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Cigarette butts are one of the most prevalent forms of litter worldwide and may leach toxic compounds when deposited in aquatic environments. Previous studies demonstrated that smoked cigarette leachate is toxic toward aquatic organisms. However, the specific bioavailable chemicals from the leachate and the potential for human and wildlife exposure through the food chain were unknown. Using a nontargeted analytical approach based on GC×GC/TOF-MS, 43 compounds were confirmed to leach from smoked cigarettes when exposed to a water source. Additionally, the bioaccumulation potential of organic contaminants in an edible fish, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), was assessed through direct exposure to the leachate of smoked cigarettes at 0.5 CB/L for 28 days. There was a significant reduction in fish mass among the exposed rainbow trout vs the control group (χ2 (1) = 5.3, p = 0.021). Both nontargeted and targeted chemical analysis of representative fish tissue identified four tobacco alkaloids, nicotine, nicotyrine, myosmine, and 2,2'-bipyridine. Their average tissue concentrations were 466, 55.4, 94.1, and 70.8 ng/g, respectively. This study identifies leached compounds from smoked cigarettes and demonstrates the uptake of specific chemicals in rainbow trout, thus suggesting a potential for accumulation in food webs, resulting in human and wildlife exposure.

IntroductionToxic tobacco smoke residue, also known as thirdhand smoke (THS), can persist in indoor environments long after tobacco has been smoked. This study examined the effects of different cleaning methods on nicotine in dust and on surfaces.Aims and methodsParticipants had strict indoor home smoking bans and were randomly assigned to: dry/damp cleaning followed by wet cleaning 1 month later (N = 10), wet cleaning followed by dry/damp cleaning (N = 10) 1 month later, and dry/damp and wet cleaning applied the same day (N = 28). Nicotine on surfaces and in dust served as markers of THS and were measured before, immediately after, and 3 months after the cleaning, using liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).ResultsOver a 4-month period prior to cleaning, surface nicotine levels remained unchanged (GeoMean change: -11% to +8%; repeated measures r = .94; p < .001). Used separately, dry/damp and wet cleaning methods showed limited benefits. When applied in combination, however, we observed significantly reduced nicotine on surfaces and in dust. Compared with baseline, GeoMean surface nicotine was 43% lower immediately after (z = -3.73, p < .001) and 53% lower 3 months later (z = -3.96, p < .001). GeoMean dust nicotine loading declined by 60% immediately after (z = -3.55, p < .001) and then increased 3 months later to precleaning levels (z = -1.18, p = .237).ConclusionsCleaning interventions reduced but did not permanently remove nicotine in dust and on surfaces. Cleaning efforts for THS need to address persistent pollutant reservoirs and replenishment of reservoirs from new tobacco smoke intrusion. THS contamination in low-income homes may contribute to health disparities, particularly in children.ImplicationsAdministered sequentially or simultaneously, the tested cleaning protocols reduced nicotine on surfaces by ~50% immediately after and 3 months after the cleaning. Nicotine dust loading was reduced by ~60% immediately after cleaning, but it then rebounded to precleaning levels 3 months later. Cleaning protocols were unable to completely remove THS, and pollutants in dust were replenished from remaining pollutant reservoirs or new secondhand smoke intrusion. To achieve better outcomes, cleaning protocols should be systematically repeated to remove newly accumulated pollutants. New secondhand smoke intrusions need to be prevented, and remaining THS reservoirs should be identified, cleaned, or removed to prevent pollutants from these reservoirs to accumulate in dust and on surfaces.

IntroductionEnvironmental exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are risk factors for adverse health outcomes in children and adults. This study examined whether thirdhand smoke residue contributes to Pb and Cd in settled house dust.MethodsParticipants were 60 multiunit housing residents in San Diego, California. All had indoor smoking bans during the study period, and 55 were nonsmokers. Wipe samples from different surfaces and vacuum floor dust samples were analyzed for nicotine, a marker of thirdhand smoke, and for Pb and Cd using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, respectively.ResultsExamined in each sample type separately, Pb and Cd loadings were significantly correlated (r = 0.73, vacuum floor dust; 0.52, floor wipes; 0.72, window sill/trough wipes; all p  0.30). Nicotine loading in dust was significantly correlated with Pb and Cd loading in dust (r = 0.49 for Pb; r = 0.39 for Cd, all p

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is a common indoor pollutant in multiunit housing (MUH). It is also the precursor of thirdhand smoke (THS), the toxic mixture of tobacco smoke residue that accumulates in indoor environments where tobacco has been used. This study examined the levels, distribution, and factors associated with THS pollution in low-income MUH. Interviews were conducted 2016-2018 in a cross-sectional study of N = 220 MUH homes in San Diego, California. Two surface wipe samples were collected per home and analyzed for nicotine, a THS marker, using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Nicotine was detected in all homes of nonsmokers with indoor smoking bans (Geo Mean = 1.67 µg/m2; 95% CI = [1.23;2.30]) and smokers regardless of an indoor ban (Geo Mean = 4.80 µg/m2; 95% CI = [1.89;12.19]). Approximately 10% of nonsmokers' homes with smoking bans showed nicotine levels higher than the average level in homes of smokers without smoking bans from previous studies (≥30 µg/m2). Housing for seniors, smoking bans on balconies, indoor tobacco use, difficult to reach surfaces, and self-reported African-American race/ethnicity were independently associated with higher THS levels. Individual cases demonstrated that high levels of surface nicotine may persist in nonsmoker homes for years after tobacco use even in the presence of indoor smoking bans. To achieve MUH free of tobacco smoke pollutants, attention must be given to identifying and remediating highly polluted units and to implementing smoking policies that prevent new accumulation of THS. As THS is a form of toxic tobacco product waste, responsibility for preventing and mitigating harmful impacts should include manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers.

Understanding the health implications of human exposure to mixtures of chemical contaminants is aided by analytical methods that can screen for a broad range of both expected and unexpected compounds. We performed a proof-of-concept analysis combining human breast milk, a biomonitoring matrix for determining contaminant exposure to mothers and infants, with a non-targeted method based on comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC/TOF-MS). A total of 172 presumably anthropogenic halogenated compounds and non-halogenated cyclic and aromatic compounds were tentatively identified in breast milk from San Diego, California through mass spectral database searches. Forty of the compounds were prioritized for confirmation based on halogenation or 100% frequency of detection, and the identities of 30 were verified using authentic standards. Thirty-four (85%) of the prioritized contaminants are not typically monitored in breast milk surveys, and 31 (77%) are regulated in at least one market worldwide, indicating breast milk may be a useful biomonitoring matrix for non-targeted analysis and the assessment of human exposure to future emerging or undiscovered contaminants.

BackgroundSecondhand smoke (SHS) in US casinos is common, but little is known about the residue of tobacco smoke pollutants left behind in dust and on surfaces, commonly referred to as thirdhand smoke (THS). We examined SHS and THS pollution and exposure before and during a casino smoking ban and after smoking resumed.MethodsA casino was visited nine times over a 15-month period to collect dust, surface and air samples in eight locations. Finger wipe and urine samples were collected from non-smoking confederates before and after a 4-hour casino visit. Samples were analysed for markers of SHS and THS pollution and exposure.ResultsExceptionally high levels of THS were found in dust and on surfaces. Although the smoking ban led to immediate improvements in air quality, surface nicotine levels were unchanged and remained very high for the first month of the smoking ban. Surface nicotine decreased by 90% after 1 month (P

BackgroundOver a 6-month period, we examined tobacco smoke pollutants (also known as thirdhand smoke, THS) that remained in the homes of former smokers and the exposure to these pollutants.Methods90 smokers completed study measures at baseline (BL). Measures were repeated among verified quitters 1 week (W1), 1 month (M1), 3 months (M3) and 6 months (M6) following cessation. Measures were analysed for THS pollutants on household surfaces, fingers and in dust (ie, nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines) and for urinary markers of exposure (ie, cotinine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL)).ResultsWe observed significant short-term reduction of nicotine on surfaces (BL: 22.2 μg/m2, W1: 10.8 μg/m2) and on fingers of non-smoking residents (BL: 29.1 ng/wipe, W1: 9.1 ng/wipe) without further significant changes. Concentrations of nicotine and nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK) in dust did not change and remained near BL levels after cessation. Dust nicotine and NNK loadings significantly increased immediately following cessation (nicotine BL: 5.0 μg/m2, W1: 9.3 μg/m2; NNK BL: 11.6 ng/m2, W1: 36.3 ng/m2) before returning to and remaining at near BL levels. Cotinine and NNAL showed significant initial declines (cotinine BL: 4.6 ng/mL, W1: 1.3 ng/mL; NNAL BL: 10.0 pg/mL, W1: 4.2 pg/mL) without further significant changes.ConclusionsHomes of smokers remained polluted with THS for up to 6 months after cessation. Residents continued to be exposed to THS toxicants that accumulated in settled house dust and on surfaces before smoking cessation. Further research is needed to better understand the consequences of continued THS exposure after cessation and the efforts necessary to remove THS.

Background: Influenza viruses can cause zoonotic infections that pose public health risks. Surveillance of influenza A and B viruses is conducted globally; however, information on influenza C and D viruses is limited. Longitudinal monitoring of influenza C virus in humans has been conducted in several countries, but there has been no long‐term monitoring of influenza D virus in humans. The public health risks associated with the influenza D virus therefore remain unknown. Methods: We established a duplex real‐time RT‐PCR to detect influenza C and D viruses and analyzed respiratory specimens collected from 2144 patients in Japan with respiratory diseases between January 2018 and March 2023. We isolated viruses and conducted hemagglutination inhibition tests to examine antigenicity and focus reduction assays to determine susceptibility to the cap‐dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir marboxil. Results: We detected three influenza C viruses belonging to the C/Kanagawa‐ or C/Sao Paulo‐lineages, which recently circulated globally. None of the specimens was positive for the influenza D virus. The C/Yokohama/1/2022 strain, isolated from the specimen with the highest viral RNA load and belonging to the C/Kanagawa‐lineage, showed similar antigenicity to the reference C/Kanagawa‐lineage strain and was susceptible to baloxavir. Conclusions: Our duplex real‐time RT‐PCR is useful for the simultaneous detection of influenza C and D viruses from the same specimen. Adding the influenza D virus to the monitoring of the influenza C virus would help in assessing the public health risks posed by this virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND:Over a 6-month period, we examined tobacco smoke pollutants (also known as thirdhand smoke, THS) that remained in the homes of former smokers and the exposure to these pollutants. METHODS:90 smokers completed study measures at baseline (BL). Measures were repeated among verified quitters 1 week (W1), 1 month (M1), 3 months (M3) and 6 months (M6) following cessation. Measures were analysed for THS pollutants on household surfaces, fingers and in dust (ie, nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines) and for urinary markers of exposure (ie, cotinine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL)). RESULTS:We observed significant short-term reduction of nicotine on surfaces (BL: 22.2 μg/m2, W1: 10.8 μg/m2) and on fingers of non-smoking residents (BL: 29.1 ng/wipe, W1: 9.1 ng/wipe) without further significant changes. Concentrations of nicotine and nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK) in dust did not change and remained near BL levels after cessation. Dust nicotine and NNK loadings significantly increased immediately following cessation (nicotine BL: 5.0 μg/m2, W1: 9.3 μg/m2; NNK BL: 11.6 ng/m2, W1: 36.3 ng/m2) before returning to and remaining at near BL levels. Cotinine and NNAL showed significant initial declines (cotinine BL: 4.6 ng/mL, W1: 1.3 ng/mL; NNAL BL: 10.0 pg/mL, W1: 4.2 pg/mL) without further significant changes. CONCLUSIONS:Homes of smokers remained polluted with THS for up to 6 months after cessation. Residents continued to be exposed to THS toxicants that accumulated in settled house dust and on surfaces before smoking cessation. Further research is needed to better understand the consequences of continued THS exposure after cessation and the efforts necessary to remove THS.

Some species of butterflyfish have had preyed upon corals for millions of years, yet the mechanism of butterflyfish specialized coral feeding strategy remains poorly understood. Certain butterflyfish have the ability to feed on allelochemically rich soft corals, e.g. Sinularia maxima. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is the predominant enzyme system responsible for the detoxification of dietary allelochemicals. CYP2-like and CYP3A-like content have been associated with butterflyfish that preferentially consumes allelochemically rich soft corals. To investigate the role of butterflyfish CYP2 and CYP3A enzymes in dietary preference, we conducted oral feeding experiments using homogenates of S. maxima and a toxin isolated from the coral in four species of butterflyfish with different feeding strategies. After oral exposure to the S. maxima toxin 5-episinulaptolide (5ESL), which is not normally encountered in the Hawaiian butterflyfish diet, an endemic specialist, Chaetodon multicinctus experienced 100% mortality compared to a generalist, Chaetodon auriga, which had significantly more (3-6 fold higher) CYP3A-like basal content and catalytic activity. The specialist, Chaetodon unimaculatus, which preferentially feed on S. maxima in Guam, but not in Hawaii, had 100% survival, a significant induction of 8-12 fold CYP3A-like content, and an increased ability (2-fold) to metabolize 5ESL over other species. Computer modeling data of CYP3A4 with 5ESL were consistent with microsomal transformation of 5ESL to a C15-16 epoxide from livers of C. unimaculatus. Epoxide formation correlated with CYP3A-like content, catalytic activity, induction, and NADPH-dependent metabolism of 5ESL. These results suggest a potentially important role for the CYP3A family in butterflyfish-coral diet selection through allelochemical detoxification.

Byline: Toru. Yamagishi, Norio. Kodaka, Kayo. Watanabe, Chihiro. Nakano, Takeshi. Oshio, Kumiko. Niitsuma, Nagashige. Shimada, Hiroto. Matsuse BACKGROUND: Organizing pneumonia (OP) usually responds spectacularly well to initial treatment, but relapses [...]

Byline: Toru. Yamagishi, Norio. Kodaka, Yoshiyuki. Kurose, Kayo. Watanabe, Chihiro. Nakano, Kumiko. Kishimoto, Takeshi. Oshio, Kumiko. Niitsuma, Hiroto. Matsuse Introduction: Prevention and effective treatment of radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) could facilitate [...]

No previous studies have examined Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) in only elderly patients ⩾75 years old. Here, we investigated the exacerbating factors of MAC-PD in elderly patients and clarified cases that can be followed up without MAC medication. From April 2011 to March 2019, 126 advanced aged patients at our institute were newly diagnosed with MAC-PD, and could be observed based on radiological findings for over a year. Their medical records were retrospectively examined for clinical and radiological findings at the time of diagnosis and 1 year later. To identify the predictors of exacerbation, clinical characteristics of 109 treatment-naïve patients were compared between exacerbated and unchanged groups. Additionally, the unchanged group was followed for one more year. In the current study, positive acid-fast bacilli smears from the sputum test, the presence of cavitary lesions and extensive radiological findings, particularly abnormal shadows in ⩾3 lobes, were predictive of exacerbation among treatment-naïve elderly MAC-PD patients. In the unchanged group, <10% showed exacerbation of radiological findings within the subsequent year. In conclusion, if the sputum smear is negative, no cavitary lesions are present, and abnormal shadows are restricted to ⩽2 lobes, elderly patients with MAC-PD may remain untreated for a few years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo and in vitro irritation testing is important for evaluating the biological safety of medical devices. Here, the performance of positive reference materials for skin irritation testing was evaluated. Four reference standards, referred to as Y‐series materials, were analyzed: a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet spiked with 0 (Y‐1), 1.0 (Y‐2), 1.5 (Y‐3), or 10 (Y‐4) parts of Genapol X‐080 per 100 parts of PVC by weight. Y‐1, Y‐2, and Y‐3 did not induce skin irritation responses in an in vitro reconstructed human epidermis (RhE) tissue model, as measured by tissue viability or interleukin‐1α release, or in an in vivo intracutaneous response test using rabbits. In contrast, Y‐4 extracts prepared with saline or sesame oil at 37°C and 50°C clearly elicited positive irritation responses, including reduced viability (< 50%) and significantly higher interleukin‐1α release compared with the solvent alone group, in the RhE tissue model and an intracutaneous response test, where substantial necrosis was observed by histopathology. The positive skin irritation responses induced in vitro under various extraction conditions, as well as those elicited in vivo, indicate that Y‐4 is an effective extractable positive control material for in vivo and in vitro skin irritation tests of medical devices. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2807–2814, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: International guidelines recommend the use of long-acting bronchodilators for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the usefulness of short-acting bronchodilator assist use for stable COPD remains uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to objectively demonstrate the effects of assist use of procaterol, a short-acting β2-agonist, on the respiratory mechanics of stable COPD patients treated with a long-acting bronchodilator using forced oscillation technique (FOT) and conventional spirometry. We also confirmed the length of time for which procaterol assist could significantly improve the pulmonary function.Methods: We enrolled 28 outpatients with mild to severe COPD (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease stages I-III), who had used the same long-acting bronchodilator for longer than 3 months and who were in stable condition. All measures were performed using both FOT and spirometry sequentially from 15 min to 2 h after inhalation.Results: Compared to baseline, inhaled procaterol assist use modestly but significantly improved spirometric and FOT measurements within 2 h after inhalation. These significant effects continued for at least 2 h. -Significant correlations were found between parameters -measured by spirometry and those measured by FOT.Conclusions: Procaterol assist use modestly but significantly improved pulmonary function determined by spirometry and respiratory mechanics in patients with stable COPD treated with long-acting bronchodilators. Thus, inhaled procaterol has the potential for assist use for COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Di (2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a typical plasticizer used for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is eluted from PVC‐made blood containers and protects against red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis. However, concerns have arisen regarding the reproductive and developmental risks of DEHP in humans, and the use of alternative plasticizers for medical devices has been recommended worldwide. In this study, we propose that the use of a novel plasticizer, 4‐cyclohexene‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid dinonyl ester (DL9TH), could help produce more useful and safe blood containers. PVC sheet containing DL9TH and di (2‐ethylhexyl) 4‐cyclohexene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (DOTH) provides comparable or superior protective effects to RBCs relative to PVC sheet containing DEHP or di‐isononyl‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (DINCH®, an alternative plasticizer that has been used in PVC sheets for blood containers). The total amount of plasticizer eluted from DOTH/DL9TH‐PVC sheets is nearly the same as that eluted from DEHP‐PVC sheets. In addition, DOTH/DL9TH‐PVC has better cold resistance than DEHP‐ and DINCH®‐PVC sheets. In vitro and in vivo tests for biological safety based on International Organization for Standardization guidelines (10993 series) suggest that the DOTH/DL9TH‐PVC sheet can be used safely. Subchronic toxicity testing of DL9TH in male rats in accordance with the principles of Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development Test Guideline 408 showed that DL9TH did not induce adverse effects up to the highest dose level tested (717 mg/kg body weight/day). There were no effects on testicular histopathology and sperm counts, and no indications of endocrine effects: testosterone, thyroid‐stimulating hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, and 17β‐estradiol were unchanged by the treatment, compared with the control group. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1052–1063, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]