Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco

The proceedings of the inaugural scientific meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) are summarized. The primary objective of the meeting was to foster the exchange of information on the effects of nicotine and tobacco use, as well as factors which influence their use, drawing from biological, behavioral and social sciences. Much of this research can be viewed as a tale of “two” drugs–nicotine as a key to an important public health problem, and nicotine as a classical tool of physiological and pharmacological research. A historical overview of research on “both” drugs is provided first. Public policy alternatives for reducing the prevalence of tobacco use have been derived in part from basic and clinical research results and are briefly outlined. Evidence for genetic determinants on nicotine use and effects is presented using data from twin studies and from molecular genetic research with humans and animals. Consistent with this research, there is evidence of individual differences in pharmacokinetics and effects of nicotine, which could account for differences in smoking behavior and nicotine dependence. Finally, recent developments in the therapeutic uses of nicotine and novel nicotinic agonists with schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Tourette's syndrome and ulcerative colitis are presented. Overall, the research presented at the meeting demonstrated the vast diversity of areas of study involving nicotine and tobacco, as well as the rich opportunities for cross-communication among researchers from different disciplines.     

Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco

The goal of the third annual scientific conference of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco was to provide a forum for the exchange of information across the spectrum of nicotine and tobacco research. Five symposia covered the following topics: animal and human models of nicotine dependence, use of nicotine as a therapeutic agent in disorders associated with ageing and psychopathology, public health strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by smoking by reducing exposure to tobacco smoke, new pharmacological treatments and treatment combinations that are being tested for smoking cessation and the integration of behavioral and molecular genetic approaches to explain nicotine dependence. The genetic epidemiology of smoking initiation and nicotine dependence was the topic of an invited address. The findings presented at the conference clearly demonstrated the wide range of nicotine and tobacco research programs.     

Pharmacokinetic Predisposition to Nicotine from Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Risk Factor for Pediatric Asthma

During the last decade several studies have shown that children whose parents smoke have higher rates of asthma. Recently, hair concentrations of cotinine have been shown to reflect systemic exposure to this constituent of smoke in both children and adults. At the present time it is not known, however, why some children exposed to passive smoking have asthma while others, similarly exposed, do not. The present study aimed at verifying whether asthmatic children are different from nonasthmatic children exposed to similar degrees of passive smoking in the way their bodies handle nicotine, a constituent of cigarette smoke. Seventy-eight asthmatic children were compared to 86 control children, all attending a consulting pediatric clinic in Toronto. A questionnaire completed by the parents and children detailed the daily number of cigarettes the child was exposed to and the identity of the smokers. Clinical data were extracted from the patients' charts. Urinary (corrected for creatinine) and hair concentrations of cotinine were measured by radioimmunoassays. The asthmatic and control children were of similar age, gender, and ethnic distribution, parental education, and socioeconomic status. Parents of asthmatic children tended to report a lower daily number of cigarettes (7.4 ± 1.3/day vs. 11.2 ± 2.3/day, p = 0.14), and this report agreed with the trend of urinary cotinine (47.1 ± 9.1 ng/mg vs. 62.6 ±11.5 ng/mg, respectively). Conversely, children with asthma had on average twofold higher concentrations of cotinine in their hair (0.696 ± 0.742 ng/mg) than control children (0.386 ± 0.383) (p = 0.0001). In a similar manner, the hair.urine concentration ratio was significantly higher in children with asthma (0.028 ± 0.002) than in their controls (0.18 ± 0.003) (p = 0.0001). These results suggest that under exposure to similar amounts of nicotine, children with asthma have on average twofold higher systemic exposure to this constituent of cigarette smoke. These data suggest that out of all children passively exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, those who exhibit asthma have a higher systemic exposure to nicotine, possibly due to lower clearance rate. This is the first evidence of pharmacokinetic predisposition to environmental tobacco smoke as an etiological factor in pediatric asthma.     

Pharmacokinetic Predisposition to Nicotine from Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Risk Factor for Pediatric Asthma

During the last decade several studies have shown that children whose parents smoke have higher rates of asthma. Recently, hair concentrations of cotinine have been shown to reflect systemic exposure to this constituent of smoke in both children and adults. At the present time it is not known, however, why some children exposed to passive smoking have asthma while others, similarly exposed, do not. The present study aimed at verifying whether asthmatic children are different from nonasthmatic children exposed to similar degrees of passive smoking in the way their bodies handle nicotine, a constituent of cigarette smoke. Seventy-eight asthmatic children were compared to 86 control children, all attending a consulting pediatric clinic in Toronto. A questionnaire completed by the parents and children detailed the daily number of cigarettes the child was exposed to and the identity of the smokers. Clinical data were extracted from the patients' charts. Urinary (corrected for creatinine) and hair concentrations of cotinine were measured by radioimmunoassays. The asthmatic and control children were of similar age, gender, and ethnic distribution, parental education, and socioeconomic status. Parents of asthmatic children tended to report a lower daily number of cigarettes (7.4 ± 1.3/day vs. 11.2 ± 2.3/day, p = 0.14), and this report agreed with the trend of urinary cotinine (47.1 ± 9.1 ng/mg vs. 62.6 ±11.5 ng/mg, respectively). Conversely, children with asthma had on average twofold higher concentrations of cotinine in their hair (0.696 ± 0.742 ng/mg) than control children (0.386 ± 0.383) (p = 0.0001). In a similar manner, the hair.urine concentration ratio was significantly higher in children with asthma (0.028 ± 0.002) than in their controls (0.18 ± 0.003) (p = 0.0001). These results suggest that under exposure to similar amounts of nicotine, children with asthma have on average twofold higher systemic exposure to this constituent of cigarette smoke. These data suggest that out of all children passively exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, those who exhibit asthma have a higher systemic exposure to nicotine, possibly due to lower clearance rate. This is the first evidence of pharmacokinetic predisposition to environmental tobacco smoke as an etiological factor in pediatric asthma.     

Cardiovascular Toxicity of Nicotine: Implications for Nicotine Replacement Therapy

This review discusses the known cardiovascular effects of smoking and the effects of nicotine without tobacco smoke and interprets the available data on cardiovascular risk during nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Nicotine gum and patches are now approved for over the counter sale in the United States. Smokers with cardiovascular disease are advised to seek physician counseling before using nicotine products, but information regarding the safety of these products in such patients is not readily available to most physicians. Nicotine may contribute to cardiovascular disease, presumably by hemodynamic consequences of sympathetic neural stimulation and systemic catecholamine release. However, there are many potential cardiovascular toxins in cigarette smoke other than nicotine. The doses of nicotine obtained by regular cigarette smoking generally exceed those delivered by NRTs, and the cardiovascular effects of nicotine are, in general, more intense when delivered rapidly by cigarette smoking than the slower delivery by transdermal nicotine or nicotine gum. Because the dose–cardiovascular response relation for nicotine is flat, the effects of cigarette smoking in conjunction with NRT are similar to those of cigarette smoking alone. Cigarette smoking increases blood coagulability, a major risk factor for acute cardiovascular events, whereas transdermal nicotine does not appear to do so. Clinical trials of NRT in patients with underlying, stable coronary disease suggest that nicotine does not increase cardiovascular risk. At worst, the risks of NRT are no more than those of cigarette smoking. The risks of NRT for smokers, even for those with underlying cardiovascular disease, are small and are substantially outweighed by the potential benefits of smoking cessation.

(J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:1422–31)     

Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol

The Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol (KBS) was established in 1987 and is an independent organization open to all scientists working on problems related to social and epidemiological research on alcohol. The aim of the Society is to promote social and epidemiological research which fosters a comparative understanding of the social aspects of alcohol use and alcohol problems. In line with this the Society also aims at promoting a spirit of international collaboration. The Kettil Bruun Society is based on individual membership and, by 2003, has 197 fully paid-up members, representing 34 different countries over five continents. The main activities include an annual meeting as well as thematic meetings. In these meetings, discussions are emphasized by having precirculated papers and assigned discussants. The KBS also serves as a basis for organizing international collaborative projects. Project meetings or work-shops are often organized around the annual meetings, and the projects tend to run over several years. The Society's primary influence is through the mutual influence of its members on each others' thinking, the work of the projects that KBS sponsors and the influence its members have collectively on the development of the field.     

American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

 【网址】 http://www.asbmr.org
【类型】 专业机构 

美国骨矿研究学会（American Society for Bone and Mineral Research,ASBMR）创建于1977年,是骨矿研究领域首个专、科学的医学学 会,旨在鼓励临床和科研学者参与到骨骼和矿物质代谢的研究中,促进骨矿研究的发展,加快将基础研究成果转化为临床实践应用。该学会成员包括基础研究学者、骨矿物质代谢及相关领域临床研究者,同时还包括医生和其他健康医疗从业人员。目前全球会员人数约4000 名,覆盖研究领域有生物力学、细胞生物学、分子生物学、口腔医学、发育生物学、内分泌学、流行病学、内科学、新陈代谢、分子遗传学 、肾脏学、妇产科学、骨科学、病理学、药理学、生理学、风湿病学以及其他基础或临床领域。
学会通过举办科学年会、创办杂志（Journal of Bone and Mineral Research）和原始读物、与政府机构和有关学会交流来鼓励并推动此领 域研究的不断扩大。
该学会主页提供了大量的信息资源,主要栏目如下：
（1）会议（Meetings）：主要包括年会和专题会议,以年会信息为主,提供已经举办过的年会报告下载、即将举行的以及将来举行的年会 信息等,具体信息包括大会注册、发言内容、专家介绍、各论坛时间安排等。
（2）出版物（Publications）：提供官方期刊和骨矿研究领域入门读物的相关介绍、编辑精选以及电子版链接,其中入门读物提供书籍每 章内容的幻灯片下载;另外该栏目下还有学会的电子新闻（eNews）专栏,主要为用户时时传达该领域内的重大事件、会议信息、会员福利 以及其他重要信息。“In The Field”子栏目还为用户提供本领域内发表的最新研究论文及相关链接。
（3）教育（Education）：包括骨骼基础课程、在线研讨会、网络广播、基本读物幻灯和教育资源5个子栏目,骨骼基础课程介绍骨的结构 、功能、生长、重塑、骨细胞等基础知识;在线研讨会提供每期会议的时间、频道和往期的内容;网络广播为用户提供往届年会和专题会议 的录像和幻灯下载,用户可在线观看会议的实况录像。
（4）基金资助（Grants）：提供该学会资助的基金项目的详细介绍,具体资助的国家,以及资助项目的相关网站链接。此外,网站的宣传中心提供了骨矿研究相关的最新消息、其他学会的网站链接和合作信息;同时职业规划中心还提供了工作岗位、职业规划 建议等大量的就业信息。     

Tobacco Industry Research on Smoking Cessation

BACKGROUND:  Smoking rates are declining in the United States, except for young adults (age 18 to 24). Few organized programs target smoking cessation specifically for young adults, except programs for pregnant women. In contrast, the tobacco industry has invested much time and money studying young adult smoking patterns. Some of these data are now available in documents released through litigation.
OBJECTIVE:  Review tobacco industry marketing research on smoking cessation to guide new interventions and improve clinical practice, particularly to address young adult smokers' needs.
METHODS:  Analysis of previously secret tobacco industry documents.
RESULTS:  Compared to their share of the smoking population, young adult smokers have the highest spontaneous quitting rates. About 10% to 30% of smokers want to quit; light smokers and brand switchers are more likely to try. Tobacco companies attempted to deter quitting by developing products that appeared to be less addictive or more socially acceptable. Contrary to consumer expectations, "ultra low tar" cigarette smokers were actually less likely to quit.
CONCLUSIONS:  Tobacco industry views of young adult quitting behavior contrast with clinical practice. Tobacco marketers concentrate on recapturing young quitters, while organized smoking cessation programs are primarily used by older smokers. As young people have both the greatest propensity to quit and the greatest potential benefits from smoking cessation, targeted programs for young adults are needed. Tobacco marketing data suggest that aspirational messages that decrease the social acceptability of smoking and support smoke-free environments resonate best with young adult smokers' motivations.     

The Research Society on Alcoholism

Until the 1960s, the small amount of federal funding available in the alcohol field in the USA was provided by a division of the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Administration. In the late 1960s, the National Council on Alcoholism (NCA) joined the American Medical Society on Alcoholism (AMSA, which accepted only physicians). A group of physicians at NCA-AMSA felt that progress in our field needed the concerted effort of both physicians and nonphysician scientists, creating the Research Society on Alcoholism (RSA) in 1977. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) had been created a few years earlier. From 250 members in 1978, the RSA has grown to 1500 in 2001, with a ratio of about three PhDs (with specialities that range from gene therapy to social policy) to each MD. The society holds yearly meetings-visitors can find more information on the web page (http://www.RSoA.org). The society publishes the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. RSA committees are active in presenting the most recent findings to the public and to elected representatives, and in making recommendations on areas of research that need funding.     

Reasons for Smoking and Severity of Residual Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms When Using Nicotine Chewing Gum

Prior to smoking cessation treatment using nicotine chewing gum, 65 smokers completed the Horn Reasons for Smoking Test, the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire and were assessed on measures of smoking history including saliva cotinine concentration. These measures were used to predict severity of residual nicotine withdrawal symptoms and urges to smoke assessed on a daily basis during the first 2 weeks of attempted abstinence. Univariate analyses indicated that smoking for reasons of handling, craving and to cope with negative affect correlated positively with both residual withdrawal symptoms and urges during the first week. Smoking for reasons of stimulation and habit were also correlated positively with residual withdrawal, and smoking for pleasure correlated with urges to smoke. After controlling for concurrent level of nicotine gum use, analyses suggested that only smoking for reasons of stimulation predicted residual withdrawal. Urges to smoke were positively related to level of smoking during treatment and also to smoking for reasons of craving and handling. Thus, it appears that individual differences in reasons for smoking influence severity of residual nicotine withdrawal symptoms and urges to smoke while chewing nicotine gum. The findings for stimulation smoking and withdrawal are discussed in terms of the reinforcing properties of nicotine with different routes of administration.     

吸烟药理和戒烟步骤

吸烟成瘾主要是尼古丁成瘾,尼古丁成瘾主要与尼古丁增加多巴胺、去甲。肾上腺素和阿片肽释放相关联,所以烟瘾的治疗致力于用尼古丁替代治疗（如尼古丁肤贴）、尼古丁受体部分激动剂（如法伦克兰）和增加多巴胺和去甲肾上腺素和多巴胺能的药物（如安非他酮）。戒烟步骤是轻度可选心理咨询,中度可选单一药物治疗,重度则选联合药物治疗,联合药物治疗优选联合尼古丁替代治疗,难治者才选安非他酮联合尼占丁替代治疗。