nitrogen-dioxide and Respiratory-Sounds

According to the "fetal origin of disease" hypothesis, air pollution exposure in pregnancy may play an important role in stimulating the early programming of asthma and allergies. However, previous studies reported inconsistent findings. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide higher grade evidence and quantitatively analyze the link between prenatal exposure to outdoor air pollutants and childhood asthma and wheezing. Databases (Web of Science and PubMed) were extensively searched for articles published from the start of the database to September 15, 2021. Either random-effect model or fixed-effect model was used to estimate the disease-specific relative risks (RR) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the association. Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Score (NOS) was used to assess the quality of studies. This study finally included 13 cohort studies, and the findings showed that NO

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Child; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Respiratory Sounds

COVID-19 as a viral disease has brought up the need to exercise more than before due to its physiological effects on health. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of 12-week of aerobic exercise on female students' hormone levels and lipid profile with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) during the COVID-19 pandemic.. Using a 12-week quasi-experimental with pretest, posttest research design among 40 Iranian female students aged 18-14 with PCOS, we randomly allocated the participants to either an experimental (they performed aerobic exercises three 60-minute sessions per week at home using content production) or a control condition. Their anthropometric and blood samples (e.g., testosterone, estrogen, prolactin, and lipid profile) were taken in two stages before and after the training protocol.. Findings demonstrated that performing aerobic exercises is an effective and non-invasive method that could have a positive effect on young girls' PCOS during COVID-19 pandemic.. La pandémie de COVID-19, en tant que maladie virale, a fait ressortir la nécessité de faire de l’exercice plus que jamais en raison de ses effets physiologiques sur la santé. Par conséquent, cette étude examine l’effet de 12 semaines d’exercice aérobique sur les niveaux hormonaux et le profil lipidique d’étudiantes atteintes du syndrome d’ovaires polykystiques (SOPK) pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.. En utilisant un modèle de recherche quasi-expérimental de 12 semaines avec pré-test, post-test auprès de 40 étudiantes iraniennes âgées de 18 à 14 ans atteintes du SOPK, nous avons réparti au hasard les participantes entre une série expérimentale (elles ont effectué des exercices aérobiques à raison de trois séances de 60 minutes par semaine à la maison) et une série contrôle. Les échantillons anthropométriques et sanguins (testostérone, œstrogène, prolactine et profil lipidique) ont été prélevés en deux étapes, avant et après le protocole d’entraînement.. Les résultats ont démontré que la pratique d’exercices d’aérobic est une méthode efficace et non invasive qui pourrait avoir un effet positif sur le SOPK des jeunes filles pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.. Our research showed that even less than 5 GBq irradiation could induce a transient testicular dysfunction in the first 3 months of therapy, but it was mostly reversible after 12 months.. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13204-023-02822-5.. Embelin is predicted to have a high probability of immunotoxicity potential and affect drug metabolism by inhibiting CYP2D6. In addition, it affects food intake, weight gain, and the number of implantations in pregnant rats. Therefore, it is highly recommended not to take embelin and embelin-rich plants during pregnancy. Further. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42965-023-00306-9.. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11696-023-02771-x.. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00477-023-02476-3.. This study ascribes for a new immunomodulatory role for IL11 during tumor development that is amenable to anti-cytokine based therapy of colon cancer.. Inflammation response do not seem to be enough to explain all the Essure-related adverse outcomes, suggesting the involvement of other biological mechanisms.. NCT03281564.. Inflammation and fibrosis are found in the surrounding tubal tissue around the Essure. Adult patients with BED with co-occurring obesity who have good responses to acute treatment with naltrexone/bupropion should be offered maintenance treatment with naltrexone/bupropion.. dp/dtmax in PiCCO parameter can be used as a bedside indicator to evaluate cardiac function in SIC patients due to its simplicity and ease of operation. Esmolol control of heart rate in SIC patients can improve cardiac function and reduce short-term mortality.. Inverted microscopy showed that compared with the NC group, the OGD/R group had poor cell status, swollen cytosol, visible cell lysis fragments and significantly lower cell activity [(49.1±2.7)% vs. (100.0±9.7)%, P < 0.01]; compared with the OGD/R group, the HW group had improved cell status and remarkably higher cell activity [(63.3±1.8)% vs. (49.1±2.7)%, P < 0.01]. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the neuronal nuclear membrane of cells in the OGD/R group was lysed and a higher number of autophagic lysosomes were visible compared with the NC group; compared with the OGD/R group, the neuronal damage of cells in the HW group was reduced and the number of autophagic lysosomes was notably decreased. The results of immunofluorescence assay showed that the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 were outstandingly enhanced in the OGD/R group compared with the NC group, and the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 were markedly weakened in the HW group compared with the OGD/R group. Western blotting assay showed that the expressions were prominently higher in both LC3II/I and Beclin-1 in the OGD/R group compared with the NC group (LC3II/I: 1.44±0.05 vs. 0.37±0.03, Beclin-1/β-actin: 1.00±0.02 vs. 0.64±0.01, both P < 0.01); compared with the OGD/R group, the protein expression of both LC3II/I and Beclin-1 in the HW group cells were notably lower (LC3II/I: 0.54±0.02 vs. 1.44±0.05, Beclin-1/β-actin: 0.83±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.02, both P < 0.01).. Hydrogen-rich water has a significant protective effect on OGD/R-causing HT22 cell injury, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of autophagy.. The prevalence of delirium in ICU patients is over 50%, with hypoactive delirium being the most common. Age, APACHE score at ICU admission, neurological disease, sepsis and duration of mechanical ventilation were all independent risk factors for the development of delirium in ICU patients. More than half of patients with delirium were still delirious when they discharged from the ICU.. For individuals ≥75 years, plasma Aβ42 and P-tau181 might not be associated with cognitive impairment, and MRI parameters, including PVWMH, LVBI and cortical atrophy, are related to CI. The cognitive statuses of people over 75 years old were used as the endpoint event in this study. Therefore, it can be considered that these MRI markers might have more important clinical significance for early assessment and dynamic observation, but more studies are still needed to verify this hypothesis.. We recommend using the Art/Zn complex owing to its moderate inhibitory and antiviral effects against the SARS-CoV-2 with a low cytotoxic effect on host (Vero E6) cells. We suggest conducting further prospective studies to investigate the biological effects of Art/Zn in animal models at different concentrations for testing its clinical efficacy and safety in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 activities.. The R/T sequence resulted in a significantly longer OS and PFS and improved disease control compared with the reverse sequence. R and T given not sequentially have similar impacts on survival. More data are needed to define the best sequence and to explore the efficacy of sequential (T/R or R/T) treatment combined with molecular-targeted drugs.

Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Actins; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Adenocarcinoma; Adenosine Triphosphate; Adsorption; Adult; Africa, Eastern; Aged; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Alcohol Drinking; Allergens; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibodies; Antibodies, Immobilized; Antigen Presentation; Antigens, CD; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Aptamers, Nucleotide; Asthma; Asthma, Exercise-Induced; Atrophy; Autophagy; Azoospermia; Bacillus cereus; Bacterial Infections; Beclin-1; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Biofouling; Biological Monitoring; Biomarkers; Biomarkers, Tumor; Biosensing Techniques; Blastocyst; Bone Neoplasms; Bone Regeneration; Bronchoconstriction; Burkitt Lymphoma; C9orf72 Protein; Campylobacter; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; Carcinogenesis; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cardiomyopathies; Caregivers; Carmine; Case-Control Studies; Catalysis; Cattle; Cause of Death; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cefepime; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Nucleus; Cell Transdifferentiation; Chelating Agents; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic; Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant; Child; Child, Preschool; China; Chlorquinaldol; Cholangiocarcinoma; Cholera; Chromatin; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cohort Studies; Colonic Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms; Colorimetry; Cooking; Coordination Complexes; COVID-19; Creatinine; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Critical Care; Critical Illness; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective Agents; Cysteine; Cytokines; Device Removal; Diet; Diet, High-Fat; Diet, Mediterranean; Dietary Supplements; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Dipeptides; Disease Models, Animal; Dithiothreitol; DNA; DNA Repeat Expansion; DNA, Bacterial; DNA, Complementary; Dopamine; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes; Endocannabinoids; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Erlotinib Hydrochloride; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli O157; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagitis, Peptic; Ethylene Glycol; Europium; Exanthema; Fallopian Tubes; Feces; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Fluoresceins; Fluorescent Dyes; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Follow-Up Studies; Food Microbiology; Forced Expiratory Volume; Forkhead Transcription Factors; Frontotemporal Dementia; G-Quadruplexes; Galactose; Gastroenteritis; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Tract; Gene Frequency; Genetic Association Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Genome-Wide Association Study; Genome, Viral; Genomics; Genotype; Glucose; Glutathione; Glycerol; Gold; Graphite; GTPase-Activating Proteins; Heat-Shock Proteins; Heme Oxygenase-1; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C; Hepatocytes; Histamine; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; Hoarseness; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing; Humans; Hydrogen; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hydrogen Sulfide; Hydroxybenzoates; Hydroxyl Radical; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Hyperthermia, Induced; Hysteroscopy; Immunoassay; Indigo Carmine; Inflammation; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Insulin Resistance; Intensive Care Units; Interleukin-11; Interleukin-6; Interleukins; Iodine Radioisotopes; Iran; Iridium; Islets of Langerhans; Kinetics; Lactation; Lactobacillus; Lactobacillus plantarum; Lamins; Latin America; Lead; Lectins; Leukopenia; Ligands; Limit of Detection; Lipopolysaccharides; Lipoprotein Lipase; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Lolium; Luminescent Measurements; Luminol; Lung; Luteinizing Hormone; Macrophages; Magnetic Phenomena; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Malnutrition; Maltose; Manganese Compounds; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Melatonin; Metabolic Engineering; Metal Nanoparticles; Metallocenes; Metaplasia; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Methylation; Mevalonic Acid; Mexico; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbiota; MicroRNAs; Milk; Mitomycin; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Molecular Docking Simulation; Monte Carlo Method; Moringa oleifera; Multiple Sclerosis; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal; Nanocomposites; Nanotubes, Carbon; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neoplasms; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurotransmitter Agents; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Nickel; Nitrogen Dioxide; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Nucleocapsid Proteins; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Osteogenesis; Osteosarcoma; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxides; Oxygen; Oxyquinoline; Pain; Palliative Care; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pandemics; Particulate Matter; Peroxidase; Peroxidases; Phagocytosis; Phaseolus; Photothermal Therapy; Point-of-Care Systems; Polyethyleneimine; Polymers; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Polysomnography; Postoperative Complications; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Prevalence; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Probability; Probiotics; Prognosis; Prophages; Prospective Studies; Proteomics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas putida; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Pulmonary Embolism; Pyridines; Pyrroles; Quality of Life; Quinolones; Rabbits; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reactive Oxygen Species; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Receptors, Histamine; Receptors, Histamine H2; Recombinases; Rectal Neoplasms; Reperfusion Injury; Respiration; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Rate; Respiratory Sounds; Retrospective Studies; rho GTP-Binding Proteins; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; RNA; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Running; Rural Population; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Salpingectomy; Sarcopenia; SARS-CoV-2; Seeds; Semen; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sepsis; Shock, Septic; Signal Transduction; Silicon Dioxide; Silver; Sirtuin 1; Skin Neoplasms; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Soil; Spain; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Sperm Retrieval; Spermatozoa; Spirometry; Staphylococcus aureus; STAT3 Transcription Factor; Stereoisomerism; Sterilization, Tubal; Stroke Volume; Sulfadiazine; Sulfites; Superoxide Dismutase; Surface Plasmon Resonance; tau Proteins; Testis; Testosterone; Thioredoxin-Disulfide Reductase; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroidectomy; Trans-Activators; Transcription Factor AP-1; Treatment Outcome; Triazoles; Triclosan; Trifluridine; Tumor Microenvironment; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; United States; Uracil; Vagina; Vegetables; Ventricular Function, Left; Ventricular Pressure; Vibrio cholerae; Vietnam; Virulence; Vital Capacity; Vitrification; Walking; Water; Water Pollutants, Radioactive; Whole Genome Sequencing; Wind; YAP-Signaling Proteins; Zeolites; Zinc Oxide

Since the meta-analysis on the association between indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and childhood respiratory illness in 1992, many new studies have been published. The quantitative effects of indoor NO2 on respiratory illness have not been estimated in a formal meta-analysis since then. We aimed to quantify the association of indoor NO2 and its main source (gas cooking) with childhood asthma and wheeze.. We extracted the association between indoor NO2 (and gas cooking) and childhood asthma and wheeze from population studies published up to 31 March 2013. Data were analysed by inverse-variance-weighted, random-effects meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for different strata. Publication bias and heterogeneity between studies were investigated.. A total of 41 studies met the inclusion criteria. The summary odds ratio from random effects meta-analysis for asthma and gas cooking exposure was 1.32 [95% confidential interval (CI) 1.18-1.48], and for a 15-ppb increase in NO2 it was 1.09 (95% CI 0.91-1.31). Indoor NO2 was associated with current wheeze (random effects OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.06-1.25). The estimates did not vary much with age or between regions. There was no evidence of publication bias.. This meta-analysis provides quantitative evidence that, in children, gas cooking increases the risk of asthma and indoor NO2 increases the risk of current wheeze.

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Cooking; Humans; Infant; Nitrogen Dioxide; Odds Ratio; Respiratory Sounds

It has long been assumed that the development of childhood asthma is related to exposure to environmental chemicals, but it has thus far not been possible to unequivocally establish this suspected relationship using individual studies. Moreover, studies of children have been scanty and unreliable due to the large diversity of research environments and subject cohorts. The aim of the current study was to clarify this relationship for one factor by means of a meta-analysis of studies investigating the influence of NO(2) exposure on symptomatology of childhood asthma.. Two electronic databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) were searched for literature on relationships between environmental chemical exposure and development of childhood asthma using the MeSH terms 'nitrogen dioxide' and 'asthma'. This was done according to the MOOSE guidelines for meta-analyses of observational studies.. A total of 130 papers were retrieved, of which 12 met the selection criteria. These papers described observational studies from seven countries. Study subjects were 97,932 ordinary children aged 0-18 years. Using random model analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for asthma development due to an increment of 10 p.p.b. NO(2) was 1.135 with a 95% confidence interval [CI] of 1.031-1.251 (P= 0.01), while the OR for wheezing symptoms was 1.052 with a 95%CI of 1.020-1.085 (P= 0.001). It is therefore evident that NO(2) exposure does influence the development of asthma in ordinary children.. Exposure to NO(2) in the air significantly influences the development of childhood asthma and symptoms of wheezing.

Topics: Asthma; Child; Environmental Exposure; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Nitrogen Dioxide; Respiratory Sounds; Severity of Illness Index

Asthma affects more than 17 million people in the United States;1/3 of these are children. Children are particularly vulnerable to airborne pollution because of their narrower airways and because they generally breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, increasing their exposure to air pollutants. However, the results from previous studies on the association between motor vehicle emissions and the development of childhood wheeze and asthma are conflicting. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to clarify their potential relationship.. MEDLINE, Highwire, and The Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between traffic air pollutants and wheeze or asthma were retrieved from individual studies and pooled to generate summary effect estimates (meta-OR) in STATA 11.1.. Nineteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (meta-OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.11), nitrous oxide (meta-OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04), and carbon monoxide (meta-OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12) were positively associated with a higher prevalence of childhood asthma. Exposure to sulfur dioxide (meta-OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) was positively associated with a higher prevalence of wheeze in children. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide was positively associated with a higher incidence of childhood asthma (meta-OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.06-1.24), and exposures to particulate matter was positively associated with a higher incidence of wheeze in children (meta-OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04-1.07).. Living or attending schools near high traffic density roads exposes children to higher levels of motor vehicle air pollutants, and increases the incidence and prevalence of childhood asthma and wheeze.

Topics: Asthma; Carbon Monoxide; Child; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Nitrous Oxide; Odds Ratio; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; Vehicle Emissions

COVID-19 as a viral disease has brought up the need to exercise more than before due to its physiological effects on health. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of 12-week of aerobic exercise on female students' hormone levels and lipid profile with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) during the COVID-19 pandemic.. Using a 12-week quasi-experimental with pretest, posttest research design among 40 Iranian female students aged 18-14 with PCOS, we randomly allocated the participants to either an experimental (they performed aerobic exercises three 60-minute sessions per week at home using content production) or a control condition. Their anthropometric and blood samples (e.g., testosterone, estrogen, prolactin, and lipid profile) were taken in two stages before and after the training protocol.. Findings demonstrated that performing aerobic exercises is an effective and non-invasive method that could have a positive effect on young girls' PCOS during COVID-19 pandemic.. La pandémie de COVID-19, en tant que maladie virale, a fait ressortir la nécessité de faire de l’exercice plus que jamais en raison de ses effets physiologiques sur la santé. Par conséquent, cette étude examine l’effet de 12 semaines d’exercice aérobique sur les niveaux hormonaux et le profil lipidique d’étudiantes atteintes du syndrome d’ovaires polykystiques (SOPK) pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.. En utilisant un modèle de recherche quasi-expérimental de 12 semaines avec pré-test, post-test auprès de 40 étudiantes iraniennes âgées de 18 à 14 ans atteintes du SOPK, nous avons réparti au hasard les participantes entre une série expérimentale (elles ont effectué des exercices aérobiques à raison de trois séances de 60 minutes par semaine à la maison) et une série contrôle. Les échantillons anthropométriques et sanguins (testostérone, œstrogène, prolactine et profil lipidique) ont été prélevés en deux étapes, avant et après le protocole d’entraînement.. Les résultats ont démontré que la pratique d’exercices d’aérobic est une méthode efficace et non invasive qui pourrait avoir un effet positif sur le SOPK des jeunes filles pendant la pandémie de COVID-19.. Our research showed that even less than 5 GBq irradiation could induce a transient testicular dysfunction in the first 3 months of therapy, but it was mostly reversible after 12 months.. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13204-023-02822-5.. Embelin is predicted to have a high probability of immunotoxicity potential and affect drug metabolism by inhibiting CYP2D6. In addition, it affects food intake, weight gain, and the number of implantations in pregnant rats. Therefore, it is highly recommended not to take embelin and embelin-rich plants during pregnancy. Further. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42965-023-00306-9.. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11696-023-02771-x.. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00477-023-02476-3.. This study ascribes for a new immunomodulatory role for IL11 during tumor development that is amenable to anti-cytokine based therapy of colon cancer.. Inflammation response do not seem to be enough to explain all the Essure-related adverse outcomes, suggesting the involvement of other biological mechanisms.. NCT03281564.. Inflammation and fibrosis are found in the surrounding tubal tissue around the Essure. Adult patients with BED with co-occurring obesity who have good responses to acute treatment with naltrexone/bupropion should be offered maintenance treatment with naltrexone/bupropion.. dp/dtmax in PiCCO parameter can be used as a bedside indicator to evaluate cardiac function in SIC patients due to its simplicity and ease of operation. Esmolol control of heart rate in SIC patients can improve cardiac function and reduce short-term mortality.. Inverted microscopy showed that compared with the NC group, the OGD/R group had poor cell status, swollen cytosol, visible cell lysis fragments and significantly lower cell activity [(49.1±2.7)% vs. (100.0±9.7)%, P < 0.01]; compared with the OGD/R group, the HW group had improved cell status and remarkably higher cell activity [(63.3±1.8)% vs. (49.1±2.7)%, P < 0.01]. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the neuronal nuclear membrane of cells in the OGD/R group was lysed and a higher number of autophagic lysosomes were visible compared with the NC group; compared with the OGD/R group, the neuronal damage of cells in the HW group was reduced and the number of autophagic lysosomes was notably decreased. The results of immunofluorescence assay showed that the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 were outstandingly enhanced in the OGD/R group compared with the NC group, and the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 were markedly weakened in the HW group compared with the OGD/R group. Western blotting assay showed that the expressions were prominently higher in both LC3II/I and Beclin-1 in the OGD/R group compared with the NC group (LC3II/I: 1.44±0.05 vs. 0.37±0.03, Beclin-1/β-actin: 1.00±0.02 vs. 0.64±0.01, both P < 0.01); compared with the OGD/R group, the protein expression of both LC3II/I and Beclin-1 in the HW group cells were notably lower (LC3II/I: 0.54±0.02 vs. 1.44±0.05, Beclin-1/β-actin: 0.83±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.02, both P < 0.01).. Hydrogen-rich water has a significant protective effect on OGD/R-causing HT22 cell injury, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of autophagy.. The prevalence of delirium in ICU patients is over 50%, with hypoactive delirium being the most common. Age, APACHE score at ICU admission, neurological disease, sepsis and duration of mechanical ventilation were all independent risk factors for the development of delirium in ICU patients. More than half of patients with delirium were still delirious when they discharged from the ICU.. For individuals ≥75 years, plasma Aβ42 and P-tau181 might not be associated with cognitive impairment, and MRI parameters, including PVWMH, LVBI and cortical atrophy, are related to CI. The cognitive statuses of people over 75 years old were used as the endpoint event in this study. Therefore, it can be considered that these MRI markers might have more important clinical significance for early assessment and dynamic observation, but more studies are still needed to verify this hypothesis.. We recommend using the Art/Zn complex owing to its moderate inhibitory and antiviral effects against the SARS-CoV-2 with a low cytotoxic effect on host (Vero E6) cells. We suggest conducting further prospective studies to investigate the biological effects of Art/Zn in animal models at different concentrations for testing its clinical efficacy and safety in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 activities.. The R/T sequence resulted in a significantly longer OS and PFS and improved disease control compared with the reverse sequence. R and T given not sequentially have similar impacts on survival. More data are needed to define the best sequence and to explore the efficacy of sequential (T/R or R/T) treatment combined with molecular-targeted drugs.

Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Actins; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Adenocarcinoma; Adenosine Triphosphate; Adsorption; Adult; Africa, Eastern; Aged; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Alcohol Drinking; Allergens; Alzheimer Disease; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibodies; Antibodies, Immobilized; Antigen Presentation; Antigens, CD; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Aptamers, Nucleotide; Asthma; Asthma, Exercise-Induced; Atrophy; Autophagy; Azoospermia; Bacillus cereus; Bacterial Infections; Beclin-1; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Biofouling; Biological Monitoring; Biomarkers; Biomarkers, Tumor; Biosensing Techniques; Blastocyst; Bone Neoplasms; Bone Regeneration; Bronchoconstriction; Burkitt Lymphoma; C9orf72 Protein; Campylobacter; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; Carcinogenesis; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cardiomyopathies; Caregivers; Carmine; Case-Control Studies; Catalysis; Cattle; Cause of Death; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cefepime; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Nucleus; Cell Transdifferentiation; Chelating Agents; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic; Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant; Child; Child, Preschool; China; Chlorquinaldol; Cholangiocarcinoma; Cholera; Chromatin; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cohort Studies; Colonic Neoplasms; Colorectal Neoplasms; Colorimetry; Cooking; Coordination Complexes; COVID-19; Creatinine; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Critical Care; Critical Illness; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective Agents; Cysteine; Cytokines; Device Removal; Diet; Diet, High-Fat; Diet, Mediterranean; Dietary Supplements; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Dipeptides; Disease Models, Animal; Dithiothreitol; DNA; DNA Repeat Expansion; DNA, Bacterial; DNA, Complementary; Dopamine; Electrochemical Techniques; Electrodes; Endocannabinoids; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Erlotinib Hydrochloride; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli O157; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagitis, Peptic; Ethylene Glycol; Europium; Exanthema; Fallopian Tubes; Feces; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Fluoresceins; Fluorescent Dyes; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Follow-Up Studies; Food Microbiology; Forced Expiratory Volume; Forkhead Transcription Factors; Frontotemporal Dementia; G-Quadruplexes; Galactose; Gastroenteritis; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Tract; Gene Frequency; Genetic Association Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Genome-Wide Association Study; Genome, Viral; Genomics; Genotype; Glucose; Glutathione; Glycerol; Gold; Graphite; GTPase-Activating Proteins; Heat-Shock Proteins; Heme Oxygenase-1; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C; Hepatocytes; Histamine; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; Hoarseness; Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing; Humans; Hydrogen; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hydrogen Sulfide; Hydroxybenzoates; Hydroxyl Radical; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Hyperthermia, Induced; Hysteroscopy; Immunoassay; Indigo Carmine; Inflammation; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Insulin Resistance; Intensive Care Units; Interleukin-11; Interleukin-6; Interleukins; Iodine Radioisotopes; Iran; Iridium; Islets of Langerhans; Kinetics; Lactation; Lactobacillus; Lactobacillus plantarum; Lamins; Latin America; Lead; Lectins; Leukopenia; Ligands; Limit of Detection; Lipopolysaccharides; Lipoprotein Lipase; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Lolium; Luminescent Measurements; Luminol; Lung; Luteinizing Hormone; Macrophages; Magnetic Phenomena; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Malnutrition; Maltose; Manganese Compounds; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Melatonin; Metabolic Engineering; Metal Nanoparticles; Metallocenes; Metaplasia; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Methylation; Mevalonic Acid; Mexico; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbiota; MicroRNAs; Milk; Mitomycin; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Molecular Docking Simulation; Monte Carlo Method; Moringa oleifera; Multiple Sclerosis; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal; Nanocomposites; Nanotubes, Carbon; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Neoplasms; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurotransmitter Agents; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Nickel; Nitrogen Dioxide; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Nucleocapsid Proteins; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Osteogenesis; Osteosarcoma; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxides; Oxygen; Oxyquinoline; Pain; Palliative Care; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pandemics; Particulate Matter; Peroxidase; Peroxidases; Phagocytosis; Phaseolus; Photothermal Therapy; Point-of-Care Systems; Polyethyleneimine; Polymers; 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The prevalence of childhood allergies has increased during past decades leading to serious hospitalization and heavy burden worldwide, yet the key factors responsible for the onset of early symptoms and development of diagnosed diseases are unclear.. To explore the role of early life exposure to ambient air pollution and indoor environmental factors on early allergic symptoms and doctor diagnosed allergic diseases.. A retrospective cohort study of 2598 preschool children was conducted at 36 kindergartens in Changsha, China from September of 2011 to February of 2012. A questionnaire was developed to survey each child's early onset of allergic symptoms (wheeze and rhinitis-like symptoms) and doctor diagnosis of allergic diseases (asthma and rhinitis) as well as home environments. Each mother's and child's exposures to ambient air pollutants (PM. Childhood early allergic symptoms (33.9%) including wheeze (14.7%) and rhinitis-like symptoms (25.4%) before 2 years old were not associated with outdoor air pollution exposure but was significantly associated with maternal exposure of window condensation at home in pregnancy with ORs (95% CI) of 1.33 (1.11-1.59), 1.30 (1.01-1.67) and 1.27 (1.04-1.55) respectively, and was associated with new furniture during first year after birth with OR (95% CI) of 1.43 (1.02-2.02) for early wheeze. Childhood diagnosed allergic diseases (28.4%) containing asthma (6.7%) and allergic rhinitis (AR) (7.2%) were significantly associated with both outdoor air pollutants (mainly for SO. Our study indicates that early life exposure to indoor environmental factors plays a key role in early onset of allergic symptoms in children, and further exposure to ambient air pollution and indoor environmental factors contribute to the later development of asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Child, Preschool; China; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pregnancy; Respiratory Sounds; Retrospective Studies; Rhinitis; Rhinitis, Allergic

Higher exposure to air pollution may contribute to the increased prevalence of allergic diseases in children. The study investigated the associations between the prevalence of childhood respiratory diseases and long-term exposure to NO2, SO2, PM10, especially some surrogates in schoolchildren in Hungary. We also analyzed the possible modification effects of some confounders by interaction analysis.. A total of 6771 children aged 8-9-year-old residing at their current addresses since their births with air pollution monitoring stations were selected into this analysis. Health outcomes and their possible determinants, as well as surrogates of air pollution were surveyed by using a standardized questionnaire. Long-term exposure to PM10, NO2, and SO2 was calculated at settlement level derived from daily average concentrations of pollutants. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods were applied.. NO2 levels were positively associated with respiratory allergies and asthma. Decreased risk for ragweed, any other pollen, house dust mite and animal fur allergy was detected with PM10 level. There were significant associations between respiratory allergies to ragweed, any other pollen, house dust mite, animal fur, wheeze symptoms and living or attending school nearby a factory, power station or bus station as well as living in a home with intensive noise or vibration. Gender, parental atopy, home mold and early respiratory infection were significant effect modifiers in some cases.. The results of this study indicate that respiratory health in children is adversely affected by air pollutants.

Topics: Air Pollution; Ambrosia; Asthma; Humans; Hungary; Hypersensitivity; Nitrogen Dioxide; Respiratory Sounds

Little information exists on interaction effects between air pollution and influenza vaccination on allergic respiratory diseases. We conducted a large population-based study to evaluate the interaction effects between influenza vaccination and long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on allergic respiratory diseases in children and adolescents.. A cross-sectional study was investigated during 2012-2013 in 94 schools from Seven Northeastern Cities (SNEC) in China. Questionnaires surveys were obtained from 56 137 children and adolescents aged 2-17 years. Influenza vaccination was defined as receipt of the influenza vaccine. We estimated air pollutants exposure [nitrogen dioxide (NO. We found statistically significant interactions between influenza vaccination and air pollutants on allergic respiratory diseases and related symptoms (doctor-diagnosed asthma, current wheeze, wheeze, persistent phlegm and allergic rhinitis). The adjusted ORs for doctor-diagnosed asthma, current wheeze and allergic rhinitis among the unvaccinated group per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM. Influenza vaccination may play an important role in mitigating the detrimental effects of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on childhood allergic respiratory diseases. Policy targeted at increasing influenza vaccination may yield co-benefits in terms of reduced allergic respiratory diseases.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; China; Cities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Influenza, Human; Logistic Models; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Risk Factors; Schools; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vaccination

Few longitudinal studies exist on childhood exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution and respiratory illness in China. We studied associations between indoor and outdoor environment and prevalence, onset and remission of wheeze and rhinitis among children across China.. Children (3-6 y) were recruited from randomized day care centres in six cities. The main data analysis was restricted to children not moving since birth (N = 17,679). Data on wheeze, rhinitis and the home environment were assessed by a parental questionnaire. Prevalence in the first two years of life (baseline) and the last year (follow-up) was used to calculate onset and remission. Outdoor PM. Prenatal NO. Outdoor PM

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor; Animals; Child; Child, Preschool; China; Cities; Cockroaches; Female; Fungi; Humans; Logistic Models; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Respiratory Sounds; Rhinitis; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Cohort Studies; Family Health; Female; Formaldehyde; Humans; Infant; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Sounds

Research examining associations between air pollution exposure and respiratory symptoms in adults has generally been inconclusive. This may be related in part to sample size issues, which also preclude analysis in potentially vulnerable subgroups.. We estimated associations between air pollution exposures and the prevalence of wheeze and shortness of breath using harmonized baseline data from two very large European cohorts, Lifelines (2006-2013) and UK Biobank (2006-2010). Our aim was also to determine whether the relationship between air pollution and respiratory symptom prevalence differed between individuals with different characteristics.. Cross-sectional analyses explored associations between prevalence of self-reported wheeze and shortness of breath and annual mean particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5μm, 2.5-10μm, and <10μm (PM2.5, PMcoarse, and PM10, respectively) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations at place of residence using logistic regression. Subgroup analyses and tests for interaction were performed for age, sex, smoking status, household income, obesity status, and asthma status.. All PM exposures were associated with respiratory symptoms based on single-pollutant models, with the largest associations seen for PM2.5 with prevalence of wheezing {odds ratio (OR)=1.16 per 5μg/m³ [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11, 1.21]} and shortness of breath [OR=1.61 per 5μg/m³ (95% CI: 1.45, 1.78)]. The association between shortness of breath and a 5-μg/m³ increment in PM2.5 was significantly higher for individuals from lower-[OR=1.73 (95% CI: 1.52, 1.97)] versus higher-income households [OR=1.31 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.55); p-interaction=0.005), whereas the association between PM2.5 and wheeze was limited to lower-income participants [OR=1.30 (95% CI: 1.22, 1.38) vs. OR=1.02; (95% CI: 0.96, 1.08); p-interaction<0.001]. Exposure to NO2 also showed positive associations with wheeze and shortness of breath.. Exposure to PM and NO2 air pollution was associated with the prevalence of wheeze and shortness of breath in this large study, with stronger associations between PM2.5 and both outcomes among lower- versus higher-income participants. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1353.

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dyspnea; Environmental Exposure; Europe; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Prevalence; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; Vehicle Emissions; Young Adult

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Female; Formaldehyde; Hong Kong; Humans; Infant; Male; Medical History Taking; Nitrogen Dioxide; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Sounds

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Female; Humans; Hypoxia; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; Young Adult

Few data exist on respiratory effects of indoor air quality and comfort parameters in the elderly. In the context of the GERIE study, we investigated for the first time the relationships of these factors to respiratory morbidity among elderly people permanently living in nursing homes in seven European countries. 600 elderly people from 50 nursing homes underwent a medical examination and completed a standardised questionnaire. Air quality and comfort parameters were objectively assessed in situ in the nursing home. Mean concentrations of air pollutants did not exceed the existing standards. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio was highly significantly related to elevated levels of particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of <0.1 µm (PM0.1) (adjusted OR 8.16, 95% CI 2.24-29.3) and nitrogen dioxide (aOR 3.74, 95% CI 1.06-13.1). Excess risks for usual breathlessness and cough were found with elevated PM10 (aOR 1.53 (95% CI 1.15-2.07) and aOR 1.73 (95% CI 1.17-10.3), respectively) and nitrogen dioxide (aOR 1.58 (95% CI 1.15-2.20) and aOR 1.56 (95% CI 1.03-2.41), respectively). Excess risks for wheeze in the past year were found with PM0.1 (aOR 2.82, 95% CI 1.15-7.02) and for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and exhaled carbon monoxide with formaldehyde (aOR 3.49 (95% CI 1.17-10.3) and aOR 1.25 (95% CI 1.02-1.55), respectively). Breathlessness and cough were associated with higher carbon dioxide. Relative humidity was inversely related to wheeze in the past year and usual cough. Elderly subjects aged ≥80 years were at higher risk. Pollutant effects were more pronounced in the case of poor ventilation. Even at low levels, indoor air quality affected respiratory health in elderly people permanently living in nursing homes, with frailty increasing with age. The effects were modulated by ventilation.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Carbon Monoxide; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Europe; Female; Formaldehyde; Frail Elderly; Health Status; Housing for the Elderly; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Nursing Homes; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ventilation

Epidemiological studies on the effect of urban air pollution on childhood asthma have shown conflicting results and so far no consistent association has emerged. However, a common limitation in previous studies has been exposure misclassification leading to uncertainties in risk estimates.The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on the prevalence of asthma and wheeze within a population-based birth cohort--the Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study (MAAS).. The prevalence of asthma and current wheeze within the cohort (N=1185) was determined through parental questionnaires at ages 3, 5, 8 and 11 years. The typical monthly PM10 and NO2 exposure of each child was estimated through a novel microenvironmental exposure model from birth to age 11. The association between exposure and asthma or wheeze was analysed using generalised estimating equations and multiple logistic regression.. The range of asthma prevalence was 15.2-23.3%, with the lowest prevalence at age 3 and the highest at age 5. The prevalence of current wheeze decreased from ages 3 to 8 (23.7-18%). The mean NO2 exposure decreased from the 1st year of life (21.7 µg/m(3)) to the 11th year of life (16.0 µg/m(3)). The mean PM10 exposure showed a smaller decrease (12.8 -10.7 µg/m(3)). The statistical analysis showed no significant association between the exposures and either outcome.. No evidence of a significant association between long-term exposure to PM10 and NO2 and the prevalence of either asthma or wheeze was found.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; England; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Prevalence; Respiratory Sounds; Urban Health; Vehicle Emissions

The chronic health effects from exposure to ambient air pollution are still unclear. This study primarily aims to examine the relationship between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and respiratory morbidities in Chinese children.. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,203 school children aged 8-10 in three districts with different air pollution levels in Hong Kong. Annual means for ambient PM10, SO2, NO2 and O3 in each district were used to estimate participants' individual exposure. Two questionnaires were used to collect children's respiratory morbidities and other potential risk factors. Multivariable logistic regression was fitted to estimate the risks of air pollution for respiratory morbidities.. Compared to those in the low-pollution district (LPD), girls in the high-pollution district (HPD) were at significantly higher risk for cough at night (ORadj. = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.71-2.78) and phlegm without colds (ORadj. = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.74-8.47). In addition, marginal significance was reached for elevated risks for asthma, wheezing symptoms, and phlegm without colds among boys in HPD (adjusted ORs: 1.71-2.82), as well as chronic cough among girls in HPD (ORadj. = 2.03, 95% CI: 0.88-4.70).. Results have confirmed certain adverse effects on children's respiratory health from long-term exposure to ambient air pollution. PM10 may be the most relevant pollutant with adverse effects on wheezing and phlegm in boys. Both PM10 and NO2 may be contributing to cough and phlegm in girls.

Topics: Air Pollution; Asthma; Child; Cough; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hong Kong; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Sulfur Dioxide; Surveys and Questionnaires

Ambient air pollution has been consistently associated with exacerbation of respiratory diseases in schoolchildren, but the role of early exposure to traffic-related air pollution in the first occurrence of respiratory symptoms and asthma is not yet clear.. We assessed the association between indexes of exposure to traffic-related air pollution during different periods of life and respiratory outcomes in a birth cohort of 672 newborns (Rome, Italy). Direct interviews of the mother were conducted at birth and at 6, 15 months, 4 and 7 years. Exposure to traffic-related air pollution was assessed for each residential address during the follow-up period using a Land-Use Regression model (LUR) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and a Geographic Information System (GIS) variable of proximity to high-traffic roads (HTR) (>10 000vehicles/day). We used age-specific NO2 levels to develop indices of exposure at birth, current, and lifetime time-weighted average. The association of NO2 and traffic proximity with respiratory disorders were evaluated using logistic regression in a longitudinal approach (Generalised Estimating Equation). The exposure indexes were used as continuous and categorical variables (cut-off points based on the 75th percentile for NO2 and the 25th percentile for distance from HTRs).. The average NO2 exposure level at birth was 37.2 μg/m(3) (SD 7.2, 10-90th range 29.2-46.1). There were no statistical significant associations between the exposure indices and the respiratory outcomes in the longitudinal model. The odds ratios for a 10-µg/m(3) increase in time-weighted average NO2 exposure were: asthma incidence OR=1.09; 95 CI% 0.78 to 1.52, wheezing OR=1.07; 95 CI% 0.90 to 1.28, shortness of breath with wheezing OR=1.16; 95 CI% 0.94 to 1.43, cough or phlegm apart from cold OR=1.11; 95 CI% 0.92 to 1.33, and otitis OR=1.08; 95 CI% 0.89 to 1.32. Stronger but not significant associations were found considering the 75th percentile of the NO2 distribution as a cut-off, especially for incidence of asthma and prevalence of wheeze (OR=1.41; 95 CI% 0.88 to 2.28 and OR=1.27; 95 CI% 0.95 to 1.70, respectively); the highest OR was found for wheezing (OR=2.29; 95 CI% 1.15 to 4.56) at the 7-year follow-up. No association was found with distance from HTRs.. Exposure to traffic-related air pollution is only weakly associated with respiratory symptoms in young children in the first 7 years of life.

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Cough; Dyspnea; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Female; Geographic Information Systems; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Interviews as Topic; Logistic Models; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Odds Ratio; Otitis; Prevalence; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Sounds; Rome; Vehicle Emissions

Air pollution has many negative health effects on the general population, especially children, subjects with underlying chronic disease and the elderly. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of traffic-related pollution on the exacerbation of asthma and development of respiratory infections in Italian children suffering from asthma or wheezing compared with healthy subjects and to estimate the association between incremental increases in principal pollutants and the incidence of respiratory symptoms.. This prospective study enrolled 777 children aged 2 to 18 years (375 with recurrent wheezing or asthma and 402 healthy subjects). Over 12 months, parents filled out a daily clinical diary to report information about respiratory symptoms, type of medication used and healthcare utilization. Clinical data were combined with the results obtained using an air pollution monitoring system of the five most common pollutants.. Among the 329 children with recurrent wheezing or asthma and 364 healthy subjects who completed follow-up, children with recurrent wheezing or asthma reported significantly more days of fever (p=0.005) and cough (p<0.001), episodes of rhinitis (p=0.04) and tracheitis (p=0.01), asthma attacks (p<0.001), episodes of pneumonia (p<0.001) and hospitalizations (p=0.02). In the wheezing/asthma cohort, living close to the street with a high traffic density was a risk factor for asthma exacerbations (odds ratio [OR]=1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-2.84), whereas living near green areas was found to be protective (OR=0.50; 95% CI, 0.31 -0.80). An increase of 10 μg/m3 of particulates less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) increased the onset of pneumonia only in wheezing/asthmatic children (continuous rate ratio [RR]=1.08, 95% CI: 1.00-1.17 for PM10; continuous RR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.17 for NO2).. There is a significant association between traffic-related pollution and the development of asthma exacerbations and respiratory infections in children born to atopic parents and in those suffering from recurrent wheezing or asthma. These findings suggest that environmental control may be crucial for respiratory health in children with underlying respiratory disease.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollution; Asthma; Automobiles; Child; Child, Preschool; Cough; Disease Progression; Female; Fever; Hospitalization; Humans; Italy; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Pneumonia; Prospective Studies; Residence Characteristics; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rhinitis; Risk Factors; Tracheitis

Limited prior data suggest an association between traffic-related air pollution and incident asthma in adults. No published studies assess the effect of long-term exposures to particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) on adult incident asthma.. To estimate the association between ambient air pollution exposures (PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide, NO2) and development of asthma and incident respiratory symptoms.. The Sister Study is a U.S. cohort study of risk factors for breast cancer and other health outcomes (n = 50,884) in sisters of women with breast cancer (enrollment, 2003-2009). Annual average (2006) ambient PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations were estimated at participants' addresses, using a national land-use/kriging model incorporating roadway information. Outcomes at follow-up (2008-2012) included incident self-reported wheeze, chronic cough, and doctor-diagnosed asthma in women without baseline symptoms.. Adjusted analyses included 254 incident cases of asthma, 1,023 of wheeze, and 1,559 of chronic cough. For an interquartile range (IQR) difference (3.6 μg/m(3)) in estimated PM2.5 exposure, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 1.20 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.99-1.46, P = 0.063) for incident asthma and 1.14 (95% CI = 1.04-1.26, P = 0.008) for incident wheeze. For NO2, there was evidence for an association with incident wheeze (aOR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00-1.17, P = 0.048 per IQR of 5.8 ppb). Neither pollutant was significantly associated with incident cough (PM2.5: aOR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.88-1.03, P = 0.194; NO2: aOR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.93-1.07, P = 0.939).. Results suggest that PM2.5 exposure increases the risk of developing asthma and that PM2.5 and NO2 increase the risk of developing wheeze, the cardinal symptom of asthma, in adult women.

Topics: Adult; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Logistic Models; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Nitrogen Dioxide; Odds Ratio; Particulate Matter; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; United States; Vehicle Emissions

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Cooking; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Respiratory Sounds

Outdoor air pollution has been associated with decrements in lung function and growth of lung function in school-age children. Lung function effects have not been examined in preschoolers, with the exception of one study on minute ventilation in newborns. Our goal was to assess the relationship between long- and short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and interrupter resistance in 4-year-old children. Lung function was measured using the interrupter resistance method in children participating in a Dutch birth cohort study. Long-term average air pollution concentrations of fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and soot at the residential address at birth were assessed using land-use regression models. Daily average air pollution concentrations on the day of clinical examination were obtained from the Dutch National Air Quality Monitoring Network. Significant associations were found between long-term average air pollution concentrations and interrupter resistance. Interrupter resistance increased by 0.04 kPa·s·L(-1) (95% CI 0.01-0.07) per interquartile range increase (3.3 μg·m(-3)) in fine particle concentration. Short-term exposure was not associated with interrupter resistance. Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution was associated with increased interrupter resistance in 4-year-old children, supporting previous birth cohort studies reporting effects of air pollution on subjectively reported respiratory symptoms in preschool children.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Female; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Regression Analysis; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory Sounds; Sensitivity and Specificity; Soot; Vehicle Emissions

Air pollution is associated with a substantial burden on human health; however, the most important pollutants may vary with location. Proper monitoring is necessary to determine the effect of these pollutants on respiratory health.. This study was designed to evaluate the role of outdoor, indoor and personal exposure to combustion-related pollutants NO(2) and O(3) on respiratory health of children in a non-affluent urban area of São Paulo, Brazil.. Levels of NO(2) and O(3) were continuously measured in outdoor and indoor air, as well as personal exposure, for 30 days using passive measurement monitors. Respiratory health was assessed with a Brazilian version of the ISAAC questionnaire.. Complete data were available from 64 children, aged 6-10 years. Respiratory morbidity was high, with 43 (67.2%) reporting having had wheezing at any time, 27 (42.2%) wheezing in the last month, 17 (26.6%) asthma at any time and 21 (32.8%) pneumonia at any time. Correlations between levels of NO(2) and O(3) measured in the three locations evaluated were poor. Levels of NO(2) in indoor air and personal exposure to O(3) were independently associated with asthma (both cases P=.02), pneumonia (O(3), P=.02) and wheezing at any time (both cases P<.01). No associations were seen between outdoor NO(2) and O(3) and respiratory health.. Exposure to higher levels of NO(2) and O(3) was associated with increased risk for asthma and pneumonia in children. Nonetheless, the place where the pollutants are measured influences the results. The measurements taken in indoor and personal exposure were the most accurate.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Brazil; Child; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Female; Filtration; Housing; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Pneumonia; Poverty Areas; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Urban Health; Vehicle Emissions

Air pollution is associated with asthma exacerbations. We examined the associations of exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with the risk of wheezing in preschool children, and assessed whether these associations were modified by tobacco smoke exposure.. This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study among 4,634 children. PM10 and NO2 levels were estimated for the home addresses using dispersion modeling. Annual parental reports of wheezing until the age of 3 years and fetal and infant tobacco smoke exposure was obtained by questionnaires.. Average annual PM10 or NO2 exposure levels per year were not associated with wheezing in the same year. Longitudinal analyses revealed non-significant tendencies towards positive associations of PM10 or NO2 exposure levels with wheezing during the first 3 years of life (overall odds ratios (95% confidence interval): 1.21 (0.79, 1.87) and 1.06 (0.92, 1.22)) per 10 μg/m3 increase PM10 and NO2, respectively). Stratified analyses showed that the associations were stronger and only significant among children who were exposed to both fetal and infant tobacco smoke (overall odds ratios 4.54 (1.17, 17.65) and 1.85 (1.15, 2.96)) per 10 μg/m3 increase PM10 and NO2, respectively (p-value for interactions <0.05).. Our results suggest that long term exposure to traffic-related air pollutants is associated with increased risks of wheezing in children exposed to tobacco smoke in fetal life and infancy. Smoke exposure in early life might lead to increased vulnerability of the lungs to air pollution.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Child, Preschool; Female; Fetus; Humans; Infant; Male; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Netherlands; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Vehicle Emissions

Children's respiratory health has been linked to many factors, including air pollution. The impacts of urban land-use on health are not fully understood, although these relationships are of key importance given the growing populations living in urban environments.. We investigated whether the degree of urban land-use near a family's residence is associated with severity of respiratory symptoms like wheeze among infants.. Wheeze occurrence was recorded for the first year of life for 680 infants in Connecticut for 1996-1998 from a cohort at risk for asthma development. Land-use categories were obtained from the National Land Cover Database. The fraction of urban land-use near each subject's home was related to severity of wheeze symptoms using ordered logistic regression, adjusting for individual-level data including smoking in the household, race, gender, and socio-economic status. Nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) exposure was estimated using integrated traffic exposure modeling. Different levels of urban land-use intensity were included in separate models to explore intensity-response relationships. A buffer distance was selected based on the log-likelihood value of models with buffers of 100-2000 m by 10 m increments.. A 10% increase in urban land-use within the selected 1540 m buffer of each infant's residence was associated with 1.09-fold increased risk of wheeze severity (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.16). Results were robust to alternate buffer sizes. When NO(2), representing traffic pollution, was added to the model, results for urban land-use were no longer statistically significant, but had similar central estimates. Higher urban intensity showed higher risk of prevalence and severity of wheeze symptoms.. Urban land-use was associated with severity of wheeze symptoms in infants. Findings indicate that health effect estimates for urbanicity incorporate some effects of traffic-related emissions, but also involve other factors. These may include differences in housing characteristics or baseline healthcare status.

Topics: Air Pollution; Asthma; Cities; Connecticut; Environmental Exposure; Female; Geographic Information Systems; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Odds Ratio; Particle Size; Particulate Matter; Respiratory Sounds; Social Class

Children are vulnerable to air pollution, which is known to be related to the recent increasing trend of allergic disease.. To investigate the effects of air pollution on respiratory allergic diseases in school children.. A prospective survey of parental responses to International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaires, together with allergy evaluation, was conducted in 1743 school children selected from metropolitan cities and industrial areas during a 2-year period. Individual exposure to air pollution was estimated by using a geometric information system with the 5-year mean concentration of air pollutants.. A total of 1,340 children (male:female ratio, 51.4:48.6) with a mean (SD) age of 6.84 (0.51) years were included in the analysis. Each child underwent allergy evaluation at the time of enrollment and at a 2-year follow-up. After 2 years, the 12-month prevalence of wheezing was significantly decreased, whereas the lifetime prevalence of allergic rhinitis showed a significant increase. Ozone exposure was significantly associated with the 12-month prevalence of wheeze (odds ratio per 5 ppb, 1.372; 95% confidence interval, 1.016-1.852). Ozone was also associated with allergic rhinitis in children who reside in industrial areas. In addition, significant positive associations between ozone and the rate of newly developed sensitization to outdoor allergen were found (P for trend = .007).. Exposure to ozone was associated with current wheeze and allergic rhinitis. An increased rate of newly developed sensitization to outdoor allergen by ozone may explain the association.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Asthma; Carbon Monoxide; Child; Environmental Exposure; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Incidence; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Sounds; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Skin Tests; Sulfur Dioxide

Because their lungs and immune system are not completely developed, children are more susceptible to respiratory disease and more vulnerable to ambient pollution. We assessed the relation between prenatal and postnatal nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) levels and the development of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), wheezing and persistent cough during the first year of life.. The study population consisted of 352 children from a birth cohort in Valencia, Spain. Prenatal exposure to NO(2), a marker of traffic related air pollution was measured at 93 sampling sites spread over the study area during four different sampling periods of 7 days each. It was modeled for each residential address through land use regression using the empirical measurements and data from geographic information systems. Postnatal exposure was measured once inside and outside each home using passive samplers for a period of 14 days. Outcomes studied were any episode of LRTI during the child's first year of life diagnosed by a doctor (bronchitis, bronchiolitis or pneumonia), wheezing (defined as whistling sounds coming from the chest), and persistent cough (more than three consecutive weeks). Outcomes and potential confounders were obtained from structured questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify associations.. The cumulative incidence (CI) at first year of life was 30.4% for LRTI (23.0% bronchiolitis, 11.9% bronchitis and 1.4% pneumonia), 26.1% for wheezing and 6.3% for persistent cough. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) per 10μg/m(3) increment in postnatal outdoor NO(2) concentration was 1.40 (1.02-1.92) for persistent cough. We also found some pattern of association with LRTI, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, wheezing and persistent cough in different prenatal periods, although it was not statistically significant.. Our results indicate that exposure to outdoor, but not indoor, NO(2) during the first year of life increases the risk of persistent cough.

Topics: Cough; Environmental Exposure; Female; Geographic Information Systems; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Logistic Models; Models, Theoretical; Nitrogen Dioxide; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Infections; Spain; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vehicle Emissions

It is well documented that high levels of many airborne pollutants can adversely affect many systems of the human body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the specific impact of ozone (O(3)) on the worsening of childhood asthma, comparing children living at regions with high and low O(3) concentrations (reference site) without the confounding effects of other pollutants.. Pollutant concentrations were monitored and data concerning asthma prevalence were collected through a questionnaire. The studied population consisted of 478 children aged 6-13 years old enrolled in four schools of the municipalities where monitoring was performed. Remote sites were identified with very low concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds and high concentrations of O(3).. The prevalence of wheeze for lifetime period and in the past year was 15.9% and 6.3%, respectively. Asthmatic children were identified when dyspnoea and wheezing were simultaneously mentioned in the absence of upper respiratory infections; according to that, the lifetime prevalence of asthmatic symptoms at the remote sites was 7.1%. The comparison with other previous studies was difficult because the criteria for analysis are not conveniently established.. The prevalence of childhood asthmatic symptoms was about 4% higher at the high O(3) site than at the low O(3) site.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollutants; Asthma; Child; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Portugal; Prevalence; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Volatile Organic Compounds

Outdoor air pollution at levels occurring in many urban areas around the world has substantial adverse effects on health. Children in general, and children with asthma in particular, are sensitive to the adverse effects of outdoor air pollutants, including ozone, nitrogen oxides, and respirable particulate matter. A growing number of studies also show that children living in environments near traffic have increased risks of new-onset asthma, asthma symptoms, exacerbations, school absences, and asthma-related hospitalizations. The large population of children exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollutants and the substantial risks for adverse health effects present unexploited opportunities to reduce the burden of asthma. Because the evidence indicates significant adverse effects of air pollution at current levels, there is clearly a need to reduce levels of regulated pollutants such as ozone, as well as unregulated pollutants in tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles. Achieving this long-term goal requires the active involvement of physicians and medical providers to ensure that the health of children is at the top of the list of competing priorities for regulatory policy decision-making. Clinical approaches include treatment to control asthma and patient education to reduce adverse effects of the disease. Reduction in exposures also can be approached at a policy level through changes in schools and school bus operations. Beyond clinical and public health approaches to reduce exposure, another strategy to be used before clean air goals are met is to decrease the susceptibility of children to air pollution. Emerging research indicates that dietary supplementation for individuals with low antioxidant levels is one promising approach to reducing susceptibility to air pollution. A second approach involves induction of enzymatic antioxidant defenses, especially for individuals with at-risk genetic variants of key antioxidant enzymes.

Topics: Absenteeism; Air Pollution; Asthma; Bronchitis; California; Child; Emergency Service, Hospital; Environmental Exposure; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hospitalization; Humans; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particle Size; Public Health; Respiratory Sounds; Urban Health; Vehicle Emissions

The objective of the study was to analyze the relationship between air pollutants and the prevalence of recent symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema in schoolchildren aged between 6 and 7 years.. The prevalence of recent (previous 12 months) symptoms of allergic diseases was obtained by means of the questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), Spain, with the participation of 7 centers (Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, La Coruña, Madrid, and Valencia) and 20 455 schoolchildren aged between 6 and 7 years, from 2002 to 2003. The pollutant detection systems of the aforementioned centers provided the mean annual concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and total suspended particulate matter.. The annual average concentration of SO2 showed a significant association with a higher prevalence of recent severe asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] between level-1 and level-3 pollution, 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.73), rhinitis (aOR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.39-1.75), and rhinoconjunctivitis (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.45-2.00). The annual average concentration of CO was associated with a higher prevalence of rhinitis (aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.34-2.04), rhinoconjunctivitis (aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.31-2.37), and eczema (aOR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.17-2.04). The annual average concentration for NO2 and total suspended particulate matter showed inverse associations with the prevalence of nocturnal dry cough.. Findings suggest that air pollutants such as SO2 and CO increase the risk of recent symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis in schoolchildren aged between 6 and 7 years in Spain.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Carbon Monoxide; Child; Cough; Dermatitis, Atopic; Female; Humans; Male; Meteorological Concepts; Nitrogen Dioxide; Particulate Matter; Prevalence; Respiratory Sounds; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal; Spain; Sulfur Dioxide; Urban Population

There is limited evidence for the role of air pollution in the development and triggering of wheezing symptoms in young children. A study was undertaken to examine the effect of exposure to air pollution on wheezing symptoms in children under the age of 3 years with genetic susceptibility to asthma.. Daily recordings of symptoms were obtained for 205 children participating in the birth cohort study Copenhagen Prospective Study on Asthma in Children and living in Copenhagen for the first 3 years of life. Daily air pollution levels for particulate matter <10 microm in diameter (PM(10)) and the concentrations of ultrafine particles, nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), nitrogen oxide (NO(x)) and carbon monoxide (CO) were available from a central background monitoring station in Copenhagen. The association between incident wheezing symptoms and air pollution on the concurrent and previous 4 days was estimated by a logistic regression model (generalised estimating equation) controlling for temperature, season, gender, age, exposure to smoking and paternal history of asthma.. Significant positive associations were found between concentrations of PM(10), NO(2), NO(x), CO and wheezing symptoms in infants (aged 0-1 year) with a delay of 3-4 days. Only the traffic-related gases (NO(2), NO(x)) showed significant effects throughout the 3 years of life, albeit attenuating after the age of 1 year.. Air pollution related to traffic is significantly associated with triggering of wheezing symptoms in the first 3 years of life.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Asthma; Carbon Monoxide; Child, Preschool; Denmark; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Infant; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Nitrogen Oxides; Particulate Matter; Pedigree; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Sounds; Time Factors; Vehicle Emissions

Several studies reported inconsistent associations between using gas for cooking and respiratory symptoms or lung function in children. Kitchen ventilation characteristics may modify the relationship between gas cooking and respiratory health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of kitchen ventilation (while cooking) on the relationship between gas cooking, combustion product dispersal, and respiratory and allergic outcomes in children.. Data on respiratory and allergic symptoms and diagnoses were collected by yearly questionnaires in a population of over 3000 children participating in a birth cohort study on development of allergy and asthma. At 4 years of age, a sub-sample of 647 children provided blood samples for antibody testing. Data on gas cooking and kitchen ventilation were collected when the children were 5 years old. Based on these data a model was constructed to determine the chance of accumulation of combustion products (CACP) in the kitchen.. No relationship was found between gas cooking and any of the respiratory or allergy outcomes except nasal symptoms. The overall results did not change when the 'CACP' was used as exposure variable instead, while the association for nasal symptoms decreased to borderline significance.. Our results suggest that gas cooking per se is associated with nasal symptoms in young children and not with the other respiratory symptoms that were investigated. Taking kitchen ventilation characteristics into account did not lead to different conclusions in this population where, according to the classification system, the majority of households using gas for cooking have insufficient kitchen ventilation.

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Comorbidity; Cooking; Eczema; Fossil Fuels; Humans; Models, Statistical; Netherlands; Nitrogen Dioxide; Odds Ratio; Paranasal Sinuses; Prevalence; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Respiratory Sounds; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ventilation

We investigated 10 naturally ventilated schools in Shanghai, in winter. Pupils (13-14 years) in 30 classes received a questionnaire, 1414 participated (99%). Classroom temperatures were 13-21 degrees C (mean 17 degrees C), relative air humidity was 36-82% (mean 56%). The air exchange rate was 2.9-29.4 ac/h (mean 9.1), because of window opening. Mean CO2 exceeded 1000 ppm in 45% of the classrooms. NO2 levels were 33-85 microg/m3 indoors, and 45-80 microg/m3 outdoors. Ozone were 1-9 microg/m3 indoors and 17-28 microg/m3 outdoors. In total, 8.9% had doctors' diagnosed asthma, 3.1% wheeze, 23.0% daytime breathlessness, 2.4% current asthma, and 2.3% asthma medication. Multiple logistic regression was applied. Observed indoor molds was associated with asthma attacks [odds ratio (OR) = 2.40: P < 0.05]. Indoor temperature was associated with daytime breathlessness (OR = 1.26 for 1 C; P < 0.001), and indoor CO2 with current asthma (OR = 1.18 for 100 ppm; P < 0.01) and asthma medication (OR = 1.15 for 100 ppm; P < 0.05). Indoor NO2 was associated with current asthma (OR = 1.51 for 10 microg/m3; P < 0.01) and asthma medication (OR = 1.45 for 10 microg/m3; P < 0.01). Outdoor NO2 was associated with current asthma (OR = 1.44 for 10 microg/m3; P < 0.05). Indoor and outdoor ozone was negatively associated with daytime breathlessness. In conclusion, asthma symptoms among pupils in Shanghai can be influenced by lack of ventilation and outdoor air pollution from traffic. Practical Implications Most urban schools in Asia are naturally ventilated buildings, often situated in areas with heavy ambient air pollution from industry or traffic. The classes are large, and window opening is the only way to remove indoor pollutants, but this results in increased exposure to outdoor air pollution. There is a clear need to improve the indoor environment in these schools. Building dampness and indoor mold growth should be avoided, and the concept of mechanical ventilation should be introduced. City planning aiming to situate new schools away from roads with heavy traffic should be considered.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Animals; Asthma; China; Dyspnea; Female; Formaldehyde; Humans; Humidity; Hypersensitivity; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Respiratory Sounds; Schools; Students; Temperature; Vehicle Emissions; Ventilation

Experimental data suggest that asthma exacerbation by ambient air pollutants is enhanced by exposure to endotoxin and allergens; however, there is little supporting epidemiologic evidence.. We evaluated whether the association of exposure to air pollution with annual prevalence of chronic cough, phlegm production, or bronchitis was modified by dog and cat ownership (indicators of allergen and endotoxin exposure). The study population consisted of 475 Southern California children with asthma from a longitudinal cohort of participants in the Children's Health Study. We estimated average annual ambient exposure to nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter < 10, 2.5, and 10-2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM10-2.5, respectively), elemental and organic carbon, and acid vapor from monitoring stations in each of the 12 study communities. Multivariate models were used to examine the effect of yearly variation of each pollutant. Effects were scaled to the variability that is common for each pollutant in representative communities in Southern California.. Among children owning a dog, there were strong associations between bronchitic symptoms and all pollutants examined. Odds ratios ranged from 1.30 per 4.2 microg/m3 for PM10-2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.91-1.87) to 1.91 per 1.2 microg/m3 for organic carbon (95% CI, 1.34-2.71). Effects were somewhat larger among children who owned both a cat and dog. There were no effects or small effects with wide CIs among children without a dog and among children who owned only a cat.. Our results suggest that dog ownership, a source of residential exposure to endotoxin, may worsen the relationship between air pollution and respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollution; Animals; Asthma; California; Cats; Child; Cohort Studies; Dogs; Female; Humans; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ownership; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Diseases

This study was conducted to examine the impact of building characteristics and indoor air quality on recurrent wheezing in infants. We followed a birth cohort (BAMSE) comprising 4089 children, born in predefined areas of Stockholm, during their first 2 years of life. Information on exposures was obtained from parental questionnaires when the children were 2 months and on symptoms and diseases when the children were 1 and 2 years old. Children with recurrent wheezing, and two age-matched controls per case, were identified and enrolled in a nested case-control study. The homes were investigated and ventilation rate, humidity, temperature and NO2 measured. We found that living in an apartment erected after 1939, or in a private home with crawl space/concrete slab foundation were associated with an increased risk of recurrent wheezing, odds ratio (OR) 2.5 (1.3-4.8) and 2.5 (1.1-5.4), respectively. The same was true for living in homes with absolute indoor humidity >5.8 g/kg, OR 1.7 (1.0-2.9) and in homes where windowpane condensation was consistently reported over several years, OR 2.2 (1.1-4.5). However, air change rate and type of ventilation system did not seem to affect the risk. In conclusion, relatively new apartment buildings, single-family homes with crawl space/concrete slab foundation, elevated indoor humidity, and reported wintertime windowpane condensation were associated with recurrent wheezing in infants. Thus, improvements of the building quality may have potential to prevent infant wheezing.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Environmental Monitoring; Epidemiological Monitoring; Female; Humans; Humidity; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Respiratory Sounds; Sick Building Syndrome; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden; Temperature; Ventilation

We enrolled a cohort of primary school children with a history of wheeze (n=148) in an 11-month longitudinal study to examine the relationship between ambient air pollution and respiratory morbidity. We obtained daily air pollution (ozone, particulate matter less than 10 microm, and nitrogen dioxide), meteorological, and pollen data. One hundred twenty-five children remained in the final analysis. We used logistic regression models to determine associations between air pollution and respiratory symptoms, asthma medication use, and doctor visits for asthma. There were no associations between ambient ozone concentrations and respiratory symptoms, asthma medication use, and doctor visits for asthma. There was, however, an association between PM(10) concentrations and doctor visits for asthma (RR=1.11, 95% CI=1.04-1.19) and between NO(2) concentration and wet cough (RR=1.05, 95% CI=1.003-1.10) in single-pollutant models. The associations remained significant in multipollutant models. There was no consistent evidence that children with wheeze, positive histamine challenge, and doctor diagnosis of asthma reacted differently to air pollution from children with wheeze and doctor diagnosis of asthma and children with wheeze only. There were significant associations between PM(10) levels and doctor visits for asthma and an association between NO(2) levels and the prevalence of wet cough. We were, however, unable to demonstrate that current levels of ambient air pollution in western Sydney have a coherent range of adverse health effects on children with a history of wheezing.

Topics: Air Pollution; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Meteorological Concepts; New South Wales; Nitrogen Dioxide; Office Visits; Ozone; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Pollen; Respiratory Sounds

Effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on respiratory health have been the subject of extensive research. The outcomes of these studies were not consistent. Exposure to nitrous acid, which is a primary product of combustion, and is also formed when NO2 reacts with water, may play an important role in respiratory health. We estimate the independent effects of exposure to nitrogen dioxide and nitrous acid on respiratory symptoms during the first year of life.. Nitrogen dioxide and nitrous acid concentrations were measured once (1996-1998) in the homes of 768 infants who were at risk for developing asthma. Infants were living in southern New England. The frequency of respiratory symptoms in these children was recorded during the first year of life.. Infants living in homes with an NO2 concentration exceeding 17.4 ppb (highest quartile) had a higher frequency of days with wheeze (rate ratio = 2.2; 95% confidence interval = 1.4-3.4), persistent cough (1.8; 1.2-2.7), and shortness of breath (3.1; 1.8-5.6) when compared with infants in homes that had NO2 concentrations lower than 5.1 ppb (lowest quartile), controlling for nitrous acid concentration. Nitrous acid exposure was not independently associated with respiratory symptoms.. Among infants at risk for developing asthma, the frequency of reported respiratory symptoms in the first year of life was associated with levels of NO2 not currently considered to be harmful.

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Connecticut; Cough; Dyspnea; Environmental Exposure; Humans; Infant; Interviews as Topic; Massachusetts; Nitrogen Dioxide; Nitrous Acid; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Assessment

To investigate the effects of 12 monthly average air pollution levels on monthly prevalence of respiratory morbidity, the authors examined retrospective questionnaire data on 2034 4th-grade children from 12 Southern California communities that were enrolled in The Children's Health Study. Wheezing during the spring and summer months was associated with community levels of airborne particulate matter with a diameter < or = 10 microm (PM10) (odds ratio (OR) = 2.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.46-5.80), but was not associated with community levels of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 (diameter < or = 2.5), nitric acid, or formic acid. Logistic regression was performed on data stratified into two seasonal groups, spring/summer and fall/winter. Among asthmatics, the monthly prevalence of asthma medication use was associated with monthly levels of ozone, nitric acid, and acetic acid (OR = 1.80 [95%CI = 1.19-2.70]; OR = 1.80 [95%CI = 1.23-2.65]; OR = 1.57 [95% CI = 1.11-2.21]; respectively). Asthma medication use was more prevalent among children who spent more time outdoors--with consequential exposure to ozone--than among children who spent more time indoors (OR = 3.07 [95%CI = 1.61-5.86]; OR = 1.31 [95%CI = 0.47-2.71]; respectively). The authors concluded that monthly variations in some ambient air pollutants were associated with monthly respiratory morbidity among school children.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; California; Child; Cohort Studies; Drug Utilization; Female; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particle Size; Respiratory Sounds; Retrospective Studies; Seasons

To investigate the acute health effects of winter outdoor air pollution (nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), ozone (O(3)), sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), sulphate (SO(4)(2-)),and particles (PM(10))) on schoolchildren in an area of southern England where levels of SO(2) had been reported to be high.. A total of 179 children, aged 7-13, from three schools (two urban and one rural location), were included. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and presence or absence of upper respiratory infections were recorded on 63 school days from 1 November 1996 to 14 February 1997. Air pollution and meteorological data were taken from monitors at each school site. The analysis regressed daily PEFR on pollutant level adjusting for confounders and serial correlation and calculated a weighted pooled estimate of effect overall for each pollutant. In addition, large decrements in PEFR were analysed as a binary outcome. Same day, lag 1, lag 2, and a five day average of pollutant levels were used.. There were no clear effects of any pollutant on mean PEFR. In addition, we analysed large PEFR decrements (a binary outcome), observing consistent negative associations with NO(2), SO(4)(2-), and PM(10), although few lag/pollutant combinations were significant: odds ratios (95% CI) for five day average effect: NO(2) 24 h average 1.043 (1.000 to 1.089), SO(4)(2-) 1.090 (0.898 to 1.322), PM(10) 1.037 (0.992 to 1.084). The observed effects of PM(10) (only) were stronger in wheezy children (1.114 (1.057 to 1.174)). There were no consistent negative associations between large decrements and ozone or SO(2).. There is no strong evidence for acute effects of winter outdoor air pollution on mean PEFR overall in this area, but there is evidence for negative effects on large PEFR decrements.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Child; England; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Sounds; Rural Health; Seasons; Sulfates; Sulfur Dioxide; Urban Health; Vital Capacity

In a cohort of 849 infants with an asthmatic sibling, the authors examined the relations of exposure to allergens (dust mite, cockroach, cat, and dog), nitrogen dioxide, and mold with symptoms of wheeze and persistent cough in the first year of life (1998-2000). Among infants whose mothers had physician-diagnosed asthma, neither dust mite allergen nor dog allergen was associated with either symptom. Exposure to cockroach allergen (Bla g 1 at >or=2 U/g) modestly increased the risk for wheeze (odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94, 3.71), and exposure to cat allergen modestly decreased the risk (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.35, 1.03). Among infants of mothers with no asthma history, exposure to gas stoves (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.15) and wood-burning stoves (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.91) increased the risk of persistent cough. Similarly, measured nitrogen dioxide concentration was associated with persistent cough (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.40). Persistent mold affected both infants of mothers with asthma (for wheeze, OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.27, 4.07; for cough, OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.22) and infants of mothers without asthma (for cough, OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.31). Reported exposure was confirmed by an association of measured fungi with wheeze (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.49). This appears to have been the first study to measure all of these home exposures (indoor allergens, nitrogen dioxide, fungi) and to prospectively measure the frequency of infant wheeze and persistent cough.

Topics: Adult; Air Pollution, Indoor; Allergens; Asthma; Cohort Studies; Cough; Environmental Exposure; Female; Fungi; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Odds Ratio; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors

To investigate the association between air pollution, including with NO2, and recurrent wheezing during the first two years of life.. A birth cohort (BAMSE) comprised 4089 children, for whom information on exposures, symptoms, and diseases was available from parental questionnaires at ages 2 months, and 1 and 2 years. NO2 was measured during four weeks in and outside the dwellings of children with recurrent wheezing and two age matched controls, in a nested case-control study (540 children).. Conditional logistic regression showed an OR of 1.60 (95% CI 0.78 to 3.26) among children in the highest quartile of outdoor NO2 exposure in relation to those in the lowest quartile, adjusted for potential confounders. The corresponding OR for indoor NO2 was 1.51 (95% CI 0.81 to 2.82). An interaction with environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was indicated with an OR of 3.10 (95% CI 1.32 to 7.30) among children exposed to the highest quartile of indoor NO2 and ETS. The association between NO2 and recurrent wheezing appeared stronger in children who did not fulfil the criteria for recurrent wheezing until their second year.. Although the odds of increased recurrent wheezing are not statistically significantly different from one, results suggest that exposure to air pollution including NO2, particularly in combination with exposure to ETS, increases the risk of recurrent wheezing in children.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Case-Control Studies; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Odds Ratio; Recurrence; Respiratory Sounds; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

We report analysis of data on outdoor air pollution and respiratory symptoms in children collected in the Czech part of the international Small Area Variations in Air pollution and Health (SAVIAH) Project, a methodological study designed to test the use of geographical information systems (GIS) in studies of environmental exposures and health at small area level. We collected the following data in two districts of Prague: (1) individual data on 3,680 children (response rate 88%) by questionnaires; (2) census-based socio-demographic data for small geographical units; (3) concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) measured by passive samplers in three 2-week surveys at 80 and 50 locations, respectively. We integrated all data into a geographical information system. Modeling of NO2 and SO2 allowed estimation of exposure to outdoor NO2 and SO2 at school and at home for each child. We examined the associations between air pollution and prevalence of wheezing or whistling in the chest in the last 12 months by logistic regression at individual level, weighted least squares regression at small area (ecological) level and multilevel modeling. The results varied by the level of analysis and method of exposure estimation. In multilevel analyses using individual data, odds ratios per 10 microg/m3 increase in concentrations were 1.16 (95% CI = 0.95-1.42) for NO2, and 1.08 (95% CI = 0.97-1.21) for SO2. While mapping of spatial distribution of NO2 and SO2 in the study area appeared valid, the interpolation from outdoor to personal exposures requires consideration.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Child; Czech Republic; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Prevalence; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Sounds; Sulfur Dioxide; Surveys and Questionnaires

To study possible chronic respiratory effects of air pollutants, we initiated a 10-yr prospective cohort study of Southern California children, with a study design focused on four pollutants: ozone, particulate matter, acids, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Twelve demographically similar communities were selected on the basis of historic monitoring information to represent extremes of exposure to one or more pollutants. In each community, about 150 public school students in grade 4, 75 in grade 7, and 75 in grade 10 were enrolled through their classrooms. Informed consent and written responses to surveys about students' lifetime residential histories, historic and current health status, residential characteristics, and physical activity were obtained with the help of the parents. In the first testing season, 3,676 students returned questionnaires. We confirmed associations previously reported between respiratory morbidity prevalence and the presence of personal, demographic, and residential risk factors. Rates of respiratory illness were higher for males, those living in houses with pets, pests, mildew, and water damage, those whose parents had asthma, and those living in houses with smokers. Wheeze prevalence was positively associated with levels of both acid (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.83) and NO2 (OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.08-2.19) in boys. We conclude, based on this cross-sectional assessment of questionnaire responses, that current levels of ambient air pollution in Southern California may be associated with effects on schoolchildren's respiratory morbidity as assessed by questionnaire.

Topics: Acids; Air Pollutants; Asthma; Bronchitis; California; Child; Chronic Disease; Cohort Studies; Cough; Female; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires

The association of air pollution with the prevalence of chronic lower respiratory tract symptoms among children with a history of asthma or related symptoms was examined in a cross-sectional study. Parents of a total of 3,676 fourth, seventh, and tenth graders from classrooms in 12 communities in Southern California completed questionnaires that characterized the children's histories of respiratory illness and associated risk factors. The prevalences of bronchitis, chronic phlegm, and chronic cough were investigated among children with a history of asthma, wheeze without diagnosed asthma, and neither wheeze nor asthma. Average ambient annual exposure to ozone, particulate matter (PM(10) and PM(2.5); [less than/equal to] 10 microm and < 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter, respectively), acid vapor, and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) was estimated from monitoring stations in each community. Positive associations between air pollution and bronchitis and phlegm were observed only among children with asthma. As PM(10) increased across communities, there was a corresponding increase in the risk per interquartile range of bronchitis [odds ratio (OR) 1.4/19 microg/m(3); 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1-1.8). Increased prevalence of phlegm was significantly associated with increasing exposure to all ambient pollutants except ozone. The strongest association was for NO(2), based on relative risk per interquartile range in the 12 communities (OR 2.7/24 ppb; CI, 1.4-5.3). The results suggest that children with a prior diagnosis of asthma are more likely to develop persistent lower respiratory tract symptoms when exposed to air pollution in Southern California.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollution; Asthma; Bronchitis; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Respiratory Sounds

To identify characteristics associated with respiratory symptoms due to an episode of air pollution.. Mail survey.. In October 1992, the population of the city of Winnipeg was exposed to elevated levels of particulate matter (total and <10 microm size), carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds due to smoke from adjacent fields where farmers were burning agricultural residue (straw and stubble).. We surveyed 428 participants in the ongoing Lung Health Study (35 to 64 years old, both sexes) with mild to moderate airways obstruction (mean FEV1 percent predicted 73+/-12%), and a high level of airways hyperreactivity (23% of men and 37% of women).. While 37% of subjects were not bothered by smoke at all, 42% reported that symptoms (cough, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath) developed or became worse due to the air pollution episode and 20% reported that they had breathing trouble. Those with symptoms were more likely to be female than male and were more likely to be ex-smokers than smokers. Subjects with asthma and chronic bronchitis were also more likely affected. The degree of airways obstruction and the level of bronchial hyperresponsiveness were not associated with increased susceptibility.. Gender, smoking habit, and respiratory symptoms but not bronchial hyperresponsiveness or the degree of airways obstruction are factors influencing susceptibility to symptoms due to air pollution in adult smokers and former smokers.

Topics: Adult; Agriculture; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Airway Obstruction; Asthma; Bronchial Hyperreactivity; Bronchitis; Carbon Monoxide; Chest Pain; Chronic Disease; Cough; Disease Susceptibility; Dyspnea; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Male; Manitoba; Middle Aged; Nitrogen Dioxide; Organic Chemicals; Respiration; Respiratory Sounds; Sex Factors; Smoke; Smoking

Nitrogen dioxide levels were measured in 80 homes in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia, using passive samplers. Some 148 children between 7 and 14 yr of age were recruited as study participants, 53 of whom had asthma. Health outcomes for the children were studied using a respiratory questionnaire, skin prick tests, and peak flow measurements. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations were low, with an indoor median of 11.6 microgram/m3 (6.0 ppb), and a maximum of 246 microgram/m3 (128 ppb). Respiratory symptoms were more common in children exposed to a gas stove (odds ratio 2.3 [95% CI 1. 0-5.2], adjusted for parental allergy, parental asthma, and sex). Nitrogen dioxide exposure was a marginal risk factor for respiratory symptoms, with a dose-response association present (p = 0.09). Gas stove exposure was a significant risk factor for respiratory symptoms even after adjusting for nitrogen dioxide levels (odds ratio 2.2 [1.0-4.8]), suggesting an additional risk apart from the average nitrogen dioxide exposure associated with gas stove use. Atopic children tended to have a greater risk of respiratory symptoms compared with nonatopic children with exposure to gas stoves or nitrogen dioxide, but the difference was not significant.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution, Indoor; Asthma; Child; Confidence Intervals; Cough; Dyspnea; Female; Fossil Fuels; Household Articles; Housing; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Odds Ratio; Oxidants, Photochemical; Parents; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Skin Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires

To examine the association between the air pollutants ozone, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide and the incidence of acute childhood wheezy episodes.. Prospective observational study over one year.. District general hospital.. 1025 children attending the accident and emergency department with acute wheezy episodes; 4285 children with other conditions as the control group.. Daily incidence of acute wheezy episodes.. After seasonal adjustment, day to day variations in daily average concentrations of ozone and sulphur dioxide were found to have significant associations with the incidence of acute wheezy episodes. The strongest association was with ozone, for which a non-linear U shaped relation was seen. In terms of the incidence rate ratio (1 at a mean 24 hour ozone concentration of 40 microg/m3 (SD=19.1)), children were more likely to attend when the concentration was two standard deviations below the mean (incidence rate ratio=3.01; 95% confidence interval 2.17 to 4.18) or two standard deviations above the mean (1.34; 1.09 to 1.66). Sulphur dioxide had a weaker log-linear relation with incidence (1.12; 1.05 to 1.19 for each standard deviation (14.1) increase in sulphur dioxide concentration). Further adjustment for temperature and wind speed did not significantly alter these associations.. Independent of season, temperature, and wind speed, fluctuations in concentrations of atmospheric ozone and sulphur dioxide are strongly associated with patterns of attendance at accident and emergency departments for acute childhood wheezy episodes. A critical ozone concentration seems to exist in the atmosphere above or below which children are more likely to develop symptoms.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Air Pollutants; Child; Child, Preschool; Emergency Service, Hospital; England; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Sounds; Seasons; Sulfur Dioxide

In 1994, 16,187 junior high school students were surveyed in Jakarta and surrounding cities, Indonesia, to study the effect of air pollution on respiratory illnesses. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was measured by the filter badge developed by Yanagisawa and Nishimura as a measure of air pollution. The average concentration of NO2 is the highest in central Jakarta and Tangerang (22-30 ppb), the lowest in rural areas (5-11 ppb), and in other cities, 11-20 ppb. Self-administered questionnaires were given to the students in 29 schools to obtain respiratory symptoms of cough, phlegm and wheeze. A significant relationship was found in this study between NO2 exposure levels and prevalence rates of cough, phlegm, and wheezing without cold, which were 27.7 to 38.7%, 15.0 to 21.9%, and 1.4 to 2.9%, respectively. Prevalence rates of persistent cough and persistent phlegm were 7.3 to 10.8% and 4.5 to 5.0% respectively. These rates were higher than those found by other researchers. This difference may be partly due to the survey methods. The more polluted, the higher the prevalence rate of respiratory symptoms.

Topics: Adolescent; Air Pollution; Cough; Female; Humans; Indonesia; Male; Nitrogen Dioxide; Prevalence; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Sounds