High resolution exposure modelling of heat and air pollution and the impact on mortality

Background Elevated temperature and air pollution have been associated with increased mortality. Exposure to heat and air pollution, as well as the density of vulnerable groups varies within cities. The objective was to investigate the extent of neighbourhood differences in mortality risk due to heat and air pollution in a city with a temperate maritime climate. Methods A case-crossover design was used to study associations between heat, air pollution and mortality. Different thermal indicators and air pollutants (PM10, NO2, O3) were reconstructed at high spatial resolution to improve exposure classification. Daily exposures were linked to individual mortality cases over a 15 year period. Results Significant interaction between maximum air temperature (Tamax) and PM10 was observed. During “summer smog” days (Tamax > 25 °C and PM10 > 50 μg/m3), the mortality risk at lag 2 was 7% higher compared to the reference (Tamax 15 °C and PM10 15 μg/m3). Persons above age 85 living alone were at highest risk. Conclusion We found significant synergistic effects of high temperatures and air pollution on mortality. Single living elderly were the most vulnerable group. Due to spatial differences in temperature and air pollution, mortality risks varied substantially between neighbourhoods, with a difference up to 7%

М.К. Янгель біля витоків вітчизняного ракетобудування

Висвітлено життєвий шлях академіка М.К.Янгеля, його внесок у розвиток вітчизняного ракетобудування, забезпечення обороноздатності СРСР.Освещены жизненный путь академика М.К.Янгеля и его вклад в развитие отечественного ракетостроения, обеспечение обороноспособности СССР.An account of the life path of the academician М. К. Yangel, his contribution in the national spacecraft and of defense capacity building of the USSR is contained

BMI Development of Normal Weight and Overweight Children in the PIAMA Study

Background: There is evidence that rapid weight gain during the first year of life is associated with overweight later in life. However, results from studies exploring other critical periods for the development of overweight are inconsistent. Objective: The objective was to investigate BMI development to assess at what ages essential differences between normal weight and overweight children occur, and to assess which age intervals the most strongly influence the risk of overweight at 8 years of age. Methods: Longitudinal weight and height data

Traffic noise and cardiovascular health in Sweden: The roadside study

Long-term exposure to traffic noise has been suggested to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, few studies have been performed in the general population and on railway noise. This study aimed to investigate the cardiovascular effects of living near noisy roads and railways. This cross-sectional study comprised 25,851 men and women, aged 18-80 years, who had resided in Sweden for at least 5 years. All subjects participated in a National Environmental Health Survey, performed in 2007, in which they reported on health, annoyance reactions and environmental factors. Questionnaire data on self-reported doctor′s diagnosis of hypertension and/or CVD were used as outcomes. Exposure was assessed as Traffic Load (millions of vehicle kilometres per year) within 500 m around each participant′s residential address. For a sub-population (n = 2498), we also assessed road traffic and railway noise in L den at the dwelling façade. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess Prevalence Odds Ratios (POR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). No statistically significant associations were found between Traffic Load and self-reported hypertension or CVD. In the sub-population, there was no association between road traffic noise and the outcomes; however, an increased risk of CVD was suggested among subjects exposed to railway noise ≥50 dB(A); POR 1.55 (95% CI 1.00-2.40). Neither Traffic Load nor road traffic noise was, in this study, associated with self-reported cardiovascular outcomes. However, there was a borderline-significant association between railway noise and CVD. The lack of association for road traffic may be due to methodological limitations

Maternal food consumption during pregnancy and the longitudinal development of childhood asthma

Rationale Maternal diet during pregnancy has the potential to affect airway development and to promote T-helper-2-cell responses during fetal life. This might increase the risk of developing childhood asthma or allergy. Objectives: We investigated the influence of maternal food consumption during pregnancy on childhood asthma outcomes from 1 to 8 years of age. Methods: A birth cohort study consisting of a baseline of 4,146 pregnant women (1,327 atopic and 2,819 nonatopic). These women were asked about their frequency of consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish, egg, milk, milk products, nuts, and nut products during the last month. Their children were followed until 8 years of age. Longitudinal analyses were conducted to assess associations between maternal diet during pregnancy and childhood asthma outcomes over 8 years. Measurements and Main Results: Complete data were obtained for 2,832 children. There were no associations between maternal vegetable, fish, egg, milk or milk products, and nut consumption and longitudinal childhood outcomes. Daily consumption of nut products increased the risk of childhood wheeze (odds ratio [OR] daily versus rare consumption, 1.42; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.06-1.89), dyspnea (OR, 1.58, 95% CI, 1.16-2.15), steroid use (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.06-2.46), and asthma symptoms (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.08-1.99). Conclusions: Results of this study indicate an increased risk of daily versus rare consumption of nut products during pregnancy on childhood asthma outcomes. These findings need to be replicated by other studies before dietary advice can be given to pregnant women

Serum visfatin and leptin in relation to childhood adiposity and body fat distribution : The PIAMA birth cohort study

Background/Aims: Visfatin has been suggested as a marker of visceral adiposity. We hypothesized that visfatin, but not leptin, would be specifically associated with visceral adiposity. We investigated the relation of serum visfatin and leptin with measures of adiposity and body fat distribution in children. Methods: Serum leptin and visfatin levels were measured in 1,022 12-year-old children participating in the PIAMA birth cohort. BMI, waist, hip and upper arm circumference were available for all children. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to study associations between different anthropometric indices and log serum visfatin and leptin levels. Results: All anthropometric indices showed positive and strong dose-response relationships with serum leptin. Visfatin was increased only in children with a high waist-to-hip ratio. The effect size was small compared to those observed for leptin and the association was present in overweight children (n = 133) but not in normal weight children. Conclusion: Serum leptin levels strongly increased with increasing adiposity, but were not related to a specific type of fat distribution. In contrast, serum visfatin was associated only with high waist-to-hip ratio in overweight children. Based on our study we would currently not recommend visfatin as a marker of visceral adiposity in the general population of children

Mean (95% CI) BMI from birth to 8 years (96 months) of age for normal weight versus overweight children at 8 years of age.

<p>Mean (95% CI) BMI from birth to 8 years (96 months) of age for normal weight versus overweight children at 8 years of age.</p