4 results
E-cigarettes: no smoke without fire?
- N. Daniels, C. Cosma, A. Llewellyn, D. Banks, H. Morris, J. Copeland, E. Djarlijeva
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- Journal:
- British Actuarial Journal / Volume 25 / 2020
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 June 2020, e12
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Smoking was one of the biggest preventable killers of the 20th century, and it continues to cause the death of millions across the globe. The rapid growth of the e-cigarette market in the last 10 years and the claims that it is a safer form of smoking, and can help with smoking cessation, have led to questions being raised on their possible impact to society, the health of the population and the insurance industry. Recent media attention around the possible health implications of e-cigarette use has also ensured that this topic remains in the public eye. The e-cigarette working party was initiated by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ Health and Care Research Sub-Committee in July 2016, with the primary objective of understanding the impact of e-cigarettes on life and health insurance. In this paper, we have looked at all areas of e-cigarette usage and how it relates to insurance in the UK market. In particular, we have covered the potential risks and benefits of switching to e-cigarettes, the results of studies that have been published, the potential impact on underwriting and claims processes and the potential impact on pricing (based on what modelling is possible with the data available). Research in this area is still in its infancy and data are not yet mature, which makes predicting the long-term impact of e-cigarette smoking extremely challenging, for example, there are no studies that directly measure the mortality or morbidity impact of long-term e-cigarette use and so we have had to consider studies that consider more immediate health impacts or look more simply at the constituents of the output of an e-cigarette and compare them to that of a cigarette. The data issue is further compounded by the findings of studies and the advice of national health authorities often being conflicting. For example, while National Health Service England has publicly stated that it supports the growth of e-cigarette usage as an aid to reduce traditional smoking behaviour, the US Food and Drug Administration has been much more vocal in highlighting the perceived dangers of this new form of smoking. Users’ behaviour also adds complexity, as dual use (using both e-cigarettes and cigarettes) is seen in a high percentage of users and relapse rates back to cigarette smoking are currently unknown. Having talked to a number of experts in the field, we have discovered that there is certainly not a common view on risk. We have heard from experts who have significant concerns but also to experts who do believe that e-cigarettes are far safer than tobacco. We have purposefully considered conflicting evidence and have consulted with various parties so we can present differing points of view, thereby ensuring a balanced, unbiased and fair picture of our findings is presented. The evidence we have reviewed does suggest that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional smoking, but not as safe as non-smoking. There are no large, peer-reviewed, long-term studies yet available to understand the true impact of a switch to e-cigarette use, so currently we are unable to say where on the risk spectrum between cigarette smoking and life-time non-smoking it lies. We do not yet understand if the benefits seen in the studies completed so far will reduce the risk in the long term or whether other health risks will come to light following more prolonged use and study. This, coupled with concerns with the high proportion of dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, relapse rates and the recent growth in medical problems linked with e-cigarette use, means that we need to wait for experience to emerge fully before firm conclusions can be drawn. Although we have presented a view, it is vitally important that our industry continues to monitor developments in this area and fully considers what next steps and future actions may be required to ensure our position reflects the potential benefits and risks that e-cigarette use may bring. We feel that the time is right for a body such as the IFoA to analyse the feasibility of collecting the necessary data through the Continuous Mortality Investigation that would allow us to better analyse the experience that is emerging.
2014 – The Role Of Adenylyl Cyclase 8 In Stress Response
- N. Cosma, O. Almeida, A. Patchev, Neuroadaptations Group Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 28 / Issue S1 / 2013
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 15 April 2020, 28-E1236
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Adelylyl cyclase 8(AC8) is a brain specific cyclase activated only by calcium. Therefore its activity has been associated with plasticity process underlying learning and memory. AC8 knockout(KO) mice show impaired stress-induced anxiety. Here we try to find whether AC8 is involved in hypothalamus-hypophysis-axis(HPA) regulation and if it influences intracellular signaling of gluccocorticoids in the hippocampus.
First, serum samples were harvest from 8 AC8 KO and 8 wild type(WT) mice at basal, eve, 30 and 120 minutes after stress and at sacrifice with subsequent measuring of corticosterone levels. Second, glucocorticoid receptor(GR), vasopressin(AVP) and corticotrophin releasing hormone(CRH) mRNA expression levels were measured in accumbens nucleus(Acb), periventricular nucleus(PVN), supraoptic nucleus(SON), amygdala and hippocampus. Finally, GR and phosphorilated-GR levels were measured in hippocampus by western blot technique.
There was no difference in corticosterone levels between the two groups, regardless of harvesting time (p > 0.05). Also, we found no difference between AVP mRNA levels in PVN or SON (p > 0.05). However, AC8KO mice tend to have lower CRH levels in amygdala and lower GR levels in the hippocampus (p < 0.05). More, AC8KO mice have higher phosphorilated-GR levels in hippocampus in comparison with WT (p = 0.01).
Our data shoes that AC8 does not play a part in HPA regulation. However, it alters the expression levels and phosphorilation patterns of GR in the hippocampus, which can explain the impaired learned anxiety behavior. Since anxiety-impaired stress response is one of few outcomes of AC8 KO phenotype, we imply that this cyclase might represent a potential target for specific antianxiety drugs.
The value of long-term, community-based monitoring of marine turtle nesting: a study in the Lamu archipelago, Kenya
- Mike I. Olendo, Gladys M. Okemwa, Cosmas N. Munga, Lilian K. Mulupi, Lily D. Mwasi, Hassan B. Mohamed, Mxolisi Sibanda, Harrison O. Ong'anda
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Monitoring of nesting beaches is often the only feasible and low-cost approach for assessing sea turtle populations. We investigated spatio-temporal patterns of sea turtle nesting activity monitored over 17 successive years in the Lamu archipelago, Kenya. Community-based patrols were conducted on 26 stretches of beach clustered in five major locations. A total of 2,021 nests were recorded: 1,971 (97.5%) green turtle Chelonia mydas nests, 31 (1.5%) hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata nests, 8 (0.4%) olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea nests and 11 (0.5%) unidentified nests. Nesting occurred year-round, increasing during March–July, when 74% of nests were recorded. A stable trend in mean annual nesting densities was observed in all locations. Mean clutch sizes were 117.7 ± SE 1 eggs (range 20–189) for green turtles, 103 ± SE 6 eggs (range 37–150) for hawksbill turtles, and 103 ± SE 6 eggs (range 80–133) for olive ridley turtles. Curved carapace length for green turtles was 65–125 cm, and mean annual incubation duration was 55.5 ± SE 0.05 days. The mean incubation duration for green turtle nests differed significantly between months and seasons but not locations. The hatching success (pooled data) was 81.3% (n = 1,841) and was higher for in situ nests (81.0 ± SE 1.5%) compared to relocated nests (77.8 ± SE 1.4%). The results highlight the important contribution of community-based monitoring in Kenya to sustaining the sea turtle populations of the Western Indian Ocean region.
Effects of Metal Ions on Apatite Formation and Bone Mineralization
- N. C. Blumenthal, V. Cosma
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- Journal:
- MRS Online Proceedings Library Archive / Volume 252 / 1991
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 15 February 2011, 29
- Print publication:
- 1991
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Certain metals (such as Al) are known to cause bone pathologies in humans and animals. While little is known about the mechanism of action of metals on either the formation of bone or on the physical-chemical properties of the mineral phase, there is considerable evidence that (1) Al and Cd directly affect the formation and properties of HA and thus are a causative factor in metal-related defective bone formation—in addition to any cellular effects which they may induce; (2) that other transition metals (such as Cr, V, Ti, Ni, Co), which are used in joint prostheses, significantly affect HA formation; and (3) gallium, the most effective antihypercalcemic agent, affects apatite formation and solubility.