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Small Research Grants
Biological Monitoring of Ultrafine Particles in the Airways of Asthmatic Children
Exposure to air pollution triggers and exacerbates airway inflammation. Particulate
material (PM) in ambient air pollution is characterized by aerodynamic diameter as being
coarse (PM
10
, range 2.5-10µm), fine (PM
2.5
, range 0.1-2.5µm) and ultrafine (ultrafine
particles [UFP] <0.1 µm). Animal studies have shown that inhaled UFP produce more
inflammation than larger inhaled particles. Most of our knowledge on human exposure
to PM is based on environmental monitoring. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of
individual exposure to UFP on respiratory symptoms, respiratory function and airway
inflammation in children aged 6-18 years whowere referred to the Pulmonary andAllergic
Diseases Department for evaluation due to respiratory symptoms. After obtaining
consent, parents responded to a questionnaire on their child's symptoms. Spirometry,
bronchial provocation challenge, induced sputum, and measurement of exhaled nitric
oxide was performed. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) was collected for analysis of
UFP using the NanoSight Light Microscope LM20 by analyzing Brownian motion of
the particle. Fifty-two children were included in the study. The total EBC particle count
correlated with wheezing (R=0.28, p=0.04), breath symptom score (R=0.3, p=0.03), and
sputum eosinophilia (R=0.64, p=0.005). The percent of EBC particles that were in the
nano range size also correlated with wheezing (R=0.36, p=0.007), breath symptom score
(R=0.33, p=0.02), and sputum eosinophilia (R=0.72, p=0.001). Nanoparticle exposure is
correlated with respiratory symptoms and airway inflammation in children.
Shira Benor
1
| Shmuel Kivity
1
Elizabeth Fireman
1
1. Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
2012-2013
Exposure to Air Pollution and Long-Term Incidence of Frailty
after Myocardial Infarction: A Pilot Study
While exposure to air pollution has been associated with numerous health outcomes,
the underlying pathways remain unclear. We evaluated the role of environmental
exposures, including air pollution (PM
2.5
) and neighbourhood socioeconomic context,
in the development of frailty - a multidimensional age-related syndrome that indicates
increasing vulnerability - in a cohort of first myocardial infarction (MI) survivors. Our
results demonstrate a relationship between exposure to PM and frailty, providing a
potential pathway with post-MI outcomes. The significant association suggests that
chronic exposure to PM might affect multiple physiological systems in vulnerable MI
patients, contributing to excess mortality not just through single processes, but by a
broader assault on bodily systems. We further determined that frailer MI patients might
be more sensitive to the adverse health effects of air pollution. These data provide
evidence of the adverse health effects of chronic exposure to PM
2.5
among MI survivors
residing in central Israel.
Research publications
(1)
Myers, V., Broday, D.M., Steinberg, D.M., Yuval, Drory, Y., & Gerber, Y. (2013). Exposure to particulate air
pollution and long-term incidence of frailty after myocardial infarction.
Annals of Epidemiology, 23
(7), 395-400.
(2)
Gerber, Y., Myers, V., Broday, D.M., Steinberg, D.M., Yuval, Koton, S., et al. (2014). Frailty status
modifies the association between air pollution and post-myocardial infarction mortality: A 20-year
follow-up study.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 63
(16), 1698-1699.
(3)
Myers, V., Drory, Y., Goldbourt, U., & Gerber, Y. (2014). Multilevel socioeconomic status and incidence
of frailty post myocardial infarction.
International Journal of Cardiology, 170
(3), 338-343.
Yariv Gerber
1
| David Broday
2
Vicki Myers
1
Yaacov Drory (deceased)
1
1. Tel Aviv University
2. Technion - Israel Institute of
Technology
2012-2013