Association Of Tobacco Smoking Research Articles

The Association of Tobacco Smoking and Level of Apoptosis in the Long Head of the Biceps Chronic Tendinopathy—An Immunohistochemical Study

Background: The substances present in cigarette smoke have a negative impact on cellular integrity and metabolism, can reduce blood flow to tissues, and can disrupt collagen synthesis. Ultimately this can lead to cell death, which clinically may result in impaired tendon healing and the onset of chronic tendinopathy. Within the shoulder, the exact association between the extent of apoptosis in the long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon and harmful factors like cigarette smoke remains unclear. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between smoking, the degree of apoptosis in LHB tendinopathy, and the long-term outcomes of surgical treatment. Design: Observational, retrospective study. Methods: This study included 22 consecutive patients who had undergone arthroscopic biceps tenodesis or tenotomy for symptomatic LHB tendinopathy with or without concomitant rotator cuff tears (RCT). The intra-articular LHB tendon remnants were histologically examined by measuring the level of expression of apoptotic cell markers such as BCL2, cleaved caspase 3, and p53. Pre- and postoperative clinical outcomes were analyzed by collecting patient report outcome measures such as the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. Results: The smokers group had a mean pack-year history of 13.12 (SD = 9.94), mean number of cigarettes per day of 14.77 (SD = 4.64), and a mean smoking duration of 16.38 (SD = 10.1) years. Among the smoking indexes, the number of cigarettes per day showed a positive correlation with Snyder classification (p = 0.0459, rho = 0.3682). Non-smokers and smokers did not show a statistically significant difference in the expression indexes of BCL2, cleaved caspase 3, or p53 (p = 0.4216, p = 0.5449, p = 0.5613, respectively). However, the cleaved caspase 3 expression index showed a negative correlation with the severity of rotator cuff lesions in the total population (p = 0.0193, rho = −0.4651). Conclusions: While apoptotic processes in the LHB tendon were observed, no significant association was found between tobacco smoking, the extent of apoptosis, and clinical outcomes. However, the expression of the apoptotic marker cleaved caspase 3 correlated with the severity of rotator cuff pathology. Furthermore, active smoker status was associated with worse clinical outcomes in terms of pain following LHB tenodesis or tenotomy.

The Association of Tobacco Smoking, Second-hand Smoke, and Novel Tobacco Products With COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in Italy: Results From the COSMO-IT Study.

Despite the robust evidence of an excess risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and mortality in ever smokers, the debate on the role of current and ex-smokers on COVID-19 progression remains open. Limited or no data are available on the link between electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), heated tobacco product (HTP) and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure and COVID-19 progression. To fill this knowledge gap, we undertook the COvid19 and SMOking in ITaly (COSMO-IT) study. A multi-centre longitudinal study was conducted in 2020-2021 in 24 Italian hospitals on a total of 1,820 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients. We estimated multivariable odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to quantify the association between smoking-related behaviours (ie, smoking status, e-cigarette and HTP use, and SHS exposure) and COVID-19 severity (composite outcome: intubation, intensive care unit admission and death) and mortality. Compared to never smokers, current smokers had an increased risk of COVID-19 mortality (OR 2.17; 95% CI, 1.06-4.41). E-cigarette use was non-significantly associated to an increased risk of COVID-19 severity (OR 1.60; 95% CI, 0.96-2.67). An increased risk of mortality was observed for exposure to SHS among non-smokers (OR 1.67; 95% CI, 1.04-2.68), the risk being particularly evident for exposures of ≥6 hours/day (OR 1.99; 95% CI, 1.15-3.44). This multicentric study from Italy shows a dismal COVID-19 progression in current smokers and, for the first time, in SHS exposed non-smokers. These data represent an additional reason to strengthen and enforce effective tobacco control measures and to support smokers in quitting.

Effect of Club cell secretory proteins on the association of tobacco smoke and PAH co-exposure with lung function decline: A longitudinal observation of Chinese coke oven workers.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and tobacco smoke is associated with epithelial damage and reduced lung function. Club cell secretory protein (CC16) is a known biomarker for lung epithelial cells. However, the potential relationships between PAH and tobacco smoke exposure, CC16 levels, and reduced lung function remain unclear. This longitudinal study aimed to explore the potential role of CC16 in the association of tobacco smoke and PAH co-exposure with lung function. We enrolled 313 workers from a coking plant in China in 2014 and followed them up in 2019. The concentrations of PAH and nicotine metabolites in urine were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector and HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The plasma CC16 concentration was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An analysis of the generalized estimating equation showed that each 1-unit increase in log-transformation of the last tertile of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (3HC) was associated with a 3.30ng/ml decrease in CC16. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a significant nonlinear dose-effect association between cotinine (COT) and CC16 (Pnonlinear=0.018). In the low- CC16 subgroup, we found a significant association between total nicotine metabolites and forced vital capacity (FVC%) (β: 1.45, 95% CI: 2.87, -0.03), and the associations of nicotine (NIC), COT, and 3HC with FVC% were all of marginal significance. High levels of total hydroxyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ΣOH-PAH) and NIC in the urine had an interactive effect on the decline of CC16 (P<0.05). Cross-lagged panel analysis indicated that the decrease in CC16 preceded the decrease in FVC%. CC16 mediated the association between elevated nicotine metabolites and decreased FVC% in the low- CC16 subgroup. CC16 plays an essential role in the association of PAH and tobacco smoke exposure with reduced lung function. Coke oven workers with low plasma CC16 levels are more likely to experience decreased lung function after tobacco smoke exposure.

Association of Tobacco Smoking with Systemic Co-Morbidities among Patients Seeking for Dental Care Services: Across Section Study

Background: Smoking is a common risk factor for chronic diseases, including cancer, lung diseases and cardiovascular disease. The adverse effects of tobacco smoking on oral health are well documented. This includes common and rare conditions of benign to life-threatening diseases such as bad breath, discoloration of teeth and dental restorations, taste and smell disorders , periodontal disease , oral mucosal lesions such as smoker's melanosis and smoker's palate, potentially malignant lesions and oral cancer . Aim of the Study: To verify associated of the smoking with systemic dissase among patients seeking for dental health care Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study performed at the dental and maxillofacial unit in AL-Sader Teaching hospital, Al-Najaf city the data were collected during a period of four months, starting 1st March to the 1st June 2019. Target population: study participants were selected by systemic random sampling patients attended Al Sader Teaching hospital at maxillofacial unit according to special criteria. Results: A total of 400 participants were enrolled in this study , their age ranged 18 – 65 years, no significant difference had been found regarding the age distribution between smokers and non-smokers sub groups, (P&gt;0.05). No significant association was found between smoking and residence, (P&gt;0.05). A significant association was found between occupation and smoking status , where unemployed were the dominant among smokers, contributed for 52.9%, compared to other occupations, (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Significant associated with observed between oral disease and cigarette smoking among patient seeking oral health care.

Association of tobacco smoking with bipolar affective disorder- a comparative cross-sectional study at a tertiary care centre in south India

Background: Smokers with psychiatric disorders, most notably those with serious mental illness and substance use disorders tend to present with more severe nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal than smokers without these illnesses. The following study aims to explore the correlation of smoking with bipolar affective disorder Setting and design: The comparative cross-sectional study was done in Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Kochi, a 1,450-bed hospital for a period of 2 years. Methods and materials: Seventy subjects with Bipolar affective Disorder who were in remission for at least two months and Seventy subjects who were relatives of paediatric outpatients were included in the study and control group, respectively. Clinical variables were assessed, and Hamilton depression rating scale, Young mania rating scale and Fagerstorm nicotine rating scale were administered to the subjects. Results: In this study, 52.9% of subjects with bipolar disorder were found to be smokers, and 51.4% of the normal population were smokers. No significant association was observed between bipolar affective disorder, and smoking tobacco, however, a significant correlation was found between smoking status and the total number of episodes of the disorder, psychotic episodes and suicide attempts. Conclusion: There appears to be a relationship between smoking tobacco and certain clinical features of bipolar affective disorder. It is possibly a bidirectional relation between these two disorders.

From tobacco smoking to cancer\xa0mutational signature: a mediation analysis strategy to explore the role of epigenetic changes

BackgroundTobacco smoking is associated with a unique mutational signature in the human cancer genome. It is unclear whether tobacco smoking-altered DNA methylations and gene expressions affect smoking-related mutational signature.MethodsWe systematically analyzed the smoking-related DNA methylation sites reported from five previous casecontrol studies in peripheral blood cells to identify possible target genes. Using the mediation analysis approach, we evaluated whether the association of tobacco smoking with mutational signature is mediated through altered DNA methylation and expression of these target genes in lung adenocarcinoma tumor tissues.ResultsBased on data obtained from 21,108 blood samples, we identified 374 smoking-related DNA methylation sites, annotated to 248 target genes. Using data from DNA methylations, gene expressions and smoking-related mutational signature generated from ~ 7700 tumor tissue samples across 26 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we found 11 of the 248 target genes whose expressions were associated with smoking-related mutational signature at a Bonferroni-correction P < 0.001. This included four for head and neck cancer, and seven for lung adenocarcinoma. In lung adenocarcinoma, our results showed that smoking increased the expression of three genes, AHRR, GPR15, and HDGF, and decreased the expression of two genes, CAPN8, and RPS6KA1, which were consequently associated with increased smoking-related mutational signature. Additional evidence showed that the elevated expression of AHRR and GPR15 were associated with smoking-altered hypomethylations at cg14817490 and cg19859270, respectively, in lung adenocarcinoma tumor tissues. Lastly, we showed that decreased expression of RPS6KA1, were associated with poor survival of lung cancer patients.ConclusionsOur findings provide novel insight into the contributions of tobacco smoking to carcinogenesis through the underlying mechanisms of the elevated mutational signature by altered DNA methylations and gene expressions.

The association of tobacco smoking and bone health in the elderly population of Iran: results from Bushehr elderly health (BEH) program.

Smoking has been linked with osteoporosis, but further evidence is required, especially concerning the effects of different types of tobacco smoking. We sought to examine the association between smoking and bone health in a large cohort of elderly Iranians. The data from 2377 participants aged >60years of Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program were used. Regardless of the type of smoking, participants were initially classified as non-smokers, ex-smokers and current smokers. Current smokers were also categorized based on the smoking type (pure cigarette, pure hookah and both). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate bone density as well as Trabecular Bone Score (TBS). T-score ≤ -2.5 in either of the femoral neck, total hip or spinal sites was applied to determine the osteoporosis. The association of smoking and osteoporosis was assessed using multivariable modified Poisson regression model and reported as adjusted prevalence ratios (APR). The linear regression model was used to assess the association between smoking and TBS, adjusting for potential factors. A total of 2377 (1225 women) were enrolled [mean age: 69.3 (±6.4) years], among which 1054 (44.3%) participants were nonsmokers. In all, 496 (20.9%) participants were current smokers. Multivariable regression analysis revealed no significant association between smoking (either current or past) and osteoporosis in women. In men, current smoking was negatively associated with osteoporosis (APR: 1.51, 95%CI: 1.16-1.96). Among current users, cigarette smoking was associated with osteoporosis (APR: 1.57, 95%CI: 1.20-2.03); however, we could not detect a significant association between current smoking of hookah and osteoporosis. In men, a significant association was also detected between current cigarette smoking and TBS (coefficient: -0.03, 95%CI: -0.01, -0.04). Current cigarette smoking is associated with both the quantity and quality of bone mass in elderly men. Although we could not detect a significant association between hookah and osteoporosis in men, considering the prevalence of hookah smoking in the middle eastern countries, further studies are needed to determine the effect of hookah smoking on bone health.

Association of Tobacco Smoking with Physical Fitness of Military Males in Taiwan: The CHIEF Study.

Tobacco smoking has been found associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness in white and black males; however, few studies have not been conducted to clarify such relationship in Asian males. We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between tobacco smoking status and physical fitness in 3,669 military males, averaged 29.4 years of age, from the cardiorespiratory fitness and hospitalization events in armed forces (CHIEF) study in Taiwan during 2014. There were 1,376 current smokers, and the others were noncurrent smokers. The effective sample size estimated was 1,230 participants, as the margin of error was ±3% at the 99% confidence level. Physical fitness was evaluated by time for a 3000-meter run test (aerobic fitness) and repetitive numbers of 2-minute sit-ups and 2-minute push-ups (anaerobic fitness) where all procedures were standardized by using computerized scoring systems. A multiple linear analysis adjusting for age, service specialty, body mass index, heart rate, alcohol intake, and training frequency was used to determine the relationship. As compared with noncurrent smoking, current smoking was inversely correlated with longer time for a 3000-meter run (β = 15.66 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 10.62, 20.70)) and fewer repetitive numbers of 2-minute sit-ups and 2-minute push-ups (β = −1.53 (95% CI: −2.08, −0.97) and −1.31 (95% CI: −2.12, −0.50), respectively). Our finding reconfirms the concept that tobacco smoking might reduce both aerobic and anaerobic fitness among young Asian males.

Associations of tobacco smoking with body mass distribution; a population-based study of 65,875 men and women in midlife

BackgroundStudies indicate an effect of smoking toward abdominal obesity, but few assess hip and waist circumferences (HC and WC) independently. The present study aimed to assess the associations of smoking status and volume smoked with HC and WC and their ratio in a population with low prevalence of obesity together with high prevalence of smoking.MethodsWe used cross-sectional survey data from 11 of a total 19 Norwegian counties examined in 1997–99 including 65,875 men and women aged 39–44 years. Analysis of associations were adjusted for confounding by socioeconomic position, health indicators, and additionally for BMI.ResultsCompared with never-smokers, when adjusting for confounders and in addition for BMI, mean HC remained lower while mean WC and waist-hip-ratio (WHR) were higher in current smokers. The finding of a lower HC and higher WHR level among smokers was consistent by sex and in strata by levels of education and physical activity, while the finding of higher WC by smoking was less consistent. Among current smokers, BMI-adjusted mean HC decreased whereas WC and WHR increased by volume smoked. Compared with current smokers, former smokers had higher BMI-adjusted HC, lower WHR and among women WC was lower.ConclusionsThe main finding in this study was the consistent negative associations of smoking with HC. In line with the hypothesis that lower percentage gluteofemoral fat is linked with higher cardiovascular risk, our results suggest that smoking impacts cardiovascular risk through mechanisms that reduce the capacity of fat storage in the lower body region.

Abstract 836: From tobacco smoking to mutation signature: The role of epigenetic changes in human cancers

Abstract Tobacco smoking is associated with a unique mutation signature in the human cancer genome. It is unclear whether tobacco smoking alters DNA methylations and gene expressions affect smoking-related mutation signature. In this study, we evaluated the smoking-related DNA methylation sites reported from five previous studies using peripheral blood cells to identify possible target genes. Using the mediation analysis approach, we evaluated whether the association of tobacco smoking with mutation signature was mediated through altered DNA methylation and expression of these target genes. Based on data obtained from 21,108 blood samples, we identified 374 smoking-related DNA methylation sites, annotated to 248 target genes. Using data from DNA methylations, gene expressions and smoking-related mutation signature generated from ~7,700 tumor tissue samples across 26 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we found 11 of the 248 target genes whose expressions were associated with smoking-related mutation signature at a Bonferroni-correction P &amp;lt; 0.001. This included four for head and neck cancer, and seven for lung adenocarcinoma. In lung adenocarcinoma, our results further showed that smoking increased the expression of three genes, AHRR, GPR15, and HDGF, and decreased the expression of two genes, CAPN8, and RPS6KA1, which were consequently associated with increased smoking-related mutation signature. Additional evidence showed that the elevated expression of AHRR (cg14817490) and GPR15 (cg19859270), were associated with smoking-altered hypomethylations. Our findings provide novel insight into the contributions of tobacco smoking to carcinogenesis through complex molecular mechanisms of the evaluated mutation signature by altered DNA methylation and gene expression. Citation Format: Zhishan Chen, Wanqing Wen, Qiuyin Cai, Jirong Long, Xiao-ou Shu, Wei Zheng, Xingyi Guo. From tobacco smoking to mutation signature: The role of epigenetic changes in human cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 836.

Tabaquismo y cáncer de piel no melanoma

The incidence of non melanoma skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) y basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is constantly rising all over the world. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is an established environment risk for SCC and BCC, others risk factors such as skin type, age, chemical exposure and the presence of premalignant lesions within others risk factors have been well studied. The association of tobacco smoking with non melanoma skin cancer has been controversial and inconsistent. The objective of this article was to perform a systematic review of the published finding on the association between tobacco smoking and the presence of SCC and BCC. For this purpose, all reviews and meta-analysis studies, as well as some selected individual scientific research on the subject were analyzed. The individual scientific research included in this review were selected according scientific criteria parameters such as the number of patients studied. According to the results of this review, there is a strong association between tobacco smoking and SCC; however, this association is not that clear in BCC. We need to understand further the mechanisms behind the tobacco smoking and the development of SCC. In the future, more scientific research is needed in the subject.

Factors associated with successful completion of a substance rehabilitation programme at a psychiatric training hospital

IntroductionComorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders are common globally. Management of either condition is influenced by comprehensive management of the other.AimThe aim of this study was to determine which patient and substance factors are associated with completion of a substance rehabilitation programme in psychiatric inpatients.MethodsThe study was conducted at the Substance Rehabilitation Unit (SRU) of Weskoppies Hospital, a psychiatric training hospital in South Africa. It was a hospital-based two-group cross-sectional study comparing clinical files of completers and non-completers of the SRU programme with respect to patient and substance factors.ResultsMost of the patients referred to the SRU were involuntarily admitted, between the ages of 30 and 49 years, male, black or African origin, South African, single, unemployed, never having received a disability grant and with a highest level of education between Grades 8 and 11. Substance-induced disorders, psychotic disorders and Cluster B personality traits were common. Cannabis, alcohol and tobacco were the most frequently used substances. Patients with a lower level of education, who receive a disability grant or who use Nyaope or tobacco, were statistically significantly less likely to complete the SRU programme than those without these factors. Psychiatric diagnosis and general medical comorbidity were not associated with completion.ConclusionCompletion rates were comparable to those in general substance rehabilitation centres. The association of tobacco smoking and non-completion was in keeping with other research. Low educational level may be a predictive factor of non-completion in this population. This study has yielded several recommendations for substance rehabilitation services in this population and filled a number of research gaps. Further research is still needed, especially with regard to substance rehabilitation in Nyaope-users and the role of disability grants. Creative approaches will be necessary in order to support patients at risk of dropout, in light of resource limitations and the drive towards individualised care.

The effect of cigarette smoking on the clinical and serological phenotypes of polymyositis and dermatomyositis.

Cigarette smoking is associated with immune-mediated disorders. We explored the contribution of smoking to polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) phenotypes and attempted to determine whether cigarette smoking effects differ by race and genotype. Associations of tobacco smoking with disease features, autoantibodies, HLA types, and race were evaluated using multiple logistic regressions in 465 patients. Caucasian ever-smokers (n = 140) were more likely to have PM (adjusted OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.41–3.57), anti-synthetase (adjusted OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.12–3.34) and anti-Jo-1 autoantibodies (adjusted OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.08–3.46) and less likely to have anti-p155/140 autoantibodies (adjusted OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14–0.92). In Caucasians, ever-smokers had a greater interstitial lung disease (ILD) frequency than never-smokers, while in African-Americans this relationship was inverted, but neither trend reached statistical significance. Pack-years of cigarette smoking showed significant positive associations with PM (adjusted OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.002–1.04) and ILD (adjusted OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.001–1.03) and was inversely associated with anti-p155/140 autoantibodies (adjusted OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87–0.99) in Caucasians. Caucasian heavy smokers (=20 pack-years) were more likely to have PM (adjusted OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.25–5.09), ILD (adjusted OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.23–5.00) and anti-Jo-1 autoantibodies (adjusted OR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.16–6.08) than never-smokers. In Caucasians, compared to never-smokers without HLA-DRB1*03:01 allele, ever-smokers with HLA-DRB1*03:01 allele had the highest odds of PM, ILD, ASA, and anti-Jo-1 autoantibodies. Risks for those with only one of these two factors were intermediate. An inverse pattern was observed regarding anti-p155/140 autoantibodies. Tobacco smoking was associated with clinical and autoantibody phenotypes in Caucasians. Our findings also suggest possible interactions among HLA-DRB1*03:01 and smoking on the risk of PM and ILD, as well as, anti-synthetase, anti-Jo-1, and anti-p155/140 autoantibodies in Caucasians.

Associations of Tobacco Smoking with Impaired Endothelial Function: The Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS).

Aims: Smoking impairs endothelial function as an acute effect. However, few population-based studies have examined the association between smoking status and endothelial function or the dose-response and duration- response association of smoking with endothelial function. We examined whether smoking habits were associated with impaired endothelial function depending on smoking dose and duration.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 910 men and women aged 30–79 years from 2013 to 2016. Statistical analyses of the data were conducted between 2016 and 2017. Endothelial function was assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) measurement. Low FMD was defined in two ways as the cutoff point based on the lowest quartile of %FMD (< 5.1%) and median of %FMD (< 6.8%), regarding as impaired endothelial function. We investigated the smoking status in terms of cigarettes consumed per day and the duration of smoking.Results: Heavy and chronic smokers were associated with a high prevalence of impaired endothelial function. Those associations did not change substantially after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors. Among all participants, the multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of low FMD (< 5.1%) with reference to never smokers were 2.23 (1.00–5.14) for current heavy smokers of ≥ 30 cigarettes per day, 1.83 (1.04–3.20) for heavy smokers of ≥ 40 pack-years, and 2.16 (1.15–4.06) for chronic smokers of ≥ 40 years. For low FMD (< 6.8%) those values was 2.17 (1.01–5.05), 1.70 (1.01–2.86), and 1.98 (1.07–3.69), respectively.Conclusions: Similar associations were observed among only men. Heavy or long-term tobacco smoking may induce impaired endothelial function.

Telomerase activity, telomere length and hTERT DNA methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from monozygotic twins with discordant smoking habits

Increased telomerase expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and, since the primary cause of lung cancer is smoking, an association between telomerase reactivation and tobacco smoke has been proposed. In this work an investigation has been performed to assess the relationship between tobacco smoke exposure and telomerase activity (TA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy smokers. The methylation status of the catalytic subunit of telomerase hTERT was concurrently investigated to assess the possible association between epigenetic modifications of hTERT and TA. Besides, the association between smoke and telomere length (TL) has been evaluated. Healthy monozygotic twins with discordant smoking habits were selected as study population to minimize inter-individual differences because of demographic characteristics and genetic heterogeneity. Statistically significant higher values of TA and TL were observed in smokers compared to nonsmoker co-twins. The multivariate analysis of data showed, besides smoking habits (P = 0.02), an influence of gender (P = 0.006) and BMI (P = 0.001) on TA and a borderline effect of gender (P = 0.05) on TL. DNA methylation analysis, focused on 100 CpG sites mapping in hTERT, highlighted nine CpG sites differentially methylated in smokers. When co-twins were contrasted, selecting as variables the intra-twin difference in TA and hTERT DNA methylation, a statistically significant inverse correlation (P = 0.003) was observed between TA and DNA methylation at the cg05521538 site. In conclusion, these results indicate an association of tobacco smoke with TA and TL and suggest a possible association between smoke-induced epigenetic effects and TA in healthy smokers. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:551-559, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of ultraviolet radiation, smoking and nutrition on hair.

Similar to the rest of the skin, the hair is exposed to noxious environmental factors. While ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and smoking are well appreciated as major factors contributing to the extrinsic aging of the skin, their effects on the condition of hair have only lately attracted the attention of the medical community. Terrestrial solar UVR ranges from approximately 290 to 400 nm; UV-B (290-315 nm) reaches only the upper dermis, while the penetration of UV-A (315-400 nm) into the dermis increases with wavelength. The two most important chronic effects of UVR on the skin and bald scalp are photocarcinogenesis and solar elastosis; however, the effects of UVR on hair have largely been ignored. As a consequence of increased leisure time and a growing popularity of outdoor activities and holidays in the sun, the awareness of sun protection of the skin has become important and should also apply to the hair. Besides being the single-most preventable cause of significant cardiovascular and pulmonary morbidity and an important cause of death, the association of tobacco smoking with various adverse effects on the skin and hair has also been recognized. Increasing public awareness of the association between smoking and hair loss seems to offer a good opportunity for the prevention or cessation of smoking, since the appearance of hair plays an important role in the overall physical appearance and self-perception of people. Finally, the quantity and quality of hair are closely related to the nutritional state of an individual. Normal supply, uptake, and transport of proteins, calories, trace elements, and vitamins are of fundamental importance in tissues with high biosynthetic activity, such as the hair follicle. In instances of protein and calorie malnutrition as well as essential amino acid, trace element, and vitamin deficiencies, hair growth and pigmentation may be impaired. Ultimately, important commercial interest lies in the question of whether increasing the content of an already adequate diet with specific amino acids, vitamins and/or trace elements may further promote hair growth. Unless the hair is impaired due to nutritional deficiency, there is only so much that nutrients can do to increase the size of individual hairs because hair thickness is largely genetic. Nevertheless, there are external factors that influence hair health to such a degree that micronutrients could boost hair that is suffering from these problems.

Abstract 2222: Synergistic effects of NAT2 and GSTT1 null polymorphism in lung cancer: a study from North India

Abstract Purpose: Polymorphism in carcinogen detoxification enzymes, NAT2 and GSTT1, has been suggested as susceptibility factor for DNA damage and lung cancer. However, little information is available on DNA adduct burden in lung tissue and polymorphisms in NAT2 and GSTs gene. We investigated the independent and combined effect of metabolic gene polymorphisms NAT2 and GSTs in lung cancer north India patients. Aim: Present study was conducted to examine: 1) whether GSTT1 Null and NAT2 genotypes have combined risk factors for Lung cancer, 2) To study possible association of tobacco smoking with NAT2 and GSTT1 null genotype of these patients. Materials and Methods: This case control study was undertaken over a period of 19 months and included 100 Lung cancer patients and 145 controls. The GSTT1 Null and NAT2 genotypes were identified by PCR-RFLP method in peripheral blood DNA samples. Genotypes frequencies and the association of the genotypes among patients and controls group were assessed by X2 test and Binary Logistic regression. Results: The NAT2 slow acetylator genotype frequency of slow or fast acetylator genotypes was not significant in lung cancer patients alone (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.69 - 2.03, p value = 0.583).when we combined GSTT1Null/NAT2 slow, then we found no significant association (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.47 - 1.54, p value = 0.610) between case and controls. While on comparing data with smoker as well non-smoker NAT2 polymorphism have no association but GSTT1 null have significant association (P=0.004) in smoker patients. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that there have no combined affect GSTT1 Null NAT2 slow acetylator genotype did not associated with the risk of developing lung cancer in North Indian population when compared with controls. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Rajni Kant Shukla, Surya Kant, Sandeep Bhattacharya, Balraj K. Mittal. Synergistic effects of NAT2 and GSTT1 null polymorphism in lung cancer: a study from North India. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2222. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2222

Commentary: Mendelian randomization study of tobacco smoking and cardiovascular risk factors: hazards of tobacco smoking greatly outweigh any benefits

Tobacco smoking is a major cause of adult mortality worldwide. On average about 50% of young men and 10% of young women are current smokers. Whereas tobacco smoking accounted for about 5 million deaths in 2010, this could double and result in 10 million deaths in a few decades from now, when the current smokers reach middle and old age. Prospective studies in the UK, USA, Japan and India have examined the effects on mortality in populations of men and of women who began to smoke in early adult life and persisted. These publications demonstrated that, in middle age, mortality among cigarette smokers was two to three times the mortality among otherwise similar persons who had never smoked, leading to a reduction in life span by an average of about 10 years. Recent research among UK women also demonstrated that two-thirds of all deaths of smokers in their 50s, 60s and 70s were caused by smoking. Although the hazards of smoking until the age of 40 years and then stopping are substantial, the hazards of continuing are 10 times greater. Women who stop smoking before age 40 years (and preferably well before age 40 years) avoid more than 90% of the excess mortality caused by continuing smoking; stopping before age 30 years avoids more than 97% of it. The report by Asvold and colleagues examined the associations of smoking with cardiovascular risk factors in a cross-sectional analysis of the Hunt study, a populationbased study of 56 625 adults living in Norway that was surveyed in 1995–97. Asvold and colleagues reported that smoking was a major public health problem in Norway, with 31% current smokers, 25% former smokers and 44% never smokers in this population. The study demonstrated that tobacco smoking greater than five cigarettes per day was associated with adverse levels of almost all cardiovascular risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, heart rate, non high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and glucose. However, light smoking (less than five cigarettes/day) was associated with a lower BMI and lower blood pressure but higher heart rate and estimated glomerular filtration rate. To address the causal relevance of the discrepant associations of light vs average or heavy smoking, the authors adopted a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to study the associations of rs1051730 (a predictor of smoking quantity) with levels of cardiovascular risk factors. This MR approach adopted an instrumental variables analysis using this genetic instrument to assess causality. The fundamental principles of MR involve use of genetic variants that can either alter the level of, or imitate the biological effects of, a potentially modifiable environmental exposure affecting disease risk, which is then related to disease risk to the extent predicted by their influence on the exposure to the risk factor. MR studies have become increasingly popular for assessing the causal role of a risk factor and reducing the effects of confounding and reverse causality that limit classical observational studies. However, MR studies have not been widely used to assess the role of environmental exposures on other risk factors. The report by Asvold and colleagues examined the utility of this approach when assessing causal associations of tobacco smoking with cardiovascular risk factors.

Tobacco smoking: a major risk factor for pulmonary tuberculosis--evidence from a cross-sectional study in central India.

This paper provides information on the association of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption with pulmonary TB (PTB) in central India. A community based cross-sectional TB prevalence survey was conducted in Jabalpur district of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The information on tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption was collected from individuals aged ≥15 years. Using logistic regression analysis, the risk factors for PTB were identified. A total of 94 559 individuals provided information on tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption. Persons aged 35-54 years and 55 years and above had, respectively, a 2.19 (95% CI 1.57-3.07) and a 3.26 (95% CI 2.23-4.77) times higher risk of developing PTB compared to persons aged below 35 years. Males had a 2.35 (95% CI 1.66-3.32) times higher risk than females. Tribals (indigenous population) had a 2.32 (95% CI 1.68-3.21) times higher risk than non-tribal population. The adjusted prevalence odds ratio for mild, moderate and heavy tobacco smokers were 2.28, 2.51 and 2.74 respectively as compared to non-smokers. Alcohol consumption was not found to be a risk factor on multivariate analysis. Tobacco smoking is significantly associated with PTB in this central Indian district. Smoking cessation services need to be integrated into the activities of the TB control programme.

Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its association with tobacco smoking and environmental tobacco smoke exposure among rural population.

A field survey was conducted for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) epidemiology in the rural field practice area of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India, which covers a population of 44,387 to find out the prevalence of COPD in adult subjects of 35 years and above using cluster sampling technique and to determine the association of tobacco smoking, environmental tobacco smoking (ETS) exposure and type of cooking fuel used with COPD. The overall prevalence of COPD was 4.36%. The prevalence among males and females were 5.32% and 3.41% respectively. The prevalence was found to be increasing with an increase in age. The tobacco smoke and exposure to ETS was significantly associated with higher odds of COPD with adjusted odds ratio 2.97 and 2.67 respectively. Thus, there was a significant association between tobacco smoking and ETS exposure with COPD.