Search Results (47)

Following the emergence of COVID-19, breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections have demonstrated substantial heterogeneity in both occurrence and clinical severity. This case–control study aimed to elucidate the factors associated with the incidence, duration, and severity of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms among Chinese adults during the Omicron wave. The analysis was based on data from a national COVID-19 surveillance program encompassing six provinces—Jiangsu, Chongqing, Shandong, Hunan, Anhui, and Yunnan—and included both laboratory-confirmed and clinically diagnosed cases. Data were systematically collected between February and April 2023. For each confirmed case, a matched control was selected through simple random sampling, matched on sex, age (±5 years), and province of residence. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to assess a range of potential determinants, including demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and pre-existing medical conditions, in relation to the risk of infection, as well as the persistence and severity of symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection. A total of 10,426 cases and 10,426 matched controls were included in the final analysis. Among the infected individuals, 963 (9.24%) reported persistent symptoms, while 773 (7.41%) experienced moderate-to-severe clinical manifestations. Occasional alcohol consumption, presence of comorbidities, tea and coffee intake, overweight status, and a longer interval since the last vaccination dose were all significantly associated with increased odds of infection (OR > 1, FDR < 0.05). Conversely, weekly alcohol consumption and smoking were associated with a decreased risk (OR < 1, FDR < 0.05). Female sex was significantly associated with both persistent and moderate-to-severe symptoms. Additional risk factors for prolonged or severe symptoms included older age, being underweight or overweight, a history of immunotherapy, coffee consumption, and the presence of comorbidities. These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes and highlight the interplay between host characteristics and behavioral factors. The results support the development of personalized prevention strategies aimed at reducing the clinical burden and long-term impact of COVID-19. Full article

The biologic response following the insertion of dental implants is a widely studied process. Recent research has highlighted the importance of implant surface topography and chemistry as highly influential factors in consolidating the dental implant with the surrounding biological environment. The hydrophilicity, or wettability, of dental implants plays a pivotal role in these interactions and successful osseointegration. A more well-established factor that can also influence the development of the tissue–implant interface is exposure to tobacco smoke. While the negative impact of smoking on the biological response of the tissue is clear, there has been no research evaluating the impact that tobacco smoke can have directly on the surface chemistry of dental implants. The present study aimed to explore the effect of smoking on implant surface chemistry and wettability in vitro. Five different implant disks (Ti-Mach, Ti-SLA, Ti-Alloy, Zirc-1 and Zirc-2) were subjected to contamination with tobacco smoke using a portable smoke infuser with dome enclosure. Occasional smoking (5×/day 10 min each for 3 days) and heavy smoking (20×/day for 10 min each for 10 days) were simulated. The wettability of the implant disks was evaluated via the contact angle technique using artificial blood and albumin, as well as saline as a control. It was determined that the contamination of implant surfaces due to smoking produces changes in the surface chemistry and wettability. Changes in the surface hydrophilicity differed based on the implant material. Within the constraints of this investigation, tobacco smoke improved the hydrophilicity of titanium surfaces but worsened that of ceramic surfaces when utilizing the testing solutions. Different implant surfaces exhibit different wetting behavior following contamination with nicotine smoke. This might have an impact on the treatment of peri-implantitis in smokers due to changes in implant surface hydrophilicity, which can affect the re-osseointegration process. Full article

Background/Objectives: Smoking remains a major public health concern, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a crucial role in smoking cessation efforts. This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and smoking behaviors of Italian students and graduates in dental hygiene from different regional areas (Group A) and students in health disciplines at a single university (Group B). Methods: Two separate surveys were conducted using a specifically designed online questionnaire administered to voluntary participants between February and April 2024. The questionnaire collected data on smoking habits, awareness of smoke-free products, sources of information, and perceptions of health effects. Results: A total of 878 questionnaires were completed. While 49.8% of participants had never smoked, 16.3% were regular smokers and 14% were occasional users of either traditional cigarettes or alternative smoke-free products. Awareness of non-combustion products was high, with social circles (74%) and social media (47.9%) being primary sources of information. Users of smoke-free products reported subjective improvements in halitosis, dental discoloration, cough, exercise capacity, and sense of taste. Despite 78% of participants receiving specific training on smoking-related diseases, gaps in knowledge persisted, particularly regarding the toxicological nature of smoking and the role of nicotine in smoking-related diseases. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for continued education and training on smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction among future HCPs. Strengthening evidence-based knowledge could enhance their ability to manage smoking-related diseases and promote effective cessation strategies. Full article

Background and Objectives: As the world enters an aging society, it is necessary to focus on older individuals, especially those with disabilities. The latter must face two issues, their disability and their age; therefore, a lot of attention must be paid to their health. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between participation in leisure sports activities, health behaviors, and life satisfaction among older adults with disabilities. The research question we aimed to address was as follows: Can participation in leisure sports activities positively affect the health behaviors and life satisfaction of older adults with disabilities? Materials and Methods: Data were sourced from the 2023 Survey on the Status of Persons with Disabilities organized by the Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare. The collected data were analyzed using frequency analyses, chi-squared tests, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that regarding sex, the average odds ratio (OR) was 1.525 (p = 0.001) for males. Regarding efforts to control weight, the average OR was 1.808 (p < 0.001) for “tried to reduce”, 1.893 (p < 0.001) for “tried to maintain”, and 1.245 (p = 0.345) for “tried to increase”. Regarding smoking, the average OR was 0.612 (p = 0.008) for “smoke daily”, 0.947 (p = 0.889) for “smoke occasionally”, and 1.175 (p = 0.255) for “smoked in the past but do not smoke now”. Regarding health status satisfaction, the average OR was 2.014 (p = 0.022) for very satisfied, 1.846 (p = 0.013) for somewhat satisfied, and 1.347 (p = 0.220) for somewhat dissatisfied. Regarding friendship satisfaction, the average OR was 9.177 (p < 0.001) for very satisfied, 5.428 (p < 0.001) for somewhat satisfied, and 3.024 (p = 0.011) for somewhat dissatisfied. Namely, participation in leisure sports activities was significantly related to weight control efforts, smoking cessation, increased health status satisfaction, and increased friendship satisfaction among older adults with disabilities. Conclusions: Access to leisure sports activities should be increased to improve the health of older adults with disabilities. Furthermore, leisure sports activities should be considered in the establishment of policies and services to enhance the health of these individuals. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, with tobacco smoking being the primary risk factor. However, a significant percentage of lung cancer patients are non-smokers, suggesting the involvement of other risk factors, including alcohol consumption. The IARC classifies ethanol as a Group 1 carcinogen, but unlike other alcoholic beverages, wine contains polyphenols with potential health benefits. Some meta-analyses even suggest a protective effect, which led us to conduct our own meta-analysis to further investigate this possible correlation. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and stratified the risk across population subgroups based on smoking status and gender. We then performed a categorical “highest vs. lowest” meta-analysis, comparing heavy consumers with very occasional drinkers, using a random-effects model. Only studies examining the risk of developing lung cancer in wine drinkers were included, excluding those with different outcomes, non-primary, ineligible populations, or involving pregnant women. The literature search was conducted in three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa quality rating scale for both case–control and cohort studies (NOS), while statistical analyses were performed using the ProMeta 3.0 software. Results: The overall analysis showed a non-statistically significant 11% reduction in lung cancer risk (OR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.77–1.03). The analysis among smokers revealed a significant 22% reduction in lung cancer risk associated with wine consumption (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62–0.97). However, this effect was lost when the analysis was conducted separately based on the study design. Conclusions: No correlation emerged between wine consumption and lung cancer incidence, either in a protective sense or in terms of increased risk. However, further studies are needed to investigate this correlation more accurately, particularly among non-smokers. Full article

While the pulmonary effects of regular waterpipe smoking (R-WPS) are well-defined, the impact of occasional waterpipe smoking (O-WPS) on the lungs remains less established. This study investigated the pulmonary toxicity and underlying mechanisms of O-WPS versus R-WPS following 6 months of exposure, focusing on histopathology, inflammation in the lung, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and plasma, as well as oxidative stress, genotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in lung homogenates. Exposure to both O-WPS and R-WPS resulted in significant histological changes, including increased numbers of alveolar macrophages and lymphocytes, as well as interstitial fibrosis. Only R-WPS increased the number of neutrophil polymorphs and plasma cells. R-WPS also significantly increased the chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, and CCL2 in the lung, BALF, and plasma, while O-WPS increased CXCL1 and CXCL2 in the lung and CXCL1 in the plasma. Both exposure regimens significantly increased lung injury markers, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 and myeloperoxidase. Additionally, R-WPS induced a significant increase in the cytokines IL1β, IL6, and TNFα in the lung, BALF, and plasma, while O-WPS elevated IL1β and IL6 in the lung. Oxidative stress was observed, with increased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and superoxide dismutase in both the O-WPS and R-WPS groups. Exposure to either O-WPS or R-WPS triggered genotoxicity and altered mitochondrial complex activities. R-WPS exposure also resulted in elevated expression of p-JNK/JNK, p-ERK/ERK, and p-p38/p38, while O-WPS augmented the p-ERK/ERK ratio in the lungs. Taken together, these findings indicate that both O-WPS and R-WPS contribute to lung injury and induce inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and mitochondrial dysfunction, with R-WPS having a more pronounced effect. These effects were associated with the activation of MAPKs. Full article

Background and Objectives: The issue of high rates of abortion among Serbian women has been previously highlighted, yet its social underpinnings are still not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the lifetime use of and intention to use contraception among women after having an abortion. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from 2022 to 2024 at the Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Center of Serbia. The study participants were women who underwent induced abortions at the clinic. They filled in an anonymous questionnaire examining their demographic data, life-style and habits, medical history, lifetime use of contraception and intention to use contraception after their abortion. Results: A total of 433 women aged 16 to 49 years (mean age 32.0 years) participated in the study. In our sample, 81.1% of women had ever used contraception, with condoms being the most common, while 18.9% never used any contraception. Around 70% of women expressed the intention to use contraception post-abortion. Women who were of Serbian ethnicity, who had a higher level of education, who had no chronic illnesses and who already had multiple children were more likely to ever use contraception. Being of Serbian ethnicity, having higher education level and chronic illnesses and not smoking were associated with the intention to use contraception post-abortion. Conclusions: Most women who had abortions used contraception at least occasionally during their reproductive life and had the intention to start using it again. Therefore, women need to be continuously reminded by their gynecologists of contraception possibilities. Full article

In recent years, habits related to smoking have been changing. An increasing portion of light/occasional smokers tend to define themselves as non-smokers, leading to an incorrect perception of the risks that smoking even a few cigarettes can entail. In this study, we investigated the nicotine-induced cognitive distortion in young, higher-education students with low/moderate dependence (as indexed by the Fagerstrom questionnaire). The study involved 111 participants (62 female; mean age 24.43 ± 3.77) divided into smokers and non-smokers, who responded to specific questionnaires to evaluate their attachment style, emotion dysregulation, and state anxiety. Their response to smoking-related cues following emotional stimulation was experimentally evaluated, with participants being made to choose between care- or smoking-related images, following the presentation of threatening or neutral stimuli. The results show a cognitive bias in smokers, with participants choosing smoking-related stimuli significantly more often than non-smokers, with a slower reaction time, regardless of emotional cues. Emotion dysregulation and attachment style were also significantly correlated with response choice but not with response latency. Overall, our data indicate that there is no such thing as light use of nicotine and that smoking, even if not continuous, determines cognitive biases that lead to a vision of the environment as a function of substance seeking. Full article

Substance use is a growing problem among young people in sub-Saharan Africa who increasingly adopt the habit of smoking cigarettes. The aim was to analyse prevalence rates and identify predictors for cigarette smoking among school-attending adolescents in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. In June 2017, a survey questionnaire was implemented in 16 schools in a class-based, random sample of 2039 adolescents aged 14–19 (52% girls). The chi-square (p < 0.05) and odds ratios (OR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Potential explanatory variables for the dependent variables were introduced into a multinomial logistic regression model, and p-values were transformed to LogWorth values. The prevalence rate for lifetime smoking experience was 14.8%, 4.0% for occasional smoking (<30 days), and 2.4% for daily smoking. The most significant predictors for cigarette smoking included having friends who smoke, being a boy, attending a private school, smoking initiation at a young age, other substance use, and violent behaviour. It is imperative to initiate preventive actions against smoking and other use of tobacco in Guinea-Bissau. Considering the significant impact of the peer group, policymakers need to engage young people in developing primary prevention strategies to curb the use of tobacco and other substances. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cyberbullying is an increasingly serious issue that negatively impacts the mental and physical health of adolescents. This study aims to report the prevalence rates of adolescent cyberbullying–victimization and its associated related factors, providing a scientific basis for targeted efforts to protect the mental and physical well-being of adolescents; Methods: From March to May 2019, there were 13 high schools and 33 middle schools in Yixing, with a student ratio of 2:1 between middle and high school. Using a random cluster sampling method, we selected four high schools and three middle schools based on this ratio, resulting in a total of 13,258 students. We conducted a survey using a self-designed questionnaire to investigate the experiences of adolescents with cyberbullying and victimization, comparing the differences in cyberbullying–victimization based on various demographic characteristics. Additionally, we employed a multifactorial logistic regression model to analyze the associated factors; Results: The rate of adolescents who declared themselves as cyberbully-victims is 2.9%. The results of the logistic regression analysis indicate that being male, having both parents working outside the home, experiencing occasional or large conflicts among family members, being subjected to punishment-and-abuse child discipline, always or often using social software (websites), enjoying playing single or multiplayer games, self-smoking, and self-drinking were associated with a higher likelihood of being a cyberbully-victim (p < 0.05); Conclusions: Adolescent cyberbullying–victimization is affected by personal, family, and social factors. Therefore, comprehensive strategies and measures are needed to intervene in this problem. Full article

Background: The acquisition of healthy lifestyle habits by adolescents is largely influenced by close interpersonal relationships including their parents and teachers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey regarding tobacco use was conducted among 304 parents and 41 teachers of secondary school adolescents (12–17 years of age) enrolled in the first, second, and third grades of compulsory secondary education at the largest high school in Sueca, Valencia, Spain. Results: The prevalence of smoking was 36.2% among parents (occasional smokers 75.4%) and 19.5% among teachers (occasional smokers 62.5%). Most parents (89.8%) did not believe that their child smoked and 95.7% viewed it negatively if they did. Also, 75.2% of parents agreed that tobacco consumption encourages adolescents to use cannabis or other drugs. Friends who smoke and additives added to cigarettes were considered very influential factors for starting smoking. Most teachers (90.2%) reported having given a recommendation to their students to quit smoking. Cannabis and cigarette smoking were rated as harmful to health. Most respondents believed that cigarette smoking may favor the consumption of cannabis. Conclusions: The use of e-cigarettes was also considered a risk factor for starting smoking. It would be advantageous incorporating parents and teachers as role models in multidisciplinary interventions addressing smoking behavior in secondary school students. Full article

Smoking causes various health problems. Limited studies have reported a clinical effect of skipping breakfast on smoking initiation among adolescents. This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the dose-dependent association between skipping breakfast and smoking initiation in university students. This study included 17,493 male and 8880 female students aged 18−22 years at a national university in Japan. The association between breakfast frequency (eating every day and skipping occasionally, often, and usually) and smoking initiation was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for clinically relevant factors. Smoking initiation was observed in 2027 (11.6%) male and 197 (2.2%) female students over the median observational period of 3.0 and 3.1 years. Skipping breakfast was significantly associated with smoking initiation in a dose-dependent fashion in male students (the adjusted hazard ratios [95% confidence interval] of eating breakfast every day and skipping occasionally, often, and usually: 1.00 [reference], 1.30 [1.15, 1.46], 1.47 [1.21, 1.79], and 1.77 [1.40, 2.25], respectively). Female students skipping breakfast occasionally and often were more vulnerable to smoking initiation than those who ate breakfast every day (1.00 [reference], 1.86 [1.24, 2.78], 2.97 [1.66, 5.32], and 1.76 [0.55, 5.64], respectively). Breakfast frequency may be useful to identify university students at risk of smoking initiation who need improvement in their health literacy. Full article

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are one of the most frequently detected cancers in the world; not all mechanisms related to the expression of keratin in this type of cancer are known. The aim of this study was to evaluate type II cytokeratins (KRT): KRT6A, KRT6B, and KRT6C protein concentrations in 54 tumor and margin samples of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Moreover, we examined a possible association between protein concentration and the clinical and demographic variables. Protein concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Significantly higher KRT6A protein concentration was found in HNSCC samples compared to surgical margins. An inverse relationship was observed for KRT6B and KRT6C proteins. We showed an association between the KRT6C protein level and clinical parameters T and N in tumor and margin samples. When analyzing the effect of smoking and drinking on KRT6A, KRT6B, and KRT6C levels, we demonstrated a statistically significant difference between regular or occasional tobacco and alcohol habits and patients who do not have any tobacco and alcohol habits in tumor and margin samples. Moreover, we found an association between KRT6B and KRT6C concentration and proliferative index Ki-67 and HPV status in tumor samples. Our results showed that concentrations of KRT6s were different in the tumor and the margin samples and varied in relation to clinical and demographic parameters. We add information to the current knowledge about the role of KRT6s isoforms in HNSCC. We speculate that variations in the studied isoforms of the KRT6 protein could be due to the presence and development of the tumor and its microenvironment. It is important to note that the analyses were performed in tumor and surgical margins and can provide more accurate information on the function in normal and cancer cells and regulation in response to various factors. Full article

The Philippines is a source of labor for many countries. Roughly 10 million overseas Filipinos are working and living outside of the Philippines. This paper examines the association between sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age, educational level, and income) and self-rated physical and mental health, access to healthcare, and health habits among immigrant Filipinos living in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. Through convenience sampling, Filipino migrants (n = 103) aged 18 years and above participated in the online survey between October 2022 and March 2023. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and chi-square. Almost all respondents self-rated their health as excellent and very good. Female respondents are more affected by mental health. Most are enrolled in the Universal Health System of Spain (public insurance). There is more utilization of private health insurance among respondents aged 60 years and above and high-wage earners. Cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are associated with males. More than half of the respondents perform weekly exercise occasionally or never. These findings suggest a potential need for targeted interventions with an emphasis on the practice of preventive health and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, especially among financially disadvantaged migrants with lesser health access. Full article

Smoking cessation is difficult but maintaining smoke-free without nicotine replacement therapy is even harder. During the last few years, several different alternative products, including heated tobacco products (HTP), have been introduced to the market. In this study, we investigated the acute effects of IQOS^TM and glo^TM (two HTP) consumption on small airway function and arterial stiffness in a head-to-head design, comparing them to combustible cigarettes, nicotine-free e-cigarettes and a sham smoking group. Seventeen healthy occasional smokers were included in a single-center, five-arm, crossover study. The parameters of small airway function and hemodynamics were collected at several time points before and after consumption using Mobil-O-Graph™ (I.E.M., Stolberg, Germany) and TremoFlo^® c-100 (THORASYS Thoracic Medical Systems Inc., Montreal, QC, Canada). Small airway obstruction and resistance were both significantly increased after the consumption of cigarettes and substitute products. All products containing nicotine led to similar significant increases in blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Hemodynamic parameters were also increased after the consumption of e-cigarettes without nicotine, but compared to nicotine-containing products, the increase was shorter and weaker. We conclude that, although it has yet to be determined why, HTP have acute harmful effects on small airway function, possibly even exceeding the effects of combustible cigarettes. Like other nicotine-containing products, HTP leads to a nicotine-related acute increase in arterial stiffness and cardiovascular stress, similar to combustible cigarettes, which associates these products with an increased cardiovascular risk. Full article