Browsing by Subject "Air pollution"
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- PublicationRestrictedAir pollution from traffic during pregnancy impairs newborn's cord blood immune cells: The NELA cohort(ELSEVIER, 2021) García-Serna, Azahara M; Jiménez-Guerrero, Pedro; Pérez-Fernández, Virginia; Cantero-Cano, Esther; Muñoz-García, María; Ballesteros-Meseguer, Carmen; Pérez de Los Cobos, Irene; García-Marcos, Luis; Morales, Eva; NELA Study group; Hernández Caselles, Trinidad; Martín-Orozco Santiago, María Elena; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e InmunologíaBackground: Hazards of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on the developing immune system are poorly understood. We sought to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to TRAP on cord blood immune cell distributions; and to identify gestational windows of susceptibility. Methods: In-depth immunophenotyping of cord blood leukocyte and lymphocyte subsets was performed by flow cytometry in 190 newborns embedded in the Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma (NELA) birth cohort (2015-2018). Long-term (whole pregnancy and trimesters) and short-term (15-days before delivery) residential exposures to traffic-related nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and ozone (O3) were estimated using dispersion/chemical transport modelling. Associations between TRAP concentrations and cord blood immune cell counts were assessed using multivariate Poisson regression models. Results: Mean number of natural killer (NK) cells decreased 15% in relation to higher NO2 concentrations (≥36.4 μg/m3) during whole pregnancy (incidence relative risk (IRR), 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72, 0.99), with stronger associations in the first trimester. Higher PM2.5 concentrations (≥13.3 μg/m3) during whole pregnancy associated with a reduced mean number of cytotoxic T cells (IRR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78, 0.99). Newborns exposed to higher PM10 (≥23.6 μg/m3) and PM2.5 concentrations during the first and third trimester showed greater mean number of helper T type 1 (Th1) cells (P < 0.05). Decreased number of regulatory T (Treg) cells was associated with greater short-term NO2 (IRR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.80, 1.01) and PM10 (IRR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.77, 0.99) concentrations. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to TRAP, particularly in early and late gestation, impairs fetal immune system development through disturbances in cord blood leukocyte and lymphocyte distributions.
- PublicationOpen AccessAir pollution from traffic during pregnancy impairs newborn's cord blood immune cells: The NELA cohort(2020-11-17) García-Serna, Azahara M; Jiménez-Guerrero, Pedro; Pérez-Fernández, Virginia; Cantero-Cano, Esther; Muñoz-García, María; Ballesteros-Meseguer, Carmen; Pérez de los Cobos, Irene; García-Marcos, Luis; Morales, Eva; Hernández Caselles, Trinidad; Martín-Orozco Santiago, María Elena; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e InmunologíaBackground: Hazards of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on the developing immune system are poorly understood. We sought to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to TRAP on cord blood immune cell distributions; and to identify gestational windows of susceptibility. Methods: In-depth immunophenotyping of cord blood leukocyte and lymphocyte subsets was performed by flow cytometry in 190 newborns embedded in the Nutrition in Early Life and Asthma (NELA) birth cohort (2015-2018). Long-term (whole pregnancy and trimesters) and short-term (15-days before delivery) residential exposures to traffic-related nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and ozone (O3) were estimated using dispersion/chemical transport modelling. Associations between TRAP concentrations and cord blood immune cell counts were assessed using multivariate Poisson regression models. Results: Mean number of natural killer (NK) cells decreased 15% in relation to higher NO2 concentrations (≥36.4 μg/m3) during whole pregnancy (incidence relative risk (IRR), 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72, 0.99), with stronger associations in the first trimester. Higher PM2.5 concentrations (≥13.3 μg/m3) during whole pregnancy associated with a reduced mean number of cytotoxic T cells (IRR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78, 0.99). Newborns exposed to higher PM10 (≥23.6 μg/m3) and PM2.5 concentrations during the first and third trimester showed greater mean number of helper T type 1 (Th1) cells (P < 0.05). Decreased number of regulatory T (Treg) cells was associated with greater short-term NO2 (IRR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.80, 1.01) and PM10 (IRR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.77, 0.99) concentrations. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to TRAP, particularly in early and late gestation, impairs fetal immune system development through disturbances in cord blood leukocyte and lymphocyte distributions.
- PublicationRestrictedAnalysis of key proinflammatory mechanisms in cardiovascular pathology through stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and urban particulate matter in mouse atrial cardiomyocytes(Elsevier, 2025-02-09) Mandaglio-Collados, Darío; Ruiz Alcaraz, Antonio José; Rivera Caravaca, José Miguel; Ramos-Bratos, María Pilar; Marín Ortuño, Francisco; López Gálvez, Raquel; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología; Facultad de BiologíaAir pollution has emerged as one of the leading causes of mortality, aggravating cardiovascular diseases. Urban-particulate matter (PM) can accumulate in the cardiovascular system and through inflammation, trigger systemic damage. One of the key mechanisms of this process could be related to the activation of the inflammasome through the pre-existence of a low-grade endotoxemia and PM presence in the cells. Herein, we studied the deleterious effects of urban-PM and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure in a HL-1 mouse cardiomyocyte cell line. Urban-PM induced biological changes, including mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory genes, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and overexpression of inflammasome-related and structural proteins. The results revealed that urban-PM with different ultrastructure, as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), is embedded inside the cardiomyocytes, leading to the recognition and activation of the inflammatory process. The increase of ROS levels and mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory genes were similarly observed in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, components and proteins of the inflammasome such as associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1 and IL-1β were differentially overexpressed in treated HL-1 cells, as well as structural proteins like Connexin 43 (Cx43). These results provide new insights into the mechanisms that mediate innate pro-inflammatory activation in cardiomyocytes in response to air suspension pollutants.
- PublicationOpen AccessAssessing the effects of compound events of temperature and air pollution on weekly mortality in Spain using random forests(Elsevier, 2025-10-18) Garnés-Morales, Ginés; Tortosa, Javier; Jiménez Guerrero, Pedro; Gil Guirado, Salvador; García Fernández, Esther; Montávez, Juan Pedro; Física
- PublicationOpen AccessContaminación atmosférica urbana e ingresos hospitalarios por asma y enfermedades respiratorias agudas en la ciudad de Murcia (España)(Elsevier, 2020-02-27) Ortega García, Juan Antonio; Martínez Hernández, Indra; Boldo, Elena; Cárceles Álvarez, Alberto; Solano Navarro, Carmen; Ramis, Rebeca; Aguilar Ros, Estefanía; Sánchez Solís, Manuel; López Hernández, Fernando; Cirugía, Pediatría y Obstetricia y GinecologíaIntroducción: La contaminación atmosférica urbana es una amenaza principal para la salud infantojuvenil. Los niños son más vulnerables a sus efectos asociando mayor morbimortalidad de enfermedades agudas y crónicas, especialmente respiratorias. Pretendemos estudiar los efectos de la contaminación atmosférica urbana en la tasa de ingresos hospitalarios por causa aguda respiratoria. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio ecológico durante 2015 de las visitas con patología respiratoria (CIE-9) de urgencias hospitalarias en menores de 17 años en el municipio de la ciudad de Murcia. Regresión logística para el riesgo de ingreso hospitalario entre las consultas en relación con los niveles promedios diarios de contaminantes ambientales (NO2, O3, PM10, SO2) obtenidas de la Red de Vigilancia y Control de la Calidad del Aire de la Región de Murcia. Otras variables de control: sexo, edad, temperatura ambiental media diaria, y estación del año. Resultados: Un total de 12354 niños consultaron en urgencias por patología respiratoria, 56% niños y 44% niñas. Ingresaron el 3,5%, con edad media de 2,54 (IC95% 2,16-2,91) años. Para el riesgo de ingreso hospitalario por enfermedades respiratorias: NO2 1,02 (IC95% 1,01-1,04; p < 0,01), O3 1,01 (IC95% 1,00-1,03; p < 0,01) sexo masculino 1,4 (IC95% 1,11-1,79; p < 0,01) e invierno 2,10 (IC95% 1,40-3,21; p < 0,01). Ingresos por asma: PM10 1,02 (IC95% 1,01-1,04; p < 0,05), O3 1,04 (IC95% 1,01-1,06; p < 0,01). Ingresos por bronquiolitis: edad 0,69 (IC95% 0,48-0,99; p < 0,05); NO2 1,03(IC95% 1,01-1,05; p < 0,01). Conclusiones: La contaminación atmosférica urbana aumenta los ingresos hospitalarios en pediatría por patología aguda respiratoria, especialmente por crisis de asma y bronquiolitis. Poner en marcha medidas preventivas, ampliar las series temporales y estudios colaborativos con datos en abierto ayudarían a mejorar la salud pública y la calidad del aire en las ciudades.
- PublicationOpen AccessContribution of fine particulate matter to present and future premature mortality over Europe: A non-linear response(Elsevier, 2021-03-08) Tarín Carrasco, Patricia; Im, Ulas; Geels, Camilla; Palacios Peña, Laura; Jiménez Guerrero, Pedro; Física
- PublicationEmbargoCytokine profiles in cord blood in relation to prenatal traffic-related air pollution: The NELA cohort(2022-02-18) García-Serna, Azahara M; Jiménez-Guerrero, Pedro; Pérez-Fernández, Virginia; Cantero-Cano, Esther; Muñoz-García, María; Molina-Ruano, María Dolores; Rojo-Atenza, Encarna; García-Marcos, Luis; Morales, Eva; Hernández Caselles, Trinidad; Martín-Orozco Santiago, María Elena; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e InmunologíaBackground: Outdoor air pollution may disturb immune system development. We investigated whether gestational exposure to traffic-related air pollutants (TRAP) is associated with unstimulated cytokine profiles in newborns. Methods: Data come from 235 newborns of the NELA cohort. Innate response-related cytokines (IL-6, IFN-α, IL1-β, and TNF-α), Th1-related (IFN-γ and IL-2), Th2-related (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), Th17-related (IL-17 and IL-23), and immunomodulatory cytokine IL-10 were quantified in the supernatant of unstimulated whole umbilical cord blood cells after 7 days of culture using the Luminex technology. Dispersion/chemical transport modeling was used to estimate long-term (whole pregnancy and trimesters) and short-term (15 days before delivery) residential exposures to traffic-related nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10 ), and ozone (O3 ). We fitted multivariable logistic regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models. Results: NO2 during the whole pregnancy increased the odds of detection of IL-1β (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.02, 1.85) and IL-6 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.32; 95% CI 1.00, 1.75). Increased odds of detected concentrations of IL-10 was found in newborns exposed during whole pregnancy to higher levels of NO2 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.30; 95% CI 0.99, 1.69), PM10 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.49; 95% CI 0.95, 2.33), and PM2.5 (OR per 5 µg/m3 increase = 1.56; 95% CI 0.97, 2.51). Exposure to O3 during the whole pregnancy increased the odds of detected IL-13 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.22; 95% CI 1.01, 1.49). WQS model revealed first and third trimesters of gestation as windows of higher susceptibility. Conclusions: Gestational exposure to TRAP may increase detection of pro-inflammatory, Th2-related, and T regulatory cytokines in newborns. These changes might influence immune system responses later in life.
- PublicationOpen AccessCytokine profiles in cord blood in relation to prenatal traffic-related air pollution: The NELA cohort(Wiley, 2022-02) García-Serna, Azahara M.; Jiménez-Guerrero, Pedro; Pérez-Fernández, Virginia; Cantero-Cano, Esther; Muñoz-García, María; Molina-Ruano, María Dolores; Rojo-Atenza, Encarna; García-Marcos, Luis; Morales, Eva; Hernández Caselles, Trinidad; Martín-Orozco Santiago, María Elena; Ciencias SociosanitariasBackground: Outdoor air pollution may disturb immune system development. We investigated whether gestational exposure to traffic-related air pollutants (TRAP) is associated with unstimulated cytokine profiles in newborns. Methods: Data come from 235 newborns of the NELA cohort. Innate response-related cytokines (IL-6, IFN-α, IL1-β, and TNF-α), Th1-related (IFN-γ and IL-2), Th2-related (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), Th17-related (IL-17 and IL-23), and immunomodulatory cytokine IL-10 were quantified in the supernatant of unstimulated whole umbilical cord blood cells after 7 days of culture using the Luminex technology. Dispersion/chemical transport modeling was used to estimate long-term (whole pregnancy and trimesters) and short-term (15 days before delivery) residential exposures to traffic-related nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10 ), and ozone (O3 ). We fitted multivariable logistic regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models. Results: NO2 during the whole pregnancy increased the odds of detection of IL-1β (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.02, 1.85) and IL-6 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.32; 95% CI 1.00, 1.75). Increased odds of detected concentrations of IL-10 was found in newborns exposed during whole pregnancy to higher levels of NO2 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.30; 95% CI 0.99, 1.69), PM10 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.49; 95% CI 0.95, 2.33), and PM2.5 (OR per 5 µg/m3 increase = 1.56; 95% CI 0.97, 2.51). Exposure to O3 during the whole pregnancy increased the odds of detected IL-13 (OR per 10 µg/m3 increase = 1.22; 95% CI 1.01, 1.49). WQS model revealed first and third trimesters of gestation as windows of higher susceptibility. Conclusions: Gestational exposure to TRAP may increase detection of pro-inflammatory, Th2-related, and T regulatory cytokines in newborns. These changes might influence immune system responses later in life.
- PublicationOpen AccessEffects of air pollution on dementia over Europe for present and future climate change scenarios(Elsevier, 2022-03) Guzmán, Patricia; Tarín Carrasco, Patricia; Morales-Suárez-Varela, María; Jiménez Guerrero, Pedro; FísicaThe scientific literature is scarce when referring to the influence of atmospheric pollutants on neurodegenerative diseases for present and future climate change scenarios. In this sense, this contribution evaluates the incidence of dementia (Alzheimer's disease, AD, and dementia from unspecified cause, DU) occurring in Europe associated with the exposure to air pollution (essentially NO2 and PM2.5) for the present climatic period (1991–2010) and for a future climate change scenario (RCP8.5, 2031–2050). The GEMM methodology has been applied to air pollution simulations using the chemistry/climate regional model WRF-Chem. Present population data were obtained from NASA's Center for Socioeconomic Data and Applications (SEDAC); while future population projections for the year 2050 were derived from the United Nations (UN) Department of Economic and Social Affairs-Population Dynamics. Overall, the estimated incidence rate (cases per year) of AD and DU associated with exposure to air pollution over Europe is 498,000 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 348,600–647,400] and 314,000 (95% CI 257,500-401,900), respectively. An important increase in the future incidence rate is projected (around 72% for both types of dementia) when considering the effect of climate change together with the foreseen changes in the future population, because of the expected aging of European population. The climate penalty (impacts of future climate change alone on air quality) has a limited effect on the total changes of dementia (approx. 0.5%), because the large increase in the incidence rate over southern Europe is offset by its decrease over more northern countries, favored by an improvement of air pollution caused by the projected enhancement of rainfall.
- PublicationOpen AccessMulti-objective evolutionary spatio-temporal forecasting of air pollution(Elsevier, 2022-05-31) Espinosa Fernández, Raquel; Jiménez Barrionuevo, Fernando; Palma Méndez, José Tomás; Ingeniería de la Información y las ComunicacionesNowadays, air pollution forecasting modeling is vital to achieve an increase in air quality, allowing an improvement of ecosystems and human health. It is important to consider the spatial characteristics of the data, as they allow us to infer predictions in those areas for which no information is available. In the current literature, there are a large number of proposals for spatio-temporal air pollution forecasting. In this paper we propose a novel spatio-temporal approach based on multi-objective evolutionary algorithms for the identification of multiple non-dominated linear regression models and their combination in an ensemble learning model for air pollution forecasting. The ability of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms to find a Pareto front of solutions is used to build multiple forecast models geographically distributed in the area of interest. The proposed method has been applied for one-week NO prediction in southeastern Spain and has obtained promising results in statistical comparison with other approaches such as the union of datasets or the interpolation of the predictions for each monitoring station. The validity of the proposed spatio-temporal approach is thus demonstrated, opening up a new field in air pollution engineering.
- PublicationOpen AccessMyocardial Connexin-43 and N-Cadherin decrease during vanadium inhalation(Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2016) Fortoul, Teresa I.; Soto-Mota, Adrian; Rojas-Lemus, Marcela; Rodriguez-Lara, Vilaney; GonzalezVillalva, Adriana; Montaño, Luis F.; Paez, Araceli; Colin-Barenque, Laura; López-Valdez, Nelly; Cano Gutiérrez, Gumaro; Bizarro-Nevares, Patricia; Ustarroz-Cano, MarthaParticulate matter air pollution has considerably increased during the last decades; vanadium is a transition element adhered to this particulate matter, and the combustion of fossil fuels is the main source in the atmosphere. It has been reported that air pollution and specifically vanadium exposure increases the probability of suffering arrhythmias; however the biological mechanism of such a relationship remains unknown. It has been established that a diminished presence of NCadherin alters the Connexin-43 arrangement, and the consequent altered presence of these proteins predisposes to ventricular heart rate problems. We analyzed myocardial histology and the expression of N-Cadherin and Connexin-43 by immunohistochemistry in mouse that inhaled vanadium. Our results showed a significant and progressive reduction in both N-Cadherin and Connexin-43, as well as the presence of meganucleus; myofibrils disruption, and clumping in the exposed groups were also observed. Our findings add more information about a possible explanation for the arrythmogenic effect observed in dwellers of cities with high particulate matter atmospheric pollution.
- PublicationOpen AccessWind and turbulence relationship with NO2 in an urban environment: a fine-scale observational analysis(Elsevier, 2023-08-31) Román-Cascón, Carlos; Yagüe, Carlos; Ortiz-Corral, Pablo; Serrano, Encarna; Sánchez, Beatriz; Sastre, Mariano; Maqueda, Gregorio; Alonso-Blanco, Elizabeth; Artiñano, Begoña; Gómez-Moreno, Francisco J.; Díaz-Ramiro, Elias; Fernández, Jesús; Martilli, Alberto; García, Ana M.; Núñez, Andrés; Cordero, José María; Narros, Adolfo; Borge, Rafael; Genética y MicrobiologíaIt is well known that meteorology plays an important role in the diurnal evolution of pollutants, especially those variables related to atmospheric dispersion. Most studies typically relate the concentration of some pollutants with wind speed from conventional anemometers; however, the use of turbulence variables is less common, in part because the needed instruments are not so typical in standard air-quality stations. In this work, we compare the wind-NO2 relationship with the turbulence-NO2 one using observational data from two field campaigns developed in Madrid (winter and summer). The turbulence data comes from two sonic anemometers deployed at different locations: one close to the street and the other at the top of a nearby tall building. The results indicate that the turbulent variables correlate better with the pollutant concentration than the wind speed when using data from the street sonic, while the contrary is found when using the terrace sonic. These data are also used to perform a fine-scale analysis of the turbulent diffusion-NO2 behaviour during a very-stable period in winter, when the turbulence typically shows a decrease in the evening transition, causing the highestNO2 concentrations. Conversely, under these conditions, the formation of thermally-driven winds is also favoured later in the night, which favours the pollutant dispersion and cleaning of the air. The important role of these dynamical processes on the NO2 evolution highlights the importance of the correct understanding of small-scale atmospheric processes to understand their relationship with the concentration of pollutants.