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Hookah smokers are inhaling toxic chemicals that may harm the heart

Statement Highlights: Smoking tobacco in hookahs results in inhaling significant levels of toxic chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, and particulates from tobacco that can harm blood vessels and the heart. Globally, hookah smoking is more common among youth and young adults, encouraged by flavored tobacco marketing, social media promotion and misperceptions regarding its addictive potential and health effects. Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT / 5 a.m. ET Friday, March 8, 2019 (NewMediaWire) - March 08, 2019 - DALLAS - Smoking tobacco in waterpipes, more commonly known as hookahs, results in inhaling toxic chemicals, often at levels exceeding cigarette smoke, that may harm the heart and blood vessels, according to a new scientific statement published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.   Waterpipes go by many names - hookah, narghile, argileh, shisha and goza – and usually consist of a head or bowl that holds tobacco, a body, water base and hose that ends with a mouthpiece. Burning charcoal is placed on top of the tobacco-filled bowl. Hookah tobacco is usually a combination of dried fruit, flavored tobacco and substances to keep the tobacco moist. During a hookah smoking session that typically last for 30 or more minutes, users inhale many liters of smoke filled with large quantities of particulate matter at higher concentrations than cigarettes. Although direct comparisons between hookahs and cigarettes have some limitations, a single session of hookah use typically results in greater exposure to carbon monoxide than a single cigarette. Even short-term exposure to carbon monoxide in hookahs is toxic and can interfere with exercise capacity, according to the statement authors. In addition to carbon monoxide, hookah smoke contains other potentially harmful chemicals that can affect the cardiovascular system, including nicotine, air pollutants, particulate matter, volatile organic chemicals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, acrolein, lead, cadmium and arsenic. Most of these toxins are higher in hookah than cigarette smoke. “Hookah smoke contains harmful substances and the American Heart Association strongly recommends avoiding the use of tobacco in any form,” said Aruni Bhatnagar, Ph.D., chair of the writing group for the statement and professor of medicine and director of the University of Louisville Diabetes and Obesity Center in Kentucky. There is growing evidence that hookah tobacco smoking acutely impacts heart rate and blood pressure. Chronic use is associated with increased coronary artery disease risk. “Many young people mistakenly believe that smoking tobacco from a hookah is less harmful than cigarette smoking because the tobacco if filtered through water, but there is no scientific evidence that supports that claim. However, there is evidence to suggest that hookah smoking is addictive and can lead to the use of other tobacco products such as cigarettes,” said Bhatnagar. The spread of hookah smoking, especially among young people, is promoted by several factors, including sweetened and flavored hookah tobacco, social media that promotes this method of tobacco use and misperceptions regarding its addictive potential and adverse health effects. Unlike cigarette tobacco, hookah tobacco, often colorfully packaged, can be sold in candy and fruit flavors, which appeal to younger audiences. The flavors and sweeteners added to the tobacco mask the harshness of smoke, making it easier to start and continue smoking hookahs. In addition, because many people smoke hookah in lounges and cafes it is perceived to be a social activity and less habit-forming. More importantly, most of the tobacco marketed to hookah users does not carry a health warning, leading to the misperception that it is not harmful. In the United States, recent surveys have estimated hookah usage that range from 4. 8 percent among high school students to 13.6 percent of young adults (18-24 years old). People 18-24 years of age also accounted for 55 percent of hookah smokers nationwide. In addition, those who use a hookah are more likely ...

Weyland Tech Inc. Announces Updates Coinciding With Investor Conference Call

New York, March 07, 2019 (NewMediaWire) -- Weyland Tech Inc. (WEYL) (“Weyland” or the “Company”) announces updates coinciding with an investor conference call held on March 7, 2019 at 12 noon EST.In addition to updates on the Company’s core PaaS business and its eWallet, AtozPay, the following major initiatives and objectives are underway and in various stages:Expression of Interest for acquisition of the AtozPay business by a large regional tech companyUpdate on outstanding litigation in Singapore and US Federal court in NevadaPotential for merger and expansion into new emerging marketQualification for NASDAQ and re-engagement of applicationPotential for acquisition of the AtozPay business by a large regional tech companyAs announced on September 6, 2018, there has been an increase in private fundings, IPOs and merger and acquisition activity leading to the emergence of large ‘unicorn’ companies competing for marketshare in SE Asia.  In February, the Company received an expression of interest in the acquisition of its eWallet business from a regional leader in ride-sharing and delivery. Comparable valuation metrics make this a source of encouragement as we follow through on our mandate at Weyland to build, grow, and sell the businesses that we launch in emerging markets.Our team in Indonesia continues to build the platform making it attractive to potential acquirers and the landscape continues to improve for a sale.Potential for merger and expansion into new emerging marketManagement has identified and begun an initiative for entry into our second emerging market in SE Asia. During this process the possibility of a merger with a larger group possessing country licensing and infrastructure needed for rapid expansion has been raised. There have been numerous meetings, calls and terms proposed and should there be a firm agreement, we will pursue it with our Board of Directors and subsequently inform shareholders.Update on outstanding litigation in Singapore and US Federal court in NevadaRegarding the current litigation in Singapore and in the US Federal Court in Nevada, over the past two months there has been substantial progress and we remain optimistic that a settlement favorable to shareholders is imminent. Qualification for NASDAQ and re-engagement of applicationThe management team has moved forward re-opening our NASDAQ application and, based upon meetings and discussions with NASDAQ, the Company currently qualifies under most of the criteria for a NASDAQ listing. As we progress, we will inform shareholders.About Weyland Tech Inc.Weyland Tech is a global provider of mobile business applications. The Company operates a Platform-as-a-Service (“PaaS”) software used on mobile ‘smartphones’. The PaaS platform offers a mobile presence to Small-to-Medium-Sized- Businesses (“SMB’s”) in emerging markets, with partnerships on 3 continents and growing. The PaaS platform, offered in 14 languages with over 70 integrated modules, enables SMB’s to create native mobile applications (“apps”) for Apple’s iOS and Google Android without technical knowledge or background, empowering SMB’s to increase sales, reach more customers and promote their products and services in an easy, affordable and efficient manner.About WIP/AtoZPayWeyland Indonesia Perkasa (“WIP”) / AtoZPay is an Indonesian Company that is held by Weyland Tech via both equity and contractual structures which comply with Indonesia’s foreign commercial ownership regulations. AtoZPay, an eWallet solution, is quickly becoming the adopted standard in Indonesia, the world’s 4th most populous nation, with a majority of consumers without bank accounts. A partnership with Finnet, Indonesia’s state-controlled company tasked with building and supporting banking and finance infrastructure nationwide, and a recently achieved banking license, creates the most robust solution for the “unbanked” in Indonesia. Weyland Tech owns 100% the eWallet software platform which powers AtozPay. In a liquidity event or outright exit via an acquisition, Weyland and its sub-holding (WAI) are entitled ...

Yo-yo dieting may increase womens heart disease risk

Study Highlights: Women who have lost at least 10 pounds, only to regain the weight within a year, are more likely to have a poor score on the American Heart Association’s - Life’s Simple 7, a measure of how well people control important heart disease risk factors. The more episodes of yo-yo dieting women report, the worse they score on Life’s Simple 7. In addition to achieving a healthy weight, maintaining a consistent body weight may be important for lowering heart disease risk. Embargoed until 3 p.m. CT/ 4 p.m. ET, Thursday, March 7, 2019 (NewMediaWire) - March 07, 2019 - HOUSTON - Yo-yo dieting may make it harder for women to control a variety of heart disease risk factors, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2019, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population-based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. “Achieving a healthy weight is generally recommended as heart healthy but maintaining weight loss is difficult and fluctuations in weight may make it harder to achieve ideal cardiovascular health,” said Brooke Aggarwal, Ed.D., M.S., senior author of the study and assistant professor of medical sciences at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Investigators studied 485 women (average age 37 years, 61 percent racial/ethnic minorities, average body mass index 26, in the overweight range) participating in the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network at Columbia University in New York City. Women reported how many times (other than during pregnancies) they had lost at least 10 pounds, only to regain the weight within a year. They were assessed on American Heart Association’s - Life’s Simple 7, a measure of how well people control important heart disease risk factors (including body mass index, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, smoking, physical activity and diet). Most of the women (73 percent) reported at least one episode of yo-yo weight loss, with a range of zero to 20 episodes. Researchers found that women with one or more episodes of yo-yo weight loss were: 82 percent less likely to have an optimal body mass index (between 18.5 and 25, neither underweight or overweight for their height); and 51 percent less likely to be rated as moderate, and 65 percent less likely to be rated as optimal overall on Life’s Simple 7. The more episodes of weight cycling women reported, the poorer they scored on Life’s Simple 7, according to the researchers. The detrimental impact of weight-cycling on the overall Life’s Simple 7 score was most striking in women who had never been pregnant. “The women without a pregnancy history were likely younger and might be those who started weight-cycling at an earlier age. We need to identify critical periods for the effect of weight fluctuation on heart disease risk over the life course to find out whether it is worse when women start on a dieting roller-coaster at an early age,” said Aggarwal. The study is limited in not differentiating unintentional from intentional weight loss, and in being based on self-reported data and measures taken at a single time. Aggarwal stressed that the team cannot currently tease apart whether yo-yo dieting has adverse effects on Life’s Simple 7 factors or rather that those who don’t adhere to guidance on Life’s Simple 7 have a harder time maintaining low weight and end up yo-yo dieting more frequently. The study’s results in women may not be generalizable to men. “We hope to extend the study five to ten years to confirm these results and look at long-term effects,” Aggarwal said. “However, there has been prior research that showed similar results in men, with those who weight-cycled having twice the risk of cardiovascular death in middle age.” Co-authors are: Stephanie S. Byun, M.S.; Natalie A. Bello, M.D., M.P.H.; Ming Liao, M.S.; and Nour Makarem, Ph.D., M.S. Author disclosures are on the abstract. The American ...

Social support and a purpose in life may help preserve cognitive abilities with age in Hispanics/Latinos

Study Highlights: Higher social support and a sense of purpose in life are associated with higher cognitive functioning in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos. Loneliness has a negative relationship with cognitive function. Strengthening social resources might improve the health of Hispanics/Latinos as they age, perhaps lowering the risk of dementia. Embargoed until 3 p.m. CT/ 4 p.m., Thursday, March 7, 2019 (NewMediaWire) - March 07, 2019 - HOUSTON - Higher social support and having a sense of purpose in life are each associated with higher cognitive functioning in middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos, while loneliness has a detrimental effect on cognition, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2019, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population-based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. Previous studies have shown that psychological resources (such as optimism) and stressors (such as loneliness) are associated with cognitive functioning in non-Hispanic blacks and whites, but less is known about the role of these factors in Hispanics/Latinos. “Given the exponential increase in the Hispanic/Latino aging population, we need to consider tailored approaches to improve health. In this study, we are trying to identify key psychosocial resources in this population which could be used to improve their health as they get older,” said Mayra L. Estrella, Ph.D., M.P.H., lead author of the study and a research assistant professor at the Institute for Minority Health Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Participants included 1,572 women and 1,200 men between 45 and 74 years of age (average 56 years) who are part of the Sociocultural Ancillary Study of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, a multi-center research project aimed at identifying factors that play a protective or harmful role in the health of Hispanics. Each participant reported on a variety of psychosocial factors, and they were tested on various cognitive skills and overall cognitive functioning. The researchers found: Higher scores on ethnic identity, life engagement and social support were associated with higher cognitive functioning; Higher scores on loneliness and familism (the extent to which the needs and interests of the family are more important that the individual’s needs) were associated with lower cognitive functioning. Higher perceived ethnic discrimination, which has been associated with lower cognitive functioning in studies of African Americans, was not associated with cognitive function in this group. “Life engagement – having a sense of purpose in life and engaging in activities that are personally valued – as well as social support from family and friends, were associated with better cognitive functioning, regardless of people’s age, sex, income, education, symptoms of depression or heart disease risk factors. Tapping into these psychosocial resources while minimizing stressors may provide effective strategies for improving cognitive function with age,” Estrella said. The researchers were surprised to find that familism, an important component of Hispanic/Latino culture which is usually seen as a positive personal resource, was associated with lower cognitive functioning. “Our results suggest that putting family interests ahead of your own may be a psychosocial stressor among middle-aged and older Hispanics and Latinos. One potential reason is that families with limited social and economic resources may places stressful demands on individuals, such as being a caretaker or helping economically,” said Estrella. While the current study did not focus on disease states such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, finding potentially modifiable ways to improve cognitive function with age may help reduce the high burden of dementia among older Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States, according to the researchers. The investigators are conducting a ...

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Showing 2131 – 2140 of 5265 Items