Tone detection and temporal gap detection thresholds were determined in CBA/CaJ mice using a Go/No-go procedure and the psychophysical Method of Constant Stimuli. In the first experiment, audiograms were constructed for five CBA/CaJ mice. Thresholds were obtained for eight pure tones ranging in frequency from 1 to 42 kHz. Audiograms showed peak sensitivity between 8 and 24 kHz, with higher thresholds at lower and higher frequencies. In the second experiment, thresholds for gap detection in broadband and narrowband noise bursts were measured at several sensation levels. For broadband noise, gap thresholds were between 1 and 2 ms, except at very low sensation levels, where thresholds increased significantly. Gap thresholds also increased significantly for lowpass-filtered noise bursts with a cutoff frequency below 18 kHz. Our experiments revised absolute auditory thresholds in the CBA/CaJ mouse strain and demonstrated excellent gap detection ability in the mouse. These results add to the baseline behavioral data from normal-hearing mice which have become increasingly important for assessing auditory abilities in genetically altered mice.

BackgroundElectronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) present an emerging issue for tobacco control and data on product use behaviors are limited.MethodsParticipants (N = 38 enrolled; N = 16 compliant) completed three lab visits over 5 days and were asked to abstain from regular cigarettes for 72 hours in favor of ENDS (Smoke 51 TRIO – 3 piece, First Generation with 11 mg/ml filters). Lab visits included measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) and salivary cotinine concentration, questionnaire measures of regular cigarette craving after the 72 hour abstinence, and subjective product effects. Participants used a topography device to record puff volume, duration, flow rate, and inter-puff interval.ResultsAnalyses revealed significant differences across products in puff count, average volume, total volume and inter-puff interval, with ENDS broadly showing a more intensive smoking pattern. Cigarette craving scores dropped significantly after smoking regular cigarettes, but not ENDS (p = .001), and subjective measures showed ENDS rated less favorably. CO boost, after ENDS use, decreased significantly (p < .001), and saliva cotinine significantly dropped between visits 1 and 3 (p < 0.001) after ENDS use relative to after cigarette smoking. For compliant and non-compliant participants, there was an average 82.0% [V1 - 16.1 cpd; V3 - 2.9 cpd] and average 73.9% [V1 - 20.3 cpd; V3 - 5.3 cpd] reduction in regular cigarette use per day during the ENDS trial period, respectively.ConclusionsThe ENDS were smoked more intensively than own brand cigarettes, but delivered significantly less nicotineand were less satisfying. These findings have implications for the viability of certain ENDS as alternatives to cigarettes.

Objectives This study explored how advertising affects demand for cigarettes and potential substitutes, including snus, dissolvable tobacco, and medicinal nicotine. Methods A web-based experiment randomized 1062 smokers to see advertisements for alternative nicotine products or soft drinks, then complete a series of purchase tasks, which were used to estimate demand elasticity, peak consumption, and cross-price elasticity (CPE) for tobacco products. Results Lower demand elasticity and greater peak consumption were seen for cigarettes compared to all alternative products (p < .05). CPE did not differ across the alternative products (p ≤ .03). Seeing relevant advertisements was not significantly related to demand. Conclusions These findings suggest significantly lower demand for alternative nicotine sources among smokers than previously revealed.

While cigarette puffing style, measured by smoking topography, is highly variable between individuals, smoking behavior or style tends to vary relatively little within individuals. Recent research has demonstrated that certain situational factors may produce variation in smoking topography, including location of smoking. Smoking topography directly observed by researchers in a laboratory may differ from that indirectly observed via portable measurement devices at participants’ homes. The introduction of clean indoor air laws may also influence smokers’ puffing styles, as smokers modify their smoking topography to ensure a quicker, more efficient smoking style. The goal of this analysis was to examine whether directly observed laboratory measures are representative of indirectly observed smoking behavior and to examine the influence of smokers’ preference for indoor or outdoor home smoking on puffing style. Overall, participants smoked more intensively in the directly observed setting than when indirectly observed setting in terms of total volume intake, inter-puff interval, and total time spent smoking. This difference was most pronounced among individuals who reported smoking indoors when at home. The data suggest that adherence to an indoor home smoking policy may further influence an individual’s smoking behavior.

Small increases in exposure to phenanthrene among smokers who switched to RIP versions were observed, while other exposures and smoking topography were not significantly affected. Toxicological implications of these findings are unclear. These findings should be weighed against the potential public health benefits of adopting RIP design standards for cigarette products.

Introduction Epidemiological and toxicological evidence suggests lower risk of smokeless tobacco (ST) products compared to cigarettes. Less is known, however, about consumer perceptions and use of novel forms of ST, including snus and dissolvable tobacco. Methods In this study, we conducted in-person experimental auctions in Buffalo, NY, Columbia, SC, and Selinsgrove, PA with 571 smokers to test the impact of information and product trials on smokers’ preferences. Auctions were conducted between November 2010-November 2011. Results We found no evidence of an impact of product trials on demand in our auctions. Anti-ST information increased demand for cigarettes when presented alone, but when presented with Pro-ST information it decreased demand for cigarettes. It did not decrease demand for ST products. Anti-smoking information increased demand for ST products, but did not affect cigarette demand. Conclusions These findings suggest that credible and effective communications about tobacco harm reduction should reinforce the negative effects of smoking.

BackgroundThis study used a 'pre-post' research design to measure the impact of the Canadian reduced ignition propensity law on cigarette toxicity and smoking behavior among Canadian smokers.MethodThe study was conducted in Ontario, Canada over a ten-month period in 2005-2006, consisting of 4 laboratory visits (baseline N = 61, final N = 42). At Visit 1, questionnaire data and biospecimens were collected. During the following 24 hours, participants smoked 5 cigarettes ad libitum through a topography recording device and collected their cigarette butts. Visit 2 consisted of a questionnaire and smoking one cigarette to measure laboratory topography values. After ten months, these procedures were repeated.ResultsGeneralized estimating equations, with law status (pre and post) as a fixed within-subject factor, were used to determine changes in behavior and biomarker exposure. Overall, there were no significant differences in smoking topography, breath carbon monoxide, and saliva cotinine pre-post law (p>0.1). However, analyses revealed a significant increase in the summed concentrations of hydroxyfluorene metabolites (N = 3),, and 1-hydroxypyrene in urine, with at notable increase in hydroxyphenanthrene metabolites (N = 3) (pΣhydroxyfluorene = 0.013, 22% increase; p1-hydroxypyrene = 0.018, 24% increase; pΣhydroxyphenanthrene = 0.061, 17% increase).ConclusionWhile the results suggest no change in topography variables, data showed increases in exposure to three PAH biomarkers following reduced ignition propensity implementation in Canada. These findings suggest that human studies should be considered to evaluate policy impacts.

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