DIFFERENCES IN KNEE SENSORIMOTOR CONTROL BY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AND SEX.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the differences in knee sensorimotor control between healthy men and women by measuring the joint position sense (JPS), sensation of muscle tension (steadiness), and onset of muscle activation (OMA).

Methods: Twenty-four healthy women and 27 healthy men were tested. Knee sensorimotor control was assessed using the JPS test with electrogoniometers in 3 different ranges of motion, sensation of muscle tension using the isometric steadiness technique, and OMA against a mechanical perturbation.

Oxidative stress and inflammation response after nanoparticle exposure: differences between human lung cell monocultures and an advanced three-dimensional model of the human epithelial airways.

Combustion-derived and manufactured nanoparticles (NPs) are known to provoke oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in human lung cells; therefore, they play an important role during the development of adverse health effects. As the lungs are composed of more than 40 different cell types, it is of particular interest to perform toxicological studies with co-cultures systems, rather than with monocultures of only one cell type, to gain a better understanding of complex cellular reactions upon exposure to toxic substances. Monocultures of A549 human epithelial lung cells, human monocyte-derived macrophages and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) as well as triple cell co-cultures consisting of all three cell types were exposed to combustion-derived NPs (diesel exhaust particles) and to manufactured NPs (titanium dioxide and single-walled carbon nanotubes).

Effects of combustion-derived ultrafine particles and manufactured nanoparticles on heart cells in vitro.

Evidence from epidemiological studies indicates that acute exposure to airborne pollutants is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality attributed to cardiovascular diseases. The present study investigated the effects of combustion-derived ultrafine particles (diesel exhaust particles) as well as engineered nanoparticles (titanium dioxide and single-walled carbon nanotubes) on impulse conduction characteristics, myofibrillar structure and the formation of reactive oxygen species in patterned growth strands of neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes in vitro. Diesel exhaust particles as well as titanium dioxide nanoparticles showed the most pronounced effects.

Identification of the mass spectral signature of organic aerosols from wood burning emissions.

Throughout the winter months, the village of Roveredo, Switzerland, frequently experiences strong temperature inversions that contribute to elevated levels of particulate matter. Wood is used as fuel for 75% of the domestic heating installations in Roveredo, which makes it a suitable location to study wood burning emissions in the atmosphere in winter. An Aerodyne quadrupole aerosol mass spectrometer (Q-AMS) was used to characterize the composition of the submicrometer, non-refractory aerosol particles at this location during two field campaigns in March and December 2005.

Particle emissions from diesel passenger cars equipped with a particle trap in comparison to other technologies.

Tail pipe particle emissions of passenger cars, with different engine and aftertreatment technologies, were determined with special focus on diesel engines equipped with a particle filter. The particle number measurements were performed, during transient tests, using a condensation particle counter. The measurement procedure complied with the draft Swiss ordinance, which is based on the findings of the UN/ECE particulate measurement program.

Comparison of mass-based and non-mass-based particle measurement systems for ultra-low emissions from automotive sources.

Drastic reduction in particle emissions of diesel-powered vehicles and new findings on the health impact of particles raise the question of a more sensitive measurement procedure. In this paper, 16 different particle mass measurement systems are compared on a diesel heavy-duty engine equipped with a particle filter to investigate their feasibility for particle characterization for future ultra-low concentration levels. The group of instruments comprises mass-related methods (filter methods, laser-induced incandescence, photoacoustic detection, photoelectric charging, combined inertial and mobility sizing, opacity) as well as non-mass-related methods (CPC, diffusion battery, diffusion charger, ELPI, light scattering).

Influence of diesel engine combustion parameters on primary soot particle diameter.

Effects of engine operating parameters and fuel composition on both primary soot particle diameter and particle number size distribution in the exhaust of a direct-injected heavy-duty diesel engine were studied in detail. An electrostatic sampler was developed to deposit particles directly on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids. Using TEM, the projected area equivalent diameter of primary soot particles was determined.