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The electronic cigarette ( e-cigarette ), for many considered as a safe alternative to conventional cigarettes, has revolutionised the tobacco industry in the last decades. In e-cigarettes , tobacco combustion is replaced by e-liquid heating, leading some manufacturers to propose that e-cigarettes have less harmful respiratory effects than tobacco consumption. Other innovative features such as the adjustment of nicotine content and the choice of pleasant flavours have won over many users. Nevertheless, the safety of e-cigarette consumption and its potential as a smoking cessation method remain controversial due to limited evidence. Moreover, it has been reported that the heating process itself can lead to the formation of new decomposition compounds of questionable toxicity. Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have been performed to better understand the impact of these new inhalable compounds on human health. Results of toxicological analyses suggest that e-cigarettes can be safer than conventional cigarettes, although harmful effects from short-term e-cigarette use have been described. Worryingly, the potential long-term effects of e-cigarette consumption have been scarcely investigated. In this review, we take stock of the main findings in this field and their consequences for human health including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In order to explore the extraction and activity of macroalge glycolipids, six macroalgae (Bangia fusco-purpurea, Gelidium amansii, Gloiopeltis furcata, Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis, Gracilaria sp. and Pyropia yezoensis) glycolipids were extracted with five different solvents firstly. Considering the yield and glycolipids concentration of extracts, Bangia fusco-purpurea, Gracilaria sp. and Pyropia yezoensis were selected from six species of marine macroalgae as the raw materials for the extraction of glycolipids. The effects of the volume score of methanol, solid–liquid ratio, extraction temperature, extraction time and ultrasonic power on the yield and glycolipids concentration of extracts of the above three macroalgae were analyzed through a series of single-factor experiments. By analyzing the antioxidant activity in vitro, moisture absorption and moisturizing activity, the extraction process of Bangia fusco-purpurea glycolipids was further optimized by response surface method to obtain suitable conditions for glycolipid extraction (solid-liquid ratio of 1:27 g/mL, extraction temperature of 48 °C, extraction time of 98 min and ultrasonic power of 450 W). Bangia fusco-purpurea extracts exhibited a certain scavenging effect on DPPH free radicals, as well as good moisture-absorption and moisture retaining activities. Two glycolipids were isolated from Bangia fusco-purpurea by liquid–liquid extraction, silica gel column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography, and they showed good scavenging activities against DPPH free radicals and total antioxidant capacity. Their scavenging activities against DPPH free radicals were about 60% at 1600 µg/mL, and total antioxidant capacity was better than that of Trolox. Among them, the moisturizing activity of a glycolipid was close to that of sorbierite and sodium alginate. These two glycolipids exhibited big application potential as food humectants and antioxidants.

Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) purport to reduce exposure to tobacco-related toxicants compared to combustible cigarettes. This cross-sectional study examined the content of nicotine, two humectants (propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG)), and four tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs: NNN, NNK, NAT, and NAB) in the tobacco filler of a popular HTP brand (IQOS). Non-menthol and menthol IQOS sticks were purchased from nine countries between 2017 and 2020 and were classified into two versions (“Bold” and “Light”) using Philip Morris’s flavor descriptors. The average nicotine concentration was 4.7 ± 0.5 mg/stick, and the highest nicotine concentration was found in products from Japan (5.1 ± 0.2 mg/stick). VG was the dominant humectant found in all sticks, with an average concentration of (31.5 ± 2.3 mg/stick). NNN, NNK, and NAT were substantially higher in the “Bold” sticks than the “Light” sticks. Significant differences between countries for TSNAs were also observed: the NAT and NAB contents were the highest in the “Light” products from Canada (192.5 ± 24.1 and 22.9 ± 1.0 ng/stick, respectively); the NNK concentration was the highest in the “Bold” products from Poland (64.8 ± 7.9 ng/stick); and the highest NNN concentrations were observed in the “Bold” products from South Africa (488.9 ± 26.7 ng/stick). As NNN and NNK are known human carcinogens, and as humectants like PG and VG can degrade into toxic carbonyl compounds upon heating, monitoring the concentration of these chemicals in HTPs is important for protecting users’ health and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Many dermatological conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, are treated with topical therapeutic products. Instead of applying the active drug directly onto the skin, it is combined with a vehicle to aid in its delivery across the stratum corneum (SC) and into deeper regions of the skin, namely the epidermis and dermis. Absorption into the systemic circulation is minimized. Topical vehicles are also used as cosmetic moisturizers (often termed emollient therapy) to ameliorate dry skin, which is a cornerstone of the management of various dermatological conditions, including xerosis, eczema, psoriasis, and aging. The most common topical vehicles include ointments, creams, gels, and lotions, among others. It is crucial that topical vehicles are chosen based upon the size and properties (wet/dry, mucous/non-mucous, healthy/diseased) of the skin to be treated in order to optimize application and contact of the product with the skin, as this can have profound impacts on potency, efficacy, and patient compliance. This review examines common topical vehicles used for drug delivery and cosmetic moisturizers, including their formulation, advantages and disadvantages, and effects on the skin. The unique rules imposed by governing regulatory bodies in Australia and around the world, in terms of topical product claims, are also briefly examined.

Nicotine pouches are oral products that deliver nicotine without containing tobacco. Previous studies mainly focused on the determination of known tobacco toxicants, while yet no untargeted analysis has been published on unknown constituents, possibly contributing to toxicity. Furthermore, additives might enhance product attractiveness. We therefore performed an aroma screening with 48 different nicotine-containing and two nicotine-free pouches using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, following acidic and basic liquid–liquid extraction. For toxicological assessment of identified substances, European and international classifications for chemical and food safety were consulted. Further, ingredients listed on product packages were counted and grouped by function. Most abundant ingredients comprised sweeteners, aroma substances, humectants, fillers, and acidity regulators. 186 substances were identified. For some substances, acceptable daily intake limits set by European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives are likely exceeded by moderate pouch consumption. Eight hazardous substances are classified according to the European CLP regulation. Thirteen substances were not authorized as food flavorings by EFSA, among them impurities such as myosmine and ledol. Three substances were classified by International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The two nicotine-free pouches contain pharmacologically active ingredients such as ashwagandha extract and caffeine. The presence of potentially harmful substances may point to the need for regulation of additives in nicotine-containing and nicotine-free pouches that could be based on provisions for food additives. For sure, additives may not pretend positive health effects in case the product is used.

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.

Dry eye disease is a common ocular condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Artificial tears are the first line therapy for the management of dry eye disease. Artificial tear formulations contain a variety of active ingredients, biologically active excipients, and preservatives. Many of these formulations are also available as preservative-free. This study was conducted to inspect artificial tear formulations currently marketed in the United States for their active ingredients, biologically relevant excipients, and preservatives. The marketed artificial tears were examined at various US retail pharmacy chains and using the manufacturers’ website to compile information about active ingredients, inactive ingredients, and preservatives. The currently marketed artificial tears can be grouped into four categories based on their active ingredients. The artificial tears also contain biologically active chemicals listed as inactive ingredients, which have osmoprotectant, humectant, and tear film lipid layer or mucous layer mimicking properties. Most artificial tears contain vanishing type preservatives such as purite or sodium perborate and safer quaternary compound polyquaternium-1. The majority of these artificial tear formulations are also available as preservative-free single dose unit. The study provides a formulary of artificial tears based on active ingredients, biologically active excipients, and the preservative-free option. The formulary should assist healthcare providers in making a stepwise and rational selection of appropriate artificial tears for patients suffering from dry eye disease.

Moisturizers are an important part of a dermatologist's armamentarium although little is written and well, a less is truly known about them. There is a cornucopia of projected skin products in the market whose real scientific role is not proven. These products although at times are regarded as mere cosmetics but have a well-known role in many skin disorders. Adequate knowledge about their mechanism of action, dosage, usage, and adverse effects is must for a dermatologist in this era. This article aims to bring forth the ever hidden facts of the much-hyped moisturizers. It is probably the first of its kind covering all aspects of moisturizers ranging from basic science to clinical usage, a subject that receives a short shrift in the current dermatological text.

Long-lasting moisture retention is a huge challenge to humectants, and effective methods or additives for promote these functions are limited, especially nano-additives. Carbon dots (CDs) have attracted increasing research interest due to its ultra-small size, excellent optical properties and low toxicity, etc. However, most of researches have been focused on the photoexcited CDs and its subsequent photophysical and chemical processes, such as photoluminescence, photodynamic, photothermal and photocatalytic behavior. The intrinsic chemo-physical properties of the pristine CDs are not fully explored. Here, we report an excellent moisture retention capability of a new carmine cochineal-derived CDs (Car-CDs) for the first time. The relationship between the structure of Car-CDs and its moisture retention capability is revealed. More interestingly, the effective applications of Car-CDs in moisturizing lipstick are demonstrated. This work expands the research and application of CDs into a broad, new area, potentially in skin care.

Surface modification by humectants is an important technology to improve product quality in textile field, healthcare, tobacco processing and paper-making industry. As a common humectant glycerol is applied to keep the moisture adsorbability of the plant fibers during manufacturing. The effects of glycerol on the moisture adsorption of the plant fibers were studied by analyzing the induced differences of bulk and surface physicochemical property with XRD, FTIR, SEM characterizations. The improvement of moisture adsorption capacity of the modified plant fibers was caused by the increased active adsorption sites, while the moisture diffusion resistance increased simultaneously with glycerol indicated by a declining D eff . LF-NMR relaxation spectra demonstrated the water state and distribution in the plant fibers were changed by loading glycerol. The moisture transfer mechanisms induced by glycerol were also investigated. Free water failed to materialize in the plant fibers treated with glycerol, immobile water existed preferentially during the adsorption, and bound water presented increasing after the immobile water was saturated. These findings are referenced values to improve the manufacturing processes of moisture-retaining properties of different functional plant fibers. Graphical abstract