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Air pollution and its impact on human health are of growing concern throughout the world. Recent studies have mainly focussed on respiratory and vascular mortality. The existence of seasonality of ozone distribution and also of the occurrence of suicides as well as suicide attempts is generally accepted, though an interconnection of both phenomena has not yet been established. This hypothesis of an influence of ozone on the occurrence of suicidality was tested on preliminary data (1008 suicides and 917 suicide attempts from a larger epidemiological sample in Middle-Franconia from 2004 to 2007). A higher suicide rate than expected could be observed from July to September, whereas the rates of the suicide attempts did not show a seasonality in relation to ozone levels. To further strengthen the hypothesis, ozone levels differed significantly (T = -2.5; p = 0.014) between days where one or no suicide were observed (mean ozone: 79.8 microg/m(3); SD: 36.3) and days with two or more suicides (mean ozone: 86.4 microg/m(3); SD: 39.4). This phenomenon might be explained including sociological, biological as well as psychological effects. Sociologically, behaviour precipitating suicide might be influenced by climatic variables such as the weather or air pollution causing fatigue or cardio-respiratory symptoms influencing individual well-being in general thereby possibly leading to the decision to end one's life. Biologically, ozone is able to influence the immune system, is a strong trigeminal irritant and might influence neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin, which are known to vary with season and play a major role in impulsivity, aggression, depression and thereby suicidality. Putative psychological explanations for the suicide peak in summer include the influence of a higher ambient temperature leading individuals to a more disinhibited, aggressive and violent behaviour possibly resulting in an increased proneness for suicidal acts that is influenced by ozone. This might lead one to speculate whether ozone is able to account - at least amongst others - for the seasonal distribution of suicides or might even be a causative agent in the multifactorial genesis of a suicide. If this hypothesis is found to be true, further research should focus on the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, this might be a strong argument to further encourage environment protection.

The aim of this article was to re-evaluate and possibly modify the standardized Environmental Worry Scale (EWS) by Hodapp et al. [1996. Evaluation eines Fragebogens zur Erfassung von Umweltbesorgnis. Z. Gesundheitspsychologie IV(1), 22-36] with regard to its content and structure. In order to do this, 161 participants were chosen as a reference group to take part in a survey. The data were analyzed and a factor analysis yielded two instead of one component of worry, namely "personal" and "general" environmental worry, leading to a new evaluation method. This revised evaluation method was then applied to patients (n=227) with or without self-reported multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and thus used in the context of reported health complaints. The outlined results indicate that the assessment of worry as proposed by Hodapp et al. [1996. Evaluation eines Fragebogens zur Erfassung von Umweltbesorgnis. Z. Gesundheitspsychologie IV(1), 22-36] should be elaborated by the newly developed evaluation method with which a ratio determined by "personal" and "general" worry can be calculated. In addition to analyzing the absolute quantity of worry, the calculated ratio allows to draw conclusions on the structure of worry. It will be discussed to what extent the results present new insights into the role of worry among patients suffering from environmental diseases.

Objectives: Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and contrast-enhanced electron beam tomography (EBCT) both have the potential to noninvasively detect coronary artery disease (CAD). We compared the accuracy of both methods to detect significant CAD in a direct comparison., Methods: 79 patients (32 women, 47 men, mean age 62 years) who were admitted for coronary angiography due to suspected CAD were studied. By EBCT coronary calcification (CAC) as well as angiography (CTA) was assessed. Presence of significant CAD was assumed if the calcium score exceeded 400 or the contrast-enhanced images displayed significant lumen reduction. DSE was performed using a standard protocol (5-40 microg/kg/min dobutamine plus 0.25-1.0 mg atropine if necessary). DSE and EBCT were independently evaluated concerning the presence of significant CAD. Results were compared to invasive, quantitative coronary angiography., Results: 6 patients (8%) in DSE and 2 patients (3%) in EBCT were unevaluable for various reasons and therefore excluded from further analysis. In the remaining 71 patients, 33 patients (46%) showed significant CAD. DSE demonstrated a sensitivity of 70% (23/33) and a specificity of 84% (32/38). EBCT showed a sensitivity of 91% (30/33) and a specificity of 74% (28/38). By combining DSE and EBCT sensitivity increased to 97% with a specificity of 63%., Conclusions: In a blinded comparison, DSE demonstrated lower sensitivity but higher specificity than EBCT for the detection of significant CAD. Sensitivity was improved by combining both modalities., (Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Cadmium exposure and accumulation in the body start at young age. Exposure routes in children are mainly via food, environmental tobacco smoke and house dust. Excretion from the body is limited. Cadmium accumulation in the kidney is responsible for effects such as nephrotoxicity and osteoporosis which are observed at adult age. Cadmium exposure through inhalation is also associated with lung cancer in adulthood. Although transfer to the neonate through the placenta and through breast milk is limited, teratogenic and developmental effects were observed in experimental animals. The database on human studies involving children is limited, yet effects on motoric and perceptual behaviour in children have been associated with elevated in utero cadmium exposure. In school age children urinary cadmium levels were associated with immune suppressive effects. More studies are needed to confirm these results. Experimental data in vitro and in animals refer to effects of cadmium on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis at different levels. This may lead to disorders of the endocrine and/or immune system. Cadmium exposure at early age should be limited as much as possible to prevent direct effects on children and to prevent accumulation of cadmium which may have serious health effects only becoming manifest at older age.

Background: Facts and hypotheses on the relationship between some children's diseases or disorders and external stressors during the developmental stage of a child, both prenatally and postnatally are described in literature. In this paper the following changes in patterns and causes of the main childhood illnesses are summarized and recommendations for actions are made. Prematurity. Intra-uterine growth restriction. Testicular dysgenesis syndrome. Type I and Type II diabetes. Asthma, atopy and hay fever. Autism. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Learning disabilities. Cancer. Obesity. Hearing problems., Results: Literature provides a growing amount of information on changing patterns in childhood diseases., Conclusions: The following recommendations for action are formulated: Immediate research on endocrine disrupters in relation to prematurity. Diabetes: avoid Maillard Compounds in liquid baby food and in food in general: promote breastfeeding. Asthma: avoid exposure to smoking, the use of chemical household products, dioxin and dioxin-like chemicals, and avoid air pollution with high levels of particulate matter, especially around conception, during pregnancy and in the first years of life. Autism: more research on incidence and causes. ADHD and learning disabilities: more research on prevalence and causes. Preventions: 1) preconception counselling to avoid potentially harmful substances; 2) controlling and further lowering levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, lead and methyl mercury. Cancer: promote breastfeeding, carry out research into effects of foetal exposure to internal fission-product radionuclides. Obesity: stop smoking in pregnancy, avoid parental obesity, longer night sleep. Hearing problems: lower noise levels in discothèques, promote the day-evening-night level to avoid noise (longer night sleep).

Biological effects on endothelium induced by contrast ultrasound (US) may be relevant for transferring drugs into the tissue. An in vitro tissue-mimicking phantom was developed to simulate clinical precordial echocardiography of three modalities (two-dimensional (2DE), pulsed wave (PW), and Power Doppler echocardiography) with gradual increases of acoustic output (mechanical index (MI) 0.0-1.6 and thermal index soft tissue (TIS) 0.0-1.3, respectively; transmit-frequency 1.8 MHz in second harmonic mode (SHI) by 2DE, 1.8 MHz for PW-Doppler, and 3.2 MHz for Power Doppler) as well as contrast agent (CA) concentrations (0.002-4 mg/mL Levovist). Disintegration of the endothelial monolayer was quantitatively analyzed by counting intercellular gaps in light microscopy. No gaps were observed in CA application without sonication. Only few gaps appeared at sonication without CA application in 2DE at MI=1.6 and in PW- and Power Doppler at TIS > or =0.4 and MI > or =0.4. The number of gaps increased significantly with the gradual increase of US output and to a comparably lesser but also significant extent with CA concentrations. Diagnostic contrast echocardiography may induce endothelial disintegrations dependent on US output as well as on CA concentrations. This aspect might be helpful in further in vivo series on local drug delivery.

Rationale and Objectives: To compare electron beam tomography (EBT) with MR imaging (MRI) for detection of restenosis after coronary angioplasty (PTCA)., Methods: One hundred eighteen patients after PTCA were investigated. By EBT, 50 axial images were acquired (3-mm slice thickness, 120-160 mL radiographic contrast agent). MRI was performed using respiratory-gated sequences (24-48 cross-sections, 2-mm slice thickness, 20 mL Gd-DTPA). EBT and MRI images were evaluated concerning high-grade post-PTCA restenosis (> or = 70%) and validated against coronary angiography., Results: In EBT, 28 patients and in MRI, 31 patients were not evaluable. In the remaining patients, sensitivity for restenosis detection was 90% in EBT (17/19) and 73% in MRI (11/15; P = 0.370). In EBT, specificity was significantly higher (66% vs. 49%, P = 0.043). Overall accuracy was 71% for EBT and 53% for MRI (P = 0.014)., Conclusions: For the detection of high-grade restenosis after PTCA, EBT demonstrated significantly higher accuracy than MRI.

Background: Recent studies demonstrated an influence of atherosclerotic risk factors on the progression of aortic valve stenosis. The extent of aortic valve calcification (AVC) was also found to be a strong predictor of stenosis progression. We investigated the influence of the LDL cholesterol level (LDL), other standard cardiovascular risk factors, and the extent of coronary calcification (CC) on the progression of AVC quantified by electron beam tomography (EBT)., Methods and Results: In 104 patients (64.7+/-8 years, 89 male) with an EBT scan positive for AVC, CC and AVC were quantified using a volumetric score. EBT was repeated at a mean interval of 15 months (10 to 36 months), and the progression of AVC and CC was determined. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to LDL: group 1, LDL3.36 mmol/L (130 mg/dL), 47 patients. Mean values for CC were 546+/-932 mm(3) in scan 1 and 665+/-1085 mm(3) in scan 2 for AVC 324+/-796 mm(3) and 404+/-1076 mm(3), respectively. The mean progression of CC was 27+/-37% (group 1, 16+/-22%; group 2, 39+/-46%, P