Background Exposure to particulate matter air pollution has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality; however, most studies have focused on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and CVD. Coarse particulate matter (PM10–2.5) exposure has not been extensively studied, particularly for long-term exposure, and the biological mechanisms remain uncertain. Methods We examined the association between ambient concentrations of PM10–2.5 and inflammatory and hemostatic makers that have been linked to CVD. Annual questionnaire and clinical data were obtained from 1694 women (≥ 55 years old in 1999) enrolled in the longitudinal Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) at six study sites from 1999 to 2004. Residential locations and the USEPA air monitoring network measurements were used to assign exposure to one-year PM10–2.5, as well as co-pollutants. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to describe the association between PM10–2.5 exposure and markers, including demographic, health and other covariates. Results Each interquartile (4 μg/m3) increase in one-year PM10–2.5 exposure was associated with a 5.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8, 9.4%) increase in levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and 4.1% (95% CI: − 0.1, 8.6%) increase in high-sensitivity C-creative Protein (hs-CRP). Stratified analyses suggested that the association with PAI-1 was particularly strong in some subgroups, including women who were peri-menopausal, were less educated, had a body mass index lower than 25, and reported low alcohol consumption. The association between PM10–2.5 and PAI-1 remained unchanged with adjustment for PM2.5, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Conclusions Long-term PM10–2.5 exposure may be associated with changes in coagulation independently from PM2.5, and thus, contribute to CVD risk in midlife women.

Researchers have begun to extensively examine pathological (or addictive-like) media use during adolescence and adulthood. However, few studies have examined precursors to these types of behavior (termed problematic media use) in early childhood, with even fewer examining predictors of this behavior over time. The present longitudinal study examined bidirectional associations between television (TV) content (educational, prosocial, and violence) and problematic media use over a 1-year period during early childhood. Participants included 443 children (M age at Wave 1 = 29.68 months) and their parents. Results revealed that early educational media was protective against developing problematic media use over time. However, early problematic media use was not predictive of future media content choices longitudinally. Additionally, problematic media use was moderately stable over time. Implications for parents and policymakers regarding the importance of early media content for later outcomes and consideration of media use trajectories are discussed.

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