Environmental Exposure and Human Health: Morphological, Physiological and Clinical Consequences

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 March 2025 | Viewed by 2336

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Interests: anatomy; cell biology; molecular biology; cell differentiation; stem cells; human metabolism; neurons; skeletal muscle; in vitro models; drug treatments; microscopy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A diverse array of environmental stressors, from pollution to dietary habits and occupational exposure, can significantly influence various physiological processes within the human body, leading to morphological alterations and clinical manifestations. The present Special Issue intends to examine the intricate interplay between environmental factors and human health, exploring morphological and physiological aspects alongside clinical implications. Through a comprehensive examination of in vivo and in vitro approaches, this Special Issue aims to shed light on the multifaceted impacts of environmental and lifestyle factors on human health and disease. By employing cutting-edge research methodologies including but not limited to biomarker analysis, advanced imaging techniques, and cellular models, this Special Issue will elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking environmental exposure and health outcomes. Moreover, by integrating findings from epidemiological studies with experimental evidence, the present Special Issue offers valuable insights into the prevention and management of environmentally induced health conditions. Ultimately, this collection of contributions serves as a vital resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers; herein, we will foster a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between our environment and human health and disease, thus paving the way for informed decision making and targeted interventions to safeguard public health in our ever-evolving world.

Dr. Andrea Di Credico
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • environmental risk
  • human health
  • morphological studies
  • physiological studies
  • molecular aspects
  • clinical implications
  • biomarkers
  • advanced imaging techniques
  • risk factors
  • mechanistic studies

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 10861 KiB  
Article
Effects of Evaporation and Body Thermal Plume on Cough Droplet Dispersion and Exposure Risk for Queuing People
by Fengjiao Li, Guoyi Jiang, Fei Chen and Weibin Yuan
Life 2025, 15(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15010028 - 30 Dec 2024
Viewed by 345
Abstract
The transmission of virus-containing droplets among multiple people in an outdoor environment is seldom evaluated. In this study, an Euler–Lagrange computational fluid dynamics approach was used to investigate the effects of evaporation and the body thermal plume on the dispersion of coughed droplets [...] Read more.
The transmission of virus-containing droplets among multiple people in an outdoor environment is seldom evaluated. In this study, an Euler–Lagrange computational fluid dynamics approach was used to investigate the effects of evaporation and the body thermal plume on the dispersion of coughed droplets under various wind conditions, and the infection risk was evaluated for various arrangements of individuals queuing outdoors using virtual manikin models. The evaporation time was longer for larger droplets and in a more humid environment. Transient evaporation strongly affected the motion of droplets ranging in diameter from 60 to 150 μm. The body thermal plume affected airflow and particle dispersion under weak wind conditions, but its effect was negligible at wind speeds greater than 0.8 m/s. Droplets smaller than 100 μm could reach the head of a susceptible person, suggesting a high exposure risk. The exposure fraction and body deposition were highest in an all-male queue sequence and lowest for a male–female–male–female–male queue sequence. Full article
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14 pages, 1324 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Fine Particulate Matter and Cold Weather on Emergency Room Interventions for Childhood Asthma
by Chih-Chun Hsiao, Chun-Gu Cheng, Zih-Tai Hong, Yu-Hsuan Chen and Chun-An Cheng
Life 2024, 14(5), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14050570 - 29 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1321
Abstract
(1) Background: Children are the most vulnerable to pollution due to their decreased stature, heightened respiratory rate, and frequent outdoor engagement. PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone, and cold weather are associated with pediatric asthma. In this study, we investigated [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Children are the most vulnerable to pollution due to their decreased stature, heightened respiratory rate, and frequent outdoor engagement. PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone, and cold weather are associated with pediatric asthma. In this study, we investigated the nexus between air pollution, climate factors, and pediatric asthma emergency room visits (ERVs). (2) Method: Pediatric asthma ERV data for healthcare quality from the Taiwanese National Insurance in the Taipei area were obtained from 2015 to 2019. Air pollution and climate factor data were also collected. Poisson regression was employed to determine the relationships with relative risks (RRs). (3) Results: The incidence of pediatric asthma ERVs decreased, with a crude RR of 0.983 (95% CI: 0.98–0.986, p < 0.001). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) had an adjusted RR of 1.102 (95% CI: 1.037–1.172, p = 0.002) and a 7.7 µg/m3 increase, and air temperature had an adjusted RR of 0.813 (95% CI: 0.745–0.887, p < 0.001) comparing between the highest and lowest quarter air temperature associated with pediatric asthma ERVs. (4) Conclusions: This inquiry underscores the positive associations of PM2.5 and cold weather with pediatric asthma ERVs. The findings could guide the government to establish policies to reduce air pollution and promote children’s health. Full article
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