Lung Damage among Individuals with Biomass Smoke Exposure Characterized by CT Features and Changes in Pulmonary Function

BackgroundBiomass smoke exposure (BSE) is an important etiological factor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, few studies have focused on the effects of BSE in the respiratory muscles or lungs.MethodsUsing a cohort, we selected 98 participants in underdeveloped rural areas: 16 healthy individuals with BSE (“BSE normal”), 19 patients with BSE and COPD (“BSE+COPD”), 13 healthy individuals with cigarette smoke exposure (“CSE normal”), 25 patients with cigarette smoke exposure and COPD (“CSE+COPD”), and 25 healthy controls. Patients with GOLD stage I and II COPD were included. Baseline data (demographic data, BSE or CSE, lung function, and CT findings) and follow-up lung function data were collected. CT parameters of emphysema, pulmonary small vessels, airway remodeling, pectoralis muscles, and erector spinae muscle were measured.ResultsIndividuals with BSE were mainly women (32/35, 91.43%). Compared with the CSE+COPD group, the BSE+COPD group demonstrated slow lung function decline, increased lower lung emphysema, and narrower airway lumen and airway wall thickening in moderate and small airways (all P<.05). Compared with healthy controls, the CSE normal and BSE normal groups exhibited significant reduction of pulmonary small vessel area and obvious airway remodeling in small airways (P<.05). Compared with the BSE normal group, the BSE+COPD group showed significantly more severe emphysema and airway remodeling, as well as reduced left pectoralis major muscle area (all P<.05).ConclusionsHealthy individuals with BSE had reduced pulmonary small vessel area and obvious airway remodeling; patients with BSE and COPD showed more severe emphysema, airway remodeling, and pectoralis major muscle change. More investigations are needed regarding interventions for BSE.Trial registration: ChiCTR, ChiCTR-OO-14004264 . Registered 12 February 2014, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=5304

The prevalence of Asthma-Copd Overlap Syndrome In Women Patients With Biomass Fuel Utilizing: The prevalence of ACOS In Patients With Biomass Fuel

Objective: Asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap (ACO) indicates that its characteristics with pulmonary exaggerated reactivity and airflow limitation chronically. We aimed to investigate the differences among women non smoker participants who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ACO with biomass smoke exposure. Method: Patients were examined at the outpatient clinic from September 2017 to March 2020. Non-smoker women patients aged ≥40 years, diagnosed with obstructive pulmonary disease were included in the study. pulmonary function tests (PFT), early reversibility testing (bronchodilator test), and sputum eosinophil analysis were performed to all patients. Results: A total of 102 patients were included. The mean age was 46.95±9.50 years. In the differential diagnosis, 65 patients (63.7%) had asthma and 37 patients (36.3%) had COPD. Among COPD patients, 10 (27.0%) were diagnosed with ACO. The actual prevalence rates of COPD and ACO were 26.5% and 9.8%, respectively. Poisson regression analysis showed that COPD compared to asthma, while holding the others variable constant in the model, are expected to have 2.976 times greater rate for exacerbations.( IRR, 95%CI ,2.976 (0.687 to 1.494), 5.296 (1.203 to 2.130), P<0.001, Coef. 1.091, 1.667 respectively). Logistic Regression analysis demonstrated that, the count of sputum, blood eosinophil and total IgE results were correlated with the exacerbation times. Conclusion: Biomass smoke exposure in the women population is revealed as a significant factor for the diagnosis of ACO.

Paternal Biomass Smoke Exposure in Rats Produces Behavioral and Cognitive Alterations in the Offspring

Particular concern at the present stage is the health effects of wildfires’ smoke. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of paternal biomass-smoke exposure on offspring’s behavior and cognitive abilities. Male rats were exposed to biomass smoke for four hours/day, five days/week, for four weeks. Average concentration of carbon monoxide and particulate matter of 2.5 μm PM2.5 in the chamber during exposure were 28.7 ± 5.3 mg/m3 and 1.9 ± 0.5 mg/m3, respectively. At the same time, high concentrations of furfural and acetaldehyde were detected in the air environment of the exposure chambers. Offspring was obtained by mating of experimental males with untreated females, immediately after the end of the exposure and after 60 days (long-term period). Offspring were tested by using the Morris water maze and open field at three months of age. Male and female offspring born by mating immediately after exposure demonstrated decreased exploratory behavior, locomotor activity, and spatial navigation, as well as increased anxiety levels. Locomotor and exploratory activity in rats of both sexes from progeny obtained after long-term exposure to smoke had no statistically significant differences when compared to the control; however, the females showed a high level of anxiety and impaired cognitive functions. The recovery period after biomass-smoke intoxication, comparable in duration of spermatogenesis in rats, was an important factor in reducing the risk of developing central nervous system (CNS) disorders in offspring.

Biomass Smoke Exposure Is Associated With Gastric Cancer and Probably Mediated Via Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage: A Case-Control Study

PURPOSE We investigated the association between gastric cancer and environmental and dietary exposures. In addition, we explored probable mechanistic pathways for the influence of biomass smoke on gastric carcinogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study was conducted in Lusaka, Zambia. Questionnaires were used to collect data on risk factors, whereas enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to measure biologic exposures. Study data were analyzed using contingency tables and logistic regression. RESULTS We enrolled 72 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and 244 controls. Gastric cancer was positively associated with rural residence (odds ratio [OR], 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5 to 5.3), poverty (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.9 to 9.1), and daily consumption of processed meat (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 32) and negatively associated with consumption of green vegetables (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.5). Gastric cancer was also associated with biomass smoke exposure (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.9 to 6.2; P < .0001), an association that was stronger for intestinal-type cancers (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.5 to 9.1; P = .003). Exposure to biomass smoke in controls was associated with higher urinary levels of 8-isoprostane ( P < .0001), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine ( P = .029), and 1-hydroxypyrene ( P = .041). Gastric cancer was not associated with biochemical measures of current exposure to aflatoxins or ochratoxins. CONCLUSION In Zambia, exposure to biomass smoke, daily consumption of processed meat, and poverty are risk factors for gastric cancer, whereas daily consumption of green vegetables is protective against gastric cancer. Exposure to biomass smoke was associated with evidence of oxidative stress and DNA damage, suggesting mechanistic plausibility for the observed association, and the association was restricted to intestinal-type gastric cancer.