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PubMed2006

The effect of environment and task on gait parameters after stroke: A randomized comparison of measurement conditions.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of environment and a secondary task on gait parameters in community ambulant stroke survivors and to assess the contribution of clinical symptoms to gait performance. DESIGN: A 2x3 randomized factorial design with 2 main factors: task (no task, motor task, cognitive task) and environment (clinic, suburban street, shopping mall). SETTING: Subjects were assessed in 1 of 3 settings: 2 in the community (a suburban street and shopping mall) and 1 clinical environment. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven people with stroke (mean age, 61+/-11.6y; mean time since stroke onset, 45.8+/-34.2mo), living at home, were recruited from community stroke groups and from a local rehabilitation unit. Selection criteria included the following: ability to give informed consent, unilateral first ever or recurrent stroke at least 6 months previously, walking independently in the community, a gait speed between 24 and 50 m/min, Mini-Mental State Examination score of 24 or higher, and no severe comorbidity. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gait speed (in m/min), cadence, and step length were assessed by using an accelerometer with adjustable thresholds. Clinical measures hypothesized to influence gait parameters in community environments were also assessed including fatigue, anxiety and depression, and attentional deficit. RESULTS: Twenty-seven people with a mean baseline gait speed of 42.2+/-5.9 m/min were randomly allocated to 1 of 9 conditions in which the setting and distraction were manipulated. Analysis of variance showed a significant main effect for environment (P = .046) but not for task (P = .37). The interaction between task and environment was not significant (P = .73). Adjusting for baseline gait speed, people walked on average 8.8m/min faster in the clinic (95% confidence interval, 0.3-17.3m/min) than in the mall. Scores for fatigue, anxiety and depression, and attentional deficit were higher than normative values but did not influence gait performance. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that people with chronic stroke cope well with the challenges of varied environments and can maintain their gait speed while performing a secondary task. Despite moderate levels of gait impairment, gait automaticity may be restored over time to a functional level.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2006

Urinary biomarkers of 1,3-butadiene in environmental settings using liquid chromatography isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry.

Although, 1,3-butadiene is a known human carcinogen emitted from mobile sources, little is known about traffic-related human exposure to this toxicant. This pilot study was designed to characterize traffic-related environmental exposure to 1,3-butadiene and evaluate its urinary mercapturic acids as biomarkers of exposure in these settings. Personal air samples and multiple urine samples were collected on two separate occasions from three groups of individuals that differed by spatial proximity as well as intensity of traffic: (i) toll collectors, (ii) urban-weekday and (iii) suburban-weekend group. Air samples were analyzed using thermal desorption followed by GC/MS and urine samples were analyzed using isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS) for two mercapturic acids of 1,3-butadiene: monohydroxy-3-butenyl mercapturic acid (MHBMA) and 1,2-dihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid (DHBMA). Exposure differed between groups (p<0.05) with median values of 2.38, 1.62 and 0.88 microg/m(3) for toll collectors, the urban-weekday group and the suburban-weekend group, respectively. A refined ID-LC-MS/MS method enabled detection of MHBMA, previously detected only in occupational settings, with high frequency. MHBMA and DHBMA were detected in 95 and 100% of urine samples at levels (mean+/-S.D.) of 9.7+/-9.5, 6.0+/-4.3 and 6.8+/-2.6 ng/mL for MHBMA and 378+/-196, 258+/-133 and 306+/-242 ng/mL for DHBMA for the three different groups, respectively. Mean biomarker levels were higher among the toll collectors compared to the other two groups, however, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). This study is the first to evaluate 1,3-butadiene biomarkers for subtle differences in environmental exposures. However, additional research will be required to ascertain whether the lack of statistical association observed here is real or attributable to unexpectedly small differences in exposure between groups (<1 microg/m(3)), non-specificity of the biomarker at low exposure, and/or small sample size.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2005

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surface soils from outskirts of Beijing, China.

Surface soils from the outskirts of Beijing were analyzed for 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The distribution map of total PAHs content was obtained as a contour plot. The concentration range of 16 PAHs varied by over two orders of magnitude from 0.016 microg g-1 in rural to 3.884 microg g-1 in suburban soils with the relatively standard deviation of 70.5%, showing large differences in the extent of PAHs pollution at the various sampling sites. It was notable that the concentration of BaP was 0.005-0.270 microg g-1 with a mean of 0.055 microg g-1. In general, the distribution of PAHs centered on the high molecular weight PAHs known to be carcinogenic. The 4-6 ring PAHs represented about 66% in rural samples and 70% in suburban soils of the total PAHs found. There was relatively good relationship among most of the individual PAHs and the compounds of Pyr, BaA, Flu, BbF, BaP, Chr and Ph gave strong correlation (r>0.8) with the sum of PAHs. The selected marked compounds, a principal component analysis (PCA) and special PAHs compound ratios (Ph/An vs Flu/Pyr; summation operator COMB/ summation operator EPA-PAHs) suggest the pyrogenic origins, especially traffic exhausts, are the dominant sources of PAHs in Beijing outskirts soils.

China↗
PubMed2006

Atmospheric deposition of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in coastal areas in Korea.

Atmospheric bulk samples were collected monthly, for one year, from urban, suburban, and rural sites located in the coastal areas of Korea, for the assessment of depositional fluxes and seasonal variations in atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs. Twenty individual PBDE congeners were found in atmospheric samples, and their depositional fluxes varied from 10.1 to 89.0 microg/m2/year. The highest depositional fluxes were found in two urbanized areas, with a strong urban-rural gradient. The relationship between PBDE and particulate depositional fluxes showed significant correlation for all locations, which suggested the association of PBDEs to particulate phase. Deca-BDE (BDE 209) was the predominant congener (>93%) in all deposition samples, which is consistent with a high consumption of deca-BDE for the flame-retardant market in Korea. Seasonal variability was observed in PBDE concentrations for the two urban sites, whereas no seasonal trend was found for either the suburban or the rural location.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2004

Effects of a community-based sex education and reproductive health service program on contraceptive use of unmarried youths in Shanghai.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a youth-friendly intervention in promoting one safe sex behavior-contraception and condom use among unmarried young people aged 15-24 years in Shanghai, China. METHODS: The study was conducted in two towns of a suburban area of Shanghai (one as the intervention and the other as the control), with comparable socio-cultural-economic and demographic characteristics. The intervention intended to build awareness and offer counseling and services related to sexuality and reproduction among unmarried youths, in addition to the routine program activities, which were exclusively provided in the control site. Baseline surveys were conducted in both sites before the implementation of the intervention, and similar surveys were conducted in both sites 20 months after the intervention had been initiated to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention. In total, 1220 unmarried young people from the intervention site and 1007 from the control site, including 1304 out-of-school youths and 923 high school students, were recruited, and about 92% of them were successfully followed up. Four main measures were examined (i.e., ever contraceptive use, current regular contraceptive use, ever condom use, and contraceptive use at onset of sexual intercourse-if it occurred during the course of the intervention). The reasons for nonuse of contraceptives, the status of joint decision on contraception and the first method used were also assessed. Data were analyzed using Logistic regression models with dichotomous measures of contraceptive use and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEEs) with repeated measures. RESULTS: At baseline, there was no statistical difference in contraceptive use between the intervention and control groups. After intervention, the proportions reporting regular contraceptive use and condom use in the intervention group were much higher than that in the control group (p <.001). A group x time interaction effect (p <.0001) was found for regular contraceptive use and ever condom use. Logistic regression analysis with dichotomous measures of contraceptive use and GEEs with repeated measures showed similar results. The regular contraceptive use and ever condom use were correlated with subject's occupation and family economic status, respectively. After adjusting for demographic factors, the subjects from the intervention group were 14.58 (OR) times as likely to use contraceptives at onset of intercourse as those from the control group (95%CI: 8.55-24.87, p <.0001). Similar results were found for both females and males. CONCLUSIONS: A multifaceted intervention program that provided information and skills, as well as counseling and services, appears to have positive influences on contraceptive practice and condom use among unmarried young females and males in suburban Shanghai.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Adolescents' knowledge of and beliefs about herbs and dietary supplements: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore adolescents' knowledge of and beliefs about dietary supplements, including herbs, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. METHODS: Eighteen focus groups with 81 adolescents in Monroe County, New York, explored teens' familiarity with and beliefs about CAM, specifically dietary supplements. We asked about general health beliefs and opinions of OTC medications to provide a framework for understanding how dietary supplements are conceptualized. Groups were conducted with suburban adolescents, urban minority adolescents, adolescents with chronic illness, (asthma, eating disorders, and diabetes), and patients of complementary/alternative practitioners ("CAM practitioners"). Transcripts were analyzed for themes relating to prevention ("staying healthy") and treatment of illness ("getting better"); direct quotations are used to illustrate adolescents' views. RESULTS: Most adolescents are familiar with "herbal medicine," "herbal remedies," or "nutritional supplements," and are able to name specific products or complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) therapies; however, many are unfamiliar with the term "alternative medicine." Adolescents are more familiar with remedies or CAM therapies commonly used by people from their own cultural or ethnic background. Older suburban females and those with chronic illnesses are more familiar with herbs and supplements than other adolescents. Most supplement use is conceptually linked with treating illness rather than with preventive care. CONCLUSIONS: Most adolescents are familiar with culturally based herbal products and nutritional supplements, used for treatment of illnesses, and not for preventive care. Providers and researchers should consider chronic illness status and culture/family tradition, and clarify terms, when asking adolescents about self-care, OTCs, or CAM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Metro status and African-American adolescents' risk for substance use.

The relative prevalence of substance use among African-American high school students living in rural, urban, and suburban areas was examined. Students in rural areas reported equivalent or higher rates of substance use than did students in urban or suburban areas. Attention to substance use prevention among rural African-American students is warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Temporal trends of PCDDs/PCDFs in ambient air in Catalonia (Spain).

This paper reports the results of an assessment of dioxin levels in ambient air in samples collected in the four provinces of Catalonia (Spain) performed by the Environment Department of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia and the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC). The study includes compiled data of more than 133 samples collected in 28 different sites (rural, urban, suburban and industrial) between 1994 and 2002. The levels revealed a variable content of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) depending both on the area and the contamination source. Thus, concentrations from 16 to 954 fg I-TEQ/Nm(3), with a mean value of 180 fg I-TEQ/Nm(3), were determined in industrial areas. The levels found in urban and suburban sites varied from 10 to 357 fg I-TEQ/Nm(3), with a mean value of 80 fg I-TEQ/Nm(3). The lowest concentrations were found in rural areas, ranging from 5 to 125 fg I-TEQ/Nm(3), with a mean value of 42 fg I-TEQ/Nm(3). As part of the project, levels of samples collected in parallel using two different samplers, a total suspended particulate (TSP) sampler and PM10 sampler, were compared. The results of 11 different campaigns indicated that both methods are comparable and no significant differences were determined.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Atmospheric gaseous mercury in Northern Taiwan.

The first attempt to systematically investigate the atmospheric mercury over the territory of Taiwan has been undertaken. Four sampling sites were selected in localities qualified as urban, suburban, industrial-rural and rural ones, within the northern part of Taiwan. The sites were monitored for atmospheric gaseous mercury alternately from September to December 2003 and from April to June 2004, by using a portable automated mercury analyzer Model Gardis-3. The results have shown rather high atmospheric gaseous mercury levels (up to 30 ng/m3 at the urban site, up to 22 ng/m3 at the rural site, up to 24 ng/m3 at the industrial-rural site, and up to 90 ng/m3 at the suburban site) which may indicate the presence of considerably strong point and area mercury sources whose origin still has to be detected more precisely.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

PM10 speciation and determination of air quality target levels. A case study in a highly industrialized area of Spain.

The paper shows how PM speciation studies allow the evaluation of the strategies to be followed to diminish PM pollution in highly industrialized areas with a large number of potential pollution sources. Evolution of levels and speciation of PM10 in the ceramic producing area of Castelló (East Spain) was studied from April 2002 until December 2005. PM10 levels were measured at one rural (Borriana-rural), two suburban (Almassora and Onda) and three urban (Borriana-urban, L'Alcora and Vila-real) sites, all influenced by the ceramics industry. Average PM10 levels varied between 27 and 36 microg/m3 for the study period. Evaluation of 1996-2005 PM data from Onda shows a clear decrease of PM levels since the beginning of 2002. Summer peak levels and winter minima occurred at both rural and suburban sites, whereas urban sites had no clear seasonal trend, with high PM10 episodes being due variously to local, regional, and African dust intrusion events. PM10 chemical analysis at four of the sites showed the dominant constituent to be mineral matter, exceeding by 5-12 microg/m3 the usual ranges of annual mineral loadings in PM10 at comparable Spanish urban or regional background sites with no industrial influence. Given current PM10 loadings, we recommend a lowering target of 3-5 microg/m3 of the annual mean at the urban sites, which should be achievable given available emission abatement techniques.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2000

Increased risk of learning disabilities in low birth weight boys at age 11 years.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined learning disabilities among low birth weight (< or =2500 g) children, and those that have, have focused on very low birth weight children (<1500 g). We tested the hypothesis that low birth weight increases the risk of reading and math disabilities, examined possible sex differences in the effect of low birth weight, and assessed risk across the entire range of low birth weight. METHODS: Low birth weight and normal birth weight children were randomly selected from the 1983-1985 newborn lists of an urban and a suburban hospital in southeast Michigan. Children with neurological impairments were excluded. Children were evaluated at age 6 years and at age 11 years. Of the 823 children in the initial assessment, 717 (87.1%) participated in the second assessment. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised and the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery--Revised were used to identify children with learning disabilities. Learning disabilities were estimated in 574 children with IQs of > or =85. RESULTS: Low birth weight was associated with increased risk for reading and math disability in male children (odds ratio = 3.3 and odds ratio = 6.5, respectively) but not in female children. The increased risk of learning disabilities among male children applied to the entire range of low birth weight and was observed in both the urban and suburban communities. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of low birth weight on learning disabilities appears to be specific to male children. Although this sex-specific effect is consistent with previous findings of a greater vulnerability of male children to pregnancy and birth complications, it remains to be replicated and clarified.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed2002

Surveillance programme on dioxin levels in ambient air sites in Catalonia (Spain).

As part of a survey programme conducted by the Environment Department of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia in collaboration with the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), dioxin concentrations in ambient air were measured in the four provinces of Catalonia (Spain). The study was also performed with the intention of providing data as a basis for future monitoring and evaluation of temporal trends in ambient air. Thus, 91 samples were collected in 25 different sites (rural, urban, suburban and industrial) between 1994 and 2000. The levels revealed a variable content of PCDDs/PCDFs depending both on the area and the contamination source. In particular, industrial areas presented levels ranging from 18 to 954 fg I-TEQ/m3. However, findings in urban and suburban sites varied between 13 and 357 fg I-TEQ/m3. As expected, the lowest levels were found in rural areas with levels between 5 and 125 fg I-TEQ/m3.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2001

Atmospheric and children's blood lead as indicators of vehicular traffic and other emission sources in Mumbai, India.

Average concentration of Pb in atmospheric air particulates in different suburbs of Mumbai was studied for almost a decade and its spatial and temporal profiles are discussed in relation to emission sources. In general the concentration of Pb in all the residential suburban atmosphere is well below the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB, 1994) prescribed limit of 1.5 microg m(-3) barring a few exceptions for some residential/industrial sites, such as those of Thane and Kurla scrap yards. The correlation between blood lead of children and air lead reveals that the blood Pb level in children could increase by 3.6 microg dl(-1) for an incremental rise of 1.0 microg Pb m(-3) of air. The temporal profile of air Pb values indicates a decreasing trend in residential suburbs (Khar: 1984, 0.39 microg m(-3); 1996, 0.17 microg m(-3)) as well as in suburban residential areas with low traffic (Goregaon: 1984, 0.53 microg m(-3); 1996, 0.30 microg m(-3)).

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

Palladium and platinum concentration in soils from the Napoli metropolitan area, Italy: possible effects of catalytic exhausts.

Soils from the Napoli metropolitan area (Italy) were evaluated for Pt and Pd concentrations. One hundred and ninety-five (195) samples were collected from residual soils and non-residual soils from flower-beds in a 120 km(2) area on a 0.5 km grid in the downtown-urbanized area and on 1 km grid in suburban zones. The soils <100 mesh size fraction (150 microm) was analyzed for Pt, Pd and 37 other elements by ICP-ES and ICP-MS after aqua regia digestion. Pt and Pd contents range between <2 and 52 microg/kg and between <10 and 110 microg/kg, respectively. A large number of samples from the metropolitan area were characterized by anomalous values for Pt (>6 microg/kg) and Pd (>17 microg/kg). Non-residual soils from flower-beds are located mainly in the urbanized downtown areas subject to heavy traffic and have higher Pt and Pd contents than residual soils from suburban areas. Geochemical maps show a strong correlation between roads with major traffic flow and high Pt and Pd concentrations. In addition, data from most of the downtown flower-beds fall within the three-way catalytic converters (TWC) field identified by [Ely JC, et al. Environ Sci Technol; 35:3816-3822]. This suggests that emissions of abraded fragments from vehicle exhausts may be the source of the high values and geographic distributions of Pd and especially Pt in urban soils of Napoli. Catalytic converters (Pt/Pd/Rh) have been mandatory for gasoline-powered vehicles in Europe since 1993. Italy permitted the use of non-catalytic motor until January, 2002. This is responsible for the high values for both Pt and Pd in the non-residual soils of the urban areas of Napoli.

Cities↗
PubMed1996

Socioeconomic status and race as risk factors for cockroach allergen exposure and sensitization in children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: The domestic cockroach has been identified as an important source of indoor aeroallergens worldwide in both temperate and tropical climates. Because cockroach populations are highest in crowded urban areas, some have suggested that the increased asthma morbidity and mortality rates in inner cities could be related in part to cockroach allergen exposure. We have examined cockroach allergen exposure in the homes of children with asthma in both urban and suburban locations and have related the rates of exposure and sensitization to socioeconomic, racial, and demographic factors. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to determine the independent contribution of race, socioeconomic status, and place of residence to the risk of cockroach allergen exposure and sensitization in children with asthma. METHODS: Eighty-seven children with moderate to severe allergic asthma, aged 5 to 17 years, participating in a prospective trial of immunotherapy, were evaluated. Extracted dust samples from three home locations were analyzed by using two-site monoclonal immunoassays for major cockroach allergens (Bla g 1 and Bla g 2). A puncture skin test with a mixed cockroach allergen extract was performed in 81 of the 87 subjects. RESULTS: In the 87 homes evaluated, 26% of the bedroom dust samples had detectable levels of cockroach allergen. In homes with detectable bedroom cockroach allergen levels, mean Bla g 1 and Bla g 2 concentrations in urban and suburban homes were similar. Over 80% of children with bedroom Bla g 1 or Bla g 2 of 1 U/gm or greater demonstrated skin sensitivity to cockroach allergen. The rate of cockroach sensitization was directly related to the level of bedroom exposure. African-American race was the only factor that was independently associated with cockroach allergen exposure (p = 0.05). Lower socioeconomic status, age greater than 11 years, cockroach exposure, and African-American race were all independently associated with cockroach allergen sensitization on the basis of stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: African-American race and low socioeconomic status were both independent, significant risk factors for cockroach allergen sensitization in children with atopic asthma. Cockroach allergen is detectable throughout the house, including the critical bedroom environment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Barriers and facilitators of pneumococcal vaccination among the elderly.

Despite the burden of disease caused by pneumococcus, adult immunization rates are modest. To understand barriers in diverse settings, we surveyed patients age > or =66 years at: (1) inner-city health centers; (2) Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinics; (3) rural practices; and (4) suburban practices. Among the 1007 respondents, self-reported pneumococcal vaccination rates were: 85% VA; 62% rural; 66% suburban; and 57% inner-city with substantial variability among practices. Half of the unvaccinated (50%) did not know they needed vaccination. Most vaccinees (90%) thought that their doctor believed they should be vaccinated, compared with 23% of the unvaccinated (P<0.0001). More of the vaccinees (75%) believed that the vaccine "keeps a person from getting pneumonia" than the unvaccinated (54%; P=0.0001). In regression analysis, predictors of vaccination included: belief that doctor recommends vaccine, feeling that vaccination is wise, recommendation by someone in the physician's office, and receipt of influenza vaccine.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Accumulation of metals, trace elements and semi-volatile organic compounds on exterior window surfaces in Baltimore.

Organic films have been found to develop on window surfaces [Diamond et al., Environmental Science and Technology 34 (2000a) 2900]. The film contains organic compounds that are in dynamic equilibrium with the gas-phase in air, and organic and inorganic compounds and elements associated with deposited air particles. In this study, the exterior surfaces of windows were sampled in downtown and suburban Baltimore, Maryland. Higher concentrations of PCBs, PAH, metals and trace elements were found at downtown than a suburban site. PCBs in the films at downtown sites were dominated by penta and hexa homologue groups and PAH signatures resembled that of vehicle emissions. Twenty-six metals and trace elements were separated into two groups according to their enrichment factors (EF). Ag, Hg, Se, Sb and Zn had EF > 100, suggesting anthropogenic sources of these metals in the films; whereas Fe, Ca, Co, Cr and others had EF <10, suggesting a crustal origin. An unusual profile dominated by deca- and nona- PCBs and relatively higher concentrations of Ag, Hg and Zn may be attributable to emissions from a medical waste incinerator. Dry deposition fluxes of selected metals on windows were 1.4-94 times higher on windows with than without films, indicating that the film increases the dry deposition of particles and their associated chemicals. This implies that film development, which is associated with elevated VOC and SOC emissions to urban air, will increase film development that will, in turn, increase the accumulation of other atmospherically deposited constituents such as metals.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2003

Validity of the substance abuse subtle screening inventory-adolescent version (SASSI-A).

The construct and convergent validity of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Instrument-Adolescent (SASSI-A) were examined in a population of suburban youth offenders. The analysis was conducted on archived data of 490 adolescent offenders from a suburban Circuit Court-Juvenile Division. Exploratory factor analysis results best supported a 5-factor solution that accounted for a modest 32.5% of the total variance. This 5-factor solution had a poor goodness of fit with the purported factor structure upon which the formal SASSI-A scoring is based. The relationship between the SASSI-A and variables with known relationships to adolescent substance abuse (i.e., lack of religious involvement, single parent household, learning disability, early onset of use, conduct problems) was examined. Results revealed moderately strong relationships between the SASSI-A and these variables, indicating reasonable convergent validity. It is concluded that the SASSI-A face valid scales have moderate utility for identifying substance dependence within this sample, while the subtle scales do not.

Adolescent↗