Effect of indoor nitrogen dioxide on lung function in urban environment

BACKGROUND: High levels of indoor NO2 are associated with increased asthma symptoms and decreased expiratory peak flows in children. We investigated the association of exposure to domestic indoor NO2, objectively measured in winter and spring, with respiratory symptoms and lung function in a sample of adolescents from a southern Mediterranean area. METHODS: From a large school population sample (n=2150) participating in an epidemiological survey in the urban area of the City of Palermo (southern Italy), a sub-sample of 303 adolescents was selected which furnished an enriched sample for cases of current asthma. All subjects were evaluated by a health questionnaire, skin prick tests and spiro…

Relationship among Body Composition, Adipocytokines, and Irisin on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in COPD: A Pilot Study

Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that interferes with the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although inflammatory markers, body composition, and nutritional status have a significant impact on pulmonary function, the real contribution of adipocytokines and myokines in COPD is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the role played by the body composition, leptin, adiponectin, haptoglobin, and irisin on the functional exercise capacity, respiratory function, and quality of life (QoL) in COPD. In 25 COPD (20% GOLD-1; 60% GOLD-2; 20% GOLD-3) patients and 26 matched control subjects, we find that leptin, total adiponectin and haptoglobin are significantly increased…

Comorbidities and quality of life in obstructed adults in a primary care setting

Introduction: Comorbidities are known to impair Quality of Life (QoL)in patients with chronic obstruction pulmonary disease. A poor QoL is associated with higher dyspnoea perception. How comorbidities influence QoL in these patients is limited and needs clarification. Aim: To study the role of dyspnoea perception in the relationship between comorbidities number and QoL in obstructed and not obstructed adults in a primary care setting. Methods: Seventeen general practitioners participated to the study: 566 adults, attending the Practitioner9s study for any reason, performed spirometry and fulfilled a respiratory questionnaire between January and June 2014. 259 adults (148 M, aged 40-88) acce…

Alendronate 70 mg on patients affected with thalassemia major: An observational study

Rhinitis as a risk factor for depressive mood in pre-adolescents: a new approach to this relationship

Background Respiratory allergic symptoms impact on social life and school activities, influencing the patient's mood states. We evaluated the relationships between allergic respiratory diseases and depressive/anxious mood in a large sample of Italian middle school students, using the partial directed acyclic graph (P-DAG). Methods We studied 1283 subjects aged 10–13. A health respiratory questionnaire including questions relevant to socioeconomic status (HCI) and a test for depression and anxiety were administered. All subjects performed spirometry and skin prick tests. Results A causal role of rhinitis on depression was found: the likelihood of being depressed increased from 11.2 to 17.7%,…

Prevalence and identification of vertebral fractures: Comparison of visual inspection, digital computerized morphometry and visual semiquantitative assessment

The Val432Leu polymorphism of the CYP1B1 gene is associated with differences in estrogen metabolism and bone density.

Polymorphisms of the CYP450 genes that encode for the enzymes that metabolize estrogen are linked to hormone-related cancers. We investigated the impact of two polymorphisms of the CYP1B1 gene previously reported to be associated with hormone-related disorders on estrogen metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD), another hormone-dependent condition, in women from different ethnic backgrounds. Four hundred sixty-eight postmenopausal Caucasian women, 220 from St. Louis, MO, USA (mean age=63.5+/-0.53 years) and 248 from Palermo, Italy (mean age=72.9+/-0.44 years) participated in the study. Measurements of urinary estrogen metabolites by enzyme-linked immunoassay, serum estradiol by ultrasensi…

The Burden of Rhinitis and Rhinoconjunctivitis in Adolescents

Purpose Rhinitis and conjunctivitis are common diseases worldwide that are frequently associated. Nevertheless, the risk factors for rhinoconjunctivitis are not well-described and the impact of conjunctivitis on rhinitis and asthma in children remains unknown. This study explored the different risk factors and evaluated the burden of rhinoconjunctivitis among adolescents. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a random sample of schoolchildren, aged 10-17 years, using skin prick tests and a self-administered questionnaire on respiratory health investigating the impact of rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis on daily activities. Results A complete evaluation was obtained for 2,150…

Body composition of individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the principle forms of hyperandrogenism that affects women of reproductive age. Few studies have evaluated the body composition of patients with PCOS being based mainly on an evaluation of the quantity and distribution of the fat mass. Objectives: to evaluate the body composition of patients affected by PCOS and to establish the hormonal factors that determine possible differences in body composition compared with healthy women. Methods: 110 Caucasian women affected by clinical hyperandrogenism and/or irregular menstrual periods were included in the study; the control group was made up of 90 healthy Caucasian women, of reproductive age, without hyp…

Low serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in adults affected by thalassemia major or intermedia

Adult thalassemic patients have reduced bone mass due to disturbances in several different mechanisms affecting bone turnover. To determine if vitamin D deficiency contributes to the low bone mass of adult thalassemic subjects, we studied serum 25-OH-vitamin D levels in 90 patients (age ranging between 21 and 48 years) affected with thalassemia major (TM) and 35 (age 21-56 years) with thalassemia intermedia (TI). TM patients had been receiving regular transfusions from the age of 2 years and had increased serum ferritin, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic piruvic transaminase as well as low bone density (L1-L4 Z score -2.07 +/- 0.2). TI patients did not receive transfusions, but the…

The malnutrition in the elderly: A clinical approach

Role of OPG-RANK-RANKL pathway in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up of metastatic bone disease.

The Val432Leu polymorphism of the CYP1B1 gene is associated with differences in estrogen metabolism and bone density.

Polymorphisms of the CYP450 genes that encode for the enzymes that metabolize estrogen are linked to hormone-related cancers. We investigated the impact of two polymorphisms of the CYP1B1 gene previously reported to be associated with hormone-related disorders on estrogen metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD), another hormone-dependent condition, in women from different ethnic backgrounds. Four hundred sixty-eight postmenopausal Caucasian women, 220 from St. Louis, MO, USA (mean age=63.5±0.53 years) and 248 from Palermo, Italy (mean age=72.9±0.44 years) participated in the study. Measurements of urinary estrogen metabolites by enzyme-linked immunoassay, serum estradiol by ultrasensitive…

Lung Function Decline in Adult Asthmatics—A 10-Year Follow-Up Retrospective and Prospective Study

Asthma may have an impact on lung function decline but conflicting results are reported in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decline. We aimed to describe the changes in FEV1 in lifelong non-smoking adult asthmatic outpatients during a 10-year follow-up comparing years 1–5 (1st period) with years 6–10 (2nd period) to assess factors affecting these changes. A total of 100 outpatients performed spirometry every 3 months during a 10-year survey. FEV1/Ht3 slope values of the 2nd period reduced significantly respect to the 1st period (p 1 slopes of years 1–5 and 6–10 were inversely associated with FEV1 at enrolment (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively). Reversibility and variability FEV…

Correlation between deficiency of 25 (OH) vitamin D, bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover in sicialian postmenopausal womens

Relationship between Multimorbidity and Quality of Life in a Primary Care Setting: The Mediating Role of Dyspnea

Multimorbidity is known to impair Quality of Life (QoL) in patients in a primary setting. Poor QoL is associated with higher dyspnea perception. How multimorbidity and dyspnea perception are related to QoL needs clarification. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the mediating role of dyspnea perception in the relationship between multimorbidity and QoL in adults with and without airflow obstruction in a primary care setting. Seventeen general practitioners participated in the study: a total of 912 adult patients attending the practitioner’s surgery for a generic consultation completed a preliminary respiratory screening; 566 of them answered a respiratory questionnaire between…

Role of osteoprotegerin in the pathogenesis of thalassemia induced osteoporosis

Indoor air quality in schools of a highly polluted south Mediterranean area

This study aimed at surveying lower secondary schools in southern Italy, in a highly polluted area. A community close to an industrial area and three villages in rural areas was investigated. Indoor temperature, relative humidity (RH), gaseous pollutants (CO 2 and NO 2 ), selected biological pollutants in indoor dust, and the indoor/outdoor mass concentration and elemental composition of PM 2.5 were ascertained. Temperature and RH were within, or close to, the comfort range, while CO 2 frequently exceeded the threshold of 1000 ppm, indicating inadequate air exchange rate. In all the classrooms, median NO 2 levels were above the WHO threshold value. Dermatophagoides p. allergen concentration…

A cross-sectional study assessing the relationship between BMI, asthma, atopy, and eNO among schoolchildren

Increased body weight may influence airway inflammatory mechanisms.To assess whether overweight-obesity (OW-O), evaluated as increased body mass index, is associated either with exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), a marker of airway inflammation, or with allergic sensitization in a large sample of children and adolescents.A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was performed on a population sample of schoolchildren evaluating 708 subjects (age 10-16 years; BMI 13-39 kg/m(2)) by respiratory health questionnaire, skin prick tests, spirometry, and eNO measure.Prevalence rates were: OW-O 16.4%, asthma ever (A) 11.9%, and rhinoconjunctivitis (RC) 14.8%. Asthma ever and allergic sensitization were signi…

Relationship between domestic smoking and metals and rare earth elements concentration in indoor PM2.5

Cigarette smoke is the main source of indoor chemical and toxic elements. Cadmium (Cd), Thallium (Tl), Lead (Pb) and Antimony (Sb) are important contributors to smoke-related health risks. Data on the association between Rare Earth Elements (REE) Cerium (Ce) and Lanthanum (La) and domestic smoking are scanty. To evaluate the relationship between cigarette smoke, indoor levels of PM2.5 and heavy metals, 73 children were investigated by parental questionnaire and skin prick tests. The houses of residence of 41 "cases" and 32 "controls" (children with and without respiratory symptoms, respectively) were evaluated by 48-hours PM2.5 indoor/outdoor monitoring. PM2.5 mass concentration was determi…

Fat distribution in idiopathic hyperandrogenism.

Estrogen metabolism modulates bone density in men.

Estrogen is a critical hormone for bone homeostasis in men, but no information is available on the role of estrogen metabolism among men. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of estrogen hydroxylation on male bone mineral density (BMD). Participants consisted of 61 healthy Caucasian males (mean age 66.6 +/- 1.0 years). Urinary estrogen metabolites were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum estradiol by ultrasensitive radioimmunoassay, sex hormone binding globulin by radioimmunoassay, and BMD of the lumbar spine and the proximal femur by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Active estrogen metabolites, 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alphaOHE(1)) and estriol (E(3)), positiv…

An elevated body mass index increases lung volume but reduces airflow in italian schoolchildren

Background Asthma and obesity are important and growing health issues worldwide. Obesity is considered a risk factor for asthma, due to the induction of changes in airway mechanics and altered airway inflammation. Methods We cross-sectionally investigated the effect of increased weight on pulmonary function in a large population sample of healthy children, aged 10–17 yrs living in Palermo, Italy. Explanatory effect of weight on lung function variables were evaluated by multiple linear regression models, taking into account height, gender, and age-class. Results Among the 2,393 subjects, FVC and FEV1 were positively correlated to weight. Multiple regression models showed that the weight beta…