Blood lead levels, pulmonary function and agility in Polish schoolchildren

Background: Reduced vital capacity (VC) and forced vital capacity (FVC) are associated with lead (Pb) exposure. Aim: The objective of this study is to analyse the effects of Pb on FVC and the shuttle run performance. Subjects and methods: Data were available for 184 male and 189 female Polish schoolchildren aged 10–15 years. Regression analysis was performed of shuttle run performance (dependent) on Pb and FVC. Results: Shuttle run time increased by 1.75 (± 0.77) and 1.97 (± 0.77) seconds for each 10 µg/dL increase in Pb blood among males and females, respectively. Higher shuttle run times indicate poorer performance. Average unadjusted blood Pb level in the sample was 5.27 μg/dL (± 0.19 SE) and 3.82 μg/dL (± 0.10 SE), respectively. Path analysis was used to assess the association of Pb level with shuttle run time. Blood Pb had a significant negative effect on VC (B= −13.60 ± 3.28 [SE], p < 0.0001) and FVC (B = −13.08 ± 3.27, p < 0.0001). FVC had a small but significant effect on shuttle run time (B = −0.04 ± 0.007, p < 0.0001). Pb had a significant effect on the residual of shuttle run time among males (B = 1.59 ± 0.75, p < 0.03) and females after the effect of FVC was removed (B = 1.49 ± 0.73, p < 0.04). Conclusions: Thus, Pb had direct and indirect effects that increased shuttle run time, i.e. negatively affected performance

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Value Proposition Study: Phase 1, Task 3: Technical Requirements and Procedure for Evaluation of One Scenario

In Task 2, the project team designed the Phase 1 case study to represent the 'baseline' plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) fleet of 2030 that investigates the effects of seventeen (17) value propositions (see Table 1 for complete list). By creating a 'baseline' scenario, a consistent set of assumptions and model parameters can be established for use in more elaborate Phase 2 case studies. The project team chose southern California as the Phase 1 case study location because the economic, environmental, social, and regulatory conditions are conducive to the advantages of PHEVs. Assuming steady growth of PHEV sales over the next two decades, PHEVs are postulated to comprise approximately 10% of the area's private vehicles (about 1,000,000 vehicles) in 2030. New PHEV models introduced in 2030 are anticipated to contain lithium-ion batteries and be classified by a blended mileage description (e.g., 100 mpg, 150 mpg) that demonstrates a battery size equivalence of a PHEV-30. Task 3 includes the determination of data, models, and analysis procedures required to evaluate the Phase 1 case study scenario. Some existing models have been adapted to accommodate the analysis of the business model and establish relationships between costs and value to the respective consumers. Other data, such as the anticipated California generation mix and southern California drive cycles, have also been gathered for use as inputs. The collection of models that encompasses the technical, economic, and financial aspects of Phase 1 analysis has been chosen and is described in this deliverable. The role of PHEV owners, utilities (distribution systems, generators, independent system operators (ISO), aggregators, or regional transmission operators (RTO)), facility owners, financing institutions, and other third parties are also defined

Secondary analysis of APPLE study suggests atorvastatin may reduce atherosclerosis progression in pubertal lupus patients with higher C reactive protein

OBJECTIVE: Participants in the Atherosclerosis Prevention in Paediatric Lupus Erythematosus (APPLE) trial were randomised to placebo or atorvastatin for 36 months. The primary endpoint, reduced carotid intima medial thickness (CIMT) progression, was not met but atorvastatin-treated participants showed a trend of slower CIMT progression. Post-hoc analyses were performed to assess subgroup benefit from atorvastatin therapy. METHODS: Subgroups were prespecified and defined by age (> or ≤15.5 years), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) duration (> or ≤24 months), pubertal status (Tanner score ≥4 as post-pubertal or <4 as pre-pubertal), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (≥ or <110 mg/dl) and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) (≥ or <1.5 mg/l). A combined subgroup (post-pubertal and hsCRP≥1.5 mg/l) was compared to all others. Longitudinal linear mixed-effects models were developed using 12 CIMT and other secondary APPLE outcomes (lipids, hsCRP, disease activity and damage, and quality of life). Three way interaction effects were assessed for models. RESULTS: Significant interaction effects with trends of less CIMT progression in atorvastatin-treated participants were observed in pubertal (3 CIMT segments), high hsCRP (2 CIMT segments), and the combined high hsCRP and pubertal group (5 CIMT segments). No significant treatment effect trends were observed across subgroups defined by age, SLE duration, LDL for CIMT or other outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Pubertal status and higher hsCRP were linked to lower CIMT progression in atorvastatin-treated subjects, with most consistent decreases in CIMT progression in the combined pubertal and high hsCRP group. While secondary analyses must be interpreted cautiously, results suggest further research is needed to determine whether pubertal lupus patients with high CRP benefit from statin therapy. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00065806