Causal and synthetic associations of variants in the SERPINA gene cluster with alpha1-antitrypsin serum levels (Publications)
Several infrequent genetic polymorphisms in the SERPINA1 gene are known to substantially reduce concentration of alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) in the blood. Since low AAT serum levels fail to protect pulmo
Interactions between SERPINA1 PiMZ genotype, occupational exposure and lung function decline (Publications)
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated interactions between SERPINA1 PiMZ genotype, associated with intermediate alpha1-antitrysin deficiency, with outdoor particulate matter
Relation between circulating CC16 concentrations, lung function, and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease across the lifespan: a... (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Low concentrations of the anti-inflammatory protein CC16 (approved symbol SCGB1A1) in serum have been associated with accelerated decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in patie
Sensitisation to Ambrosia in Switzerland: a public health threat on the wait (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Ambrosia artemisiifolia (short name = Ambrosia common ragweed) pollen is a potent allergen and has recently been found in Switzerland, spreading from the southwest of the country. The aim
HMOX1 and GST variants modify attenuation of FEF25-75% decline due to PM10 reduction (Publications)
Reduced exposure to particulate matter with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 microm (PM(10)) attenuated age-related lung function decline in our cohort, particularly in the small airways. We h
Traffic-related air pollution correlates with adult-onset asthma among never-smokers (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Traffic-related pollution is associated with asthma onset in children. Its effect on adult-onset asthma is poorly investigated. OBJECTIVE: We used the SAPALDIA cohort study to investigate
Development of land use regression models for nitrogen dioxide, ultrafine particles, lung deposited surface area, and four other markers of... (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Land Use Regression (LUR) is a popular method to explain and predict spatial contrasts in air pollution concentrations, but LUR models for ultrafine particles, such as particle number conc
Reduced exposure to PM10 and attenuated age-related decline in lung function (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Air pollution has been associated with impaired health, including reduced lung function in adults. Moving to cleaner areas has been shown to attenuate adverse effects of air pollution on l
Premature atrial contractions in the general population: frequency and risk factors (Publications)
BACKGROUND: Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are independent predictors of atrial fibrillation, stroke and death. However, little is known about PAC frequency in the general population and its ass