Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are emitted during smoking and form indoors by nitrosation of nicotine. Two of them, N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), are human carcinogens with No Significant Risk Levels (NSRLs) of 500 and 14 ng day–1, respectively. Another TSNA, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-4-(3-pyridyl) butanal (NNA), shows genotoxic and mutagenic activity in vitro. Here, we present additional evidence… Continue reading Thirdhand Exposures to Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines through Inhalation, Dust Ingestion, Dermal Uptake, and Epidermal Chemistry
Category: Environment
Longitudinal analysis of antibody dynamics in COVID-19 convalescents reveals neutralizing responses up to 16 months after infection
Elucidating the dynamics of the neutralizing antibody (nAb) response in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescents is crucial in controlling the pandemic and informing vaccination strategies. Here we measured nAb titres across 411 sequential plasma samples collected during 1-480 d after illness onset or laboratory confirmation (d.a.o.) from 214 COVID-19 convalescents, covering the clinical spectrum of… Continue reading Longitudinal analysis of antibody dynamics in COVID-19 convalescents reveals neutralizing responses up to 16 months after infection
Are Lockdowns Effective in Managing Pandemics?
The present coronavirus crisis caused a major worldwide disruption which has not been experienced for decades. The lockdown-based crisis management was implemented by nearly all the countries, and studies confirming lockdown effectiveness can be found alongside the studies questioning it. In this work, we performed a narrative review of the works studying the above effectiveness,… Continue reading Are Lockdowns Effective in Managing Pandemics?
Immune boosting by B.1.1.529 (Omicron) depends on previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure
Importance of infection historyA long-term study of healthcare workers in the United Kingdom has allowed their history of infection and vaccination to be traced precisely. Reynolds et al. found some unexpected immune-damping effects caused by infection with a heterologous variant to the latest wave of infection by the Omicron/Pango lineage B.1.1.529. The authors found that… Continue reading Immune boosting by B.1.1.529 (Omicron) depends on previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure
Effects of wearing FFP2 masks on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in classrooms
Importance: Different mitigation measures are mandated in schools worldwide to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The efficacy of most measures, however, has not been investigated thus far. Objective: To investigate the usefulness of FFP-2 masks in classrooms to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Design: A retrospective comparative cohort study of infection rates (evaluated by PCR… Continue reading Effects of wearing FFP2 masks on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in classrooms
Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans across 16 Countries — April–June 2022
Before April 2022, monkeypox virus infection in humans was seldom reported outside African regions where it is endemic. Currently, cases are occurring worldwide. Transmission, risk factors, clinical presentation, and outcomes of infection are poorly defined.METHODSWe formed an international collaborative group of clinicians who contributed to an international case series to describe the presentation, clinical course,… Continue reading Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans across 16 Countries — April–June 2022
Eating Disorder Diagnoses in Children and Adolescents in Norway Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Studies from the US1,2 and Canada3,4 have reported increasing numbers of children and adolescents receiving treatment for eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most patients are girls,1,2,4 and the predominant diagnosis is anorexia nervosa.1,2 There is insufficient information about the magnitude of this increase on a population level. In this cohort study, we analyzed trends… Continue reading Eating Disorder Diagnoses in Children and Adolescents in Norway Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Bacterial and fungal isolation from face masks under the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has led people to wear face masks daily in public. Although the effectiveness of face masks against viral transmission has been extensively studied, there have been few reports on potential hygiene issues due to bacteria and fungi attached to the face masks. We aimed to (1) quantify and identify the bacteria and… Continue reading Bacterial and fungal isolation from face masks under the COVID-19 pandemic
Soil and water pollution and human health: what should cardiologists worry about?
Healthy soil is foundational to human health. Healthy soil is needed to grow crops, provides food, and sustains populations. It supports diverse ecosystems and critical ecological services such as pollination. It stores water and prevents floods. It captures carbon and slows global climate change. Soil pollution is a great and growing threat to human health.… Continue reading Soil and water pollution and human health: what should cardiologists worry about?
2 Medical News 