Young Smokers Research Articles

Біохімічні показники ротової рідини як маркери оцінки стану антиоксидантно-прооксидантних систем в осіб підліткового та юнацького віку, що палять

Diseases of periodontal tissues, despite the developed treatment and prevention complexes, remain an urgent problem not only in modern dentistry but also in medicine in general. Periodontal tissue diseases occur as a result of a number of factors, both local and general. The pathogenesis of periodontal tissue diseases is complex and multilevel, with an important link being the increase in lipid peroxidation, weakening of the antioxidant defense system, as well as disruption of all metabolic processes characteristic of this disease under the influence of various factors, including smoking. Normally, the body’s lipid peroxidation system - the antioxidant defense system is in a state of dynamic equilibrium, functioning on the principle of feedback, supported by a certain organization of plasma and cellular lipids, a dynamic system of phospholipids and cholesterol (determining the lipid level of oxidation of cell membranes), and is a leading indicator of the body’s adaptive capabilities. Purpose - to study the biochemical parameters of oral fluid as markers for assessing the state of antioxidant and prooxidant systems in adolescent and young adult smokers. Materials and methods. The biochemical parameters of oral fluid were studied in 114 adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 years, who were divided into groups: the Group 1 included 26 people who regularly smoke traditional cigarettes; the Group 2 - 22 people who regularly smoke electronic cigarettes (vapes); the Group 3 - 23 people who regularly smoke tobacco heating devices (IQOS); the Group 4 - 43 people without a smoking habit. Biochemical parameters were studied: the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes, dyne conjugants (DCs) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive products (TBA-RPs). Results. In patients of the Group 1, a decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase in the oral fluid was found by 1.4 times compared with patients of the Group 4 (p<0.05); in patients of the Group 2 and the Group 3 - by 1.2 times, respectively (p<0.05). In patients of the Group 1, the enzyme activity was significantly reduced - by 2.6 times compared to patients of the Group 4 (p<0.05); in patients of the Group 2 and the Group 3 - by 1.8 times, respectively (p<0.05). In patients of the Group 1, an increase in the number of TBA-RPs was noted by 61% compared with patients of the Group 4; in patients of the Group 2 and the Group 3 - by 48% and 47%, respectively. In addition, the number of DCs in the oral fluid increased in the Group 1, as well as in the Group 2 and the Group 3 - by 29%, 17% and 15%, respectively, compared with the Group 4. Conclusions. In adolescent and young adult smokers, there is an increase in lipid peroxidation, which is determined by an increase in TBA-RPs and the level of DCs in the oral fluid, and a decrease in antioxidant properties, which is manifested by a decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes, which can increase the destruction of membranes, disrupt their structural and functional properties, and therefore lead to the development and progression of dental diseases, including periodontal tissue diseases. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Brain Injury Is Prevalent and Precedes Tobacco Use among Youth and Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness.

70%+ of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness (YYEH; 14-24 years old) smoke combustible tobacco. Little is known about the prevalence of acquired brain injury (ABI) among youth and young adult smokers experiencing homelessness (YYSEH) and its impact on tobacco use progression-the aim of our study. Through an interviewer-administered survey, YYSEH were asked about timing of tobacco use; exposure to causes of ABI; including brain oxygen deprivation (BOD; strangulation; accidental; choking games) and blunt force head trauma (BFHT; intentional; shaken violently; accidental); and perpetrators of intentional assault. Participants (n = 96) were on average 22 years old and from populations who experience structural disparities; including those minoritized by race (84.4%) and gender/sexual orientation (26.0%). In total, 87% of participants reported at least one exposure to BFHT and 65% to BOD. Intentional injury was more common than accidental. Furthermore, 60.4% of participants (n = 59) were classified as having ABI using the Brain Injury Severity Assessment. A significant proportion of YYSEH living with ABI were exposed to both BFHT and BOD prior to trying (68.5%, p = 0.002) and to first regular use (82.8%, p < 0.001) of tobacco. Among YYSEH with ABI; injury exposure occurred a median of 1 and 5 years before age of first regular tobacco use, dependent on injury mechanism. ABI from intentional violence is prevalent and precedes tobacco use among YYSEH.

Curiosity and intentions to use myblu e-cigarettes and an examination of the 'gateway' theory: Data from cross-sectional nationally representative surveys.

Encouraging adult smokers who are uninterested or unwilling to quit, and would otherwise continue to smoke, to transition to potentially less harmful nicotine products such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may positively impact population health. However, counterbalancing this benefit is the societal concern that ENDS may be used by never smokers and youth and serve as a 'gateway' into cigarette smoking. Data were analysed from two independent surveys of the prevalence and perceptions of myblu ENDS use in the United States. Total sample size was 22,232 young adults and 23,264 adults. Being curious to use myblu was 1.6-2.0 times more likely in young adult current smokers than young adult never smokers. This likelihood was 2.8 times greater for adult current smokers compared withadult never smokers in the perceptions survey, while in the prevalence survey, there was no difference between adult current and never smokers. Intentions to use myblu were significantly greater in young adult current smokers compared with young adult never smokers in both surveys and in adults in the prevalence survey. In all surveys and age cohorts, 124 of 45,496 participants (0.1% of the total survey population) reported first using myblu prior to smoking cigarettes and went on to become established smokers. Curiosity and intentions to use myblu were generally higher in current smokers compared with never smokers. Therewasminimal evidence tosuggest the existence of a 'gateway' effect to established cigarette smoking among never-smoking myblu users.

Appeal of Tobacco Quitline Services Among Low-Income Smokers.

State tobacco quitlines are delivering cessation assistance through an increasingly diverse range of channels. However, offerings vary from state to state, many smokers are unaware of what is available, and it is not yet clear how much demand exists for different types of assistance. In particular, the demand for online and digital cessation interventions among low-income smokers, who bear a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related disease, is not well understood. We examined interest in using 13 tobacco quitline services in a racially diverse sample of 1,605 low-income smokers in 9 states who had called a 2-1-1 helpline and participated in an ongoing intervention trial from June 2020 through September 2022. We classified services as standard (used by ≥90% of state quitlines [eg, calls from a quit coach, nicotine replacement therapy, printed cessation booklets]) or nonstandard (mobile app, personalized web, personalized text, online chat with quit coach). Interest in nonstandard services was high. Half or more of the sample reported being very or somewhat interested in a mobile app (65%), a personalized web program (59%), or chatting online with quit coaches (49%) to help them quit. In multivariable regression analyses, younger smokers were more interested than older smokers in digital and online cessation services, as were women and smokers with greater nicotine dependence. On average, participants were very interested in at least 3 different cessation services, suggesting that bundled or combination interventions might be designed to appeal to different groups of low-income smokers. Findings provide some initial hints about potential subgroups and the services they might use in a rapidly changing landscape of behavioral interventions for smoking cessation.

Serum Glutathione Peroxidase and Superoxide Dismutase Levels in Young Adult Active Smokers and Non-Smokers in a Southwest Based Tertiary Institution

Cigarette smoking is still a major public health issue, as it is the primary cause of various preventable diseases and premature deaths around the world. Previous studies have shown that tobacco components aggravate respiratory burst thus increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This case-control study is to examine glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels among young adult active and non-active cigarette smokers at a tertiary institution in South West, Nigeria. This descriptive comparative study was carried out to compare the levels of serum glutathione peroxidase by Paglia and Valentine method and Nebot method of superoxide dismutase estimation in young adult active smokers and non-smokers in Ogun state based tertiary institution, between February and June, 2021. There was a significantly higher level (p = 0.000) of glutathione peroxidase in the case (55.39 ± 2.87) compared to the control (42.59 ± 2.41). There was no significant difference in the level of the measured antioxidants at different categories of years of smoking among the group of smokers. There was no significant difference in the level of the measured antioxidants at different quantities of cigarettes smoked by the participants. This study revealed that there was no significant difference in the level of the measured antioxidants at different categories of years amd quantity of cigarette smoked among the group of smakers. Prolonged exposure and quantity of cigarette smooke by smokers did not cause depletion of antioxidants among active smokers. However, smoking was associated with a higher level of oxidative stress marker.

The Role of Cigarillo Flavor in the Co-Use of Cigarillos and Cannabis among Young Adults

Background: Research suggests flavor facilitates cigarillo use, but it is unknown if flavor impacts patterns of co-use of cigarillos and cannabis (“co-use”), which is common among young adult smokers. This study’s aim was to determine the role of the cigarillo flavor in co-use among young adults. Methods: Data were collected (2020-2021) in a cross-sectional online survey administered to young adults who smoked ≥2 cigarillos/week (N = 361), recruited from 15 urban areas in the United States. A structural equation model was used to assess the relationship between flavored cigarillo use and past 30-day cannabis use (flavored cigarillo perceived appeal and harm as parallel mediators), including several social-contextual covariates (e.g., flavor and cannabis policies). Results: Most participants reported usually using flavored cigarillos (81.8%) and cannabis use in the past 30 days (“co-use”) (64.1%). Flavored cigarillo use was not directly associated with co-use (p = 0.90). Perceived cigarillo harm (β = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.29), number of tobacco users in the household (β = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.33), and past 30-day use of other tobacco products (β = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.15, 0.32) were significantly positively associated with co-use. Living in an area with a ban on flavored cigarillos was significantly negatively associated with co-use (β = -0.12, 95% CI = -0.21, −0.02). Conclusions: Use of flavored cigarillos was not associated with co-use; however, exposure to a flavored cigarillo ban was negatively associated with co-use. Cigar product flavor bans may reduce co-use among young adults or have a neutral impact. Further research is needed to explore the interaction between tobacco and cannabis policy and use of these products.

Associations Between Product Type and Intensity of Tobacco and Cannabis Co-use on the Same Day Among Young Adult Smokers: Smartphone-Based Daily-Diary Study.

Co-use of tobacco and cannabis is highly prevalent among young US adults. Same-day co-use of tobacco and cannabis (ie, use of both substances on the same day) may increase the extent of use and negative health consequences among young adults. However, much remains unknown about same-day co-use of tobacco and cannabis, in part due to challenges in measuring this complex behavior. Nuanced understanding of tobacco and cannabis co-use in terms of specific products and intensity (ie, quantity of tobacco and cannabis use within a day) is critical to inform prevention and intervention efforts. We used a daily-diary data collection method via smartphone to capture occurrence of tobacco and cannabis co-use within a day. We examined (1) whether the same route of administration would facilitate co-use of 2 substances on the same day and (2) whether participants would use more tobacco on a day when they use more cannabis. This smartphone-based study collected 2891 daily assessments from 147 cigarette smokers (aged 18-26 years, n=76, 51.7% female) during 30 consecutive days. Daily assessments measured type (ie, cigarette, cigarillo, or e-cigarette) and intensity (ie, number of cigarettes or cigarillos smoked or number of times vaping e-cigarettes per day) of tobacco use and type (ie, combustible, vaporized, or edible) and intensity (ie, number of times used per day) of cannabis use. We estimated multilevel models to examine day-level associations between types of cannabis use and each type of tobacco use, as well as day-level associations between intensities of using cannabis and tobacco. All models controlled for demographic covariates, day-level alcohol use, and time effects (ie, study day and weekend vs weekday). Same-day co-use was reported in 989 of the total 2891 daily assessments (34.2%). Co-use of cigarettes and combustible cannabis (885 of the 2891 daily assessments; 30.6%) was most commonly reported. Participants had higher odds of using cigarettes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.31-2.81) and cigarillos (AOR 244.29, 95% CI 35.51-1680.62) on days when they used combustible cannabis. Notably, participants had higher odds of using e-cigarettes on days when they used vaporized cannabis (AOR 23.21, 95% CI 8.66-62.24). Participants reported a greater intensity of using cigarettes (AOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.23-1.48), cigarillos (AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.70-2.46), and e-cigarettes (AOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.16-1.88) on days when they used more cannabis. Types and intensities of tobacco and cannabis use within a day among young adult smokers were positively correlated, including co-use of vaporized products. Prevention and intervention efforts should address co-use and pay attention to all forms of use and timeframes of co-use (eg, within a day or at the same time), including co-use of e-cigarettes and vaporized cannabis, to reduce negative health outcomes.

Ectodomain shedding of proteins important for SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in plasma of tobacco cigarette smokers compared to electronic cigarette vapers: a cross-sectional study.

The impact of tobacco cigarette (TCIG) smoking and electronic cigarette (ECIG) vaping on the risk of development of severe COVID-19 is controversial. The present study investigated levels of proteins important for SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis present in plasma because of ectodomain shedding in smokers, ECIG vapers, and non-smokers (NSs). Protein levels of soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin (Ang) II (the ligand of ACE2), Ang 1-7 (the main peptide generated from Ang II by ACE2 activity), furin (a protease that increases the affinity of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein for ACE2), and products of ADAM17 shedding activity that predict morbidity in COVID-19 (IL-6/IL-6R alpha (IL-6/IL-6Rα) complex, soluble CD163 (sCD163), L-selectin) were determined in plasma from 45 NSs, 30 ECIG vapers, and 29 TCIG smokers using ELISA. Baseline characteristics of study participants did not differ among groups. TCIG smokers had increased sCD163, L-selectin compared to NSs and ECIG vapers (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). ECIG vapers had higher plasma furin compared to both NSs (p < 0.001) and TCIG smokers (p < 0.05). ECIG vaping and TCIG smoking did not impact plasma ACE2, Ang 1-7, Ang II, and IL-6 levels compared to NSs (p > 0.1 for all comparisons). Further studies are needed to determine if increased furin activity and ADAM17 shedding activity that is associated with increased plasma levels of sCD163 and L-selectin in healthy young TCIG smokers may contribute to the future development of severe COVID-19 and cardiovascular complications of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Гистиоцитоз из клеток Лангерганса

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare proliferative disease of histiocyte-like cells, the peak incidence of which occurs in early childhood. Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis is one of the forms of this disease, but it usually affects young smokers aged 30–40 years. Smoking cessation is the most important recommendation for such patients. The article contains several clinical cases and a literature review.

Cigarette smoke induces mitochondrial DNA damage and activates cGAS-STING pathway -Application to a biomarker for atherosclerosis.

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. We previously reported that DNA damage was accumulated in atherosclerotic plaque, and was increased in human mononuclear cells by smoking. As vascular endothelial cells are known to modulate inflammation, we investigated the mechanism by which smoking activates innate immunity in endothelial cells focusing on DNA damage. Further, we sought to characterize the plasma level of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), a result of mitochondrial and/or genomic DNA damage, as a biomarker for atherosclerosis. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) increased DNA damage in the nucleus and mitochondria in human endothelial cells. Mitochondrial damage induced minority mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, which was insufficient for cell death but instead led to nuclear DNA damage. DNA fragments, derived from the nucleus and mitochondria, were accumulated in the cytosol, and caused a persistent increase in IL-6 mRNA expression via the cGAS-STING pathway. cfDNA, quantified with quantitative PCR in culture medium was increased by CSE. Consistent with in vitro results, plasma mitochondrial cfDNA (mt-cfDNA) and nuclear cfDNA (n-cfDNA) were increased in young healthy smokers compared to age-matched non-smokers. Additionally, both mt-cfDNA and n-cfDNA were significantly increased in patients with atherosclerosis compared to the normal controls. Our multivariate analysis revealed that only mt-cfDNA predicted the risk of atherosclerosis. In conclusion, accumulated cytosolic DNA caused by cigarette smoke and the resultant activation of the cGAS-STING pathway may be a mechanism of atherosclerosis development. The plasma level of mt-cfDNA, possibly as a result of DNA damage, may be a useful biomarker for atherosclerosis.

“You get past the packaging”: young women smokers’ resistance to standardized cigarette packaging

ABSTRACT We examined how young women construct and experience plain tobacco packaging. Forty-one Australian young women who are current smokers took part in this qualitative interview research. Data was analyzed using constructivist grounded theory, with the core category about the strategic ways young women resist plain tobacco packaging. The majority of women reported that plain packaging was unappealing and that the larger health warnings were shocking and offensive. However, almost all reported being desensitized to the graphic health warnings. The graphic warnings were seen as “fake” or lacking in credibility, and irrelevant to the women’s life stage. Importantly, the majority of women engaged in practices to strategically resist and avoid health warnings on the packs as a way to continue smoking. Our findings point to the need to develop health warnings on tobacco products that are gender specific and focus on proximal social consequences to increase salience for young women smokers.

Респираторные аллергические заболевания у курящих и некурящих молодых мужчин

Background: smoking is a well-known trigger of asthma. Therefore, doctors should be alert for smok-ers with respiratory allergies. Aim: to compare the severity of respiratory allergy course, pollen and house dust sensiti-zation, and laboratory and instrumental tests in young adult male smokers and non-smokers. Patients and Methods: a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 249 men aged 16–27 years with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma was performed. Patients were examined on the basis of the standard of medical care for adults with asthma. Allergic examination included skin tests and allergen-specific IgE measurement. Results: 249 patients were divided into 2 groups: smokers (n=62) and non-smokers (n=187). The mean age of smokers and non-smokers was 19.3±0.5 and 18.6±0.3 years, respectively. The median smoking history was 2.0 [1.0; 4.0] years. Allergic asthma was more common in smokers (93.5%) than in non-smokers (89.3%). No differences in the rate of allergic rhinitis were reported. Comparative cross-sectional analysis of examination results in young patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma has demonstrated that positive tests for tree pollen and house dust prevail in both groups. No differences in sensitization between smokers and non-smokers were reported. The mean spirometry values in smokers were lower than those in non-smokers. Bron-chodilator coefficient calculated by forced expiratory volume in 1 s correlated with absolute eosinophil count only in smokers. Conclusions: no significant differences in the severity of allergic rhinitis and asthma, sen-sitization to pollen and house dust, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, and total serum IgE levels were reported between young smokers and non-smokers. KEYWORDS: smoking, asthma, allergic rhinitis, electronic cigarettes, traditional cigarettes. FOR CITATION: Devyatkova E.A., Minaeva N.V., Tarasova M.V., Shelud'ko V.S., Plotnikova E.Yu. Respiratory allergies in young adult male smokers and non-smokers. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2023;7(8):482–487 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2023-7-8-2.

Expectations as a Factor of Tobacco Smoking Initiation in Youth

Introduction: Disappointing statistics of the World Health Organization on the growing number of new smokers, including those choosing electronic nicotine delivery systems, requires studies of both social factors and intrinsic subjective motivation to start smoking, where the main role is played by expectations of young people. The article discusses expectations of youth from smoking initiation and those from regular cigarette smoking. It also describes reported expectations and concomitant factors that preceded the initiation of smoking. Objective: To study the impact of expectations of young adults on smoking initiation. Materials and methods: An online survey of young people was conducted in January – May 2021 in the city of Khimki, Moscow Region, using Google Forms. All respondents were regular smokers (n = 360, 17–24 years of age; confidence level: 5 %, confidence interval: 95 %; criterion sampling). The study of youth expectations was retrospective and accurate enough in assessing subjective expectations from smoking initiation. Nonparametric statistics (Spearman’s rank correlation) was used for data analysis. Results: The main reason for initiation of tobacco smoking is a social factor confirming expectations of “feeling like an adult” (78.3 %) in young smokers with the support of friends, where smoking in the company of peers prevails over other occasions of tobacco use (76.6 %). Smoking among young people with little experience is attributed to social dependence, and, above all, social expectations. Consequently, 30.0 % of young adults have a significant potential for quitting smoking. A high social significance of the peers’ perception of the fact of starting smoking as a way to emphasize the overcoming of negative physical expectations was also confirmed. Positive expectations from smoking, such as relaxation and emancipation, significantly exceed negative ones (discomfort and malaise). Conclusions: Expectations have proved to be a determining factor in initiation of tobacco smoking among young people, which requires a change in the social component of smoking prevention techniques by bringing it to the level of the national idea of a healthy lifestyle (activity and longevity).

Comparative Study of Lipid Profile among Young Smokers and Nonsmokers in South Indian Population

Comparative Study of Lipid Profile among Young Smokers and Nonsmokers in South Indian Population

Perceived Truthfulness of Reduced Lung Cancer Risk Advertising Claims Influences Consumers' Intention to try and to Purchase Snus.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of a reduced risk claim about lung cancer, presented in various formats, on smokers' and non-smokers' interest in trying Camel Snus and intention to purchase Camel Snus. We varied claim formats by varying advertising messages for Camel Snus in 4 ways (1) text only; (2) bar chart; (3) text/testimonial; and (4) bar chart/testimonial. 3001 participants were recruited from a web-based consumer specialty panel via an email invitation. In 2015, a second study was conducted, using similar methods, where 3001 additional participants were recruited. Overall, controlling for other factors, the presence of an MRTP claim was not significantly related to interest in trying snus [X2 (4) = 8.567, P = .073], or purchase intentions [X2 (4) = 1.148, P = .887]. Relative to a control ad where no explicit health risk claim was made, the Graphic + testimonial [OR = 1.29] or Text only [OR = 1.41] claims did significantly increase interest in trying Camel Snus. However, the adverting format did not impact interest in purchasing Camel Snus. While current smokeless tobacco users (95%) and smokers (59%) expressed interest in trying Camel Snus, non-tobacco users (7%) showed low interest in trying or purchasing Camel Snus (P < .001). Interest in trying Camel Snus was stronger in younger smokers compared to older smokers. Among current smokers, worry about lung cancer (the key focus of the reduced risk claim) was not associated with interest in trying Camel Snus or with purchase intention [OR = .91, 95% CI: .72, 1.14] or intention to purchase snus [OR = 1.07, 95% CI: .86, 1.32]. Future research should evaluate how claim and messaging formats influence perceived truthfulness and whether this effect differs among sub-groups of consumers, such as adolescents, those with tobacco-related disease, and former smokers. It will also be helpful to understand whether perceptions of ad truthfulness result in changes in product use patterns over time. In sum, giving people truthful, credible information about relative product risks, such as through authorized MRTP claims, is important, but such information is likely insufficient to get smokers to switch.

Educational Effects of Stop Smoking in Adolescents in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Smoking not only has an impact on yourself but also has an impact on the people around you. Cigarettes have always been a unique phenomenon worldwide. Stop smoking, but cigarette excise is one of the country's significant foreign exchange. The dangers of smoking can interfere with/inhibit the function of the brain, mouth, throat, lungs, stomach, bones, skin, and reproductive organs. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on adolescent smoking behavior by providing education through counseling to stop smoking. This study uses a survey methodology and quantitative literature studies. The research locations are in two junior high schools in Jakarta. The sample is 60, with details of each junior high school amounting to 30. The results show that the characteristics of adolescent smokers aged 12 to a maximum of 16 years, there are sources of exposure to smoking most commonly found in their family members. There was no effect found on the characteristics of young smokers on the status of the covid-19 pandemic for young smokers, including stop smoking information sources. This research contributes to providing information about activities of stopping smoking during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking in young adult smokers and nonsmokers university students: a comparative cross-sectional study

Tobacco use and related exposure in Pakistan are responsible for approximately 110,000 deaths. While previous studies have reported improved knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking among the general population due to ongoing tobacco control programs, fewer studies have investigated such knowledge in young adults. Thus, we conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of 220 young adult students aged 22 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 2) enrolled at a public university to assess their knowledge of the health risks of cigarette smoking and to compare this knowledge between smokers and nonsmokers. The self-administered semistructured questionnaire collected sociodemographic data, cigarette smoking status, and knowledge about the health risks of cigarette smoking. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and the Mann‒Whitney U test. Overall, most young adults were nonsmokers (69.09%), and the remaining 30.91% of smokers smoked an average of 5.31 ± 2.40 cigarettes daily for 3.80 ± 1.33 years, primarily in rural areas (p &lt; 0.05). Nearly half of the young adults showed good knowledge of the health risks of cigarette smoking, irrespective of smoking status (smokers = 54.41%, nonsmokers = 53.29%). Conversely, few young adults demonstrated poor knowledge (smokers = 10.29%, nonsmokers = 6.58%) about the health hazards of cigarette smoking. Our findings showed that smoking rates were higher among young adults in rural settings than in urban areas. In addition, knowledge of gender-specific health risks associated with cigarette smoking, such as pregnancy-related complications in female smokers and male impotence in male smokers, was low. Nonetheless, almost half of the young adults displayed good knowledge of most of the potential health risks of cigarette smoking, regardless of their smoking status.

Smoking Induces the Circulating Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Its Association with Cardiovascular Risk in Young Smokers

Smoking causes cardiovascular risk, which may alter the stability between the production and degradation of the extracellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a zinc-containing endopeptidase that degrades the extracellular matrix and is involved in tissue remodelling and several physiological processes. As a result, smoking-induced elevated serum MMP-9 levels, particularly at a younger age, raise the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Thus, this study aimed to determine the possible relationship between smoking-induced circulating MMP-9 and the risk of cardiovascular disease in young smokers. In this cross-sectional study, the patients were divided into three groups. Each group contains 120 study participants. Group one consisted of 120 healthy individuals with no physical and mental illness, group two consisted of 120 active smokers with a heart disease, and group three consisted of 120 active smokers with a heart disease and diabetes, who attended Sri Ramaswamy Memorial Hospital for cardiology checkup at the age of 20-55 years. The serum MMP-9, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and apolipoprotein-E (APO-E) levels were analyzed using the ELISA method, and the lipid levels were measured enzymatically using AU480 automatic analyzer (Beckman Coulter). Compared with non-smokers, the study shows that the mean serum MMP-9, hs-CRP, and APO-E levels were significantly higher in smokers (p<0.001). A strong relationship was also found between MMP-9 and hs-CRP, APO-E, smoking load, and smoking intensity. A significant association was found between cigarette smoking with MMP-9, and relative exposure to circulating inflammation markers plays a potential role in the pathogenesis of CHD.

Predictors of Smoking in Older Adults and an Epigenetic Validation of Self-Report

There are several established predictors of smoking, but it is unknown if these predictors operate similarly for young and old smokers. We examined clinical data from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) to determine the predictive ability of gender, body mass index (BMI), marital status, and race on smoking behavior, with emphasis on gender interactions. In addition, we validated the self-report of smoking behaviors for a subgroup that had available epigenetic data in the form of cg05575921 methylation. Participants were N=9572 current or former smokers from the NLST biofluids database, age 55-74, minimum of 30 pack years, and mostly White. A subgroup of N=3084 who had DNA were used for the self-report validation analysis. The predictor analysis was based on the larger group and used penalized logistic regression to predict the self-report of being a former or current smoker at baseline. Cg05575921 methylation showed a moderate ability to discriminate among former and current smokers, AUC = 0.85 (95% confidence interval = [0.83, 0.86]). The final selected variables for the prediction model were BMI, gender, BMI by gender, age, divorced (vs. married), education, and race. The gender by BMI interaction was such that males had a higher probability of current smoking for lower BMI, but this switched to females having higher current smoking for overweight to obese. There is evidence that the self-reported smoking behavior in NLST is moderately accurate. The results of the primary analysis are consistent with the general smoking literature, and our results provide additional specificity regarding the gender by BMI interaction. Body weight issues might play a role in smoking cessation for older established smokers in a similar manner as younger smokers. It could be that women have less success with cessation when their BMI increases.

Surgical Treatment Options for Buerger's Disease (Experience with 315 Cases in Iran).

Background: Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) may be a rare peripheral vascular disease that sometimes affects young male smokers. This study presents surgical treatment options for 315 Buerger's patients during a period of 18 years from 2002 to 2020. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 315 newly diagnosed Buerger patients in a period of 18 years (by Census sampling) were evaluated. Data included age, sex, cigarette smoking status, clinical presentation, the affected limb (right or left, upper or lower extremities), and the performed therapeutic procedures such as angiography of limb arteries, amputation, sympathectomy, and vascular bypass surgery, which were collected in a data sheet. Vascular reconstruction was done if there were suitable inflow and outflow arteries. Sympathectomy was performed for the patients who were unsuitable for revascularization. All analyzes were performed using SPSSV.18 software package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Data are presented as frequency, mean ± variance (SD). Results: The mean age of patients was 42.6±9 years old, ranging from (26-75). There were 309 (98.1%) males and 6 (1.9%) females. The most common symptom was ulcer 252 (80%), and the most commonly involved arteries were the dorsal pedis (N=231; 73.4%) and posterior tibialis (N=225; 71.5%). Vascular bypass surgery, sympathectomy, and amputation were performed for patients who met surgical indications. Aortofemoral (N=9) and femoropopliteal (N=24) bypass procedures were done in 2.8% and 7.6% of patients respectively. Of nine patients who underwent aorto-femoral bypass procedure, 6 cases presented with leg claudication, 3 with an ulcer, and 3 with the Raynaud phenomenon. The digital loss rate was 9.6% (N=9) in toes and 1% (N=3) in fingers. Conclusion: As most of the Buerger patients have multi arterial involvement, bypass surgery or sympathectomy can't help treat these patients more than cigarette smoking or pharmaceutical therapy.