Physical activity and body mass related to catch-up lung function growth in childhood: a population-based accelerated cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The existence of catch-up lung function growth and its predictors is uncertain. We aimed to identify lung function trajectories and their predictors in a population-based birth cohort. METHODS: We applied group-based trajectory modelling to z-scores of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (zFEV1) and z-scores of forced vital capacity (zFVC) from 1151 children assessed at around 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14 and 18 years. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to test whether potential prenatal and postnatal predictors were associated with lung function trajectories. RESULTS: We identified four lung function trajectories: a low (19% and 19% of the sample for zFEV1 and zFVC, respectively), normal (62% and 63%), and high trajectory (16% and 13%) running in parallel, and a catch-up trajectory (2% and 5%) with catch-up occurring between 4 and 10 years. Fewer child allergic diseases and higher body mass index z-score (zBMI) at 4 years were associated with the high and normal compared with the low trajectories, both for zFEV1 and zFVC. Increased children's physical activity during early childhood and higher zBMI at 4 years were associated with the catch-up compared with the low zFEV1 trajectory (relative risk ratios: 1.59 per physical activity category (1.03-2.46) and 1.47 per zBMI (0.97-2.23), respectively). No predictors were identified for zFVC catch-up growth. CONCLUSION: We found three parallel-running and one catch-up zFEV1 and zFVC trajectories, and identified physical activity and body mass at 4 years as predictors of zFEV1 but not zFVC catch-up growth.

Pre and postnatal exposure to mercury and respiratory health in preschool children from the Spanish INMA Birth Cohort Study.

Effects of mercury on maturing immune system have been reported, however the association with respiratory and allergy problems during infancy remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between pre and postnatal mercury exposure and respiratory and allergy problems among preschool children and to examine the role of potential modifying factors. Study subjects were children participant in Spanish Childhood and Environment Project (INMA, 2003-2008). We measured total mercury levels in cord blood (n = 1868) and hair at 4 years of age (n = 1347). Respiratory outcomes (wheezing, severe wheezing, chestiness, persistent cough, eczema and otitis) were obtained by questionnaires administered to parents. Associations were investigated by logistic regression adjusted for socio-demographic and lifestyle-related variables in each cohort and subsequent meta-analysis. We tested effect modification by factors related to individual susceptibility, diet and co-exposure with other pollutants. The geometric mean of cord blood and hair total mercury was 8.20 µg/L and 0.97 µg/g, respectively. No statistically significant association between pre or postnatal mercury exposure and respiratory and allergy outcomes was found. Notwithstanding, lower maternal intake of fruits and vegetables increased the risk of some respiratory outcomes due to the prenatal exposure to mercury (pint < 0.05). Moreover, an inverse association between prenatal mercury exposure and some respiratory outcomes was observed among children with higher maternal exposure to organocholorine compounds or smoking (pint < 0.05). Also, sex and postnatal smoking exposure modulated mercury postnatal effects on persistent cough (pint < 0.05). In conclusion, no association between pre and postnatal mercury exposure and respiratory and allergy problems among the whole population at study was found. However, diet and other toxicants could modulate this relation, especially during prenatal period. More research on this topic is warranted due to the limited evidence.

Association between estimated whole-brain radiofrequency electromagnetic fields dose and cognitive function in preadolescents and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between estimated whole-brain radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) dose, using an improved integrated RF-EMF exposure model, and cognitive function in preadolescents and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis in preadolescents aged 9-11 years and adolescents aged 17-18 years from the Dutch Amsterdam Born Children and their Development Study (n = 1664 preadolescents) and the Spanish INfancia y Medio Ambiente Project (n = 1288 preadolescents and n = 261 adolescents), two population-based birth cohort studies. Overall whole-brain RF-EMF doses (mJ/kg/day) were estimated for several RF-EMF sources together including mobile and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications phone calls (named phone calls), other mobile phone uses than calling, tablet use, laptop use (named screen activities), and far-field sources. We also estimated whole-brain RF-EMF doses in these three groups separately (i.e. phone calls, screen activities, and far-field) that lead to different patterns of RF-EMF exposure. We assessed non-verbal intelligence in the Dutch and Spanish preadolescents, information processing speed, attentional function, and cognitive flexibility in the Spanish preadolescents, and working memory and semantic fluency in the Spanish preadolescents and adolescents using validated neurocognitive tests. RESULTS: Estimated overall whole-brain RF-EMF dose was 90.1 mJ/kg/day (interquartile range (IQR) 42.7; 164.0) in the Dutch and Spanish preadolescents and 105.1 mJ/kg/day (IQR 51.0; 295.7) in the Spanish adolescents. Higher overall estimated whole-brain RF-EMF doses from all RF-EMF sources together and from phone calls were associated with lower non-verbal intelligence score in the Dutch and Spanish preadolescents (-0.10 points, 95% CI -0.19; -0.02 per 100 mJ/kg/day increase in each exposure). However, none of the whole-brain RF-EMF doses was related to any other cognitive function outcome in the Spanish preadolescents or adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that higher brain exposure to RF-EMF is related to lower non-verbal intelligence but not to other cognitive function outcomes. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study, the small effect sizes, and the unknown biological mechanisms, we cannot discard that our resultsare due to chance finding or reverse causality. Longitudinal studies on RF-EMF brain exposure and cognitive function are needed.

Associations between air pollution and pediatric eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma: A meta-analysis of European birth cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Uncertainly continues to exist regarding the role of air pollution on pediatric asthma and allergic conditions, especially as air pollution levels have started to decrease in recent decades. OBJECTIVE: We examined associations of long-term air pollution levels at the home address with pediatric eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma prevalences in five birth cohorts (BIB, EDEN, GASPII, RHEA and INMA) from seven areas in five European countries. METHODS: Current eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma were assessed in children aged four (N = 6527) and eight years (N = 2489). A multi-morbidity outcome (≥2 conditions versus none) was also defined. Individual outdoor levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides, mass of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 µm (PM10), 10-2.5 µm (PMcoarse) and <2.5 µm (PM2.5), and PM2.5 absorbance were assigned to the birth, four- and eight-year home addresses using highly defined spatial air pollution exposure models. Cohort-specific cross-sectional associations were assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and environmental covariates and combined in a random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of pediatric eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma at four years was 15.4%, 5.9% and 12.4%. We found no increase in the prevalence of these outcomes at four or eight years with increasing air pollution exposure. For example, the meta-analysis adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma at four years were 0.94 (0.81, 1.09), 0.90 (0.75, 1.09), and 0.91 (0.74, 1.11), respectively, per 10 µg/m3 increase in NO2 at the birth address, and 1.00 (0.81, 1.23), 0.70 (0.49, 1.00) and 0.88 (0.54, 1.45), respectively, per 5 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 at the birth address. DISCUSSION: In this large meta-analysis of five birth cohorts, we found no indication of adverse effects of long-term air pollution exposure on the prevalence of current pediatric eczema, rhinoconjunctivitis or asthma.

Exposure to ultrafine particles in children until 18 years of age: A systematic review.

Airborne ultrafine particles (UFP) have been related to adverse health effects, but exposure in vulnerable population groups such as children is still not well understood. We aim to review the scientific literature regarding personal exposure to UFP in different microenvironments in populations until 18 years of age. The bibliographical search was carried out in July 2019 using the online database PubMed and was completed with references in articles found in the search. We selected the studies that used continuous counters and measured UFP levels in both specific microenvironment (houses, schools, transport, etc) and personal exposure. Finally, 32 studies fulfilled the criteria: of these, 10 analyzed personal exposure and 22 examined UFP levels in the microenvironment (especially in schools or nurseries (18/22)) and five in various microenvironments (including dwellings and means of transport, where exposure levels were higher). The characteristics of the microenvironments with the greatest levels of UFP were being close to heavy traffic or near cooking and cleaning activities. This review revealed the wide differences in exposure assessment methodologies that could lead to a lack of uniform and comparable information about the real UFP exposure in children.

Associations of black carbon with lung function and airway inflammation in schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the 24-hour respiratory health effects of personal black carbon (BC) and ultrafine particles (UFP) exposure in schoolchildren. The objective of this study was to investigate these associations with the lung function in children 10-years old with and without persistent respiratory symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 305 children (147 and 158 with and without persistent respiratory symptoms, respectively) from three European birth-cohorts: PARIS (France) and INMA Sabadell and Valencia (Spain). Personal 24-hour measurements of exposure concentrations to BC and UFP were performed by portable devices, before lung function testing. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were determined. RESULTS: There was no association of UFP with lung function parameters or FeNO whereas the increase in 24-hour BC exposure concentrations was related to a statistically significant decrease in lung function parameters only among children with persistent respiratory symptoms [-96.8 mL (95% Confidence Interval CI: -184.4 to -9.1 mL) in FVC, and -107.2 mL (95% CI: -177.5 to -36.9 mL) in FEV1 for an inter-quartile range of 1160 ng/m3 exposure increase]. A significant positive association between BC and FeNO was observed only in children with persistent respiratory symptoms with current wheezing and/or medication to improve breathing [FeNO increases with +6.9 ppb (95% CI: 0.7 to 13.1 ppb) with an inter-quartile range BC exposure increase]. CONCLUSION: Children suffering from persistent respiratory symptoms appear to be more vulnerable to BC exposure.

Prenatal exposure to organochlorine compounds and lung function during childhood.

INTRODUCTION: Prenatal exposure to organochlorine compounds (OCs) can increase the risk of reported respiratory symptoms in children. It remains unclear whether these compounds can also impact on lung function. We assessed the association between prenatal exposure to OCs and lung function during childhood. METHODS: We included 1308 mother-child pairs enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Prenatal concentrations of p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane [p,p'-DDT], p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [p,p'-DDE], hexachlorobenzene [HCB], and seven polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] were measured in cord blood. Spirometry was performed in the offspring at ages 4 (n = 636) and 7 years (n = 1192). RESULTS: More than 80% of samples presented quantifiable levels of p,p'-DDE, HCB, PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-180; p,p'-DDE was the compound with the highest median concentrations. At 4 years, prenatal p,p'-DDE exposure was associated with a decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in all quartiles of exposure (e.g., third quartile [0.23-0.34 ng/mL]: ß for FEV1 -53.61 mL, 95% CI -89.87, -17.35, vs. the lowest). Prenatal p,p'-DDE levels also decreased forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC, but associations did not reach statistical significance in most exposure quartiles. At 7 years, p,p'-DDE was associated with a decrease in FVC and FEV1 in only the second quartile of exposure (e.g. ß for FEV1 -36.96 mL, 95% CI -66.22, -7.70, vs. the lowest). Prenatal exposure to HCB was associated with decreased FVC and FEV1, but in only the second quartile and at 7 years (e.g. [0.07-0.14 ng/mL]: ß for FEV1 -25.79 mL, 95% CI -55.98, 4.39, vs. the lowest). PCBs were not consistently associated with lung function. CONCLUSION: Prenatal exposure to p,p'-DDE may decrease lung function during childhood, especially FEV1 and at medium levels of exposure. Further and deeper knowledge on the impact of environmental chemicals during pregnancy on lung development is needed.

Exposición ambiental a dióxido de nitrógeno y salud respiratoria a los 2 años en la Cohorte INMA-Valencia / Exposure to nitrogen dioxide and respiratory health at 2 years in the INMA-Valencia cohort

Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre la exposición a dióxido de nitrógeno (NO2) en las etapas prenatal y posnatal y la incidencia de problemas respiratorios en niños/as hasta los 2 años de edad. Método: La población consistió en 624 niños/as de la cohorte INMA-Valencia. Se estimó la exposición individual al NO2 en el exterior de la vivienda durante el periodo prenatal y hasta los 2 años de edad, a partir de la combinación de datos empíricos y el desarrollo de métodos geoestadísticos. Se aplicó un cuestionario para obtener la información sobre los síntomas respiratorios a los 2 años. La asociación entre la exposición al NO2 y los eventos respiratorios se realizó mediante regresión logística multivariante. Resultados: La incidencia acumulada fue del 16,3% para tos persistente, del 34,9% para episodios de sibilancias y del 27,6% para las infecciones respiratorias de vías bajas. No se encontró asociación entre los síntomas respiratorios y la exposición al NO2 en el conjunto de los/las niños/as. Sin embargo, sí se encontró una asociación entre la exposición al NO2 y la tos persistente en el segundo año de vida en los/las niños/as con antecedentes familiares de alergias. Conclusión: La exposición al NO2 ambiental contribuiría a la presencia de tos persistente en los/las niños/as con antecedentes familiares de alergias

Objective: To analyze the association between exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during pregnancy and the postnatal period up to the age of 2 years old and the incidence of respiratory problems in children from the INMA-Valencia cohort. Methods: The study population included 624 children from the INMA-Valencia cohort. Individual exposure to NO2 was estimated in different environments outside the home during pregnancy and up to the age of 2 using empirical measurement and data from geo-statistical methods. Respiratory symptoms were obtained from a questionnaire applied at the age of two. The association between NO2 exposure and respiratory symptoms was performed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: The cumulative incidence was 16.3% for persistent cough, 34.9% for wheezing and 27.6% for lower respiratory tract infections. No association was found between respiratory symptoms and exposure to NO2 in any of the children. However an association between NO2 exposure and persistent cough was found at two years of life in the children with a parental history of allergy. Conclusion: NO2 exposure would lead to persistent cough in children with a parental history of allergies

Maternal cell phone use during pregnancy and child cognition at age 5 years in 3 birth cohorts.

BACKGROUND: There have been few studies of children's cognitive development in relation to mothers' cell phone use, and most were limited to outcomes at age 3 years or younger. We examined the relationship between maternal cell phone use during pregnancy and cognitive performance in 5-year old children. METHODS: This study included data from 3 birth cohorts: the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) (n = 1209), Spanish Environment and Childhood Project (INMA) (n = 1383), and Korean Mothers and Children's Environment Health Study (MOCEH) (n = 497). All cohorts collected information about maternal cell phone use during pregnancy and cognitive performance in children at age 5. We performed linear regression to compute mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in children's general, verbal, and non-verbal cognition scores comparing frequency of maternal prenatal cell phone use with adjustments for numerous potential confounding factors. Models were computed separately for each cohort and using pooled data in meta-analysis. RESULTS: No associations were detected between frequency of prenatal cell phone use and children's cognition scores. Scores tended to be lower in the highest frequency of use category; MD (95% CI) in general cognition scores were 0.78 (-0.76, 2.33) for none, 0.11 (-0.81, 1.03) for medium, and -0.41 (-1.54, 0.73) for high compared to low frequency of use. This pattern was seen across all cognitive dimensions, but the results were imprecise overall. CONCLUSION: We observed patterns of lower mean cognition scores among children in relation to high frequency maternal prenatal cell phone use. The causal nature and mechanism of this relationship remain unknown.

Spatial and temporal variability of personal environmental exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields in children in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) has rapidly increased and little is known about exposure levels in children. This study describes personal RF-EMF environmental exposure levels from handheld devices and fixed site transmitters in European children, the determinants of this, and the day-to-day and year-to-year repeatability of these exposure levels. METHODS: Personal environmental RF-EMF exposure (µW/m2, power flux density) was measured in 529 children (ages 8-18 years) in Denmark, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Spain using personal portable exposure meters for a period of up to three days between 2014 and 2016, and repeated in a subsample of 28 children one year later. The meters captured 16 frequency bands every 4 s and incorporated a GPS. Activity diaries and questionnaires were used to collect children's location, use of handheld devices, and presence of indoor RF-EMF sources. Six general frequency bands were defined: total, digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT), television and radio antennas (broadcast), mobile phones (uplink), mobile phone base stations (downlink), and Wireless Fidelity (WiFi). We used adjusted mixed effects models with region random effects to estimate associations of handheld device use habits and indoor RF-EMF sources with personal RF-EMF exposure. Day-to-day and year-to-year repeatability of personal RF-EMF exposure were calculated through intraclass correlations (ICC). RESULTS: Median total personal RF-EMF exposure was 75.5 µW/m2. Downlink was the largest contributor to total exposure (median: 27.2 µW/m2) followed by broadcast (9.9 µW/m2). Exposure from uplink (4.7 µW/m2) was lower. WiFi and DECT contributed very little to exposure levels. Exposure was higher during day (94.2 µW/m2) than night (23.0 µW/m2), and slightly higher during weekends than weekdays, although varying across regions. Median exposures were highest while children were outside (157.0 µW/m2) or traveling (171.3 µW/m2), and much lower at home (33.0 µW/m2) or in school (35.1 µW/m2). Children living in urban environments had higher exposure than children in rural environments. Older children and users of mobile phones had higher uplink exposure but not total exposure, compared to younger children and those that did not use mobile phones. Day-to-day repeatability was moderate to high for most of the general frequency bands (ICCs between 0.43 and 0.85), as well as for total, broadcast, and downlink for the year-to-year repeatability (ICCs between 0.49 and 0.80) in a small subsample. CONCLUSION: The largest contributors to total personal environmental RF-EMF exposure were downlink and broadcast, and these exposures showed high repeatability. Urbanicity was the most important determinant of total exposure and mobile phone use was the most important determinant of uplink exposure. It is important to continue evaluating RF-EMF exposure in children as device use habits, exposure levels, and main contributing sources may change.

[Exposure to nitrogen dioxide and respiratory health at 2 years in the INMA-Valencia cohort]. / Exposición ambiental a dióxido de nitrógeno y salud respiratoria a los 2 años en la Cohorte INMA-Valencia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during pregnancy and the postnatal period up to the age of 2 years old and the incidence of respiratory problems in children from the INMA-Valencia cohort. METHODS: The study population included 624 children from the INMA-Valencia cohort. Individual exposure to NO2 was estimated in different environments outside the home during pregnancy and up to the age of 2 using empirical measurement and data from geo-statistical methods. Respiratory symptoms were obtained from a questionnaire applied at the age of two. The association between NO2 exposure and respiratory symptoms was performed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence was 16.3% for persistent cough, 34.9% for wheezing and 27.6% for lower respiratory tract infections. No association was found between respiratory symptoms and exposure to NO2 in any of the children. However an association between NO2 exposure and persistent cough was found at two years of life in the children with a parental history of allergy. CONCLUSION: NO2 exposure would lead to persistent cough in children with a parental history of allergies.

Urban upbringing and childhood respiratory and allergic conditions: A multi-country holistic study.

OBJECTIVE: We integratively assessed the effect of different indoor and outdoor environmental exposures early in life on respiratory and allergic health conditions among children from (sub-) urban areas. METHODS: This study included children participating in four ongoing European birth cohorts located in three different geographical regions: INMA (Spain), LISAplus (Germany), GINIplus (Germany) and BAMSE (Sweden). Wheezing, bronchitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis throughout childhood were assessed using parental-completed questionnaires. We designed "environmental scores" corresponding to different indoor, green- and grey-related exposures (main analysis, a-priori-approach). Cohort-specific associations between these environmental scores and the respiratory health outcomes were assessed using random-effects meta-analyses. In addition, a factor analysis was performed based on the same exposure information used to develop the environmental scores (confirmatory analysis, data-driven-approach). RESULTS: A higher early exposure to the indoor environmental score increased the risk for wheezing and bronchitis within the first year of life (combined adjusted odds ratio: 1.20 [95% confidence interval: 1.13-1.27] and 1.28 [1.18-1.39], respectively). In contrast, there was an inverse association with allergic rhinitis between 6 and 8 years (0.85 [0.79-0.92]). There were no statistically significant associations for the outdoor related environmental scores in relation to any of the health outcomes tested. The factor analysis conducted confirmed these trends. CONCLUSION: Although a higher exposure to indoor related exposure through occupants was associated with an increased risk for wheezing and bronchitis within the 1st year, it might serve as a preventive mechanism against later childhood allergic respiratory outcomes in urbanized environments through enhanced shared contact with microbial agents.

Variations in the prevalence of childhood asthma and wheeze in MeDALL cohorts in Europe.

While there is evidence for variations in prevalence rates of childhood wheeze and asthma between countries, longitudinal, individual-level data are needed to understand these differences. The aim of this study was to examine variations in prevalence rates of childhood asthma, wheeze and wheeze with asthma in Europe. We analysed datasets from 10 MeDALL (Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy) cohorts in eight countries, representing 26 663 children, to calculate prevalence rates of wheeze and asthma by child age and wheeze with asthma at age 4 years. Harmonised variables included outcomes parent-reported wheeze and parent-reported doctor-diagnosed asthma, and covariates maternal education, parental smoking, pets, parental asthma, doctor-diagnosed allergic rhinitis, doctor-diagnosed eczema and wheeze severity. At age 4 years, asthma prevalence varied from 1.72% in Germany to 13.48% in England and the prevalence of wheeze varied from 9.82% in Greece to 55.37% in Spain. Adjusted estimates of the proportion of 4-year-old children with wheeze diagnosed with asthma remained highest in England (38.14%, 95% CI 31.38-44.90%) and lowest in Spain (15.94%, 95% CI 6.16-25.71%). The large differences in prevalence rates of asthma, wheeze and wheeze with asthma at age 4 years between European cohorts may indicate that childhood asthma is more readily diagnosed in some countries while going unrecognised elsewhere.

Urban green and grey space in relation to respiratory health in children.

We assessed the effect of three different indices of urban built environment on allergic and respiratory conditions.This study involved 2472 children participating in the ongoing INMA birth cohort located in two bio-geographic regions (Euro-Siberian and Mediterranean) in Spain. Residential surrounding built environment was characterised as 1) residential surrounding greenness based on satellite-derived normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), 2) residential proximity to green spaces and 3) residential surrounding greyness based on urban land use patterns. Information on wheezing, bronchitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis up to age 4 years was obtained from parent-completed questionnaires. Logistic regression and generalised estimating equation modelling were performed.Among children from the Euro-Siberian region, higher residential surrounding greenness and higher proximity to green spaces were negatively associated with wheezing. In the Mediterranean region, higher residential proximity to green spaces was associated with a reduced risk for bronchitis. A higher amount of residential surrounding greyness was found to increase the risk for bronchitis in this region.Associations between indices of urban residential greenness and greyness with respiratory diseases differ by region. The pathways underlying these associations require further exploration.

Assessment of the effects of orally administered ferrous sulfate on Oncopeltus fasciatus (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae).

Iron is an essential nutrient needed for multiple biological processes, but it is also an effective pro-oxidant in its reduced form. Environmental sources of iron toxic species include reduced soils from rice plantations, polluted natural areas from metal industry waste, or iron oxides used in soil bioremediation. Few studies have been conducted to assess the toxicity of iron species in insects. The present work aims to assess the oxidative stress effects of ferrous sulfate administered in drinking water after acute exposure (96 h) to adults of the insect model Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas). Mortality was higher in exposed groups and significantly associated with iron treatment (OR [95% CI]; 11.8 [6.1-22.7]). Higher levels of body iron content were found in insects exposed to ferrous sulfate, with an increase of 5-6 times with respect to controls. Catalase activity and lipid peroxidation (TBARS content), but not glutathione S-transferase activity, were significantly higher in exposed insects and significantly correlated with body iron content (Pearson coefficient of 0.68 and 0.74, respectively) and between them (0.78). The present work demonstrates that, despite the disruption in water and food intake caused by iron administration, this metal is accumulated by insect causing lipid peroxidation and eliciting an antioxidant response mediated by catalase.

Infants' indoor and outdoor residential exposure to benzene and respiratory health in a Spanish cohort.

Benzene exposure represents a potential risk for children's health. Apart from being a known carcinogen for humans (group 1 according to IARC), there is scientific evidence suggesting a relationship between benzene exposure and respiratory problems in children. But results are still inconclusive and inconsistent. This study aims to assess the determinants of exposure to indoor and outdoor residential benzene levels and its relationship with respiratory health in infants. Participants were 1-year-old infants (N = 352) from the INMA cohort from Valencia (Spain). Residential benzene exposure levels were measured inside and outside dwellings by means of passive samplers in a 15-day campaign. Persistent cough, low respiratory tract infections and wheezing during the first year of life, and covariates (dwelling traits, lifestyle factors and sociodemographic data) were obtained from parental questionnaires. Multiple Tobit regression and logistic regression models were performed to assess factors associated to residential exposure levels and health associations, respectively. Indoor levels were higher than outdoor ones (1.46 and 0.77 µg/m3, respectively; p < 0.01). A considerable percentage of dwellings, 42% and 21% indoors and outdoors respectively, surpassed the WHO guideline of 1.7 µg/m3 derived from a lifetime risk of leukemia above 1/100 000. Monitoring season, maternal country of birth and parental tobacco consumption were associated with residential benzene exposure (indoor and outdoors). Additionally, indoor levels were associated with mother's age and type of heating, and outdoor levels were linked with zone of residence and distance from industrial areas. After adjustment for confounding factors, no significant associations were found between residential benzene exposure levels and respiratory health in infants. Hence, our study did not support the hypothesis for the benzene exposure effect on respiratory health in children. Even so, it highlights a public health concern related to the personal exposure levels, since a considerable number of children surpassed the abovementioned WHO guideline for benzene exposure.

[Immigration and HIV-1 infection: clinical manifestations, subtypes and evolution of 78 patients attended during the last 5 years]. / Infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana tipo 1 e inmigración: manifestaciones clínicas, subtipos y evolución de 78 pacientes ingresados durante los últimos 5 años.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To analyse the characteristics and HIV-1 subtype in a group of HIV+ hospitalised immigrants in our Infectious Diseases Unit. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Clinical reports of 78 immigrants HIV+ were reviewed. HIV-1 subtyping was carried out examining the protease and transcriptase genes by phylogenetic analysis. Statistical study was done by SPSS 11.0 program. RESULTS: 57% of patients come from sub-Saharian Africa. Mainly they had been infected by heterosexual contact. HIV was diagnosed at the hospitalisation time in 35 cases. Only 28% were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and 48,7% had CD4+ cells less than 200/microl. The more frequent diagnosed diseases were: tuberculosis (20.5%), candidiasis (24.4%), bacterial pneumonia (19.2%) and malaria (21.8%). HIV-1 subtype B was isolated in 26 patients, none Africans. Twenty nine individuals (52.8%) were infected with HIV-1 non-B subtypes. Relationship between HIV-1 subtype, immunodepression, diagnosed diseases and origin countries was not found apart from malaria. CONCLUSIONS: Most HIV-1 infected immigrants are from Africa, being predominantly infected with HIV-1 non-B subtypes. No relationship between HIV subtype and diagnosed diseases was found.

Infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana tipo 1 e inmigración: manifestaciones clínicas, subtipos y evolución de 78 pacientes ingresados durante los últimos 5 años / Immigration and HIV-1 infection: clinical manifestations, subtypes and evolution of 78 patients attended during the last 5 years

Fundamento y objetivo: Analizar las características y el subtipo del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana tipo 1 (VIH-1) en un grupo de inmigrantes seropositivos que ingresaron en nuestro Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Pacientes y método: Se revisaron los informes de alta de 78 inmigrantes infectados por el VIH. La caracterización del subtipo genético de las variantes del VIH-1 que los infectaron se realizó por análisis filogenético de los genes de la proteasa y de la retrotranscriptasa en el 70,5% de ellos. Para el estudio estadístico se utilizó el programa SPSS, versión 11.0. Resultados: El 57% de los pacientes procedían del África subsahariana, y la transmisión heterosexual fue la vía más frecuente de contagio. La infección por el VIH se diagnosticó en el momento del ingreso en 35 casos. Sólo el 28% recibía tratamiento antirretroviral de gran actividad y un 48,7% tenía menos de 200 linfocitos CD4/µl. Las enfermedades más frecuentes fueron: tuberculosis (20,5%), candidiasis (24,4%), neumonía bacteriana (19,2%) y paludismo (21,8%). El subtipo B del VIH-1 se aisló en 26 de los 78 pacientes, ninguno africano. Se encontraron subtipos diferentes del B en 29 casos (52,8%). No hubo relación entre el subtipo genético del VIH-1, la inmunodepresión, las enfermedades diagnosticadas y el país de origen, excepto en el caso del paludismo. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los inmigrantes con infección por el VIH ingresados en nuestro centro son africanos y en su mayor parte están infectados por subtipos del VIH-1 diferentes del B. No se observó relación entre el subtipo genético y las enfermedades diagnosticadas

Background and objective: To analyse the characteristics and HIV-1 subtype in a group of HIV+ hospitalised immigrants in our Infectious Diseases Unit. Patients and method: Clinical reports of 78 immigrants HIV+ were reviewed. HIV-1 subtyping was carried out examining the protease and transcriptase genes by phylogenetic analysis. Statistical study was done by SPSS 11.0 program. Results: 57% of patients come from sub-Saharian Africa. Mainly they had been infected by heterosexual contact. HIV was diagnosed at the hospitalisation time in 35 cases. Only 28% were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and 48,7% had CD4+ cells less than 200/µl. The more frequent diagnosed diseases were: tuberculosis (20.5%), candidiasis (24.4%), bacterial pneumonia (19.2%) and malaria (21.8%). HIV-1 subtype B was isolated in 26 patients, none Africans. Twenty nine individuals (52.8%) were infected with HIV-1 non-B subtypes. Relationship between HIV-1 subtype, immunodepression, diagnosed diseases and origin countries was not found apart from malaria. Conclusions: Most HIV-1 infected immigrants are from Africa, being predominantly infected with HIV-1 non-B subtypes. No relationship between HIV subtype and diagnosed diseases was found