Scott McIntosh

Vapors Produced by Electronic Cigarettes and E-Juices with Flavorings Induce Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Response in Lung Epithelial Cells and in Mouse Lung

Oxidative stress and inflammatory response are the key events in the pathogenesis of chronic airway diseases. The consumption of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) with a variety of e-liquids/e-juices is alarmingly increasing without the unrealized potential harmful health effects. We hypothesized that electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)/e-cigs pose health concerns due to oxidative toxicity and inflammatory response in lung cells exposed to their aerosols. The aerosols produced by vaporizing ENDS e-liquids exhibit oxidant reactivity suggesting oxidants or reactive oxygen species (OX/ROS) may be inhaled directly into the lung during a “vaping” session. These OX/ROS are generated through activation of the heating element which is affected by heating element status (new versus used), and occurs during the process of e-liquid vaporization. Unvaporized e-liquids were oxidative in a manner dependent on flavor additives, while flavors containing sweet or fruit flavors were stronger oxidizers than tobacco flavors. In light of OX/ROS generated in ENDS e-liquids and aerosols, the effects of ENDS aerosols on tissues and cells of the lung were measured. Exposure of human airway epithelial cells (H292) in an air-liquid interface to ENDS aerosols from a popular device resulted in increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-8. Furthermore, human lung fibroblasts exhibited stress and morphological change in response to treatment with ENDS/e-liquids. These cells also secrete increased IL-8 in response to a cinnamon flavored e-liquid and are susceptible to loss of cell viability by ENDS e-liquids. Finally, exposure of wild type C57BL/6J mice to aerosols produced from a popular e-cig increase pro-inflammatory cytokines and diminished lung glutathione levels which are critical in maintaining cellular redox balance. Thus, exposure to e-cig aerosols/juices incurs measurable oxidative and inflammatory responses in lung cells and tissues that could lead to unrealized health consequences.

Quitlines in North America: Evidence Base and Applications

Quitlines provide a model for the translation of research findings to public health application. Quitlines are currently in operation in more than half of US states, in Canada, and in multiple countries globally. Overall, when implemented correctly, quitlines have been shown to be efficacious and effective. Multiple quitline models are in use, but there is no evidence on the relative effectiveness of one over the other. Differences have been demonstrated for the efficacy of quitlines for specific applications, with the strongest evidence base for application as a primary intervention or as follow-up for hospitalized patients and particularly for cardiac patients. The evidence base for both reactive and proactive services is reviewed, and future directions to continue to advance the field are discussed.

A survey of the use of ultrasound during central venous catheterization.

BACKGROUND:Complications during central venous catheterization (CVC) are not rare and can be serious. The use of ultrasound (US) during CVC has been recommended to improve patient safety. We performed a survey to evaluate the frequency of, and factors influencing, US use. METHODS:We conducted an electronic survey of all members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the association between the frequency of US use and hospital and physician factors. All tests were two-sided, and a P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:Of the 4235 members, 1494 responded (response rate = 35.3%). Two-thirds of the respondents never, or almost never, use US, whereas only 15% always, or almost always, use US. Thirty-three percent of the respondents never, or almost never, have US available, whereas 41% stated that US is always, or almost always, available. Availability of US equipment was strongly associated with US use for CVC (adj OR = 18.9; P value <0.001). The most common reason cited for not using US was “no apparent need for the use of US” (46%). When US was used, rescue or screening approaches were more common (72%) than real-time use (26%). CONCLUSIONS:The use of US during CVC remains limited and is most strongly associated with the availability of equipment. Screening and rescue use of US are more common than real-time guidance. Our survey suggests that current use of US during CVC differs from existing evidence-based recommendations.

Environmental Health Hazards of e-Cigarettes and their Components: Oxidants and Copper in e-cigarette aerosols

To narrow the gap in our understanding of potential oxidative properties associated with Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) i.e. e-cigarettes, we employed semi-quantitative methods to detect oxidant reactivity in disposable components of ENDS/e-cigarettes (batteries and cartomizers) using a fluorescein indicator. These components exhibit oxidants/reactive oxygen species reactivity similar to used conventional cigarette filters. Oxidants/reactive oxygen species reactivity in e-cigarette aerosols was also similar to oxidant reactivity in cigarette smoke. A cascade particle impactor allowed sieving of a range of particle size distributions between 0.450 and 2.02 μm in aerosols from an e-cigarette. Copper, being among these particles, is 6.1 times higher per puff than reported previously for conventional cigarette smoke. The detection of a potentially cytotoxic metal as well as oxidants from e-cigarette and its components raises concern regarding the safety of e-cigarettes use and the disposal of e-cigarette waste products into the environment.

Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Practices Reported by Second and Fourth Year Students at US Medical Schools

BackgroundTobacco dependence counseling is recommended to be included as core curriculum for US medical students. To date, there has been little information on students’ self-reported skills and practice opportunities to provide 5A’s (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) counseling for tobacco cessation.MethodsWe conducted anonymous surveys of second year and fourth year students at multiple US medical schools between February 2004 and March 2005 (overall response rate 70%). We report on the tobacco control practices of the 860 second year and 827 fourth year students completing the survey.Measurements and Main ResultsFourth year students reported multiple opportunities to learn tobacco counseling in case-based discussions, simulated patient encounters, and clinical skills courses. They reported more instruction in family medicine (79%) and Internal Medicine (70%) than Pediatrics (54%), Obstetrics/Gynecology (41%), and Surgery clerkships (16%). Compared with asking patients about smoking, advising smokers to quit, and assessing patient willingness to quit, fourth year students were less likely to have multiple practice opportunities to assist the patient with a quit plan and arrange follow-up contact. More than half of second year students reported multiple opportunities for asking patients about smoking but far fewer opportunities for practicing the other 4 As.ConclusionsBy the beginning of their fourth year, most students in this group of medical schools reported multiple opportunities for training and practicing basic 5A counseling, although clear deficits for assisting patients with a quit plan and arranging follow-up care exist. Addressing these deficits and integrating tobacco teaching through tailored specific instruction across all clerkships, particularly in Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics/Gynecology is a challenge for medical school education.

Community College Student Alcohol Use: Developing Context-Specific Evidence and Prevention Approaches.

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of heavy alcohol use, related harm, and implications for prevention among community college students. We used data from 7,965 students at 19 community colleges who responded to the Core Alcohol and Other Drug Survey. This secondary analysis of the survey data found heavy consumption among 47% of 17- to 24-year-old community college students, a figure that reflects national trends at 4-year colleges, and a significant heavy consumption rate (23%) among students who are 25 or older. Similarly, the study found that consumption and harm varied by individual background, environment, and student attitudes. Community colleges are challenged to consider the role alcohol plays in student health and learning, and whether new efforts to ameliorate the harm from heavy alcohol use are warranted in an era of limited institutional resources.

Tobacco use in the Dominican Republic: understanding the culture first

Objective: To conduct formative research on the landscape of tobacco use to guide survey and subsequent intervention development in the Dominican Republic (DR). Design: Rapid Assessment Procedures, systematic qualitative methods (participant-observations, in-depth interviewing, focus groups) using bilingual mixed age and gendered teams from the United States and DR. Subjects: Over 160 adults (men and women), ages 18 to 90 years, current, former and never smokers, community members and leaders from six underserved, economically disadvantaged DR communities. Main outcome measures: Key domains: tobacco use patterns and attitudes; factors affecting smoking initiation, continuation, quitting; perceived risks/benefits/effects of smoking; and awareness/effects of advertising/regulations. Results: Perceptions of prevalence varied widely. While “everybody” smokes, smokers or ex-smokers were sometimes difficult to find. Knowledge of health risks was limited to the newly mandated statement “Fumar es prejudicial para la salud” [Smoking is harmful to your health]. Smokers started due to parents, peers, learned lifestyle, fashion or as something to do. Smoking served as an escape, relaxation or diversion. Quit attempts relied on personal will, primarily for religious or medical reasons. Social smoking (custom or habit) (< 10 cigarettes per day) was viewed as a lifestyle choice rather than a vice or addiction. Out of respect, smokers selected where they smoked and around whom. Health care providers typically were reactive relative to tobacco cessation, focusing on individuals with smoking related conditions. Tobacco advertising was virtually ubiquitous. Anti-tobacco messages were effectively absent. Cultures of smoking and not smoking coexisted absent a culture of quitting. Conclusions: Systematic qualitative methods provided pertinent information about tobacco attitudes and use to guide subsequent project steps. Integrating qualitative then quantitative research can be replicated in similar countries that lack empirical data on the cultural dimensions of tobacco use.

Tobacco Use in Six Economically Disadvantaged Communities in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a tobacco-growing country, and tobacco control efforts there have been virtually nonexistent. This study provides a first systematic surveillance of tobacco use in six economically disadvantaged Dominican Republic communities (two small urban, two peri-urban, two rural; half were tobacco growing). Approximately 175 households were randomly selected in each community (total N = 1,048), and an adult household member reported on household demographics and resources (e.g., electricity), tobacco use and health conditions of household members, and household policies on tobacco use. Poverty and unemployment were high in all communities, and significant gaps in access to basic resources such as electricity, running water, telephones/cell phones, and secondary education were present. Exposure to tobacco smoke was high, with 38.4% of households reporting at least one tobacco user, and 75.5% allowing smoking in the home. Overall, 22.5% reported using tobacco, with commercial cigarettes (58.0%) or self-rolled cigarettes (20.1%) the most commonly used types. Considerable variability in prevalence and type of use was found across communities. Overall, tobacco use was higher in males, illiterate groups, those aged 45 or older, rural dwellers, and tobacco-growing communities. Based on reported health conditions, tobacco attributable risks, and World Health Organization mortality data, it is estimated that at least 2,254 lives could potentially be saved each year in the Dominican Republic with tobacco cessation. Although it is expected that the reported prevalence of tobacco use and health conditions represent underestimates, these figures provide a starting point for understanding tobacco use and its prevalence in the Dominican Republic.

Recruitment of physician offices for an office-based adolescent smoking cessation study.

Physician office settings play an important role in tobacco cessation intervention. However, few tobacco cessation trials are conducted at these sites, in part because of the many challenges associated with recruiting community physician offices into research. The present study identified and implemented strategies for recruiting physician offices into a randomized clinical trial of tobacco screening and cessation interventions with adolescent patients. A total of 30 community physicians participated in focus groups to elicit their perceptions of facilitators of and barriers to initial engagement of physician practices and the subsequent enrollment of the practices in long-term research projects. Physicians identified facilitators such as (a) the involvement of office staff in the recruitment process and (b) on-site presentations of the studys background and aims. Some of the barriers identified were time commitment concerns and the lack of incentives in exchange for participation. These focus group findings were then integrated with theory-based and empirically driven recruitment strategies for a 12-month randomized tobacco intervention trial with adolescent patients. Of 185 office practices approached to participate (screened from a pool of 273 practices), 103 agreed to on-site presentations of the study. Subsequently, almost all of the practices (101) that received the presentation agreed to enroll in the study. Conclusions are that (a) recruitment is a multicomponent process, (b) the processes of communication, engagement, and enrollment must be carefully planned and implemented to achieve maximal results, and (c) the development of effective strategies for recruiting health care provider practices presents an important infrastructure for testing adolescent smoking cessation interventions.

Age and Sex Differences Between Patient and Physician-Derived Outcome Measures in the Foot and Ankle

BACKGROUND Traditionally, physicians have identified which outcome factors are important to measure in order to determine the success or failure of treatment without any input from patients. The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the five outcome factors that are most important to the patient and the impact that age and sex have on these factors. These five most important patient-derived outcome factors were then compared with factors within two of the most commonly used outcome instruments for the foot and ankle. METHODS Informant interviews, pre-testing, consistency analysis, and pilot testing led to the construction of a twenty-item survey of outcome factors that patients identified as being important in the treatment of their foot or ankle problem. Subjects selected the top five factors and rank ordered them from 1 to 5 (with 1 representing extreme importance and 5 representing least importance). One thousand computer simulations identified the top five factors, and these were subsequently stratified for sex and age. Wilcoxon rank-sum and Benjamini-Hochberg tests were used to compare the data between groups. RESULTS The survey was completed by 783 subjects. The five most important factors were limited walking (p < 0.05), activity-related pain (p < 0.05), constant pain (p < 0.05), difficulty with prolonged standing (p = 0.754), and inability to do ones job or housework (p = 0.995). Shoe-related issues and foot and ankle weakness were significantly different between the sexes. Constant pain, inability to play sports, inability to participate in a job or housework, and recurrent foot or ankle skin sores or infections were significantly different between age groups. Between 38% and 50% of the outcome points found on two commonly used foot and ankle instruments included factors not of primary importance to the patient. CONCLUSIONS There are sex and age-related differences regarding outcome factors following the treatment of disorders affecting the foot and ankle. As many as 50% of the factors in currently used foot and ankle outcome instruments are not of primary importance to patients.