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People with asthma, particularly young children, are more adversely affected by traffic emissions--and regular exercise reduces asthma symptoms and improves lung function. We studied the relationship between air pollution and objectively measured physical activity in children with asthma who were attending a school near a freeway. We continuously monitored air pollutants--P[M.sub.2.5], P[M.sub.10], nitrogen dioxide (N[O.sub.2]), and ozone ([O.sub.3])--at the school for 10 weeks and measured physical activity levels via accelerometry in children (n = 12, ages 6-12 years). Concentrations of P[M.sub.2.5], P[M.sub.10], and N[O.sub.2] were negatively associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (P[M.sub.2.5] and P[M.sub.10]: p < .001; N[O.sub.2]: p = .04) and positively associated with sedentary activity (P[M.sub.2.5] and P[M.sub.10]: p < .001; N[O.sub.2]: p = .02). Physical activity is decreased and sedentary behavior is increased in children with asthma when air pollutants are higher. Strategies are available to mitigate air pollutant impact on beneficial physical activity during the school day., Introduction Exposure to Air Pollutants and Physical Activity Physical activity is essential for overall health (Janssen & LeBlanc, 2010). Regular outdoor activities, such as walking or jogging, can lead to [...]

To date, nutritional epidemiology has relied heavily on relatively weak methods including simple observational designs and substandard measurements. Despite low internal validity and other sources of bias, claims of causality are made commonly in this literature. Nutritional epidemiology investigations can be improved through greater scientific rigor and adherence to scientific reporting commensurate with research methods used. Some commentators advocate jettisoning nutritional epidemiology entirely, perhaps believing improvements are impossible. Still others support only normative refinements. But neither abolition nor minor tweaks are appropriate. Nutritional epidemiology, in its present state, offers utility, yet also needs marked, reformational renovation. Changing the status quo will require ongoing, unflinching scrutiny of research questions, practices, and reporting—and a willingness to admit that "good enough" is no longer good enough. As such, a workshop entitled "Toward more rigorous and informative nutritional epidemiology: the rational space between dismissal and defense of the status quo" was held from July 15 to August 14, 2020. This virtual symposium focused on: (1) Stronger Designs, (2) Stronger Measurement, (3) Stronger Analyses, and (4) Stronger Execution and Reporting. Participants from several leading academic institutions explored existing, evolving, and new better practices, tools, and techniques to collaboratively advance specific recommendations for strengthening nutritional epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) increases adiposity in chickens, mice, and nonhuman primates and is associated with human obesity. Ad-36 paradoxically reduces serum cholesterol and triglycerides in animal models. Ad-36 increases adipocyte differentiation and triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells in vitro. This study evaluated whether three other human adenoviruses increase adiposity in chickens and in 3T3-LI cells in vitro. We inoculated chickens with human Ad-2, Ad-31, Ad-37, or media at age 3 wk. Food intake and weights were recorded for 3.5 wk, and then chickens were killed and visceral fat, body composition, serum lipids, and viral antibody status were determined. Visceral fat and total body fat were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) in the Ad-37 group compared with all other groups. Final body weights were higher in chickens inoculated with Ad-37 compared with Ad-2, but not significantly higher than in control or Ad-31 groups. Food intake did not differ among groups. Serum cholesterol was elevated in Ad-37 chickens compared with control (P < 0.01) but was not affected by other viruses. Triglycerides were reduced in Ad-37 chickens (P < 0.0001) but were not affected by other viruses. In 3T3-LI cells in vitro, Ad-31, Ad-36, and Ad-37, but not Ad-2, increased adipocyte differentiation and triglycerides accumulation. In summary, Ad-37 is another human adenovirus that increases adiposity and reduces serum triglycerides in an animal model. However, the response of serum cholesterol is opposite that of Ad-36. Evaluation of other human adenoviruses to determine their effects on adiposity and serum lipids is warranted, but in vitro assays may not be definitive for this purpose. obesity; cholesterol; triglycerides; 3t3-11 preadipocytes; body weight; body fat

Although obesity has multiple etiologies, an overlooked possibility is an infectious origin. We previously identified two viruses, SMAM-1, an avian adenovirus (Ad), and Ad-36, a human adenovirus, that produce a syndrome of visceral obesity, with paradoxically decreased serum cholesterol and triglycerides in chickens and mice. In the two studies presented in this paper, we used nonhuman primates to investigate the adiposity-promoting potential of Ad-36. In study 1, we observed spontaneously occurring Ad-36 antibodies in 15 male rhesus monkeys, and a significant longitudinal association of positive antibody status with weight gain and plasma cholesterol lowering during the 18 mo after viral antibody appearance. In study 2, which was a randomized controlled experiment, three male marmosets inoculated with Ad-36 had a threefold body weight gain, a greater fat gain and lower serum cholesterol relative to baseline (P KEY WORDS: * cholesterol * adiposity * obesity * nonhuman primates * infection

This study investigated the capacity of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) to reduce ex vivo antigen-induced release of eicosanoids in a type I hypersensitivity model. Guinea pigs were fed a diet containing 0.25% safflower oil (control) or 0.25% CLA [43% trans (t)10, cis (c)12; 41% c9, t11/t9, c11 18:2] for 2 wk before and during sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA). Lungs, tracheas, and bladders were incubated in physiological saline solution (PSS) for 1 h (basal mediator release) and challenged with OVA (0.01 g/1 PSS) for 1 h (mediator release in response to antigen). Eicosanoids were quantified by HPLC/tandem mass spectrometry or enzyme immunoassay. CLA feeding resulted in no change in basal release but decreased eicosanoid release from sensitized tissues in response to antigen challenge in the following manner: thromboxane [B.sub.2], 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG)[F.sub.1[alpha]], PG[F.sub.2[alpha]], PG[D.sub.2], PG[E.sub.2] by 57-75% in lung, 45-65% in trachea, and 38-60% in bladder; and leukotriene [C.sub.4]/[D.sub.4]/[E.sub.4] by 87, 90, and 50% in lung, trachea, and bladder, respectively. These data indicate that feeding CLA reduces lipid-derived inflammatory mediators produced by this type I hypersensitivity model. type I hypersensitivity; lung; trachea; bladder

Particulate matter (PM) from atmospheric aerosols contains carbons that are harmful for living organisms and the environment. PM can originate from vehicle emissions, wearing of vehicle components, and dust. Size and composition determine PM transport and penetration depth into the respiratory system. Understanding PM emission characteristics is essential for developing strategies to improve air quality. The number of studies on carbon isotope composition (13C/12C) of PM samples to characterise emission factors has increased. The goal of this review is to integrate and interpret the findings from 13C/12C carbon isotope ratio (δ13C, ‰) analyses for the most common types of emission sources. The review integrates data from 25 studies in 13 countries. The range of δ13C of PM from vehicle emissions was from −28.3 to −24.5 ‰ and for non-vehicle anthropogenic emissions from −27.4 to −23.3 ‰. In contrast, PM ranges for δ13C from biomass burning sources differed markedly. For C3 plants, δ13C ranged from −34.7 to −25.4 ‰ and for C4 plants from −22.2 to −13.0 ‰. The 13C/12C isotope analysis of PM is valuable for understanding the sources of pollutants and distinguishing vehicle emissions from biomass burning. However, additional markers are needed to further distinguish other anthropogenic sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whigham, Leah D., Ellen B. Cook, James L. Stahl, Ricardo Saban, Dale E. Bjorling, Michael W. Pariza, and Mark E. Cook. CLA reduces antigen-induced histamine and [PGE.sub.2] release from sensitized guinea pig tracheae. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol 280: R908-R912, 2001.--Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to enhance immune reactions such as lymphocyte blastogenesis and delayed-type hypersensitivity. We investigated the role of CLA in type I (immediate) hypersensitivity, using a guinea pig tracheal superfusion model for measuring antigen-induced airway smooth muscle contraction and inflammatory mediator release. Female Hartley guinea pigs were fed a diet supplemented with 0.25 g corn oil or linoleic acid/100 g of diet (control) or 0.25 g CLA/100 g of diet for at least 1 wk before and during active sensitization to ovalbumin antigen. Tracheae from sensitized guinea pigs were suspended in air-filled water-jacketed (37 [degrees] C) tissue chambers in a superfusion apparatus. Tracheae were superfused with buffer containing antigen, and tissue contraction was recorded. Superfusate was collected at 90-s intervals for evaluation of histamine and [PGE.sub.2] release. CLA did not affect antigen-induced tracheal contractions when expressed as gram contraction per gram tissue. CLA significantly reduced antigen-induced histamine and [PGE.sub.2] release. CLA appears to decrease release of some inflammatory mediators during type I hypersensitivity reactions. type I hypersensitivity; conjugated linoleic acid; immunity; allergies; asthma

Investigates the role of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in type I immediate hypersensitivity, using guinea pig tracheal superfusion model for measuring antigen-induced airway smooth muscle contraction and inflammatory mediator release. Significant reduction in antigen-induced histamine and prostaglandin E2 release.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder affecting ∼10% women in their reproductive years, is the leading cause of premature type 2 diabetes in young women. Prenatally androgenized (PA) rhesus monkeys express a phenotype similar to PCOS women. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pioglitazone, an insulin sensitizer, on body composition and food intake in a group of PA monkeys compared to controls. Adult females (4 controls, 7 PA) were treated daily with placebo for 6-7 months, followed by at least 90 d of no treatment (to avoid seasonal oligomenorrhea), and then 6-7 months of daily treatment with pioglitazone (3mg/kg). Monkeys were fed a standard chow ad libitum throughout the study. Body composition was analyzed by DXA. Calorie intake was increased significantly during months 5 and 6 of pioglitazone treatment in both female groups. Total weight, total fat, and abdominal fat were greater in controls vs. PAs. PA females lost total fat on pioglitazone but not placebo. In conclusion, the body composition effects of pioglitazone differ depending on the presence or absence of a PCOS-like phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Public health interventions that target children's physical, mental, and emotional health will enhance their ability to learn and grow. Although more complex, school initiatives that address multiple ecological levels and take a holistic view may be more effective and likely to lead to lasting change., Aims: This article presents the framework of Commit to Be Fit (C2BF) as an example of how schools can integrate multi-level and holistic approaches for health. This innovative school-based intervention includes activities addressing individual, home, school, and community to create a culture of wellness. We describe the implementation of C2BF and its basis in ecological models and give examples of activities across three components: cafeteria, classroom, and community. We discuss challenges and note that leadership engagement and alignment were critical elements for C2BF's success thus far., Discussion: C2BF uses a school-based multi-level approach to creating a culture of wellness and holistic health for students, teachers, and community members. C2BF is unique compared to other school-based programming and includes activities that address all eight domains posited for program sustainability within public health. Built to be flexible and adaptive, C2BF was able to successfully pivot during the COVID pandemic and also follow new science., Conclusion: C2BF and other multi-level holistic approaches are more likely to achieve long-term change by utilizing strategies across the multiple levels of the ecological model to improve health and wellbeing., Competing Interests: HJ, JT, and AB are RCPS employees who received at least partial salary support from the PATH Foundation through the C2BF grant. SG is the RCPS superintendent and received no compensation from PATH. HJ, JT, AB, and SG were not involved in data analyses outside of the participatory analysis in the Enhanced Force Field Analysis. LW, AR, and DP were contracted by the PATH Foundation to provide evaluation support for C2BF. KD and ME are employees of the PATH Foundation but did not have a role in the evaluation design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of the findings that were the basis for this publication, and their support as C2BF program officers was critical to its implementation and success; however, their roles in this publication were limited to providing feedback on the final draft. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Redelfs, Smith, Merrill, Grimsley, Jenkins, Tederick, Butler, Dueck, Eastham Thomas, Perez and Whigham.)