Microbiota-Influenced Toxicological Responses in Exposed to Strawberry and Menthol E-Liquids.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems are marketed as safer than cigarettes, but their flavoring agents may be toxic. We evaluated reproductive effects of menthol- and strawberry-flavored e-liquids in using wild-type and chemosensory-defective mutants ( ). L4-stage worms were exposed to flavored e-liquids on peptone-free media with or natural microbiota ( , , ).

Clinical Features and Gene Expression Patterns in Adults Hospitalized With Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Human Metapneumovirus Infection.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cause acute respiratory infections (ARI) in persons of all ages. The viruses are structurally similar although HMPV lacks 2 nonstructural proteins of RSV known to suppress interferon signaling.

Methods: We analyzed data from 2 studies that prospectively enrolled hospitalized adults with ARI and compared clinical characteristics and outcomes of HMPV and RSV infection.

Ambient air pollution exposure and effects on neutralizing antibody titers following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in adults.

We examined the association between air pollution and neutralizing antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccination in participants enrolled in a phase 3 clinical trial. Seventy-four adults were vaccinated with two doses of the AstraZeneca ChAdOx1 vectored vaccine (AZD1222) (5 x 1010 viral particles) at baseline and day 29, between Aug 28, 2020, to Jan 15, 2021, in Monroe County, NY. SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus neutralizing ID50 titers (NAb) and total spike protein IgG were assessed at baseline and 15, 29, 43, 57 and 90 days after vaccination.

Climate Change and Respiratory Health: Opportunities to Contribute to Environmental Justice: An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report.

Adverse environmental exposures worsened by our changing climate threaten respiratory health and exacerbate existing social inequities that further undermine environmental justice (EJ). EJ is the capacity of all people, regardless of sociodemographic characteristics, to minimize harmful exposures and live a healthy life. EJ is achieved through the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Comparison of the rate of healthcare encounters for influenza from source-specific PM before and after tier 3 vehicle standards in New York state.

Background: Influenza healthcare encounters in adults associated with specific sources of PM is an area of active research.

Objective: Following 2017 legislation requiring reductions in emissions from light-duty vehicles, we hypothesized a reduced rate of influenza healthcare encounters would be associated with concentrations of PM from traffic sources in the early implementation period of this regulation (2017-2019).

Methods: We used the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) to study adult patients hospitalized (N = 5328) or treated in the emergency department (N = 18,247) for influenza in New York State.

PM and its components and respiratory disease healthcare encounters - Unanticipated increased exposure-response relationships in recent years after environmental policies.

Prior studies reported excess rates (ERs) of cardiorespiratory events associated with short-term increases in PM concentrations, despite implementation of pollution-control policies. In 2017, Federal Tier 3 light-duty vehicle regulations began, and to-date there have been no assessments of population health effects of the policy. Using the NYS Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database, we obtained hospitalizations and ED visits with a principal diagnosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for residents living within 15 miles of six urban PM monitoring sites in NYS (2014-2019).

Fruit flavors in electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) are associated with nocturnal dry cough: A population longitudinal analysis.

Evidence from in vitro and animal models has identified the pulmonary toxicity of flavors in electronic cigarettes (ECIGs); however, less is known from epidemiological studies about the effects of flavors in the respiratory health. This study examined the longitudinal association between exposure to ECIGs flavors and nocturnal dry cough among ECIGs users. A secondary analysis of data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2014-2019) was conducted.

Examining the impact of air pollution, climate change, and social determinants of health on asthma and environmental justice.

Purpose Of Review: In this review, we discuss the current literature examining the impact air pollution and climate change has on asthma onset, control, and exacerbation. This review also addresses the risk of exposure to specific disproportionately affected communities, highlighting health disparities in exposure and asthma outcomes.

Recent Findings: Recent studies have shifted from highlighting the associations between asthma exacerbations and indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Real-life Assessment of BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel in Adults Hospitalized With Respiratory Illness.

Background: Inability to identify the microbial etiology of lower respiratory tract infection leads to unnecessary antibiotic use. We evaluated the utility of the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (BioFire PN) to inform microbiologic diagnosis.

Methods: Hospitalized adults with respiratory illness were recruited; sputa and clinical/laboratory data were collected.

The E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury Epidemic: Pathogenesis, Management, and Future Directions: An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report.

E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a severe pulmonary illness associated with the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products that was officially identified and named in 2019. This American Thoracic Society workshop was convened in 2021 to identify and prioritize research and regulatory needs to adequately respond to the EVALI outbreak and to prevent similar instances of disease associated with e-cigarette or vaping product use. An interdisciplinary group of 26 experts in adult and pediatric clinical care, public health, regulatory oversight, and toxicology were convened for the workshop.

Gene Expression Risk Scores for COVID-19 Illness Severity.

Background: The correlates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness severity following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are incompletely understood.

Methods: We assessed peripheral blood gene expression in 53 adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection clinically adjudicated as having mild, moderate, or severe disease. Supervised principal components analysis was used to build a weighted gene expression risk score (WGERS) to discriminate between severe and nonsevere COVID-19.

The effect of air pollution on the transcriptomics of the immune response to respiratory infection.

Combustion related particulate matter air pollution (PM) is associated with an increased risk of respiratory infections in adults. The exact mechanism underlying this association has not been determined. We hypothesized that increased concentrations of combustion related PM would result in dysregulation of the innate immune system.

Gene Expression Risk Scores for COVID-19 Illness Severity.

Background: The correlates of COVID-19 illness severity following infection with SARS-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are incompletely understood.

Methods: We assessed peripheral blood gene expression in 53 adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infection clinically adjudicated as having mild, moderate or severe disease. Supervised principal components analysis was used to build a weighted gene expression risk score (WGERS) to discriminate between severe and non-severe COVID.

Acute myocardial infarction associated with unconventional natural gas development: A natural experiment.

Background: Whereas it is plausible that unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) may adversely affect cardiovascular health, little is currently known. We investigate whether UNGD is associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: In this observational study leveraging the natural experiment generated by New York's ban on hydraulic fracturing, we analyzed the relationship between age- and sex-specific county-level AMI hospitalization and mortality rates and three UNGD drilling measures.

The Interplay Between Respiratory Microbiota and Innate Immunity in Flavor E-Cigarette Vaping Induced Lung Dysfunction.

Global usage of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has been increasing in the last decade. ENDS are non-combustible tobacco products that heat and aerosolize a liquid containing humectants, with added flavorings and often nicotine. Though ENDS are promoted as a less harmful alternative to smoking, current evidence links their use to a wide range of deleterious health effects including acute and chronic lung damage.

The association between statewide vaping prevalence and COVID-19.

Existing literature indicated electronic cigarette users (vapers) have impaired immune response that might increase vulnerability to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and death. However, whether vapers are more susceptible to COVID-19 is unknown. Using integrated data in each US state from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), United States Census Bureau and the 1Point3Acres.