Environmental Health Research This is an OPML file. It can be used to export all the MedWorm RSS feeds on this topic into your personal RSS reader (usually you have to save this file to your own computer before clicking on an Import OPML command in your own feed reader to upload the file which will then import all the feeds) or it can be used by webmasters to integrate MedWorm feeds with their own website. This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 35.

Participation in Community Walking Following Stroke: The Influence of Self-Perceived Environmental Barriers.
CONCLUSIONS: Avoidance of features within some, but not all, environmental dimensions was associated with self-reported frequency of community walking following stroke suggesting that some environmental features may limit community walking more than others. PMID: 23329558 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Physical Therapy - January 17, 2013 Category: Physiotherapy Authors: Robinson CA, Matsuda PN, Ciol MA, Shumway-Cook A Tags: Phys Ther Source Type: research

Recent discoveries and applications of Anoxybacillus.
Abstract The Bacillaceae family members are a good source of bacteria for bioprocessing and biotransformation involving whole cells or enzymes. In contrast to Bacillus and Geobacillus, Anoxybacillus is a relatively new genus that was proposed in the year 2000. Because these bacteria are alkali-tolerant thermophiles, they are suitable for many industrial applications. More than a decade after the first report of Anoxybacillus, knowledge accumulated from fundamental and applied studies suggests that this genus can serve as a good alternative in many applications related to starch and lignocellulosic biomasses, enviro...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - January 17, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Goh KM, Kahar UM, Chai YY, Chong CS, Chai KP, Ranjani V, Illias RM, Chan KG Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

POP-contaminated sites from HCH production in Sabiñánigo, Spain.
Abstract In 2009, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (α-HCH, β-HCH, and γ-HCH [lindane]) were listed as persistent organic pollutants (POP) in the Stockholm Convention. Accordingly, the legacy of HCH/lindane production with the associated large HCH waste deposits has become recognized as an issue of global concern and is addressed in the implementation of the Convention. The current paper gives an overview of the major contaminated sites from lindane production of the INQUINOSA Company. This company operated from 1975 to 1988 in the city of Sabiñánigo, Spain. HCH production resulted in the production of appro...
Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International - January 17, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Fernández J, Arjol MA, Cacho C Tags: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Source Type: research

Seasonal dynamics of harmful algae in outer Oslofjorden monitored by microarray, qPCR, and microscopy.
Abstract Monitoring of marine microalgae is important to predict and manage harmful algal blooms. Microarray Detection of Toxic ALgae (MIDTAL) is an FP7-funded EU project aiming to establish a multi-species microarray as a tool to aid monitoring agencies. We tested the suitability of different prototype versions of the MIDTAL microarray for the monthly monitoring of a sampling station in outer Oslofjorden during a 1-year period. Microarray data from two different versions of the MIDTAL chip were compared to results from cell counts (several species) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR; only Pseudochattonella spp.)...
Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International - January 17, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Dittami SM, Hostyeva V, Egge ES, Kegel JU, Eikrem W, Edvardsen B Tags: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Source Type: research

A multi-approach monitoring of particulate matter, metals and PAHs in an urban street canyon.
Abstract For the first time until now, the results from a prediction model (Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling System (ADMS)-Road) of pollutant dispersion in a street canyon were compared to the results obtained from biomonitors. In particular, the instrumental monitoring of particulate matter (PM10) and the biomonitoring of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 11 metals by Quercus ilex leaves and Hypnum cupressiforme moss bags, acting as long- and short-term accumulators, respectively, were carried out. For both PAHs and metals, similar bioaccumulation trends were observed, with higher concentrations in bi...
Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International - January 17, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: De Nicola F, Murena F, Costagliola MA, Alfani A, Baldantoni D, Prati MV, Sessa L, Spagnuolo V, Giordano S Tags: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Source Type: research

A list of fish species that are potentially exposed to pesticides in edge-of-field water bodies in the European Union-a first step towards identifying vulnerable representatives for risk assessment.
This study listed European fish species that are susceptible to pesticide exposure in the field and thus achieved the first step towards identifying focal species for the risk assessment of pesticides for fish in Europe. A step-wise filtering approach was applied to list freshwater fish species that are native to Europe and widespread in the European Union, which inhabit streams, ditches or ponds in agricultural landscapes and therefore, are at an elevated risk of being exposed to pesticides. Out of the 579 fish species occurring in European freshwater, 27 species met the filtering criteria. The resulting list was verified...
Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International - January 17, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Ibrahim L, Preuss TG, Ratte HT, Hommen U Tags: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Source Type: research

Humic acids as proxies for assessing different Mediterranean forest soils signatures using solid-state CPMAS (13)C NMR spectroscopy.
The objectives included the investigation of the impact of different forest properties on HA composition, assessing how the structural characteristics of the HA vary with soil depth, and evaluating the role of HA as surrogates for mapping the different forest soils signatures using structural data derived from (13)C NMR spectroscopy. On average, alkyl C is the dominant C constituent (38-48% of the total NMR peak area) in all HA samples, followed by aromatic (12-22%) and O-alkyl C (12-19%), and finally carboxyl C (7.0-10%). The NMR data also indicated that HA composition is likely to be differently affected by the soil phys...
Source: Chemosphere - January 17, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Duarte RM, Fernández-Getino AP, Duarte AC Tags: Chemosphere Source Type: research

Polychlorinated biphenyls in serum, liver and adipose tissue of subjects with hepatocellular carcinoma living in a highly polluted area.
This study confirms that serum lipid-adjusted PCBs concentration is a valid measure of PCBs body storage and is highly correlated with PCBs concentration detected in other biological samples. PMID: 23332876 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Chemosphere - January 17, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Zani C, Gelatti U, Donato F, Capelli M, Portolani N, Bergonzi R, Apostoli P Tags: Chemosphere Source Type: research

Comparative toxicity of two glyphosate-based formulations to Eisenia andrei under laboratory conditions.
This study was conducted to evaluate the comparative toxicity of two glyphosate-based products: Roundup FG (monoammonium salt, 72% acid equivalent, glyphosate-A) and Mon 8750 (monoammonium salt, 85.4% acid equivalent, glyphosate-B), towards the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Median lethal concentration (LC(50)) showed that glyphosate-A was 4.5-fold more toxic than glyphosate-B. Sublethal concentrations caused a concentration-dependent weight loss, consistent with the reported effect of glyphosate as uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. Glyphosate-A showed deleterious effects on DNA and lysosomal damage at concentrations clos...
Source: Chemosphere - January 17, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Piola L, Fuchs J, Oneto ML, Basack S, Kesten E, Casabé N Tags: Chemosphere Source Type: research

Hypothermal and hyperthermal acclimation differentially modulate cadmium accumulation and toxicity in the zebrafish.
This study shows that the temperature dependence of cadmium toxicity results from the combination of altered cadmium accumulation and sensitivity. Inclusion of the temperature effect in the calculation of environmental quality standards may have to be considered to ensure that more sensitive species are also protected at suboptimal temperatures. PMID: 23332880 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Chemosphere - January 17, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Vergauwen L, Knapen D, Hagenaars A, Blust R Tags: Chemosphere Source Type: research

Probing non-specific interactions of Ca(2+)-calmodulin in E. coli lysate.
Abstract The biological environment in which a protein performs its function is a crowded milieu containing millions of molecules that can potentially lead to a great many transient, non-specific interactions. NMR spectroscopy is especially well suited to study these weak molecular contacts. Here, non-specific interactions between the Ca(2+)-bound form of calmodulin (CaM) and non-cognate proteins in Escherichia coli lysate are explored using Ile, Leu, Val and Met methyl probes. Changes in CaM methyl chemical shifts as a function of added E. coli lysate are measured to determine a minimum 'average' dissociation cons...
Source: Journal of Bimolecular NMR - January 17, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Latham MP, Kay LE Tags: J Biomol NMR Source Type: research

Correlations Between FAS Elongation Cycle Genes Expression and Fatty Acid Production for Improvement of Long-Chain Fatty Acids in Escherichia coli.
We report the generation of recombinant E. coli strains that produced long-chain fatty acids to amounts twofold over wild type. To verify the results, NAD(+)/NADH ratios and glucose analyses were performed. We also confirmed that FabZ plays an important role in producing unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) as E. coli SGJS25 (overexpressing the fabZ gene) produced the highest percentage of UFAs (35 % of total long-chain fatty acids), over wild type and other recombinants. Indeed, cis-9-hexadecenoic acid, a major UFA in E. coli SGJS25, was produced at levels 20-fold higher than in wild type after 20 h in culture. The biochemica...
Source: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - January 17, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Lee S, Jung Y, Lee S, Lee J Tags: Appl Biochem Biotechnol Source Type: research

Position-specific isotope analysis of the methyl group carbon in methylcobalamin for the investigation of biomethylation processes.
Abstract In the environment, the methylation of metal(loid)s is a widespread phenomenon, which enhances both biomobility as well as mostly the toxicity of the precursory metal(loid)s. Different reaction mechanisms have been proposed for arsenic, but not really proven yet. Here, carbon isotope analysis can foster our understanding of these processes, as the extent of the isotopic fractionation allows to differentiate between different types of reaction, such as concerted (S(N)2) or stepwise nucleophilic substitution (S(N)1) as well as to determine the origin of the methyl group. However, for the determination of the...
Source: Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry - January 17, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Wuerfel O, Greule M, Keppler F, Jochmann MA, Schmidt TC Tags: Anal Bioanal Chem Source Type: research

Identifying sources of phthalate exposure with human biomonitoring: Results of a 48h fasting study with urine collection and personal activity patterns.
Abstract Human biomonitoring studies measuring phthalate metabolites in urine have shown widespread exposure to phthalates in the general population. Diet is thought to be a principle route of exposure to many phthalates. Therefore, we studied urinary phthalate metabolite patterns over a period of strict fasting and additionally recorded personal activity patterns with a diary to investigate non-dietary routes of exposure. Five individuals (3 female, 2 male, 27-47 years of age) fasted on glass-bottled water only over a 48-h period. All urine void events were captured in full, and measured for metabolites of the hig...
Source: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental health - January 17, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Koch HM, Lorber M, Christensen KL, Pälmke C, Koslitz S, Brüning T Tags: Int J Hyg Environ Health Source Type: research

RNAi pathways contribute to developmental history-dependent phenotypic plasticity in C. elegans.
Abstract Early environmental experiences profoundly influence adult phenotypes through complex mechanisms that are poorly understood. We previously showed that adult Caenorhabditis elegans that transiently passed through the stress-induced dauer larval stage (post-dauer adults) exhibit significant changes in gene expression profiles, chromatin states, and life history traits when compared with adults that bypassed the dauer stage (control adults). These wild-type, isogenic animals of equivalent developmental stages exhibit different signatures of molecular marks that reflect their distinct developmental trajectorie...
Source: RNA - January 17, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Hall SE, Chirn GW, Lau NC, Sengupta P Tags: RNA Source Type: research

Assessment of the effect of occupational exposure to formaldehyde on the risk of lung cancer in two Canadian population-based case-control studies.
CONCLUSIONS: No marked increases in lung cancer risk related to workplace formaldehyde exposure were observed. Study participants were mainly exposed at low concentration levels, which should be considered in the interpretation of our findings. PMID: 23329145 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Mahboubi A, Koushik A, Siemiatycki J, Lavoué J, Rousseau MC Tags: Scand J Work Environ Health Source Type: research

Epigenetics of sex determination and gonadogenesis
Abstract Epigenetics is commonly defined as the study of heritable changes in gene function that cannot be explained by changes in DNA sequence.The three major epigenetic mechanisms for gene expression regulation include DNA methylation, histone modifications and non‐coding RNAs.Epigenetic mechanisms provide organisms with the ability to integrate genomic and environmental information to modify the activity of their genes for generating a particular phenotype. During development, cells differentiate, acquire and maintain identity through changes in gene expression. This is crucial for sex determination and differentiatio...
Source: Developmental Dynamics - January 17, 2013 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Francesc Piferrer Tags: Reviews Source Type: research

The corneal epithelium and lens develop independently from a common pool of precursors
Conclusion: The corneal epithelium and lens share a common pool of precursors. The adoption of the CE fate might be dependent on the loss of a lens placode favoring environment. The corneal fate is definitively stabilized by the migration of Gremlin expressing neural crest cells in the lens peripheral ectoderm.
Source: Developmental Dynamics - January 17, 2013 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Elodie Collomb, Ying Yang, Sarah Foriel, Sébastien Cadau, David J. Pearton, Danielle Dhouailly Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

ABSORB-7 and ABSORB-GUI for single-crystal absorption corrections
ABSORB is a program to calculate and apply absorption corrections to single-crystal X-ray intensity data from any source, any detector type and any instrument configuration. A new version, ABSORB-7, contains several significant new features. ABSORB-GUI has been developed to allow much easier specification of standard experiments and to enable experimental information to be imported from diffractometer software. The program that calculates the absorption calculations has been reconfigured to allow it to be called directly from other commercial and non-commercial software packages. In addition, a number of new features have ...
Source: Journal of Applied Crystallography - January 17, 2013 Category: Physics Authors: Angel, R.Gonzalez-Platas, J. Tags: absorption correction single-crystal diffraction environmental cells diamond-anvil cells computer programs Source Type: research

Resonant X-ray scattering studies of epitaxial complex oxide thin films
Resonant anomalous X-ray reflectivity (RAXR) is a powerful technique for measuring element-specific distribution profiles across surfaces and buried interfaces. Here, the RAXR technique is applied to characterize a complex oxide heterostructure, La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ, on NdGaO3, and the effects of data sampling and model-dependent fitting procedures on the extracted elemental distribution profile are evaluated. The strontium profile through a 3.5 nm-thick film at 973 K and at an oxygen partial pressure of 150 Torr (1 Torr = 133.32 Pa) was determined from the measured RAXR spectra. The results demonstrate t...
Source: Journal of Applied Crystallography - January 17, 2013 Category: Physics Authors: Perret, E.Park, C.Fong, D.D.Chang, K.-C.Ingram, B.J.Eastman, J.A.Baldo, P.M.Fuoss, P.H. Tags: resonant anomalous X-ray reflectivity complex oxides thin films elemental distribution profiles characterization of buried interfaces research papers Source Type: research

Experimental and genetic analyses reveal that inbreeding depression declines with increased self‐fertilization among populations of a coastal dune plant
Abstract Theory predicts that inbreeding depression (ID) should decline via purging in self‐fertilizing populations. Yet, intraspecific comparisons between selfing and outcrossing populations are few and provide only mixed support for this key evolutionary process. We estimated ID for large‐flowered (LF), predominantly outcrossing vs. small‐flowered (SF), predominantly selfing populations of the dune endemic Camissoniopsis cheiranthifolia by comparing selfed and crossed progeny in glasshouse environments differing in soil moisture, and by comparing allozyme‐based estimates of the proportion of seeds selfed and inbr...
Source: Journal of Evolutionary Biology - January 17, 2013 Category: Biology Authors: S. Dart, C. G. Eckert Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Independent sources of condition dependency and multiple pathways determine a composite trait: lessons from carotenoid‐based plumage colouration
Abstract Many colour ornaments are composite traits consisting of at least four components, which themselves may be more complex, determined by independent evolutionary pathways, and potentially being under different environmental control. To date, little evidence exists that several different components of colour elaboration are condition dependent and no direct evidence exists that different ornamental components are affected by different sources of variation. For example, in carotenoid‐based plumage colouration, one of the best‐known condition‐dependent ornaments, colour elaboration stems from both condition‐dep...
Source: Journal of Evolutionary Biology - January 17, 2013 Category: Biology Authors: C. Romero‐Diaz, H. Richner, F. Granado‐Lorencio, B. Tschirren, P. S. Fitze Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Invasive house mice facing a changing environment on the Sub‐Antarctic Guillou Island (Kerguelen Archipelago)
Abstract Adaptation to new environments is a key feature in evolution promoting divergence in morphological structures under selection. The house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) introduced on the Sub‐Antarctic Guillou Island (Kerguelen Archipelago) had and still has to face environmental conditions that likely shaped the pattern and pace of its insular evolution. Since mouse arrival on the island, probably not more than two centuries ago, ecological conditions dramatically differed from those available to their Western European commensal source populations. In addition, over the last two decades, the plant and animal com...
Source: Journal of Evolutionary Biology - January 17, 2013 Category: Biology Authors: S. Renaud, E. A. Hardouin, B. Pisanu, J.‐L. Chapuis Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Durable Resistance to Crop Pathogens: An Epidemiological Framework to Predict Risk under Uncertainty
by Giovanni Lo Iacono, Frank van den Bosch, Chris A. Gilligan Increasing the durability of crop resistance to plant pathogens is one of the key goals of virulence management. Despite the recognition of the importance of demographic and environmental stochasticity on the dynamics of an epidemic, their effects on the evolution of the pathogen and durability of resistance has not received attention. We formulated a stochastic epidemiological model, based on the Kramer-Moyal expansion of the Master Equation, to investigate how random fluctuations affect the dynamics of an epidemic and how these effects feed through to the...
Source: PLoS Computational Biology - January 17, 2013 Category: Biology Authors: Giovanni Lo Iacono et al. Source Type: research

An Integrative Model of Ion Regulation in Yeast
In this study, we have constructed an integrated mathematical model of ion regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to understand this coordinated adaptation process. Using this model, we first predict that the interaction between phosphorylated Hog1p and Tok1p at the plasma membrane inhibits Tok1p activity and consequently reduces Na+ influx under NaCl stress. We further characterize the impacts of NaCl, sorbitol, KCl and alkaline pH stresses on the cellular physiology and the differences between the cellular responses to these stresses. We predict that the calcineurin pathway is essential for maintaining a non-toxic level ...
Source: PLoS Computational Biology - January 17, 2013 Category: Biology Authors: Ruian Ke et al. Source Type: research

The Effects of City Streets on an Urban Disease Vector
by Corentin M. Barbu, Andrew Hong, Jennifer M. Manne, Dylan S. Small, Javier E. Quintanilla Calder??n, Karthik Sethuraman, V??ctor Quispe-Machaca, Jenny Ancca-Ju??rez, Juan G. Cornejo del Carpio, Fernando S. M??laga Chavez, C??sar N??quira, Michael Z. Levy With increasing urbanization vector-borne diseases are quickly developing in cities, and urban control strategies are needed. If streets are shown to be barriers to disease vectors, city blocks could be used as a convenient and relevant spatial unit of study and control. Unfortunately, existing spatial analysis tools do not allow for assessment of the impact of an u...
Source: PLoS Computational Biology - January 17, 2013 Category: Biology Authors: Corentin M. Barbu et al. Source Type: research

All Together Now
Environmental drivers, such as extreme weather events, impact population dynamics and can synchronize such dynamics across populations within a species. Given that many species depend on similar resources, such events … [Read more]
Source: This Week in Science - January 17, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Stewart Wills (mailto:swills at aaas.org) Source Type: research

Transcriptional profiling of the Arabidopsis abscission mutant hae hsl2 by RNA-Seq
Conclusion: HAE HSL2-dependent and HAE HSL2-independent changes in genes expression are required for abscission. HAE and HSL2 affect the expression of cell wall modifying and defense related genes necessary for abscission. The HAE HSL2-independent genes also appear to have roles in abscission and additionally are involved in processes such as hormonal signaling, senescence and callose deposition.
Source: BMC Genomics - Latest articles - January 17, 2013 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Chad NiederhuthO PatharkarJohn Walker Source Type: research

Evidence-based design: medical and design researcher collaboration
Healthcare facilities are the most complex and mutable of all building types, and enhanced collaboration between medical professionals and designers in facility research is needed. Architects have long been aware of this need and sought information from medical staff. Recently, they have supplemented this information by utilising data from research addressing the impact of the physical environment. The number of studies in this new field, however, is limited due in part to the lack of champions working within healthcare environments to facilitate and participate in the activities of design researchers. The process of using...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Shepley, M. M., Watson, A. Tags: Patients, Nursing Perspective Source Type: research

Occupational allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and bronchial asthma induced by goat cheese
Occupational asthma represents 25% of cases of occupational lung disease and 5–10% of cases of asthma in adults.1 A 49-year-old woman developed rhinoconjunctivitis and bronchial asthma related with the production of goat cheese, in a cheese factory. She was in charge of the cheese production process three days a week, and she had episodes of coughing, sneezing, rhinorrea, watery eyes, wheezing and dyspnoea, for 2 years. Symptoms decreased during the cheeses packing process and disappeared during holidays and weekends, suggesting an occupational exposure. She tolerated eating goat cheese. The patient had a normal...
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Sastre, I., Rodriguez-Perez, R., Garcia, F., Juste, S., Moneo, I., Caballero, M. L. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research

Random effects regression models for trends in standardised mortality ratios
Conclusions The proposed random effects model can reduce potential bias arising in the comparisons of SMRs.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Richardson, D. B., Cole, S. R., Chu, H. Tags: Methodology Source Type: research

The burden of disease related to indoor air in the Netherlands: do different methods lead to different results?
Conclusions Indoor air exposure is associated with a considerable BoD in The Netherlands; approximately 1500 healthy life years per 1 million inhabitants are lost due to 1 year of exposure. The results from the different BoD studies examined here are difficult to compare—even the relative order of most important pollutants depends on choices and assumptions in the assessment. A careful evaluation of BoD estimates is required before they can be used in policy making.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Schram-Bijkerk, D., van Kempen, E. E. M. M., Knol, A. B. Tags: Air pollution, air quality, Other exposures Methodology Source Type: research

Household solid fuel use and pulmonary function in an urban population in Shanghai, China
Conclusions This study suggests that in-home solid fuel exposure is associated with reduced lung function in an urban population.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Lee, M.-S., Hang, J.-q., Zhang, F.-y., Zheng, B.-y., Su, L., Zhao, Y., Dai, H.-l., Zhang, H.-x., Christiani, D. C. Tags: Environment Source Type: research

Occupational solvent exposure during pregnancy and child behaviour at age 2
Conclusions The dose–response effect and the high prevalence of children potentially exposed to solvents from their mother's workplace exposure underline the public health relevance of this result. Our results should be replicated in further studies designed to identify which solvents are most deleterious and to assess child behaviour at school age.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Pele, F., Muckle, G., Costet, N., Garlantezec, R., Monfort, C., Multigner, L., Rouget, F., Cordier, S. Tags: Other exposures Environment Source Type: research

Adverse effects of low occupational cadmium exposure on renal and oxidative stress biomarkers in solderers
Conclusions While there is still some debate as whether the Cd-induced tubular effects are reversible or not, IAP and SOD appear as sensitive and potentially useful early biomarkers for the health surveillance of workers exposed to low levels of Cd.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Hambach, R., Lison, D., D'Haese, P., Weyler, J., Francois, G., De Schryver, A., Manuel-Y-Keenoy, B., Van Soom, U., Caeyers, T., van Sprundel, M. Tags: Workplace Source Type: research

Pattern and predictors for respiratory illnesses and symptoms and lung function among textile workers in Karachi, Pakistan
Conclusions This study highlights the burden of respiratory illnesses and symptoms, and a low prevalence of asthma among textile workers in Karachi. Work in the spinning section, lack of education, prolonged duration of work and Sindhi ethnicity, were identified as important risk factors.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Nafees, A. A., Fatmi, Z., Kadir, M. M., Sathiakumar, N. Tags: Respiratory Workplace Source Type: research

Lymphoma risk and occupational exposure to pesticides: results of the Epilymph study
Conclusions Our results provide limited support to the hypothesis of an increase in risk of specific lymphoma subtypes associated with exposure to pesticides.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Cocco, P., Satta, G., Dubois, S., Pili, C., Pilleri, M., Zucca, M., 't Mannetje, A. M., Becker, N., Benavente, Y., de Sanjose, S., Foretova, L., Staines, A., Maynadie, M., Nieters, A., Brennan, P., Miligi, L., Ennas, M. G., Boffetta, P. Tags: Workplace Source Type: research

Occupational physical activity, metabolic syndrome and risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease in the HUNT 2 cohort study
Conclusions The association between metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular mortality is stronger for persons with sedentary work and with physically heavy work than for persons with much walking/lifting at work.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Moe, B., Mork, P. J., Holtermann, A., Nilsen, T. I. L. Tags: Workplace Source Type: research

Risk of lung cancer associated with six types of chlorinated solvents: results from two case-control studies in Montreal, Canada
Conclusions There were suggestive, albeit inconsistent, indications that exposure to perchloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride may increase the risk of lung cancer. Results for other solvents were compatible with absence of risk.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Vizcaya, D., Christensen, K. Y., Lavoue, J., Siemiatycki, J. Tags: Workplace Source Type: research

The Upper Midwest Health Study: gliomas and occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents
Conclusions We observed no associations of glioma risk and chlorinated solvent exposure. Large pooled studies are needed to explore the interaction of genetic pathways and environmental and occupational exposures in glioma aetiology.
Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Ruder, A. M., Yiin, J. H., Waters, M. A., Carreon, T., Hein, M. J., Butler, M. A., Calvert, G. M., Davis-King, K. E., Schulte, P. A., Mandel, J. S., Morton, R. F., Reding, D. J., Rosenman, K. D., Stewart, P. A., the Brain Cancer Collaborative Study Group Tags: Editor's choice, Other exposures Workplace Source Type: research

Comparing the accuracy of two secondary food environment data sources in the UK across socio-economic and urban/rural divides
Conclusions: Results suggest POI is a viable alternative to council data, particularly in terms of PPVs, which remain robust across urban/rural and SES divides. Most variation in completeness was by outlet type; lowest levels were for Convenience Stores, which are commonly cited as 'obesogenic'.
Source: International Journal of Health Geographics - January 17, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Thomas BurgoineFlo Harrison Source Type: research

Thermostability of seven hepatitis C virus genotypes in vitro and in vivo
SummaryHepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted primarily through percutaneous exposure to contaminated blood especially in healthcare settings and among people who inject drugs. The environmental stability of HCV has been extrapolated from studies with the bovine viral diarrhoea virus or was so far only addressed with HCV genotype 2a viruses. The aim of this study was to compare the environmental and thermostability of all so far known seven HCV genotypes in vitro and in vivo. Incubation experiments at room temperature revealed that all HCV genotypes showed similar environmental stabilities in suspension with viral infectiv...
Source: Journal of Viral Hepatitis - January 17, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: J. Doerrbecker, P. Meuleman, J. Kang, N. Riebesehl, C. Wilhelm, M. Friesland, S. Pfaender, J. Steinmann, T. Pietschmann, E. Steinmann Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Convenience stores are the key food environment influence on nutrients available from household food supplies in Texas Border Colonias
Conclusions: Although household members frequently purchased food items from supermarkets or dollar stores, it was spatial access to and frequent utilization of convenience food stores that influenced the amount of nutrients present in Texas border colonia households. These findings also suggest that households which participate in NSLP have reduced AE-adjusted nutrients available in the home. The next step will target changes within convenience stores to improve in-store marketing of foods and beverages to children and adults.
Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles - January 17, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Joseph SharkeyWesley DeanCourtney NaltyJin Xu Source Type: research

Psychosocial work environment factors and weight change: a prospective study among Danish health care workers
Conclusion: This study of a single occupational group suggested a few new risk factors for weight change outside the traditional work stress models.
Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles - January 17, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Helle Gram QuistUlla ChristensenKarl ChristensenBirgit AustVilhelm BorgJakob Bjorner Source Type: research

Ali Haggett, Desperate Housewives: Neuroses and the Domestic Environment, 1945-1970
Source: Social History of Medicine - January 17, 2013 Category: History of Medicine Authors: Spencer, S. Tags: Book Reviews Source Type: research

Segmental copy number loss in the region of Semaphorin 4D gene in patients with acetabular dysplasia
Abstract Acetabular dysplasia (AD) appears to be a multi‐factorial disease, which may involve both genetic and environmental factors and whose pathogenesis remains obscure. The present study aims to identify a genetic variation that might confer risk of AD. We performed whole‐genome screening of a copy number variation (CNV) using a deCODE‐Illumina CNV beadchip with 20 female AD patients and 131 control subjects. Subsequently, Agilent's region‐targeted high‐density oligonucleotide tiling microarray was used to analyze 64 female AD patients and 32 female control subjects. By sequential analyses, we found a copy nu...
Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Research - January 17, 2013 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tomohisa Sekimoto, Miho Ishii, Mitsuru Emi, Syuji Kurogi, Taro Funamoto, Hiroaki Hamada, Etsuo Chosa Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Specific and sensitive detection of Alcaligenes species from an agricultural environment
Abstract We developed a quantitative real‐time PCR assay to specificity detect and quantify the genus Alcaligenes in samples from the agricultural environment, such as vegetables and farming soils. The minimum detection sensitivity was 106 fg of pure culture DNA, corresponding to DNA extracted from two cells of A. faecalis. To evaluate the detection limit of A. faecalis, serially diluted genomic DNA from A. faecalis was mixed with DNA extracted from soil and vegetables, and then a standard curve was constructed. These results indicated that Alcaligenes species are present in the plant phytosphere at levels 102–104 time...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - January 17, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Miyo Nakano, Masumi Niwa, Norihiro Nishimura Tags: Note Source Type: research

Effect of glycerol on a diacetone acrylamide-based holographic photopolymer material
The composition of the low-toxicity, environmentally compatible diacetone acrylamide (DA) photopolymer has been modified with the inclusion of different additives. The addition of glycerol to the photopolymer composition is described. Results show that the incorporation of glycerol results in a ...
Source: Applied Optics - January 17, 2013 Category: Physics Authors: Dervil CodyIzabela NaydenovaEmilia Mihaylova Source Type: research

[Review] Epigenetic mechanisms in multiple sclerosis: implications for pathogenesis and treatment
Clinical neurologists and scientists who study multiple sclerosis face open questions regarding the integration of epidemiological data with genome-wide association studies and clinical management of patients. It is becoming evident that the interplay of environmental influences and individual genetic susceptibility modulates disease presentation and therapeutic responsiveness. The molecular mechanisms through which environmental signals are translated into changes in gene expression include DNA methylation, post-translational modification of nucleosomal histones, and non-coding RNAs.
Source: Lancet Neurology - January 16, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Jimmy L Huynh, Patrizia Casaccia Tags: Review Source Type: research

[Editorial] Joining forces to fight neurodegenerative diseases
The end of 2012 brought encouraging news for neurodegenerative diseases research. In December, the European Union (EU) Joint Programme—Neurodegenerative Diseases ( JPND) issued two calls for research proposals, both with deadlines in March, 2013. The two new calls are on genetic, epigenetic, and environmental risk and protective factors and on evaluation of health and social care strategies, highlighting the commitment of JPND to progress across the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases research.
Source: Lancet Neurology - January 16, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: The Lancet Neurology Tags: Editorial Source Type: research