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One type of epigenetic modification is genomic DNA methylation, which is induced by smoking, and both are associated with male infertility. In this study, the relationship between smoking and CHD5 gene methylation and semen parameters in infertile men was determined. After the MS‐PCR of blood in 224 samples, 103 infertile patients (62 smokers and 41 non‐smokers) and 121 fertile men, methylation level changes between groups and the effect of methylation and smoking on infertility and semen parameters in infertile men were determined. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the methylation status (MM, MU, UU) of the CHD5 gene between the patient and the control group, and this correlation also exists for the semen parameters (p <.001). The average semen parameters in smokers decreased significantly compared to non‐smokers and sperm concentration was (32.21 ± 5.27 vs. 55.27 ± 3.38), respectively. MM methylation status was higher in smokers (22.5%) compared to non‐smokers (14.6%). Smoking components affect the methylation pattern of CHD5 gene, and smokers had higher methylation levels and lower semen parameters than non‐smokers, which can be biomarkers for evaluating semen quality and infertility risk factors. Understanding the epigenetic effects of smoking on male infertility can be very useful for predicting negative consequences of smoking and providing therapeutic solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is hypothesized that the levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are higher in the peri‐implant sulcular fluid (PISF) of cigarette‐smokers than nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis. Purpose The purpose was to compare the levels of AGEs in the PISF among moderate cigarette‐smokers and nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis. Materials and methods: Cigarette‐smokers and nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis and nonsmokers without peri‐implantitis were included. A questionnaire was used to gather information related to smoking habit, duration of implants in function and demographic traits. In all groups, peri‐implant plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), crestal bone loss (CBL) and probing depth (PD). The PISF was collected and levels of AGEs were measured. Group comparisons were performed and P <.01 was nominated as pointer of statistical significance. Results: Fourteen smokers with peri‐implantitis (12 males and 2 females), 15 nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis (14 males and 1 female) and 15 nonsmokers without peri‐implantitis (13 males and 2 females) were included. Smokers with peri‐implantitis had a smoking history of 22.7 ± 0.3 pack years. The mesial and distal CBL, PI, and PD were significantly higher in smokers with peri‐implantitis than nonsmokers with (P <.01) and without peri‐implantitis (P <.01). The GI was significantly higher in smokers (P <.01) and nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis (P <.01) compared with nonsmokers without peri‐implantitis. The levels of AGEs were significantly higher among smokers with peri‐implantitis (552.8 ± 87.2 pg/mL) (P <.01) compared with nonsmokers with (141.6 ± 64.9 pg/mL) and without (88.1 ± 27.3 pg/mL) peri‐implantitis. The levels of AGEs were significantly higher among nonsmokers with (141.6 ± 64.9 pg/mL) (P <.01) than without (88.1 ± 27.3 pg/mL) peri‐implantitis. Conclusion: The levels of AGEs expressed in the PISF are higher among moderate cigarette‐smokers than nonsmokers with peri‐implantitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescent cigarette smoking is of public health importance since many adult smokers had initiated the habit as adolescents. This study aims to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking among in-school adolescents in Yilo Krobo Municipality, Ghana and factors associated with cigarette smoking. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional analytic study was conducted in February 2017 in Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. A stratified random sampling method was applied to select 700 students. After obtaining informed consent, structured questionnaires were administered to collect information on demographic characteristics, behaviours, family, peer and school factors. Data was entered into SPSS and analysed with level of significant as p-value of less than 0.05. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis were applied to determine prevalence and risk factors of cigarette smoking. Results: A total of 700 students participated in the study and the prevalence of cigarette smoking was 14.3% (100) and 77.5% (76) were introduced to smoking by their peers. Those who started smoking cigarette at the age of 10 years and below were 32% (32). Factors associated with cigarette smoking were being in JHS 1 (AOR:2.23, p=0.006), close friends smoking cigarette (AOR: 2.26, p=0.001), having drank alcohol before (AOR: 6.0, p<0.001) and having ever used marijuana (AOR: 6.48, p<0.001). However, recognizing marijuana usage to be wrong was protective against cigarette smoking (AOR: 0.58, p=0.006). Conclusion: Cigarette smoking among in-school adolescents exists in Yilo Krobo Municipality and school-based interventions such as counselling services on substance use should be implemented to address these behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification of the genome. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of cigarette‐smoking on sperm DNA methylation from a genomewide survey of sperm samples and to ascertain its effect on sperm parameters. Twenty‐eight sperm DNA samples (from 14 fertile smokers as a case study and 14 proven fertile nonsmokers as controls) were subjected to Infinium 450K BeadChip arrays to identify the changes in the DNA methylation level between the two groups. Then, deep bisulphite sequencing was used to validate five CpGs on 78 samples. The results from the Infinium 450K found that only 11 CpGs showed a significant difference in DNA methylation between the case and the control groups. Five CpGs of the eleven (cg00648582, cg0932376, cg19169023, cg23841288 and cg27391564) underwent deep bisulphite sequencing where cg00648582, related to the PGAM5 gene, and the cg23841288 CpGs, related to the PTPRN2 gene amplicons, showed a significant increase in their DNA methylation level in more than one CpG in the case group. In contrast, a significant decrease was found at cg19169023 and at its various neighbouring CpGs in the TYRO3 gene‐related amplicons. Furthermore, this study demonstrated a significant correlation between the variation in sperm DNA methylation level and standard sperm parameters in the case group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with unspecific symptoms were sometimes tested for Candida. In case of findings of this yeast-like fungus in their stools they often were labelled with the diagnosis of a ‘ Candida-syndrome’. This comprises headache, weakness, flatulence, ravenous appetite for sweets, itching skin and several more unspecific symptoms. All 500 randomly sampled patients in 12 mainly naturopathic practices were asked to take part. In case of participation, they received stool-tubes and questionnaires to be answered during the waiting-time by the patients themselves. We asked for details of lifestyle, diseases and a number of unspecific symptoms. The stool-tubes were sent to a microbiological lab within 24 h after being filled. About one-third of all 308 participants carried Candida albicans in their stools. This finding is regarded as normal. Smoking habits were highly associated to Candida: 45 of the 78 smokers (58%), but only 68 of the 230 (29%) non-smokers were Candida positive, P < 0.0001. Three more results were associated with Candida-positive stools: Candida-vaginitis, allergies against food and allergies in general. Hints of a Candida-syndrome could not be found. The relation with smoking cigarettes is a new result. Associations to Candida-vaginitis and allergies were described before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]