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“A Thing Like Us”: Human Minds and Deceitful Behaviour in Spinoza
No full textAbstract
This paper investigates how Spinoza provides a theory, consistent with his panpsychism, to account for our ability to recognize human mentality in others. It first focuses on cases that imply a failure of recognition—such as when Spinoza claims that sceptics must be regarded as “lacking a mind” (TIE.48), or when he mentions suicide victims, children, fools, and madmen as individuals whose minds are impenetrable (E2p49s)—and contends that Spinoza uses “mindlessness” to capture kinds of mentality with which we cannot identify. Then, it demonstrates that our capacity to recognize similar mentality in others originates in the mechanism named “imitation of the affects” (E3p27s1), by which we relate mental states familiar to us to behaviours that look sufficiently similar to ours. Finally, it argues that the dependence of this mechanism—by which we empathize with “things like us” (E3p27)—on observable behavioural expressions can explain Spinoza’s uncompromising position against deceitful behaviour.Abstract
This paper investigates how Spinoza provides a theory, consistent with his panpsychism, to account for our ability to recognize human mentality in others. It first focuses on cases that imply a failure of recognition—such as when Spinoza claims that sceptics must be regarded as “lacking a mind” (TIE.48), or when he mentions suicide victims, children, fools, and madmen as individuals whose minds are impenetrable (E2p49s)—and contends that Spinoza uses “mindlessness” to capture kinds of mentality with which we cannot identify. Then, it demonstrates that our capacity to recognize similar mentality in others originates in the mechanism named “imitation of the affects” (E3p27s1), by which we relate mental states familiar to us to behaviours that look sufficiently similar to ours. Finally, it argues that the dependence of this mechanism—by which we empathize with “things like us” (E3p27)—on observable behavioural expressions can explain Spinoza’s uncompromising position against deceitful behaviour
Genetic commonalities between rare subtypes of ALS and CMT: insights into molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration
No full textAbstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) are two distinct neurodegenerative disorders. While ALS is characterised by rapidly progressive motor neuron degeneration, leading to severe complications and death, CMT as a peripheral neuropathy is less severe, and patients have a longer life span, although with a compromised quality of life. Despite their clinical differences, current knowledge suggests that familial ALS (fALS) and CMT may share common genetic and molecular mechanisms. We aimed to identify shared genes mutations and molecular pathways between fALS and CMT through a literature and database search. Thirteen genes were identified, involved in distinct cellular processes: axonal transport (DYNC1H1, KIF5A, SPG11, DCTN1), protein homeostasis (NEFH, VCP, SOD1), RNA metabolism (GARS, SETX), cellular stress response (HSPB1, FIG4), and mitochondrial function (MFN2, CHCHD10). While these linkages to the two diseases are rare for each gene, understanding possible mechanistic commonalities at the molecular level can initiate new research directions, help in identifying additional common genes between neurodegenerative disorders, and improve diagnostics.Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) are two distinct neurodegenerative disorders. While ALS is characterised by rapidly progressive motor neuron degeneration, leading to severe complications and death, CMT as a peripheral neuropathy is less severe, and patients have a longer life span, although with a compromised quality of life. Despite their clinical differences, current knowledge suggests that familial ALS (fALS) and CMT may share common genetic and molecular mechanisms. We aimed to identify shared genes mutations and molecular pathways between fALS and CMT through a literature and database search. Thirteen genes were identified, involved in distinct cellular processes: axonal transport (DYNC1H1, KIF5A, SPG11, DCTN1), protein homeostasis (NEFH, VCP, SOD1), RNA metabolism (GARS, SETX), cellular stress response (HSPB1, FIG4), and mitochondrial function (MFN2, CHCHD10). While these linkages to the two diseases are rare for each gene, understanding possible mechanistic commonalities at the molecular level can initiate new research directions, help in identifying additional common genes between neurodegenerative disorders, and improve diagnostics
Pressure pain sensitivity is more strongly associated with musculoskeletal pain among women and those with chronic diseases: results from a large population-based birth cohort study
No full textAbstract
Objective:
Individuals affected by chronic pain often have greater pain sensitivity compared to pain-free subjects, but there is a lack of population-based evidence in this regard. The factors playing a role in this relationship are rarely examined. The aims were to evaluate 1) whether pressure pain sensitivity is associated with a) the presence of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and b) worse pain and 2) whether sex and the presence of chronic diseases moderate these associations.
Methods:
This population-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study obtained data on pain frequency (daily, nondaily, and absent), number of pain sites (range 1–8), bothersomeness of pain (Numerical Rating Scale [NRS]-11), and intensity (NRS-11) from 5178 participants (43 % males) aged 46 born in 1966. Measured pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pressure pain tolerance (PPTol) were dichotomized as the lowest quartile vs. the other quartiles (the reference). Logistic and linear regressions with adjustments were utilized.
Results:
Lower PPT and PPTol were associated with daily MSK pain only among females (adjusted odds ratio 1.26, 95 % confidence interval 1.00–1.58 for PPT; 1.29, 1.02–1.61 for PPTol). A positive relationship with bothersomeness of pain among individuals with daily or nondaily MSK pain was observed only among females. After stratification by chronic diseases, the associations between PPT/PPTol and daily MSK pain remained significant only among females with chronic diseases.
Conclusions:
The associations between pressure pain sensitivity and MSK pain varied according to sex and presence of chronic diseases. However, clinical relevance of our findings can be questioned.Abstract
Objective:
Individuals affected by chronic pain often have greater pain sensitivity compared to pain-free subjects, but there is a lack of population-based evidence in this regard. The factors playing a role in this relationship are rarely examined. The aims were to evaluate 1) whether pressure pain sensitivity is associated with a) the presence of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and b) worse pain and 2) whether sex and the presence of chronic diseases moderate these associations.
Methods:
This population-based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study obtained data on pain frequency (daily, nondaily, and absent), number of pain sites (range 1–8), bothersomeness of pain (Numerical Rating Scale [NRS]-11), and intensity (NRS-11) from 5178 participants (43 % males) aged 46 born in 1966. Measured pressure pain threshold (PPT) and pressure pain tolerance (PPTol) were dichotomized as the lowest quartile vs. the other quartiles (the reference). Logistic and linear regressions with adjustments were utilized.
Results:
Lower PPT and PPTol were associated with daily MSK pain only among females (adjusted odds ratio 1.26, 95 % confidence interval 1.00–1.58 for PPT; 1.29, 1.02–1.61 for PPTol). A positive relationship with bothersomeness of pain among individuals with daily or nondaily MSK pain was observed only among females. After stratification by chronic diseases, the associations between PPT/PPTol and daily MSK pain remained significant only among females with chronic diseases.
Conclusions:
The associations between pressure pain sensitivity and MSK pain varied according to sex and presence of chronic diseases. However, clinical relevance of our findings can be questioned
Communicating Care: Identifying Information and design requirements of Informal Caregivers of Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment in changing scenarios
No full textAbstract
Due to the increase in the population of older adults with Cognitive Impairment (OwCI), a surge in the development of Unobtrusive Sensing Solutions (USSs) that can monitor care scenarios in real-time can also be observed. For effective implementation of these solutions, it is crucial to communicate necessary sensing information to caregivers according to their specific needs. In that direction, this study aims to gain insights into the information communication (IC) needs of informal caregivers who provide homecare to community dwelling OwCI living alone. A convergent mixed method study encompassing survey (N=464) and semi-structured interviews (N=10) using four different scenarios namely, Fall, Agitation, Nocturnal unrest, and Normal daily life was conducted. Based on the scenario-specific needs, design requirements in line with the Persuasive System Design (PSD) model were elicited. The study revealed that each care scenario has unique IC needs, with differences in the mode, content, and timing of information communication. Furthermore, four features (reduction, tunnelling, tailoring, and personalization) from the primary task support category and two features (reminder and suggestions) emerged from the dialogue support category of the PSD based on identified IC needs. Overall, the study highlights the need for adaptable and personalized designs to address the diverse IC needs of informal caregivers of OwCI living alone and receiving home care.Abstract
Due to the increase in the population of older adults with Cognitive Impairment (OwCI), a surge in the development of Unobtrusive Sensing Solutions (USSs) that can monitor care scenarios in real-time can also be observed. For effective implementation of these solutions, it is crucial to communicate necessary sensing information to caregivers according to their specific needs. In that direction, this study aims to gain insights into the information communication (IC) needs of informal caregivers who provide homecare to community dwelling OwCI living alone. A convergent mixed method study encompassing survey (N=464) and semi-structured interviews (N=10) using four different scenarios namely, Fall, Agitation, Nocturnal unrest, and Normal daily life was conducted. Based on the scenario-specific needs, design requirements in line with the Persuasive System Design (PSD) model were elicited. The study revealed that each care scenario has unique IC needs, with differences in the mode, content, and timing of information communication. Furthermore, four features (reduction, tunnelling, tailoring, and personalization) from the primary task support category and two features (reminder and suggestions) emerged from the dialogue support category of the PSD based on identified IC needs. Overall, the study highlights the need for adaptable and personalized designs to address the diverse IC needs of informal caregivers of OwCI living alone and receiving home care
Self-directed learning and the teacher's role in its implementation
No full textTämä tutkielma tarkastelee itseohjautuvaa oppimista sekä opettajan roolia sen toteuttamisessa. Tutkimuksella haluamme selvittää, mitä itseohjautuvalla oppimisella tarkoitetaan, ja millainen on opettajan rooli itseohjautuvan oppimisen toteuttamisessa. Tutkielmamme tavoite on lisätä ymmärrystä itseohjautuvasta oppimisesta rakentamalla siitä kokonaiskuvaa yhdistämällä aiempien tutkimusten olennaisia tuloksia ja näkökulmia. Tutkielma on toteutettu narratiivisena kirjallisuuskatsauksena ja se pohjautuu pääasiassa englanninkielisiin tutkimuksiin.
Tutkielmassa avaamme itseohjautuvan oppimisen määritelmää, taitoja, merkitystä ja edellytyksiä. Lisäksi tarkastelemme siihen vaikuttavia tekijöitä ja sen yhteyttä elinikäiseen oppimiseen. Käsittelemme myös opettajan roolia, sillä on tärkeä tiedostaa, millainen merkitys opettajalla on itseohjautuvan oppimisen mahdollistamisessa ja taitojen kehittymisen edistämisessä. Lisäksi nostamme esiin tarkastelemissamme tutkimuksissa esitettyjä kriittisiä näkökulmia.
Tutkimuksen perusteella itseohjautuvalla oppimisella tarkoitetaan prosessia, jossa oppija aktiivisena toimijana suunnittelee, valmistelee ja toteuttaa oppimistoimintonsa sekä arvioi oppimistaan. Itseohjautuvan oppimisen taidot ovat merkityksellisiä oppimista edistäviä taitoja ja niitä pidetään tärkeinä sekä yksilön että yhteiskunnan tasolla. Opettajan rooli on rakentaa oppimiselle edellytyksiä ja mahdollistaa oppijoiden itseohjautuvuuden taitojen kehittyminen suhteuttamalla vastuu, tuki ja ohjaus oppijan taitotasoon ja tarpeisiin
Geminaatioilmiöt kväänin Pyssyjoen murteessa
No full textKandidaatintutkielmassani tarkastelen kväänin Pyssyjoen murteen geminaatioilmiöitä haastatteluaineistojen avulla. Aineistoni koostuu vuonna 1988 Pyssyjoen kylässä toteutetuista haastatteluista tehdyistä litteraateista. Tavoitteenani on selvittää, millaisia geminaatioilmiöitä kväänin Pyssyjoen murteessa esiintyy ja miten nämä eroavat suomen murteissa todetuista geminaatioilmiöistä. Tutkin aihettani analysoimalla aineistossani esiintyviä geminoituneita sananmuotoja.
Tutkimuskysymykseni ovat seuraavat:
- Millaisia geminaatioilmiöitä aineistossa esiintyy?
- Mitä konsonantteja geminaatioilmiöt koskevat?
- Millä tavoin kväänin erikoisgeminaatio muistuttaa suomen murteissa esiintyviä geminaatioilmiöitä ja millä tavoin se poikkeaa niistä?
Aineistostani käy odotuksenmukaisesti ilmi, että yleisgeminaatio toteutuu useimmiten kväänin Pyssyjoen murteessa. Lisäksi havaitsin, että geminaattoja syntyy paljon h:n assimilaatiotapauksien seurauksena. Aineistossani esiintyy useanlaista erikoisgeminaatiota. Osa tapauksista muistuttaa suomen itämurteiden erikoisgeminaatiota, osa vaikuttaa olevan analogista geminaattojen leviämistä muotoryhmästä toiseen ja osa edustaa havaintojeni perusteella poikkeuksellista geminaatiota
Lapsena tulimme maan päälle ufo-aluksen kyydissä... : produktiivisen essiivin semanttiset funktiot Suomi24-keskustelupalsta-aineistossa
No full textTässä kandidaatintutkielma olen selvittänyt, millaisiin semanttisiin luokkiin nykysuomen produktiiviset essiivi-ilmaukset jakautuvat. Tarkoitan produktiivisella essiivi-ilmauksella essiivimuotoista sanaa tai laajempaa lauseketta, joka muodostetaan sanan vokaalivartalon avulla. Essiivi-ilmauksen semanttisella luokalla puolestaan tarkoitan essiivi-ilmauksen funktion eli tehtävän tarkempaa kuvausta. Aineiston luokittelemisen lisäksi olen laskenut, mikä on kunkin semanttisen luokan prosenttiosuus koko aineistostani.
Tutkimuksen aineistona on käytetty 150 Suomi24-viestiä, jotka on kerätty Korp-konkordanssihakuohjelmalla Kielipankin korpuksesta Suomi24 virkkeet 2001–2023. Olen muodostanut Korpissa hakulausekkeen, jonka avulla olen kerännyt korpuksesta produktiivisia essiivi-ilmauksia. Tutkimusongelmani olen jakanut kahteen tutkimuskysymykseen, jotka ovat
1. Miten leksikaaliset piirteet vaikuttavat essiivin funktioon?
2. Miten syntaktiset piirteet vaikuttavat essiivin funktioon?
Aineistoni essiivi-ilmaukset toimivat lauseessa kahdessa funktiossa eli tehtävässä. Ne voivat ilmaista joko aikaa tai olotilaa. Funktiot voi jakaa seitsemään semanttiseen luokkaan, jotka ovat temporaalisuus (29 %), tilapäisyys (27 %), muutos (12 %), vaihtoehtoinen olotila (19 %), subjektiivisesti koettu olotila (1 %), similatiivisuus ja metaforinen olotilassa oleminen (3 %) sekä ajallinen profiloimattomuus (9 %). Semanttisista luokista muutoksen voi jakaa kahteen alaluokkaan, jotka ovat muutosalttius ja muutoksen tuloksena oleminen. Luokat subjektiivisesti koettu olotila sekä similatiivisuus ja metaforinen olotilassa oleminen puolestaan ovat luokan vaihtoehtoinen olotila erikoistapauksia. Aineistoni ei jakaudu tasaisesti eri semanttisiin luokkiin, vaan luokkien osuus aineistosta vaihtelee luokkakohtaisesti. Kolmeen suurimpaan luokkaan kuuluu 75 % koko aineistostani.
Leksikaalisista piirteistä luokkajaon kannalta tärkeitä ovat sanan sanavartalo ja sanaluokka. Sanavartalo vaikuttaa erityisesti luokassa temporaalisuus. Luokkaan kuuluu tapauksia, joiden vartalo viittaa aikaan. Sellaisia ovat viikonpäivien, vuodenaikojen ja juhlien ilmaukset. Sanaluokan vaikutus näkyy esimerkiksi luokan muutos alaluokissa. Alaluokkaan muutoksen tuloksena oleminen kuuluu adjektiiveja, joiden tulkitaan olevan muutoksen päätöspiste. Alaluokkaan muutosalttius puolestaan kuuluu sekä substantiiveja että adjektiiveja, jotka hahmottuvat jonkinlaisen jatkumon osaksi.
Syntaktiset kriteerit näkyvät erityisesti luokkien vaihtoehtoinen olotila ja ajallinen profiloimattomuus välillä. Vaihtoehtoisen olotilan luokkaan kuuluu tapauksia, joissa essiivi-ilmaus ei toimi olla-verbin täydennyksenä. Ajallisen profiloimattomuuden luokkaan olla-verbin täydennyksenä toimivat predikatiiviadverbiaalit kuitenkin sopivat. Luokkaan temporaalisuus kuuluvat tapaukset puolestaan ovat kaikki syntaktisesti puiteadverbiaalimääritteitä.
Suomi24-aineisto vastasi tutkimuskysymyksiin. Autenttisen aineiston käyttö on kuitenkin samalla haaste. Aiemmissa tutkimuksissa ei ole esitetty kauhean laajasti autenttisia esimerkkejä, jolloin luokittelu on tulkinnanvaraista. Luokittelua varten on määritettävä selvät kriteerit, jotta luokittelu on yhdenmukaista. Tutkimukseni osoittaa, että leksikaalisia ja syntaktisia piirteitä analysoimalla esimerkit jakautuvat seitsemään alaluokkaan. Tutkimukseni tulokset ovat siis samankaltaisia Hynösen (2016) tulosten kanssa. Käyttämäni korpus olisi mahdollistanut hakutulosten etsimisen vuoteen 2023 asti, mutta aineistoni kaikki viestit ovat vuodelta 2000. Tämä ei nähdäkseni kuitenkaan vaikuta tutkimukseeni, koska aineistoni kaikissa viesteissä käytetty kieli on nykysuomea.
Tulevissa tutkimuksissa essiivi-ilmauksia voisi poimia myös muista kuin Suomi24-korpuksesta. Yhden korpuksen systemaattinen kuvaus ei nähdäkseni ole essiivin funktioiden kuvauksen kannalta tärkeää, kun taas eri tekstilajeja sisältävistä korpuksista voisi löytyä lisää kiinnostavia esimerkkejä, jotka haastavat pohtimaan essiivin luokittelumalleja. Eri korpuksissa on erilaista kieltä sisältävää tekstiä, ja erilainen kielenkäyttö puolestaan tuo esiin uudenlaisia kielenkäyttötapoja. Tulevissa tutkimuksissa voisi myös laajemman aineiston avulla selvittää, miten yleisiä eri essiivin semanttiset luokat ovat.
Luokittelun lisäksi essiivin funktioiden taustaa voisi tutkia. Essiivin käytöstä tiedetään jo nyt, että essiivi ilmaisee suomessa aikaa, paikkaa, toimintaa/tilaa ja olotilaa (Hynönen 2016: 49–122). Kielihistoriallisesti olisi kiinnostavaa tutkia, miten yksi sijamuoto on erikoistunut alkuperäisestä lokatiivisesta merkityksestä useaan eri tehtävään
Sex- and country-specific associations of hyperuricemia and inflammation with vascular aging across populations with diverse cardiovascular risks
No full textAbstract
Introduction:
The importance of measuring vascular age has been emphasized in numerous studies, highlighting its critical role in precision medicine. This cross-sectional heterogeneity exploration study examined sex- and country-specific association of serum uric acid (SUA) and inflammation, measured as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and vascular aging across populations with diverse cardiovascular risks.
Methods:
This work analyzed data from three cohorts: 4,802 individuals from Sweden (SCAPIS – The Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study, n = 3,255), Lithuania (LitHiR – The Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk Prevention Program, n = 708), and Spain (The Sagunto Cohort, n = 838). Standard clinical and laboratory variables were used; aortic stiffness measured via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) (Sphygmocor), employing the foot-to-foot method in the right carotid and femoral arteries. In addition. Sex disaggregated analysis was performed.
Results:
The study involved individuals with a mean age of 56 (±8) years, 53% women, 48% never smokers, 41% with hypertension, and 20% with diabetes. In adjusted for cardiometabolic factors linear models, hs-CRP was associated with cfPWV only in Swedish men (p = 0.007), while SUA was associated with cfPWV in Swedish men (p = 0.001) and Lithuanian women (p = 0.029). In logistic regression, SUA predicted higher odds of cfPWV >10 m/s in Swedish men (OR 1.003, p = 0.041), and in Lithuanian women this prediction was of borderline significance (OR 1.004, p = 0.065). In Spanish women, the association with SUA was negative and of borderline significance (OR 0.995, p = 0.067). hs-CRP was not associated with cfPWV >10 m/s in adjusted models.
Conclusion:
This cross-sectional exploratory study provides evidence that SUA and hs-CRP are associated with vascular aging, although their predictive value should be interpreted in a sex- and country-specific context.Abstract
Introduction:
The importance of measuring vascular age has been emphasized in numerous studies, highlighting its critical role in precision medicine. This cross-sectional heterogeneity exploration study examined sex- and country-specific association of serum uric acid (SUA) and inflammation, measured as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and vascular aging across populations with diverse cardiovascular risks.
Methods:
This work analyzed data from three cohorts: 4,802 individuals from Sweden (SCAPIS – The Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study, n = 3,255), Lithuania (LitHiR – The Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk Prevention Program, n = 708), and Spain (The Sagunto Cohort, n = 838). Standard clinical and laboratory variables were used; aortic stiffness measured via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) (Sphygmocor), employing the foot-to-foot method in the right carotid and femoral arteries. In addition. Sex disaggregated analysis was performed.
Results:
The study involved individuals with a mean age of 56 (±8) years, 53% women, 48% never smokers, 41% with hypertension, and 20% with diabetes. In adjusted for cardiometabolic factors linear models, hs-CRP was associated with cfPWV only in Swedish men (p = 0.007), while SUA was associated with cfPWV in Swedish men (p = 0.001) and Lithuanian women (p = 0.029). In logistic regression, SUA predicted higher odds of cfPWV >10 m/s in Swedish men (OR 1.003, p = 0.041), and in Lithuanian women this prediction was of borderline significance (OR 1.004, p = 0.065). In Spanish women, the association with SUA was negative and of borderline significance (OR 0.995, p = 0.067). hs-CRP was not associated with cfPWV >10 m/s in adjusted models.
Conclusion:
This cross-sectional exploratory study provides evidence that SUA and hs-CRP are associated with vascular aging, although their predictive value should be interpreted in a sex- and country-specific context
Metabolic profiles of nighttime road traffic noise exposure: a multi-cohort study in the European LongITools project
No full textAbstract
Background:
Traffic noise has been associated with the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Identifying internal exposome factors, such as metabolomic biomarkers, associated with traffic noise in the general population may help clarify the pathophysiological pathways linking noise to cardiometabolic outcomes. To address this gap, we investigated the relationships between nighttime road traffic noise and systemic metabolic biomarkers.
Methods:
This study included 272,229 European adults, aged 31 years and over, from the UK Biobank (UKBB), the Rotterdam Study (RS), and the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966). Annual average nighttime road traffic noise was linked to the individual residential address at the time of blood sampling, using national noise maps. We utilized high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics to profile 155 biomarkers (including lipids, lipoproteins, fatty acids, and other low-molecular-weight metabolites). In discovery analyses in UKBB, we applied linear models adjusted for age, sex, education, and fine particulate matter to identify significant biomarkers (Bonferroni P < 0.003125). The associated biomarkers were further assessed using multilevel random-effects meta-analysis across the UKBB, RS, and NFBC1966.
Results:
From the discovery analysis, nighttime road traffic noise (≥55 dB versus <45 dB) was associated with higher levels of 48 metabolites in the UKBB. Associations for 20 metabolites remained robust in meta-analysis and through sensitivity analyses. Noise (≥55 dB) was associated with elevated circulating concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers, including lipids in esterified cholesterol-enriched lipoproteins such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), as well as unsaturated fatty acids and membrane biomarkers. Except for two unsaturated fatty acids, these biomarkers showed a monotonic exposure-response pattern from 50 dB onward.
Conclusion:
This study provides evidence that nighttime road traffic noise exposure from 50 dB upward is associated with alterations in blood cholesterol and lipid profiles in adults. This finding may clarify the association between traffic noise and cardiometabolic diseases.Abstract
Background:
Traffic noise has been associated with the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Identifying internal exposome factors, such as metabolomic biomarkers, associated with traffic noise in the general population may help clarify the pathophysiological pathways linking noise to cardiometabolic outcomes. To address this gap, we investigated the relationships between nighttime road traffic noise and systemic metabolic biomarkers.
Methods:
This study included 272,229 European adults, aged 31 years and over, from the UK Biobank (UKBB), the Rotterdam Study (RS), and the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966). Annual average nighttime road traffic noise was linked to the individual residential address at the time of blood sampling, using national noise maps. We utilized high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics to profile 155 biomarkers (including lipids, lipoproteins, fatty acids, and other low-molecular-weight metabolites). In discovery analyses in UKBB, we applied linear models adjusted for age, sex, education, and fine particulate matter to identify significant biomarkers (Bonferroni P < 0.003125). The associated biomarkers were further assessed using multilevel random-effects meta-analysis across the UKBB, RS, and NFBC1966.
Results:
From the discovery analysis, nighttime road traffic noise (≥55 dB versus <45 dB) was associated with higher levels of 48 metabolites in the UKBB. Associations for 20 metabolites remained robust in meta-analysis and through sensitivity analyses. Noise (≥55 dB) was associated with elevated circulating concentrations of cholesterol-related biomarkers, including lipids in esterified cholesterol-enriched lipoproteins such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), as well as unsaturated fatty acids and membrane biomarkers. Except for two unsaturated fatty acids, these biomarkers showed a monotonic exposure-response pattern from 50 dB onward.
Conclusion:
This study provides evidence that nighttime road traffic noise exposure from 50 dB upward is associated with alterations in blood cholesterol and lipid profiles in adults. This finding may clarify the association between traffic noise and cardiometabolic diseases