Lung Radiology and Pulmonary Function of Children Chronically Exposed to Air Pollution

We analyzed the chest radiographs (CXRs) of 249 clinically healthy children, 230 from southwest Mexico City and 19 from Tlaxcala. In contrast to children from Tlaxcala, children from southwest Mexico City were chronically exposed to ozone levels exceeding the U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for an average of 4.7 hr/day and to concentrations of particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM(2.5)) above the annual standard. CXRs of Mexico City children demonstrated bilateral hyperinflation (151 of 230) and increased linear markings (121 of 230). Hyperinflation and interstitial markings were significantly more common in Mexico City children (p < 0.0002 and 0.00006 respectively). Mexico City boys had a higher probability of developing interstitial markings with age (p = 0.004). Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained in 25 selected Mexico City children with abnormal CXRs. Mild bronchial wall thickening was seen in 10 of 25, prominent central airways in 4 of 25, air trapping in 8 of 21, and pulmonary nodules in 2 of 21. Only 7.8% of Mexico City children had abnormal lung function tests based on predicted values. These findings are consistent with bronchiolar, peribronchiolar, and/or alveolar duct inflammation, possibly caused by ozone, PM, and lipopolysaccharide exposure. The epidemiologic implications of these findings are important for children residing in polluted environments, because bronchiolar disease could lead to chronic pulmonary disease later in life

Exposure to Urban Air Pollution and Bone Health in Clinically Healthy Six-year-old Children

Air pollution induces systemic inflammation, as well as respiratory, myocardial and brain inflammation in children. Peak bone mass is influenced by environmental factors. We tested the hypothesis that six-year-olds with lifetime exposures to urban air pollution will have alterations in inflammatory markers and bone mineral density (BMD) as opposed to low-polluted city residents when matched for BMI, breast feeding history, skin phototype, age, sex and socioeconomic status. This pilot study included 20 children from Mexico City (MC) (6.17 years ± 0.63 years) and 15 controls (6.27 years ± 0.76 years). We performed full paediatric examinations, a history of outdoor exposures, seven-day dietary recalls, serum inflammatory markers and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Children in MC had significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 (p=0.001), marked reductions in total blood neutrophils (p= 0.0002) and an increase in monocytes (p=0.005). MC children also had an insufficient Vitamin D intake and spent less time outdoors than controls (p\u3c0.001) in an environment characterized by decreased UV light, with ozone and fine particulates concentrations above standard values. There were no significant differences between the cohorts in DXA Z scores. The impact of systemic inflammation, vitamin D insufficiency, air pollution, urban violence and poverty may have long-term bone detrimental outcomes in exposed paediatric populations as they grow older, increasing the risk of low bone mass and osteoporosis. The selection of reference populations for DXA must take into account air pollution exposures

Elevated Plasma Endothelin-1 and Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Children Exposed to Air Pollution

BackgroundControlled exposures of animals and humans to particulate matter (PM) or ozone air pollution cause an increase in plasma levels of endothelin-1, a potent vasoconstrictor that regulates pulmonary arterial pressure.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this field study was to determine whether Mexico City children, who are chronically exposed to levels of PM and O3 that exceed the United States air quality standards, have elevated plasma endothelin-1 levels and pulmonary arterial pressures.MethodsWe conducted a study of 81 children, 7.9 ± 1.3 years of age, lifelong residents of either northeast (n = 19) or southwest (n = 40) Mexico City or Polotitlán (n = 22), a control city with PM and O3 levels below the U.S. air quality standards. Clinical histories, physical examinations, and complete blood counts were done. Plasma endothelin-1 concentrations were determined by immunoassay, and pulmonary arterial pressures were measured by Doppler echocardiography.ResultsMexico City children had higher plasma endothelin-1 concentrations compared with controls (p < 0.001). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure was elevated in children from both northeast (p < 0.001) and southwest (p < 0.05) Mexico City compared with controls. Endothelin-1 levels in Mexico City children were positively correlated with daily outdoor hours (p = 0.012), and 7-day cumulative levels of PM air pollution < 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) before endothelin-1 measurement (p = 0.03).ConclusionsChronic exposure of children to PM2.5 is associated with increased levels of circulating endothelin-1 and elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure

Exposure to Urban Air Pollution and Bone Health in Clinically Healthy Six-year-old Children

Air pollution induces systemic inflammation, as well as respiratory, myocardial and brain inflammation in children. Peak bone mass is influenced by environmental factors. We tested the hypothesis that six-year-olds with lifetime exposures to urban air pollution will have alterations in inflammatory markers and bone mineral density (BMD) as opposed to low-polluted city residents when matched for BMI, breast feeding history, skin phototype, age, sex and socioeconomic status. This pilot study included 20 children from Mexico City (MC) (6.17 years ± 0.63 years) and 15 controls (6.27 years ± 0.76 years). We performed full paediatric examinations, a history of outdoor exposures, seven-day dietary recalls, serum inflammatory markers and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Children in MC had significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 (p=0.001), marked reductions in total blood neutrophils (p= 0.0002) and an increase in monocytes (p=0.005). MC children also had an insufficient Vitamin D intake and spent less time outdoors than controls (p<0.001) in an environment characterized by decreased UV light, with ozone and fine particulates concentrations above standard values. There were no significant differences between the cohorts in DXA Z scores. The impact of systemic inflammation, vitamin D insufficiency, air pollution, urban violence and poverty may have long-term bone detrimental outcomes in exposed paediatric populations as they grow older, increasing the risk of low bone mass and osteoporosis. The selection of reference populations for DXA must take into account air pollution exposures

Violência complexa em uma rede de traficantes de drogas e politicos

In order to show a complex violence process, we use the case of the murder of Elisabeth Montoya, known as the Monita Retrechera, accused of being the link between Ernesto Samper (president of Colombia 1994-1998) and the Cali and Norte del Valle drug cartels. The size of the violence triggered by her murder was proportional not only to the number of agents and links involved but to the magnitude of the coalitions activated and the number of &nbsp;offenders reachable through the paths that bound them in the networks to which they belonged. We found that a crucial feature of the process was the use of information by all agents involved. The activation of existing links in response to the triggering event enabled agents in the offended coalition to extract information regarding who their enemies were, where they were located, and what they were capable of, in order to deliver violent revenge.Este artículo revela el proceso de violencia compleja subyacente al asesinato de Elisabeth Montoya, la Monita Retrechera, acusada de ser el nexo entre Ernesto Samper (presidente de Colombia entre 1994 y 1998) y los carteles de Cali y del Norte del Valle. El tamaño de la violencia desencadenada por su asesinato fue proporcional al número de agentes y de vínculos asociados a la Monita, a las coaliciones activadas y al número de ofensores alcanzables a través de las trayectorias que los unían en las redes que compartían. El uso de la información por parte de todos los agentes involucrados tuvo un papel decisivo en el desencadenamiento de la violencia. Después del asesinato, la activación de las trayectorias existentes permitió a los agentes de la coalición vengadora extraer información con respecto a dónde estaban, qué fuerza tenían y quiénes eran los culpables de la ofensa cometida, y actuar en consecuencia

Violencia compleja en una red de narcotraficantes y políticos

In order to show a complex violence process, we use the case of the murder of Elisabeth Montoya, known as the Monita Retrechera, accused of being the link between Ernesto Samper (president of Colombia 1994-1998) and the Cali and Norte del Valle drug cartels. The size of the violence triggered by her murder was proportional not only to the number of agents and links involved but to the magnitude of the coalitions activated and the number of  offenders reachable through the paths that bound them in the networks to which they belonged. We found that a crucial feature of the process was the use of information by all agents involved. The activation of existing links in response to the triggering event enabled agents in the offended coalition to extract information regarding who their enemies were, where they were located, and what they were capable of, in order to deliver violent revenge.Este artículo revela el proceso de violencia compleja subyacente al asesinato de Elisabeth Montoya, la Monita Retrechera, acusada de ser el nexo entre Ernesto Samper (presidente de Colombia entre 1994 y 1998) y los carteles de Cali y del Norte del Valle. El tamaño de la violencia desencadenada por su asesinato fue proporcional al número de agentes y de vínculos asociados a la Monita, a las coaliciones activadas y al número de ofensores alcanzables a través de las trayectorias que los unían en las redes que compartían. El uso de la información por parte de todos los agentes involucrados tuvo un papel decisivo en el desencadenamiento de la violencia. Después del asesinato, la activación de las trayectorias existentes permitió a los agentes de la coalición vengadora extraer información con respecto a dónde estaban, qué fuerza tenían y quiénes eran los culpables de la ofensa cometida, y actuar en consecuencia

Izloženost gradskom onečišćenju zraka i zdravlje kostiju u klinički zdravoj šestogodišnjoj djeci

Air pollution induces systemic inflammation, as well as respiratory, myocardial and brain inflammation in children. Peak bone mass is influenced by environmental factors. We tested the hypothesis that six-year-olds with lifetime exposures to urban air pollution will have alterations in inflammatory markers and bone mineral density (BMD) as opposed to low-polluted city residents when matched for BMI, breast feeding history, skin phototype, age, sex and socioeconomic status. This pilot study included 20 children from Mexico City (MC) (6.17 years ± 0.63 years) and 15 controls (6.27 years ± 0.76 years). We performed full paediatric examinations, a history of outdoor exposures, seven-day dietary recalls, serum inflammatory markers and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Children in MC had significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 (p=0.001), marked reductions in total blood neutrophils (p=0.0002) and an increase in monocytes (p=0.005). MC children also had an insufficient Vitamin D intake and spent less time outdoors than controls (p<0.001) in an environment characterized by decreased UV light, with ozone and fine particulates concentrations above standard values. There were no significant differences between the cohorts in DXA Z scores. The impact of systemic inflammation, vitamin D insufficiency, air pollution, urban violence and poverty may have long-term bone detrimental outcomes in exposed paediatric populations as they grow older, increasing the risk of low bone mass and osteoporosis. The selection of reference populations for DXA must take into account air pollution exposures.Onečišćenje zraka uzrokuje sistemsku upalu, kao i respiratorne, miokardijalne i moždane upale kod djece. Čimbenici iz okoliša utječu na vršnu koštanu masu. Ispitali smo hipotezu da šestogodišnjaci s cjeloživotnom izloženosti gradskom onečišćenju zraka imaju drugačije upalne pokazatelje i mineralnu gustoću kostiju (BMD) od djece iz gradova s niskom razinom onečišćenja kada usporedimo tjelesni indeks mase, povijest dojenja, fototip kože, dob, spol i društveno-ekonomski položaj. Ova pilot-studija uključuje dvadesetero djece iz glavnoga grada Méxica (6,17 ± 0,63) godina i petnaestero kontrolne djece (6,27 ± 0,76) godina. Obavili smo cjelovite pedijatrijske preglede, prikupili povijesti vanjske izloženosti, sedmodnevne analize prehrane, serumske razine upalnih pokazatelja i dvoenergetsku apsorpciometriju X-zraka (DXA). Djeca iz Méxica imala su značajno više koncentracije IL-6 (p=0,001), izrazito smanjen ukupni broj krvnih neutrofila (p=0,0002) i povećan broj monocita (p=0,005). Djeca iz Méxica također su unosila nedovoljnu količinu vitamina D i provodila manje vremena na otvorenome od kontrolnih ispitanika (p<0,001), i to u okružju obilježenom smanjenom UV svjetlošću te koncentracijama ozona i čestične materije iznad standardnih vrijednosti. Nije bilo značajnih razlika između kohorta u Z-vrijednostima DXA. Učinci sistemske upale, insufi cijencije vitamina D, onečišćenja zraka, gradskog nasilja i siromaštva mogu imati dugoročne štetne posljedice na kosti u izloženim pedijatrijskim populacijama kako one odrastaju, povećavajući tako njihov rizik od smanjenja koštane mase i osteoporoze. Pri odabiru referentne populacije za DXA bi se ubuduće trebala uzimati u obzir i izloženost onečišćenom zraku

Interactive and additive influences of Gender, BMI and Apolipoprotein 4 on cognition in children chronically exposed to high concentrations of PM2.5 and ozone. APOE 4 females are at highest risk in Mexico City

Children's air pollution exposures are associated with systemic and brain inflammation and the early hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Apolipoprotein E (APOE) 4 allele is the most prevalent genetic risk for AD, with higher risk for women. We assessed whether gender, BMI, APOE and metabolic variables in healthy children with high exposures to ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) influence cognition. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) was administered to 105 Mexico City children (12.32±5.4 years, 69 APOE 3/3 and 36 APOE 3/4). APOE 4v 3 children showed decrements on attention and short-term memory subscales, and below-average scores in Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQ. APOE 4 females had higher BMI and females with normal BMI between 75–94% percentiles had the highest deficits in Total IQ, Performance IQ, Digit Span, Picture Arrangement, Block Design and Object Assembly. Fasting glucose was significantly higher in APOE 4 children p=0.006, while Gender was the main variable accounting for the difference in insulin, HOMA-IR and leptin (p75% to <94% BMI percentiles are at the highest risk of severe cognitive deficits (1.5–2SD from average IQ). Young female results highlight the urgent need for gender-targeted health programmes to improve cognitive responses. Multidisciplinary intervention strategies could provide paths for prevention or amelioration of female air pollution targeted cognitive deficits and possible long-term AD progression