Documented information on ART ototoxicity is mainly of case repor

Documented information on ART ototoxicity is mainly of case reports, and where bigger samples are described; the studies are based on retrospective cross sectional data review with many of these studies lacking the use of sensitive audiological monitoring tools. Moreover, reports reviewed have mainly been international reports, with only one from Africa. Evidence on ototoxicity related to ART is sparse, however literature reviewed and studies presented highlight the need for intensified research into this area, particularly in developing countries where the volume of evidence is even less; despite these countries being the hardest hit by the pandemic with exposure to ART being an increasing

phenomenon.”
“Background: With the increase of pediatric cancer survival rates, late effects and quality of life (QoL) have received more attention. Disturbed sleep in pediatric cancer GDC-0994 in vivo is a common clinical observation, but research on this subject is sparse. In general, sleep problems

can lead to significant morbidity and are associated with impaired QoL. Information on sleep is essential to develop interventions to improve QoL.

Methods: Children (2-18 years) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were eligible for this multi-center study. The Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 (TM) Acute VX-765 concentration Cancer Version (PedsQL) were used to assess sleep and QoL halfway through maintenance therapy. Sleep and QoL were measured during and after dexamethasone treatment (on-dex and off-dex).

Results: Seventeen children participated (age 6.7 +/- 3.3 years, 44% boys). Children with ALL had more sleep problems and a lower QoL compared to the norm. There were no differences on-dex and off-dex. Pain (r = -0.6; p = 0.029) and worry (r = -0.5; p = 0.034) showed a

moderate negative association with sleep. Reduced overall QoL was moderately associated with impaired overall sleep (r = -0.6; p = 0.014) and more problems with sleep Copanlisib in vitro anxiety (r = -0.8; p = 0.003), sleep onset delay (r = -0.5; p = 0.037), daytime sleepiness (r = -0.5; p = 0.044) and night wakenings (r = -0.6; p = 0.017).

Conclusion: QoL is impaired in children during cancer treatment. The results of this study suggest that impaired sleep may be a contributing determinant. Consequently, enhanced counseling and treatment of sleep problems might improve QoL. It is important to conduct more extensive studies to confirm these findings and provide more detailed information on the relationship between sleep and QoL, and on factors affecting sleep in pediatric ALL and in children with cancer in general.”
“Oxidized sodium alginate (OSA) was prepared through an oxidation reaction of sodium alginate in the presence of sodium periodate. In situ crosslinked hydrogels were obtained through the crosslinking reaction between the active aldehyde of OSA and the amino of the carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS).

867-0 975) The r(i)s at the end of EST were as follows: HR (r(i)

867-0.975). The r(i)s at the end of EST were as follows: HR (r(i) = 0.941; 95% CI 0.865-0.975), oxygen saturation (r(i) = 0.993; 95% CI 0.982-0.997), and maximum resistance (r(i) = 0.941; 95% CI 0.864-0.975). 6MWT and EST were reproducible measures of exercise capacity and oxygen saturation and are potential adjunct tests in the follow-up assessment for patients with PAVMs.”
“Objective: To evaluate the existing evidence regarding the combined use of

levothyroxine and liothyronine to treat hypothyroidism.

Methods: GSK1210151A Eleven published randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of combined levothyroxine and liothyronine therapy for hypothyroidism were reviewed and summarized. Related basic and clinical research findings were also

incorporated for perspective.

Results: An initial randomized controlled trial reported symptomatic improvement in hypothyroid patients taking combined levothyroxine and liothyronine therapy compared with those taking levothyroxine therapy alone. Subsequently, multiple relatively small randomized controlled MK-1775 cell line trials failed to demonstrate any subjective or objective benefit from combined levothyroxine and liothyronine therapy. A polymorphism (Thr92A1a) in the gene encoding the deiodinase 2 (D2) enzyme that converts thyroxine to triiodothyronine in the brain was later identified in about 16% of hypothyroid persons. This polymorphism may impair brain deiodinase activity in the presence of low brain thyroxine levels. One randomized controlled trial found that patients with the D2 Thr92Ala polymorphism. had more baseline symptoms than those with the wild type D2 and experienced significantly greater symptomatic improvement in response to combined

levothyroxine and liothyronine therapy.

Conclusions: Most hypothyroid patients experience rapid symptomatic relief after institution of levothyroxine replacement therapy, but persistent symptoms remain in some despite what appears to be adequate levothyroxine therapy with normalization of the serum thyrotropin level. A thorough BIRB 796 investigation is warranted in these patients to detect and treat other responsible lifestyle issues, medical conditions, and endocrine conditions. A subset of hypothyroid patients has a polymorphism in the gene encoding the D2 enzyme that may prevent full resolution of symptoms with levothyroxine therapy alone; these patients may benefit from combination levothyroxine and liothyronine therapy. (Endocr Pract. 2012;18:750-757)”
“Real time magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry is gaining clinical importance formonitoring and guiding high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablations of tumorous tissue. The temperature information can be employed to adjust the position and the power of the HIFU system in real time and to determine the therapy endpoint.

5% sodium lauryl sulfate (w/v) at pH 6 8 (adjusted with 18% phosp

5% sodium lauryl sulfate (w/v) at pH 6.8 (adjusted with 18% phosphoric acid) as the dissolution medium. The model-independent method using

difference factor (f (1)) and similarity factor (f (2)), model-dependent method, and dissolution efficiency were employed to compare dissolution profiles. The kinetic parameters of drug release were also investigated. The obtained results provided adequate dissolution profiles. The developed dissolution test was validated according to international guidelines. Since there is no monograph for this drug in tablets, the dissolution method presented here can be used as a quality control test for OLM in this dosage form, especially in a batch to batch evaluation.”
“P>The last decade has witnessed outstanding progress in sequencing the genomes of photosynthetic eukaryotes, from I-BET151 supplier major cereal crops to single celled marine

phytoplankton. For the algae, we now have whole genome sequences from green, red, and brown representatives, and multiple efforts based on comparative and functional genomics approaches have provided information about the unicellular origins of higher plants, and about the evolution of photosynthetic life in general. Here we present some of the highlights from such studies, including the endosymbiotic origins of photosynthetic protists and their positioning with respect to plants and animals, the evolution of multicellularity in photosynthetic lineages, the role of sex in unicellular algae, Raf activity and the potential relevance of epigenetic processes in contributing to the adaptation of algae to their environment.”
“A series of bimodal Omipalisib datasheet high density polyethylene (PE) with different molecular weight distributions (MWDs) were prepared

by melt blending, and the fitting multipeaks on Gaussian were used to analyze the MWD curves, and the ratio of the areas under unimodal curves was as a tool to characterize the MWD; the phase behaviors and rheological behaviors were studied by dynamic rheological. The results showed that homogeneous bimodal high density PEs could be successfully prepared via melt blending, and the bimodal characteristic could be adjusted as expected. For samples with the MWD peak positions unvaried, the storage modulus, complex viscosity, and zeroshear viscosity decreased rapidly with the value of A(L/U) increasing. Especially in the low frequency region, the loss modulus surpassed the storage modulus (G ” > G’) when A(L/U) > 10.17 and the dynamic cross-point Gx appeared and increased with increasing A(L/U), with an increasing extent much larger than that due to the width of MWD. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 1543-1549, 2011″
“The recent challenge in orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) manufacturing encompasses the compromise between instantaneous disintegration, sufficient hardness, and standard processing equipment.


“Background: A possible mechanism underlying cardiovascula


“Background: A possible mechanism underlying cardiovascular morbidity after major vascular surgery may be the perioperative ischaemia-reperfusion with excessive

oxygen-derived free-radical production and increased levels of circulating inflammatory mediators. We examined the effect of melatonin infusion during surgery and oral melatonin treatment for 3 days after surgery on biochemical markers of oxidative and inflammatory stress.

Methods: www.selleckchem.com/products/Roscovitine.html Patients received an intra-operative intravenous infusion of 50 mg melatonin or placebo. In addition, all patients received 10 mg melatonin or placebo orally the first 3 nights after surgery. Blood samples for analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA), ascorbic acid (AA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were collected preoperatively, and at 5 min, 6 h and 24 h after clamp removal (recirculation of the first leg).

Results: Twenty-six patients received

melatonin and 24 patients received placebo. No significant differences were observed in any of the oxidative and inflammatory stress parameters. There were significantly more side effects in the melatonin group than in the placebo group.

Conclusions: Melatonin treatment in the perioperative period did not reduce the oxidative and inflammatory parameters measured in this study. (C) 2010 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose of review

Different transurethral Angiogenesis inhibitor prostatic laser systems are available. In 2011, new Oxford evidence levels (LoEs) were published with significant changes compared with the former version. They are easier to use and incorporate LY3039478 in vivo more clinical aspects. Randomized trials of laser systems used before 2002, except Holmium laser, were not included in this critical evidence analysis, as these techniques are not in clinical use any more.

Recent findings

Twenty-five [18 Holmium enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and seven photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP)] randomized trials covering transurethral electroresection of the prostate or HoLEP,

PVP or Thulium laser enucleation were identified. According to evidence levels, there is a large gap in terms of long-term follow-up. The majority of randomised controlled trials are of low quality. Typically with HoLEP, many articles were published covering the same patient population (LoE II). Only one randomised controlled trial was published with Tm:YAG prostatectomy (LoE II) and none with diode lasers (9801340 nm, LoE IV-V). Large cohort studies (LoE III-IV) provide additional evidence for PVP and HoLEP, typically for subgroups.

Summary

In 2011, higher evidence on HoLEP and PVP has been published. Evidence levels for HoLEP and PVP are comparable with meta-analysis (LoE II). However, evidence that laser prostatectomy is better than transurethral electroresection of the prostate in terms of efficacy is lacking (LoE II). All lasers are safer in terms of perioperative bleeding (LoE II).

The assay was also found to be sensitive with the lowest detectio

The assay was also found to be sensitive with the lowest detection limit of 1 ng of bacterial DNA. When applied to clinical isolates from diverse specimen sources, the multiplex PCR developed in this study correctly identified each microorganism individually or in a combination of two or more target organisms. All results matched with conventional culture identification. In addition, the ability of such assay to differentiate H. influenzae encapsulation from the

study clinical isolates was 100%.

Conclusion: Our multiplex PCR provides a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool for detection of the 4 target organisms. Such assay would serve as a useful tool for clinicians and epidemiologists in their efforts to the proper Prexasertib nmr treatment and disease management caused by these organisms. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: The paper reports an investigation into selleck chemicals llc the possibility of producing poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P(3HB)) polyester using corn syrup, a relatively low cost by-product from the starch industries. The concentrations of medium components, corn syrup, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K(2)HPO(4)), sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH(2)PO(4)) and ammonium sulfate [(NH(4))(2)SO(4)] were optimized using design of experiments (DOE).

RESULTS: Response surface methodology (RSM) under central composite

face

design (CCFD) was used to obtain the optimum values of medium components and responses in terms of biomass yield and volumetric P(3HB) productivity. The highest P(3HB) productivity and biomass yield obtained were 0.224 g L(-1) h(-1) and 0.57 g g(-1), respectively. A limited-nitrogen concentration had a higher volumetric P(3HB) productivity (0.170 g L(-1) h(-1)) than that of the excess nitrogen batch experiment (0.0675 g L(-1) h(-1)). The optimum corn syrup : N : P ratio of 50 : 0.078 : 1 was based on numerical optimization of the desirability function between biomass yield and volumetric P(3HB) productivity by Cupriavidus necator DSMZ 545.

CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study demonstrated that P(3HB) could be efficiently produced to a high concentration with high productivity by applying nitrogen limitation in selleckchem a defined medium, indicating this agricultural by-product to be a suitable nutrient source in further studies to develop biomaterials through biotechnology. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Aspirin sensitivity syndrome is an underdiagnosed entity in pediatric otolaryngology. The diagnosis must be considered in a pediatric non-cystic fibrosis patient with florid nasal polyposis. In this small case series, we will describe 2 patient’s presentation, work up, allergic and surgical therapies and their postoperative course.

2% (p< 001), 66 7% (p< 001), and 13 3% (p = 05), respectiv

2% (p<.001), 66.7% (p<.001), and 13.3% (p = .05), respectively. Patient satisfaction scores showed no significant change over time, although patient-evaluated overall improved scores increased 60% over baseline (p = .02).

CONCLUSION This technology may be a useful, nonablative resurfacing treatment for acne scarring. Scarring, texture, and pigmentation improved significantly according to investigator-rated assessment parameters. Although patient satisfaction scores did not improve, overall improvement scores did.

The

study was supported by Syneron.”
“The study of the solid-phase epitaxial growth (SPEG) process of Si (variously referred to as solid-phase epitaxy, solid-phase epitaxial regrowth, solid-phase epitaxial crystallization, and solid-phase epitaxial recrystallization) amorphized via ion implantation has been a topic of fundamental and technological importance for several decades. Overwhelmingly, selleck kinase inhibitor SPEG has been studied (and viewed) as a single-directional process where an advancing growth front between

amorphous and crystalline Si phases only has one specific crystallographic orientation. However, as it pertains to device processing, SPEG must actually be considered as multidirectional (or patterned) rather than bulk in nature with the evolving growth interface having multiple crystallographic orientations. Moreover, due to the increasingly LGX818 price ubiquitous nature of stresses presented during typical Si-based device fabrication, there is great interest in specifically studying the stressed-SPEG process. This work reviews the progress made in understanding

the multidirectional SPEG and, more importantly, stressed multidirectional SPEG process. For the work reviewed herein, (001) Si wafers with << 110 >>-aligned, intrinsically stressed Si(3)N(4)/SiO(2) patterning consisting of square and line structures were used with unmasked regions of the Si substrate amorphized via ion implantation. It is revealed that the stresses generated in the Si substrate from the patterning, both in line and square structures, alter the kinetics and geometry of the multidirectional SPEG process and can influence the formation of mask-edge defects which form during growth to different degrees as per differences in the substrate stresses generated this website by each type of patterning. Likewise, it is shown that application of external stress from wafer bending during SPEG in specimens with and without patterning can also influence the geometry of the evolving growth interface. Finally, the effect of the addition of SPEG-enhancing impurities during multidirectional stressed growth is observed to alter the evolution of the growth interface, thus suggesting that stress influences on growth are much less than those from dopants. Within the context of prior work, attempts are made to correlate the prior observations in single-directional stressed SPEG with the observations from patterned stressed SPEG reviewed herein.

Five patients had primary cutaneous CD 30+ anaplastic large cell

Five patients had primary cutaneous CD 30+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma, four patients each had lymphomatoid papulosis and primary cutaneous CD4-positive small/medium T-cell lymphoma, one primary cutaneous gamma delta I cell lymphoma, one Sezary syndrome and Fosbretabulin another subcutaneous panniculitis-like T

cell lymphoma of alpha beta-phenotype. Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin sections using a commercially available antibody against Dicer. Intensity of expression was correlated with clinical parameters including disease specific survival (DSS) and time to progression (TTP).

Results: After a median follow-up of 74 months (range: 1-271), 12/50 patients (24%) have died. Univariate and multivariate analysis for disease-specific survival showed Dicer expression and stage as a negative predictive factor in the sole group of MF patients (n = 34) as well as in the heterogeneous group of patients (n = 50), but not gender, histological subtype, primary localization of disease, age

and recurrence of lymphoma (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our data suggest Dicer expression as a possible molecular marker in patients with MF and apparently indicate that miRNA(s) might be of clinical relevance in CTCL. (C) 2011 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose: To prospectively investigate the effect of submaximal inspiration on computed tomographic (CT) indexes used to quantify emphysema and to discriminate between effects of lung tissue loss and increase in total lung capacity (TLC) on these indexes.

Materials and Methods:

In Daporinad purchase this ethical committee-approved study, 20 control subjects and 16 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who provided written informed consent were included. Three 1-mm-thick sections were obtained from each participant at 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, and 50% of vital capacity (VC). At each volume, eight percentiles of attenuation distribution, as well as relative area (RA) of lung occupied by attenuation coefficients lower than nine thresholds, were calculated. A linear regression line between TLC and each CT index was plotted for control subjects. Mean distance from data points measured in patients with COPD to the normal regression line was used to reflect the effect of lung tissue loss, regardless of TLC.

Results: The Tanespimycin ic50 RA of lung occupied by attenuation coefficients lower than 2 950 HU (RA(950)) at any percentage of VC lower than 100% decreased significantly from that at 100% VC (P <= .002) in control subjects and patients with COPD; however, between 100% VC and 90% VC, the average difference in RA(950) was only 3% and 2% in control subjects and patients with COPD, respectively. The 1st percentile at any percentage of VC lower than 100% increased from that at 100% VC (P <= .001) in control subjects. This percentile did not significantly differ from 100% VC at 90% VC or 80% VC (P = .176 and P = 0.

burnetii in SCID mouse spleens was slightly more sensitive than S

burnetii in SCID mouse spleens was slightly more sensitive than SCID mice deaths alone. Approximately one viable C. burnetii cell could be detected by this method, making it suitable Volasertib concentration for determining the viability of C. burnetii in a sample.”
“Purpose: To assess the potential of a single-session multidetector computed tomography (CT) protocol, as compared with established methods, for the etiologic work-up of acute ischemic stroke.

Materials and Methods: Patients found to have recently experienced an ischemic stroke were recruited for this prospective study

after institutional review board approval was obtained. Each patient was scheduled for two evaluation strategies: (a) a standard approach involving transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), duplex ultrasonography (US) of the neck vessels, and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of the neck and brain vessels; and (b) a protocol involving single-session multidetector CT of the heart, neck, and brain vessels. The authors sought to determine the major etiologic factors of stroke, including cardiac sources of embolism and atheroma of the aortic arch and the extra- and intracranial vessels, by using both strategies.

Results: Multidetector

Apoptosis Compound Library high throughput CT, MR imaging, and duplex US were performed in 46 patients, 39 of whom also underwent TEE. The sensitivity and specificity of multidetector CT were 72% (18 of 25 cases) and 95% (20 ACP-196 datasheet of 21 cases), respectively, for detection of cardiac sources and 100% (24 of 24 cases) and 91% (20 of 22 cases), respectively, for detection of major arterial atheroma. For the 46 cases of stroke, the final etiologic classifications determined by using the standard combination approach were cardiac sources in 20 (44%) cases, major arterial atheroma in nine (20%), multiple sources in four (9%), and cryptogenic sources in 13 (28%). Multidetector CT facilitated correct etiologic classification for 38 (83%) of the 46 patients.

Conclusion: Multidetector CT is a promising tool for etiologic assessment of ischemic stroke, although

the identification of minor cardiac sources with this examination requires the establishment of robust criteria. (C) RSNA, 2010″
“Ehrlichia ruminantium (ER), the causative agent of heartwater on ruminants, is an obligate intracellular bacterium transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma. Previous studies have shown that early stages of development may be critical for Ehrlichia pathogenicity. To gain insights into the biology of intracellular ER, we determined the genome-wide transcriptional profile of ER replicating inside bovine aortic endothelial cells using DNA microarrays. At intermediate and late stages of infection (reticulate and elementary bodies, respectively), a total of 54 genes were differentially expressed. Among them, we measured by q-RTPCR the overexpression of 11 of 14 genes.

Questions about adolescents’ self-reported physical and mental he

Questions about adolescents’ self-reported physical and mental health status and their experiences with these life domains require more research attention so as to target appropriate supportive services, particularly for adolescents with mental or physical health challenges.”
“Obesity adversely affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Most studies have used body mass index (BMI) to measure obesity. Other measures of obesity, such as waist circumference HIF-1�� pathway (WC) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), may be better

predictors of cardiovascular disease and mortality. We, therefore, examined the associations between other anthropometric measures and HRQoL in a multi-ethnic

Asian population.

In this follow-up study from four previous cross-sectional surveys, HRQoL was measured, at follow-up, using the Short-Form 36 version 2 (SF-36v2) questionnaire. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between anthropometric measures [BMI, WC, waist residuals (WR) (generated by regressing WC on BMI), WHR, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and height (Ht)] and HRQoL. We compared the models’ R (2), Akaike’s information criteria (AIC), and Schwarz Bayesian information criteria (BIC) from the different models.

Among 4,981 subjects, 47.6 % were men aged Combretastatin A4 molecular weight 50.6 +/- A 12.2 and women aged 49.3 +/- A 11.6 years. All gender-specific anthropometric measures were significantly correlated with BMI, except WR. After adjusting for known determinants of HRQoL, we found significant associations between BMI, WC and WHtR with SF-36v2 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores in women but not men. In contrast, after adjusting for known determinants of HRQoL, WR and WHR were significantly associated with SF-36v2 Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores in men, but not women. RA(2), AIC and BIC were similar for all anthropometric measures in the final model.

The associations between measures

of central obesity and HRQoL differed between men and women. In women, associations were seen with SF-36v2 PCS, but measures of central obesity did not have significant Acadesine in vitro associations with HRQoL after controlling for BMI. In men, an association between WC and SF-36v2 MCS was statistically significant independent of BMI. These gender differences require further investigation.”
“Decreased paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. There are two polymorphisms in serum PON1; one differs in the amino acid at position 192 (Q192R) and the other one differs at position 55 (L55M). We looked for a possible association between Q192R polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis.

4-400, 5 2-620 and 31-1400 ng g(-1), respectively) were significa

4-400, 5.2-620 and 31-1400 ng g(-1), respectively) were significantly higher than in urban house dust but the levels of PCBs (4.8-320 ng g(-1)) were not higher. The levels of PCBs and PBDEs in air at e-waste recycling houses (1000-1800 and 620-720 pg m(-3), respectively), determined using passive sampling, were also higher compared with non-e-waste houses. The composition of BFRs in EWRS samples suggests the influence from high-temperature processes and occurrence of waste materials containing older BFR formulations. Results of daily intake estimation LEE011 order for e-waste recycling workers are in good agreement with the accumulation patterns previously observed in human milk and indicate

that dust ingestion contributes a large portion of the PBDE intake (60%-88%), and air inhalation to the low-chlorinated PCB intake (>80% for triCBs) due to their high levels in dust and air, respectively. Further investigation of both indoor dust and air as the exposure media for other e-waste recycling-related contaminants and assessment of health risk associated with exposure to these contaminant mixtures is necessary.

(C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) was originally developed in Canada. However, little is known about its validity in communicating morbidity risks. We aimed to establish the AQHI in Shanghai, China, and to compare the associations of AQHI and SB202190 mouse find more existing Air Pollution Index (API) with daily mortality and morbidity. We constructed the AQHI as the sum of excess total mortality associated with individual air pollutants, and then adjusted it to an arbitrary scale

(0-10), according to a time-series analysis of air pollution and mortality in Shanghai from 2001 to 2008. We examined the associations of AQHI with daily mortality and morbidity, and compared these associations with API from 2005 to 2008. The coefficients of short-term associations of total mortality with particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 mu m (PM10), PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were used in the establishment of AQHI. During 2005-2008, the AQHI showed linear non-threshold positive associations with daily mortality and morbidity. A unit increase of the PM10-AQHI was associated with a 0.90% [95% (confidence interval, Cl), 0.43 to 1.37], 1.04% (95%CI, 0.04 to 2.04), 1.62% (95%CI, 039 to 2.85) and 0.51% (95%CI, 0.09 to 0.93) increase of current-day total mortality, hospital admissions, outpatient visits and emergency room visits, respectively. The PM2.5-AQHI showed quite similar effect estimates with the PM10-AQHI. In contrast, the associations for API were much weaker and generally statistically insignificant. The AQHI, compared with the existing API, provided a more effective tool to communicate the air pollution-related health risks to the public. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.