Short-term exposure to fine particle mass (PM) has been associated with adverse health effects, but little is known about the relative toxicity of particle components. We conducted a systematic ...review to quantify the associations between particle components and daily mortality and hospital admissions. Medline, Embase and Web of Knowledge were searched for time series studies of sulphate (SO4(2-)), nitrate (NO3(-)), elemental and organic carbon (EC and OC), particle number concentrations (PNC) and metals indexed to October 2013. A multi-stage sifting process identified eligible studies and effect estimates for meta-analysis. SO4(2-), NO3(-), EC and OC were positively associated with increased all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, with the strongest associations observed for carbon: 1.30% (95% CI: 0.17%, 2.43%) increase in all-cause mortality per 1 μg/m(3). For PNC, the majority of associations were positive with confidence intervals that overlapped 0%. For metals, there were insufficient estimates for meta-analysis. There are important gaps in our knowledge of the health effects associated with short-term exposure to particle components, and the literature also lacks sufficient geographical coverage and analyses of cause-specific outcomes. The available evidence suggests, however, that both EC and secondary inorganic aerosols are associated with adverse health effects.
Here we describe the development of the London Hybrid Exposure Model (LHEM), which calculates exposure of the Greater London population to outdoor air pollution sources, in-buildings, in-vehicles, ...and outdoors, using survey data of when and where people spend their time. For comparison and to estimate exposure misclassification we compared Londoners LHEM exposure with exposure at the residential address, a commonly used exposure metric in epidemiological research. In 2011, the mean annual LHEM exposure to outdoor sources was estimated to be 37% lower for PM2.5 and 63% lower for NO2 than at the residential address. These decreased estimates reflect the effects of reduced exposure indoors, the amount of time spent indoors (∼95%), and the mode and duration of travel in London. We find that an individual’s exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 outside their residential address is highly correlated (Pearson’s R of 0.9). In contrast, LHEM exposure estimates for PM2.5 and NO2 suggest that the degree of correlation is influenced by their exposure in different transport modes. Further development of the LHEM has the potential to increase the understanding of exposure error and bias in time-series and cohort studies and thus better distinguish the independent effects of NO2 and PM2.5.
ABSTRACT
Research confirming the detrimental impact poor ambient air quality and episodes of abnormally high pollutants has on public health, plus differential susceptibility, calls for improved ...understanding of this complex topic among all walks of society. The public and particularly, vulnerable groups, should be aware of their quality of air, enabling action to be taken in the event of increased pollution. Policy makers must have a sound awareness of current air quality and future trends, to identify issues, guide policies and monitor their effectiveness. These attitudes are dependent upon air pollution monitoring, forecasting and reporting, serving all interested parties. Apart from the underlying national regulatory obligation a country has in reporting air quality information, data output serves several purposes. This review focuses on provision of real‐time data and advanced warnings of potentially health‐damaging events, in the form of national air quality indices and proactive alert services. Some of the challenges associated with designing these systems include technical issues associated with the complexity of air pollution and its science. These include inability to provide precise exposure concentrations or guidance on long‐term/cumulative exposures or effects from pollutant combinations. Other issues relate to the degree to which people are aware and positively respond to these services. Looking to the future, mobile devices such as cellular phones, equipped with sensing applications have potential to provide dynamic, temporally and spatially precise exposure measures for the mass population. The ultimate aim should be to empower people to modify behaviour—for example, when to increase medication, the route/mode of transport taken to school or work or the appropriate time to pursue outdoor activities—in a way that protects their health as well as the quality of the air they breathe.
Here we describe the development of the London Hybrid Exposure Model (LHEM), which calculates exposure of the Greater London population to outdoor air pollution sources, in-buildings, in-vehicles, ...and outdoors, using survey data of when and where people spend their time. For comparison and to estimate exposure misclassification we compared Londoners LHEM exposure with exposure at the residential address, a commonly used exposure metric in epidemiological research. In 2011, the mean annual LHEM exposure to outdoor sources was estimated to be 37% lower for PM
and 63% lower for NO
than at the residential address. These decreased estimates reflect the effects of reduced exposure indoors, the amount of time spent indoors (∼95%), and the mode and duration of travel in London. We find that an individual's exposure to PM
and NO
outside their residential address is highly correlated (Pearson's R of 0.9). In contrast, LHEM exposure estimates for PM
and NO
suggest that the degree of correlation is influenced by their exposure in different transport modes. Further development of the LHEM has the potential to increase the understanding of exposure error and bias in time-series and cohort studies and thus better distinguish the independent effects of NO
and PM
.
A proteomics survey of human placental syncytiotrophoblast (ST) apical plasma membranes revealed peptides corresponding to flotillin-1 (FLOT1) and flotillin-2 (FLOT2). The flotillins belong to a ...class of lipid microdomain-associated integral membrane proteins that have been implicated in clathrin- and caveolar-independent endocytosis. In the present study, we characterized the expression of the flotillin proteins within the human placenta. FLOT1 and FLOT2 were coexpressed in placental lysates and BeWo human trophoblast cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy of first-trimester and term placentas revealed that both proteins were more prominent in villous endothelial cells and cytotrophoblasts (CTs) than the ST. Correspondingly, forskolin-induced fusion in BeWo cells resulted in a decrease in FLOT1 and FLOT2, suggesting that flotillin protein expression is reduced following trophoblast syncytialization. The flotillin proteins co-localized with a marker of fluid-phase pinocytosis, and knockdown of FLOT1 and/or FLOT2 expression resulted in decreased endocytosis of cholera toxin B subunit. We conclude that FLOT1 and FLOT2 are abundantly coexpressed in term villous placental CTs and endothelial cells, and in comparison, expression of these proteins in the ST is reduced. These findings suggest that flotillin-dependent endocytosis is unlikely to be a major pathway in the ST, but may be important in the CT and endothelium.
To model the possible air pollution-related health impact of the 2005 oil depot fire at Buncefield, near London, UK, under alternative meteorological conditions to those experienced at the time.
...Atmospheric dispersion modelling of the smoke plume was conducted under the range of meteorological conditions occurring throughout 2005 assuming constant particle emission rates. Population exposure to particle concentrations (PM10) was calculated by linking the atmospheric dispersion modelling data (2 km resolution) and postcode population data. Health impacts were estimated using time-series-based exposure-response relationships for PM10 available from the epidemiological literature.
Estimates of pollution-related deaths brought forward, emergency hospital admissions from respiratory problems and emergency hospital admissions from cardiovascular disease.
The highest four-day population exposure to PM10 for meteorological data from 2005 was predicted to occur between 5 and 8 August 2005, when northerly winds would have carried the plume towards London and surrounding areas of high population density. On these days, we estimated the additional PM10 exposure would have resulted in around 12 extra deaths brought forward, and around 13 additional emergency hospital admissions and a similar additional number of emergency admissions for cardiovascular disease. These numbers are slightly greater than estimated deaths and emergency admissions attributable to regular anthropogenic PM10 concentrations in south east England over the same four day period.
Although the particle pollution-related health impacts of the Buncefield fire could have been higher under different meteorological conditions, it is unlikely that the impacts would be substantially greater than those attributable to regular anthropogenic particle pollution over the similar period.
oil depot fire; health impact; epidemiology; air pollution; explosion; atmospheric dispersion modelling; exposure.
Here we describe the development of the London Hybrid Exposure Model (LHEM), which calculates exposure of the Greater London population to outdoor air pollution sources, in-buildings, in-vehicles, ...and outdoors, using survey data of when and where people spend their time. For comparison and to estimate exposure misclassification we compared Londoners LHEM exposure with exposure at the residential address, a commonly used exposure metric in epidemiological research. In 2011, the mean annual LHEM exposure to outdoor sources was estimated to be 37% lower for PM^sub 2.5^ and 63% lower for NO^sub 2^ than at the residential address. These decreased estimates reflect the effects of reduced exposure indoors, the amount of time spent indoors (~95%), and the mode and duration of travel in London. We find that an individual's exposure to PM^sub 2.5^ and NO^sub 2^ outside their residential address is highly correlated (Pearson's R of 0.9). In contrast, LHEM exposure estimates for PM^sub 2.5^ and NO^sub 2^ suggest that the degree of correlation is influenced by their exposure in different transport modes. Further development of the LHEM has the potential to increase the understanding of exposure error and bias in time-series and cohort studies and thus better distinguish the independent effects of NO^sub 2^ and PM^sub 2.5^.
Here we describe the development of the London Hybrid Exposure Model (LHEM), which calculates exposure of the Greater London population to outdoor air pollution sources, in-buildings, in-vehicles, ...and outdoors, using survey data of when and where people spend their time. For comparison and to estimate exposure misclassification we compared Londoners LHEM exposure with exposure at the residential address, a commonly used exposure metric in epidemiological research. In 2011, the mean annual LHEM exposure to outdoor sources was estimated to be 37% lower for PM sub( 2.5) and 63% lower for NO sub( 2) than at the residential address. These decreased estimates reflect the effects of reduced exposure indoors, the amount of time spent indoors (~95%), and the mode and duration of travel in London. We find that an individual's exposure to PM sub( 2.5) and NO sub( 2) outside their residential address is highly correlated (Pearson's R of 0.9). In contrast, LHEM exposure estimates for PM sub( 2.5) and NO sub( 2) suggest that the degree of correlation is influenced by their exposure in different transport modes. Further development of the LHEM has the potential to increase the understanding of exposure error and bias in time-series and cohort studies and thus better distinguish the independent effects of NO sub( 2) and PM sub( 2.5).
This study examined client background characteristics, substance use severity, and psychological distress in relation to return to alcohol and drug use among men and women 2 years following substance ...user treatment. Participants (n = 180) completed a baseline interview within their first month of substance user treatment (conducted in 1995 1996) and follow-up interview 2 years following the baseline interview (conducted in 1997 1998). Structural equation modeling analyses were used to examine the relationship among client background characteristics and problem severity indicators, measured during treatment, in relation to alcohol and illicit drug use 2 years posttreatment. Psychological distress directly predicted alcohol and illicit drug use during follow-up and appeared to mediate the relationship between client background characteristics (such as gender, race, and marital status) and substance use consequences on posttreatment substance use. Income directly predicted alcohol use and age directly predicted illicit drug use, regardless of problem severity (including psychological distress and substance use consequences). Results support long-term clinical monitoring of psychological distress as a marker for return to drug or alcohol use.
Dopamine D1 receptors (D1DRs) mediate a major component of dopaminergic neurotransmission, and alterations in their synaptic and subcellular distribution may underlie a variety of neurological ...diseases. In order to monitor D1DR localization in real time, we subcloned a
sindbis virus containing an enhanced-GFP coding region inserted at the C-terminal region of a dopamine D1 receptor (eGFP-D1DR). Two-photon excitation of expressed eGFP-D1DRs was monitored in a variety of viable neural preparations. Infection of primary cultured rat ventral striatal neurons, verified for neuronal phenotype using patch clamp electrophysiology, was induced by the simple addition of the virus to media. Parasagittal slice cultures, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), were infected by manual injection below the glia surface. NAc-containing parasagittal slices prepared from mice in which the virus was administered via stereotaxic injection in vivo also displayed robust eGFP-D1DR expression. Expression of functional D1DRs following infection in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells was monitored by DA-stimulated cAMP production that was also blocked by a selective D1 antagonist. Taken together, these findings provide the first demonstration of the functional expression and real-time imaging of eGFP-D1DRs, and indicate that
sindbis virus is an effective method for D1 receptor expression in a variety of native neuronal preparations.
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