Non-smokers Research Articles

Noiseless Variable-Pressure Neck Chamber Device to Assess the Carotid Baroreflex Function

Background: The blood pressure responses to baroreflex perturbations can be assessed only using the variable-pressure neck chamber technique. However, the application of this approach in hospital environments is limited owing to the loud noise emitted during its operation. This study was aimed at developing a noiseless neck suction chamber device (NCD) that could stimulate the baroreceptors located in the carotid sinus in humans.Methods: A non-invasive device was developed to pressurize the carotid arteries externally. A microcontroller with a computer interface and neck chamber (3D-printed) was used. The anatomical neck chamber was fitted on six healthy, young, asymptomatic participants (five men; 32 ± 6 year), who were normotensive, nonsmoking, in sinus rhythm, free of known cardiovascular or metabolic diseases, and not consuming any acute or chronic medications. A suction of −60 mmHg was applied for 5 s, and the corresponding data were recorded. Before each study visit, the participants were instructed to abstain from caffeine, alcohol, and strenuous exercise for 12–24 h.Results: In all the trials, a significant reflex bradycardia (−10 ± 2 bpm) and depressor response (−15 ± 4 mmHg) to neck suction were observed, consistent with the results in the literature. The neck chamber device operated noiselessly [sound pressure level (SPL) of 34.3 dB] compared to a regular vacuum-cleaner-based system (74.6 dB).Conclusion: Using the proposed approach, consistent blood pressure and heart rate responses to carotid baroreflex hypertensive stimuli could be recorded, as in previous studies conducted using neck collar devices. Furthermore, the neck chamber device operated noiselessly and can thus be applied in hospital environments.

Epidemiological Study of Mortality Among Workers Exposed to Tritium in France.

Workers of the Commissariat for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy (CEA) may be potentially exposed to tritium over long periods. We aimed to assess the effect of tritium exposure on mortality in a cohort of employees followed by radiotoxicological monitoring. A total of 1,746 employees who worked for at least six months at one of three CEA centers were included between 1962 and 2011 (median follow-up 29.6 years). The cumulative dose of tritium was based on the quantification of tritium present from urinary excretion monitoring data from the beginning of occupational exposure to the end of such exposure or December 2011. Mortality was first compared to that in the French population using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Then, mortality risk ratios (RRs) per category of cumulative dose of tritium were estimated using categorical Poisson models adjusted for age at the onset of exposure, age, calendar period, sex, smoking, employment status, CEA center, and taking into account the number of person-years. The main causes of mortality were tumors (48%) and cardiovascular diseases (20%). The comparison of mortality within the cohort to that in the French population highlighted a lower rate for all-cause mortality and that due to cancer, related to the healthy worker effect bias. The regression model showed no effect of cumulative dose on all-cause mortality. The risk of death for most malignancies was positive, but not significant for the higher classes of doses relative to the reference class. The highest risk (not significant) was present for the class of higher doses for tumors of the larynx, trachea, bronchi and lung. The risk was significant for the higher doses for tumors of the pancreas and bladder (based on a limited number of cases: five and six deaths, respectively). Significantly more smokers died from tumors of the respiratory system than non-smokers, as expected. We were unable to show an effect of cumulative tritium dose due to the small size of the cohort and the low exposure level. However, our study underlines the need to continue following tritium-exposed workers and conducting multicenter studies.

LL-37 and hBD-2 in the gingival crevicular fluid of smokers and nonsmokers with periodontitis

Abstract Introduction The association between smoking and periodontal diseases has been described in clinical and epidemiological studies. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the LL-37 and human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) levels in crevicular fluid of patients with generalized periodontitis in smokers (S) and nonsmokers (NS). Material and method A total of 35 patients with generalized periodontitis stages III and IV, 15 NS (11 female, 4 male) and 20 S (7 female and 13 male), were included in the study. The evaluated clinical parameters were bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to quantify the LL-37 and hBD-2 levels in the gingival crevicular fluid of these patients. The results were analyzed statistically with the level of significance set at 5%. Result In relation to periodontal clinical parameters, no statistically significant difference was observed for BOP and PD between groups S and NS. There was a higher CAL in the S group than in the NS group (p = 0.0095). There was no statistically significant difference between the levels of LL-37 and hBD-2 when comparing groups S and NS (p>0.05). Conclusion It was concluded that smokers have a higher clinical attachment loss than nonsmokers, but that smoking did not influence the levels of LL-37 and hBD-2 in the gingival crevicular fluid in periodontitis.

Bilateral choroid metastasis in a young nonsmoker male: A rare site of metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma lung

Choroidal metastases from the lung are very rare accounting about 0.1%–7%. The most common site of ocular metastasis is choroid due to its abundant blood supply. Lung cancers commonly metastasize to the liver, bone, brain, and adrenals. Here, we present a very rare case of squamous cell carcinoma lung in a young nonsmoker patient with metastasis only to eye and no evidence of distant metastasis. This is a very rare case as metastasis to eyes itself is a very rare occurrence and has been mainly reported with adenocarcinoma and small-cell carcinoma. The other features which make this case rare are that squamous cell carcinoma is common in smokers and usual age of diagnosis is >50 years of age and this patient was only 38 years of age and nonsmoker. The aim of this case report is to emphasize the importance of thorough patient evaluation and effect of systemic chemotherapy on ocular metastatic lesions.

Relationship between breakfast eating frequency and health-risk behavior of high school students in Chongqing

Objective To investigate the relationship between breakfast eating frequency and health-risk behavior of high school students in Chongqing, and provide a reference for conducting students to get a good habit of eating breakfast everyday. Methods A total of 3 283 high school students in Chongqing were selected to participate in a questionnarie by using convenience sampling method. Logistic regression analysis were condueted to analyze the influences made by the unhealty eating behaviors on eating frequency of breakfast. Results There were 2 064(69.2%) students eating breakfast everyday, 1 219(37.1%) students having no breakfast or eating breakfast sometimes. There were significant differences between different gender, grade, native place, drinking energy drink, smoking, drinking alcohol, gambling, internet addiction students’ rate of unhealthy breakfast eating frequency (χ 2 = 6.80, 53.97, 8.10, 23.79, 7.89, 16.31, 3.93, 17.96, P <0.05), the males’ (36.1%) was beyond the females’ (33.3%), the energy drink drinkers’ (41.2%) was beyond the non-drinkers’ (31.7%), the smokers’ (40.9%) was beyond the non-smokers’ (34.4%), the alcohol drinkers’ (40.3%) was beyond the non-drinkers’ (33. 3%), the gamblers’ (39. 7%) was beyond the non-gamblers’ (34.3%), those having internet addictions’ (40.0%) was beyond those having no addictions’ (33.0%). Drinking energy drink ( OR = 1.32, 95% CI =1.12-1.55), drinking alcohol ( OR =1.24, 95% CI =1.02-1.51), internet addiction ( OR =1.42, 95% CI =1.19-1.68) were positively correlated with unhealthy breakfast eating frequency of high school students ( P <0.05). Conclusion Social, families and schools should strengthen the guidance of high school students to develop the habit of eating breakfast every day, and advoid the clustering of skipping breakfast and health-risk behaviors. 【摘要】 目的 了解髙中生早餐食用频次与健康危险行为的关系, 为引导髙中生养成每天吃早餐习惯提供参考。 方法 采用方便抽样方法, 在重庆某区选取1所髙中, 对其中3个年级的学生3 283名进行问卷调査。采用Logistic回归分析健康 危险行为对早餐食用频次的影响。 结果 髙中生每天吃早餐的有2 064名 (62.9%), 不吃或有时吃早餐的有1 219名 (37.1%)。不同性别、年级、生源地、能量饮料饮用、吸烟、饮酒、赌博、网络成瘾的髙中生不健康早餐食用报告 (不吃或有时 吃)比例差异有统计学意义 (χ 2 值分别为 6.80,53.97,8.10,23.79,7.89, 16.31, 3.93, 17.96, P 值均<0.05), 男生 (36.1%)髙于 女生 (33.3%), 饮用能量饮料学生 (41.2%)髙于不饮用学生 (31.7%), 吸烟学生 (40.9%)髙于不吸烟学生 (34.4%), 饮酒学 生(40.3%)髙于不饮酒学生 (33.3%), 赌博学生 (39.7%)髙于不赌博学生 (34.3%), 网络成瘾学生 (40.0%)髙于不成瘾学 生 (33.0%)。多因素 Logistic 回归分析显示, 能量饮料饮用 ( OR =1.32,95% CI =1.12~1.55)、饮酒 ( OR =1.24,95% CI =1.02〜 1.51)、网络成瘾 ( OR =1.42,95% CI =1.19~1.68) 与髙中生不健康早餐食用频次呈正相关 ( P 值均<0.05)。 结论 社会、家 庭、学校应加强引导髙中生养成每天吃早餐的习惯, 避免不吃早餐与危险行为聚集出现。

Analysis of genotoxicity among subjects exposed to smoking tobacco

Background: Tobacco consumption causes serious health ill-effects to human beings. Cancer and cardiovascular-related defects are more common in personal smoking. Aim & Objective: The focal aim of the present study is genetic changes in smoking subjects based on their age and exposed years. Materials and Methods: Based on the current study 80 subjects are selected from Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. Fringe venous blood was gathered from both the control and the exploratory subject. Results: Increased levels of chromosomal aberration (CA) and Micronucleus (MN) are seen in heavy smokers contrasted with non-smokers separately. Both lower and light smokers indicated essentially expanded ca frequencies than control. MN indicated an expanded level of variations from the norm in smokers (light, medium, and weighty than non-smokers). Conclusion: The frequencies of MN in blood lymphocytes are high in smokers especially the heavy smoker's group demonstrated significantly increased level of genetic abnormalities.

Prevalence of smoking and associated factors in people living with HIV undergoing treatment.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE:To estimate the prevalence of smoking and evaluate the factors associated with this outcome in people living with HIV (PLHIV).METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study of a prospective concurrent cohort of 462 individuals initiating antiretroviral therapy at three HIV/AIDS specialized services in Belo Horizonte between 2015 and 2017. The following smoking status were used: current smoker (CS), former smoker (FS) and non-smoker (NS). Multinomial logistic regression was performed with NS as the reference category.RESULTS:Most participants were men (81.4%), young (up to 34 years old; 57.2%) and non-white (75.7%). Of the total number of individuals, 27.7% were CS, 22.9% FS, and 49.4% NS. Most smokers were light smokers (65.1%), consumed up to 10 cigarettes per day and had been smoking for more than 10 years (63.3%), starting on average at 17.2 years of age (SD = 5.1). In the multivariate analysis, higher chances of being CS were associated with: being female, having up to 9 years of schooling, current or prior use of alcohol and illicit drugs (marijuana, cocaine and crack) and presenting signs and/or symptoms of anxiety or depression. Higher chances of being FS were associated with having up to 9 years of schooling and current or prior use of alcohol and illicit drugs (marijuana and crack).CONCLUSIONS:The results show that smoking is highly prevalent among PLHIV, indicating the need for HIV specialized services to prioritize smoking cessation interventions. These interventions should consider the use of alcohol and illicit drugs and be targeted especially to young people, those with low schooling and with signs and/or symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Survival Percentile and Predictors of Difference in Survival among Hemodialysis Patients and Their Additive Interaction Using Laplace Regression.

Background: Identifying survival modifiable factors and additive interaction between them could help in prioritizing the clinical care of Hemodialysis (HD) patients. We aimed to examine the survival rate and its predictors in HD patients; and explore the additive interaction between survival modifiable factors. Study design: A retrospective cohort study. Methods: The present study was performed on 1142 HD patients in Hamadan Province, western Iran from 2007 to 2017. Data were collected through a researcher-made checklist on hospital records. Laplace regression was used to evaluate differences in 40 th survival percentiles in different levels of predictors as well as exploring the pairwise additive interactions between variables. Results: We observed significantly higher survival in nonsmoker patients (40 th percentile difference = 5.34 months, 95% CI: 2.06, 8.61). Survival was shorter by more than 3 years in CRP positive patients (40 th percentile difference=36.9 months, 95% CI: 32.37, 41.42). Patients with normal albumin (40 th percentile difference =24.92, 95% CI: 18.04, 31.80) and hemoglobin (40 th percentile difference = 18.65, 95% CI: 12.43, 24.86) had significantly higher survival ( P <0.001). There was superadditive interaction between being CRP negative and nonsmoker (β 3 = 9.42 months, 95% CI: 3.35, 15.49 ( P =0.002)). Conclusions: High CRP and low serum albumin and hemoglobin were associated with the increased risk of death in HD patients. The results of this study support the presence of super-additive interaction between CRP status with serum hemoglobin and also CRP status with smoking, resulting in excess survival in HD patients.

Metallothionein levels in gingival crevicular fluid, saliva, and serum of smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis.

Metallothionein (MT), a cysteine rich protein is involved as a radical scavenger in several pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress; however, its role in periodontal disease still remains elusive. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of MT in smokers (S) and non-smokers (NS) with chronic periodontitis (CP), and compare them with those of periodontally healthy (PH) individuals. A total of 85 participants were enrolled: 45 patients with CP (23 S [CP+S] and 22 NS [CP+NS]) and 40 PH individuals (20 S [PH+S] and 20 NS [PH+NS]). In all the study participants, clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index, gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level) were recorded and samples of serum, saliva and GCF were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of MT in the samples. All periodontal clinical parameters were significantly higher in the CP groups as compared to PH groups (P<0.05). MT levels in CP+S group were significantly raised in comparison to other three groups. There was no statistically significant difference in MT levels among CP+NS and PH+S groups (P>0.05); however, relatively higher levels were observed in GCF and saliva in CP+NS group. When all the study groups were observed together, MT levels were positively correlated with clinical parameters. Results of present study suggest that smoking and CP can induce the synthesis of MT owing to increased oxidative stress and heavy metals intoxication. Further longitudinal studies with large sample size and an interventional arm are needed to substantiate the role of MT as a potential biomarker in periodontitis.

The impact of smoking on non-surgical periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of smoking on clinical outcomes of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Electronic databases were searched to screen studies published before May 2020. The included studies had to have two groups: smokers (S) and non-smokers (NS) with periodontitis. The outcomes evaluated were differences between groups in probing depth (PD) reduction and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain after non-surgical periodontal therapy. Meta-regressions were conducted to evaluate correlations between outcomes and other contributing factors. Seventeen studies were included. The post-treatment PD reduction in the S group was smaller than in the NS group (weighted mean difference in PD reduction: -0.33mm, 95% confidence interval (CI): [-0.49, -0.17], p<.01). The CAL gain in the S group was also smaller than in the NS group (weighted mean difference in CAL gain: -0.20mm, CI: [-0.39, -0.02], p<.01). Additionally, baseline PD significantly affected the difference in PD reduction between two groups. Smoking negatively impacts clinical responses to non-surgical periodontal therapy. Smokers with periodontitis have significantly less PD reduction and CAL gain than non-smokers.

Dysregulated ACE2 and Furin Activity amongst Smokers Increase Disease Susceptibility Towards SARS-CoV2

The recent pandemic of COVID-19 has brought infected millions worldwide Over 6 million individuals in the US have been infected by the SARS-CoV2 making it the worst-hit country across the globe While there is an urgent need to find a potential therapy/vaccine it is important to understand the disease progression and susceptibilities to enable better the disease management In this respect, smokers or vapers could be considered as the worst affected population as they are highly prone to respiratory infections However, the clinical data relating COVID-19 occurrence and severity amongst smokers/vapers is quite limited We thus hypothesized that dysregulated ACE2 expression and weakened immunity could result in severe disease outcomes amongst smokers To test this hypothesis, we collected the blood serum samples from COVID19 positive and COVID-19 recovered patients with and without a smoking history We assayed the expression and activity of ACE2 ACE2 is the membrane-bound receptor on pneumocytes and lung epithelium that binds to the SARS-CoV2 spike protein and is responsible for the viral entry into the host cell This viral entry and fusion occur due to the activity of membrane proteases like furin and TMPRSS2 Results: Our initial investigations show increased Furin activity amongst the COVID19 positive patients with a smoking history as compared to the non-smoking controls We further observed a significant dysregulation in the ACE2 activity of COVID-19 patients as compared to COVID-19 recovered patient group Smoking habit was found to dramatically affect the ACE2 activity amongst COVID-19 positive group We are presently comparing the expression levels of systemic inflammatory mediators (IL8 and IL6) amongst our various experimental groups to compare the severity of inflammatory responses amongst smokers and non-smokers Overall, our findings show that the onset and progression of COVID-19 varies amongst smokers doi: xxxxx

A case-control study of association between e-cigarettes with smoking tendency in adolescents

Objective To investigate the influencing factors of smoking tendency of adolescents and to analyze the influence of e-cigarette on smoking tendency of teenagers and the possible interaction, to provide evidence for tobacco control measures. Methods Stratified multistage cluster probability sampling method was used to select 6 178 students from junior middle school, high school and vocational high school students in Shanghai for questionnaire survey from September to October 2019. Students with smoking tendency were taken as case group, adolescents with same sex and similar age (within 1 year) were mathed in 1 : 3 ratio. A total of 631 adolescents with smoking tendency and 1 870 non-smoking tendency were included in the study. Conditional Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors and possible interactions. Results After adjusting gender, age and other cova- riates, conditional Logistic analysis results showed that the smoking tendency of middle school students was associated with factors such as their friends smoking, trying cigarettes and trying e-cigarettes. The OR value and 95% CI were 3.26(2.47–4.29), 5.90 (3.76–9.24), and 3.28(2.11–5.10), respectively. The interaction analysis results showed that the OR value and 95% CI of the multiplying interaction between friends smoking and trying e-cigarettes, trying smoking and trying e-cigarettes were 8.62(4.90–15.17) and 12.01(6.02–23.95), respectively. There was no additive interaction. Conclusion Tobacco control interventions, such as e-cigarette harm publicity and peer education, can help to change teenagers’ smoking tendency and further reduce their tobacco use rate. 【摘要】 目的 分析尝试电子烟对青少年吸烟倾向的影响以及可能存在的交互作用，为制定青少年控烟措施提供参考依 据。 方法 采用分层多阶段整群概率抽样法，于2019年9一10月抽取上海市初中、普髙、职髙的6 178名学生进行问卷调 査，将其中有吸烟倾向者作为病例组，以性别相同、年龄相差1岁以内作为配对因素，采用1 : 3个体匹配设计病例对照研 究，将病例组631名和对照组1 870名纳人研究。使用条件Logistic回归进行影响因素和交互作用分析。 结果 调整性别、 年龄等因素后，Logistic分析结果显示，中学生的吸烟倾向与好友吸烟、尝试吸烟、尝试电子烟等因素存在关联[ OR 值（ OR 值95%C/)分别为3.26(2.47~4.29)、5.90(3.76~9.24)、3.28(2.11~5.10)];交互作用分析结果显示，好友吸烟与尝试电子 烟、尝试吸烟与尝试电子烟均有相乘交互作用[ OR 值（ OR 值95%C/)分别为8.62(4.90~ 15.17)、12.01(6.02~23.95)]，无相 加交互作用。 结论 电子烟危害宣传、同伴教育等控烟干预措施有助于改变青少年的吸烟倾向，降低青少年的烟草使 用率。

Myogenin level tends to decrease in adult male cigarette smokers

BackgroundThe World Health Organization has warned that cigarette smoking is an avoidable risk factor for endothelial injury. Myogenin might play a role in muscle metabolism and energy utilization. Electrolytes and minerals are involved in most cellular activities. The objective of this study was to compare myogenin and electrolyte levels between adult male cigarette smokers (CS) and non-smokers (NS). MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted involving 90 subjects, consisting of 55 CS and 35 NS. The sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine myogenin levels while the ion-selective electrode method was used to determine electrolyte levels. The levels of sodium, potassium, and chloride and the body mass index (BMI) were measured. Mann-Whitney and independent t-test were used to analyse the data. Results The BMI of CS was significantly lower than that of NS (p &lt; 0.05). The mean serum levels of sodium (145.23 ± 1.87), potassium (4.00 ± 0.31) and chloride (103.95 ± 1.60) were significantly higher in the CS than in the NS (these being 142.38 ± 2.49, 3.83 ± 0.33, and 101.48 ± 2.08, respectively) (p&lt;0.05). Myogenin levels (44.24 ± 14.60 pg/mL) tended to decrease in the CS group compared to the NS group (59.66 ± 61.73 pg/mL), but the difference was statistically not significant (p=0.769).Conclusion The study demonstrated that higher concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride with lower concentrations of myogenin in smokers may be associated with higher risk of skeletal muscle tissue injury probably due to the inability of the affected small blood vessels to transport electrolytes to tissues.

Posttranscriptional Gene Regulatory Networks in Chronic Airway Inflammatory Diseases: In silico Mapping of RNA-Binding Protein Expression in Airway Epithelium.

Background: Posttranscriptional gene regulation (PTGR) contributes to inflammation through alterations in messenger RNA (mRNA) turnover and translation rates. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) coordinate these processes but their role in lung inflammatory diseases is ill-defined. We evaluated the expression of a curated list of mRNA-binding RBPs (mRBPs) in selected Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) transcriptomic databases of airway epithelium isolated from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe asthma (SA) and matched control subjects, hypothesizing that global changes in mRBPs expression could be used to infer their pathogenetic roles and identify novel disease-related regulatory networks.Methods: A published list of 692 mRBPs [Nat Rev Genet 2014] was searched in GEO datasets originated from bronchial brushings of stable COPD patients (C), smokers (S), non-smokers (NS) controls with normal lung function (n = 6/12/12) (GEO ID: GSE5058) and of (SA) and healthy control (HC) (n = 6/12) (GSE63142). Fluorescence intensity data were extracted and normalized on the medians for fold change (FC) comparisons. FCs were set at ≥ |1.5| with a false discovery rate (FDR) of ≤ 0.05. Pearson correlation maps and heatmaps were generated using tMEV tools v4_9_0.45. DNA sequence motifs were searched using PScan-ChIP. Gene Ontology (GO) was performed with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) tool.Results: Significant mRBP expression changes were detected for S/NS, COPD/NS and COPD/S (n = 41, 391, 382, respectively). Of those, 32% of genes changed by FC ≥ |1.5| in S/NS but more than 60% in COPD/NS and COPD/S (n = 13, 267, 257, respectively). Genes were predominantly downregulated in COPD/NS (n = 194, 73%) and COPD/S (n = 202, 79%), less so in S/NS (n = 4, 31%). Unsupervised cluster analysis identified in 4 out of 12 S the same mRBP pattern seen in C, postulating subclinical COPD. Significant DNA motifs enrichment for transcriptional regulation was found for downregulated RBPs. Correlation analysis identified five clusters of co-expressed mRBPs. GO analysis revealed significant enrichments in canonical pathways both specific and shared among comparisons. Unexpectedly, no significant mRBPs modulation was found in SA compared to controls.Conclusions: Airway epithelial mRBPs profiling reveals a COPD-specific global downregulation of RBPs shared by a subset of control smokers, the potential of functional cooperation by coexpressed RBPs and significant impact on relevant pathogenetic pathways in COPD. Elucidation of PTGR in COPD could identify disease biomarkers or pathways for therapeutic targeting.

Exosomal microRNAs are novel circulating biomarkers in cigarette, waterpipe smokers, E-cigarette users and dual smokers

BackgroundElectronic cigarettes (e-cigs) vaping, cigarette smoke, and waterpipe tobacco smoking are associated with various cardiopulmonary diseases. microRNAs are present in higher concentration in exosomes that play an important role in various physiological and pathological functions. We hypothesized that the non-coding RNAs transcript may serve as susceptibility to disease biomarkers by smoking and vaping.MethodsPlasma exosomes/EVs from cigarette smokers, waterpipe smokers and dual smokers (cigarette and waterpipe) were characterized for their size, morphology and TEM, Nanosight and immunoblot analysis. Exosomal RNA was used for small RNA library preparation and the library was quantified using the High Sensitivity DNA Analysis on the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer system and sequenced using the Illumina NextSeq 500 and were converted to fastq format for mapping genes.ResultsEnrichment of various non-coding RNAs that include microRNAs, tRNAs, piRNAs, snoRNAs, snRNAs, Mt-tRNAs, and other biotypes are shown in exosomes. A comprehensive differential expression analysis of miRNAs, tRNAs and piRNAs showed significant changes across different pairwise comparisons. The seven microRNAs that were common and differentially expressed of when all the smoking and vaping groups were compared with non-smokers (NS) are hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-29b-3p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-143-3p, hsa-miR-30a-5p and hsa-let-7i-5p. The e-cig vs. NS group has differentially expressed 5 microRNAs (hsa-miR-224-5p, hsa-miR-193b-3p, hsa-miR-30e-5p, hsa-miR-423-3p, hsa-miR-365a-3p, and hsa-miR-365b-3p), which are not expressed in other three groups. Gene set enrichment analysis of microRNAs showed significant changes in the top six enriched functions that consisted of biological pathway, biological process, molecular function, cellular component, site of expression and transcription factor in all the groups. Further, the pairwise comparison of tRNAs and piRNA in all these groups revealed significant changes in their expressions.ConclusionsPlasma exosomes of cigarette smokers, waterpipe smokers, e-cig users and dual smokers have common differential expression of microRNAs which may serve to distinguish smoking and vaping subjects from NS. Among them has-let-7a-5p has high sensitivity and specificity to distinguish NS with the rest of the users, using ROC curve analysis. These findings will pave the way for the utilizing the potential of exosomes/miRNAs as a novel theranostic agents in lung injury and disease caused by tobacco smoking and vaping.

Avaliação quantitativa da produção de leucócitos e imunoglobulinas em mulheres em tratamento para depressão

Objetivo: verificar possíveis alterações de células do sistema imune (leucograma) e imunoglobulinas em mulheres com depressão. Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo observacional, transversal e analítico, conduzido com 50 mulheres (com depressão n=25; sem depressão n=25) residentes na região do Vale do Araguaia, Brasil. As mulheres foram investigadas por meio da coleta de uma amostra de sangue periférico, sendo determinadas as concentrações de leucócitos através da contagem de células por citometria de fluxo e as concentrações de imunoglobulinas por imunoturbidimetria. Os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo teste Kruskal-Wallis e DUNN. Este estudo foi aprovado por um Comité de Ética e Pesquisa (CAAE: 34568014.8.0000.5587). Resultados: a amostra, foi composta por mulheres com média de idade de 37±10,59 anos, brancas/pardas e solteiras. Prevaleceu mulheres não fumantes e que não tem hábito de consumir bebidas alcoólicas. A depressão esteve presente entre 50% da amostra. Quanto à avaliação do leucograma entre os grupos (com depressão e sem depressão), observou-se uma diferença significativa no valor sérico dos Basófilos, e as concentrações totais das Imunoglobulinas não apresentam diferenças significativas entre os grupos. Conclusão: neste estudo a depressão não interferiu na concentração das células leucocíticas nem na produção de imunoglobulinas, podendo estar relacionado ao uso em longo prazo de fármacos psiquiátricos, por possuírem propriedades imunomoduladoras, destacando a importância de realizar um tratamento e acompanhamento para depressão.

Interactive Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Secondhand Smoke in Mice and Human Subjects.

Active smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Active smoking is associated with reduced levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and studies show that n-3 PUFA supplementation can improve smoking-induced vascular dysfunction. However, the relationship between n-3 PUFA and SHS exposure has not been studied. Fat-1 transgenic mice, which convert n-6 to n-3 PUFA, were fed diets with n-3 PUFA or without (n-6 PUFA diet), exposed to air or SHS for 4weeks, and vasoreactivity, antioxidant indices, and omega-3 index (percent eicosapentaenoic + docosahexaenoic acids in RBC) measured. Compared to air-exposed mice, SHS-enhanced aortic constriction in mice fed the n-6 PUFA diet (omega-3 index, 5.9 ± 0.2%; mean ± SE), but not in mice fed the n-3 PUFA diet (omega-3 index, 7.8 ± 0.6%). SHS also significantly induced mRNA expression of cytochrome P4501A1, NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase, heme oxygenase-1, and angiotensinogen in adipose tissue, and increased antioxidant capacity only in mice on the n-6 PUFA diet. Notably, SHS reduced the omega-3 index by 1.0 percentage point (p = 0.003), compared to air-exposed mice irrespective of diet. Additionally, we recruited human nonsmokers (NS) with and without SHS exposure (n = 40) 19-40years old and measured the omega-3 index and antioxidant capacity. In human subjects SHS exposure was associated with a significantly lower omega-3 index (NS, 4.4 ± 1.1%; NS + SHS, 3.2 ± 1.0%; mean ± SD, p = 0.002) and higher antioxidant capacity (p < 0.001) than unexposed NS. Thus, SHS exposure is associated with lower levels of n-3 PUFA in mice and humans; however, an omega-3 index of ~ 8% in mice has vasoprotective and antioxidant properties.

Principais correlações do tabagismo com a COVID-19

O tabagismo está associado a desfechos desfavoráveis em COVID-19. Os fumantes são mais vulneráveis a vírus respiratórios que os não fumantes, sendo maior o risco de infecção grave por influenza em fumantes, que também apresentam quadros clínicos mais graves. Com isso, a presente pesquisa tem o objetivo de descrever os principais riscos da relação do tabagismo com a COVID-19. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa. Para a realização desse estudo, foram consultadas as bases de dados: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Google Acadêmico e Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SCIELO). Utilizou-se os Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS) de forma associada: “Fumantes”, “Tabagismo”, “COVID-19” e “Complicações”. Após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão, restaram 8 estudos. Os estudos incluídos foram tabelados e foram feitas revisões críticas e corroborativas entre cada um deles. O tabagismo aumenta o risco de complicações de inúmeras doenças, em especial as cardiovasculares, doenças respiratórias (bronquite e enfisema) e diversos tipos de câncer, além de causar diferentes tipos de inflamação prejudicando os mecanismos de defesa do organismo, o que certamente enfraquece o sistema imunológico, tornando-o menos capaz de responder efetivamente a infecções.

Asthma and emphysema overlap in nonsmokers

Asthma and emphysema overlap in nonsmokers

Respective Effects of Oral Hygiene Instructions and Periodontal Nonsurgical Treatment (Debridement) on Clinical Parameters and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures with Respect to Smoking.

Background: Oral hygiene instructions (OHI) and periodontal nonsurgical treatment (PNST) play pivotal roles in the management of periodontitis. The study aims to discern their respective effects on periodontal clinical parameters and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods: Ninety-one patients were included, 34 non-smokers (NS), 25 former smokers (FS) and 32 current smoker (CS). Clinical parameters such as probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were collected, and the periodontal inflamed tissue area (PISA) was calculated. Clinical parameters and PROMs were recorded before and after receiving OHI, with electronic tooth brush and interdental brushes, as well as 3 months after debridement. Results: Smokers presented a significantly higher proportion of severe periodontitis (64.7%) with generalized extension (76.5%) and with a rapid rate of progression (97.1%) compared to NS and FS. OHI led to a significant decrease of PD, BOP, and PISA (p < 0.0001) only in NS and FS. Debridement reduced PD and the percentage of PD >6 mm in all groups (p < 0.0001). OHI induced significant improvement of oral hygiene, frequency of interdental cleaning, and PROMs (p < 0.0001). Further debridement induced significant additional improvement PROMs in FS and NS (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: OHI and debridement improved periodontal clinical parameters and PROMs in both NS and FS. Former smokers had comparable outcomes to non-smokers, suggesting that smoking cessation should be encouraged.