Assessing Propylene Glycol Interference at Concentrations Relevant to Serum Levels With Electronic Cigarette Use in an Enzymatic Ethylene Glycol Assay

Abstract Introduction Clinical laboratory measurement of ethylene glycol (ETG) by enzymatic methods is known to be subject to interference with high (several hundred milligrams/deciliter) concentrations of propylene glycol (PG). An estimated 10.8 million people in the United States, or almost 1 in 20 Americans, are reported to use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes; ie, “vaping”), in which PG is frequently used as a liquid solvent. No published reports exist investigating whether serum concentrations of PG that may be seen with e-cigarette use (generally, concentrations of 10-15 mg/dL in moderate users and up to 30 mg/dL in heavy users) can lead to either interference flags in analytical ETG measurement or falsely positive ethylene glycol concentrations being reported. Methods Studies were conducted to assess PG interference on enzymatic ETG measurement. Commercially acquired human AB serum (catalog # 35-060-CI; Corning Life Sciences) was spiked with various amounts of PG (catalog #158720010; Acros Organics/Thermo Fisher Scientific) to achieve both concentrations of PG expected with e-cigarette use (0-30 mg/dL) and supra-physiological concentrations (>30 mg/dL) for comparative purposes. PG-spiked sera were tested using a quantitative enzymatic ETG assay (Quantitative Ethylene Glycol kit, catalog #C504-0A; Catachem) previously validated as a laboratory-developed test on an AU5810 automated chemistry analyzer (Beckman Coulter). Results None of the tested PG concentrations designed to mimic physiological levels expected with e-cigarette use (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg/dL) caused falsely positive quantitative ETG results, defined as values above the ETG limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 5 mg/dL. At these low concentrations, interference patterns neither were observed in reaction monitors, nor were instrument interference error flags triggered. As concentrations of PG approached 50 mg/dL, abnormal curve appearances were observed in the instrument reaction monitor, although this neither resulted in interference error flags nor false detection of ETG. However, as PG concentrations approached and exceeded ≥100 mg/dL, both interference flags and falsely positive ETG results were observed. Conclusion Results from the present experiments demonstrate that serum concentrations of PG expected with e-cigarette use did not cause interference with enzymatic ethylene glycol detection in this assay.

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Electronic Cigarettes: Their Role in the Lives of College Students

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/08971900211026841 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089719002110268

Author(s):

Carla Daniel ◽

Christa Haddad ◽

Jamie L. McConaha ◽

Philip Lunney

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

College Students ◽

Smoking Cessation ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

The United States ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Tobacco Products ◽

High Prevalence

Background: Electronic cigarettes have increased in popularity amongst college-aged adults. Although often advertised as smoking cessation tools, students have taken to them as their primary exposure to nicotine. For many reasons, e-cigarettes are extremely convenient and have become the most common tobacco products among this generation. Objective: To assess perceptions and reasons for e-cigarette use in college students Methods: A 20 question online Qualtrics® survey was distributed to college students aged 18 and above across the United States. All responses were anonymous and data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative inferential and descriptive statistics. Results: Of those who used e-cigarettes, 67.7% are not likely to smoke when they are upset or sad, 56.8% disagree that stress is a factor, and 83.5% cited that alcohol was involved when smoking. Most respondents, 74% (n = 467), associated smoking with emotions of happiness, joy or peace. 43.7% who associated e-cigarettes with happiness or peace were more likely to agree that stress was an influence versus 26.5% for those who did not (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Results show a high prevalence of e-cigarette usage among college-aged students. Emotional pleasurable connections with e-cigarettes, similar to traditional cigarettes, play a role in their use. This information will allow healthcare professionals to tailor educational messages surrounding cessation.

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CCL18 — Potential Biomarker of Fibroinflammatory Activity in Chronic Periaortitis

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.111143 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 39 (7) ◽

pp. 1407-1412 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

FLORIAN KOLLERT ◽

MORITZ BINDER ◽

CORINA PROBST ◽

MARKUS UHL ◽

ANDREAS ZIRLIK ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Transverse Diameter ◽

Serum Concentrations ◽

Potential Biomarker ◽

Aortic Sclerosis ◽

Chemokine Ligand ◽

Systemic Symptoms ◽

Chronic Periaortitis

Objective.Promising therapeutic approaches have emerged in chronic periaortitis, whereas peripheral blood biomarkers are lacking. CC-chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) is known as a marker of fibrotic activity and prognosis in pulmonary fibrosis. We investigated whether CCL18 levels are increased in patients with chronic periaortitis and are associated with clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings.Methods.In this retrospective study, serum concentrations of CCL18 were assessed in 30 patients with chronic periaortitis and related to clinical data, laboratory variables, and imaging studies. Serum levels were compared to 15 apparently healthy volunteers and 15 controls with aortic sclerosis.Results.Serum concentrations of CCL18 were increased in patients with chronic periaortitis (median 197.6 ng/ml, range 73.7–301.0) compared to healthy volunteers (median 34.6 ng/ml, range 22.6–70.4; p < 0.0001) and controls with aortic sclerosis (median 50.4 ng/ml, range 24.5–141.2; p < 0.0001). CCL18 levels correlated with (n = 30; r = 0.461, p = 0.01) and increased with the transversal diameter of the periaortic mantle < 5, 5–10, and ≥ 10 mm (p = 0.008). Contrast enhancement (p = 0.044), treatment naivety (p = 0.042), and the occurrence of systemic symptoms (p = 0.007) were associated with higher CCL18 levels. During followup, changes of CCL18 correlated with changes of the transverse diameter of the periaortic mantle (n = 17; r = 0.512, p = 0.033).Conclusion.Serum concentration of CCL18 reflects fibroinflammatory activity and extent of disease in patients with chronic periaortitis.

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Do the Changes in the Serum Levels of IL-2, IL-4, TNFα, and IL-6 Reflect the Inflammatory Activity in the Patients with Post-ERCP Pancreatitis?

Clinical and Developmental Immunology ◽

10.1155/2008/481560 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2008 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Guldem Kilciler ◽

Ugur Musabak ◽

Sait Bagci ◽

Zeki Yesilova ◽

Ahmet Tuzun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Pancreatitis ◽

Tumor Necrosis ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Major Complication ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Inflammatory Activity ◽

Serum Concentrations ◽

Endoscopic Retrograde ◽

Therapeutic Ercp ◽

Necrosis Factor

Background. Acute pancreatitis is the major complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure and there are some reports showing cytokine changes in ERCP-induced pancreatits.Goals. To investigate the association between early changes (within 24 hours) in the serum interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, and IL-6 levels and the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis.Study. Forty five consecutive patients who underwent therapeutic ERCP and 10 patients with acute pancreatitis without ERCP were enrolled to the study. Serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, TNFα, and IL-6 were determined immediately before, 12 hours and 24 hours after ERCP.Results. Seven of the 45 patients (15.5%) developed post-ERCP pancreatitis. The levels of IL-4 at 24 hours after ERCP were significantly lower in the patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis than in those without pancreatitis, while TNFαlevels at 12 hours after ERCP were higher in the complicated group than those of the uncomplicated group. The ratios of TNFα/IL-4 at 12 and 24 hours after ERCP were found significantly higher in the patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis than in those without pancreatitis. IL-6 in the complicated patients was found significantly increased at 24 hours after ERCP.Conclusions. The enhancement of serum TNFαand IL-6 levels in the patients with ERCP-induced pancreatitis reflects the inflammatory activity. Additionally, these cytokines together with IL-4 can be used in clinical laboratory monitoring of ERCP.

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Electronic Cigarettes

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/0897190012451909 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 611-614 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Lauren E. Odum ◽

Katie A. O’Dell ◽

Jacqueline S. Schepers

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Web Sites ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Safety Data ◽

The United States ◽

Great Success ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Tobacco Cigarette ◽

United States Food ◽

States Food

Electronic cigarettes have gained popularity among patients as a smoking cessation aid despite not being approved or supported for this purpose by the United States Food and Drug Administration due to concerns with poor manufacturing practices and the presence of known carcinogens in the limited products that they tested. A few studies have evaluated the effects of electronic cigarettes on plasma nicotine levels and heart rate but found negligible effects. Safety data are mainly limited to surveys in which patients report only minor side effects, such as mouth and throat irritation, headache, vertigo, and nausea. The efficacy of electronic cigarettes has been evaluated in studies in which patients report great success with being able to cut back or stop tobacco cigarette consumption. However, many of these studies introduce bias due to recruiting on e-cigarette Web sites and having tobacco cigarette use self-reported by the participant rather than objectively tested. A few studies have formally evaluated nicotine craving when using electronic cigarettes with mixed results. Although patients support the use of electronic cigarettes in smoking cessation, more formal studies on safety and efficacy should be completed in order to determine whether these products have a role in smoking cessation.

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Shared environmental influences on electronic cigarette use among adolescent and young adult females

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntab022 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cristina Bares ◽

Catalina Lopez Quintero

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Genetics ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Monozygotic Twins ◽

The United States ◽

Tobacco Product ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Shared Environment ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Behavioral Genetic

Abstract Introduction Electronic cigarettes are now the most commonly used form of tobacco product among youth in the United States. Current evidence suggests that although e-cigarettes are perceived as less harmful and preferred over combustible cigarettes by adolescents, adolescents who try e-cigarettes are at greater risk of transitioning to combustible cigarettes. The genetic and environmental contributions to liability for e-cigarette use have not yet been examined using a behavioral genetic design. Methods Behavioral genetic models of lifetime and current e-cigarette use and friends who use e-cigarettes were examined among female monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Results A total of 41 female twin pairs (65.9% monozygotic twins; age = 19.7, SD = 1.6) with complete data on the study variables were included in the present analyses. The majority of the sample (68.1%) had at least some friends who use e-cigarettes. Additive genetic effects on e-cigarette use were not present, but the shared environment explained 98.7% of the variance in lifetime e-cigarette use, 96.6% in current e-cigarette use, and 94.9% in affiliation with friends who use e-cigarettes. Conclusion This first study on the behavioral genetics of e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults suggest that environmental factors shared by twins within a family seem to play a predominant role in the initial stages of e-cigarette use, a finding that is consistent with what has been found for tobacco. The findings emphasize the importance of continuing population-based tobacco control interventions to reduce the burden of e-cigarette use among adolescents.

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Dual Users Compared to Smokers: Demographics, Dependence, and Biomarkers

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/nty231 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 1279-1284 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Megan E Piper ◽

Timothy B Baker ◽

Neal L Benowitz ◽

Kate H Kobinsky ◽

Douglas E Jorenby

Keyword(s):

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Community Sample ◽

The United States ◽

Tobacco Product ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Co Morbidity ◽

History Of ◽

Observational Cohort ◽

Education Report ◽

Cigarette Dependence

Abstract Introduction The availability of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has profoundly changed the tobacco product landscape. In the United States, almost 6 million adults use both combustible and e-cigarettes (ie, dual users). The goal of this study was to understand how smokers and dual users differ in terms of demographics, cigarette dependence, and exposure to carcinogens. Methods An observational cohort (smokers, n = 166, ≥5 cigarettes/day for 6 months and no e-cigarette use in 3 months; dual users, n = 256, smoked daily for 3 months and used e-cigarettes at least once/week for the past 3 months) completed baseline assessments of demographics, tobacco use, and dependence. They also provided breath samples for carbon monoxide (CO) assay and urine samples for cotinine, 3-hydroxycotinine, and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) assays. Results Compared to smokers, dual users (mean e-cigarette use = 5.5 days/week [SD = 1.9]) were significantly younger and more likely to be white, have more education, report a history of psychiatric co-morbidity, and smoke fewer cigarettes per day. There were no differences in CO, cotinine, or 3-hydroxycotinine levels; however, dual users had significantly lower levels of NNAL than did smokers. Most smokers and dual users had no plans to quit smoking within the next year; 91% of dual users planned to continue using e-cigarettes for at least the next year. Conclusions In this community sample, dual users are supplementing their smoking with e-cigarette use. Dual users, versus smokers, smoked fewer cigarettes per day and delayed their first cigarette of the day, but did not differ in quitting intentions. Implications This comparison of a community sample of established dual users and exclusive smokers addresses key questions of dependence and health risks of dual use in real-world settings. Dual users were more likely to be white, younger, have more than a high school education and have a psychiatric history. Dual users also smoked significantly fewer cigarettes and had lower levels of NNAL (a carcinogen), but they did not differ from exclusive smokers in CO or cotinine levels, suggesting that they supplemented their nicotine intake via e-cigarettes.

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Flavored Electronic Cigarette Use and Smoking Among Youth

10.1542/9781610022743-flavored ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 68-75

Author(s):

Hongying Dai ◽

Jianqiang Hao

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Use ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Logistic Regression Model ◽

Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

The United States ◽

Intention To Quit ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Current Smoking ◽

Control And Prevention

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Flavored electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are not prohibited in the United States, and e-cigarette flavors proliferate on the market. This study sought to examine flavored e-cigarette use and its association with smoking among youth. METHODS Estimates of flavored e-cigarette use from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey were investigated. A logistic regression model was used to assess whether flavored e-cigarette use was associated with (1) intention to initiate cigarette use among never-smoking youth (n = 16 471), (2) intention to quit tobacco use among current-smoking youth (n = 1338), and (3) perception of tobacco’s danger among all respondents (n = 21 491). RESULTS A total of 2017 respondents reported using e-cigarettes in the last 30 days, of whom 1228 (60.9%) reported using flavored e-cigarettes. Among never-smoking youth, 55.6% (288) of current e-cigarette users reported using flavored e-cigarettes. Among current smokers, 68.4% (495) of current e-cigarette users reported using flavored e-cigarettes. Compared with not using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, using flavored e-cigarettes was associated with higher odds of intention to initiate cigarette use among never-smoking youth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.7; P < .0001), lower odds of intention to quit tobacco use among current-smoking youth (aOR = 0.6; P = .006), and a lower prevalence of perception of tobacco’s danger among all respondents (aOR = 0.5; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Flavored e-cigarette use is associated with increased risks of smoking among youth. Comprehensive tobacco control and prevention strategies that address flavored e-cigarette products are critically needed to reduce tobacco use among youth.

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E-cigarettes use in the United States: reasons for use, perceptions, and effects on health

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09572-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sakshi Sapru ◽

Mridula Vardhan ◽

Qianhao Li ◽

Yuqi Guo ◽

Xin Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Health Effects ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

The United States ◽

Main Body ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Future Health ◽

Novel Device ◽

The Right

Abstract Background Many researchers claim electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to be a breakthrough invention for tobacco users that aspires to curb their addiction to conventional cigarettes. Claimed to be safer by their promoters, these smokeless devices have become increasingly popular since their arrival on the market among users of all ages, especially adolescents. This paper investigated the trends in e-cigarette usage since the time it arrived in the United States, highlighting the highest surge that has occurred in adolescent e-cigarette use. It also aimed to understand the reasons and perceptions behind the ever-increasing use of e-cigarettes by adolescents. Main body With the advent of e-cigarettes and common positive perceptions regarding their use, we are at risk of reversing the years of efforts regarding tobacco control and instead advance towards a new addiction with currently unknown long-term health hazards. There is substantial data showing a significant increase of e-cigarette users in the United States, especially among adolescents. The aim of this review was to explore the reasons behind this widespread increase in the use of e-cigarettes among the teenage population in the US and also to uncover the common perceptions about these new electronic delivery systems. In addition, this review attempted to summarize health benefits and hazards associated with e-cigarette use as it crucial to have the right information among its users regarding the health effects of e-cigarette use. Conclusion E-cigarettes are more appealing than c-cigarettes for a variety of reasons, including cost, choice of different flavors, ease of accessibility, and use and impact of social media. There are also different perceptions among e-cigarette users, including both adolescents and adults. The former group may use them because of the sense of fashion associated with this novel device, and the latter might intend to quit conventional/combustible cigarettes (c-cigarettes) by switching to e-cigarettes. However, it is important to note that e-cigarettes are a recent phenomenon; therefore, there is a lack of many long-term studies that can identify future health risks associated with e-cigarette use. We need more detailed studies that focus on the long-term health effects of e-cigarette use. Moreover, with the ever-increasing usage of e-cigarettes by adolescents (10 and 19 years), it is very important that e-cigarettes be incorporated into the current tobacco-free laws and ordinances. We conclude by stating that e-cigarettes need stronger regulations to prevent youth access and use.

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Using Social Media to Recruit Youth Who Use Electronic Cigarettes

American Journal of Health Behavior ◽

10.5993/ajhb.44.4.10 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 488-498

Author(s):

Lorra Garey ◽

Sandra J. Japuntich ◽

Kimberly M. Nelson ◽

Lori A. J. Scott-Sheldon

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Regulatory Policy ◽

The United States ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Instructional Information ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Group 3 ◽

Quality Check

Objective: Research is needed to inform effective regulatory policy that can help curb electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among youth. However, several challenges interfere with studying e-cigarette use among youth. Social media may provide an outlet to overcome these challenges. Our objective was to provide instructional information on tested methods for using social media to study e-cigarette use among youth. Methods: We developed 13 advertisements that were used to recruit e-cigarette users 14-24 years old who lived in the United States. We measured the effectiveness of the advertisements and quality of the resulting data. Results: The advertisements reached 422,228 adolescents and young adults, 408 completed the survey, and 212 (52%) passed the quality check measures. The average cost per click was $0.36. Conclusions: Based on the current study, key recommendations for behavioral scientists interested in conducting e-cigarette research among youth include: (1) developing and testing multiple advertisements with the target audience; (2) advertising on social media platforms most commonly used by the target group; (3) tailoring (ie, age and interest) message options; and (4) using multiple types of data quality assurance items.

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E-Cigarette Use Is Associated With Intentions to Lose Weight Among High School Students

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/nty245 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 838-842 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dale S Mantey ◽

Onyinye Omega-Njemnobi ◽

Steven H Kelder

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

Weight Loss ◽

High School Students ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

The United States ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

School Students ◽

Full Sample ◽

Or Management

Abstract Introduction Recent literature has demonstrated individuals may be using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a method of weight loss and/or management. Furthermore, e-cigarette companies are developing and patenting technologies related to e-cigarettes and weight loss. This study aims to determine the association between intentions to lose weight and e-cigarette use behaviors among a nationally representative sample of high school students. Methods Data were obtained from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance survey. Participants were 12 847 students in grades 9–12 in the United States. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression models assessed the association between past 30-day e-cigarette use and weight loss intentions among 9–12 grade students. Subsample analyses were conducted, stratified by sex. Covariates included perceived weight, sex, race/ethnicity, grade, and past 30-day tobacco use. Results Overall, 23.7% of the sample used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. E-cigarette use was associated with 1.38 (95% CI = 1.07% to 1.78%) greater risk of intentions to lose weight among the full sample, controlling for covariates. Among girls, e-cigarette use was associated with 1.44 (95% CI = 1.05% to 1.97%) greater risk of intentions to lose weight, controlling for covariates. Among boys, e-cigarette use was associated with 1.40 (95% CI = 1.04% to 1.88%) greater odds of intentions to gain weight, controlling for covariates. Conclusion Findings show a significant association between e-cigarette use and intentions to lose weight among high school students, among the full sample. Interestingly, e-cigarette use was statistically associated with intentions to gain weight among boys. Longitudinal study is needed to further examine this relationship. Implications and Contribution This is the one of the first studies reporting on e-cigarette use and weight loss intentions among adolescents, both highly prevalent among this population. These findings are an important development in the study of e-cigarette use given the established link between conventional cigarette smoking and weight loss and/or management.

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