This research group (forensic research via omics markers in environmental health vulnerable areas: FROM) aimed to develop biomarkers for exposure to environmental hazards and diseases, assess environmental diseases, and apply and verify these biomarkers in environmentally vulnerable areas. Environmentally vulnerable areas—including refineries, abandoned metal mines, coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, cement factories, and areas with high exposure to particulate matter—along with control areas, were selected for epidemiological investigations. A total of 1,157 adults, who had resided in these areas for over 10 years, were recruited between June 2021 and September 2023. Personal characteristics of the study participants were gathered through a survey. Biological samples, specifically blood and urine, were collected during the field investigations, separated under refrigerated conditions, and then transported to the laboratory for biomarker analysis. Analyses of heavy metals, environmental hazards, and adducts were conducted on these blood and urine samples. Additionally, omics analyses of epigenomes, proteomes, and metabolomes were performed using the blood samples. The biomarkers identified in this study will be utilized to assess the risk of environmental disease occurrence and to evaluate the impact on the health of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas, following the validation of diagnostic accuracy for these diseases.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related techniques can provide information related to the electrical properties of the body. Understanding the electrical properties of human tissues is crucial for developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for various medical conditions. This study reviewed the principles, development, and application of electrical conductivity mapping using MRI. To review the magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT)-based conductivity mapping technique and its application to brain imaging, first, we explain the definition and fundamental principles of electrical conductivity, some factors that influence changes in ionic conductivity, and the background of mapping cellular conductivities. Second, we explain the concepts and applications of magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) and MREPT. Third, we describe our recent technical developments and their clinical applications. Finally, we explain the benefits, impacts, and challenges of MRI-based conductivity in clinical practice. MRI techniques, such as MREIT and MREPT, enabled the measurement of conductivity-related properties within the body. MREIT assessed low-frequency conductivity by applying a lowfrequency external current, whereas MREPT captured high-frequency conductivity (at the Larmorfrequency) without applying an external current. In MREIT, the subject’s safety should be ensuredbecause electrical current is applied, particularly around sensitive areas, such as the brain, or in subjects with implanted electronic devices. Our previous studies have highlighted the potential ofconductivity indices as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. MREPT is usually applied to humansrather than MREIT. MREPT holds promise as a noninvasive tool for characterizing tissue properties and understanding pathological conditions.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related techniques can provide information related to the electrical properties of the body. Understanding the electrical properties of human tissues is crucial for developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for various medical conditions. This study reviewed the principles, development, and application of electrical conductivity mapping using MRI. To review the magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT)-based conductivity mapping technique and its application to brain imaging, first, we explain the definition and fundamental principles of electrical conductivity, some factors that influence changes in ionic conductivity, and the background of mapping cellular conductivities. Second, we explain the concepts and applications of magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) and MREPT. Third, we describe our recent technical developments and their clinical applications. Finally, we explain the benefits, impacts, and challenges of MRI-based conductivity in clinical practice. MRI techniques, such as MREIT and MREPT, enabled the measurement of conductivity-related properties within the body. MREIT assessed low-frequency conductivity by applying a lowfrequency external current, whereas MREPT captured high-frequency conductivity (at the Larmorfrequency) without applying an external current. In MREIT, the subject’s safety should be ensuredbecause electrical current is applied, particularly around sensitive areas, such as the brain, or in subjects with implanted electronic devices. Our previous studies have highlighted the potential ofconductivity indices as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. MREPT is usually applied to humansrather than MREIT. MREPT holds promise as a noninvasive tool for characterizing tissue properties and understanding pathological conditions.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related techniques can provide information related to the electrical properties of the body. Understanding the electrical properties of human tissues is crucial for developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for various medical conditions. This study reviewed the principles, development, and application of electrical conductivity mapping using MRI. To review the magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT)-based conductivity mapping technique and its application to brain imaging, first, we explain the definition and fundamental principles of electrical conductivity, some factors that influence changes in ionic conductivity, and the background of mapping cellular conductivities. Second, we explain the concepts and applications of magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) and MREPT. Third, we describe our recent technical developments and their clinical applications. Finally, we explain the benefits, impacts, and challenges of MRI-based conductivity in clinical practice. MRI techniques, such as MREIT and MREPT, enabled the measurement of conductivity-related properties within the body. MREIT assessed low-frequency conductivity by applying a lowfrequency external current, whereas MREPT captured high-frequency conductivity (at the Larmorfrequency) without applying an external current. In MREIT, the subject’s safety should be ensuredbecause electrical current is applied, particularly around sensitive areas, such as the brain, or in subjects with implanted electronic devices. Our previous studies have highlighted the potential ofconductivity indices as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. MREPT is usually applied to humansrather than MREIT. MREPT holds promise as a noninvasive tool for characterizing tissue properties and understanding pathological conditions.

This research group (forensic research via omics markers in environmental health vulnerable areas: FROM) aimed to develop biomarkers for exposure to environmental hazards and diseases, assess environmental diseases, and apply and verify these biomarkers in environmentally vulnerable areas. Environmentally vulnerable areas—including refineries, abandoned metal mines, coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, cement factories, and areas with high exposure to particulate matter—along with control areas, were selected for epidemiological investigations. A total of 1,157 adults, who had resided in these areas for over 10 years, were recruited between June 2021 and September 2023. Personal characteristics of the study participants were gathered through a survey. Biological samples, specifically blood and urine, were collected during the field investigations, separated under refrigerated conditions, and then transported to the laboratory for biomarker analysis. Analyses of heavy metals, environmental hazards, and adducts were conducted on these blood and urine samples. Additionally, omics analyses of epigenomes, proteomes, and metabolomes were performed using the blood samples. The biomarkers identified in this study will be utilized to assess the risk of environmental disease occurrence and to evaluate the impact on the health of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas, following the validation of diagnostic accuracy for these diseases.

This research group (forensic research via omics markers in environmental health vulnerable areas: FROM) aimed to develop biomarkers for exposure to environmental hazards and diseases, assess environmental diseases, and apply and verify these biomarkers in environmentally vulnerable areas. Environmentally vulnerable areas—including refineries, abandoned metal mines, coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, cement factories, and areas with high exposure to particulate matter—along with control areas, were selected for epidemiological investigations. A total of 1,157 adults, who had resided in these areas for over 10 years, were recruited between June 2021 and September 2023. Personal characteristics of the study participants were gathered through a survey. Biological samples, specifically blood and urine, were collected during the field investigations, separated under refrigerated conditions, and then transported to the laboratory for biomarker analysis. Analyses of heavy metals, environmental hazards, and adducts were conducted on these blood and urine samples. Additionally, omics analyses of epigenomes, proteomes, and metabolomes were performed using the blood samples. The biomarkers identified in this study will be utilized to assess the risk of environmental disease occurrence and to evaluate the impact on the health of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas, following the validation of diagnostic accuracy for these diseases.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related techniques can provide information related to the electrical properties of the body. Understanding the electrical properties of human tissues is crucial for developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for various medical conditions. This study reviewed the principles, development, and application of electrical conductivity mapping using MRI. To review the magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT)-based conductivity mapping technique and its application to brain imaging, first, we explain the definition and fundamental principles of electrical conductivity, some factors that influence changes in ionic conductivity, and the background of mapping cellular conductivities. Second, we explain the concepts and applications of magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) and MREPT. Third, we describe our recent technical developments and their clinical applications. Finally, we explain the benefits, impacts, and challenges of MRI-based conductivity in clinical practice. MRI techniques, such as MREIT and MREPT, enabled the measurement of conductivity-related properties within the body. MREIT assessed low-frequency conductivity by applying a lowfrequency external current, whereas MREPT captured high-frequency conductivity (at the Larmorfrequency) without applying an external current. In MREIT, the subject’s safety should be ensuredbecause electrical current is applied, particularly around sensitive areas, such as the brain, or in subjects with implanted electronic devices. Our previous studies have highlighted the potential ofconductivity indices as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. MREPT is usually applied to humansrather than MREIT. MREPT holds promise as a noninvasive tool for characterizing tissue properties and understanding pathological conditions.

This research group (forensic research via omics markers in environmental health vulnerable areas: FROM) aimed to develop biomarkers for exposure to environmental hazards and diseases, assess environmental diseases, and apply and verify these biomarkers in environmentally vulnerable areas. Environmentally vulnerable areas—including refineries, abandoned metal mines, coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, cement factories, and areas with high exposure to particulate matter—along with control areas, were selected for epidemiological investigations. A total of 1,157 adults, who had resided in these areas for over 10 years, were recruited between June 2021 and September 2023. Personal characteristics of the study participants were gathered through a survey. Biological samples, specifically blood and urine, were collected during the field investigations, separated under refrigerated conditions, and then transported to the laboratory for biomarker analysis. Analyses of heavy metals, environmental hazards, and adducts were conducted on these blood and urine samples. Additionally, omics analyses of epigenomes, proteomes, and metabolomes were performed using the blood samples. The biomarkers identified in this study will be utilized to assess the risk of environmental disease occurrence and to evaluate the impact on the health of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas, following the validation of diagnostic accuracy for these diseases.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related techniques can provide information related to the electrical properties of the body. Understanding the electrical properties of human tissues is crucial for developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for various medical conditions. This study reviewed the principles, development, and application of electrical conductivity mapping using MRI. To review the magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT)-based conductivity mapping technique and its application to brain imaging, first, we explain the definition and fundamental principles of electrical conductivity, some factors that influence changes in ionic conductivity, and the background of mapping cellular conductivities. Second, we explain the concepts and applications of magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) and MREPT. Third, we describe our recent technical developments and their clinical applications. Finally, we explain the benefits, impacts, and challenges of MRI-based conductivity in clinical practice. MRI techniques, such as MREIT and MREPT, enabled the measurement of conductivity-related properties within the body. MREIT assessed low-frequency conductivity by applying a lowfrequency external current, whereas MREPT captured high-frequency conductivity (at the Larmorfrequency) without applying an external current. In MREIT, the subject’s safety should be ensuredbecause electrical current is applied, particularly around sensitive areas, such as the brain, or in subjects with implanted electronic devices. Our previous studies have highlighted the potential ofconductivity indices as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. MREPT is usually applied to humansrather than MREIT. MREPT holds promise as a noninvasive tool for characterizing tissue properties and understanding pathological conditions.

The worldwide incidence of precocious puberty, which is associated with negative health outcomes, is increasing. Several studies have suggested that environmental factors contribute to the development of precocious puberty alongside genetic factors. Some epidemiological studies have provided limited evidence suggesting an association between exposure to air pollution and changes in pubertal development. This systematic review aimed to summarize existing evidence on the association between air pollution exposure and precocious puberty. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) until August 2023. The included studies assessed the association between air pollutant exposure and the risk of precocious puberty, early menarche, or pubertal development. Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction. A meta-analysis and analysis of the risk of bias were infeasible due to the limited number of studies and the heterogeneity among them. The literature search resulted in 184 studies, from which we included six studies with sample sizes ranging from 437 to 4,074 participants. The studies reported heterogeneous outcomes. Four studies found that increased exposure to air pollution was related to earlier pubertal onset. One study was inconclusive, and another suggested that air pollutant exposure may delay the onset of thelarche. Most studies suggest that exposure to air pollutants accelerates pubertal development; however, the results from the available studies are inconsistent. More extensive and well-designed longitudinal studies are required for a comprehensive understanding of the association between air pollution and precocious puberty.