E-cigarette use causes a unique innate immune response in the lung, involving increased neutrophilic activation and altered mucin secretion

Rationale: E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular and little is known about their potential adverse health effects. Objectives: To determine the effects of e-cigarette use on the airways. Methods: Induced sputum samples from cigarette smokers, e-cigarette users, and nonsmokers were analyzed by quantitative proteomics, and the total and individual concentrations of mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B were determined by light scattering/refractometry and labeled mass spectrometry, respectively. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation rates were also determined for the same groups. Measurements and Main Results: E-cigarette users exhibited significant increases in aldehyde-detoxification and oxidative stress-related proteins associated with cigarette smoke compared with nonsmokers. The levels of innate defense proteins associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, such as elastase and matrix metalloproteinase-9, were significantly elevated in e-cigarette users as well. E-cigarette users' sputum also uniquely exhibited significant increases in neutrophil granulocyte-related and NET-related proteins, such as myeloperoxidase, azurocidin, and protein-arginine deiminase 4, despite no significant elevation in neutrophil cell counts. Peripheral neutrophils from e-cigarette users showed increased susceptibility to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced NETosis. Finally, a compositional change in the gel-forming building blocks of airway mucus (i.e., an elevated concentration of mucin MUC5AC) was observed in both cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users. Conclusions: Together, our results indicate that e-cigarette use alters the profile of innate defense proteins in airway secretions, inducing similar and unique changes relative to cigarette smoking. These data challenge the concept that e-cigarettes are a healthier alternative to cigarettes

Analysis of a single server batch arrival retrial queueing system with modified vacations and N-policy

In this paper, a batch arrival single server retrial queue with modified vacations under N-policy is considered. If an arriving batch of customers finds the server busy or on vacation, then the entire batch joins the orbit in order to seek the service again. Otherwise, one customer from the arriving batch receives the service, while the rest joins the orbit. The customers in the orbit will try for service one by one when the server is idle with a classical retrial policy with the retrial rate ‘jv’, where ‘j’ is the size of the orbit. At a service completion epoch, if the number of customers in the orbit is zero, then the server leaves for a secondary job (vacation) of random length. At a vacation completion epoch, if the orbit size is at least N, then the server remains in the system to render service for the primary customers or orbital customers. On the other hand, if the number of customers in the orbit is less than ‘N’ at a vacation completion epoch, the server avails multiple vacations subject to maximum ‘M’ repeated vacations. After availing ‘M’ consecutive vacations, the server returns to the system to render service irrespective of the orbit size. The model is studied using supplementary variable technique. For the proposed queueing system, the probability generating function of the steady state queue size distribution at an arbitrary time is obtained. Various performance measures are derived. A cost model for the queueing system is developed. Numerical illustration is provided

Analysis of a Bulk Queue with Unreliable Server and Single Vacation

Abstract In this paper, the operating characteristics of a

Analysis of a M

In this paper, a batch arrival general bulk service queueing system with interrupted vacation (secondary job) is considered. At a service completion epoch, if the server finds at least ‘a’ customers waiting for service say ξ, he serves a batch of min (ξ, b) customers, where b ≥ a. On the other hand, if the queue length is at the most ‘a-1’, the server leaves for a secondary job (vacation) of random length. It is assumed that the secondary job is interrupted abruptly and the server resumes for primary service, if the queue size reaches ‘a’, during the secondary job period. On completion of the secondary job, the server remains in the system (dormant period) until the queue length reaches ‘a’. For the proposed model, the probability generating function of the steady state queue size distribution at an arbitrary time is obtained. Various performance measures are derived. A cost model for the queueing system is also developed. To optimize the cost, a numerical illustration is provided

Collisional Dynamics of the First Excited States of Neon in the 590-670 nm Region using Laser Optogalvanic Spectroscopy

A mathematical rate equation model, incorporating the various processes contributing to the generation of optogalvanic signals in a discharge plasma, has been used to analyze the time-resolved waveforms of neon in the wavelength region 590–670 nm. Amplitudes, decay rates and the appropriate instrumental time constant have been determined using a non-linear least-squares fit of the observed time-resolved optogalvanic waveforms