interviewed and questioned in their homes, being randomly selected from 354 outpatients with these diseases. The findings were compared with answers from 30 matched able-bodied controls. The handicapped were mainly female and elderly; over half were severely or appreciably handicapped; nearly one-third lived alone. The average weekly income of these households was pound25, at least pound6 a week less than their age-matched counterparts. Very few subjects lived in adapted or specially designed housing, and half the housing had at least 2 steps to street level. A third of the sample could not walk more than 10 yards (9 m), and only half could walk 100 yards (90 m); yet only one-third had a bus stop, one-quarter a local park, and one-third a local shop within this distance. One-third of the patients could not shop for themselves. Powered wheelchairs were not used. Buses were rarely or never used by nearly half these arthritics because of severe disability. Cars were owned by less than a quarter of the sample, and only by those financially better off. Over a third were unable to get a lift when wanted. Cars ameliorated much of the frustration and lack of social contact caused by physical disability. Adequate financing would enable those with severe disability to engage in normal activities. Better designed buses stopping nearer the homes of handicapped would improve independence for those less severely disabled. Correct siting of mobility housing, shops, community facilities, and parks would be greatly appreciated, as would removal of all unnecessary steps and kerbs.

Adult↗
PubMed2025

Dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella spp. from urban aquatic environments: a multi-country genomic perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotic resistance, particularly carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), poses significant clinical and environmental threats, especially in urban aquatic ecosystems and hospital wastewaters. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the epidemiological and genomic features of CRKP isolates in urban aquatic environments and evaluate their public health and environmental impacts. METHODS AND RESULTS: Water samples were collected from 113 rivers and 3 hospitals in China, Sri Lanka, and Nepal to isolate carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp. isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, and bioinformatics analyses were performed to characterize resistance phenotypes, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and evolutionary trends. Big data analysis further elucidated the genomic characteristics of CRKP in global water sources, and Galleria mellonella larvae were used to assess virulence. Statistical analysis validated the findings. A total of 192 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp. isolates were identified from urban aquatic ecosystems in China (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;60) and Nepal (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;132), with CRKP (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;161) being the predominant species. All CRKP isolates exhibited a multidrug-resistant phenotype, yet significant differences in resistance profiles and associated ARGs were observed between isolates from the two countries. Nine carbapenem resistance genes (CRGs) were detected, with blaNDM-1 being the most prevalent (57.8&#xa0;%). Correlation analysis revealed a strong association between these CRGs and multiple Inc-type plasmids. Global genomic analysis of CRKP from water sources across eight countries identified ten distinct CRGs across 45 serotypes, with KL64 being the most predominant. Notably, carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected in water samples from Nepal. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight significant regional disparities in CRKP prevalence and ARG dissemination across urban aquatic environments, with Nepal showing the highest prevalence, particularly in untreated rivers. China exhibited lower prevalence but distinct resistance gene profiles, while no CRKP was detected in Sri Lanka, underscoring the impact of environmental management and healthcare infrastructure on ARG spread.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytologic changes of the respiratory tract as a consequence of air pollution and smoking.

A comparison was made of cytologic abnormalities in sputum specimens from inhibitants of an urban environment with a high level of air pollution (Sarajevo) and from inhabitants of a rural area (Podvelezje). The subjects of this study were grouped according to their smoking habits and sex. At the time of the investigation, all the subjects were clinically healthy. The cytologic specimens were evaluated in reference to eosinophils, respiratory spirals, atypia of bronchial cells and squamous metaplasia. The abnormal findings were more frequent among urban inhabitants than among rural ones. In both groups the abnormalities were more pronounced in smokers than in nonsmokers and in men then in women. Atypical squamous metaplasia was observed in 56% of smokers from the urban environment. There were no significant differences in cytologic abnormalities between nonsmokers from the urban environment and smokers from the rural area.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2026

Health and Physical Activity Outcomes in Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: A Systematic Review of Emerging Evidence and a Future Research Agenda.

OBJECTIVES: The World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFCCs) promotes the development of urban environments, policies and services that support the health and participation of older adults. This systematic review examined contemporary evidence concerning associations between WHO AFCC conditions and directly measured health and physical activity outcomes among older residents. METHODS: The registered review adhered to the PRISMA protocol for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and applied the Downs and Black quality criteria for randomised and non-randomised research. RESULTS: Structured Boolean searches of five research repositories identified 17 peer-reviewed studies published between 2017 and 2025 based upon original research conducted in WHO AFCC signatory cities. Although most studies reported positive associations between age-friendly features and domains, such as accessible transport, walkable environments, outdoor infrastructure and self-rated health or physical activity, the strength of evidence was limited by methodological inconsistency, variable study quality and reliance on self-reports. Barriers to evaluation included limited use of longitudinal or quasi-experimental designs, heterogeneous outcome measures, subjective response data and the challenge of establishing appropriate comparison conditions in complex municipal settings. CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening evaluation frameworks for AFCC initiatives is essential for evidence-based urban health policy and governance in rapidly ageing societies. A research agenda is proposed to strengthen AFCC evaluation through standardised measurement, community-based and mixed-methods research, and a greater commitment to co-designed assessment frameworks.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Urban and Rural Goshawks.

Urbanization poses a growing threat to biodiversity with potential impacts on species' genetic diversity and population structure. The Eurasian goshawk (Astur gentilis) is traditionally a forest-dwelling raptor that has recently established breeding populations in urban environments such as Helsinki, Finland. Here, we investigated genetic diversity and population structure across urban, suburban, and rural goshawk populations in Finland using 10 microsatellite markers and 72 individuals sampled between 1990 and 2020. Genetic diversity, measured by heterozygosity and allelic richness, was similar among populations. Genetic differentiation was low to moderate (F ST&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.022-0.074) and statistically non-significant. Despite urbanization, contemporary urban goshawks showed genetic similarity to adjacent contemporary non-urban goshawks, while greater differentiation was observed between temporally separated populations. Consistent with this pattern, clustering supported K&#x2009;=&#x2009;2 as the primary level of genetic structure, separating the contemporary urban and surrounding populations from the earlier surrounding and rural populations. Given the limited marker set and sample sizes, these findings are interpreted as broad-scale patterns rather than definitive evidence of fine-scale population structure. Further studies using larger sample sizes and genome-wide markers are needed to resolve population connectivity and the longer-term genetic effects of urbanization.

Astur gentilis↗
PubMed1979

A longitudinal study of schistosome vector snail populations in Liberia.

Seasonal changes in populations of Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus globosus were observed at 62 locations in Liberia, West Africa. All varieties of water in both urban and rural locations were sampled. A wet season decrease and dry season increase of B. globosus populations in both urban and rural locations, similar to that reported elsewhere in West Africa, was observed. Similar fluctuations of B. pfeifferi populations were noted. The prevalence of schistosome infected vector snails varied markedly between rural and urban locations. At rural sites parasite prevalence followed the appropriate vector snail prevalence. At urban sites a portion of the vector snail population appeared relatively unaffected by seasonal changes. This stable population harbors a reservoir of infected snails that sustain year round transmission. Human infection was sampled in school children in the study area and prevalence of approximately 50% was found for both Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium. Added to the malacologic information this suggests less than hyperendemic transmission. The data suggest that urban environments should receive priorities for control programs.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Lactation and pregnancy in Iran. III. Hormonal factors.

Lactation failure is common in urban areas of industrially developing countries, but little is known about its epidemiology and causality. The study reported here was undertaken to investigate the serum levels of some hormones other than prolactin that have been shown in animal studies to play a role in lactation, and to examine their relationship to adequacy of lactation and to nutritional and socioeconomic status in urban Iranian women. Serum levels of placental lactogen, growth hormone, cortisol, and thyroid hormones were measured under standard conditions in two groups of pregnant women from low and low middle socioeconomic areas of Teheran, 1 or 2 weeks before parturition and the latter three hormones again in the 3rd month postpartum. Significant differences were found in the biochemical parameters between socioeconomic groups. Hemoglobin and serum albumin values were lower and all the globulin fractions (except alpha 2 globulin during pregnancy), growth hormone and cortisol were higher in the low than the middle socioeconomic subjects, both during pregnancy and postpartum. The discrepancies between the socioeconomic groups were greater postpartum. Growth hormone level was significantly lower in subjects with adequate lactation than inadequate or ceased, and cortisol values show the same trend. No correlations were found between the measured parameters of nutritional status nor free thyroxine values and lactation adequacy. In view of the role of growth hormone and cortisol in stress and malnutrition and some evidence of a reciprocal relationship between growth hormone and prolactin, these hormones may be a link in the chain between the urban environment, malnutrition and lactation failure.

Blood Proteins↗