Medication type modifies inflammatory response to traffic exposure in a population with type 2 diabetes.

The association between residential traffic exposure and change in C-reactive protein over 2-years was evaluated using multivariate linear regression including interaction models for traffic and diabetes medication use/type (insulin vs. oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs)). The study population was Puerto Rican adults (n = 356) residing in greater Boston with type 2 diabetes.

Traffic exposure in a population with high prevalence type 2 diabetes--do medications influence concentrations of C-reactive protein?

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and particulate air pollution are associated with inflammatory dysregulation. We assessed the modifying effects of diabetes medications on the association of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, and traffic exposure in adults with T2D (n = 379). CRP concentrations were significantly positively associated with residence ≤100 m of a roadway, >100 m and ≤200 m of a roadway and increased traffic density for individuals using insulin.

Residential traffic exposure, pulse pressure, and C-reactive protein: consistency and contrast among exposure characterization methods.

Background: Traffic exposure may increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk via systemic inflammation and elevated blood pressure, two important clinical markers for managing disease progression.

Objectives: We assessed degree and consistency of association between traffic exposure indicators as predictors of C-reactive protein (CRP) and pulse pressure (PP) in an adult U.S.

Characterizing urban traffic exposures using transportation planning tools: an illustrated methodology for health researchers.

Exposure to elevated levels of vehicular traffic has been associated with adverse cardiovascular and respiratory health effects in a range of populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, diabetes, obesity, and genetic susceptibilities. As these relationships become clearer, public health officials will need to have access to methods to identify areas of concern in terms of elevated traffic levels and susceptible populations. This paper briefly reviews current approaches for characterizing traffic exposure and then presents a detailed method that can be employed by public health officials and other researchers in performing screening assessments to define areas of potential concern within a particular locale and, with appropriate caveats, in epidemiologic studies examining traffic-related health impacts at the intra-urban scale.

Dust mites: using data from an intervention study to suggest future research needs and directions.

Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 1; referred as Der f hereafter) and D. pteronyssinus (Der p 1; referred as Der p hereafter) are common allergy-causing mites found in homes worldwide. Mites are more prevalent in humid climates, but are rare or absent in drier climates.

Near-highway pollutants in motor vehicle exhaust: a review of epidemiologic evidence of cardiac and pulmonary health risks.

There is growing evidence of a distinct set of freshly-emitted air pollutants downwind from major highways, motorways, and freeways that include elevated levels of ultrafine particulates (UFP), black carbon (BC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO). People living or otherwise spending substantial time within about 200 m of highways are exposed to these pollutants more so than persons living at a greater distance, even compared to living on busy urban streets. Evidence of the health hazards of these pollutants arises from studies that assess proximity to highways, actual exposure to the pollutants, or both.

Native and foreign born as predictors of pediatric asthma in an Asian immigrant population: a cross sectional survey.

Background: Asthma prevalence is lower in less developed countries and among some recent immigrant populations in the US, but the reasons for this are not clear. One possibility is that early childhood infections are protective against asthma.

Methods: We surveyed Asian immigrant children (n = 204; age 4-18) to assess the relationship between asthma and native or foreign place of birth.