The use of charcoal in modified cigarette filters for mainstream smoke carbonyl reduction.

Carbonyls are harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in mainstream cigarette smoke (MSS). Carbonyls, including formaldehyde and acrolein, are carcinogenic or mutagenic in a dose-dependent manner. Past studies demonstrate significant reduction of HPHCs by charcoal filtration. However, limits of charcoal filtration and cigarette design have not yet been investigated in a systematic manner. Objective data is needed concerning the feasibility of HPHC reduction in combustible filtered cigarettes. This systematic study evaluates the effect of charcoal filtration on carbonyl reduction in MSS. We modified filters of ten popular cigarette products with predetermined quantities (100-400 mg) of charcoal in a plug-space-plug configuration. MSS carbonyls, as well as total particulate matter, tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide (TNCO), and draw resistance were quantified. Significant carbonyl reductions were observed across all cigarette products as charcoal loading increased. At the highest charcoal loadings, carbonyls were reduced by nearly 99%. Tar and nicotine decreased modestly (<20%) compared to reductions in carbonyls. Increased draw resistance was significant at only the highest charcoal loadings. This work addresses information gaps in the science base that can inform the evaluation of charcoal filtration as an available technological adaptation to cigarette design which reduces levels of carbonyls in MSS.

Characterization of SPECTRUM Variable Nicotine Research Cigarettes.

OBJECTIVE: To provide researchers an extensive characterization of the SPECTRUM variable nicotine research cigarettes. METHODS: Data on cigarette physical properties, nicotine content, harmful and potentially harmful constituents in the tobacco filler was compiled. RESULTS: Data on physical properties, concentrations of menthol, nicotine and minor alkaloids, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ammonia, and toxic metals in the filler tobacco for all available varieties of Spectrum research cigarettes are provided. The similarity in the chemistry and physical properties of SPECTRUM cigarettes to commercial cigarettes renders them acceptable for use in behavioral studies. Baseline information on harmful and potentially harmful constituents in research tobacco products, particularly constituent levels such as minor alkaloids that fall outside typical ranges reported for commercial, provide researchers with the opportunity to monitor smoking behavior and to identify biomarkers that will inform efforts to understand the role of nicotine in creating and sustaining addiction. CONCLUSIONS: Well characterized research cigarettes suitable for human consumption are an important tool in clinical studies for investigating the physiological impacts of cigarettes delivering various levels of nicotine, the impact of reduced nicotine cigarettes on nicotine addiction, and the relationship between nicotine dose and smoking behavior.

Estudio de la función diastólica ventricular izquierda en pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas / Left ventricular diastolic function in patients with Chagas' disease

Se estudiaron 20 controles normales y 53 pacientes chagásicos, distribuídos en 4 grupos de acuerdo a la extensión del daño miocárdico, determinado con estudios cineangiográficos. En estos pacientes se midieron varios índices ecocardiográficos y fonomecanocardiográficos de función diastólica. Se demostraron alteraciones de estos índices aún en aquellos pacientes en quienes solo es posible reconocer daño miocárdio en la biopsia miocárdica. A medida de que las anormalidades estructurares y de la función sistólica son más extensas y evidentes, también se hacen más frecuentes las alteraciones de los índices de función diastólica estudiados. Se recomienda medir en forma rutinaria el intervalo A2-M (tiempo de relajación isovolumétrica) y el índice A/D del apexcardiograma, a fin de reconocer, sin necesidad de estudios hemodinámicos invasivos, la presencia de daño miocárdio incipiente en los pacientes chagásicos con ECG normal