Sulfur dioxide in the caudal ventrolateral medulla reduces blood pressure and heart rate in rats via the glutamate receptor and NOS/cGMP signal pathways / 生理学报

This study was designed to investigate the cardiovascular effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) of anesthetized rats and its mechanism. Different doses of SO2 (2, 20, 200 pmol) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) were injected into the CVLM unilaterally or bilaterally, and the effects of SO2 on blood pressure and heart rate of rats were observed. In order to explore the possible mechanisms of SO2 in the CVLM, different signal pathway blockers were injected into the CVLM before the treatment with SO2 (20 pmol). The results showed that unilateral or bilateral microinjection of SO2 reduced blood pressure and heart rate in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). Moreover, compared with unilateral injection of SO2 (2 pmol), bilateral injection of 2 pmol SO2 produced a greater reduction in blood pressure. Local pre-injection of the glutamate receptor blocker kynurenic acid (Kyn, 5 nmol) or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 1 pmol) into the CVLM attenuated the inhibitory effects of SO2 on both blood pressure and heart rate. However, local pre-injection of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 nmol) only attenuated the inhibitory effect of SO2 on heart rate but not blood pressure. In conclusion, SO2 in rat CVLM has cardiovascular inhibitory effects, and its mechanism is related to the glutamate receptor and NOS/cGMP signal pathways.

Association between short-term exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide and the risk of heart failure hospitalization / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To assess the association between short-term exposure level of nitrogen dioxide and the hospitalization risk of heart failure. Methods: Based on China-PEACE Retrospective Heart Failure Study, 117 364 hospitalized patients with heart failure were recruited from 92 hospitals in 62 cities throughout China between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015. The daily exposure level of nitrogen dioxide, temperature, and humidity in the same cities during the same period were also collected. We applied the generalized additive model and Bayesian hierarchical model to quantify the lagged effect and cumulative effect of short-term (0-3 days) exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide on the hospitalization risk of heart failure. We further conducted stratified analyses by age, region, and season to identify any difference in the associations between short-term nitrogen dioxide exposure and heart failure among subgroups. Results: The mean age for participants in the analysis was (70.32±12.22) years. The median, minimum and maximum of daily nitrogen dioxide concentration in 62 cities from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 was 26.4 μg/m3, 2.33 μg/m3 and 150.25 μg/m3, respectively. The exposure level of nitrogen dioxide at the same day was associated with the hospitalization risk of heart failure (OR=1.022, 95%CI: 1.012, 1.031). Significant effects were also observed in the moving average concentrations from lag 0-1 to lag 0-3 day (OR=1.020, 95%CI: 1.009, 1.030; OR=1.016, 95%CI: 1.004, 1.028; OR=1.013, 95%CI: 1.001, 1.026). Moreover, all of the associations between short-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide and the risk of heart failure hospitalization were statistically significant, with no significant difference in all subgroups stratified by age, region, and season. Conclusion: A higher level of short-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide could trigger more hospitalizations with heart failure.

Association between in vitro fertilization success rate and ambient air pollution: a possible explanation of within-year variation of in vitro fertilization success rate

Asociación entre los niveles de NO, NO2, SO2, O3, CH4 en el aire y las tasas de hospitalización del Hospital Adriana Cousiño de Quintero durante los años 2012 al 2018 / Association between levels of NO, NO2, SO2, O3, CH4 in the air and hospitalization rates at Hospital Adriana Cousiño de Quintero during the years 2012 to 2018

En el sector de Quintero, desde los últimos 50 años han existido diversos hitos relacionados con la contaminación medioambiental. Iniciando con la instauración de la termoeléctrica "Ventanas" en 1950, Chilectra en 1958. En el año 1993 el ministerio de Agricultura de Chile declaró a Puchuncaví y Quintero como una "zona saturada de contaminación" por dióxido de azufre (SO2) y material particulado (MP10). En el año 2011, 135 trabajadores del complejo Ventana fallecieron producto del cáncer. Durante el 2014 hubo un derrame de petróleo en la Bahía de Quintero, 2015 un informe del Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP) arrojó cifras de arsénico que superan 23 veces la norma establecida por el Código Sanitario de Alimentos. Frente a dicho escenario, se hace evidente la necesidad de comprender cómo es la situación de los pobladores de dichas comunas. La presente investigación busca asociar los niveles de contaminación de las comuna de Quintero y el número de hospitalizaciones durante los años 2012 hasta el 2018.

In Quintero, since the last 50 years there have been various milestones related to environmental pollution. Starting with the installation of the "Ventanas" thermoelectric plant in 1950, Chilectra in 1958. In 1993, the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture declared Puchuncaví and Quintero as a "zone saturated with contamination" by sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (MP10). In 2011, 135 workers at the Ventana complex died of cancer. During 2014 an oil spill emerged in Quintero Bay, 2015 a report by the Institute for Fisheries Development (IFOP) showed arsenic figures that exceed 23 times the norm established by the Sanitary Food Code. Faced with this scenario, the need to understand what the situation of the residents of said communes is like is evident. The present investigation seeks to associate the levels of contamination of the commun of Quintero and the number of hospitalizations during the years 2012 to 2018.

Effects of sulfur dioxide on alveolar macrophage apoptosis in acute lung injury induced by limb ischemia/reperfusion in rats / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on the apoptosis of alveolar macrophage (AM) in lung protection of limb ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced acute lung injury (ALI), and to find a new target for the control of inflammatory response.@*METHODS@#Twenty pathogen-free, adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (180-230 g) were used in this study. Five rats were to be used for limb ischemia/reperfusion, then plasma was extracted as ischemia/reperfusion serum stimulation. Fifteen rats were to be used for extracting AM by bronchoalveolar lavage. The AM was isolated and cultured, then the cell count was adjusted to 1×106/mL, and randomly divided into the following 4 groups (n=6): control group, I/R group, SO2 group, and I/R+SO2 group. The I/R group was given ischemia/reperfusion serum (500 μg/L) to stimulate 6 h; the SO2 group was given an SO2 donor, Na2SO3/NaHSO3 [(0.54 mmol/kg) / (0.18 mmol/kg)]; and the I/R+SO2 group was given the same ischemia/reperfusion serum and Na2SO3/NaHSO3 at the same time. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential, the state of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), the rate of AM apoptosis, the expression of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 proteins were detected by flow cytometry, microplate reader and Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, in the I/R group, the ratio of red to green fluorescence and the absorbance decreased significantly, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased obviously, the apoptotic rate was 43.81%±2.40%, Caspase-3 protein expression increased, Bcl-2 protein expression decreased. While compared with the I/R group, in the I/R+SO2 group, the ratio of red to green fluorescence and the absorbance increased significantly; the apoptotic rate decreased to 37.01%±1.93%, Caspase-3 protein expression decreased, Bcl-2 protein expression increased.@*CONCLUSION@#Exogenous SO2 has the effect of accelerating AM apoptosis by stimulating mPTP to open and mitochondrial membrane potential to decrease; besides, exogenous SO2 could stimulate AM to secrete more anti-inflammatory cytokines and less inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, exogenous SO2 can reduce macrophage apoptosis by inhibiting mitochondrial pathways.

Current State of Research on the Risk of Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Air Pollution in Korea

PURPOSE: The effects of air pollution on health can vary regionally. Our goal was to comprehensively review previous epidemiological studies on air pollution and health conducted in Korea to identify future areas of potential study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched all published epidemiologic studies examining the association between air pollution and occurrence of death, diseases, or symptoms in Korea. After classifying health outcomes into mortality, morbidity, and health impact, we summarized the relationship between individual air pollutants and health outcomes. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 27 studies that provided 104 estimates of the quantitative association between risk of mortality and exposure to air pollutants, including particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 µm, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide in Korea between January 1999 and July 2018. Regarding the association with morbidity, there were 38 studies, with 98 estimates, conducted during the same period. Most studies examined the short-term effects of air pollution using a time series or case-crossover study design; only three cohort studies that examined long-term effects were found. There were four health impact studies that calculated the attributable number of deaths or disability-adjusted life years due to air pollution. CONCLUSION: There have been many epidemiologic studies in Korea regarding air pollution and health. However, the present review shows that additional studies, especially cohort and experimental studies, are needed to provide more robust and accurate evidence that can be used to promote evidence-based policymaking.

Effect of Pyunkang-tang on Inflammatory Aspects of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Rat Model

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of Pyunkang-tang extract (PGT), a complex herbal extract based on traditional Chinese medicine that is used in Korea for controlling diverse pulmonary diseases, on cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary pathology in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The constituents of PGT were Lonicerae japonica, Liriope platyphylla, Adenophora triphilla, Xantium strumarinum, Selaginella tamariscina and Rehmannia glutinosa. Rats were exposed by inhalation to a mixture of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and sulfur dioxide for three weeks to induce COPD-like pulmonary inflammation. PGT was administered orally to rats and pathological changes to the pulmonary system were examined in each group of animals through measurement of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at 21 days post-CSE treatment. The effect of PGT on the hypersecretion of pulmonary mucin in rats was assessed by quantification of the amount of mucus secreted and by examining histopathologic changes in tracheal epithelium. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with PGT for 30 min and then stimulated with CSE plus PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate), for 24 h. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression was measured by RT-PCR. Production of MUC5AC mucin protein was measured by ELISA. The results were as follows: (1) PGT inhibited CSE-induced pulmonary inflammation as shown by decreased TNF-α and IL-6 levels in BALF; (2) PGT inhibited the hypersecretion of pulmonary mucin and normalized the increased amount of mucosubstances in goblet cells of the CSE-induced COPD rat model; (3) PGT inhibited CSE-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression in vitro in NCI-H292 cells, a human airway epithelial cell line. These results suggest that PGT might regulate the inflammatory aspects of COPD in a rat model.

The Effects of Air Pollutants on the Prevalence of Common Ear, Nose, and Throat Diseases in South Korea: A National Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVES: The effects of air pollutants on upper airway disease development have been seldom studied. In this study, we evaluated the effects of air pollution on the prevalence of ENT diseases. METHODS: We identified cases of ENT disease occurring in 2009, as recorded by the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and explored their associations with the levels of five air pollutants: sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM₁₀ particles; particulates ≤10 μm in aerodynamic diameter). Subjects diagnosed with at least one of the five studied ENT diseases were included in analysis, but those aged under 19 years were excluded. Linear associations between ENT disease frequency and pollutant levels were evaluated by calculating Spearman correlations. After adjusting for age, gender, and geographic region, multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total of 7,399 subjects with ENT diseases were identified. A linear association was evident between PM₁₀ concentration and the frequency of septal deviation (Spearman coefficient, 0.507; P=0.045). After adjustment, the PM₁₀ level was associated with high odds ratios for chronic rhinosinusitis (1.22; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.46) and septal deviation (1.43; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.67). Both of these conditions were more prevalent in males. CONCLUSION: We found that increased ambient concentrations of PM₁₀ particles were clearly associated with increased the risk of chronic rhinosinusitis and septal deviation; the exposure-response relationship was definitive.

Association between gaseous pollutants and emergency ambulance dispatches for asthma in Chengdu, China: a time-stratified case-crossover study

OBJECTIVES@#The association between concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO), nitrogen dioxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O), and emergency ambulance dispatches (EADs) for asthma was explored in the central Sichuan Basin of southwestern China for the first time.@*METHODS@#EADs for asthma were collected from the Chengdu First-Aid Command Center. Pollutant concentrations were collected from 24 municipal environmental monitoring centers and including SO, NO, CO, daily 8-h mean concentrations of O (O-8 h), and particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM). The climatic data were collected from the Chengdu Municipal Meteorological Bureau. All data were collected from years spanning 2013-2017. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used to analyze the data.@*RESULTS@#After controlling for temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure, IQR increases in SO (13 μg/m), NO (17 μg/m), and CO (498 μg/m) were associated with 18.8%, 11.5%, and 3.1% increases in EADs for asthma, respectively. The associations were strongest for EADs and SO, NO, and CO levels with 3-, 5-, and 1-day lags, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study provides additional data to the limited body of literature for potential health risks arising from ambient gaseous pollutants. The results of the study suggest that increased concentrations of SO, NO, and CO were positively associated with emergency ambulance dispatches for asthma in Chengdu, China. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of individual air pollutants on asthma.

Reordenamiento vehicular y contaminación ambiental por material particulado (2,5 y 10), dióxido de azufre y dióxido de nitrógeno en Lima Metropolitana, Perú / Traffic regulation and environmental pollution by particulate material (2.5 and 10), sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide in Metropolitan Lima, Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar el cambio en los niveles ambientales de material particulado (2,5 y 10) (PM2,5 y PM10), dióxido de azufre (SO2) y dióxido de nitrógeno (NO2), posterior al reordenamiento vehicular en la avenida Abancay, entre 2013-2015 respecto a 2007-2009, comparando con otras dos avenidas sin implementación de un reordenamiento, la avenida Guillermo de La Fuente en el distrito de Comas y la avenida César Vallejo en el distrito de El Agustino. Materiales y métodos. Los datos ambientales fueron colectados por tres monitores de Dirección General de Salud Ambiental e Inocuidad Alimentaria del Ministerio de Salud como parte de la red de Vigilancia de la calidad del aire de la ciudad de Lima. El coeficiente beta de la regresión lineal permitió evaluar el cambio en la concentración de cada contaminante. Resultados. El reordenamiento de la Av. Abancay redujo 62% los niveles de PM2,5; 55% los niveles de PM10; 65% los niveles NO2; y 82% los de SO2. En las otras dos avenidas evaluadas no se observó disminución. Una reducción significativa de PM 2,5 (β: -53,11 μg/m3; IC 95%: -63,92 a -42,30), PM10 (β: -47,95 μg/m3; IC 95%: -62,61 a -33,37), NO2 (β:-41,71 μg/m3, IC 95%: -48,18 a -35,23) y SO2 (β: -28,59 μg/m3; IC 95%: -35,23 a -21,95) fueron observados en la Av. Abancay, respecto a las otras dos avenidas, posterior al reordenamiento vehicular. Conclusiones. El reordenamiento vehicular puede contribuir con la disminución continua de diversos contaminantes ambientales. La extensión de esta medida podría mejoraría la calidad de aire y estado de salud de la población residente en la ciudad de Lima.

Objective. To assess the change in environmental levels of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2, after the application of a traffic regulation plan in Abancay Avenue between the years 2013-2015 vs. to 2007-2009, and comparing it against two other avenues, in which no traffic regulation was implemented: Guillermo de La Fuente Avenue in the district of Comas and Cesar Vallejo Avenue in El Agustino. Materials and Methods. Environmental data were collected by three air monitors from the Ministry of Health's Environmental Health and Food Safety General Directorate (Dirección General de Salud Ambiental e Inocuidad Alimentaria) that are part of the Air Quality Surveillance network of the city of Lima. The beta coefficient of the linear regression allowed to assess change in the concentration of each pollutant. Results. The traffic regulation plan of Abancay Av. reduced the levels of PM2.5 by 62%; 55% for PM10 levels; 65% for the NO2 levels, and 82% for the SO2 levels. In the other two avenues assess, this reduction was not observed. A significant reduction in PM2.5 (β: -53.11 μg/m3; 95% CI: -63.92 to -42.30), PM10 (β: -47.99 μg/m3; 95% CI: -62.61 to -33.37), NO2 (β: -41.71 μg/m3; 95% CI: -48.18 to -35.23), and SO2 (β: -28.59 μg/m3; 95% CI: -35.23 to -21.95) was observed in Abancay Av., with respect to the other two avenues, after the traffic regulation plan was implemented. Conclusions. Traffic regulation can contribute to the continuous reduction of different air pollutants. The expansion of this measure could improve air quality and the health status of the residents of Lima.

Influence of Air Pollution on Hospital Admissions in Adult Asthma in Northeast China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease and is related to air pollution exposure. However, only a few studies have concentrated on the association between air pollution and adult asthma. Moreover, the results of these studies are controversial. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the influence of various pollutants on hospitalization due to asthma in adults.</p><p><b>Methods</b>A total of 1019 unrelated hospitalized adult asthma patients from Northeast China were recruited from 2014 to 2016. Daily average concentrations of air pollutants (particulate matter <2.5 μm [PM], particulate matter <10 μm [PM], sulfur dioxide [SO], nitrogen dioxide [NO], and carbon monoxide [CO]) were obtained from the China National Environmental Monitoring Centre website from 2014 to 2016. Cox logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between air pollutants and hospital admissions in adult asthma.</p><p><b>Results</b>The maximum odds ratio (OR) value for most air pollutants occurred on lag day 1. Lag day 1 was chosen as the exposure period, and 8 days before onset was chosen as the control period. Three pollutants (PM, CO, and SO) were entered into the regression equation, and the corresponding OR (95% confidence interval) was 0.995 (0.991-0.999), 3.107 (1.607-6.010), and 0.979 (0.968-0.990), respectively.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>A positive association between hospital admissions and the daily average concentration of CO was observed. CO is likely to be a risk factor for hospital admissions in adults with asthma.</p>

Short-term Effect of Ambient Air Pollution on Emergency Department Visits for Diabetic Coma in Seoul, Korea / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: A positive association between air pollution and both the incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been reported in some epidemiologic and animal studies, but little research has evaluated the relationship between air pollution and diabetic coma. Diabetic coma is an acute complication of DM caused by diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, which is characterized by extreme hyperglycemia accompanied by coma. We conducted a time-series study with a generalized additive model using a distributed-lag non-linear model to assess the association between ambient air pollution (particulate matter less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter, nitrogen dioxide [NO2], sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone) and emergency department (ED) visits for DM with coma in Seoul, Korea from 2005 to 2009. METHODS: The ED data and medical records from the 3 years previous to each diabetic coma event were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service to examine the relationship with air pollutants. RESULTS: Overall, the adjusted relative risks (RRs) for an interquartile range (IQR) increment of NO2 was statistically significant at lag 1 (RR, 1.125; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.039 to 1.219) in a single-lag model and both lag 0-1 (RR, 1.120; 95% CI, 1.028 to 1.219) and lag 0-3 (RR, 1.092; 95% CI, 1.005 to 1.186) in a cumulative-lag model. In a subgroup analysis, significant positive RRs were found for females for per-IQR increments of NO2 at cumulative lag 0-3 (RR, 1.149; 95% CI, 1.022 to 1.291). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that ambient air pollution, specifically NO2, is associated with ED visits for diabetic coma.

Correlation of respiratory syncytial virus infection with climate parameters and air pollution levels in Korean children during 2005–2012

PURPOSE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants and children. We investigated the association of meteorological conditions and air pollution with the prevalence of RSV infection. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2012, a total of 9,113 nasopharyngeal swab specimens from children under 3 years of age who were admitted to the hospital with acute LRTI were tested for RSV antigens using a direct immunofluorescence kit. Meteorological data (mean temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and relative humidity) and air pollutant levels including PM₁₀ (particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 µm in diameter), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) in Seoul during the study period were collected from the national monitoring system. The correlations of the monthly incidence of RSV infection with climate factors and air pollutant levels were analyzed. RESULTS: RSV infection mainly occurred between October and February, and showed the peak in November. The prevalence of RSV infection had a moderate negative correlation with mean temperature (r=−0.60, P < 0.001), a weak negative correlation with relative humidity (r=−0.26, P=0.01), and precipitation (r=−0.34, P=0.001). Regarding air pollutants, RSV activity moderately correlated with NO₂ (r=0.40, P < 0.001), SO₂ (r=0.41, P < 0.001), and CO (r=0.58, P < 0.001). In the RSV peak season in Korea (between October and February), RSV epidemics showed a weak positive correlation with relative humidity (r=0.35, P=0.03) and precipitation (r=0.38, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Meteorological factors and air pollutant levels may be associated with RSV activity. Therefore, further nationwide large-scaled intensive evaluations to prove factors affecting RSV activity are warranted.

Association between exposure to ambient air pollution and renal function in Korean adults

BACKGROUND: Ambient air pollution has a negative effect on many diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Recent studies have reported a relationship between air pollution and renal function, but the results were limited to exposure to particulate matter (PM). This study was to identify associations between various air pollutants and renal function among Korean adults. METHODS: Nationwide survey data for a total of 24,407 adults were analyzed. We calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for each individual to assess their renal function and used this to categorize those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To evaluate exposure to ambient air pollution, we used the annual mean concentrations of four ambient air pollutants: PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). RESULTS: We identified significant inverse relationships between the air pollutants PM10 and NO2 and eGFR in all statistical adjustment models (all p  0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposures to PM10 and NO2 were significantly associated with decreases in eGFR levels, but not CKD, in Korean adults.

Changes of chemical compositions and sulfur dioxide residues of Gastrodiae Rhizoma with different storage times / 中国中药杂志

To study the effect of different storage time on the chemical compositions and sulfur dioxide residues of sulfur-fumigated Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR), and provide scientific basis for solving the quality and safety issues of sulfur-fumigated traditional Chinese medicinal materials. GR, sulfur-fumigated GR and its medicinal slices were stored under the same conditions, and then 8 active ingredients and sulfur dioxide residues were measured respectively. The results showed that the content of gastrodins in sulfur-fumigated GR and its medicinal slices was significantly lower than that in the non-fumigated GR. Moreover, the content of sulfur dioxide residue in sulfur-fumigated GR was significantly higher than that in its medicinal slices. That is to say, sulfur fumigation degree had significantly higher effect on GR quality as compared with its medicinal slices. During the whole storage time (8 months), the content of the eight chemical components in GR was not changed greatly in general. However, after the storage for 4 months, the content of 8 components and sulfur dioxide residues in all of GR samples were significantly changed. In particular, the content of sulfur dioxide residue in GR medicinal materials decreased up to 50% or more.

Sulfur dioxide limit standard and residues in Chinese medicinal materials / 中国中药杂志

The traditional sulfur fumigation processing method has been widely used in the initial processing and storage of traditional Chinese medicinal materials due to its economy, efficiency, convenience, high operability and effect on mold and insect prevention. However, excessive sulfur fumigation of traditional Chinese medicinal materials would lead to the changes in chemical compositions, and even endanger human health. This study showed that traditional Chinese medicinal materials were sulfur fumigated directly after being harvested for quick drying, or fumigated after being weted in the storage process for preventing mold and insects. We found that the sulfur dioxide limits for traditional Chinese medicinal materials were stricter than those for foods. Based on the existing limit standards, we obtained the data of sulfur dioxide residues for 35 types of traditional Chinese medicinal materials in a total of 862 batches. According to the limit standard in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (150， 400 mg·kg⁻¹), the average over-standard rate of sulfur dioxide was as high as 52.43%, but it was reduced to 29.47% if calculated based on the limit for vegetable additive standard (500 mg·kg⁻¹). Sulfur fumigation issue shall be considered correctly: sulfur dioxide is a type of low toxic substance and less dangerous than aflatoxin and other highly toxic substances, and a small amount of residue would not increase the toxicity of traditional Chinese medicinal materials. However, sulfur fumigation might change the content of chemical substances and affect the quality of traditional Chinese medicinal materials. Furthermore, the exposure hazards of toxic substances are comprehensively correlated with exposure cycle, exposure frequency, and application method. In conclusion, it is suggested to strengthen the studies on the limit standard of traditional Chinese medicinal materials, formulate practical and feasible limit standard for sulfur dioxide residues in traditional Chinese medicinal materials that are consistent with the medication characteristics of traditional Chinese medicinal materials and can guarantee people's demand for safe medication.

Estrés oxidativo, función pulmonar y exposición a contaminantes atmosféricos en escolares mexicanos con y sin asma / Oxidative stress, lung function and exposure to air pollutants in Mexican schoolchildren with and without asthma

Resumen: Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre la exposición a contaminantes atmosféricos y marcadores de estrés oxidativo, por un lado, y la función pulmonar, por el otro, en escolares, con y sin asma, de las ciudades de Salamanca y León, en Guanajuato, México. Material y métodos: Se realizaron determinaciones de marcadores de estrés oxidativo y pruebas de función pulmonar en 314 escolares, y se obtuvo información sobre contaminantes atmosféricos (ozono, dióxido de azufre, monóxido de carbono y partículas menores de 2.5 µm y menores de 10 µm) de las estaciones de monitoreo correspondientes. Para evaluar la asociación se corrieron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: Con un día de retraso a la exposición a partículas menores de 10 µm (PM10), se observó un incremento de 0.09 pmol en los dienos conjugados entre niños asmáticos de Salamanca (p<0.05). La exposición a ozono durante el mismo día incrementó la concentración de lipo-hidroperóxidos en 4.38 nmol entre asmáticos de Salamanca, así como en 2.31 nmol por la exposición a PM10 para dos días de retraso (p<0.05). La capacidad vital forzada disminuyó 138 y 203 ml en niños sin asma, respectivamente, por la exposición a monóxido de carbono (p<0.05). Conclusiones: La exposición a contaminantes atmosféricos incrementa el estrés oxidativo y disminuye la función pulmonar en escolares con y sin asma.

Abstract: Objective. To assess the association between the air pollutants exposure on markers of oxidative stress and lung function in schoolchildren with and without asthma from Salamanca and Leon Guanajuato, Mexico. Materials and methods: We realized determinations of oxidative stress biomarkers and lung function tests in 314 schoolchildren. Information of air pollutants (O3, SO2, CO, PM2.5 and PM10) were obtained from monitoring stations and multiple linear regression models were run to assess the association. Results: An increase of 0.09 pmol in conjugated dienes was observed by exposure to PM10 lag 1 in asthmatics from Salamanca (p<0.05). The exposure to O3 during the same day increased the concentration of Lipohydroperoxides in 4.38 nmol in asthmatics of Salamanca, as well as in 2.31 nmol by exposure to PM10 lag 2 (p<0.05). The forced vital capacity decreased by 138 and 203 ml in children without asthma, respectively, due to exposure to carbon monoxide (p<0.05). Conclusions: Exposure to air pollutants increase oxidative stress and decreased lung function in schoolchildren, with and without asthma.

The impact of indoor air pollution on asthma

Asthma is a common, chronic respiratory disease which is a serious issue for healthcare worldwide. When treating asthma, the main therapeutic goals are to achieve good control of symptoms and to prevent exacerbation. The interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental triggers contributes to the pathophysiology of asthma. In this regard, there is growing public awareness of the risk associated with poor indoor air quality. Because people spend considerable amounts of time every day indoors, it is important to identify and control risk factors in the indoor environment impacting individuals susceptible to asthma for successful treatment and prevention. Along with particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and second-hand smoke are the most common types of air pollutants encountered indoors. This review highlights epidemiological and experimental data on the role of indoor air pollution in the development and aggravation of asthma. Despite some studies showing significant associations between exposure to indoor air pollution and asthma morbidity, conflicting conclusions are drawn in the literature because of limitations in study design, variation in the methods for assessing exposure, possible confounding factors, and other issues. This review will improve our understanding and facilitate the establishment of a better strategy for asthma management and prevention.

Outdoor Air Pollution and Pterygium in Korea

We investigated relationships between outdoor air pollution and pterygium in Korean adults. This study includes 23,276 adults in population-based cross-sectional data using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2011. Pterygium was assessed using slit lamp biomicroscopy. Air pollution data (humidity, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm [PM₁₀], ozone [O₃], nitrogen dioxide [NO₂], and sulfur dioxide levels [SO₂]) for 2 years preceding the ocular examinations were acquired. Associations of multiple air pollutants with pterygium or pterygium recurrence after surgery were examined using multivariate logistic models, after adjusting for several covariates. Distributed lag models were additionally used for estimating cumulative effects of air pollution on pterygium. None of air pollution factors was significantly associated with pterygium or pterygium recurrence (each P > 0.05). Distributed lag models also showed that air pollution factors were not associated with pterygium or pterygium recurrence in 0-to-2 year lags (each P > 0.05). However, primary pterygium showed a weak association with PM₁₀ after adjusting for covariates (odds ratio [OR] 1.23; [per 5 μg/m³ PM₁₀ increase]; P = 0.023). Aging, male sex, and greater sun exposure were associated with pterygium, while higher education level and myopia were negatively associated with pterygium (each P ≤ 0.001). Male sex and myopia were negatively associated with pterygium recurrence (each P < 0.05). In conclusion, exposure to higher PM10 levels was associated with primary pterygium, although this study observed no significant association between air pollution and overall pterygium or pterygium recurrence in Korean adults.

Fuzzy model to estimate the number of hospitalizations for asthma and pneumonia under the effects of air pollution / Modelo fuzzy para estimar o número de internações por asma e pneumonia sob os efeitos da poluição do ar

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Predict the number of hospitalizations for asthma and pneumonia associated with exposure to air pollutants in the city of São José dos Campos, São Paulo State. METHODS This is a computational model using fuzzy logic based on Mamdani’s inference method. For the fuzzification of the input variables of particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide and apparent temperature, we considered two relevancy functions for each variable with the linguistic approach: good and bad. For the output variable number of hospitalizations for asthma and pneumonia, we considered five relevancy functions: very low, low, medium, high and very high. DATASUS was our source for the number of hospitalizations in the year 2007 and the result provided by the model was correlated with the actual data of hospitalization with lag from zero to two days. The accuracy of the model was estimated by the ROC curve for each pollutant and in those lags. RESULTS In the year of 2007, 1,710 hospitalizations by pneumonia and asthma were recorded in São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo, with a daily average of 4.9 hospitalizations (SD = 2.9). The model output data showed positive and significant correlation (r = 0.38) with the actual data; the accuracies evaluated for the model were higher for sulfur dioxide in lag 0 and 2 and for particulate matter in lag 1. CONCLUSIONS Fuzzy modeling proved accurate for the pollutant exposure effects and hospitalization for pneumonia and asthma approach.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Prever o número de internações por asma e pneumonia associadas à exposição a poluentes do ar no município em São José dos Campos, estado de São Paulo. MÉTODOS Trata-se de um modelo computacional que utiliza a lógica fuzzy baseado na técnica de inferência de Mamdani. Para a fuzzificação das variáveis de entrada material particulado, ozônio, dióxido de enxofre e temperatura aparente foram consideradas duas funções de pertinência para cada variável com abordagem linguísticas: bom e ruim. Para a variável de saída número internações por asma e pneumonia, foram consideradas cinco funções de pertinências: muito baixo, baixo, médio, alto e muito alto. O número de internações no ano de 2007 foi obtido do Datasus e o resultado fornecido pelo modelo foi correlacionado com os dados reais de internação com defasagem (lag) de zero a dois dias. A acurácia do modelo foi estimada pela curva ROC para cada poluente e nestas defasagens. RESULTADOS No ano de 2007 foram registradas 1.710 internações por pneumonia e asma em São José dos Campos, SP, com média diária de 4,9 internações (dp = 2,9). Os dados de saída do modelo mostraram correlação positiva e significativa (r = 0,38) com os dados reais; as acurácias avaliadas para o modelo foram maiores para o dióxido de enxofre nos lag 0 e 2 e para o material particulado no lag 1. CONCLUSÕES Modelagem fuzzy se mostrou acurada para a abordagem de efeitos da exposição aos poluentes e internação por pneumonia e asma.