BACKGROUND: Few biological changes due to long-term exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) have been identified. This study examined the relationship between exposure to ETS and serum levels of acute phase proteins among children. METHODS: The concentrations of the third component of complement (C3c), haptoglobin (Hp), alpha 1 acid glycoprotein (alpha 1AG), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) were determined in serum samples obtained from 480 school-children. Exposure to ETS was assessed from responses to questionnaires. RESULTS: Serum levels of C3c, Hp, and alpha 1AG were significantly higher among boys living in households in which there were smokers other than their parents than among boys with no smokers in their family or those in households were only the father smoked. Levels of C3c, Hp, and alpha 1AG in relation to the level of ETS exposure were significantly increased among boys exposed to ETS of 11 or more cigarettes per day. Among girls, increased alpha 1AG levels were associated with exposure to high levels of ETS, but no differences were found in any of the other proteins. Cp levels were not affected by exposure to ETS among either boys or girls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the serum levels of C3c, Hp, and alpha 1AG among schoolchildren may reflect different levels of exposure to ETS. Boys seemed to be more susceptible to ETS exposure than girls.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of radiation scatter during angiographic procedures: evaluation of a phantom model and a modified radiation protection system.

PURPOSE: To study the radiation scattering associated with the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) unit in angiographic procedures and to design an effective radiation protection shield based on these data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The number of scattered photons was measured at three points relative to the operator's position. Anteroposterior abdominal and lateral cranial fluoroscopy were evaluated. As protective devices, a lead curtain, sliding shields, and a brim-shaped image intensifier (II) hood were designed. RESULTS: In abdominal fluoroscopy, radiation was found to scatter to the operator's lower limbs from the underside of the catheter table, to the abdomen from the side of the patient's body, and to the head and neck from the table surface adjacent to the patient. The use of protective devices reduced exposure from 2.89 to 0.058 mR/min for the operator's lower limbs, from 0.987 to 0.069 mR/min for the operator's abdomen, and from 0.696 to 0.139 mR/ min for the operator's head and neck area. With lateral cranial fluoroscopy, radiation was detected to scatter to the operator's lower limbs from the underside of the catheter table, to the abdomen from the patient's temporal area, and to the head and neck from the patient's face. The use of protective devices reduced exposure from 0.248 to 0.010 mR/min for the operator's lower limbs, from 0.129 to 0.010 mR/min for the operator's abdomen, and from 0.162 to 0.018 mR/min for the operator's head and neck area. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristic directions of scattering to the operator were identified. An effective modified radiation protection system was designed based on this information.

Abdomen↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in the relationship between air pollution and asthma among children.

To evaluate the role of adhesion molecules and chemokines in the relationship between air pollution and asthma, the authors determined the following in 230 children who lived in 4 communities in Japan that had different levels of air pollution: serum concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1); soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1); regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES); and total immunoglobulin E (IgE). Children with asthma or who exhibited wheezing (n = 115) and nonasthmatic children (n = 115) were studied. Serum concentrations of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and RANTES were increased significantly in asthmatic children, compared with nonasthmatic children. Nonasthmatic children with serum IgE levels that were greater than or equal to 250 IU/ml had significantly lower concentrations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 than the other children. The geometric means of sICAM-1 increased as air pollution increased. The results of this study suggest that adhesion molecules or chemokines are associated with asthma and that ICAM-1 may play an important role in the relationship between air pollution and the occurrence of asthma.

Air Pollutants↗