Propylene glycol 40% / Coal tar solution 5% in Generic Unguentum M cream

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is still the most common malignancy affecting men worldwide, with causes ranging from genetics to environmental and lifestyle factors. This review narrows its attention to investigate smoking as a risk factor for the start and progression of prostate cancer. While age, ethnic differences, family history, and genetic abnormalities such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 remain important, smoking-particularly long-term and heavy use-emerges as a modifiable risk factor that needs deeper consideration. Though this review attempts to offer a worldwide perspective on smoking and prostate cancer risk, we also include a focus on new research from India, given the country's particular regional patterns and growing evidence. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was undertaken using "smoking" and "prostate cancer." The criteria for selecting articles were relevancy, developing research, and accessibility. The exclusion criteria eliminated non-human research and associated issues. This study examined worldwide patterns, however primarily focused on tobacco use and prostate cancer in India according to recent findings. Regional research emphasised smoking and prostate cancer risk patterns and mechanisms. RESULTS: Tobacco use is still a substantial risk factor for several malignancies, including prostate cancer. Globally, smoking has been associated with an increased risk of getting prostate cancer, with research indicating that smokers had a greater prevalence of aggressive illness. Tobacco usage is very common in India owing to a variety of cultural, societal, and economic variables; hence it is a key focus of this research. The effect of tobacco in prostate cancer risk in India is still being studied, and the data shows that smoking in the Indian population may worsen the development and progression of prostate cancer, similar to worldwide patterns but with regional differences. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding how smoking affects prostate cancer may improve prevention and early diagnosis, which has public health consequences. These methods may involve targeted screening or lifestyle changes. This review emphasis smoking as a key prostate cancer risk factor, focusing on new Indian findings. More research is required to assess smoking's full impact on prostate cancer risk, particularly in different populations and locations.

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Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease where topical therapy is crucial. While various dosage forms have enhanced the efficacy of current treatments, their limited permeability and lack of targeted delivery to the dermis and epidermis remain challenges. We reviewed the evolution of topical therapies for psoriasis and conducted a bibliometric analysis from 1993 to 2023 using a predictive linear regression model. This included a comprehensive statistical and visual evaluation of each model's validity, literature profiles, citation patterns, and collaborations, assessing R variance and mean squared error (MSE). Furthermore, we detailed the structural features and penetration pathways of emerging drug delivery systems for topical treatment, such as lipid-based, polymer-based, metallic nanocarriers, and nanocrystals, highlighting their advantages. This systematic overview indicates that future research should focus on developing novel drug delivery systems characterized by enhanced stability, biocompatibility, and drug-carrying capacity.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

This comprehensive review deals with the multifaceted aspects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), examining their composition, health implications, regulatory challenges, and market dynamics. E-cigarettes, also known as vaping devices, function by warming a solution of liquid containing flavors, nicotine, and various other compounds to produce an aerosol for users to inhale. This review underscores the evolution and widespread adoption of e-cigarettes since their introduction in 2003, highlighting their appeal as alternatives to traditional tobacco smoking. The essential parts of e-cigarettes are the battery, heating element, e-liquid (or e-juice), and mouthpiece. Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are common ingredients in e-liquids, along with nicotine and other flavors. Concerns over the health impacts of e-cigarettes have grown, particularly in light of incidents like the e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury outbreak in 2019 linked to vaping-associated lung injuries. Evidence suggests that while e-cigarettes may pose fewer risks than conventional cigarettes, they are not without health consequences, including potential respiratory and cardiovascular effects. Regulatory efforts worldwide have struggled to keep pace with the rapid evolution of e-cigarettes, exacerbated by their diverse flavors and marketing strategies that appeal to youth. The review discusses global regulatory responses, including bans and restrictions, to curb youth uptake and address public health concerns. Furthermore, the rise of a black market for e-cigarettes poses additional challenges to effective regulation and tobacco control efforts. In conclusion, while e-cigarettes offer potential harm reduction benefits for adult smokers seeking alternatives to traditional tobacco products, their widespread availability and evolving landscape necessitate vigilant regulatory oversight to protect public health, especially among youth. Future research should continue to explore the long-term health impacts and efficacy of e-cigarettes as smoking elimination aids, informing evidence-based policies and interventions.

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A notable decrease in conventional cigarette smoking has been witnessed on a global scale. However, this decrease has been accompanied by an equally striking global increase in the consumption of alternative tobacco products (ATPs), namely e-cigarettes and midwakh in the Arabian Gulf region. A literature review was used to outline the chemical composition of these two ATPs and review their impacts on health. The study was conducted using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, MDPI, and WorldCat. The literature search included terms such as "e-cigarettes," "midwakh," "dokha," "heath impacts," "psychological effects," "social influences," and "cigarette smoking" with emphasis on literature from the Arabian Gulf region. Data shows that midwakh contains markedly high levels of tar, nicotine, and various compounds of notable effects on the human body. Similarly, it was found that e-cigarettes contain non-negligible amounts of nicotine and other chemical compounds that may not have been extensively investigated. Alarming reports of system-specific effects brought about by midwakh, and e-cigarette consumption, have been reported, although further research is needed to deduce the mechanism. We also discussed some of the social and psychological factors leading to their consumption within this population. Hence, this review raises questions around the safety of these two types of ATPs and encourages comprehensive studies globally and regionally.

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The tobacco emission condensate, hereafter “tobacco condensate,” is crucial for evaluating tobacco product toxicity. This condensate, derived from tobacco emissions, provides an optimized liquid concentrate for storage and concentration control. Thus, the validation of its constituents is vital for toxicity assessments. This study used tobacco condensates from 3R4F cigarettes and three heated tobacco product (HTP) variants to quantify and contrast organic compounds (OCs) therein. The hazard index (HI) for tobacco emissions and condensates was determined to ascertain the assessment validity. The total particulate matter (TPM) for 3R4F registered at 17,667 μg cig−1, with its total OC (TOC) at 3777 μg cig−1. HTPs' TPM and TOC were 9342 ± 1918 μg cig−1 and 5258 ± 593 μg stick−1, respectively. 3R4F's heightened TPM likely arises from tar, while HTPs' OC concentrations are influenced by vegetable glycerin (2236–2688 μg stick−1) and propylene glycol (589–610 μg stick−1). During condensation, a 71.5 % reduction in OC was observed for 3R4F versus HTPs' near-zero loss of –1.6 %, albeit with OC-type variations. The HI was marginally higher for emissions, ranging from 7.92 % (HTPs) to 18.6 % (3R4F). Meticulous OC recovery from smoke condensates enables tobacco condensates to provide reliable toxicological data on tobacco products.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

The use of black alder (BA) bark biomass in rigid polyurethane (PUR) foam compositions was the main task of investigation. Extractive compounds isolated from the bark through hot water extraction were used as precursors for bio-polyol synthesis via acid-free liquefaction with the polyether polyol Lupranol 3300 and through oxypropylation with propylene carbonate. The OH functionality and composition of the polyols were analyzed via wet chemistry and FTIR spectroscopy. The solid remaining after the isolation of extractive compounds was also utilized as a natural filler in PUR foams. The effects of replacing commercial polyols with bio-polyols on the foam rising rate and their mechanical properties, morphology, thermal conductivity, and thermal degradation characteristics were examined. The oxypropylated extractive-based PUR compositions demonstrated the most favorable balance between the biomass content and material properties. At an apparent density of 40 kg/m3, the compressive strength of the produced foams was enhanced by 1.4–1.5 times, while the maximum thermal degradation rate in air decreased by 3.8–6.5 times compared to reference materials without adversely affecting the foam morphology. The composition based on liquefied extractives showed lower performance but still improved properties relative to the reference foams. Introducing 3.7–14% of extracted bark into the foam compositions increased the biomass content to 22–24%, although this led to a decrease in the compressive strength and thermal stability. It was shown that partially substituting fossil-derived components with renewable bark biomass in the composition of PUR foams allows for materials with characteristics similar or better to petrochemical-based materials to be obtained. Therefore, the results presented can be considered a contribution to addressing environmental problems and promoting the development of a sustainable economy.

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Traditional Tobacco smoking (TTS) is globally known as the single largest avoidable risk factor for a broad range of diseases. It is believed to be a "pandemic" because of its deleterious global impact on public health. Over a century ago, there has been a wide spread of tobacco cigarettes, originating particularly from the Americas; and most recently alternative tobacco products, such as heated tobacco products (HTPs), nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, etc. This is due to the perceived safety of the latter. Data for this review were gotten through a rigorous search of scientific literatures on PubMed, Elsevier, Google scholar and Scopus. Unbiased findings on these search engines were included in this study, while claims that are unscientific were excluded. The deleterious health effects of e-cigarette aerosols (ECA) have been linked largely to the e-juice or e-liquid which majorly contains nicotine, flavorings, propylene glycol and other unregulated additives. In the respiratory system, TTS and ECA cause increase in pulmonary macrophage count and higher cell influx. However, TTS caused a higher lipid peroxidation judged by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level. ECA caused a shift in the histo-architecture of the lungs, featuring an increase in volume density of the alveolar space which is associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Studies involving the cardiovascular system explored the e-liquid constituents such as nicotine, linked to atherosclerosis; cardiac tissue remodeling and cardiotoxic thermal metabolites of propylene glycol. On cardiac tissue remodeling, ECA caused significant increase in angiogenesis in mouse heart tissues, coupled with increase collagen production but not tissue fibrosis. This suggests that acute exposure to ECA did not adversely affect contractile functions or fibrosis. However, this was contrary with TTS, which showed inhibition of angiogenesis and induction of cardiac fibrosis. The increasing use of ECA amongst young adults showed more tendency for neurological defects when compared with TTS (since its consumption is reduced), this is mainly due to combinatory neurotoxic effects of nicotine, flavorings, formaldehyde, etc., causing a negative effect on cognition and attention span. Putting these together, further research needs to be carried out on long-term safety of e-cigarettes, while national health regulators and policy makers should provide informed policies on the use of e-cigarettes and other alternative tobacco products.

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Tobacco use poses a major public health challenge in the World Health Organization's South-East Asia Region, where it contributes to approximately 2.3 million deaths each year. In 2020 alone, tobacco smoking was responsible for around 1.6 million of these deaths. The region faces a dual burden of high prevalence of both smoking and smokeless tobacco use, underscoring the urgent need for strengthened tobacco control measures. The toxic substances found in the emissions of smoked tobacco products are inadequately researched. This study presents primary scientific information on levels of nicotine, water, and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in mainstream smoke deliveries from popular cigarettes from India and Myanmar, and bidis from India; additionally, flavours and humectants were tested in fillers. Globally accepted methods from the World Health Organization's Tobacco Laboratory Network (TobLabNet), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) were used. When comparing Indian and Myanmar cigarettes, we discovered that nicotine and carbon monoxide (CO) levels in Myanmar cigarettes were slightly higher than those in Indian ones, though the difference was not statistically significant. Water, tar, and total particulate matter (TPM) also exhibited no statistically significant variations. Significantly higher (p = 0.008) concentrations of BaP, ranging from 8.02 to 14.90 ng/cigarette (median, 9.95 ng/cigarette), were observed in Myanmar-origin cigarettes, indicating increased exposure risks for users. Among humectants, only propylene glycol showed significant variation (p = 0.023). Compared with Indian cigarettes, bidis showed significantly higher nicotine and CO (p = 0.023), as well as water and TPM (p = 0.008). When bidis were compared with cigarettes from both countries, nicotine (p = 0.041), water, and TPM differed significantly (both p < 0.001). The intended flavours were not detected in the mainstream smoke of the cigarettes and bidis examined. The findings of this study can be leveraged to enhance public health by identifying harmful chemicals that exceed established limits and potentially motivating manufacturers to produce less harmful products by conforming to toxicant emission standards.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Purpose Electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) vaporize a liquid containing glycol, nicotine, and various additives, providing an alternative to traditional smoking. Although they contain only 5% of the harmful substances found in traditional cigarettes, E-cigarettes still pose potential health risks. This study conducted a retrospective analysis of the impact of conventional cigarette and E-cigarette smoking on male in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Method Between May 2022 and January 2024, the study included 151 conventional cigarette smokers and 145 E-cigarette smokers who were undergoing IVF. The study focused on infertility primarily caused by tubal factors, polycystic ovarian syndrome, abnormal thyroid function, and hyperprolactinemia. The primary outcomes measured included the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of 2-pronuclear (2PN) embryos, fertilization rate, implantation rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, and live birth rate. Secondary outcomes included semen parameters. Results Results showed a higher live birth rate in the E-cigarette group compared to the conventional cigarette group (p = 0.011). The E-cigarette group also had significantly lower basal serum prolactin levels (p = 0.029) and higher sperm motility (p = 0.014). Significant predictors of live birth included male body mass index, male FSH levels, parity, and the number of 2PN embryos. Multivariate analysis identified male serum FSH levels, and the number of 2PN embryos as independent factors associated with successful live births. Conclusion E-cigarettes may be less harmful than conventional cigarettes in terms of semen motility and live birth rates in IVF couples.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND