Assessing the choice of smoke-free policies for multiunit housing and its associated determinants in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the desire for smoke-free housing, determine the choice of smoke-free policies for multiunit housing (MUH), and identify the factors associated with policy choice among MUH residents in Bangladesh. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study from April to November 2019 using a semi-structured survey questionnaire. SETTING: This study was conducted in seven divisional cities of Bangladesh: Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barishal, and Rangpur. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 616 adult individuals living in MUH for at least 2 years participated in the study. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of the choice of smoke-free policies for MUH. RESULTS: Overall, 94.8% of the respondents wanted smoke-free housing. Among those who wanted smoke-free housing, 44.9% preferred a smoke-free building policy, 28.3% preferred a smoke-free common area policy, 20.2% favoured a smoke-free unit policy, and 6.7% did not know what policy they should choose. Three factors were found to be significantly associated with the choice of a smoke-free building policy: staying at home for more than 12 hours (adjusted OR (aOR): 2.6; 95% CI 1.035 to 6.493), being a non-smoker (aOR: 3.2; 95% CI 1.317 to 7.582), and having at least one family member who smoked (aOR: 3.0; 95% CI 1.058 to 8.422). Results also showed that residents having at least one child under 15 in the family (aOR: 0.3; 95% CI 0.152 to 0.778) were less likely to choose a smoke-free common area policy and that women (aOR: 3.7; 95% CI 1.024 to 13.188) were more likely to choose a smoke-free unit policy. CONCLUSIONS: MUH residents in urban Bangladesh highly demanded smoke-free housing. Most residents favoured a smoke-free building policy for MUH. Those who stayed at home for a longer time, were non-smokers, and had smoking family members were more likely to choose this policy.

Using an ecological model of health behaviour to identify factors associated with smoking behaviour among Buddhist novices in Thailand: a cross-sectional digital survey.

OBJECTIVE: Buddhist novices reside in Buddhist temples, which are legally designated as smoke-free areas. Nevertheless, similar to other men in their age group, they are susceptible to various risk factors that lead to smoking. This digital survey aimed to examine tobacco smoking and its associated factors among Buddhist novices in Thailand. DESIGN: A cross-sectional digital survey. SETTING: 88 temple-based schools in Thailand. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified two-stage cluster sampling method was employed to select 5371 novices. Data were collected between June and August 2022 using self-administered electronic questionnaires. MEASURE: Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to identify the associated factors. RESULTS: Overall, 32.8% of the respondents reported they had tried smoking, and the average age of initiation was 12.4 years. In the past 30 days, 25.7% had smoked any tobacco product. Multiple factors following the ecological model of health behaviour were found to be statistically associated with smoking by 37.3%. Among these were intrapersonal-level factors, such as age, living in the southern region and attempted smoking. Two were interpersonal-level factors: the smoking behaviour of close relatives, specifically parents, and their respected monks. Two were institutional-level factors: perceiving that temple-based schools are smoke-free areas and exposure to secondhand smoke. Three factors at the community and policy levels were noticed tobacco advertising at the point of sale, social media and tobacco promotion. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the development of comprehensive intervention programmes that address the multiple factors to prevent Buddhist novices from smoking.

The crossroads of work and home: linkages between smoke-free policies at work and household environments.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use causes over eight million global deaths annually, with seven million directly attributed to tobacco use and 1.2 million to second hand smoke (SHS). Smoke-free environments are crucial to counter SHS. Although India banned smoking in public places in 2008, SHS exposure remains high. Studies have noted that limiting smoking in workplaces, restaurants, etc., helps to reduce overall smoking and reduce SHS exposure. Under this background, the study explores the linkages between smoke-free workplaces and living in smoke-free homes in India. METHODS: The two rounds of the GATS India (2009-10 and 2016-17) have been used for the study. The study focuses on male tobacco smokers working indoors or outdoors or both indoors and outdoors. The sample for the study was 2,969 for GATS 1 and 2,801 for GATS 2. Dependent variables include living in a smoke-free home, while the independent variables were adherence to a smoke-free office policy and socio-demographic variables. The two rounds of the GATS data were pooled for analysis. Statistical analysis involves bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Findings reveal that 41% of respondents worked in smoke-free workplaces in GATS 2. Nationally, smoke-free homes increased from 35% in 2009-2010 to 44% in 2016-17. Individuals with smoke-free workplaces were more likely to have smoke-free homes. The Southern region consistently exhibited the highest proportion of smoke-free homes. Urban areas and higher education correlated with increased smoke-free homes. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that workplace smoke-free status is a significant predictor of smoke-free homes. In GATS 2, respondents aged 30 years and above were less likely to have smoke-free homes, while education and Southern region residence positively influenced smoke-free homes. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation between smoke-free workplaces and smoke-free homes is linked to stringent workplace no-smoking policies, potentially deterring individuals from smoking at home. Opportunities exist for the expansion and stringent implementation of the smoke-free policies among Indian working adults, leveraging the workplace as a key setting for evidence-based tobacco control. The study highlights positive trends in India's smoke-free homes, crediting workplace policies. Effective policies, education, and regional strategies can advance smoke-free homes, stressing the pivotal role of workplace policies and advocating broader implementation.

Association between passive smoking and dental caries status in children: A cross-sectional analytical study.

BACKGROUND: Several risk factors contribute to the development of dental caries in children, including sociodemographic, dietary, oral hygiene-related and other miscellaneous factors. Maternal smoking was highly associated with dental caries when compared to smoking by fathers or other household members. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries and their association with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among 5- to 10-year-old students attending private and government schools. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among schoolchildren. Data was collected from the primary caregivers using a pre-tested form to assess the ETS exposure under 5 domains based on history: antenatal exposure; exposure during the index period; exposure in the school neighborhood; exposure in restaurants/roadside stalls; and exposure in bus stops/railway stations. Dental caries was assessed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines from 1997. The association was reported using prevalence ratios (PRs) (95% confidence interval (CI)). RESULTS: Data was obtained from 211 schoolchildren attending government (39.8%) and private schools (60.2%). The overall prevalence (95% CI) of dental caries was 49.3% (42.5-56.1%). Among all the risk factors evaluated in the study, exposure to ETS was associated with a significantly increased risk of dental caries. The adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) of ETS exposure varied with the mother's educational status and high sugar exposure, although this was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren aged 5 to 10 years in the city was moderate and similar to the national average. Among the risk factors assessed in the study, antenatal exposure to ETS was found to significantly increase the prevalence of dental caries by 41% after adjusting for other factors. Therefore, it is important to educate parents on the causal role of ETS exposure in dental caries.

Tobacco smoke condensate-induced senescence in endothelial cells was ameliorated by colchicine treatment via suppression of NF-κB and MAPKs P38 and ERK pathways activation.

Smoking is the major cause of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. It induces oxidative stress, leading to DNA damage and cellular senescence. Senescent cells increase the expression and release of pro-inflammatory molecules and matrix metalloproteinase, which are known to play a vital role in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases and metastasis in cancer. The current study investigated the smoking induced cellular senescence and employed colchicine that blocked senescence in endothelial cells exposed to tobacco smoke condensate. Colchicine prevented oxidative stress and DNA damage in tobacco smoke-condensate-treated endothelial cells. Colchicin reduced ß-gal activity, improved Lamin B1, and attenuated cell growth arrest markers P21 and P53. Colchicine also ameliorated the expression of SASP factors and inhibited the activation of NF-kB and MAPKs P38 and ERK. In summary, colchicine inhibited tobacco smoke condensate-induced senescence in endothelial cells by blocking the activation of NF-kB and MAPKs P38 and ERK.

What are the effects of smoke-free and tobacco-free university campus policies, and how can they be assessed? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This article looks at the evaluation of smoke-free (SF) and tobacco-free (TF) university campus policies that ban smoking (and often vaping) both indoors and outdoors. To assess the effectiveness of these policies, we performed a systematic literature review to answer the following questions: what is the effect of SF/TF policies on campus users' behaviors/norms/perceptions around smoking? Are the SF/TF policies an effective measure for reducing smoking among young adults? What methods and indicators can we use to assess the impact of SF/TF campus policies? What is the theoretical model underpinning the influence of SF/TF policies on the behavior of campus users? METHODS: Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched over the period from January 2005 to December 2022. The article selection process included 54 articles published in scientific journals that analyzed the post-implementation impact of SF/TF campus policies. The quality of these articles was analyzed using six ad hoc indicators based on the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist and Joanna Briggs Institute scoping tools. RESULTS: Most of the research on SF/TF campus policies has been conducted in the United States using quantitative methodologies. Most of these studies show that SF/TF policies reduce positive beliefs about smoking and its acceptability, influence smoking behavior (reducing smoking initiation and increasing the number of quits and quit attempts), and reduce exposure to passive smoking and pollution from cigarette butts. User acceptability of SF/TF policies is generally high. Limitations of SF/TF campus policies include difficulty for smokers to comply with them, persistence of passive smoking around campuses, and limited uptake of on-campus cessation support services provided to smokers. DISCUSSION: The various mediating and moderating variables identified in the literature have made it possible to propose a model of the potential influence of SF/TF policy on campus users, based on the theory of planned behavior. Based on this review, we provide health professionals and higher education institutions wishing to implement a SF/TF campus policy with a set of indicators that can serve to assess the impact of a SF/TF campus policy (attitudes, acceptability, beliefs, norms, exposure to passive smoking and pollution, changes in smoking behavior). CONCLUSION: Based on scientific evidence, the implementation of SF/TF campus policies in France is an important measure to help combat smoking in young adults.

Tobacco control interventions for populations living in subsidised, low-income housing: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: People living in subsidised low-income housing are more likely to smoke and experience secondhand smoke exposure compared to the general population. While tobacco control interventions have yielded substantial population health benefits, people living in subsidised housing experience a greater burden of tobacco-related harms. We synthesised existing peer-reviewed and grey literature to determine tobacco control interventions that have been implemented in subsidised housing globally, and to understand their impact on smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. METHODS: We searched five databases for peer-reviewed research, and Google Advanced for grey literature. We adhered to the JBI Scoping Review Methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. RESULTS: Fifty-seven sources met the eligibility criteria. The most common type of intervention was mandatory smoking bans covering all indoor spaces (n = 32), followed by cessation-focused interventions (n = 19). Interventions that indirectly addressed smoking were the least common (n = 6). Our findings suggest smoking bans can increase smoking cessation and reduce secondhand smoke exposure, especially if implemented alongside cessation support strategies. CONCLUSION: Tobacco control interventions targeting subsidised housing demonstrate positive effects on tobacco-related outcomes for residents and provide an important opportunity to address health disparities. Future research should examine the long-term impacts of the interventions, including potential unintended consequences, in varied subsidised housing contexts.

Early life exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and eating behaviors at age 12 years.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal or early childhood secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure increases obesity risk. However, the potential mechanisms underlying this association are unclear, but obesogenic eating behaviors are one pathway that components of SHS could perturb. Our aim was to assess associations of prenatal and early childhood SHS exposure with adolescent eating behaviors. METHODS: Data came from a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort (N = 207, Cincinnati, OH). With multiple informant models, we estimated associations of prenatal (mean of 16 and 26 weeks of gestation maternal serum cotinine concentrations) and early childhood cotinine (average concentration across ages 12, 24, 36, and 48 months) with eating behaviors at age 12 years (Child Eating Behaviors Questionnaire). We tested whether associations differed by exposure periods and adolescent's sex. Models adjusted for maternal and child covariates. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant associations between cotinine measures and adolescent's eating behaviors. Yet, in females, prenatal cotinine was associated with greater food responsiveness (ß: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.38) and lower satiety responsiveness (ß: -0.14; 95% CI: -0.26, -0.02); in males, prenatal and postnatal cotinine was related to lower food responsiveness (prenatal: ß: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.04, -0.06; postnatal: ß: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.06, -0.11). No significant effect modification by sex or exposure window was found for other eating behaviors. CONCLUSION: Prenatal and early childhood SHS exposures were not related to adolescent's eating behavior in this cohort; however, biological sex may modify these associations.

NHANES-based analysis of the correlation between leisure-time physical activity, serum cotinine levels and periodontitis risk.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of leisure-time physical activity and serum cotinine levels with the risk of periodontitis in the general population and to further analyze the interaction between leisure-time physical activity and serum cotinine levels on the risk of periodontitis. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, extracting data from 9605 (56.19%) participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2009 to 2014, and analyzing the relationship and interaction effects of serum cotinine level, leisure time physical activity, and risk of periodontitis by weighted univariate logistic modeling; Effect sizes were determined using ratio of ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: 5,397 (56.19%) of 9,605 participants had periodontitis; an increased risk of periodontitis was found in those in the leisure time physical activity intensity < 750 MET × min/week group (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.17-1.78). Serum cotinine levels ≥ 0.05 ng/ml were associated with an increased risk of periodontitis (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.69-2.33). The group with low leisure physical activity and serum cotinine levels ≥ 0.05 ng/ml had an increased risk of periodontitis compared to the group with high leisure physical activity and serum cotinine levels < 0.05 ng/ml (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.88-3.27). Interaction metrics RERI = 0.90 (95% CI: 0.44-1.36) and API = 0.36 (95% CI: 0.18-0.55); CI for SI = 2.55 (95% CI: 1.03-6.28). for API 0.36. CONCLUSION: Leisure time physical activity intensity interacted with smoking exposure on periodontitis risk and may provide the general population with the opportunity to Increasing leisure-time physical activity and smoking cessation may provide recommendations for the general population.

Active and passive smoking and breast cancer in Japan: a pooled analysis of nine population-based cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the link between smoking and breast cancer risk, despite the biological plausibility of a positive association. METHODS: Participants were 166 611 women from nine prospective cohort studies in Japan which launched in 1984-1994 and followed for 8-22 years. Information on smoking and secondhand smoke was obtained through self-administered baseline questionnaires. Breast cancer was defined as code C50 according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd Edition or the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. After adjusting for several potential confounders, relative risks for breast cancer were calculated in the individual studies according to the current or previous status of active and passive smoking using Cox regression, followed by a summary estimate of hazard ratios using random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS: Of the 60 441 participants who reported being premenopausal and 106 170 who reported being postmenopausal at baseline, 897 and 1168 developed breast cancer during follow-up, respectively. Compared with never smokers, current smokers had a higher risk of developing breast cancer before the age of 50 years. In addition, ever smokers who started smoking at 30 years of age or younger, or who started smoking before first childbirth, had a higher risk of developing breast cancer before the age of 50 years. No association between adulthood or childhood exposure to secondhand smoke and breast cancer was observed. CONCLUSION: Smoking may increase the risk of premenopausal breast cancer, and smoking earlier in life might be especially harmful. The impact of secondhand smoke needs further investigation.

Recent tobacco smoking, restaurant and in-car secondhand smoke exposure are associated with depressive symptoms among young adults: a population-based cross-sectional analysis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between recent tobacco smoking, household secondhand smoke exposure, confined space secondhand smoke exposure and depressive symptoms in young adults after adjustments for each other. Data from NHANES 2013-2018 were extracted. A total of 4129 young adults age 18-35 years (mean age 26.11 ± 5.39 years, 2021 males and 2108 females) were included. Depressive symptoms were screened by PHQ-9. Recent tobacco smoking was assessed through question "smoked tobacco in the last 5 days?". Household secondhand smoke exposure was assessed through question "living with a smoker who smoked inside the house?". Confined space secondhand smoke exposure was assessed by SSEQ. Binary logistic regression models were performed to analyze the associations. Significant association were observed in recent tobacco smoking (OR = 1.593, 95% CI 1.318-1.926) and confined space secondhand smoke exposure (OR = 1.399, 95% CI 1.185-1.651), but not in household secondhand smoke exposure (P = 0.108). Among the different settings of confined space secondhand smoke exposure, restaurant (OR = 1.732, 95% CI 1.120-2.678) and in-car (OR = 1.350, 95% CI 1.102-1.652) exposure were significantly associated with depressive symptom after after fully adjustments.

Perception of harm is strongly associated with complete ban on in-home cannabis smoking: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Perception of health risk can influence household rules, but little is known about how the perception of harm from cannabis secondhand smoke (cSHS) is related to having a complete ban on in-home cannabis smoking. We examined this association among a nationally representative sample of United States adults. METHODS: Respondents were 21,381 adults from the cross-sectional Marijuana Use and Environmental Survey recruited from December 2019-February 2020. Perceived harm of cSHS exposure (extremely harmful, somewhat harmful, mostly safe, or totally safe) and complete ban of cannabis smoking anywhere in the home (yes or no) were self-reported. Logistic regression for survey-weighted data estimated covariate-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between perceived harm of cSHS and complete ban on in-home cannabis smoking. Stratified subgroup analyses (by cannabis smoking status, cannabis use legalization in state of residence, and children under age 6 living in the home) were conducted to quantify effect measure modification of the association between perception of harm and complete ban. RESULTS: A complete ban on in-home cannabis smoking was reported by 71.8% of respondents. Eight percent reported cSHS as "totally safe"; 20.5% "mostly safe"; 38.3% "somewhat harmful"; and 33.0% "extremely harmful". Those who reported cSHS as "extremely harmful" had 6 times the odds of a complete ban on in-home cannabis smoking (OR = 6.0, 95%CI = 4.9-7.2) as those reporting smoking as "totally safe". The odds of a complete ban were higher among those reporting cSHS as "somewhat harmful" (OR = 2.6, 95%CI = 2.2-3.1) or "mostly safe" (OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.2-1.7) vs those reporting cSHS as "totally safe". In each subgroup of cannabis smoking status, state cannabis use legalization, and children under the age of 6 living in the home, perceived harm was associated with a complete ban on in-home cannabis smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates perceiving cSHS as harmful is strongly associated with having a complete in-home cannabis smoking ban. With almost a third of US adults perceiving cSHS as at least "mostly safe", there is strong need to educate the general population about potential risks associated with cSHS exposure to raise awareness and encourage adoption of household rules prohibiting indoor cannabis smoking.

A systematic review of second-hand smoking mass media campaigns (2002-2022).

BACKGROUND: Second-hand smoking (SHS) increases the risk of chronic disease in adults and poses a serious health threat to children. Mass media campaigns are instrumental in raising awareness and reducing SHS exposure. There is a need to identify recent SHS mass media campaigns and assess their sustainability in terms of knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural changes. This systematic review summarises the characteristics and outcomes of mass media campaigns on SHS prevention. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and grey literature were searched in November 2022 for SHS campaigns implemented between 2016 and 2022. The eligibility criteria included campaigns on the dangers or effects of SHS with any target group, dissemination medium, study design, or language. The database search identified 1,413 peer-reviewed titles, of which 82 full-texts were screened, with 14 meeting the eligibility criteria. The grey literature search identified 9,807 sources, of which 61 were included. We extracted data on the campaign characteristics, metrics, and smoking-related outcomes. The JBI critical appraisal tool was used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. RESULTS: We found 73 SHS campaigns conducted between 2002 and 2022, across 50 countries. The campaigns reached 378 million people. The reported recall rates range from 8 to 76%. Of the 11 studies that reported smoking-related outcomes, 10 reported increased knowledge in understanding SHS risks (73-85%), five reported an increased prevalence of smoke-free homes, and two reported an increase in number of participants persuading others to quit smoking. Two studies reported a decrease in overall smoking, whereas three studies observed a reduction in smoking in the presence of children. CONCLUSION: The available data provide some support for the effectiveness of SHS campaigns in reducing smoking behaviours in homes and around children. However, the certainty of evidence was low due to the lack of a control group and the substantial heterogeneity in the outcomes assessed. Future campaigns need comprehensive evaluation and reporting to reduce publication bias.

The application of a self-designed microfluidic lung chip in the assessment of different inhalable aerosols.

Microfluidic-based assessment platforms have recently attracted considerable attention and have been widely used for evaluating in vitro toxic effects. In the present study, we developed an original real-time aerosol exposure system, which focused on a self-designed microfluidic chip, in order to evaluate the toxicological effects following exposure to inhalable aerosols. The three-layer structured microfluidic chip enables real-time aerosol exposure at the gas-liquid interface. The comprehensive detection of toxic effect biomarkers based on this assessment platform encompasses transcriptomics, in situ fluorescence detection, and the identification of extracellular secretagogues. Correspondingly, the effects of selected inhalable aerosols such as cigarette smoke (CS), heated tobacco product smoke (HS), and electronic cigarette smoke (ES) on gene expression profiles, cell viability, intracellular biomarkers (reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide), apoptosis (caspase-3/7 activity), and extracellular biomarkers (IL-8, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and malondialdehyde) in the BEAS-2B cells present on the chip were investigated. Following exposure to aerosols derived from CS, HS, and ES, the transcriptome analysis revealed differential expression in these cells. In addition, the overlapping DEGs from the different treatment groups were found to be primarily associated with stimuli and inflammatory responses. Correspondingly, each of the three categories of selected inhalable aerosols was confirmed to induce significant changes in biomarkers that were associated with toxic effects. These results suggest that the original real-time aerosol exposure system centered around a self-designed chip can be applied to the toxic effect evaluation of inhalable aerosol exposure.

Combined and sequential exposure to prenatal second hand smoke and postnatal maternal distress is associated with cingulo-opercular global efficiency and attention problems in school-age children.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to secondhand (environmental) tobacco smoke (SHS) is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, including altered functional activation of cognitive control brain circuitry and increased attention problems in children. Exposure to SHS is more common among Black youth who are also disproportionately exposed to socioeconomic disadvantage and concomitant maternal distress. We examine the combined effects of exposure to prenatal SHS and postnatal maternal distress on the global efficiency (GE) of the brain's cingulo-opercular (CO) and fronto-parietal control (FP) networks in childhood, as well as associated attention problems. METHODS: Thirty-two children of non-smoking mothers followed in a prospective longitudinal birth cohort at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) completed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at ages 7-9 years old. GE scores were extracted from general connectivity data collected while children completed the Simon Spatial Incompatibility functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task. Prenatal SHS was measured using maternal urinary cotinine from the third trimester; postnatal maternal distress was assessed at child age 5 using the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview (PERI-D). The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) measured Attention and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) problems at ages 7-9. Linear regressions examined the interaction between prenatal SHS and postnatal maternal distress on the GE of the CO or FP networks, as well as associations between exposure-related network alterations and attention problems. All models controlled for age, sex, maternal education at prenatal visit, race/ethnicity, global brain correlation, and mean head motion. RESULTS: The prenatal SHS by postnatal maternal distress interaction term associated with the GE of the CO network (ß = 0.673, Bu = 0.042, t(22) = 2.427, p = .024, D = 1.42, 95% CI [0.006, 0.079], but not the FP network (ß = 0.138, Bu = 0.006, t(22) = 0.434, p = .668, 95% CI [-0.022, 0.033]). Higher GE of the CO network was associated with more attention problems (ß = 0.472, Bu = 43.076, t(23) = 2.780, p = .011, D = 1.74, n = 31, 95% CI [11.024, 75.128], n = 31) and ADHD risk (ß = 0.436, Bu = 21.961, t(29) = 2.567, p = .018, D = 1.81, 95% CI [4.219, 39.703], n = 30). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that sequential prenatal SHS exposure and postnatal maternal distress could alter the efficiency of the CO network and increase risk for downstream attention problems and ADHD. These findings are consistent with prior studies showing that prenatal SHS exposure is associated with altered function of brain regions that support cognitive control and with ADHD problems. Our model also identifies postnatal maternal distress as a significant moderator of this association. These data highlight the combined neurotoxic effects of exposure to prenatal SHS and postnatal maternal distress. Critically, such exposures are disproportionately distributed among youth from minoritized groups, pointing to potential pathways to known mental health disparities.

Ultrastructural changes of lung tissue under conditions of experimental obesity and smoking.

Obesity can cause respiratory disorders inflicted by adipose tissue accumulation and the numerous cytokines adipocytes produce. Smoking is, first of all, associated with a wide range of lung diseases characterized by diffuse changes in the lung tissue and a decrease in the respiratory volume of the lungs. The study aimed to investigate the ultrastructural changes in the lungs of sexually mature male rats under conditions of experimental obesity and smoking. The total sample of experimental animals consisted of 120 rats, divided into four groups: the control group (n=30) - conditionally healthy rats fed on a standard diet; a group of rats subjected to isolated exposure to tobacco smoke (n=30); a group of experimentally obese rats (n=30) and a group of experimentally obese rats simultaneously exposed to tobacco smoke (n=30) - feeding using a high-fat diet with exposure to a chamber with tobacco smoke. The revealed ultrastructural features of the lungs in the group of rats with experimental obesity and the group of rats with experimental obesity that were simultaneously exposed to tobacco smoke did not differ qualitatively, which indicates that pathological changes in the ultrastructure of the lung tissue developed regardless of the presence or absence of a direct damaging effect on the lung tissue of passive smoking.

Association between Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution Sources and Atopic Eczema among Preschool Children in South Africa.

The objective of the study was to investigate the association between outdoor and indoor air pollution sources and atopic eczema among preschool children in South Africa. A cross-sectional design, following the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase III protocol, was applied. The study was conducted in Mabopane and Soshanguve Townships in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa. A total population of 1844 preschool children aged 7 years and below participated in the study; 1840 were included in the final data analysis. Data were analyzed using multilevel logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of eczema ever (EE) and current eczema symptoms (ESs) was 11.9% and 13.3%, respectively. The use of open fires (paraffin, wood, or coal) for cooking and heating increased the likelihood of EE (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 0.76-3.52) and current ESs (OR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.00-3.74). Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure at home increased the likelihood of EE (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.08-2.55) and current ESs (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.07-2.43). Mothers or female guardians smoking cigarettes increased the likelihood of EE (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 0.86-2.62) and current ESs (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 0.71-2.13). The use of combined building materials in homes increased the likelihood of EE, and corrugated iron significantly increased the likelihood of current ESs. The frequency of trucks passing near the preschool children's residences on weekdays was found to be associated with EE and current ESs, with a significant association observed when trucks passed the children's residences almost all day on weekdays. Atopic eczema was positively associated with exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollution sources.

Secondhand smoke increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Smoking is the most important risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), however evidence from large-scale studies on whether secondhand smoke (SHS) increases the risk of COPD is still lacking. We conducted this large longitudinal study to investigate the association between SHS and the development of COPD. This is a longitudinal study. Data on 6519 subjects who were never-smokers, had no history of COPD, and had complete lung function records were extracted from the Taiwan Biobank. They were divided into two groups according to SHS exposure: no exposure and exposure groups. Data were collected when participants enrolled in the study and during regular follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between SHS and the risk of developing COPD. At 48 months of follow-up, 260 (4%) participants in the no exposure group and 34 (7%) participants in the exposure group developed COPD. The RR of incident COPD development was significantly higher in the exposure group than that in the no exposure group after adjusting for confounders (RR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.14; P value = 0.031). There is a dose-response relationship between the duration of exposure to SHS and the risk of incident COPD, which demonstrates that an additional hour of exposure to SHS per week was associated with a 1.03-fold increased likelihood of developing COPD after adjusting for confounders (RR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05; P value = 0.027). SHS exposure contributes to the development of COPD. This finding can help raise awareness of the harms of SHS and provide a reference for formulating anti-smoking policies.