Smoke and NOx emission characteristics of in-use construction machinery base on substantial field measurement: A case study in Beijing, China.

To understand the smoke level and NOx emission characteristics of in-use construction machinery in Beijing, we selected 905 construction machines in Beijing from August 2022 to April 2023 to monitor the emission level of smoke and NOx. The exhaust smoke level and excessive emission situation of different machinery types were identified, and their NOx emission levels were monitored according to the free acceleration method. We investigated the correlation of NOx and smoke emission, and proposed suggestions for controlling pollution discharge from construction machinery in the future. The results show that the exhaust smoke level was 0-2.62 m-1, followed a log-normal distribution (µ = -1.73, δ = 1.09, R2 = 0.99), with a 5.64% exceedance rate. Differences were observed among machinery types, with low-power engine forklifts showing higher smoke levels. The NOx emission range was 71-1516 ppm, followed a normal distribution (µ = 565.54, δ = 309.51, R2 = 0.83). Differences among machinery types were relatively small. Engine rated net power had the most significant impact on NOx emissions. Thus, NOx emissions from construction machinery need further attention. Furthermore, we found a weak negative correlation (p < 0.05) between the emission level of smoke and NOx, that is the synergic emission reduction effect is poor, emphasizing the need for NOx emission limits. In the future, the oversight in Beijing should prioritize phasing out China Ⅰ and China Ⅱ machinery, and monitor emissions from high-power engine China Ⅲ machinery.

Legalization of Smokable Medical Cannabis and Changes in the Dispensed Amount of Δ-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol Per Patient.

Introduction: Florida's medical cannabis (marijuana) program is among the largest in the United States. Smokable cannabis forms were not legally available in this program until 2019, and five years after other forms of cannabis were available. This study assessed changes in Δ-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) dispensed per patient following legalization of smokable cannabis in Florida. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study used data from the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use Reports on THC dispensing from April 6, 2018, through March 13, 2020. Certified medical cannabis user during the study period was included. The exposure was the dispensed amount of THC from legalized smokable forms of medical cannabis (statute identified as SB182), effective as of March 2019. Changes in level and trend of average milligram (mg) of dispensed THC per certified patient with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), before and after SB182, were calculated by fitting a generalized least squares linear model and allowing a 17-week phase-in period. Results: The number of certified patients increased by 24.8% from 197,107 (March 22, 2019) to 246,079 (July 19, 2019) and to 325,868 by March 13, 2020. Assuming that a 20% THC concentration in smokable products, there was a significant level increase in the mean weekly dispensed THC amount per certified patient of 138.45 mg (95% CI: 102.69-174.20), translating to a 42.18% increase (95% CI: 33.14-50.28), from the pre-policy period. We noted a continuous increase of 5.62 mg per certified patient per week (95% CI: 4.35-6.89) throughout the 35 weeks following the policy, when compared with the period before. Assuming 10% THC concentration in smokable products, we observed a significant level increase of 35.10 mg (95% CI: 5.31-64.88), corresponding to an increase of 10.70% (95% CI: 1.70-18.89), and a trend increase of 2.23 mg per certified patient per week (95% CI: 1.18-3.29). Discussion: The expansion of the Florida medical cannabis program to include smokable cannabis forms was associated with a significant increase in the mean amount of weekly dispensed THC per certified patient. Findings suggest that the dispensed amount of THC after legalization of smokable medical cannabis far exceeds the maximum recommended daily dose, based on extrapolation from oral cannabis product dosing recommendations from one expert consensus statement, raising questions about the safety, and need for consumer education.

Phytochemical Profiling and Wound Healing Activity of Gigantochloa apus Liquid Smoke in Mus Musculus.

Purpose: Rope bamboo (Gigantochloa apus) is traditionally used for medicinal purposes, and extracts from stem leaves and shoots have been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, this study looked at the potential compounds present in and the usefulness of Rope bamboo liquid smoke preparations in the wound healing process in mice. Methods: The fingerprinting of the liquid smoke was done by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. In-vivo experiments were conducted to observe the diameter and percentage of wound healing in mice for 14 days using topical formulations containing liquid smoke concentrations of 100%, 50%, 25%, positive control and negative control. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation. Results: The phytochemical fingerprint showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, vitamins, phenols, and lipids. The 100% undiluted liquid smoke accelerated wound healing faster compared to 50% and 25% dilutions. The differences in wound diameters were statistically significant across treatments having a p-value of 0.020 and dose-dependent (p = 0.029). Conclusion: Liquid smoke acceleration of the wound healing process was dose-dependent compared to controls. This dose-dependency indicates that the wound healing effects were probably due to the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of the elucidated constituents of Rope bamboo liquid smoke.

A review of occupational exposures to carcinogens among wildland firefighters.

Wildfires can negatively impact the health and well-being of wildland firefighters through a variety of exposure pathways. Many studies have measured acute health effects from occupational exposure to pollutants in wildfire smoke; however, research specifically examining cancer risks from exposure to carcinogens is limited. This review aimed to better understand cancer risk in this occupation by assessing the existing evidence of exposures and summarizing measured concentrations of carcinogens among wildland firefighters. A systematic search was conducted to identify scientific papers using the following databases: Medline(OVID), Embase(OVID), PsycINFO(OVID), Cochrane Library, CINAHL(EBSCOHost), EconLit(EBSCOHost), Scopus, Agricultural and Environmental Science Collect(ProQuest), and NIOSHTIC-2. Forty-nine papers were identified that met eligibility criteria. Across the papers, 31 carcinogens were identified and quantified using a variety of assessment methods. Papers measured particulate matter (N = 26), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (N = 12), volatile organic compounds (N = 14), crystalline silica (N = 5), black carbon (N = 4), asbestos (N = 3), radionuclides (N = 7), and metals (N = 2). Most papers measured inhalation exposures through traditional air sampling methods, but a subset of exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (N = 8), as well as heavy metals (N = 1), were measured through urinary biomarkers and naphthalene was measured using dermal wipe samples (N = 2). Although the heterogeneity of exposure assessment methods made direct comparison of concentrations difficult, the papers provide consistent evidence that wildland firefighters are regularly exposed to carcinogens. All wildland fire personnel should continue to implement recommended mitigation strategies and support new mitigations to reduce exposure to carcinogens on the job.

Linear polydichlorophosphazene and Ti3C2Tx MXene nanohybrids: Synthesis and application to epoxy resin to improve the fire safety and mechanical properties.

Enhancing the fire safety of epoxy resins (EPs) typically requires a significant amount of flame retardants, which often results in considerable degradation of their mechanical properties. To address this issue, a novel flame retardant known as PDCP@DPA@MXene was synthesized and integrated into EP to achieve notable improvements in flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and mechanical strength. By incorporating 1.5 wt% PDCP@DPA@MXene, the impact strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break of the resulting PDM-1.5 %/EP composite reached 12.1 kJ/m2, 57.4 MPa, and 13.0, respectively, reflecting enhancements of 63.5 %, 18.4 %, and 17.1 % compared to the pure EP. The enhancement in tensile strength may be attributed to the high rigidity of Ti3C2Tx MXene, which reinforces the EP matrix. Additionally, the intertwined structure of PDCP@DPA@MXene chains effectively mitigates material fracturing and absorbs impact forces, thus toughening the EP. The presence of phosphorus, nitrogen, and titanate in PDCP@DPA@MXene contributes to the formation of a more compact char layer. The PDM-1.5 %/EP sample achieved a V-0 rating in the vertical UL-94 test and exhibited a high limiting oxygen index of 32.0. Furthermore, the sample containing 2 wt% PDCP@DPA@MXene showed a significant reduction in peak heat release rate (p-HRR) and total heat release (THR), recording values of 689 kW/m2 and 71.9 MJ/m2, which are decreases of 45.1 % and 26.9 %, respectively, compared to pure EP. Additionally, the incorporation of PDCP@DPA@MXene led to a reduction in CO production. These flame-retarded EPs demonstrate strong potential for various applications due to their elevated glass transition temperature and robust thermal stability.

Investigating antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of liquid smoke and physical-chemical stability of bacon subjected to liquid smoke and conventional smoking.

Liquid smoke, an alternative to traditional wood burning smoking, enhances product value by imparting desirable characteristics such as aroma, flavor, and color. Furthermore, it contains components with inherent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This study compares the effects of liquid smoke and conventional smoking methods in bacon processing. Over a 90-day storage period at 22°C, physical-chemical stability, sensory attributes, and microbiological characteristics of the bacon were evaluated. The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of liquid smoke were assessed. Liquid smoke exhibited antioxidant activity, with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 0.19 mg/mL, indicating the concentration of the extract needed to inhibit 50% of DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radicals. Moreover, it demonstrated antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesius, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes, with a minimum bactericidal concentration ranging from 7.5% to 10%. Throughout the storage, bacon treated with liquid smoke showed no signs of rancid odor, supported by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values below 0.85 mg MDA/kg (where MDA is malondialdehyde). The utilization of liquid smoke yielded visually attractive bacon with enhanced color attributes, including a distinct yellow and red hue, as well as increased luminosity and brightness, surpassing the effects of traditional smoke. Remarkably, liquid smoke application significantly reduced processing time from 30 h to approximately 5 h, leading to substantial cost savings in the processing phase.

Evaluating the effectiveness of Smoke-Free Home SafeCare, an integrated intervention, among families at risk for secondhand smoke exposure and child maltreatment in the United States: a study protocol for a hybrid type 1 trial.

BACKGROUND: Secondhand smoke exposure (SHS) and child maltreatment (CM) are preventable yet have negative lifelong impacts on health. When considered together, the risk for negative health outcomes may be compounded, especially for people living in low-resource settings. Evidence-based interventions exist for preventing CM and reducing SHS among families with low resources; however, no programs jointly target SHS exposure and maltreatment risk. METHODS: This study is a hybrid type 1 trial to examine the effectiveness of a systematically braided intervention to target CM risk and SHS in the home. Fifty SafeCare Providers will be randomized to deliver either standard SafeCare (i.e., the SafeCare model alone; active treatment control; n = 25) or Smoke-Free Home SafeCare (SFHSC; treatment condition; n = 25), the braided intervention that includes both SafeCare and the Smoke-Free Homes: Some Things are Better Outside intervention to N = 500 families. Aim 2 is to assess family-level outcomes. The primary outcome is a full home smoking ban, validated by air nicotine monitors; secondary outcomes include parenting and smoking outcomes. Aim 3 is to evaluate process and implementation outcomes, including cost-benefit. We will use multilevel models and ROC analyses to evaluate and validate the primary outcome. We will use tests of non-inferiority to evaluate secondary outcomes. Cost-effectiveness analyses will be used to assess cost-benefit of SFHSC. DISCUSSION: This study will be the first to document the outcomes of a multi-component intervention to address cumulative risk factors that impact cancer risk among children whose parents are at risk or involved in child-protective services. Integrating an evidence-based intervention that targets SHS exposure in the home with a broadly disseminated CM prevention intervention may be a sustainable way to help reduce the compounded effects of SHS in the home and CM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05000632. Registered on August 11, 2021.

"To BAL or not to BAL, that is the question": Variations in smoke inhalation injury guidelines from burn units and centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

AIM: To evaluate variations in diagnostic criteria and management recommendations for smoke inhalation injury (SII) amongst the burn networks of England, Scotland, and Wales. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study examining SII guidelines provided by adult burn units and centres in England, Scotland and Wales. RESULTS: All 16 adult burn units and centres responded. Fourteen (87.5 %) had guidelines. Due to sharing of guidelines, ten unique guidelines were assessed. Diagnostic criteria showed variability with no universal criterion shared amongst guidelines. Bronchoscopy was recommended by 90 % of guidelines, but the timing varied. The use of bronchoscopic scoring systems was recommended by four guidelines. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was recommended by four, with considerable variation in frequency and choice of lavage fluid. All guidelines advised at least one nebulised agent: heparin (n = 8); N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) (n = 8); or salbutamol (n = 8). All guidelines included advice on carbon monoxide poisoning; however, carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) cut-off levels for treatment varied (5 % [n-4], 10 % [n = 3], 15 % [n = 1]). All recommended high-flow oxygen. Seven (70 %) guidelines offered guidance on cyanide poisoning. Reduced/altered consciousness was the only consistent diagnostic criterion. Five (50 %) guidelines provided intubation guidance, emphasising the role of a 'senior clinician' as the intubator. Ventilatory guidance appeared in eight guidelines, focusing on lung protective ventilation (n = 8); oxygenation goals (n = 3); and permissive hypercapnia (n = 3). Within lung-protective ventilation, advice on tidal volume (6, or 6-8 ml/kg) and plateau pressures (>30 cmH2O) were presented most commonly (n = 7). CONCLUSION: This study has outlined the substantial variations in guidance for the management of SII. The results underscore the need for a national guideline outlining a standardised approach to the diagnosis and management of SII, within the limitations of the current evidence.

The Punicalagin Compound Mitigates Bronchial Epithelial Cell Senescence Induced by Cigarette Smoke Extract through the PAR2/mTOR Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoke is an important inducer of airway epithelial cell aging. Punicalagin(PCG) is a natural anti-aging compound. The effect of PCG on tobacco smoke-induced airway epithelial cell senescence is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our study investigated whether PCG can treat the human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) aging by inhibiting the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2)/m- TOR pathway. METHODS: Bioinformatics techniques were used to analyze the potential biological functions of PAR2. Molecular dynamics evaluated the binding ability of PCG and PAR2. The CCK8 assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of CSE and PCG. The activity of the PAR2/mTOR pathway and the expression of the characteristic aging markers p16, p21, and SIRT1 are detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell senescence was observed by Senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) staining. The senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP): concentrations of interleukin IL-6, IL-8, and TNF- α were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The GSE57148 bioinformatics analysis dataset showed that PAR2 regulates lung senescence through the mTOR signaling pathway. Molecular dynamics results found that PCG and PAR2 had a strong and stable binding force. CSE induces BEAS-2B cell senescence and activates the PAR2/mTOR pathway. Inhibition of PAR2 mitigated the senescence changes. In addition, PCG's pretreatment can significantly alleviate CSE-induced BEAS-2B cell senescence while inhibiting the PAR2/mTOR pathway. CONCLUSION: PCG has a therapeutic effect on the senescence of airway epithelial cells.

Inequalities in exposure to second-hand smoke among adolescent boys and girls in 122 countries: Evidence from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

BACKGROUND: Secondhand smoke exposure (SHS) is a major modifiable risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality. No study has assessed inequalities by sex in SHS exposure among adolescents globally. This study aims to explore the variations in SHS exposure among adolescents globally based on sex. METHODS: Most recent data from 122 countries and territories that conducted the Global Youth Tobacco Survey between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2020, comprising 557,332 respondents aged 11-17 years, were used to assess the prevalence of SHS exposure at home, in other enclosed public places, and at school. Multivariable Poisson regression models were performed to investigate the association between sex and SHS exposure in each country. RESULTS: A total of 195,299 (35.0 %) adolescents reported exposure to SHS at home, 256,938 (46.1 %) in other enclosed public places, 258,528 (46.4 %) at school, and 399,644 (71.7 %) in any place. There were important inequalities in the prevalence of SHS exposure between countries. More girls than boys reported exposure to SHS at home in 54 countries (vs. one country with prevalence higher in boys than girls) and in other enclosed public places in 50 countries (vs. six countries). In contrast, the prevalence of SHS exposure at school was significantly higher in boys than girls in 25 countries while the opposite was observed in 14 countries. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the disparities in SHS exposure between adolescent boys and girls and, hence, highlight the urgent need to strengthen smoke-free policies and adopt targeted policies to address them.

Maternal exposure to smoking and wheezing phenotypes in children: a cohort study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that prenatal maternal smoking and maternal secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of wheezing and asthma development. However, few studies have examined the influence of different sources of tobacco exposure in different perinatal timeframes (preconception, prenatal, and postnatal) on wheezing phenotypes in children. Using national survey data from Japan, we investigated the effects of exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy on wheezing phenotypes in children before the age of 3 years. METHODS: Pregnant women who lived in the 15 regional centers in the Japan Environment and Children's Study were recruited. We obtained information on prenatal and postnatal exposure to active and secondhand smoke (SHS) and wheeze development up to 3 years of age. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between tobacco smoke exposure and wheezing phenotypes in children. RESULTS: We analyzed 73,057 singleton births and identified four longitudinal wheezing phenotypes: never wheezing; early transient wheezing (wheezing by age 1 year but not thereafter); late-onset wheezing (wheezing by age 2-3 years but not beforehand); and persistent wheezing. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was significantly associated with early transient and persistent wheezing in children compared with no maternal smoking [early transient wheezing: 1-10 cigarettes per day, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-1.66; ≥ 11 cigarettes per day, aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.27-2.20; persistent wheezing: 1-10 cigarettes per day, aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.37-1.97; ≥ 11 cigarettes per day, aOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.70-3.19]. Smoking cessation even before pregnancy was also significantly associated with increased risk of early transient wheezing, late-onset wheezing, and persistent wheezing in children. Moreover, maternal exposure to SHS during pregnancy was significantly associated with increased risk of early transient and persistent wheezing compared with no such exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal smoking before and throughout pregnancy was associated with wheeze development in children up to 3 years of age. It appears that smoking is detrimental compared to never smoking, regardless of whether individuals quit smoking before or after becoming aware of the pregnancy.

Support for regulating smoking in private and public places by adults who currently smoke and recently quit smoking in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: While indoor smoking restrictions are common, outdoor restrictions are still rare. We explored opinions and support for regulating smoking in different indoor and outdoor environments among adults who smoke and those who recently quit smoking, in Spain. METHODS: The 2021 ITC EUREST-PLUS Spain Survey is a cross-sectional study conducted among a nationally representative sample of 1006 adults aged ≥18 years who smoked cigarettes (n=867) or had recently quit smoking (n=139). Using Poisson regression with robust variance, we estimated adjusted prevalence and prevalence ratios of favorable opinions on regulating smoking in different indoor and outdoor environments and support for regulation in unregulated outdoor environments, by sociodemographic and smoking-related characteristics. RESULTS: There were highly favorable opinions for regulating smoking in places with minors (>95% in primary and secondary playgrounds, and cars with pre-school children and minors) and outdoor transportation (60-80%). There were less favorable opinions for regulating smoking in outdoor terraces of bars/pubs and restaurants (15-20%). Support for further total outdoor regulations on smoking was moderate for markets/shopping centers, public building entrances and swimming pools (40-60%), and low for restaurants/bars/pubs (29.2%). Having quit smoking, having no significant others who smoke and/or believing that cigarette smoke is harmful to others, were factors positively associated with favorable opinions and support for regulating smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The settings in Spain with the most favorable opinions for regulation among adults who smoke and have recently quit smoking are places with minors, private cars with others and outdoor areas of public transportation, while the settings with the least favorable opinions were outdoor terraces of bars, pubs, and restaurants. Support for further total outdoor smoking bans is generally moderate, but low for restaurants, bars, and pubs. Overall, these findings suggest the feasibility of extending smoke-free policies to other public and private settings to protect others from tobacco smoke exposure.

Long-term persistent exposure to cigarette smoke induces AhR driven corneal endothelial dysfunction in mice.

Epidemiological studies show cigarette smoking enhances corneal endothelial dysfunction, but mechanisms remain unclear. Our study reveals that prolonged smoke exposure activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), increasing CYP1B1 expression and accelerating senescence and fibrosis in corneal endothelium, potentially reflecting adaptive responses to maintain corneal resilience. Although these molecular modifications indicate early endothelial dysfunction, no pathological changes were observed. The findings indicate that while chronic cigarette smoke exposure triggers initial molecular alterations and endothelial dysfunction, the progression to Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy likely requires additional environmental or genetic factors beyond smoke exposure alone.

Joint effects of tobacco smoke exposure and heavy metals on serum sex hormones in adult males.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the associations of tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and heavy metal exposure on sex hormones and the joint effects between them in adult males. METHODS: The study used data of 2244 adult males from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013-2016). Weighted linear regression models were used to calculate their beta (ß) coefficients and corresponding confidence interval (95% CI), which assessed the joint effects of TSE and heavy metals on sex hormones. RESULTS: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) showed a positive association with increased per standard deviation (SD) for cotinine (ß=0.024 [0.004, 0.043]; P<0.001), lead (ß=0.021 [0.002, 0.039]; P=0.028), and cadmium (ß=0.034 [0.015, 0.053]; P<0.001). Manganese was positively associated with estradiol (E2) (ß=0.025 [0.009, 0.042]; P=0.002). The subjects with higher cadmium levels were more likely to have higher total testosterone (TT) (ß=0.042 [0.023, 0.062]; P<0.001). TSE and lead exerted synergistic effects on TT (p for interaction = 0.015) and E2 (p for interaction = 0.009), as also did TSE and cadmium on SHBG (p for interaction = 0.037). Compared with the reference group, TSE participants who were exposed to high concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury, and manganese had significantly elevated TT levels, but these high levels presented no significant association with E2 levels. A significantly higher level of SHBG among TSE participants was detected in high concentrations for lead, cadmium, and mercury. CONCLUSION: TSE exacerbated sex hormone imbalances when combined with high levels of metal exposure. Smoking cessation is crucial, especially in the case of high levels of occupational exposure to heavy metals.

A Comparative Performance Evaluation of YOLO-Type Detectors on a New Open Fire and Smoke Dataset.

The paper introduces a new FireAndSmoke open dataset comprising over 22,000 images and 93,000 distinct instances compiled from 1200 YouTube videos and public Internet resources. The scenes include separate and combined fire and smoke scenarios and a curated set of difficult cases representing real-life circumstances when specific image patches may be erroneously detected as fire/smoke presence. The dataset has been constructed using both static pictures and video sequences, covering day/night, indoor/outdoor, urban/industrial/forest, low/high resolution, and single/multiple instance cases. A rigorous selection, preprocessing, and labeling procedure has been applied, adhering to the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability specifications described in the literature. The performances of the YOLO-type family of object detectors have been compared in terms of class-wise Precision, Recall, Mean Average Precision (mAP), and speed. Experimental results indicate the recently introduced YOLO10 model as the top performer, with 89% accuracy and a mAP@50 larger than 91%.

Transcriptome analysis reveals activation of detoxification and defense mechanisms in smoke-exposed Merlot grape (Vitis vinifera) berries.

A significant consequence of climate change is the rising incidence of wildfires. When wildfires occur close to wine grape (Vitis vinifera) production areas, smoke-derived volatile phenolic compounds can be taken up by the grape berries, negatively affecting the flavor and aroma profile of the resulting wine and compromising the production value of entire vineyards. Evidence for the permeation of smoke-associated compounds into grape berries has been provided through metabolomics; however, the basis for grapevines' response to smoke at the gene expression level has not been investigated in detail. To address this knowledge gap, we employed time-course RNA sequencing to observe gene expression-level changes in grape berries in response to smoke exposure. Significant increases in gene expression (and enrichment of gene ontologies) associated with detoxification of reactive compounds, maintenance of redox homeostasis, and cell wall fortification were observed in response to smoke. These findings suggest that the accumulation of volatile phenols from smoke exposure activates mechanisms that render smoke-derived compounds less reactive while simultaneously fortifying intracellular defense mechanisms. The results of this work lend a better understanding of the molecular basis for grapevines' response to smoke and provide insight into the origins of smoke-taint-associated flavor and aroma attributes in wine produced from smoke-exposed grapes.

The Concentration of Follistatin and Activin A in Serum and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Stratification by Tobacco Smoke Exposure, Insulin Resistance, and Overweight/Obesity.

Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the concentrations of follistatin and activin A in the serum of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to assess their relationship with selected biochemical parameters, specifically stratifying the analysis based on tobacco smoke, insulin resistance, and abnormal weight. Methods: The research was carried out within a cohort of 88 women (60 women with and 28 without PCOS). Results: We observed significant differences (p < 0.05) in follistatin concentrations between women with PCOS stratified by homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values. These differences were consistent across both smoking and non-smoking subgroups with PCOS. Similar results were observed when comparing normal-weight women with PCOS to those with overweight or obesity. Additionally, activin A concentrations were significantly increased by higher body mass index (BMI) and HOMA-IR values in non-smoking women with PCOS. Moreover, we identified a negative correlation (r = -0.30; p < 0.023) between cotinine levels and Anti-Müllerian hormone. Among smoking women with PCOS, we noted decreased concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin and high-density lipoproteins, alongside increased fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and free androgen index values. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that activin A and follistatin concentrations are more strongly influenced by disruptions in glucose metabolism and BMI than by tobacco smoke exposure. The observed changes were more pronounced in follistatin than in activin A level.

Changes of campus tobacco control environment and the impact on tobacco control behaviors among secondary school personnel in Shanghai, China.

INTRODUCTION: Youth smoking is a serious public health problem. Nevertheless, a rigorous tobacco-free environment within schools, combined with exemplary tobacco control behavior among school personnel can effectively contribute to reducing adolescent smoking. This study compared the tobacco control environment in Shanghai secondary schools in 2017 and 2021, and explored how the tobacco control environment influenced the tobacco control behaviors of school personnel. METHODS: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted from October to December 2017 and October to December 2021, using stratified cluster random sampling method, and 2403 and 1761 valid questionnaires were collected, respectively. The chi-squared test was used to test the differences between categorical variables. Binary logistic regression was conducted using survey data from 2021 to explore the influencing factors of staff's tobacco control behaviors. RESULTS: Compared with 2017, the percentages of staff members who were current smokers, had smoked on campus in the past year and were exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) on campus in the past 7 days in 2021 decreased by 2.95%, 2.30% and 8.91%, respectively. However, the proportion of personnel who knew the school had organized tobacco control education decreased. Furthermore, school personnel who had received tobacco control education and agreed the school should strictly prohibit students from smoking (AOR=1.64; 95% CI: 1.25-2.15) were more likely to inform about the harm of tobacco to students. Those who had participated in tobacco control education activities or tobacco control trainings (AOR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.30-2.69) and believed that the school did not strictly prohibit either students (AOR=0.30; 95% CI: 0.22-0.41) or personnel (AOR=0.46; 95% CI: 0.36-0.59) from smoking were more inclined to stop students from smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with 2017, the rates of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure among school personnel decreased in 2021, but some schools still lacked comprehensive education on tobacco control behaviors for the staff. Enhancing the health literacy and strengthening tobacco control education among staff were effective strategies to encouraging their active adoption of tobacco control behaviors.

A flexible perception method of thin smoke based on patch total bounded variation for buildings.

Early fire warning is critical to the safety and stability of power systems. However, current methods encounter challenges in capturing subtle features, limiting their effectiveness in providing timely alerts for potential fire hazards. To overcome this drawback, a novel detection algorithm for thin smoke was proposed to enhance early fire detection capabilities. The core is that the Patch-TBV feature was proposed first, and the total bounded variation (TBV) was computed at the patch level. This approach is rooted in the understanding that traditional methods struggle to detect minute variations in image characteristics, particularly in scenarios where the features are dispersed or subtle. By computing TBV at a more localized level, the algorithm proposed gains a finer granularity in assessing image quality, enabling it to capture subtle variations that might indicate the presence of smoke or early signs of a fire. Another key aspect that sets our algorithm apart is the incorporation of subtle variation magnification. This technique serves to magnify subtle features within the image, leveraging the computed TBV values. This magnification strategy is pivotal for improving the algorithm's precision in detecting subtle variations, especially in environments where smoke concentrations may be minimal or dispersed. To evaluate the algorithm's performance in real-world scenarios, a comprehensive dataset, named TIP, comprising 3,120 images was constructed. The dataset covers diverse conditions and potential challenges that might be encountered in practical applications. Experimental results confirm the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, showcasing its ability to provide accurate and timely fire warnings in various contexts. In conclusion, our research not only identifies the limitations of existing methods in capturing subtle features for early fire detection but also proposes a sophisticated algorithm, integrating Patch-TBV and micro-variation amplification, to address these challenges. The algorithm's effectiveness and robustness are substantiated through extensive testing, demonstrating its potential as a valuable tool for enhancing fire safety in power systems and similar environments.

Studies of the binding mechanism between liquid smoke from tea tree branches and proteins in dry-cured tenderloin using 4D-DIA proteomics, synergistic multispectral analysis, and molecular docking techniques.

This research investigates the impact of various concentrations of tea branch liquid smoke (TLS) on the protein structure of dry cured pork tenderloin using multispectral techniques, molecular docking, and 4D-DIA proteomics. The results reveal that TLS enhances the solubility of myofibrillar protein, with varying effects on tryptophan exposure based on the concentration. Notably, at 5 mL/kg, TLS inhibits myofibrillar protein unfolding. Raman spectroscopy demonstrates that higher TLS concentrations mitigate disruptions in hydrogen bonding and hydrophobicity. Guaiacol and furfural in TLS engage in π-stacking interactions with myosin, heightening myosin interaction with its carrier. 4D-DIA proteomics has revealed that TLS can down-regulate the expression of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial proteins, metabolic enzymes, and ligases, playing pivotal roles in metabolism and genetic information processing. These proteins, featuring membrane linkers and phosphatases, potentially impact peptide and amino acid biosynthesis, thereby affecting meat quality modifications.