Traffic generated emissions alter the lung microbiota by promoting the expansion of Proteobacteria in C57Bl/6 mice placed on a high-fat diet.

Air pollution has been documented to contribute to severe respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Although these diseases demonstrate a shift in the lung microbiota towards Proteobacteria, the effects of traffic generated emissions on lung microbiota profiles have not been well-characterized. Thus, we investigated the hypothesis that exposure to traffic-generated emissions can alter lung microbiota and immune defenses.

Gender differences, anger expression, and cardiovascular risk.

Research has established the influence of serum cholesterol and anger management style as cardiovascular risk factors. However, mixed and sometimes contradictory results have created uncertainty with respect to contributions of anger. Some incongruities may be accounted for on the basis of gender differences since a number of studies have employed male samples rather than female samples or mixed samples.

Stability and factor structure of the Jackson Personality Inventory--Revised.

The Jackson Personality Inventory--Revised comprises 15 bipolar scales and five cluster scores concerning an individual's interpersonal patterns of interaction, cognitive styles, and value orientation. Recent reviews of this revised version raise questions about test-retest stability as well as the factor structure on which cluster scores are based. 74 men and 33 women (29-63 years of age, M = 42.

Oral contraceptive use: implications for cognitive and emotional functioning.

This study investigated the role of oral contraception use versus nonuse as a moderator variable differentially influencing cognitive-emotional processes. Seventy-six healthy women (29 users and 47 nonusers; 18 to 48 years old), completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire, the Rotter Scale of locus of control, the Daily Hassles Scale, and a Repertory Grid. A subsample (N = 33) also volunteered for a blood draw.