Saccharin test: Methodological validation and systematic review of the literature.

Objectives: Saccharin test (ST) is a convenient method to assess the efficiency of mucociliary clearance, the primary defense mechanism of the upper airways' tract. The study objectives are to: (1) substantiate its short- (3 days) and long-term (30 days) repeatability; (2) assess its tolerability; (3) conduct a systematic literature review and to compare our results with the existing evidence.

Methods: Twenty-nine healthy subjects were enrolled in an observational prospective study to perform an ST on three separate visits (at baseline; at follow-up visits at day 3 and at day 30).

Short and Long Term Repeatability of Saccharin Transit Time in Current, Former, and Never Smokers.

Smoking progressively damages the efficiency of mucociliary clearance (MCC) defense mechanisms, thus contributing to increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Prolonged mucociliary clearance transit time (MCCTT) caused by chronic smoking has been investigated by saccharin test, but little data is available about its short- and long-term reproducibility. Moreover, it is not known if MCC impairment can be reversed when stopping smoking.

Smoking behavior and psychological dynamics during COVID-19 social distancing and stay-at-home policies: A survey.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, about 60 million of Italians stayed at home. These circumstances may generate exceptional challenges and stress for people who regularly use cigarettes, ecigarettes, heated tobacco products, dual users, former smokers and never smokers. Here, we present results from a study that was aimed at surveying smoking behaviour and psychological dynamics during the Italian COVID-19 social distancing and stay-at-home policies.

Non-inferiority trial comparing cigarette consumption, adoption rates, acceptability, tolerability, and tobacco harm reduction potential in smokers switching to Heated Tobacco Products or electronic cigarettes: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Despite the introduction of tobacco control measures, smoking remains highly prevalent in most EU countries. In Italy, one in four adults were still regular smokers in 2017. Increasing use of combustion-free delivering nicotine technologies for cigarette substitution may accelerate the current downward trends in smoking prevalence.

[Electronic cigarette: current overview and future perspectives].

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are experiencing a great popularity and their market has surprisingly grown in a few years. However, the rapidly evolving phenomenon is raising concerns about the safety and efficacy of these products. Opinions and information from the popular press, but also from the scientific community, are often divergent, confused, warning and sometimes purposely false, raising inconsistent doubts and disproportionate concerns for the public health.