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Abstract Lifestyles maybe associated with the immune and inflammatory state of human body. We aimed to comprehensively explore the relationship between lifestyles and circulating immune-inflammatory markers in the general population. Data from NHANES 1999–2014 was used. Lifestyle factors included leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), diet quality (Healthy Eating Index-2015, HEI-2015), alcohol consumption, cigarettes smoking, sleep hour and sedentary time. Immune makers included C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and monocyte–lymphocyte ratio (MLR). Generalized linear regression models were used to adjust confounders. Regressions of restricted cubic splines were utilized to evaluate the potentially non-linear relationships between exposures and outcomes. As results, HEI was negatively associated with CRP (P

Lifestyles maybe associated with the immune and inflammatory state of human body. We aimed to comprehensively explore the relationship between lifestyles and circulating immune-inflammatory markers in the general population. Data from NHANES 1999–2014 was used. Lifestyle factors included leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), diet quality (Healthy Eating Index-2015, HEI-2015), alcohol consumption, cigarettes smoking, sleep hour and sedentary time. Immune makers included C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and monocyte–lymphocyte ratio (MLR). Generalized linear regression models were used to adjust confounders. Regressions of restricted cubic splines were utilized to evaluate the potentially non-linear relationships between exposures and outcomes. As results, HEI was negatively associated with CRP (P < 0.001), SII (P < 0.001), and NLR (P < 0.001). Cigarettes per day was positively associated with CRP (P < 0.001), SII (P < 0.001), and NLR (P = 0.008). Alcohol consumption was negatively associated with CRP (P < 0.001), but positively associated with PLR (P = 0.012) and MLR (P < 0.001). Physical activity was negatively associated with CRP (P < 0.001), SII (P = 0.005), and NLR (P = 0.002), but positively associated with PLR (P = 0.010). Participants with higher healthy lifestyle score had significantly lower CRP, SII and NLR (all P values < 0.05). Most of the sensitivity analyses found similar results. In conclusion, we found significant associations between lifestyles and immune markers in the general population, which may reflect a systemic inflammatory response to unhealthy lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The aim of presented study was comparison of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration among coke plant workers (before and after working week) and among non-exposed individuals from the same area, taking smoking status into consideration. Material and methods 647 coke plant workers and 206 individuals living in the same area were analysed with respect to urinary 1-OHP concentration and smoking status. Urinary samples were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent detection. Concentrations were normalized with respect to creatinine concentration. For workers, two samples were collected before and after working week. Multiple regression was performed to distinguish and quantify the influence of cigarette smoking and occupational PAH exposition on the urinary 1-OHP levels. Results Average urinary 1-OHP concentration of samples collected before the working week was: 1.07 μg/g; after the working week: 2.36 μg/g and for control: 0.74 μg/g. The samples collected at the beginning of the working week were not suitable for assessment of the workers’ background (non-occupational) exposition. Smoking cigarettes induced a rise in urinary 1-OHP level by 16%, on average (CI: 5% – 28%), and working for a whole working week at the coke plant made urinary 1-OHP levels, on average, 3.21 times higher (CI: 2.91 – 3.54). Conclusions Working at the coke plant increases significantly urinary 1-OHP concentration in comparison to non-occupationally exposed individuals, both for samples collected before and after the working week. Smoking remains a significant source of PAHs exposition, despite the fact that occupational exposure is greater. Health promotion programmes should address both the occupational health risks reduction and smoking prevention.

Abstract Objectives This study was conducted to determine the effects of both cigarette smoking and exercise on total salivary antioxidants and their impact on periodontal health status. Material & methods the study group consisted of 120 males, 20–25 years old selected from patients at the College of Dentistry/University of Baghdad. The sample was classified into four groups: cigarettes smokers who exercised, cigarettes smokers who did not exercise, non-smokers who exercised, and non-smokers who did not exercise. The smokers smoked 5–15 Oriental tobacco cigarettes daily for 3–5 years and did not use other types of tobacco. Physical exercises were performed for a half-hour to an hour daily either at home or the gym. Stimulated saliva was collected under standardised conditions and chemically analysed to determine the total salivary antioxidants concentration using a Total Antioxidant Capacity Assay Kit. The periodontal component of the Periodontal Disease Index (PDI) was applied to diagnose and record periodontal health status. Data were analysed using SPSS version 19. Results The total salivary antioxidant concentrations were significantly higher among the non-smokers than the smokers and were significantly higher among those who exercised compared to those who did not exercised (P < 0.01). The mean of the periodontal index was significantly higher in the group of smokers than the group of non-smokers and significantly higher among those who did not exercise compared to those who exercised (P < 0.01). Smoking and physical exercises recorded a significant effect on total salivary antioxidants and the mean of the periodontal index (p < 0.01), but there was no significant interaction between these two variables for total salivary antioxidants or the mean of the periodontal index (P > 0.05). Person's correlation coefficient indicated significant negative correlations between the mean of the periodontal index and the total salivary antioxidant concentrations among the four studied groups. Conclusion Cigarette smoking and physical exercise may alter total salivary antioxidants activity and the periodontal health status. However, there is no interaction between cigarette smoking and physical exercise regarding total salivary antioxidants and the periodontal health status. Total salivary antioxidants correlated inversely with the periodontal health status and this correlation was not affected by cigarette smoking or physical exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The aim of presented study was comparison of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration among coke plant workers (before and after working week) and among non-exposed individuals from the same area, taking smoking status into consideration. Materials and method. 647 coke plant workers and 206 individuals living in the same area were analysed with respect to urinary 1-OHP concentration and smoking status. Urinary samples were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent detection. Concentrations were normalized with respect to creatinine concentration. For workers, two samples were collected before and after working week. Multiple regression was performed to distinguish and quantify the influence of cigarette smoking and occupational PAH exposition on the urinary 1-OHP levels. Results. Average urinary 1-OHP concentration of samples collected before the working week was: 1.07 µg/g; after the working week: 2.36 µg/g and for control: 0.74 µg/g. The samples collected at the beginning of the working week were not suitable for assessment of the workers' background (non-occupational) exposition. Smoking cigarettes induced a rise in urinary 1-OHP level by 16%, on average (CI: 5% - 28%), and working for a whole working week at the coke plant made urinary 1-OHP levels, on average, 3.21 times higher (CI: 2.91 - 3.54). Conclusions. Working at the coke plant increases significantly urinary 1-OHP concentration in comparison to nonoccupationally exposed individuals, both for samples collected before and after the working week. Smoking remains a significant source of PAHs exposition, despite the fact that occupational exposure is greater. Health promotion programmes should address both the occupational health risks reduction and smoking prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking habit is mostly acquired during college and later it becomes an addiction leading to high morbidity and premature death. Objectives: To determine the pattern of cigarette smoking among college students of Mardan and factors that encourages its use. Study type, settings and duration: Cross-sectional study, done in 2014 in seven colleges of Mardan over 3 months period. Subjects and Methods: All students were encouraged to participate and fill the questionnaire. The data on smoking pattern, contributing factors to the habit, peak time/ places of smoking, sources of hazards awareness, and number of cigarettes smoked per day, reasons for smoking, not smoking and quitting were collected through a pre-tested questionnaire. The data were entered in the computer and analyzed using means and percentages. Results: A total of 954 students returned the filled questionnaire. Their ages ranged between 17 and 24 years with male to female ratio of 5:1. Out of the total, 31.2% were smokers, 2.2% ex-smokers and 66.6% non-smokers. The habit was found more common in students whose fathers or brothers were smokers and many students acquired this habit for charm and relaxation. Most smokers consumed less than 10 cigarettes per day. No female student was a smoker or ex- smoker. Significantly less smoking (p < 0.05) was observed in one institute as compared to other six institutes because of strict discipline. Most of the smokers started smoking after entry in the college life. Smoking was more in boarding students, those whose mothers were working and those living in the urban areas. Non-smokers and ex-smokers avoided cigarettes either due to family pressure, religion or its adverse effects on health. Females had significantly (p < 0.05) more knowledge about tobacco hazards as compared to males and most students mentioned that doctors were their main source of awareness. Conclusion: Almost 31.2% students in various colleges of Mardan were smokers. Smoking was not seen in female students. Most boys (68%) started smoking when they entered the college (first year). Health awareness, family support, religious knowledge and strict discipline in the colleges were the main reasons to not to smoke or quit smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of polonium 210Po in human blood samples is presented and discussed in this paper. The human blood samples were collected from patients of Medical University of Gdańsk with ischaemic heart disease ( morbus ischaemicus cordis, MIC). The polonium concentrations in analyzed human blood samples are very differentiated. 210Po is of particular interest in public health and although is present in the environment in extremely low amounts, it is easily bioaccumulated to the human body. The study shows that the amount of 210Po that is incorporated into the human body depends on the food habits and some difference in its levels could be observed between smokers and non-smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A major problem with COPD is estimating its real prevalence in the general population, which may considerably change according to the diagnostic tools used: respiratory symptoms reported by the patient, physician's diagnosis or presence of lung function impairments. The prevalence in adult population who suffer from COPD increases proportionally with age. Another considerable epidemio-logical aspect is COPD under diagnosis. Tobacco smoke is without any doubt the main risk factor for COPD development and mortality. Presenting and understanding of the harmful effects of smoking to their health in the population of any age has also been the aim of this investigation. The aim of the investigation was to compare frequency of COPD illnesses in two ambulances of family medicine in two cities and to show the influence of smoking on lung health of smokers in a prospective study. The selection was performed according to the existing disease, and the inquiry was carried out on 43 examinees, patients from the ambulance of family medicine in Gradačac and 12 examinees, patients from the ambulance of family medicine in Srebrenik, of the same age 48-90 years, and both gender, who suffer from COPD. Obtained results were processed statistically and the differences between groups were certified with X2 test and t-test to the level of tasked signification α=0.05. Results: In both ambulances males smoked much more than females, and they have been smoking for a very long time (in average 37.5yrs in Gradačac and 43 yrs in Srebrenik), and average number of cigarettes smoked daily is very high (32.5 in Gradačac and 27.5 in Srebrenik). Therefore, we found significant decline of lung function, especially in group of examinees in the ambulance of FM in Gradačac (FEV1 54.2% and FEV1/FVC 70.4%). COPD is often under diagnosed or misdi-agnosed disease. A high index of suspicion in patient with risk factor, at first smoking habit and age can establish an accurate diagnosis in majority of individuals with this preventable disease. Conclusion: Although we did not find a high number of smokers ( 16.97% smokers in the ambulance of FM in Gradačac and 11.2% smokers in the ambulance of FM in Srebrenik), we found that they were heavy smokers, who had long smoking training period and smoked a very high number of cigarettes per day. Also, we can confirm that the prevalence of COPD is under diagnosed, because we estimated only 2.12% of patients with COPD in ambulance of FM in Gradačac and 0.53% of patients with COPD in ambulance of FM in Srebrenik. Very important fact is that COPD is disease which increased with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research had the purpose of investigate the influence of an educative program on stop smoking on first year pupils of medicine and nursery students from Los Andes University, Medicine Faculty. The program was carried out between January-December 2005. The questionnaires were applied to students in order to verify behavioural changes in smokers. Smokers represented 13.89% of medicine students and 7.69% in nursery students. The rates among smokers willing to quit the habit during the next six months increased 20% in medicine students and 83.33 % in nursery students, after the educative intervention. The frequency of relapses on the smoking habit decreased 20% in medicine and 66.6% in nursery. Vacations during Prochaska periods make evident the contribution of supporting activities to achieve behavioural changes concerning tobacco consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the relatively high activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb that are found in tobacco and its products, cigarette smoking highly increases the internal intake of both radionuclides and their concentrations in the lung tissues. That might contribute significantly to an increase in the internal radiation dose and in the number of instances of lung cancer observed among smokers. Samples of most frequently smoked fine and popular brands of cigarettes were collected from those available on the Egyptian market. 210Po activity concentrations were measured by alpha spectrometry, using surface barrier detectors, following the radiochemical separation of polonium. Samples of fresh tobacco, wrapping paper, fresh filters, ash and post-smoking filters were spiked with 208Po for chemical recovery calculation. The samples were dissolved using mineral acids (HNO3, HCl and HF). Polonium was spontaneously plated-out on stainless steel disks from diluted HCl solution. The 210Po activity concentration in smoke was estimated on the basis of its activity in fresh tobacco and wrapping paper, fresh filter, ash and post-smoking filters. The percentages of 210Po activity concentrations that were recovered from the cigarette tobacco to ash, post-smoking filters, and smokes were assessed. The results of this work indicate that the average (range) activity concentration of 210Po in cigarette tobacco was 16.6 (9.7–22.5) mBq/cigarette. The average percentages of 210Po content in fresh tobacco plus wrapping paper that were recovered by post-smoking filters, ash and smoke were 4.6, 20.7 and 74.7, respectively. Cigarette smokers, who are smoking one pack (20 cigarettes) per day, are inhaling on average 123 mBq/d of 210Po and 210Pb each. The annual effective doses were calculated on the basis of 210Po and 210Pb intake with the cigarette smoke. The mean values of the annual effective dose for smokers (one pack per day) were estimated to be 193 and 251 μSv from 210Po and 210Pb, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Religiosity is considered as one of the many factors shaping an individual's health consciousness. The aim of the study is an analysis of the correlation between the religiosity of Jehovah's Witnesses and their attitudes towards health and disease. A cross-sectional study was performed on the convenience sample of 171 Jehovah's Witnesses from eastern Poland with the use of two research tools: the author's questionnaire, focusing on attitudes towards health, disease, death and the use of stimulants, and the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). The research involved 99 females (57.9%) and 72 males (42.1%), with an average age of 37.25 (SD = 12.59) years. On average, they have been a Jehovah's Witness for 29.21 (SD = 13.22) years and are characterised by a high ratio of organisational religious activity (ORA) (M = 5.60; SD = 0.62) and intrinsic religiosity (IR) (M = 4.81; SD = 0.37). Those who had never smoked before becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses had a higher IR (Z = -2.822; p = 0.005), similarly to those respondents who smoked cigarettes before they became Jehovah's Witnesses (Z = -2.977; p = 0.003) and those who did not abuse alcohol before they became Jehovah's Witnesses (Z= -1.974; p = 0.048). Jehovah's Witnesses are a group characterised by a high degree of consistency when it comes to religiosity, attitudes regarding health and disease and health behaviours. This means that they follow the teachings of their religion with regard to health issues. Knowledge about the association between religiosity and health behaviours is important to provide effective health education, health promotion and development of health prevention policy, specifically when dealing with more religious groups of clients.

Competing Interests: The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and none was reported.