Elevated Nicotine Levels Research Articles

Nicotine Monitoring with a Wearable Sweat Band.

The tobacco epidemic is a public health threat that has taken a heavy toll of lives around the globe each year. Smoking affects both the smokers and those who are exposed to secondhand smoke, and careful tracking of exposure can be key to mitigating the potential hazards. For smokers, the variation of chemical compositions between commercial cigarettes has led to ambiguity in estimating the health risks, both for active smokers and others involuntarily exposed to tobacco smoke and byproducts. In this regard, sweat possesses an attractive opportunity to monitor smoke exposure due to sweat's abundance in biomolecules and its great accessibility. Here, we present a wearable sweat band to monitor nicotine, a prominent ingredient in cigarettes, as a viable way to quantitatively assess a wearer's exposure to smoking. Both smokers and normal subjects are tested to demonstrate the use of this device for smoke-related health monitoring. Our results exhibit confirmable and elevated nicotine levels in sweat for subjects inhaling cigarette smoke. This continuous and personalized sweat sensing device is leverage to monitor smoke pollution for a potentially broad population.

Measurements of dermal uptake of nicotine directly from air and clothing.

In this preliminary study, we have investigated whether dermal uptake of nicotine directly from air or indirectly from clothing can be a meaningful exposure pathway. Two participants wearing only shorts and a third participant wearing clean cotton clothes were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), generated by mechanically "smoking" cigarettes, for three hours in a chamber while breathing clean air from head-enveloping hoods. The average nicotine concentration (420μg/m3 ) was comparable to the highest levels reported for smoking sections of pubs. Urine samples were collected immediately before exposure and 60hour post-exposure for bare-skinned participants. For the clothed participant, post-exposure urine samples were collected for 24hour. This participant then entered the chamber for another three-hour exposure wearing a hood and clothes, including a shirt that had been exposed for five days to elevated nicotine levels. The urine samples were analyzed for nicotine and two metabolites-cotinine and 3OH-cotinine. Peak urinary cotinine and 3OH-cotinine concentrations for the bare-skinned participants were comparable to levels measured among non-smokers in hospitality environments before smoking bans. The amount of dermally absorbed nicotine for each bare-skinned participant was conservatively estimated at 570μg, but may have been larger. For the participant wearing clean clothes, uptake was ~20μg, and while wearing a shirt previously exposed to nicotine, uptake was ~80μg. This study demonstrates meaningful dermal uptake of nicotine directly from air or from nicotine-exposed clothes. The findings are especially relevant for children in homes with smoking or vaping.

Grafting tomato onto tobacco rootstocks is a practical and feasible application for higher growth and leafing in different tobacco–tomato unions

A previously developed grafting strategy was applied to graft a commercial cultivated variety of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. H-2274) onto Nicotiana rustica L. (cv. Hasankeyf) and Nicotiana tabacum L. (cv. Samsun) rootstocks. Higher growth and leafing, and earlier flower onset were found in grafted than in non-grafted and self-grafted plants. Significant 22.7 and 34.3% increases in fruit yield were obtained with Samsun and Hasankeyf rootstocks, respectively. Leaves of tobacco-grafted plants had significantly elevated levels of nicotine, and highest leaf nicotine levels were measured at 90 days after transplantation (DAT). Leaves from upper sampling levels of plants had significantly less nicotine independent of the sampling DAT. Fruits of all tobacco-grafted plants had significantly higher amounts of nicotine than non-grafted scions. Nicotine levels were higher in fruits sampled from lower parts of the plants for different harvest DAT and rootstocks. Increases in leaf nicotine concentration of tobacco-grafted plants were higher when compared with that of fruit. Grafting tomato onto tobacco rootstocks is a practical and feasible application for different tobacco–tomato unions.

Biogenic amines – A possible source for nicotine in mushrooms? A discussion of published literature data

Mushrooms have, repeatedly, been shown to contain nicotine. Speculation about the source of contamination has been widespread, however the source of nicotine remains unknown. Previous studies indicate that putrescine, an intermediate in nicotine biosynthesis, can be formed in mushrooms, which might be metabolised to form nicotine. Thus, endogenous formation may be a possible cause for elevated nicotine levels in mushrooms. We present evidence from the literature that may support this hypothesis.

Thirdhand tobacco smoke: emerging evidence and arguments for a multidisciplinary research agenda.

Background: There is broad consensus regarding the health impact of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, yet considerable ambiguity exists about the nature and consequences of thirdhand smoke (THS).Objectives: We introduce definitions of THS and THS exposure and review recent findings about constituents, indoor sorption–desorption dynamics, and transformations of THS; distribution and persistence of THS in residential settings; implications for pathways of exposure; potential clinical significance and health effects; and behavioral and policy issues that affect and are affected by THS.Discussion: Physical and chemical transformations of tobacco smoke pollutants take place over time scales ranging from seconds to months and include the creation of secondary pollutants that in some cases are more toxic (e.g., tobacco-specific nitrosamines). THS persists in real-world residential settings in the air, dust, and surfaces and is associated with elevated levels of nicotine on hands and cotinine in urine of nonsmokers residing in homes previously occupied by smokers. Much still needs to be learned about the chemistry, exposure, toxicology, health risks, and policy implications of THS.Conclusion: The existing evidence on THS provides strong support for pursuing a programmatic research agenda to close gaps in our current understanding of the chemistry, exposure, toxicology, and health effects of THS, as well as its behavioral, economic, and sociocultural considerations and consequences. Such a research agenda is necessary to illuminate the role of THS in existing and future tobacco control efforts to decrease smoking initiation and smoking levels, to increase cessation attempts and sustained cessation, and to reduce the cumulative effects of tobacco use on morbidity and mortality.

Residual tobacco smoke pollution in used cars for sale: Air, dust, and surfaces

Regular tobacco use in the enclosed environment of a car raises concerns about longer-term contamination of a car's microenvironment with residual secondhand smoke pollutants. This study (a) developed and compared methods to measure residual contamination of cars with secondhand smoke, (b) examined whether cars of smokers and nonsmokers were contaminated by secondhand smoke, and (c) how smoking behavior and restrictions affected contamination levels. Surface wipe, dust, and air samples were collected in used cars sold by nonsmokers (n = 20) and smokers (n = 87) and analyzed for nicotine. Sellers were interviewed about smoking behavior and restrictions, and car interiors were inspected for signs of tobacco use. Cars of smokers who smoked in their vehicles showed significantly elevated levels of nicotine (p < .001) in dust, on surfaces, and in the air compared with nonsmoker cars with smoking ban. When smokers imposed car smoking bans, air nicotine levels were significantly lower (p < .01), but dust and surface contamination levels remained at similar levels. Smoking more cigarettes in the car and overall higher smoking rate of the seller were significantly associated with higher secondhand smoke contamination of the car (p < .001). Use of a cutpoint for nicotine levels from surface wipe samples correctly identified 82% of smoker cars without smoking bans, 75% of smoker cars with bans, and 100% of nonsmoker cars. Surface nicotine levels provide a relatively inexpensive and accurate method to identify cars and other indoor environments contaminated with residual secondhand smoke. Disclosure requirements and smoke-free certifications could help protect nonsmoking buyers of used cars.

Problématique du tabac en Afrique francophone et perspectives régionales de l'OTAF

The tobacco problem is one which is both global and political. The epidemic and the growing smoking crisis in Africa is a menace to the health of our continent, with significant socio-economic repercussions to follow in the coming years. Approximately 1.1 billion people around the world smoke, and between now and the year 2025, this number will most likely increase to 1.6 billion. By 2030, 10 million tobacco-related deaths will have occurred, and for the most part those deaths will be concentrated in developing countries. The tobacco industry clearly lies at the heart of the development of the tobacco pandemic in the 20th century. Specifically, cigarettes have made tobacco a massively consumed product, constantly expanding and opening up new markets; the day before yesterday it was men, yesterday it was women and youth, and today it is the developing world. The strategy is identical: increase sales, and do goat a price which puts a heavy burden on the population's health. The industries turn themselves towards developing countries, and namely Africa, in order to compensate for their losses in the markets of the Northern Hemisphere at a time when the demand in these countries is decreasing. The industry's cynical strategy targets Africa as its strongest potential market for development, counting on an estimated increase in consumption of 16% over the next decade, according to WHO's recent World Tobacco Atlas. The illegal importation of cigarettes is a practice which is growing more and more within African countries, with a well-structured African network for smuggling. Smuggled cigarettes are even more toxic with very elevated levels of nicotine and tar. Sponsorship as well as direct and indirect advertising are rapidly developing in all kinds of formats, with a proliferation of aggressive advertising messages targeting African populations with cynicism, manipulation, the complicity of smuggling in broad daylight, and disrespect for the law, while exploiting all of the themes which promote tobacco use to the target audiences (youth, women, the poorest groups). Everyday the tobacco industry recruits new African smokers to replace those who die. The future of the industry is represented by about 8 out of 10 people who began smoking before the age of 18 years old. It was imperative to establish a Tobacco Observatory in Francophone Africa (OTAF) in order to resituate the African tobacco situation, contribute to the development of the French-speaking nations in Africa, and to make known and increase awareness of its needs, its initiatives, and its actions across the world, and finally to effectively fight against tobacco and the industry's practices. One year after OTAF was established in Bamako thanks to the consolidated efforts of all its members and support of the French League against Cancer and the International Union against Cancer, OTAF OTAF is an independent entity whose mission is to gather, analyse and disseminate information on all aspects of tobacco with the objective of soliciting and supporting public health activities and interventions. It is a reference centre for Francophone Africa and a technical advisory group for the public authorities on tobacco issues. OTAF's work is counted upon to inform the public authorities on the most effective measures to use in the fight against tobacco. OTAF's duty is to promote activities which protect the health of young people and non-smokers, and communicate on the harmful effects of tobacco and the tobacco industry's practices. The goal is to organise a fight against tobacco based on solid, scientific data of the highest level of quality. OTAF is the only Francophone African surveillance organisation for monitoring the tobacco epidemic, and the practices, schemes and methods of the tobacco industry which are known to be dishonest Today, OTAF is a unique reference centre as far as the fight against tobacco is concerned in Francophone Africa. It is a partner in a number of projects with the French League against Cancer, the International Union against Cancer, and the International Union for Health Promotion and Education, among others. The success of OTAF has been crowned by a trophee having been awarded by WHO and an honorary degree signed by WHO's Director General.

Analysis of wound-induced gene expression in Nicotiana species with contrasting alkaloid profiles.

We determined the capacity of three Nicotiana (Solanaceae) species with very different alkaloid profiles (Nicotiana sylvestris Speg & Comes, Nicotiana alata Link & Otto and Nicotiana glauca Grah.) to increase their alkaloid contents in both leaf and root tissues following foliage damage. We also investigated the transcriptional responses of genes encoding enzymes important for alkaloid biosynthesis, namely quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (QPT), putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and the putative alkaloid biosynthetic gene A622. In response to wounding of foliage in the well studied 'model' species N. sylvestris, a rise, approximately 2-fold, in leaf nicotine levels was observed several days after a 4-5-fold increase in the transcript levels of all genes in the roots. In contrast, leaf tissues of the ornamental tobacco N. alata showed very low levels of any pyridine alkaloid, even when analysed 1 week after wounding, correlating with a general lack of transcript abundance representing any of these genes in leaves or roots following foliage damage. However, addition of methyl jasmonate to cultured roots of N. alata did produce elevated levels of nicotine and anatabine raising the possibility that components of the leaf-root wound signalling system in N. alata are different from those in N. sylvestris. Wounding of the tree tobacco N. glauca, was followed by a 2-fold increase in anabasine levels several days later. This increase followed a large rise in transcript levels of ODC, QPT and A622, though not PMT, in wounded leaves, but not in non-wounded leaves or roots. These data support the hypothesis that N. glauca is able to produce increased anabasine levels following wounding in its foliage, setting it apart from N. sylvestris where induced alkaloid production takes place in roots. We discuss the possibility that increased transcript levels detected by ODC and A622 probes play important roles in anabasine synthesis in N. glauca.

496. Nicotine, mecamylamine, and movement disorders in smokers with schizophrenia

The significantly greater prevalence of cigarette smoking among persons with schizophrenia compared to the general population suggests a neurobiological correlate between the pathophysiology of this disorder and nicotine dependence. In animal models, dopamine (DA) activity in the dorsal striatum is affected by nicotine administration. It might then be expected that cigarette smoking would influence motor function referable to the dorsal striatum, namely dyskinesias and neuroleptic-induced Parkinsonism (NIP). Clinical studies suggest that cigarette smoking ameliorates NIP and exacerbates dyskinesias. In the present study, we are endeavoring to characterize the role of CNS nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonism and the effect of smoking on movement disorders in smokers with schizophrenia. We hypothesized that blockade of nAChRs by the non-competitive antagonist, mecamylamine, and activation of these receptors by nicotine would have opposite effects on dyskinesias and NIP. This study has a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, counterbalanced design. Over the course of 4 day-long visits, each 1 week apart, every subject is administered each of the following 4 conditions: (1) mecamylamine pill (10 mg)/active nicotine transdermal skin patch (21 mg/day); (2) mecamylamine pill/placebo patch; (3) placebo pill/active patch; (4) placebo pill/placebo patch. At the end of each day, clinical rating scales and instrumental measures are used to quantify changes in movement disorder severity. Data collection is ongoing. An interim analysis of the first 6 subjects shows trends towards increase in dyskinesias (p < 0.08) and NIP (p < 0.10) in association with mecamylamine, and an increase in NIP (p < 0.10) in association with increased nicotine levels. This may be a manifestation of similar effects of nAChR antagonism (mecamylamine) vs. nAChR desensitization (elevated nicotine levels) on motor function. This study aims to advance our understanding of nicotinic modulation of DA function in the dorsal striatum in schizophrenia.

Elevated nicotine levels in cervical lavages from passive smokers.

One hundred forty-five nonsmokers found to have normal cytologic diagnoses on routine Pap smears were interviewed regarding environmental exposure to tobacco smoke, and a 3 ml saline lavage of the cervix was collected for measurement of cervical nicotine levels by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Nicotine levels tended to be highest among women exposed to tobacco smoke in the home, intermediate in women exposed only outside the home, and lowest in women recalling no exposure (p = 0.001).

Elevated nicotine levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A role in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity?

The incidence of cardiovascular disease in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing long-term maintenance hemodialysis is excessively high. The reason for this excess morbidity and mortality has remained unclear. Cigarette smoking is one factor that has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. To learn more about the effects of tobacco smoking in these patients, nicotine levels were assayed in the serum of 10 patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Specimens were obtained before and after smoking one cigarette and following dialysis or an equivalent period in control subjects. Serum nicotine levels (± SEM) in control subjects measured 19.0 ± 7.2 ng/ml initially, 36.1 ± 8.2 ng/ml after smoking, and 9.3 ± 3.5 ng/ml after a period of 4.35 hours. These compare with respective values of 76.6 ± 16.8 ng/ml (p < 0.004), 132.9 ± 19.7 ng/ml (p < 0.001), and 51.9 ± 10.5 ng/ml (p < 0.001) in patients undergoing hemodialysis. These data demonstrate markedly higher nicotine levels in hemodialysis patients compared with control subjects, which may have serious implications regarding morbidity and mortality.