Fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) air pollution and immune status among women in the Seattle area.

Changes in immune status have been suggested as a possible biologic mechanism by which particulate matter (PM) air pollution could lead to adverse health effects. The authors studied associations between ambient PM₂.₅ and immune status among 115 postmenopausal, overweight women in the greater Seattle, Washington, area.

Serum leptin concentrations and markers of immune function in overweight or obese postmenopausal women.

Experimental studies and case reports suggest a multifunctional role of leptin in immune function. However, clinical studies of leptin in healthy individuals with a comprehensive assessment of immunity are lacking. This study investigated associations between serum leptin concentrations and multiple biomarkers of cellular immunity and inflammation among 114 healthy postmenopausal, overweight, or obese women.

Effect of exercise on in vitro immune function: a 12-month randomized, controlled trial among postmenopausal women.

Cross-sectional studies suggest that moderate physical activity is associated with enhanced resting immune function; however, few randomized controlled trials have investigated this link. We investigated the effect of 12-mo aerobic exercise, relative to stretching control, on in vitro immune function in a randomized, controlled trial of 115 postmenopausal, overweight, or obese sedentary women, aged 50-75 yr. The exercise goal was > or =45 min/day, 5 days/wk.

Associations between healthy eating patterns and immune function or inflammation in overweight or obese postmenopausal women.

Background: The link between poor nutritional status and impaired immune function is well established; however, most studies have focused on individual nutrients instead of overall dietary patterns.

Objective: Our objective was to investigate associations between 3 indexes of overall diet quality [the Diet Quality Index (DQI), the DQI including supplementary calcium (DQI-Ca), and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)] and biomarkers of inflammation and immunity.

Design: This cross-sectional study included 110 overweight or obese postmenopausal women.

Factors affecting urinary myoglobin stability in vitro.

Urine myoglobin concentrations are measured clinically to assess rhabdomyolysis and the related risk of renal damage. We studied urine myoglobin concentrations in vitro to explore the factors affecting stability. Myoglobin was very unstable in urine specimens, especially below pH 6.

Quick parathormone assay in the surgical management of hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Among the various new technologies in the field of parathyroid surgery is intraoperative quick parathormone measurements.

Objectives: To evaluate the contribution of QPTH measurements during parathyroidectomy to the achievement of higher success rates.

Methods: QPTH assay using Immulite Turbo Intact PTH was measured in 32 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy: 30 for primary and 2 for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Cyclic changes of plasma spermine concentrations in women.

Based on previous studies which suggest that blood polyamines fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, the present study was set to determine whether plasma concentrations of the polyamine spermine show menstrual cycle-associated changes and if so, how these changes relate to phasic variations in other female hormones. Blood samples were collected from a group of 9 healthy women of various ages at 5 defined periods during their menstrual cycle including 1 woman on oral contraceptives. Spermine concentrations were determined in plasma acid extracts by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method.