Advantages and Disadvantages of Electronic Cigarettes.

Despite nearly nine thousand publications on e-cigarettes (EC) in the PubMed database, there is still no consensus in the scientific community and among decision makers regarding the risks and benefits of using these products [...

Does Alcohol Withdrawal Influence Arterial Stiffness and Classical Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease for Persons With Alcohol Use Disorder?

Aims: The amount and pattern of cigarette and alcohol consumption are highly associated with cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was the assessment of changes in arterial stiffness and classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease after alcohol withdrawal and detoxification in persons with alcohol use disorder.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-one individuals (men and women) participated in the investigation.

E-Liquids from Seven European Countries-Warnings Analysis and Freebase Nicotine Content.

Electronic cigarettes are available in a variety of devices with e-liquids also available in many flavors, and nicotine concentrations, albeit less than 20 mg/mL in Europe. Given the dynamics of these products, it is important to evaluate product content, including labeling, nicotine content versus labeled claim, nicotine form, and other aspects that may help policy decisions and align with the Tobacco Product Directive (TPD). Herein, we performed a study on 86 e-liquids from seven European countries (Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom) with 34 different liquid brands and 57 different flavors.

A New Mechanism of the Selective Photodegradation of Antibiotics in the Catalytic System Containing TiO and the Inorganic Cations.

The mechanism of sulfisoxazole (SFF) selective removal by photocatalysis in the presence of titanium (IV) oxide (TiO) and iron (III) chloride (FeCl) was explained and the kinetics and degradation pathways of SFF and other antibiotics were compared. The effects of selected inorganic ions, oxygen conditions, pH, sorption processes and formation of coordination compounds on the photocatalytic process in the presence of TiO were also determined. The Fe compounds added to the irradiated sulfonamide (SN) solution underwent surface sorption on TiO particles and act as acceptors of excited electrons.

Differences in Exposure to Nicotine, Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines, and Volatile Organic Compounds among Electronic Cigarette Users, Tobacco Smokers, and Dual Users from Three Countries.

Country-level differences in nicotine vaping products used and biomarkers of exposure among long-term e-cigarette users and dual users remain understudied. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 in the United States ( = 166), United Kingdom ( = 129), and Poland ( = 161). We compared patterns of tobacco product use and nicotine and toxicant exposure among cigarette-only smokers ( = 127); e-cigarette-only users ( = 124); dual users of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes ( = 95); and non-users (control group, = 110) across three countries using mixed-effects linear regression.

Metal Concentration Assessment in the Urine of Cigarette Smokers Who Switched to Electronic Cigarettes: A Pilot Study.

: E-cigarettes (ECs) seem to be a less harmful alternative for conventional cigarettes, however, very little is still known about the exposure to some elements, which are the components of this device and may contaminate the nicotine liquid. The aim of this study is to assess whether e-cigarette users are more exposed to 12 elements detected in aerosol than non-smokers and conventional cigarette smokers, using their concentrations in urine as exposure biomarkers. A cross-sectional, group-based survey was carried out using 90 volunteers classified into groups of non-smokers, EC-only users, dual EC users-cigarette smokers and cigarette-only smokers.

E-cigarettes and their impact on health: from pharmacology to clinical implications.

Worldwide, cigarette smoking is the major cause of premature mortality and diseases that can be prevented. Given that people continue smoking despite associated health risks, delivering nicotine without combustion should be considered a valuable and much less harmful way to reduce the public health burden caused by smoking. E‑cigarettes could play such a role if they were proven to be less harmful than combustible cigarettes.

The influence of waste from electronic cigarettes, conventional cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products on microorganisms.

Tobacco smoking, especially conventional cigarettes, is widespread throughout the world. Simultaneously, there is a growing interest in new alternative products that allow delivering nicotine to the users' organisms, including electronic cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products. However, there are few scientific reports regarding the effect of waste generated from the above-mentioned products on microorganisms.

Concentrations of the Selected Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Response to Antiepileptic Drugs: A Literature Review.

Epilepsy is a disease arising from morphological and metabolic changes in the brain. Approximately 60% of patients with seizures can be controlled with 1 antiepileptic drug (AED), while in others, polytherapy is required. The AED treatment affects a number of biochemical processes in the body, including increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Exclusive versus dual use of tobacco and electronic cigarettes among adolescents in Poland, 2010-2016.

Globally, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among adolescents has increased, along with concerns about potential health implications from exclusive and concurrent tobacco and e-cigarette use (i.e., "dual use").

Exposure to Cadmium and Lead in Cigarette Smokers Who Switched to Electronic Cigarettes.

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) seem to be a less harmful alternative for conventional cigarettes. This study aimed to assess whether the generated aerosols from ECs contain lower amount of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) than cigarette smoke and to detect any changes in exposure to Cd and Pb among cigarette smokers who switched completely or partially to EC.

Methods: EC aerosols and cigarette smoke were generated, and the determination of Cd and Pb in trapped samples and e-liquids was performed by the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry method.

Youth Access to Electronic Cigarettes in an Unrestricted Market: A Cross-Sectional Study from Poland.

: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among youths in Poland has become very popular. The aim of this study was to identify the potential points of access to these products by students aged 16⁻17 years old before implementation of sales restrictions to minors in Poland in November 2016. : A school-based, cross-sectional survey was administered in 2015⁻2016 in 21 secondary/technical schools across two regions of Poland.

E-cigarettes: voltage- and concentration-dependent loss in human lung adenocarcinoma viability.

E-cigarettes are used by millions of people despite the fact that the harmful effect of aerosol emitted from these products to the human organism is still not clear. In this paper, toxicity of vapor generated using different solutions and battery output voltage on A549 cells viability is presented. The obtained EC values for commercially available propylene glycol/glycerol solution 1:1 e-liquids based on 3.

Slower nicotine metabolism among postmenopausal Polish smokers.

Background: A non-invasive phenotypic indicator of the rate of nicotine metabolism is nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) defined as a ratio of two major metabolites of nicotine - trans-3'-hydroxycotinine/cotinine. The rate of nicotine metabolism has important clinical implications for the likelihood of successful quitting with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). We conducted a study to measure NMR among Polish smokers.

Nicotine emissions from electronic cigarettes: Individual and interactive effects of propylene glycol to vegetable glycerin composition and device power output.

Introduction: The power output of e-cigarettes varies considerably, as does the composition of liquids used with these products. Most e-cigarette liquids contain two primary solvents: propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). The primary aim of this study was to examine the extent to which PG and VG composition and device power interact with each other to influence e-cigarette nicotine emissions.

Removal of veterinary antibiotics from wastewater by electrocoagulation.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of veterinary antibiotic removal from wastewater using an electrocoagulation method. The removal efficiency of ampicillin, doxycycline, sulfathiazole and tylosin; the antibiotic degradation degree after electrolysis; and the toxicity and qualitative composition of antibiotic solutions after electrocoagulation were determined in the experiments. HPLC-QTOF was used for quantitative and qualitative determination.

Effect of occupational exposure to lead on new risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: The cardiovascular effects of lead are caused primarily through an effect on blood pressure but are not just limited to an increased risk of hypertension. The aim of our study was to determine to what extent chronic exposure to lead affects new risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) development, such as biomarkers of inflammation (C reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen) and biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction (homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and L-homoarginine).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 231 male volunteers, aged 20-60 years, working for at least 2 years in jobs with exposure to lead during the mining and processing of lead-zinc ores.

Cessation of alcohol consumption decreases rate of nicotine metabolism in male alcohol-dependent smokers.

Background: Rate of nicotine metabolism is an important factor influencing cigarette smoking behavior, dependence, and efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy. The current study examined the hypothesis that chronic alcohol abuse can accelerate the rate of nicotine metabolism. Nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR, a biomarker for rate of nicotine metabolism) and patterns of nicotine metabolites were assessed at three time points after alcohol cessation.

Assessment of the biodegradability of selected sulfa drugs in two polluted rivers in Poland: Effects of seasonal variations, accidental contamination, turbidity and salinity.

The aim of our study was to assess the aerobic biodegradation of four selected sulfonamides (sulfanilamide, sulfamethoxazole, sulfadiazine and sulfathiazole) using water samples drawn from highly polluted rivers. Additionally, we aimed to identify the factors that have a significant effect on the process efficiency. The 19 water samples were collected from Brynica and Czarna Przemsza rivers (in Poland) at the same location at approximately monthly intervals.

Cherry-flavoured electronic cigarettes expose users to the inhalation irritant, benzaldehyde.

Many non-cigarette tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, contain various flavourings, such as fruit flavours. Although many flavourings used in e-cigarettes are generally recognised as safe when used in food products, concerns have been raised about the potential inhalation toxicity of these chemicals. Benzaldehyde, which is a key ingredient in natural fruit flavours, has been shown to cause irritation of respiratory airways in animal and occupational exposure studies.

[Influence of electronic cigarettes puffing regimes on amount of vaporized liquid].

Unlabelled: E-cigarette (EC) was designed to provide less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. Along with growing popularity of ECs around the world, more products have appeared on the market. There are limited safety studies and data relating to potential toxicity of EC use.

Dual use of electronic and tobacco cigarettes among adolescents: a cross-sectional study in Poland.

Objectives: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are gaining in popularity among youth. While these products may be beneficial in adult smokers, the effect on young users of electronic and tobacco cigarettes (dual users) is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of dual use among adolescents and to compare tobacco cigarette consumption among dual and exclusive tobacco cigarette users.

The effects of neat biodiesel and biodiesel and HVO blends in diesel fuel on exhaust emissions from a light duty vehicle with a diesel engine.

The influence of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) diesel blends on the exhaust emissions from a passenger car was examined. The impact of FAME for the cold urban phase (UDC) was increased CO and HC emissions, probably due to blend physical properties promoting incomplete combustion. The HVO blend caused the lowest CO and HC emissions for the UDC.

Nicotine levels in electronic cigarette refill solutions: A comparative analysis of products from the U.S., Korea, and Poland.

Background: Electronic cigarettes vaporize nicotine dissolved in glycerine and/or propylene glycol (e-liquid). Due to a lack of regulations, e-liquids may contain inaccurately labelled nicotine levels. Our aim was to test nicotine levels in samples of e-liquids from three countries.

Assessment of nicotine concentration in electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) liquids and precision of dosing to aerosol.

Background: Global use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS; also called electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes) has increased dramatically in recent years. However, due to the limited safety studies and growing concerns on the potential toxicity from long term use of ENDS, many national and international governments have employed regulatory measures to curtail its use. One of the most significant challenges regulators of ENDS encounter is the lack of quality standards to assess ENDS, e-liquid (solution used with ENDS which contain nicotine--a highly toxic and addictive substance), and amount of nicotine delivery to aerosol during ENDS use.