NLRP3 inflammasome activation determines the fibrogenic potential of PM air pollution particles in the lung.

Airborne fine particulate matter (PM) is known to cause respiratory inflammation such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung fibrosis. NLRP3 inflammasome activation has been implicated in these diseases; however, due to the complexity in PM compositions, it is difficult to differentiate the roles of the components in triggering this pathway. We collected eight real-life PM samples for a comparative analysis of their effects on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and lung fibrosis.

Assessment of obesity status in outpatients from three disease states.

Aim: To assess obesity status in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and various metabolic disorders (MD), through comparison against a) UK reference data and b) contemporary healthy children.

Methods: Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and triceps (TRI) and sub-scapular (SUBS) skinfold thickness were measured in a total of 57 healthy, 49 HIV, 68 MD and 49 CF children. Using published reference data, standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated.

Cerebral palsy: correlation of risk factors and functional performance using the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM).

We studied the risk factors affecting the functional status of cerebral palsy. A cross-sectional study of 73 children with cerebral palsy was conducted with the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), which assesses functional skills in the domains of self-care, mobility, and cognition. The mean total Functional Independence Measure for Children quotient was 67.