[A review of original papers that analyze the effects of air pollution on mortality, 1994-1998].

The different studies published and indexed in Medline and in the Spanish Medical Index (IME) from 1984 up to 1998 (IME: 1971-1996) are reviewed. To start with, an assessment was made of the number of publications put out which have to do with the impact of pollution on human health as well as the percentage thereof which analyze the mortality as a health indicator. Afterward, the original works published within the January 1994-June 1998 period were reviewed in detail.

Prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism in a U.S. Army population.

Objective: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) reported that 4.3-6.3% of adult Americans have undiagnosed diabetes.

Diagnostic performance of helical CT angiography in trauma to large arteries of the extremities.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to assess the performance of helical CT angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis of injuries to large arteries of the extremities.

Method: We performed helical CTA on 45 consecutive patients referred for conventional angiography for evaluation of suspected arterial injuries after sustaining trauma to the extremities (13 upper, 32 lower). Two radiologists interpreted the helical CTA studies independently.

Influence of skeletal site of origin and donor age on osteoblastic cell growth and differentiation.

Bone loss with aging may be due, at least in part, to inadequate bone formation. Moreover, the process of bone aging is known to follow a different pattern throughout the skeleton. In this study, we examined the cell proliferation rate (area under the cell growth curve, AUC) and the secretion of C-terminal type I procollagen (PICP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OC) in primary cultures of osteoblastic cells from human trabecular bone.

Relationship between physical and psychosocial dysfunction in Mexican patients with vertigo: a cross-cultural validation of the vertigo symptom scale.

The Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS) was designed to assess and differentiate symptoms of: (a) balance disorder; and (b) somatic anxiety and autonomic arousal in patients complaining of dizziness and vertigo. Although it has been translated for use in countries other than the UK, where it was originally developed, its validity in different languages and cultures has not previously been evaluated. This study examined the structure, reliability, and discriminative power of a Spanish translation of the VSS administered to a Mexican sample of 172 dizzy patients and 40 healthy controls.

Influence of skeletal site of origin and donor age on 1,25(OH)2D3-induced response of various osteoblastic markers in human osteoblastic cells.

Age-related bone loss may be a consequence of a lack of osteoblastic formation and/or function. In vitro, the osteoblastic response to 1,25(OH)2D3, an important regulator of osteoblastic function, appears to depend on the stage of osteoblastic maturation. In this study, we examined the response to 1,25(OH)2D3 of C-terminal type I procollagen (PICP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OC) secretion in primary cultures of osteoblastic cells from human trabecular bone (hOB).

Changes with age in the modulation of natural killer activity of murine leukocytes by gastrin-releasing peptide, neuropeptide Y and sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide.

Several investigations have suggested that the interactions between the nervous and immune systems are modified with age. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of three neuropeptides: gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8 s) on natural killer (NK) activity of spleen, thymus and axillary node leukocytes from BALB/c male, young (8+/-1 weeks), adult (24+/-2 weeks) and old (72+/-2 weeks) mice. We used cells from murine lymphoma YAC-1 as targets for the cytotoxic assay and three physiological concentrations of the neuropeptides (10(-8), 10(-10) and 10(-12) M).

Effects of endotoxic shock in several functions of murine peritoneal macrophages.

Gram negative sepsis and septic shock continue to be a major medical problem, with a complex physiopathology and it is associated with high mortality. Although secretion of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha by macrophages is the principal host mediator of septic shock, other characteristic functions of macrophages implicated in their phagocytic capacity have not been studied in the process of endotoxic shock. In the present study we have used an intraperitoneal injection of E.

[Short-term modeling of the effect of air pollution on health. Example: SO2 and total mortality, Paris 1987-1999].

Since 1990, many epidemiological time series studies have provided evidence that ambient air pollution levels have adverse health effects. The ERPURS study (Evaluation des Risques de la Pollution Urbaine pour la Santé) has permitted to quantify this impact in the Paris region. This study was based on an ecological time series approach.

Improvement by several antioxidants of macrophage function in vitro.

The toxic effects of oxygen radicals produced by immune cells can be controlled to certain degree by endogenous antioxidants, because of their scavenger action. This control is specially important in a type of immune cell, i.e.

Changes with ageing in the modulation of murine lymphocyte chemotaxis by CCK-8S, GRP and NPY.

The general immunodepression found in ageing organisms may be related to changes in the neuroimmune network. In the present study, the migration capacity of lymphocytes from BALB/c mice of three different ages: young (12 +/- 2 weeks), adult (24 +/- 2 weeks) and old (72 +/- 2 weeks), has been assayed in vitro in response to three neuropeptides: sulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8s), gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in a physiological range of concentrations (10(-8)-10(-12) M). The capacity of migration to a chemical gradient or chemotaxis was studied by the Boyden's technique using f-met-leu-phe at 10(-8) M as chemoattractant.

Effect of polyethylene particles on human osteoblastic cell growth.

In this study, we have analyzed the direct effect of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (polyethylene) on the osteoblastic cell growth in primary cultures. The cells were cultured from human bone samples obtained during reconstructive joint surgery. When cell cultures reached confluence (4-6 weeks) they were separated into three subcultures.

Effect of polyethylene on osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase and procollagen secretion by human osteoblastic cells.

We have studied the direct effects of polyethylene particles on osteoblastic function in primary human bone cell cultures. The cells were obtained from trabecular bone fragments of patients undergoing knee reconstructive surgery. When the cells reached confluency, they were subcultured into two flasks, one untreated (control culture) and the other treated with polyethylene particles, and incubated until confluency.

Livedo reticularis, developmental delay and stroke-like episode in a 7-year-old male.

Livedo reticularis is a vascular abnormality of the skin resulting in an erythematous reticular rash. The combination of livedo reticularis and stroke-like episodes in adults is known as Sneddon syndrome [Sneddon, IB (1965). Br J Dermatol 77:180-188].

Air pollution and doctors' house calls: results from the ERPURS system for monitoring the effects of air pollution on public health in Greater Paris, France, 1991-1995. Evaluation des Risques de la Pollution Urbaine pour la Santé.

This study examines short-term relationships between doctors' house calls and urban air pollution in Greater Paris for the period 1991-1995. Poisson regressions using nonparametric smoothing functions controlled for time trend, seasonal patterns, pollen counts, influenza epidemics, and weather. The relationship between asthma visits and air pollution was stronger for children.

Short-term effects of ambient sulphur dioxide and particulate matter on mortality in 12 European cities: results from time series data from the APHEA project. Air Pollution and Health: a European Approach.

Objectives: To carry out a prospective combined quantitative analysis of the associations between all cause mortality and ambient particulate matter and sulphur dioxide.

Design: Analysis of time series data on daily number of deaths from all causes and concentrations of sulphur dioxide and particulate matter (measured as black smoke or particles smaller than 10 microns in diameter (PM10)) and potential confounders.

Setting: 12 European cities in the APHEA project (Air Pollution and Health: a European Approach).

Air pollution and daily admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 6 European cities: results from the APHEA project.

We investigated the short-term effects of air pollution on hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Europe. As part of a European project (Air Pollution and Health, a European Approach (APHEA)), we analysed data from the cities of Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Milan, Paris and Rotterdam, using a standardized approach to data eligibility and statistical analysis. Relative risks for daily COPD admissions were obtained using Poisson regression, controlling for: seasonal and other cycles; influenza epidemics; day of the week; temperature; humidity and autocorrelation.

C-terminal parathyroid hormone-related protein inhibits proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblast-like cells.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is synthesized by osteoblasts, although its local role in bone is not completely understood. The C-terminal (107-111) region of PTHrP seems to be a potent inhibitor of osteoblastic bone resorption. We studied the effect of this PTHrP domain on the proliferation and synthesis of osteoblastic markers in osteoblast-like cells from adult human bone.

[Transrectal endoscopic ileal decompression as treatment of small intestine pseudoobstruction. Report of a case].

Background: Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a syndrome characterized by recurrent signs and symptoms of intestinal pseudo-obstruction or dilation without any evidence of mechanical pseudo-obstruction. Its cause is unknown, and it is associated with severe alterations of gastrointestinal motility.

Aims: To report the transendoscopic treatment in a case of intestinal pseudo-obstruction as an alternative to a poor response to medical treatment.

Short term respiratory health effects of ambient air pollution: results of the APHEA project in Paris.

Study Objective: To quantify the short term respiratory health effects of ambient air pollution in the Paris area.

Design: Time series analysis of daily pollution levels using Poisson regression.

Setting: Paris, 1987-92.

Short term effects of air pollution on health: a European approach using epidemiologic time series data: the APHEA protocol.

Background And Objectives: Results from several studies over the past five years have shown that the current levels of pollutants in Europe and North America have adverse short term effects on health. The APHEA project aims to quantifying these in Europe, using standardised methodology. The project protocol and analytical methodology are presented here.

[Vitamin D levels in patients with hip fracture in Madrid].

Background: Vitamin D appears to be implicated in the loss of bone mass and its most severe complication is the hip fracture. A change is produced in the metabolism of vitamin D in elderly people although its study has received little attention in many countries.

Methods: With the aim of evaluating vitamin D and its metabolites in the elderly people with hip fracture in our geographic environment (Madrid, Spain), 58 patients with hip fracture over the age of 70, and 39 subjects without a fracture or the similar age were studied.

Urban air pollution is still a public health problem in Paris.

By correlating data obtained from environmental indicators and health indicators over a five-year period, a system for measuring the effects of air pollution on health has been established and tested. Rises in air pollution levels do appear to be accompanied by increases in the relevant health problems.

Prenatal and perinatal lead exposures alter acoustic cry parameters of neonate.

We performed acoustic analyses on cries elicited from a subset of healthy babies born to the Mexico City Prospective Lead Study at 2 days (n = 75), 15 days (n = 176), and 30 days (n = 166). Lead was measured in maternal blood every 8 weeks during pregnancy from week 12 to delivery and in umbilical cord (1-38 micrograms/dL, 0.05-1.