SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography) aboard the recently launched Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT) of ESA is measuring solar radiance upwelling from the atmosphere and the extraterrestrial irradiance. Appropriate inversion of the ultraviolet and visible radiance measurements, observed from the atmospheric limb, yields profiles of nitrogen dioxide, NO2, in the ...

Both nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) are powerful oxidants in ambient air that are intimately linked through atmospheric chemistry and which continuously interchange over very short timescales. Based upon atmospheric chemistry alone, there is a strong, a priori, reason for considering O3 and NO2 together in epidemiological studies, rather than either of the two pollutants separately in si...

Recent studies in animal systems have shown that NO can interact with fatty acids to generate nitro-fatty acids (NO2-FAs). They are the product of the reaction between reactive nitrogen species and unsaturated fatty acids, and are considered novel mediators of cell signaling based mainly on a proven anti-inflammatory response. Although these signaling mediators have been described widely in ani...

The photochemistry of nitrate ions in bulk aqueous solution is well known, yet recent evidence suggests that the photolysis of nitrate may be more efficient at the air-water interface. Whether and how this surface enhancement is altered by the presence of different cations is not known. In the present studies, thin aqueous films of nitrate salts with different cations were deposited on the wall...

Although interest in biomarkers in the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway has recently increased, associations between nitrite (NO2(-)) and nitrate (NO3(-)), and asthma, allergic sensitisation and rhinitis remain unclear. The study aimed to evaluate the associations between NO2(-)/NO3(-) and exhaled fraction of nitric oxide (FeNO) levels with asthma, allergic sensitisation and rhinitis. Plasma and exha...

In previous studies, we have reported bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings following single and repeated exposures to NO2. Here, we present the first data on measurements of the frequency of the mucociliary activity in healthy subjects following exposure to NO2. Twenty four healthy nonsmoking volunteers underwent fibreoptic bronchoscopy, during which mucociliary activity was measured using an ...

[1] The role of nitrous acid, HONO, as a precursor for hydroxyl radicals in polluted urban air has been recognized for many years. The chemical processes leading to the formation of HONO are, however, still not well understood. Laboratory studies show that HONO formation occurs primarily on surfaces and is first order in NO2. Water also plays an important role in the conversion process. While t...

Nitroalkene derivatives of nitro-oleic acid (OA-NO2) are endogenous lipid products with potent anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of OA-NO2 in mice given LPS. Two days before LPS administration, C57BL/6J mice were chronically infused with vehicle (LPS vehicle) or OA-NO2 (LPS OA-NO2) at 200 microg x kg(-1) x da...

Nitrooleic acid (OA-NO2) is endogenous ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. The present study was aimed at investigating the beneficial effects of OA-NO2 on the lipid metabolism and liver steatosis in deoxycorticosterone acetate- (DOCA-) salt induced hypertensive mice model. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided to receive DOCA-salt plus OA-NO2 or DOCA-salt plus vehicle and another...

This study was conducted to assess the current impact of natural gas appliances on air quality in California homes. Data were collected via telephone interviews and measurements inside and outside of 352 homes. Passive samplers measured time-resolved CO and time-integrated NOX , NO2 , formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde over ~6-day periods in November 2011 - April 2012 and October 2012 - March 2013....