Free Radicals in Little Cigar Mainstream Smoke and the Potential Influence of Flavoring Chemicals on Free Radical Production.

Implementation of the Tobacco Control Act in 2009 banned characterizing flavors in cigarettes (except menthol and tobacco), but substitution has occurred by the continued availability of alternative flavored products (i.e., flavored little cigars).

Nicotine Delivery of a Menthol-Flavored Heat-not-Burn Tobacco Product During Directed Use.

Introduction: IQOS was authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a modified-risk tobacco product.

Tobacco Nitrate and Free Radical Levels in the Mainstream Smoke of US Cigarette Brands.

Tobacco nitrate levels have been known to impact the levels of toxicants such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) produced during smoking. Recent work in our group showed that the intrinsic nitrate levels in individual tobacco varieties also have a large influence on the formation of gas-phase (GP) free radicals in the mainstream smoke of cigarettes produced with a single tobacco variety. As tobacco nitrate content is a potential target for future regulatory policies, we investigated whether the levels of GP free radicals in the smoke from commercially available cigarettes is also dependent on the nitrate content in the corresponding tobacco blends.

Genetic Factors Associated with Absolute and Relative Plasma Concentrations of Calcitriol.

Background: Little is known regarding factors associated with calcitriol and a relative measure of calcitriol, the calcitriol-24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-calcifediol proportion ratio (C24CPR).

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, healthy young adults of African and European descent, matched (1:1) on age (±5 years) provided a blood sample in non-summer months (N = 376). Vitamin D metabolites were measured in plasma with HPLC/MS-MS.

Cumulative Consumption of Sulfur Amino Acids and Risk of Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Cross-sectional studies have suggested that consumption of sulfur amino acids (SAAs), including methionine and cysteine, is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in humans and with T2D-related biomarkers in animals. But whether higher long-term SAA intake increases the risk of T2D in humans remains unknown.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between long-term dietary SAA intake and risk of T2D.

Cysteine restriction-specific effects of sulfur amino acid restriction on lipid metabolism.

Decreasing the dietary intake of methionine exerts robust anti-adiposity effects in rodents but modest effects in humans. Since cysteine can be synthesized from methionine, animal diets are formulated by decreasing methionine and eliminating cysteine. Such diets exert both methionine restriction (MR) and cysteine restriction (CR), that is, sulfur amino acid restriction (SAAR).

The effects of reduced nicotine content cigarettes on biomarkers of nicotine and toxicant exposure, smoking behavior and psychiatric symptoms in smokers with mood or anxiety disorders: A double-blind randomized trial.

Background: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the government of New Zealand have proposed a reduction of the nicotine content in cigarettes to very low levels.

Effects of tobacco nitrate content on free radical levels in mainstream smoke.

Tobacco smoke free radicals play an important role in the development of smoking related adverse health effects. We previously reported that gas phase (GP) radicals vary greatly by cigarette brand and tobacco variety and are highly correlated with levels of NNK in smoke. Since NNK production in tobacco is dependent on nitrate, we proposed that GP radical production may also be associated with tobacco nitrate content.

Comparison of Carcinogen Biomarkers in Smokers of Menthol and Nonmenthol Cigarettes: The 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Special Sample.

Background: The US FDA announced its commitment to prohibiting menthol as a characterizing flavor in tobacco. The relationship between cigarette menthol and exposure to toxic substances in mainstream tobacco smoke is not well characterized.

Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015 to 2016 special sample were used to study markers of 26 harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHC) in tobacco smoke.

Mushroom intake and cognitive performance among US older adults: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2014.

Emerging evidence has suggested that mushrooms, which are a rich source of the potent antioxidants ergothioneine and glutathione as well as vitamin D, may have neuroprotective properties. This study investigated the association between mushroom consumption and cognitive performance in a nationally representative sample of US older adults. We analysed data from older adults aged ≥ 60 years from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Health consequences of improving the content of ergothioneine in the food supply.

Ergothioneine (ERGO) is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory amino acid that is highly bioavailable to humans from the diet. ERGO is now regarded by some as a 'longevity vitamin' that has the potential to mitigate some chronic diseases of ageing and thereby increase life expectancy when present in adequate amounts. However, only limited knowledge exists regarding ERGO content in the human diet.

Effect of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems on Cigarette Abstinence in Smokers With No Plans to Quit: Exploratory Analysis of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Introduction: The extent to which use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) for smoking reduction leads to cigarette abstinence in smokers with no plans to quit smoking is unclear. This exploratory analysis examined the effects of ENDS delivering different amounts of nicotine on cigarette abstinence up to 24-week follow-up, in comparison to placebo or a behavioral substitute.

Methods: This four-arm parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled trial took place at two academic medical centers in the United States (Penn State Hershey and Virginia Commonwealth University).

Red and processed meat consumption and food insecurity are associated with hypertension; analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 2003-2016.

Objective: This study examined the joint association of red and processed meat intake and food insecurity with hypertension.

Methods: Adult participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2016 were included. Total red meat intake was estimated using 24 h dietary recalls.

Prospective study of dietary mushroom intake and risk of mortality: results from continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2014 and a meta-analysis.

Background: Whether mushroom consumption, which is a rich source of potent antioxidants ergothioneine and glutathione, vitamins, and minerals (e.g., selenium & copper), is associated with a lower mortality risk is not well understood.

Mushroom intake and depression: A population-based study using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2005-2016.

Background: Mushrooms contain numerous bioactive compounds that may be associated with reduced anxiety including vitamin B12, nerve growth factor, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents. We hypothesized that mushroom consumption is associated with a lower risk of depression in American adults.

Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2016 was used.

Association of dietary sulfur amino acid intake with mortality from diabetes and other causes.

Purpose: Sulfur amino acid (SAA) consumption in Western countries is far greater than recommended levels. In preclinical studies, reduced SAA intake enhanced longevity and reduced risk for numerous chronic diseases. The current objective was to examine for associations between the intake of total SAA, including methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys), and all-cause and disease-specific mortality US adults.