Use of total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol as an independent biomarker to classify smoking status

Biomarkers of exposure to tobacco smoke are needed. The objective of this study was to develop total 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) as a biomarker of tobacco smoke independent of serum cotinine. Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to estimate cut-off points on NNAL scale to differentiate participants in various classes of smoking status. A cut-off of 13.4 pg/mL for NNAL differentiated smokers from nonsmokers with a specificity and sensitivity of 92%. NNAL can be used as an independent biomarker of exposure to tobacco smoke with high specificity and sensitivity.     

A comparative study of effects of cigarette and bidi smoking on respiratory function tests

The effects of cigarette and bidi smoking on pulmonary function tests have been studied in 90 healthy males from North India Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV) were determined in 30 nonsmokers (as control group), 30 cigarette smokers and 30 bidi smokers. All the above pulmonary function parameters were found to be lower among smokers as compared to nonsmokers. Moreover, the decrease in the pulmonary function tests was greater in cigarette smokers as compared to bidi smokers.     

Plant extract reduces tobacco smoke harmful effects on alveolar macrophage immune responses

Tobacco smoke is a major factor responsible for lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although the best solution to reduce the incidence of these diseases is to quit smoking, there are still a large number of smokers. Thus, given the immunoregulatory properties of plant extracts, their capacity to reduce tobacco smoke harmful effects on alveolar macrophage (AM) functions was investigated. AM were treated with tobacco smoke extract and parenchymata tissue extract (PTE), or mesophyll cell extract (MCE) of Spinacia oleacea. The effects of tobacco smoke extract from PTE and MCE-treated cigarette filters were also investigated. AM production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and AM cytotoxicity were measured. Tobacco smoke extract significantly inhibited TNF, IL-10, and MCP-1 release, and AM cytotoxicity. The addition of PTE and MCE to tobacco smoke extract abrogated the inhibition of AM mediator release. However, only MCE restored AM cytotoxicity. Interestingly, tobacco smoke extract of PTE and MCE-treated cigarette filters showed reduced effects on AM functions. Tobacco smoke extract from MCE-treated (0.25%) cigarette filters did not inhibit TNF, IL-10, and MCP-1 release in contrast to tobacco smoke extract from buffer-treated cigarette filters. AM cytotoxic activity was not inhibited by the treatment with tobacco smoke extract from MCE-treated cigarette filters. Our data suggest that the presence of plant extract in cigarette filters reduces the inhibitory effects of cigarette smoke on AM functions. Thus, MCE-treated cigarette filters may help reducing lung diseases associated with smoking.     

Chemical analysis of tobacco cigarette for organochlorine insecticides and heavy metal composition

The effects of cigarette smoking on smokers and the environment were investigated by analyzing some cigarette brands available to Nigerian smokers for the presence of some of the widely used organochlorine (OC) pesticides and heavy metals. OC pesticide residues were extracted from tobacco smoke, separated and identified using column chromatographic and thin layer chromatographic techniques respectively, while ashed and unashed commercial cigarettes were analyzed for heavy metals – Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Co using atomic absorption spectrometry. TLC data indicated that dieldrin and p,p′-DDD were present in some of the cigarette brands. The results of heavy metal analysis showed that the levels of some toxic heavy metals and pollution index were higher in unashed cigarettes than corresponding ashes. Evidence suggests that significant amounts of these toxic metals are inhaled by the smoker and/or released into the environment in the process of cigarette smoking, thus confirming that cigarette smoking is harmful to the environment and human health.     

Tualang honey supplementation improves oxidative stress status among chronic smokers

Free radicals induced by cigarette smoking have been linked to an increase in oxidative stress resulting in smoking-related cardiovascular diseases. However, the possible effect of honey that has antioxidant property in improving oxidative stress status among smokers has not yet been reported. Hence, this study was to determine the effects of 12-week Tualang honey supplementation on F₂-isoprostanes, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and total antioxidant status among chronic smokers. A total of 32 non-smokers and 64 chronic smokers were recruited from Quit Smoking Clinic and Health Campus, Universiti Sains, Malaysia. Smokers were randomized into two groups (n = 32/group) namely smokers without supplementation and smokers with honey supplementation (20 g/day) for 12 weeks. Blood was obtained from non-smokers and smokers at pre-intervention and from smokers at post-intervention. During pre-intervention, the levels/activity of F₂-isoprostanes, total antioxidant status, and catalase were significantly higher while superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were lower in smokers than non-smokers. During post-intervention, in supplemented smokers, there were significant decrease in F₂-isoprostanes and increase in total antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels/activities compared with pre-intervention. This study indicates that honey supplementation improves oxidative stress status suggesting a beneficial role of honey in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.     

Enhancement of radon exposure in smoking areas

Radium-226 is a significant source of radon-222 which enters buildings through soil, construction materials or water supply. When cigarette smoke is present, the radon daughters attach to smoke particles. Thus, the alpha radiation to a smoker’s lungs from the natural radon daughters is increased because of smoking. To investigate whether the cigarette tobacco itself is a potential source of indoor radon, the α potential energy exposure level contents of radon (²²²Rn, 3.82d) and Thoron (²²⁰Rn, 55.60s) were measured in 10 different cigarette tobacco samples using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs). The results showed that the ^{222, 220}Rn concentrations in these samples ranged from 128 to 266 and 49 to 148 Bqm⁻³, respectively. The radon concentrations emerged from all investigated samples were significantly higher than the background level. Also, the annual equivalent doses from the samples were determined. The mean values of the equivalent dose were 3.51 (0.89) and 1.44 (0.08) mSvy⁻¹, respectively. Measurement of the average indoor radon concentrations in 20 café rooms was, significantly, higher than 20 smoking-free residential houses. The result refers to the dual (chemical and radioactive) effect of smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer.     

Effects of cigarette and biomass smoke exposure on oxidant–antioxidant status in rabbits

To evaluate the effects of cigarette smoking and biomass (dried dung) smoke on the oxidant–antioxidant status, three groups each with 5 rabbits were used. Groups of rabbits were exposed to either cigarette smoke, dried dung smoke or dry air, 1?h daily for one month. Protein carbonyls, prostaglandin F_2α and malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased and protein sulfhydryls levels were significantly decreased in the cigarette smoke group compared with the control group. Only protein sulfhydryls levels were significantly decreased in dung group compared with the control group. Short course exposure to both cigarette smoke and biomass smoke decreased plasma antioxidant levels but only cigarette smoke increased plasma oxidant levels, whereas biomass smoke did not produce any change.     

Cadmium and chromium in human lung tissue in relation to smoking and lung cancer

The pulmonary Cd and Cr content was determined from 53 lung cancer patients operated for cancer and from 39 patients who died of non‐malignant diseases. The results were correlated with smoking habits, pulmonary emphysema and occupational history. Both the pulmonary Cd and Cr increased with the amount of smoking. In ex‐smokers the Cr content in lung tissue did not diminish with the time since stopping smoking, but the Cd did follow the half‐life of about 9 years. The pulmonary Cd, compared with smoking habits, behaved similarly in both the lung cancer and control patients, whereas Cr in the lung cancer patients could not be explained solely by smoking, but some of the cancer patients may have been occupationally exposed to Cr. Speciation was not studied.     

Correlation of cadmium and aluminum in blood samples of kidney disorder patients with drinking water and tobacco smoking: related health risk

The combined exposure to aluminum (Al) and cadmium (Cd) causes more pronounced adverse health effects on humans. The kidneys are the main organs affected by internal exposure to Cd and Al via food and non-food items. The objective of present study was to measure the Al and Cd concentrations in cigarettes tobacco (branded and non-branded) and drinking water (domestic treated, ground and lake water) samples in southern part of Pakistan, to assess the risk due to ingestion of water and inhalation of cigarettes smoke containing high concentrations of both elements. The study population (kidney disorder and healthy) divided into two group based on consuming lake and ground water, while smoking non-branded cigarette as exposed, while drinking domestic treated water and smoking branded cigarette as non-exposed. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determined Cd and Al concentrations in tobacco, drinking water and blood samples. The resulted data indicated that the levels of Al and Cd in lake and underground water were higher than the permissible limit in drinking water recommended by the World Health Organization. The biochemical parameters of exposed and referent patients, especially urinary N-acetyl-h-glucosaminidase, were used as a biomarkers of kidney disorder. Exposed kidney disorder patients have higher levels of Cd and Al than the exposed referents subjects, while difference was significant when compared to resulted data of non-exposed patients and referents (p = 0.01–0.001). The pearson correlation showed positive correlation between both toxic element concentrations in water, cigarettes versus blood samples of exposed subjects (r = 0.20–0.67 and 0.71–0.82), while lower values were observed for non-exposed subjects (r = 0.123–0.423 and 0.331–0.425), respectively.

     

钾素营养对烤烟烟叶品质影响的研究进展

烟草是喜钾作物,增施钾肥可提高烟叶含钾量,提高烟叶的生理活性,提高烟叶内在品质,增加烤烟的抗逆性,提高产量及其质量,烟叶的含钾量直接影响烟叶的香气质、香气量、燃烧性和持火力等.     

选择性去除香烟烟气中亚硝胺的研究

沸石具有选择性吸附和催化去除亚硝胺的功能.使用沸石添加剂和/或微波辐射预处理,可将香烟侧流烟气中致癌性物质亚硝胺的含量降低约50%,主流烟气中降低60-90%,能有效地减轻吸烟对于环境的污染.     

‘Effortless Perfection:’ Do Chinese cities manipulate air pollution data?

This paper uses unique data on daily air pollution concentrations over the period 2001–2010 to test for manipulation in self-reported data by Chinese cities. First, we employ a discontinuity test to detect evidence consistent with data manipulation. Then, we propose a panel matching approach to identify the conditions under which irregularities may occur. We find that about 50% of cities reported dubious PM₁₀ pollution levels that led to a discontinuity at the cut-off. Suspicious data reporting tends to occur on days when the anomaly is least detectable. Our findings indicate that the official daily air pollution data are not well behaved, which provides suggestive evidence of manipulation.     

Lead,cadmium, copper,zinc, iron,and calcium in human hair as a function of gender,age, smoking,and hair dyeing

Hair samples were collected randomly from 110 subjects (55 male and 55 female) ranging in age from (<15–60) years. Each subject was asked to complete a personal questionnaire describing his/her sex, age, general health, smoking, use of hair dyes, occupational area, and living habits. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Ca in human hair samples were evaluated using atomic absorption spectrometry. Results indicated that concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in the hair of smokers were higher than those in the hair of non-smokers, whereas, Fe and Ca concentrations in hair of smokers were lower than those in hair of non-smokers. Moreover, the concentrations of these elements are higher in dyed hair compared with undyed hair.     

Mapping Human and Social Dimensions of Conservation Opportunity for the Scheduling of Conservation Action on Private Land

Abstract Spatial prioritization techniques are applied in conservation‐planning initiatives to allocate conservation resources. Although typically they are based on ecological data (e.g., species, habitats, ecological processes), increasingly they also include nonecological data, mostly on the vulnerability of valued features and economic costs of implementation. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of conservation actions implemented through conservation‐planning initiatives is a function of the human and social dimensions of social‐ecological systems, such as stakeholders’ willingness and capacity to participate. We assessed human and social factors hypothesized to define opportunities for implementing effective conservation action by individual land managers (those responsible for making day‐to‐day decisions on land use) and mapped these to schedule implementation of a private land conservation program. We surveyed 48 land managers who owned 301 land parcels in the Makana Municipality of the Eastern Cape province in South Africa. Psychometric statistical and cluster analyses were applied to the interview data so as to map human and social factors of conservation opportunity across a landscape of regional conservation importance. Four groups of landowners were identified, in rank order, for a phased implementation process. Furthermore, using psychometric statistical techniques, we reduced the number of interview questions from 165 to 45, which is a preliminary step toward developing surrogates for human and social factors that can be developed rapidly and complemented with measures of conservation value, vulnerability, and economic cost to more‐effectively schedule conservation actions. This work provides conservation and land management professionals direction on where and how implementation of local‐scale conservation should be undertaken to ensure it is feasible.     

烟草对砷的吸收累积特征及其健康风险研究

以福建省主栽烟草品种翠碧1号、K326和云烟87为材料,在外源砷添加量为0、10、20、40、70和100 mg·kg~(-1)的土壤中进行盆栽试验,探讨砷对烟草的毒害效应以及砷在土壤-烟草体系中的迁移累积特征,并对植烟土壤中砷的安全临界值进行计算。结果表明,在砷毒害下,烟草生长受到抑制,且烟草根系生长受抑制程度最强。随着砷添加量的增加,土壤中有效砷含量和烟草各部位砷含量均显著提高(P 0.05),砷在根系中的含量最高,在茎中的含量最低。砷处理下各部位间的转移系数表现为TF_((茎-叶)) TF_((土-根)) TF_((根-茎)),且外源砷的增加促进砷从茎到叶片中转移。38.28%～74.37%的砷富集在烟草根部,上部叶中砷的富集量最少(4.61%～11.7%),且所研究的3个烟草品种中翠碧1号对砷的富集能力最强。根据通过吸烟进入人体砷的限量以及土壤有效砷含量与烟草中部叶砷含量的回归模型,推算出翠碧1号、K326和云烟87的植烟土壤有效砷的安全临界值分别为14.17、14.31和11.86 mg·kg~(-1)(磷酸二氢钠浸提)。并将福建省植烟土壤有效砷的安全临界值拟定为11.86 mg·kg~(-1)(磷酸二氢钠浸提)。本研究结果为福建省烟草安全生产提供一定技术指导。     

Characteristics of heavy metal absorption of river bed sludge components

Chronic inhalation of aerosols of different Cd compounds by rats gave sufficient evidence that inhaled Cd is a lung carcinogen in rats. In contrast, the evidence in humans has been termed limited that inhaled Cd causes lung cancer in occupationally exposed humans. In order to assess the carcinogenic potential of ambient air concentrations of Cd, the accumulated dose of Cd in lung tissue from a rat inhalation study was modelled taking into account deposition and retention of Cd in the lung. A lung Cd—cancer incidence relationship could then be established, and an equivalent human exposure could be calculated using man specific pulmonary Cd retention and deposition data for Cd containing particle sizes in the ambient air. Linear interpolation to low doses showed that the pulmonary carcinogenic risk from inhalation of environmental airborne Cd is generally very low, but may reach about 1 × 10^‐4 in polluted industrialized areas. Combined exposures to Cd plus other carcinogens or air pollutants may increase the risk considerably. Cd in cigarette mainstream smoke was estimated to contribute less than 5 % of the total lung cancer risk from smoking cigarettes. However, the influence of co‐exposure to other compounds in cigarette smoke is not known and should be taken into account.     

Levels of selected urinary metabolites of volatile organic compounds in a representative sample of US adolescents

Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 2011–2012 were used to evaluate the variability in the observed levels of 20 urinary metabolites of 16 parent volatile organic compounds by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and smoking status for adolescents aged 12–19 years. Smokers were found to have statistically significantly higher adjusted levels than nonsmokers for selected urinary metabolites of acrylonitrile (p < 0.05) and 1,3-butadiene (p < 0.05). For example, for N-Acetyl-S-(2-cyanoethyl)-L-cysteine, the adjusted levels for smokers were 29.2 ng/mL and 2.0 ng/mL for nonsmokers (p < 0.05). Females were found to have higher adjusted levels of selected metabolites of crotonaldehyde (p < 0.05), cyanide (p < 0.05), and tetrachloroethylene (p < 0.05) than males. For example, the adjusted levels of 2-Aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid or ATCA were 218.9 and 108.6 ng/mL for females and males, respectively (p < 0.05). Non-Hispanic whites (NHW) had higher adjusted levels than non-Hispanic blacks (NHB) for selected metabolites of N,N-dimethylformamide (p < 0.05) and ethylbenzene, styrene (p < 0.05). For example, for N-Acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)-L-cysteine or AMCC, the adjusted levels for NHW and NHB were 122.7 and 80.2 ng/mL, respectively (p < 0.05). The reverse was true for selected metabolites of carbon-disulfide and tetrachloroethylene. For example, for N-Acetyl-S-(benzyl)-L-cysteine or BMA, adjusted levels for NHW and NHB were 6.7 and 10.3 ng/mL, respectively (p < 0.05).     

Lupine calls to Texas poison control centers, 1998–2005

Many lupine species (Genus Lupinus) contain toxic compounds, although the amount of these substances varies by the plant part and species. This investigation described the epidemiology of 138 lupine exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 1998–2005. Almost 88% of the lupine exposure calls occurred in March and April, and 90% of the calls came from the central portions of the state. Sixty-one percent of the calls involved female patients, and 91% of the patients were age <6 years. The lupine exposure occurred at the patient's own residence in 79% of the cases. Of the reported lupine exposures, 93% were handled outside of health care facilities, and, of those cases with a known medical outcome, few moderate or major effects, and no deaths, were reported. The most frequently noted clinical effect among cases during 2000–2005 was vomiting, affecting 8% of the cases. In conclusion, most reported lupine exposures in Texas came from the central parts of the state, occurred in spring, and involved young children. Typical reported lupine exposures in Texas were not likely to have adverse outcomes.     

Effects of bicarbonate and cathode potential on hydrogen production in a biocathode electrolysis cell

A biocathode with microbial catalyst in place of a noble metal was successfully developed for hydrogen evolution in a microbial electrolysis cell （MEC）. The strategy for fast biocathode cultivation was demonstrated. An exoelectrogenic reaction was initially extended with an H2-full atmosphere to enrich Ha-utilizing bacteria in a MEC bioanode. This bioanode was then inversely polarized with an applied voltage in a half-cell to enrich the hydrogen-evolving biocathode. The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction （HER） kinetics of the biocathode MEC could be enhanced by increasing the bicarbonate buffer concentration from 0.05 mol·L-1 to 0.5 mol· L-1 and/or by decreasing the cathode potential from -0.9 V to - 1.3 V vs. a saturated calomel electrode （SCE）. Within the tested potential region in this study, the HER rate of the biocathode MEC was primarily influenced by the microbial catalytic capability. In addition, increasing bicarbonate concentration enhances the electric migration rate of proton carriers. As a consequence, more mass H＋ can be released to accelerate the biocathode-catalyzed HER rate. A hydrogen production rate of 8.44 m3. m 3. d1 with a current density of 951.6 A. m-3 was obtained using the biocathode MEC under a cathode potential of - 1.3 V vs. SCE and 0.4 mol· L-1 bicarbonate. This study provided information on the optimization of hydrogen production in biocathode MEC and expanded the practical applications thereof.     

辽宁省气候-植被指标时空变化特征及森林适宜性分析

基于辽宁省56个气象站的气象资料,利用Kira的温暖指数（WI）、寒冷指数（CI）和徐文铎的湿度指数（HI）分析辽宁省近40年（1967-2006年）气候-植被指标的时空变异。结果表明,就辽宁省区域平均值而言,WI指数呈升高趋势,每10年增加幅度为2.47℃·月,CI指数呈下降趋势,每10年下降幅度为2.31℃·月,HI总体呈下降趋势,波动较WI和CI明显,从气候—植被指数变化趋势看,对红松Pinus koraiensis Sieboldet Zuccarini、长白落叶松Larixolgensis等不利,而对油松Pinu stabulaeformis Carr、栓皮栎Quercus vari abilis Blume等树种有利。空间变化特征表现为,温暖指数界限呈向西北移动的趋势,表明暖温带落叶阔叶疏林带的适宜面积增加,而温带针阔叶混交林带的适宜面积减小;HI指数减小并且向东移,表明随着指数带的北移和东移缩小限制了原有针叶树种的生长,而对栎树Phytophthora ramorum等阔叶树种有利。