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Tobacco use and its harmful health-related problems have become one of the largest modern preventable public health issues. Current research strongly suggests that smoking during adolescence enhances addictive smoking behaviors during life, which can be related to adolescence as a critical ontogenetic period characterized by behaviors that can increase the probability of risk-related behaviors such as sensation and novelty seeking. Adolescent development is also a period of maturation of frontal and subcortical neural systems, brain changes that underlie higher impulsivity tendencies to promote adequate learning and adaptations necessary to succeed the novel challenges of the adult life, but those changes also enhance vulnerabilities to the addictive effects of drugs. Consistent with this, tobacco use affects brain development processes which underlie longterm psychobiological alterations and the enhanced risks for tobacco addiction during adult life. Thus, the present review describes current psychobiological approaches to understand general addiction processes and tobacco addiction, highlighting the behavioral and neural short-term effects of tobacco use during adolescence and its long-term effects during adulthood. Current research has advanced on four aspects for the understanding of both the psychobiology of adolescent development and the effects of drugs of abuse during this time. The first aspect is behavioral, as adolescence is related to important changes on motivational and emotional behaviors such as sensation seeking. Other important behavioral changes are social approach, a higher variety of opportunity for personal choices, and development of personal independence. Research on a second aspect has focused on cognition. A review of research is presented showing enhanced abilities during adolescence development for reading, abstract and logical thinking, and novel problem solving. Stress reactivity is the third aspect of reviewed psychobiological mechanisms. The stress biological system undergoes important changes during adolescence, including changes on stress-related hormones and neural architecture. An important issue is that exposure to early and/or chronic stressful circumstances during adolescence could be related to higher risk to the start and maintenance of addiction states, as suggested by research assessing the disruptive effects of stress on psychobiological homeostatic processes needed to maintain stable biological and emotional regulation. The fourth aspect is psychobiology. In this section research is reviewed related to the development of monoaminergic brain circuits underlying motivation, novelty-seeking, impulsivity, and addiction processes. Using as model the previous review integration, the effects of nicotine are discussed, the essential addictive component of tobacco, on the neurochemical systems underlying tobacco addiction. Following this, important research is introduced that describes psychobiological changes during adolescence and evidence of vulnerability to addiction during this life stage. Then, current research on both short-term and long-term effects of tobacco or nicotine administration during adolescence on the brain, behavior, and cognition is introduced. The current research advances and discussions on the psychobiology of addictions in general, and tobacco addiction in particular, have been possible to a large extent from the use of animal models and preclinical research, since animal models have become crucial to identify learning, motivational, emotional, and cognitive mechanisms that underlie addictive processes, and making possible to perform experimental procedures to discover the functioning and participation of biological components. One example of such components is the cholinergic system, which is activated by nicotine and is part of the neurochemical machinery on different brain areas important for both tobacco addiction and adolescence development such as the dorsal striatum, amygdala, ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. The present review and research divulgation written in Spanish are expected to clarify modern research on addiction and encourage current scientific education on the vulnerabilities and predispositions for tobacco abuse in Latin-American countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Explore the acceptability of the current ENDS ban and four regulatory proposals (ban on flavorings; emission-free spaces; minimum age for purchase; and ban on promotions) among nicotine users. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional panel study conducted in Mexican smokers and vapers (November 2018-March 2020). Using logistic regression analysis, adjusted odds ratios (RMa) were estimated to evaluate the association between the independent variables and support for the ban and four regulatory proposals. Results. Support for the ban was 20%. The level of acceptance of the proposals was 21.% prohibition of flavors, 23.2% prohibition of promotions, 40.5% emission-free spaces, and 47.9% minimum age for purchase. Conclusions. In Mexico there is a generalized rejection of nicotine users to the prohibition of ENDS, and greater acceptance of the regulation of emission-free spaces and minimum purchase age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The occasional consumption of nicotine can generate a dependency or addiction, being detectable through changes in neurobiological mechanisms. Objective. Contextualize from consumption to addiction and theoretically identify the neurobiological mechanism of transition from regular tobacco use to nicotine addiction. Methodology. A search for articles in English and Spanish was carried out using different databases and combinations of keywords, articles that described the characteristics of the neurobiological processes involved in the use or intermittent consumption of tobacco and nicotine addiction were selected. as the main theme. Results. The number of investigations related to this topic is reduced, even more in relation to the description of the processes and neural changes of nicotine addiction. Drug addiction is a complex neurobehavioral process that alters the circuits of the motivation-reward system of the brain, due to the decrease in dopamine and the affectation in the regulation of glutamate in the basal ganglia and extension of the amygdala is associated with the craving, anticipation, and deficits in executive function. Conclusions. Tobacco is considered a legal drug, so its consumption seems to be harmless. However, the evidence shows that its long-term consumption has serious consequences on the health of individuals. Understanding how occasional smoking changes to chronic use makes us more aware of adaptations in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objectives: Although cardiologists frequently assist patients who suffer damage from smoking, the degree of training they receive to manage this problem during their residency is unknown. Because of this, we'd proposed to evaluate the preferences and practices of cardiology residents for smoking cessation of the attending patients. Materials and methods: Closed, prefixed, voluntary and anonymous survey among doctors who carried out the specialty of cardiology in 5 countries of Latin America and Spain. Results: 716 residents were surveyed; 62.4% from Argentina, 19% from Mexico, 6.8% from Spain, 6.7% from Chile, 3.2% from Uruguay, and 1.9% from Paraguay. When asked about the importance they assigned to this problem (using a scale of 1-10), 85.8% assigned this question a score of 8 or higher. While 80.5% of the participants expressed giving short anti-tobacco advice routinely, only 27.7% used pharmacological therapy for this purpose. Among those who did not use pharmacological therapy, 58.3% said that the reason was not being familiar with the treatments; 62.9% of the surveyed said they had not received any type of training in this problem. Those residents who received some type of training reported feeling more prepared for this (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: We found that cardiology residents have a low knowledge of pharmacological treatment and relatively low confidence to provide assistance in smoking cessation. This topic should be included in the training of future cardiologists in order to achieve a more comprehensive cardiovascular prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To assess how and in what extent the electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use substituted the consumption of traditional combustible cigarettes (c-cigarettes, c-cig). Materials and Methods. We performed a systematic review of the literature up to August 2019 in scientific databases. Primary outcomes were proportion of complete or partial substitution of conventional to electronic cigarettes and related economic aspects. Secondary outcomes were odds ratio of substitution and country-wise time trends. Results. We retrieved 3,628 references and included 49 studies, providing economic and epidemiological data. Economic studies of cross-price elasticity showed that combustible cigarettes are partially substitutable for electronic cigarettes. Most studies reported that electronic cigarettes consumption prevalence increased over time. Three studies reported a significant reduction of combustible cigarettes consumed per day among dual users (combustible-plus electronic-cigarettes users) versus combustible-cigarettes users. The pooled adjusted odds ratio of quitting combustible cigarettes among electronic cigarettes users versus never or past electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, e-cig) users was 1.19 (95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.30; heterogeneity score 0%). Longitudinal studies showed globally a growing prevalence of electronic cigarettes use, mainly in adolescents. A negative relationship between consumption and price increase of electronic and combustible cigarettes was found. Conclusion. The chance of quitting smoking combustible cigarettes among current electronic nicotine delivery systems users was increased with respect to never- or pastelectronic nicotine delivery systems users. Economic studies reported that electronic cigarette is partially substitutable for combustible cigarettes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and goal: Learning and motivational processes have been central for a modern understanding of tobacco addiction. There is evidence that supports the importance of incentive motivational processes for the maintenance of tobacco addiction. The main goal of the present experiment was to evaluate the effects of acute nicotine on the incentive value of a natural reward, (food) paired with an environmental cue (pressing lever). Method: Wistar rats were used. Accute nicotine (0.4 mg/kg) was administered on key sessions, using a pavlovian autoshaping procedure involving ten acquisition and four extinction sessions. The experimental design included three groups, a saline administration control group and groups with specific nicotine administration during either acquisition or extinction. Results: We found that acute administration of nicotine, in contrast with saline only or previous nicotine administration during acquisition, had an enhancing effect on responding for the environmental cue during autoshaping extinction, but we did not find evidence that acute nicotine affected acquisition performance. Conclusion: Our results are consistent with a role of nicotine enhancing the incentive value of stimuli during extinction from a pavlovian autoshaping task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2004, the electronic cigarette (EC) is available, a device that heats nicotine and administers it as part of a vapor. We present a narrative review of the EC and its effect on health. Its use is to stop smoking, in which the evidence is low, and ends up being used at the same time as the cigarette they could not quit. In addition, those who never smoked, mainly teenagers and young people, begin consumption. Its use raises the levels of nicotine, particles, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbonyls and metals such as aluminum. In vitro, the EC causes inflammation, oxidative stress and is toxic to multiple cell types, including lung, endothelial and stem cells. Produces increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections. Compared to cigarettes, the EC produces a larger and more intense number of deleted genes. At bronchoscopy the airways are friable and erythematous, and the bronchial epithelium with a differentiated protein expression. It has been associated with cough, bronchitis symptoms and the respiratory failure by pneumonitis epidemic that has led several dozen people to death. Because of its harmful effects, the EC should only be used by medical prescription, as a measure to help quit tobacco, and its use in indoor and public environments be prohibited. As the EC components responsible for the associated deaths have not been determined, their use should be banned until these factors are known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Academic and hospital activities lead medical students to the consumption of psychostimulant substances of common use, in order to increase their motor and cognitive activity, but the legal nature of these products does not exclude them from having adverse effects if consume in inadequate amounts. Objective: To know the consumption of licit psychostimulants substances commonly used in students of the Doctorate in Medicine clinical area of the Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador. Method: Study with quantitative approach, deductive method, descriptive and transversal type, in students of the clinical area of Doctorate in Medicine of the Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador of the cycle 1-2017, population of 374 students and sample of 190, random and proportional. Results: Almost 70% reported making use of psychostimulants, of which 90% reported coffee as the main psychostimulant consumed and one in four people interviewed use tobacco or energy drinks. The licit psychostimulant with the highest inadequate consumption is tobacco 23.3%. Conclusions: The licit psychostimulants of common use used by Doctoral students in Medicine in the clinical area are: coffee, tobacco, energy drinks and cola drinks. The general consumption of psychostimulants in medical students is within the parameters of consumption in Latin America. The products that presented inadequate consumption were coffee and tobacco. The number of medical students dependent on tobacco increases as they advance in the clinical area, despite this, the percentage of UEES medicine students who smoke is almost half of the prevalence of smoking in young Latin Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alexandre-Léon Étard (1852-1919) was a French chemist who studied alkaloids in general and nicotine in particular. Together with Cahours he investigated the reaction of nicotine with sulfur, synthesized tetrapyridine and studied its reaction with a variety of reagents. The results indicated that nicotine could be considered a combination of bipyridine and hydrogen, which upon reaction with sulfur transformed into tetrapyridine and thiotetrapyridine. The latter reacted with nitric acid yielding isobipyridine. The reaction with selenium and other reagents led to the formation of hydrocollidine and isopyridin, and the proposal of the possible formula of pyridine. Étard also studied the phenomenon of putrefaction and hydrolysis of tissues. He found that the release of nitrogen signaled the beginning of putrefaction, accompanied by the replacement of large bacilli by smaller ones. In the absence of air, putrefaction split the albumen molecule and proceeded by simple hydration. He studied in detail the substances that accompanied the chlorophyll present in vegetables and concluded that the green matter present in leaves contained a fundamental nucleus, very stable, that carried the function of optical absorption connected to the biological work. To this nucleus different chemical groups could be attached, giving place to chlorophylls that differed in their composition, molecular mass, isomerism etc. and the role they played in living plants. Étard and Vila separated a benzoyl derivative from the products of the hydrolysis of tissues and claimed that it was the cause of the many accidents that occurred during the eating of muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco is one of the most consumed legal drugs in the world, and cigar is the most common form of consumption. Cuba has the highest figures compared to the rest of the Caribbean countries, reason for which smoking is a major health problem. Due to this and the new discoveries related to this field, a bibliographic review was conducted to show the updated findings about the tobacco use disorder, or smoking. This was supported on the review of more than 60 documentary sources, 55 of them were taken as a bibliographic reference. The neurophysiological mechanisms involved are the activation of RnAc α4β2, and to a lesser extent, α6β2. The diagnosis is made through the guidelines established by the American Psychiatric Society. The effects of nicotine on the body include damage to the cardiovascular, respiratory, hematological, endocrine, and nervous systems. Although there are still unexplored areas, the treatment, from the psychosocial point of view and pharmacological, has achieved good results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. It plays a role in the etiology, and depending on the intensity and duration, it also has an influence on histology, stage and therapeutic outcome. Therefore, it is never too late to stop smoking. Tobacco smoke is so toxic, that there is no safe smoking modality. Filters, light cigarettes, pipes, water pipes, etc. are prohibitively harmful. In addition, the electronic nicotine delivery systems, besides promoting addiction, cause acute respiratory and cardiovascular effects. In addition, even though long-term consequences are yet to be known, cell proliferation and tumor progression have been identified. Tobacco control efforts should look at all these new products as its main threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate the physical and psychological dependence to tobacco of Mexican smokers and its association with physical, psychological and social factors. Materials and methods. The 2016 National Alcohol and Tobacco Drug Consumption Survey (n=7 331) was analyzed using the Fagerström nicotine physical dependence scale (FTND) and the short scale of psychological dependence on tobacco (TAPDSc). Bivariate analyzes and generalized ordinal logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the associated factors. Results. 82.3% of daily smokers and 98.8% of occasional smokers reported mild physical dependence, while 47.9 and 37.9% respectively reported moderate psychological dependence. The age of initiation of tobacco use, drug use, high alcohol consumption and high emotional distress were associated with high levels of psychological dependence in all smokers. Conclusion. The exclusive use of FTND does not allow to adequately evaluate Mexican smokers. The physical and psychological dependence on tobacco should be assessed with independent and validated scales in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of smoking habit on clinical and biochemical parameters in apparently healthy young male adults was evaluated. For this purpose, 100 male individuals were studied who aged between 20 and 30 years and attended the university hospital Antonio Patricio de Alcalá, Cumaná, Sucre State, Venezuela, between the months of August to November 2016. The participants in the study were distributed into 50 individuals with smoking habits and 50 individuals without them, the latter constituted the control group. Each individual was evaluated for systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, besides of total cholesterol, triacylglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL-C) and cardiac risk. Through a simple analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical differences were established between the groups studied, finding highly significant differences in the levels of total cholesterol (Fs: 10.25), LDL-C (Fs: 13.14) and cardiac risk (Fs: 30.17). On the other hand, very significant differences were found in the levels of HDL-C (Fs: 7.69) and significant differences in the serum levels of triacylglycerides (Fs: 3.75). Based on these results, it can be concluded that the habit of smoking causes an elevation in the serum levels of cholesterol, LDL-C and triacylglycerides, as well as a decrease in the serum levels of HDL-C; causing an increase in cardiac risk in apparently healthy young adult males, increasing their chances of suffering from cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Academic and hospital activities lead medical students to the consumption of psychostimulant substances of common use, in order to increase their motor and cognitive activity, but the legal nature of these products does not exclude them from having adverse effects if consume in inadequate amounts. Objective: To know the consumption of licit psychostimulants substances commonly used in students of the Doctorate in Medicine clinical area of the Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador. Method: Study with quantitative approach, deductive method, descriptive and transversal type, in students of the clinical area of Doctorate in Medicine of the Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador of the cycle 1-2017, population of 374 students and sample of 190, random and proportional. Results: Almost 70% reported making use of psychostimulants, of which 90% reported coffee as the main psychostimulant consumed and one in four people interviewed use tobacco or energy drinks. The licit psychostimulant with the highest inadequate consumption is tobacco 23.3%. Conclusions: The licit psychostimulants of common use used by Doctoral students in Medicine in the clinical area: coffee, tobacco, energy drinks and cola drinks. The general consumption of psychostimulants in medical students is within the parameters of consumption in Latin America. The products that presented inadequate consumption were coffee and tobacco. The number of medical students dependent on tobacco increases as they advance in the clinical area, despite this, the percentage of UEES medicine students who smoke is almost half of the prevalence of smoking in young Latin Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco smoking is a chronic disease affecting one fifth of our population. Most smokers, however, are not conscious nor seek treatment for their problem. Some patients are able to reach abstinence by themselves but the majority need some kind of medical-psychological therapy. The best therapy to reach abstinence or improvement will depend on the stage of behavioral change. We present a case of extreme smoking (80 cigarettes a day) who presented a heart stroke andwho was successfully treated with a stent. After he was discharged from hospital he was admitted to the smoking cessation program. He attended the program for 8 weeks and decreased his smoking by 94% at the end of the program. This case represents the clinical challenges and complexity of treatment for patients with a high degree of nicotine dependence in spite of life threatening consequences of tobacco smoking [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To draw an overview of the adherence of countries around the world to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and to describe the establishment of WHO FCTC recommended measures in Latin American countries. Methods. This descriptive study was based on analysis of documents and secondary data to determine the status of countries from the six WHO regions regarding adherence to the FCTC. After that, the establishment of recommended measures until the year 2012 was mapped in all States Parties and particularly in 12 Latin American States Parties. Finally, the degree to which FCTC measures had been established in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela was assessed (incipient, intermediate, or advanced). This step took into consideration the measures covered by four domains - reduction in the demand for tobacco, reduction in the offer of tobacco, reduction in damage to the environment and to the health of people caused by tobacco, and support for quitting the use of tobacco. Results. Until August 2015, 180 countries had joined as States Parties to the FCTC. Considering the 126 countries that submitted global progress reports in the 2012 cycle, the most prevalent measures adopted referred to the protection against exposure to tobacco smoke (83.0% for all countries and 100% for the group of Latin American countries). Among the five countries selected for detailed analysis, the measures referring to the reduction of demand and offer of tobacco were the most frequent. Measures focused on reducing environmental damage were rare. Brazil and Mexico had the most advanced FCTC status among the studied countries. Conclusions. Latin America presented a high proportion of States Parties with established FCTC recommended measures. The heterogeneity of the FCTC status in the five selected countries suggests that the implementation of tobacco control policies depends on specific aspects of each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the essential role of bacteria in tobacco fermentation process, in Cuba never has been identified the genera present in the cured tobacco for wrapper, neither the variables that affect their populations. This knowledge will be aid to management the process in which the microorganisms are involved. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between population density of the bacterial genera with dominant populations in cured tobacco leaves of different leaf positions of the stalk and nicotine concentrations and pH values in these environments. The isolation and generic identification of bacterial microbiota was done for each tobacco leaves positions and pH values and nicotine concentrations were obtained too. Members of the genus Bacillus were isolated in all leaf positions. Staphylococcus members were not isolated at the «leaf» tobacco stalk positions. Representatives of the Arthrobacter genus were isolated only in both leaves positions «cutters» and «leaf». Bacillus populations were always higher than the other genera isolated. Nicotine was significantly increase and pH was show a slight nonsignificant (p<0,01) decrease, the population density of bacteria isolated in all genres decreased from lowest to highest leaf positions. The regression model reveals that the decrease in population density of bacterial genera that is appraised to climb different leaves positions is more related to the increased of nicotine concentration in the leaves than with the variation of pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. A systematic review on efficacy and safety of smoking cessation counseling was developed. Materials and methods. The ADAPTE methodology was used with a search of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) in Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS,and Cochrane. DELBI was used to select CPG with score over 60 in methodological rigor and applicability to the Colombian health system. Smoking cessation rates at 6 months were assessed according to counseling provider, model, and format. In total 5 CPG out of 925 references were selected comprising 44 systematic reviews and metaanalyses. Results. Physician brief counseling and trained health professionals' intensive counseling (individual, group, proactive telephone) are effective with abstinence rates between 2.1 % and 17.4%. Only practical counseling and motivational interview were found effective intensive inter-ventions.The clinical effect of smoking cessation counseling is low and long term cessation rates uncertain. Conclusion. Cost-effectiveness analyses are recommended for the implementation of counseling in public health programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to determine the association between risk factors, dietary habits, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption, in the presence of obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver cirrhosis, and cancer, in health care workers (and other categories of employees) of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Methods: from March to December 2009, 20,000 surveys were conducted among randomly selected workers on 35 IMSS delegations. The variables of the study included affiliation, sex, age, employment status, registration of known diseases, smoking, nicotine addiction, risk drinking, alcohol addiction, eating and exercise habits. Results: workers with poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol abuse are more frequently exposed to the presence of obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus and these in turn to cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, myocar-dial infarction, cerebral vascular disease and liver cirrhosis. Conclusions: this study shows that IMSS workers have a high exposure to risk factors associated with the presence of chronic diseases and their complications. It is necessary to enable them to improve significantly their health profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The betel nut or areca nut is the seed of the palm tree of bétele (areca catechu), one of the most popular plants of the world. Asians, by cultural influence, have the custom of chew the seed of this sort of vegetable. Between its active principles: arecaine and arecoline, they are alkaloids comparable to the nicotine in the neural stimulation effects. The active substance causes a pleasant relaxion sensation in the mouth, sensation that is extended to the central nervous system. However, chewing regularly betel nut dryes of red the saliva and blackens the teeth being extremely harmful to the mouth health causing early the loss of the teeth. Despite of the harmful effects, the difficulty to eliminate this habit is due to its deep cultural character. Chewing bétel nuts and have the teeth stained it's a motive of proud. The International Agency of Research of the Cancer (IARC) classifies the bétel nut as carcinogenic acquaintance, and the literature have many studies that relate this custom with the oral cancer. The study has as goal to do a critical analysis of the utilization of this substance, searching to inform to the community their bad effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To quantify environmental tobacco smoke exposure in public places in Mexico to promote policies of 100% smoke-free environments. Materials and Methods. In hospitals, schools and public offices of Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City 20% of inner areas were monitored. Median nicotine concentrations were estimated by city, type of public space and type of inner area. Results. Median concentration in areas where nicotine was detected was 0.06 µg/m³ (P25=0.03, P75=0.12 µg/m³). Higher concentrations were found in Mexico City and in public offices. Nicotine was not detected in 75% of monitored areas. Conclusions. Monitoring environmental nicotine is a useful tool to evaluate compliance of public places with the smoke-free environments legislation, and could constitute an important source of information to strengthen implementation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To determine the relationship between the degree of addiction (DA) and pattern of tobacco consumption (PTC) with anxiety and depression in smokers who want to quit smoking. Material and Methods. At admission to a smoking cessation program 495 smokers were surveyed to determine anxiety (IDARE Test), depression (Beck Inventory Test), DA (Fagerström Test) and PTC (pack-years). Results. DA>= 6 points was associated with high anxiety levels RM=1.94, (IC95%1.02-3.72), p<0.04]; and with symptoms of severe depression; [RM=2.24, (IC95%1.00-4.99), p<0.04)]. The PCT equal or greater than 21 pack-year, was associated with moderate anxiety; [RM=3.19 (IC95%1.94-5.25), p<.00]; high anxiety; [RM=3.36 (IC95% 1.66-6-80), p<.00]; with moderate depressive symptoms; [RM=3.14, (IC95% 1.75-5-62), p<.00] and severe depressive symptoms; [RM=9.85, (IC95% 3.30- 29.37), p<.00)]. Conclusion. A significant association exists in smokers having high GA and PCT, with moderate and high anxiety and depressive symptoms that should be considered during interventions to quit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is very important the manipulation of the cholinergic system in the experimental Parkinsonism through systemic (-) nicotine administration since the finding about the less incidence of Parkinson's disease between smoking people. The following experimental groups were evaluated: 1. non-treated rats (n = 11), 2. rats with lesion of the substantia nigra compacta (SNc) (n = 10), 3. rats treated with (-) nicotine and SNc lesioned (n = 18), 4. sham operated rats (n = 10), 5. rats with false pharmacological treatment and SNc lesioned (n = 10). The motor execution, motor asymmetry, extracellular concentration of glutamate (Glu), γ-aminobutiric acid (GABA) in pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), the survival of dopaminergic cells and the striatal expression of neurotrophic factors were the variables studied. The rats treated with (-) nicotine showed an improvement in the motor execution and a minor number of errors during the execution in the Cross Bridges Test in comparison with the hemiparkinsonian rats without pharmacological treatment. In addition, the pharmacological treatment induced a decrease in the extracellular levels of Glu and GABA in PPN and also it attenuated the motor asymmetry of the rats. Simultaneously, the (-) nicotine administration promoted a higher brain derived neurotrophic factor striatal expression joint to a survival of the dopaminergic cells in the SNc. Ours results suggests a neuroprotector role for the (-) nicotine schedule applied in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Mexican legislation considers many public places as smoke-free spaces. However, no environmental tobacco smoke exposure assessment studies exist to evaluate compliance with governmental regulations and to identify opportunities for tobacco control. The main objective of this study is to quantify airborne nicotine concentrations in public places in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During March 2004, nicotine passive monitors were allocated in a hospital, two schools, a public office building, an airport, seven restaurants, and three bars following a common protocol applied in other Latin American countries. Monitors were analyzed at the Johns Hopkins University, extracting the nicotine and quantifying it using nitrogen selective gas chromatography. Median concentrations of environmental nicotine were estimated by type of place and smoking restriction. RESULTS: Airborne nicotine was detected in all public places. The highest concentrations were observed in bars (6.01 microg/m3), restaurants (0.69 microg/m3), airport (0.21 microg/m3), and public offices (0.10 microg/m3). Nicotine exposure concentrations are similar to those previously observed in other capital cities of Latin America. CONCLUSIONS: Nicotine levels in the airport and public offices reflect the lack of compliance with mandatory non-smoking official regulations in Mexico. High nicotine concentrations in bars and restaurants provide evidence for the need to advance smoke-free legislative action in these public and work places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: In Mexico no evaluation of environmental tobacco smoke exposure in homes or habitants has been conducted. The objective of this study is to quantify environmental nicotine in Mexico City homes, simultaneously evaluating nicotine levels in children and women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In July 2005 a convenience sample of 41 homes was selected, 20% without smokers, 80% with smokers. Nicotine passive monitors were allocated in homes for one week, obtaining samples of hair from inhabitant non-smoking women and children. Samples were taken to the Johns Hopkins University where nicotine was extracted and analyzed using gas chromatography. A survey of opinions and behaviors related to environmental tobacco smoke was conducted. RESULTS: Environmental nicotine concentrations had a median of 0.08 µg/m3 (IQR 0.01-0.64), in children’s hair 0.05 ng/mg (IQR 0.05-0.29), and in women’s hair 0.05 ng/mg (IQR 0.05-0.19). Environmental nicotine concentrations and in children’s hair were highly correlated (rS=0.49), and increased with the number of smokers at home. The majority of adults surveyed showed support towards measures of environmental tobacco smoke control. CONCLUSIONS: Homes are important spaces of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Particularly high levels of exposure were observed in children’s hair, attributable to the presence of environmental nicotine at home. Integral preventive activities to eliminate active smoking and to avoid tobacco consumption at home are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When we talk about drugs, we usually think about illicit substances, However some substances apparently innocuous such as caffeine and other legal ones like tobacco and alcohol, are considered as abuse substances. Nicotine has not been studied as extensively as other drugs. It is known that the pharmacological and behavioural processes that determine the addiction to nicotine are similar to those that determine the addiction to other drags such as cocaine or heroine. The main adverse effect of nicotine is death. According to the Global Burden of Disease study of the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and Harvard University, in 2020, tobacco will be the first individual cause of death in the world even over AIDS. Nicotine dependence can appear at any age, though it generally begins during adolescence, and it acts on the brain mechanisms of reward, indirectly by endogenous opioid activity and directly by dopaminergic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to establish the correlation of the smoking and the periodontal disease. The importance has been demonstrated that has the tobacco smoking like risk of the periodontal disease, because the nicotine can affect the peripheral circulation, and of causing important gingival vasoconstriction, diminishing the capacity of repair of this weave and suppression of the immune system. The study population constituted itself by the patients who went to consultation to the clinic of Endoperiodontología of November of 2003 to June of 2004, the sample integrated itself by 157 subjects, to that its clinical history was made to them, in that included questions on the smoking. These data were correlated with the probing depth, measurement with PCP11 5B of Hu-Fridy probe registering the greeter probing depth of each sextant. The prevalence of smoking was 38.21. The coefficient of correlation between the number of cigarettes, time of the smoking and probing depth was applied, not finding positive correlation with the number of cigarettes and positive correlation with the antiquity of the smoking. The antiquity of the smoking influences more in the gravity of the periodontal disease that the number of cigarettes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of drug use in out-patients with panic disorder and their influence in evolution and therapeutic response of panic disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample was made up of 79 out-patients diagnosed of panic disorder or agoraphobia with panic disorder according to the ICD-10 criteria and 83 controls from the same center with other psychiatric disorders. Subjects were followed-up for six months. RESULTS: Prevalence of regular lifetime drug use was: 13 % for alcohol, 52 % for nicotine and 47 % for caffeine. No other drug use was observed. Patients with panic disorder used less caffeine than controls, there being no differences in other drug use. Caffeine use was associated with higher antidepressant dosages. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, prevalence of regular drug use in panic disorder during the lifetime of out-patients with panic disorder was: 13 % for alcohol, 47 % for caffeine use and 52 % for nicotine use. Those with panic disorder use less caffeine than other psychiatric patients, but there were no differences in other drug use. Presence of agoraphobia has no repercussion on consumption. There were no differences in clinical manifestations and treatment responses between users and non-users, but drug use may modify antidepressant dosages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cigarettes consumption is the most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Several intervention trials have shown that medical counseling to quit smoking promotes 5-10 % of abstinence per year, which constitutes the most efficient preventable activity. This study aims to evaluate the presence and type of medical counseling to quit smoking in patients admitted to a long-stay unit of a psychiatric hospital. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 80 schizophrenic smoking in-patients. The presence of medical counseling to quit smoking was evaluated by a standardized questionnaire designed for this purpose. The Fagerstrom Test was used to measure nicotine dependence, the Richmond Questionnaire to measure motivation for smoking cessation and the Stages of Change Questionnaire to know the stage of change to give up smoking. RESULTS: A total of 60. 3 % of the patients had previously received medical counseling to quit smoking, 50 % of which had been performed by the psychiatrist. The motivation for patients with medical counseling was moderate (mean score +/-SD of Richmond Questionnaire 4. 4 +/-3. 5). A total of 77. 1 % of these patients had tried to quit smoking on several occasions. CONCLUSIONS: Medical counseling on giving up smoking can modify the motivation to quit smoking in psychiatric patients. Systematic structured counseling, especially from psychiatry, can prevent the development of nicotine addiction or modify intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cigarette smoking habit or nicotine dependency is an important problem because of adverse effects on health. It needs emergent and effective precautions. Three million people die around the world every year because of smoking related diseases. The prevalence of cigarette smoking among the general population and health professionals in Turkey is higher than the developed countries. Therefore health professionals need more education on the subject of smoking, smoking related diseases and methods of cessation. We planned this research to evaluate the smoking behaviors, the rate of quitting and the relationship between dependent personality traits and cigarette smoking. We performed the research with a total of 270 health personnel who accepted to join research. We evaluated their smoking habits, cessation, degree of addiction and rate of quitting by using a questionnaire form composed of Cage, Four C, Fagerstrom tests. As a measure of 'dependent personality', a separate part of the MMPI personality inventory included the MMPI-Dy test for dependency consisting of 57 questions. Among the health staff included in this study, there were 50% active smokers; 8.9% had quit smoking, and 41.1% did not smoke. Cigarette smoking ratio was 57.4% among males and 43.3% among females. Dependent personality characteristics viewed from the point of smoking shows about the same mean values for smokers and non-smokers. However those who quitted smoking got significantly low dependant personality (MMPI-Dy) scores. We conclude that dependent personality characteristics does not make a difference within smokers and non-smokers but those who gets lower dependent personality points succeed to quit smoking more than others. We may assume that according to this result, cigarette cessation programs focusing also on to the dependent personality characteristics could be more successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]